San Diego Is Suiting Up for ’88 Bowl

Bob Payne would like to put this city in uniform.

At first glance, the businessman would seem to have chosen the right town, thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps.

But the uniform that Payne has in mind is more suitable for the gridiron than the drill field, and is marked by a red, green and brown logo. A soaring football occupies the center of the emblem; slashing through its middle are the words “Super Bowl XXII,” and, around the edge, “San Diego Host.”

Payne, chairman of the San Diego Super Bowl Task Force, was among the 250 guests at “March to Super Bowl XXII,” the Jan. 14 fund-raiser presented by the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce in the Sheraton Harbor Island’s Champagne Ballroom. The two-pronged event both promoted the Jan. 31, 1988, Super Bowl, the first ever to be scheduled for San Diego, and honored former San Diego Chargers Coach Don Coryell.

Payne outlined his plans to suit up San Diegans in Super Bowl regalia at a pre-dinner VIP reception given in the hotel’s tower reception suite.

“We’re going to sell merchandise,” said Payne, displaying a stack of visored caps that he considers suitable for framing any San Diego face. Sweaters, shirts and other items also will be marketed. “The merchandise will lead to enthusiasm for the event. We’re going to put the city of San Diego in uniform.”

The sales pitch that most of the reception guests had in mind will be aimed at the residents of other cities, however. Peg Nugent, director of operations for the local Super Bowl effort, said, “Super Bowl XXII will take San Diego from being considered a wonderful paradise, to being considered a major league city by corporate America. The game itself is going to generate more than $141 million, but we expect an economic impact that will last for decades.”

Chamber of Commerce President Lee Grissom, who attended with his wife, Sharon, preferred to look at the anticipated impact in broader terms. “The Super Bowl is an important milestone in the history of San Diego,” he said. “This city has always felt itself not ready for prime time, but now it is taking its appropriate place as a major city in this country and in this world. I also think San Diego will parlay having the game into a successful bid to host the defense of the America’s Cup here in 1990.”

Among the last guests to arrive at the reception were Coryell and his wife, Aliisa. The former coach made a beeline for former Charger guard Doug Wilkerson, whom he greeted with a bear hug, then went into a huddle with former pro football star now NBC sportscaster Merlin Olsen, who was the dinner’s keynote speaker.

At the dinner, Olsen nearly stole the show from master of ceremonies Ted Leitner when he commented that he had been up all night building the centerpieces --he’s a spokesman for Florists’ Transworld Delivery. (The decorations, which consisted of souvenir NFL footballs surrounded, perhaps uncharacteristically, by daisies and orchids, were on sale as part of the evening’s fund-raising effort.) Olsen did know how to please the crowd, especially with his concluding remarks.

“San Diego’s Super Bowl is a reality, and the only thing that could make it better would be to have the Chargers playing, representing their hometown,” said the burly, bearded, former defensive tackle. “I hope that dream comes true.”

That remark, however, drew a horrified response from one Chamber of Commerce member who pointed out that having the home team in the bowl would draw far fewer out-of-town dollars.

Coryell was honored by a film that summarized his long career in college and professional football (he is the only coach ever to win 100 games at both levels), after which dinner chairman Ed Luce presented him a plaque. The inscription ended, “Most of all, thanks for the leadership.”

Among guests of honor were Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bill Nelson and wife Lollie; Chamber director Art Lyon and wife Yoko; the Charger’s Jack Teele and wife Marilyn; Claudia Wilson with Jack Berkman; and Msgr. I Brent Eagen, who offered the invocation and benediction.

RANCHO SANTA FE--The tradition of the well-to-do matron immersing herself in charity work and the swirl of accompanying social events has been said to be steadily vanishing as women opt for careers outside the home, and as societal trends dictate other forms of community involvement.

This decline in volunteerism, to whatever degree it may exist locally, possibly explains the growing popularity of the Women of Dedication awards, given annually by the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope Auxiliary to volunteers who have distinguished themselves over a period of time. This year’s crop of recipients--15 in all--were introduced at a Jan. 14 announcement tea given at home by Women of Dedication founder Emme Cote. The event prefaced the 22nd annual Women of Dedication fashion luncheon, which will be held at the Hotel Inter-Continental on Feb. 27.

The Women of Dedication award is like a sparkling, spinning lure that carries a hook hidden among its shiny decorations. Or, as Door of Hope Auxiliary President Kay Rippee said, “These women have already proven themselves by their past performances, and I know they will continue to make this a better community. But in any case, receiving this honor is so humbling that you feel compelled to keep on volunteering. You can’t rest on your laurels.”

Vicki Rogers, chairman of the luncheon, took the job of introducing the honorees to the committee. “Everyone needs a role model, and these 15 ladies are extraordinary role models,” she said. “They are exceptional for their volunteerism.”

Among the women to be honored are Fran Golden, Alison Tibbitts, Liz Yamada, Carol Alessio, Sue Edwards, Vickie Butcher, Grace Malloy, Pam Allison, Luba Johnston, Alyson Goudy, Barbara Christensen, Dorene Whitney, Rusti Weiss, Vangie Burt and Shirley Rubel.

Event founder Cote took time from her hostess duties (complicated by the fact that the caterer thought the tea was to be the next day, and thus arrived well after the guests) to give her assessment of the value of the Women of Dedication program.

“We have to honor volunteers. There are getting to be fewer and fewer of them, you know,” she said. “Just think how many millions of dollars the women in this room have raised for their city. Now we’ll have to organize them to put the symphony back on its feet.”

Word was circulating that day that efforts may already be under way to do just that. Mim Sally, a past honoree, announced that San Diego Symphony President Herb Solomon had asked her to go ahead with plans for the Symphony Ball, to be held June 13 at Hotel del Coronado, despite the dissolution of the symphony two days earlier.

SAN DIEGO--Other gatherings around town last week also celebrated upcoming events.

Bobbie Quick and Sally Fuller, co-chairs of the March 3 “Celebrate Catfish Row” gala that will precede the Old Globe Theatre and San Diego Opera’s combined presentation of George Gershwin’s classic “Porgy and Bess,” gave a cocktail reception at La Gran Tapa to announce details of the event.

With an anticipated guest list of 500, the gala will take place aboard both the William D. Evans and the Bahia Belle, both of which will remain moored to the Bahia Hotel dock to allow guests to jump ship from time to time. The light supper will revolve around Cajun specialties and dancing will be to the jazz rhythms of Jeannie and Jimmy Cheatham. Theme attire is encouraged. Tickets cost $100 per person, or $125 for benefactors who wish to be rewarded with an album of highlights from the Houston Grand Opera cast recording of “Porgy and Bess.” For tickets or information, call the San Diego Opera.

Some 300 members and supporters of the Single Professionals’ Society assembled Sunday at the new B Street Cafe to announce the upcoming “B Street Ball,” to be given Feb. 13 at--where else?--the B Street Pier.

This busy bunch of bees, headed by Karen Kaye, has planned what one committee called “a heartfelt evening.” It will be a Valentine’s dance, in other words, and plans are for such added diversions as roaming “Romeo and Juliet” couples (costumed performers from the Sushi/Performance Gallery), and a phalanx of some 30 consulting psychics, one of whom reportedly will predict guests’ love lives by reading the bubbles in their champagne glasses. La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art and Sushi will share the party’s proceeds.

The “B Street Ball” commences at 7:30 p.m. and continues until 1 a.m. Attire appropriate to Valentine’s Day is requested, and tickets cost $30 per person. Call the Single Professionals’ Society for further information and tickets.