LJHS to compete in Nat’l Ocean Science Bowl
La Jolla High School’s ocean science team is gearing up to compete this weekend at the National Ocean Science Bowl (NOSB) at Stony Brook State University, Stony Brook, N.Y.
The team will fly to New York Friday, April 27, and compete Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. An award ceremony will be held at noon Monday, April 30, according to Lee Decker, ocean science team coach.
“They are a bit anxious but I have tremendous confidence in them,” Decker said about the championships. “They are truly amazing students and sophisticated competitors.”
In preparation, team members have been practicing about two hours a day and studying individually in their free time, according to Decker.
The competition, an educational forum founded in 1998 as a way for high school students to excel in math and science, is open to the public. Team members compete individually, answering questions related to ocean studies on a timed clock and buzzer system.
La Jolla High School won its regional competition at the beginning of February, which qualified the team for nationals. The regional tournament was held at Birch Aquarium.
Twenty-five finalists out of about 400 competing teams are advancing to this year’s nationals, according to the NOSB Web site. Eight top teams will receive awards at the competition and all 25 teams will receive recognition for their participation in the tournament.
For more information about NOSB, visit www.nosb.org, send e-mail to [email protected] or call (202) 332-0063.

Scripps Center founder to speak at luncheon
Dr. Mimi Guarneri, founder of Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, will discuss her book, “The Heart Speaks,” at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 30, at an author’s luncheon hosted by the Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito.
Guarneri, who is board-certified in cardiology, internal medicine, nuclear medicine and holistic medicine, will outline her approach to heart health.
The Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito is a nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to help with community social services.
The luncheon will be held at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, 10950 N. Torrey Pines Road. For more information, call (760) 753-2259.

Historical Society plans 9th Secret Garden Tour
The La Jolla Historical Society is sponsoring a tour of six elegant garden sites throughout the La Jolla area on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning at Wisteria Cottage. As in previous years, the exact location of each garden will be kept secret until the morning of the tour. Proceeds from this popular event, the Historical Society’s only fund-raiser of the year, will benefit the renovation of Wisteria Cottage, formerly John Cole’s Bookstore.
Attendees will be entertained by classical musicians, local painters and designers and will enjoy the special company of the Historical Society’s honorary chair, artist Georgeanna Lipe.
Participants may opt to take the Platinum Tour, which includes luxury bus service, guided garden tours and a lunch of Cornucopia Salad and warm artisan bread with a special dessert selection at the La Jolla Country Club. Those attending the Platinum Tour will also receive surprise gift bags and notecards featuring a watercolor rendition of Fern Glen Cottage.
The Secret Garden Tour is “the most significant and widely publicized programs of the year,” said John Bolthouse, executive director of the Historical Society. The event sells out annually, and three-quarters of this year’s tickets have already been sold. Tickets can be purchased online through a ticket-less conformation system.
Tickets will cost $40 for members of the La Jolla Historical Society, $50 for nonmembers, and $150 for the Platinum Tour. For information, call (858) 454-5335 or visit www.ljhs.org.

Soroptimists mark 60
Soroptimist International of La Jolla will celebrate 60 years of service with cake and entertainment Sunday, May 6, 1 to 5 p.m.
The event, at a private home, will also include some items for sale, with proceeds benefitting Soroptimist projects that help women and girls. For information, visit www.silj.org.