Wellness Wednesday: “Dispelling Myths about Organ and Tissue Donation”
Wednesday, April 27

This free presentation at the Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library (9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa) will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. Representatives from Donate Life San Diego will be speaking about their work to promote organ and tissue donation. Wellness Wednesdays are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of the month covering various health topics. Visit herricklibrary.org for more information.

Spring Fling Business Expo 2016
Thursday, April 28

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host this springtime expo at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive) from 5:30 – 8 p.m. The expo will feature chamber members showcasing their goods and services. The public is welcome to come peruse the display tables and enter raffles for giveaways from vendors. Tickets are $10. Beer, wine, soda and water will be available for purchase. Visit bit.ly/1WcXy6w for details and to register.

Wine blending seminar
Saturday, April 30

This unique event will be held at San Pasqual Winery (8140 Center St., La Mesa) from 3 – 5 p.m. The seminar will take place in the winery’s production facility to allow for fun experimentation with wine straight from the barrel. Attendees will learn about blending and get to create their own Mediterranean blend — which they can then take home. Wines used to include: Tempranillo, Teroldego and Barbera. Registration $50 per person ($45 for wine club members). Visit bit.ly/1WcYuI4 to sign up.

Lei Day
Sunday, May 1

Held annually, Lei Day celebrates the making and wearing of leis fashioned from flowers, shells, nuts, leaves or feathers. Leis are the unspoken expression of “Aloha” meaning “greeting,” “farewell,” “love,” “hope,” “joy,” and more. United Church of Christ of La Mesa (5940 Kelton Ave.) will host their Lei Day celebration during their 10 a.m. worship service. There will be special “Praise Hula” dancing with Auntie Kahanoa, teacher and hula instructor at San Diego’s Halau Ka Lei Kukui Hi’ilani. Attendees are encouraged to wear Hawaiian attire. Visit tableucc.com for more information.

Spring Festival fundraiser
Sunday May 1

The Waldorf-inspired charter school National University Academy’s Sparrow Charter Program is hosting its fifth annual Spring Festival at their school (4207 Spring Gardens Road, La Mesa). The family friendly event will include a maypole ceremony at 10:30 a.m. followed by festival activities through 3 p.m. There will be crafts, face painting, food, drawings and more. Live music will be provided by Hullabaloo, Kathryn the Grape and The Yes Team. Funds raised will support the school and pay for specialty classes, teacher aides and field trips. Visit nuasparrow.org for more information.

3rd annual Women’s Opportunity Conference
Saturday, May 7

The Soroptimist International of La Mesa group will present this conference at the Corporate Education Center at San Diego City College (1551 C St., Downtown) from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. The conference is designed for women who are trying to overcome/move beyond personal obstacles and challenges including: limited education or job training, domestic violence, trafficking, homelessness, abuse or addiction issues. The goal is to provide information and resources along with support and inspiration to these women as they work to improve their lives. Visit silamesa.org to register.

3rd annual Butterfly Festival
Saturday, May 14

This yearly festival will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden (12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, Rancho San Diego). The event will feature activities for all ages. There will be tours of the butterfly pavilion and “butterfly discovery lab,” workshops by local experts and a butterfly habitat plant sale. For little ones, Ms. Smarty-Plants will host a “Pollinator Party” and Miss Metamorphosis will lead story time. There will also be local artisans on hand plus live music, food and crafts. This event marks the beginning of butterfly season at the garden — from May 15 – July 31. The Dorcas E. Utter Memorial Butterfly Pavilion will be open showcasing up to 12 native butterflies. Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 3 – 17 (children under 3 are free). Visit thegarden.org for a full program of events and tickets.

La Mesa Beautiful’s annual plant sale
Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8

This two-day plant sale will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (4816 Glen Ave., La Mesa) from 9 a.m – 4 p.m on Saturday and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday. The plants for sale are donated from several local nurseries with all proceeds benefitting La Mesa Beautiful and their horticultural scholarship programs at Cuyamaca College and El Capitan High School. Visit lamesabeautiful.org for more information.

‘Opera-Kadabra’
Saturday, May 14

This night of music and magic will be held in the Friendship Hall at United Church of Christ of La Mesa (5940 Kelton Ave.) starting at 5:30 p.m. The Opera-Kadabra performance with opera-singing magician Patrick Bell will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a silent auction before and after the show. The night will benefit Camperships for Children providing opportunities for children to experience summer camp. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children. Visit tableucc.com for more information.