Winter camps
Monday, Dec. 28 – Wednesday, Dec. 30
La Mesa Recreation Center (4975 Memorial Drive) will host several three-day winter camps including the following:
Robotics using LEGO: Kids will build and program robots using the WeDo and EV3 systems. This camp teaches programming skills, engineering concepts and the names of robot components. Kids will work together in small groups. Ages 7 – 9 will meet from 9 a.m. – noon and a group for ages 9 – 14 will meet from 1 – 4 p.m.
Superhero Camp: This camp for ages 5 – 12 will meet from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. This camp ensures a fun and inspiring time with lessons including martial arts, parkour (urban exercise), creative soccer training and more.
Fun Foods and Silly Snacks: This hands-on camp for ages 7 – 12 will meet from 9 a.m. – noon. The lessons will focus on nutrition and making food fun. Children will learn to correctly measure, read product labels, and each student will take home a copy of the recipes and the cookbook “Chop, Cook and Munch!” Recipes include: cheddar “nibble sticks,” tuna salad pita pockets and chocolate nachos.
Classes range from $90 – $130 for La Mesa residents and $100 – $140 for non-residents. Visit CityOfLaMesa.com/classes or call 619-667-1300 for more information or to register.
New Year’s Eve party
Thursday, Dec. 31
The La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) will host this year-end event from 8 p.m. – midnight. There will be live entertainment by The Blue Zone, refreshments, party favors and noisemakers. Tickets are $25 each. Call 619-667-1322 for more information and tickets.
Free blood pressure screenings
Tuesday, Jan. 5, Friday, Jan. 15 and Tuesday, Jan. 19
No appointment necessary for these free screenings on Jan. 5 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center (9000 Wakarusa St., La Mesa); on Jan. 15 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd.); and on Jan. 19 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at College Avenue Senior Center (6299 Capri Drive, College Area). Call 619-740-4214 for more information. Open to the public.
La Mesa National Little League (LMNLL) registration and tryouts
Walk-up registration: Wednesday, Jan. 6; Tryouts: Saturday, Jan. 9, Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 17
The walkup registration for the 2016 LMNLL season will be Jan. 6 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Lemon Avenue Elementary School (8787 Lemon Ave., La Mesa). The league serves boys and girls ages 4 – 12 from the La Mesa area. Fees are $95 for t-ball and $180 for all other divisions. Tryouts will be held Jan. 9, 16 and 17 at Kuhlken Field (9410 Memorial Drive, La Mesa). LMNLL games are played at Kuhlken Field and Lemon Avenue Elementary. Visit LMNLL.com for more information.
‘Planning Senior Care on Your Terms’ discussion
Thursday, Jan. 7
The Soroptimist International of La Mesa group presents his community event at Hillside Park Center (840 Buena Terrace, El Cajon) at 7 p.m. A panel of experts will discuss skilled nursing and assisted living care; how to pay for long-term care; the definitions of DNR and DPOA; and more. They will also be taking questions from attendees. Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 619-795-2165 or visit bit.ly/CARRJan7.
CASA volunteer information sessions
Tuesday, Jan. 12, Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016
These sessions provide information on becoming a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Voices for Children. CASAs advocate for a child’s best interests in court and in other aspects of their lives, such as education, health, and living arrangements. CASAs gather information from files and reports and communicate with social workers, family members, school officials, and other professionals to identify and address a child’s needs. They also visit the child (or a set of siblings) at least once a month to provide a reliable adult presence that is both supportive and consistent. Must be 21+. No experience is necessary. Training and support provided. To learn more or RSVP to an information session, call 858-598-2230, email [email protected] or visit speakupnow.org. The location of the sessions will be given upon registration. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the county.
‘Healthy eating in the New Year’ seminar
Thursday, Jan. 14
A session covering nutrition strategies and how to eat right and manage weight will be held at the Grossmont HealthCare District Conference Center (9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa) from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. As the New Year brings fad diets and quick fixes, this nutrition seminar goes beyond temporary changes and helps make adjustments to your eating style. Registered dietician Ursula Ridens of Sharp Grossmont’s Outpatient Nutrition Counseling Program will lead this seminar. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at sharp.com.
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Commemoration
Saturday, Jan. 16, Sunday, Jan. 17 and Monday, Jan. 18
The opening program of this weekend will be a free screening of the film “12 Years a Slave” on Jan. 16 in the Friendship Hall at United Church of Christ of La Mesa (5940 Kelton Ave.) from 1:30 – 4 p.m. Discussion of the film’s message will follow. For more information visit TableUCC.com or call 619-464-1519.
On Jan. 17 a free fellowship gathering with “small plate supper” will be held at the Christian Fellowship UCC (1601 Kelton Road, Emerald Hills) at 4 p.m. with entertainment by the Gospel Jazz Vespers at 5 p.m. For more information call 619-262-8095 or email [email protected].
A breakfast on Jan. 18 with featured speaker Reverend Richard Lawrence, a Selma walk participant, will be held at 7 a.m. at Jacobs Center (404 Euclid Ave., Lincoln Park). There is a $50 fee for this event. Visit JacobsCenter.org for more information.
The final event of the weekend on Jan. 18 will be the MLK Jr. Day of Interfaith Community Service from 9 a.m. – noon in Balboa Park. The opening interfaith ceremony will be at 9:15 a.m. at Marston House (3525 Seventh Ave.), followed by a cleanup and beautification of the Marston House grounds at 9:30 a.m. and musical entertainment and picnic lunch at 11:30 a.m. Visit CBISD.org/event/mlk for more information.
Spring recreation class early registration
Sunday, Jan. 17
Registration is now open for spring recreation classes at La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive). If you sign up by Jan. 17 you’ll receive $10 off each class. Classes include: Pilates, dance, tennis, tumbling, yoga and much more.
Seniors on the Go trip to Golden Acorn Casino
Wednesday, Jan. 20
A group trip to Golden Acorn Casino in Campo will depart from La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) at 8:30 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. The bus ride will cost $7 ($5 for members) and includes a $20 free credit at the casino. There will also be a prime rib meal available at the casino for $7.77. For more information, call the Center at 619-667-1322. Visit CityOfLaMesa.com/classes or call 619-667-1300 for more information or to register.
