Local News
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La Jolla Light Crime and Public-Safety News: Feb. 20
Lifeguards conduct two rescues At the Feb. 13 La Jolla Shores Association meeting, San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Rich Stropky reported two storm-related rescues in recent weeks. The first, around 8:30 a.m. Jan. 21 in front of The Marine Room restaurant, saw two boogie boarders wanting to ride the King...
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La Jolla developers review proposals for gates, home construction
There were no motions floated, thus no recommendations made, by the La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee (DPR) at its Feb. 12 meeting at the Rec Center. However, one of the five newly introduced projects proved the most contentious of the New Year so far — drawing angry neighbors, community...
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Coastal Commission to hear La Jolla's Children’s Pool rope/closure extension
A groundswell of activism is already forming ahead of a June California Coastal Commission (CCC) meeting that could determine the fate of access to La Jolla’s Children’s Pool for the next decade. Notices have been posted at Children’s Pool indicating the CCC would hear a proposed amendment to the...
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La Jolla News Nuggets: UCSD opens Gilman Bridge over I-5; Sea lions tangle with death; It’s tax (award) season; 4,000 heart-lung surgeries performed at UCSD and more local news
At last! UC Span Diego The Gilman Bridge, which joins UC San Diego’s main campus with Medical Center Drive to the east, opened across Interstate 5 on Friday, Feb. 8. The day before, UCSD held a ribbon-cutting and community celebration for 500 attendees gathered on the bridge. “The Gilman Bridge...
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Merchants board focus: Big promotion ideas!
The La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA) is flush with money and looking for ways to spend it. At its Feb. 13 meeting at the La Jolla Library, president Brett Murphy reported balanced assets and liabilities of $88,992.44 and cash flow of $78,000 or $79,000. “We are in really great shape,”...
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ART-BREAKING: Rent increase likely to put La Jolla’s underground Misfit gallery out of business
Suddenly, the lights cut out and the room went pitch dark. Usually, gallery owners want people to be able to see the art at their art openings. But at La Jolla’s Misfit Pictures, you never know what might happen. And so, during former City Council member Donna Frye’s “Crazy Town” exhibit on Oct....
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Our Readers Write: La Jollans share their views on car accidents, parking, electronic scooters, school start times and other local issues
Opinion / Letters to the Editor / Our Readers Write: The following are Letters to the Editor from recent issues of La Jolla Light as La Jollans speak out on local issues. Letters published in La Jolla Light express views from readers in regard to community issues. To share your thoughts in this...
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Torrey Pines Elementary School hosts 'Kindness Week' in La Jolla
Students from Torrey Pines Elementary School celebrated Kindness Week on campus with a full slate of events Jan. 28 to Feb. 2. "Kindness stations" were set up with activities during recess, there were themed dress-up days and more, which culminated with a school-wide volunteer day to sort food...
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San Diego Education Office working to prevent school drug use
Guest Commentary / Opinion / Our Readers Write: There have been countless news stories regarding the opioid fentanyl, and the fact that San Diego is where the deadly drug is being smuggled through. DEA officials have said 85 percent of the illicit fentanyl entering the United States from Mexico...
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La Jolla Crime and Public-Safety News: Feb. 14 - Road rage incident; Hate-crime vandalism; City pays $1M to man injured in bike crash; Weekly list of incidents reported to San Diego Police
Road rage incident on Via Capri A road rage incident on Via Capri led to a suspect taking a baseball bat to another person’s car around 5 p.m. on Feb. 4. Police report the incident took place on the 7700 block, where the suspect struck the victim’s vehicle with a bat causing damage to the driver’s...
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La Jolla's Barbara Bry, Mayor Kevin Faulconer pose differing e-scooter rules: Council committee to review the proposals
Within 24 hours of each other, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and District 1 City Council member Barbara Bry issued information about their respective recommendations surrounding motorized, dockless scooters. The evening of Feb. 6, Mayor Faulconer posted on Twitter: “Next week (Wednesday, Feb....
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La Jolla explorer-scientist Walter Munk, the 'Einstein of the Oceans,' dies at 101
Munk died at 4:15 p.m. of pneumonia at Seiche, his seaside home near UC San Diego, a campus he helped make famous through decades of work at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
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VICIOUS CIRCLES: Hit-and-runs, weather continue pummeling Bird Rock roundabouts
About once a week, irresponsible late-night drivers ignore the traffic-calming devices and speed right through Bird Rock's roundabouts instead of circling through them.
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La Jolla Planners to consider bylaw change March 7
Recommended by LJCPA trustee Dave Gordon and discussed at the Feb. 7 meeting at La Jolla Rec Center, the proposed change would allow a trustee to stay in the room in the event they are also the applicant or have some other direct economic interest.
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Next Gen/Metroplex commercial jet noise update for San Diego region and La Jolla, Feb. 2019
Guest Commentary / Opinion / Our Readers Write: Here is an update about the commercial jet noise associated with the FAA 's NextGen Metroplex system, the impact studies commissioned by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA), and the recently proposed $3B airport expansion. The...
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STATE OF THE HEART: Coronary advances revealed at La Jolla's Sanford Burnham Prebys
The future of heart-disease treatment, research and prevention was discussed during a 90-minute seminar at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) on Feb. 7 — just in time to make the Light’s Valentine’s Day issue. New treatments The biggest current breakthrough is a new class...
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Standing for Something: Flagpole repair unites La Jolla civic groups
Installed in the 1940s, the current flagpole’s base has termite- and water-damage from the City’s sprinkler system, the paint is peeling, and a memorial plaque affixed to the base has been worn out and damaged.
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FOAM IMPROVEMENT: Do 5 La Jolla restaurants pass takeout container inspection?
In October 2018, San Diego joined 119 other California cities in banning polystyrene food and beverage containers, which have been blamed for poisoning fish and other marine life, and damaging the health of people who eat seafood. Although the ban on polystyrene — the non-biodegradable plastic...
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LA JOLLA NEWS NUGGETS
Brennan tosses firehat in Council race Firefighter Aaron Brennan announced his 2020 candidacy for the San Diego City Council seat being vacated by Barbara Bry so she can run for San Diego Mayor. Brennan — who lives in La Jolla and is a 17-year veteran of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department — is...
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La Jolla Crime and Public-Safety News: Feb. 7 - Cindy Greatrex sentenced, repays stolen money; Police review info on missing tourist; BBB issues tax-time advice
Cindy Greatrex sentenced, repays stolen money La Jolla resident and former community volunteer Cindy Greatrex was sentenced in San Diego Superior Court on Jan. 29 to 180 days of home detention for the theft of $68,272 from the La Jolla Recreation Center. Greatrex repaid the full amount stolen as...
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Girl's water polo: Bishop’s sweeps cross-town rival, La Jolla High School
This year’s girls water polo cross-town rivalry victory went to The Bishop’s School Knights, after they defeated the La Jolla High School Vikings Feb. 1 at their home pool, 9-5. It was the second of two victories this season, after the Knights defeated the Vikings 11-5 on Jan. 3. The Knights are...
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SCOOTING PAINS: Early study results in from e-scooter injuries at La Jolla and San Diego-area hospitals
Both UC San Diego and Scripps Health are compiling their own studies of motorized scooter (e-scooter) emergency-room visits similar to a UCLA study that grabbed headlines last month. In the first study to analyze the public-health impact of the exploding new transportation mode, UCLA researchers...
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Mayor stands by stanchions in La Jolla: ‘There will be no changes’
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is standing by his decision to keep the controversial stanchions in place to block any parking at the foot of Playa del Norte where it meets Neptune Place. Speaking for the Mayor’s office, representative Anthony George offered the possible last word Jan. 30, announcing...
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Meet Dana Sanchez: New La Jolla Youth Services Librarian
As the youth services librarian, Sanchez said she wants to expand programming for teens and tweens. “A lot of libraries, unfortunately, really only focus on the young kids,” she said. "So that is my passion: catching them at that very influential time in their lives."
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La Jolla cardiologist Mimi Guarneri featured on PBS, Feb. 9-10
A one-hour special making its way to televisions across the country, stars La Jolla-based cardiologist Mimi Guarneri. It will finally screen in San Diego, 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 on local KPBS stations. PBS began airing the program, “Live Better Now with Mimi Guarneri,...
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La Jolla Light Community Calendar: Jan. 24
The Best Medicine The community is invited to start the week laughing by participating in free Laughter Wellness sessions, 10 a.m. Mondays at La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The class incorporates yoga breathing, belly laughs and more. (858) 552-1657. lajollalibrary.org Thursday, Jan. 24 Sunrise...
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LA JOLLA NEWS NUGGETS
City Council approves UCSD fire station As expected, the San Diego City Council approved construction of the first on-campus fire station at UC San Diego. Slated for the intersection of North Torrey Pines Road and Northpoint Driveway, the 10,500-square-foot facility will serve students, faculty,...
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La Jollans Daniel and Mary McSweeney give $1.5 million to help fund new engineering building at Cathedral Catholic High School
Cathedral Catholic High School (CCHS), 5555 Del Mar Heights Road, dedicated its new Daniel and Mary McSweeney Engineering Building at a ceremony Jan. 9. The complex will support the growing pre-engineering program at the school, which provides students with the skills needed to succeed in classes...
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Open park gates still trouble La Jolla Shores board
At the start of the New Year, it seemed as though the La Jolla Shores Association’s (LJSA) longtime request to have the City’s Park & Rec Department lock the gates at night to the Kellogg Park parking lot for security reasons would be answered. After all, District 1 City Council member Barbara...
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HASTA LA JOLLA? Rec Center’s beloved Nicole may move on
That pleasant and knowledgeable presence occupying the La Jolla Recreation Center office for the past six-and-a-half years has left the building. Possibly for good. This week, Nicole Otjens started as trial director of the Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center in San Diego. She applied for...
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La Jolla Cove Swim Club president saves man in distress from 'The Hole'
A post from the Lifeguards of San Diego reads: “At 6:58, a local Cove swimmer (Dan Simonelli) recognized a person in distress in the large surf at the Cove, where all the water energy pushes into an area referred to as ‘The Hole’."
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La Jolla Crime and Public-Safety News: Jan. 17 - Weekly list of incidents reported to San Diego Police
Police Blotter Dec. 26, 2018 Petty theft, 7800 block Avenida Kirhah, 3:35 p.m. Dec. 30, 2018 Vehicle break-in/theft, 5000 block La Jolla Blvd., midnight Vehicle break-in/theft, 2400 block Avenida de la Playa, 7:35 a.m. Vehicle theft, 1200 block Silverado St., 5 p.m. Jan. 1 Vehicle break-in/theft,...
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La Jolla Country Day students design equipment to aid scientists at La Jolla Institute of Immunology
Understandably, the scientists over at La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJII) run a lot of tests in their mission to solve immune system diseases. And thanks to the middle school students in Dan Lenzen’s class at La Jolla Country Day School’s Design & Innovation program, LJII’s microscopy division...
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Jackson Design & Remodeling cites 12 trends for 2019; free seminar to be held Saturday, Jan. 19
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The team of architects and designers at Jackson Design & Remodeling (JDR) — which have been featured in print and online publications including Dwell, HGTV and Architectural Digest — released their list of the Top 12 Interior Design Trends for 2019. They foresee two distinct...
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New Business Roundup: Well-being companies find homes in La Jolla
“I wanted to start a company where people, especially teenagers, could come and learn how to eat, especially before going off to college to be on their own," said La Jolla Nutritional Health owner Lauren Bartell Weiss.
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WOMAN OF PRINCIPAL: Stephanie Hasselbrink bridges La Jolla Elementary gap
Getting called to the principal’s office is usually not a good thing. For Stephanie Hassebrink, it was a career highlight. “I have had the best week serving as La Jolla Elementary's interim principal,” she told the Light on Friday, Jan. 11. “Everyone has been so welcoming and positive, and I feel...
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THE 'DR. SEUSS-EUM': A visit to the cat in La Jolla's hat — UCSD library is home to special Dr. Seuss collection
With the Dec. 19 passing of Audrey Geisel, widow of Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, much of the physical Seuss legacy shifts from an empty house on Mt. Soledad to the Geisel Library’s Mandeville Special Collections and Archives department at UC San Diego, which houses most of his original drawings.
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Our Readers Write: La Jollans speak out about ‘flash photos’ of sea lions; seeking opinions of seals; 50 years of local martial arts studio; curb parking
Opinion / Letters to the Editor / Our Readers Write: Letters to the Editor from the Jan. 10, 2019 issue of La Jolla Light as La Jollans speak out on local issues: ——— Is anyone watching over the sea lions at The Cove? We were at La Jolla Cove one night looking at the seal lions and it made me sad...
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LA JOLLA NEWS NUGGETS
La Jolla Elementary School names interim principal Stephanie Hasselbrink has agreed to serve as the interim principal of La Jolla Elementary School until a permanent principal is selected. Longtime principal Donna Tripi recently resigned to accept a position in the Rancho Santa Fe district. Hasselbrink...
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District finds claims against former Bird Rock principal ‘unfounded’: Dr. Amanda Hale cleared of misconduct charges
The 58-page report was conducted on behalf of the SDUSD Human Resources Department by private investigator Cynthia Smith, and includes interviews with parents, teachers and former principals, document reviews, and a resulting independent analysis
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La Jolla Planners give City list of top 3 projects to fund
La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) took a creative approach to prioritizing its wish list of local projects for City funding, during its Jan. 3 meeting at the Rec Center. After drafting a list of nine projects and needs from across La Jolla to submit to District 1 City Council member...
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La Jollans Barbara Bry and Scott Peters are running for San Diego mayor
La Jolla resident, Democrat and current Congress member Scott Peters has filed a candidacy intention statement to run for San Diego Mayor in the 2020 election.
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La Jolla Light Crime and Public-Safety News: Jan. 10
1960s Mustang stolen The 1966 powder blue Mustang featured in La Jolla Light’s 2017 “One for the Road” series about classic cars has been stolen, owner Mark Anderson reports. He is offering a $1,000 reward for its return. “I’ve had it for 40 years and I’m rather bummed that it was stolen,” he said....
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San Diego Police Chief reveals top police problems at La Jolla Kiwanis meeting
San Diego Police Department chief David Nisleit revealed that a task force — consisting of members of his department, the Sheriff’s Department, the DEA and the City District Attorney’s Office — is trying to enact stricter penalties for distributing the unusually potent opioid fentanyl. Nisleit...
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They All Add Up: La Jolla High School math team is 17 (out of 41) in state competition
For the first time in five years, two math squads with 11 students from La Jolla High School drove 122 miles to the CalTech Harvey Mudd Math Competition Dec. 1-2, and one team placed 17th out of 41 statewide teams. That may seem like a lot of numbers, but it’s nothing compared to what the students...
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Girls Water Polo: Bishop’s beats La Jolla High School in first match, 11-5
Although shots were many, goals were few in the first half of the first La Jolla High School Vikings/Bishop’s School Knights girls water polo game, held Jan. 3 at Coggan Pool on the Vikings campus. But as both teams picked up steam in the second half, the Knights defeated the Vikings 11-5. Going...
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Stanchions committee offers parking plan for Playa del Norte in La Jolla
Following a couple of months of City efforts to find a solution to a divisive parking arrangement at the end of Playa del Norte where it meets Neptune Place, LJCPA’s ad hoc committee presented a formal recommendation for a parking alternative, which garnered LJCPA support 15-0-1
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LOTS OF PARKING IN LA JOLLA? Experts: Drivers seeking only free spots create illusion of shortage
Contrary to complaints frequently expressed in community meetings, La Jolla doesn’t seem to have a parking shortage. What it has, experts agree, is a shortage of drivers willing to PAY for parking.
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Good Glossary To Gain: La Jolla Community Planning Terms
You’ve no doubt seen La Jolla Light’s Alphabet Soup list of community planning groups, their missions and meeting times (find it on Page A16 in this issue). And if your New Year’s Resolution is to get more involved in these groups (but you sometimes get lost in their lingo), here’s a glossary of...
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Our Readers Write: La Jollans share their views on car dealership billboard, Black's Beach overlook, broken roads
Opinion / Letters to the Editor / Our Readers Write: Letters to the Editor from the Jan. 3, 2019 issue of La Jolla Light as La Jollans speak out on local issues: ——— Billboard does not belong in La Jolla O'Gara Coach and McLaren should, in my honest opinion, be called O'Garish Coach and McLaren....