The holidays are right around the corner and while electronics and the must-have toys of the year are probably pretty high on your child’s wish list, gifts that will keep them active have far better benefits. Active play can help kids develop healthy habits early on and can also promote academic performance, improve sleep, sharpen motor skills, decrease stress, and boost self-esteem. There are a ton of options to keep active kids engaged, such as bikes, sports equipment, and fun experiences like surf lessons or a trip to a trampoline park. And as always, safety is paramount. Check out our top picks for holiday gifts here.
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Meet ArtsConnect, UC San Diego’s Invitation to SoCal Arts Lovers
ArtsConnect brings those experiences into view, helping residents discover what they can see, hear and create at UC San Diego while experiencing the campus in a new way.
Ask most people what UC San Diego is known for, and the arts may not be the first answer. Yet this fall, San Diegans can watch Ghostbusters with a live orchestra, try their hand at glassmaking and wander among more than 20 works of public art woven throughout the university’s La Jolla campus.
ArtsConnect brings those experiences into view, helping residents discover what they can see, hear and create at UC San Diego while experiencing the campus in a new way.
Courtesy of UC San Diego | Photo Cred: Erik Jensen
“The arts are at the heart of UC San Diego’s student-centered mission and vision,” says Alysson Satterlund, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life. “Whether creating, participating in, or experiencing performances, the arts are essential to a healthy and truly fun Triton student experience.”
That invitation often begins where the arts intersect with other fields.
“Some of the most innovative work and discovery happen where disciplines don’t usually share a stage,” says Cristina Della Coletta, Dean of the UC San Diego School of Arts and Humanities. “So through our unique intersection of the arts with science, technology, and medicine, we are improving lives, physically and emotionally.
Take The Inaudible Ocean, a collaboration between Department of Music Professor Lei Liang and Scripps Institution of Oceanography Assistant Project Scientist Josh Jones. Over eight years, the pair recorded earthquakes, ship noise, whale songs and other sounds in remote underwater locations. They transformed those recordings into a live music experience that allowed audiences to hear the ocean in an entirely new way. The work premiered on campus in May and continues to evolve.
The arts also connect the campus to the global art world and diverse perspectives. Chief Campus Curator Jessica Berlanga Taylor recently curated the Mexico Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, featuring RojoNegro, the collective formed by Noé Martínez and María Sosa. The collective will unveil a compelling new permanent installation for UC San Diego’s celebrated Stuart Collection later this fall.
ArtPower offers another easy entry point, bringing touring performers to venues including the outdoor Epstein Family Amphitheater and the intimate Loft. The nearly three dozen performances featured through its 2026-2027 season span music, dance, film, theater and conversation.
Among the fall highlights is Ghostbusters in Concert on Sept. 25, pairing the beloved 1984 film with a live performance of Elmer Bernstein’s score. Tickets start at $35, and the amphitheater is located next to the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley station.
“Every member of our community should have access to world-class art, so we work hard to remove the barriers that stand in the way,” says Colleen Kollar Smith, executive artistic director of the Campus Performances and Events Office. “That means affordable ticket prices, and performances, voices and experiences where people see themselves reflected on stage and know they belong.”
The arts at UC San Diego are not only something to watch. The Craft Center offers public classes and workshops in ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, culinary arts and even surfboard shaping. At the new Glass Center, beginners and experienced makers can explore glassmaking through classes, demonstrations and studio experiences.
Whether you want to attend a performance, make something yourself or spend an afternoon exploring public art, there is an easy way in. And the invitation extends well beyond students and alumni.
Kollar Smith says it best: “Visit, participate, spectate or create. You’re invited, and we hope you’ll connect with us soon.”
On the night of December 7, 2023, San Diego Police Sgt. Anthony Elliott’s life changed forever. He was shot in the head while responding to a call. He was taken to the Barbey Family Emergency and Trauma Center at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, one of two Level I trauma centers in the Scripps system. His doctors were amazed that he remained conscious and alert. He had surgery to repair his skull, then transitioned to the medical-surgical unit, where he began physical therapy. Tony also enrolled in Scripps’ Brain Injury Rehab Outpatient Program. Though his journey wasn’t easy, his hard work and determination, combined with the expert care he received, allowed him to return to the career he loves just one year later. Read more about Tony’s story and the specialized care he received at Scripps here.
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Ever heard of the “Christmas holiday effect”? Your cardiologist has. The term refers to the annual uptick in cardiovascular deaths in late December and early January. The reasons for the increase are many. Issues with stress, poorly controlled blood pressure, and delays in seeing the doctor or going to the hospital can exacerbate heart conditions and overindulging can play a role for those with a history of heart failure or cardiomyopathy. Even deviating from your normal routine may be significant enough to impact heart health. Click herefor a Scripps cardiologist’s recommendations for keeping your heart healthy.
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A young athlete beat testicular cancer with the support of Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center
Sean
In May 2021, 22-year-old Sean O’Callaghan made a life-changing discovery that took him on an unexpected health journey. One side of his testicles looked bigger than the other, then he started to experience numbness and pain. Sean went to his primary care physician and heard the news no one wants to hear—it was likely testicular cancer. He sought treatment at Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center and his care team coordinated a disease-specific care plan that included surgery and chemotherapy. He kept a positive outlook throughout treatment and is now cancer-free. Read more of his story here.
When in doubt, get it checked out—that’s the message for men with any testicular concerns. Testicular cancer is most common in men ages 15 to 44. As with many cancers, the key to successful treatment is early detection. Click here for common symptoms of testicular cancer.
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The 53rd Scripps Invitational Golf Tournament raised more than $600,000
Scripps Image 1
The 53rd Scripps Invitational Golf Tournament on September 30 raised more than $600,000 for research and innovation at Scripps Clinic. Golfers enjoyed an afternoon on the Torrey Pines South Golf Course, which was followed by an outdoor awards reception at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Also, long-time volunteer and supporter, Jean Snow-Anderson, received the Ellen Browning Scripps Humanitarian Award for her contributions to Scripps Health.
That said, this holiday season, it’s better to give and receive. You may not be getting all the tax advantages of your charitable donations and the clock may be running out to cash in on philanthropy’s financial benefits. Click here to find out if your donations may qualify for a tax break if you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return.
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How Scripps is making leading-edge surgical care more convenient and accessible
Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedics is changing for the better, and Scripps is at the forefront. Delivering quality care is at the heart of Scripps’ mission, and its orthopedics program is a pillar of that excellence. Advanced technology and expanded capabilities in the orthopedics field are making invasive procedures and extended hospital stays things of the past for many patients. Their surgical needs can often be better met through outpatient procedures that allow them to receive the same world-class care, but recover in the comfort of their own homes. Scripps’ orthopedic surgeons see patients with a wide range of conditions, many of which can now be treated on an outpatient basis. This includes both common and complex procedures, such as hip and knee replacements; spine surgery; hand, wrist and elbow surgery; and treatment for sports-related injuries. Read more about the benefits of outpatient surgery and Scripps’ ambulatory surgery centers here.
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