Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association

Supervisorial Candidate Public Forum
2023-10-18 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
The two finalists for the District 4 supervisorial seat will discuss issues of concern to East County residents at a public forum to be held Oct. 18 at Cuyamaca College.
The forum starts at 7 p.m., with a candidate meet and greet starting at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. Parking and admission are free.
Monica Montgomery Steppe and Amy Reichert were the two top vote-getters in the primary election for the District 4 supervisor’s seat vacated by Nathan Fletcher. The general election is being held Nov. 7.
The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters and will be conducted according to their guidelines. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions that could be selected for the candidates to answer. Questions can be submitted by emailing yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com.
The event is sponsored by the Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association and the Casa de Oro Alliance.

GMIA Succulent Swap and Share
2023-10-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Wendy and Ron Caragher’s, 10805 Melva Road, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Begin your autumn with a visit to GMIA’s Succulent Swap and Share on October 7. For the third consecutive year, Wendy and Ron Caragher have volunteered to host at their home.
This year, the Succulent Swap and Share is a Members Only event, free to all GMIA families. It’s an opportunity to discover new varieties, learn more about GMIA, and enjoy the Caraghers’ magnificent gardens. As a special treat, Master Gardener Sharon Reeve, a La Mesa resident, will join us to share her expertise.
Coffee, water and light snacks will be provided. Whether you are swapping, sharing or taking home samples for your own garden, you will be welcome. And don’t forget to bring along a bag or box to transport your new plants home (No fire sticks please). New members are always welcome.

GMIA Annual Dinner Meeting and Fundraiser
2023-06-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Cuyamaca College Student Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
Join your fellow GMIA members for the Annual Dinner Meeting to be held Saturday, June 24 at the Cuyamaca College Student Center. Wear your Hawaiian shirt to join in the aloha theme, with a meal of teriyaki chicken, coconut rice and stir-fried veggies. Please indicate if you would prefer a vegetarian main course of a teriyaki mushroom medley.
A pre-tour of the Cuyamaca College campus will be held at 4 p.m., led by Cuyamaca College President Jessica Robinson. Sign up for the tour when you register for the dinner.
A reception will be held beginning at 5 p.m. on the terrace at the Student Center, with dinner following in the meeting space inside the center.
The keynote speaker will be Jim Newland, a historian and planner for the California State Parks Department. Newland has written the definitive history of Mt. Helix called Images of America: Around Mt. Helix and will give a fascinating talk about the history of Mt. Helix and display many of the photos from his book.
The dinner costs $25 for members and their guests, and $45 for nonmembers. The dinner is a fundraiser for GMIA and is sponsored by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Edco Disposal Co., San Pasqual Winery and Helix Brewing Company. Bring some cash to play the 50-50 game. Buy tickets and half of the proceeds will go to the winner and the other half will be donated to GMIA.
Thanks to our sponsors

2023 Art & Garden Tour
2023-04-23 12:00 - 16:00 | CA
Please plan to join us on April 23 from noon to 4 p.m. for GMIA’s Art & Garden Tour. This year, our signature event will be better than ever with five unique gardens to tour and artists at each venue. Consider contacting us at gmiavolunteer@gmail.com to work a shift at one of the gardens. This event is open to GMIA families only. Well-behaved children are welcome with their parents, but the gardens cannot accommodate strollers or pets. Please check page 8 of Viewpoints, which will be arriving in your mailbox later this month, to ensure your membership is current. If it has expired, renew with PayPal on this website or re-enroll on April 23 at any of the gardens. New members can also join GMIA by paying the $20 annual membership fee on the day of the tour.

Succulent Swap & Share
2022-10-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Wendy and Ron Caragher’s, 10805 Melva Road, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Join us on Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to noon, for an enjoyable and instructional morning. GMIA is dedicating this year’s event to Paul Geldbach, a lover of nature and former board member who chaired many previous Succulent Swaps.

This year, we’re also renaming our event the Succulent Swap and Share, a special acknowledgment of the generosity of GMIA members who are always willing to share the bounty of their gardens. And speaking of sharing, Wendy and Ron Caragher have volunteered to host the event at 10805 Melva Road, the second year they have done so.

The Succulent Swap and Share is an opportunity to discover new varieties, learn more about GMIA and enjoy the Caraghers’ magnificent gardens. Early admission for GMIA members is at 10 a.m.—a good reason to renew your membership if it has expired (see mailing label on page 8). The event is open to the entire community from 11 a.m. to noon.

GMIA Annual Dinner Meeting
2022-07-30 17:30 - 20:00 | Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr W, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
GMIA’s popular annual dinner meeting will feature a tasty barbecue dinner, a chance to get together with your friends and neighbors, and an update on what’s going on in the community.

Our speaker this year is San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, who will discuss issues of concern to our community. If you have a question for Ms. Stephan, please send it to yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com.

A garden tour will be given by a Water Conservation Garden docent guide at 4:30 p.m.

The dinner, which includes beer, wine, soft drinks, and dessert, is $20 for GMIA members and $25 for non-GMIA members.

Reservations are required. Please register by July 30th,

2022 Art & Garden Tour
2022-04-24 12:00 - 16:00 | CA
Please join us for the 53rd Annual Art and Garden Tour from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 24. Enjoy four remarkable gardens in the Mt. Helix area that feature outstanding examples of plants and landscaping.

The garden tour is free to members. Although the Garden Tour is not open to the public, non-member guests may attend for a donation of $15 per person or $18 per household.

Consult the latest edition of Viewpoints for addresses of the gardens participating in the tour.

County webinar on proposed homeless facilities at Avocado Blvd. Park and Ride
2022-01-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
GMIA has set up a second presentation about the county’s proposal to have safe parking for the homeless at a Park and Ride at Avocado Blvd. and SR 94. The presentation will be given by Omar Passons, director of the county’s Office of Homeless Solutions.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89774215131
Call in at 1-669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 897 7421 5131.

County webinar on proposed homeless facilities at Avocado Blvd. Park and Ride
2022-01-18 09:00 - 10:30 | Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 619-343-2539,,538323931# United States, San Diego
Phone Conference ID: 538 323 931#
Find a local number
Learn More

14th Annual Walk to the Top of Mt. Helix
2022-01-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Join us on Saturday, January 8, for one of our most popular events – the 14th annual Walk to the Top. Out of concern for the health of our community, GMIA is encouraging participants to practice social distancing and wear masks. We will meet at the Fire Station on Vivera Drive, where free parking is available.
This event has grown each year as word spreads about the family and dog-friendly walk. It starts at the fire station at 10105 Vivera Dr., with a walking distance of 2/3 mile each way.
Stroll up Mt. Helix Drive behind our big yellow banner with friends and neighbors! At the top, complimentary refreshments, including coffee, tea and snacks will be provided by GMIA. The Mt. Helix Park Foundation, our co-sponsor, provides the magnificent location and volunteer assistance.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join old friends, meet more of your neighbors, and enjoy the celebration of our great community. Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome at this free event. If you have questions, contact us at yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com.

2021 Succulent Swap
2021-10-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Wendy and Ron Caragher’s, 10805 Melva Road, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
VIP entry for GMIA members @10 a.m.
(Non-members @11 a.m.)
A new date and new hosts but the same lovely venue! The Succulent Swap is one of GMIA’s most popular events. It’s free to all, but members are allowed early access, so renew your membership if it has lapsed or rejoin when you arrive!
With the 2020 swap canceled due to the pandemic, we are especially excited to welcome you this year. Susan Nichols and her team of GMIA volunteers organizing this event will provide coffee, water and light snacks.
The Succulent Swap is an opportunity to discover new varieties, learn more about GMIA and enjoy the magnificent two-acre gardens at 10805 Melva Road. Wendy and Ron Caragher are the current owners of the property, where many previous swaps have taken place.
Bring your own cuttings or plants to share, but don’t worry if you’re short on supplies. Our generous participants always bring more than enough to share. You might want to bring bags or boxes to transport the plants home.
We extend our warmest thanks to the Caraghers for hosting the Succulent Swap.

2021 Annual Meeting
2021-08-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Harry Griffen Park Amphitheater, 9550 Milden St, La Mesa, CA, 91942, United States
Join us as we celebrate a return to gathering in person at our GMIA Annual Meeting on Sunday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Harry Griffen Park amphitheater in La Mesa. Bring your own picnic supper and blanket or chairs to the amphitheater. GMIA will provide delicious, complimentary Mahalo Shave Ice (yum!) for all of our members in good standing. Enjoy great live music, both before and after our program, by popular country and rock’n roll band The Tradesmen at our all new, family-friendly event.
Our program will begin at 6 p.m. featuring comments by State Senator Brian Jones. Bob Yarris, president of the Casa de Oro Alliance, will be honored with our Al Platt Award for Community Service, and winners of the GMIA Gardens Rock! Photo Contest and Curb Appeal Award will be recognized.
Please note, the City of La Mesa (operator of Harry Griffen Park) requires us to advise that, to keep everyone safe:

No glass, smoking or alcohol is permitted
No bikes or skateboarding in the amphitheater
Dogs must be on leash

Please RSVP by August 12th.

SVP Release/SAFE Task Force Placement Hearing for Sexually Violent Predators
2021-04-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) has recommended the placement of Sexually Violent Predators (SVP) Merle Wade Wakefield and Douglass Badger at 10957 Horizon Hills Dr. in El Cajon. Due to current COVID-19 health concerns, a placement hearing will be held virtually via Zoom on April 20, 2021 at 9am and comments will be accepted.
You can email your comments to sdsafe@sdsherriff.org or by calling (858) 495-3619. You may also mail your comments to:
SVP Release/SAFE Task Force
9425 Chesapeake Dr.
San Diego, CA 92123
(public comments will be accepted between March 26 and April 9, 2021)
See also GMIA’s opposition letter.

Walk to the Top Scavenger Hunt
2020-12-17 - 2021-01-31 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Our popular annual Walk to the Top is a great time of year for our community to welcome in the new year, enjoying our area’s spectacular weather! This year it is not possible for our members to gather together in our usual fashion assembled behind our great yellow banner with our eager pets accompanying us. Instead, we would like to invite you to take an independent walk to the top of Mt. Helix by January 31, 2021.
To add to the adventure, we have designed a Scavenger Hunt for the whole family to locate interesting Mt. Helix features along the way. Bring your activity sheet, and join the adventure! Walk from the fire station to the top of Mt. Helix any time between now and January 17. Take a photo of your group at the top, plus a photo of your completed Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet
and email them to yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com. Be sure to identify your participants. With your permission, we will publish some of the photos in the next Viewpoints newsletter, on the GMIA Facebook page and on our website. Even if you don’t find all the items, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a free year of GMIA membership just by submitting your photos. Answers to the quiz questions can be found here.
Although we will miss the excitement of over 200 of our GMIA members making the trek together, we trust you will enjoy this year’s version of the Walk to the Top and find the Scavenger Hunt a rewarding holiday activity for the whole family. Watch out for traffic and stay safe!
Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet
Scavenger Hunt Answers
Photo Album

2020 Annual Meeting (Virtual)
2020-10-08 17:30 - 18:30 | Zoom (registration required)
GMIA’s annual meeting was held virtually this year because of public health concerns. The meeting included highlights for GMIA and the community in the last year, and an introduction of the GMIA board members.
The keynote speaker was Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who is leaving office after 28 years because of term limits. This was our chance to thank Supervisor Jacob for all she has done for our community. Watch our thank you video below.

Download the GMIA Annual Virtual Event presentation

2020 Annual Dinner Meeting
2020-06-07 17:30 - 20:00 | Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr W, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
Enjoy a summer evening with your friends and neighbors at GMIA’s Annual Dinner on Sunday, June 7, 5:30 – 8 pm.
Our casual barbecue buffet will once again take place at the gorgeous Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. Supervisor Dianne Jacob will be on hand to talk with us and answer your questions about what’s going on in our neighborhood and around East County.

The dinner, which also includes Ballast Point beer, wine and soft drinks, is $15 per GMIA member.

Note: reservations are required. Our Annual Meeting is designed for GMIA members, but nonmembers may attend for $20 per person.

Ticket prices:

Member – $15
Non-member – $20

Candidate Forum
2020-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Murdock Elementary School, 4354 Conrad Dr., La Mesa, CA, 92121, United States
GMIA is sponsoring a forum for the candidates for county supervisor. Former State Senator Joel Anderson, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, Brian Sesko, and Kenya Taylor have been invited. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. to meet the candidates and the forum will begin at 6 p.m. at Murdock Elementary School, 4354 Conrad Dr., La Mesa. The candidates are running to succeed County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who is leaving office after 28 years because of term limits. Candidates for other offices will also be invited to attend for a meet and greet following the forum at 8 p.m. including the 71st and 79th State Assembly District and Superior Court Judges.
Your GMIA board is hosting this important community forum to enable our members to hear directly from the candidates. We hope you will join us to learn about their credentials and positions regarding issues of importance to our region. Our goal is to help members make an informed decision in the best interest of our community. Your vote matters. The League of Women Voters will serve as moderator for the Forum
View the Candidate Forum Flyer

Welcome the New Year at the 12th annual Walk to the Top!
2020-01-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Join us on Saturday, January 4 for one of our most popular activities – the 12th annual Walk to the Top to welcome the New Year.
This event has grown each year as word spreads about the family and dog-friendly walk. It starts at the fire station at 10105 Vivera Dr., with a walking distance of 2/3 mile each way.
Stroll up Mt. Helix Drive behind our big yellow banner with friends and neighbors! At the top, complimentary refreshments, including coffee, tea, water, breakfast treats and fresh fruit will be provided by GMIA. The Mt. Helix Park Foundation, our co-sponsor, provides the magnificent location and volunteer assistance. You can also meet other local nonprofit partners sharing information about what they are doing to benefit our community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join old friends, meet more of your neighbors, and enjoy the celebration of our great community. Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome at this free event. If you have questions, contact us at yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com.
If you would like to volunteer to assist with day-of-the-event tasks, please contact Co-director Pat Ryan at patrice46@gmail.com or (619) 248-1619. We can use help with set-up, refreshments, picking up supplies, guides for the walk, and clean-up.

2019 Annual Dinner Meeting
2019-06-09 10:30 - 13:00 | Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr W, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
Join us for our popular Annual Dinner Meeting. At this casual event, you’ll enjoy a tasty buffet dinner, hear an update about what’s going on in our neighborhood, and our keynote speaker is County Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
Here are the highlights:

Phil’s BBQ buffet
Ballast Point Beer
Wine & soft drinks
Live music
A great opportunity to meet and mingle with your neighbors!
Enjoy the beautiful Cuyamaca Water Conservation Garden (docent-led tours at 4:30 are available)

Ticket prices:

Member – $12
Non-member – $20

Meet your neighbors on this fun summer evening.
See photos from last year’s dinner

2019 Succulent Swap
2019-04-27 03:00 - 05:00 | Succulent Swap, 10805 Melva Rd, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
IMPORTANT:
VIP entry for GMIA members: 10:00 am
Open to the public: 11:00 am
Event ends: Noon
Note direction changes below, due to road closures.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Buy Succulents!
Get a jump start on a water-wise garden at GMIA’s 6th Annual Succulent Swap. Bring succulent, cactus, drought-tolerant, or native cuttings or plants to share. Don’t be shy if you’re just getting started and don’t have any extra plants – our generous participants always bring lots and there is plenty for all. GMIA will provide complimentary coffee and light snacks to round out the morning.
Enjoy the magnificent two-acre garden of GMIA members Tere Trout and Jonathan Becker. A huge thank you to Tere and Jonathan for graciously hosting this event in their inspiring low-water Wonderland. Look for their huge African tortoise who can be seen wandering around the property nibbling on juicy succulents. The Succulent Swap is open and free to the community. Please note: membership has its privileges with VIP entry for GMIA members whose dues are paid current.
CORRECTED DIRECTIONS: Due to road closures in the area, there is a chance your GPS device or app will not be correct. There are 2 access points to reach the location:

From Avocado Blvd, turn west on Alzeda Dr, then turn left on Melva Rd
From Fuerte, turn north on Crestland Dr (the only way you can turn), which turns into Snyder Rd, then right on Alzeda Dr, and an immediate left on Melva Rd.

See photos from the previous Swap

2019 Art & Garden Tour
2019-04-07 05:00 - 10:00 | CA
This is GMIA’s premier Art & Garden Tour member event. The tour is free to members whose dues are paid current. While it is not our intention to open our event to the general public, we will accommodate non-member guests for a $15 donation per person (paid when you enter).
We’ve been able to add three difficult-to-access hideaway gardens by providing ample parking in the nearby Fire Station lot, combined with a shuttle service linking all three gardens. This route is also walkable for those who enjoy the short journey between each garden.
The Tour map will arrive in the Spring 2019 issue of our member newsletter, Viewpoints.
We hope you will join us for our most popular event that exemplifies the essence of our beautiful community: Lush mature gardens, quiet streets, generous neighbors. Spend an enjoyable afternoon gathering design ideas, learning what flourishes in our region, and discovering delightful landscapes in six private homes in our community.
We are featuring more local artists who will display and offer their creations for sale. Enjoy the sounds of musicians playing guitar, flute, and saxophone as you stroll through the gardens.
This is a family-friendly event and we love to have well-behaved children attend. However, please be aware that participating gardens cannot accommodate strollers. No pets, please.
See photos from last year’s Tour

2019 Walk to the Top
2019-01-05 02:00 | Meeting place for Walk, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
FREE ADMISSION!
Children and well-behaved dogs welcome
Join us on Saturday January 5th for one of our most popular activities — the 11th annual Walk to the Top. This event has grown each year as word spreads about the family and dog friendly walk, which starts at 10 am at the fire station at 10105 Vivera. Walking distance is 2/3 mile each way.
Stroll up Mt. Helix Drive behind our big yellow banner with friends and neighbors! At the top, complimentary refreshments including coffee, tea, and water, breakfast treats and fresh fruit will be provided by GMIA. Co-sponsor Mt. Helix Park Foundation provides our magnificent location and volunteer assistance. Plus, meet other local nonprofit partners sharing information about what they are doing to benefit our community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join old friends, meet new neighbors, and enjoy the celebration of our great community at the top. As always, children and well-behaved dogs are welcome at this complimentary event.
Questions? Contact us at yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com
If you would like to volunteer to assist with day-of-the-event tasks, please contact Co-Director Pat Ryan at 619-248-1619. We can use your help with set-up, picking up supplies, and clean-up.

2018 Halloween Harvest Family Festival
2018-10-27 07:00 - 10:00 | CA
Free admission!
Sunday, October 28
2:00-5:00 pm
Mt. Helix Park Amphitheater
Parking & shuttle at Fire Station 21
Featuring:
• Games & crafts hosted by local businesses
• Face painting
• Food available for purchase from Quick Stop Grill Food Truck
• Live music by The Responders
We’ll be giving away prizes for the best family costume, best male costume, and best female costume. ALL children participating in the 4 pm Costume Parade will receive something special.
If you’re not already a member of GMIA or the Mt Helix Park Foundation, there will be a drawing for two $50 Costco gift cards for those who join at the Festival! All new members will also take home a pumpkin!
Brought to you by The Mt. Helix Park Foundation and Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA).

2018 Family Fest & Ice Cream Social
2018-08-12 07:00 - 10:00 | Trouts, 10805 Melva Rd, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Join us for our 2nd Annual GMIA Summer Family Fest. Meet your neighbors, play games, make crafts and enjoy refreshing ice cream. We’ll be in the gorgeous garden of GMIA members Tere Trout and Jonathan Becker. Come meet the resident miniature horse and African tortoise. Activities include making your favorite paper bag hat, rock painting, lawn bowling, hula hoops, ball toss and more. Thanks to GMIA Board member Krista Bishop Powers who chairs this outreach event for our young families. Have questions or like to volunteer to help? Contact Krista at 619-985-1445.
