Center for Community Solutions’ 23rd annual Tea & Tonic luncheon raised more than $510,000 to provide critical support for survivors of relationship and sexual violence. About 600 guests were on hand as special guest, Olympic gymnast and advocate Aly Raisman spoke about the inspiration behind her book Fierce: How Competing For Myself Changed Everything, and the need to support survivors, and what can be done to prevent further harm. Attendees also celebrated Center for Community Solutions’ CEO Verna “Vee” Griffin-Tabor, who will step down in February after 25 years with the organization.
Art Alive made a triumphant 2022 return, starting with Bloom Bash on April 12.
By Seth Combs
After a two-year hiatus, the San Diego Museum of Art’s annual gala returned in full splendor with Art Alive. The three-day fundraising event kicked off with Bloom Bash, an extravagant fete complete with thematic cocktails, Ferris wheels in the promenade, and trademark floral interpretations of SDMA’s permanent collection. The evening’s showstopper? It was all about Organized Chaos, a striking pyramid-shaped installation in the rotunda by San Diego botanical designer Britton Neubacher. Outside, revelers danced, dined, and schmoozed in the sculpture garden. On a Studio 54–inspired dance floor, roller skaters performed amid a who’s-who of philanthropists and Mayor Todd Gloria.
Marcella Johnson’s Comfort Cubs Help Families Carry Grief
The San Diego nonprofit grew from Johnson’s experience losing her infant son and now provides therapeutic teddy bears to grieving families and survivors of violent crimes
Grief is a complicated emotion. A profound loss can break a heart and bring unexpected emotional and physical pain that lasts for months or even years. As Marcella Johnson says, “Grief has no expiration date.” It can devastate, but it can also inspire.
Johnson knows this from experience. In 1999, her fourth child was diagnosed in utero with osteogenesis imperfecta type 2, a life-limiting disease. George was born on April 11, 1999, and died that same day.
“I got to hold him and look into his big blue eyes and tell him that I loved him,” she recalls. “That was very special for my family.”
In the days that followed, Johnson was swept up in sorrow and a physical pain she couldn’t understand. Her heart felt as though it physically ached; the only relief came from pressing on her chest, as if tending to an open wound. Her arms hurt, too, and rubbing them or applying ointment did nothing to ease the pain. She later came to understand the heart pain as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as takotsubo syndrome or broken heart syndrome, a condition that was little understood at the time. She also experienced what’s commonly called empty arm syndrome, though it isn’t an official diagnosis. “It’s when your arms are literally aching to hold your child,” she says.
A week later, Johnson found an unexpected source of relief. Someone had left a terracotta pot of flowers at George’s gravesite, and her father urged her to take it home. When she held the pot, the aching began to subside.
“It was a cold, hard terracotta pot, but the weight of it gave me comfort. I felt an immediate response, and I thought, I can’t say anything to anyone. This is so weird,” she says. “I got home and I did not want to put that terracotta pot down. I found myself walking around the house, and every time I put it down, my pain would return. So I didn’t let go of it … I was so desperate to get myself out of pain that I [would] do whatever it takes.”
Courtesy of Marcella Johnson
Johnson soon learned she wasn’t the only grieving mother to find comfort in an inanimate object. Women had found solace in a sack of flour, a pillow, even a pineapple.
Johnson set aside her own grief and thought, I have to do something for these women.
“We needed to get to them before they left the hospital, because for me, leaving the hospital empty-handed was the worst experience of my life,” she says.
She began thinking about what might help. At George’s funeral, guests had brought stuffed animals to donate. Seeing a Beanie Baby at the top of the pile sparked an idea: What if she made a teddy bear about the size of a baby?
“It’s not uncommon for a grown woman to have a stuffed animal. And the teddy bear, the Comfort Cub that we came up with, if you look at it, you have no idea that it’s a therapeutic tool,” she says.
Johnson went to a predecessor of Build-A-Bear Workshop and filled a teddy bear with split peas. After a few tries, she found a weight that felt right. At first, she made every Comfort Cub by hand and included a personalized note. Soon, the bears were being donated to mothers who had lost a child at hospitals throughout San Diego. Johnson’s effort later expanded to select hospitals across the country.
As weighted blankets became more popular, Johnson saw growing interest in the calming effects of deep pressure. Research on weighted blankets suggests they may help some people feel calmer, though the evidence remains limited. Johnson also realized Comfort Cubs might help people beyond grieving mothers. She brought them to the San Diego Police Department for use during trauma cases. “They were very well received,” she says.
Today, through her nonprofit, the Comfort Cub Program, therapeutic bears are given to families grieving the loss of an infant and to survivors of violent crimes.
Courtesy of Marcella Johnson
The organization has provided Comfort Cubs to individuals, families, first responders, and communities across the country affected by tragedy, trauma, and loss. Bears went to families of victims after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting and the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, as well as to people affected by the wildfires in Maui and Los Angeles and the catastrophic flood that killed 28 people at Camp Mystic for Girls in Hunt, Texas. Johnson recently traveled to New York to donate more than 1,000 bears to surviving family members attending the VOICES 25th Anniversary NYC Symposium and Commemorative Luncheon, a 9/11 memorial event.
Johnson called the experience “humbling.”
“Whether a loss happened yesterday, five years ago, or 25 years ago, the need for emotional healing and support remains essential,” Johnson says. “Grief has no expiration date—and neither should comfort.”
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.
The USS Midway has a storied history. The longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century has served as a home base for helicopters carrying fleeing refugees during the fall of Saigon, played a key role in developing naval missile warfare, and evacuated civilian personnel after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. The Midway was decommissioned in 1992 and today stands as a monument to military history, drawing more than 1 million visitors each year. Its team of more than 750 volunteers supports this mission, doing everything from leading tours to controlling corrosion to operating HAM radio. Among them is Paul “Chappie” Ward, who has clocked more than 12,000 volunteer hours at the museum since 2018. Here, he details how he helps “bring history to life.”
How did you first get involved with the USS Midway Museum?
My connection to the USS Midway Museum began in 2010, when my wife and I came to San Diego for a Civil Air Patrol conference. My wife Nan and I had wanted to live in San Diego since vacationing here over the years, so San Diego was always on our radar. A couple of days before the conference began, my oldest son, his father-in-law, and I toured the Midway and I was immediately inspired by the experience. I remember telling Nan on the trip home that if we ever retired to San Diego, I would love to become involved with the Midway. In the subsequent years, our two granddaughters were born. In 2017, we retired and moved from San Luis Obispo to be closer to family. Nan reminded me of what I had said years earlier and encouraged me to follow through. I joined Docent Class #57 in January 2018, earned my “yellow hat” [upon completing the training] that March, and have been proud to be part of the Midway ever since.
What do your duties entail?
The Midway offers an incredible range of ways to serve, and I’ve had the privilege of contributing to five teams while also serving as the museum’s volunteer chaplain. As a docent, I bring the ship’s history to life through stories and guided experiences. With Guest Services, I help visitors plan their time aboard and make the most of their visit. On the Exhibits team, I help ensure the displays tell the Midway’s story accurately and meaningfully. Along with other members of the Library/Curatorial team, I research and provide information to former Midway sailors and their family members. Through Outreach and the Speakers Bureau, I represent the museum at community events, parades, and service clubs. I also administer the Midway Sailors Program Facebook group, where former crewmembers can reconnect with one another and with the ship. As chaplain, I help plan and officiate celebrations of life and weddings, and I offer invocations and benedictions at special events aboard the Midway.
What do you like best about volunteering for the Midway?
What I value most is what we call “Midway Magic.” It’s hard to define, but you feel it the moment you step aboard—the camaraderie among staff and volunteers, the shared passion for the ship, and the commitment to giving every guest an unforgettable experience.
At the end of the day, there is deep satisfaction in knowing you helped preserve and share something important. The Midway is “America’s Living Symbol of Freedom,” and we have the privilege of honoring the more than 200,000 people who served aboard her during 47 years of service, from the end of World War II through the Persian Gulf War. Sharing their service and sacrifice with my granddaughters and with visitors from around the world is one of the greatest rewards of volunteering here.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
My biggest challenge was simply wondering if I could do this. I came from the civilian world as a retired pastor and former computer IT professional with a law enforcement agency. I had also served as a volunteer chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, but I was not a veteran and had no Navy background. Stepping onto a Navy ship and learning its systems, language, and culture was a real adjustment. What made the difference was the Midway’s commitment to training and mentorship. Every department gives volunteers the knowledge, resources, and hands-on support they need to succeed. Docents, for example, complete a seven-week course combined with on-the-job training with experienced volunteers. Over time, I learned, grew, and found my place. More than 12,000 volunteer hours later, I can confidently say that I could do it, and so can others who are willing to learn.
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable moment or experience while volunteering?
One of my most memorable experiences began in April 2025, when a former Midway sailor contacted me through the Facebook group I administer. During Operation Desert Storm, his wife had sent him a birthday card. As he was preparing to leave Yokosuka in 1991, the card slipped behind a desk in his stateroom and disappeared into a narrow space. His wife passed away in 2015, and he told me how much it would mean to hold that card again and share it with their daughter. I reached out to the Safety Office, and when he returned to the Midway on April 30, our team worked a little “Midway Magic.” With access to the stateroom and help moving the desk, we found the card and placed it back in his hands. After 34 years, he was able to share it with his daughter, Cheryl. It was a powerful reminder that this ship holds not only history, but deeply personal stories that are still unfolding.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
Start by finding a cause or organization that genuinely aligns with your interests and values. Then take the time to learn its story, understand its purpose, and get involved. The more you invest, the more meaningful the experience becomes—not only for the people you serve, but for you as well. Volunteering is a powerful way to give back, build community, and discover just how much you have to offer.
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.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Giving back is always in fashion. The Country Friends, a 72-year-old nonprofit that fundraises for charitable causes, hosted its annual Art of Fashion runway show and luncheon at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe on September 10. Models showcased the latest designer looks from Balmain, Camilla, Eleventy, Eres, Ferragamo, Lanvin, Max Mara, and Monique Lhuillier, while guests shopped mini-boutiques set up by event partner South Coast Plaza, participated in a live auction, and dined on a three-course luncheon. Proceeds from the event will support dozens of local nonprofits that provide assistance to women, children, seniors, military families, and people with disabilities. To date, The Country Friends has provided more than $15 million to San Diego-based charities.
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.
Join a slew of celebrity athletes—former world No. 4 tennis star James Blake, and former MLB players Brett Tomko and Eric Byrnes, to name a few—chefs, and other hunger-relief supporters for a Celebrity Pickleball Tournament to raise money for Feeding San Diego. The tournament at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma is part of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, which has raised more than $100,000 for Feeding San Diego and other local nonprofit organizations since 2023.
October 3: Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Illumination Gala
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will celebrate 50 years of groundbreaking research at its Illumination Gala at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Support from the gala will help Sanford Burnham Prebys continue to advance medicine and change lives.
Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society
October 3: San Diego Humane Society’s 40th Annual Fur Ball
San Diego Humane Society supporters—both people and pets—will get dressed to the nines for the 40th annual Fur Ball. Proceeds from the event at San Diego Humane Society’s Gaines Street campus will support the organization’s efforts to care for more than 40,000 animals each year.
October 3: Voices for Children Starry Starry Night Gala
Voices for Children will celebrate the impact of its Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) at its Starry Starry Night Gala on the Heron Lawn at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. The 46-year-old organization is the only agency in the county designated to provide CASAs to advocate for local foster children.
October 3: Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala
Show off your sparkle at the Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala at the Town & Country Resort. The nonprofit will celebrate six decades of service with dinner, entertainment, and special guests.
October 11: Robin’s Nest Rescue Rockin’ Robin Music Fest
More than 30 performers will take the stage to support Robin’s Nest Rescue at its fourth annual Rockin’ Robin Music Fest. The five-acre animal sanctuary in Ramona will also celebrate America’s 250th birthday, showcase local artisans, and introduce guests to some of its rescue animals.
October 17: Adjoin Soil to Soul Garden Party
Local nonprofit Adjoin will host a whimsical garden party fundraiser at a private home in La Mesa. The Soil to Soul Garden Party will support Adjoin’s mission to build inclusive communities and support independence for people with disabilities and veteran families experiencing homelessness.
October 24: Living Coast Discovery Center Farm to Bay
Enjoy bites, beverages, and animal encounters at Living Coast Discovery Center’s Farm to Bay fundraiser. The annual event at the nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge will support coastal conservation efforts.
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.
Art Alive at The San Diego Museum of Art Showcases Stunning Floral Displays amid Masterpieces of Art for Signature Fundraiser Weekend
Art and Floral Fun for All Ages April 28–May 1
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Sponsored Content Provided by The San Diego Museum of Art
Step into a botanical wonderland while seeing art in a new way. Art Alive brings art-inspired florals to The San Diego Museum of Art for a weekend of springtime revelry.
See a kaleidoscope of colorful floral arrangements interpreting works of art in the Museum. These masterful creations by regional floral designers are the heart of Art Alive.
The full-tilt florals throughout the Museum are enhanced with special, limited-engagement art installations; a large-scale botanical display in the Museum rotunda; four days of festive events and activities, including the return of Bloom Bash, the high-voltage celebration that kicks off Art Alive weekend; and the first look at an extraordinary new contemporary art exhibition.
San Diego Museum of Art
Floral Arrangements Interpret Works of Art throughout Museum
Experience art in an all-new way. Regional floral designers showcase arrangements interpreting more than 70 works of art from The San Diego Museum of Art collection, inviting comparisons of shape, form, and color. The galleries bloom as the designs are displayed alongside the original works of art from across the globe.
Grand Botanical Display in Museum Rotunda
Upon entering The San Diego Museum of Art during Art Alive, guests are greeted with stunning botanical views. The epicenter of the Museum, the Museum rotunda, will come to life with a two-story display by San Diego botanical designer Britton Neubacher. Her sustainably minded botanical showcase, titled “Organized Chaos,” uses preserved mosses, plants, and foliage to ground the space and draw visitors into the wonders on view throughout the Museum galleries.
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Art Alive Events
TheArt Alive Premiere Dinner on Thursday, April 28 is an elegant black-tie affair, celebrating art with a spectacular dinner in the galleries.
Bloom Bash on Friday, April 29, is the high-voltage celebration that kicks off Art Alive weekend. Bloom Bash features craft food and cocktails from more than 30 of the region’s top eateries, live performances, the return of the Ferris wheel to the plaza in front of the Museum, and music and dancing all night, plus special after-hours viewing of the Art Alive floral exhibition, special art installations, and featured exhibitions.
Art Alive Floral Exhibition takes place Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1, showcasing masterful floral designs interpreting works of art in the Museum collection. Experience botanicals throughout the Museum to enjoy art in an all-new way.
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Garden of Activities is designed for families and youth of all ages. Join Museum educators on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, in the floral-themed art-making space to explore some of the many optical illusions artists employ through a variety of hands-on arts projects and demonstrations.
New Contemporary Art Exhibition Opens Art Alive Weekend
Experience a contemplative contemporary art space with TERRA: Fernando Casasempere. Opening Art Alive weekend, the Chilean ceramic sculptor’s first solo exhibition in the US highlights the urgency of the environmental crisis through installations that utilize the Earth as both subject and medium.
Special exhibition Monet to Matisse: Impressionist Masterpieces from the Bemberg Foundation is also on view during Art Alive. Showcasing a knockout collection of more than 60 renowned works of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, the exhibition showcases a stunning collection that wonderfully complements the Art Alive floral displays.Admission to both exhibitions is included with Art Alive tickets.
Get Tickets to Art Alive, the Museum’s Fun-Filled Signature Fundraiser
Art Alive is The San Diego Museum of Art’s signature annual fundraiser, providing essential support for Museum exhibitions, education, outreach, and public programs. Join the fun April 28–May 1 to experience an immersive fusion of flowers and art and show your support for the arts in your community!
