Monday Morning Good News: March 18

UCSD faculty member Suckjoon Jun, assistant professor of physics and molecular biology, has won a $1.6 million award from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. This is the first award given to a UC San Diego recipient from the foundation, which was established by the co-founder of Microsoft to support high-risk, high-reward ideas in science. “I am hoping to develop tools and methods that will ultimately help us answer some of the most fundamental questions in biology,” said Jun.” The Allen Distinguished Investigators award exemplifies the success being seen through the UC San Diego Young Investigator Program.

Three participants in Ronald McDonald House Charities’ of San Diego’s 9^th Annual Dream House Raffle received a total of $40,000 worth of prizes in the first early bird drawing. A second early bird drawing is scheduled for Mar. 20 and the third and final early bird drawing will be held on Apr. 5. Over 100 prizes are available through the Dream House Raffle, but the main attraction is a 7,700 square-foot home worth $3.2 million. The winner may opt for a $1.6 million cash prize in lieu of the house. The raffle will come to a close on May 3.

YWCA’s 15^th Annual In the Company of Women Luncheon is scheduled for Apr. 25. Viola Davis, two-time Academy Award nominee and actress of film, television and theater is the Keynote Speaker. Tribute to Women & Industry awards will also be presented to outstanding professional women in San Diego, celebrating the strength, courage, and spirit of women and their extraordinary achievements.

Proceeds benefit the YWCA’s domestic violence and homelessness programs serving women, children and families.

A-1 Self Storage contributed to The American Diabetes Association’s San Diego chapter for the ADA’s Family Link program held on Mar. 16 at the Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center in National City. Children ages 8 to 14 from families affected with type 1 diabetes attended for a hands-on nutrition program focusing on healthy cooking techniques and environmental stewardship. Olivewood Gardens is a garden and environmental educational center donated by Christy Walton. A Princess Ann Victorian home on the property was restored and houses the foundation that operates Olivewood Gardens. A-1 Self Storage is the self-storage division of San Diego-based Caster Companies.

Canter Brokerage is hosting their “Here Today, Cabo Tomorrow” charity event to support Embrace H3 Program, which restores homes for disabled veterans. Embrace’s H3 Program utilizes college students to restore the homes of low-income, disabled veteran homeowners. The event is being held on Apr 10 at the Del Mar restaurant, En Fuego. The contest gives away a Cabo vacation to a real estate agent who has been entered by showing a Canter Brokerage listing this year.

The La Jolla Playhouse 2013 Gala was held on Mar. 9 at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center and the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre for dinner catered by Chef Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille. Major sponsors included Qualcomm, Van Cleef & Arpel, Jones, Zafari, Klein, Tournat & Castagnola Team, Private Banking Investment Group at Merrill Lynch, Four Graces, Joan and Irwin Jacobs and Gail and Ralph Bryan. The net proceeds will benefit the Playhouse’s Education and Outreach Programs. The Flaming Lips, composers of the Playhouse’s hit musical Yoshimi Battle The Pink Robots, performed.

Huawei and K to College announced an expanded partnership to provide the entire student body with school supplies and dental kits at Bayview Terrace Elementary, where more than 90 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced price meals. The partnership signified an effort between Huawei and K to College to expand its school and dental supply program to Southern California.

Classics 4 Kids is celebrating 20 years of providing arts education programs to children in San Diego as the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra. Two-time Grammy Award-winning Mark O’Connor and bluegrass band, Virtual Strangers will perform on Mar. 24 at the Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego. The Classics Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dana Mambourg Zimbric, is a professional ensemble comprised of top orchestral musicians hand-selected from throughout Southern California. The Philharmonic has been performing together since 1994 as the orchestra-in-residence for Classics 4 Kids.

Please send news items to Joyce Glazer at [email protected].