The good news is that Monarch School, which serves about 400 homeless students each year, opened its downtown San Diego doors to its first class of second-graders last week.
The bad news? It had to close its student-operated restaurant, the Cabo Grill, to do that.
In the past, Monarch School was only able to accept students in grades three through 12 because there wasn't enough space on its cramped campus at 808 W. Cedar St., which once housed a carpentry shop.
For close to five years, restaurateur Ralph Rubio, one of Monarch's benefactors, oversaw Cabo Grill as an on-campus restaurant that was open to the public and provided on-the-job training for students.
Board member Brian Luscomb said that though the restaurant was successful, the need for classroom space was more critical. The restaurant was closed and remodeled into a classroom.
Now, instead of fish tacos, the space is serving alphabet soup to a combined second-and third-grade class, with seven second-graders and two third-graders.
San Diego Scene
Nicky Hilton had a minor fender bender en route to San Diego to attend a W San Diego party celebrating the avant-garde hotel's redesign. No one was injured, and Paris Hilton's younger sister still managed to get to the hotel on time to co-host the event with Style Network's home makeover guru Thom Filicia.
Also making an appearance: motocross pro Carey Hart, MTV reality star and skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, pro skateboarders Eric Koston and Paul Rodriguez (son of comedian Paul Rodriguez) and Fuel TV's Mike Vallely.
Singer Macy Gray was seen celebrating her birthday Friday night in a private cabana at the W's rooftop bar.
Midway fanfare
When Rob LaBreche, who has never served in the military, visited wounded Marines at Camp Pendleton, he vowed to serve his country in a different way. Last year, LaBreche, 43, a Solana Beach businessman, pulled together the first of what he hopes will become an ongoing event to honor wounded troops.
On Saturday night, he is staging the second annual Heroes on the Harbor celebration aboard the Midway aircraft carrier with music, artist Michael Israel (creator of a “Heroes” painting series), wine tasting, fireworks and special recognition for the parents of Army Sgt. Joseph Perry of Alpine, who was killed in Iraq.
The event to thank the wounded service members, who will receive gifts donated by local vendors, also will raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Both organizations help send wounded service members home on holidays, help with travel expenses for family members to visit and provide other financial assistance.
LaBreche said he was especially touched by an e-mail he received after last year's event from one Vietnam War veteran and amputee, who said: “I danced with my wife, for the first time in several years, last night.”
The cost for the Heroes on the Harbor event is $85 for the public and $60 for active military. For more details, go to Heroesontheharbor.com or call (800) 595-4849.
Banding together
Local bands are congregating today at the Humphrey's by the Bay outdoor stage for a fundraising concert and auction to help one of their own. David Nevin, lead singer of the Detroit Underground, is being treated for cancer. Nevin has continued to appear with his fellow musicians at local gigs while undergoing chemotherapy.
Performing between 5 and 10:30 tonight are: Rockslyde, Ruby and the Red Hots, Help!, Haute Flash, Danielle Lo Presti and the Masses, Del Mar bugler Les Kepics, members of the Heroes (in the lounge) and the Detroit Underground with Nevin at the mic.
Nevin, 55, was diagnosed with cancer four months ago and has no medical insurance, said Evonne Darby, the band's manager. A $20 donation is suggested for the concert.
Diane Bell's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fax items to (619) 260-5009; call (619) 293-1518; or e-mail to diane.bell@uniontrib.com.
