THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 13, Number 49
LOOK OUT BELOW LJ planners pass motion to rebuild crumbling tower BY ALYSSA RAMOS | VILLAGE NEWS
City of San Diego lifeguards have battled with La Jolla planning groups for nearly seven years to gain approval to rebuild the crumbling, now-condemned Children’s Pool lifeguard station – a battle that ended in victory last Thursday when the La Jolla Community Planning Associa- Lifeguard Lt. John Greenhalgh shows the rotten foundation of the contion (LJCPA) OKed a new tower. demned Children’s Pool lifeguard tower porch, which could break off and VILLAGE NEWS | ALYSSA RAMOS LJCPA trustee Tim Lucas fall onto the bathrooms below. expressed the frustration felt by both sides Oct. 2, saying, LJCPA members narrowly to a city of San Diego hearing “There’s been more debate on passed a motion to recommend officer. According to lifeguard Lt. this than on the bailout bill that’s the project, voting 8-6-0 to forSEE TOWER, Page 4 been going around.” ward the lifeguard station plans
Athenaeum unplugged: 3 acoustic concerts BY BART MENDOZA | VILLAGE NEWS
THE PAWS THAT BLESSES Rev. Randal Gardner of St. James by-the-Sea church blesses Bella, a Bichon Frise held by owner Danielle D’Souza, during the Oct. 1 Blessing of the Animals at The Bishop’s School. The animal blessings and a special chapel service were held VILLAGE NEWS | DON BALCH in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
Lightner and Thalheimer will debate at UC High BY ALYSSA RAMOS | VILLAGE NEWS
Sherri Lightner and Phil Thalheimer began battling for the San Diego City Council District 1 seat June 3 during the primary election. The two will debate Oct. 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at University City High School during their first open forum moderated by the League of Women’s Voters. “I’ll attend and am looking forward to it,” said Thalheimer, president and co-founder of San Diego Flight Training International (SDFTI). Lightner and Thalheimer ran against Marshall Merrifield June 3: the two highest vote getters, Lightner and Thalheimer will face off in the Nov. 4 election. The winner will fill the seat left by termed-out San Diego City Council President Scott Peters.
Both candidates addressed some issues they said were currently plaguing the area. Community leader Lightner pointed to her history with La Jolla’s community groups as she focused on an issue that ran through the La Jolla Community Planning Association and Bird Rock Community Council: Bird Rock Station, a project opponents said will SEE DEBATE, Page 6
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library has long been a haven for lovers of classical and jazz music. Hearing music in the intimate setting, amid the shelves of books, is one of the top concert experiences to be found in the
San Diego area. Now, fans of local acoustic music will have the chance to experience the beloved venue for themselves with the start of a new three-part concert series beginning on Oct. 13, “Acoustic Evenings at the Athenaeum.” The concerts are a co-produc-
tion between the Athenaeum and promoter Jefferson Jay, best known for his annual “24 Hours of Free Music” festival in Ocean Beach. Each performance will feature Jay as host, with three San Diego-based artists. SEE ACOUSTIC, Page 7
Vikings polo team gets a close shave BY DAVE THOMAS | VILLAGE NEWS
The success of a sports program is not always defined by wins and losses. Although the La Jolla High boys water polo program has been a winner in the pool, they’ve recently shown that they’re even more than that. When the team learned that head coach Tom Atwell’s wife Utahna had breast cancer, they decided to do something about it. Utahna was losing so much hair one weekend that she decided to shave it off and go bald. To show support for her, Tom shaved his hair. But that is not where the story ends. The members of the team decided to show their support for the couple by shaving their heads, and presented Coach Atwell with a box of their shorn hair as they removed their beanies to reveal their newly shaved heads.
“It really showed me what an incredible group of guys this is,” Tom Atwell said. “To have 14 teenage boys put vanity aside and do something like that is a true testament to the depth of character each of these team members has. I don’t think I
have ever witnessed such a selfless act. These boys have shown me that what I do here as a coach goes way beyond any winloss record. “The boys will always have a SEE SHAVE, Page 4
The shaven La Jolla High water polo team with coach Tom Atwell and his wife, Utahna, who shaved her head during breast cancer therapy.