EAST COUNTY HAPPENINGS

Short-term classes open this week

Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges offer short-term, accelerated classes in person, virtually and in hybrid formats starting Monday for students seeking a variety of ways to advance their education and professional training. Grossmont College’s list of shortterm classes is updated daily at https://bit.ly/3lmovzb. Find a list of short-term classes at Cuyamaca College at the college’s home page at https://www.cuyamaca.edu. Short-term classes, which help students earn credits quickly, range from four to eight weeks long, much shorter than the 16 weeks usually needed for regular semester-length classes. These short-term classes run from early April to late May, and many earn students the same three credits as the longer-format courses. Tuition is $46 a unit for California residents. Financial aid and the Grossmontcuyamaca College Promise program are available to those who qualify. The Grossmontcuyamaca College Promise provides two free years of tuition and fees at either college for first-time full-time students. Visit https://www.gcccd.edu/now.

Ramadan gatherings offered at center

The Islamic Center of San Diego East County (El Cajon) hosts several community prayers and gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan, which began April 2. Imam Dr. Saad Eldegwy, director of the center, welcomes everyone to share a special prayer at around 8:45 each evening called Taraweeh, and also a short talk by the imam. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset daily during Ramadan, and break their fasts with an evening meal called Iftar. The center is offering a “lite Iftar” meal after sunset every night. A “big Iftar” meal will be celebrated after sunset on April 27. Reserve for that meal to (619) 631-7477. Ramadan ends on May 2 with a celebration called Eid al Fitr, followed by a prayer and talk by the imam and a light meal. The Islamic Center of San Diego East County is at 833 Broadway, El Cajon. Call (619) 6317477.

Community update for La Mesa

Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber invites the La Mesa community to a Community Conversation and legislative update from 3-4 p.m. today at La Mesita Park, 8855 Dallas St. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket for comfortable seating.

Synagogue hosts Passover discussions Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosts several programs this week in preparation for Passover, which begins the evening

of April 15:

• At 7 tonight, the synagogue virtually presents “I Never Knew That! What You May Not Know About the Passover Seder.” Learn more and get the Zoom link at https://tiferethisrael.com/events/ineverknewthat.

• At 7 p.m. Monday and April 18, “Discussing Freedom & Oppression at the Passover Seder and Beyond,” a two-part series designed to build skills that can support fruitful dialogue with others. Reserve at https://tiferethisrael.com/ events/freedomandoppression.

• At 7 p.m. Wednesday, “Torah on Tap” will be held at Little Miss Brewing, 5208 Jackson Drive, La Mesa. The topic is “Bedikat Chametz / Searching for the Chametz: What is it that we are really searching for?” Little Miss Brewing does not serve food, but guests are welcome to bring their own. Learn more at https://tiferethisrael.com/events/torahontap.

Tifereth Israel is at 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego. Visit https://tiferethisrael.com/events/passover.

Earth Day event set for Saturday

La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation and the city of La Mesa hold an Earth Day Fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Macarthur Park, 4900 Memorial Drive. Free activities include a bike rodeo (bring your bike and a helmet), a community garden tour and seed giveaways, and a fix-it clinic (bring your broken items for evaluation and possible repair). Email friends@lamesaparks.org or call (619) 667-1319; visit https:// www.cityoflamesa.us/409/ Special-events.

Volunteers needed for bunny trail

Volunteers are still needed for Santee’s “Hop Down the Bunny Trail” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Santee Trolley Square, 9850 Mission Gorge Road. The Easter Bunny will be there for photos, along with crafts, rides, and a bunny trail egg hunt. Sign up at https:// bit.ly/3qk6mdl. Visit https:// bit.ly/3n13eq1.

Blood drives The San Diego Blood Bank hosts these blood donation opportunities. • 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. today,

Lemon Grove Little League,

7701 Nichals St., Lemon Grove. • 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today,

Pathways Community Church,

9626 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee. Appointments strongly encouraged. Photo ID required. Call (800) 469-7322 or visit Sandiegobloodbank.org.

Please send items to fyi.east@sduniontribune.com at least two weeks before events are to take place.