Suspected DUI crash could have been worse A crash on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard on Sept. 25 might have turned deadly had the speeding driver — reportedly traveling up to 90 mph down westbound Interstate 8  — not plowed into a security fence just outside the Ocean Beach Skate Park. A witness told police the driver ran the light at the freeway offramp at Sunset Cliffs around 4 p.m., skidding across the street and sliding between a safety concrete barrier and three palm trees before careening down a sidewalk and into a planter surrounded by the security fence. The vehicle came to rest several feet away from where throngs of skaters and families had gathered under the sun to enjoy the nice weekend weather. The driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Council initiates medical marijuana ordinance A recent City Council decision has initiated an ordinance to create zoning laws for medical marijuana dispensaries. The vote directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance following recommendations from the Citizen’s Medical Marijuana Task Force, said District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner representative Alex Varon. “The ordinance would only apply to land use regulations,” Varon said. “Enforcement and guidelines for caregivers and patients is on a separate track and was not considered.” One motion the City Council adopted changes the definition of “school” in the zoning ordinance to include colleges, universities and other higher education institutions. Varon said that once the city attorney completes a draft ordinance, it would be heard by the Land Use & Housing Technical Advisory Committee, the city’s code monitoring team and the Planning Commission before returning to the City Council. “The best estimate for [City] Council to hear the ordinance is early January,” Varon said. Work will detour two OB bus routes into 2011 City officials began closing down segments of Cable Street in Ocean Beach on Oct. 6 to replace the sewer main between West Point Loma Boulevard and Point Loma Avenue.  As a result of the construction, the Metropolitan Transit System is temporarily moving Routes 35 and 923 from their current paths on Cable Street to Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Transit officials said the detours are expected to last until Memorial Day 2011.   Signs have been posted on the stops that will be closed along Cable Street and new stops will be installed along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard next week.  To view the re-routed stops and timetables, visit www.sdmts.com and click on “rider alerts.” Information will also be available on board buses. Tickets on sale for PLHS 85th anniversary bash Tickets sales are under way for a major event that will celebrate the 85th anniversary of Point Loma High School (PLHS) next month. The event, “Once a Pointer, Always A Pointer” gala and auction, will take place Nov. 13 at the Liberty Station Conference Center at 6 p.m. It is being produced by the school’s Pointer Association, a unification of the former PTA, Alumni Association and Foundation. Honoring Pointer students, alumni, families and community members, proceeds from the event will help fund the “Three A’s: Academics, Arts and Athletics” to continue programs of excellence at the school in the face of state and local budget cuts. Tickets can be obtained using credit cards or checks from a secure link on the PLHS website, www.pointlomahigh.com. Single-ticket prices are $85 and $160 per couple. A table for 10 is priced at $900. Sponsorships are available from $100 to $5,000, with all funds going directly to student programs. Some levels allow donors to select specific areas or sports teams. PLHS now boasts an enrollment of 2,050 in grades 9-12 and offers a mixture of Advanced Placement classes, College and Career Pathways and course-credit partnerships with Mesa College and Point Loma Nazarene University, according to PLHS Principal Bobbie Samilson. A high number of alumni from the school have become nationally known in many fields, including the arts, business, athletics and politics. Donations in the form of auction items, merchandise and services are also being sought. For more information, contact Maria Virissimo-Gibson at (619) 938-7897 or e-mail [email protected]. Because of the 85th anniversary of the school, PLHS officials also warn that the Oct. 29 Homecoming football game at 6:30 p.m. against Madison High School will be sold out because of seating capacity and advise fans to buy tickets early. Tickets are available at the PLHS Finance Office from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. on school days. Prices are $7 for adults; $5 for students with ASB cards; and $2 for children ages 5-12 and seniors 65 or older. Center to host annual Chef Showdown The Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit agency that offers a complete range of sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and intervention services, is set to host its sixth annual “Chef Showdown 2010 — Taking a Stand against Domestic Violence” on Thursday, Oct. 21.. The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the NTC Promenade in Point Loma at Legacy Plaza. The fundraiser, which calls attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will feature a lively culinary competition involving chefs from San Diego’s top restaurants, including Busalacchi’s, ChileCo., Cosmopolitan, Cucina Urbana, El Vitral Restaurant, Le Papagayo, Mistral and Truluck’s. Guests will have an opportunity to sample delicious and unique food items from the county’s most popular restaurants while enjoying beverages, cocktails and live entertainment. Live and silent auctions will feature a variety of specialty items, events and vacation opportunities from area companies. San Diego’s own version of “Iron Chef” will feature celebrity judges and lively commentary provided by local food expert Bernard Guillas, executive chef of the Marine Room; as well as event emcees Sam Zien, a.k.a “Sam the Cooking Guy,” and food television host Candice Kumai, a.k.a. “Stiletto Chef.” Tickets are $125 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For tickets or details, call (858) 272-5777 or visit www.ccssd.org. Coldwell Banker’s Colloca is making a difference Laura Colloca, assistant manager of Coldwell Banker Brokerage’s Point Loma office, volunteers for many organizations and continues to make a difference in the community. Her favorite volunteer organization is Habitat for Humanity. Previously, Colloca helped build homes for Habitat with other Coldwell Banker agents. This summer, she seized the opportunity to help build homes for the humanitarian organization with her daughter, Cristina. Colloca said the best part of working on the “build” was working right alongside the homeowners-to-be. “They are so proud and take such joy and pride in being able to participate on building their future home,” Colloca said. “It was a lot of hard work and worth every minute of it.” Wounded soldier event ends at Liberty Station A two-day bike ride supporting wounded Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) technicians — similar to those depicted in the movie “Hurt Locker” — will conclude Sunday, Oct. 10 at Liberty Station. The Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation Undefeated 2-Day Ride is a 160-mile ride from Santa Monica to San Diego to support the nonprofit foundation established to help wounded technicians and their families. At the conclusion of the bike ride, there will be a celebratory family picnic at Ingram Plaza. The event includes food, awards, live bands, military displays, raffle and a kids’ area. For more information, visit www.canari-navycycling.com/WEODWF2DayRide.htm. PLNU to host annual Fall Festival Officials with Point Loma Nazarene University will again welcome neighbors and friends to the school’s sprawling Fall Festival on Oct. 16. The free annual event will include animal rides and a petting zoo, live music, a historical campus tour, carriage rides, exhibit booths, food, pumpkin patch and an electronics recycling drive. Food samples will be made available by the presenting sponsor, Bartel Hotels, while a family fun zone will be created with climbing walls, face painting, bounce houses, story time, pony rides, kids’ crafts and a ferris wheel. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At 2 p.m., university President Bob Brower will welcome participants with an ice cream social and a grand-prize drawing. The event will also focus on wellness demonstrations and provide an opportunity for residents to dispose of electronics like televisions, computers, printers, cell phones and other items. A list of acceptable items can be found on the university’s website. Point Loma Nazarene is located at 3900 Lomaland Drive. For more information, visit www.pointloma.edu/fallfestival. Grief education workshop slated at Liberty Station The Jenna Druck Foundation’s Families Helping Families program will host a special grief education workshop for those touched by loss. The event, titled “Traveling Through the Dark Night of the Soul,” will feature guest speaker Dr. Patricia Ariadne, Ph.D., a licensed psychotherapist, author and board-certified professional counselor. Ariadne penned the book “Drinking the Dragon: Stories of the Dark Night of the Soul.” The multi-media workshop takes place Thursday, Oct. 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ariadne’s presentation will explore the inner journey that can result through a traumatic, life-changing experience like the loss of a loved one. The suggested donation for the event is $10 and the workshop is open to those who have lost a loved one and professionals in the community who are interested in the topic, according to organizers. Reservations are required, but will be accepted through the day of the event. Donations are also accepted online to help fund the Families Helping Families bereavement program. The event takes place at the Jenna Druck Foundation, 2820 Roosevelt Road, Suite 200. To register or for more information, call (619) 294-8000, or visit www.jen-nadruck.org. Point Loman tapped to serve on board Meals-on-Wheels, Greater San Diego has installed its 2010-11 board of directors, including a Point Loma resident. The make up of the new board includes representation from across the county, including many sectors of the business community. Among the newly-elected officers is Tyson Dethloff of Allenbrooke Insurance Services, Inc. “Meals-on-Wheels is thrilled to have so many well-respected San Diegans and local businesses represented on our board to help further our mission and contribute to the overall well-being of San Diego seniors,” said Debbie Case, president and CEO of Meals-on-Wheels. The program provides seniors with regular nutrition and daily contact from caring volunteers. In 2010 volunteers will donate 211,575 hours, drive 725,400 miles and serve 2,500 seniors in 48 San Diego communities. Last year, more than 400,000 meals were delivered by volunteers to fulfill the organization’s mission to end senior hunger and isolation. For more information, call (800) 5-SENIOR, or visit www.meals-on-wheels.org. Point Loma hostel to host annual party The San Diego Council of Hostelling International USA (HI-San Diego) will host the Spirit of Hostelling annual meeting and party on Saturday, Oct. 9 in Point Loma. The event, themed “Around the World in 80 Minutes,” will include a tour of internationally-decorated rooms, cuisine, music and a silent auction and raffle from 5 to 8 p.m. at 3790 Udall St. Adult tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door and $10 for children. The admission price includes dinner, tour and live entertainment. Guests also have the option to get the full hostelling experience and stay overnight for an additional fee, which includes a pancake breakfast the following morning. All proceeds from the event will benefit HI-San Diego’s cultural education and community outreach programs. For more information or to RSVP for the event, call (619) 338-9981, ext. 13, or visit www.sandiegohostels.org/events.