BUY THREE GET ONE BOGO
10% OFF ONLINE | CODE:SDRC
MISSION VALLEY 1299 CAMINO DEL RIO S. SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
SORRENTO VALLEY 10150 SORRENTO VALLEY RD. SAN DIEGO, CA 92121
ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST !
LA JOLLA
VILLAGE NEWS
LA JOLLA’S LOCALLY OWNED INDEPENDENT VOICE SERVING UNIVERSITY CITY AND LA JOLLA TODAY & EVERYDAY
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP
THIS WEEK
858.270.3103 | LAJOLLAVILLAGENEWS.COM
WATCHING SEA LIONS IS A POPULAR ATTRACTION
Local designer debuts new swimwear collection SEE PAGE 10
According to NOAA, people should be kept at least 50 feet away while viewing wildlife. This recommendation is not respected most of the time in La Jolla. COURTESY PHOTO
Sierra Club Seal Society proposes adopting better viewing options By DAVE SCHWAB
Expanded outdoor dining to remain in La Jolla SEE PAGE 7
Golden Scissors Fashion Show at Mesa College SEE PAGE 8
LJ
GM
S
ea lion advocates are promoting turning the existing colony in and around La Jolla Cove into a proper public attraction. Which is a fresh take on La Jolla’s sea lions. The pinnipeds have made mostly negative headlines in recent years for their rapid growth in numbers, conflicts with humans who get too close, and over the shared use of swim areas. Plus, their waste, along with that of seabirds, has contributed to foul odors often pervading the nearby Village business district, which an ongoing issue. Carol Toye of Sierra Club Seal Society, which runs a Cove docent sea lion program, recently visited La Jolla Village Merchants Association to discuss what could be done to turn public sea lion viewing there into a bonafide attraction. She argued there are numerous reasons why doing so would be desirable. Pointing out people are viewing Cove sea lions because “it’s an outdoor activity they can still do during quarantine,” Toye added it’s becoming increasingly clear there needs to be “a better, safer area” developed allowing both species to coexist. “We’re trying to concentrate on safety for people, and safety for sea lions,” Toye said, noting the bluffs above the Cove are
Sea lions gather at La Jolla Cove.
COURTESY PHOTO
“being seriously eroded” by the 300 people an hour going down them in the summer to view seal lions onshore. “Beyond safety, what we want to advocate is making this area a better attraction by extending the (existing) railing from the belvedere all the way to the stairs,” said Toye. “That way, people would no longer go over the wall and down the bluffs eroding the whole area as they
careen down these bluffs to see sea lions at the bottom.” “We have not entered into an arrangement with the Sierra Club at this point,” said Village Merchants Association executive director Jodi Rudick, noting the Sierra Club’s May 12 presentation was “public comment and information only.” But Rudick pointed out the Village Merchants Association is interested in perhaps developing the idea of creating a seal attraction potentially benefiting business owners. “We are still working on the technical logistics of a (proposed sea lion) camera,” Rudick said. In line with developing a new formal sea lion viewing area at the Cove would be hiring City personnel to protect both species in the process. “We want to influence the City to look into the budget and influence people to try and have a full-time ranger for coastal parks,” said Toye, adding the existing three staff members are “spread too thin. What we’re saying is this is such an important – and dangerous – area that we need some sort of oversight.” Toye added park rangers can now only cover the sea lion site part-time on weekends with rangers voluntarily signing up for such duty. See SEA LIONS, Page 9
Get Your Grill on for Memorial Day Weekend! TREAT YOURSELF TO THE FOR A MEMORABLE MEMORIAL DAY Carne Asada, Pollo Asada, New York & Rib Eye Steaks BEST BEEF IN SAN DIEGO NEW! Smoked baby back ribs and smoked prime short plate meaty beef ribs! YOUR PRIME MEAT HEADQUARTERS FOR SUMMER GRILLING
Prime Rib, Beef Tenderloin & Rack of Lamb
order today! La Jolla GOURMET MEATS Call and place your holiday 858 886 7415 7660 Fay Ave La Jolla Ste. C
.
.
Try our La Jolla Smack Burgundy Tri-Tip
www.butcherlajolla.com
A