PAUMA VALLEY, Calif. — Where can you enjoy a freshly prepared farm-to-table dinner, wine tasting, extraordinary animals, and three hours of live Americana music and dancing under the stars—all while helping keep young girls safe and in school? Heartsteps Foundation invites the community to experience Under the Stars at Otter Valley, Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 5–9:30 p.m. at the beautiful Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center in Pauma Valley. The evening begins with a chef-prepared Nepali and Indochine-inspired farm-to-table dinner, prepared on site and featuring locally grown organic produce from J.R. Organics. Guests will also enjoy a “Capy Hour” wine tasting with capybaras from the center’s “Ottertorium,” with specialty desserts available from Valley Center baker Gracie’s Cakes and More. One of the evening’s highlights is the opportunity to experience the remarkable animals and surroundings of this unique property. Guests will encounter Asian small-clawed otters, capybaras, sloths and other fascinating animals while exploring the lush grounds of Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center. Live Music With Jesse Ray Smith Band As evening falls, the Jesse Ray Smith Band will take the stage for three hours of live music under the stars. Smith, a 2026 San Diego Music Awards nominee for Best Americana Artist, and his band will bring their distinctive Americana sound to Pauma Valley. And there’s plenty of room to move—the evening features a large dance floor, giving guests the chance to dance the night away in this extraordinary outdoor setting. A Night Out With a Purpose Proceeds from the dinner will support Heartsteps Foundation’s construction of a safe girls’ residence for 14 students in Patle, Okhaldhunga, Nepal, in the Himalayan region. The residence will provide young women attending Grades 11 and 12 with a secure place to live near their school, eliminating the need for lengthy and potentially dangerous daily journeys from their remote villages. “We wanted to create a night that people would genuinely love to attend—wonderful food prepared on site, wine, incredible animals, exceptional music and dancing under the stars,” said Kathleen McCabe, President and Founder of Heartsteps Foundation, Inc. “But what makes the evening especially meaningful is knowing that while we’re having a wonderful time here in our own community, we’re also helping young women in Nepal stay safe, stay in school, and continue their education.” Heartsteps Foundation gratefully recognizes the Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians. Edward Jones Valley Center office, and Faith Much, along with J.R. Organics, and La Mesa Floral Artistry for their support of the event. EVENT DETAILS Under the Stars at Otter Valley Saturday, September 12, 2026 5–9:30 p.m. Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center Nurtured by Nature • Pauma Valley, California All-Inclusive Ticket: $75 Farm-to-table dinner, wine tasting, animal viewing, and live concert Concert-Only Ticket: $45 Live concert and animal viewing Free parking on site. Tickets: https://www.heartstepsfoundation.org/nepal-fundraiser Heartsteps Foundation on Facebook
