By Jay Wilson 

Arbor Day

The annual Arbor Day at Mission Trails was celebrated Saturday morning, Dec. 3, along the Oak Grove Loop Trail across the street from the Visitor Center. Joe Morse, president of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRPF) welcomed everyone and Senior Ranger Ryan Robertson thanked everyone for participating and helping to improve the environment of the park. Ten trees were planted — eight were sponsored in memory or honor of an individual, and two of the eight by Girl Scout Troops 3860 and 8750. More than 50 people volunteered to help plant the trees and improve the adjacent area. The annual Arbor Day at Mission Trails was sponsored by city of San Diego Councilmember Scott Sherman, the City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department, the Mission Trails Regional Park Citizens’ Advisory Committee and MTRPF.

Visitor Center concert

The next concert at the MTRP Visitor Center will feature Many-Strings on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m., featuring the collaboration of Jamie on hammered dulcimer and Chris on guitar. Their instrumental music is a delightful mix of Renaissance, Celtic, American, and classical melodies. The rich interaction between their instruments creates a sound that is simultaneously upbeat and melodic.

Jamie is inspired by the traditions of folk and Irish music, including Turlough O’Carolan. Chris’ contributions reflect the diversity of the classical world along with his love for instrumental music. Many-Strings performs in San Diego’s finest art galleries and, on a weekly basis, performs for Scripps La Jolla and Mercy hospitals.

Art exhibition

MTRPF is pleased to present “Natural Views,” an exhibition featuring artwork from students in the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD). This exhibit will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery through Jan. 6. With the high caliber of student artwork created in GUHSD, art students from each of the high schools within the GUHSD are invited to submit their nature-related artwork. This year there is artwork from the following schools: Grossmont, Idea, Monte Vista, Mount Miguel, Steele Canyon, Valhalla, and West Hills.

This will be the sixth annual exhibit to be held at Mission Trails. GUHSD art teachers encourage their students to enter many competitions — from the congressional art competition to the San Diego County Fair and many in between. Their programs are standards based, promote common core learning and encourage literacy.

Amazon Smile

When your shop through Amazon’s “Amazon Smile” program, Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price of each item to MTRPF at no cost to you or the Foundation. Simply go to smile.amazon.com, select Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, and every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to MTRPF. You may use your existing Amazon account to participate in the Amazon Smile program. All your settings will remain the same. Go to amzn.to/2gSeuiR for more information.

Bike tours

The Guided Mountain Bike Nature Series with MTRP Park Ranger and MTRPF administrative assistant Maggie Holloway will continue in 2017 every first Saturday of the month (except July, August and September) 9–11 a.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park.

This is an opportunity to try out the new mountain bike that may arrive over the holidays and to get to know the park and increase your skills by joining Araceli Maggie for this fun, nature and progressive beginner-to-intermediate series of rides. The next series of rides will begin on Saturday, Jan. 7, and will meet at the Oak Grove Loop Trail Head across from the Visitor Center. Come early and volunteers from San Diego Mountain Biking Association will help you make adjustments to your bike. Each following ride’s difficulty will increase a little so you can try new skills and get comfortable with your bike. Join them on some or all of the rides in this series. Remember to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks. Wet trails cancel rides. This series repeats every three months. Check mtrp.org/events for next series dates.

Mule deer program

MTRP Volunteer Trail Guide, Linda Hawley, will be offering a free children’s program, “Mule Deer,” on Dec. 28, 2:30–3:30 p.m. at the San Carlos Library. The program will compare Rudolph the Reindeer with ‘Mulley’ the mule deer, sing a few deer songs, examine specimens, and make a deer puppet. All ages are welcome.

Happy Holidays from all of us at MTRP and the MTRP Foundation!

—Jay Wilson is executive director of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. Reach him at [email protected].