Movie night: ‘Despicable Me 2’
Friday, July 24

The City of La Mesa will present this family movie night at La Mesita Park (8855 Dallas St.) starting with pre-show entertainment at 7:30 p.m. and the screening of “Despicable Me 2” on a 25-by-14-foot screen at 8 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring blankets and chairs and enjoy the movie night for free. Visit CityofLaMesa.com para más información.

GHS Class of ’51 Picnic
Thursday, July 30

The Grossmont High School Class of 1951 will gather for a picnic on Thursday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m. It will be a potluck-style event at Mast Park, 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd. in Santee. Please RSVP to Ginger Herlihy at 619-287-4464. For information on other class reunions, visit grossmontalumni.net o llame al 619-668-6140.

‘Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical’
Through Aug. 2

Christian Community Theater (CCT), now in their 35th year performing at Mt. Helix Amphitheater, present this rendition of the popular Disney film and Broadway musical through Aug. 2. The fantastical musical follows Bert, the jack-of-all-trades, children Jane and Michael Banks, and their magical nanny Mary Poppins through an adventurous day. Performances are Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20 – $40 with discounts for seniors and children. Visit CYTSanDiego.org para boletos y más información.

Women’s social organization meets
Tuesday, Aug. 4

The local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi encourages women of all ages to attend its meeting to learn what the organization is all about. Beta Sigma Phi is an international organization of women who do philanthropic work and service projects in their local communities. Members also enjoy fun social events and make lifetime friendships. A social hour begins at 6 p.m. in the social hall of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church at 6556 Park Ridge Blvd. in San Carlos with the formal meeting to follow. For more information, contact Beta Sigma Phi’s Tierra Del Sol Area Council President, Dorothy Nelson, at [email protected].

Engineer for an hour
Sundays, Aug. 9 and 23

The La Mesa Depot Museum invites would-be locomotive engineers to enjoy the experience of operating a 120-ton diesel railroad locomotive at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s Train Operation Center, 750 Depot St., Campo. Four one-hour slots are available each day beginning at 12:30 p.m.; time can be shared with others. Parking is free. Make reservations in advance at psrm.org.

Walking Wednesday
Wednesday, Aug. 12

Join a group of La Mesa residents for a walk along La Mesa’s current and future urban trails. This is a great opportunity to be active and connect with neighbors. The group meets at 9 a.m. at the Lake Murray boat docks near 5540 Kiowa Drive. The route is 2.6 miles with some uphill portions and a partial dirt path. The walk ends at 10:30 a.m.

‘Summer Bash’ Business Expo
Wednesday, Aug. 12

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host this business networking event, which is open to the public and business members. There will be food and drinks from local restaurants including Riviera Supper Club, The Hills, Cali Comfort BBQ, Asti Ristorante and more. Raffles will be held throughout the night featuring prizes from local businesses. ‘Summer Bash’ will be held from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive) and tickets are $10. Get your tickets at LaMesaChamber.com or by calling 619-465-7700.

Eighth annual “heART of Mt. Helix”
Saturday, Aug. 15

This yearly fundraiser will be held in the historic amphitheater atop Mt. Helix with KPBS General Manager Tom Karlo serving as master of ceremonies. The event raises money to preserve and enhance the amphitheater and Mt. Helix Park. From 5:30 to 10 p.m., guests will enjoy the 360-degree view from the location, plus live music on two stages. Local artists will be on hand demonstrating their artistic techniques. Area restaurants will provide bites (included in ticket price); this year’s culinary selections will come from Anthony’s Fish Grotto, The Hills, Terra American Bistro and many more. Drink selections will include craft beer by Ballast Point, wines, Henebery Whiskey and St. Petersburg Vodka. Tickets are currently $50, but the price will go up after Aug. 1. Visit MtHelixPark.org para boletos y más información.

Walk and Talk
Tuesday, Aug. 18

Enjoy the scenic lakeshore environs while learning about topics in nature on a walk led by trail guides from Mission Trails Regional Park. This month’s topic is “Snakes of San Diego County.” Meet at 9 a.m. at the Lake Murray boat docks near 5540 Kiowa Drive.

Info session for family caregivers
Tuesday, Aug. 18

If you’re providing care for a loved one, this event will provide information on health and community resources, placement options, support groups and more. Meet at 3 p.m. in Room 15 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Brier Patch Campus, 9000 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Register online at sharp.com or call 800-827-4277.

Dive-in movie: ‘Rio’
Friday, Aug. 21

The City of La Mesa will present this dive-in movie night at La Mesa Municipal Pool (5100 Memorial Drive) with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and the screening of “Rio” at 8 p.m. The event is free for the whole family. Visit CityofLaMesa.com para más información.

Emergency Resource Fair
Saturday, Aug. 22

This free informational event will encourage residents of San Diego and East County to fully prepare for emergencies and natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes. Information will be provided by representatives of the following agencies and organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties, Heartland Fire and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, the Office of Emergency Services, the Burn Institute, Emergency Animal Rescue, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), American Medical Response and 2-1-1 San Diego. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sears Court at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon. The event is organized by the office of state Sen. Joel Anderson.

Sudden cardiac arrest
Wednesday, Aug. 26

This free program will be held as part of the Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library’s Wellness Wednesday series. Maureen O’Conner, program manager of San Diego Project Heart Beat (SDPHB), will be the guest speaker for this session; she will discuss steps to recognizing and responding to cardiac arrest. Attendees will also get the chance to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED). SDPHB, a program managed by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, aims to save lives by making AED devices accessible in public and private places throughout the community; and to educate the public on CPR and AED use. The Herrick Library is located at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa. This event will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. Visit HerrickLibrary.org y sandiego.gov/sdprojectheartbeat para más información.

Walking Wednesday
Wednesday, Aug. 26

Join a group of La Mesa residents for a walk along La Mesa’s current and future urban trails. This is a great opportunity to be active and connect with neighbors. The group meets at 6 p.m. at Marieta’s restaurant, 8978 La Mesa Blvd. The route is approximately 2.8 miles with slight elevation changes. After the walk ends, around 7:30 p.m., the group will enjoy a bite to eat at Marieta’s, which will be offering a special discount to walkers.

—Compiled by Jen Van Tieghem and Jeremy Ogul. Send calendar items to [email protected].