ONGOING EVENTS

Pumpkin Festival
Through Oct. 31

The Children’s Nature Retreat animal sanctuary in Alpine will hold its annual great pumpkin festival through Oct. 31. Retreat staff invite you to get in the Halloween mood, wander the pumpkin patch, and meet their family of over 130 animals. Tickets to visit the sanctuary are $15 for kids and $25 for adults. For tickets and information about the retreat, visit bit.ly/2OSuiTB.

Sunset Yoga in the Garden
Every Sunday in October
In partnership with CorePower Yoga La Mesa, the San Carlos Community Garden will host a free yoga series every Sunday in October. Participants will enjoy instructor-led yoga, 5–6 p.m. in the San Carlos Community Garden, 6460 Boulder Lake Ave. No experience necessary. Yoga mats available (or bring your own).

Gardening 101 Workshop
Every Saturday in October
San Diego Master Gardeners and San Carlos Community Garden will offer four hands-on workshops to teach participants how to have a healthy, productive garden. Topics include planning a garden, healthy soil, composting, planting layout, starting from seed, transplanting, beneficial insects and what to do about pests, appropriate water use, harvesting and more. Cost is $20 for all four classes and free for anyone who leases a garden plot in September or October. 9–11:30 a.m. at the San Carlos Community Garden, 6460 Boulder Lake Ave. Space is limited. Sign up by sending an email to [email protected].

‘Arcadia’
Through Oct. 13
Tom Stoppard’s stage-play “Arcadia” will be presented at the Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre in six shows between Oct. 4–13. An original production by prolific British dramatist Tom Stoppard, the story follows two timelines that begin to converge as past and present grow increasingly blurred. Tickets to the critically acclaimed play are $15 for general admission, and $10 for students. For tickets and show times, visit bit.ly/2PQ6CPJ

FEATURED EVENTS

Friday, Oct. 12

‘Butterflies are Free’
Through Nov. 11
The Lamplighter Theatre presents its rendition of Leonard Gershe’s 1969 play about a blind aspiring songwriter who falls in love with a free spirit in Manhattan. “Butterflies are Free,” winner of the 1970 Tony for Best Stage Actress, is a touching and entertaining drama about finding one’s way in the world. Directed by George Bailey. Tickets are $22, students and military $19. 5915 Severin Drive. For tickets and show times, visit bit.ly/2OQsSsF.

Saturday, Oct. 13

Ladies at the Lake Fall Market
Women-owned businesses will be featured at Santee Lakes’ “Ladies at the Lake Fall Market” event. Shop from over 65 vendors; enter to win raffle prizes; kick back in the adult beverage “Ladies Lounge”; and munch on local food. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. Cost is $6 for parking. Visit santeelakes.com for more information.

Sunday, Oct. 14

Artist reception
‘Out of Africa’
The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation presents a photography exhibition, featuring award-winning photographers Dolwain Green and Suzanne Green, titled “Out of Africa.” This exhibit will be on display Oct. 13–Nov. 9, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m., in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail. The public is cordially invited to a reception in honor of the artists on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2–4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 18

David Cooksy: Wildlife Photography
The Mission Trails Regional Park In Focus series features lectures and optional in-field instruction on photography. David Cooksy has photographed Mission Trails Park wildlife for many years and will share his work, and key concepts and techniques he uses to create stunning photos. 6:30 p.m. at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. Optional field classes will be held Oct. 20, 27 and Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. For tickets and information, call 619-668-3280 or email [email protected].

Saturday, Oct. 20

Rummage sale
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church hosts a semi-annual rummage sale fundraiser for a charitable nonprofit educational scholarship program. Items include clothing, costumes, records, household items, furniture and more. 7 a.m.–5 p.m. at St. Dunstan’s, 6556 Park Ridge Blvd., San Diego. Cash purchases only.

Sunday, Oct. 21

Community art show
A pop-up art show and garden party will take place on Oct. 21 with 10 local artists displaying and selling their works. Refreshments will be served while guests browse at this free event. Noon–4 p.m. 6378 Lake Athabaska Place, San Diego.

Thursday, Oct. 25

Reka Parker Jazz Quartet
The Reka Parker Jazz Quartet returns to the Samuel M. Ciccati theater at Cuyamaca College on Thursday, Oct. 25. The quartet includes Reka Bodis-Parker on piano, Taylor Smith on bass, Grossmont College Music Department Chair Derek Cannon on trumpet, and Bob Daniels on drums. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets priced at $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. First 20 students are admitted free. Call 619-660-4288 for reservations.

The Three Irish Tenors
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala presents an evening with The Three Irish Tenors, along with Tara Novak on violin and Scott Nicholas on piano in the St. Francis Chapel. 8 p.m. 10818 San Diego Mission Road. Tickets are $100; available at bit.ly/2QqnmgQ.

Friday, Oct. 26

Health Fair and anniversary celebration
College Avenue Center’s Health Fair will feature over 30 organizations providing valuable information about older adult services and assistance. Flu shots will be provided by Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center for a suggested donation of $2. Flu shots are recommended for adults 60 and up and for adults with a chronic illness. In addition, there will be a variety of health screenings available. A luncheon will be served at noon, and musical entertainment and 20th anniversary celebration at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is a suggested donation of $4 for adults 60 and up and a fee of $7 for all others. 6299 Capri Drive San Diego. For information, call 858-637-3270.

Prop Talks
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters review the pros and cons of the 11 California state ballot measures, the four San Diego County measures and the eight San Diego city measures. 10 a.m. at the Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library, 5188 Zion Ave. Free.

Saturday, Oct 27

Boo Bash
Join the Salvation Army Kroc Center and get dressed up with the family at the 16th annual Boo Bash. This year’s autumn celebration will be Saturday, Oct. 27, 1–4 p.m. Admission includes inflatables, carnival games, candy and prizes, pumpkin decorating, rock climbing, family-friendly music, goody bags and more. $1 per person. Salvation Army Kroc Center Recreation Field, 6753 University Ave.

Wine in the Wilderness
Soroptimist International fundraiser event benefiting head-of-household women with education grants to improve their employment prospects through the Live Your Dream Award. Beneficiaries also include projects that empower women and girls including Dream It, Be It Career Support for Girls; Girls Rising Mentor Program; and YWCA Becky’s House 2 Home. Event will feature wine, craft beer, cheese, hand-made chocolate, Champagne, tasty food and a live jazz band, fabulous raffle baskets and the popular cork pull. Event is 21 and over. 6:30–9 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail. Shuttle service available. Advance tickets $55; $60 at door. More details at sisandiego.org

Sunday, Oct. 28

SingMa Hawkers Fair
The annual SingMa Hawkers Fair is a one-stop shop to buy and enjoy a variety of hawker fare prepped and sold by home cooks and vendors. On the menu are foods like Hainanese chicken rice, Char Kuey Teow, Nasi Lemak, The Tarik and more. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Admiral Baker Park, Gazebo 4, 2400 Admiral Baker Road. Tickets are $10; available at bit.ly/2O5qwtR

Thursday, Nov. 1

Rick Wiley: Landscape Photography
The Mission Trails Regional Park In Focus series features lectures and optional in-field instruction on photography. Rick Wiley has photographed the Mission Trails Park landscape for many years and will share his work, and key concepts and techniques he uses to create stunning photos. 6:30 p.m. at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. Optional field class will be held Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. For tickets and information, call 619-668-3280 or email [email protected].

Friday, Nov. 2

‘Goloshes of Fortune’
Through Nov. 3
Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre presents a production based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale and adapted by Elizabeth Wong about a pair of magic yellow Wellington rain boots and two busybody fairies who contemplate whether humans have the capacity for true joy. Nov. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 3 matinee at 2 p.m. in the Stagehouse Theatre, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon. $10 tickets and information available at bit.ly/2RjhWWi.

Saturday, Nov. 3

San Carlos Community Garden Fall Festival
Nov. 3, 1-4 p.m.
San Carlos Community Garden’s Fall Festival is a free event for all ages. This year’s art-themed festival, “Building a Community is an Art With Heart,” is aimed to educate and inspire the community through hands-on art and science activities, and will feature live music from local musicians, The Forget-me-Nots. In addition to local arts and crafts activities, the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum team will lead several STEM-aligned activities for all ages. 1–4 p.m. at the San Carlos Community Garden, 6460 Boulder Lake Ave.