Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) welcomed 450 guests to its annual Heart & Soul Gala on March 16, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla. This year’s theme, Make An Impact, celebrated the accomplishments of Barbara Bry (Girls Give Back), Judy and Mike Feldman (Pachie’s Place), and Charitable Adult Rides & Services, Inc. (CARS), including its CEO Rick Watkins and board of directors. The evening raised some $860,000 to benefit the more than 50 social service programs of JFS.
La Jollans Sherry Ahern and Kathryn Stephens were honored for leadership and community service during the Salvation Army Women of Dedication Luncheon
D.G. Wills bookstore in La Jolla hosted its annual St. Patrick’s Day poetry reading on March 17, 2013 with experts and novices alike reading works by Irish authors. For the 34th year, the front of the bookstore was cleared out to make room for those in attendance, though it apparently wasn’t enough, as the audience spilled out into the street and alley on Girard Avenue (speakers were hooked up outside so everyone could hear). As they came and went throughout the night, patrons enjoyed Smithwick’s ale and Harps lager while listening to the good words.
On the eve of St. Patrick’s Day (March 16, 2013), Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church held a St. Patrick’s Cóisir at its Girard Avenue Parish Hall in La Jolla. Catered by Hennessey’s Tavern, the menu consisted of classic Irish fare, including corned beef and cabbage, Reuben sandwiches and shepherd’s pie. Visitors from other churches — and even two priests from Ireland — turned up for the party, which included music from trio Dicey Riley. More than 200 people filled the hall, donning green and enjoying the one day when everyone is Irish.
The Timken Museum of Art hosted “White Nights & Russian Delights,” on March 1, 2013 in Balboa Park, San Diego. The event, co-chaired by Timken Board Chairman Tim Zinn and his wife, Ellen, featured a private viewing reception and dinner celebrating the museum’s Russian icon collection, newly installed by Executive Director John Wilson, Ph.D.
Deena Tajran, M.D., of La Jolla was the guest of honor at a party in Rancho Santa Fe on Feb. 23, 2013, celebrating the many honors she has been given, including “Woman of the Year” from the National Association of Professional Women, the “Top Physician in California” from the International Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, and a leadership award from the International Women’s Leadership Association. Hosted by Ghada and Mike Kadri, the event was attended by friends, family, patients and co-workers who came together to honor the La Jolla physician.
Local celebrities filled the Crown and Coronet Rooms at the Hotel del Coronado for the 104th Charity Ball with the theme, “Wish Upon A Star,” on Feb. 16, 2013 to benefit The Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital. After dinner, guests danced until midnight to the music of Wayne Foster Entertainment.
La Jolla’s oldest cultural institution, the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, held a preview event for its new book, ‘Selections from the Permanent Collection — 1990-2010,’ to highlight the Athenaeum’s first 20 years.
The La Jolla Community Center hosted “A Night with the Opera Singing Chef” Elizabeth Podsiado as both a fundraiser for the center and Podsiado’s birthday celebration on Feb. 15, 2013. Guests sampled a variety of food, soups and wine, while folk songs and opera selections were performed by Podsiado, Alexis Alfaro, Marilyn Anderson, Patrick Anderson and Pandeli Lazaridi. Podsiado also holds weekly soup-cooking classes at the center.
If you are a fan of pop art, photorealism, and all their concomitants, you won’t want to miss “Lifelike,” an engaging array of delightful, disturbing, meticulous re-creations of everyday things now on view at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla.
