‘San Diego Humane Society Kitten Shower’ and tours
Sunday, April 10 and Saturday, April 16

The San Diego Human Society is throwing a virtual shower during the month of April to collect supplies needed for their Kitten Nursery. This nursery provides 24-hour care for orphaned kittens. It is the first program of its kind and has been a model for other shelters since its inception in 2008. There are online wish lists of items needed at sdhumane.org and on Amazon (amzn.to/1W6z27v). You can also opt to make a monetary donation –with one-time and monthly donation options available. To see the kitten nursery, donors can also RSVP for one of two tours that will be given on Sunday, April 10 and Saturday, April 16. Tours start on the hour from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit bit.ly/1W6Ah6E for more information on the kitten shower.

Gem Faire
Friday, April 22 – Sunday April 24

The Gem Faire returns to the Scottish Rite Event Center (1895 Camino del Rio South, Mission Valley) with a three-day event. Admission is $7 for the entire weekend (children under 12 are free) and there is free parking. Over 100 exhibitors on hand will showcase fine jewelry, gems, beads, crystals, pearls, gold and silver and more. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing services will be available while you shop. There will also be hourly door prizes given away. There will be a special wholesale preview on Friday from 10 a.m. –noon. The general admission hours are: Friday noon –6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. –6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. –5 p.m. Visit GemFaire.com for more information

‘Hops Over The Vine’
Saturday, April 23

This event will feature tastings of boutique craft beer, wine and spirits from local producers. There will also be gourmet bites provided by San Diego eateries. Everything will be served under the stars at the Cabrillo National Monument (1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma) with views of the ocean and city plus live entertainment. Along with ticket sales, a silent auction and raffle will be held to benefit the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation. This event fundraises for the park’s programs and celebrates the foundation’s 60th birthday. Tickets are $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Each ticket comes with eight wine, beer and/or food tastings. Visit cnmf.org for more information.

‘Ladybug Weekend’
Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24

Armstrong Garden Centers will host a class on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. on beneficial insects for your garden. The class, titled “Ladybugs and Other Good Bugs” will coincide with Armstrong’s “Ladybug Weekend.” The stores will be giving away a packet with 150 ladybugs with any purchase on Saturday and Sunday while supplies last. The Mission Valley/Grantville store is located at 10320 Friars Road; there are several other San Diego Armstrong locations. Visit ArmstrongGarden.com for more information.

Dining Out for Life San Diego
Thursday, April 28

The Center presents the 10th annual Dining Out for Life San Diego with more than 100 participating restaurants, bars, coffee houses and nightclubs. These locations pledge 25 –100 percent of their proceeds for the day to The Center’s HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs. Participating establishments in and near Mission Valley include: Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill (1620 Camino de la Reina, Mission Valley), Panama 66 (1450 El Prado, Balboa Park), Pampas Argentine Grill (8690 Aero Drive, Suite 105, Kearny Mesa), and many more in the Uptown, Downtown, and North County areas. Visit events.thecentersd.org/dofl for a full list of restaurants and more information.

‘Mama’s Day 2016’
Friday, May 6

This annual culinary event features over 55 local chefs, restaurants and caterers presenting their signature dishes. Money raised from this event benefits Mama’s Kitchen, which provides free hot, nutritious meals to local men, women and children affected by AIDS or cancer. VIP tickets are $250 and include an exclusive reception at 5:30 p.m., full hosted bar for two hours, access to the preferred dining area throughout the night and a special presentation by Sam the Cooking Guy. General admission tickets are $250 with admission at 6:30 p.m. Mama’s Day will be held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla (3777 La Jolla Village Drive). Visit mamaskitchen.org for more information and tickets.