South County Happenings, Sept. 5 – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Upcoming meetings

City councils: Coronado, 4 p.m. Tuesday; National City, 6 p.m. Tuesday
School boards: Coronado Unified School District, 4 p.m. Thursday; National School District (National City), 6 p.m. Wednesday ; San Ysidro School District, 5 p.m. Thursday; South Bay Union School District (Imperial Beach), 6 p.m. Thursday

Wild Willow Farms offers classes

Wild Willow Farm & Education Center in San Diego’s South Bay is offering food and farming workshops for all ages and skill levels. The 5-acre educational farm is a project of the Resource Conservation District of San Diego County, located in the Tijuana River Valley, 15 minutes south of downtown San Diego. Classes are on a first-paid/first-served basis. Walk-up purchases the day of class cost an extra $5, so please buy tickets by 11:30 p.m. the night before. Tickets start at $45. Dress for a farm, which means sun hat, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and comfortable clothes. Bring a refillable water bottle (can refill at the farm). Visit https://www.wildwillowfarm.org/classes. Upcoming classes:

  • DIY Natural Cleaners, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday: Learn different options for making your own cleaners to help you reduce waste. Cleaners will range from mild solutions for small messes to more abrasive scrubbers and a powerful disinfectant.
  • Ornamental & Edible, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday: Edible plants can create a food-producing garden and a peaceful habitat for people and native wildlife. This course will review the basics of organic gardening to help establish a foundation for earth-friendly gardening.
  • Make it Saucy! 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 18: Learn to make pasta sauce, hot sauce and tomato paste in this hands-on class. This is a good way to use excess vegetables at the end of the season. The class will also be canning these sauces for later use.

Olivewood Gardens offers tomato class for kids

Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center offers “Totally Tomatoes,” a Chefcitos youth cooking class for ages 5-14, at 10 a.m. Saturday. Chefs will learn how to make gazpacho and fresh tomato pasta sauce using late-summer tomatoes. This is an in-person cooking class with guests and staff required to wear masks and social distance. Olivewood also asks that participants take a COVID-19 screening at the start of the program, which may include a temperature check and confirmation of no known COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. Parents are asked to drop children off and pick them up after class. Children who are not registered will not be allowed to participate. Olivewood Gardens is at 2525 N Ave., National City. Walk toward the Victorian house, where an instructor will meet you. Register at https://bit.ly/2WEYNFo. Cost is $10 for National City residents and $20 for nonresidents. Email rebecca@olivewoodgardens.org or call (619) 434-4281. All proceeds support Olivewood programs that promote health, equity and community building.

College newspaper receives honor

The Sun, the student newspaper of Southwestern College, was recently named as one of America’s Top 100 Publications by the Associated Collegiate Press, the oldest college student journalism organization in North America. The Sun was recognized alongside student publications from universities including Northwestern, Missouri, UCLA and USC. Since its inception, The Sun has become known for its high-quality coverage, securing its first Pacemaker Award from ACP for distinguished student journalism early in its existence. The Sun has consistently launched graduates into successful and high-profile journalism careers, including in San Diego and national outlets like Politico. Visit swccd.edu.

Bonita Museum features Navy ships

“Permission To Come Aboard: The History of Navy Ship Design” ends its run at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center on Sept. 18. The exhibit includes sailor-built models, artifacts, photographs, uniforms, films and toys detailing the history of the Navy, including the Marines and the start of naval aviation from the 1760s through the 1940s. Hand-built models created by Navy sailor, Marine, and model builder Joe Frangiosa Jr. tell the story of naval history. Visitors can explore the cultural heritage of life on a ship through the uniforms, food and activities, as well as the specific sailor vernacular/language. The Bonita Museum is a Blue Star Museum offering free admission for members of the military and their families. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. The museum is at 4355 Bonita Road. Call (619) 267-5141.

COVID test site opens in Chula Vista

The County of San Diego has opened a free COVID-19 testing site at the Oleander Community Center, 1301 Oleander Ave., in Chula Vista (formerly the Boys & Girls Club). Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome until the day’s capacity is reached. Visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting. Also, Chula Vista Fire personnel are giving COVID vaccine shots from 1-4 p.m. every Thursday at the Civic Center complex, 276 Fourth Ave., Building C. No appointment necessary. Homebound Chula Vista residents can call (619) 476-2397 to be placed on a waiting list.

Local students graduate

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio: Susana Cano of Chula Vista, Master of Arts in biology; Chloe Weber of La Jolla, Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and health in public health; Suzanne Mikesell and Brittany Bigelow of San Diego, Master of Arts in biology; Gianna Donadio of San Diego, Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and health in kinesiology; Reid Norberg of San Diego, Bachelor of Science in business in accountancy and finance, summa cum laude

Blood drives

The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting these blood drives. All donors will receive a limited edition Marvel Black Widow T-shirt and Comic-Con retro pins (while supplies last, sizes subject to availability):

  • 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Best Buy, 59 N. Broadway Plaza, Chula Vista
  • 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sept. 12, Elks Lodge #2011, 901 Elks Lane, Chula Vista

Those 17 and older, weighing at least 114 pounds and in good health, may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended before donation. Appointment and photo ID required. Call (800) 469-7322 or visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org.

Please send items to fyi.south@sduniontribune.com at least two weeks before events take place.

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