Patrons of the Prado put final touches on ‘Orient Express’ gala

SAN DIEGO — Planning is in full swing for the annual Patrons of the Prado Gala 2009, themed “Intrigue on the Orient Express” to begin at 6 p.m. July 18.
Elisabeth Bergan and Anita Crider lead the event as chairwomen, with Charlotte Neilson as honorary chairwoman and Valerie Cooper, Jeanne Jones and Ellen Zinn serving as honorary committee chairwomen. Rancho Santa Fe resident Dottie Stanley is president of the Patrons of the Prado.
Other Rancho Santa Fe Patrons members that are helping lead the event and will be in attendance include Jeri Rovsek, June Ash, Lola Green, Pam Palisoul, Sandy Redman, Lynne Wheeler, Judy Burer, Betty Kornreich and Betty Brayshay.
The event will begin at the Casa Del Prado in Balboa Park with a cocktail reception and silent auction, then adjourn at 8 p.m. to the Cascades area of the park, adjacent to the Evenson Fountain for a sit-down dinner catered by chef Jeffrey Strauss of the Pamplemousse Grille. During dinner, entertainment will be provided by Grammy-award-winning artist Steve Tyrell, followed by dancing to NRG.
Tickets are $500, $1,000 or $1,500. Call Ellen Zinn to reserve your ticket at (858) 759-9484.
Patrons of the Prado is a group of 50 philanthropic women and social leaders in San Diego. The group was founded in 1997 to raise funds and provide significant support for the programs and initiatives of the museums and the arts organizations in Balboa Park. This year’s event will support the San Diego Junior Theatre, the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Timken Museum of Art.