GRADUATES
The following students graduated from their respective schools: Elizabeth Hatton of Carlsbad and Brad Shofran of Del Mar from the University of Mississippi, and Mallory Johnson of Del Mar from Bates College in Maine.
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Carlsbad resident Clayton Austin has been chosen to be a CalABLE ambassador to represent the California State Treasurer’s Office’s CalABLE program, a tax-advantaged savings program that helps eligible residents with disabilities save money while maintaining access to public benefits.
Austin’s daughter, Isla, was born with KCNQ2, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental disabilities and epilepsy. She needs significant daily support. Her father, a financial advisor, learned about the program to help prepare his daughter’s financial future and hopes to share it with other families with similar needs.
ART FESTIVAL
North County artists Julie Sobolewski and Justin Coopersmith will be selling their artwork in the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival on Oct. 10 and 11. Coopersmith will showcase his signature mixed-media pieces, and Sobolewski will have her reclaimed surfboards turned stained glass mosaics inspired by the Southern California coastline and surf culture.
SCHOOL PARTNERS
Encinitas-based nonprofit Impact Coastal Alliance has contributed over $200,000 in the past year to local students, victims of abuse, and the community in general.
The organization has also provided 500 new books for local students from preschool to third grade, gift cards for 900 students to buy new clothes for school, and 50 backpacks to One Safe Place, which helps children affected by abuse or neglect.
Currently, the nonprofit is partnering with Ocean Knoll Elementary to provide math tutoring to first graders and will begin tutoring preschoolers at Head Start Encinitas in basic English skills in October.
FEDERAL HEALTH VISIT
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. recently visited Neighborhood Healthcare in Escondido alongside Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Tom Engels to announce a $1.6 million grant to provide dental care for children with autism and cerebral palsy. Neighborhood Healthcare is one of only 28 federally qualified health centers to receive this funding nationwide.
ORGANIC GOODS
Organic Oren, a private chef-based, high-quality meal preparation service, is opening a pickup location at Club House in Encinitas, 449 S. Coast Highway 101, on Oct. 5. Locals can order their meals ahead of time at organicoren.com. All produce is sourced locally from California farms, and everything is gluten-free and seed oil-free.
The pickup will also host several pop-ups from small businesses including Made for Meimei, Created by Alice M, All Day June, Mochi’s Matcha, Delicate Squash, Sydney Herbst Acupuncture and more.
