Featured events

‘Growing cool-season veggies and herbs’ class
Saturday, Nov. 21

For this free gardening class, Armstrong Garden Centers will give tips for planting vegetables and herbs in the late fall, winter and early spring. The Mission Valley/Grantville store is located at 10320 Friars Road; there are several other San Diego Armstrong locations. This session starts at 9 a.m. Visit ArmstrongGarden.com for more information.

‘Nosegrind November’
Saturday Nov. 21

A skateboarding competition for all ages and skill levels to compete for prizes. Skaters can signup in the following three age divisions: 13 and under; 14 – 18; and 18 and up. Registration is $10 for skaters; admission is free. The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at The Salvation Army Kroc Center Skatepark (6845 University Ave., Rolando). Warm ups start at 10 a.m. with the competition starting at 11 a.m. Visit bit.ly/1RiXVbq to pre-register and for more information.

The 69th annual Mother Goose Parade
Saturday, Nov. 21

This year’s Mother Goose Parade in Downtown El Cajon will be held starting at 10 a.m. the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. The parade begins at Main and Ballantyne streets and ends at the bridge on Johnson Avenue (before Parkway Plaza). Keep an eye out for the Santa Float (sponsored by Parkway Plaza). The theme this year is “Super Heroes!” Visit mgpelcajon.com for details including a map of the parade route.

Guest lecture
Monday, Nov. 23

The “Battling Holiday Blues and Keeping a Healthy State of Mind During the Holidays” lecture at College Ave Center will be given by Dara Schwartz from the Alvarado Parkway Institute. The Institute is dedicated to the wellness of individuals, families and the community through prevention, intervention and treatment. This event will begin at 12:45 p.m. College Avenue Center’s new location is at Temple Emanu-El: 6299 Capri Drive, Del Cerro. Visit Jfssd.org/cac for more information.

Thanksgiving celebration
Wednesday, Nov. 25

College Avenue Center (6299 Capri Drive, Del Cerro) will host a Thanksgiving celebration starting at noon. Lunch will be served first, followed by entertainment by The Vidals at 12:30 p.m. Visit Jfssd.org/cac for more information. Note the CAC will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of Thanksgiving.

14th annual Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk
Thursday, Nov. 26

Over 10,000 San Diegans are expected to start their Thanksgiving with this annual race starting at the San Diego Museum of Man (1350 El Prado, Balboa Park). Proceeds will help Father Joe’s Villages prepare and serve over 1 million meals to local homeless individuals. Father Joe’s famous Thanksgiving pies will be sold at the race as well. Registration opens at 6 a.m.; race begins at 7:30 a.m. Fun run (untimed) is $41; “Speedy Turkey” (timed) is $44. Discounts for youth under 17 and active/veteran military: $36 for fun run, $39 for “Speedy Turkey.” Visit thanksgivingrun.org for more information and to register.

‘Santa Barbara Wreath’ make and take class
Sunday, Dec. 6

For this gardening class, Armstrong Garden Centers will guide attendees through the assembly of a festive make-and-take item – a Santa Barbara wreath. Registration and fee required. The Mission Valley/Grantville store is located at 10320 Friars Road; there are several other San Diego Armstrong locations. This session starts at 9 a.m. Visit ArmstrongGarden.com for more information.

‘ReachOut’ Cell Phone Assistance
Monday, Dec. 7

Omar Sedeh will be on hand at College Avenue Center (6299 Capri Drive, Del Cerro) starting at 12:45 p.m. to help with cell phone questions and assist users in getting the most from their smart phone. Visit Jfssd.org/cac for more information.

Local business networking group GADS meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 9

The general meeting of the GADS B2B Networking group will be meeting at 7:30 a.m. at the Admiral Baker Golf Course Clubhouse (2400 Admiral Baker Road, Allied Gardens). GADS is an inclusive group of business representatives from the Grantville, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and San Carlos areas who gather and share relevant information about succeeding in the area. Find GADS’ Facebook group at on.fb.me/1XHNqmL.

Menorah candle lighting, singing, Hanukkah luncheon and party
Friday, Dec. 11

This festive day at College Avenue Center (6299 Capri Drive, Del Cerro) will start at 11 a.m. with a special candle lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah and a session of singing with Temple Emanu-El’s Cantorial Soloist Marshall Voit along with children from the preschool. The Hanukkah luncheon and party will start at 12:30 p.m. featuring latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). After lunch there will be a concert with Debra Davis and members of Second Avenue Klezmer performing Yiddish, Hebrew and popular songs. Visit Jfssd.org/cac for more information.

Holiday stories, singalong and music
Sunday, Dec. 13

Betty Grant and Mary Holma from Storytellers of San Diego will be telling classic holiday stories along with tales of peace and funny pieces as well starting at 3 p.m. There will also be a singalong portion with “Jingle Bells” and other favorites. Musicians from The School of African Arts will be performing toe-tapping and clapping music from Zimbabwe. The festivities will be held in the indoor theater of the Visitor Center at Mission Trails Regional Park (1 Father Juniper Serra Trail). Donations appreciated. Visit mtrp.org for more information.

‘Fiesta Navida’ Christmas concert
Sunday, Dec. 13

World-renowned tenor Jonathan Valverde will be the featured singer at the “Fiesta Navida” concert at Ascension Lutheran Church (5106 Zion Ave, Allied Gardens) at 4 p.m. Valverde will be accompanied by a mariachi ensemble for this unique concert directed by Robert Plimpton with Charles Prestinari, San Diego chorus master at the piano and organ. It will also feature SOAR, the church’s handbell choir, Latin American carols by a community choir and congregational carol singing. The concert is perfect for all ages. There is no admission charge, an offering will be received and a reception will follow. Visit ascension-church.com for more information.