Correction appended
Twelve restaurants along La Jolla Boulevard will open their doors from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 19, with food offerings and entertainment for all ages in an effort to raise money for Bird Rock Elementary School.
The Taste of Bird Rock, which started five years ago as a grassroots effort by the Bird Rock Community Council and has since developed into a widely recognized affair, has raised upwards of $12,000 in past years, according Lindsay Arellano, one of three event chairpersons.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to get people out to our community to show them what a great neighborhood this is and show them all we have to offer,” said Arellano, who has been chairing the event for the past three years.
For the past five years, proceeds from the event have been donated to Bird Rock Elementary School, and this year isn’t any different, Arellano said, mentioning that the school’s technology lab will be the target for funds this time around.
“It’s always gone to Bird Rock “” they really need all the extra funding they can get that the state takes away, like for PE and art teachers,” Arellano said.
Bird Rock Elementary Principal Beverly Candage said she couldn’t be more thrilled with the Taste of Bird Rock tradition that has been set over the last few years.
The school was able to provide extra teacher planning days, consultants, physical education equipment, field trips and technology due to the $15,000 check it received from last year’s fund-raising efforts, according to Candage.
“I compliment the hard work the members of BRCC put forth to support the children in our school community,” Candage said by e-mail. “It is extremely gratifying to be a part of a team that strives to enhance the academic achievement of our students.”
One of Bird Rock Elementary’s sister schools will also be selected by Candage to receive a portion of the proceeds, Arellano said.
This year’s event theme, “Catch the Wave of Opportunity,” challenged the school’s fifth-graders to come up with a design to go along with the catchy saying for event posters and T-shirts.
Lupi Cocina, Midori Sushi, La Basil Thai, Bahia, Starbucks, Leana Bistro, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, Bird Rock Yogurt, Beaumont’s, Bully’s, Delirio’s and J.J.’s Pizza are participating this year in the event, which will close La Jolla Boulevard to traffic for three hours, from Camina de la Costa to Forward Street, according to Arellano.
The Lomatones, a 1950s, ’70s and ’80s cover band, and The Tonerators, an eight-member Bird Rock band that plays blues and classic rock, will perform along Bird Rock Avenue and Forward Street throughout the evening. Solo artist Kai Brown, who has opened for Grammy-winning band Hootie and the Blowfish, and jazz musician Joe Marillo will also perform.
Besides providing a source of fun and entertainment for the residents, the event organizers also hope it will instill a greater sense of community within Bird Rock and its blossoming business district, Arellano said.
“It’s a great place “” there are a lot of new restaurants and storefronts and we have a lot of opportunity, so this is perfect for where Bird Rock is at right now,” she said. “There is a lot going on and a lot left to come. Bird Rock is not a pass-through place anymore. We have a lot to offer.”
Tickets for the event are $20-$25 for adults, $15 for children, and can be purchased at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, 7975 Dunbrook Road, or by contacting Arellano, (858) 335-5778.