• University of California at San Diego scholar Carol Padden has been named a 2010 MacArthur Fellow, also known as the “Genius Award,” by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Padden, a linguist and sign language researcher, was awarded the “no strings attached” grant of $500,000 to further her 30-year work in studying the structure and evolution of sign language. She will receive the grant money incrementally over the next five years. • Carlos Gutierrez of La Jolla’s Prudential California Realty recently hosted a charity fundraiser to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Marshall Faulk Foundation. The event raised more than $8,000 and featured special appearances by NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton, San Diego Chargers defensinve back Steven Gregory and former NFL running back Marshall Faulk. • Three La Jolla Symphony performers have been chosen to be part of a musical compilation illustrating the diverse archetypes that can be found in California. Created by San Diego composer Mark Abel, the project is called the “The Dream Gallery: Seven California Portraits,” and it’s a product of a dream Abel had to dispel the preconceived notions of California life. To bust the myth, Abel worked to find seven singers of various vocal ranges that he felt exemplified the shifting California landscapes, three of whom performed with the La Jolla Symphony: Mary Jaeb, Janelle DeStefano and Martha Jane Weaver. Weaver also teaches at The Bishop’s School and is a section leader at the St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopalian Church of La Jolla. • Orthodontic Director of Elite Smiles, Dr. Henry Schuppert, has recently donated water bottles and a monetary donation to about 400 players of the American Youth Soccer Organization Region 780 soccer team. “As an orthodontic practice in the area, we want to be part of the community and support the local youth,” said Schuppert in a recent statement. “It is always a pleasure to partner with community sports activities and get to know families in the area.” • The University of Alberta has honored Lillian Fishman, 95, for her achievements in the sciences with a Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is given annually to alumni who have contributed to the advancement of science or earned national or international acclaim. Fishman and her husband, Dr. William Fishman, founded the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation (LJCRF) in 1976, which paved the way for the creation of the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, one of the nation’s leading biomedical research institutes. “I am so honored to be receiving this award, but I’m also a little surprised,” said Mrs. Fishman in a recent statement. “When Bill and I started the institute we weren’t looking for any honors, we just wanted to build the science.” The institute is home to more than 800 scientists. Mrs. Fishman is still an active participant in its programs and research. • On Oct. 15, President Barack Obama awarded University of California, San Diego’s chancellor and chemist Marye Anne Fox, along with nine other researchers, the National Medal of Science — the highest honor given by the U.S. government to scientists, inventors, researchers and engineers. Fox worked with a group of graduate students on translating solar energy conversion into practical use. She, along with the other awardees, will be honored in a ceremony at the White House later this year. • The Department of Pediatrics and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) both received millions of dollars in grants to support upcoming research projects. The Pediatric Department’s Gabriel G. Haddad, MD, of the UCSD School of Medicine was awarded $10 million from the National Institute of Health’s Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Haddad hopes to use the grant to uncover new treatments for central nervous system and cardio-respiratory diseases, such as stroke, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. SIO will be receiving $5.62 million over the next six years from The National Science Foundation to continue research designed to uncover the mechanisms underlying changes in the ecosystems off California’s coast. “The quality of the science being generated from the California Current Ecosystem program is of the highest order and its insights are important for the state of California,” said Tony Haymet, director of SIO • La Jolla resident and real estate veteran Jim Kelly has joined CT Realty Investors Corp. as managing partner and executive vice president of the company’s San Diego division. He will be responsible for finding and acquiring properties for investment, development and redevelopment, according to a company statement. • Michelle Morris, a local teacher, has received a University of California Alumni “Change the World” scholarship from UC San Diego Extension. Morris will use the award to pursue a certificate in art with the goal of becoming an expressive arts therapist at an elementary school. Morris said that art has helped her overcome hardships and depression, and she hopes to use art to help students in school and in life.