Year in Review: Top La Jolla lifestyle stories from 2025

Like last year, a steady wave of author releases, art installations and anniversaries defined 2025 in La Jolla.

Here’s a look at some of the most notable local lifestyle moments of the year. The list doesn’t include annual events such as the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament and the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival.

January

“Sweet Fury”: Sash Bischoff, who started writing while attending The Evans School and The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, makes a stop at Warwick’s bookstore on a book tour for her debut literary thriller, “Sweet Fury.”

“Wooden, Walsh and ‘Winning Ugly’”: Casa de Mañana resident Steve Jamison plots his 12th book, “Wooden, Walsh and ‘Winning Ugly,’” from a collection of notes, anecdotes and untold stories from three of his most compelling subjects: basketball coach John Wooden, football coach Bill Walsh and tennis star Brad Gilbert.

Torrey Pines Conservancy at 75: The Torrey Pines Conservancy teases new initiatives to increase membership and donations and a desire to see projects through as it enters its 75th year.

Cody Petterson: Longtime La Jolla resident Cody Petterson, named president of the San Diego Unified School District board in December, emphasizes the district will not run a deficit in the 2025-26 school year. 

Taylor Chapin: The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library names Taylor Chapin the new Murals of La Jolla executive director as it ushers in the next chapter of La Jolla’s signature public art program.

Erik Tang: La Jolla Country Day School student Erik Tang, 15, earns perfect scores on his Preliminary SAT (1520), SAT (1600) and ACT (36) standardized tests — a feat that only about 0.07% of students accomplish.

Holocaust exhibition: A new exhibit at the La Jolla/Riford Library, “Remember Us the Holocaust,” opens Jan. 12 with a reception for a large group of guests, organizers and elected officials. “RUTH,” which is open through June 2026, features keepsakes and stories from San Diego County Holocaust survivors.

La Jollans aid Los Angeles: Students at La Jolla High, Muirlands Middle, La Jolla Elementary and La Jolla Country Day schools support Los Angeles fire victims by holding donation drives and writing cards. La Jolla consignment store Little Love also supports fire evacuees by donating 100 trash bags full of community donations and 30 to 40 boxes of diapers.

Trip Bennett retirement: La Jolla architect Trip Bennett retires from his longtime practice to serve as a consultant in an emeritus role, spend time with his wife, Alice, and get back to artistic endeavors.

Stacey Allen retirement: Stacey Allen, a longtime theater and technical theater instructor at La Jolla High School, is one of more than 950 staff members to opt into the San Diego Unified School District’s Supplemental Early Retirement Program. He takes a bow with a full-fledged production of “Into the Woods,” one of his last shows at the school.

February

“San Diego 10s”: La Jolla Country Day School alumni Julian Davis, Jack Macfarlane, Rostam Reifschneider and Jacob Church promote Davis’ Avala Clothing brand with “The San Diego 10s” — a challenge requiring a 10-mile run, bowling 10 strikes, eating 10 tacos and drinking 10 beers.

“Compensation”: UC San Diego instructor Zeinabu Irene Davis’ critically acclaimed film “Compensation,” originally released in 1999 and recently given a 4K “rejuvenation,” closes the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s exhibition “For Dear Life: Art, Medicine and Disability” in La Jolla and starts a traditional theatrical run.

“Breaking Up With Dairy”: Private chef Bailey Ruskus (known as “Chef Bai” on social media) releases “Breaking Up With Dairy,” a book offering alternatives with no dairy products that still feature what people enjoy.

“From Religion to Reason”: White Sands La Jolla resident Carolyn Shadle holds a formal launch for her book detailing her journey of veering away from religion.

Bird Rock vault: Bird Rock Community Council Vice President Joe Parker announces an initiative to display digitized photographs from Bird Rock’s history, along with historical anecdotes, at Community Council meetings.

Tony Hunter: Salk Institute for Biological Studies professor Tony Hunter is recognized at a special symposium called “50 Years of Rafting the River of Life” for his half-century of service in which he developed upward of 80 cancer drugs and mentored more than 100 trainees whom he calls “scientific grandchildren.” 

“People & Places” tour: A new series of tours by the La Jolla Historical Society called “People & Places” begins with a look at Anna Held’s former home, the Green Dragon Colony, which was founded in late 1894 and once stood in the 1200 block of Prospect Street.

March

“Walking Each Other Home”: Looking to make the grieving process easier and offering a conversation starter for families, San Diego author John Masiulionis releases “Walking Each Other Home.” La Jolla’s Girard Avenue is a key location in the book.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus at 70: The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus celebrates 70 years of diverse works, from its original home at Congregational Church of La Jolla to its later home at UC San Diego.

“Waterwise Gardening”: La Jolla resident and “green” industry expert Richard Restuccia releases “Waterwise Gardening: Everything You Need to Know About Efficient Watering to Grow a Healthy Yard,” a 240-page book detailing best practices for plant care.

Chuck’s Roast: Original Bird Rock Coffee Roasters owner Chuck Patton returns to coffee-making with a pair of smaller-scale “complementary” businesses, Chuck’s Roast and Patton Coffee Consulting.

“The Doomsday Detectives”: Author, teacher and La Jolla High School alumna Cindy Jenson-Elliott releases her 18th book, “The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved the Mystery of Dinosaur Extinction.” The book draws on her teaching experience as well as the expertise of UC San Diego scientists.

“I, Sean/a”: Former La Jolla resident Seana Smith publishes “I, Sean/a: The Story of a Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired a Community” along with psychologist Kirsten Harrison ahead of a book release party April 5 at the La Jolla Recreation Center.

Neighbors as Family: Inspired by her debut novel, “A Walk Down Rushville,” Barbara Burton (also known as Barbara Graf) launches Neighbors as Family, an online platform that showcases people providing help or in need of support.

House of Vietnam: La Jolla residents Tawn Nguyen, Thuy Nguyen and Katherine Nguyen Williams lead the charge creating a House of Vietnam in the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages at San Diego’s Balboa Park.

Women’s History Month: Several La Jolla women are recognized throughout Women’s History Month for their efforts in the community: Dr. Rebecca Rakow-Penner of UC San Diego and activist/advocate Jennifer Phelps, both honored as “Women of Impact”; Conrad Prebys Foundation chief of staff and strategic partners adviser Julie Dubick, one of the San Diego area’s “Cool Women” of 2025 and The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s “Woman of Dedication”; former La Jolla Community Planning Association president and civic activist Diane Kane, a nominee for “Women Who Inspire”; and Judith Brucker, recipient of The Salvation Army’s Peggy Matthews Legacy Award.

April

“The Apparition”: La Jolla resident Marc Carlos, a San Diego-based criminal defense attorney, chronicles a fictional murder and paranormal tale in his latest book, “The Apparition.” The book was announced as the first part of a three-book deal with Aethon Books.

Ian Ward: La Jolla native Ian Ward reflects on his experience on “American Idol,” from an audition that impressed Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood to an unexpected duet with Luke Bryan.

“Chasing Shadows”: Anthony and Christina Adams release their debut novel, “Chasing Shadows,” under their pen name, A.C. Adams. The book is based on true events in Christina’s life and is told from three different perspectives across multiple generations.

“Brave Like Lukas”: After finding out her beloved dog was diagnosed with diabetes and hearing from friends whose children have diabetes, The Bishop’s School alumna Lisa Marie Russell releases the children’s book “Brave Like Lukas: The Little Pup Who Faced His Fears.”

Et Galerie: La Jolla’s Luce et Studio launches Et Galerie, a new art exhibition space. Its first theme, “Counter Currents,” is unveiled, showcasing recent works of Claudy Jongstra.

Nick Broms: A documentary, “Nick Broms: What’s the Rush?” about the life of Broms, a La Jolla native, UC San Diego student and competitive skateboarder, is picked up by Tubi. The film is directed by La Jolla High School graduate Donovan Griffin.

Ananda Bareño: Ananda Bareño is named the new executive chef for the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, which includes The Marine Room restaurant and the La Jolla Shores Hotel.

Mission Recall: Ryan O’Donovan, Grayson Blatt, Charlie Fredberg and Isaac Hoang win the top prize of $2,500 at The Bishop’s School’s fifth annual Social Innovation Competition. Their project, Mission Recall, is a digital platform where people with dementia and other memory issues can record and store videos.

“Growing Up Gay and Out”: Bird Rock resident Garrett Glaser details his 30 years as a TV news correspondent and what life has been like for gay people dating to the 1960s in his memoir, “Fairyboy: Growing Up Gay and Out in Pre-Stonewall New York and Beyond.”

Te-Hina Paopao: La Jolla Country Day School graduate Te-Hina Paopao is selected by the Atlanta Dream in the second round of the WNBA draft.

Brendan Simon: Dana Middle School Associate Principal Brendan Simon is hired to replace retiring Muirlands Middle School Principal Jeff Luna.

Murals of La Jolla’s 50th piece: The Murals of La Jolla program partners with Andrea Zittel for its 50th public art installation titled “Prototypes for Billboards at A-Z West.”

May

Levi Pancer: Bird Rock Elementary School fourth-grader Levi Pancer spells “hydrangea” to win the Coastwise Spelling Bee’s fourth- and fifth-grade division — the third time in a row he has won in the annual bee.

“Run Away With Me”: “The Invention of Hugo Cabaret” author Brian Selznick concludes his nationwide book tour for “Run Away With Me,” first foray into young-adult literature, at Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla.

“Late Merging”: La Jolla resident Jenz Johnson shares his experiences observing drivers around him in “Late Merging: Getting Ahead On and Off the Road,” a book advocating late merging and focusing on finding gaps and opportunities on the road and in life.

The Arcades: More than 200 artists get together for The Arcades, an inaugural UC San Diego music festival billed as “an undergraduate collage of music.” A committee of 15 students planned all aspects of the event, which started as a two-part course in UCSD’s Department of Music.

“I Blew My Diet! Now What?”: Former self-proclaimed “sugar- and carbs-addicted journalist” Connie Bennett outlines her relationship with food and recovery to healthy living in “I Blew My Diet! Now What?: The Easy, Proven, 21-Day Plan to Drop Pounds & Bounce Back Boldly.”

Sail-selling partners: Paul and Susan Mitchell settle at Casa de Mañana in La Jolla after decades of living on the water, making sails at various ports of call and, more recently, taking a roughly two-month vacation overseas.

“Charlotte Learns a Lesson”: La Jolla Elementary School third-grader and Scholastic Storyworks 3 contest winner Nidhi Rajesh Menon becomes an author and a teacher of sorts with the release of her children’s book, “Charlotte Learns a Lesson.” 

Social Service League at 70: The Social Service League of La Jolla, which owns and operates the League House, which provides housing for area senior citizens who can’t otherwise afford housing after retirement, celebrates its 70th anniversary with a gala at La Jolla’s Darlington House.

Eco-friendly sunscreen: Martin Valkanov, a seventh-grader at San Diego French-American School in La Jolla, is recognized by state Sen. Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista) for his eco-safe marine sunscreen.

Mini orchard: La Jolla Elementary School students, parents and other volunteers plant a dozen fruit trees on a campus hillside to create a miniature orchard.

“Axolotl Questions”: Former Muirlands Middle School student and substitute teacher Jason Hodel releases “Axolotl Questions,” a children’s book encouraging kids to ask more questions.

Bishop’s softball: The Bishop’s School wins its first girls softball title in 32 years with a victory over Canyon Crest in the San Diego Section Division IV championship game May 31.

June

“We Are the Watershed”: UC San Diego unveils “Earth and Water: We Are the Watershed,” a mural created by nearly 200 participants and professional artist Jay Schlossberg-Cohen in an experimental course. It is at the university’s Sixth College Commuter Center.

Scripps retirees tradition: A group of Scripps Institution of Oceanography retirees continues its monthly meetups at Harry’s Coffee Shop in La Jolla for the 25th year, despite the loss of two original group members in the past year.

Memorial bench program: The Torrey Pines Conservancy launches a 20-bench pilot program in which a personalized plaque can be added to a bench in the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for a 10-year period for a $10,000 donation.

Jacqueline Goldstein: La Jolla’s Jacqueline Goldstein is appointed the San Diego Automotive Museum’s new curator. Goldstein’s responsibilities include planning, researching and executing exhibitions, serving as a liaison among exhibitors and more at the museum in Balboa Park.

Casa’s little free library: Casa de Mañana commemorates the opening of a little free library built by resident Kent Walker. The library, created with 100 hours of labor, is across from the senior-living community’s rear entrance.

Janie Emerson: La Jolla resident and civic activist Janie Emerson prepares to promote her books that were re-released in the previous six months: “Appreciate Each Day: In 100+ Ways,” “The Magic of Me: New Beginnings,” “My Special Girls” and “Walking with Angels.”

“The Girl Who Tested the Waters”: Longtime La Jolla resident Patricia Daniele releases “The Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist,” a 40-page picture book chronicling Swallow’s life, discoveries and legacy.

July 

LymeLnk: Former La Jolla resident Eva Scarano, who battled the tick-borne Lyme disease, launches LymeLnk to help improve awareness and education about the disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Junior Olympics: The La Jolla United Water Polo Club, once “on the brink of not being in existence,” sends 17 teams — the most in its history — to the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics.

Francie Moss: The Stella Maris Academy in La Jolla has its second leadership shakeup in a year, with retired principal Francie Moss returning as co-principal alongside former vice principal Katie Zack upon the departure of Principal James Brandt.

“Shark Docs”: Brendan Talwar, a postdoctoral scholar at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, and his teammate, marine biologist Chris Malinowski, are part of the championship-winning “Shark Docs” team for Netflix show “All the Sharks.”

Kiwanis La Jolla at 100: Leaders reflect on the centennial of the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, which engages in small community projects as well as large fundraisers.

Juliette Suleiman: The La Jolla Community Recreation Group — the advisory board for the Recreation Center — is introduced to Juliette Suleiman, San Diego’s new area recreation manager, who assumed the role in January.

Maryanne Pfister: Following two decades of experience on the board of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla, Maryanne Pfister is selected as its new board president after her predecessor, Steve Strauss, termed out.

August

“Moo-Nay R U Monet?”: La Jolla author Loni Belle launches “Moo-Nay R U Monet? An Art Adventure at Charlie’s Farm,” her first book in what will be a multi-part series.

“The Heart”: La Jolla Playhouse debuts “The Heart,” a world-premiere musical that follows a late young surfer’s donated heart as it’s delivered to a critically ill recipient. 

Richard Ulevitch: Following a 50-plus-year career at La Jolla’s Scripps Research, local resident Richard Ulevitch publishes his first book, “A Taste of Beauty: Spoons of Africa.” The 240-page book showcases some of the African art he’s collected.

Massimo De Soto: Massimo De Soto, a member of La Jolla Troop 506, becomes an Eagle Scout — the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, now called Scouts BSA — two months shy of his 13th birthday, breaking a family record and making him the youngest Scout in recent history to do so.

La Jolla Bobby Sox at 50: A handful of members from the Bobby Sox softball team in La Jolla reminisce on the 50th anniversary of their All Stars National Championship Tournament appearance.

Calumet Surf Library: A little free library called the Calumet Surf Library, featuring Ollie the Wise Old Owl, is placed on the north side of Calumet Park in Bird Rock. It is the creation of local residents Anne Musselman and Mike Uwers.

September

“To All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me”: Kat Yen concludes La Jolla Playhouse’s inaugural directing fellowship with her biggest project to date, “To All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me.” The show, directed by Yen and written by Noah Diaz, is a product of the playhouse’s 2021 DNA New Work Series.

“La Jolla Through My Eyes”: Balanced Fitness & Health in La Jolla introduces the art installation “La Jolla Through My Eyes,” a tabletop artwork made by housekeeping manager Cristina Clay.

“The Power of Employee Well-Being”: La Jolla resident and UC San Diego graduate Mark Crowley encourages leaders to value employee well-being and positive work environments in his book “The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams.”

Navy veteran’s 100th: La Jolla resident and Navy veteran Hubert Sturtevant, nicknamed “Stutz,” celebrates his 100th birthday with family members and fellow residents of the Ivy Park at La Jolla senior-living facility.

Harry Helling: Harry Helling reflects on his 10 years as executive director of La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium, saying it was once nearly unrecognizable compared with what it is today.

“Ampersand”: Murals of La Jolla’s newest installation, “Ampersand,” is unveiled. Artist Matt Rich’s mixed-media image is inspired by an ampersand, the grammatical symbol for the word “and.”

October

French Literature and Arts Festival: A new French Literature and Arts Festival built on three “C’s” — culture, curiosity and critical thinking — lands in La Jolla, with events at sites including San Diego French-American School, UC San Diego, The Bishop’s School and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.

TorreyMUN: TorreyMUN, La Jolla Country Day School’s student-run Model United Nations initiative described as a mix of policy debate and theater, brings together nearly 250 students from 12 schools across San Diego County and Tijuana for the first fall conference hosted solely by the Country Day group.

Soldier and doctor celebrates centennial birthday: La Jolla resident Wolf Forster, who survived World War II in Hitler’s Germany to become an American doctor, colonel, husband and father, celebrates his 100th birthday with an event presented by the La Jolla Newcomers Club.

Murals of La Jolla expands to UCSD: Murals of La Jolla makes its way onto UC San Diego’s campus with “Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean,” Jim Isermann’s colorful two-sided piece intended to change in appearance when viewed vertically or horizontally.

Jewel Awards: The La Jolla Historical Society’s 2025 Jewel Awards introduce the Preservation Champion Award, a category for people whose “long-term commitment has made a lasting difference in protecting La Jolla’s heritage.” The first winner is La Jolla resident and landscape architect Jim Neri.

Jewel Ball: La Jolla women’s philanthropy Las Patronas announces that its 2025 Jewel Ball, held Aug. 2, raised more than $900,000 for nonprofit organizations.

Championship “re-sweep”: Muirlands Middle School’s extracurricular track and field team accomplishes a “re-sweep,” winning a trifecta of San Diego Unified School District championships two years in a row.

“Working Girl”: La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley presents “Working Girl,” his final show before he joins New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company, one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious nonprofit theaters, in January 2026. His departure at the end of the year will end his 18-year tenure at the playhouse.

Challenged Athletes fundraiser: The Challenged Athletes Foundation raise more than $3 million at locations including La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores to provide equipment, training and mentorship for people with physical disabilities to pursue fitness and competitive athletic activities.

November

La Jolla history exhibit: Based on findings collected as part of getting the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the online exhibition “La Jolla’s Coastal Legacy: Nature, Culture & Conservation” is made available on the Google Arts & Culture platform.

Meals on Wheels milestone: The nonprofit La Jolla Meals on Wheels, which provides meals and visits to homebound senior citizens in the area, delivers its millionth meal since its founding in 1974.

Starkey Park bulletin board: Boy Scout Parker Kaltsas builds a new community bulletin board at La Jolla’s Starkey Park for his Eagle Scout project with help from volunteers who maintain the nearby La Jolla Bike Path year-round.

American Philosophical Society: The American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, holds its semiannual meeting in La Jolla, marking only the second time in its history and the first time in 20 years it had met outside its usual location in Philadelphia.

“The Other Birds & Bees”: La Jolla residents Scott Kyle and Victoria Lakers Kyle channel their life experiences into “The Other Birds & Bees: The Financial Facts of Life: Money $ecrets No One Ever Taught You,” a book that includes financial literacy lessons in the story of a California teenager. Scott Kyle also has co-written several books, including “Via LaVie and the Friendship Code” and “Via LaVie and the Secret Key,” with his daughter Liv Blu Kyle and Karyn Langhorne.

New playhouse director: Two-time Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone is named La Jolla Playhouse’s next artistic director, succeeding Christopher Ashley, who is bound for the Roundabout Theatre Company.

“Helm & Horizon”: Retired naval officer Steven-Paul Lapid channels insights from his 25 years of service, naval history and guidance from other top leadership texts in his debut book, “Helm & Horizon: Daily Leadership Principles for the Motivated Sailor.”

Bishop’s boys water polo: The Bishop’s School boys water polo team wins its first CIF Southern California Regional title by defeating Santana in the Division II final in Walnut in Los Angeles County.

Elemental Sparks: Elemental Sparks, a band consisting of three students from La Jolla Elementary School and one from Muirlands Middle School, donates more than $1,500 to the nonprofit Feeding San Diego from a pair of performances at La Jolla’s Children’s Pool.

Chiara Dailey: La Jolla High School senior Chiara Dailey becomes the first San Diegan to win three consecutive state cross country titles and only the 11th girl to win state three times with her CIF Division 4 championship victory in Fresno.

December 

Eric Wolfinger: La Jolla photographer Eric Wolfinger makes his second venture into documentary filmmaking with “Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace,” a short film about the successful chef and entrepreneur who found meaning through cooking after her son, Justin, was slain in the 1990s.

Food-packing event: More than 200 volunteers join together at Bird Rock Elementary School during the Bird Rock Gives Back event, yielding 30,000 meals that will go to the San Diego Food Bank.

Kathryn Kanjo leaving: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla announces the pending departure of Kathryn Kanjo, its director and chief executive since October 2016, as she prepares to become director of the newly formed UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art.