acker earns distinguished national award for work
Evan E. Backer, son of Vanessa and Bruce Backer of Point Loma, has earned national recognition in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of 2007.
Backer’s sculpture piece, titled “The Armenian Genocide,” was awarded “The Golden Key” award at both the regional and national levels from more than 100,000 works of art and writing submitted through 80 regional affiliates.
Backer created the work in a David Marienthal’s Advanced Placement art class at Francis Parker School, where students are challenged to develop independent work at the college level.
“For the first time in Parker’s history, a student has won a Gold Key at the national level in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards,” said Marienthal. “His rendering, ‘The Armenian Genocide,’ was selected by jurors to be among the top visual art pieces in the nation.
“His provocative work, a pillow created from human hair and covered with detailed drawings of fingers, is meant to examine the plight of the Armenian people during the genocide in Turkey,” Marienthal continued. “The creativity and thoughtfulness shown in the piece, demonstrate Evan’s extraordinary talent.”
The sculpture was displayed at the Reeves Contemporary Gallery in Manhattan. In June, Backer was presented the award at Carnegie Hall.
Backer has been recognized with awards by the Armenian Allied Arts Association from 1998 through 2001.
At age 10 and 11, Backer was presented the Robert Jamentz Award as The Most Promising Artist.
Backer has also won awards at the San Diego County Fair.
Point Loma Eagle Scout among school’s honorees
Point Loma resident Charles LaCosta was recently recognized in a class of 10 Eagle Scouts graduating from St. Augustine High School.
All ten Scouts, including LaCosta, are joining 170 members of the school’s Class of 2007 enrolled in college across the nation, according to St. Augustine President Edwin Hearn.
Hearn praised the Eagle Scouts, their parents and a thriving Scouting program in San Diego as contributing factors to such a bumper crop of Eagle Scouts from the school. The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest attainable in Scouting.
St. Augustine is a Catholic, college preporatory secondary school for young men in grades 9 through 12.
SDAR honors Point Loma Realtors for civic service
The San Diego Association of Realtors recently honored Point Loma-area Realtors for their volunteer community service during SDAR’s Member Appreciation Day.
The honorees were Patti Adams (Point Loma Association), Charles Coleman (Kiwanis), Eddie Dunkel (Sports for Exceptional Athletes, Miracle League) and Jaak Sepp (San Diego Blood Bank).
The Point Lomans were among 83 honorees involved in more than 125 nonprofit organizations, providing volunteer service to charity groups, schools, PTAs, civic organizations, food banks, homeowner associations and a variety of causes.
“The San Diego Association of Realtors is proud to recognize 83 members for their outstanding service to the community. Realtors are active citizens in their neighborhood and their dedication contributes to the quality of life in San Diego,” said 2007 SDAR President David M. Cabot.
Swepston feted for his exemplary achievement
Ocean Beach resident Craig Swepston was recently honored with the Exemplary Achievement Award by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego for “sustained performance and specific achievements of merit.”
Currently, Sweptston oversees the marine mammal systems for the Mark 5 and Mark 5 spares effort, along with the Swimmer Interdiction System at Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay, Ga.
SSC San Diego invents, develops, fields and delivers real-world command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies to U.S. warfighters. The center’s Marine Mammal Program is one of several areas of research and development, according to Navy officials.
Foundation gift presented to PLNU for Smee Hall
Officials at Point Loma Nazarene University recently announced the gift of $200,000 toward the construction of Smee Hall, a planned facility that will soon house the Department of Theology and Christian Ministry and the Center for Pastoral Leadership.
The gift, given as part of the university’s capital campaign, was made possible by the James L. Stamps Foundation.
According to university officials, the Stamps Foundation has been an active friend of PLNU, supporting the university with scholarships for students preparing for ministry.
In the past, the Stamps Foundation assisted with the addition of the lobby in Rohr Religion. This most recent donation of $200,000 is the first capital gift the university has received from the foundation.
“This gift is significant and is yet another reminder that people outside of the university and foundations really believe in the work being done at PLNU,” said Eric Groves, director of development. “We are extremely thankful for the support of the James L. Stamps Foundation.
According to university officials, the construction process is moving ahead on Smee Hall, with completion expected this spring.
For more information, visit http://www.pointloma.edu/SmeeHall.
EEP shines as students’ projects displayed
Eleven student groups from Point Loma Nazarene University’s Fermanian School of Business recently presented project proposals as part of a personal enrichment and business program known as the Entrepreneurial Enrichment Program (EEP).
The program was introduced at Fermanian during the spring, said university officials. As part of the EEP, student groups presented their entrepreneurial project proposals during a recent exposition, garnering feedback from 17 business people, PLNU business faculty and staff in an effort to analyze, examine, consider, engage and critique the student projects.
According to university officials, the EEP fosters interpersonal collaboration and counsel between students and recognized San Diego industry leaders, entrepreneurs and financiers.
Program organizers said the program is open to students from all majors and the MBA, and a wide range of proposals were presented. Local business leaders have become involved in the projects, and will serve as mentors as they further engage in the student projects by providing advice, support and encouragement.
“We believe that successful entrepreneurs are often the ones able to leverage good business planning and conception while simultaneously having solid personal and professional relationships,” said Randy M. Ataide, director of the Fermanian Business Center and the EEP advisor.
“The EEP recognizes that the ultimate value in these programs is not always obtaining venture funding in a ‘winner-takes-all format,’ but rather the enhancement of relationships that will sustain the enterprise for the long term,” he said.
As part of the program, the EEP will culminate with an annual banquet to recognize the student-entrepreneurs and their business advisory teams.
Discovery Shop to host ‘Everything Is New’ event
To help residents get a jump on holiday shopping and aid a worthy cause, officials with the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop will be conducting an “Everything Is New” event on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Offerings will include household items and clothing.
“Get your holiday shopping done at great, low prices,” said assistant manager Stephanie Ripley. “It’s a fabulous event for all your gift-giving needs.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit programs of the American Cancer Society and those of the newly relocated Discovery Shop, 3609-C Midway Drive in Point Loma.
Shoppers are encouraged to arrive early to assure a better selection.
For more information, call (619) 224-4336.
PNLU’s Fall Festival
quickly approaching
Point Loma Nazarene University will play host to another extensive community-based Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Running from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the event will feature offerings from music and art to family fun and an ice cream social.
As a gathering place for the Point Loma neighborhood and the broader San Diego community, Fall Festival is expected to be filled with plenty of entertainment for funseekers.
Among the planned activities:
n Free food samples offered by Taste of Bartell Hotels and community restaurants;
n An ice cream social with university President Dr. Bob Brower at 2 p.m.;
n Bird watching, tours, horse-drawn carriage rides and a pumpkin patch;
n Musical performances and plein aire painting demonstrations;
n Pony rides, face painting, puppet shows, bounce houses and youth sports clinics;
n A wellness area featuring massage, karate, and Pilates demonstrations;
n An electronics recycling drive for computers, cell phones, TVs, batteries and other electronic waste; and
n Community booths featuring university groups, local nonprofits, and artisans.
In addition, Dr. Dwayne Little will speak to history buffs at 1 p.m. on the history of Point Loma and Madame Katherine Tingley.
Tingley was one of the leaders of the Theosophical movement in the United States and lived in what is now Cabrillo Hall, the school’s communications building.
University officials said tours will be offered throughout the day, including an early-morning bird walk at 8 a.m. Students and staff will be available to answer questions.
For more information, call Eric Yates at (619) 849-7186, or visit www.pointloma.edu/FallFestival. Residents interested in attending the ice cream social are urged to call (619) 849-2388, or visit www.pointloma.edu/fallfestival.
Housing forum slated to take place at university
The San Diego Housing Federation’s 16th annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference is set to take place on the main campus of Point Loma Nazarene University on Friday, Oct. 12.
The conference, themed “It’s Easy Being Green,” takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 3900 Lomaland Drive.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Kimberly Vermeer, founder and principal of Urban Habitat Initiatives. Vermeer boasts 20 years of experience in housing, finance, policy and development in the practice of greening multifamily housing.
Luncheon remarks will be provided by California Housing and Community Development Director Lynn Jacobs.
In addition to workshops on “green” building, conference attendees will chose from sessions in design and development, housing finance, supportive housing, housing operations and other topics.
Registration is ongoing by calling (619) 239-6693, or by visiting www.housingsandiego.org. A full program is available on the website.
Herb Day Festival coming to Ocean Beach on Oct. 13
Ocean Beach will be the site of a second annual Herb Day Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13. Promoted by retailers and nonprofit business and educational organizations, the event will give local residents an opportunity to hear free lectures and attend demonstrations by area herbalists. Other aspects to the event will include herbal tea tasting, refreshments, herbal tarot-card reading and opportunities to connect with the herbal community and discover new products, services and education as it relates to herbs.
The event is presented by the Herb Club of San Diego, the local chapter of the American Herbalist Guild and by retail sponsor Coastal Sage Gardening.
The event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. at Coastal Sage Gardening, 3685 Voltaire St. For more information, call (619) 223-5229.