San Diego Winter Social Scene

It's that time of year again! The time when charity takes center stage, and holiday events are all the rage. Once again, we have to recap some of the biggest social events of the season, from the Bay Club Women's Entrepreneur's Quarterly Event, to the BAG Networking Christmas Party, enjoy our events recap and check out our gallery down below for some more pretty pictures.

Bay Club Women Entrepreneur’s Group Quarterly Event
Photography Courtesy of Digital Expressions by Becki

The Bay Club Women Entrepreneur’s Group held their quarterly community event in December with a paint night hosted by Paints Uncorked at Seventy–Seven at The Bay Club in Carmel Valley. Over 40 women attended, including regular members and guests, and a good time was had by all. The Bay Club Women Entrepreneur’s Group, founded by Melissa Cizauskas in September of 2013, has had great success and quickly expanded into a global talk radio show that continues to grow at an astonishing rate. The show takes a fresh approach in bringing numerous industries to the public on–air as a virtual networking group. You can check it out by logging onto wsradio.com the first and third Friday of each month from 1–2 pm PST.

BAG Networking Christmas Party
Photography Courtesy of Digital Expressions by Becki

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On December 1st, The BAG Networking (Business Associates Group) held their annual Christmas party at the majestic La Valencia Hotel in the Village of La Jolla. The night was filled with dancing and festive holiday singing courtesy of Barry Allen Cohen, and guests also enjoyed La Valencia's Christmas tree lighting ceremony. There were approximately 250 local business professionals in attendance, and toys were collected to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.

Casa de Amparo’s 17th Annual Crystal Ball Gala
Photography Courtesy of Casa de Amparo

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On Saturday, November 7th, Casa de Amparo held its 17th Annual Crystal Ball Gala at the premier Del Mar Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, hosting 300 generous guests from all over San Diego County and raising over $300,000. The elegant evening kicked off with a champagne greeting, seafood bar, silent and live auctions, gourmet hors d’Oeuvres and dinner catered by Pamplemousse Grille, and amazing entertainment featuring the Bonnie Foster Production Company. The event received enormous support from 36 passionate patrons, underwriters, and in-kind donors. "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of all those who are making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children," said Kathy Karpé, Director of Development at Casa de Amparo.

86th Candlelight Ball
Photography by Bob Ross, Courtesy of Scripps Health

The annual Scripps Candlelight Ball continued its time–honored tradition of ushering in the holiday season at Scripps Health with a spectacular event for a worthy cause. The Scripps 86th Annual Candlelight Ball drew 440 guests to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in support of the new Barbey Family Emergency and Trauma Center, opening in the fall of 2016 on the first floor of the Prebys Cardiovascular Institute at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. John, Nonnie and Suzy Barbey were among several honored guests at the event that raised $1.8 million for the new center, which will more than double the size of the current emergency and trauma facilities.

Paul Ecke, Jr. Poinsettia Ball
Photography Courtesy of Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA

The Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA’s 25th annual Paul Ecke, Jr. Poinsettia Ball rang in its silver anniversary with holiday cheer on December 12, 2015. For the first time, the event was held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and the spirit of giving was aplenty with enthusiastic auction bidding and support for the YMCA’s Financial Assistance and community outreach programs. Nearly 300 guests gathered to raise over $105,000 due to efforts of the Poinsettia Ball volunteer committee led by Committee Chair, Julie Rader. Gala Sponsors included Capital Bank, Dan Green, Hoehn Motors and Don and Dragon Sherman. Live music by The Heroes kept guests dancing through the night.

San Diego Arts Foundation Holiday Gala
Story by Media Magic, Photography by Dan M Photography

The San Diego Arts Foundation holiday gala took place at the beautiful and historic Darlington House in downtown La Jolla. Over a hundred art aficionados were in attendance for an evening of glitz and glamour with live music and appetizers throughout the evening. Vocalists Shyla Day and Barry Allen Cohen sang holiday classics for the patrons. SDAF Chairs Jeff Perwin and Carolyn Bell organized the yearly event with hosts Robert Brooke Eldridge and Julie Ana. 

Perwin says the organization creates opportunities for our youth and provides artistic as well as volunteer support for various agencies. Proceeds from the sales of displayed art went will benefit the foundation. The mission of the foundation is to inspire a new generation of leaders and ignite the passion for the arts in today’s youth.