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<\/a>Culinary tastings are included in the ticket price and will be provided this year by Anthony\u2019s Fish Grotto, Brigantine, Cali Comfort BBQ, Casa de Pico, Dream Dinners, The Edge Mediterranean Grill, Edible Arrangements, The Hills, The Honey Baked Ham Company, Pick Up Stix, Sheldon\u2019s Service Station, Terra American Bistro, Hooleys, Menchie\u2019s, Posh Nosh, D\u2019Amatos Pizza, and Mary\u2019s Donuts.<\/p>\n
There will be a signature cocktail named \u201cThe Helix\u201d created just for this event, as well as hand-selected wines, beers from Helix Brewing Co. and Ballast Point, cocktails with St. Petersburg Vodka from San Diego Distillery, and coffee from Brew Coffee Spot.<\/p>\n
Raffle prizes and auction items include vacation getaways, original artwork, custom jewelry, local adventures, private group dinners, tickets to local entertainment venues and more. Also, for the second year, the winners of the heART of Mt. Helix juried art contest will be on display and for sale.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from heART of Mt. Helix are used to preserve and enhance Mt. Helix Park and Amphitheater, which receives no government funding, yet is open to the public daily.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $100 for general admission and $150 for reserved table seats. Friends of the Park members enjoy discounts on general admission tickets. For event updates, or to purchase tickets, visit mthelixpark.org or call 619-741-4363. The event is expected to sell out.<\/p>\n
La Mesa teen wins award in Voice for Animals contest<\/h3>\n
From nursing orphan rhino calves in South Africa to helping to preserve endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest, the winners of the 2018 A Voice for Animals contest show they not only care about protecting animals and safeguarding their habitat, but are also willing to get involved, make a difference and educate others.<\/p>\n
The annual contest, which offers high school students ages 14-18 the opportunity to win cash prizes for essays, videos or photo essays that explore strategies to mitigate animal suffering, is sponsored by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Humane Education Network, with additional support from the Palo Alto Humane Society.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s contest featured a special prize for 14- to 15-year-olds who wrote about endangered species.<\/em> The top prize in this category was awarded to Peyton Steffek of La Mesa, California. Steffek\u2019s essay, \u201cThe Gentle Giants of the Sea,\u201d highlighted major threats to whale sharks, including shark-finning and ship collisions. Winners in this category received a monetary prize, along with a signed copy of Kathryn Applegate\u2019s new book, \u201cEndling #1: The Last.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n More than 400 entries were judged on presentation, originality and effectiveness of solutions to problems confronting endangered species, captive orcas, and pigs languishing in gestation crates, among other issues.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes, even a small step can help end animal suffering,\u201d Regina Terlau, executive assistant at AWI and co-manager of the contest, said in a press release. \u201cThese winners are champions for animals. They are raising awareness, contacting their elected officials and laying the groundwork for future advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n Previous contest winners have gone on to establish a sea turtle education program, a shelter for stray dogs in Mexico and an outdoor aviary for rescued birds. For more information on the A Voice for Animals contest and to review the winning entries, visit hennet.org\/contest.php<\/a>.<\/p>\nLa Mesa native heads to Miss America<\/h3>\n