In October, the La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA) held group elections, unveiled its discount La Jollalty card and promoted the annual Oct. 31 trick-or-treating Pillage the Village kids Halloween event.

LJVMA Executive Director Jodi Rudick noted 51 total votes were cast in this year’s board election, up from 15 votes in 2018. Continuing board members are: Kelli Metcalf, Julie Wright, Gay Guevara, Robert Mackey, Benoit Roux, Max Shenk, Tammy Tillack, Jessica Wiley and Kipp Williams. Of LJVMA board’s makeup, Rudick said, “We have the youngest, most enthusiastic board. It’s all about the energy and the positivity.”

Rudick distributed freshly minted La Jollalty cards, noting the new merchant’s discount program kicked off with LJVMA’s booth at the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Oct. 12-13. 

“The card is easy to carry and ready to go,” Rudick said adding 52 merchants, including numerous restaurants, are involved in the program’s initial rollout. “Our goal is to get as many people as possible connected to this card.” 

La Jollalty cards can be picked up at participating merchants who will have stickers displayed in their windows. In partnership with La Jolla High School, La Jollalty cards will also be available at community events including Taste of La Jolla, as well as athletic and school assemblies.  

Those making a $10 suggested donations to the foundation for the La Jollalty card will also get a free movie ticket to The Lot La Jolla. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Pillage the Village, the annual merchant’s kids Halloween extravaganza, will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at participating Village merchants identified by balloon displays. La Jolla Real Estate Brokers Association (REBA) will be participating with a costume-judging contest starting about 4:15 p.m. at 908 Kline St.

In other action:

• Decker’s Dog + Cat at 7928 Ivanhoe Ave. is hosting a Halloween pet costume contest at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31.

• Rudick noted the community’s memorial bench program is no more, but added consideration is being given to replace benches with an overarching furniture program. “It would be an overall vision by landscape architects of what the Village should look like,” she said.

• New Enhance La Jolla Executive Director John Unbewust noted La Jolla’s new maintenance assessment district started work recently on Girard. “Have you walked Girard lately and seen any difference?” asked Unbewust, getting an affirmative. He promised La Jollans will be seeing more positive changes soon, including nighttime power-washing of sidewalks, more litter control and better trash pickup. “You will not see any trash receptacle overflows, not if I can help it,” he said.