Out & About - Ranch & Coast

Casablanca For The Prado's Patrons July 15 marks the date for Patrons of the Prado's fundraising event to benefit the museums of Balboa Park, set to take place at Bea Evensen Fountain on the Prado. Co-chaired by Ellen Zinn and Courtney Liddy, this year's theme is Casablanca, and guests will enter the black tie event through a Moroccan marketplace with entertainment by "Sam," aka Rick Ross. Once inside, supporters will enjoy cocktails, a silent and live auction, cuisine by Pamplemousse's own Jeffrey Strauss, dancing to Kicks, as well as a variety of gaming tables. This year's fundraising beneficiaries are The Old Globe, Timken Museum of Art, and The Hall of Champions. (760/434-9556) - Jane Shiomi ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Alive A foliage elephant greeted gala-goers at the canopied entrance of the San Diego Museum of Art, welcoming them to this year's Art Alive. Inside, a profusion of exquisitely arranged blooms, especially keyed to the magnificent paintings, were highlighted throughout the galleries. Following the Champagne reception and viewing of the various exhibits, gourmet offerings awaited in the Sculpture Court, as a white, jazz era-type lounge, complete with bar and a band, lured patrons to its premises for a smashing climax to the 80th anniversary of the museum's inception. - Nanette Martin ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RITZ 2006 Get ready to raise your trunks, err - glasses. RITZ 2006, or Rendezvous in the Zoo, the San Diego Zoo's annual gala event, will be held on June 17. Set to benefit the new elephant habitat at the zoo, the event will feature an auction preview, cocktails and musical interludes, and dinner and dancing to the music of Society Beat's Prancing Pachyderms. (www.sandiegozoo.org) - Jane Shiomi Save The Date Blue Dog Lounge - Where The SophistiCats Are Seen 6/3: Helen Woodward Animal Center presents Spring Fling at Fairbanks Plaza next door to Helen Woodward Animal Center for an evening of entertainment, fine dining, and philanthropy. Guests can bid on unique silent and live auction items, sip on signature martinis while a pianist plays requests, and chat with world renowned artist George Rodrigue about his Blue Dog Collection. The event will also feature dinner, a cognac bar, and a live band. (858/756-4117, ext. 349) Fiesta Del PAWS 6/4: This event will take place at a historic Marston Hills Estate to celebrate and raise funds for PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support). Emceed by Margaret Radford and Eric Collins, the fundraiser will feature silent and live auctions, a raffle, and a feast of appetizers, drinks, main courses, and desserts. PAWS is a volunteer-driven organization providing low-income elderly, disabled, and chronically-ill individuals with essential services that enable them to keep their companion animals. (619/297-7297) To Honor Our Champions 6/8: Having lived a full life that impacted so many, Luba Johnston, known by many as the Grand Dame of Philanthropy in San Diego, will be posthumously awarded the shining star title at this year's event. Her flair for fundraising touched the lives of both donors and those in need. She counted YMCA Youth & Family Services among her favorite causes and continued to support events into her later years. Taking place at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, the evening includes a reception, silent auction, and dinner, and will also recognize 2006 champion honorees Rolf Benirschke and Laura Galinson. (619/543-9850) Adoptathon 2006 6/9-11: The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA's Adoptathon 2006 allows guests to mix and mingle with adoptable animals while enjoying free food and beverages in a fun, casual setting. "Pet Matchmakers" will be on-hand to help prospective pet parents find the perfect companion. This annual event, aimed at finding homes for wonderful adoptable animals, is part of a worldwide effort to help bring people and pets together and raise awareness about pet adoption. (619/299-7012) Fourth Annual Evening of Note 6/10: The Museum of Making Music will host an event to benefit the Museum's ongoing operations and activities that impact our local communities. Guests will enjoy six different musical acts performing throughout the museum, a silent and live auction, hors d'oeuvres, a glass of complimentary wine, light dessert, a champagne toast, and dancing. This year's event will honor Grammy award-winning composer/arranger and Carlsbad resident, Sammy Nestico, and local San Diego musical icon, Peter Sprague. (760/438-5996, ext. 212) Summer C-Note 6/17: San Diego Art Institute: Museum of the Living Artist presents an art auction fundraiser at the House of Charm in Balboa Park, where original artwork - donated by members and emerging regional artists-is sold right off the wall for one ($100), two ($200), or three ($300) c-notes. The SDAI's C-Note fundraiser benefits many programs. (619/236-0011)		email your calendar listings to: calendar@ranchandcoast.com

		Jewel Kelly, Liz Boyer, Deborah Santana, and Verna Griffin-Tabor Tea By The Sea The Center for Community Solutions recently held the seventh annual Tea by the Sea to honor the many volunteers, businesses, and community members who have helped make the center a success throughout the past year. The event at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines featured special guest speaker Deborah Santana, wife of music legend Carlos Santana, and a nationally recognized author, activist, and survivor of domestic violence in a previous relationship. In addition to a Champagne reception and opportunity drawing, guests enjoyed a moving program emceed by KUSI's Kimberly Hunt. - Jane Shiomi

		The national board and committee chairs of the Kiwi Club The Kiwis Come to Town It began as a meeting place for retired flight attendants - back in the days when the airlines could draw the line on stewardesses when they hit a certain age, got married, or weighed a little more than the required standard. Thus the name, "Kiwis," for the flightless bird. Well, San Diego is one of their favorite venues for a convention - this year the "Birds in Paradise" gathered at the Paradise Point Resort on Mission Bay. Not only did they meet, chat, shop, drink cocktails, and hold banquets, but they toured the USS Midway, had drinks and dinner at the Berkeley, and toured Little Italy - aside from the regular business of electing and installing national officers and raising money for their Wings Foundation. May they always turn their beaks toward San Diego. - Sparkle Stiff

		Susan Rosa, Mansour Rahmati, Lee Hawley, and Afshan Rahmati Kitchen De Bonaire Located in Del Rayo Village in Fairbanks Ranch, Kitchen De Bonaire recently held a grand opening celebration, where guests were treated to appetizers and drinks, as well as cappuccinos and delectable desserts. An interior design studio and showroom, Kitchen De Bonaire offers a collection of exceptional product lines (many exclusive to the design firm), including Christiana Cabinetry, Jay Rambo Co, Westwood Fine Cabinetries, Spekva wood countertops, and Delaubrac ovens, among others. And with a selection of the newest, innovative products, Kitchen De Bonaire can transform any kitchen or bath space into a comfortable work of art. (858/756-6608, www.kitchendebonaire.com) - Jane Shiomi

		Sounds Of Hope Music legend Al Green recently delighted the crowd at the third annual Sounds Of Hope For Children Concert at the House of Blues, which benefited Children's Hospital and Health Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Emceed by KUSI's Sandra Maas and presented by the Hospital Auxiliary's Carmel Valley Unit, the concert raised funds that will help the NICU provide the highest level of care for critically-ill newborns and infants. - Mia Stefanko