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In La Jolla, the year 2024 appears to have been marked by authors and significant anniversaries. Numerous local inhabitants published books this year, and various community organizations celebrated notable milestones.
Here’s a summary of La Jolla’s lifestyle highlights for the year.
• “A Jamaican Mermaid Tale”: To honor a cherished friend, professor Bill Gerwick from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography pens his first children’s book, “A Jamaican Mermaid Tale,” inspired by a folk tale from his youth.
• Meanley Hardware sells: As the latest Meanley to manage the esteemed Meanley & Son Ace Hardware store gets ready for retirement, the La Jolla Light reflects on the 70-year legacy of the convenient shop located at 7756 Girard Ave. and what lies ahead.
• Love and dance: Stephanie Maiorano and Tona Gomez, married dancers with the San Diego Ballet, share their love and dance journey before their performance of “The Many Loves of Don Juan” at La Jolla’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center.
• “Believe in Yourself”: Trisha Rao, a student at La Jolla Country Day School, authors a book about the importance of self-belief, which gets translated into several languages and distributed to refugees and others facing hardships. “Believe in Yourself” is based on a tale Rao penned about her family dog’s global adventures and the lessons learned along the way.
• Filming in La Jolla: “Hemet, or The Landlady Don’t Drink Tea,” a film blending political satire with dystopian adventure, is directed by La Jolla resident Tony Olmos, filmed partially in his La Jolla Heights residence.
• Angel of the Forgotten: In tribute to his deceased wife, Karen, La Jolla inhabitant Bob Cooper establishes the nonprofit organization Angel of the Forgotten. This charity provides over 1,000 dog toys and treats to local animal shelters and humane societies.
• “In Pursuit of Extreme Greatness”: La Jolla resident Russ Reinbolt publishes “In Pursuit of Extreme Greatness: An ER Doctor and Ultramarathoner’s Prescription for Elevating Your Life Beyond Limits” and embarks on motivational speaking engagements to convey his message of striving for greatness.
• George’s at 40: The eatery George’s at the Cove commemorates 40 years on Prospect Street. Chef and owner Trey Foshee states that George’s has evolved over the years and that the management team “continues to reinvent ourselves” to adapt to changing times.
• “Chasing Cheese with Charlie”: Steven Sundberg from Windansea publishes “Chasing Cheese with Charlie,” a tale of a mouse on an adventure to find cheese. Sundberg explains that Charlie “is meant to be relatable for children and serves as a metaphor,” illustrating how we pursue money in hopes of attaining happiness. “It’s a big lesson I’ve learned in my life and wanted to convey,” he added.
• Las Patronas: This year’s Las Patronas beneficiary luncheon enables the acquisition of six vehicles, new lighting, and other equipment, as the La Jolla-based women’s philanthropy organization allocates $405,864 to eight major beneficiaries.
• “Ally Protects the La Jolla Seals”: Local resident Deborah Saracini pens a children’s book focusing on La Jolla’s harbor seal population, adapting the recent history of the Children’s Pool for a fresh generation. “Ally Protects the La Jolla Seals” narrates the story through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl named Ally, detailing the evolution of current seal protections at this iconic coastal site.
• Love tales: Residents of the Belmont Village La Jolla senior community reveal the secrets behind their long-lasting marriages, highlighting that humor, mutual respect, and shared interests create a strong foundation.
• Barbara Brown: Barbara Brown, a La Jolla local and the first female member of the Rotary Club of La Jolla since 1987, is elected as its president.
• The Whaling Bar: After being closed for 11 years, The Whaling Bar reopens at La Jolla’s La Valencia Hotel. Its revival follows a three-year endeavor to restore the nautical-themed venue, which originally opened in 1949 and frequently hosted notable figures such as children’s author Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), novelist Raymond Chandler, and Hollywood star Gregory Peck.
• Kyle Zimmer: Former Major League Baseball pitcher Kyle Zimmer makes a visit to his former school, La Jolla High School, for the 30th annual alumni baseball event. Zimmer, along with his brother Bradley and pioneering athlete Malaika Underwood, is inducted into the La Jolla High Baseball Hall of Fame, and their names are etched upon a wall adjacent to the Muirlands Middle School field where the LJHS baseball team competes. Their photographs are also showcased in the team clubhouse.
• Bishop’s water polo title: The Bishop’s School girls water polo team secures its sixth straight CIF San Diego Section Open Division title with a 13-5 win against third-seeded Carlsbad. Overall, the Knights outscore their three playoff opponents 48-8.
• Country Day soccer championship: The girls soccer team from La Jolla Country Day School clinches its first CIF division championship in 18 years, triumphing 3-1 over top-seeded Calexico. All three goals for Country Day are netted by Hannah Eftekhari through free kicks resulting from penalties.
• Science Olympiad: The Science Olympiad team at Torrey Pines Elementary School in La Jolla captures first place in the San Diego Regional Science Olympiad Division. Torrey Pines engaged in 13 of the 16 available challenges, covering topics from the solar system to constructing a straw tower capable of bearing various weights and designing a package with a parachute that safeguards an egg from shattering after dropping from diverse heights.
• Stella Maris Academic Decathlon victory: The Academic Decathlon team from Stella Maris Academy middle school achieves first place in the regional round of the National Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon. The La Jolla institution partakes in a 20-question Logic Quiz requiring completion within an hour; a Super Quiz comprising 50 multiple-choice inquiries spanning five broad academic subjects; and individual quizzes featuring topics such as Roman Catholic doctrine, English, literature, science, mathematics, current affairs, social studies, as well as art and music.
• Nierenberg Prize: For her contributions to COVID-19 vaccine development utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA), biochemist and Nobel Prize laureate Katalin Karikó receives the 2023 Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest, presented by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego in La Jolla.
• “Clarkie Saves the Moon”: La Jolla resident and emerging author Jillian Sterling Wilson, inspired by her son Clark, publishes “Clarkie Saves the Moon,” a tale of a boy who gazes out his window at night to observe the moon and stars. However, one night brings a surprise when the moon is absent, prompting him to embark on a mission to save it. In December, Wilson releases “Kaia and her Magical Kite,” inspired by her daughter, Kaia.
• Man cave: With the goal of crafting the ultimate “man cave” — or at least one recognized as such by a 12-year-old — the Make-A-Wish Foundation constructs a structure in the backyard of a La Jolla Shores residence, including furnishings and all the puzzles a child could desire.
• Women’s History Month: A number of women from La Jolla receive recognition during Women’s History Month for their contributions in areas such as philanthropy, medicine, science, and volunteer work. They include: Woman of Impact in Health and Human Services, Dr. Ayana Boyd King, chief of staff for Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla; Woman of Distinction, Margaret Leinen, director of UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla; Women of Dedication, Lisette Farrell, Fran Shimp, and Julia Ramirez-Stone; and Girl Scouts Cool Woman, Suzie Alarcón, co-founder of AUGenomics and director of the Next Generation Sequencing Core at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology.
• Seadragon premiere: Five juvenile weedy seadragons, which hatched the previous year at Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, make their public appearance after having stayed behind the scenes since their birth. These individuals emerge from a larger group of over 70 weedy seadragons hatched at Birch following a groundbreaking egg transfer that took place publicly.
• Gary Frank: La Jolla High School grad and longtime Vikings baseball coach Gary Frank is honored by the San Diego Padres as a Coach of the Week.
• Opera Wednesdays: Marking a decade of hosting Opera Wednesdays, the La Jolla Community Center features monthly concerts showcasing three or four vocalists. “These aren’t orchestra seats — you are front row,” remarks center director Nancy Walters. “Some are literally inches away from the performers.”
• Model airplane contest
“`: Following three years of training and honing skills in model aircraft fabrication, La Jolla High School pupil Daniel Guo secures first prize in his age group at the F1D World Championships for constructing a model that maintained flight for an impressive duration of 26 minutes and 38 seconds.
• Student art exhibition: The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, the venue for the La Jolla Music Society at 7600 Fay Ave., hosts a display of creations by students enrolled in La Jolla High School’s Advanced Placement art program. Every piece is available for purchase, with proceeds directed to the artists.
• New Bird Rock principal: Eric Banatao, a seasoned educator within San Diego County’s educational institutions, assumes the role of principal at Bird Rock Elementary School. Banatao commenced his career in 1996 as a secondary school teacher before moving into administrative positions. He has focused significantly on equipping students with the tools and attitudes necessary to forge successful futures.
• Spelling triumph: Two students from La Jolla achieve top distinction in the third annual Coastwise Spelling Prize, accurately spelling every word they were given. Levi Pancer, a third-grader from Bird Rock Elementary School, clinches victory in the younger category, while Julia Schlachetzki, a fifth-grader from La Jolla Elementary, secures the title in the older category.
• PlanetFlip: La Jolla resident Ron Kagan unveils the app PlanetFlip, designed to assign users tasks identified by researchers as beneficial in lowering emissions linked to climate change, such as utilizing public transport. Users can engage with these tasks to accumulate points for rewards and prestige.
• Money Man: The San Diego Literacy Council organizes its Financial Literacy Superheroes Competition, inviting youth aged 4-17 to submit graphic art entries with a comic-book theme addressing financial literacy or money management. The recipient of the CEO’s Choice Award is 14-year-old La Jolla resident Diego Sopielnikow for his creation, Money Man.
• St. Germaine: The St. Germaine Children’s Charity, located in La Jolla, commemorates its 40th anniversary. Since its establishment, the organization has aimed to provide financial and additional support to abused and neglected children in San Diego County through grants to local agencies that aid them. Over the years, St. Germaine has accumulated $5 million in donations and assisted 50 local service organizations that have reached out to 10,000 children and young adults.
• “Posh on Prospect”: The La Jolla Village Merchants Association collaborates with Fashion Week San Diego to present the inaugural “Posh on Prospect” fashion event on May 11 at The Living Room Coffeehouse in La Jolla, accompanied by activities at participating boutiques in The Village. Models showcase outfits from various stores in La Jolla.
• Booth dedications: La Jolla’s Whaling Bar dedicates booths to children’s literature author Theodor “Ted” Geisel (Dr. Seuss), philanthropist Joan Kroc, and long-time La Valencia Hotel resident Selma Malk.
• Teachers of the Year: La Jolla’s five public schools announce their Teachers of the Year, selected following nominations and voting by fellow educators at their respective schools. The honored individuals are: La Jolla High School instructor Kelley Bailey, Muirlands Middle School educator Lori Trombley, La Jolla Elementary School teacher Kelly Wiskus, Bird Rock Elementary School’s Kimberly Williams, and Torrey Pines Elementary School’s Sarabeth Wintringer.
• Little monsters: A month-long initiative between La Jolla Elementary and Muirlands Middle schools reaches its conclusion. The LJES third-grade students were tasked with articulating a vivid description of an imaginary monster and illustrating their creations. The narratives and renderings were then shared with Muirlands students. With supplies donated by the local design studio and sewing school Shapes to Forms, the middle schoolers fashioned plush toys intended to closely resemble the drawings, adhering to the narrative details. They then delivered the handmade toys to the younger creators.
• Alison Brown: Banjo artist, Grammy Award winner, and former La Jolla resident Alison Brown graces the stage at a benefit concert for the Rotary Club of La Jolla at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Although born on the East Coast, she was raised in La Jolla and graduated from La Jolla High School as a valedictorian. Her mother, Barbara, continues to reside in La Jolla and serves as the Rotary Club’s president.
• Casa de Mañana centennial: Casa de Mañana in La Jolla marks its centennial celebration. Over the course of its 100-year existence—initially as a hotel, subsequently as a church-affiliated facility, and now as a retirement community—Casa de Mañana has offered a haven for retired religious leaders, visiting dignitaries, countless others, and even a Dalmatian named Tug.
• 300 miles around the track: La Jolla High School educator and coach Tom Atwell concludes his 16th yearly run to generate funds for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. This year, Atwell cycles 273.8 miles around the school track and adds another 26.2 miles running, resulting in a total of 300 miles. In doing so, he collects over $10,300.
• “Hotel Cocaine”: La Jolla High School alumna Lola Claire — a native of San Diego who attended Bird Rock Elementary and Muirlands Middle schools prior to enrolling at La Jolla High — secures the part of Trini in a new series on the MGM+ streaming platform titled “Hotel Cocaine.”
• IlluminArt: Two students from La Jolla Country Day School achieve top honors at the 2024 Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge for their creation of a lightbox named IlluminArt. This device offers stimulation for patients with profound mobility or cognitive impairments at the Helen Bernardy Center for Medically Fragile Children at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.
• Little literature aficionado: Four-year-old Huxley Schwartz from La Jolla commemorates reading over 800 books throughout his lifetime, many sourced from the local library or procured from Warwick’s bookstore or the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla.
• Gold Awards: La Jolla Girl Scouts are acknowledged with Gold Awards for initiatives focused on American Sign Language, California history, horticultural therapy, and high school mentorship. The honorees include Daphne Mayer, Audrey Weishaar, Taliah Wendoll, and Michelle Bryant.
• Eagle projects: Four Boy Scouts from Troop 4 based in La Jolla complete their Eagle projects on Coast Walk Trail, which encompass new benches, recycling bins, and erosion control measures. They are George McCann, Leo Souza, Kaden Belt, and Cooper Smith.
• Isabelle David: Isabelle David, the newly appointed leader of San Diego French American School, implements various changes, including the establishment of a new role aimed at enhancing after-school and weekend programs, initiating weekly meetings with parents, improving student offerings, and beautifying the campus.
• “Symphoninas”: David Fogel, a La Jolla native, aspires to introduce orchestral music to the younger generation by creating “symphoninas,” or brief symphonies, that may be more approachable than some extended compositions.
• Gary Krahn: Gary Krahn retires after nine years as head of La Jolla Country Day School. In reflecting on his tenure, Krahn expresses pride in cultivating a campus atmosphere that emphasizes treating everyone with respect, alongside the introduction of new programs aimed at promoting this culture.
• Friendship Games: Athletes from La Jolla Youth Baseball get ready to travel to Japan as part of the Friendship Games exchange initiative. In the previous year, young Japanese baseball players visited La Jolla, and this year, La Jolla players will go to Japan. This reciprocal arrangement will persist for the foreseeable future.
• James Brandt: James Brandt, a Stella Maris Academy graduate, assumes the role of principal at the La Jolla school following Francie Moss’s retirement. Brandt states, “It has been a true pleasure and a blessing to return here, to come back home as the servant leader of this school that shaped and guided me into who I am today.”
• Mr. Padre mural: A new mural in tribute to “Mr. Padre” Tony Gwynn is unveiled at the Mandarin House restaurant in La Jolla.
• Beach toy collection: Resident Gina Pellegrino of La Jolla Shores begins collecting discarded beach toys and supplies that have been left at the beach, but soon is taken aback by the vast number of items accumulated and intends to donate some of them to a charitable cause.
• Mike Hynson: La Jolla surfer Mike Hynson is honored with induction into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach. Hynson, who gained fame from “The Endless Summer” (a 1966 film featuring him and Robert August on a worldwide surfing adventure), is also recognized for his design and shaping of a new board style and for his overall surfing talent.
• Troy Longwith: New General Manager Troy Longwith of La Valencia Hotel expresses to the La Jolla Light his eagerness to oversee the upcoming years of La Jolla’s “Pink Lady” on Prospect Street, including its upcoming centennial in 2026.
• People in Preservation: Historians from La Jolla, Diane Kane, Molly McClain, and Seonaid McArthur, responsible for placing the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, are bestowed with People in Preservation awards by the Save Our Heritage Organisation.
• Back to school: Students attending La Jolla’s public schools and all institutions within the San Diego Unified School District commence classes earlier than usual, on August 12. This date — merely two months post the conclusion of the last school year in June — arises from a 2022 SDUSD board resolution that altered the 2024-25 school calendar.
• Torrey Pines Rotary anniversary: The Torrey Pines Rotary Club commemorates its first 60 years and announces efforts to expand membership and allocate funds to additional organizations.
• Speech and debate: After reaching the semifinal stage of the California High School Speech Association State Championship in April with the La Jolla High School speech and debate team, students and twin siblings Sarah and Mira Lehman are now finalists in the National Speech & Debate Tournament.
• Lynda Forsha: Following nearly 15 years and almost 50 murals created, Lynda Forsha announces her intention to resign in January from her position as executive director of the Murals of La Jolla program.
• Lifeguard Relay: Team La Jolla triumphed in the yearly Lifeguard Relay, where teams compete against each other in various challenges for bragging rights. The event showcases four lifeguard teams, each composed of 17 members from distinct regions of San Diego: La Jolla; a combined team from Mission Beach and Pacific Beach; another combined group from Ocean Beach and Sunset Cliffs; as well as the city’s boating safety unit and bay lifeguards.
• Pacific Lyric Association: The Pacific Lyric Association Opera, a company based in La Jolla that has been staging full-scale operas featuring emerging talents for 18 years, is facing closure due to a lack of donations. The nonprofit has served as a “bridge” for young vocalists from their graduation until they are able to audition for larger opera companies.
• Scripps Health centennial: Scripps Health marks its centennial, including the two hospitals situated in La Jolla. Currently, Scripps Health operates five hospitals — Scripps Memorial and Scripps Green being among them — along with 19 outpatient centers and employs over 13,000 individuals throughout San Diego County.
• Jeff Terwin: La Jolla Country Day School appoints a new head of school, Jeff Terwin, aiming to infuse a sense of “joyful exploration” into the campus environment.
• McKinney YMCA at 60: The Dan McKinney Family YMCA celebrates 60 years of functioning at 8355 Cliffridge Ave. in La Jolla. Established in 1964 as the Northwest YMCA through a collaboration among the La Jolla Optimists, Dutch Smith Pool Association, and La Jolla Youth Inc., the center was initiated to provide a pool that was deemed highly necessary.
• Bowing out: Christopher Ashley, who has served as the artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse for the past 18 seasons, announces his appointment to lead New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company and will leave La Jolla after 2025.
• Woman’s Club at 110: The La Jolla Woman’s Club observes the 110th anniversary of its namesake building and declares plans to return to its foundational mission of assisting others and improving the lives of women.
• Architecture awards: Franklin Antonio Hall on the UC San Diego campus and the Scripps Park Pavilion restroom facility receive Orchid awards from the San Diego Architectural Foundation.
• Voices for Children volunteers: Young La Jolla brothers Will and Noah Stupin contribute their time to Voices for Children — a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting abused, abandoned, and neglected children by providing them with Court Appointed Special Advocates — through collecting book and toy donations and promoting the cause.
• 50 half marathons: Bird Rock resident John Newsam pledges to complete a half marathon (13.1 miles) in all 50 states over a two-year span — this year and next. From January to October, he has participated in half marathons in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, California, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Ohio, Iowa, Florida, Alaska, Montana, Missouri, Tennessee, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
• Las Patronas: During the recent luncheon for new members of the La Jolla women’s philanthropic group Las Patronas, 13 new members are welcomed into the fold, and the group shares that this year’s 78th annual Jewel Ball, themed “Meet Me in Marrakesh,” garnered $909,630 for San Diego nonprofits.
• New Lodge general manager: Jakub Skyvara is appointed as the general manager at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, a AAA Five Diamond-rated resort located in La Jolla, owned by Evans Hotels. He succeeds Bill Gross, who had overseen the property since 2006.
• Jewel Awards: The La Jolla Historical Society awards Jewel Awards to John and Nancy Jo Cappetta, residents of a home at 6210 Camino de la Costa in La Jolla; Mark Lyon and Sara Carpenter, who refurbished a 1965 Russell Forester-designed house at 7834 Esterel Drive on behalf of the owners; Karen and Richard Taylor, stewards of the 1928 Harold Muir House at 1205 Muirlands Drive; Hailey and Max Waitt, who remodeled the Irving Gill-designed Orli Hotel, also referred to as the George Kautz House, at 7753 Draper Ave.; and Seonaid McArthur, Molly McClain, Nick Agelidis, and Diane Kane for their contributions in creating the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District and successfully listing it on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Big Wave Challenge: By conquering a wave estimated at 40-50 feet high, La Jolla surfer Jojo Roper receives the Men’s Paddle-in Wave of the Year award during this year’s Surfer Big Wave Challenge. Roper also achieves a top-three finish in the Men’s Surfer of the Year competition.
• Holiday card: In an effort to broaden the impact of his Angel of the Forgotten charity, La Jolla resident Bob Cooper teams up with Stella Maris Academy student Gia McNeal to create a holiday card intended for animal shelters and donors as a gesture of gratitude and to inspire further contributions. Angel of the Forgotten raises funds to procure and donate over 1,000 dog toys and treats to local shelters and humane societies ahead of the December holidays.
• Gold medals: La Jolla resident Jim Owen, age 84, secures gold medals in all 10 events he participated in within his age division at the San Diego Senior Games. These games are part of a nationwide organization in which individuals aged 50 and older compete in 16 Olympic-style sports.
• Dog reunion: With assistance from his daughter and two neighbors, La Jolla resident Frank Richardson reunites with his dog, Arlen, following their separation during a traffic incident.
• Emma Weibel: La Jolla High School student Emma Weibel is recognized as one of San Diego County’s 25 Most Remarkable Teens for her efforts to promote awareness about climate challenges among her peers. This has manifested in various forms including informational videos, marches, forming a club, and even participating in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Sophie Zeng: A junior at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, Sophie Zeng is acknowledged as one of San Diego County’s 25 Most Remarkable Teens for her environmental activism through Project ARISE and her LGBTQ+ advocacy through filmmaking.
• 100 million colors: La Jolla artist Concetta Antico — who possesses tetrachromacy, allowing her to perceive 100 million colors — launches a gallery to display her artwork.
• Windansea stories: Chris Ahrens publishes his 12th book, “Windansea: Life. Death. Resurrection,” recounting the tales of numerous notable figures at La Jolla’s Windansea Beach from 1937 to 1981.
• Tommy Edman: La Jolla Country Day School alumnus and 2024 World Series champion Tommy Edman reflects on the exhilarating rollercoaster he and his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates encountered this past season and what worked for him during an extraordinary postseason.
• Christmas parade: The La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival makes a festive return for its 68th year on Dec. 8, featuring a record 14 bands and 25 marching units. This year’s theme, “Palm Trees & Poinsettias — A California Christmas,” highlights traditional decorated floats, as well as horses, classic vehicles, community leaders, and many more along the route through Girard Avenue and Prospect Street. ♦
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