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Four-day fall celebration features gourd art, workshops, demonstrations, vendors, cultural performances and family activities FALLBROOK, Calif. — The California Gourd Society (CGS), in partnership with Welburn Gourd Farm, will present the 2026 Southern California Gourd Competition and Raffle during Welburn’s Gourd Art & Harvest Days, September 24–27, 2026. The four-day event will celebrate creativity, community and the harvest season with gourd art classes, artist demonstrations, local vendors, cultural activities, music and family-friendly fun. Visitors can also enjoy U-Pick pumpkins and sunflowers at the farm. The schedule includes: Thursday, September 24: Preregistered art workshops Friday, September 25: Workshops, CGS Gourd Art Competition People’s Choice voting Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.: Artist and local-vendor marketplace, gourd art demonstrations, competition voting and awards, cultural workshops and performances, and pumpkin and flower shopping Saturday, 4–6 p.m.: Advance tickets required Sunday, September 27: Half-day art classes Advance registration is required for workshops and certain ticketed activities. The complete schedule, class information and tickets are available at welburngourdfarm.com/pages/2026-gahd. Welburn Gourd Farm is located at 40635 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, California 92028, approximately 25 minutes north of central Fallbrook. Known for its sustainably grown, thick-shelled gourds, the farm carefully harvests and hand-selects gourds for artists, crafters, musicians and decorators. Directions are available at WelburnGourdFarm.com. Founded in 1997, the California Gourd Society brings together artists, farmers, gardeners, educators, crafters and gourd enthusiasts who share an appreciation for hard-shelled gourds. A state chapter of the American Gourd Society, CGS supports education, creativity and charitable activities through 12 regional groups and a monthly online group. The organization has approximately 225 members throughout California. Debra Zimmerman California Gourd Society dzgourd@gmail.com Welburn Gourd Farm on Facebook/ Instagram

San Diegans are over the moon as we prepare to welcome the Artemis II crew back to Earth on Friday.

San Diego Poetry Annual at EPHIT, San Diego Writers, Ink, Liberty Station with Anna DiMartino and Michael Klam. Books will be available for purchase at the event. Hosted by Adam Greenfield. Sign up to read on the open mic at the event. Volunteer/support SDPA and get details at sdpoetryannual@gmail.com or SDPA Instagram: @sdpoetryannual.

A free, family-friendly event presented by the King of the Hill Foundation, the San Diego Padres, and Beyond Type 1, featuring Padres pitchers Mason Miller and Michael King, Jordan Miller, and Sheila King. The event will feature a panel discussion with the Millers, the Kings, the Marchetti family, and Beyond Type 1 representatives, on-site type 1 diabetes education and screening, a player meet-and-greet, family activities including face painting, and appearances by the Pad Squad and the Swinging Friar. Register here: https://thrive.beyondtype1.org/no-curveballs Beyond Type 1 on Facebook / Instagram

This important signature drive aims to repeal current parking fees and ensure the park remains accessible to everyone. San Diego, your voice matters! This Saturday, join thousands of community members at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park to kick off the Balboa Park Free Parking Restoration Act signature drive. Our goal: collect enough voter signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot and completely repeal the new parking fees that limit access for families, seniors, and visitors. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to sign the petition on-site, enjoy the community energy, and be part of a historic effort to protect free access to one of San Diego’s most beloved public spaces. Date: Saturday, April 4 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Location: Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park Together, we can ensure that Balboa Park remains a place for everyone—accessible, open, and free to enjoy. Don’t miss this chance to make a real impact in our city!

First, we’ll tell you why one measure on your November ballot could make it harder to pass other measures in the future. Then, a new policy passed last week is supposed to create more transparency in our local government. Also, we’ll tell you about another anniversary happening on July 4th that doesn’t belong to the United States. And finally, ground has broken on a new project along Chollas Creek.

In the mountains east of San Diego sits a place called Ilan-Lael. It’s 14 buildings on 10 acres, but beyond that, this place defies description.

The most popular destinations for Southern Californians include San Diego, Palm Springs, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, according to AAA.

Deadlines for entry are approaching for the 2026 San Diego County Fair’s expansive competitive exhibits program — a beloved tradition that invites community members of all ages to showcase their talent, creativity and craftsmanship. With dozens of opportunities spanning arts, crafts, culinary creations and agricultural achievements, the San Diego County Fair celebrates and rewards the remarkable work being done throughout our region. Competitors have the chance to earn awards, cash prizes and, of course, those iconic blue ribbons. At the heart of the Fair experience, these competitions transform everyday hobbies into extraordinary exhibits. They celebrate the passion and skill found throughout San Diego County — honoring first-time entrants, seasoned competitors, students, professionals and families alike. This year’s theme, “Once Upon a Fair,” celebrates storytelling in all its forms — and every entry tells a story. A quilt stitched over months. A photograph captured in a fleeting moment. A perfectly preserved jar of summer fruit. A student’s first award-winning painting. Each competition entry becomes part of the larger story that unfolds across the Fairgrounds each summer. Participants enjoy more than just the thrill of competition. Entrants receive free Fair admission, valuable feedback from experienced judges, opportunities to connect with others in their field, and the chance to see their work displayed in museum-quality exhibits viewed by hundreds of thousands of Fairgoers. The 2026 San Diego County Fair runs for 20 days from Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, July 5 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Arts & Crafts Competitions and deadlines to enter Include: Clothing and Fashion: May 4th Collections & Hobbies: May 4th Decorative Arts & Crafts: May 4th Fine Art: April 27th Gems, Minerals, and Jewelry: April 30th Needle & Fiber Arts: May 4th Photography: April 7th Quilts: May 4th Woodworking: May 4th Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/p/participate/entry San Diego County Fair on Instagram and Facebook

We want to hear from you! The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend the first Focus Group Meeting regarding the Tiered Winery Rural Residential (RR) Expansion Project. This project is part of an ongoing update to the Tiered Winery Ordinance, following a 2024 Feasibility Analysis. Through this project, the County will be looking at how different types of wineries could operate in RR zones under clear and consistent criteria. The project will entail changes to zoning rules, new operating standards, and a review of potential environmental effects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Meeting Discussion Topic: Draft Zoning Ordinance Changes At this meeting, we will focus on drafted Tiered Winery Ordinance changes being proposed. We are looking for participation from community members who are residents in RR zones, business associates, agritourism partners, and agricultural resource organizations. Additionally, we will go over both noise buffers/setbacks for amplified live music and outdoor seating capacity for Boutique Wineries. The goal of this meeting is to obtain feedback on draft changes to the Winery Ordinance that fosters a thriving agricultural economy while maintaining harmony with nearby residents and preserved open spaces. PDS will host this in-person hybrid meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Noon. If you would like interpretation services at this meeting, please contact Ashley Rivero in your preferred language at PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov by Friday, May 8, 2026. Please join us at the meeting using the information provided below. • When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Noon to 1 p.m. • Virtual Link: https://sdcounty-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/84503223786?pwd=oOtoUHQf5Moc7qaXRXJVG2mF4UlV8a.1 • Where: 5560 Overland Ave., Room 172, San Diego, CA 92123 Two additional participation opportunities are anticipated and are listed below. If interested, please wait for future updates on those opportunities. Focus Group Meeting #2: How Feedback was Incorporated – This meeting will go over drafted operational standards, permitting pathways, and criteria's that were gathered by the community and vetted by County departments. The anticipated meeting date is mid-June 2026. Open House – This is an opportunity to ask County staff any remaining questions on the draft Tiered Winery Ordinance changes and provide any comments before staff brings the draft language to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The anticipated date for the Open House is mid-July 2026. Please help us spread the word - share this message with family, friends, neighbors, businesses, and colleagues! For more information about the project, please visit this link: Tiered Winery - Rural Residential Expansion | Engage San Diego County. To receive updates on this project, please subscribe to the email list. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Rivero at PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov or (619) 629-4438.