Tuesday 03/10/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Our speaker will be SD Police Departement Chief of Police, Scott Wahl

He will share the state of the SDPD, current events in regard to crime and law enforcement.

Scott Wahl was promoted to serve as the City ofSan Diego’s 36th Chief of Police on June 7, 2024.Chief Wahl oversees the police department for the eighth-largest city in the nation.

Chief Wahl is a fourth-generation San Diegan who grew up in the Clairemont community. He has adeep love for San Diego and the San Diego PoliceDepartment, which both he and his father, a 34-year veteran, have been proud to be a part of.

Chief Wahl’s vision for the San Diego Police Department is to build an inclusive organization that is reflective of the city we serve and worthy of our community’s trust and collaboration.

Chief Wahl has risen through the ranks since joining the San Diego Police Department on April 13, 1998. He has worked many of the department's patrol commands, investigations and specialized assignments such as legislative affairs, critical incident management, operational support, establishing a new division to address neighborhood quality of life issues, and managing large-scale events and conferences, among others.

Chief Wahl received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University in 1995 and his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from National University in 2005. He has taught as an adjunct professor for the San Diego Regional Police Academy and Ashford University.

Chief Wahl has received numerous awards and commanding officer citations throughout his career.

In his spare time, Chief Wahl enjoys running, fishing, golfing and spending time with his wife and four kids.

Tuesday 03/17/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Our speaker will be John H. Evans, UCSD Professor of Sociology
Is the Religious Public in Conflict with Science?

Everyone seems to think that science and religion have been in conflict since Galileo, but historians have shown that to be largely mythical.  Moreover, common wisdom has it that contemporary religious people are in conflict with science.  But, is that true?  

John H. Evans is the Tata Chancellor’s Chair in Social Sciences, Professor of Sociology, Associate Dean of Social Sciences and Co-Director of the Institute for Practical Ethics at the University of California, San Diego.  He has been a visiting member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, a post-doctoral fellow at Yale University and has held visiting professorial fellowships or honorary professorships at the Universities of Edinburgh, Muenster, Ben Gurion, and Queensland.  He is the author seven books and 65 articles and book chapters.  

He has focused his research on a number of overlapping areas, all of which concern the foundational humanistic questions behind scientific and technological development.  

He is an expert on the ethics of human gene editing, and more generally in the ethics of science and technology Following this research interest he co-directs the Institute for Practical Ethics at UC, San Diego. 

He is also a leader in the sociological study of the relationship between religion and science, an area in which he co-leads a small scholarly network and a 2.9 million dollar re-granting project. 

A number of his research projects are sociological studies of the public’s views of the foundational questions in technology such as “what is a human?” and “what is enhancement?”  He has a long time interest and expertise in explaining the forms of argument that are dominant in the field now called bioethics.  

Tuesday 03/24/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Our speaker will be Joe LaCava, SD City Council President
Joe will give us a city update.

This is a joint Meeting with LJ Kiwanis Club

Joe LaCava is the San Diego City Council President and District 1 Councilmember (representing areas like La Jolla and Pacific Beach), in office since 2020. A Democrat, civil engineer, and environmentalist, he focuses on infrastructure, housing, and budget management. He is currently navigating a $110 million budget deficit in 2026.

Councilmember LaCava is honored to represent the residents and businesses of San Diego City Council District 1 where he is currently serving his second term. Councilmember LaCava was unanimously elected by his colleagues as the President of the City Council and chairs the Council's Rules Committee. He continues his work on the Environment Committee and is First Vice Chair on the SANDAG Board of Directors.

In 2024, he served as chair of the Board of Directors for San Diego Community Power and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, and chaired SANDAG's Regional Planning Committee.

He is a San Diego native and San Diego State University graduate. He has lived in District 1 since 1983 with his wife Lorene, a retired kindergarten teacher, where they raised two daughters.

President LaCava is a licensed civil engineer bringing extensive experience on land use, housing, infrastructure, climate change, and the environment. Prior to his election in 2020, he served on nearly 30 civic boards, planning groups, and commissions. The combination of technical expertise and community engagement makes him an effective leader on policies, legislation, and budgets that meet the needs of his district and all San Diegans.

Tuesday 03/31/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Our social will be at John and Karin Donaldson's home will start at 5:30 pm 

Their address is 1683 Calle Cadela, La Jolla

If you have questions about this social,

contact Chuck Marsh at cmarshjr@gmail.com 

Come socialize with your fellow Rotarians , their significant others, and guests.

5:30 PM. At 1683 Calle Candela in La Jolla.

Tuesday 04/07/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Our speaker will be Richard Bailey, Coronado Mayor
He will share his experience of summiting Mt Everest.

Celebrating 100 Years

Kiwanis Club of La Jolla

Lets Join Them To Celebrate the Roaring Twenties At Their 100th Year!

Enjoy a night full of music & dancing, play a friendly game of poker or craps, take pictures at the Photo Booth and connect with fellow community members who share a passion to help others! Heavy hors d'oeuvres and tasty cocktails from the 1920s will be served. Please click on the image attached to the bottom of this email to see the invitation. 

Attire: Roaring Twenties Cocktail

The event is FREE to all invited guests!

For questions, email treasurer@kiwanisclublajolla.org or call/text : (858) 442-8253

Tuesday 04/14/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

At this week’s meeting, Craig Schniep will introduce the high school students our club proudly sponsored to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) weekend. Under Craig’s leadership and supervision, these students participated in an intensive and highly impactful program.
RYLA is a dynamic leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts, where students build leadership skills, form meaningful connections, and grow both personally and professionally—all while having a great time.
This is an important meeting to attend. Your presence shows our students and their families that supporting education and investing in young people are central priorities of our club.

Members must respond to the emailed invitation by registering and saving so that your name will be on the attendance list at the gate.  The address will be in the email.

This Saturday April 18th Rotary Party

Our party will be at Laurnie Duriso's home will start at 3:00 pm and end at 5:00 pm. 

Her address is 8036 Camino de Arriba, Rancho Sante Fe

IMPORTANT:
Everyone going to the party will need to have an ID to show at the Cielo Security gate when they come to the party.
Please park on the left side of the street in front of Laurnie's home.  

If you have questions about this social,

contact Russell King at theatreking@msn.com 

Tuesday 04/21/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Our speaker will be Linghan Chen, a Rotary Global Grant Peace Scholar and a student at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego, where she is getting her Master’s Degree in Conflict Management and Resolution. 

Linghan is from the People’s Republic of China and previously worked for the United Nations as an intern and Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining as a staff member.

I apologize to be so late sending this invitation out. Please RSVP right away so I can give the hotel our headcount.

April 24–26, 2026 | Chula Vista, California
Theme: Better Together – Better the World

www.unitedforgood2026.com  

This extraordinary gathering brings together Rotary leaders, Rotarians, Rotaractors, youth, families, and friends from across the Western United States and Mexico for three unforgettable days of unity, inspiration, service, and fellowship.

Hosted in partnership between:

• Rotary District 5340 – San Diego & Imperial Counties (Host District)

• Rotary District 5300 – Las Vegas, Southern Nevada & northern and northeastern areas of L.A. County

• Rotary District 5330 – Riverside County & San Bernardino regions

• Rotary District 5320 — Orange County & Southern Los Angeles Region

Together, we will celebrate Rotary’s power to transform communities, elevate leadership, and build lasting relationships across borders and generations.

✨ WHY ATTEND?

Better Together – Better World is more than a conference theme — it is a call to action.
Participants will experience:

• 🌍 International Project Collaboration
  Discover global grant opportunities, cross-border partnerships, and innovative service models.

• 💡 Leadership & Inspiration
  Hear from past, current, and future Rotary leaders, including keynote speakers who will challenge your Rotary purpose and ignite your vision.

• 🤝 Networking at Scale
  Build real relationships with Rotarians from California, Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico.

• 👩‍🎓 Rotaract & Youth Empowerment
  Dedicated programming for young professionals, Interact advisors, and future leaders.

• 💙 Hands-On Service & Unity
  Participate in projects and learning sessions that reflect Rotary values of compassion, hope, and collective impact.

Tuesday 04/28/26 Rotary Evening Social

Our social will be at Social at La Jolla Historical Society
Socializing on the lawn: 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Join  fellow club members and guests at 780 Prospect St. in La Jolla at 5 PM on the 28th.

Tuesday 05/05/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Adam Gordon, US Attorney for the Southern District of California,
 will speak on “Priorities and Trends in the Southern District of
California." More information: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/staff-profile/meet-us-attorney-0

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Adam Gordon is a career prosecutor who became a nationally-recognized expert on prosecutorial strategies to combat the fentanyl epidemic. Gordon joined the office in 2019 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, serving as the district’s Criminal Division Opioid Coordinator and most recently as a cartel prosecutor in the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces Unit. 

Gordon was instrumental in creating the Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team known as “FAST” in San Diego County which is now a national model. Formed in September 2022, FAST is a multi-agency task force led by Homeland Security Investigations that targets significant fentanyl distributors in San Diego County to reduce the overdose death rate. He also has personally achieved justice for the victims of fatal fentanyl poisonings by prosecuting the responsible drug dealers, including one who supplied a deadly dose to a 13-year-old boy in Coronado. Gordon received the 2025 Prosecutor of the Year Award from the California Narcotic Officer’s Association for Region IV.

Adam Gordon's outreach and prevention strategies have included unique ways to grab the attention of young people and warn them about the dangers of fentanyl, such as the production of a public service announcement that was a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Justice and the Name Image Likeness Collective of the San Diego State Men’s Basketball Team in honor of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.

Additionally, Gordon extended his influence to law enforcement audiences around the nation by coauthoring an article for the Department of Justice’s Journal of Federal Law and Practice, Confronting the Chaos: Outreach and Prevention Strategies for the Fentanyl Epidemic from the Southern District of California.

Prior to serving as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Gordon was a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego County where he focused mostly on violent crimes. From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Gordon was in private practice in San Diego. Gordon received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University in 2004, and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2008. Mr. Gordon is also a Master at the Wallace Inn of Court.

Tuesday 05/12/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Celeste Parry, U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Davis Cracroft leads us again in this annual fun service event.  Shirt, snacks, and coffee provided

To sign up email:  daviscmd2021@gmail.com

Saturday May 16th Kiwanis Half Marathon

Fellow Rotarians,
Once again, we have been asked by the La Jolla Kiwanis Club to staff Water Station #6, located on Torrey Pines Road near Scripps Clinic Green Hospita (Ample parking available onsite). The water station, located after the long and grueling Torrey Pines grade climb, is a key hydration station for most of the overheated and taxed runners. The water or sports drink you hand to the weary runners, along with your encouragement, provides the needed boost for many runners to keep on going. Interact students from La Jolla High along with La Jolla Rotarians and their guests work together to make certain all the runners can quickly grab a drink on the run.  Come join us for a fun and rewarding morning!
 
A sign-up sheet will be provided at our meetings, or you can email, text, or call me anytime to confirm your participation.
Thanks in advance for pitching in to support our La Jolla community! 

If you have questions about this social,

contact Davis
Phone (619)341-0909
daviscmd2021@gmail.com  

Tuesday 05/19/26 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Please make sure to attend this special luncheon as we honor this year’s scholarship recipients. We will recognize five Riford Scholarship recipients (with two additional recipients unable to attend) and nine Rotary Scholarship recipients (one unable to attend). Many of their parents and school counselors will also be joining us for this meaningful occasion.
This is one of the most inspiring meetings of the year — a chance to see firsthand the real impact our club has on the lives and futures of local students. Celebrating their achievements is always a powerful reminder of why Rotary’s work matters.

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Our scholarship recipients from the four La Jolla high schools, and their parents join us for lunch.

The students tell us their their college plans and often their intended (at least now) major.

This is always a fun meeting to get a glimpse of our leaders of the future.  May be held outside on the patio,

Our speaker will be:

Ana Espana, the Presiding Judge of the San Diego County Juvenile Court

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Friday 06/05/26 Rotary Joint meeting with the Golden Triangle Rotary Club

The speaker will be Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor of UC San Diego and one of America's higher education's most accomplished leaders. Here is more information about him https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/about/about-the-chancellor/index.html

Parking will be in the visitor spaces at Scholars Garage and will be self-pay. If you have attendees without Disability Plates who need closer parking due to mobility issues, we can arrange it in advance for $11 per space—just send  a list with license plate numbers at least 10 days in advance. We will confirm availability first, and then you can add it to the check for meals.

Faculty Club at UCSD here is how you get there https://facultyclub.ucsd.edu/directions/index.html

Please pay the cost ($32) of the meeting to our Rotary Club of La Jolla and we will forward payment to the Golden Triangle Rotary. There will be some opportunity for walk-ins, but Golden Triangle prefers advance notice for planning purposes.

Thank you!

Russel

Cost $32 - RSVP by noon May 29

The Golden Triangle Rotary Club has invited us to join them for a joint Rotary meeting, from 6:35 AM to 8:30 AM at the UCSD faculty club to hear Chancellor Pradeep Khosla of UC SanDiego, on;

      Leadership, innovation, and the future of higher education

 Consider the scope of what he overseas: a flagship research university of more than 46,000 students, 12 academic and professional schools, eight undergraduate residential colleges, a world class, health system, and the legendary scripts institution of oceanography.  It is by any measure an  extraordinary enterprise – and Chancellor Khosla has not merely managed, but transformed it:

Register with Natascha to reserve a spot cost will be $20 per person UCSD Faculty Club, 3035 Muir Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093.

This will be a good chance to find out what's going on at UCSD and meet some of our fellow La Jolla Rotarians oveer breakfast. 

Our speakers will be:

Kim Heinle and Adam Osorio from the Bayside Community Center

The Bayside Community Center is a successful nonprofit that has served the diverse population in Linda Vista for 94 years. What they have and are accomplishing is remarkable. It is a different slice of San Diego that you may have not heard of before, but one you will want to  learn about. Hope you can attend. 

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Kim Heinle is the Executive Director of Bayside Community Center where she works to empower San Diego’s diverse Linda Vista community through education, advocacy, wellness, and community development programs. With more than 20 years of nonprofit and community leadership experience, Kim has become a respected advocate for equitable access to resources, affordable housing, food security, and youth development. She holds a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and an M.A. in International Relations, and previously worked with the University of San Diego’s Justice in Mexico Project and Trans-Border Institute.

Our speakers will be:

Andy Friedenberg, Author and Director
Author and Director of the Cinema Society: On Celebrity War Stories: Confessions

More information about Andy: https://www.cinemasociety.com/andy.html

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Andy Friedenberg is an author, filmmaker, entertainment industry veteran, and Director of the Cinema Society. With decades of experience in Hollywood, Andy has worked alongside celebrities, filmmakers, studios, and media professionals, building a career at the intersection of film, publicity, and storytelling.

He is the author of Celebrity War Stories: Confessions of a Publicist, a candid and entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, sharing personal stories, industry insights, and unforgettable experiences from his years working with high-profile personalities and productions.

As Director of the Cinema Society, Andy continues to support film, media, and creative storytelling while engaging audiences through conversations about Hollywood, celebrity culture, and the realities behind the scenes of the entertainment world.

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Come and "honor" our President ending his second one year term.

La Valencia Hotel, 5:30 PM to 7ish.   

Our speaker will be Congressman Scott Peters

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Coming, July 7^th, 2026, our US Representative in Congress, Scott Peters: on a Federal Update with a focus on Legislation impactful to San Diego.

Congressman Scott Peters serves California’s 50th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Coronado, San Marcos, Escondido and coastal San Diego. First elected in 2012, he currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Budget Committee.

Scott Peters is a civic leader who has made improving the quality of life in San Diego his life’s work since serving on the San Diego City Council. As a Member of Congress, Scott focuses on advancing practical and critical climate policies, promoting and expanding San Diego’s innovation ecosystem, advocating for San Diego’s pivotal role as a partner in the national defense, and making government work. Ranked the 4th most independent Democrat in Congress by the National Journal, Scott Peters understands that problems have bipartisan solutions and is never afraid to work across party lines to get things done.

Our speaker will be Laura Mello
Major Gifts, Rotary International, “Make it Simple, Make it Impactful”

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Coming next Tuesday, July 14^th, Laura Mello, Major Gifts, Rotary International, “Make it Simple, Make it Impactful”

Laura Mello is a 3rd generation San Diegan raised in the suburb of Poway.  After graduating business school at the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, Laura started a 14-year career in finance. 

She spent nearly 10 years with a large commercial bank working in private wealth management and financial advising. In 2009 Laura started her own 501c3, Oasis Haven, a US organization with a passion for the orphan crisis in South Africa. Through a Rotary connection she took a job as a financial advisor and planner with a private investment firm.

However, three years later Laura had the opportunity to combine her passion for philanthropy with her knowledge and skill set of financial planning as the Director of Gift Planning for Rady Children’s Hospital.  Laura’s passion is working with individuals and families to think about their charitable planning through a strategic lens, weaving in the values and experiences that make each family unique. 

Laura has been a member of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club for 14 years holding numerous leadership positions including Club President. In June of 2023 with the guidance of PDG Chuck Pretto, Laura left Rady Children’s and accepted a full-time position with Rotary International as a Regional Major Gift Officer working with Rotarians throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii.  She currently resides in San Diego with her firefighter husband Rob, and two daughters Grace and Eloise.

Our speaker will be Jamie Self, CEO and Editor of inewsource

Truth, Trust and Impact, The Essential Role of Local Journalism

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, so we can give the hotel our headcount.

Coming July 21, Jamie Self, CEO and News Editor for the nonprofit, inewesource on: “Truth Trust and Impact, The essential role of Local Journalism”

Jamie Self is the CEO and Editor of inewsource, assuming the role in January 2026. Previously she was managing editor. Jamie joined inewsource in 2021 from her home state of South Carolina, where she was a senior editor, leading the politics and state government team at The State, a McClatchy newspaper in Columbia. Before that, she was a reporter on the paper’s investigative projects and statehouse teams. She’s covered three First-in-the-South presidential primaries and state elections and wrote about politics, public corruption, child welfare, education, abortion, gun rights and more. She also covered the massacre of African American churchgoers at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston and the subsequent battle to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds. Jamie has a master’s in literature. She’s an alum of the Online News Association’s Women’s Leadership Accelerator and serves on the board of the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego chapter. When not working, Jamie is with family and friends, reading or listening to books and podcasts, trying to practice Spanish or getting some exercise outdoors.

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

You are cordially invited to join us for a special Rotary Summer Social at the home of Barbara Brown on July 28 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM.

Please join us for a relaxed summer evening of fellowship, conversation, and connection with fellow club members. Drinks and light bites will be provided as we gather to enjoy one another’s company outside of our regular meetings.

Monday, July 28
5:30–8:00 PM
Hosted at the Home of Barbara Brown

The address and additional event details will be shared by email, and an official invitation will follow as we get closer to the date.

We hope you will save the date and join us for what promises to be a wonderful evening together.

Warmly,

Rotary Club of La Jolla

Our speaker will be Dr. Russ Low 

 Becoming American: One Chinese American Family's Journey of Struggle and Triumph

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, to give the hotel our headcount.

Coming Tuesday, August 4, Dr Russ Low on “Becoming an American” One Chinese American Family's Journey of Struggle and Triumph.

Russell Low is a physician with a passion for discovery and storytelling. His discoveries in the medical field have changed the way that his colleagues worldwide practice medicine and image disease.

Discovery of his own roots began 30 years ago through the stories of his parents and their siblings. Growing up in Central California, more American than Chinese, his connection to Chinese culture and history was limited and incomplete.

Russell Low's most recent novel "The All-American Crew" explores how Ah Ying's "Three Coins"; created ripples that led to her grandson's; heroic exploits as part of the "Greatest Generation" during World War II. Celebrating American diversity and ideals of honor, bravery, and freedom, The All- American Crew is a magnificent true story of men at war.

Discovering the 1903 Hong family photograph among the belongings of 100-year-old great Uncle Kim sparked a decades-long search for the stories behind the photograph. These are the stories presented in Three Coins.

In his searches, Russell came across a 130-year-old newspaper notice titled “Villainous-looking Chinese after a Chinese Girl.” In the article, he recognized his great-grandparents’ names, but the romantic drama it uncovered shook the core of his family’s belief in who they are and how they came to be Americans.

Russell frequently lectures on Chinese-American history, and his family’s story has been featured on the History Channel, National Public Radio, the Voice of America, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

Russell lives with his wife Carolyn Hesse-Low, an avid and well-known plein air artist, in La Jolla, California where they raised their two sons Ryan and Robert.

Our speaker will be Andy Fee, UCSD’s new Athletic Director

 Andy has taken over from Earl Edwards, who retired last year.

With the substantial sports activity over at UCSD, this should be an interesting program.

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, to give the hotel our headcount.

Coming Tuesday August 11th , Andy Fee, Athletic Director for UCSD On, “2026 The Tritons at UCSD”

College sports veteran Andy Fee was named UC San Diego’s Director of Athletics in September 2025, becoming just the fourth to hold that position for the Tritons since 1966. Fee takes over a UC San Diego program that recently completed its transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. The Tritons made NCAA history last March, becoming the first program ever to qualify both its men's and women's basketball teams for the NCAA Tournament in its first season with Division I postseason eligibility. The women’s basketball team captured the first conference title in the Fee Era, winning its second straight Big West championship in 2026.

In addition, UC San Diego will begin competing in the West Coast Conference in 2027-28. Fee is no stranger to conference transition. He helped guide the University of Washington into the Big Ten and spent the last year as Deputy Athletic Director for Seattle U – an institution that just made its own transition to the WCC in July. While in Seattle, Fee coordinated the day-to- day operations for the Redhawks’ 19-sport program and managed revenue generation units, capital projects, the business office and sport programs. 

Fee spent two years at Washington as Deputy AD and Chief of Staff. At UW, Fee oversaw sport administration and strategic initiatives, medical services, student athlete wellness and strength and conditioning. He managed the Huskies' partnership with Learfield Sports Properties, assisted the fundraising for the new men's and women's basketball practice facility, and partnered on expanding NIL opportunities.

Before relocating to Seattle, Fee spent five years as Director of Athletics at Long Beach State from 2017 to 2022. During this time, Long Beach State's athletic programs found great success as the school advanced to the postseason in 18 of its 19 sports programs in his five-year tenure. The Beach won a pair of national championships in men’s volleyball and claimed The Big West Commissioner’s Cup three times.

Our speaker will be Brian Dutcher, San Diego State's Basketball Coach 

 Brian will explain SDSU joining the Pac-12, the NCAA NIL rules, and an update on his basketball team. 

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, to give the hotel our headcount.

Coming Next Tuesday, August 18, SDSU Coach Brian Dutcher on “NIL, the recent changes in college basketball
and the upcoming season”

Brian James Dutcher (born October 30, 1959) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team at San Diego State University (SDSU).

He was an assistant under head coach Steve Fisher with the Michigan Wolverines and San Diego State, succeeding Fisher as the Aztecs' head coach upon his retirement in 2017.

He has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher at San Diego State preceded by nine at the University of Michigan. He joined then-interim coach Fisher in 1989 when Michigan won the national championship. Dutcher is credited for having a central role in recruiting the Fab Five to Michigan and for bringing Kawhi Leonard to San Diego State.  He was named San Diego State's "head coach in waiting" in 2011.  Following Fisher's decision to retire, Dutcher was formally named as his replacement on April 11, 2017.

Thanks to Dutcher bringing in transfers Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, K.J. Feagin, and Trey Pulliam, along with the development of returnees Matt Mitchell, Jordan Shackel, Nathan Mensah, and Adam Seiko, the Aztecs started the 2019–20 season 26–0, with impressive road/neutral site wins over BYU, Creighton, Iowa, and Utah State - the preseason Mountain West favorite. This resulted in a #4 ranking for five straight weeks for San Diego State while Dutcher was named to the Naismith Coach of the Year Late-Season Watch List. Dutcher was named 

Dutcher and his wife, Jan, have two daughters: Erin and Liza. He is the son of Jim Dutcher, a former head coach at  Minnesota and Michigan.

Our speakers will be Erika Wright & Vanessa Rushton 

Counselors at Garfield High School

Meeting Students where they are, the Impact of Garfield High School

Please RSVP by Sunday noon, to give the hotel our headcount.

Coming Tuesday September 1, Erica Wright, and Vanessa Rushton, on “Meeting Students where they are, the
Impact of Garfield High School.”

Erika Wright is an experienced school counselor and educational leader with nearly 20 years of service in the San Diego Unified School District. She currently serves as the Head Counselor at Garfield High School, an alternative school setting, where she supports students through personalized academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary planning. Erika has worked across middle and high school settings, providing counseling, crisis intervention, academic guidance, and family and community collaboration to support student success. She holds a master’s degree in educational counseling and is passionate about creating equitable, supportive school environments where all students can thrive.

Vanessa Rushton is a dedicated high school counselor at Garfield High School with seven years of experience supporting students in their academic, social-emotional, and post- secondary growth. Prior to becoming a counselor, she worked as an elementary school teacher, which strengthened her passion for helping students succeed at every stage of their educational journey. Born and raised in Oceanside, Vanessa now lives in San Diego with her husband and son. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, cooking, biking, and being with family and friends.

Our speakers will be Brenda Fake 

"Our Coast, Our Community, Our First Year,"

The first year of La Jolla’s newly

established Coastal Conservancy

Please RSVP by Sunday noon

Coming September 8th, Brenda Fake on "Our Coast, Our Community, Our First Year,"

The first year of La Jolla’s newly established Coastal Conservancy.  Brenda Fake is widely recognized for her leadership in local preservation, serving as the founder and Chair of the Friends of the Coast Walk Trail (established in 2011) and Chair of La Jolla Coastal Conservancy. In these roles, she has worked closely with the San Diego and La Jolla communities to spearhead environmental restoration, fix critical erosion, and improve safety along the historic Coast Walk Trail. 

The presentation, "Our Coast, Our Community, Our First Year," provides a Year One review of how the Conservancy was created and the results from the partnership with the City of San Diego to preserve, repair, and sustain La Jolla's iconic shoreline through community leadership and private philanthropy.  More than a project update, the presentation is about what happens when a community comes together around a shared purpose. In just one year, we've built an organization, established a strong funding pipeline, completed meaningful projects, and positioned the Conservancy to tackle some of the most significant coastal restoration efforts in La Jolla's history.   

Brenda’s career was as a professional change maker. A native of Minneapolis, she worked in Operations Management and Organization effectiveness.   As such she applied her skills in a diverse set of industries both public and private that include airline transportation, telecommunications, financial trading, engineering consulting, public works, and manufacturing from food to aerospace. She is a published author and has been a guest lecturer and graduate instructor in the School of Business in Strategic planning for Metropolitan University in Minneapolis.  She was awarded the OD practitioner of the year award by United Airlines.  Brenda holds a BA Degree in Communications from the University of Minnesota, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a certificate in Human System Dynamics from the HSD Institute.  Around 2010, she and her husband moved to La Jolla and to a home overlooking Coast Walk.  It would become the unofficial beginnings of her advocacy in coastal preservation and the  formation of the volunteer group known as Friends of Coast Walk trails.   

https://lajollacoastalconservancy.org/about-us/