LA MESA - MT. HELIX OCTOBER ACTIVITIES

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By Kristin Kjaero

October 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – Fall is in the air. Residents have a wealth of options this month with two large festivals, the annual Oktoberfest in the Village, and a new FalFest at Grossmont Center, as well as the annual Intergenerational Games. Local churches are offering a Blessing of Animals and a Fair Trade Gift Fair to sooth the soul, and entertainment opportunities include Halloween activities at Grossmont Center, a school vacation art camp at Mt. Helix, a new mystery at Lamplighters Community, and many clubs at the La Mesa Library. Let’s not overlook the opportunity to give back to our wonderful hometown at the annual Park Appreciation Day and the Human Advisory Commission’s Food Drive!

LA MESA VILLAGE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

  • Oktoberfest. (Oct 2 & 3. 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., La Mesa Village.) This year's festival goes back to its roots with a focus on German heritage. The Bavarian Beergarden Band, Alpine Gemutlichkeit Dancers, and the El Cajon German Band highlight the entertainment. There will be German food including bratwurst and real German beer served up at two beer gardens, plus vendors. 

LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / GROSSMONT CENTER

  • FallFest. (Friday, October 16th, 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Saturday, October 17th, 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight. Grossmont Center.) Bring the family or join friends to enjoy food, fun, entertainment, games and of course – refreshing beers to celebrate and wrap up the long month holiday with a bang! Special performances will include Multi-Award Winning country Singer/Songwriter Brent Payne and his band will perform Saturday between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

THE TABLE: UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST OF LA MESA

  • Blessing of the Animals. (October 10, 10:00 a.m. - noon, 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa.) You are invited to participate in a Community Blessing of Animals. Each will receive a certificate of blessing. Their human companions may also receive blessings. If your animal cannot come or has passed and you would like a special prayer said, please bring a picture and be part of this event.  Everyone welcome. Owners need to provide tethers, cages, leashes and safety for animals. Event sponsors ask that guests be responsible for their animals.  Questions? Call 619-851-5235 or 619-464-1519.

ST. MARTIN OF TOURS

  • Fair Trade gift faire. (October 11, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., 7710 El Cajon Blvd.) will offer hand-crafted baskets, jewelry clothing accessories, chocolate, coffee, tea and more.  Fair Trade certification means artisans and farmers in the poorest areas of the world receive fair, livable wages for their product or ingredients, offer the public “socially responsible” shopping.

LAMPLIGHTERS COMMUNITY THEATRE

  • Stage Fright. (October 9 - November 8, 2015; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm, Sunday afternoons at 2 pm.) Lamplighters continues our current season with a mystery! A leading metropolitan drama critic is tortured, inspiring blood curdling confessions from the critic and ending with the actors granting him a reprieve - but not before his most embarrassing revelations have been taped on video. This production is suitable for ages 13 and over due to mild adult situations.  

GROSSMONT CENTER

  • Spooktacular Fun at Grossmont Center. (Oct 24 @ 12:00 am - Oct 24 @ 11:59 pm.) Bring the kids in their cutest costumes and join us for a day filled with treats, costume contests, photo booths, face painting and more.
  • Ewaste Recycling. (Oct 2412:00 am - Oct 25 11:59 pm.) Recycle electronic waste including televisions, monitors and computers or equipment including wires, cables, cell phones, printers, microwaves, etc. This event will take place in the back parking lot near Fuddruckers. 
  • Halloween Trick-or-Treat Event. (Oct 31, 3:00 pm - 05:00 pm.) Join us on October 31st in your best Halloween costume and trick-or-treat through over one million square feet of stores, restaurants and eateries. Bring your family to a safe place to trick-or-treat this October for a Halloween to remember.

MT. HELIX PARK

  • Art Camp. (October 5 - October 9.) Art Smarts will be returning to the Park for it's third Art In The Park camp for kids ages 5 to 12, offering half-day camps. The camp coincides with the La Mesa Spring Valley School District fall break and gives kids the chance to draw and paint atop Mt. Helix Park with its inspirational views and natural beauty. Flyer here.
  • Power Yoga Classes held on Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning at 9 am taught by long-time instructor Rose Walters. The Yoga class is a drop-in donation based class for all levels so no registration is required.

LA MESA LIBRARY

Click here for the Library's full calendar.

  • Monday – Lego and Scrabble Clubs, Math Homework Help.
  • Tuesday – Baby Lapsit, Ebook Tutoring, Bilingual Storytime, Math Homework Help, Mindfulness Practice for Mental Wellness.
  • Wednesday – Now We’re Talking!, Chess Club, Math Homework Help, Knitting Club, and PJ Storytime.
  • Thursday – Preschool Yoga/Storytime, Crafts for ages 5-10, and Teen Book Club.
  • Friday - Toddler Storytimes and Ebook Tutoring.
  • Saturday – Morning Stretch, Introductory Computer Classes.
  • Bereavement Drop-In Support Group – First Tuesday of every month.
  • Free Depression Screening – October 5 and 9, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Covered California and Medical Assistance – October 15 and 28, 3-5 p.m.

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK

  • "Art in the Park" 4th annual Fundraiser(Oct 10, 6-9 p.m. at the MTRP Visitor Center.) This year our juried, multi-artist show in the MTRP gallery will present works themed on nature, history, and our park. Delicious hors d’oeuvres from the award winning Morse High School Culinary Art & Restaurant Management Program, plus wine.
  • "Art Smarts" art classes for children and adultsMission Trails presents a series of art classes for students of all ages looking to explore and express their unique creative process while having fun with different techniques and a variety of media. A registration fee is required; for details click here.
    • Beginning Classes - 12:30 - 2:30 pm, for ages 7 years and up.
      • October 3, Sunsets / Water Color: Students will learn the magic of the “watercolor wash” in creating colorful sunset paintings.
      • October 24, Pumpkins and Gourds / Oil Pastels: Using oil pastels, the concepts of rendering and shading will be explored, in creating bright seasonal pumpkin paintings.
    • Advanced Classes - 2:45 - 4:45 pm both for more experienced children 7yrs and up, as well as the beginning adult.
      • October 3, White Sage / Water Color: In this class we will explore how to draw, and use watercolor to render and shade while creating paintings of “White Sage,” a popular brush that grows in Mission Trails Regional Park.
      • October 24, Pumpkins / Oil Pastels: Expanding on techniques learned in the “Rendering in Still Life Class” students will learn how to draw and render pumpkins with the bright colors of oil pastels.
  • MRTP Foundation Free Concert SeriesThe MTRP Foundation Concert Series is free to the public and scheduled at 3:00 p.m. on designated Sundays in the Visitor Center Theater. Donations appreciated.
    • Oct 04  - San Diego Symphony Woodwind Quintet
    • Oct 18 -  Elizabeth Schwartz - vocalist, klezmer music. 
  • Nature Walks – Saturdays, Sundays and WednesdaysMission Trails Regional Park offers a series of guided nature walks. For more information, check out their calendar here.
  • "Nature Trails and Tales" for children 4 and upClasses for budding young naturalists at 9:30 AM in the Visitor Center, that blend art and science with guided nature walks and classroom activities to discover nature’s wonders. Children will take a close look at the Park through stories, songs, inquisitive thinking, scientific investigations, trail activities, and artistic expression. More information and registration forms.
    • October 13: "Near One Pond." We will take a close look at the San Diego River, experience the diversity of wild life, and compare the wetland with the surrounding chaparral.
    • October 20: "Nature Detectives." We will use our senses to scout for scat, tracks and shacks along the trail. In the cool of the classroom we’ll artistically journal our findings.
  • San Diego Native American Flute CircleThe San Diego Native American Flute Circle players honor Native American music. On the second Sunday of each month, they hold a "Flute Circle" in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center's Outdoor Amphitheater from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

CITY OF LA MESA

  • Urban Trails Community Advocacy Workshop. The purpose of these workshops is to engage the community and brainstorm ideas to make the City more appealing to walk, bike, and take transit. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to join in a discussion on neighborhood improvements along the City's proposed urban trail system.
    • October 6, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM @ Fire Station 12, Neighborhood Improvements - Part 1
    • October 13, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM @ La Mesa Community Center, Neighborhood Improvements - Part 2
  • Walking WednesdaysJoin La Mesa Walks for Walking Wednesdays. We meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Discover La Mesa's current and future urban trail system.
    • October 14 Meet at Amaya Trolley Station 9:00 am (546 Amaya Court). Intermediate Route, approximately 2.4 miles.
    • October 28 Walking Wednesday Halloween Walk Meet at Johnny B’s )8393 La Mesa Bl.) at 6:00 pm. Intermediate Route, approximately 2.5 miles. Costumes recommended but not required - prizes will be awarded!
  • East County Intergenerational Games(October 8, 9:30 AM - 12:00 p.m., La Mesa Middle School — 4200 Parks Ave, La Mesa.) Come join the fun at the annual East County Intergenerational Games on October 8. This free event pairs active older adults with youth ages 7 to 12 years. Activities are non-competitive, easy, and fun!  Pre-registration required. Please call 619.667.1322 or get registration forms online at www.cityoflamesa.com/FamilyFun
  • Heartland Fire - La Mesa Fire Prevention Open House. (October 10, 10:00 AM - 2:00 p.m. at Fire Station 1, 8030 Allison Avenue). Activities include Meet & Greet with Heartland Fire & Rescue Firefighters, Fire Prevention Safety Trailer,  Fire Station Tours,  CERT-Fire Extinguisher Training,  Sidewalk CPR,  Disaster Preparedness Information, and  Fire & Life Safety Information & Displays.
  • Park Appreciation Day (October 17, 8:00 am – noon.) On La Mesa Park Appreciation Day, individuals and groups can join in and help their community.  Encourage your civic, church or social group to adopt a park for La Mesa Park Appreciation Day. We will help you find a project that all your members can do! Give us a call at 619.667.1304. 
  • La Mesa Food Drive. (October 17, 8:00 AM - 12:00 p.m. at the City of La Mesa Municipal Parking Lot at Allison Avenue and Date Avenue.) Please join the Human Relations Advisory Commission in a food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank.
  • Senior Expo. (October 30, 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the La Mesa Community Center.) Visit exhibitors highlighting transportation options and healthy lifestyles. Wear your favorite Halloween costume and "trick or treat" the vendors. Free shuttles available from Trolley Stops and parking lots. Exhibitors including the La Mesa Police Department Crime Prevention, Aging and Independence Services, Metropolitan Transit System, Sharp Senior Resource Center, Meals on Wheels, DMV Senior Ombudsman Program, The Burn Institute Free Smoke Alarm Program, SDG&E Medical Baseline Program, Elderhelp, Jewish Family Services, Yellow Cab, California Telephone Access Program, HICAP and more. Flyer here.

FOOD TRUCKS AROUND TOWN

  • Best Buy Gathering every Tuesday from 5:30pm – 8:30pm at 8401 Fletcher Parkway, 91942.
  • Food Truck Thursdays at Grossmont Center in front of Walmart Garden Center and Barnes & Noble, from Apr 02 - Nov 19 05:00 pm - 07:30 pm.
  • Food Fest Fridays, 7871 University Ave, La Mesa from 5:30-8:00.

If you would like to see your community events listed in the La Mesa Community section, contact us.

 


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