New Padres manager to speak at Feb. 11 Poway luncheon

New Padres manager Andy Green and television announcer Mark Grant will head a team delegation attending the 19th annual Padres Spring Training Kickoff Luncheon at noon on Thursday, Feb. 11 in Poway.

The popular annual event will be held in the Holy Family Center at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Pomerado Road. It is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Poway, CA Foundation.

Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased at www.powaykiwanis.org, Local ticket outlets include: The Watch Man and The Original Pancake House in Poway and Village Mail & More in Rancho Bernardo. The deadline to buy tickets is Tuesday.

Green was named the team manager during the past offseason. He was previously a coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Grant teams up with Dick Enberg on Padres on Fox San Diego television broadcasts. He is a former major league pitcher for several teams, including the Padres. He will serve as the luncheon’s emcee.

Poway Mayor Steve Vaus will attend and is expected to make a major announcement regarding the city’s plans for a memorial at Lake Poway honoring All-Star Tony Gwynn.

City Councilman Jim Cunningham, a Kiwanis Club member, will return as the auctioneer. Live auction prizes will include a game-worn jersey signed by pitcher Andrew Cashner, a wine party hosted by Koi Zen Cellars, a “princess party” for a child put on by Miss Poway and her court, an autographed Tony Gwynn commemorative bat and an opportunity for someone to spend a half day with the Poway Fire Department.

As in past years, special guests will include members of the First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Poway’s “adopted” Marines. Also attending will be members of the Poway Padres Special Olympics softball team.

The financial advice firm on Waddell & Reed is the event’s title sponsor.