Gatherings - Ranch & Coast

Poinsettia Ball The Ecke family has been helping people through the Magdalena Ecke YMCA for decades, and its 17th annual fundraiser drew over 300 guests and raised about $130,000. Programs benefit thousands in the community who would otherwise not be able to pay, and include camps, activities for older adults, parent-child help, teen programs, youth sports, performing arts, childcare, and preschool. Some partnering agencies include Casa de Amparo, Encinitas Community Resource Center, Casa de Amistad, and Autism Society of America. The event featured music by The Heroes and a gourmet dinner. — Sparkle Stiff, photos by Jennifer Nelson

Charles and Karen Macbeth with Kathryn and Lee Morgan		Julie Hampton and Paul Ecke III

Sandy and Rich Houk		Robbie and Alan Johnson

Mo Ecke and Lizbeth Ecke		Sheila Wirick and Kelly Johnson

Stephen Dunham and Wendy Carpenter		Fred Applegate and Laura Bradley

David Meyer and Lizbeth Ecke		Andrew Hall and Lauren Sapp

Night At The Copa Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) — San Diego Chapter’s annual Celebration of Hope Gala took place at the El Cortez to raise funds to discover a cure for the fatal neurological disease. Guests enjoyed cocktails, dining, and music from the 1940s. The event honored Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and members of the offensive line for their dedication to HDSA. Proceeds benefit the HDSA Center of Excellence for Family Services and Research at UCSD and other HDSA programs. — Jane Shiomi, photos by Paul Andrews		Butterfly Ball — Wish Upon A Star Fresh Start Surgical Gifts’ 16th annual gala at Hotel del Coronado honored the Scotty Cameron family’s support in making children’s wishes come true. Cameron and his family donated $50,000 to support Fresh Start’s medical programs and the more than 600 children who receive free services in San Diego each year. Channel 8’s Dan Cohen hosted the black tie gala, where guests enjoyed a silent and live auction and performances by Wayne Foster Entertainment. — Jane Shiomi, photos by Paul Andrews

Antonio Gates, Norv Turner, and Roman Oben		Scotty Cameron, Sandy Cameron, Kathy Cameron, and Summer Cameron

Bryce and Gigi Goldman with Shannon and Nick Alford		Sonja Wilson, Loraine Levy, and Sharon Peltzer

Kimberly Ayres, Hank Bauer, and Natalie Watson		Jim and Susan Brandt with Tracy and Eric Dunahoo

Cheryl Kendrick, Larry Donofrio, Sally Cravens, Jack Berkman, and Allan Rappoport		Wayne and Marin Foster, Bonnie Foster, and Greg Laser

Chuck Hansen, Bill Johnston, Midge Svien, and Steve Carrizosa		Patrick Stewart, Max Chapman, Angel Chapman, and Callie Daugherty

Everything’s Coming Up Roses A high-energy fashion event and luncheon recently took place at The US Grant Hotel. Presented by Leonard Simpson of Fashion Forward and the American Red Cross Red Rose Society founded by Jeanne Jones, guests also enjoyed a social hour, silent auction, and fabulous runway show, the proceeds from which will support the Local Disaster Relief Fund of the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross. — Jane Shiomi, photos by Paul Andrews		Big Brothers Big Sisters 45th Annual Gourmet Dinner Big Brothers Big Sisters’ (BBBS) signature event at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine entertained over 650 of San Diego’s top business and community leaders while honoring San Diego Chargers’ Roman Oben, this year’s Man of the Year. Oben has been a Big Brother volunteer for nearly two years and has been a supporter and spokesperson for BBBS since 2004. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, seafood hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, music, and some of the finest cuisine in the city. — Jane Shiomi, photos by Paul Andrews

Reena Horowitz, Esther Jane Paul, Chris Marek, and Jeanne Jones		Frank Creede, Amy Kaechele, Brian Quinn, and Paul Palmer

Roxi and Fred Link, Judy Burer, and Cindy Goodman		Charger Girls with Roman Oben

Dee Ammon, Judy Ferrero, Cathy Lynch, and Susan Parker		Joseph Kennedy, Geri Ann Warnke, Don Prior, and Frank Arrington

Mari Hamlin Fink, Joe Craver, Andrea Naversen, and Leonard Simpson		John Fiske, John Wertz, and John Wertz, Jr.

Laura Bradley, Ginger Blair, Ellen Zinn, and Valerie Cooper		Curtis Moring Jr., Joe and Cheryl Navalesi, Mary Tucci, Mariana Villacorta, and Craig Chandler

Gingerbread City 2007 Barona’s vice chairman Charles "Beaver" Curo, Sally B. Thornton, and the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County welcomed guests to celebrate the holiday season with the 14th annual nationally recognized Gingerbread Design Competition; this year themed America the Beautiful. The event took place The US Grant and featured holiday music, complimentary Champagne and wine, desserts, auctions, gorgeous displays of gingerbread art, and savory delicacies prepared by chefs from San Diego’s top restaurants. — Jane Shiomi, photos by Bob Stefanko		Candlelight Ball With the generous support of general chairman Betty Knight Scripps, the Candlelight Ball outdid itself again. Scripps contributed $1.5 million as a challenge grant, which helped raise a record-breaking $3.5 million for Scripps Memorial Hospital. Honored guest and Academy Award-winner Cliff Robertson accompanied Scripps. Others present included Linda Edwards, June and Neil Ash, Susie and Craig Biddick, Jere and Joyce Oren, Gary Fybel, Carol and Harold Shively, Eric and Susan Topol, and Denise and Jeff Bowman. — Sparkle Stiff, photos by Jennifer Nelson

Deanne West, Jennifer Streit, Carl West, Sierra Streit, and Kathy D. West		Betty Knight Scripps and Cliff Robertson

Dave and Elaine Darwin		Denise and Jeff Bowman

Nancy Laturno Bojanic, Pam Slater-Price, and Joyce Gattas		Eve and Gary Fybel with Susie and Craig Biddick

Laura and Ralph DeMarco		Robert Brouillard and Debra Salamme with Rosemary and Chris Van Gorder

Sally B. Thornton and Sandy Redman		Kathryn Glassmyer, Debra Gunn Downing, and Susan Franklin