There is plenty going on this summer at La Jolla Community Center, everything from live concerts in its courtyard to art workshops, sushi-making classes, and even Western line dancing.
“Our community center is open to the public although we do have memberships which we encourage, which is what helps our bottom line, and there are benefits to membership, some free classes and discounted programs,” said Nancy Walters, executive director of the LJCC, a private nonprofit renting a City-owned building at 6811 La Jolla Blvd.
The community center serves all ages, though the majority using it are aged 50-plus. “Our mission is to provide programs and services for adults and seniors,” noted Walters adding the center promotes “lifelong learning, wellness, and friendship. Those are the three key values we base everything we do on and provide programming and services for.”
The institution honors the vision of the late Florence Riford, whose contributions paved the way for the evolution and expansion of LJCC as it is today. The 7,200-square-foot, newly remodeled and modernized facility now includes a range of meeting and multi-purpose rooms, a serene courtyard, a fully equipped kitchen, and an inviting lobby.
Providing a range of specialized and life-enhancing classes focused on promoting an active mind, body, and spirit, LJCC’s goal is to present these classes and offer events that encourage social connections resulting in lifelong friendships. Members can learn a new language, appreciate music, freshen up their computer skills or take a cooking or painting class.
LJCC patrons can attend one of the seven different types of yoga classes, fitness and flexibility classes, meditation, dance classes, and more. Members also can enjoy a range of social functions, day trips, and luncheons.
Discussing LJCC programming this summer, Walters spotlighted a few programs. “We have a popular concert series with our Fourth Friday Jazz (July 28), our Concerts in the Courtyard (July 7), and Opera Wednesdays (July 12) once a month, which we’ve had for nine years.” Walters added, “It’s done in an intimate setting that really gives the guests a great feeling. We encourage people to check out our world-class music, everything from jazz to opera.”
Social programming this summer is being geared more toward re-instituting socializing, something that greatly suffered during the pandemic. “We’re focusing on more group events, bringing in some dances, some ice cream socials, and doing barbecues,” Walters said. “We’re also adding new classes including home organization, retirement seminars and making life choices, fun super important classes, especially for this (senior) demographic. We just really want to make socialization our main priority.”
LJCC offers affordable memberships. It is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit ljcommunitycenter.org.
FLORENCE RIFORD
Florence Seeley Riford, a philanthropist known for her generosity to many institutions and charitable organizations in La Jolla and San Diego, died in 1992 at age 100. She was the single leading individual donor to the University of California, San Diego, with gifts totaling more than $5 million. Riford contributed to numerous facilities and research funds at UC San Diego in the areas of Alzheimer’s Disease, the Institute for Research on Aging, pathology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, osteoporosis, and the University Library Fund.
She was born in a small town in Wisconsin in 1892, the daughter of a veterinary surgeon. After leaving home at age 18, she moved to Chicago where she met Ira Riford, a local real estate investor. After a month of courtship, he proposed in 1923.
The Rifords bought a home in Bird Rock after moving to San Diego. Ira applied his knowledge of real estate by acquiring some attractive properties in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. He also invested successfully in the stock market, and they prospered.
When Ira died in the early 1960s, he left Florence financially comfortable, but with very little knowledge of business or finance. So Florence read the financial pages, attended financial seminars, observed market trends, and ultimately became an astute investor greatly increasing the assets left her.
In the 1970s, Florence decided to start giving away some of the sizeable fortune she had acquired. Driven by a desire to “make as many people who need help, happy,” Florence made a major gift to establish the Horizon Club for La Jolla senior citizens in 1972. This club and its assets were later merged with the Florence Riford Senior Club, managed by the Salvation Army. The institution she started is known today as La Jolla Community Center.
