09.01.2025 Views

GB Magazine San Diego August 2022

Discover inspiring San Diego and Baja leaders in business, philanthropy, and community in GB Magazine’s August 2022 issue.

Discover inspiring San Diego and Baja leaders in business, philanthropy, and community in GB Magazine’s August 2022 issue.

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Leverage SEO-optimized Flipbooks, powerful backlinks, and multimedia content to professionally showcase your products and significantly increase your reach.

Honorary

Chairs

BARBIE

and DAN

SPINAZZOLA

with

Officer

LANGLEY

and ACE

San Diego

Police Foundation

K9 Soirée

$5.95 US

BI-LINGUAL BI-NATIONAL MULTI-CULTURAL

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM AUGUST 2022 1


Page Tab

2 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


CJ Charles Jewelers

CJ Charles Jewelers

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

Westfield Downtown UTC La Jolla - 4307 - La 1135 Jolla Prospect Village St. Dr. - 858 2200 346 - 858 5301413 9534

Westfield For the ultimate UTC - 4307 e xperience La Jolla in Village luxury Dr. shopping, 2200 - 858 visit 413 cjcharles.com

9534

For the ultimate e xperience in luxury shopping, visit cjcharles.com

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 3


CONTENTS

6 Exhibition

Expedition Baja

8 Youth

Siblings Reconnect

10 What We Love

August 2022

Co-Publishers

12 Community

Superhero 5K

16 Benefit

Seaside Soiree

18 Gala

Moonlight Magic

22 Benefit

135th Anniversary

Celebration

26 Cooperation

San Diego Regional

Center

28 Salud

Maria San Román

29 Gala

VROOM!

32 Celebration

15 Year Anniversary

36 Defenders

Legal Aid Society

Celebrates Justice

38 Perfil

Courtney Gant

PROMISES 2 KIDS

MEMPHIS

40 Benefit

Tea Time

44 Community

Envisioning Excellence

46 Arts

Cornerstone Reception

50 SWA Community

Downtown San Diego

Partnership

52 Premiere

Top Gun

56 Education

Cal Coast Cares

Foundation

58 Concert

San Diego Blues Festival

60 Luncheon

Tales From Beyond The

Dugout

62 Benefit

Spring Soiree

66 Health

Tour De Recovery

76 Education

Knauss Center For Business

Education

78 Community

Envisioning Excellence

82 Heores

Let Them Have Freedom Dogs!

84 Health

Community Heroes

86 Science

Bryan Robinson

88 Health

Blood Donors

90 Neighbors

Father Joe’s Villages

92 Escapadita

Memphis

94 Calendar

August 2022

95 Official Program

Moonlight Masquerade

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ESTEBAN VILLANUEVA

ESTEBAN@GBSAN.COM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DANITZA VILLANUEVA

DANITZA@GBSAN.COM

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

ROSARIO HEER

SANDY SPEAR, IN MEMORIAM

JOSÉ LUIS VENEGAS

EDITORIAL DESIGN

SHERDELLAH ANUNCIADO

PHOTO EDITORS

ROSARIO HEER

JOSE MARTINEZ

WEB DESIGN

JOSE MARTINEZ

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ANGELICA GAVALDON

PAPA DOUG MANCHESTER

ALEXIS MANESS

NICHOLE NAOUM

LORI WALTON

TRANSLATIONS

CAROLINA WALLACE

CIRCULATION MANAGER

DANIELA HANI

DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER

CAMERON NICHOLS

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

(619) 260-8353

INFO@GBSAN.COM

DAESVI L.L.C.

7918 EL CAJON BOULEVARD

SUITE N-347

LA MESA, CALIFORNIA 91942

(619) 260-8353

WWW.GBSAN.COM

INFO@GBSAN.COM

GIVING BACK MAGAZINE IS ENVIRONMENTALLY

RESPONSIBLE. THIS MAGAZINE IS PRINTED ON 20%

RECYCLED (10% POSTCONSUMER WASTE) PAPER. ALL

INKS USED ARE SOY BASED. OUR PRINTER MEETS OR

EXCEEDS ALL FEDERAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

RECOVERY ACT (RCRA) STANDARDS.

68 Gala

Circus Spectacular

70 Gala

A Night To Dream

72 Community

Art From The Garden

74 Outreach

United Way Of San

Diego County

ON THE COVER: BARBIE AND DAN

SPINAZZOLA WITH OFFICER LANGLEY

AND ACE

LOCATION: FAIRBANKS RANCH

PHOTOGRAPHER: ESTEBAN VILLANUEVA

4 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022 /GIVINGBACKMAGAZINE @GBMAG

@GIVINGBACKMAGAZINE

COPYRIGHT © 2022 BY DAESVI, LLC (ISSN#2161-1084).

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION

MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED OR TRANSMITTED

IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC

OR MECHANICAL WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN

PERMISSION FROM DAESVI, LLC. THE PUBLISHER

ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED

OR CONTRIBUTED MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS,

ARTWORK OR ADVERTISEMENTS. SUBMISSIONS WILL

NOT BE RETURNED UNLESS ARRANGED TO DO SO IN

WRITING. GB MAGAZINE IS A MARCHLY PUBLICATION.

ALL INFORMATION REGARDING EDITORIAL CONTENT

IS DEEMED RELIABLE AT TIME OF PRINTING. NO

REPRESENTATION IS MADE TO THE ACCURACY

HEREOF AND IS PRINTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS AND

OMISSIONS. DAESVI, LLC MAKES NO ENDORSEMENT,

REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING ANY

GOODS OR SERVICES ADVERTISED OR LISTED IN THIS

PUBLICATION AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY

INACCURACY, OMISSION OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY

THIRD PARTY’S RIGHTS OR FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR

ANY OTHER DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER.

ONE COPY OF GB MAGAZINE IS LOANED TO ONE PERSON

OR FAMILY, FREE OF COST AS LONG AS IT IS NOT USED FOR

ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSE OR DERIVATIVE WORK. THIS

COPY OF THE MAGAZINE IS PROPERTY OF DAESVI LLC

AND MUST BE RETURNED TO DAESVI LLC UPON DEMAND.

IMPROPER USE, DESTRUCTION, MUTILATION OR USE IN

ANY DERIVATIVE WORK WILL SUBJECT YOU TO A $10,000

USE FEE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, RETURN

THE MAGAZINE INTACT IMMEDIATELY.


AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 5


Exhibition

Expedition

Baja

This summer, get a glimpse

into the beautiful biodiversity

of the Baja California

Peninsula - without leaving

Balboa Park – now that the

San Diego Natural History Museum has

debuted its newest bilingual exhibition.

Expedition Baja, invites visitors to explore

the Peninsula and follow researchers

on their quest to conserve its wild

beauty. Featuring museum specimens,

immersive imagery, and stories about

binational collaboration, the exhibition

brings to life one of the most incredible

regions in the world, ours.

Jennifer Kornreich

and Christy Walton

Barbara and Heinz Hoenecke

with Carolyn and Cliff Colwell

Haley and

Hampton Dohrman

Diego Camacho, Lety

Liera and Andrea Gaume

Wendy Wilson-Gibson with

Barbara and Sharon Disney

Russ Hunt and

Carolyn Perkins

Este verano, echen un

vistazo a la hermosa

biodiversidad que posee

la península de Baja

California sin salir del

Parque Balboa a través de la nueva

exhibición bilingüe presentada

por Museo de Historia Natural de

San Diego. Expedición Baja, los

invita a explorar la península y

acompañar a los investigadores en

su lucha por conservar la belleza

de la naturaleza. Presentando

especímenes pertenecientes al

museo, imaginarios inmersivos

e historias de colaboraciones

binacionales, la exhibición revive

una de las más increíbles regiones

del mundo, la nuestra.

6 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 7

Image Courtesy of GB Magazine


Youth

Siblings Reconnect

PROMISES 2 KIDS REUNITES FAMILY MEMBERS

Eddy (11) and

his twin siblings

Eve and Erik

(15) entered

foster care in

2015 due to

severe neglect.

They have been

Padres game

living apart since

2017, so seeing

each other monthly through

Camp Connect has been

their saving grace. Each

opportunity gives them the

chance to catch up, spend

quality time together, and

create new and lasting

memories.

Promises2Kids is dedicated

to creating a brighter future

for foster children, offering

programs that ensure youth

Camp Connect youth

have the skills, opportunities,

and resources to succeed.

From the moment they enter care through adulthood,

Promises2Kids provides the necessary support system.

There are over 3,000 current and former foster youth in

San Diego County who have been removed from their

homes due to abuse and neglect. Many live apart from

their siblings. Promises2Kids’ Camp Connect reunites

brothers and sisters through monthly visits, group outings

and a summer camp.

20 youth recently

attended a

Padres baseball

game. Watching

a live game was

a first for most

of them. Siblings

were all smiles

as they enjoyed

an afternoon

of fun in the

sun, wearing

matching hats

and enjoying hot

dogs, pretzels

and more.

For Eddy, Eve

and Erik, the positive

change in their mood

was evident when they

saw each other relishing

every moment at their first

game together. As a huge

baseball and Fernando Tatis

Jr. fan, Eddy was incredibly

grateful for this experience

with his siblings.

On September 12,

Promises2Kids will host

its Dream On Concert

Gala, presented by Kevin

and Raegan Prior, at the La Jolla estate home of Joan

Waitt. Over 500 philanthropists, community and business

leaders dedicated to making a difference in the lives

of foster children will gather to enjoy an elegant dinner

followed by a private concert with a internationally

recognized recording artist.

Funds raised will benefit foster youth like Eddy, Eve, and

Erik. For tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities,

please visit www.Promises2Kids.org.

8 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Dream

On CONCERT

GALA

Join Promises2Kids for an exclusive evening of

dinner and music to benefit foster youth!

HOSTED AT THE LA JOLLA ESTATE HOME OF JOAN WAITT

Private dinner, auction, and live concert with a major recording artist

2022 DREAM ON

GALA CHAIRS

Stephanie Brown

Lynne Doyle

Deborah Marengo

Merrilee Neal

Joan Waitt

HONORARY CHAIRS

Dan & Phyllis Epstein

HONORARY COMMITTEE

Renée Comeau

& Terry Gulden

HOST COMMITTEE

Cooley LLP

Ellen & Jim Moxham

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS,

TABLES AND

SPONSORSHIPS ARE

AVAILABLE NOW.

Email

Corey@Promises2Kids.org

Promises2Kids.org

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Kevin & Raegan Prior

VOLUNTEER SPONSOR

Edward Miller

GIFT SPONSOR

INSTITUTION OF HIGHER

EDUCATION CHAMPIONS

VIP MEDIA PARTNER

HOST

Joan Waitt

BAR SPONSOR

WINE SPONSOR

OTHER SUPPORT

PROVIDED BY

RECEPTION SPONSOR

The Strauss Family

GRAND TASTING CHEF’S MENU SPONSOR

Anonymous

PHOTO BOOTH AND

CHARGING STATION HOST

TEQUILA LOUNGE

SPONSOR

MYSTERY GIFT

WALL SPONSOR

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 9


WWL

Baja Beach

Fest

For the first time,

The Reggaeton and

Latin Music Festival

is expanded to 2

separate weekends

of 3-days each! On

August 13-15 and

19-21 celebrate and

uplift Latin culture,

and the incredible

music, people, food,

and amazing

energy that comes with it. Rosarito Beach will

welcome world-renowned legends and pioneers

of Reggaeton to the newer artists who are

impressing billions of fans worldwide.

www.bajabeachfest.com

Be the Light

The 10th Anniversary Be the Light Gala,

an evening of celebration and continued

impact, features musical entertainment, small

bites and dinner, event swag bags, moving

testimonials from veteran

recipients. All proceeds from

the event will benefit Shelter to

Soldier’s programs serving military,

veterans, and homeless dogs.

www.sheltertosoldier.org

What

We Love

August 2022

Under the Stars

On August 20, the 26th

annual Symphony at Salk

is a spectacular evening

under the stars featuring

guest artist Ben Platt.

The evening is attended

by Salk supporters who

comprise San Diego’s most prominent leaders in science,

philanthropy, government, media and industry. Guests

will enjoy a gourmet dinner on the courtyard amidst Louis

Kahn’s masterwork of modern architecture.

symphony.salk.edu

Lemon Festival

There’s nothing sour about the Third

Avenue Village Association’s Lemon Festival

which transforms downtown Chula Vista into a

lemon-filled oasis. Bring the whole family for a day of

fun on Sunday, August 13 to enjoy fresh-squeezed

lemonade, lemon pie eating competitions to games,

lemonade, and cute pups in lemon outfits, this is a

free celebration you don’t want to miss.

www.thirdavenuevillage.com

Haute with Heart

Fashion Show

This year will mark the 44th year

for the St. Madeleine Sophie’s

Center’s Haute with Heart fashion

event. On August 13th, Haute

with Heart will feature a fashion

show, special up-lifting performances by their students, delicious

luncheon, live auction, silent auction, opportunity drawing, and

fabulous boutique shopping.

www.stmsc.org

Wines of Baja

Any wine connoisseur

will not want to miss

the Valle de Guadalupe

Fiestas de la Vendimia,

or Wine Harvest

Festival. Through

August 21st, you can attend an array of exclusive

parties, galas, concerts and dinners celebrating the

festival’s regional cuisine and local wine.

www.ensenada.gob.mx

10 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Join us for The Gala @ MCASD,

where guests will be the first

to see the special exhibition

Alexis Smith: The American Way.

Enjoy artist-inspired immersive

dining and entertainment

experiences throughout MCASD’s

recently expanded La Jolla

location, all while overlooking

the dramatic Pacific coastline.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 AT 5:00PM

THE AFTER PARTY

SEPT.10, 2022 AT 8:00PM

DINNER TICKETS STARTING AT $600

AFTER PARTY TICKETS STARTING AT $150

For more information, visit mcasd.org/gala

Join late-night revelers and fellow

philanthropists for a curated collection

of hosted cocktails and indulgent latenight

snacks, and experience a lineup of

live entertainment inspired by Smith.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 11


Community

Superhero 5K

The 14th Annual 2022 Superhero

5K was held at NTC Park in Liberty

Station where attendees wore

their capes and masks as reallife

superheroes. The community

support for the Superhero 5K directly impacts

the lives of over 8,000 families. The Walk raised

funds and showed support for the maternal

mental health program and home-to-hospital

transportation for Miracle Babies’ families.

Lily, Layla and

Dawn Kamali

Kylie Catilus and

Georgina Moulds

Heather Imeson and

Marianela Camarillo

Micaiah Kenney

and Sohit Gulati

Savanna and Julie

Kang with Trixie

Ava Grace and

Melissa Nichols

12 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Peter and Brooke Gresham

with Gracie and Langston


San Diego North County

Kit Carson Park | September 24, 2022

San Diego

NTC Park at Liberty Station | October 8, 2022

Imperial County

Bucklin Park | November 19, 2022

For more info, call 619.678.8322.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 13


Community

La 14° edición anual

2022 Superhero 5K tuvo

lugar en el NTC Park de

Liberty Station, donde

los participantes se

calzaron sus capas y máscaras

como verdaderos superhéroes.

El apoyo de la comunidad al

Superhero 5K, impacta de manera

directa en la vida de más de 8,000

familias. Esta caminata recauda

fondos y crea conciencia sobre

los programas de salud mental

para madres y la necesidad de

transporte de hogar a hospital para

las familias de Miracle Babies.

Jennifer and Jordyn Bisharat

with Ava and Aeron Tasende

Layla Pourhosseini, Taylor Geiserman,

Natalie Daneshmand and Lauren Mihlaik

Miss Pacific Beach USA Marielle

L’heureux and Miss San Diego

County USA Sabrina Pajarillo

Alexis Sloustcher and Scottie

with Sean Daneshmand

San Diego Blood

Bank Team

Cate, Barry and Andrea Shillito,

Mary Grace Card with Murphy

Lucy Vasquez, Marjan Daneshmand

with Sarah and Elijah Loomis

14 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 15


Benefit

SAN DIEGO’S BEST ROOFTOP PARTY!

In honor of Diabetes Research Connection’s (DRC) 10th anniversary,

this local nonprofit’s dedicated board members, volunteers, and staff

team will host their 4th annual Dance for Diabetes, “Seaside Soiree,”

in person! They invite you to join the fun on Saturday, October 22nd,

2022, at the Del Mar Plaza to experience a curated menu hosted

by Chef Jimenez of Monarch Ocean Pub, signature cocktails, live

entertainment, a silent auction, and more. Tickets are available now,

and the party will be live-streamed for those who want to join virtually.

16 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


This event raises necessary funds to support DRC’s

mission to seek out, peer-review and provide seed

funding to the most promising Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

research by innovative, early-career scientists across the

country - giving hope to those living with the disease.

The goal is to allow every dollar the Seaside Soiree

event raises to go towards the event’s beneficiary, DRC.

Their dedicated

sponsors, Tarson

Investments, the

County of San

Diego, Tandem

Inc., Steve and

Teresa Korniczky,

DLA Piper, LLC,

Benchmark Inc.,

AMCR Insititute,

and various

underwriters help

make this happen!

Since its inception,

Sherry and Kevin

Ahern have

been generous

supporters as Blue

Circle Leaders

of DRC and are

serving as Event

Chairs for the

party this year.

Sherry shares with

GB Magazine,

“After our son

Brendan, now 32,

was diagnosed

at age 10 with

T1D, my husband

Kevin and I got involved with funding research for the

cure. David Winkler and Dr. Alberto Hayek, local leaders

working on the cure, started DRC. After many years of

funding the most innovative T1D research, we decided

a fun party would get the word out about the critical

work DRC is doing. The party helped raise awareness

and money to fund researchers. It is the most fun

party in town with the best music, silent dancing and a

spectacular view. Please come and share in the fun! We

need your support!”

There will be plenty of healthy, low-carb options provided

by Rotisserie Affair Catering, and the dessert bar will

have low sugar options provided by Jimbo’s, various

flavors of An’s Gelato, Darshan bakery’s sweet treats

and more! The low-sugar signature cocktail is proudly

provided by Tito’s vodka. There will be several stations

where attendees can enjoy other fares, such as a wine

tasting provided

by DRC’s featured

wine sponsor

Danza del Sol

Winery, chocolate

tasting by Good

Chocolate,

Casamigos Tequila

tasting, and a “ring

for champagne”

wall.

Sherry and Kevin Ahern, Chairs

of this year’s Seaside Soiree

Encore

Entertainment,

an expert team

of music and

event production

professionals,

will deliver an

unforgettable

experience for

guests. They

will lead a silent

dance party at

the night’s end

along with other

entertainment.

While overlooking

a fantastic sight

of the Del Mar

horizon and ocean

view, guests can participate in an opportunity drawing

to win a tree of gift cards to favorite local boutiques,

restaurants and other select businesses. A silent auction

will be live online a few months in advance and open to

the public to help raise funds for T1D research. Check

out more details at the event website and Save the Date

on your calendar!

www.diabetesresearchconnection.org

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 17


Gala

Moonlight

Magic

Episcopal Community

Services held a night

of creative cuisine, live

music and fun auction

items at Humphrey’s

Half Moon Inn, to raise funds to

support ECS’s transformative

programs. The “Moonlight Magic:

Under the Flower Moon” Gala

raised funds for some of the most

vulnerable communities within San

Diego County: children and families

living on low incomes, people

with mental health and substance

use disorders, and individuals

experiencing homelessness.

Christine Antoine, Steven

Jones and Nancy Maldonado

Katie and

Duy Tran

Melinda and

Oscar Gomez

18 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Abigail and

Brandon Silvia

Anne Kellett and

Teresa Merrick

Payton and

Alfie Hobbs


SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK’S

CAMPAIGN FOR LIFE

Bloodmobiles are vital resources that help

San Diego Blood Bank supply blood to those

who need it most, like Juan (pictured right), who needed multiple blood

transfusions as part of his treatment for leukemia.

In partnership with local churches, schools, and companies, San Diego

Blood Bank hosted over 1,700 mobile blood drives last year, allowing us to

collect over 40% of our blood supply through our Mobile Blood Collection

Program. Through this program, the units collected last year impacted the

lives of as many as 129,000 patients in need!

Support our Campaign for Life with a financial donation to help us replace an aging bloodmobile

that has served our community for many years. The new modern bloodmobile will travel throughout

Southern California, enabling blood donors to help save thousands of lives of those suffering from

trauma, blood disorders, cancer, and many other conditions and life-threatening diseases.

Your gift will have a lifesaving impact in our community.

For more information on ways to give or partner

with San Diego Blood Bank, please contact

Sherry Serio, Vice President of Development, at

sserio@sandiegobloodbank.org or 619-400-8188.

sandiegobloodbank.org/give

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 19


Gala

Episcopal Community

Services llevó a cabo

una noche de cocina

creativa, música en

vivo y una subasta

de divertidos artículos en

Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn con

el objeto de recaudar fondos

y apoyar a los programas

transformadores que ofrece

ECS. La gala “Moonlight Magic:

Under the Flower Moon” recaudó

fondos para algunas de las

comunidades más vulnerables

del condado de San Diego:

familias y niños que sobreviven

con bajos ingresos, personas

con problemas mentales o de

abuso de sustancias y personas

en situación de calle.

Adam Gordon, Alicia Comber,

Sandy Gibson and Pete Quinzio

Cody Hudspeth, Shannon

Lamoureux and Angel Ibarra

Katy Ottaviano-

Leslie and Ken Leslie

Bill and

Monica Powell

Christine and David Bagley

with Mary and Tim Conroy

20 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Charles and

Anne Dick

Myles and

Zoe Huck

Jahida and

Mustafa Yonus

Paul and Edith

Sanchez

Swati Sharma

and Tierney Allen

Leta and

Rick Keyes

Eliot and Sarah Honaker, Elizabeth

Fitzsimons and Tony Manolatos

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 21


Benefit

135th

Anniversary

Celebration

San Diego Center for Children

raised nearly $475,000 at the

135th Anniversary Celebration

to support of the Center, youth

and families they serve. San

Diego Center for Children is one of San

Diego’s most trusted and vital community

resources, providing therapeutic and

educational services to youth and

families struggling with mental, emotional

or behavioral health challenges. Even

during these unprecedented times, the

Center is continuing its uninterrupted

services to respond to the needs of the

children and families.

Sue and

Amanda Kalish

Don Wells, Dale Yahnke

and John Rains

Maureen and

Peter Kane

Elizabeth Rains, Julie Yahnke

and Domonique Hensler

22 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Michaela Ene, Stephanie Cone,

Emily Thurston and Teah Caine


SATURDAY

AUGUST 13, 2022

1 0 A M - 2 P M

H i l t o n S a n D i e g o B a y f r o n t

S a p p h i r e B a l l r o o m

1 P a r k B o u l e v a r d , S a n D e i g o , C A 9 2 1 0 1

Early Bird Ticket Pricing*

$150 Preferred Ticket - Table of 10 $1,350

$250 Premier Ticket - Table of 10 $2,350

Honorary Chair

Kay Krueger

Master of Ceremonies

Chuck Dukas

*Early Bird Pricing Ends July 15

Honoring

Laurie & Carlee

McGrath

Celebrity Host

Teresa Sardina, KUSI

Theatrical Fashion Show

Kristi Brooks

Marilyn Monroe C John Agostini

T h a n k Y o u T o O u r S p o n s o r s

Presenting Sponsor

Colette Gerard

E v e l y n

F a v e r o - H e a l d

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 23


Benefit

San Diego Center for Children recaudó casi

$ 475,000 durante la celebración de su

135° aniversario, festejando su dedicación

a los jóvenes y familias a las que asisten.

San Diego Center for Children es uno de los

recursos más confiables y vitales de la comunidad,

dedicado a brindar servicios educativos y terapéutico

a jóvenes y familias que padecen problemas de salud

mental, emocional o de conducta. Inclusive durante

estos momentos tan únicos, el Centro continuó con

sus servicios respondiendo a las necesidades de los

niños y las familias.

Greg Richardson, James

McElroy and Shawn Styer

Gwynn and

Brian Thomas

Elaine Rogers and

Rick Boyce

Michael Nelson and

Elizabeth Sage

Adrienne Vargas, JoAnn Jaffe

and Simona Valanciute

Carla Kata, Myron and Doreen

Schonbrun and Sundiata Kata

24 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Itzel Verduzco and

Michelle Baron

Lisa Goodman

and Maya Lowry

Diane Cox, Dan Fallon

and Allison Bechill

Jackie and Jon Greulich with

Jason and Hale Richardson

Natasha Bliss, Sam Mandler,

Mindy Mattison and Ignatius Nip

Megan and

Vince Nowicki

Reuben

Mitchell and

Todd Edwards

Vicki and

Moises Baron

Victor and Carrie

Vilaplana with Mel Katz

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 25


Cooperation

San Diego

Regional Center

OUTREACHING TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

James and Season

Goodpasture with Harley

Harley is a curious and vibrant four-year-old Native American girl and the oldest

daughter of James and Season Goodpasture. Season is a member of the

Susanville Indian Rancheria and James and their children Harley, Huntley, Holley

and Hudson are members of the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Early in Harley’s life, she began exhibiting unusual behaviors around eating

and was still unable to crawl at 11 months old or chew food. Being concerned

about Harley’s inability to crawl, Harley’s pediatrician referred them to physical

therapy. It was during one of Harley’s physical therapy appointments that

Season was first referred to the regional center. After the regional center conducted its in-home

assessment, Harley qualified for the Early Start program and began receiving early intervention services

26 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


which included behavioral

therapy and occupational

therapy. At age three, Harley

graduated from the program.

She continues to qualify for

services under the Lanterman

Developmental Disabilities Act.

Season has her Master’s in

Psychology and had worked

as a Tribal Social Services

Director for nearly four years,

but it was not until she found

herself struggling to meet the

special needs of her daughter,

that she learned about regional

centers and their programs.

Season realized there were

many service access and

equity barriers that exist for

tribal families with special

needs, primarily due to a lack

of awareness and a disconnect

between many regional centers

and tribal communities.

Season contacted the

California Department of

Health and Human Services

and the Department of

Developmental Services (DDS)

to share Harley’s story and

advocate for better outreach

efforts to tribal communities.

Harley’s story was compelling

and the departments agreed

that something needed to

be done. After researching

the data on tribal families,

a new initiative called the

“Early Start Outreach to

Tribal Communities” was

introduced. The San Diego

Regional Center is now

working closely with Acorns to

Oak Trees and others on ways

to build a bridge between the

regional centers and the tribal

families that need support.

Harley

Season’s passion has always been to serve tribal

communities and through

their journey with Harley and

navigating the regional center

system, Season launched the

non-profit, Acorns to Oak Trees.

Acorns to Oak Trees helps

families successfully navigate

the system of their regional

center and school district to

ensure access to resources and

quality services.

The non-profit was recently

awarded a grant from DDS

for Harley’s Hope Project

which utilizes storytelling by

sharing Harley’s story and

those of other tribal families to

increase awareness in tribal

communities about intellectual

and developmental disabilities

and works to build relationships

between regional centers and

tribal families.

For James, his journey with

Harley has proven to be one

of the most transformative

experiences in his life and has

redefined much of his life’s

purpose and passion. His

involvement in Acorns is an

integral part of why he and

Season are able to connect

with so many tribal families.

James talks of his journey in

working with his daughter and

learning about her disability

in a way that is extraordinarily

approachable.

Harley is just one little Native,

but her story will have a

significant impact on the

lives of thousands of Native

children across California.

To learn more about Acorns to

Oak Trees, visit www.acorns2oak.com

For information about the San Diego Regional Center, visit

www.sdrc.org

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 27


Salud

Maria San

Román

BY ANGELICA GAVALDON

Maria San Roman is a Mexican-

American bilingual pop artist

known as Maria Reign who was

born in San Diego. She was

raised in Tijuana, and by the

age of five, she moved back to

California, where she has resided

ever since. Living on both sides

of the Mexico-US border has provided Maria with a life filled

with enriching experiences that continue to develop her

artistry. Here is a day in her life:

7 am Rise & Shine

Maria wakes up and gets ready

for the day. She typically goes

to the gym in the morning two

to three times a week, but

sometimes she goes in the

afternoon. Each time she goes

to the gym, she has a specific

focus, but she will always do

30 minutes of jogging on the

treadmill. For breakfast, she

has five egg whites and a

tropical fruit bowl. After that, she

watches practices playing the

drums or does vocal warm-ups.

12 pm Midday

At the age of six, she started writing lyrics and melodies.

Years later, she found her passion for wanting to share it

with the world. Maria hopes that by sharing her music,

her listeners will experience the freedom it makes her feel.

Part of her routine is attending dance classes in Tijuana.

She also sometimes works at her father’s business selling

floors and home upgrades. At other times, she will work on

writing music with her brother. Family is very important for

her and she is thankful that she is able to spend time with

them during her everyday routine.

28 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

5 pm Evening Activities

During the afternoon and evening, her activities

also vary depending on the day. Maria takes

singing classes three times a week. When

she does not have classes, she works on her

songs. She is currently working on her first

Latin urban pop album. Maria shares how it is

important to her to stay mentally and spiritual

healthy by doing what she loves. By following

her passion for music, she has been able to stay on track

and achieve her goals.

8 pm Nighttime

At night, Maria starts with a cold shower, then her skin care

routine, and ends it with reading about self-development

and writing in her journal. She even sometimes ends up

writing a song. Her routine might be stressful to meet all

the demands of her life, but she looks at stress through a

positive lens. By turning stress into a positive, it motivates

her to overcome her everyday challenges. If the situation

becomes overwhelming, she will take time to relax and

do some yoga. This allows her to properly care for and

prioritize her mental and spiritual health.


Party in thePark...

Enjoy a delicious seated dinner

with signature drinks, wine, and

entertainment under the stars in

Balboa Park with the San Diego

Automotive Museum.

The evening will feature exciting

auctions, fun surprises, and

beautiful automobiles and fast

motorcycles to enjoy.

Limited Sponsorships and VIP

tables still available.

Saturday October 8, 2022

5:30 pm

HONORING PAPA DOUG

& THE MANCHESTER FAMILY

Mark McGrath and

his SoCal rock band

Sugar Ray will

perform live!

Masters of Ceremonies

Paul Rudy and

Lauren Phinney

Live Painter & Singer

Joe Everson will wow us

with original artwork he

creates onstage while

singing the National

Anthem. Bid on his final

masterpiece during the

live auction!

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 29

Morning Anchors, KUSI TV


Page Tab

CO-CHAIRS

REENA HOROWITZ

JEANNE JONES

STEPHANIE BROWN

Jim & Eileen Bartell

Brad & Gigi Benter

Jessie Knight & Joye Blount

Peter Farrell

Bill & Susan Hoehn

Dr. Tess Mauricio & Dr. James Lee

HONORARY COMMITTEE

Dr. Perry & Judith Mansfield

Julie Cowan Novak

Kristi Pieper

Don "The Snake" & Lynn Prudhomme

Dr. Myron & Doreen Schonbrun

Dave Stall

Image Courtesy of GB Magazine

Danitza & Esteban Villanueva

Vince Heald & Clinton Walters

Bob & Pat Whalen*

Dr. Steve & Lynne Wheeler

Dr. James Veltmeyer

*of blessed memory

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

Michael, Hannah, and Lisa Step

Inspired

Aesthetics

Ray Brock and Judith Grobbel

Peter

Aardema

Evelyn

Favero-Heald

John and

Nataliya Miller

Brad and

Gigi Benter

The Berg

Family Trust

Robert Wong

*as of July 13, 2022

30 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

For more information contact Sharon Smith at 619-987-8020 or sharon@sdautomuseum.org


SAN DIEGO’S PREMIER TRANSPORTATION DESTINATION

As the CEO of the San Diego Automotive Museum,

I’m excited to host San Diego’s automotive enthusiasts

at our 2nd signature event, THE Party in the

Park…Vroom! on October 8th. First and foremost, I

want to thank Papa Doug Manchester and the

Manchester Family for granting us the opportunity to

honor them for their commitment to our community.

I honestly couldn’t host such a fantastic party without

the help of the Vroom! Co-Chairs: Reena Horowitz,

Jeanne Jones, and Stephanie Brown. These three are a

powerful force, and I’m thankful for their support,

friendship, and vision in transforming this event into an

extraordinary experience.

Thank you to our premier sponsors, the Manchester

Financial Group, Discount Tire, Michael Step, Hannah

Step, and Lisa Step, Dr. Perry and Judith Mansfield, Dr.

James Veltmeyer of Inspired Aesthetics and others; we

could not do this without you. I also want to thank the

Honorary Committee and especially the Vroom! Event

Committee, who works hard throughout the year to

help create a magical evening.

My favorite part of the event is celebrating the current

year’s accomplishments, and 2022 was a monumental

year for the San Diego Automotive Museum, San

Diego’s Premier Transportation Museum.

The 2,700 sqft.

Automotive Library

renovation is now entirely funded,

the Vocational Education Academy

launched six months ahead of

schedule, the expansion is breaking

ground in three years (one year

earlier than expected), and we

established our planned giving

program. The Children’s Corner will

reopen in August with hands-on

automotive education activities.

We cannot do it alone. The Manchesters, co-chairs,

sponsors, and committees understand the importance

of this event and how crucial it is to raise money for

the Museum. It helps us build a world-class destination

for community members to bring their families for an

immersive experience in the auto transportation world

while enjoying quality time together. THE Party is

essential for the stability of the Museum and the

automobile’s legacy, and I’m excited to celebrate with

our guests. Hope to see you there!

Lenny Leszczynski, CEO

San Diego Automotive Museum

THE FUTURE OF SAN DIEGO AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 31


Celebration

15 Year

Anniversary

Feeding San Diego is also celebrating

15 years this year, and in that time has

distributed more than 300 million meals

to San Diegans facing hunger. The event

started with a tour of the facilities and moved

along to a party in the warehouse with food and

amazing music- what a great band! As part of their

15-Year Anniversary, they are inviting you to join Feed

365 and make an impact all year: just $15 a month

helps feed a San Diegan every day, all year long.

Denise Wheeler and

Jordan Greenhouse

Courtney and

Delaney Macdonald

Alex Gruber and

Eric Hornsten

Jameson Burt

and Gabe Burt

Lenette, Clark and

Gabriella Howard

Shara Fisler, Kim Koch

and Jessica Walker

Michael Hotaling, Charles Theuer,

Bonne Adams and Kate Garrett

32 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


THE ART OF

FASHION 2022

Runway Fashion Show

presented by South Coast Plaza

Ralph Lauren ©2022 South Coast Plaza

FEATURING

Bally · Isabel Marant · Lafayette 148 New York

Lanvin · Max Mara · Monique Lhuillier

Oscar de la Renta · Ralph Lauren · Saks Fifth Avenue

BOUTIQUE SHOPPING

Buccellati · Camilla · Jo Malone London

Lanvin · Max Mara · Mulberry

Oscar de la Renta · Vitra Eyewear

THE INN AT RANCHO SANTA FE

Thursday, September 15

10:00am Boutiques Open

11:00am Runway Show

12:30pm Luncheon

2:00pm Boutique Shopping

@SouthCoastPlaza #SCPx55

For more information visit thecountryfriends.org

or call 858.756.1192 ext. 4

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 33


Celebration

Este año, Feeding San

Diego está celebrando

sus 15 años y la

distribución de más

de 300 millones de

comidas a las personas de San

Diego que se ven enfrentadas al

hambre. El evento comenzó con

un recorrido por las instalaciones

para luego seguir con un festejo

en el depósito donde compartieron

una increíble comida y música

tocada por una gran banda. Como

parte de del festejo de su 15°

aniversario, los están invitando a

ser parte de Feed 365 y hacer la

diferencia todo el año, con solo

$15 al mes se puede ayudar a dar

de comer a los más vulnerables de

San Diego los 365 días del año.

Alison Glader, Kevin

Coordt and Dan Shea

Jean and

David Nassif

Courtney Gant

and Dana Williams

Mark Loretta, Bob

Kamensky and Ernie Hahn

Ernie Hahn and

Hilary Loretta

Steve and Ruth Netzley, Gwendolyn

Sontheim and Anthony Romero

Mike and Diane End, Drew

Moser and Brian Hilemon

34 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 35


Defenders

Legal Aid Society

Celebrates Justice

Honorary Chairs Bill

and Dorian Sailer

Bill and Dorian Sailer are the Honorary

Gala Chairpersons for The Legal Aid

Society of San Diego’s Centennial

Gala on November 19th at the

historic US Grant Hotel. The event will

bring together 500 guests including

supporters, staff, lawyers, judges,

volunteers and friends. They will all

celebrate 100 years of promoting access to justice in

San Diego County. Dorian, an attorney and musician,

volunteers for many local charities. Bill, Senior Vice

President & Legal Counsel for Qualcomm, has served on

the The Legal Aid Society of San Diego’s (LASSD) board

for over 30 years. They are thrilled to be honorary gala

chairs for this exciting event because they share LASSD’s

passion for supporting access to justice for everyone.

LASSD improves lives by advancing justice through

effective, efficient and vigorous legal advocacy, outreach

and education. This social justice organization provides

free legal services to low-income people and families on

the margins of society, so that they can effectively address

situations impacting their rights as citizens. The LASSD

improves lives by helping its clients achieve self-sufficiency

in a challenging legal world. CEO Greg Knoll has led the

organization, the largest provider of free civil legal services

in the county, for 49 years.

36 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


The Statue of Liberty

welcomes all those

entering the United

States, its “huddled

masses yearning to

be free.” In 1876,

that sentiment was

evident when the first

Legal Aid Society

was established

in New York City.

It was a private,

charitable program,

defending the

rights of European

immigrants, unfairly

denied equality

before the law, the

right to counsel and

the right to a fair trial.

Subsequently, after

President Lyndon

Johnson’s 1964

“War on Poverty”

established the Legal

Services Program,

those rights were

pursued throughout

the United States

through legal aid

programs. By 2015,

nearly 300 such

organizations existed.

They provided a range

of legal programs

dedicated to providing

free legal assistance to

those who could not

afford to hire a lawyer.

The Legal Aid

Society of San Diego

CEO Gregory Knoll

In San Diego, LASSD

was established in 1919 as the “Office of the Public

Attorney.” It was incorporated under its current name in

1953. For over 100 years, LASSD has provided free legal

services to low-income people throughout the county.

NOVEMBER 19TH AT THE US GRANT

Its staff has grown

from one attorney

to a staff of 175,

including 75 fulltime

staff attorneys,

and 200 volunteers,

offering both a

practical and holistic

approach to helping

people achieve

justice, improving

their quality of life.

LASSD specializes

in housing issues,

consumer protection,

foreclosure

prevention, access

to healthcare,

income maintenance,

nutritional security,

disability benefits,

immigration, family

law, taxes, special

education law

and more. The

organization also

offers free legal

clinics at county

courthouses and

libraries.

Each year, LASSD

helps thousands

of individuals

and families. A

compassionate staff,

board of directors,

and volunteers

are the bridge that

connects the law

with clients’ civil and

human rights.

For more information, contact Lorena Slomanson at

(619) 913-8599.

www.lassd.org

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 37


Perfil

Courtney Gant

GIVING COMIC-CON FANS THE CHANCE TO

CELEBRATE POPULAR ART YEAR-ROUND

BY: NICHOLE NAOUM

Courtney Gant

with Spider-Man

As the world’s largest comic

exhibition, Comic-Con typically

attracts over 135,000 attendees and

brings in more than $150 million in

revenue to San Diego every summer.

Since the convention has been

consistently sold out since 2007, the

Comic-Con Museum was created

to make the Comic-Con experience accessible to a wider

audience, all year long.

Courtney Gant currently serves as the museum’s Senior

Director of Advancement and says she would not trade

her job for anything in the world. “I get to collaborate

with some of the most prominent local and global

organizations, philanthropists, foundations and non-profits

to find ways to advance the mission of the Comic-Con

Museum while using the power of the popular arts to

make a positive impact in our community” she shares

with GB Magazine. A key aspect of her role is to work

alongside those organizations and individuals to identify

and develop strategic initiatives, programs, sponsorships,

and investment opportunities that will engage the Comic-

Con audience and deliver on their mission.

Housed in the historic Federal Building in Balboa Park,

the Comic-Con Museum features a 6,000-square-foot

education center, which focuses on all areas of STEAM

(science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math),

as well as four flexible galleries on the museum’s main

level that highlight rotating exhibits, panels, art shows,

multimedia installations and experiential cinema. “Whether

students are drawing, building robots, or designing

costumes, our goal is that things will get messy here and

creativity will flourish” says Courtney.

38 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Courtney lounges in

Captain Kirk’s Chair

In addition, The Comic-Con Museum will host panels and

public programs in their theater also aiming to educate

and draw connections between the popular arts and the

real world around us. For example, the team recently

hosted a panel consisting of Star Trek writers and local

scientists from General Atomics for a discussion on the

science of nuclear fusion and how it would power the

Starship Enterprise to travel at warp speed.

According to Courtney, popular arts and culture are

truly the museum’s secret sauce. “It is our great

privilege to work every day to harness the power

of the popular arts, create an appreciation for it,

promote it, and then use it to build community,

draw connections between fantasy and reality, and

ultimately inspire future creators, storytellers, artists

and problem solvers.”

As someone who is consistently surrounded by the

teachers, students, civic leaders and government

officials who are working tirelessly to make a

difference in the community each day, Courtney sees

tremendous potential in the Comic-Con Museum

and what it can do to inspire and educate visitors.

Equipped with 25 years of experience in business

development, public policy and corporate relations,

Courtney also makes it a priority to lead by example

both at work and at home. “I believe that a strong

leader empowers those around them to achieve

their goals while offering guidance when needed

and inspiring growth and development along the way.

They articulate a vision, create a path, provide the

necessary tools and then let their team do the rest.”

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 39


Benefit

Tea Time

Co-Chairs Maria Delgado, Tamara

Lafarga-Joseph and Lynne Wheeler

hosted a Tea to benefit Vision of

Children Foundation. Proceeds will

fund critical research to find cures

for genetic vision disorders, while providing

support services for children living with

blindness or visual impairment. The guests in

attendance wore beautiful dresses to welcome

the warmer weather!

Janice Daulton, Stephanie

O’Brien and Cat Abrams

Marie Green and

Rita Hannah

Alane Hennes, Jackie Fielding,

Cheryl Pioli and Cathy Dow

Margot Wallace, Ellen

Smiley and Susan Leonard

Katie

Dunahoo and

Lynne Wheeler

Mary Ruyle and

Marilyn Dronenburg

40 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Carolyn Russo and

Sherrie Napirskie

Sarah Zeitlin and

Karen Colgan

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ROSARIO HEER


ABOVE

&

BEYOND

We invite you to an experience of refreshing

simplicity and refined sophistication; a personalized

approach to private aviation that goes above and

beyond in every detail.

+1 760-929-0307 | schubachaviation.com

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 41


Benefit

Maria Delgado, Tamara

Lafarga-Joseph y

Lynne Wheeler, fueron

las anfitrionas del

Spring Tea realizado

a beneficio de Vision of Children

Foundation. Lo recaudado por el

evento se destina a la investigación

de desórdenes genéticos de la visión

y sus posibles tratamientos como

también a ofrecer servicios a niños

que conviven con la ceguera o con la

disminución de la visión. Las invitadas

al evento homenajearon la cálida tarde

vistiendo hermosos vestidos.

Jennifer Fernandez, Anita Omidi

Ghods and Barbara Huffman

Linda Howard

and Carol Cutting

Stephanie O’Brien

and Margot Wallace

Franci Free and

Lauri Buehler

Maree Chung

and Lynda Kerr

Sherrie Napirskie

and Pam Brown

Sharon Stein, Sandra

Osborn and Judy Keys

42 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Barbara Metzler

and Susan Newell

Maria Delgado and

Clarice Hokanson


San Diego's Wildest Tasting Event

Saturday, September 17, 2022 | 6:30−10:00 p.m.

at the World-famous San Diego Zoo

Sophia Alsadek, Carrie

Woodland and Kristi Pieper

Terry Mechling, Julie

Sarno and Sharrie Woods

SAN DIEGO'S WILDEST TASTING

EVENT—ALL INCLUDED!

The party is wild; the bites and sips are delicious!

At this one-of-a-kind tasting event, Southern

California’s best food, wine, and beer are mixed

with live entertainment and dancing, all served

at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Your good

time does good for the planet, too, when you

come out to support and save wildlife. With food,

drink, and fun included, this all-inclusive night is

not to be missed. It’s the tastiest event to help

wildlife. Join us in celebrating our passion for

nature and creating a world where all life thrives!

Eat, Drink, Party—Repeat!

Buy Tickets at zoofoodandwine.com

Rosalie Gerevas, Dee

Ammon and Sherry Ahern

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 43


Community

ENVISIONING

EXCELLENCE

SHARP HEALTHCARE’S HISTORIC CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

The Cushman Family and Sharp HealthCare leaders break ground for the

Cushman Emergency and Trauma Center at Sharp Memorial Hospital

Sharp HealthCare continues to lead

San Diego’s health care into the future.

Recently, the Foundations of Sharp

HealthCare launched ENVISION: The

Campaign for Sharp HealthCare with

two milestone events.

On May 26, on the site where Thomas

E. Sharp broke ground in 1953 for the

Donald N. Sharp Memorial Community Hospital, Sharp

broke ground on the Cushman Emergency and Trauma

Center at Sharp Memorial Hospital. This marks the first of

several initiatives that will transform health care for the San

Diego community. The Cushman Foundation’s $4 million

gift is making the new emergency medical facility a reality.

On June 8, more than 600 philanthropists, board directors,

physicians, employees and community leaders gathered for

Envisioning Excellence at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park to

celebrate the campaign’s launch. There, it was announced

that the campaign had already raised $88 million, onethird

of its $250 million goal, including gifts from more than

10,000 donors - and 15 gifts of $1 million or more.

ENVISION, the largest philanthropy effort in Sharp’s

history, is making possible Sharp’s $2 billion, decadelong

investment in San Diego’s health care future.

44 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Honoring the Cushman Legacy

In conjunction with the groundbreaking, Sharp celebrated

the Cushman family’s legacy of philanthropy to Sharp

HealthCare. Elliott Cushman was one of the founding

donors to the original San Diego Hospital Association

(SDHA), joining the campaign for the Donald N. Sharp

Memorial Community Hospital, which opened in 1955.

Elliott later supported Sharp in several capacities,

including

serving on the

SDHA Board

and Finance

Committee,

helping dedicate

the Sharp

Memorial north

tower in 1975,

and remaining

an advisor to

Sharp leadership

for decades.

Sharp recognized

his legacy with

the naming of

the Elliott and

Helen Cushman

Wellness

Center at

Sharp Memorial

in 2003.

Elliott’s

son, Steve

Cushman,

has followed

in his father’s

footsteps,

serving Sharp

for five decades

on numerous

boards and

Bill Littlejohn, Sharp HealthCare; Gil Cabrera, Board Chair,

Sharp HealthCare; Chris Howard, President and CEO

The future Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Neurosciences Center in La Mesa

committees, including Chair of Sharp HealthCare and

Chair of Sharp Memorial. His extraordinary career of

public service has helped Sharp become one of the most

successful health care systems in the nation.

Steve’s daughter, Lori Moore, began her dedication to

the community as a candy-striper and nurse at Sharp

Memorial. Following her father’s example, Lori volunteered

for two decades to Sharp, ultimately becoming Chair of

the Board of Sharp HealthCare. Lori has been active in

several Sharp philanthropy initiatives, including Sharp

HospiceCare, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, Sharp Chula

Vista Medical Center and Sharp Memorial.

“It is an honor to represent four generations of support

to Sharp HealthCare,” Lori shared with GB Magazine.

“Sharp is a pillar in our community and we are proud to

be a leader in ENVISION. We encourage everyone in our

community to

come together

in whatever

capacity

resonates with

you because

Sharp treats you

like family, and

family always

comes first.”

Next for the

ENVISION

campaign is the

groundbreaking

for the Sharp

Grossmont

Hospital

Neurosciences

Center, a

new facility

dedicated

to treating

diseases of

the brain and

spine.

“We are

humbled

by the

extraordinary

support for

ENVISION

from across

the Sharp HealthCare family and community,” says Bill

Littlejohn, CEO of the Foundations of Sharp HealthCare.

“We hope others will join us as we continue our mission to

improve the health of the community with a commitment

to excellence in all that we do.”

Begin your ENVISION journey by visiting

www.sharp.com/envision.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 45


Arts

Cornerstone

Reception

Jewish Federation of San Diego County

hosted a gathering of our community’s most

generous supporters and dedicated leaders

at the newly remodeled and expanded

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in

La Jolla. The Jewish Federation touches more

Jewish lives than any other organization on the

planet. They care for Jews in need everywhere,

strengthen Jewish identity and community, and

connect San Diego to Israel.

Rayna Karoll Druck, Simone Abelsohn, Jack Maizel,

Amanda Lowe, Kira Finkenberg and David Bramzon

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ROSARIO HEER

Wayne and Naomi Harris

with Lisa and Jonathan Pearl

Kira Finkenberg, Larry

Katz and Jane Fantel

Howard and

Carole Robin

Debra and

David Solomon

Brett and

Deborah Rosen

46 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Lee Posnock, Silvana Christy

and Lisa Brown Glazer


AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 47


Arts

Jewish Federation del Condado de San Diego

llevó a cabo una reunión con los más generosos

donantes y dedicados líderes de nuestra

comunidad en Nuevo y remodelado Museo

de Arte Contemporáneo de San Diego en

La Jolla. La Jewish Federation llega a más vidas

judías que ninguna otra organización del planeta,

cuidando de los judíos más necesitados sea donde

se encuentren, fortaleciendo los lazos y la identidad

judía y conectando a San Diego con Israel.

George and Mary Ann Scher with

Rebecca and Lawrence Newman

Lori and

Kenneth Polin

David Belenzon and

Shelle Orlansky

Jonathan Schuster, Beth Sirull

with Susan and David Kavakoff

Larry Katz, Wayne Harris, Lawrence

Sherman and Ernest Rady

Joey and Jeff

Schindler

48 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Shoshannah

and Cedric Hart

Marie Raftery and

Bob Rubenstein

Sharon and

David Wax

Mark Cammell, Marcia

Hazan and Andrea Oster

Rich Gitlin, Gabriella and Rachel

Herman and Barbara Gitlin

Jean and Gary

Shekhter

Deborah Rosen

and Marisa Polin

Heidi Gantwerk

and Mark Wilf

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 49


SWA Community

Downtown San Diego

Partnership

At Southwest Airlines,

we are focused on

helping connect

people to what’s

most important in their lives, and often, the important

moments that happen during those connections

include a special place - somewhere that has

meaning, that brings people together, that creates a

sense of belonging and a sense of community. We put

our Heart in all that we do and for that reason we are

proud to champion and highlight The Downtown San

Diego Partnership,

which is building

the kind of live,

work, play lifestyle

others can only dream of in the heart

of San Diego. We believe community

is more than a place and every great

city has a great Downtown.

Kelly Knox

Sr. Community Outreach Manager

Southwest Airlines

The Downtown San Diego Partnership

has been in the business of

championing ‘all things Downtown’

for more than 25 years. As the

leading voice and driving force

behind advancing the economic

prosperity and cultural vitality of

San Diego’s urban center, the Downtown Partnership

uses a unique combination of membership, advocacy,

public services and community investment to help

Downtown be both strong and welcoming to all.

San Diego continues to navigate the journey of

pandemic recovery for its urban center alongside

other major cities across the country. The Downtown

Partnership has been hard at work to help ensure

that that recovery is defined by a commitment to the

neighborhoods and people that make Downtown San

Diego special and a thoughtful exploration of how to

prepare for the bright future ahead.

Over the past 12 months, the organization has helped

Downtown become greener and more resilient with the

addition of more than 100 trees to the neighborhood’s

urban canopy. It has added joy, color and whimsy to

the pedestrian experience with the completion of 11

murals. And it continued to be there for Downtown’s

50 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


urban neighborhoods through the collection of 1.8 million

pounds of trash, removal of 10,000 instances of graffiti,

and completion of 30,000 hospitality visits to serve the

Downtown Property

and Business

Improvement

District. All through

the enduring care

and commitment

provided by

the Downtown

Partnership Clean &

Safe program.

Through its

advocacy work,

the Downtown

Partnership has

been a strong

voice for

compassionate,

data-driven

solutions

to address

Downtown’s

homelessness

crisis. And its

unsheltered

services team

have been

part of positive

steps forward

by reconnecting

more than 350

people with their

support systems

and making

more than 2,500

connections

with those who are living on our streets and sidewalks. The

type of connections that build the trust needed for some to

start on the path to stability and safety.

The organization has invested in new ways to tell

Downtown’s story with the launch of the Downtown

Innovation Center and the data that will fuel it in the first

Downtown San Diego Demographics Study in more than

five years. That work confirmed that Downtown is well

positioned for the future when it comes to its talent pool,

the vibrancy of the urban lifestyle, and the amenities,

experiences and character that define its neighborhoods.

This effort also provided further insight into the

opportunities available to make Downtown even better in

the years ahead.

With the support of

community partners

like Southwest

Airlines, the

organization has also

been charting new

territory in the launch

of its first economic

development

trip, Discovering

Downtowns. The

inaugural year

brought community

leaders and those

committed to

Downtown San

Diego’s success

to Denver. There

participants

learned more

about what other

cities are doing

to make their

urban centers

successful,

where San Diego

can emulate

best practices

and creative

solutions, and

to share what

Downtown San

Diego is doing

well. They toured

Denver Union Station as an example of a central mobility

hub that helped spur development, experienced a worldclass

arts district and talked to the people who turned

an idea into living art, and heard firsthand from other

community leaders how much San Diego is looked to as

an example in other parts of the country.

The Downtown Partnership knows there is a bright

future on the horizon for our urban center. You can learn

more about the organization and how to get involved at

www.downtownsandiego.org.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 51


Premiere

Top Gun

The release of “Top Gun: Maverick”

debuted here in San Diego and the

San Diego Air and Space Museum

hosted a celebration and premiere for

navy pilots, some of which were in,

and flew in, the movie! Guests enjoyed a cocktail

reception and were the first to see the new movie

alongside the real Top Guns as they all enjoyed

the need for the speed.

Dan “Yank” Pedersen

and Jim “Slug” Kidrick

Monali Patel and

Ian Purcell

Hudson Drake and

Howard Young

Erika and Tyson

Mcdowell

Pete Pettigrew, California Tom

Cruise and Aaron Vernallis

Bob Rutherford, Cathy Wallace

with Carol and Gil Rud

52 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


RESERVA HOY EN SYCUAN.COM

HAY QUE SER MAYOR DE 21 PARA ENTRAR AL CASINO. JUEGA RESPONSABLEMENTE.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 53


Premiere

El lanzamiento de “Top

Gun: Maverick” se

realizó aquí mismo en

San Diego y el Museo

del Aire y del Espacio

de San Diego llevó adelante una

especial celebración para el estreno

en honor de los pilotos navales,

¡algunos de los cuales inclusive

volaron en la película! Los invitados

disfrutaron de una recepción con

cócteles y fueron los primeros

en ver la película junto a los

verdaderos Top Guns compartiendo

la necesidad de adrenalina de esa

verdadera velocidad.

Bill and Rick

Ludwig

Fred Galloway and

Peter De Silva

Christina Jakob

and Patrick Corr

Norm and Grace Walker

with Steve Hamerslag

Josie Holguin and

Jaslin Rubalcava

Darrell Gary, Christina Mellinger with

Jacqueline and Robert Nishnic

Judith and Perry Mansfield with

Patti and Jim Patranoff

54 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Opening doors to a new era

of local public media.

Learn more by visiting

kpbs.org/thefuture

KPBS is a public service of San Diego State University.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 55


Education

Cal Coast Cares

Foundation

TEEING OFF FOR STUDENT AND TEACHER SUCCESS

The Cal Coast Cares

Foundation, established by

California Coast Credit Union

as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit

in 2015, provides grants

for teachers and scholarships

for college-bound high school

seniors, including a special

program for current or former

foster youth, in San Diego and Riverside Counties.

To support this important mission, the Foundation will

host the 5th Annual Cal Coast Cares Foundation

Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, August 15,

2022, at the beautiful Fairbanks Ranch Country Club

located in Rancho Santa Fe. This is an opportunity

for the public to play on a private golf course - that

they may not otherwise have a chance to experience.

Participants will enjoy terrific views and challenging

play for golfers at every skill level. This will truly be a

special event!

The tournament will feature twosome and foursome

options as well as a variety of sponsorship

opportunities. Golfers will enjoy breakfast and lunch,

fun on-course contests, an opportunity to bid on

silent auction items, and a post-event banquet. To

further their reach, the silent auction will be available

online for those who may not be a golfer but would

like to support the cause.

56 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


“We know this year’s charity golf tournament

will be a terrific experience for a meaningful

cause. Now more than ever with rising costs

of transportation, supplies, and tuition - the

Foundation’s work is much needed. Proceeds

from this event and the silent auction will

benefit local students and teachers through

the Cal Coast Cares Foundation. We want

to do our part to positively impact the lives

of students and teachers across the region,”

Todd Lane, President and CEO of Cal Coast

Credit Union shared with GB Magazine.

Sade Burrell, a doctoral student at UCSD

who received a student scholarship from

the Cal Coast Cares Foundation shared of

its impact on her academic endeavors; “As

a person who experienced foster care and

a professional who wants to better support

foster youth, I decided to further pursue my

education. With less than 1% of foster youth

finishing school with a graduate degree, I am

honored to have been chosen as a recipient

of the Cal Coast Scholarship.”

President and CEO of Cal Coast Credit

Union Todd Lane and Rudolph Johnson

The Foundation has also directly impacted countless classrooms

through educator grants geared towards projects in STREAM (Science,

Technology, Reading, Arts and Math). Topics have included hydroponic

greenhouse projects to robotics, chemistry kits and much more.

Brittany Perro, a middle school teacher from High Tech Middle North

County received an educator grant and expressed her appreciation,

“I am absolutely honored and grateful to receive an Educator’s Grant

from Cal Coast Cares Foundation! My students and I will now be able

to engage in incredibly meaningful projects that we otherwise would

not be able to afford materials and books for. Thanks to the generosity

and support of this grant, my 8th graders will have the opportunity to

create projects that will not only inspire deeper learning but will make a

difference at our school and in our community for years to come!”

To learn more about the charity golf tournament and how you can join

or ways you can support the Cal Coast Cares Foundation, please visit

www.calcoastcu.org/community/cal-coast-cares-foundation.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 57


Concert

San Diego

Blues Festival

Billy F Gibbons

Three-time Grammy nominee Billy

F Gibbons & Friends will return

to headline the 12th annual

AimLoan.com San Diego Blues

Festival, to be held Saturday,

September 10th as a benefit

for the Jacobs & Cushman San

Diego Food Bank. Through its

first 11 years, the festival has generated more than

$1.3 million and 20 tons of food to fight hunger in San

Diego. All proceeds from the event benefit the San

Diego Food Bank’s hunger-relief programs.

Gibbons, one of the most music world’s recognizable

people and best known for his work with ZZ Top, is

making his second appearance at the festival. His band

headlined the event in 2018. Other bands scheduled

58 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


to play the

festival are

Grammynominated

Southern

Avenue, the

Phantom

Blues Band

with Special

Guest Curtis

Salgado, Lil’

Ed & the Blues

Imperials,

Eddie 9v,

Memphissippi

Sounds and

local favorites

the Taryn

Donath Duo and

Ben Powell.

The festival will

be held from 11

a.m. to 7 p.m.

at Embarcadero

Marina Park

North on the

downtown San

Diego waterfront

near Seaport

Village. Food

Bank officials

anticipate about

4,000 attendees at this year’s blues fest. General

admission tickets and VIP tickets are available on the

festival website. This year’s sponsors include AimLoan.com,

Baker Electric Home Energy, Delta Dental, Wells Fargo,

ShopCore, and the San Diego Unified Port District.

Gibbons, who continues to front ZZ Top, started

performing on his own several years ago, returning to

the blues that initially inspired him and drawing upon

other musical influences that captured his interest. In

recent years, he has released three highly acclaimed solo

albums, including his latest, Hardware.

During ZZ Top’s five-decade history, Gibbons has won

praise for his

inventive and

distinctive

guitar playing

and is widely

recognized

as one of the

finest guitarists

in the bluesrock

genre.

In addition

to ZZ Top

and his solo

recordings,

Gibbons has

played on

records with

B.B. King, Les

Paul, Queens

of the Stone

Age, Shemekia

Copeland, Kid

Rock, Alice

Cooper, Johnny

Winter and John

Mayall among

others.

The San Diego

Blues Festival

enjoys a growing

reputation for

attracting some

of the best musical artists in the genre. It has hosted

performers such as Mavis Staples, Los Lobos, Eric

Burdon & the Animals, Charlie Musselwhite, Booker T

Jones and numerous Blues Hall of Fame members since it

started in 2011.

The Food Bank is encouraging the community to attend

with family and friends for a fun-filled weekend of music

that will help the Food Bank give hunger the blues. The

Food Bank is encouraging all eventgoers to bring two

cans of food to donate.

For tickets and information visit www.SDBluesFest.org.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 59


Luncheon

Tales from

Beyond

the Dugout

Bill Perkins, Darshon

Patel and Steve Sefton

Jewish Family Service hosted their signature

luncheon with special guests Dwight “Doc”

Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, two of Major

League Baseball’s most legendary players.

Both athletes had an illustrious baseball

career that were also marked by highly public

battles with addiction. Turning those challenges

into inspiration, they now help others struggling

with addiction while spreading a message of

hope, recovery and healing. While many of

our neighbors are struggling with behavioral

health issues that have only been magnified by

the pandemic, Jewish Family Service remains

committed to serving our community every step

of the way, from Response to Recovery.

Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Kira Finkenberg, Adam

Jacobs, Mimi Lee and Darryl Strawberry

David Greenfield, Adam

Welland and Scott Levin

Amy Jacobs, Erin

Scheriff and Beth Sirull

60 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Jewish Family Services llevó a cabo

su icónico almuerzo con Dwight

“Doc” Gooden y Darryl Strawberry

como invitados especiales, dos de

las leyendas de la Mayor League

Baseball. Ambos deportistas cuentan

con una ilustre carrera en el béisbol y

también padecieron muy públicas luchas

contra las adicciones. Transformando sus

luchas en inspiradoras historias, hoy en

día ayudan a otros que padecen el flagelo

de las adicciones y a la vez, envían un

mensaje de esperanza, capacidad de

Daniel Coden and Liz

Nederlander-Coder

recuperación y sanación. Con muchos

de nuestros vecinos luchando contra

problemas de salud emocional y de

conductas que, lamentablemente la pandemia ha potenciado, la Jewish

Family Services optó por mantenerse completamente comprometida

con el servicio a la comunidad a través de su Response to Recovery.


Josh Finkenberg, Robert

Hudson and Dan Chavario

Patricia Mogul

and Karin Toranto

Marie Raftery and

Bob Rubenstein

Roger and Ben Kasendorf

with Diana Morris

Loren and

Abby Polger

Ines Irawati and

Phyllis Perlroth

THREADS

We want to be part of your outdoor experience.

(858) 274-8484

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 61


Benefit

Spring

Soiree

Walden Family Services

presented a special

event to benefit children

in foster care. For 45

years, Walden Family

Services has pioneered specialized foster

care and adoption services for children, youth,

and families through Southern California. Guests

enjoyed the intimate settings with a lovely view

of the North County Lagoons and sunset.

Hal and Debby Jacobs, Marty

Pendarvis and Dana Mahoney

Javier Metoyer, Andrea da

Rosa and Deborah Llewellyn

Christopher Weston

and Mary Jones

Joyce Glazer

and Ray Riley

Vicky and

Chris Eddy

Mary Alice Brady, Sue

Evans and Rene Hitt

62 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Terri Gainor and

Jim Buchanan


Join us in

celebrating

34 beautiful years

of charitable partnerships

with the San Diego

community.

model

We Proudly Support:

Las Patronas

Promises2Kids

Humble Design San Diego

Call: (858) 452-1981

Text: (858) 203-2944

Hablamos español

Where Dreams Become Real

Learn more about

our charitable support

and awards at ljcsc.com

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 63


Benefit

Walden Family

Services brindó

un muy especial

evento a beneficio

de los niños en

situación de guarda. Durante 45

años, Walden Family Services ha sido

pionera en la asistencia a los niños en

situación de guarda y en los servicios

de adopciones de niños y jóvenes

en el sur de California. Los invitados

al evento disfrutaron de una cálida

ambientación con increíbles vistas

a las lagunas de North County y el

atardecer como telón de fondo.

Chris Matranga and

Dawn Maywood

Kathryn Stephens

and Anya Gorban

Matt Adams, Savannah

Guy and John Peters

Joe and Renata

da Rosa

Hanna Monica and

Ricardo da Rosa

Delorine Jackson, Amy and Cory

Fairbanks with Jeanette Friedman

Teresa Stivers with Dale

and Julie Yahnke

64 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Third Annual All Girls’ OLP Hackathon 2022

Life On Mars

Saturday, September 10, 2022

8:00 am - 4:30 pm

A Hackathon is a meeting of the minds to

challenge current notions, problem solve,

create, and collaborate. OLP’s Engineering

Projects in Community Service (EPICS) club,

the hosts of the annual Hackathon, focuses

on how STEM can solve global issues.

AWARD WINNING

OLP Hackathon

This is a friendly competition and the teams

will be presenting their solutions to a panel of

judges. Teams in first, second, and third place

will receive prizes.

OUR MISSION

Founded and rooted in the Gospel values

of the Catholic church and the charism of

the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the

Academy of Our Lady of Peace empowers

young women in an innovative learning

environment that honors the individual while

fostering community, and develops faithfilled

leaders dedicated to the “love of God

and the dear neighbor without distinction.”

NON-DIScRIMNatION StateMeNt

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace admits

students of any color, race, ethnic origin or

faith to all the rights, privileges, programs,

and activities generally accorded or made

available to students at the school. The

school does not discriminate on the basis

of color, race, ethnic origin or faith in the

administration of its educational policies,

scholarships, financial aid programs, athletic

and other school-administered programs.

Open House

Join us to discover the OLP way!

Educating women of heart, faith,

courage, and excellence since 1882

and nuturing the next generation of

women leaders and innovators.

Open to prospective students from all grades.

Save the date

Sunday, November 6 th

from 2-4pm

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 65


Health

MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS

Tour De Recovery

BY DR. WENDY BROUGHTON

Mental Health Systems

CEO Jim Callaghan

While the last few years have been a minefield of social challenges

in an unrelenting pandemic, the Tour de Recovery (TDR) was a

harbinger of hope! The TDR was developed with great excitement to

raise awareness and celebrate recovery as an innovative fundraising

event. In partnership with the idea curator Cork Snider, Mental

Health Systems (MHS) embarked on a multi-day 600-mile bike ride

beginning in San Jose and ending at the MHS Family Recovery

Center (FRC) in Oceanside.

The ride hosted speakers and moving stories of personal heartbreak and the road to recovery.

From family testimony shouldering the pain of watching a loved one suffer to the courage it takes

for those in the grips of addiction to finally accept help. Endurance riders CEO Jim Callaghan, Cork

Snider and Rick Burns were not alone as there was a kids Mini Tour de Recovery to help kick it off.

A beautiful, heartwarming reflection of enthusiasm and how a difference can be made at any age.

66 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


The team had a

raucous sendoff

at each stop that

carried them for

miles! They flew

through back

roads passing

gorgeous

landscape and

while conditions

were challenging,

there were many

heartfelt moments

that kept the team

pedaling. Cork

with contagious

positivity, Rick

big and stealthy,

and Jim in his

element. At

one point the

riders ran out

of paved road

in the rural hills

of Tehachapi.

Luckily, the

team and their

bikes fit in the

Sag Wagon and

as they drove

off, at least one

rider was heard

sighing loudly to

the cool A/C.

A Mojave Desert

section started

at a breezy 79 degrees and quickly rose to a sweltering

110 degrees. It was touch and go when cell service

dropped and GPS rider tracking was lost but eventually,

they were found! The team hammered out 5000 feet

of climbing in the sweltering heat and the headwinds

really put the riders to the test. They faced fatigue from

hundreds of miles behind them although you would never

know it by their easy laughter, expressed gratitude and

enduring commitment to the cause.

The final stretch to Oceanside, the place where it all

began, the inspiration that sparked the idea for the Tour

de Recovery evoked such emotion as the culmination of

Cork Snider and Rick Burns receiving

plaques from Jim Callaghan

The Tour De Recovery

Endurance Ride Team

this 10-day

epic journey

reached its final

destination.

As the riders

approached

the finish line,

the throngs

of people

broke into

a deafening

chorus of

cheers that not

only welcomed

the riders

home, but

enveloped

them in

undeniable

outpouring

of love and

appreciation.

CEO Jim

Callaghan

shared how

special FRC

is, and his

privilege

and honor

to proudly

stand with

his fellow

riders Cork

Snider and

Rick Burns

recognizing

the strength and fortitude it takes to embark on the road

to recovery. He acknowledged how they struggled on their

cycling journey to get to this final stage over many miles,

long hot days and hills that seemed to go on forever, but

that was nothing compared to what those in recovery

must face.

As the Tour de Recovery came to an end there were

promises to stay in touch with newfound friends. In the

bittersweet conclusion the riders expressed profound

gratitude for all the support and encouragement along

the way and their unshakable resolve for next year’s Tour

de Recovery!

www.turnbhs.org

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 67


Gala

THE NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUM GALA

WILL BE THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

New Children’s Museum Gala

The New Children’s Museum will host its annual fundraising gala on Saturday,

November 5, 2022. The downtown museum has earned a reputation for engaging

and interactive galas, and Circus Spectacular is shaping up to be their most

creative yet. This year’s event is chaired by community philanthropists and longtime

museum supporters Dr. Laurie Mitchell, Jennifer Luce and Dr. Ellen Moxham.

Along with the volunteer gala committee, the Chairs hope to raise funds to support

a wide range of programs that provide access to the Museum at little to no cost.

68 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


“The New

Children’s

Museum is a

vitally important

institution in

San Diego,

introducing our

community to

the power of art

in engaging and

approachable

ways,” shared

Dr. Laurie

Mitchell, Co-

Chair and one

of the Museum’s

founding Board

Members. “We

are raising

funds to enable

children and

families from all

over San Diego

to access our

educational

and creative

programming,

regardless

of their life

circumstances.”

Each year

the Museum

transforms its

Gala Chairs Laurie Mitchell,

Ellen Moxham and Jennifer Luce

multi-level contemporary building into a vibrant, club-like

atmosphere, while showcasing their immersive art and

playscapes. Gala guests will have free rein inside the

50,000-square-foot Museum and be encouraged to play

in the installations, including sliding down the 40-foot slide

of El Más Allá (Panca), climbing up into the room-sized

crocheted Whammock! (Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam) and

engaging in a magical theater experience in Teatro Piñata

(David Reynoso).

To build on the “greatest show on earth” theme, Island

Avenue in front of the Museum will serve as the colorful

and experience exclusive performances.

“big top” with

a fair-inspired

midway

complete

with Ferris

wheel, food,

cocktails,

engaging

games and

booths.

Guests will be

dazzled and

delighted by

performances

both inside

and outside

the Museum,

including feats

of strength

and fortune

tellers. There

will be a

pre-event

reception

for the Gala

Honorary

Committee

and VIP ticket

holders,

including the

opportunity to

be among the

first to ride the

Ferris wheel

“Playful costumes have long been a hallmark of The

New Children’s Museum galas and part of what makes

our events so much fun,” added Dr. Laurie Mitchell.

“While dressing up is always optional, we anticipate

our guests will express their creativity with circus and

carnival-inspired attire.”

Forgoing a live or silent auction, the Museum will have

multiple opportunities for gala guests to “fund a need” via

an art show, games and onsite donations.

www.thinkplaycreate.org/circus-spectacular

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 69


Gala

A Night

to Dream

San Diego Opera’s A Night To Dream

celebrated opera, art and San Diego

Opera’s education programs in the

community. Chaired by Rebecca

and Mitch Mitchell, the evening

celebrated the leadership and contributions to

San Diego Opera and the greater San Diego

community by Kevin and Sherry Ahern. The

elegant and festive affair was inspired by the

colors of the new opera, El Último Sueño

De Frida y Diego, which will receive its world

premiere in October of this year.

Martha and Edward Dennis with

Susan and Richard Ulevitch

Kevin, Brianna

and Sherry Ahern

Nancy Laturno, Richard

Whitney and Joann Clark

70 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Michelle Parker and

Michelle Conway

Robert Kaplan

and Marina Baroff

Carol Lazier and

James Merritt

Bernadette

Belleci and

Wallace Brithinee

La gala A Night to

Dream de la Ópera

de San Diego, es

un homenaje a la

ópera, el arte y

los programas educativos

que brinda la Ópera de San

Diego. Con Rebecca y Mitch

Mitchell como anfitriones, la

velada celebra el liderazgo y

las contribuciones de Kevin

y Sherry Ahern a la Opera

de San Diego y a la gran

comunidad de San Diego.

Este elegante y festivo

encuentro se inspiró en los

colores de la nueva opera, El

último sueño de Frida y Diego,

a estrenarse mundialmente en

octubre de este año.


Steve Gildred, Rachel

Fuerst and Brendan Ahern

Gloria and Joe Sherman

with Evelyn Lamden

Mitch and

Rebecca Mitchell

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 71


Community

Art from

the Garden

The Secret Garden Tour extends a rare

invitation to the public to stroll behind

the gates of some of La Jolla’s loveliest

secluded gardens, often concealed

from view by mature trees, vines or

foliage. The La Jolla Secret Garden Tour was

created to benefit the La Jolla Historical Society &

Library and is looked forward to every year.

Pamela Nathan, Candi Martinez, Sharon

Hinckley, Liz Klapmeier and Robin Rivera

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ROSARIO HEER

Lee Leibenson and

Pamela Nathan

Michelle Gonzalez, Barbara

Doren and Leah Higgins

Laura Garvez, Luca,

Beth Longley and Eric

Penny and

Skip Cox

Christine and

David Chenoweth

The Secret Garden Tour

hizo una excepción e

invitó al público a pasear

por alguno de los jardines

privados más lindos

de La Jolla, muchos de los cuales

se encuentran alejados de la vista

del público protegidos por añosos

árboles, enredaderas o cercos vivos.

La Jolla Secret Garden Tour fue

creada para colaborar con La Jolla

Historical Society & Library y es un

evento muy esperado cada año.

72 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Linda and

Phillip Dowley

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

YOU'RE INVITED

SATURDAY,

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

4–8 PM

Benefiting San Diego Botanic Garden

Estel Binder, Kathryn

Stephens and Chris Andrews

Join us on September 10th for an intimate evening of

botanical beauty, fabulous food, and bubbly beverages

as we gather to support our Garden’s growing science,

conservation, and education programs.

For more information go to:

sdbgarden.org/GardenParty.htm

Sharilyn Gallison, Elaine

Marlow and Carol Mosley

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Visit sdbgarden.org/GardenParty.htm

or call us at (760) 436-3036.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 73


Outreach

United Way Of

San Diego County

‘BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE’ PREPARES LOCAL STUDENTS

AND FAMILIES FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Over the last two years, communities across San Diego County

have faced increasing hardships. The COVID-19 pandemic placed

an unprecedented burden on many families already experiencing

financial instability. The challenges that come with living in a postpandemic

world continue to affect those in need.

As inflation takes center stage, gas and grocery prices continue

to rise, making it difficult for families everywhere to make ends

meet, especially for those still facing challenges brought on by

the pandemic. To help those most vulnerable to these inequities, United Way of San Diego

County (UWSD) is collecting new school supplies, including pens, pencils, erasers, books,

notebooks, backpacks, and much more. Essential tools like these will allow students to start

the school year off on the right track and help ensure they will not fall even further behind.

74 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


According to a

recent study,

the impact of

the pandemic

on students in

grades K-12

was significant,

leaving students

on average five

months behind

in math and four

months behind

in reading by the

end of the 2020-

2021 academic

year. Additionally,

“summer slide”

can cause a

loss of learning,

especially for

students in

low-income

communities. It is

more important

than ever that

students begin

their academic

year prepared

and confident to

help guarantee

success.

For over 100

years, UWSD

has aligned

with partners to

Alicia Quinn Kitagawa

and Nancy L. Sasaki

address inequities in the region and help underserved

communities. The nonprofit’s specialty lies in identifying

sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them

through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to

better understand root causes and implement impactful

solutions.

“Inflation is at an all-time high and, on top of that, families

in our community are still trying to recover from the

effects of the pandemic, including loss of wages, adverse

housing conditions, and many more challenges,” United

Way of San Diego County President and CEO, Nancy L.

Sasaki shares with GB Magazine. “If we can provide a

little relief to these families through new supplies, not only

will we be giving

their students an

equal start to the

school year, but

also bridging the

disparity gap in

our region. We

are grateful for

the support of

our corporate

sponsors, Blue

Shield California

Promise Health

Plan, Higgs

Fletcher & Mack,

and Navy Federal

Credit Union, as

well as individual

community

members

who have

contributed.”

UNITED WE

CAN! Let’s help

students in need

better prepare

for a successful

school year.

In turn, we will

reduce inequities

in education

throughout San

Diego County.

With this goal in

mind, UWSD is

hosting its annual “Back to School Drive” through August

15 to gather new supplies to support local students and

families in need as they head back to school this fall. We

encourage you to take part in the positive transformation

of students’ lives by donating new school supplies

through its online gift registry or by making a monetary

donation directly to the nonprofit to support its ongoing

efforts to ensure that students have the tools and stability

they need at home to succeed in school.

All school supplies will be delivered and distributed to

local students. For more ways to get involved, visit

www.uwsd.org/school.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 75


Education

Knauss Center for

Business Education

WHERE BUSINESS MEETS PURPOSE

What does the future of

business education look

like? Look no further

than the campus of

the University of San

Diego (USD), where the

brand new, state-of-theart

Knauss Center for

Business Education opens its doors this month.

Every space within the 120,000-square-foot facility

is intentionally designed to foster collaboration and

innovation at USD’s Knauss School of Business. It

features more than 20 active-learning classrooms, two

advanced data analytics labs, a maker space for nurturing

entrepreneurs, a media production studio and much more.

“The Knauss Center for Business Education will first

benefit our students, who will receive an outstanding

education infused with a higher purpose of innovating

business for the good of society,” Tim Keane, Ph.D.,

76 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Dean of the Knauss School of Business shares with GB

Magazine. “It will also serve as a true connection point

for the collaborative work we do with the San Diego

community.”

Every semester, San Diego businesses of all sizes

partner with USD on wide-ranging projects that impact

the San Diego regional economy, while giving students

hands-on learning opportunities. At The Brink Small

Business Development Center, for example, faculty and

graduate students mentor hundreds of San Diego’s

small businesses. And companies who work with the

Ahlers Center for International Business receive cost-free

consulting to expand into global markets.

Collaboration fostered at the Knauss Center for Business

Education will undoubtedly send ripples into San Diego

and beyond, ensuring that the Knauss School of Business

delivers on its promise - to educate new waves of ethical

business leaders for generations to come.

To learn more, visit www.sandiego.edu/knauss.


¿A

qué

este mismo mes

abre sus puertas.

Cada espacio,

dentro de los

120,000 pies

cuadrados de

instalaciones, fue

cuidadosamente

diseñado para

promover la

cooperación e

innovación dentro

del Knauss School

of Business de la

USD, que cuenta

con más de 20

aulas activas

de aprendizaje,

dos avanzados

laboratorios

de análisis de

datos, un espacio

donde construir y

propiciar ideas de

emprendedores,

estudio de

producción de

medios y mucho

más.

se parece el futuro de

la educación en negocios?

No hace falta ir más allá del

campus de la Universidad

de San Diego (USD) para

encontrar el nuevo e

innovador Knauss Center

for Business Education que,

“En primer lugar,

El Knauss Center

for Business

Education beneficia a nuestros estudiantes, quienes

recibirán una destacada educación con el propósito de

lograr negocios innovadores para el bien de la sociedad”

le comenta a la revista GB el Dr. Tim Keane, decano

del Knauss School of Business. “y también va a cumplir

la función de conector de trabajos colaborativos que

hacemos con la comunidad de San Diego”

Cada semestre, empresas de distintas envergaduras de

San Diego, se asocian con USD para trabajar en diversos

proyectos que impactan en la economía regional de San

Diego y al mismo tiempo se les brinda a los estudiantes

la oportunidad

de aprendizajes

activos. Por

ejemplo, en

The Brink

Small Business

Development

Center, docentes

y estudiantes

de grado son

mentores de

cientos de

pequeñas

empresas de

San Diego,

como también

empresas que

trabajan con el

Ahlers Center

for International

Business,

acceden a

consultas

gratuitas sobre

las posibilidades

de expandirse al

mercado global.

Las

cooperaciones

promovidas por

el Knauss Center

for Business

Education

seguramente tendrán su influencia, tanto en San Diego

como más allá, asegurando que el Knauss Center of

Business cumpla con su compromiso, el de educar en

negocios éticos a las nuevas generaciones de líderes.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 77


Community

Envisioning

Excellence

The Foundations of Sharp Healthcare

presented an evening of celebration

and philanthropy. Supporters and Board

Members enjoyed a special performance

by Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra as the

evening highlighted the vision of healthcare of tomorrow

and the goals of ENVISION, the visionary campaign for

Sharp Healthcare that will raise $250 million to provide

San Diegans with ever-greater levels of quality care.

Christina and Sergio Flores with

Judith and Perry Mansfield

The Cushman

Family

Sheri and Dave Barker

with Linda Spuck

Kenneth and

Susan Johnson

Nancy Laturna and Patricia

Alvarez de los Cobos

Andrew and

Jillian Kratky

Judi and Dick

Freeman

78 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Joel Tubao, Helga Leonhardt

and Pablo Velez


AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 79


Community

Las fundaciones del Sharp

Healthcare ofrecieron una

velada de festejos y filantropía

donde se pudo disfrutar de una

presentación especial a cargo

de la orquesta Mainly Mozart All-Star. El

evento hizo hincapié en la importancia de

la atención en salud con miras al futuro

y los objetivos de ENVISION, visionaria

campaña para el Sharp Healthcare que

recaudará $ 250 millones para ofrecerles

a las personas de San Diego, mayores

niveles de calidad en salud.

Bill Littlejohn, Gil Cabrera

and Chris Howard

Dee Ammon, Joyce Glazer, Mary

Alice Brady and Rene Hitt

Alison Fleury and

Mitch Mitchell

Joseph Leonard, Marilyn

Brown and Kenneth Roth

Liz Bialecki and

Shirin Sabbah

Beverly Codallos

and Beth Morgante

Tracy and

Ken Justo

80 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Katie McBride- Muzquiz

and Jo Ann Kilty

Lyn, Philip and Elizabeth Gildred

with Stephen Macvean

Kristy and Steve Gregg

with Maggie Watkins

Kem Graham and

Denny Sanford

Samira and

John Jahan

Ava, Lisa, Ben and

Aaron Arnold

Sabrina Lopez and

Linda Gasparini

Connie and

Phil Conard

Stephen and

Claire Craig

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 81


Heroes

Let Them Have

Freedom Dogs!

Freedom Dogs,

the San Diegobased

non-profit

organization

dedicated to

training service

dogs for wounded

military heroes, is

expanding its reach.

The organization

has been providing

service dogs and

their trainers to U.S.

Marines based at

Camp Pendleton

since 2009. As

word spreads of the

effectiveness of these

dogs in providing

wounded warriors

with the physical and

emotional support

needed to transition

back into civilian life,

demand is pouring in

from all branches of

the military. “These

requests have been coming in for a long time,” Board

Member Lori Walton shared with GB Magazine. Now,

Freedom Dogs is stepping up to meet that demand!

Freedom Dogs was

founded by former

critical care nurse

Beth Russell after

she witnessed firsthand

the effects

of Post-Traumatic

Stress Disorder

(PTSD) suffered by

U.S. military heroes,

and realized that,

along with the dogs,

she could help. For

veterans suffering

from this terrifying

and debilitating

psychological

disorder - which

includes a staggering

83% of military who

have served post

9/11 - a loud noise or

a sudden movement

can be traumatizing,

sending them into

a trigger response

and making even

something as simple

as grocery shopping,

or leaving the house,

seem impossible.

Mostly Labrador

Our Heroes

Retrievers, chosen

for their mellow

temperaments and

loving nature, the dogs undergo two years of training

where, among other things, they learn to recognize these

trigger responses and how to guide their person back into

82 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


been in are for a set amount of time,” says

Russell. “When the time is up, they are left

to fend for themselves.” Freedom Dogs, by

contrast, understands the long-term effects of

PTSD, and thus, the long-term needs of these

heroes. “They have never been in a program that

invests in them the way Freedom Dogs does,”

Russell says, recounting a recent interaction with

a vet. “He asked me if he was almost out of time

in our program. I reassured him, ‘Freedom Dogs

are forever.’”

With an expanded market and a lifelong

commitment, there is only one thing needed: more

trained dogs. Freedom Dogs does not receive any

government assistance, so they are dependent

on the generosity of donors to fulfill their mission.

The formula is simple: The more funding, the more

training, the more dogs available to heroes in need.

And the more lives will be changed.

To donate, become a trainer, or get involved in Freedom

Dogs, please visit www.freedomdogs.org.

Beth Russell

the present moment. What’s more, the

signature blend of loyalty, comfort and

love that the dogs offer, is a proven

remedy, recognized by the American

Psychological Association to speed the

recovery of those suffering from PTSD.

“There is a look of hope, and even a

smile, on their faces as they work with

these dogs. They are willing to give life a

chance again,” shared Russell.

What makes Freedom Dogs different from

other veteran assistance programs is the

length of the organization’s commitment.

“Many of the programs these vets have

Freedom Dog

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 83


Health

Community

Heroes

San Ysidro Health and

the Alpine Chamber

of Commerce hosted

a Community Heroes

Reception at the San

Ysidro Health Alpine Family

Medicine. The community

stakeholder event celebrated

several community leaders from

rural East County. San Ysidro

Health is committed to ensuring

all communities have access to

the care they deserve, without

exception and this facility in

East County serves residents

of our mountain and rural

communities.

Commander Brian Nevins,

Agent Guadalupe Mendez

and Lieutenant Ruben Medina

Barbie Bates and

Shauna Davis

Teen Miss Mountain Empire Lily

Manning, Miss Alpine Taylor Wansley

and Teen Miss Alpine Serenity Kennel

Fire Captain John Sengebusch

and Firefighter Kyle Post

Brian Woods and

Adrianna O’Donnell

San Ysidro Health junto

a la Alpine Chamber

of Commerce llevaron

adelante la recepción

Community Heroes

en el San Ysidro Health Alpine

Family Medicine. Este evento

comunitario rinde homenaje

a líderes de la comunidad de

la zona rural de East County.

San Ysidro Health se dedica a

asegurar que las comunidades

tengan acceso a la atención que

merecen, sin excepciones, y en

el caso de East County, atienden

a personas de nuestras zonas

montañosas y rurales.

84 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Fire Captain Nicholas Johnson,

Veronica De La Rosa, Battalion

Chief Jakub Jagielinski

Sara King, Brett Phillips

and Valorie Sharp

Judith Shaplin

and Barry Jantz

Mariko Nakawatase, Victoria

Floyd and Michelle Surakhanova

Gloria Chadwick

and Christian Wallis

Ana Melgoza and Maria

Carriedo-Ceniceros

Carol and

Bill Lewis

Rich and Shaylene

Newman

Chris Wiley, Rose Signore

and Kevin Mattson

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 85


Science

Bryan Robinson

MEET SALK’S NEW PHILANTHROPY LEADER

Bryan Robinson

is the Salk

Institute’s newest

vice president of

external relations.

He will oversee

the Institute’s

philanthropic

efforts,

communications,

public programs

and events.

Robinson

joined Salk from

The Jackson

Laboratory, an

independent,

nonprofit

biomedical

research

institution

headquartered

in Bar Harbor,

Maine, which includes a National Cancer Institutedesignated

Cancer Center, a genomic medicine institute

in Connecticut and additional facilities located around the

world. There he

served as the

vice president

for advancement

and a senior

member of

the president’s

executive

committee,

leading and

assisting with

the institution’s

day-to-day

governance,

including

academic

and business

partnerships,

public and

internal relations

and capital

projects, as well

as oversight of

the full spectrum

of major and

principal gifts

fundraising and

stewardship.

“We are very

fortunate to welcome Bryan to the Institute,” Salk

President Rusty Gage shared with GB Magazine. “Not

only does he have a reputation for breaking fundraising

86 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Salk Institute

records, but he also has deep experience with and

appreciation for the power of basic science. I look forward

to working with him as we develop plans to ensure the

Institute’s continued success as a research powerhouse.”

Robinson grew up in Kentucky and was the first in his

family to attend college. He earned his undergraduate

degree in pre-law studies and his master’s degree in

education administration at the University of Louisville.

He earned a PhD in education and social change at

Bellarmine University, during which time he completed

field research on the impact of poverty on child and youth

development at the University of Roehampton in London.

Robinson and his teams have successfully completed

multiple campaigns and met annual fundraising goals for

health sciences-related institutes in Indiana, Kentucky,

North Carolina, Connecticut, Maine and California.

In his new role, Robinson will be responsible for

Salk’s Campaign for the Future: Building a More

Resilient World, a five-year, $500 million scientific and

philanthropic effort to attract the people and acquire

the technology and space necessary to expand and

accelerate critical research.

“I feel honored and privileged to join this elite research

institute,” Robinson shared. “I have seen how important

education and science are, how transformative they

can be to people’s lives, and so I have spent my career

working to support these efforts through philanthropy.

There is so much opportunity here at Salk, with our strong

leadership, Board of Trustees and external relations team,

as well as our new campaign, to leverage all that has

already been accomplished and build upon the Institute’s

outstanding history and reputation.”

Robinson is an avid boater and reader. He enjoys playing

tennis and traveling. He says he is drawn to San Diego’s

beauty and food, but most of all he’s looking forward

to joining the energy of the local life science research

community.

Learn more about the Salk Institute at www.salk.edu.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 87


Health

Blood

Donors

The community joined forces to

celebrate the grand opening

of the newest donation center

for the San Diego Blood Bank

at Chula Vista’s Terra Nova

Mall. CEO Doug Morton kicked off the

ceremony with excitement as he reflected

on the blood bank’s journey to this day

and how, through research and expanding

the blood collection programs, the patients

in Southern California benefit. Dedicated

staff, board members, blood donors,

volunteers, members of the community,

and generous financial supporters joined

together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Judy Mantle, Cherryl Castro-

Lector and Diane Hazard

John Howard and

Sherry Serio

Robert Simpson and

Gabriel Gutierrez

Adama Dyoniziak and

Gabriela Stichler

Daniel del Rio and

Edward Legaspi

La comunidad se dio cita

para compartir la gran

inauguración del nuevo

Centro de donaciones

para el Banco de Sangre

en el Chula Vista Terra Nova

Mall. El CEO Doug Morton, dio

inicio a la ceremonia con gran

entusiasmo, reflexionando sobre

el camino recorrido por el banco

y sobre cómo las investigaciones

y los mayores programas de

recolección de donaciones

de sangre benefician a los

pacientes del sur de California.

El comprometido personal,

miembros de la comisión directiva,

donantes de sangre, voluntarios,

personas de la comunidad y

generosos donantes financieros

se reunieron para participar de

esta ceremonia inaugural.

88 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Serving as a bridge to a

better life for young adults

in San Diego County

Janet Roemer and

Doug Morton

Apply

in 5

Min!

Now

Hiring

18-26

Year Olds!

Leslie Eagan and

Kathleen Fardeen

Get paid serving the community,

while earning a high school diploma!

Apply or learn more by scanning QR code

below or go to urbancorpssd.org/join

Adera Robinson, Ariel Ramirez,

Pablo Velez and Leslie Aquinde

2200 MICRO PLACE, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029 &

3127 JEFFERSON STREET, SAN DIEGO, CA 92110

This ad is proudly sponsored by

CR-GBM-UC-072021

Nikhil Nayak and

JC Kyrillos

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 89


Neighbors

Father Joe’s Villages

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

Glenn’s time serving in the Vietnam

War left him with mental health

struggles that made maintaining

steady employment challenging, and

eventually led to his homelessness.

The trauma that comes with trying to survive on the

streets can be overwhelming, leading to a manifestation

of unhealthy coping mechanisms. For those already

enduring mental health conditions, the complications of

homelessness can intensify their symptoms.

No matter what circumstances bring them to Father Joe’s

Villages, people experiencing homelessness and mental

health challenges in San Diego deserve dignity and access

to care. That is why the comprehensive Behavioral Health

Services offered through Father Joe’s Villages’ Village

Health Clinic are so crucial. Through these services, struggling neighbors can gain

the tools they need to manage their mental health symptoms.

90 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Neighbors like Glenn, an Army veteran who

served in the Vietnam War. Glenn’s time working

in the Chemical Warfare Unit during the Vietnam

War left him with post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD) and severe mental health issues that

caused hallucinations and dissociation. For

long periods of time, Glenn would be unable

to process the reality around him. His mental

health struggles made maintaining steady

employment challenging, and eventually led to

his homelessness. “Living out on the streets

can be overwhelming,” Glenn explained. “When

all the people walk by you, you never know if

they are going to give you a dollar, some food

or if they are going to kick you in the teeth.”

After months of living on the streets, Glenn

was referred to Father Joe’s Villages where he

entered into emergency shelter and received

help from the Village Health Center for his

mental health and substance use challenges.

Through individual therapy, group counseling

and medication assisted treatment, Glenn

received the stability and professional care

he needed to get back on his feet. “Father

Joe’s Villages helped me realize that I am not

helpless, hopeless and worthless,” said Glenn.

“The help I got there changed my whole life - I

can function in society again.”

Glenn is now living in one of Father Joe’s

Villages’ supportive housing complexes and

credits the services he received at Father Joe’s

Villages for providing him the tools he needed

to regain control over his mental health. The

Behavioral Health Services provided through

Father Joe’s Villages’ Village Health Center

helps lighten the load for those who already

may have too much to carry. With the right

support, neighbors experiencing homelessness

can find their way home and move from despair

into hope. Learn more at my.neighbor.org.

Glenn credits the Behavioral

Health Services he received at

Father Joe’s Villages for providing

him the tools he needed to regain

control over his mental health.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 91


Escapadita

Memphis

HOME OF THE BLUES, SOUL & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Esteban and Danitza

Villanueva at Graceland

Looking where to travel next on

Southwest Airlines, a must is

Memphis, Tennessee. Any trip to

Memphis should start with a visit to

Beale Street and Sun Studios, where

artists including Elvis, Johnny Cash,

B.B. King Carl Perkins and more got

their start. Nearby you will find the

Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. was assassinated, now immortalized as the

National Civil Rights Museum. In the outskirts of town,

the 120 acres of Graceland are dedicated to the life and

career of an American legend, Elvis Presley, the King of

Rock ‘n’ Roll complete with his home, museum featuring

his gold records, jeweled jumpsuits, classic cars and

airplanes lets you experience Elvis like never before.

92 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Also known as the Barbecue Capital of the

World, arrive hungry, as there are over 100

barbecue joints in town, the most famous

of which is Central BBQ. Known for the

Smoke in their Sauce, they use a blend of

locally grown hickory and pecan woods to

create the unique aromas and flavors.

Central BBQ

In the heart of downtown, you will

find “The South’s Grand Hotel,” The

Peabody Memphis is legendary for

its gracious hospitality, and rich history

including their world-famous ducks who

march through the lobby at daily 11

a.m. and 5 p.m. The Peabody Memphis

also houses the famous Lansky Bros

clothier to Elvis and B.B. King.

Beale Street

You can move your soul, enjoy

barbeque, and discover the beauty

and history of the South in Memphis,

making it a perfect ESCAPADITA.

www.memphistravel.com

The Peabody Memphis

Sun Studios

National Civil

Rights Museum

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 93


CALENDAR

7-8 th

ARTWALK AT LIBERTY

STATION

The show celebrates the creativity of

artists from both sides of the border. Enjoy

booths, food and artists.

www.artwalksandiego.org/libertystation

5th

THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW

Rightfully hailed as one of the most in

demand touring entities will perform with the

beautiful backdrop of San Diego Bay.

www.aussiefloyd.com

AUG

13th-14th

POP CATS

A fun-packed festival fueled by

the spirit of cats, pop, and art!

www.popcats.org

27th

BOWTIES & SANDALS GALA

Options For All Bow Ties and Sandals Gala at

the Hotel del Coronado to benefit Film & Media program.

optionsforall.org/gala2022

20th

MT. HELIX WINE & FOOD

FESTIVAL

The festival benefitting Mt. Helix Park with

an amazing 360 Degree view of San Diego

www.mthelixpark.org/heart-of-mt-helix

94 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


on

t

as -e e

a night in 'Venice

"'

S ♦ ,.

01ree

ER z9, ZOZZ

SUPPORTING AMERICA'S FINEST POLICE DOGS

Festivities begin at 5:30 pm

Hilton Torrey Pines

HONORARY CHAIRS

!Barbie & Wan Spinazz2),a

For tables, tickets, and donations, visit SupportK9.org

PRESENTED BY

THREE-STAR SPONSORS

-SAN

DIIGO-

POL(CE FOUNDATION

arian&'IQ,n

C(osser

Qualco/VW\

!Barbie & 3)an,

Spinazz2),a

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Rosa Valenzuela at rosa@sdpolicefoundation.org.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 95


Page Tab

The

Harrowing

Stories

of

Heroes

Officer Mitch Tani

and Hondo

Did You

Know?

36

Dogs Serving at SDPD

K9 Unit Now

32 police service dogs; 4

mobile odor detection dogs

38

Age of SDPD K9 Unit

Founded in 1984

96 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


On the morning of

December 17, 2021,

while San Diegans

were preparing for

family holiday gatherings, a

two-year-old Belgian Malinois

named Hondo, was on duty with

his human partner, Officer Mitch

Tani.

A woman called police to report

that a man had threatened her

with a knife near Kurtz Street in

San Diego’s Midway District. As

is the case in many potentially

violent incidents, the SDPD K9

Unit responded and confronted

the suspect.

In many ways, this seemed like a

flashback. On January 26, 2021,

police service dog Titan and his

handler, Officer Javier Morales,

were called to an incident in the

Midway District. A man armed

with a knife, perched atop a

huge shipping container, was in

a confrontation with police. After

resisting four hours of attempts

to get him to come down and

disarm, the suspect descended

and ran, still holding the knife.

Fearing for the officers guarding

the perimeter, and for the safety

of the community members

behind them, Officer Morales

released Titan. The suspect was

apprehended but not before he

stabbed Titan, puncturing his

colon in three places.

Officer Morales rushed to his

vehicle, carrying Titan, and sped

to the VCA Animal Hospital.

Fortunately, a surgeon was on

duty, and Titan’s life was saved.

After a full recovery, he was

awarded the first Purple Heart for

an SDPD canine. He continues to

protect and serve San Diego.

Fast forward to December 2021,

and the same man who had

been arrested for stabbing

Titan, is out of jail and again

confronting police with a knife.

“Hearing the radio traffic

from those officers, and the

description of what he was

doing, made me feel at any

moment it could become a

lethal encounter,” shared Officer

Mitch Tani.

"I had hoped that when I arrived

and he saw my police dog,

Hondo, he would give up, but

unfortunately, he did not. When

I ultimately had to send Hondo,

it was because the suspect was

moving towards officers still

armed with a knife.“

In order to avoid the use of lethal

force when the man swung the

knife at officers, Hondo was

released and took down the

suspect, who was then arrested

without further incident. But

Hondo was stabbed twice during

the confrontation.

“It was difficult to watch Hondo

get stabbed,” shared Officer Tani.

“He was extremely lucky that

both stab wounds missed major

arteries and his respiratory

system, so his recovery only took

a few weeks.“ Amazingly, Hondo

is now back on the case at K9

and as active as ever.

“Lt. Chris Tivanian, the

commanding officer of the K9

Unit, invited us to the training

facility to see Hondo after he

returned to duty," shared Marcia

and Rich Leake, the donors who

funded Hondo. “Funding a dog

for America's Finest K9 Unit

has added a new dimension to

our lives. The day we first met

Hondo and Mitch, we were able

to observe them as they trained.

It has been very rewarding to

have a personal connection to

SDPD handler, Officer Mitch Tani,

and his canine.”

To support the K9 Unit,

community members can

attend the Police Foundation’s

K9 Soirée on October 29. The

heroic Hondo and his dedicated

handler, Officer Tani, will be

featured and are expected to

make a live cameo appearance.

For information about this

special evening or to make a

donation to honor our beloved

police dogs, visit SuppportK9.org.

19,335

Calls for Service handled by K9 in 2021

Averages 2 or 3 calls per hour

De-escalation

Top Service of K9

Saving lives by defusing violent situations

Belgian Malinois

Most Common SDPD Police Dog Breed

K9 also has Dutch, Czech, and German Shepherds;

Labradors and Retrievers serve as MOD dogs

Mobile Odor Detection

What MOD Stands For

These specialized dogs can find bombs

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 97


Page Tab

Become a

K9 Champion

Police canines safeguard public events,

find missing persons, detect bombs, locate

evidence, and de-escalate very dangerous

situations, preventing shootings and preserving

life.

For the past 19 years, every police service dog at

SDPD has been purchased with funds donated

by community members through the San Diego

Police Foundation.

You can become a K9 Champion with a

donation to purchase a new dog that will follow

in the paw prints of one of our soon-to-be

retiring K9 Crimefighters.

New dogs typically come to the K9 Unit at age

two or three and usually work with one officer,

their handler, until they're about eight years old.

When they retire, they live in comfort with the

handler with whom they have long served.

The K9 Unit is mobilized when a dangerous call

is in progress, such as a burglary, robbery, or

vehicle pursuit, often de-escalating potentially

violent confrontations.

The dogs are able to clear areas before officers

approach on foot, and they can perform

searches for fleeing and hidden suspects in

urban areas, canyons, or buildings. Because the

canines can cover up to four-times the distance

as their human partners, they save SDPD nearly

700 service hours annually.

The specially bred dogs that make great police

canines are in huge demand world-wide,

elevating their price. The current cost to the

Police Foundation is $14,223 per dog.

Last year SDPD’s K9 Unit responded to

approximately 21,000 calls, working 24 hours a

day, seven days a week throughout the entire

city, benefiting all our communities.

Will you help us keep our K9 Crimefighters on

the case?

Creating a Safer

San Diego for All

“Safety is something so basic to life that every

human craves it,” states Sara Napoli, President

and CEO of the San Diego Police Foundation.

“Yet, our safety is often something we take

for granted – until it is threatened. Safe

neighborhoods are the underpinning of all

that we hold dear: our families and friends, our

businesses, and the way we live our lives. This is

something we should all care about.”

The goal of the Police Foundation is simple, yet

essential: to create a safer San Diego. That

means safety for ALL who live, work, and play in

San Diego. Through community donations, the

Police Foundation funds equipment, training,

and outreach programs vital to creating safer

communities. The Police Foundation does not

fund weapons or anything already allocated in

the City budget.

By providing programs that enhance policecommunity

relations and supplying vital

equipment needed to do their jobs safely

and with excellence, the Police Foundation

builds trust between peace officers and the

neighborhoods they serve, as well as increasing

officer safety and community wellbeing. Crime

prevention benefits those most at risk, such as

victims of domestic violence and violent crimes,

children, and the elderly. Yet, the interests of

everyone in San Diego are served by a region

that is safe, peaceful, and secure.

Funded by community contributions since its

founding in 1998, the Police Foundation has

provided a wide range of programs, equipment,

and services including SafetyNet: Smart Cyber

Choices® safety education to keep kids safe

online, outreach to enhance police-community

relations, programs to divert youth from gang

recruitment, scholarships for aspiring female

police officers, conferences to elevate the

professional development of SDPD personnel,

police service dogs, lifesaving devices, and

officer safety equipment.

A gift of any size is warmly welcomed at sdpolicefoundation.org or by calling Sara Napoli at (619) 232-2130.

Your generosity will propel our mission to create a safer San Diego for ALL.

98 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022


Meet Some of Our

K9 Trainer Teams

OFFICER JASON LANGLEY & ACE

PARTNERS FOR............ 2 years and 3 months

K9 BREED & AGE......... Belgian Malinois, 4 years old

DOG DONATED BY..... Barbie & Dan Spinazzola

Ace also has collateral duty of article detection, meaning he is

capable of locating discarded items that may have been thrown

out of a vehicle window during a pursuit, firearms, and other

contraband related items.

OFFICER MATT COBB & BADY

PARTNERS FOR............ 2 years and 9 months

K9 BREED & AGE......... Black Belgian Malinois, 5 years old

DOG DONATED BY..... Susan Drescher-Mulzet & Mark Mulzet

Bady has deployed on numerous high-risk missions with the SRC

team, which is a collateral assignment that is integrated within

SDPD SWAT Team.

OFFICER MITCH TANI & HONDO

PARTNERS FOR............ 1 year and 10 months

K9 BREED & AGE......... Belgian Malinois, 3 years old

DOG DONATED BY..... Marcia & Rich Leake

Hondo has been involved in numerous interventions where the

suspect surrendered due to Hondo’s presence. He enjoys laying

in the shade during his off time.

SERGEANT ZACH PFANNENSTIEL & AJAX

PARTNERS FOR............ 2 years and 9 months

K9 BREED & AGE......... Belgian Malinois, 3 and half years old

DOG DONATED BY..... Ellen & Barry Scott

Ajax was the youngest police dog bought at eight months old.

He has since developed as a police dog and is also cross-trained

as an explosive detection handler.

To learn about the San Diego Police Foundation's K9 Campaign, visit SuppportK9.org.

AUGUST 2022 | GBSAN.COM 99


Page Tab

100 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2022

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!