Grand Opening Gala
Saturday, March 20, 2010
A Milestone Achievement!

On Saturday, March 20, 2010 the California Science Center celebrated a major milestone in our continued growth with the Ecosystems Grand Opening Gala. More than 700 guests were immersed in a fantastic black-tie version of the same remarkable environments explored throughout the new Ecosystems exhibit wing.

Highlights of this extraordinary evening included:

• "Extreme Cocktails" reception providing a culinary journey from the Rocky Shore to the Desert to the Poles, catered by renowned chef/owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Border Grill & Ciudad Catering
• Dinner in the gorgeous underwater fantasy setting of the "Enchanted Kelp Forest" with program hosted by the beloved Al Roker of NBC's TODAY Show, joined by favorite local weathercaster Fritz Coleman of NBC4 for the live auction
• After-dinner drinks and dancing in the "Island Night Club" and IMAX film screenings of The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D and Hubble 3D

Gala Co-Chairs Wallis Annenberg and Suzanne Wright, along with the California Science Center Foundation, thank our generous donors for contributing more than $1.3 million—another outstanding success in support of science learning for everyone! Proceeds help the Science Center maintain free admission to hands-on exhibit galleries and support effective educational programs serving children and families, students and educators.

The California Science Center's annual gala has been recognized as one of Los Angeles' premier philanthropic occasions, considered a "virtual who's who of the Los Angeles business community" by the Los Angeles Business Journal and named among Southern California's top 100 events according to BizBash.

Please stay tuned for a save-the-date announcement for the 13th Annual Discovery Ball taking place in March 2011. For more information or to be added to the Discovery Ball invitation mailing list, contact the Development Office at (213) 744-2035 or galainfo@cscmail.org.