Former Jack’s La Jolla employee to stand trial Former Jack’s La Jolla bookkeeper Tara Moore, 40, will stand trial on charges of grand theft, embezzlement, financial elder abuse and forgery after being accused of stealing more than $3 million from Jack’s, nearly $1 million from another former employer, and nearly $2 million from her former mother-in-law. Moore is also accused of illegally collecting $150,000 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for spousal support she was no longer entitled to after the death of her third husband. The accusations came to a head after Bill Berkley, owner of the now-shuttered Jack’s, hired a forensic auditor to take a closer look into the restaurant’s finances dating back to 2003. Moore became a suspect, and following a one-year investigation by the San Diego Police Department’s economic crimes unit, she was arrested at her Point Loma residence in September last year. Moore’s defense attorney, Paul Pfingst, said while she was employed at Jack’s, Moore loaned money to the failing restaurant for upkeep of its daily operations, such as payroll, and the partial reimbursement was authorized by a signed agreement between Berkley and Moore. Pfingst also said loans from Moore’s mother-in-law were approved and are being paid back. Moore was ordered not to leave San Diego County and she will return to court on Aug. 6 for arraignment. LJ?Kiwanis Club gives $25,000 donation to community center The Kiwanis Club of La Jolla recently donated $25,000 to the La Jolla Community Center to complete improvement projects to the center, located at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Ongoing and future improvements include completion of the building’s façade, installation of durable flooring, finishing electrical work, painting, lighting and adding more shade to the courtyard. “These contributions will help assure that current and planned improvements are built to a standard that is in keeping with a quality community asset. These needed gifts are in response to our well-publicized requests to La Jollans to help complete the center’s current construction,” said La Jolla Kiwanis Foundation member Glen Rasmussen. “We hope to make the facility totally enjoyable as a community center for generations to come.” He iterated that the improvements will create a clean, well-designed, comfortable place for more people to join the community center and enjoy its many activities, classes and events. “[The] goals of the La Jolla Community Center are very similar to the goals of the Kiwanis organization — that is, to be of service to the entire community and to help enrich the lives of those served,” said Ruth Yansick, CEO of the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla board. For more information about the La Jolla Community Center, visit www.ljcommunitycenter.org or call (858) 459-0831. Birch Aquarium receives grant to study with Taiwanese facility The American Association of Museums and U.S. Department of State recently granted Birch Aquarium and sister aquarium, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Taiwan, a $65,000 grant to establish an international coral reef program. “We are excited to launch this unique international effort,” said Nigella Hillgarth, executive director at Birch. “Scripps Oceanography scientists are at the forefront of coral reef research and we look forward to working with Taiwan scientists and students on this critical issue.” The international cultural exchange program, named “Coral Reef Ambassadors,” will connect 30 middle school students from San Diego and Pingtung, Taiwan with scientists, stakeholders and aquarium staff in a collective effort to help save crucial coral-reef ecosystems. The idea behind the program is to inspire the next generation of the ocean’s stewards to take interest in coral reef science and develop cross-cultural research and conservation skills. Starting this fall, experts from each aquarium will bring to life the other country’s marine ecosystem by creating live coral reef tanks that represent the unique reef environment found in the other’s country. Coral reef science education, hands-on learning experiences and live streaming of wild coral off the coast of Taiwan are also part of the program. The grant was offered as part of Museums Connect, a grant program that connects U.S. museums with facilities from 13 other countries to encourage open dialogue among cross-cultural participants through community projects, partnerships and local events. “AAM is proud to partner with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs on this vital program …” said AAM president Ford W. Bell. “Museums, like all aspects of society today, are becoming more international in their focus, while also retaining their mission of service to their local community …” For more information about the 2012 Museums Connect grants, visit www.aam-us.org. — Mariko Lamb