Universidad Popular is honored to once again be selected as a community-based partner for the César Chávez Day of Service in collaboration with the Department of Service Learning & Civic Engagement at California State University San Marcos.

We invite you to join us as we remember and honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader César Chávez through collective action and community care.

This family-friendly event will bring together youth and families from the neighborhoods surrounding Autumn, Pico, Richmar, Mission, and San Marcos Blvd, the area around San Marcos Elementary School, for a Community Clean-Up and Resource Fair.

In addition to beautifying our neighborhood, participants will have access to valuable community resources, including information on:

• Emergency preparedness
• Workers’ rights
• Youth scholarships
• Immigration services
• Health and Wellness
• And more!

Event Details:
 Friday, March 27, 2026
 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Universidad Popular Classroom
261 Autumn Drive, Suite 115
San Marcos, CA 92069

Register here to participate!

This Day of Service is more than a clean-up, it is a demonstration of unity, civic engagement, and our shared responsibility to care for one another and the spaces we call home.

We hope you will join us as a volunteer, community partner, sponsor, or supporter.

If you are unable to attend but would like to support this work, we welcome your contribution. Donations help us provide supplies, refreshments, and year-round community programming. You can give at: www.unipopular.org/donate

For more information, please contact angelica@unipopular.org or call 760.845.2791.

The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep presents a show with striking drama in this cleverly adapted version by Ian Wooldridge of George Orwell’s Animal Farm as its next student production.

George Orwell’s satire on the perils of Stalinism has proved magnificently long-lived as a parable about totalitarianism anywhere and has given the world at least one immortal phrase: “Some are more equal than others.” The animals on a farm drive out their master and take over and run the farm for themselves. The experiment is successful, except that someone has to take the deposed farmer’s place. Leadership devolves upon the pigs, which are cleverer than the rest of the animals. Unfortunately, their character is not equal to their intelligence. This dramatization remains faithful to the book’s plot and intent and retains both its affection for the animals and the incisiveness of its message.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a work that, through the extensive use of allegory, recounts the tale of a group of farm animals who overthrow their farmer to build a new regime of justice and equality, run by and for the animals themselves. One of the most telling satiric fables ever penned – a razor-edged fairy tale that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to totalitarianism just as terrible.

Director Benjamin Cole is motivated to share this production of George Orwell’s satire on the perils of Stalinism as the Protostar Social Issues Series production. “We’re exploring deeper student awareness of their characters and how to portray them,” Cole stresses. Assistant Director Steve Smith adds, “The students are discovering unique ways to express their animal characters through their voices and movements.” The show runs a daring 70 minutes with no intermission and aims to excite audiences throughout. Additional production staff includes Sound Designer, Melanie Chen Cole; Stage Manager, Benedict Heaps; and Lighting Designer, Liam Sullivan.

The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep proudly delivers high-quality theatre instruction and eight student theatre productions throughout the year, offering accessible and fun training for various age groups. Check out all the upcoming options on the Theatre School website: www.northcoastreptheatreschool.org.

Featured in the cast are (Conor Buffini, Carlsbad; Benedict Heaps, Normal Heights; Kiera Hewitt, Carlsbad; Theodora Hoyle, Del Mar; Alice Price, Carlsbad; Maya Rosenberg, Del Mar; Nicole Sample, Carlsbad; Harper Smith, Encinitas; and Maeve Zavattero, Carlsbad.

Performances are February 19^th through February 22^nd on North Coast Repertory Theatre’s MainStage: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Suite D, Solana Beach, CA 92075 with show times at 5:30pm February 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st, and 2pm February 21^st and 22^nd. Ticket prices are regularly $25.00 for adults and FREE for all students through the generous PROTOSTAR sponsorship. Reservations for free students tickets are still required. Please call the box office to reserve your tickets today: 858-481-1055.

The search for the legendary black bird takes a comedic twist in this world premiere adaptation at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Matthew Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Dashiell Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life. With quick-change artistry and acute timing, the ensemble navigates through a labyrinth of deception and desire alongside the infamous Sam Spade, the definitive hard-boiled detective. Delivering taut, unsparing prose that crackles with tension and mirth, this thrilling, comical theatrical high-wire act proves that deadly intrigue has never been so funny. Don’t miss this electrifying production—reserve your seats now before they vanish like the falcon itself.

Todd Nielsen directs Richard Baird,* Regina Fernandez,* Louis Lotorto,* Scott Paulson, Allison Scagliotti,* and Daniel A. Stevens.* Evelyn G. Myers* is the Production Stage Manager. Jeruel Canda is the Production Assistant. The Design Team includes Marty Burnett (Set Design), Matthew Novotny (Light Design), Elisa Benzoni+ (Costumes), Grace Wong (Associate Costume Design), Rai Feltmann (Props), Ian Scott (Sound Design/Music Composer), and Peter Herman (Hair & Wigs Design).

*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

For photos, go to www.northcoastrep.org/press.

THE MALTESE FALCON performances begin Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 8:00 pm. Final performance is Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 2:00 pm.  The show runs Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evening at 8pm, Sunday evenings 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Added Wednesday matinee March 25 and Friday, March 6.  A talkback with the director and cast is scheduled for Friday, March 13. North Coast Rep is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. For complete performance schedule and ticket information, call 858-481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org.