Out & About - Ranch & Coast

Mary Beth Kellee, Diane DeMarino, Linda Nordstrom, and Marlene Gotz Dia Del Sol The beautiful Rancho Santa Fe home of Charles and Tanya Brandes will be the setting of this year's Dia del Sol on October 18, put on by The Beach & Country Guild. The festive daytime event, as always, will feature a home tour, silent and live auctions, gourmet luncheon, and a full runway fall fashion show produced by Nordstrom, a Dia del Sol partner since 1999, which will also create an onsite boutique at the event. KUSI's Kimberly Hunt will return for a fourth year as emcee of the event. The Beach & Country Guild is a hard-working group comprised entirely of volunteers who share the same goal of raising money for United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). All of the money raised at Dia del Sol stays in San Diego County to support the programs and services provided by the two UCP centers in San Diego and Escondido. Tickets range from $150 to $250, and seating is limited. The event will begin at 9:30am and will end at approximately 2pm. (858/759-4045, www.beachandcountry.org) — Jane Shiomi ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Festival Del Mar The San Elijo Hills Festival Del Mar returns this year to the infield at Del Mar Racetrack. This two-day event hosts an extraordinary list of acts and entertainment for the entire family. Headliners this year include George Thorogood and the Destroyers on Saturday, September 23 and Cake on Sunday, September 24. Joining them is a lineup of bands including: Dr. John, Digable Planets, Medeski Martin and Wood, Little Feat, Don Carlos, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Mad Professor, Israel Vibration, and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, as well as some yet-to-be-announced acts. In addition to the music, vendors from some of the area's finest eateries will be present. There will also be an expanded play area for kids including a variety of cultural activities. And for the philanthropic-minded, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the San Diego County chapter of The Surfrider Foundation, plus a portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Association for Cancer Research. (www.festivaldelmar.org) — Kaila Lee ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wedding party Brandes Nuptials Over 400 guests gathered at the Rancho Santa Fe home of Charles and Tanya Brandes to share in the celebration of their union in marriage. Tanya dazzled in a gown by Italian designer Inez Di Santo, while a quartet made up of members of the San Diego Symphony played before and during the ceremony and included a tribute to Charles' late mother. Guests also enjoyed a performance by none other than Elton John, then danced the night away in a chic dance club/lounge area complete with a New York DJ — Mia Stefanko, photography by Joe Buissink Save The Date 10th Annual Party In The Paddock 9/6: After the final race of the 67th season, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will host this party on Closing Day, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego, with a no-host bar, hors d'oeuvres, and live music by The Heroes. (858/755-1141, www.delmarracing.com) The Walk For Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure 9/9: This 1.2-mile walk and family event at Balboa Park benefits The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, the nation's leading organization providing information about food allergies. (www.firstgiving.com/faanwalk) The Museum Of Contemporary Art's Monte Carlo Gala 9/9: The 30th annual gala fundraiser at MCASD's La Jolla location. The event will pay homage to the city in Monaco with an enchanted black-and-white garden party. Proceeds from the event will benefit education and exhibition programs at the museum. $1,000 or $10,000 per table of 10; Trellis tickets are $500 or $5,000 per table of 10. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org) Urban Campout: Down Under 9/15: San Diego's fundraiser to benefit local Girl Scouts takes on an Aussie accent this year in Balboa Park. Don outback attire and enjoy games, dining, dancing, and auctions. (619/610-0735, www.girlscoutssdi.org) The Globe Gala 2006 9/16: At Balboa Park, guests will enjoy a dinner and dance to music provided by the Innovations Dance Band. This year's festivities include a reception and live and silent auctions. Proceeds support The Old Globe's education and outreach programs. (619/231-1941, ext. 2317, www.theoldglobe.org) The Storybook Ball 9/16: Kids Included Together (KIT), a nonprofit organization that supports children with and without disabilities, presents this event at The Corky McMillin Companies Event Center at the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station, benefiting the creation of the National Training Center on Inclusion and KIT affiliate sites in San Diego. (858/320-3055, www.kitonline.org/storybook.html) Minding the Arts 9/17: This gala benfits The Neurosciences Institute's efforts to make its reception areas and auditorium available to myriad arts organizations. A concert will feature performances by The Hendrick-Montano Artist Foundation, Mainly Mozart, and the Darvak Music Ensemble. (858/626-2022, www.nsi.edu) Country Friends Fashion Show 9/21: The Country Friends partners with South Coast Plaza for their largest fundraising event of the year. All proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. The event features looks by top-tier designers including Celine, Christian Dior, Donna Karan, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent. (858/756-1192, www.countryfriends.org) What's Up Girard 9/30: A look at home decorating trends, led by renowned experts, followed by a festive evening of Showroom Soirees at participating venues. The "Chair'ity" portion of the evening benefits ArtsBusXpress, which provides local school children with transportation for fieldtrips. (858/551-0873) A Taste Of Italy 9/30: Fundraiser for Hope For A Cure Foundation takes place at Piatti's at La Jolla Shores. Enjoy wine tasting, music, auctions, and more. (858/794-1782, www.hopeforacurefoundation.org)		email your calendar listings to: calendar@ranchandcoast.com

		Gala chair Ann Craig (right) and co-chair Connie Mullin Branscomb Athena At The Athenaeum The 16th benefit gala for the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library will take place on Friday, September 8. Themed Athena at the Athenaeum, the event aims to reflect the membership library's roots as the library transforms into a unique Grecian setting. Guests of the event will enjoy entertainment by authentic Greek dancers and musicians, a silent auction, and a delectable Greek menu. This year's gala chair is Ann Craig, assisted by co-chairs Connie Mullin Branscomb and Rosina Beaver, and an enthusiastic committee. Proceeds will support the Athenaeum's outstanding musical performances, lectures, and exhibitions, as well as its prestigious library collection. Tickets for patrons are $200 and $300. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org — Jane Shiomi

		Mike Schatz with Terry and Yvonne Broyles Golf For Life The 10th annual Golf for Life Charity Classic benefiting the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) recently took place at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, and netted more than $160,000 for the San Diego nonprofit cancer research center. The annual Golf for Life Charity Classic is held in memory of Joe Zamudio and others who have battled cancer. The winners' trophy, designed exclusively by Tiffany & Co., is permanently on display at SKCC, and each year, Zamudio's grandchildren present the trophy to the tournament winners. This year, the winning team was from Pacific Rim Mechanical. Founded in 1990, SKCC is dedicated to the development of advanced biological cancer treatments, such as gene therapy, angiostatic therapy, vaccine therapy, and immunotherapy, and to making those treatments readily available to patients. — Jane Shiomi

		Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Celebrating Arnold A birthday celebration for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was recently held on the lawn of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. A sold-out crowd gathered to help raise funds for his re-election campaign, and hear his thoughts on the the current state of California. While in town, he visited local schools to support his bill to help fund music, arts, and physical education. — Alicia Garcia

		Katie Couric with Melissa Moore Couric's Crusade Broadcast journalist Katie Couric recently spoke at Partners for Life, a luncheon held at Moores UCSD Cancer Center to benefit cancer research. The event was co-sponsored by KFMB-TV and CBS News. Couric stressed the importance of colonoscopies and other cancer-screening processes that can help catch the disease early, even going so far as to suggest taking your mother for her birthday or making it a romantic outing with your significant other. She also spoke of the cancer patients she met that morning who are receiving treatments at the Infusion Center. Couric has put much time and energy into the fight against cancer after losing her husband to colon cancer and her sister to pancreatic cancer. Her efforts include having an on-air colonoscopy, for which she is credited with increasing the number of colonoscopies nationwide by 20 percent. This month, Couric will assume her new position as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, becoming the first female solo anchor of a network evening news broadcast. — Rina Van Orden