During its Digital Day of Giving fundraiser, The Preuss School raised $595,000 to help furnish its roughly 800 students with laptops, cameras, software, and other tools necessary for distance-learning success. The charter school on the UC San Diego campus serves economically disadvantaged students striving to be the first in their family to graduate from college.
“It is through the support of our committed donors and talented faculty that we can build a bridge to success for underserved scholars by closing the achievement gap,” said Helen V. Griffith, executive director of The Preuss School. “But more than that, we create a belief system that our scholars belong, that they can compete against any other student in college and will become tomorrow’s leaders.”
The pandemic prompted The Preuss School to switch to a distance-learning model in mid-March. The school was able to distribute laptops and hot spots to promote connectivity. Within two weeks, all 850 students were able to access the online curriculum. Philanthropy also enabled the school to launch the Preuss Scholar Support Mobile Library, which lets students pick up and return library books, textbooks, and supplies for art, engineering, and music.
Founders First CDC and Pacific Western Bank have launched the San Diego Clydesdale Community Leaders Program, an accelerator for Black-owned small businesses. The curriculum includes a 24-month intensive transformational growth program, access to new business contracts, and the opportunity to secure flexible-revenue-based business loans. The first cohort will start October 20.
“We are thrilled to help position San Diego as a center for growth-oriented entrepreneurship by continuing to have a significant impact in using best practices, experience, and leveraging combined expertise of leadership, stakeholders/corporates, investors, and mentors to guide and implement a deliberate, sequenced, and prioritized small business development strategy,” said Kim Folsom, founder and CEO of Founders First. “We actively work to improve the well-being of those we serve by committing financial and human resources in San Diego County and throughout the state of California and beyond.”
The bones are here. A mirrored closet reflecting a massive painting. A pleated window shade peeking out from behind a frame. Reminders that, before this place was a museum, it was a regular—albeit expansive—house tucked away in the North County neighborhood of Rancho Santa Fe.
Real estate moguls Matthew and Iris Strauss purchased the 6,000-square-foot dwelling, situated directly next door to their own art-filled private residence, in 1999. “We more or less took it down to the base, with an eye toward turning it into an art gallery,” Iris says. Ever since, it’s held the Strauss Family Foundation, a contemporary art collection that steadily expanded with the Strausses’ trips to Miami’s Art Basel, the Venice Biennale, and other renowned art fairs. Today, the collection is valued at approximately $20 million, according to the family.
Photo Credit: Erica Joan Fiona Rae’s Cute Motion! So Lovely! (2005).
But, soon, all that art will move to a new home: In October 2023, the Strauss family donated the entire collection to UC San Diego. They also gave the foundation house, which will be sold to create an endowment fund for the art’s maintenance. UCSD, in turn, is building a museum as part of the incoming Triton Center, a new central campus hub that will also include an alumni building. Named The Strauss, the arts space is slated to open in fall 2026.
It’s a natural progression of the Strausses’ longtime vision. “Mom and Dad always felt it was very important that the art be seen by the public,” says the couple’s son, Steven Strauss.
The foundation offered 12 to 15 pre-booked tours a year. Matthew, who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 91, particularly enjoyed welcoming student visitors and often led tours himself. “He loved it when they would come in with their phones and then, after a few minutes, they would put their phone away, and they’d start looking at the art and they’d start asking questions,” Steven remembers.
Photo Credit: Erica Joan
The family has also been deeply involved with UCSD for years. After their two daughters passed away from cancer, Matthew and Iris became leaders at UC San Diego Health, donating significant funds to research a cancer vaccine and establishing the Iris and Matthew Strauss Center for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Steven and his wife funded the new Steven Strauss and Lise Wilson Cardiomyopathy Center in 2021. However, they dreamed of doing more for the campus’s arts scene, as well.
“[Matthew] used to say, ‘Every great institution has a museum,’” Iris recalls. “‘You look at Yale, you look at Harvard, you look at Stanford—they all have an art museum. We should have one here [at UCSD], too.’”
The museum’s presence on campus will offer students increased opportunities to do what Matthew didn’t: get into art in their youth.
Photo Credit: Erica Joan
“My husband never really knew anything about art, and he was never that interested. He was too busy being a businessman,” Iris says of the early days of their marriage. “I was an art major in school, so I knew something. Once we got the house [in the 1980s], we started looking at the walls. We said, ‘We need art. It’s empty.’”
They began by hiring an art consultant, but within two months, Matthew’s curiosity had grown. The couple elected to handle acquisition themselves. “We decided we wanted art of our time,” Iris adds. They began attending art fairs and then became involved with the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla.
“Once we joined the museum, we really got going,” Iris says. “The director at that time was Hugh Davies, and he had arranged a trip for collectors to go to Documenta in Germany, which was and is one of the greatest art shows ever. We signed up—our kids were grown and married, our grandchildren in college, so we went and we made friends there.” Among them were Irwin Jacobs and his late wife Joan, who became Iris’ best friend. “We really saw art,” Iris continues. “Oh, boy, we saw great art, and that really was it.”
“He wouldn’t just look for the most pleasing pieces, but pieces that he thought were unique, the best work of the artist, maybe challenging,” Steven says. When the Strausses began separating the foundation collection from their personal one, those edgier, younger works became the focus of the former.
Rendering Courtesy of UCSD The Strauss Museum
New acquisitions, commissions, and exhibitions at The Strauss museum will share that polestar. “It’s really where contemporary art will meet technology,” says Jess Berlanga Taylor, director and curator of UCSD’s Stuart Collection. She’s leading the creation of The Strauss. “We’re also asking ourselves what the future of art is through our programs. We’ll be presenting immersive environments. We’ll be working with augmented realities and VR and AI and everything that digital artists are doing nowadays.”
She wants the museum to be a “portal”—to a place both familiar and transformative. “Most museums are still based on the 18th-century tradition in which art is in one place, and life happens elsewhere. That is something that doesn’t work for our societies nowadays. So we’re really looking at creating a space where it’s truly social, and you’re surrounded by art,” Taylor says. “We’re hoping that, because of one of our exhibitions, you suddenly feel connected to something much bigger than yourself.”
For her part, Iris’ dream is to drive a new generation of art lovers. “I hope that [visiting The Strauss] enhances their way of thinking, or perhaps even their life, because art just does that for you,” she says. “It would be very empty to live without it.”
The foundation house—mostly devoid of furniture but nearly bursting at the seams with color and history—is proof.
Amelia Rodriguez is a writer and journalist and winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her five-year Duolingo streak.
Local philanthropist Joan Waitt hosted a meet and greet for shoe designer Christian Louboutin at her La Jolla home on June 19 with Nordstrom Fashion Valley. Louboutin is known for his signature red-soled high-heeled shoes, which adorned the feet of many guests.
In addition to her prolific philanthropic activities around town, she’s a long-time Promises2Kids Board member and a past chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. She also hosts the nonprofit’s Dream On Concert Gala at her home. This year, it will be held on Monday, September 9, and will feature a Kool & The Gang concert for 500+ of San Diego‘s top business and philanthropic leaders, who will raise awareness and funds for foster children.
“I was honored to have Christian Louboutin for a private meet and greet event at my home. He is known for his success with his red-soled shoes all over the world. Despite his highly recognizable brand, he is a humble man who loves small gatherings and is very private,” says Waitt. “We got to know the man behind the shoes and hear his stories of how he got started in the fashion business. A special thank you to Nordstrom Fashion Valley for hosting him at my home.”
Photos by Phillip Faraone
(L-R) John Langston, Debbie Dimich, and Ashley SimmonsJoan Waitt(L-R) Dr. Shakha Gillin, Amy Jacobs, Joan Waitt, Rocio Flynn , Linda Shelton, and Julie PlashkesManya OrtizJoan Waitt and Maxwell Waitt(L-R) Joan Waitt, Cynthia Hardie, Allison Borkenheim, and Danielle Gilbert(L-R) Claire Johnson, Roxana Becerril, and Jackie Bryant (L-R) Sydney HollandLinda Shelton, Joan Waitt, Valerie Robbins, Marjan Mortazabi, Michelle Woodfield, and Miriam SmotrichChristian Louboutin, Joan Waitt, and guests (L-R) Michelle Woodfield, Joan Waitt, Vallerie Cooper, and Rocio FlynnChristian LouboutinChristian Louboutin and Joan Waitt
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is not only a place where visitors can get up close and personal with their favorite sea creatures, but also a center for science and conservation dedicated to protecting the ocean. More than half a million people visit the aquarium each year to view its exhibits and enjoy hands-on experiences, some led by volunteers like Michelle Harris. Harris spends her spare time wherever she’s needed and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty—or wet, in this case.
What made you want to become a volunteer for Birch Aquarium?
I moved to the San Diego area from the Bay Area in late 2022, but I’ve lived all over. I was born in the Midwest and grew up in Hawaii, so I have a connection with the ocean—tide pools were part of my childhood for sure. I loved that Birch Aquarium was a smaller aquarium and was really dedicated to animal preservation and education. Conservation and protecting the environment is something near and dear to my heart. Not everybody has access to the ocean and to be able to give back in that way and provide that experience is unique.
Courtesy of Birch Aquarium at Scripps
What do your volunteer duties entail?
I try to do whatever is needed. Sometimes I read, sometimes I help in the classroom. It’s based on what the need is and the availability I have and how I feel. It could be interacting with kids or the tide pools or helping out at a corporate event. They offer a variety of areas that volunteers are able to help in.
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
One of my favorite things is to see some people’s initial reaction with wildlife. For example, in the tide pools when you’re showing people different species of shark eggs, and some people don’t even know that sharks lay eggs, or they’d seen them washed up on shore but didn’t know what they were. I think that’s fun.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
Just trying to make time. That’s the biggest challenge because it’s so rewarding.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
Definitely give it a shot and contact the volunteer office. There’s a lot of information on Birch Aquarium’s website. Look at the things that are important and see if your values align. Do something because your heart is in it.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s (MCASD) Art Auction returned after a four-year hiatus to raise money for the museum’s exhibitions, acquisitions, and education programs. Guests enjoyed a hosted bar and food stations while perusing the pieces up for bid in the fundraiser’s silent auction. Auctioneer Andrew M. Lueck of Christie’s Auction House led the live auction and certain attendees received a special edition auction paddle, created by artist June Edmonds.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Prom is a rite of passage for high schoolers, but a flashy new dress can cost hundreds of dollars. The Princess Project helps girls cut costs while promoting fashion sustainability. The nonprofit collects new and gently used formal dresses and accessories throughout the year, then when prom season rolls around, launches pop-up boutiques where girls can shop for their dream dress at no cost. The only criteria is they have to be a high school student who’s going to prom.
The Princess Project started in San Francisco in 2002 with a small dress drive. The movement grew exponentially over the years, and expanded to San Diego in 2008. Today, it’s headquartered at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon and has chapters in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Sonoma.
“We really want to celebrate teens, make them feel good about themselves, and save them some money because it costs a lot to go to prom. This is one way that we can help alleviate the cost,” says Karen Martin-Spellerberg, corporate board chairman and head of the San Diego chapter. “There’s no financial requirement to come get a dress with us because we are all about everybody being equal and having the same opportunity.”
The experience is more than just picking out a dress, says Martin-Spellerberg. The Princess Project works to create a bubble of inclusiveness and confidence, where all shapes and sizes are celebrated, and all comments are positive.
Courtesy of the Princess Project
In the months leading up to prom season, teens can book an hour-long appointment at the Parkway Plaza location to try on dresses and accessories, which they get to keep. Volunteers act as personal shoppers, curating an experience unique to each kid. This year, the Princess Projects also brought dresses to eight library branches throughout San Diego County to reach girls who couldn’t make it to the main event.
Because the Princess Project relies on donations, they often do not receive enough dresses in “fringe sizes” (00-2 and 14 and up), so they hold fundraising events to purchase new dresses in those specific sizes to maintain an inclusive range. Its signature $5 Dress Sale Fundraiser event will take place on May 30-31 at Parkway Plaza, where non-prom dresses (cocktail, casual, business) donated throughout the year are sold for a minimum $5 donation per dress. All proceeds from this fundraiser are used to purchase the understocked sizes.
“We’ve got dress drop off sites throughout San Diego County and people sometimes will donate dresses that are non-prom—sometimes they’re cocktail, casual, summer, business. So, what happens is when we are done with the season, we flip our dress store and we put out all of the non-prom dresses,” says Martin-Spellerberg. “People can come shop and get as many dresses as they want and 100 percent of the proceeds go toward us purchasing dresses in the sizes we don’t have enough of.”
The Princess Project also relies heavily on volunteers, including teen ambassadors, the latter who meet monthly, help organize the store, work outreach tables, and host a fashion show to help spread the word to their fellow students that the dresses are premium-quality and “ready to wear, beautiful and amazing.”
“It’s all about kindness and making kids feel good about themselves,” says Martin-Spellerberg.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
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