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Volunteer Spotlight: George, Devangna, & Robin – Alzheimer's San Diego

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Volunteer Spotlight: George, Devangna, & Robin – Alzheimer's San Diego


Our volunteers can be involved in one or more programs like ALZ Companions, VITALZ, social activities, and events like Walk4ALZ. Learn about these three volunteers who offer their time in different capacities and for different purposes, but all in the spirit of lending a hand to people impacted by dementia in San Diego.

Alzheimer’s San Diego Volunteer Backgrounds

George Arlantico has been an event volunteer for Alzheimer’s San Diego at our yearly fall fundraiser Walk4ALZ since 2014. Raised as a San Diegan, George enjoys all the city has to offer, including exploring new or hidden gems and food spots. He has worked in higher education and vocational training for the large part of his career and has seen the incredible impact that can be made to an underserved population.

Devangna Paul is originally from New Delhi, India and is one of our organization’s beloved international volunteers! Devangna is a VITALZ volunteer, making scheduled calls to individuals who live at home alone who have some form of memory loss. She currently resides in Ghaziabad, India, and has recently graduated with a Master’s degree in biochemistry. She then trained as a research assistant, specializing in neurodegeneration. In her free time, Devangna enjoys crocheting, taking long walks, reading mystery novels, and volunteering.

Robin Harris volunteers with Alzheimer’s San Diego as a staff and event photographer as well as hosting our Mindful Photography social activity classes, which is a program specifically for care partners to teach and allow for reflection through the world of photography. A native of San Diego and married with two teenagers, Robin has worked as a graphic designer, image editor, and photographer for over 20 years after having graduated from SDSU with her Bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Robin loves to sing, visit art museums, listen to music, play pickle ball, and spend time with her family and friends.

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Volunteer Insights

With so many great organizations to volunteer for, why should folks volunteer at Alzheimer’s San Diego?

Devangna: Alzheimer’s San Diego offers a unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The flexibility in scheduling and remote working hours are a bonus. For international volunteers like myself, Alzheimer’s San Diego has made helping the community even more accessible. The organization provides comprehensive support services and resources and by volunteering here, individuals can contribute to enhancing the quality of life for those in need.

George: Alzheimer’s San Diego helps so many people in our local area and knowing that every dollar donated to the organization stays in San Diego to help with support and research is a great comfort. This allows them to make the biggest impact on our community.

How does volunteering for Alzheimer’s San Diego make an impact on your life?

Robin: I have been with Alzheimer’s San Diego for nine years and it truly has changed my life for the better. Not just as a photographer, but as a human being. When I lost my dad to this disease I really didn’t know how to deal with all I was feeling. I suppressed my emotions for many years until I felt the need to reach out to Alzheimer’s San Diego and see what I could do to help. I learned over the years that it’s not just about taking the photos, but more so about connecting with who I was capturing. When I would ask questions like, “How did you two meet?” their expressions would always change in a lovely way and then they would share their meaningful stories with me. As the stories grew, so did my compassion and empathy for those I shared time with and I can’t imagine my life without being a part of this beautiful organization.

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Devangna: Volunteering for Alzheimer’s San Diego has had a profound impact on my life by fostering a greater sense of compassion, understanding, and community involvement. I truly appreciate the valuable experiences that have enhanced my personal growth. Now, I better understand the sense of gratitude that comes from socialization, and how life is not about the destination we reach but the journey itself and the people who accompanied us along the way.

Can you describe one meaningful experience you’ve had with volunteering at Alzheimer’s San Diego? How did that experience make an impression on you?

Robin: I have had so many meaningful experiences working with Alzheimer’s San Diego, but one that sticks out in my mind was the time I photographed Corey and Tom. Tom had Alzheimer’s and when we were taking photos I asked the couple if they would kiss. Afterwards Corey said, “Thank you Robin, you took me back to our wedding day.” It was at that moment that I knew I was meant to be doing this work and there would be nothing more purposeful to me in this lifetime.

George: Everything has been amazing! I love being part of the Walk4ALZ event and seeing all of the volunteers so willing to donate their time and efforts to a great cause. It’s great to listen to them share their stories that motivate them.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with Alzheimer’s San Diego?

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Devangna: My favorite part of volunteering are the meaningful connections I get to establish with the clients. Being able to provide support and comfort while witnessing the positive impact it has on their lives brings me immense fulfillment.

What motivates you when working with our clients?

Robin: I’m motivated by giving back to my community with my photography. Whether I am capturing the joy that takes place in the social activities, documenting the educational programs and fundraisers, or highlighting a person or family that has been touched by this disease, I am moved beyond words on how photos can impact so many in such a meaningful way. I am blessed everyday to have this opportunity to support Alzheimer’s San Diego.

What has been your biggest takeaway from your experiences volunteering with Alzheimer’s San Diego?

George: Volunteering with Alzheimer’s San Diego was intended to be a one time thing, until I understood the number of people that were affected and the level of support the organization can provide. I have learned so much about Alzheimer’s and dementia and how it effects not only the individuals, but the caregivers and families as well.

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If you’d like to volunteer or intern at Alzheimer’s San Diego, contact our Volunteer Specialist, Lindsey Proctor, at lproctor@alzsd.org or visit our volunteer page.

By Lindsey Proctor & Braulio Ambriz

RECOMMENDED: Volunteer Spotlight: Dissecting Dementia Research





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San Diego, CA

Solans, Luna, Guilavogui help RSL beat slumping San Diego, extend unbeaten streak to 6 games :: WRALSportsFan.com

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Solans, Luna, Guilavogui help RSL beat slumping San Diego, extend unbeaten streak to 6 games :: WRALSportsFan.com


— SANDY, Utah (AP) — Sergi Solans had two goals and an assist, Diego Luna added a goal and two assists, and Real Salt Lake beat San Diego FC 4-2 on Saturday night to extend its unbeaten streak to six games.

Morgan Guilavogui scored his first goal in MLS and had an assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1). The 28-year-old designated player has five goal contributions in his first six career games.

RSL hasn’t lost since a 1-0 defeat at Vancouver in the season opener.

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San Diego (3-3-2) has lost three in a row and is winless in five straight.

Luna opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he re-directed a misplayed pass by Duran Ferree, San Diego’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, into the net.

Moments later, Solans headed home a perfectly-placed cross played by Luna from outside the right corner of the 18-yard box to the back post to make it 2-0. Solans, a 23-year-old forward, flicked a header from the center of the area inside the right post and past the outstretched arm of Ferree to make it 3-1 in the 37th minute.

Guilavogui slammed home a first-touch shot to give RSL a three-goal lead in the 45th.

Marcus Ingvartsen scored a goal in the 14th minute and Anders Dreyer converted from the penalty spot in the 66th for San Diego.

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Ingvartsen has five goals and an assist this season and has 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in 16 career MLS appearances.

Rafael Cabral had three saves for RSL.

Ferree finished with five saves.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

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How San Diego Has Quietly Emerged as One of America’s Great Dining Destinations

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How San Diego Has Quietly Emerged as One of America’s Great Dining Destinations


When John Resnick opened Campfire on a quaint little street in Carlsbad, Calif., in 2016, some locals weren’t sure what to think. The coastal enclave wasn’t exactly awash in innovative, chef-driven establishments, so it was a shock to see the dining room consistently full. Early on, one woman wondered aloud to Resnick, “Where did all these people come from?”

It’s a moment he remembers vividly. “I was struck by her statement, because I think she was surprised that so many other people in Carlsbad were there,” Resnick says. 

The rest of the culinary world would take some time to catch up to what was happening. In 2019, when Michelin expanded to rate restaurants throughout all of California—not just the San Francisco area—Addison was the only one in San Diego to earn a star. But since emerging from the pandemic, the region’s food scene has grown dramatically. Driven by outstanding farms, ingredients, a bumper crop of talented chefs, and a G.D.P. approximately the size of New Zealand or Greece, San Diego County has become one of America’s most underrated dining destinations.

Campfire’s octopus, chorizo, and celery-root entrée.

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Gage Forster

Perhaps no single restaurant is a better emblem for this shift than chef William Bradley’s Addison, which opened in 2006. After landing his first star, Bradley knew he wanted more. To get them, he transformed his French-leaning fare to serve what he calls California Gastronomy, which combines the cultures of SoCal with impeccable ingredients and wildly impressive techniques, prizing flavor over flair. Michelin responded, awarding Addison a second star in 2022, and making it the first Southern California three-star restaurant just a year later. The accolade has created a halo effect, attracting culinary tourists from around the world.

Berry beet tartlets at San Diego’s three-star stalwart Addison.

Berry beet tartlets at San Diego’s three-star stalwart Addison.

Eric Wolfinger

“Earning three stars forces the global dining community to pay attention to a place that may not have been on their radar before,” says chef Eric Bost, a partner in Resnick’s four Carlsbad establishments. 

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Resnick recruited Bost, who spent time at award-winning outposts of Restaurant Guy Savoy, to run Jeune et Jolie, which he led to a star in 2021. They’ve since taken over an old boogie-board factory down the street and converted it to an all-day restaurant and bakery, Wildland. The space also hosts an exquisite tasting-counter experience called Lilo, which was given a Michelin star mere months after opening in April 2025. And as Resnick and Bost grew their successful Carlsbad operation, chef Roberto Alcocer earned a Michelin star for his Mexican fine-dining spot Valle in nearby Oceanside.

The stylish tasting counter at Michelin one-star Lilo in Carlsbad.

The stylish tasting counter at Michelin one-star Lilo in Carlsbad.

Kimberly Motos

About 25 miles to the south, another affluent coastal community is going through its own culinary glow up. In La Jolla, chef Tara Monsod and the hospitality group Puffer Malarkey Collective opened the stylish French steakhouse Le Coq. Chef Erik Anderson, formerly of Michelin two-star Coi, is preparing to launch Roseacre. And last year, Per Se alums Elijah Arizmendi and Brian Hung left New York to open the elegant tasting-menu restaurant Lucien, lured by the ingredients they’d get to serve. “A major reason we chose San Diego is the quality and diversity of the produce,” Arizmendi explains. “San Diego County has more small farms than anywhere else in the U.S., and its many microclimates allow farmers to grow an incredible range of ingredients year-round.”

Wildland’s spicy Italian sandwich.

Wildland’s spicy Italian sandwich.

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Gage Forster

Chef Travis Swikard has also been a tireless advocate for the region’s ingredients since he returned to San Diego, his hometown, and opened Mediterranean-influenced Callie in 2021. There’s no sophomore slump with his latest effort, the French Riviera–inspired Fleurette in La Jolla, where he’s serving his take on classics like leeks vinaigrette and his San Diego “Bouillabaisse” with local red sheepshead fish and spiny lobster. Its food is bright, produce-driven, and attentive in execution, while the dining room maintains a relaxed and unpretentious style of service. And Swikard sees that approach cohering into a regional style with a strong network of professionals behind it.

“It’s really nice that we are developing our own identity, not trying to be like L.A. or any other market, just highlighting what’s great about the San Diego lifestyle and ingredients,” he says. “Similar to New York, a chef community is starting to develop where chefs are supporting each other. There is a true sense of pride to be cooking here.”

Top: In La Jolla, Lucien serves ocean whitefish with tomatoes turned into concasse, sabayon, and other expressions.





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Little Debbie is launching a new flavor of one of its most popular treats

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Little Debbie is launching a new flavor of one of its most popular treats


Little Debbie is officially expanding its doughnut range.

On April 14, the brand announced a new sweet snack: Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts. The company says there was “massive consumer demand” for the original Big Pack Old Fashioned Donuts, which quickly became a top seller. Now, they’re just giving the people what they want.

The new snack is a chocolate old-fashioned cake doughnut finished with a sweet glaze and is launching in two formats:

  • The Big Pack Carton: This box contains six doughnuts in a retro-inspired package that reflects the brand’s heritage.
  • Single-serve doughnuts: There are also 3-ounce, individually wrapped Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts, which the brand suggests pairing with a morning coffee or eating on a midday break.

The original, which includes six individually wrapped cake-style doughnuts with a vanilla glaze, first hit stores in June 2025 and, according to the brand, has been “consistently selling out.”

“We saw an incredible response to the Old Fashioned Donut we introduced last year,” said Scott Brownlow, Little Debbie’s brand manager, in a press release. We’re doubling down on what works and giving both loyalists and new fans an irresistible reason to head back to the store.”

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Little Debbie’s Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts are rolling out now to major retailers, grocery stores and convenience stores nationwide. As with the original Old Fashioned Donut, they become a permanent addition to the brand’s snack lineup.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:



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