Yes, it was a true outdoor shindig Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas’ best-kept secret, has a new name that promises better things ahead, the San Diego Botanic Garden. The renaming decision was announced Sept. 12 at the venue’s annual gala, a veritable fest in the park with hundreds of supporters attending. Those gathered honored giant-sized media personality Huell Howser, whose weekly “California Gold” show on public television has become a must-watch favorite in many a home. He reminisced about the show he did on the garden some years ago, and traced the history of his 10-year-old program. He’s not done, yet. Howser says he’s coming back with his crew to film a segment about a lima bean festival in Encinitas … The last land rush for ocean-view property in one of California’s classiest ZIP codes? Upmarket real estate broker Greg Noonan lists a 21-acre view parcel on Mount Soledad at $22 million , one of the last and largest single parcels in La Jolla. The property is zoned for 10,000-square-foot lots, ideal for a low-density (and very high cost) subdivision … Taking note of a recent celebration. The Sycuan band held its 20th annual Powwow on Sept. 11-13 on the reservation east of El Cajon. Hundreds of visitors watched participants wear their full American Indian regalia to celebrate 12,000 years of inhabiting the Dehesa Valley in East County A sports success story makes it to print. Anthony F. Smith, who heads the Leadership Research Institute in Rancho Santa Fe, has come out with his latest literary effort on one of the big media sagas of the past few decades, “ESPN the Company: The Story and Lessons Behind the Most Fanatical Brand in Sports.” Smith, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of San Diego and who is a veteran consultant who’s worked with a number of Fortune 500 companies, pens the book with business writer Keith Hollihan … I guess we can say Jack’s no longer all wet! The American Society of Irrigation Consultants recognizes San Francisco-based HydroPoint Data Systems. Why? The Bay Area firm collaborated with Jack in the Box’s corporate staff to upgrade the irrigation system in Kearny Mesa to significantly reduce water use. The result? Jack is now saving a million gallons of water a year Quote of the week from British statesman Winston Churchill talking about Clement Attlee, who soundly defeated Churchill’s party in the 1945 Parliamentary elections (courtesy of our resident correspondent and PR guru Tom Gable): “A modest little person, with much to be modest about” Finally, how ’bout a little culture in your future? The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla opens its 20th anniversary Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series with violinist Christian Tetzlaff on Oct. 27. The folks at the Athenaeum say Tetzlaff is one of the most important violinists of his generation. Call 858-454-5872 for info and tickets. Seeya!
Editor Tom York pens the SDBJ Insider. Send items of interest to tyork@sdbj.com.
