Friends of Vista Hill

Thursday, September 4, 2008 Women's Council on Mental Health Luncheon - Odd Girl Out, Teenage Aggression in Girls by author, Rachel Simmons. Bio Chairing this event was Laurie Black. The event was held from 11:00 – 1:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. Friends of Vista Hill were delighted to report Ms. Simmons spoke to a sold out room. If you are interested in purchasing her books, please call or email Rachel Peniche 858.514.5153 rpeniche@vistahill.org.

17th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon "Heroes & Hemlines" Has Pizzaz! Heroes and Hemlines, Vista Hill's 17th Annual Fashion Show, was a great success with a beautiful silent auction and shopping, delicious food, wonderful center pieces and décor, a terrific fashion show, and lots of pizzaz throughout. Fashion Show Chair Connie Conard congratulated her committee and thanked all who participated including her mom Virginia Napierskie, long-time friend of Vista Hill.

Patty, a former substance-abusing ParentCare mom who is now a counselor at ParentCare, gave the group a history of her long struggle and successful recovery. More than 500 attended and enjoyed the parade of heroes including policemen, firemen, Sheriff William Kolender, Mayor Jerry Sanders, and Vista Hill President & CEO Robert Dean. Carol LeBeau emceed the day's events, providing her personal comments as well as inserting humor along the way.

Former Fashion Show Chairs and Honorary Chairs (Dee Ammon, Mary Alice Brady, Barbara J. Brown, Connie Conard, Diane Keltner , Lael Kovtun, Debra McGinty-Poteet , Barbie Spinazzola, Sally Thorton and Maggie Watkins) walked the runway with the heroes before the Fashion Show by Gretchen began. The final trio was current Chair Connie Conard and Honorary Chair Rana Sampson escorted by Mayor Jerry Sanders.

Young Fashion Show models included a bevy of adorable children including the talented Mackenzie Holmes who sang “Hero” as background for the children's part of the program. The crowd was charmed, and why not!?

Thanks to all who helped make this event a smashing success. Approximately $50,000 was raised for critical Vista Hill programs which serve much of San Diego County .

Dr. Thomas Perls was the featured speaker at Vista Hill's Women's Council on Mental Health luncheon on Tuesday, February 26; and he was also the honored guest the evening before at the Patron Reception at the home of Gayle and Phil Tauber.

Dr. Perls provided interesting information from his long-term genetic and social study of centenarians and gave the luncheon crowd of nearly 300 a great deal to think about. As one of a handful of the world's experts studying these older patients, Dr. Perls' book “Living to 100: Lessons in Living to Your Maximum Potential at Any Age” makes sense and provides good direction and ideas for all of us.

Dr. Perls has an excellent memory, and he recalleda variety of stories about our wonderful, older citizens: humorous, interesting, enlightening.

Dr. Perls also delighted the WCMH membership by joining the group at the Sapphire level. Thank you, Dr. Perls! And thanks, too, to the many supporters of the Women's Council on Mental Health and of Vista Hill. We also send kudos to Chair Marjie Atwood, Ph.D.; Charlotte Neilsen, Honorary Chair, and the WCMH event committee. You are all very much appreciated!

Vista Hill's 50th Anniversary Gala: A Huge Success!

Thanks to everyone involved, The Big 5-0! annual gala brought in the biggest profit Vista Hill has ever made: $205,000! The team effort paid off and proceeds will help critical Vista Hill programs serving children, teens, and adults who struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities.

Following hors d'oeuvres and socializing in the foyer of the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, music by Diva Soul welcomed guests into the beautiful ballroom (gorgeous centerpieces, white dance floor, perfectly-appointed table settings) for an exciting evening of dinner, dancing, live auction, and more.

The October 13 event featured special recognition for Audrey S. Geisel and Donald and Darlene Shiley who were given the IMBY (In My Back Yard), Vista Hill's annual award for individuals who make a significant and very positive difference right here in San Diego County. Ms. Geisel accepted for herself and for the Shileys who were unable to attend. She gave a from-the-heart acceptance speech at the microphone letting the audience know the importance of Vista Hill programs.

Vista Hill President and CEO Robert Dean introduced a brief video tracing the history of Vista Hill. The video set the stage for Jeremy, a former Vista Hill client who had spoken at the 40th Anniversary Gala. At that time, he was a teenager, finally clean and sober, and on his way to a productive life. Now, at age 27, 10 years later, Jeremy thrilled the audience with his continuing story, a great example of the long-term success of such programs as SAFIR (Supporting Adolescents & Families in Recovery).

Russ T. Nailz provided auction excitement, part of which was raising $50,000 in five minutes in honor of Vista Hill's 50 years; the dinner included Macadamia coconut crusted filet and miso Chilean seabass along with individual birthday cakes; dancing went on into the evening.

Past IMBY winners Elaine Lipinsky and Ingrid Hibbin attended along with 300 dedicated friends of Vista Hill. The Honorary Chairs were Valerie and Harry Cooper and Tamara Alter. The Gala Committee, chaired by Kristy Gregg, included Tamara Alter, Dee Ammon, Renee Bannasch, Lynn Cihak, Connie Conard, Debbie Giaquinta, Nicole Hamilton, Vicki Hamilton, Linda Jones, Debra McGinty-Poteet, Marie Miehls, Ann Mound, Rachel Mullin, Carol Power, Susan Roth, Angela Rowe, Susan Straub, Beckie Van Houten, and Maggie Watkins.

Underwriters were Audrey S. Geisel/Dr. Seuss Fund/San Diego Foundation; Virginia Napierskie; CIGNA; KPBS; San Diego National Bank; Vista Hill Board of Directors; Thomas J. & Theodora Lynch Fleming Foundation; Vicki Hamilton/Crown Point Catering; Lynn & Fred Muto; City National Bank; San Diego County Credit Union; Elaine Lipinsky; Linda Marteeny; Judy & Alan Robbins; Hermeen Scharaga; Fred Applegate & Laura Bradley; Donald & Karen Cohn.

For more information please contact Ann L. Mound, Vice President, Executive Director, Friends of Vista Hill at 858.514.5151 or email amound@vistahill.org.