At Home With Janice and Steve Farnow

It seems as if Janice and Steve Farnow are on top of the world. Their ocean-view home sits high on a hill with sweeping views of Mt. Soledad and La Jolla Shores, and La Jolla Village in the distance. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club can be spied far below, and the waves lapping the shoreline beyond. The home is an airy retreat for Janice, president of St. Germaine Children’s Charity, and Steve, a retired executive for high-tech companies, who has a passion for photography, woodworking, and furniture making. They are also avid cyclists, exploring the world’s backroads on vacations in France, Italy, and the Czech Republic, with a trip to Spain in the offing. “We spend so much time on our bikes that the rest of our social life is spent eating out!” exclaims Janice, whose regular spots include Candor by Giuseppe, George’s at the Cove, Nine-Ten, Piatti, The Cottage, Sugar and Scribe, or a pizza-making class taught by Chef Stefano at Piazza 1909.

Twenty-four years ago, the couple bought their home, originally built in 1967, and began an extensive, nine-month remodeling project with the help of the late architect Paul Thoryk. “Although the original design had plenty of windows and skylights, by removing walls and raising the ceiling, we were able to accentuate an expansive feeling,” Steve notes. But the home’s centerpiece remains: a floor-to-ceiling window in the living room — which had to be craned in by the original builder. “The window frames La Jolla Cove and the surrounding hillsides,” Janice says. “It makes me feel like La Jolla is part of our home.” 

The Farnows also added a spacious terrace to take in the views and a side patio surrounded by 60-year-old Japanese black pine trees planted by the original owner. Steve added more plantings, including foxtail ferns and Leucadendron in the garden, and even built a miniature Japanese tea house to add to the tableau. “We often have lunch there and watch helicopters, hawks, and hummingbirds,” says Janice. “It’s very hard to get back to work.”

Retired from a career in the sale of computer systems, Janice is committed to St. Germaine Children’s Charity, named after St. Germaine Cousin, the patron saint of child abuse victims, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In 1984, Barbara Christensen and friends founded the St. Germaine Auxiliary to the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation to ensure that “San Diego’s children were nurtured and loved, and most of all safe from harm,” Janice explains. In 2006, the all-volunteer organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, changing its name to St. Germaine Children’s Charity. Since its founding, the organization has provided $5 million in grants to agencies that offer care, shelter, and love for abandoned, abused, and neglected children. Membership dues of $65 a year help to cover overhead expenses.

“We’ve all heard the expression, ‘one-stop shopping,’” says Janice. “I like to describe donating to St. Germaine as ‘one-stop giving.’ For example, one donation can help victims of domestic violence, child trafficking, homelessness, drug addiction, and foster children with disabilities, just to name a few.”

The nonprofit also hosts Cocktails and Conversations, events in private homes with guest speakers from social service organizations. “The most recent presentation focused on the alarming increase of predators perusing children through social media,” Janice says, which drew praise from San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan for educating the public. 

Janice became involved a decade ago after a neighbor invited her to the Silver Tea, the organization’s signature fundraiser, held each December at a festively decorated private residence. The event heralds the holiday season with tea, little sandwiches, cookies, a silent auction, and the iconic silver bowl where guests add cash donations. “Its mission captured my heart,” she recalls. “The quote on St. Germaine’s brochure from Nelson Mandela rang so true: ‘We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.’” 

This year’s event, co-chaired by Sherry Macelli and Michelle Brown, will mark the tea’s 40th (ruby) anniversary. It will be held on December 10 from 1 to 4pm at a mid-century family home in La Jolla’s Muirlands community. The home was originally designed to accommodate the large social gatherings that were once hosted by a former owner, an heiress to the Marriott hotels and Spalding sports fortunes. The present owner inherited the home from her late mother who was orphaned at the age of 11 at a time, sadly, when few organizations focused on child welfare. “I know how pleased she would be to think that the home she loved so much could help contribute to the welfare of other children through St. Germaine,” writes the current owner in a touching email to Macelli. For tickets to the Silver Tea, to donate, or become a member, visit the nonprofit’s website. stgermainechildrenscharity.org