calendar
May 15
Fiesta de Artesanias WHEN 6:30 p.m.
WHERE Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center, 421 Heffernan Ave., Calexico
INFO Ballet Folklorico Danza Mexico will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Trio Cucapa will perform from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Event is open to the public. Free admission. Support Group for caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s/dementia WHEN 10 a.m.
WHERE Dr. Sampat’s office, 1655 S. Imperial Ave., El Centro INFO The Alzheimer’s Association is offering a free support group for caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The program is offered the first and third Wednesday of the month. The program offers emotional support, information about coping with stress and managing difficult situations. For more information, please call the Alzheimer’s Association at
1 (800) 272-3900
May 16
Que Siga la Fiesta WHEN 6 p.m.
WHERE Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center, 421 Heffernan Ave., Calexico
INFO Ballet Folklorico Danza Mexico will perform from 6 to 7 p.m., and Ballet Folklorico Las Flores del Valle will follow from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and free admission.
May 17
Presentation about diabetes WHEN 10 a.m.
WHERE Calexico Community Center, 707 Dool Ave.
INFO Presentation will be in Spanish. Come and ask your questions regarding diabetes. Come learn about the risks regarding this disease, the type of diets and exercise you could use and medication available. The presenter will be Dr. Bernard Lichtenstine. For more information, call (760)768-2176.
Movie night
WHEN 7:45 to 9:30 p.m.
WHERE Heber Public Utility District, 1165 Palm Ave., Heber INFO Heber Public Utility District presents movie night in the park. The movie presented will be “The Lego Movie: The Second Part.” Join us for a night of fun; the snack bar will be open. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and a blanket.
PetSmart National Adoption Weekend WHEN Continues through May 19
WHERE PetSmart, 2180 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro
INFO PetSmart will host an adoption event benefiting the local community and the countless homeless pets in their care. All adoptions include a free adoption kit as a thank you from PetSmart. It contains more than $500 worth of coupons to help your family be prepared for your new addition. Coupons include free 30-minute training lessons with our accredited Pet Training Instructor (a $45 value), a free bag of food and more! For more information on this event, please call (760) 679-5131.
May 18
2019 All-Valley Sports Screening
WHEN 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. WHERE Southwest High School Gymnasium, 2001 Ocotillo Drive, El Centro
INFO Sports screenings/physicals will be performed on all student-athletes for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. Cost is $15. All screenings will include an electrocardiogram. Medical forms can be obtained from your athletic director or downloaded from your school’s website. A majority of the proceeds will be returned to student-athletes’ high school athletic program. For more information, email cpspencemd@gmail.com.
Crown Craft Beer Invitational
WHEN 5 p.m. to midnight WHERE Imperial Valley Expo, 200 E. Second St., Imperial INFO Join one of the largest craft beer tastings in the Imperial Valley. Must be 21 or older. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at the Imperial Valley Expo. Pre-sale tickets will be entered into the event giveaway. Ticket pricing is $30 for general admission and $15 for designated driver and active/retired military. Must present a valid ID. Designated drivers receive a $15 food voucher.
Free presentation: Non-violent communication WHEN 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. WHERE 1073 Ross Ave., Ste. E., El Centro
INFO Guest speaker will be Ron Punit Auerbacher, who was a member of the New York Gay Liberation Front, the activist group formed after the Stonewall Rebellion. He cut sugar cane in Cuba on the first Venceremos Brigade and lived in India for five years studying yoga and meditation. He is a literacy volunteer and a member of the Zen Center of San Diego. Immediately after the presentation, stay for a brief LGBT history presentation. To RSVP, call (760) 592-4066 or email RosaDiaz@ivlgbtcenter. com
May 19
Faith Assembly Vacation Bible School registration opens WHEN Daily for June 17-21 VBS (6 to 8:30 p.m.)
WHERE Lorraine Couch, 320 S. J St., Imperial
INFO It’s time for Faith Assembly’s VBS again! Kids 3 years old through sixth grade are invited to join us on our wild adventure! Online registration opens May 19. Don’t miss out on this fun event. For more information, please contact (760) 355-1114. Desert Jammers Old Time Acoustic Jam Session WHEN 1 to 3 p.m.
WHERE Quad area located directly west of the El Centro Methodist Church on 8th and Olive
INFO All acoustic instrument players are welcome to attend. An audience is appreciated and the jam is free to all. For further information, contact Pete Preece at (760) 353-1041. This is the last jam of the season. We will resume on September 15, 2019.
Asthma boot camp for children ages 8-16
WHEN 7:45 a.m.to 12 p.m. WHERE ECRMC Community Education Center, IV Mall, El Centro
INFO ECRMC Imperial Valley Child Asthma Program is hosting an Asthma Boot Camp for children ages 8-16. The camp is free. Must register; spaces are limited. Interactive group session on asthma, nutrition and exercise routines will be conducted and led by experts in the field. After the sessions, participants will gain asthma management skills and increase confidence in using asthma medications and equipment. Ease day-to-day stress of not knowing what to do in an asthma attack. Learn about nutrition and certain food that may cause allergies. Learn exercise warm-up techniques and breathing exercises. For a free registration form, stop by the Asthma Resource Center located at 1600 S. Imperial Ave., Suite 2 (Desert Medical Building), or call (760) 482-0978 for more information.
May 21
4th Annual Imperial Valley Pride Meeting WHEN 6:30 p.m. WHERE 1073 Ross Ave. St. E., El Centro
INFO This meeting will continue every third Tuesday of the month until September.
May 24
Paint Night
WHEN 6 to 9 p.m. WHERE Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center, 421 Heffernan Ave., Calexico
INFO Cost is $25 per person (all materials included). The instructor will be Eduardo Kintero. Pre-registration is required. For adults only. Class will consist of creating a piece of art following step-by-step instructions. Acrylic paints, brushes and canvas will be provided. Relax and enjoy your Friday night with friends! Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call (760) 768-2170 CalFresh expansion celebration WHEN 4 to 6:30 p.m. WHERE Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion, 770 Park Ave., El Centro
INFO Join the Imperial Valley Food Bank and the City of El Centro to celebrate this event. Services available include CalFresh (food stamps) and Medi-Cal application assistance; information about diabetes, cancer and other health topics; free blood pressure and glucose screening; community resources; physical activities; entertainment; nutrition education with a food demonstration; and raffles and prizes. For more information, please call (760) 370-0966.
May 25
2nd annual High School Lavender Graduation
WHEN 1 to 3 p.m. WHERE Imperial Valley College Center, 380 E. Aten Road, Imperial
INFO The lavender graduation is a ceremony to celebrate graduation students who openly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and their allies. Deadline to sign up is May 10. Students will receive a lavender community cord and certificate of distinction. Attire is open to graduates’ discretion. The Lavender Graduation does not replace the official high school graduation ceremony. You will not receive your diploma until graduation day. Please send us pictures of your school year that you would like to be added to a short presentation during the ceremony. For more information, please contact Diana Rivera at dar344@nau.edu or at (760) 592-4066. To register, please use the following link: goo.gl/ L45LLG
May 30
Caring for the Caregiver second annual conference
WHEN 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE Ricochet Rec Center, 450 W. Aten Road, Imperial INFO Join us for our second annual conference for family caregivers, caring for adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other related conditions. Learn about various topics such as memory loss and the importance of a healthy diet that will help you maintain better physical and mental health. There will be breakfast, lunch, speakers, community resources and opportunity drawings. Classes in Spanish. For registration or more information, please contact (858) 285-8129 or gaguirre@caregivercenter.org. For online registration, visit http:// bit.ly/CuidadorConf.
June 1
Dog Parenting 101
WHEN 1:30 to 2:30 p.m WHERE PetSmart, 2180 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro
INFO New dog? Now what? Dog parenting 101 is a free informational seminar, a fun and informative one-hour session with our dog trainer, Rudy Robles. He will give you tips for potty and crate training, important nutrition education, products for a happy and healthy pet, and how to make your dog a part of your family. For more information or to sign up, please visit the store or call (760) 679-5131.
June 10
Call for artists: Hot Summer Nights Exhibit and open mic WHEN 4 to 7 p.m., from June 10-13 WHERE Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center, 421 Heffernan Ave., Calexico
INFO Reception to take place on June 13. Pieces of art are limited to six pieces per artist. The drop off date is June 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. only. Pick up date is June 14 from 3 to 6 p.m. only. Performers register for open mic on the day of the reception. Bring your own instruments or music file, We provide the mic, and you bring the talent! No repeat items will be accepted. Items must be framed and ready to hang. For ages 18 and older. To register, please call (760) 768-2170, or register online at http://calexicolibrary.org/cac.
California Retired Teachers of Imperial Valley Area XI-Division 64 meeting
WHEN 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE Rose School, Pioneers’ Museum, 373 E. Aten Road, Imperial
INFO Music by Grover Ferrel. We need to build our scholarship fund.
June 22
Pet class: Reducing fear and anxiety WHEN 1 to 2 p.m. WHERE PetSmart, 2180 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro
INFO Storms? Fireworks? Strangers? Join us for a informative one-hour session where you can learn to help ease your dog’s anxiety and stress, build your dog’s confidence and trust and help your dog go from scared to social.
June 24
Youth Cadet Academy Summer Program
WHEN 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Mondays through Thursdays, from June 24 through July 25 WHERE IV LGBT RC, 1073 Ross Ave., Ste. E, El Centro.
INFO For youth ages 12 to 17 (all genders) Jr. High and High School students struggling in school are encouraged to attend. The purpose of this program is to educate youth on the principle of teamwork, respect, integrity and self-esteem. For more information, please call (760) 592-4066 or email rosadiaz@ivlgbtcenter.com.