Saving pets, one designer handbag at a time The Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE), which strives to help pets by relieving pet owners of the economic hardships that may cause them to give up or euthanize a family pet, is currently seeking new and used designer handbag donations and sponsorships from individuals and businesses in the San Diego community for its upcoming Bags & Baubles event. On Sunday, April 29, fashionistas will gather at a private Rancho Santa Fe estate to bid new and gently-used designer handbags to benefit the foundation. More than 200 handbags will be available for bid at the auction, which begins at 10-15 percent of retail value. The organization is collecting bags for the event, and is calling on local ladies to clean out their closets. The tax-deductible gift may help save the life of a local pet. For more information, visit www.face4pets.org. Surf Diva nominated for retailer award Coco and Izzy Tihanyi, founders of La Jolla-based Surf Diva Boutique, announced their nomination as the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association (SIMA) Women’s Retailer of the Year and Breakthrough Retailer of the year. “We are so stoked to be recognized by the surf industry as one of the top five retailers,” said Coco. “It’s a huge honor for Surf Diva and everyone who has supported us along the way.” Surf Diva features a mix of beach fashion with women’s surf apparel and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the community, supporting environmental and local programs. The company became the leading retailer for the San Diego Junior Lifeguard uniform program this year. “Working with the community to make our beaches cleaner and safer is a priority for us,” said Coco. UCSD celebrates Black History Month UC San Diego will present a series of exhibits and events in celebration of Black History month throughout the winter and spring at the school’s Geisel Library. All events are free and open to the public. • Stitching Memories: The Story of African American Quilting An exhibit about the creation and significance of quilts to African American women will be held from Feb. 1 to March 31 on the main floor in the west wing of Geisel Library. In addition to the exhibit, a reception and panel discussion will be held on Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Seuss Room. The exhibit includes works of the quilters from the San Diego People of Color Quilt Guild, which challenge the commonly help misconception that African American quilts comprise only strip quilts, patchworks or rustic creations that reflect what many scholars claim to be an African aesthetic. The exhibit dispels that notion, with examples of “quilted photography,” art quilts and more traditional quilts. • Magic Lanterns from the 1800s Shed Light on African Diaspora Magic lanterns dating back to the 19th century will be on display from Feb. 1-29 in the UC San Diego Arts Library (lower level, west wing) in Geisel Library. The hand-painted glass magic lantern slides on display depict images of Africa and celebrate and raise awareness of the African Diaspora. According to Scott Paulson, outreach coordinator for the UC San Diego Arts Library and the owner of the magic lanterns on display, perhaps the earliest views Americans saw of Africa came in the form of magic lantern shows (hand-painted glass slides that were used in early gaslamp-powered projectors). Even as early as the 1600s and 1700s, lively lantern shows employed early animation techniques, narration and live music to show the culture of other continents. For more information about UC San Diego’s Black History Month celebrations, visit blackhistorymonth.ucsd.edu/2012/