Agents seize half-ton of pot, arrest three teens U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from the sea port of San Diego on July 25 seized more than a half-ton of marijuana found underneath the deck of a boat carrying three U.S. teenagers. At about noon, a U.S. Coast Guard boarding team on patrol reportedly spotted a 22-foot private boat off the coast of San Diego heading north from Mexico. After a routine boarding, the team escorted the boat to the CBP dock at Shelter Island so the persons on board could report in to CBP officials after re-entering the United States, following an apparent fishing trip from Ensenada. On board were an 18-year old male, a 19-year-old male, and a 19-year-old female, all U.S. citizens, according to customs officials. Officers said they screened the boat with a narcotics detector dog, which alerted law enforcement officials to the stern area. After removing the deck, officers reportedly discovered 277 packages of marijuana hidden between the deck and outer hull, weighing more than 1,000 pounds and worth about $636,000. Agents seized the boat and narcotics and turned the three boaters over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Razor blades found at Mission Bay playground San Diego Police Northern Division is investigating the recent discovery of about 10 razor blades in the grass in a children’s playground near Mariner’s Point off Bonita Cove. Northern Division Capt. Shelley Zimmerman said police have not identified a suspect. The blades were discovered on July 10 when police reports said a man at the park with his family stepped on one of the standard-size blades while barefoot, resulting in a cut that required stitches. Police were called to the scene and used a metal detector to retrieve about 10 blades. Zimmerman said she believes the blades were placed deliberately and that it is an isolated incident. “We were very fortunate that no children were hurt,” Zimmerman said. “There were lots of children in the area and we were fortunate that no one else got hurt.” Eight seats available for OB Town Council The board of directors of the Ocean Beach Town Council (OBTC) is accepting applications for eight open positions on the board. To qualify, candidates must live, work or own property in the 92107 ZIP code, be at least 18 years of age by Sept. 23, 2009, and be a current member of the Ocean Beach Town Council. Interested board applicants are encouraged to send a typewritten letter of intent to The Election Committee, Ocean Beach Town Council, P.O. Box 7225, San Diego, 92167. Letters should state why the applicant wishes to join the OBTC?board of directors and what experience or skills he or she would bring to the position. The letters will be duplicated and sent to all OBTC members along with their ballots in August. Letters should be postmarked no later than Aug. 7. Candidates will be able to address the Aug. 26 general meeting, if they wish. Newly elected board members will be sworn in at the Sept. 23 general meeting and officers will be chosen by the newly elected board. The Town Council is also seeking nominations for the 2009 “Citizen of the Year.” This annual award honors an outstanding community volunteer. A letter of nomination can be sent to the above address. For more information, visit www.obtowncouncil.org. Band at the Beach back for return engagement  Band at the Beach Music Camp returns Aug. 3 through 7 in an intensive summer program in which students in grades 7 to 12 work with professional musicians.  The camp takes place at Correia Middle School, 4302 Valeta St., and is a community-based program whose primary purpose is advocacy for music in local schools. According to event organizers, Band at the Beach also offers extracurricular instruction during the school year, coaching at neighborhood schools and piano accompaniments for competitions in exchange for donations to Band at the Beach Music Camp. The camp, originally intended for students in the Point Loma, Loma Portal and Ocean Beach areas, has grown to have 27 city and county schools represented at its 2008 session. 2009 will be the camp’s 21st year of operation.  One of the goals of the camp is to prepare a summer concert, free to the community, at the end of the session. To reach that goal, several guest conductors are involved, and each section of the band has its own specialty coaches. Donations of available services and merchandise coupons are also welcomed, camp organizers said. The contributions help provide scholarships, payroll, music purchases, licensing, liability insurance, rent and custodial, nutrition breaks and website maintenance. For information or to register, call (619) 222-3605, or visit www.bandatthebeach.org. Seven new Pt. Loma Scouts earn Eagle rank   Point Loma’s Boy Scout Troop 500 has seen seven of its members achieve the rank of Eagle Scout already this year, according to Scouting officials. Four of the Troop 500 Scouts successfully completed their boards of review between July 7 and July 14. All Eagle candidates must complete an arduous series of leadership-oriented activities and tasks, culminating in a major service project. The latest four Eagles tackled several major improvements to sites in Point Loma: Charlie Mellor constructed a kiosk for the northern entrance to the Point Loma Native Plant Garden (PLNPG), raising funds from the Ocean Beach Kiwanis and local residents. Will Mellor installed signposts and signage for the various flora and fauna at PLNPG. Nick Gizzi enlarged the fence enclosure at PLNPG to allow for the creation of a nursery. Miles Thompson rebuilt the stairway leading up to the outdoor classroom at Sunset View Elementary School. Earlier this year, three other scouts also completed their projects and boards of review: Eric Fox designed and constructed a kiosk at the northern entrance to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Gordon Hale rebuilt the outdoor classroom in the canyon adjacent to Sunset View Elementary School. Bryce Pelstring removed old landscaping in front of his school, replacing it with new, drought-resistant landscaping. Interested potential Scouters should contact committee chair Curtis Loer at [email protected]. Point Lomans recognized for community roles In a celebration recognizing the military’s commitment to the San Diego community, The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce recently honored two Point Loma residents for their positive impact on the region. The event served as a farewell to Rear Adm. Leendert R. Hering Sr., USN and Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas, USMC, who were recognized for their steadfast leadership and commitment to the business community. Hering is retiring and Salinas has been reassigned to Virginia. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce inaugurated the event in 1946 to honor service members returning home from World War II.  The black-tie gala held earlier this month is an annual opportunity for San Diego’s business leaders to recognize the region’s brave military leaders for their commitment to the region and nation.