GB Magazine San Diego July 2024 Edition!

$5.95 US 

BUSINESS PHILANTHROPY COMMUNITY 

SEE PAGE 95 

JULY 2024

CJ Charles Jewelers 

Downtown La Jolla - 1135 Prospect St. - 858 346 5301 

Westfield UTC - 4307 La Jolla Village Dr. 2200 - 858 413 9534 

For the ultimate experience in luxury shopping, visit cjcharles.com

CONTENTS 

6 Appreciation 

Mainly Mozart 

10 What We Love 

July 

12 Community 

Accessity 

14 Gala 

Glitz And Glam 

18 What’s In 

CJ Charles Collection of 

Luxury Boutiques 

22 Golf 

Spring Swing 

26 Honoring 

Grant Impact Showcase 

30 Empowerment 

Chicano Federation 

32 Reception 

Empowering San Diego 

34 Community 

Brilliance Gala 

38 Couture 

The Art Of Fashion 

40 About San Diego 

Goodbye To The Shell House 

42 Gala 

Blue Ribbon Gala 

CJ CHARLES 

46 Celebration 

The Talk Of The Town 

50 Heroes 

Shelter To Soldier 

52 Families 

Operation Thin Mint 

54 Health 

Miracle Babies 

56 Automobile 

Concours D’Elegance 

60 Benefit 

Sip To See, Springtime Tea 

64 Golf 

Swing For Our Heroes 

66 Benefit 

Heart of The Center 

70 Family 

Embraced By ECS 

72 Benefit 

Uplifting Voices 

76 Health 

Growing Together 

78 Golf 

The Arc Of San Diego 

Foundation 

80 Education 

Opportunity For Impact 

84 Solidarity 

Day At The Races 

86 Commemoration 

Yom HaShoah 

90 Perfil 

Christina Piranio 

92 Escapadita 

London 

95 Official Program 

San Diego Automotive 

Musuem Supercharged 

ON THE COVER: STEPHANIE BROWN, 

TED HOEHN, JILL BERG AND REENA 

HOROWTIZ 

LOCATION: HOEHN FAMILY OF 

DEALERSHIPS 

4 GBSAN.COM | JULY 2024 /GIVINGBACKMAGAZINE @GBMAG 

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Appreciation 

Mainly 

Mozart 

Since 1988, Mainly Mozart 

has brought the San Diego 

community together to 

experience the finest in 

orchestral music, intimate 

concert experiences, and extraordinary 

music education for young people. A 

reception was hosted at a private home 

in Mission Hills to thank their donors and 

supporters who toasted to the preservation 

and appreciation of classical music. 

Darren Day and 

Howard Pearl 

Nancy Laturno, Darren 

Day and Arlene Esgate 

Jacquelene Lukich 

and Jasna Belanich 

Liz Helming and 

Jo Ann Kilty 

Ross Markowitz, Esther 

Nahama and Jose Letayf 

John Clements, Jane Mckahan, 

Marsha Sewell and Bob Maddalena 

6 GBSAN.COM | JULY 2024 

Sharry and 

Larry Seal 

Dwight Hare and 

Stephanie Bergsma

Appreciation 

Desde 1988 Mainly Mozart 

viene brindando a la 

comunidad de San Diego 

experiencias musicales 

a cargo de las mejores 

orquestas y también educación 

musical para los jóvenes. Se llevó 

adelante una recepción en Mission 

Hills para agradecer a los donantes y 

colaboradores que lo hacen posible y 

juntos brindar por la preservación y 

apreciación de la música clásica. 

Paul Meschler and 

Alexandra Pearson-Meschler 

Michael Lewis 

and Jay Jeffcoat 

Charles and Britta Tesar 

with Mark Laturno 

Branko Lukich and 

David Belanich 

James Clark and 

Irene Chandler 

Diana Lady Dougan 

and Darren Day 

Scott and Sophia 

Sugarman 

George Rushforth 

and Carol Frank 


Katie McBride-Musquiz 

and Erin Combs

WWL 

WHAT WE LOVE: JULY 

USD Wine Classic 

Calling all wine lovers! The 

USD Wine Classic returns to 

the Joan B. Kroc Institute for 

Peace and Justice’s Garden 

of the Sea on July 13th 

from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This 

popular event supports USD 

students with wine tastings, 

delicious food, auctions, and 

live music. Do not miss out 

- grab your tickets and your 

wine glasses early! 

www.usdwineclassic.com 

National University 

Foundation Gala 

National University is 

throwing a celebratory 

bash. Join them for 

the launch of their 

foundation, the first year 

of their new president, 

and to honor local humanitarians! 

It is a night filled with good food, 

good company, and supporting 

a great cause: making education 

accessible to everyone. RSVP for 

this black-tie optional event on July 

25th at the USS Midway Museum! 

www.nu.edu/nu-foundation-gala 

Manchester 

United vs. Real 

Betis 

Soccer fans, mark 

your calendars! 

Manchester 

United, one 

of the world’s 

biggest clubs, 

takes on Spanish 

powerhouse 

Real Betis in a 

pre-season clash 

on July 31st at Snapdragon 

Stadium. It is a rare chance to 

see these European giants go 

head-to-head, featuring stars 

like Bruno Fernandes and 

Nabil Fekir. Tickets are on sale 

now, so do not miss out on 

this exciting match! 

www.snapdragonstadium.com 


Operation For HOPE Foundation is 

proud to host the 7th Annual Caring, 

Sharing & Champagning Fundraiser on 

July 13. This event supports survivors 

of domestic violence and their children 

by providing household essentials 

to rebuild lives in safe, violence-free 

homes. Join us for a charity shopping 

spree, live entertainment, auctions, 

and inspiring stories of courage and 

recovery. With the generous support 

of our community, we can champion 

their journey towards safety and 

SummerFest 

independence. 

Dive into a month-long celebration of 

www.operationforhope.org 

music at SummerFest. From July 26th to 

August 24th, experience 19 unforgettable 

performances by world-class artists. This year’s theme, “Inside Stories,” promises a 

journey through the depths of human experience - all painted through the power 

of music. Do not miss this chance to be part of something truly special! 

www.theconrad.org/summerfest 

Caring, Sharing & Champagning

Experience an unforgettable evening of elegance at the Workshops for Warriors 

Rising Up Gala. Step aboard the iconic USS Midway and enjoy panoramic views of 

downtown San Diego. This vibrant backdrop sets the stage for an unforgettable 

evening of cocktails, dinner, music, a live auction, and more. Support Workshops for 

Warriors in their mission of Rebuilding American Manufacturing, One Veteran at a Time. 

LEARN MORE AT WFW.ORG/GALA2024 

Thank you to our steadfast supporters. 

KH SALES 

©2024 Workshops For Warriors ® . All Rights Reserved.

Community 

Accessity 

WHERE ACCESS AND COMMUNITY MEET 

At San Diego Gas & Electric, our employees feel a strong sense of purpose beyond delivering clean, 

safe and reliable energy services to our 3.7 million customers. As part of our commitment to 

the communities we serve, we support a variety of initiatives through shareholder contributions, 

employee giving programs, and volunteerism. Our philanthropic strategic priorities include climate 

action, emergency preparedness and safety, economic prosperity, and K-16 STEM. Many of our 

initiatives focus on advancing racial and gender equity in alignment with our company value to “champion 

people.” We understand that for our region to thrive and become more sustainable, it is important for all of 

us to do our part to ensure no one is left behind. 

A 

successful local business creates job 

opportunities, encourages community 

investment, and drives economic 

diversification forward. Access to 

resources centered around financial and 

technical support can highly benefit a 

small business that is on the rise. Local 

community organization, Accessity, has helped underresourced 

entrepreneurs navigate the difficult stages of 

owning a business for 30 years. As both a nonprofit and 

Community Development Financial Institution, Accessity 

provides entrepreneurs with capital and educational 

resources to help launch, maintain, and grow their 

small businesses. It manages a $20.7 million active loan 

portfolio with approximately 900 clients throughout 

Southern California, including San Diego County. 

Mo Records 

When a small business owner partners with Accessity, 

they are also gaining access to Accessity’s community, 

corporate, and government partners. As part of their 

Economic Prosperity giving initiative, San Diego Gas 

and Electric (SDG&E) has supported Accessity for 

over a decade to build relationships with local business, 

education, and workforce development sectors. Through 

shareholder-funded grants, SDG&E has invested in many 

of Accessity’s key initiatives, including its microlending 

program. The microlending program includes educational 

12 GBSAN.COM | JULY 2024

event outreach that supports 650 entrepreneurs and hosts 

8-10 free workshops on business essentials annually. This 

collaboration has helped propel local small businesses 

closer to their business development goals. 

“This 

partnership 

exemplifies the 

power of local 

collaboration 

in driving 

positive 

community 

impact,” said 

Angela Zappia, 

Director of 

Grants and 

Impact. “Our 

decade-long 

partnership 

with SDG&E 

has been vital 

to Accessity’s work 

in the San Diego 

entrepreneurial 

community.” 

The program has 

primarily benefited 

entrepreneurs 

of color, low- to 

moderate-income 

individuals, 

women, and 

immigrants. While 

some entrepreneurs 

face challenges like 

access to sufficient 

capital or industry 

knowledge, 

MujerBrave 

Maya’s 

Cookies 

individuals within these demographics also face cultural 

and language barriers. Accessity’s mission is to meet these 

entrepreneurs wherever they are in their business journey, 

curating resources specific to their business needs. 

Businesses that participated in the program have enriched 

our region through their inspiring stories and innovative 

ideas. MujerBrave and Maya’s Cookies are two womenowned 

local businesses that built their businesses from 

the ground up with the help of Accessity. With a loan 

from Accessity, MujerBrave was able to curate their 

inventory of one-of-a-kind artisan bags imported from 

Mexico. Maya’s Cookies went from selling fresh vegan 

cookies at local farmer’s markets to expanding their reach 

into two brick-and-mortar locations in San Diego. 

Guillermo ‘Mo’ 

Gomez was 

also able to take 

his growing 

independent 

record shop, 

Mo Records, to 

the next level 

after seeking 

support from 

Accessity. Mo’s 

passion for selling 

records began 

in 2020 when he 

operated a vinyl 

record kiosk 

inside Liberty Public 

Market which is 

located within 

Liberty Station. 

With support from 

the program, Mo 

transitioned his 

business from a kiosk 

to a storefront while 

maintaining his 

location at Liberty 

Public Market. 

The improvements 

allowed his business 

to thrive in the 

adequate space 

needed, attracting 

more customers and increasing sales. 

In 2023, Accessity’s microlending program provided small 

businesses in the county with $2.7 million in capital and 

supported the creation and maintenance of 225 jobs. 

This organization continues to be a critical resource for 

entrepreneurs seeking to build a prosperous business and 

a brighter future. 

To learn more visit, www.accessity.org. 

JULY 2024 | GBSAN.COM 13

Gala 

Glitz and Glam 

Home of Guiding hands hosted their 50th Annual 

“Glitz & Glam” Gala starting with a cocktail hour 

at the Oxford Social Club. This year marked a 

significant milestone of all the gala past honorees 

and memories they have had over the past 

50 years. Guests enjoyed dinner and dancing all while 

supporting the programs for people with intellectual and 

developmental disabilities at Home of Guiding Hands. 

Robert Kirk, Trevor 

Yates and G.A. Bartich 

Jane Moore and 

Drummond Macomber 

Isaac and Marcy 

Blumberg 

Yvonne and 

Jeff Bloom 

Andrew and 

Ariana Schuh 

Shally Zomorodi 

and Bruce Entezam 

Lianne Wilson and 

Edward Hershey 

Al Barrack and 

Jenna-Rose Hannah 

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DIANNA IPPOLITO 


Meet your next favorite San Diegan. 

From hidden mysteries and crossing the border, 

to winery adventures and local Filipino culture, 

there is something for every San Diegan to enjoy. 

Stream the best of KPBS. 

Anytime, anywhere. 

DOWNLOAD 

THE PBS APP 

pbs.org/app 

KPBS is a public service of San Diego State University.

Gala 

Home of Guiding Hands llevó adelante la 

50° edición de su gala anual “Glitz & Glam” 

comenzando con cócteles en el Oxford Social 

Club. Este año marca un importante hito para 

todos los anfitriones y homenajeados de las 

galas anteriores, rememorando sus 50 años de trabajo. 

Los invitados al evento compartieron una cena y baile y 

al mismo tiempo, apoyaron a los programas destinados 

a personas con discapacidades intelectuales o de 

desarrollo de Home of Guiding Hands. 

Chelsea and Sherry 

Delsen, Marcy Blumberg 

and Ann Chhokar 

Randy and Marie Jones 

with Dave Walker 

Pat Hurley and 

Dick Marrs 

Lenny and Falon 

Leszczynski 

Tom Tamar, Joel Anderson, Brian and 

Heather Jones with Andrew Hayes 

Diana Faucett and 

Mary Doremus 

Michael and Sherrie Carney 

with Sherry and Larry Delsen 


Tom Riddick, Randy and Marie 

Jones and Evelyn Riddick

T HE FUTURE 

Rady 

Center 

OPENING IN 2027 

BE PART OF 

THE SOLUTION 

Join Ernest and Evelyn 

Rady, Margaret A. Cargill 

Philanthropies, the Conrad 

Prebys Foundation and 

other generous donors who 

have helped us to raise 

$27 million to date. 

The Salvation Army has been sheltering the 

homeless and helping those in need in San Diego 

since 1887. The Rady Center will be a modern, 

multi-story facility designed to provide a wide 

range of services and resources for individuals 

and families experiencing homelessness in San 

Diego, offering a safe and supportive environment 

for those in need. 

When $30 million is raised, the Radys will 

contribute an additional $5 million to add to their 

already committed $30 million that will be used to 

establish a permanent operating endowment for 

the Rady Center. 

THE RADY CENTER AT A GLANCE 

• 220 shelter and housing opportunities 

• Beneficial and life-changing programs 

• Impact: 7,100 homeless men and women 

over the next 10 years. 

LEARN 

MORE 

SALARMY.US/RADYCENTER 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 

Michele Prosser, CFRE 

Capital Campaign Director 

The Salvation Army, San Diego 

619.446.0276 

619.846.8541 

michele.prosser@usw.salvationarmy.org

What’s In 

CJ Charles Collection 

of Luxury Boutiques 

CJ Charles 

Jewelers is 

humbled to 

announce 

the grand 

opening 

of three 

new luxury 

boutiques 

in La Jolla, 

enhancing world famous Prospect 

Street with unmatched elegance. 

Joining their flagship CJ Charles 

boutique, Officine Panerai, and IWC 

Schaffhausen, they have proudly 

added Omega, CJ Charles Lux, and 

Jaeger-LeCoultre storefronts. This 

expansion solidifies their reputation 

as “the Jewel” of La Jolla, yet again 

CJ Charles Jewelers 

elevating their commitment to unparalleled luxury, exceptional service 

and bespoke curated experiences. An additional VIP Lounge will be a 

shared experience for special events or VIP clients seeking to have a 


VIP Lounge 

completely private luxury shopping experience. Welcome 

to the CJ Charles Collection of Luxury Boutiques, where 

timeless sophistication meets contemporary allure. 

Vahid, Alexa and Ali Moradi 



Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique 

Panerai, founded in 1860 

in Florence, Italy, combines 

Italian design with Swiss 

craftsmanship to create 

distinctive and robust 

timepieces. 

Originally 

supplying precision 

instruments to 

the Italian 

Navy, 

Panerai 

is famed 

for its 

Radiomir 

and 

Luminor 

collections, 

characterized 

by bold aesthetics 

and exceptional 

durability. With a legacy 

rooted in innovation and 

maritime heritage, Panerai 

continues to captivate watch 

enthusiasts worldwide. The 

La Jolla boutique provides 

an exploration into these iconic 

creations and the opportunity to 

experience the brand’s unparalleled 

blend of history and innovation. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, founded in 

1833 in the Swiss Vallée de Joux, 

is renowned for its innovation 

and masterful craftsmanship 

in watchmaking. With over 

180 years of heritage, the 

brand has introduced 

iconic models such as 

the Reverso, Master 

Control, and Atmos. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 

dedication to precision 

and artistry has earned 

it a prestigious place 

in horology, producing 

over 1,200 calibers and 

holding countless patents. 

The new La Jolla boutique invites 

enthusiasts to experience this 

legacy of excellence firsthand. 

IWC Schaffhausen, established in 

1868 in Switzerland, is renowned 

for its engineering excellence and 

timeless design. With a focus on 

precision and innovation, IWC has 

crafted iconic collections such as 

the Pilot’s Watches, Portugieser, 

and Aquatimer. Each timepiece 

reflects the brand’s commitment to 

craftsmanship and functionality. 

IWC’s dedication 

to sustainability 

and responsible 

watchmaking further 

distinguishes it 

in the luxury 

watch industry. 

Visit the 

new La Jolla 

boutique to 

discover IWC’s 

exceptional 

timepieces and 

immerse yourself 

in its legacy of 

horological mastery.

Vahid Moradi in CJ Charles Lux 

Omega Boutique 

Omega, established in 1848 

in Switzerland, has a storied 

legacy of precision and 

innovation in watchmaking. 

Renowned for its role in 

space exploration, Omega 

was the first watch on the 

moon. The brand is also 

celebrated for its official 

timekeeping at the Olympic 

Games and its iconic Seamaster 

and Speedmaster collections. 

With a commitment to excellence 

and groundbreaking technology, 

Omega continues to set the 

standard in horology. The La 

Jolla boutique offers a gateway to 

this extraordinary heritage. 

CJ Charles Lux, the newest addition to La 

Jolla’s prestigious Prospect Avenue, specializes 

in the finest certified pre-owned estate jewelry. 

This boutique offers an exquisite collection of 

rare and unique pieces, catering to discerning 

collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. In addition to 

showcasing exceptional items, CJ Charles Lux 

actively seeks to acquire exquisite pieces from 

the public. Whether buying or selling, visitors 

are invited to experience the unparalleled quality 

and expertise that define CJ Charles Lux. 

Owner Vahid Moradi exemplifies unparalleled 

commitment to both the community and the 

jewelry industry. His extensive expertise and 

dedication to philanthropy have solidified 

his reputation as a pillar of La Jolla. Vahid 

is joined by his son Ali daughter Alexa and 

longtime associate and General Manager 

Danesh Derissi, making CJ Charles a true 

generational family business. This legacy 

mirrors the timeless nature of fine jewelry 

and timepieces, which are cherished and 

passed down through generations. Driven 

by Vahid’s passion for bespoke luxury, CJ 

Charles thrives, offering exceptional service and 

a deep connection to the community, ensuring 

that each piece of jewelry becomes a treasured 

family heirloom. 

www.cjcharles.com 


Golf 

Spring 

Swing 

Lucky Duck Foundation hosted their 

annual golf tournament at the Rancho 

Santa Fe Golf Club. Thanks to all the 

attendees, sponsors, and donors who 

made this sold-out event a day to 

remember and for “sharing their luck” in 

support of the mission. All funds raised will 

be used to contribute to the many efforts 

to alleviate the suffering of homelessness in 

San Diego County. The event was attended 

by an impressive array of business leaders 

form San Diego and Tijuana! 

Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny 

with Drew Moser 

Paul Murphy, Tony Buglio 

and Lenny Castellaneta 

Dale Yahnke, Brett Pernicano 

with Nick and Tim Hundley 

Keith More and 

Jason Levin 

Mikayla Parke 

and Mark Lane 

Ben Schuster and 

Blake Comfort 


Jack Allen, Meryl and George 

Young with Marcel Kasmer

Golf 

La Fundación Lucky Duck 

llevó adelante su torneo 

anual de golf en el Rancho 

Santa Fe Golf Club con 

las entradas totalmente 

agotadas, haciendo el evento un día 

sumamente exitoso donde tanto los 

presentes como los patrocinadores 

y donantes recordaron la 

importancia de “compartir la 

suerte” en apoyo de la misión de 

la Fundación. Las recaudaciones se 

destinan a asistir a las personas en 

situación de calle del condado de 

San Diego. El evento contó con la 

presencia de importantes lideres 

empresariales tanto de San Diego 

como de Tijuana. 

Bill Ramsey, Steve 

Meek and Terry Carlin 

Kyle Markstein, Alec 

Douglass and Herb Mutter 

Nathan Hunter 

and KC Serna 

Darren Feeney, Bill Sailer, 

Mark Wernig and Dan Novak 

Dave Schaefer and 

Rolf Benirschke 


Andrea Hamilton 

and Tom Gildred 

Steve Hytner and 

Jamie Shikiya 

Eric Heffner and 

Lane Kiefaber

Enrique Vonborstel, Jose Fimbres, 

Paco Uribe and Alfonso Gonzalez 

Rob Oswalt 

and Jeff Nacu 

Bob Tyson, Ted Roth 

and Pat Mendes 

Jon Knouse and 

Brian Orcholsky 

The San Diego Police Foundation Presents: 

Cirque 

du Soiree 

Prepare to be captivated, astonished, and 

uplifted by America’s Finest four-legged heroes 

at the San Diego Police Foundation’s 

most spectacular night! 

UNLEASH THE MAGIC ON 

September 21, 2024 

Hilton Torrey Pines 

HONORING THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 

Scott Wahl 

For tables, tickets, and donations 

please visit SupportK9.org. 

For sponsorship opportunities, 

contact Cathy Abarca at 619.232.2130 or 

cathy@sdpolicefoundation.org 

This K9 Crimefighter Campaign ensures 

that the San Diego Police Department has 

the police dogs, equipment, and training 

they need to protect and serve. 


Honoring 

Grant Impact 

Showcase 

Foundation for Developmental Disabilities hosted 

its 1st Annual Grant Impact Showcase, an 

event celebrating achievements and community 

contributions. CEO Sitara Sethi expressed 

gratitude to the community that supports the 

impactful work of empowering individuals with IDDs 

and their families. Attendees experienced an 

evening of networking and appetizers as they 

celebrated the Foundation for Developmental 

Disabilities Grantees from the past year. 

Pamela Cosman with 

Keith and Kate Kinnamont 

Edward Hershey, Frances Burnett, 

Falon Leszczynski and Wendy Forkas 

Brandon Adachi and 

Angela McNeece 

Kim Keane and 

Darla Calvet 

Julie Guy and 

Diana Figueroa 

Alyssa Label and 

Andrea Korogi 


Honoring 

Foundation for Developmental Disabilities 

llevó adelante su primer Annual Grant 

Impact Showcase, un evento que 

celebra los logros y las contribuciones 

de la comunidad. La CEO Sitara Sethi 

expresó su gratitud para con la comunidad por 

el apoyo recibido, ayuda que logra empoderar 

a personas con IDD y a sus familias. Los 

presentes disfrutaron de una velada de social 

donde conectar mientras compartían unos 

tentempiés y homenajeaban a los merecedores 

de las becas del año anterior. 

Jan Adams, Mark 

Klaus and Sitara Sethi 

Anna Chiles and 

Marissa Thompson 

Kiera Clubb and 

Pamela Starmack 

Nicole Velazquez 

and Becky Gould 


and Heather Disher 

Mary Ellen Harris 

and Jerry Harris 


Rita Saliba and 

Fady Nasrallah

14th Annual 

Host a Virtual Food Drive 

with your business or community group and 

feed hope in the San Diego community! 

JUNE 17 - AUGUST 20 

SCAN TO 

SIGN UP 

TODAY! 

SanDiegoFoodBank.org/Summer

Empowerment 


LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE 

Leadership Training 

Institute 2024 Cohort 

In 1985, the Chicano Federation created the 

Leadership Training Institute Fellows Program 

(LTI) to provide local Latine community 

members with the skills, knowledge, and 

networks to become successful community 

organizers and movement builders for social 

justice. For the Federation, one of the most 

significant measures of the impact of social movements 

is developing the leadership required to sustain 

institutional changes. From 1985 to 2004, over 360 

fellows - including notable leaders such as San Diego 

County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora 

Vargas - graduated from this program. 

In May 2023, during the Federation’s annual Unity 

Luncheon, the Chicano Federation’s CEO Liz Ramírez 

announced the relaunching of the program after a 

20-year hiatus. With the overwhelming support of the 

community and partners, the program started again 

in September of last year. “As a graduate, I am thrilled 

that the Chicano Federation Leadership Training 

Institute is back. This program had a huge impact 

on my journey, and I cannot wait to work with the 

next generation of Latine leaders who will help pave 

the way so our community can thrive,” Chairwoman 

Vargas shared with GB Magazine. 

Dr. Ted Martínez Jr. and Lidia S. Martínez 

collaborated with the Chicano Federation to develop 

the curriculum for the 10-month program. LTI 

provides half-day educational sessions, mentorship, 

and network connections to invest in leaders from 

the San Diego Chicano(a) and Latine communities. 

“This is just the beginning of a new movement. We 

aim to connect with leaders across San Diego and 

our border region to collectively address the issues 


From 1985 to 

2004, over 

360 fellows 

graduated from 

this program. 


CEO, Liz Ramírez 

impacting our communities, such 

as affordable housing, education, 

economic development, and 

advocacy opportunities. We 

believe in the power of community 

collaboration and the strength that 

comes from diverse perspectives 

working together. This is a call 

to action to build a stronger San 

Diego, where our families and 

communities are our priority. We 

strive to create lasting change, 

driven by compassion, equity, and a 

shared vision for a brighter future,” 

commented Liz Ramírez. 

On June 8, the Leadership Training 

Institute celebrated its first 

graduation since 2004 where the 

participating fellows presented their 

capstone projects focused on relief 

efforts from the devastating flood 

on January 22. Adriana Mendoza, 

a 2024 graduate, said, “Through 

my participation in LTI, I gained 

a deeper understanding of the 

challenges and inequities faced by 

San Diego’s Latine community. It 

was great to hear from leaders in 

different sectors and how within 

Carlos Solorio, 2024 LTI Graduate and Chicano Federation Board Member 

each sector we can play a role in making San Diego a better 

community. I plan to use my learnings in my current role and seek 

ways to engage others in building a more equitable community. I 

liked hearing firsthand from elected officials about the importance 

of advocacy. It solidified my commitment to using my voice and 

taking action to make change happen.” 

LTI presenters, mentors, and past graduates, along with over 

100 guests in attendance, were part of the emotional graduation 

ceremony at UC San Diego Park & Market. A celebratory reception 

with food, drinks, and mariachi music concluded the event. 

For more information visit: 

www.chicanofederation.org/leadershiptraininginstitute 


Reception 

Empowering San Diego 

Participants, supporters, 

and friends of Just in 

Time for Foster Youth 

gathered at Santaluz 

Club on May 22 to 

share an evening of inspiration 

and fellowship. With each 

connection made and resource 

raised, Just in Time moves closer 

to realizing its vision of a Caring 

Community that is growing and 

succeeding together. 

Patrick Edinger, Carol Edinger, 

Matthew Gulley with Katya, 

Maria and Sean Pourteymour 

Mary Brooks and 

Esmeralda Munoz 

Dee Davis 

Jim Silverwood 

Sheri and 

Mark McKenna 

Jack Jackson 

Participantes, colaboradores y amigos 

se reunieron el 22 de mayo en el 

Club Santaluz para compartir una 

velada a beneficio de Just in Time for 

Foster Youth. Con cada conexión que 

se hace y con cada recurso que se logra, Just in 

Time se acerca a su visión de seguir creciendo 

y teniendo éxito en su Caring Community. 


Brittany Lederman and 

Samantha Gleiberman 

Noemi Ashline, Jeneva Bell, 

Jennifer Fields and Barbara Suazo 

Deanna DeFrank 

and Jamon Williams 

Jimmy and Cristie Silverwood 

with Erica and Michael DaFoe 

Monica Montgomery 

Steppe and Max Ellorin 

Steve and 

Lynne Wheeler 

Alex and Diahann 

Kunczynski 

Mark Lohkemper 

and Elyse Sollender 


Community 

Brilliance 

Gala 

A 

brilliant 

evening was 

held to honor 

the lives of 

those loved 

and those lost, the fight 

to end Alzheimer’s and 

raise critical funds to 

support the Alzheimer’s 

Association San Diego 

initiatives. The 2024 

honorees were Jayne 

Slade and Patricia Will 

with a mission moment 

with Tony Gonzalez who 

is living with dementia. 

The evening brought 

together a beautiful and 

elegant crowd along with 

community leaders from 

across the San Diego to 

celebrate to work being 

done in the fight to end 

Alzheimer’s. 

Susan Malecha 

and Sky Cross 

Mohammed Ahmed 

and Sameera Ali 

Paula Lemkuil, Ann Wood 

with Ed and Patricia Will 

Estha and 

Michel Madeira 

Janet Hamada- 

Kelley and Ron Cohn 

Carolyn Oliver 

and Brent Covey 

Jordan Beal and 

Kerri Brouilette 


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Community 

Una exitosa velada tuvo 

lugar en honor de las vidas 

de seres amados que hoy 

todavía están aquí y de 

aquellos que partieron 

luchando contra el Alzheimer. La 

ocasión recaudó fondos para apoyar 

las iniciativas en pos de la lucha contra 

el Alzheimer que lleva adelante la 

Alzheimer’s Association San Diego, 

rindiendo en la edición 2024, un 

especial homenaje a Jayne Slade y 

Patricia Will, con un momento de 

silencio por Tony Gonzalez quien 

está sufriendo de demencia. Un 

elegante grupo de líderes de la 

comunidad de San Diego decidieron 

estar presentes para honrar el 

trabajo que se lleva adelante en la 

lucha contra el Alzheimer. 

Nicole Lopez, Kaytee 

Filippi and Suzy Lemaster 

Joni and Harvey Roney 

with Jeannie Grischy 

Scott and 

Jayne Slade 

Daniele Walsh 

and Shirley Lara 

Natalie Royston and 

David Marchesani 

Ron and 

Lisa Pilla 

Christina Amoroso 

and Gregory Hake 


James and 

Maya Brewer 

Araceli Gutierrez 

and Melissa Reyes

Jason and 

Kerry Spark 

Stephen Mills 

and Lisa Little 

Michelle Meyer 

and Kristen Becker 

Kelly and Wes 

Lavender 

Edward and 

Jessica Cox 


Couture 

The Art of Fashion 

F 

ashions from 

the fall-winter 

collections of 

South Coast Plaza’s 

roster of renowned 

international 

designers and 

retailers will 

once again take 

to the runway 

on September 

12 at The Inn at 

Rancho Santa Fe. 

The Art of Fashion 

runway show and 

luncheon presented 

by The Country 

Friends marks the 

nonprofit’s 70th 

anniversary and its 

20-year partnership 

with South Coast 

Plaza. Philanthropist 

Joan Waitt serves 

as the event’s honorary 

chair with co-chairs 

Tamara Lafarga-Joseph 

and MJ Wittman. Emcee 

is Sandra Maas, the 


THE COUNTRY FRIENDS CELEBRATES 

FASHION AND PHILANTHROPY 

Founded in 1954, the nonprofit 

has provided $15 million to 

charitable organizations in 

San Diego County. 

award-winning 

broadcast journalist 

and community 

leader. 

“We are thrilled 

to have such 

accomplished and 

compassionate 

women heading 

up this year’s 

Art of Fashion,” 

says TCF Board 

President Janean 

Stripe. Founded in 

1954, the nonprofit 

has provided 

$15 million 

to charitable 

organizations 

in San Diego 

County with an 

emphasis on those 

helping women, 

children, the 

elderly, families, 

the military, and 

persons with 

disabilities. 

This year’s runway 

show will highlight 

designs from 

Balmain, Camilla, Isabel 

Marant, Lanvin, Max 

Mara, Michael Kors 

Collection, Missoni, 

Monique Lhuillier, Oscar

de la Renta, and Saks Fifth 

Avenue. The event begins 

with a champagne reception 

and shopping at South Coast 

Plaza mini boutiques on The 

Inn’s lawn featuring Balmain, 

Camilla, Furla, Isabel Marant, 

Lanvin, Max Mara, Oscar de 

la Renta, and Vitra Eyewear, 

followed by the runway show, 

luncheon, live auction, and 

opportunity drawing. 

Waitt, the mother of four, 

is a businesswoman and 

generous philanthropist. 

Born in Sioux City, 

Iowa, her mother died 

in childbirth when Joan 

was just two years old. 

She credits her late father 

for keeping the family of 

five children together and 

teaching them to give back 

to the community. “He is 

the reason I do what I do,” 

she once said, referring 

to her many charitable 

causes. For years, she 

has hosted the Dream 

On Concert Gala at her 

hilltop estate in La Jolla 

to benefit Promises2Kids, 

which provides support 

for foster youth in San 

Diego County. She has 

also funded the Family 

Justice Center, Becky’s 

House, and Rady 

Children’s Hospital, to 

name just a few. 

Art of Fashion 2024 

Honorary Chair Joan Waitt 

Art of Fashion 2024 

Co-Chairs MJ Wittman and 

Tamara Lafarga-Joseph 

board chair of Visions 

Global Empowerment, an 

international nonprofit. 

Named a Woman of 

Dedication by the Salvation 

Army Women’s Auxiliary 

for her community service, 

she also supports the Vision 

of Children Foundation, 

Miracle Babies, Rancho Santa 

Fe Women’s Fund, Rancho 

Coastal Humane Society, 

and many more nonprofits. 

She was featured in the 

book, She Who Inspires: 

Philanthropic Women 

Changing the World 

from San Diego. 

Wittman has co-chaired 

the Miracle Babies 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s 

luncheon as well as the 

nonprofit’s Night in 

Venice gala. She has also 

been actively involved 

with Vision of Children, 

Tea3 Foundation, 

National Charity 

League, and Father 

Joe’s Villages, as well 

as church and school 

groups. She navigates 

life’s challenges with 

grace and uses her 

talents to uplift others. 

Wittman’s passion for 

floral design led her to 

found Fleuressence, a 

high-end event planning 

business. 

Lafarga-Joseph, an artist and entrepreneur, previously 

chaired the Art of Fashion and now serves on The 

Country Friends Board of Directors, and is also 

For more information on Art of Fashion and to 

purchase tickets, call (858) 756-1192, ext. 4 or visit 

www.thecountryfriends.org. 


About San Diego 

GOODBYE TO POINT LOMA’S 

ICONIC “SHELL HOUSE” 

The news spread 

quickly 

through text 

messages 

and social 

media posts 

filled with 

sadness and 

resignation. 

“They’re gone 

away in a dumpster.” “The 

shells have been crushed.” 

For thousands of San Diegans, 

the sense of loss was profound, 

but especially so in Point 

Loma’s Portuguese tuna fishing 

community. 

When Frank Mendes and his wife 

Alyssa bought their home 75 years 

ago, it was not much different from 

others up and down Rosecrans Street. 

But over the years, Frank slowly 

began converting his front yard into 

a wonderland of seashells collected 

from the Galapagos Islands and other 

spots around the world where he was 

fishing. With each passing year, he just kept adding 

more of them until every inch of his front yard became 

part of an intricately designed shellscape of abalone, 

mollusk, clam, and exotic finds from faraway shores. 


Frank Mendes’ Shell House 

became a landmark in Point Loma 

BY KEN KRAMER 

Frank Mendes and his wife Alyssa. Frank 

collected the shells over decades of tuna fishing. 

Tommy Gomes, owner of Tunaville, 

rescued some of the shells. 

Over the years 

Frank Mendes’ 

remarkable 

front yard 

became famous 

in Point 

Loma and far 

beyond, even 

appearing 

in some San 

Diego tourist 

brochures. But 

it remained a 

distinctly local 

treasure that 

was especially 

celebrated 

within the fishing community, until late 

April when crews showed up to start 

clearing the front yard and preparing the 

house for sale. Frank Mendes had died 

years ago. His wife Alyssa remained in 

the house until she passed away shortly 

before her 104th birthday. In a real estate 

market where curb appeal is 

everything, Frank’s front yard 

of seashells became a costly 

curiosity. 

A few neighbors and friends 

in the Portuguese fishing 

community raced to the scene 

to salvage some of the shells. 

Among them was Tommy 

Gomes, whose family has 

been fishing in the waters off San Diego for 132 years. 

He owns a fish market on Driscoll’s Wharf off Harbor 

Drive that he has named Tunaville “in honor of the

Two of Frank Mendes’ shell creations are 

displayed outside Tunaville in Point Loma. 

men and women that worked the tuna boats 

and in the canneries.” His market is often a 

gathering place for older Portuguese fishermen 

who were a part of the once-thriving tuna 

industry here. Along one wall of Tunaville is a 

collection of photos and a continuously running 

video harkening back to the days when tuna 

fishing was the city’s third largest industry. To 

Tommy, the shell house was like a historical 

monument to that time and those people. “We 

needed to grab and save the shells from the shell 

house.” At the last minute, he was able to rescue 

a couple of the most familiar shell towers from 

the Point Loma house. He will keep them for 

display at Tunaville, he says, “because it really 

is a part of San Diego history and we are losing 

a little bit more and more each day.” 

At look back at The Shell House of Point Loma 

and the last-minute effort to save some of its 

history will be among the stories featured 

on Ken Kramer’s About San Diego, Thursday 

evening, July 11 at 8 PM on KPBS-TV with a 

repeat airing Sunday, July 14 at 4 PM. 

Ken Kramer is the 

creator and host of 

Ken Kramer’s About 

San Diego seen every 

week on KPBS-TV. 

His stories about the 

people and history of 

our area began airing 

when he was an SDSU 

student in the 1970s. 


Gala 

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DIANNA IPPOLITO 

Laura Tancredi- Baese 

and Maria Gates 

Jennifer Campbell, Oliver 

Welty and Suzanne Hawkins 

Blue 

Ribbon 

Gala 

Kara and Jim 

Roseberry 

Graeme and 

Sharon Semple 

Home Start’s Blue Ribbon 

Gala is a fundraiser for 

child abuse prevention held 

each April in recognition 

of National Child Abuse 

Prevention Month. The signature event 

had over 300 community leaders, 

elected officials, caring partners, and 

philanthropists come together to raise 

vital funding for Home Start. Guests 

heard stories from clients whose lives 

have been transformed by Home 

Start’s programs. 

Angie Lasagna and 

Richard Farler 

Aaron Garcia 

and Alma Ortiz 


Sara Chesner, Alexis 

Ranglas and Romin Behseta 

Daniel Vincelett and 

Gyna Overholtzer

Picture: Youth Assistance Coalition 

1,800,000+ 

450 

12,500+ 

200+ 

20+ 

670,000+ 

125+ 

$1.5 million 

Preventing and 

alleviating the 

suffering of 

homelessness 

throughout 

San Diego County 

luckyduckfoundation.org 

Meals distributed through our 

Food & Water outreach initiative 

Individuals sheltered nightly 

in our bridge shelters 

Sleeping bag coats provided to 

unsheltered San Diegans 

Tons of trash removed via $2 per bag 

of trash program “cash for trash” 

Employment & job training programs 

benefiting more than 1000 individuals 

Pounds of food rescued via 

homeless employment collaboration 

Lucky Duckling high school students 

participating in our award-winning 

youth-led movement 

Every donation is matched 

up to $1.5 million per year 


Gala 

La Gala de Home Start Blue Ribbon 

es un evento para recaudar 

fondos destinados a la prevención 

del abuso infantil que se realiza 

durante abril, reafirmando el 

Mes nacional de la prevención del abuso 

infantil. Este emblemático evento contó 

con la presencia de más de 300 líderes 

de la comunidad, funcionarios públicos, 

comprometidos socios y filántropos 

quienes se reúnen para recaudar esenciales 

fondos para Home Start. Durante la gala 

se pudieron escuchar historias de personas 

cuyas vidas fueron transformadas gracias a 

los programas de Home Star. 

Nancy Pratt and 

Jeannie Marquie 

Rob and 

Tracy Bilhorn 

Veronica and Steven 

Ephraim with Gigi Cramer 

Andrew and 

Julie Dolled 

Matt and 

Kari Dart 

Betty and Evan 

Arapostathis 

Danny and Lily 

Stefanowicz 


Michael and 

Brooke Donohue 

Rebecca and 

RJ Stevens

Celebration 

The Talk of 

the Town 

For 124 years, the Athenaeum Music 

& Arts Library in La Jolla has served 

the community offering an array of 

cultural programs. To help further 

their mission co-chairs Vidi Revelli 

& Zoe Kleinbub along with a committee 

hosted The Talk of the Town, Old Hollywood 

Edition a glamourous evening featuring a 

reception, auction, and entertainment all set 

in the classic Hollywood era of the 1930s. 

All proceeds from this event support the 

library’s operating funds as well as concerts, 

art and music appreciation lectures, fine 

arts classes and more. 

Jennifer and 

Carl Findley 

Sue Torres and 

Frank Zalman 


Karen Fox and 

Michael Adelson 

Ann Craig and 

Lauren Lockhart 

Christine Wichard with 

Keith and Ruth Wahl 

Leanne MacDougall 

and Maura Walters 


Larry and 

Madeline Gardner 

Abbaseh Samimi 

and Bob Black

Benefitting 

our Veteran 

Neighbors in Need 

09| 26| 24 

The Grand Golf Club 

PRESENTED BY 

For sponsorship & tickets, visit onecau.se/fjvgolf • Questions? Contact 619-446-2115 or emily.davis@neighbor.org

Celebration 

Desde hace más de 124 

años es que el Athenaeum 

Music & Arts Library de 

La Jolla viene trabajando al 

servicio de la comunidad 

brindando un abanico de programas 

culturales. Para ayudar a continuar con 

esta misión, las anfitrionas Vidi Revelli 

& Zoe Kleinbub junto a una comisión 

especial llevaron adelante The Talk of 

Town, Old Hollywood Edition, una 

glamorosa velada con una recepción, 

subasta y entretenimiento ambientada 

en el clásico Hollywood de 1930. Lo 

recaudado por el evento se destina a 

colaborar con la biblioteca, conciertos, 

charlas sobre arte y música, clases de 

arte y otras actividades. 

Erica Tsai and 

Mark Chen 

Kate O’swartz 

and Angela Lynch 

Christie Mitchell, Ashley 

Pratt and Dave Eassa 

John Comanse 

and Celia Henley 

Peter and 

Marilee Kovacs 

Zoe and Eric 

Kleinbub 

Reneé Comeau 

and Terry Gulden 

Garna Muller 

and Max Elliott 

Ann Butterfield 

and Cheri Choi 



Heroes 

Shelter to Soldier 

SAVING LIVES, TWO AT A TIME AT THEIR 

12TH ANNUAL BE THE LIGHT GALA 

Every day, an average of seventeen US 

veterans and at least one active-duty 

service member is lost to suicide. That 

is an average of one life lost every 80 

minutes. PTSD is a major battle for our 

men and women in uniform, and its 

effects last far and beyond the battlefield. 

Shelter to Soldier (STS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit 

organization that adopts dogs from local shelters 

and rescue organizations and trains them to become 

psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans 

suffering from post-traumatic stress, traumatic 

brain injury, and military sexual trauma. STS also 

places emotional support animals with veterans and 

active-duty military and deploys the STS Canine 

Ambassadors, a team of certified therapy dogs and 

their volunteer handlers, to provide visits of love and 

comfort to local military, veterans and their families. 


Our community is invited to support Shelter to Soldier 

by attending its 12th Annual “Be the Light Gala” 

presented by Subaru, USA, on Sunday, August 18th, 

from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at L’Auberge Del Mar. In 2023, 

the program raised $287,177 in lifesaving funds for the 

rescue dogs and veterans served by the mission, setting 

the bar for their fundraising goal in 2024. 

Shelter to Soldier’s largest annual fundraiser raises 

critical funds to support its programs that serve 

military, veterans, and homeless dogs in need of a 

forever home and life of purpose. 

Guests will enjoy musical entertainment by the Tim 

Apple Band, small bites, libations, silent auction, 

three-course dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean, 

swag bags, and memorable moments with veteran 

recipients and the Shelter to Soldier staff. 

PHOTO CREDIT: MONICA HOOVER PHOTOGRAPHY

A military 

hero is lost to 

suicide every 

80 minutes. 

The evening 

will include 

an exciting 

silent and live 

auction emceed 

by auctioneer 

Clint Bell, and 

all proceeds 

from the event 

will benefit the 

organization’s 

service dog, 

emotional 

support animal 

and therapy 

dog programs for US Veterans. 

Other major sponsors include C.W. 

Driver (Platinum Sponsor), Cox 

Communications and UNITE (Silver 

Sponsors). 

Every year, our nation sees 

approximately 7.6 million animals 

enter shelters. More than half of those 

animals are dogs. This year alone, 

1.2 million dogs will be euthanized 

due to space, behavioral problems, or 

medical complications. 

Shelter to Soldier saves the lives 

of dogs for a greater purpose, and 

through the program’s dedication 

to veteran mental health, aims to 

provide lifesaving support to veterans 

suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress. 

These rescued companions help 

veterans integrate back into society 

and find their purpose, often for the 

first time since their military service. 

By training dogs from rescues and 

shelters, Shelter to Soldier saves 

many dogs from being euthanized 

each year and, in turn, pairs them 

with veterans and active military 

in need of psychiatric service dogs 

or emotional support animals… 

Saving Lives, Two at a Time. 

For more information about 

tickets, table reservations, 

sponsorships and to donate silent 

and live auction items, please call 

Kyrié Bloem at (760) 870-5338 or 

visit www.sheltertosoldier.org. 


Families 

Operation 

Thin Mint 

Girl Scouts San 

Diego kicked 

off National 

Military 

Appreciation 

Month with the 

Operation Thin Mint 

Sendoff and Family 

Festival aboard the USS 

Midway Museum. The 

event welcomed more 

than 1,500 guests and 

commemorated 23 

years of Operation Thin 

Mint, a service project 

launched in San Diego 

that has inspired the 

donation of more than 

4.2 million Girl Scout 

Cookie packages for U.S. 

military personnel since 

its inception in 2002. 

Carol Dedrich with 

Elite Entrepreneurs 

Abigail, Raegan, 

Johnny and Leah 

Commander Robin 

Dirickson and May 

Stella, Whitney Stackhouse 

and Suzanne Frontz 

Bob and Debbie Feinberg 

with Neville Billimoria 

Girl Scouts San Diego dio inicio al Mes de 

la Valoración Militar con Operation Thin 

Mint Sendoff and Family Festival a bordo 

del USS Midway Museum. El evento 

contó con la presencia de más de 1,500 

personas reunidas para conmemorar los 23 años de 

Operation Thin Mint, un proyecto solidario lanzado 

en San Diego que, desde su creación, lleva logrados 

la donación de más de 4.2 millones de paquetes de 

Girl Scouts Cookies para el personal militar. 


Doug Wright, Alexa Soriano, 

Darby and Molly Wright 

Saturday 

9/21/24 

5pm - 8pm 

Juliet, Catalina 

Duarte and Isabel 

Natasha and 

Rob Bowman 

Join us for 

a special event 

supporting the Spay 

Neuter Action Project! 

Purchase tickets to play, 

learn, or party with a live 

DJ, delicious food & drinks, 

silent auction, raffle, and 

different vendors! 

SNAP-SanDiego.org 

Ava and 

Kristin Sullens 


Health 


TOGETHER FOR A BETTER BEGINNING 

Miracle Babies is a nonprofit 

organization 

based in San Diego 

dedicated to helping 

perinatal mothers 

and their families 

during their time of 

need by providing 

transportation, mental 

health assistance and 

supportive services. 

Their tagline, 

“Together For A Better 

Beginning” reflects 

the importance of the 

Miracle Babies Circle Member 

family connection in MJ Wittman and Board Chair 

Marjan Mortazavi 

the critical early weeks 

and months of an 

infants’ life and the mental well-being of the mother. 

While babies and moms are receiving an extremely 

high level of medical care, it is an emotionally taxing 

experience for parents to be separated from their 

child and/or receive 

news of a congenital 

birth or complex 

pregnancy. During 

these challenging 

times, Miracle Babies 

aims to reassure 

NICU parents that 

they are not alone. 


“Special Delivery” 

transportation 

program extends 

beyond just providing 

a ride. Drivers build 

relationships with 

passengers and can 

assist with other 

critical needs such as 

mental health, diaper, 

and period insecurity. 

Miracle Babies helps 

navigate a complex 

healthcare system 

and provides aid with 

additional resources such as WIC. Connecting new 

moms with their babies can dramatically impact the 

well-being of both the new mother and the baby. 


Miracle Babies’ 

most recent 

initiative, “My 

Brain and My 

Baby” (MBMB), 

focuses on 

improving 

developmental 

outcomes for babies 

by prioritizing 

maternal mental 

health. The 

program provides 

free and immediate 

mental health 

counseling 

for perinatal 

mothers dealing 

with maternal 

mental health 

(MMH) 

conditions. 

MMH 

conditions, 

affecting 1 in 5 

women, often 

go untreated, 

and is the most 

common complication 

during pregnancy and 

birth. Miracle Babies 

believes supporting 

maternal mental health 

is crucial for a child’s 

successful growth and 

development. 

Baby Gale born at 31 weeks 

Miracle Mom Vanessa, 

a beneficiary of all 

of Miracle Babies 

programs, shared with 

GB Magazine “Miracle 

Babies is an amazing 

organization, they show 

sympathy, care, and love 

with what they are doing 

for us parents going through a traumatic time. They 

were able to support me in ways I did not even know I 

Miracle Mom Vanessa, Baby Alek 18 months 

born 27 weeks, Neda Iranpour, Miracle 

Babies Board Chair Marjan Mortazavi 

needed.” 

As a nonprofit 

organization, 

Miracle 

Babies 

relies on 

philanthropy 

and funds 

raised at 

events such 

as their 

upcoming 

Breakfast 

Baby Amelia born at 29 weeks 

at Tiffany’s 

Luncheon 

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024, 

at La Valencia Hotel. This year’s 

spectacular event will be emceed by 

Shally Zomorodi, anchor Fox 5 News 

and Keynote to be delivered by Cory 

Richards, internationally renowned 

photographer, filmmaker/director, 

author, and mental health advocate. 

Your support for 


programs can help 

bridge healthcare access 

gaps and improve 

health outcomes for 

those lacking support. 

Strengthening the bond 

between new mothers 

and their babies can 

significantly enhance 

their well-being. Early 

intervention and 

essential resources 

post-childbirth have the 

potential to enhance 

health outcomes for 

generations to come. 

Your support makes a 

difference. To learn more, donate, or join an upcoming 

event visit www.MiracleBabies.org. 


Automobile 

Concours 

D’Elegance 

Over 150+ cars were displayed 

along the pristine Pacific 

Ocean at the La Jolla 

Concours d’Elegance. Thanks 

to IWC Schaffhausen, one 

of CJ Charles Jewelers prestigious watch 

brands, their sponsorship helped make 

the show a reality. Guests enjoyed trying 

on watches and then looking at vintage 

cars - and even a vintage airplane from 

the San Diego Air and Space Museum! 

2024 marked the eighteenth year since the 

event transitioned from the much-loved La 

Jolla Motor Car Classic 

Jasmine Corona, Gil Addeo 

with Giovanni and Leonardo 

Marina and 

Steven Smith 

Jim Kidrick with Rayleae 

and Bruce Myer 

Heidi and 

Rusell Dixon 

Alyssa Ermann with Ali, 

Vahid and Alexa Moradi 

Brenda Chand, Sean 

Mahon and Sherry Ahern 

The Carpenter 

Family 


Falon and Lenny Leszczynski 

with 1936 DeSoto Airflow


Automobile 

Con la presencia de más 

de 150 automóviles 

de colección a lo largo 

del inmaculado océano 

Pacifico se llevó adelante 

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. IWC 

Schaffhausen, una de las marcas con 

las que cuentan los prestigiosos 

joyeros CJ Charles, fue quien hizo 

posible este maravilloso show 

donde los presentes disfrutaron 

de los automóviles de colección, el 

probarse increíbles relojes pulsera 

¡y la exclusiva presentación de un 

aeroplano de colección perteneciente 

al Museo del Aire y del Espacio 

de San Diego! El 2024 marca los 

dieciocho años de la transición desde 

el muy querido Motor Car Classic. 

Jon Williams, Norm 

Carol and Hudson Drake 

Michael Maggiora, Kathryn 

Vaughn and Lou Scanlon 

Candy and 

Gilbert Agundez 

Perry Mansfield with 

Maggie and Gary Bobileff 

Chris Allison and 

Danesh Derissi 

Stephanie Brown 

and Casey Furtado 

Harlo Stompro, Marco Polo Cortez, 

Ali Perez and Cristiano di Francesco 

Annamarie and Stephen Detommaso 

with John and Linda Wilson 


JoAnn Logan and 

Peter DeSilva 

Sana Sernae and 

Commander William Burwell 

Sidney Holland 

and Mark Chase 

Sabrina Walsberg 

and Alexa Moradi 

Javier Herrera, Rodrigo 

Hank and Edgar Esparza 


Benefit 

Sip to See, 

Springtime Tea 

The Vision of Children Foundation hosted 

Sip to See their Springtime Tea in La Jolla. 

Co-Chairs Kristi Pieper, Donna Vance, 

and Vivian Hardage welcomed guests 

to a tea service for a special afternoon 

supporting cutting-edge research needed to cure 

hereditary childhood blindness. For over three 

decades Vision of Children Foundation has funded 

research to find cures for genetic vision disorders 

and childhood blindness and supported visually 

impaired children and their families. 

Ellen Stiefler, Julie 

Plashkes and Nicole Smith 


Maria Delgado, Helen Norden, 

Kristi Pieper and Genta Luddy 

Linda Kitchens 

and Amy Myers 

Nayda Locke and 

Maggie Watkins 

Roya Parviz and 

Nancy Burney 

Kathleen Johnson 

and Kirsten Long 

Connie Fellios and 

Jeannie Ranglas 

Carol Bader and 

Julie Rausch 


Benefit 

Vision of Children Foundation llevó adelante 

en La Jolla, Sip to See, su tradicional té 

de primavera. Las anfitrionas Kristi Pieper, 

Donna Vance y Vivian Hardage dieron la 

bienvenida a sus invitados a compartir 

un especial servicio de té solidario en apoyo de las 

investigaciones en tecnología de punta que buscan 

la cura de la ceguera hereditaria en niños. Desde 

hace décadas, la Vision for Children Foundation viene 

solventando investigaciones sobre posibles curas para 

la ceguera infantil y problemas de visión causados por 

desórdenes genéticos, y también brindando apoyo a 

niños con problemas de visión y a sus familias. 

Connie Stainbrook, Teri Barnes, 

Sylvia Re and Debbe Deverill 

Linda Howard 

and Faith Kettel 

Lynne Wheeler 

and Sally Oxley 

Chase, Vivian and 

Sam Hardage 

Marina Smith 

and Alla Kesser 

Susan Italiane-Leonard 

and Laura Applegate 


Lisa Harrison and 

Andrea Wagener 

Caroline Vance and 

Alexandra Pribuss

SELLING LA JOLLA, DEL MAR AND 

RANCHO SANTA FE COMMUNITIES 

Elizabeth Estey 

and Dani Hyytinen 

SCOTT APPLEBY | 858.775.2014 | DRE 01197544 

KERRY APPLEBY PAYNE | 858.204.7920 | DRE 01071814 

ANDREW APPLEBY | 858.602.9696 | DRE 02141307 

Jennifer Skelenar 

and Jacqui Grande 

Linda Costello 

and Karla Deetjen 

ENGLISH COUNTRY ESTATE 

16770 VIA DE LOS ROSALES 

Fairbanks Ranch | 5 BR | 6 BA | 7,300 SF 

$2M Renovation | Pool | 1.1 Acre | $6,995,000 

“It Takes A Family” 

applebyfamilygroup.com 

Peggy Korody 

and Lori Heising 


Golf 


SUPPORT THE ENLISTED PROJECT’S GOLF TOURNAMENT 

Omni La Costa Resort 

Dedicated to supporting the young, 

struggling military families in our 

community, Support the Enlisted 

Project (STEP) will be holding its 

Eighth Annual Swing For Our 

Heroes Charity Golf Tournament 

on Friday, August 23rd, at the 

beautiful Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s golf course 

in Carlsbad. 

STEP’s Swing For Our Heroes tournament attracts 

members of the community who are committed 

to supporting military families at home and those 

separated by deployment as they face challenges both 

financially and in retaining the family bond. Through 

this event last year, STEP raised over $90,000 in 

revenue. Swing For Our Heroes Golf Tournament 

Chair, Greg Jackey, shared with GB Magazine “The 

yearly STEP Golf Tournament gives us a chance to 

showcase a charity that does so much for our men and 

women in uniform. They should not have to worry 

about their family’s welfare while doing all they can to 

protect our great country.” 

STEP has just completed its 11th year serving young 

military and Veteran families. Founded by Veterans 

who wanted more for families than a band-aid 

approach that would take them from one crisis to the 

next, STEP provides military families and recently 

discharged Veterans facing financial crises with 

one-on-one financial counseling, education, and 

emergency funds, in combination with basic needs 

such as food, diapers, hygiene items, and clothes. 


Food insecurity, housing 

instability, and mental 

health challenges are 

common issues among 

enlisted service members 

and Veterans. These issues 

create increased stress and 

anxiety, piled in addition 

to their highly demanding 

and dangerous careers. 

Military families face 

unique challenges 

including frequent 

moves, living far from 

family and support 

systems, and the 

absence of one parent 

or partner due to 

deployments. 

The enlisted service 

members and Veterans 

served by STEP earn a 

low income. According 

to Blue Star Families, 

20% of military spouses 

are unemployed and 67% 

are underemployed due to 

the challenges of military 

life, unwillingness of 

employers to hire military 

spouses, and the high cost 

of childcare. All these 

challenges are heightened 

by the fact that San Diego 

is a very expensive place 

to live. 

STEP’s team of 

professional social workers are highly trained; they 

are military-affiliated and understand the nuances 

young service members and families face. As 

Certified Personal Financial Counselors, they focus 

on developing a personal financial plan with each 

Military families face 

unique challenges 

including frequent moves, 

living far from family 

and support systems, 

and the absence of one 

parent or partner due to 

deployments. 

individual and family 

based on their own 

particular situation and 

personal goals and come 

alongside them as they 

work towards meeting 

their goals and improving 

their financial well-being. 

As a nonprofit, 

community-funded 

agency, STEP has 

positively touched 

nearly 300,000 

military lives and 

boasts a 90% success 

rate at permanently 

changing financial 

behaviors over 

the 8,000 families 

served through 

its Emergency 

Financial Assistance 

(EFA) Program. 

The organization’s 

future 10-year strategy 

is to expand beyond 

Southern California 

and Washington State 

to serve more families 

across the United States. 

All proceeds from STEP’s 


golf tournament support 

the organization’s 

programs aimed at 

improving the lives of 

military and Veteran 

families. Sponsorship opportunities and individual 

golf tickets are available, for more information visit 

www.teamstepusa/swingforourheroes.org. 


Benefit 

Heart 

of the 

Center 

San Diego Center for 

Children’s hosted its 

137th Anniversary 

Celebration the Heart 

of the Center at their 

main campus. Jackie and Jon 

Greulich returned as Honorary 

Chairs, which featured a dinner 

with an inspiring performance 

from Center youth. San Diego 

Center for Children is the 

leading children’s nonprofit 

mental healthcare provider 

serving the region and 

improving the lives of children 

and families. 

Tara Beckman with Don 

and Laurel McKahan 

Brian and Jodi 

Brokwaski 

Darius and 

Rebecca Davis 

Mariana Bordas 

and Keith Wilson 

Jon and Jackie 

Greulich 

Nicole Carr-Lee 

and Anne Bird 

Dave, Phyllis and 

Jason Snyder 


GETTING TO KNOW 

Jeremy Pearl 

President and Chief Executive Officer, 

Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair 

our donors’ philanthropic journey, through personalized service and 

deep knowledge of our community as we collaborate with other 

nonprofits to amplify their stories. 

Jeremy, you have an accent. Where are you from, and how 

long have you been in San Diego? 

I grew up in London, England, although I am often mistaken for 

South African. I think that is just because I’ve been in San Diego 

since 1986 and my accent has slipped! I grew up in a reform Jewish 

household and went to college in a small town in Wales, about six 

hours west of London. I moved to San Diego after I graduated. My 

degree was in geography and I originally wanted to work in urban 

planning, but my first career jobs ended up being in the financial 

services industry. After qualifying as an attorney and working in the 

area of tax planning for a number of years I was fortunate enough 

to land at the Foundation in 2005. 

You’ve had an impact in San Diego with your 19 years at JCF; 

what impact do you see JCF making in the coming years? 

When I look back over my last 19 years at the Jewish Community 

Foundation I see an organization whose impact has grown enormously. 

That is not only a reflection on the growing and incredibly 

generous group of donors who we serve but our expanding ability 

to connect them to meaningful areas of impact in the Jewish and 

secular communities locally, nationally, and in Israel. The key to our 

success has been our ability to deliver highly personalized service 

– understanding not only our donors’ goals, but the needs of our 

many partner organizations and the communities we serve. We also 

took a bold and unprecedented step twenty years ago to invest 

significant resources into building endowments for the Jewish 

community. Going forward, we see many of our donors continuing 

the growing trend of enthusiastically establishing endowment funds 

to promote sustainable philanthropy and healthy nonprofit organizations. 

I also see us expanding our capacity to add real value to 

How does JCF help individuals, families, and organizations 

with their impactful and meaningful philanthropy? 

We take pride in adding value for every donor, regardless of their 

goals or capacity for giving. We offer personalized giving plans, 

behind the scenes tours, engagement opportunities for their children, 

and meaningful ways to create a charitable legacy after their 

lifetime. We have also been very successful in finding non-traditional 

ways for donors to make an impact. For example, we have enabled 

donors to invest their philanthropic funds in low-income housing, 

economic development, and other areas. Those funds will act as a 

catalyst for building communities and should eventually be repaid, 

so that they can be “recycled”, granted out to other organizations, 

or reinvested again. 

What do you want your legacy to be? 

I think about my impact both individually and collectively – and 

they’re very interwoven. All I want is to be able to make a difference 

to advance the impact of every dollar our fundholders grant into the 

community. I am so grateful to work with incredible colleagues and 

community leaders, and when all is said and done, I do (and will) 

feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction for being a part of 

something bigger than myself. That is, an intentional effort by the 

San Diego Jewish community to entrust the Jewish Community 

Foundation with playing a leading and supportive role in repairing 

the world – the Jewish value of tikkun olam. 

Tell us about your hobbies and interests. 

I have always loved to travel. I relish not only experiencing diverse 

environments, cultures, and foods, but also the planning. My special 

place to go and unwind is the Palm Desert area. On a more day 

to day basis, I truly love San Diego for all it offers. I am fortunate to 

have friends who are enthusiastic walkers and hikers – and who enjoy 

being and eating together. I need to do a better job of exploring 

our great national parks. I am blessed to be able to do all of these 

things with my incredible wife and three wonderful adult children. 

JCF has surpassed a meaningful milestone: $2 Billion in grants! 

With over 135,000 grants to over 9,000 nonprofits, locally, nationally, and abroad, particularly in Israel, 

our fundholders have made a meaningful contribution to the community. Join us as we celebrate and 

recognize the remarkable impact of JCF since 1967. 

Individuals can make a difference; together we change the world. 

info@jcfsandiego.org | www.jcfsandiego.org

Benefit 

San Diego Center for 

Children llevó adelante 

su 137º Anniversary 

Celebration the Heart 

of the Center en su 

campus principal. Jackie y Jon 

Greulich fueron nuevamente los 

anfitriones de la cena, que contó 

con una inspiradora presentación 

a cargo de los jóvenes del Centro. 

San Diego Center for Children 

es la organización líder de la 

región en cuanto a atención de 

salud mental de niños, 

mejorando la calidad de 

vida de los pequeños y 

sus familias. 

Cathrine Blair with 

Jeffrey and Linda Katz 

Marc and 

Kelly Wing 

Lindy, Ella and 

Roger Brazil 

Rick Boyce and 

Elaine Rogers 

Brandon Wissinger 

and Paloma Resende 

Michael Nelson 

and Elizabeth Sage 

Jon and Natalie 

Mcpheters 

Moises and Vicky Baron 

with Ellean and Jim Moxham 


Fernando and 

Marta Escobar

Family 

Embraced by ECS 

BY: MARIA SIMPSON 

Sandra, Isabella, 

and Issac 

Nine years ago, Sandra Huerta was 

unexpectedly tasked with raising 

two of her grandchildren. Isabella 

and Isaac came into Huerta’s life 

and were, in her words, “a gift from 

God.” Even so, the situation was not 

easy. “Basically, it was like starting 

over 23 years later,” Huerta said. Huerta’s daughter 

was denied any chance of custody due to her severe 

mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD). 

Seeking stability in this new chapter, Huerta turned to 

her social worker, who recommended ECS Head Start, 

marking the beginning of a transformative journey for 

her young grandchildren. 

Huerta’s grandchildren attended Head Start for five 

years; Isabella was a toddler, and Isaac was an infant. 

“The biggest thing I wanted was trust, my child to be 

happy, and my child to learn. And I felt all those needs 

were met,” Huerta said. She described how Head Start 

helped Isabella and Isaac learn good behavior, develop 

basic skills, establish a routine, and get excited to 

attend school. 

But life was still not smooth sailing. Huerta and the 

teachers noticed that Isaac’s development seemed 

delayed. Head Start evaluated Isaac and recommended 

the family to ECS Para Las Familias (PLF). Isaac 

enjoyed therapy, and “I noticed he matured,” Huerta 


said. “I was 

able to use 

the tools that 

his therapist 

showed me. 

With the 

work and 

time, he was 

able to calm 

down and 

to share,” 

Huerta said. 

Other 

children 

started to 

question 

Isabella 

about her family. They 

wanted to know why 

they lived with their 

grandma, why they had 

a foster mom, and why 

they got visits from 

their biological mom. 

To address the situation, 

the children’s therapist 

created personalized 

storybooks for Isabella 

and Isaac. These books 

included pictures and 

narratives explaining 

their living situation 

and why they could not 

live with their biological 

mother, helping them 

understand their family 

structure. 

Isabella participates in the 

Moonlight Ball live auction 

Now Isabella understands, and Huerta can speak 

candidly about it. “Isabella’s not embarrassed; she is 

Sandra and her family 

at the Moonlight Ball 

very open,” 

Huerta said. 

“When 

her friends 

introduce 

me to their 

mothers, 

they say, 

‘This is 

Isabella’s 

grandma. 

Isabella is 

adopted.’ 

They all 

know.” With 

the help of 

PLF, “The 

children 

are happy and welladjusted 

even though 

they are not with 

their bio mom.” 

Huerta is committed 

to ensuring that 

the guidance from 

PLF leaves a lasting 

imprint on Isabella 

and Isaac, nurturing 

them into resilient 

and self-assured 

adults. As she reflects 

on the path ahead for 

her grandchildren, 

now eight and nine, 

Huerta continues 

to give back to the 

community that supported them, sharing her wisdom 

as a member of the ECS Behavioral Health Committee 

following a term on the Board of Directors. 

www.ecscalifornia.org 


Benefit 

Uplifting 

Voices 

Voices for Children hosted 

the third annual Uplifting 

Voices at the Del Mar 

Plaza. The event combined 

inspiring stories from Court 

Appointed Special Advocate program, 

philanthropy, and light bites to lift up 

the voices of our community’s most 

vulnerable children in foster care. 

The program featured country music 

artist and New York Times bestselling 

author Jimmy Wayne. 

Annette Bradbury, Jessica 

Muñoz and Jimmy Wayne 

Jenny Skahen, Megan 

Newton and Anneelise Goetz 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

Alice Brewer and 

Robin Williamson 

CMY 

K 

Casey Meeter and 

Kelly McQuade 

Michelle Meisenbach, Andrea 

Marvin and Kristi Pfister 

Hayley Peterson, Paula De 

Sousa and Alison Alpert 

Jade Favaloro 

and Rachel Druce 


Lisa Fisher and 

Lisa Pernell

If your child or loved one needs support because 

of a developmental disability or delay, we are the 

starting point. 

We are dedicated to helping individuals achieve 

their goals and live to their fullest potential. 

Call Us Today. 

 

 

 

CA Early Start Services (birth to 36 months) 

(858) 496-4318 

All Other Regional Center Services 

(858) 576-2938

Benefit 

Voices for Children llevó 

adelante en el Del Mar 

Plaza la tercera edición 

de su evento anual 

Uplifting Voices, donde se 

combinaron inspiradoras historias 

a cargo de miembros del programa 

Court Appointed Special Advocate 

(CASA), filantropía y bocadillos para 

hacer escuchar las voces de los niños 

vulnerables de nuestra comunidad 

que se encuentran en situación 

de guarda. El programa contó con 

la presencia del artista de música 

country y autor bestseller según el 

New York Times, Jimmy Wayne. 

George Lai, Jena Joyce with 

Susy and Robert Freund 

Jamie Oberto and 

Adrianne Hoy 

Mary and Rolf 

Benirschke 

Andrea Moser and 

Ingrid de Llamas 

Carey Cimino, Rebecca 

Klein and Sara Shafer 

Kelly Billmyer 

and Linda Acosta 

Bonnie Wright 

and Gigi Cramer 


Nancy Cobb 

and Susan Alper 

Patty Brutten, Jane 

Caples and Janeen Hazel

WONDER 

DISCOVER 

IMAGINE 

CELEBRATE SUMMER AT 

COMIC-CON MUSEUM® 

Don’t miss POPnology, yesterday’s fantasy is today’s reality....LEAVING AUGUST 22 

EXPERIENCE OUR NEW EXHIBITS 

Becoming Betty Boop | Border Blitz: Artistas del Cómic de Tijuana 

Collaboration(s)! a Journey with John Jennings 

Plan your visit today at comic-con.org/museum

Health 

Growing Together 

SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK’S NEW DONOR CENTER 

Clairemont Mesa 

Donor Center 

San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB) is thrilled 

to announce a significant milestone 

in their ongoing partnership with the 

Clairemont Mesa community! With 

a legacy of welcoming nearly 60,000 

volunteer blood donors each year, SDBB 

is committed to meeting the growing 

demand for blood. Their 10-year history of successful 

blood drives in Clairemont Mesa has paved the way for 

this exciting development. 

To better serve their dedicated local donors, they 

recently opened a temporary site in Clairemont Town 

Square, with plans to establish a permanent donor 

center this fall. This new center, set to become their 

second largest in San Diego County, is a testament 

to the incredible support from the Clairemont Mesa 

community. 

Every two seconds, someone in the United States 

requires blood for surgeries, cancer treatments, 

childbirth, anemia, serious injuries, blood disorders, 

and more. The 150,000+ blood units collected 

annually by SDBB are distributed to 34 hospitals 

across Southern California, directly impacting 

countless lives. 

Take Quincy, for example (pictured facing page, top). 

He battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is now 

cancer-free thanks to treatment that included multiple 

blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant 


from his brother, 

Reece. Quincy and his 

family now advocate 

for blood donations, 

sharing their story 

to highlight the vital 

need for community 

support. 

We invite Clairemont 

Mesa residents, local 

businesses, and 

community leaders 

to continue their 

invaluable support 

and welcome new 

supporters inspired 

to make a difference. 

Your financial 

contributions, 

whether as individual gifts or corporate partnerships, 

will significantly bolster their efforts to save lives. 

Becoming a Founding Supporter of the Clairemont 

Mesa Donor Center means playing a crucial role 

in increasing our blood collection capabilities and, 

ultimately, the number of lives we can save together. 

Bryan (pictured below) is another testament to the 

lifesaving impact of blood donations. He survived 

a severe bike accident that left him with traumatic 

injuries, requiring surgeries and multiple blood 

transfusions. Now healthy, Bryan gives back by 

donating blood 

and raising 

awareness in 

the community. 

Patients 

like Quincy 

and Bryan 

are just two 

examples of the 

thousands of 

lives touched by 

the unwavering 

commitment 

Bryan 

Quincy with Reece 

and his family 

of SDBB’s community 

of blood donors, 

volunteers, corporate 

partners, and 

individual financial 

supporters. Together, 

we ensure a robust 

and safe blood supply 

for patients in San 

Diego and Southern 

California. 

SDBB operates 

24/7/365 to meet the 

constant demand for 

blood. A great way 

to provide ongoing 

support is by becoming 

a monthly donor. 

Steady, dependable 

gifts help conserve resources, allowing more funds 

to directly support lifesaving blood collection. Visit 

www.sandiegobloodbank.org/givemonthly to start 

today! 

There are many other ways to help, including making 

a tribute gift for a friend or loved one, donating an 

unused vehicle, or providing financial support through 

stock, donor-advised funds, wills, or living trusts. For 

more information, please contact Cherryl Castro- 

Lector, Director of Development, at (619) 400-8214. 

Join us in their 

mission to 

save lives and 

strengthen 

community 

health. Your 

support for the 

Clairemont 

Mesa Donor 

Center will 

make a world of 

difference. 


Golf 

The Arc of San Diego 

Foundation 

31ST ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 

Mark your calendars! On 

Monday, September 9, 2024, 

the Arc San Diego Foundation 

is hosting their Annual Charity 

Golf Tournament at La Valle 

Coastal Club & Resort. The 

annual golf tournament has 

been a remarkable success for the past 31 years, raising 

millions of dollars to benefit children and adults with 

disabilities receiving 

services from The 

Arc of San Diego. 

Registration will 

begin at 8:30 a.m. 

with breakfast 

for golfers to 

enjoy before the 

shotgun start at 

10:00 a.m. Players 

will then enjoy 18 

holes of golf on 

the scenic course 

in Rancho Santa 

Fe. Also included 

is a delicious 

lunch and swag 

bag. Immediately 

following 

HGH Golf Tournament 

Previous Winners 

tournament is the awards reception, including drinks, 

hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. 

The tournament chair is Tim Himstreet, Arc San Diego 

Foundation Board Member, and Paul La Bounty, 

Chairperson of the Arc San Diego Foundation, is also 

helping lead the event. 

Proceeds from the tournament will provide holiday 

gifts for children and adults with disabilities, 

funding for wheelchair accessible vans, and support 

for Our Place, The Arc of San Diego’s wellness 

program that provides adaptive yoga, fitness, 

nutrition and wellness classes. 

As one of the largest, most comprehensive service 

providers for people with disabilities in the region, 

The Arc of San Diego annually serves 2,000 children 

and adults with intellectual and developmental 

disabilities 

such as autism, 

cerebral palsy, and 

Down syndrome 

throughout San 

Diego County. 

Thank you in 

advance for your 

support of the 

Arc San Diego 

Foundation’s 31st 

Annual Charity 

Golf Tournament. 

Through 

community 

support, The Arc of 

San Diego is able 

to empower people 

with disabilities to live their most fulfilling and 

independent lives possible. 

Be sure to register today, as space is limited and is 

expected to sell out! Sponsorship opportunities are 

still available for this event. To register, become a 

sponsor, or for more information please contact 

Jennifer Navarra at (619) 795-4186 or go visit 

www.arc-sd.com/golf2024. 


esta 

fecha en su 

almanaque! 

El lunes 

¡Anote 

9 de 

septiembre 

de 2024, 

el Arc of San Diego Foundation 

llevará adelante su Torneo anual 

de golf con fines solidario en La 

Valle Coastal Club & Resort. Este 

torneo anual de golf es un éxito 

establecido desde hace ya 31 

años, recaudando millones de 

dólares a beneficio de niños y 

adultos con discapacidades que 

son atendidos por The Arc of 

San Diego. 

La inscripción 

comienza a las 

8:30 a.m. con un 

desayuno para 

los golfistas y 

luego a disfrutar 

del inicio del 

torneo a partir 

de las 10:00 a.m. 

Los jugadores 

tendrán a su 

disposición 18 

hoyos con las 

maravillosas 

vistas que ofrece 

Rancho Santa Fe, 

seguido de un almuerzo y bolsa de 

regalos. Al finalizar el torneo habrá 

una entrega de premios con bebidas, 

tentempiés y subasta silenciosa. 

El presidente del torneo es Tim 

Himstreet, miembro de la comisión 

directiva del Arc of San Diego, quien 

cuenta con la colaboración de Paula 

La Bounty, presidente de la Arc of 

San Diego Foundation. 

Lo recaudado por el torneo se 

destinará a regalos para las fiestas 

The annual golf 

tournament has 

raised millions of 

dollars to benefit 

children and adults 

with disabilities 

receiving services 

from The Arc of 

San Diego. 

para los niños y adultos 

con discapacidades, para la 

compra de transporte con 

accesibilidad para sillas de 

ruedas y el sostenimiento 

de Our Place, programa de 

bienestar de Arc of San Diego 

que brinda yoga adaptativo, 

fitness, nutrición y clases de 

bienestar. 

Siendo uno de los más grandes 

e integrales servicios de la 

región para personas con 

discapacidades como autismo, 

parálisis cerebral, síndrome de 

Down, atiende a más de 2,000 

niños y adultos al año del 

condado de San 

Diego. 

Desde ya les 

agradecemos 

su apoyo a la 

31° edición del 

Torneo anual 

de golf solidario 

de la Arc of 

San Diego 

Foundation. 

Gracias a este 

apoyo se puede 

empoderar a las 

personas con 

discapacidad 

para que logren 

vivir con mayor plenitud y de 

manera más independiente sus vidas. 

Asegure su lugar inscribiéndose 

hoy mismo ya que las vacantes son 

limitadas y se agotan pronto. Todavía 

existen oportunidades de patrocinio 

para este evento. Para inscribirse, 

patrocinar o para más información, 

por favor contacte a Jennifer 

Navarra al (619) 795-4186 o visite 

www.arc-sd.com/golf2024. 


Education 

Opportunity 

for Impact 

Barrio Logan College 

Institute hosted its 

Opportunity for Impact 

with a sold-out room 

at the Farmer and The 

Seahorse. The evening raised 

$552,000 for BLCI’s College and 

Career readiness program efforts 

to end the cycle of poverty 

through education ensuring that 

every child who walks through 

BLCI’s doors, can have the 

opportunity to go to college. 

Gloria Calderon 

and Kerri Mcclean 

Sandra Favian, Sara Salazar, 

Lorena Pimentel, Edgar 

Morano and Alejandra Arroyo 


Linda Katz and 

Kazeem Omidiji 

Dan Hollister and 

Teresa Contreras 

Marc and 

Patty Burtten 

Merina Elyas 

and Samar Elyas 

Samuel Nunez and 

Gisela Acevedo 

Amy Myers 

and Sara Vaz 


Luis Lau, Elizabeth Kim, 

June and Luke Tran 

Beatriz Velez, Samar Elyas 

and Yasmin Davidson 

Betty Aguilera, Clara Aguilera 

and Nicolas Aguilera 

Eunice Morris, Almendra 

Sanchez and Lauren Szymanski 

Opening Pathways to Possibility 

THURSDAY 

JULY 25 

6 P.M. 

Join us for a joyous evening celebrating the launch of the National University 

Foundation and the first year of NU’s new President, Dr. Mark D. Milliron. In addition, 

we will be honoring the 2024 NU Humanitarians of the Year, Dr. Lee and Mary Rice. 

We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with you as part 

of our continuing vital work to make higher education accessible to all. 

USS Midway Museum - Flight Deck 

910 North Harbor Drive 

San Diego, CA 92101 

Sponsorship Opportunities and Tickets 

Your generosity ignites the success of our NU grads. Join us! 

nu.edu/nu-foundation-gala 


Education 

Barrio Logan College 

Insititute llevó adelante su 

Opportunity for Impact 

en el salón Farmer y el 

Seahorse con sus entradas 

totalmente agotadas. La velada 

recaudó $ 552,000 destinados 

a los programas de BLCI que se 

ocupan de llevar adelante esfuerzos 

de preparación para carreras 

universitarias y así terminar con 

el ciclo de pobreza a través de la 

educación, asegurando que cada niño 

que ingresa por las puertas del BLCI, 

también tiene la oportunidad de 

ingresar a la universidad. 

Mark and Laura 

Bertagnolli 

Linda and 

Mario Sierra 

Brandon Ruiz, Peter 

Nwamanna and Lizette Azeves 

Fadi and Merina Elyas, Aurelia 

Aguilar and Naiset Mendoza 

Ted Martinez Jr. and 

Lidia S. Martinez 

Teresa Contreras, Susan Mac Gillivray, 

Erin Miserlis and Sara Boquin 

Brandon Ruiz and 

Stephen Reyes 

Adilenne Flores, Adasa 

Sanchez and Paloma Silvar 


Kristen Dillard 

and Vicki Baron 

Manuel Welchez, Barbara and 

Paul Quinn with Fran Welchez 

Mel Katz, Azarel 

Canizales and Phil Blair 

Sarah Hassaine 

and Danielle Aguas 

Thank You for 23 Inspiring Years! 

Promoting appreciation and stewardship of our amazing San Diego River 

Since 2001 

Take action for nature. Call 619-297-7380. 


Solidarity 

Day at the Races 

UNITING FOR THE I/DD COMMUNITY 

The Foundation for Developmental 

Disabilities (FDD) is delighted to 

unveil the eagerly awaited Day at 

the Races 2024! This remarkable 

fundraising event will captivate 

attendees on Thursday, August 29, 

2024, at 12:00 noon, hosted at the 

illustrious Il Palio restaurant within the Del Mar 

Thoroughbred Club. Set against the backdrop of 

the racetrack, attendees will bask in the comfort 

of a luxurious skybox, indulging in exhilarating 

entertainment, a silent auction, and the chance to 

forge connections within a vibrant community. 

More than a fundraising event, Day at the 

Races celebrates 

unity and 

solidarity, 

supporting a 

cause that 

profoundly 

impacts 

lives. FDD 

remains 

steadfast in its commitment to nurturing innovative 

programs that elevate the quality of life for individuals 

with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/ 

DDs) across San Diego and Imperial Counties. 

The invaluable Emergency Help Fund Program is 

central to FDD’s mission, a beacon of hope that has 

distributed over $2,000,000 since its establishment 

in 1986. This lifeline has provided financial aid to 

more than 2,000 San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) 

clients, assisting with paying rent and deposits, utility 

bills, and other essential needs to make sure that 

all individuals with I/DDs can maintain safe, 

affordable housing. This fiscal year, FDD 

exceeded expectations by distributing 

over $300,000 - $100,000 more than 

projected to aid 

over 350 

SDRC 

clients 

and their 

families. 


As the demand for assistance 

reaches unprecedented levels, 

the Foundation urgently calls 

for support to sustain its 

vital work. Your support and 

participation in Day at the 

Races can make a real difference 

in the lives of vulnerable 

individuals within the I/ 

DD community. Fundraising 

and community solidarity 

are the essential pillars of 

FDD’s mission. Supporting 

this event directly strengthens 

FDD’s Emergency Help Fund, 

ensuring vital assistance reaches 

those in need. 

Whether through attendance or 

generosity from afar, donations 

are equally cherished, amplifying 

the Foundation’s impact. The 

combined support of donors and 

attendees fortifies FDD’s capacity 

to furnish essential resources and 

programs, fostering inclusivity 

and enhancing the lives of 

individuals with I/DDs 

Secure your spot at Day at the Races by visiting 

www.foundationfordd.org/day-at-the-races-2024 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: 

Becoming a sponsor for Day at the Races is an opportunity to champion a 

charitable cause while aligning with a vision that promotes equitable access and 

unlocks the potential of individuals with I/DDs. Sponsors stand to gain heightened 

brand visibility through logo placement on event signage and promotional 

materials, alongside the chance to engage with peers, potential customers, clients, 

and like-minded professionals. For sponsorship inquiries, kindly call Jill Weber, 

FDD Development and Marketing Manager, at (858) 256-2222. 


Commemoration 

Yom HaShoah 

Jewish Federation of San Diego hosted the 

Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration. 

This year, under the theme “Coming Together 

in Strength & Unity,” they stood together with 

local Holocaust survivors to honor and learn 

from their experiences. Mitch Albom, acclaimed author of 

“The Little Liar,” served as the guest speaker. His poignant 

narrative shed light on this dark chapter of history. 

Gerald Szames, Mayor 

Todd Gloria and Lou Pechi 

Howard Feffer, Marcy and Isaac 

Blumberg and Gilda Feffer 

Manya and 

Mike Wallenfels 

Carissa Levin-Epstein 

and Andrew Mclaughlin 

Judith Harsch, Vera Falus, Ilona 

Madwid and Sheryl Hoffman 

Barbara Ostroff and 

Sonia Fox-Ohlbaum 

Mark Schauder and 

Jacob Hirshberg 

Deborah Bridge, Darren 

Schwartz and Frances Gelbart 



Commemoration 

Jewish Federation of San Diego 

llevó adelante la conmemoración 

comunitaria de la Yom HaShoah. 

Este año, bajo la temática 

“Coming Together in Strengh & 

Unity”, se reunieron con sobrevivientes 

locales del Holocausto para rendirles 

homenaje y aprender de sus 

experiencias. Mitch Albom, 

aclamado autor de “The Little Liar” 

fue el orador invitado que con su 

conmovedor relato ilustra este 

oscuro capítulo de la historia. 

Stephanie Nisan, Danny Recht, Scott 

Schindler, Fiona Eiter and Michelle Recht 

Gregory and Suzi Feldman, Lee Goldberg, 

Heidi Gantwerk and Bernie Feldman 

Andrew and 

Alan Viterbi 

Margarita Ferdman 

with Milana and Itai 

Simone Abelsohn and 

Keren-Dee Hamui 

Luis and 

Sally Maizel 


Jane and 

Colin Scher 

Ben Midler and 

Anita Fuchs

Perfil 


MEET THE SAN DIEGO CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM CEO 

Christina Piranio, 

the CEO of the San 

Diego Children’s 

Discovery Museum 

(SDCDM), is deeply 

committed to her 

role, driven by a 

lifelong passion for 

providing learning 

opportunities 

to children. 

Her journey to 

working with 

children began 

long before 

her time at 

SDCDM. 

“I have 

always been 

passionate 

about making 

learning, 

development, 

and growth opportunities available to children of 

all ages,” she shared with GB Magazine. Her role 

at SDCDM is particularly meaningful to her as it 

allows her to focus on the formative years of a child’s 

educational journey, from ages 0 to 10, ensuring they 

have access to the power of early hands-on learning. 

The SDCDM stands out as more than just a museum; 

it is a place where children can explore, touch, create, 


at the opening of 

Storytime Inventing 

and discover. Christina emphasizes 

the importance of hands-on learning 

and accessibility for all families. The 

Access for All initiative, for example, 

offers significantly reduced admission 

for families with economic assistance 

programs, with up to 45 percent of 

visitors qualifying for this program. 

This commitment to inclusivity 

underscores the museum’s dedication 

to ensuring that all children have 

access to its educational resources. 

As CEO, Christina fosters a dynamic team 

environment that encourages creativity and curiosity. 

She believes that success is the result of a team that 

passionately believes in the early childhood education 

they provide. Christina’s leadership style emphasizes 

active listening and values the experience and 

creativity of each staff member. “We are successful 

because we work together, and everyone’s voice 


matters,” she emphasizes. This collaborative 

approach ensures that the museum continues 

to deliver innovative educational experiences. 

Christina finds the most memorable moments 

in shared successes rather than individual 

achievements. She highlights the new 

“Storytime Inventing” exhibit as an example 

of this collaborative spirit. This exhibit, which 

merges literacy and engineering for engaging 

family learning experiences, is the result of the 

collective effort of everyone at the museum. 

Looking ahead, Christina acknowledges that 

there will be challenges, but she remains 

optimistic. “I look forward to working 

with our incredible community, to help 

the Museum grow and provide incredible 

education opportunities to many more 

children.” Her leadership style, characterized 

by collaboration, inclusivity, and creative 

problem-solving, sets the stage for continued 

success for the SDCDM. 

Christina’s dedication to early childhood 

education and her commitment to fostering 

a thriving team environment are evident. 

Under her leadership, the SDCDM is poised to 

continue its mission of inspiring young minds 

and nurturing a love of learning in the San 

Diego community. 

The museum welcomes visitors daily from 9 

am to 4 pm, with the exception of Tuesdays. To 

ensure you have the most current information 

on hours, events, and programs, be sure to 

check to visit www.sdcdm.org. 


Escapadita 

London 

Raffles London 

at The OWO 

London is a fascinating and culturally vibrant 

city that offers an array of iconic landmarks 

and dynamic energy that attracts people 

from all over the world. 

We recently had the opportunity to visit 

London, and not only did we enjoy the 

traditional sights, but we explored some of 

the history and inspiration of some of the most famous 

spy novels in modern popular culture. 

Esteban and Danitza Villanueva 

at Buckingham Palace 

We started our adventure with a visit to the iconic sites 

of the city including Tower Bridge - the iconic bridge often 

mistaken as the London Bridge and the London Eye, the 

world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel. We followed 

along to Buckingham Palace, the Royal Residence in London 

The British Museum, home to over 2 million year of history. 

The British Museum 


From there, we 

jumped off the 

streets of London 

and onto the pages of 

intrigue, mystery and 

international spies. 

We took part in The 

Ian Fleming Mayfair 

Tour which offered 

an immersive journey 

through the upscale 

London district that 

inspired much of the 

world of James Bond. 

The guided tour 

took us through 

key locations 

associated with Ian 

Fleming, and his 

iconic character. 

The next stop was 

the Churchill 

War Rooms, 

located near the 

Old War Office in 

London, a historic 

underground 

complex that 

The Tower Bridge 

Churchill War Rooms 

Aston Martin Heritage 

Trust Museum 

served as the British 

government’s command 

center during World 

War II. These bunkers 

were the nerve center for 

Prime Minister Winston 

Churchill and his cabinet, 

where they strategized and 

directed the war effort 

against Nazi Germany. 

The next day started 

with a private driver that 

picked us up and took 

us to the Aston Martin 

Heritage Trust Museum 

in Oxfordshire. The 

Trust preserves the iconic 

connection between Aston 

Martin and legendary 

films of the past. The 

Trust maintains this 

legacy through meticulous 

archival efforts, exhibits, 

and events, ensuring that 

Aston Martin remains 

a symbol of British 

elegance, innovation, and 

cinematic history. 


Grand Staircase at Raffles 

London at The OWO 

What visit to London 

would be complete 

without stopping 

by Harrod’s, a 

department store with 

over 300 boutiques, 

20 restaurants and its 

famous Food Halls 

with delicacies from all 

over the world. 

We finished the day at 

Dukes Bar at Dukes 

Harrod’s 

Hotel, famed for its 

intimate ambiance 

and legendary martinis and where Fleming 

famously crafted the Vesper Martini. The 

intimate and timeless surroundings, coupled 

with the world-class bartender team service 

Duke’s Bar 

at the helm, DUKES Bar provided the perfect 

setting for an unforgettable moment. Strangely, our drinks were shaken 

not stirred - except for the lager! 

The highlight of our stay was the Junior Suite at the luxurious Raffles 

London at The OWO (Old War Office). This historic building built in 1906 

is rich with British military and intelligence history. It has been transformed 

into a lavish hotel while maintaining its historical essence, making it a 

perfect retreat. This unparalleled experience blends history, luxury, and the 

thrill of espionage, promising an unforgettable journey. No visit to London 

would be complete without exploring the famous neighborhoods of 

Piccadilly, Leicester Square, Knightsbridge and Regent Street. 

Duke’s of London 

There are two ways for 

you to enjoy the same 

trip we experienced here: 

Bid and win on this luxury 

package offered at the San 

Diego Automobile Museum’s 

Party in the Park auction. 

www.sdmuseum.org 

OR 

Contact Boutique Travel 

Advisors and let them curate 

this, or a similar journey to 

meet your exact taste. 

(480) 787-1477 

www.travelbta.com 

Whether you are looking for culture, great cuisine, literary inspirations, or 

iconic historical locations, London is a perfect ESCAPADITA. 


† 

HONORING SHARON AND SKEETS DUNN † of Blessed Memory 

Your evening includes complementary valet, three-course seated dinner, signature drinks, hosted 

bar, world-class entertainment, fun surprises, and new exhibits featuring classics and exotic cars! 

CO CHAIRS 

REENA HOROWITZ JILL BERG STEPHANIE BROWN 

Special Performance by 

acclaimed Music Group 

SULLVN 

Voted Best Live Band by 

San Diego Music Awards! 

Special Auction Item: Embark on an extraordinary 

007-themed expedition across the United Kingdom, 

curated by our preferred travel agency and live auction 

sponsor, Boutique Travel Advisors. 

*Must be present to bid on item 

SDAUTOMUSEUM.ORG 


CO-CHAIRS 

REENA HOROWITZ 

JILL BERG 

STEPHANIE BROWN 

HONORING SHARON AND SKEETS DUNN 

† † of Blessed Memory 

Charles “Skeets” Dunn’s fascination with automobiles began early, evolving from a childhood 

love for Mustangs and Cobras to a lifelong passion exotic cars after driving a friend's Mercedes 

Gullwing and getting his first Ferrari, a 1976 308 GTB. A successful career in municipal bonds 

enabled him to restore and show over 72 Ferraris, becoming an expert in their histories. 

Skeets, married to his best friend Sharon for 48 years, tragically passed away in January 2021. 

His legacy and enthusiasm for cars live on through his extensive library collection, the Skeets 

Dunn Research lab inside The Berg Family Library at San Diego Automotive Museum. 

Micki Olin & Dr. Reid Abrams 

Jim & Eilleen Bartell 

Brad & Gigi Benter 

Jim and Jill Berg 

Jessie Knight & Joye Blount 

Stephanie Brown 

Anthony & Debra Covelli 

Arlene Esgate 

Bill & Susan Hoehn 

Sam and Reena Horowitz 

HONORARY COMMITTEE 

Jeanne Jones 

Dorothea Laub 

Dr. Tess Mauricio & Dr. James Lee 

Papa Doug & Geniya Manchester 

John & Nataliya Miller 

Ed Monce & Manna Ko 

Drs. Robert & Julie Cowan Novak 

Renèe Levine Packer 

Kristi Pieper 

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS 

Don "The Snake" & Lynn Prudhomme 

T. Denny Sanford 

Dr. Myron & Doreen Schonbrun 

Dave Stall 

Step Family Foundation 

Danitza & Esteban Villanueva 

Mary Walshok 

Vince Heald & Clinton Walters 

Dr. Steve & Lynne Wheeler 

Judy White Armi & Al Williams 

*as of June 10, 2024 

Sharon and Skeets 

Dunn Foundation 

CREW CHIEF SPONSORS 

Ken and Julie Warren 

Ray Brock and Judith Grobbel 

DRIVER SEAT SPONSORS 

Step Family Foundation 

Lewis Family 

Foundation 

PACE CAR SPONSORS 

PIT CREW SPONSORS 

Pete Aardema Brad & Gigi Benter Jim & Jill Berg 

Dr. Steve Wheeler 

& Anthony Covelli 

Evelyn Favero-Heald 

Sam & Reena Horowitz 


*as of June 10, 2024

SAN DIEGO’S PREMIER TRANSPORTATION DESTINATION 

As CEO of the San Diego Automotive Museum, I am thrilled to announce our 

upcoming event, “THE Party in the Park…Supercharged!” This event will unite 

automotive enthusiasts in San Diego on Saturday, September 28, 2024. I’m excited 

to thank and honor Skeets and Sharon Dunn, Ferrari enthusiasts and pillars in our 

community for all things automotive. Their passion for the industry aligns with 

everything the Museum stands for, and I am so happy to thank Sharon and pay 

tribute to her late husband at our event. 

I want to express my deep appreciation to our THE Party in the Park…Supercharged 

Co-Chairs, Reena Horowitz, Jill Berg, and Stephanie Brown, for their pivotal role in 

making this event a resounding success. Their unwavering support, friendship, and 

innovative ideas have created the best experience of THE Party in the Park that 

we’ve had. Without their help, this fabulous Party would not have been possible. 

This year’s Party has a “007” theme with sleek cars and shaken martinis. It will be a 

sophisticated, stylish, and sporty event. Guests will enjoy a variety of shaken 

martinis, a three-course dinner, Aston Martins, and an exciting live auction full of 

unique experiences. This fantastic event raises funds for the San Diego Automotive 

Museum’s IGNITE Academy (Inspire-Guide-Network-Internship-Train-Educate) 

invites and teaches opportunity youth the automotive trades for preservation and 

prosperity. 

This is our fourth year at THE Party and the Park and we’ve raised over $2 million 

for the Academy. 

It would be a pleasure to celebrate this event and your presence would truly make 

the evening special. I hope to see you there! 

Sincerely, 

Lenny Leszczynski 

THE Party in the Park 2023 photos below 

Photos courtesy Gilda Adler, Melissa Jacobs and Liza Jaramillo 

JULY 2024 | GBSAN.COM 97 

For event info & tickets contact Amelia Enrique at 619-398-0302 or amelia@sdautomuseum.org

SUPERCHARGING THE SAN DIEGO AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM: A YEAR OF EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH 

IGNITE Academy 

The San Diego Automotive Museum’s IGNITE 

(Inspire-Guide-Network-Internship-Train-Educate) 

Academy celebrated a successful second year. In May 

2024, the IGNITE Academy was honored with the sPARK 

Award for Igniting Innovation, presented by Forever 

Balboa Park. This esteemed award recognizes 

organizations that exemplify innovation, imagination, and 

bold risk-taking, fostering new ways of experiencing 

Balboa Park and creating expanded opportunities and 

possibilities for the community. 

The IGNITE Academy has been instrumental in inspiring 

and educating the next generation of automotive 

enthusiasts and professionals. Receiving the sPARK Award 

highlights the Academy’s commitment to excellence and 

its impactful role in the community, driving forward 

innovative educational experiences. 

As we look to the future, the IGNITE Academy remains 

dedicated to pushing boundaries and sparking creativity, 

ensuring that Balboa Park remains a vibrant hub of 

learning and discovery. We want to celebrate and 

congratulate three youths who secured employment 

through the network of IGNITE partners. This commitment 

to innovation and creativity makes the Academy’s 

prospects more exciting. 

A testament to the Academy’s success are the stories of 

three exceptional youths who secured employment 

through the network of IGNITE partners. Collin’s immersive 

experience during Career Exploration enriched his 

understanding of professional pathways within car 

dealerships. He secured a position at Roman Motor 

Company, where he excelled for six months before 

choosing to prioritize his academic endeavors. His time at 

the company provided him invaluable experience, 

bolstering his resume with accomplishments unique to 

individuals of his age. 

With the help of our educational coordinator, Kylei 

obtained an internship at Mission Hills Automotive, where 

she gained insight into engine mechanics and automotive 

maintenance. Through positive mentorships during her 

internship, Kylei clarified her career aspirations and 

focused on a future as an automotive technician. After 

completing her internship, Kylei secured employment with 

Mission Hills Automotive and is optimistic about her 

career goals. 

Molly’s performance as a junior judge at the 2023 La Jolla 

Concours d’Elegance earned her recognition under the 

mentorship of a senior judge, who then extended a 

special invitation to her to participate in other judging 

opportunities in 2023. Molly again participated in the La 

Jolla Concours d’Elegance in 2024as a junior judge. After 

the event ended, she was offered a position as an official 

judge on the panel. Molly is now excited for a fulfilling 

career after graduating from high school. These success 

stories underscore the transformative impact of the 

IGNITE Academy, illuminating a bright future for its 

participants and the broader community. 

This pioneering educational program is crafted to 

cultivate a multifaceted learning experience, prioritizing 

soft skills development, mentorship, career explorations, 

and automotive industry-aligned training. The Academy 

empowers youth with the aptitudes, knowledge, and 

opportunities vital for a successful future. 

New Building – Santee Campus 

We’re pleased to announce that the Museum has acquired a building in East County that will become the IGNITE Academy 

– Santee Campus. This new facility represents a significant step forward in our mission to inspire and educate the next 

generation of automotive enthusiasts and professionals. 

Following a minor remodel, the building will be transformed to house specialized auto bays, each dedicated to a specific 

area of interest like pinstriping, woodwork, and upholstery, or tire maintenance. These focused areas will provide hands-on 

learning experiences, allowing students to delve deeply into their chosen disciplines and develop valuable skills in the 

automotive field. 

The IGNITE Academy: Santee Campus will be a vibrant educational hub, fostering a community of passionate learners and 

skilled practitioners. By offering targeted training and state-of-the-art facilities, we aim to ignite a spark of curiosity and 

98 creativity GBSAN.COM in the | JULY youth 2024participants, driving the future of automotive innovation and craftsmanship.

New Library 

The San Diego Automotive Museum (SDAM), under the 

leadership of CEO Lenny Leszczynski and the efforts of the 

Board of Directors, has been accelerating toward its future 

over the past four years. With an impressive array of new 

and rotating exhibits, the Museum has solidified its role as a 

key cultural hub, fostering greater community involvement 

and sparking renewed interest in automotive history. 

The Museum rang in the New Year with a significant 

milestone, the grand opening of The Berg Family Library. 

This newly renovated space embodies the Museum’s 

commitment to preserving and sharing the rich legacy of 

the automotive industry. After nearly a year of 

construction, the $760,000 overhaul transformed the 

Library into a premier destination for automotive 

enthusiasts and researchers alike. 

Generous contributions from Jim and Jill Berg and other 

community supporters and donors brought this vision to 

life. Covering 3,200 square feet, The Berg Family Library 

houses the West Coast’s most extensive collection of 

automotive publications, accessible to all Museum visitors. 

This modern facility ensures that our archive of automotive 

history is preserved and available for future generations. 

Inside the Library, the Skeets Dunn Research Lab is 

dedicated to scholars and students. Made possible by the 

support of Sharon Dunn, the Lab honors the legacy of her 

late husband, Skeets Dunn, an avid car collector with a 

passion for Ferraris. His remarkable collection of Ferrari 

books and memorabilia is now a central feature of the 

Research Lab, named in his memory as a tribute to his 

dedication to automotive heritage. 

To celebrate these achievements and honor the enduring 

contributions of Skeets and Sharon Dunn, the Museum will 

recognize them at this year’s THE Party in the 

Park…Supercharged on Saturday, September 28, 2024. 

The Dunns were pivotal as founding members of the 

Museum in the late 1980s, and their efforts in launching 

the Wheels 100 initiative were crucial in establishing the 

Museum’s financial foundation, ensuring its continued 

success and growth. 

The design of Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects and 

the meticulous work of Barnhart-Reese Construction 

Company brought these projects to fruition. 

Barnhart-Reese’s unwavering support over the past four 

years has been instrumental in realizing the remodel of 

The Berg Family Library and the construction of the 

Skeets Dunn Research Lab. 

Images Courtesy of Josh Utley 

The Future 

As we look forward to an exciting future, The Berg Family 

Library and the Skeets Dunn Research Lab stand as 

testaments to the power of community and the passion for 

preserving our automotive legacy. We invite everyone to 

visit and explore these new spaces, where the history and 

future of the automotive world come together in a truly 

remarkable setting. 

Additionally, SDAM is working on a major expansion to 

increase exhibition areas, event spaces, and interactive 

educational learning rooms. This addition will bring the 

Museum’s total area up to 50,000 square feet, paving the 

way for a modern facility while keeping the historical 

romance of the 89-year-old building. 

The San Diego Automotive Museum strives to become a 

world-renowned destination for car enthusiasts. With the 

dedicated efforts of its leadership, board members, staff, 

and community investments, the Museum aims to be a 

central hub for car culture in the community and beyond. 

Anyone who loves cars and cares about kids is welcome 

to join us in these exciting projects. Your participation is 

greatly appreciated! Several opportunities are available to 

support the San Diego Automotive Museum’s progress. To 

get started, please get in touch with Community Outreach 

and Strategic Partnership Director Sharon Smith at 

619-987-8020. 


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GB Magazine San Diego July 2024 Edition!

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