HONORS PROGRAM
Lauren Hanson of San Diego was accepted into the University Honors Program at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
LEADERSHIP CHANGE
SDSI (San Diego Sport Innovators) Executive Director Bob Rief, who has served the position for over a decade, will move into a new role as board chair while Kevin Cox steps in as the new executive director beginning Oct. 15. John Sarkisian, who has been board chair for 13 years, will move to help lead the Bill Walton Foundation.
AUGUST CONSTITUENTS
Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) named Encinitas residents Cheryl and Nick Dean as his constituents of the month for August for their work as documentary filmmakers bringing global attention to both conservation and the North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered large whale species with less than 400 left in the wild. The Deans are the co-founders of Spindrift Images, LLC, an independent documentary production company that has spent over a decade telling stories about the ocean, its wildlife, and the people whose lives are tied to it.
50 YEARS OF TOYS
Founded in Old Town’s Bazaar Del Mundo in 1976, Geppetto’s Toys is celebrating its 50th anniversary at all nine of its locations throughout San Diego County on Sept. 19 with surprises, giveaways, exclusive discounts, treats and more. The company, which has grown into the largest independent toy retailer in the country, will also donate $50,000 to Rady children’s through the sale of its commemorative 50th anniversary “NeeDoh,” a palm-sized stress relief toy.
BACKPACKS
In August, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz North County San Diego partnered with nonprofit Anyone Can Dream to provide 200 backpacks filled with pens, binder and other essential school supplies to K-12 students at Joe Balderrama Park in Oceanside.
SILVERGATE AWARD
The Rancho Santa Fe Art Jury recently unanimously voted to approve the second phase of the proposed Silvergate Rancho Santa Fe senior living community, which sends the project to the final review phase. According to its parent company, this is a significant milestone reflecting more than two years of work to bring the community to life. The art jury will eventually seek recommendation of approval from the Rancho Santa Fe Association Board and additional approvals from the county.
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT
Silvergate Retirement Residence invites the community to join Team Silvergate in an eight-week fundraising campaign Supporting Alzheimer’s San Diego. The campaign runs August through September and features a series of family-friendly events leading up to the 2026 Walk4ALZ on Oct. 17 in Balboa Park. Team Silvergate’s goal is to raise $20,000. For more information, contact Silvergate San Marcos at 760-744-4484.
