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Profile: Howard and Marsha Berkson ‘High risk, high reward’ philosophy pays off for couple
They decided some time ago that they preferred to ride the roller-coaster of life rather than the merry-go-round. And that’s what they’ve been doing ever since. Howard and Marsha Berkson took a $25 million chance last June when they gambled that San Diego was ready for a dedicated live music, Chicago-style supper club featuring some of the biggest names in jazz, rhythm-and-blues and classic rock. So far, their visionary gamble, aimed at Boomers and Gen-Xers, 35 and over, has paid off big time. Enter the fourth-floor radio studio where Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith work every weekday morning and it’s a trip to the Guy Zone. From the décor – neon signs, sports posters and electric guitars in the corner – to the dress code of shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops, ball caps and sneakers, the place gives off an aura of casual maleness. Not to mention the food – on a recent Friday, even though it was 8 a.m., the hosts and their guests munched on slices of hot pizza topped with cheese, meatballs, Canadian bacon and jalapeno peppers.
Like the lamented refrain of the old Peggy Lee tune “Is that all there is?” this former 14-hour-work-a-day technophile used to tell herself “There has to be more to my life.” According to Prevention magazine and ABC News, this desire to find meaning inspired Torrey Hills resident MaryKay Mullally to participate in a self-development seminar. Among the seminar’s course assignments, Mullally formed a half-marathon training group and ran her first marathon at age 40. Mullally became so empowered by the experience, she founded Step Up for Life, a beginners’ half-marathon training program for women, and bid farewell to her behind-the-desk career running a software development company. For the Salzmans of Carmel Valley-Del Mar They came to Del Mar by way of Denver in 1972 and bought a home that now serves as a vacation rallying point whenever the family gathers in California. Last year Dan Salzman, 53, and his nearly 90-year-old father, Manny Salzman, rode a tandem bike in the Rosarito Ensenada 50-Mile Fun Bicycle Ride. Even more incredible they just completed their second tandem fun ride April 19 with plans for a third turn in the semi-annual event come September. Women helping women is the simple premise behind the global charitable organization Women for Women International. This nonprofit foundation helps supply funds for women in war-torn countries and facilitates them getting the basic necessities that they need to survive the day-to-day challenges of living with war. It also helps them by providing money for health-related issues and supplies seed money to assist in business development or to help build personal careers. Carmel Valley resident Tammy Wilson is the enthusiastic energy force behind several fundraising events that have brought this charity into the consciousness of many local women and has already generated interest and a lot of much-needed money for the cause. With Dara Chantarit, Nana Hinsley, and Barbara Smith, Wilson pulled together a mini fundraising kick-off event in March that launched the recent major fundraising campaign.
Kathryn McCoy and brother Jon McCoy have a winning combination. Both bring their gifts and strengths to their business McCoy Design, recently relocated from New York, and now headquartered in the bustling downtown area of La Jolla.
The Del Mar Historical Society has recently published another authoritative book that retells some of the history of the quaint coastal village that was once the summer playground for movie stars and sports celebrities. This is its first historical guided tour book. And with gas prices skyrocketing it is refreshing to learn that four out of the five tours featured in the book are by foot. "One is best experienced by driving," said society member Brian Capon who wrote the book’s copy and also included some of his fine hand-rendered illustrations. Capon is a retired professor of botany with several of his published works still available. His Botany for Gardeners, first released by Timber Press in 1990, continues to be a best seller.
Creating simple yet elegant artisan jewelry became Connee Johnson’s passion when long-haul airplane flights to far-flung destinations offered rare opportunities to purchase semi-precious gemstones and vintage jewelry. Her career as a flight attendant for United Airlines facilitated Johnson’s world-wide travel and the discovery of beautiful materials for a new form of artistry that she didn’t even realize she had: Jewelry design and manufacturing. |