Surf legend Tom Curren and Switchfoot’s Chad Butler

Third Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am
Fun in the sun with a cause returns to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas on June 2 with the Third Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am surf contest and concert. An event dear to Switchfoot’s hearts, the Bro-Am gives back to the San Diego community, this year benefitting Care House, a local children’s charity working to build a North County facility through funds raised at a pre-event auction night soiree, as well as from Bro-Am event vendors. Surfers include surf legend Tom Curren, Timmy Curran, Switchfoot, and riders representing Surfing Magazine, Transworld Surf, Surfer Magazine, Hurley, Jedidiah, Atticus, INT Surfboards, and more. The surf contest will be followed by a free concert on the beach with performances by The Jade Shader, Timmy Curran, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, and more. An afterparty at The Belly Up Tavern will raise additional funds for Care House. "The Switchfoot Bro-Am contest combines three of our favorite things: music, surfing, and San Diego," says Switchfoot’s drummer, Chad Butler. "For the last two years the local community has united to make a difference in the lives of kids who are in situations they should never have to face. This year the support for the third annual event has been overwhelming and it’s exciting that so many people are asking how they can get involved." Care House is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that assists needy children, including those living from hotel to hotel, in shelters, or on the verge of finding themselves back on the street, offering comfort and hope for brighter days ahead. Sponsorship opportunities are available, for more information please visit the Web site. (858/353-5457,
www.switchfoot.com/bro-am) — Jane Shiomi, photo by Andy Barron, inset photo by Benny Ek

Miriam Summ, Nancy Bojanic, Reinette Levine, Ernie Ligon, Alexandra Pearson, and Ed Richard

Mainly Mozart Honors Reinette Levine
San Diego’s Mainly Mozart has many friends, and they celebrated one of their closest with a special achievement award dinner held recently at The Westgate Hotel. The deserving honoree, Reinette Levine, has not only chaired Mainly Mozart’s annual gala for the last six years, but also served two years as president, and now chairs their board. Seventy attendees from near and far joined the celebration. After a Champagne reception in the Westgate’s lobby, festivities continued upstairs with laudatory comments from appreciative admirers, including Mainly Mozart executive director Nancy Bojanic, and Miriam Summ, who orchestrated the event. The Joe Satz Trio performed a jazz concert, and Coop Cooprider sang a couple of numbers, including "My Way" with lyrics re-written to tell how the evening’s honoree did it "her way." Finally, guests enjoyed a truly gourmet dinner in the Fontainebleau Room, where County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price’s office presented a proclamation declaring the date Reinette Levine Day in San Diego. — Paul Andrewsi

Animal trainer Allison Holland with Squeeze, a boa constrictor

Puttin’ On The Ritz
The San Diego Zoo’s RITZ 2007 has created an elegant supper club for the Rendezvous in the Zoo on June 16. With ebullient Katherine Kennedy and Robert Horsman chairing the always-spectacular event, the evening will be colorful and lively. A Butterfly Bidding Bar will entice guests to bid on auction items, with dinner and dancing to the music of The Pink Flamingos to follow. Jordan, whose gorgeous wearable art is a favorite with many of San Diego’s fashionable women, is designing the decor. Most importantly, proceeds will support the new elephant habitat at the San Diego Zoo. To that end, RITZ honorary chair Conrad Prebys has pledged to match every dollar donated by supporters two for one. Zoo RITZ is one of the best parties of the year, set outdoors in imaginatively art-directed settings that provide memories for years to come. (619/231-1515, www.sandiegozoo.org)
— Darlene G. Davies, photo courtesy of Zoological Society of San Diego

SAVE THE DATE

Lux After Dark
5/5: Lux Art Institute presents its annual gala and auction. Taking place at the art-filled home of Lux Art board member Linda Brandes, this lively party will feature dinner by Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille and music by Left 4 Dead. (760/436-6611)

Cinco De Mayo — Rancho Santa Fe Community Center’s Annual Gala Fundraiser
5/5: Taking place at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, this festive event will feature cocktails, dinner, and dancing to The Inside Out Band. (858/759-2638, eleahey@rsfcc.org)

San Diego Humane Society And SPCA’s Walk For Animals
5/5: Join thousands of animal lovers at Crown Point for fun in the sun at the 13th Annual Walk for the Animals, featuring live music, refreshments, a pancake breakfast, and a vendor village, complete with a number of animal-related information booths. More than 3,000 local animal lovers and their pets are expected to join together for this fun-filled, dog-themed event to help raise money for animals in need. Pledge forms are available at Petco and Ralphs stores throughout San Diego, at the Humane Society, and on the Society’s Web site. (619/243-3408, www.sdhumane.org)

Studio CD — La Jolla Country Day’s 2007 Gala
5/5: Featuring silent and live auctions, an opportunity drawing, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and entertainment including Hop Star and NRG. (858/735-2381, staceyv@cox.net)

San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care’s Wine And Cheese art reception
5/6: This free event offers an opportunity to meet local artists and view original works, 2-4pm at the center. (619/278-6440)

"Some Like it Hot" Presented By Friends Of Vista Hill
5/8: Taking place at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, this fashionable fundraising event features a silent auction, boutique shopping, luncheon, and fashion show by Gretchen Productions. Event chair is Debra McGinty-Poteet, honorary chair is Mary Alice Brady, and emcee is Carol LeBeau. For more information please call Linda Jones. (858/514-5153)

Mama’s Day
5/11: Mama’s Kitchen annual fundraising gala. This year at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.
(619/233-6262)

Mingei International Museum’s 29th Anniversary Gala
5/11: At Salk Institute for Biological Studies, this is Mingei’s principal fundraising event, directly benefiting the museum’s international exhibition program. It will honor David Rinehart, who was responsible for the interior design of Mingei International’s first museum at University Towne Centre, its building in Balboa Park, and its newest facility in Escondido. Gala chairs are Gordon and Annika Kovtun. (www.mingei.org)

Mental Health Fair
5/12: A free mental health fair at the Rancho Santa Fe Community Center including exhibitors from national and local mental health organizations, as well as educators, nutritionists, psychiatrists and psychologists, psychotherapists, speech therapists, support group leaders, authors, and more. (858/342-0327)

Taste of North County 2007
5/16: Hosted by Pardee homes at Derby Hill Development in Torrey Hills, this fundraiser for HomeAid features music by Burt Brion, food from Villa Capri, Maderas, The Barrel Room, Elijah’s, Dining Details, and Vida Gourmet, and more, as well as opportunity drawings and live and silent auctions. (858/646-4752, www.homeaidsd.org)

To Honor Our Champions
5/17: An annual event that recognizes two deserving local champions who have contributed to the betterment of youth and families throughout San Diego County. (619/543-9850, www.yfs.ymca.org)

Stars And Stripes Ball
5/19: USO celebrates 66 years with its fundraising gala themed Heroes — Past, Present, and Future to benefit local military. The event is emceed by Carol LeBeau and takes place at the Sheraton San Diego Resort & Marina. Auction, dinner, and special entertainment. (619/235-6503 www.usosandiego.org)

Grecian Grandeur
5/19: The Rancho Santa Fe Unit of Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary will host their annual gala at a private Rancho Santa Fe estate. The event promises a unique evening of entertainment with silent and live auctions and a sit-down dinner catered by Pamplemousse Grille. Net proceeds benefit the hospital’s Pediatric Trauma Center. (858/204-9973; www.cha-rsf.com)

Ninth Annual Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla
5/19: From 10am-4pm, the La Jolla Historical Society shares its secrets again. The tour will reveal gardens and homes that reflect the charm and often tucked-away hidden scenery of enduring La Jolla. (858/726-0227, www.ljhs.org)

16th Annual Spinoff Auction — Treasures of Tuscany: A Toast To Life
5/24: Scripps Cancer Center, Stevens Division presents the 16th Annual Spinoff Auction. This Tuscan-themed event at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine includes a gourmet Italian dinner with silent and live auctions. The memorable evening celebrates the future of cancer care in San Diego and honors Scripps Cancer Center visionaries who make an everlasting impact. (858/678-6298, www.scripps-spinoff.org)

National Chariy League’s Bellisima — Senior Presents 2007
5/26: Senior presents and fashion show at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Fashion show produced by Saks Fifth Aveune. (858/274-4598, www.nclsandiego.org)

Bella Notte — A Venetian Masquerade
6/2: Spring Fling 2007 is Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 19th annual black tie party that will transform the Fairbanks Village Plaza to bring guests an exciting and romantic night in Venice. (858/756-4117, www.animalcenter.org)

Third Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am
6/2: This surf contest and concert returns to Moonlight Beach to raise funds for Care House, a children’s charity aiming to build a North County facility. Guests can watch surfers in action including Tom Curren, Timmy Curran, and Switchfoot, as well as performances by several local bands. Free and open to the public. (www.switchfoot.com/bro-am)

Cancer Survivorship: San Diego! 10th Annual Celebration Of Life
6/10: At Cancer Survivors Park at Spanish Landing, this annual event is provided free to cancer patients, their friends and families, the health care community, and the general public. The event will include a keynote address from world-renowned cancer researcher Dr. Albert Deisseroth of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego and from Dr. O. Carl Simonton, director of the Simonton Cancer Center. (760/598-7304, www.cancersurvivorshipsd.com)