Finest City Honors City’s Finest : Teacher and Joan Kroc Among 12 Cited by Jaycees

Verna Lee King, a teacher at Memorial Junior High School for 29 years, and philanthropist Joan Kroc, along with 11 other San Diegans, were honored as “Citizens of the Year” Friday at a luncheon at the San Diego Hilton Hotel.

The awards were part of “America’s Finest City Week,” organized by the San Diego Jaycees.

King, Dr. Gladden Elliott, police officer Paul Geis, firefighter Steven Holladay, attorney Marc Adelman and city employee Kenneth Schumacher were chosen by their respective professional associations to receive the awards for outstanding contributions in their fields. The awards were presented by the City Club of San Diego in the third annual “Citizens of the Year” luncheon.

King said, “This is perhaps the greatest honor I have ever received because my teacher’s association presented this to me.” She said she was proud to be one of only two women to receive Citizen of the Year status. “I felt honored to be with Joan Kroc. She does the kind of things I would do if I had money.”

San Diego Padres owner Kroc was honored for her contributions to many causes, including education, African famine and, most recently, her anti-nuclear war activities.

Seven San Diego luminaries were chosen by the City Club to receive the award. In addition to Kroc, they were former City Manager Ray Blair, developer Ernest Hahn, KFMB personalities Mac Hudson and Joe Bauer, Old Globe Theater executive producer Craig Noel and philanthropist Linc Ward, general manager of Pacific Bell.

Motorcycle officer Geis, a much decorated San Diego policeman, said of the honorees, “We’re all a part of San Diego.” He said the well-known ones such as Kroc and Hahn “are at one end and I’m at the other end.”

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley introduced the award recipients to an audience of 700, twice as many as in past years, according to City Club President George Mitrovich.

In his introduction of Kroc, Bradley said, “It is evidence of my courage that I sat at a table with Joan Kroc today. With the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers locked in a death struggle, it takes courage to sit there and not be intimidated.”

The weeklong celebration of San Diego as “America’s Finest City” ends Sunday with a free San Diego Pops Concert and fireworks at the Embarcadero Marina Park. Other weekend events are:

Today

- Seventh annual Scenic Drive by Foot. A 56-mile walk starting at Dana Landing at 6:30 a.m.

- Ocean Beach sand sculpting contest. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the Ocean Beach pier.

- Kid Day at the Bay at Bonita Cove. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Miller High Life Thundertub Regatta. Bathtub races at Enchanted Cove, Fiesta Island, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Heart of San Diego Bus Tour. A free guided tour through downtown. 10 a.m. 119 West F St.

- World’s Greatest Home States Picnic. Reunion of all 50 states. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Balboa Park near the Laurel Street entrance.

- Beautiful baby pageant. 1 p.m.; registration at 11 a.m. $25 entry fee.

- Linda Vista multicultural parade. 2 p.m.

- Michelob Street Scene in the Gaslamp. 6 to 11 p.m.

- Puppet show. 11 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. in Balboa Park’s Puppet Theater.

- Concert in North Park with Flannigan’s Band. 4 to 6 p.m.

Sunday

- Lung Half Marathon. 7 to 9:30 a.m.; 13-mile marathon from Cabrillo National Monument to Balboa Park.

- American Youth Hostel 12th annual S.D. Dozen Parks Bike Ride and Tour. 8 a.m. at the County Administration Center.

- Horton Plaza walking tour. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 119 West F St.

- Centre City stroll. 10:30 a.m. at 835 Fifth Ave. for a stroll around the Gaslamp and Embarcadero.

- Sweet Sundae. Ice cream sundae building at the Kona Kai Hotel on Shelter Island; noon to 4 p.m.

- The Silent Sentinels of Mission Hills. 3 p.m. at Pioneer Park, corner of Randolph and West Washington.

- Puppet show. 11 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m.

- South San Diego Bay Walkabout. 4 p.m. at the Chula Vista Anthony’s Seafood parking lot.

- Concert on the Green. 5 to 8 p.m. at Kate Session Park in Pacific Beach.