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San Diego Magazine /  December 2007 /  Party Pages

Seen

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E-mail party info to seen@sandiegomagazine.com. For the region’s most-comprehensive calendar of upcoming social events, click on the Charitable Events Registry logo (above).

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AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

The Old Globe hosted its glitzy annual gala to celebrate the 2007-2008 season opener, A Catered Affair, in Balboa Park. Chaired by Karen Cohn, Deni Jacobs and Sheryl White, the event celebrated the Globe’s achievements in the past year and supported the theater’s education programs. Four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (who wrote the book for Catered) was honorary chair. Lead underwriters included Darlene and Donald Shiley; other supporters included Deni and Jeff Jacobs, Mary Beth Adderley-Wright and Richard Wright, Audrey Geisel, Debby and Hal Jacobs, Conrad Prebys, Sheryl and Harvey White, and Karen and Don Cohn. Also in attendance were several Catered cast members (the evening featured a preview performance), including Faith Prince and Tom Wopat. Actress Rosemary Harris, who appeared in the Globe’s U.S. premiere of Oscar and the Pink Lady, was also present.

A CLASSIC

The San Diego Symphony presented “Opus 2007,” its season-opening black-tie gala, at Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall. Mayor Jerry Sanders and Rana Sampson were honorary chairs; Elizabeth and Dene Oliver were gala chairs. The evening’s festivities included a symphony concert (led by music director Jahja Ling) featuring violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony. Patrons included Raffaella and John Belanich, Jeanne Jones and Don Breitenburg, David Copley, Pauline Foster, Joyce and Craig Grosvenor, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, Karen and Warren Kessler, Barbara and Neil Kjos, Lael and Jay Kovtun, Teri and Steve Penhall, Peggy and Peter Preuss, Judith Harris and Robert Singer, and Sheryl and Harvey White.

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Violin prodigy Eugene Ugorski and musicians from Camarada chamber music ensemble and La Jolla Music Society entertained patrons of the Neurosciences Institute’s gala, “Minding the Arts.” La Jolla Music Society president and artistic director Christopher Beach was master of ceremonies. Mainly Mozart’s Linda Satz was gala chair; Teresa and Merle Fischlowitz were honorary chairs. The evening helped fund cultural events to support the local arts and to “underscore the special relationship between the arts and the human brain.” Among the mindful: Elisabeth (Jinx) Ecke, Mickey Stern, institute founder and director Gerald M. Edelman, Mary Clark, Patti and Coop Cooprider, Brenda and Lou Alpinieri, and Doris and Peter Ellsworth.

SURFACING

Aquatic Adventures raised $175,000 for marine science and environmental education programs catering to San Diego’s urban youth at “Bubble Up,” a black-tie gala at Birch Aquarium. Sean Caddell and Vincy Dunmire chaired; Yvette and Floyd Pickrell served as honorary chairs. Major underwriters included Jane and Dick Brown and Pat and Jon Krieg. CW 5 anchor and reporter Perette Godwin emceed; NBC 7/39 anchor Bill Menish led the entertaining live auction. Aquatic Adventures executive director Shara Fisler helped host the 300 guests. Among them: author Richard Louv, Olympic dressage rider Guenter Seidel and Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor Paul Dayton.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund raised more than $350,000 for animal rescue, wildlife conservation and environmental education at its third annual WildNight dinner at SeaWorld. Fund president Virginia Busch, wildlife expert and TV personality Jack Hanna and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens animal ambassador Julie Scardina hosted the event. The inaugural Waves of Change award was presented to Dr. Kurt Benirschke, founder of the center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, and to San Diego’s Project Wildlife. Among the 400-plus guests (not counting the numerous animal attendees) were August A. Busch III, Port Commissioner Michael Bixler and wife Sally, Port of San Diego president and CEO Bruce Hollingsworth, Lesley and David Cohn, John Hawkins, David Peckinpaugh and Jill Elena Salsitz, Lorin Stewart, Joe Craver, Anne Evans, Ted Kanatas, Ray Warren, Mohsen Khaleghi, former San Diego Charger Rolf Benirschke, and Rear Admiral Len Hering and wife Sharon.

JUST BEACHY

The Beach & Country Guild netted $300,000 for United Cerebral Palsy at its 38th annual Dia del Sol gourmet luncheon and fashion show (produced by Nordstrom), held at the Rancho Santa Fe estate of Amy and Steve Finley. Supporters included KUSI anchor Kimberly Hunt, NBC 7/39’s Kimberly King, Linda Pfleger Edwards, Celeste Hilling, Linda Alessio, Kathy Scripps, Renee Schatz, Gina Seau and Dianne York-Goldman.

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center presented “Studio 34,” its 34th annual disco-theme gala, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. A sold-out crowd of 720 raised funds to support the center’s direct services to 25,000 individuals in San Diego’s LGBT and HIV communities. The event was emceed by center board chair Richard Valdez and CEO Delores Jacobs. The Jess Jessop founder’s award was presented to State Senator Christine Kehoe for her 25 years of service to the LGBT community. Several elected officials in attendance included Congressmember Susan Davis, San Diego County Treasurer Dan McAllister, San Diego County Superior Court Judge David Rubin, Mayor Jerry Sanders, San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer, Human Relations Commission chair Nicole Murray-Ramirez and City Council District 3 candidates Stephen Whitburn and Todd Gloria.

IN THE PINK

The Santaluz Club’s third annual breast-cancer awareness benefit luncheon and fashion show, “Fashion Rocks for the Cure,” raised funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The fashion show featured clothing from Gracie boutique (owned by Gracie Mahvi). Breast-cancer survivor and local singer Mattie Mills was guest speaker. Patrons included Tina Mickelson, Dixie Courtney, Ashley Roberts, Anne Newbury, Mary Beth Kellee, Calay Swift, Kelly Collins, Peggy Landon, Sheila Chue and Ashley Peterson.

STARGAZING

A sold-out crowd of nearly 600 raised more than a half a million dollars at “Starry, Starry Night,” Voices for Children’s signature fund-raiser, hosted at the La Jolla home of honorary chair Joan Waitt. Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille served up the gourmet fare. Later, local singer-songwriter superstar Jason Mraz took to the stage. Stargazers included Patsy and David Marino, Debby and Wain Fishburn, Lise Wilson and Steve Strauss, Rory Devine and Yanon Volcani, Sheryl and Bob Scarano, Annette and Dan Bradbury, Jennifer and Steve Redfearn, Ginny and Marshall Merrifield, Kim and Dave Russell, GeeGee and Victor Fargo, Diane and David Archambault, Sharon Lawrence and Darin Boles, Deborah and Claude-Anthony Marengo, Sarah and Shahi Ghanem, Laleh and Alex Roudi, Paula and David Gillig, Libba and Fred D’Ambrosi, and Katie and Dan Sullivan.

GONE HOLLYWOOD

The Chicano Federation of San Diego County hosted its 1940s-theme 38th anniversary gala, “Remember When . . . Latinos in Hollywood,” for 500-plus guests at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Hank Murphy, Myeisha Peguero Gamiño and William Becker were gala chairs; Lidia S. Martinez was auction chair. Adriana Alcaraz served as the mistress of ceremonies. Willie Velasquez Community Service Awards were presented to George Montoya of Rady Children’s Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry and civil rights advocates Linda and Carlos Legerrete.

HOPEFUL HARVEST

The Emilio Nares Foundation presented its fourth annual “Harvest for Hope” fund-raising event to benefit local families with children living with cancer. Chaired by Donna Blanco, the event at a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe featured gourmet food and wine stations and a performance by rocker Eve Selis. Bobbie Bohannan was honorary chair. Carolyn Clark, charter member of the Leukemia Society of America’s San Diego chapter, was the local honoree. Cyclist Lance Armstrong’s mother, Linda Armstrong Kelly, was also honored. Honorary committee members included Liz and Michael Copley, Ingrid Croce and Jim Rock, Michael Lopez, William Roberts, Deborah Schiff, and Erna and Andrew Viterbi.

WHAT’S COOKING

Mama’s Kitchen, which provides meals to San Diegans affected by HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses, called upon local fashion guru Leonard Simpson to produce “Be Haute! Be Here! If You’re Not, You’re Naught” (phew), a fashion show and luncheon fund-raising event at the Westgate Hotel. Sally B. Thornton was honorary chair; KUSI anchor Sandra Maas emceed. Mama’s Kitchen executive director Alberto Cortés dined alongside fashion-savvy supporters, including Ruby Red Haute Committee members and major patrons Joni Alpert, Elisabeth Bergan, Susan Clifton, Joyce Grosvenor, Merle Lotherington, Phyllis Parrish, Dian Peet, Dottie Stanley, Louise Hay, Elaine Lipinsky and Marian Trollan.