Reward offered in vicious stabbing death of dog Animal-rights organizations are offering a $4,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for a fatal knife attack on a 9-month-old German shepherd, in which the dog was stabbed more than 50 times in Point Loma on Saturday. The male dog was viciously stabbed in the abdomen, chest and throat near the intersection of Rosecrans Street and Nimitz Boulevard around 4 or 5 a.m. on Saturday, according to Lt. Dan DeSousa with the county’s Department of Animal Services. DeSousa said the dog then staggered down Rosecrans Street, leaving a trail of blood and pools of blood in several areas where the canine was believed to have collapsed.  Because it appears the animal fought back, DeSousa said it is likely that whoever killed the German shepherd will have blood and dog hair on their clothes and they may have been bitten or scratched by the dog. “Whoever is responsible for this despicable crime needs to be found and held accountable,” said Dawn Danielson, director of the Department of Animal Services.  County officials are asking anyone with information to contact DeSousa at (619) 823-4959. Callers may remain anonymous. The $4,500 reward is being put up by the San Diego Animal Advocates and In Defense of Animals organizations. If convicted, the dog’s killer could face a felony animal abuse charge, punishable by imprisonment, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. SD Superior Court seeks grand jury applicants The San Diego Superior Court is actively seeking applications from residents throughout the area to serve on the 2011-12 San Diego County Grand Jury. Court officials said they are searching for “dedicated individuals with sound judgment” to sit on the grand jury, which investigates citizen complaints and performs the traditional function as a “watchdog” over government agencies. The county grand jury does not conduct criminal investigations. The 19-member panel will work four days a week for about six hours a day between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 at the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego. Grand jurors draw a small stipend per day — along with mileage — and downtown parking is provided, according to court officials. All application forms must be received by Jan. 14. Qualified candidates will be nominated for a random drawing tentatively scheduled to take place June 3. The drawing gives each supervisorial district equal representation by population. Applications may be obtained by calling (619) 450-7272, or in person at the San Diego Superior Court civil business offices and in the central (downtown), northern, southern and eastern branches of the court. Potential jurors may also download an application from the San Diego Superior Court’s website at www.sdcourts.ca.gov, or the San Diego County Grand Jury’s website at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/grandjury. San Diego to add fluoride to drinking water The city will begin fluoridating drinking water on Wednesday, Dec. 22, according to officials with the Public Utilities Department. The effort is designed to meet the standards established by the California Department of Public Health, city officials said. State law dictates that water agencies with more than 10,000 service connections fluoridate their water, according to officials. In addition, Coronado, Del Mar and Imperial Beach will receive fluoridated water as well. First 5 Commission of San Diego County offered the city up to $3.9 million to fund the first two years of the program. For more information, call (619) 515-3500, or visit www.sandiego.gov /water/quality/flouridation.shtml. Yacht club shows support for Operation Homefront The Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC) presented a check for more than $5,000 to Operation Homefront during a Dec. 2 luncheon of the yacht club. Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance to American troops, their families and wounded soldiers when they return home. The check was presented by SWYC representative June Bush to Jay Anderson, chapter president and retired Marine Corps colonel, and Wanda Duarte, director of family services and retired master sergeant. The funds were raised throughout the year from raffles and other activities at regular luncheons hosted by the yacht club. “It is the least we can do to support our troops and their families who have given up so much for us,” said June Bush, wife of SWYC Vice Commodore Dan Bush. “When I took on the role of chairing the monthly lunch, I wanted to use the opportunity to raise funds for the troops.” In addition to the donation to Operation Homefront, Southwestern Yacht Club has also collected hundreds of paperback books to send to the troops overseas via OperationPaperback in the last few years. The Southwestern Yacht Club sponsors a Charity Bay Race as one of several community and humanitarian outreach efforts. The SWYC also supports a Special Olympics Sailing Program, the Junior Foundation (providing scholarships for youth sailing programs) and other charitable programs. The SWYC, located at 2702 Qualtrough St. in Point Loma, was formed in 1925. For more information, call (619) 222-0438, or visit www.southwesternyc.org. Mission Bay to be lit up with holiday spirit The annual Mission Bay Parade of Lights begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 and will make its way from the Quivira Basin area to Fiesta Island, ending at SeaWorld. A fireworks display will take place over the bay at 9 p.m. following the parade of more than 100 colorfully-decorated vessels. Viewing points include Riviera Shores, Crown Point, Santa Clara Point, the east side of Vacation Island and the west side of Fiesta Island. SeaWorld is a major sponsor for the event. “We are proud members of the Mission Bay community and happy to support this parade in our backyard,” said SeaWorld spokesman Booker T. Crenshaw Jr. “We know this is an important holiday event for our neighbors,” he added. The exact route is available at www.missionbayparadeoflights.org. Discovery thrift shop to offer bargains Holiday shoppers will soon find plenty of bargains at the American Cancer Society Point Loma’s Discovery Shop. The shop’s semi-annual, half-price sale will apply to all items at the shop. Proceeds to go benefit Cancer Society programs and projects. The sale takes place Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18. Regular store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The shop is located at 3609 Midway Drive behind Kinko’s in the Von’s shopping center. For more information, call (619) 224-4336. Giant Dipper and park rides to remain open Despite the Wave House Belmont Park LLC filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy, the San Diego Coaster Company — operators of the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and other Belmont Park rides — remains open and unaffected by the financial action. “We want everyone to know that the Coaster Company, Historical Giant Dipper, as well as all the other rides we operate, are not involved in the current situation and that we are financially solvent,” said Wendy Crain, general manager of the San Diego Coaster Company, in a recent statement. The Coaster Company has a separate land lease with the city of San Diego. Belmont Park is a seven-acre beach amusement park located at the corner of Mission Boulevard and West Mission Bay Drive in Mission Beach. For more information, visit www.belmontpark.com. OB’s Sacred Heart Church celebrates centennial Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach kicked off a year of centennial celebrations with a Mass and reception on Nov. 28. The church, located at 4776 Saratoga Ave., has been open in Ocean Beach since 1911. “We made promises in 1911, and here in 2011, we can see that we’ve kept those promises,” said Kate McKenzie, publicity co-chair for the centennial. “It’s a really inspiring notion that, for 100 years, we’ve been growing the faith of our parishioners and serving this community.” Banners have been hung inside and outside the church to recognize the centennial, with May 11 set as the actual date for recognition. Between now and then, the church will hold a host of events, including a gala Feb. 12 and a luau May 14. For more information, visit sacredheartob.org.