If you’ve not been attending the Riford Center’s Distinguished Speaker Series since Don Breitenberg and Reena Horowitz started it last July, you’re missing out on one of La Jolla’s best opportunities. About once a month, the series brings such wonderfully interesting speakers as Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs, Mayor Jerry Sanders, Adm. William French and county Supervisor Pam Slater Price. Admission is free and open to the public, and light refreshments are served. Eager listeners typically number 120-150. Last Thursday, the speaker was Walter Munk, longtime La Jolla resident and scientist at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Winner of numerous awards and widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest living oceanographers, Dr. Munk is recognized for his “pioneering and fundamental contributions to our understanding of ocean circulation, tides and waves, and their role in the Earth’s dynamics.” Born in 1917 Vienna, Munk was sent to be educated in America. Graduating from the California Institute of Technology in 1939, he came to La Jolla for a summer job at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. There, he became one of the institute’s 15 employees (they now have about 1,500). He frequently played tennis with the Scripps director’s wife, and when she won, she would invite him dinner. Needless to say, his game steadily deteriorated… Munk’s hour-long talk at the Riford was delivered with interesting anecdotes about his work and a great deal of humor. During World War II, his research allowed him to predict wave and surf conditions at shores around the globe. This not only greatly aided the Allies’ invasion plans, but now makes it possible for surfers everywhere to know in advance what the wave height and frequency will be at any beach. He was also the first to rigorously show how the phenomenon of tidal locking keeps one side of the moon always facing the earth. Aspects of his work have much relevance today in understanding the facts regarding global warming. He concluded his presentation by answering questions from the audience. Next in this series will be Charles Hartford, who (at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 29) will speak about the successful rescue of an American POW. The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., will celebrate its 40th anniversary this May. By then, current remodeling efforts are expected to be complete, and it’s rumored that a name change will be made. *** A half-mile north of the Riford is The Bishop’s School, a college prep school for about 800 students in grades 6-12. An annual auction raises about $1 million to benefit the school’s need-based financial aid programs and faculty professional growth. Bridget Musante, Kelly Dorvillier and Melissa Swanson will chair the April 21 auction, titled “Disco Knights,” a flashback to the disco era. Exceptional wines are a favored auction component. They won’t be found at BevMo, so Amanda and Troy Latimer (whose son attends Bishop’s) hosted a “Tastings Party” at their lovely La Jolla home, and each of the 110 guest couples was asked to bring a bottle of 95-point (or higher) wine. Donations — including a 1983 Dom Pérignon, a 1984 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet and much more — will ensure a successful wine auction in April. Partygoers were well rewarded for their generosity with myriad food and libations donated by noted caterers. Giuseppe’s served numerous fine hors d’oeuvres and a refreshing “Tuscan pear” cocktail of vodka, blood orange juice and ginger liqueur. The La Valencia made tasty, tender braised short ribs. Cucina Urbana brought a great oxtail dish and The Fish Market served fresh-shucked oysters. Campine (a culinary and cocktail conspiracy involving chefs Andrew Spurgin, Antonio Friscia and Brian Malarkey, plus Snake Oil Cocktail Co.) produced unusual original dishes and drinks. Something Homemade and Elegant Events added further sweets and savories to the eclectic mix. Everyone seemed to have a great time, but none more than Zeke (“Zee-kee”), one of the Latimers’ two Bengal cats. Her sister, Bindi (known as “the hunter”), was presumably resting up for the next kill, but Zeke (“the lover”) was quite a party animal, calmly and confidently strolling among the guests, soliciting affection and attention, and undaunted by the noisy press of strangers in her home.