LJCD coach to stand trial A former fencing coach at La Jolla Country Day School agreed April 30 to stand trial on 13 sex charges involving a former student without going through a preliminary hearing. Vijay Prasad, 50, and his attorney, Tom Warwick Jr., agreed to forfeit the preliminary hearing and proceed straight to trial, which was set for June 19 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Tim Walsh. Prasad pleaded not guilty and remains free on $200,000 bond on condition he have no contact with the victim or minors. A readiness conference is scheduled for May 14. Prasad is accused of eight counts of oral copulation with a minor, digital penetration, sodomy and committing lewd acts upon a child 14 or 15 years of age, that allegedly started in March 2005. The victim is now an adult and would likely have testified in the preliminary hearing. Warwick gave no reason why his client agreed to stand trial without the hearing. Prasad was charged Jan. 31 with the offenses. He operated an after-school fencing program at the school, but is no longer employed by La Jolla Country Day. — Neal Putnam

Artists sought for plein-air submissions Plein-air artists are being called upon to submit their talents to the La Jolla Art Association for its next juried show, “Under the Sky.” The show, set to run from May 14 to June 3, will offer — in addition to bragging rights — awards, including a $300 Best of Show. On May 19, the association will host a gala opening from 5 to 7 p.m., complete with refreshments and beverages, and a chance to mingle with the artists. The deadline for submissions to the show is May 9. For more information, visit www.lajollaart.org. The La Jolla Art Association gallery, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, is located at 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, (858) 459-1196. Jewels glitter once again for gala The Arc of San Diego’s signature gala, The Jewels of San Diego, returns with a bold theme on May 5: Moulin Rouge. The annual black-tie event will take place at The Grand Del Mar, starting with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception, followed by an evening of dinner, dancing, and a Moulin Rouge cabaret show at 8 p.m. Guests will participate in live and silent auctions by bidding on items that will help support The Arc of San Diego’s essential life services like day training services, employment placement programs and residential living services to 2,500 San Diegans with disabilities. The cabaret-themed event was choreographed by Mary Murphy, co-host of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” Chaired by Phyllis and John Parrish — longtime supporters of The Arc of San Diego — the event features an honorary committee of supporters, including Marilyn and Kim Fletcher, Lee and Frank Goldberg, Jeanne Jones and Don Breitenberg, Joye Blount and Jessie J. Knight, Jr., “Papa” Doug Manchester, Sandy Redman and Jeff Mueller, Susie and Dean Spanos, and Sally B. and John M. Thornton. Tickets are $200 per person and $2,000 per table of 10 for gold seating, and $300 per person and $3,000 per table of 10 for platinum preferred seating. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information or to make reservations, contact Jennifer Bates Navarra at (619) 685?1175, ext. 291 or [email protected]. ‘Divine’ feast hosted by Junior League An afternoon of fine wining and dining overlooking picturesque La Jolla Cove is in order for May 5 — and guests will have the opportunity to feel good about themselves, too. It’s the 12th annual Island Divine Food and Wine Festival, hosted by the Junior League of San Diego. This year’s event will feature morsels from more than 50 of San Diego’s best restaurants, as well as tastings from numerous wine, beer and cocktail purveyors, including Ballast Point Brewing, The Cottage, Café Japengo, Falkner Winery, Brian Malarkey’s Herringbone, Red Tracton’s, Stone Brewing, Svedka, Oceanaire, Whisknladle and more. More than 1,000 influential San Diego residents, who are loyal to local businesses and committed to their community, are expected to attend for the opportunity to take in the fresh ocean air while, nibble sumptuous treats and bid on silent auction items. Island Divine is the Junior League’s premier fundraiser, critical to providing the funds needed to support community projects, programs and the mission of the league. The Junior League, which was founded in 1929, is committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the San Diego community by providing volunteers and creating organizations and events like The Polinsky Center, Voices for Children, LEAD San Diego and Kids on the Block. More than 1,000 members help develop community programs and contribute more than $1 million in donations and volunteer hours. Island Divine Food and Wine Festival will take place on May 5 from 3 to 7 p.m. For more information on the festival or the Junior League of San Diego, visit www.islanddivine.com or call (619) 234-2253.