Unplug and Dig Into Summer!

Looking for some fun, phone-free shenanigans? Several businesses in La Mesa and surrounding areas are offering suggestions to help you get a little creative and dig into summer. American adults spend anywhere from 9 – 11 hours per day consuming media. Whatever the actual number, it’s clear that most of us are staring at our screens a lot! The idea with “Dig into Summer”? We could all use a little break, and it’s hard to be on your phone when your hands are busy. All participating businesses are part of the Unplugged Village, meaning they foster a sense of real-life connection and offer opportunities to take a tech break. Claudia Erickson is the San Diego Events Coordinator for the Digital Wellness Collective (www.digitalwellnesscollective.com) and founder of the Unplugged Village. Last Fall, Erickson rolled out “Tech Break Tuesday” at some local restaurants and found people were eager for unplugged dining nights. Expanding on the dining concept, the Unplugged Village now includes other businesses offering activities that are unplugged. To sweeten the deal, Unplugged Village is partnering with Lilspace (www.getlilspace.com) to let people earn rewards for time spent off their phones. Items will be raffled off at many of the events. Here are just a few ideas of fun things to try out this summer.

Like to get a little dirty? Visit Mud Lily and make your own ceramic wind chimes to capture a cool breeze in your yard or decorate a wall at home. This quaint pottery studio offers classes for the pottery wheel, handmade dinnerware, and more—all levels of experience are welcome! The wind chime craft is Aug 13, from 7 – 8:30pm. $45 www.mudlilyclay.com 7881 University Ave.

Enjoy a little cocktail while crafting? Fourpenny House Scottish Pub in the La Mesa Village will offer “Crafts, Drafts & Grapes” on August 20th from 6-7pm. Participants will make a vase for those amazing flowers you pick up at the Farmers Market. $25 covers the craft and 2 house drinks. RSVP is required. Fourpenny offers customers the use of vintage cigar boxes with table games for those wanting to give their phones a little nap while they create. Location: 8323 La Mesa Blvd. www.fourpennyhouse.com

La Mesa Wine Works offers several unplugged activities to choose from. Sharpen those brain cells at Sunset Trivia every Thursday night from 6-8pm. Try your hand at a little jewelry making with Wine and Design (Aug 14, 28 and Sept 4) or find your Zen with a little yoga at Wine Down Wednesday (Aug 21). Sign up at www.lamesawineworks.com Location: 8167 Center St.

Got little ones and want to meet up with other moms? Check out the Unplugged Village Playgroup La Mesa. Part of the San Diego Parent Connection (www.sandiegoparent.com), this playgroup holds meet-ups at parks, and a variety of other locations. They do use tech to connect (look for the group name on Facebook) and for announcements. Check out the Olivewood Gardens meet up on Aug 16, or Oct 3 (9 – 10 am) for their “Talls and Smalls” program. Includes a walk through the garden, small garden harvest, storytime, and garden snack (kids aged 2-5). Cost is $12 per parent/child pair. Registration is required www.olivewoodgardens.org.

Ready to relive the old comfy feelings of camp with a new adult twist? Bliss Out Camp Out is a digital detox weekend for women held in the local San Diego mountains. Choose from classes like yoga, Krav Maga (self defense), jewelry making, archery, cooking, painting and more. Relax with a massage or sound bowl meditation then end your day with smores around a camp fire. Camp is September 6-8. Go to www.blissoutcampout.com for more info.

In addition to promoting unplugged events, Erickson offers resources and workshops on how to help reduce tech dependency. “Technology is here to stay. It’s an important tool and it’s nearly impossible to operate a business without it. Ironically, I couldn’t reach people with my message without using it.” said Erickson. “That said, we need to make sure it doesn’t take priority over our in-person connections”. Interested in tips to unplug, learning about future events or supporting the Unplugged Village? Contact Claudia Erickson at (619) 248-6532 or cerickson@unpluggedvillage.com /www.unpluggedvillage.com