Grossmont Center Plans Free Goodies, Ice Cream at Customer Appreciation Day

Is everyone gearing up for back to school? There’s clothes-shopping, lunch-packing, uniform-buying and supply-stocking to be done before your child’s first day back. Patch encourages you to take a break from the errand-running.

This weekend, Aug. 26-28, La Mesa’s best bets include local derby heroes, free ice cream and gifts, art fundraisers and an informative home-buying seminar.

If you’re ready to get out of town, El Cajon has a job fair to peruse and a free concert to take advantage of, Santee has a crooner worth listening to and Qualcomm Stadium is hosting a Soul Food Festival.

Whatever you do this weekend, take a breather. You deserve it.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where:, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa, noon Saturday.
• Why go: Watch three young soap box derby champs be honored and listen to their tales of their time in Akron, OH, at the National Derby Race.
• Price: $8.

• When/where: , 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, noon-2 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: It’s Customer Appreciation Day at Grossmont Center, so show up for free ice cream, goodie bags, crafts and music.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 8184 Commercial St., La Mesa, by appointment only, Saturday.
• Why go: Make an appointment to go get rid of your hazardous waste materials you’ve got stowed away in your home.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Executive Conference Room at , 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.
• Why go: A senior loan officer at a financial group will give you the inside scoop to home buying.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 4905 Mount Helix Dr., La Mesa, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Celebrate the arts and culture of East County with art auctions, food, live music and more. Proceeds benefit the Mt. Helix Park Foundation.
• Price: $50-$100.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy., El Cajon, 9 a.m.-noon Friday.
• Why go: This free fall job fair might find you your dream job or at the very least, something to help pay the bills.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Prescott Promenade, intersection of West Main Street and North Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, 6-8 p.m.
• Why go: Sit on the green for a free concert by Aunt Kizzy’s Boys, who will play the blues into the night.
• Price: Free.

• When/where:, 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 7-9 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: Nathan Welden, described as a cross between James Taylor and Jim Croce, will play with guest Diane Waters. Grab a latte and enjoy the music.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd., San Diego, noon-6 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Enjoy authentic soul food, live entertainment, raffles, prizes, games and cool drinks.
• Price: $40 in advance, $60 (cash) the day of the event.