Out & About - Ranch & Coast

Co-chairs Elisabeth Bergan and Don Caulfield with Mama’s Kitchen executive director Alberto Cortes Mama’s Pie In The Sky Mama’s Kitchen presents the return of Mama’s Pie In The Sky, a Thanksgiving bake sale benefitting local men, women, and children living with AIDS/HIV and other critical illnesses. From October 18 to November 15, volunteers will sell holiday pies through businesses, schools, and organizations all over San Diego County. Local pastry chefs, caterers, and bakeries will once again donate thousands of pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies with the hopes of raising $100,000 to directly fund thousands of free, hot, nutritious meals and help ensure that no one living with HIV/AIDS or other critical illnesses in the community goes hungry. Pies can be pre-ordered by calling Mama’s Kitchen, and will be available for pick-up at convenient locations on Wednesday, November 22. (619/233-6262, www.mamaskitchen.org) — Jane Shiomi ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Todd Walker, Chris Young, and Adrien Gonzalez Padres At The Plate The San Diego Padres played service providers at Aqua Al 2’s sixth-year anniversary party. Guests were treated to an aperitivo happy hour followed by a three-course dinner served by the ball players. Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Eric Young, Josh Barfield, Adrian Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, and more were on hand to help benefit the night’s charity, the Autism Tree Project, dedicated to finding a cure for autism. — Ryan Thomas ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lunch For The Animals The Emergency Animal Rescue presented the first annual fundraising luncheon and silent auction at Scalini Restaurant. The event benefited the all-volunteer organization, which performs the actual physical rescue of domestic and wildlife animals in life-threatening situations. — Alicia Garcia Save The Date South Coast Plaza Food, Wine & Micro Brew Fest 10/5: Held from 5:30-8:30pm in the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wing, South Coast Plaza presents an evening of delicious fun featuring great cuisine from over 40 of Orange County’s finest restaurants, as well as tastings of premium wines and regional micro-brews. Proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. (714/771-1343) Teens, Jeans, Dreams 10/7: Friends of San Pasqual Academy presents a team penning event to benefit the foster teens of San Pasqual Academy at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena. (858/759-3298) Opus Carnaval 2006 10/14: San Diego Symphony’s annual opening weekend gala under the big top tent across the street from Copley Symphony Hall. The night kicks off with a pre-concert reception, followed by an elegant three- to four-course dinner. A post-concert party follows under the big top tent, featuring casino-style gambling. Individual tickets are $750, tables of ten are $7,500, corporate/sponsor tables of ten are $10,000 and post-party only tickets are $150. (619/235-0804, www.sandiegosymphony.com) 20th Annual Fur Ball 10/14: In celebration of the "Year of the Dog" this year’s San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s gala promises Double Happiness. The black-tie optional event will be held alfresco at the Humane Society’s beautiful building at the San Diego Campus for Animal Care. Longtime Humane Society supporter Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille will be honored at the event. (619/243-3434, www.sdhumane.org) Up, Up And Away! 10/14: 13th Annual Conner’s Cause for Children Benefit Gala for families dealing with the task of caring for a child with a life threatening illness takes place aboard Midway, The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. (858/794-4071, www.connerscause.org) ECO-LIFE Foundation’s 2nd Annual Fundraiser 10/14: This event takes place at Allen Airways Flying Museum, with dinner prepared by the California Restaurant Associations, San Diego Chapter Chef of the Year, Susan Sbicca. (www.ecolifefoundation.org) Beach & Country Guild’s Dia Del Sol 10/18: This year’s Dia del Sol at the Rancho Santa Fe home of Charles and Tanya Brandes will feature silent and live auctions, gourmet luncheon, and a full runway fall fashion show produced by Nordstrom. All of the money raised at Dia del Sol stays in San Diego County to support the programs and services provided by the two United Cerebal Pulsy centers in San Diego and Escondido. $150 to $250. (858/759-4045, www.beachandcountry.org) Much Ado About Mercy 10/21: The 37th annual Merch Ball supporting Scripps Mercy Hospitals in San Diego and Chula Vista will take place at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego. Guests will travel in time to Shakespearean England and the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I, while enjoying gourmet dinner, auctions, and live entertainment. Tickets start at $250; sponsorship opportunities are available. (858/678-6364, www.mercyball.org) Wheels Of Wonder 10/21-22: Wheels of Wonder weekend benefits Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs. The event takes place at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. (760/901-4306, www.cci.org) Sixth Annual Friendraiser 10/22: San Diego Brain Injury Foundation holds their sixth annual Friendraiser at Friend Plaza on the UCSD campus. The afternoon event will feature gourmet food, fine art, wine tasting, silent auction, and entertainment. $50. (619/294-6541, www.sdbif.org)		email your calendar listings to: calendar@ranchandcoast.com

		John Beaver, Ann Craig, Rosina Beaver, and Dori Robbins Athenaeum Gala Ancient and modern Greece met at the gala held by the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library. Themed Athena, it began with Aegean dancers performing on the patio as authentic Greek hors d’oeuvres like dolmas and pork keftedes were tray-passed. Before dinner, guests, imaginatively costumed as Cyclopes, goddesses, Medusas, and even tourists, paraded around the block to the amusement of passersby. Resident sculptress Mafalda Hicks created the fantastic Styrofoam sculptures that lent an air of authority to the interior, as did the paintings done by other talented Athenaeum members. — Nanette Martin

		Ralph Destino and Chris Isaak Gem Session The 75th Diamond Anniversary of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) was held on the grounds of the institute at the end of August, and no expense was spared. Guests sipped wine and cocktails and noshed on hors d’oeuvres while perusing the GIA’s many exhibitions. Of particular note were the 108-carat Steinmetz flawless diamond and Mercedes-Benz diamond-encrusted Formula One steering wheel. Ambient music was performed by String Theory, whose long-string instrument stretched from the stage to the top of the Institute’s roof. After a brief movie honoring the success of the Steinmetz Group — which sponsored the event — pop country star Chris Isaak, donned in his customary jewel-studded suit, performed a brief, intimate concert that had everybody dancing. "No diamonds were harmed in the making of this suit," quipped Isaak, just one of the many jokes he told in between songs. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display over the water. — Ryan Thomas

		Bible Signing Morton’s, The Steakhouse recently celebrated the first Morton’s Steak Bible, written by Morton’s co-founder Klaus Fritsch, and nationally-known food writer and cookbook editor, Mary Goodbody. Guests enjoyed signature hors d’oeuvres, a copy of the cookbook (which features over 100 never-before-published recipes and secrets of the legendary steakhouse), and the opportunity to meet and mingle with Fritsch. The classy reception was part of a coast-to-coast city tour to 41 Morton’s restaurant locations. (www.mortons.com) — Jane Shiomi

		Colleen Foster and Doe Donovan Welcoming The Newcomer Not all La Jolla Newcomers are newcomers, but they are permitted to participate nonetheless, especially at the plethora of parties. When they planned one to welcome their new president, Doe Donovan, the president-elect found the perfect place to hold it. The former owner of Prudential California Realty, Steve Games, was vacationing with his family in Baja and he opened his palatial estate to them. He missed a lovely afternoon, marked by perfect weather, a buffet featuring fruit, shrimp, and Champagne, and even a violinist who had entertained guests the night before at the Monte Carlo gala. — Nanette Martin