Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association

2019 Walk to the Top
2019-01-05 02:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.

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 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 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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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

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.

Supervisorial Candidate Public Forum
2023-10-18 19:00 - 20:00 | 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 Walk to the Top of Mt. Helix
2024-01-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Start the New Year with 300 of your neighbors at the San Miguel Fire station at Vivera Dr. and Mt. Helix Blvd.

2024 Art & Garden Tour
2024-04-28 12:00 - 16:00 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Mark your calendar for GMIA’s Art & Garden Tour on Sunday, April 28. Five unique gardens will be open to tour. Spend an enjoyable afternoon gathering design ideas, viewing original landscaping and learning which plants flourish in our region. Parents are welcome to bring their children, but the gardens cannot accommodate strollers. No pets, please.
Three of the gardens will be accessible through a shuttle van. To board the van, park your car in the lot by the fire station at 10105 Vivera Drive. The gardens are less busy later in the afternoon, so consider starting your tour in mid-afternoon. You’ll find a map and a description of the gardens inside this newsletter.
This event is open to GMIA members only. Please check page 8 of this newsletter to ensure your membership is current. If it has expired, you can renew online, or you can mail your payment to GMIA, P.O. Box 2751, La Mesa, CA 91943-2751. You can also join GMIA or renew your membership by paying the $20 annual fee on the day of the tour.
If you would like to help GMIA put on this event, please contact us at gmiavolunteer@gmail.com. We need volunteers to check in people at the gardens, assist with traffic, and assist those visiting the gardens.

2024 GMIA Annual Dinner
2024-06-22 16:30 - 19:30 | Cuyamaca College Student Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
The GMIA Annual Dinner will be held June 22 at the Cuyamaca College Student Center. The dinner this year has a western theme, so you’re invited to show up in your cowboy gear. We’ll be providing bandanas as part of the fun.
Our new county supervisor, Monica Montgomery Steppe, will be the keynote speaker. If you would like to submit a question to her, send it to yourgmianeighbor@gmail.com.
The social hour begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. We’ll be offering a barbecue meal of smoked chicken in barbecue sauce with buns, beans, corn and potato-mac salad.
If you’d like to learn more about Cuyamaca College, be sure to sign up for a tour beginning at 4 p.m.
A raffle will be held with items that include a two-night stay at Santee Lakes, $100 gift card to Ruth Chris steak house, Swarovski jewelry, original artist-created pottery and other items.
The cost of the dinner is $30 until June 15, and $35 after that date.

Succulent Swap & Share
2024-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Wendy and Ron Caragher’s, 10805 Melva Road, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
GMIA’s annual Succulent Swap & Share is being held on Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the home of Ron and Wendy Caragher at 10805 Melva Road.
Trim your yard and bring your succulent cuttings (no fire sticks please) and check out the variety of succulents being offered to swap. Have a cup of Gladly Coffee with your green-thumbed neighbors and learn more about GMIA.
Shop the Swap is a new feature being offered this year. It’s a pottery pop-up featuring unique planters by local artist PK Pottery. Planters will range from $5 to $20, and PK Pottery is donating a portion of their sales to GMIA. After selecting a handmade container, head over to the new potting station and create your own mini succulent garden.
The Succulent Swap & Share is a free event for members only. Memberships are available for $20 per household.

17 th Annual Walk to the Top of Mt. Helix 2025
2025-01-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Get Ready to Walk!
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to indulge a little—go ahead and treat yourself to those festive feasts and sweet treats! But fear not, because we have the perfect way to kickstart a healthy New Year: the 17th annual Walk to the Top of Mt. Helix on Saturday, January 4.
Our popular community event promises to be a fantastic way to welcome 2025. Grab your friends, family, and your pups for a 3/4-mile stroll that takes you up to the stunning views of our beautiful area.
What You Need to Know
When: January 4th at 10 AM
Participants will be led by the sounds of the Grossmont High School Marching Band as we set off together.
Where: San Miguel Fire Station 21, 10105 Vivera Drive
Community Connections
In addition to breathtaking views, fresh air and complimentary refreshments, you’ll have the chance to connect with local organizations committed to our community, including:

Casa de Oro Alliance
La Mesa Historical Society
Senior Gleaners
SDG&E Vegetation Management
The Water Conservation Garden
Helix Water District

Give Back While You Walk
We’re holding a dog food can drive to benefit The Animal Pad, our local shelter. Bring a can or two to donate and help support our furry friends. Many of their adoptable pups will be joining the walk!
A Special Invitation
Before we hit the pavement, don’t miss the open house at Fire Station 21! Take a tour of the apparatus and chat with our local heroes. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the vital services they provide.
A special shout-out goes to the Mt. Helix Park Foundation for their unwavering support in making this event happen year after year.
Mark your calendars, lace up those sneakers, and prepare for an unforgettable New Year’s tradition. Let’s start 2025 with a step in the right direction—together!

GMIA 56th Annual Art & Garden Tour 2025
2025-04-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Fire station parking lot, 10105 Vivera Dr, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Four beautiful gardens will be available for viewing. Artists and musicians will be stationed at the properties.
This year, you can drive yourself to each home or take a shuttle and ride in comfort from garden to garden.
Details and descriptions of the gardens can be found in the Spring Viewpoints. Map of garden locations is shown below.

2025 GMIA Annual Dinner
2025-06-21 16:00 - 20:00 | Cuyamaca College Student Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States
Grab your tie-dye shirts and peace symbols for the GMIA Annual Dinner, June 21, 2025. We will be celebrating in 60s style at the Cuyamaca College Student Center, beginning with happy hour at 4:30. At 5:30, enjoy a roast chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. Vegetarian dinners also available. Beginning at 4 pm. you can get a tour of Cuyamaca College with a student ambassador. Hear from Andy Lawler, chief of the San Miguel Fire District, and the keynote presentation from Historian Jim Newland, who will talk about the fascinating history of Mt. Helix, and the men and women who settled the area. There will be a silent auction and a slide show of the GMIA activities since last summer. Your picture may be in it! Tickets are $30/each until June 11, when they go up to $35.
Thanks to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Community College District and Edco Disposal Co. for their sponsorships of the dinner. Thanks also to Helix Brewing Co. and San Pasqual Winery for supplying beverages for the event.

GMIA Succulent Swap: A Fall Celebration Rooted in Community
2025-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Wendy and Ron Caragher’s, 10805 Melva Road, La Mesa, CA, 91941, United States
Forget the pumpkin spice—GMIA is kicking off fall with sun, succulents, and socializing! Join us for the annual Succulent Swap, a vibrant morning of gardening and connection in the heart of our community.

Saturday, September 27
The Caraghers’ Garden, 10805 Melva Road
10–11 AM: GMIA Members-Only Hour
11 AM–12 PM: Open to the Public
Free to all

Whether you’re a seasoned succulent collector or just plant-curious, this event has something for everyone:

Succulent Swap: Bring your best cuttings (no fire sticks, please!) and trade with fellow plant lovers.
PK Pottery Pop-Up: Shop handcrafted planters with flair.
Potting Station: Create your own mini garden masterpiece.
Sip & Socialize: Enjoy Gladly Coffee, sweet treats, and neighborly chats.

It’s more than a plant swap—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. Come for the clippings, stay for the camaraderie.
Mark your calendars, prep your cuttings, and don’t forget—members first hour and then the fun blooms for everyone at 11 AM!
