Discovery Gala 2024 ~ Lagoon's Eleven

September 5, 2024

We are THRILLED to announce that with the generous donation match from the Newell Family, we exceeded our fundraising goalbringing in

$257,000!

high roller welcome

With a jazzy twist, VIP guests were welcomed by the captivating music of With a jazzy twist, the VIP Patron Party, generously sponsored by Grand Pacific Resorts, began as attendees were greeted by the captivating melodies of Celeste Barbier, setting a stylish tone as they checked in and relaxed in the front lawn lounge.


Guests then made their way to the ocean-view terrace, where they spent the next hour enjoying the smooth vocals of our second Rat-Pack-style singer, Roman Palacios, while mingling with friends against the breathtaking coastal backdrop. During this special hour, CEO Lisa Rodman had the privilege of inviting the 2023 Hero on a Quest Award Winner, Tim Stripe, to announce and congratulate the 2024 recipient, Bob Beard. Bob's pivotal role in securing sponsorships for the Yellow Brick Road Campaign, which funds a week-long STEAM camp for underserved students and offers sponsors a lasting legacy with their names engraved on a brick at Mayor Matt Hall Hill, was celebrated with heartfelt applause.


The crowd, moved by Bob’s inspiring words about supporting the next generation of environmental stewards, erupted in cheers. As the VIP Hour drew to a close, Gala guests joined in, filling the back patio with congratulatory cheers for Bob as the

evening’s festivities continued.

Dinner at The Bellagio

Guests were transported to a high-stakes heist on the Las Vegas Strip as they savored their 3-course dinner. The Bellagio Hotel backdrop perfectly set the mood, while table centerpieces, overflowing with money and diamonds from safety deposit boxes, sparked lively debates about the best Ocean's movie in the series.

Winner Winner

Much like the movie, we wanted to keep the action alive. We started with the live auction in hopes of making people feel like they hit the jackpot with these unique, once- in-a-lifetime, opportunities.


Thank you to our in-kind Live Auction Donors:

  • Advanced Air
  • Alila Marea Beach Resort
  • Alpenholf Lodge
  • Arlo
  • Breathless Wines
  • Buckboard Catering
  • Campfire in Carlsbad Village
  • Dermacare Carlsbad
  • Develop Your Team
  • Gallegos Wine
  • Grand Pacific Resorts
  • Hansen's Encinitas
  • Healdsburg Food and Wine Festival
  • Jodi & Jon James
  • JSX Airlines
  • Leopold & Richter Family
  • Connor Lillie-Liberto
  • Mizu Life
  • Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
  • Paul Sanders
  • SD Tequila Tasting
  • Solterra Winery
  • TaylorMade
  • Town & Country Resort
  • Valentina Restaurant
  • Andy Wright (Hanalei Bay painting by Andy Wright)

An Impact To Remember

Did they cry in Ocean's Eleven? Because we sure did!


The evening began with a beautifully crafted video by Londen Productions, and by the time the 3-minute showcase of what makes AHLF magical came to an end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The magic continued as every person in the room graciously raised their paddle to help us meet the $50,000 challenge set by the Newell Family.


We barely had time to reach for more tissues before our CEO, Lisa Rodman, took the stage to thank and celebrate our 2024 Honoree, Margie Newell, for her tremendous impact on the Foundation.


In recognition of the lasting impact she has made, not just on the Foundation but on all of Carlsbad, Mayor Keith Blackburn presented Margie with a proclamation honoring her good deeds.

Let The Party Begin!

After a beautiful dinner and program, the giant glass doors opened and the party began. Guests fled to the blackjack, 3-hand poker, roulette, craps, and Pai Gow tables to test their luck.


Guests who preferred to dance the night away hit the floor with DJ Closer picking the best songs that got every generation moving.


Everyone, regardless of whether they played in the casino or not, had an opportunity to turn in their complimentary Margie Money (in honor of our honoree Margie Newell) to win one of three AMAZING prizes.


Congratulations to our high-rolling winners:

Fuel Frenzy: 40 $25 Shell Gas Cards totaling $1,000

Winner ~ Josh Cantor


Jewel Heist: Diamond Tennis Bracelet valued at $1,500, and Lab Grown Diamond Stud Earrings valued at $1,100 by Famulare Jeweler's.

Winner ~ Cindy & Mike Metts


Triple Down Escape: 3 day/2-night getaway for two adults @ the Orleans Hotel or Gold Coast Hotel. Also, enjoy a one-night stay and spa massage at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. Lastly, enjoy a weekday night at Harrah's Resort SoCal and a $100 food

credit.

Winner ~ Jennipher Harris

A beautiful evening with beautiful people

Check out the full library of photos here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gjhmxitovJCHAYqWSmy2zCbMzTRHIwDS?usp=sharing

Photos by Mark Fitzgerald, Rini’s Photography, and Brooklynn Deal

share this

Related Articles
March 6, 2025
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, March 1st, to celebrate 35 years of Agua Hedionda! It was a day filled with joy, community, and, of course, ice cream—over 140 ice cream bars were enjoyed! By the end of the day, 202 guests had visited the Discovery Campus, making the celebration even more special. A huge thank you to the Miegs Family Foundation for bringing the classic Good Humor Truck filled with ice cream, Paul Dwork for providing guests with magical entertainment, and our dedicated staff and board members who joined us for a group photo, marking this milestone together. We’re grateful for this amazing community and look forward to many more years of Excellence in Environmental Education!
February 17, 2025
Come on Barbie, Let’s Go to Carlsbad Village!
October 21, 2024
To show our gratitude, we're dedicating an entire month to thank our over 1,000 members for their dedication to our Foundation and the environmental education of our community (young and young at heart). To do this we host several events throughout the month exclusive to members and their family. Columbia Sportswear Employee Store August 24th – September 18th With such an active community, we know how much 50%-60% off brand-new active clothing from top brands mean to you! That’s why we partnered with the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store to give members exclusive access to their private employee store in Carlsbad. Bonus: Columbia donated 10% of all sales made by AHLF members back to the Foundation! Adult Lecture Series ~ “Killer Algae” September 4th Over 15 members joined us for a compelling presentation by Carolyn Lieberman of California Fish & Wildlife on the fight against Algerian sea lavender, also known as "Killer Algae.” Members discovered how the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and its partners are tackling this urgent issue and learn how they can help protect our ecosystem. Thank you: Carolyn Lieberman
ALL ARTICLES
Share by: