Joann and Eric Weitzmen
Award-winning chefs from San Diego and across the country convened at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla on Saturday, Apr. 27 for a night of “Epicurean Elegance” at the 32 annual Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala. The event featured 11 prominent chefs preparing their signature hors d’oeuvres paired with fine wine, followed by dinner, program and dancing with music by The Heroes. A total of $1.4 million was raised to support the University of California, San Diego Moores Cancer Center. Proceeds will specifically support the cancer center’s visionary initiative MyAnswertoCancer™, which uses DNA analysis to make personalized cancer treatment a reality.
The San Diego Foundation’s Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement has awarded San Diego’s East County Economic Development Council and the South County Economic Development Council $50,000 each in matching grants. The funds will help increase investment opportunities and incubate job growth in these communities. The ECEDC funds will help develop an Aerotropolis strategic roadmap for the area surrounding the Gillespie Field airport in El Cajon. The grant for South Couth County will serve as a source to attract new investment and promote job growth. The money will be used to research and plan in order to build on the synergy to bring new investment and more jobs to South County.
The Women’s Auxiliary of Seacrest Village Retirement Communites raised $200,000 at its 35th Annual Gala, “Club Seacrest” which was held on Apr. 13 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. The money will be used to provide charitable care to many Seacrest Village residents and to purchase a new specialized bus. Stan Papplebaum, Chairman of the Board of Trustees welcomed guests and thanked them for their support.
Girl Scouts Cool Girl
Snigdha Nandipati, the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, was recognized as San Diego’s first-ever “Cool Girl” at the Girl Scouts San Diego 10 Cool Women of 2013 luncheon held on Apr. 19 at Del Mar Country Club. Snigdha exemplifies the Girl Scouts ideals of courage, confidence and character. She currently volunteers at Sharp Hospital and aspires to a career in medicine. She is competing on a National Science Olympiad team and the Brain Bee, a neuroscience program. Snigdha was recognized along with San Diego’s 10 Cool Women of 2013.
Yale University a cappella group, The Spizzwinks, will be performing in San Diego on May 11 at the Town & Country Resort along with a local group Royce’s Voices, a local barbershop ensemble, the Thursday Songsters and Unlimited, a Sweet Adelines Quartet. The event includes a not-so-silent auction to benefit
Classic 4 Kids’ music and art programs. The Yale Spizzwinks are America’s first and oldest underclassman a cappella group. Since 1914, they have entertained audiences around the world with their unique blend of sweet harmony and tongue-in-cheek humor.
Sullivan Solar Power installed its 2000th solar installation on Apr. 22, Earth Day. The 2,000 customers are responsible for over 14 million watts of solar power in Southern California, equating to 24,500,000 annual kilowatt hours of solar energy production.
Monarch School Student Mural
Students at the Monarch School in Little Italy partnered with NBC 7 to beautify the station’s street side news studio by creating and assembling a massive 80 by 7.5 foot mural comprised of 20 individual panels. The mural covers the temporary wall stretching from Broadway Circle to 4th Avenue that has been erected during the ongoing construction in Downtown’s Westfield Horton Plaza. “This project is a great example of how the San Diego community comes together – local businesses, working with the local artists and a non-profit school to create something special,” said Dick Kelley, President and General Manager of NBC 7. “The fact that it’s also raising awareness for the Monarch School and creating this empowering opportunity for a group of kids that really deserve any advantage makes it all the more important. I’m very proud that NBC 7 had a hand in creating that opportunity.”
International Bipolar Foundation is presenting Behind the Mask; Proud as a Peacock, on May 11 at Estancia Hotel, La Jolla. IBF is dedicated to educating the public and erasing the devastating stigma and isolation, thereby breaking down obstacles to treatment, promoting recovery, and decreasing isolation and emotional pain.
The fifth annual Miracle Babies “Moms 5K for Healthy Babies” fundraiser is set for May 11 at Embarcadero Marina Park South. Viacord is the title sponsor of the Mother’s Day themed event. Other sponsors include Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, Ollie & Me, and the YMCA.
Joyce Glazer
Please send news items to Joyce Glazer at [email protected].
