Back row: Emily Coupe, Eugenia Welch, and Lauren Sapp; front row: Cyndie Olson, Michelle Feinstein, Sheila Wirick, Maureen Ecke, Susan Cook, Robbie Johnson, Lizbeth Ecke, Edgar Engert, Dorothy Campbell, Susan Hight, and Kelly Johnson

Poinsettia Ball
The Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA’s 17th annual Paul Ecke, Jr. Poinsettia Ball will take place on Saturday, December 8, in the Gary E. Biszantz Gymnasium-turned-ballroom to honor Paul Ecke, Jr. as well as raise funds for the YMCA financial assistance programs. Guests will enjoy a formal evening of live entertainment from The Heroes, gourmet dining, and a silent auction featuring vacation packages and unique items and experiences. The 2007 Poinsettia Ball is chaired by Lizbeth Ecke, daughter of Paul Ecke, Jr., and committee members include Cher Bettencourt, Betty Jo Billick, Dorothy Campbell, Debbie Conover, Susan Cook, Susan Curran, Maureen Ecke, Cathy Eischen, Edgar Engert, Michelle Feinstein, Kathy Hagan, Annette Hall, Kelly Johnson, Robbie Johnson, Cyndie Olson, Eugenia Welch, and Sheila Wirick. Beneficiaries include Autism Society of America, San Diego Chapter/CampICan; Casa de Amistad; Casa de Amparo; Encinitas Community Resource Center; Kinship Support Services; YMCA Inclusion Program; and Camp Operation Appreciation. Tickets are $200 per person. For more information please contact Lauren Sapp. (760/635-3023, www.ecke.ymca.org/poinsettiaball.html) — Mia Stefanko

Papa Doug and Betsy Manchester

A Grand Celebration
The Grand Del Mar recently hosted a lavish private party and ribbon cutting event to celebrate the opening of the $270 million, 249-room Mediterranean-style resort owned and operated by Manchester Grand Resorts. Property details include over 30 types of marble and stone, vibrant Portuguese tile, Venetian plastered walls, more than 25,000 square feet of handcrafted wood flooring, and intricate hand-stenciled ceilings, to name but a few. The celebration, like the resort, spared no expense, as guests were treated to sumptuous cuisine, flowing Champagne, a smashing performance by Wayne Foster Entertainment, an ice sculpture bar, spectacular fireworks, and more.
— Jane Shiomi, photo by Jennifer Nelson

SAVE THE DATE

Ninth Annual Crystal Ball Gala
11/3: Benefitting Casa De Amparo, this event takes place at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club and features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auction, and dinner by Jeffrey Strauss. (760/754-5500, www.casadeamparo.org)

Project Concern International Gala — One Night, One World (Una Noche, Un Mundo)
11/3: This event celebrates the culture, vibrancy, and spirit of Latin America with a night of authentic cuisine, entertainment, and auction items. Manchester Grand Hyatt. (www.projectconcern.org/hands2007)

San Diego Fertility Expo
11/4: From 12-4pm to celebrate National Infertility Awareness Week and raise money for the nonprofit fertility association Resolve. Featuring several booths, with topics and representatives including reproductive endocrinologists, fertility acupuncture, nutrition for fertility, and more. (619/265-0291, www.sandiegofertilityexpo.com)

Cystic Fibrosis 65 Roses Golf Tournament
11/5: Join members of the San Diego Padres Baseball Club for a fabulous day of golf in scramble-style tournament. The day includes green fees, cart, lunch, dinner, contests, and prizes. (858/578-2945)

The Junior Seau Foundation 7th Annual Teammates Luncheon Honoring Bob Breitbard
11/9: Held at The Grand Del Mar to honor Bob Breitbard, founder of The San Diego Hall of Champions. A portion of the proceeds will go to the honoree’s charity or favorite cause. Tables of ten from $1,000. (858/244-SEAU, www.juniorseau.org)

City Ballet’s 13th Annual Gala — Passport To Paradise
11/10: At Paradise Point Resort & Spa. (858/274-6058, www.cityballet.org)

Fresh Start Surgical Gift’s 16th Annual Butterfly Ball — Wish Upon A Star
11/10: Channel 8’s Dan Cohen will host the black tie gala at Hotel del Coronado where guests will enjoy a silent and live auction and performances from Wayne Foster Entertainment. (760/448-2029, amelia@freshstart.org)

Lux Art Institute Community Open House
11/11: To celebrate the opening of Lux’s new Artist Pavilion and featuring Lux’s first resident artist, Tomas Rivas from Chile, working in the studio. (www.luxartinstitute.org)

San Diego District 5340 Foundation Gala
11/17: Held at the San Diego Hilton Resort, this event celebrates the support from all the Rotarians within San Diego and Imperial Counties and features keynote speaker Carolyn Jones, the first female trustee in the history of Rotary International to be on their board. (www.rotary5340.org)

Great Community Golf Tournament And Dinner
11/30: Great Community concentrates on military and community cancer patients and their families in the greater San Diego area. Executive director and founder Omar Carranza was diagnosed with cancer while serving for the United States Navy. He aspires to help patients and lift their spirits while they are going through treatment. The event takes place at Rancho Bernardo Inn. (www.greatcommunity.org)

78th Annual Candlelight Ball
12/1: Benefitting Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, this event takes place at Del Mar Country Club. (858/678-7357)

Paul Ecke, Jr. Poinsettia Ball
12/8: Black tie, silent auction, dinner, music by The Heroes, and tours of the world famous Ecke Poinsettia Ranch. Proceeds benefit the Financial Assistance Fund, and sending kids-to-camp. Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA. (760/635-3023, www.ecke.ymca.org)