Night of Nights gala given to benefit cardiac unit

By PENNY BONNOT - For the North County Times | Saturday, June 28, 2008 5:12 PM PDT ∞

LA JOLLA ---- People arrived at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla dressed in their finest evening wear to attend the Night of Nights Gala, hosted by the Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation. The gala was held to benefit cardiovascular services at Palomar Pomerado Health.

It was a night to be remembered, with football great LaDainain Tomlinson and wife La Torsha hosting the event, three-time Super Bowl champion and NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith serving as master of ceremonies and entertainment provided by well-known comedian Jake Johannsen.

The evening began with a reception and silent auction with items such as the "Weekend Fun with the Kids" package, which included passes to Magic Mountain, San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park and more.

Dinner was held in an elegantly decorated ballroom with tables draped with mauve and black tablecloths, low-profile vases of white lilies serving as centerpieces and low-light votives adding romantic light to the table.

There was also a live auction, with items including a ladies night out with the Poway Fire Station, Chef to the Stars Dinner Party and an African Safari.

When all was said and done, the crowd danced the night away to the music of Haute Chili.

Sponsors included Kaiser Permanente, CO Architects, Pala Casino Resort and Spa; Anesthesia Consultants of California Medical Group, Inc.; Avid Design; CEP America; Citigroup; Cerner; Childs Mascari Warren Architects; Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, Inc.; San Diego Chargers and many more.

Bill Chaffin was chairman of the gala. His committee included Marsha Byron, Marcie Chase, Vaneese Cook, Anita Fraley, Janet DiPrinzio, Gustavo Friederichsen, Pauline Getz, Kayln Giese, Trina Hinch, Nina Kim, Janet Gennoe Klitzner, Michele Pacheco, Charity Smith, Terry Sorensen, Lisa Stehly, Tami Weigold and Kim Wetzel.

Palomar Pomerado Health is a provider of cardiac-care services in North County, offering diagnostic, medical, surgical and rehabilitative care services for the heart. Its comprehensive program is recognized nationally by the American Heart Association's "Get with the Guidelines" initiative ---- a clinical program that focuses on aggressive risk-reduction therapies for patients who are admitted with heart disease.

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