Friends of Vista Hill - Fundraising Events

Autism Event Kicks Off Vista Hill’s 55th Anniversary

"From the Annals of Autism”

With Caren Zucker and John Donvan

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Congregation Beth Israel

9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA 92122

6 p.m. Light Refreshments

7 p.m. Program

$25 per person*

RSVP 858.514.5155

Or send check to Vista Hill

8910 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123

This evening event is presented by the

Vista Hill Council on Mental Health

(*Cost is $20 per person for members of Congregation Beth Israel and for Stein Education Center parents and teachers)

Caren Zucker and John Donvan are one of the nation’s most inspiring reporting-writing-speaking duos on the topic of autism—especially when it comes to tracking down and telling the autism stories that most of us have never heard, but which have criticially shaped the autism world as it stands today.

Their publication last year of “Autism's First Child,” the groundbreaking story of the first diagnosed child, was a finalist for the prestigious National Magazine Award—translated overseas and now considered required reading among those working in the field. They also have a book coming out in 2013, from Crown Publishers, in which they will share many of their collected stories in a comprehensive and comprehensible narrative history of autism.

Caren Zucker is the mother of 17-year-old young man with autism, and producer of Robert MacNeil’s 2011 PBS NewsHour series on autism. John Donvan is an ABC News correspondent, and three-time Emmy Award winner, whose brother-in-law is a 45-year-old with autism. As a team, Zucker and Donvan produced what is considered some of the best work on autism to appear on network television over the past decade.

“From the Annals of Autism” is their two-person presentation on the story behind the story: the tale of tracking down and meeting “autism's first child,” as well as some of the other unique experiences that come to two journalists delving into autism's fascinating and still surprising history.

Please join us for this fresh and inspiring presentation which is part of Vista Hill’s 55th Anniversary year observance. Call Jenny Cairncross at 858.514.5155.

Vista Hill’s 21st Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Shopping at 10 a.m. at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Barbie spinazzola is Chair. You won’t want to miss this annual day for shopping, fashion show and lunch.

Vista Hill Council on Mental Health Luncheon with Dr. Mark Katz speaking on Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Date TBA

For all event reservations and information, call Jenny Cairncross at 858.514.5155.

Previous 2010 Events

Gala Goes Gangbusters: $225,000 Raised for Vista Hill Programs
Chairperson Mary Alice Brady and her Gala Committee jumped in with both feet and made 10/10/10 A Perfect 10! an unforgettable Vista Hill Gala. Raising $200,000 was their target, and with the help of 250 guests, they surpassed this goal!

Robert Dean, Vista Hill President & CEO, named Virginia Napierskie and Connie Conard, mother-daughter philanthropists in San Diego, the IMBY (In My Back Yard) Award winners for their long-term commitment to Vista Hill and other local organizations. They received a well-deserved standing ovation.

Honorary Chairs Audrey S. Geisel and Darlene Marcos Shiley were present in spirit. They, along with Virginia Napierskie, kicked off the Gala underwriting this year and helped the Committee surpass its goal. Having such dedicated donors who lead the way means the world to Vista Hill.

The Gala Buzz started many weeks ago, and the official kick-off Patron Reception was held at Mary Alice and Ron Brady's on September 22nd with fifty guests enjoying their beautiful home.

On 10/10/10, guest speaker Irma Contreras, a ParentCare graduate, spoke of her many years drug-free, and thanked Vista Hill for “being there” for so many struggling women and children in San Diego County.

Guitarist Kim Olson wrote and sang songs on the spot during the cocktail hour while guests viewed a special line-up of live and silent auction items. Many unique touches focusing on “ten,” made the evening especially fun. Auctioneer Mark Drilling and Friends of Vista Hill Event Coordinator Rachel Peniche encouraged attendees to open their wallets to Fund a Need.

Everyone enjoyed delicious cuisine by Crown Point Catering and entertainment by the award-winning Chula Vista High School Glee Show Choir “Vocal Synergy” – 10 girls and 10 boys with beautiful voices and lots of energy.

Music by the Mighty Untouchables (known that night as the Mighty UnTENables) completed the evening with dancing and 10 desserts at the Liberty Station Conference Center. The event ended at 10:10 p.m., a very appropriate hour.

Women's Council on Mental Health Luncheon - July 22nd

Author Jane Isay spoke with humor at the Women's Council on Mental Health Summer Luncheon on July 22, covering the topic of the “Generation Gap Between Adult Children and their Parents.” Her book Walking on Eggshells addresses this subject which the audience related to and enjoyed. Photo Co-chairs Sheila Lipinsky and Phyllis Epstein with speaker Jane Isay (middle), which took place at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.

Viva La Moda! was the theme of the April 9th Fashion Show at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The 400+ guests purchased items from 15 vendors and participated in the Silent Auction and Opportunity Drawing. The Fashion Show by Gretchen Productions had a Latin flavor as did the delicious lunch. Co-chairs were Laura Applegate and Tania Luviano. Honorary Chair was Friends of Vista Hill Board member Diane Keltner. Special thanks to Pat Brown who stood in for emcee Carol LeBeau who was under the weather.

The Women's Council on Mental Health Spring 2010 luncheon on February 18 featured speaker Juliet Funt, daughter of Allen Funt of Candid Camera fame. Ms. Funt spoke on the topic of“Overcommitted, Overwhelmed and Over It! Success Skills for the Blisteringly Busy.” Over 200 enjoyed the talk, which was candid and filled with humor. Carlee Harmonson and Susan Christopher co-chaired the committee.