Pacific Beach schools have a lot more planned than a bake sale this year. The Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary and Secondary Schools will host their 2nd annual Taste of North Pacific Beach restaurant walk fund-raiser for educational programs Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“First, it’s a great opportunity to get a taste of the wonderful restaurants we have right here in our backyard,” said Laura Daily, President of PB elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). “Also, it’s an opportunity for everyone to come together. It’s such a phenomenal social event.”
Last year, more than 500 people participated in the sold-out fund-raiser benefiting Pacific Beach Elementary, Pacific Middle School and Mission Bay High School. More than $5,000 was raised and split evenly between the three schools’ PTOs. Daly said that the money was used to enrich programs such as Art Attack and Missoula Children’s Theatre.
Not only does the event raise money that help supplement school budgets hemorrhaging funds for arts instruction, it also serves a public relations function for the schools. Some Pacific Beach public schools have experienced a decline in enrollment in recent years and the PTOs hope that more community events will convince parents that live in the community to enroll their children in area schools.
Participating restaurants will be marked by balloons donated by G-Whiz. Guests are invited to sample fare from each on their self-guided tours.
“It’s a community thing that’s fantastic,” said Leilani Rivett of Leilani’s Café, is participating again this year, offering strollers a sample of Kalua Pork and rice along with assorted pastries and coffee.
“It’s a really fun thing to do, and it raises money for the schools.”
Other participating restaurants include:
“¢ Cappy’s Coffee House, 4879 Cass St.
“¢ Chocolate Haus, 947 Turquoise St.
“¢ The Fishery, 5040 Cass St.
“¢ The French Gourmet, 960 Turquoise St.
“¢ Froggy’s Bar and Grill, 954 Turquoise St.
“¢ Leilani’s Café, 5109 Cass St.
“¢ Pernicano’s, 711 Turquoise St.
“¢ Rafaela’s Italian, 5119 Cass St.
“¢ Turquoise Coffee, 841 Turquoise St.
“¢ The Turquoise, 873 Turquoise St.
“¢ Tacos Mi Rancho, 5010 Cass St.
“¢ Service Deli at Albertsons, 730 Turquoise St.
Tickets cost $15 adults, $7 children ages 6-10 and children under 5 are free.
They can be purchased at the Mission Bay High School financial office, 2475 Grand Ave.; Pacific Beach Middle School’s administrative office, 4676 Ingraham St.; San Diego National Bank, 1945 Garnet Ave; G-Whiz, 929 Turquoise St. #A; Leilani’s Café, Cappy’s and Pernicano’s.
Any tickets remaining on the night of the event will be available only at Leilani’s Café. Tickets are limited so those wishing to participate are encouraged to purchase early.
For more information, call (619) 276-7533.