East County Happenings, Nov. 13

City councils: Lemon Grove, 6 p.m. Tuesday

School boards: Cajon Valley Union School District (El Cajon), 5:30 p.m. Tuesday; Grossmont Union High School District, 6 p.m. Tuesday; Santee School District, 9619 Cuyamaca St., 6 p.m. Tuesday

Wieghorst Museum hosts artist reception

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center hosts a closing reception from 5-8 p.m. Saturday for Arizona palette knife artist Dusty Kinman, whose work is on display at the museum. This free event is open to the public. The Olaf Wieghorst Museum preserves the art and historical home of Olaf Wieghorst and celebrates the legacy of the American West through his art. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 131 Rea Ave., El Cajon. Visit wieghorstmuseum.org.

Meeting set on veterans memorial

The city of El Cajon invites the community to share feedback on a potential new Veterans Memorial from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Renette Recreation Center, 935 Emerald Ave. The memorial would recognize veterans and also identify Space Force members as part of the veteran community. All members of the public are welcome to attend and provide feedback. Call (619) 441-1716.

Food drive, blood drive Thursday at center

The SDCCU Holiday Bowl holds a food drive along with a blood drive 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Grossmont Center (next to Chuze Fitness) to benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and San Diego Blood Bank. The event is presented by Kaiser Permanente. Blood drive participants must register beforehand at sandiegobloodbank.org. No appointment is needed for the food drive. Grossmont Center is at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. Visit grossmontcenter.com.

Santa arrives Saturday at Parkway Plaza

Parkway Plaza hosts a tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa and his elves on Saturday. Photos with Santa are open starting at 11 a.m., and the tree lighting will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the center court. Enjoy crafts, costumed characters and performances by the Salvation Army children’s choir and brass band. Parkway Plaza is at 415 Fletcher Pkwy., El Cajon. Visit bit.ly/3TjXeEj.

First of three fire-safety workshops set

The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, working with San Diego County Fire/CAL Fire, is offering free fire safety training to local communities that are at high risk for wildfires. Some of the most vulnerable areas are those in the Wildland Urban Interface — residential areas that are next to open space. The half-day, in-depth courses also teach fire behavior prediction and how to apply this knowledge to the community’s topography, fuels, weather, and the fire-safe condition of homes. Three workshops are scheduled this fall and winter. The first is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday with the Wynola Fire Safe Council at the Santa Ysabel Nature Center, 22135 CA-79, Santa Ysabel. The second and third workshops are Dec. 3 in Campo and Dec. 10 in Julian. To register for any of these, visit firesafesdcounty.org/events, or contact Morgan Graves at (619) 562-0096 and morgan.graves@rcdsandiego.org.

Sheriff’s volunteers needed for Santee, Lakeside

The Santee and Lakeside Sheriff stations are seeking men and women ages 50 or older to join their Senior Volunteer Patrols.
Volunteers act as a second set of eyes and ears for deputies. They patrol in uniforms (supplied) and drive marked sheriff’s vehicles. Duties include patrolling residential neighborhoods, shopping centers and schools; doing traffic control; home vacation and elderly welfare checks; citizen assists; and working at public events requiring traffic management. After completing the 10-day academy, volunteers are asked to commit to at least one six-hour patrol shift each week and to attend a one-hour monthly meeting. Visit volunteerservices@sdsheriff.org and click on “Senior Volunteer Patrol.” Call (619) 972-6846.

Volunteers needed for Santee tree lighting

Volunteers are needed for Santee’s Holiday Lighting celebration, which is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Santee Trolley Square, 9888 Mission Gorge Road. The annual event also features children’s crafts, sledding, live music and more. Volunteers can sign up at bit.ly/3gNrytw.

Soroptimist International holds breakfast

Soroptimist International of La Mesa holds its 65th annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast on Nov. 23 at the Handlery Hotel and Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley. Check-in is at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast and the program. The service club sponsors the yearly event for San Diegans to come together and start the holiday season in a spirit of thanksgiving. This year, special appreciation will be extended to individuals and organizations that helped refugees and immigrants who are obtaining freedom in the United States. Tickets are $48; register online at silamesa.org. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for the annual food drive for the San Diego Rescue Mission. Contact Linda Newell at (619) 847-8033.

Local graduates

Park University, Parkville, Mo.: John C. Von Badinski of Lakeside, B.S. in construction management, magna cum laude

Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va.: Dakota Matos of Spring Valley, Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance.

University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, Wis.: Julie Godfrey of El Cajon, M.S. in environmental safety and health

Blood drives

The San Diego Blood Bank hosts these donor opportunities:

• 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today, Journey Community Church, 8363 Center Drive, La Mesa
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday 11/16, Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon, in the 500 Quad
• 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Pepsi Co., 10057 Marathon Pkwy., Lakeside
• 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, West Court next to Chuze Fitness
• 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Alpine Community, 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine, Women’s Club parking lot

Those 17 and older, weighing at least 114 pounds and in good health, may be eligible to donate. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended before donation. Appointments are honored first and walk-ins are welcome. Photo ID required. Call (800) 400 8251 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.

Please send notices of events to fyi.east@sduniontribune.com at least two weeks before they take place.