FEATURED EVENTS

“Fall container gardens” class
Saturday, Oct. 17

For this gardening class, Armstrong Garden Centers will guide attendees through the assembly of a unique make-and-take item. A carved out pumpkin will be used as a planter – perfect for patios and porches – and filled with attractive succulents. A fee and registration for this class will be required. The Mission Valley/Grantville store is located at 10320 Friars Road; there are several other San Diego Armstrong locations. This session starts at 9 a.m. Visit ArmstrongGarden.com for more information.

Shabbat San Diego events
Thursday, Oct. 22 – Saturday, Oct. 24

Millions of Jews around the world will soon celebrate Shabbat, a day of rest and rejuvenation. Locally, Shabbat San Diego is coordinating a free, three-day experience for Jewish San Diegans.

Shabbat San Diego encourages individuals of the Jewish faith in San Diego “to conduct this Shabbat as a unified community; enjoy global identity, pride and solidarity; and invite every one of the 50,000 San Diego Jewish households to Shabbat dinner.”

Events in the Mission Times Courier coverage area include the Mega Challah Bake on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue (6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Carlos); Havadalah and musical evening on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Town and Country Conference Center (500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley); and more. Visit shabbatsandiego.org for a full schedule of events.

The 2015 BOO! Parade
Saturday, Oct. 24

San Diego’s only Halloween Parade will once again take over the College Area starting at 59th Street and traveling east along El Cajon Boulevard to Aragon Drive. The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. featuring floats, music and surprises along the way. After the parade, College Avenue Baptist Church (4747 College Ave.) will host the AfterBOO! Carnival from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. featuring rides and games, food, live music and more. All festivities are free. Visit collegeareabid.com/boo for more information.

GADS Member Soiree
Wednesday, Oct. 28

Local networking group, GADS (Grantville, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and San Carlos) will hold this special event at The Verge luxury apartment complex (6850 Mission Gorge Road, Allied Gardens) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The group’s regular meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 7:30 – 9 a.m. For details contact Lisa Hamel at 619-961-1957. And get more information about the group on Facebook: on.fb.me/1ESmTgh. 

“Kids Halloween Make and Take” gardening class
Saturday, Oct. 31

For this gardening class, Armstrong Garden Centers will teach youngsters how to transplant a colorful flowering plant into a Halloween-themed container. Basic gardening principles will be introduced as well. Registration required. The Mission Valley store is located at 10320 Friars Road; there are several other San Diego Armstrong locations. This session starts at 9 a.m. Visit ArmstrongGarden.com for more information.

Trunk or Treat
Saturday, Oct. 31

This family-friendly event will be held in the parking lot of Del Cerro Baptist Church (5512 Pennsylvania Lane, La Mesa) from 6 – 8 p.m. Children will be able to trick or treat in a safe environment with inflatables to play in and refreshments to enjoy. Youth, grades 6 – 12, are invited to the “Trunk or Treat After Party” with a costume contest and Fear Factor Competition from 8 – 9 p.m. All activities are free and refreshments will be available for purchase. Contact Del Cerro Baptist Church at 619-460-2210 or dcbc.org for more information. 

OrganPlus in concert
Sunday, Nov. 1

St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church’s (6556 Park Ridge Blvd., San Carlos) kicks off with a joyous Organ Plus concert featuring Dr. Alison Luedecke, organ, and Healy Henderson, violin. The program will include organ solo pieces, and works for violin accompanied by the organ. Featured will be music by Baroque composers such as Bach and Handel, as well as variations on familiar hymn tunes. Alison is the founding member and organist with Millennia Consort, California’s premiere “Organ Plus” ensemble. She is also the Associate Organist for St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, La Jolla, and has performed throughout the US, as well as in Canada and Europe. Healy is Concertmaster of the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra, and plays regularly with the San Diego Opera. She has been solo violinist/fiddler for 11 World Premiere Musicals at the La Jolla Playhouse and the Old Globe Theater, and has performed at festivals throughout the world. Healy maintains a large private teaching studio, and also teaches at Southwestern College. Admission is free.Visit on.fb.me/1GvsUkg for more information.

Fifth Annual Craft Fair
Saturday, Nov. 14

Ascension Lutheran Church (5106 Zion Ave., Allied Gardens) will host their annual craft fair from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event will include over 35 local artist and crafters showcasing their wares including: jewelry, scarves, quilts, toys, baked goods and more. Proceeds will help expand the congregation’s outreach programs. Contact Robert Freistedt with questions at 619-466-5742 or [email protected]. And visit ascension-church.com for more info.

College Avenue Center Fall Art Show
Thursday, Nov. 19
10:30 a.m. – noon and 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

An exhibition of arts and crafts by College Avenue Center artists.  The show will feature works from classes held at the center: painting class by Marsha Austin-Rogers, crafts class by Cecile Fleetwood, plus items from the drawing class, and personal and group projects from the knitting group.  The event starts at 10:30 a.m. with a break at noon. There will be refreshments and live entertainment at 12:30 p.m.  And the event will end at 1:30 p.m. The art show will be held at College Avenue Center’s new location at Temple Emanu-El: 6299 Capri Drive, Del Cerro. Visit Jfssd.org/cac for more information.

The 69th Annual Mother Goose Parade
Saturday, Nov. 21 

This year’s Mother Goose Parade in Downtown El Cajon will be held starting at 10 a.m. the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. The parade begins at Main and Ballantyne streets and ends at the bridge on Johnson Avenue (before Parkway Plaza). The theme this year is “Super Heroes!” Visit mgpelcajon.com for details including information on being in the parade, being a sponsor or volunteer.  

RECURRING EVENTS

Mondays:

Rock Star Karaoke with Jae: 9 p.m. Let your inner rock star shine. Pal Joey’s, 5147 Waring Road, Allied Gardens. Paljoeysonline.com.

Tuesdays:

Feeling Fit Club: 8:30–9:30 a.m., free class for seniors 60 years and up to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Cohen Social Hall at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Carlos. Tiferethisrael.com.

Brilliant Babies Storytime: Noon, recommended for pre-walkers. Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library, 5188 Zion Ave., Allied Gardens.

Chair Yoga: 2:30–3:30 p.m., free class where yoga stretches are performed sitting on a chair. No mats needed. San Carlos Branch Library, 7265 Jackson Drive, San Carlos. Sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.

Mission Valley Persuasive Speakers meeting: 6:30 – 8 p.m., toastmasters club weekly meetings. 4444 Zion Ave., Grantville. 701611.toastmastersclubs.org.

Wednesdays:

Feeling Fit Club: 1–2 p.m., free class for seniors 60 years and up to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Wesley United Methodist Church, 5380 El Cajon Blvd., College Area. Call 858-495-5500 ext. 3.

Locals Night: 3–8 p.m., residents of 92120, 92115, 92116, 92123 and 92108 are eligible for $2 pours of the brewery’s “beer of the day.” Benchmark Brewing, 6190 Fairmount Ave. Suite G, Grantville. Benchmarkbrewing.com.

Game Night: 6–9:30 p.m., bring your own or play what’s available while enjoying traditional and vegan donuts. Donut Panic, 6171 Mission Gorge Road #113, Grantville. Facebook.com/DonutpanicSD.

Thursdays:

Karaoke: 9 p.m., hosted by Erica at your favorite neighborhood haunt. Pal Joey’s, 5147 Waring Road, Allied Gardens. Paljoeysonline.com.

Fridays:

Curbside Bites: 5–9 p.m., gathering of gourmet food trucks at Westfield Mission Valley mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio N., Mission Valley. Curbsidebites.com.

Saturdays:

Lake Murray walking trail: 8:30 a.m., led by the Widows or Widowers (WOW) Club of San Diego. Call for directions to the meeting locations. 619-448-6088 or wowsd.org.

Sundays:

Karaoke: 9 p.m., karaoke to close out your weekend. Camel’s Breath Inn, 10330 Friars Road Suite 106, Grantville. Camelsbreathinnsd.com.  

—Want to see your event listed on our community calendar? Send event details to [email protected].