U~T San Diego Community Spotlight – wsRadio.com

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses highlights from the keynote speech of VADM Forrest Faison, the Navy Surgeon General, at last week’s SDMAC Breakfast. Balmert talks about upcoming SDMAC Breakfast speakers; the July 24-26 NDIA Gold Coast Conference; and the October rollout of the annual SDMAC-sponsored San Diego Military Economic Impact Study.

Jess Kearney, Union-Tribune Deputy Sports Editor, and Steve Brand, Awards Director for the San Diego Sports Association, are joined by Joe Kremer, football coach at St. Augustine High School. Kearney and Brand preview the summer’s top high school sporting events.

Jeffrey Sitcov, Founder of Doors of Change, discusses his organization’s 18 years of helping homeless youth find safe housing; its work with world renowned musicians and entertainers to raise monies to get homeless youth off the streets; and its August 25 fundraiser at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

Bill Toone, Founder of ECOLIFE Conservation, talks about the organization’s mission and historic involvement in conservation; its work in classrooms across the country; and its outreach in Mexico, Africa and San Diego County.

Kerri Fox, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for The New Children’s Museum, is joined by her colleague, Tomoko Kuta, Deputy Museum Director, to chat about the Museum’s Wammock! art installation; its prestigious 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Services award; upcoming Museum events; and its popular Camps and Summer Classes programs.

Melissa Belardi, Chief Academic Officer, for Piper, Inc., discusses Piper’s mission to provide equitable access to STEAM education by demystifying technology for students, teachers and families. Belardi talks about Piper’s recent recognition of “Best in Show” at the recent International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference; the company’s Command Center; and its PiperCode Spanish component.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), is joined by leaders and sponsors of the 2019 NDIA Gold Coast Conference that will be held July 24-26 at the San Diego Convention Center. Mike Parente and Jim Lasswell, NDIA Board members, and Edward Spenceley, SVP of Business Banking for Bank of America, talk about NDIA’s mission; featured speakers at the conference, and Bank of America vital support of the conference and its long history of involvement with military families and veterans.

Guest Wade Vickery, Director of the San Diego Classic Girls Basketball Tournament

Rachel Harper, Marketing Manager for the Living Coast Discovery Center, is joined by Will Gustwiller, Chef/Owner of Eclipse Chocolate in South Park, to talk about the Center’s annual Farm to Bay event, slated for Saturday, August 3.

Author Chad Stewart, discusses his book, Britfield & the Lost Crown; the Britfield Institute; and his work with middle school students and teachers to promote creativity in the classroom.

Raul Ramirez, Artistic Director for the Spreckels Organ Society and San Diego’s Civic Organist, chats about the importance of the Spreckels Organ and the 32nd Annual San Diego Organ Festival concerts that will take place at the iconic Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park from June 24 through August 31. Ramirez is joined by singer Lauren Leigh Martin, and Kenseth Thibideau, a bass guitar player, who will perform with Ramirez at the opening night of the Festival

Kathy Buckley, Comedienne and Motivational Speaker, talks about No Limits for Deaf Children, an organization that provides life-changing, impact-driven programs that help school-age deaf children. Buckley, discusses her role as a cast member of the national theater production Silent NO MORE, which raises funds for No Limits for Deaf Children.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses last Thursday’s annual SDMAC Achievement Awards; the June 27 SDMAC Breakfast, featuring RADM Dr. Forrest Faison, the nation’s Navy Surgeon General; keynote speakers at the July and August SDMAC Breakfasts; and the October rollout of the 2019 San Diego Military Economic Impact Study.

Ron Jones, President of La Jolla Meals-On-Wheels, discusses the organization’s 35-year history; its “Friendly Visitors” program; and the importance of volunteerism.

Katie Croskrey, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego, is joined by her colleagues, Doug Friedman, Director of Communications, and Sarah Granby, manager of the Association’s “Longest Day” fundraiser on June 21, to talk about the organization’s mission to enhance care and support for families impacted by the devastating disease; efforts to reduce the risk of dementia; and advancement in Alzheimer’s research. The trio is joined by Dwight Colton, Vice President of the Fish Market Restaurant group, to discuss his six restaurant’s support of the “Longest Day” campaign through the donation of the restaurant group’s proceeds on meals sold from June 21-23.

Josh Dean, Executive Director of the San Diego Green Building Council, and Ravi Bajaj, Board President for the Council, chat about the organization’s mission and history in San Diego County; the re-launch of the San Diego Living Building Challenge Collaborative; its new website; and re-branding efforts; and the Green Assistance Program.

Tara Michener, a Consultant for the Outdoor Education Foundation, is joined by Greg Schuett, longtime Principal of the Cuyamaca Outdoor School, to discuss the resources that connect students to science and nature through outdoor education programs provided by the San Diego County Office of Education. Michener and Schuett talk about the cost to provide a student with a memorable week-long outdoor education experience and the critical need for continued community support.

Nathan Loveland, Program Manager of Propel San Diego for the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses the mission of Propel San Diego and recipients of the DivX grants. Loveland talks about the honorees of the June 13 SDMAC Achievement Awards; the June 26 Coast Guard “Change of Command” ceremony; the June 27 SDMAC Breakfast, featuring RADM Dr. Forrest Faison, the nation’s Navy Surgeon General.

Justin Machado, Baseball Coach, La Costa Canyon High School

Guest 2: San Diego International Boat ShowDuncan McIntosh, Owner and Producer of the annual San Diego International Boat Show, talks about the June 6-9 show at Spanish Landing East that will feature 150 boats, more than 100 exhibitors, a Kids Zone and a floating Tiki Bar.

Guest 1: San Diego Writers, InkKristen Fogle, Executive Director of San Diego Writers, Ink, discusses the organization’s mission, and upcoming classes and events. Fogle, is joined by the Co-Founder of the literacy group, Judy Reeves, to talk about San Diego Writers, Ink new anthology. Todd Blakesley, a participant in the June 6-16 San Diego International Fringe Festival, chats about the Festival’s collaboration San Diego Writers, Ink .

Dr. Mark Goldstein, whose 40-year career in the animal welfare world included leadership stints at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, the Los Angeles Zoo and San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, talks about his book, Lions and Tigers and Hamsters. Goldstein chats about why he wrote the book and his life-long passion for supporting the human-animal bond.

Diane Brockington, Executive Director of the John Brockington Foundation, and Founder of Women Encouraging Living Donation (WELD), talks about her Foundation’s mission to increase, encourage and support living organ donations. Brockington is joined by Tammy Wright, Transplant Coordinator for Sharp Healthcare Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, and Virginia Sankey, a kidney donor and advocate for WELD. Wright discusses the need for organ donors in the U.S. and the family voucher program for “live” kidney donation. Sankey discusses the reasons why she chose to donate one of her kidneys to a stranger and the support she received from WELD during the organ transplant process.

Jess Kearney, Deputy Sports Editor of The San Diego Union-Tribune, and Steve Brand, Awards Director for the San Diego Sports Association, are joined by John Maffei, Union-Tribune sportswriter, to talk about the CIF San Diego baseball championships; the San Diego High School All-Star game; the Major League Baseball draft; and the annual Union-Tribune/San Diego Sports Association “Prep Athletes Awards Gala,” slated for Friday, June 14 at Petco Park.        

Gary Kramer, Executive Director of Unscripted Learning, and Richie Ploesch, “Connections” Program Director for Unscripted Learning, talk about the organization’s mission to use improvisation training with seniors, teens and kids to teach the concepts of teamwork, leadership and creative problem solving. Unscripted Learning, a nonprofit formed by a team at the National Comedy Theatre, works with teens and young adults with Autism Disorder to improve their social skills and increase their independence.

Francis Gercke, Director of "Move Over Mrs. Markham" at the Scripps Ranch Theatre, is joined by the lead actress in the performance, Leigh Akin, to chat about the well-known British farce that will be playing through June. Gercke and Akin talk about the theatre’s partnership with the Rancho Family YMCA to offer summer camps in July.

Don Wells, Executive Director of Just in Time for Foster Youth (JIT), and Virgo Villajin, Youth Services Coordinator for JIT, discuss the organization’s work with more than 60 transition age youth through its College Bound service. Wells and Villajin are joined by Stephany Lopez, a JIT Youth Participant, to chat about Lopez’ experiences with JIT.

Brian Lee, San Diego Region Bank President for Wells Fargo Bank, and Xiomara, Vice President of Community Relations for Wells Fargo, talk about the bank’s corporate citizenship and local impact; team member philanthropy; and support for nonprofits in our region.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses the honorees of the June 13 SDMAC Achievement Awards; the June 26 Coast Guard “Change of Command” ceremony; the June 27 SDMAC Breakfast, featuring RADM Dr. Forrest Faison, the nation’s Navy Surgeon General; and upcoming featured speakers at SDMAC Breakfasts in July and August.

Guest 1: Madison track and football coach Rick Jackson Guest 2: La Costa Canyon track and cross country coach Bill Vice

Katie Sawyer, Executive Director of the San Diego Women’s Foundation, is joined by Bridget Strickland, Development Chair for the Foundation, and Jamie Beck, Founder/President/Managing Director for Free to Thrive, chat about the Foundation’s 19th Annual Grants Celebrations on June 5, where several organizations will be awarded grants for their work to combat human trafficking in San Diego County. Beck, whose Free to Thrive organization is one of the grantees, discusses the mission and services of the company.

April Bolduc, President of S Curve Strategies, discusses her company’s focus to grow the adoption of electric cars and trucks in San Diego and throughout the country. Bolduc talks about the reasons for driving electric vehicles and the San Diego organizations involved in the electric vehicle movement.

Bridgette Young, Vice President of the Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC), and Ted Leib, Artistic Director for OTC, chat about their vision for OTC to be a beacon for arts education, culture and the performing arts in North County. Young and Leib talk about the Youth Academy Summer Camp; community and corporate partnerships; and overall growth for the OTC.

Dan Novak, a Board Member for the Lucky Duck Foundation, talks about the Foundation’s mission to alleviate the suffering of the San Diego County homeless population. Novak discusses the Foundation’s efforts to mitigate the impact of homelessness and the number those homeless in our region.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses the honorees of the June 13 SDMAC Achievement Awards and the June 27 SDMAC Breakfast, featuring RADM Dr. Forrest Faison, the nation’s Navy Surgeon General. Balmert is joined by Eric Patten, President & CEO of Ocean Aero, a recipient of a DIVx grant, to talk about the increased use of unmanned systems and the company’s role it plays in commercial and scientific research markets .

Mike Stephenson, Athletics Director, St. Augustine High School

Faye Luepton, PR and Marketing Coordinator for Promises2 Kids, and Kaelin Koons-Bates, a Promises2 Kids “Guardian Scholar,” talk about the organization’s mission, and its Camp Connect and Guardian Scholars Programs. Luepton and Koons-Bates are joined by John Lek , General Manager of Green Dragon Tavern & Museum, a supporter of Promises2 Kids through the “Foodies 4 Foster Kids” Campaign.

Susan J. Farese, President/Owner of SJF Communications, discusses her company’s core business; her poetry background; and her volunteer work in the SDSU Aztec Mentor Program.

Jimmy Saba, Executive Director of the San Diego Junior Theatre (SDJT), is joined by the Theatre’s Artistic Director, Desha Crownover, to chat about Season 72 performances; the role SDJT plays in the importance of arts in education; and classes and summer camps offered by SDJT.

James Wright, CEO of the Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF), is joined by the winners of the 2019 CFF Innovation in Education Awards: Dr. Ben Churchill, Superintendent of the Carlsbad Unified School District -- winner of the Innovative Superintendent of the Year; Dr. Matt Tessier, Assistant Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD), and Michael Bruder, Special Projects Resource Teacher for CVESD – winner of the Impact Award.

Debbie Case, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels San Diego County, and Anna Leyrer, the organization’s Development Manager Events, discuss the City of San Diego’s support of at-risk seniors; the upcoming annual gala – Viva Seniors! – set for Saturday, June 8 at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina; and the importance of advocacy for senior programs.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses the June 13 SDMAC Achievement Awards and the new date of the June SDMAC Breakfast, featuring RADM Dr. Forrest Faison, the nation’s Navy Surgeon General.  Balmert is joined by RADM (Ret.) Dr. James Johnson, Past President of SDMAC, to chat about future combat medical care in the United States; private medical collaboration in San Diego; and medical breakthroughs that initiated through military medical practices.

Guest is Westview boys Volleyball coach Mike Amonette

Dr. Bill Mohlenbrock, Founder and Medical Director of Medical Value, Inc., chats about the costs of healthcare and how to improve healthcare quality and costs. Dr. Mohlenbrock discusses his “game-changing” book, The Handbook of Healthcare Value: How Self-Insured Employers and Employees Can Contain US Healthcare Costs.

Betty Mohlenbrock, Founder and President of Reading Legacies, discusses her decades of work in the field of reading, with a special emphasis on the benefits of reading aloud to and with children. Mohlenbrock talks about the need to grow her base of volunteers to read aloud to kids.

Alberto Cortes, Executive Director of Mama’s Kitchen, chats about the thousands of San Diego County residents who benefit from the organization’s efforts to deliver meals and nutrition education services. Cortes discusses the annual Mama’s Day fundraiser that was held on Friday, May 10 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Cortes talks about Mama’s Kitchen’s new programs that address congestive heart failure and Type II diabetes.

Tomas Herrera-Mishler, President and CEO of the Balboa Park Conservancy, talks about the Conservancy’s mission to address sustainability and accessibility needs in the Park. Herrera-Mishler is joined by Audrey Tamayo, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow, who is leading the organization’s volunteer efforts, such as the Tree Stewards and Park Ambassadors programs.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses the May 15 SDMAC Breakfast, featuring keynote speaker VADM Richard A. Brown, Commander, Naval Surfaces Forces; the June 13 SDMAC Achievement Awards; the status of the annual San Diego Military Economic Impact Study.

Jess Kearney, Deputy Sports Editor of The San Diego Union-Tribune, and Steve Brand, Awards Director for the San Diego Sports Association, talk about Spring sports playoff highlights and previews, and the annual Union-Tribune/San Diego Sports Association’s “Prep Athletes Awards Gala,” set for Friday, June 14 at Petco Park.  Kearny and Brand or joined by Torrey Pines swimming coach, Richard Contreras.