Teamwork at its best at LJ Shores

BY MARY COAKLEY

A great time was had by all at the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the renovation of the Kellogg Park Playground. There is no way to thank everyone who deserves credit for making the project a reality or the party the major success that it was, but please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. All the children who visit the park will forever be indebted to each and every one of you!

It’s all about TEAMWORK - leadership from Friends of Kellogg Park Playground and the newly formed nonprofit, Friends of La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Shores Association, tremendous community support; extremely talented artist Paula Selby (Goldfish Gallery), who donated all the artwork, creating an interactive educational venue encouraging preservation of our precious marine environment as an extension of “The Map” project; a dedicated contractor Mike Eisert (Coast Recreation Inc.), and construction team that facilitated our Community Build saving approximately $23,000 led by Jack Streigel (T. D. Grogan Construction), Ron Gemmill (Sunset Cliffs Bobcat); along with major support from our Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, the city of San Diego Engineering & Capital Projects and Park & Recreation Departments.

As well as a HUGE thank you to:

Kellogg Park Playground Committee co-chairs Tory Gulley/Greg Salmon along with Jim Heaton, Sharon Luscomb, John Metzger, Pat Nissan, Susan & Kate Wiczynski

Our major donors who encouraged us every step of the way: RS Johnson Foundation, Virginia & Patrick Daniels, Deni & Jeff Jacobs, Jennifer & Jim Kelly, Las Patronas, Buzz Woolley

All our local merchants who always pitch in and everyone who helped with the Community Build

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (Bill Kellogg & Marco Menzhausen)

Emcee Loren Nancarrow

Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach, owner of CUPS Organic Cupcakes

Hullabaloo Band (Steve and Brendan)

DJ Todd Murphy

Buddy the Clown

Izzy & Coco Tihanyi and Darren Fulhorst

La Jolla Art Association

Birch Aquarium

Catharine Douglass, Sherry Nooravi, Nan Oselett, Pam and Brad Storey

Branding Iron for T-shirt printing

Viejas & San Pasqual Bands of the Kumeyaay Indians

Cheese Shop

La Jolla Shores Hotel Restaurant

Ocean Girl

Osteria Romantica

Piatti Restaurante

Papalulu’s

Starbucks

Sushi Mori

Wahoo’s

Yogurt Escape

And we can’t forget J.J., the orphaned baby gray whale, rescued by Sea World, nursed back to health and released 15 months later. D. Lynn Reeves, Artist extraordinaire, will have the 14 1/2-foot life-sized clay model ready to go to the foundry within the month.

J.J. - Major donors Patrick Daniels and CUPS Organic Cupcakes (owner Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach)

You can still donate to J.J., get a T-shirt, or “The Map”® Fish I.D. Card. Go to www.FriendsofLaJollaShores.com or call (619) 840-0250.

Mary Coakley is a founder and president of Friends of La Jolla Shores.