Information needed on unsolved homicide in Pacific Beach Authorities on Dec. 6 renewed their call for information that could lead them to whoever carjacked a 77-year-old man, then fatally struck him with his own pickup truck in a Pacific Beach alley 15 years ago.
Investigators believe Edward Wager was carjacked after he stopped his white Toyota pickup truck in an alley off Grand Avenue near Noyes Street shortly before 2 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2001. He was subsequently run over by his truck as the suspect sped off, according to San Diego police and Crime Stoppers.
Police found Wager’s truck in the Encanto neighborhood in southeastern San Diego three days later, authorities said.
Anyone with information on the case was asked to call San Diego police at 619-531-2293. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contacting the agency online at sdcrimestoppers.org. ASLA new president The American Society of Landscape Architects, San Diego Chapter (ASLA SD), is recently announced Pacific Beach resident Nathaniel Magnusson, PLA, and LEED AP, as its new president for 2016-2017. Magnusson is a senior project manager with Schmidt Design Group Inc., where he is currently managing the Civita Park project that includes nearly 17 acres of parks and more than 40 acres of open space. His experience includes numerous public and private projects throughout Southern California such as the Lake Skinner Recreation Area, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Ariva Apartments, and the Maple Street Pedestrian Plaza in Escondido. Senior $avers The Pacific Beach Library will hold a series of three classes called Senior $avers commencing on Dec. 16, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join a monthly discussion about freebies and bargains available for fun-loving and frugal San Diego Seniors. PB Library: 858-581-9934. SD Coastkeeper promotes O’Malley San Diego Coastkeeper recently announced that Matt O’Malley has been promoted to executive director and Waterkeeper. O’Malley will lead the water watchdog and its law and policy efforts to achieve goals in its 2015-2018 strategic plan, which include lowering San Diego County household water use by 25 percent and training 300 new volunteer scientists to monitor the health of the region’s water.
O’Malley, who came to Coastkeeper in January of 2014 as its legal and policy director, has more than 15 years of public interest environmental advocacy and legal experience. While at Coastkeeper, O’Malley restarted an industrial stormwater enforcement program that has already led to legal actions to end industrial pollution. He also continued advocacy efforts to ensure the City of San Diego properly funded Pure Water and spearheaded Coastkeeper’s negotiations to finalize a joint Cooperative Agreement on the 20-year implementation of Pure Water. Pet adoption The next pet adoption event will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 hosted by Wonderland Ocean Pub, the San Diego Humane Society and The Ocean Beach Surf Lodge (coming soon) at the corner of Santa Monica Avenue and Abbott Street in OB. Toys for Tots at fire stations The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is once again working with Toys for Tots to help bring smiles to the holidays. Every San Diego fire station has a collection box to help make contributing to Toys for Tots convenient. New, unwrapped toys taken to a San Diego fire station at any time until Dec. 14 will get to the Marine Corps Reserve toy warehouse in time to be given to a child in San Diego. Their greatest need always seems to be toys for boys and girls between ages of six and 12. For a list of the addresses of fire stations, visit sandiego.gov. Paw It Forward
Buying your dog a festive doggie sweater or coat for the holidays? Throw two into the shopping basket or donate an old one to County Animal Services’ “Paw It Forward” campaign for pets of homeless people. Every year, Animal Services takes part in Project Homeless Connect, an event that offers a wide array of services to the local homeless population. Dozens of dogs, and even cats, show up with their homeless owners.
The Project Homeless Connect event takes place Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Golden Hall. County Animal Services will accept donations of new and used pet sweaters and jackets at 5480 Gaines St. (619-767-2675) starting now through Friday, Dec. 30. For more information, contact Animal Services at 619-767-2675. Coastal Commission approves SeaWorld changes
The California Coastal Commission recently approved at a meeting in Half Moon Bay a plan by SeaWorld San Diego to remodel its orca tanks to make way for a new, more educational killer whale show. The project will facilitate the park’s previously announced plan to transition from theatrical orca shows to educational presentations based on behavior in the wild, SeaWorld officials said in a statement.
SeaWorld’s plan to transition to education-based presentations was part of the broader announcement in March that the current generation of orcas at its parks will be the last.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January, with the Shamu set backdrop being dismantled. SeaWorld said Orca Encounter, featuring what park officials contend will be a more natural setting, is due to begin next summer. Contas meeting
The annual meeting of the United Portuguese S.E.S. Inc. known as the Contas will take place 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2818 Avenida de Portugal. All member and potential members are invited to attend. Holiday Tea and Bazaar Point Loma Garden Club hosts its annual Holiday Tea and Bazaar from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Portuguese Hall, 2818 Avenida de Portugal. Open to the public. Beautiful fresh and dried decorations include wreaths, table arrangements, centerpieces and swags for your home and special holiday gifts for giving. Homemade gifts include crafts, home-made delectable – all created by Point Loma Garden Club members. Prices are reasonable and all proceeds go to philanthropies. www.plgc.org. Sunroad Boat Show San Diego Sunroad Boat Show is back at the Sunroad Resort Marina, 955 Harbor Island, Jan. 26-29 and will be expanding this year with the addition of more floating docks to moor several larger vessels. In addition to the tremendous boats, there will also be a plethora of marine vendors and electronics with the latest nautical products and services, boating seminars, free boat rides, as well as food and beverages – making a great time for all to enjoy a day on the San Diego Bay. For more information, visit www.bigbayboatshow.com. Spiny lobster season open
The 2016 lobster season is open and runs through March 22, 2017. San Diego beaches are popular for lobster fishing but can be hazardous for divers and boaters. Lifeguards will be increasing staffing to help state Fish and Wildlife wardens, and to respond to emergencies. San Diego lifeguards remind divers that obster diving can be strenuous; divers should have a competent buddy with them and should review emergency procedures. 
Boaters need to be aware of the increased diver population when moving through or near fishing areas. There should always be a lookout on the boat helping the operator avoid divers and other boats at night, and navigation lights always need to be on. People using hoop nets should not set them in areas that might obstruct vessel navigation, like the Mission Bay Channel. Lobsters may be taken only by hand or hoop nets. Divers fishing for lobsters must have a valid California fishing license, a spiny lobster report card and must carry a measuring gauge to ensure their lobsters are of legal size. Daily limits are seven lobsters per person, and each lobster must be a minimum of 3.25 inches measured in a straight line on the mid-line of the back. For more information, refer to the 2016-2017 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations at www.wildlife.ca.gov. How does the city spend your money? The City of San Diego recently announced advancements to its budget-focused web app that will provide San Diegans unprecedented access to the City’s financial information. Budget.sandiego.gov now includes the City’s actual revenue and expenditure data, allowing users to see spending trends and create charts that compare actual results to budgeted amounts in over 30 different City departments.
The budget visualization tool was launched in 2015 so that San Diegans could see more details on how the City budgets tax dollars. Early this year, seven years’ worth of budgets were made available, including this year’s, which allowed interested community members to compare funding allocations over time in a user-friendly format. As of today, actual budget expenditures from Fiscal Year 2011 through Fiscal Year 2016, which concluded June 30, are also posted. SD Airport achieves Airport Carbon Accreditation
San Diego International Airport (SAN) has been certified through the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program. The program creates a framework that helps airports identify, manage, and ultimately reduce their carbon emissions. SAN was certified at “Level 2,” which means that the airport is actively implementing a carbon management plan and has reduced the emissions under its control. Over the past two years, SAN built highly energy efficient facilities such as its Rental Car Center, installed solar energy panels on roofs and in parking lots, converted its shuttle fleet to alternative fuels, and launched a carbon offset program to enable passengers to reduce the environmental impact of their travel.