Police chase six men through PB, OB Six men in a van fled from police in a chase that ensued along Sea World Drive, and that ended with several of the men tumbling out of the van as it swerved through an Ocean Beach neighborhood on Saturday, Feb. 21 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Police received a call that a group of men were trying to cause fights along the 700 block of Garnet Avenue. The suspects left the area in a van onto southbound I-5, according to a statement from San Diego Police spokeswoman Mònica Muñoz. A canine officer stopped the van near the Grand Avenue exit. The driver stopped, but then continued driving as police continued the chase. The driver led police along Sea World Drive before driving into Ocean Beach via Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. The van swerved onto Long Branch Avenue in Ocean Beach before turning again onto Bacon Street. Some of the men jumped or fell from the vehicle along Bacon Street before police arrested them. The driver of the van tried to walk away calmly before police arrested him. Police took the rest of the men into custody after they fled from the van in all directions. Police later placed one of the suspects, 20-year-old David Ochoa, under arrest for an alleged assault that occurred in January on the 300 block of 39th Street, according to police. Police posted police helicopter footage of the vehicle chase on the San Diego Police Department’s news webpage at www.sandiego.gov/police/ City asks for $$ to keep fire pits burning San Diegans who wish to keep the fire pits burning on the beach are being asked to donate to the city budget. The city is calling on donors to help raise $173,000 by Dec. 15, 2009 to ensure the 2011 budget will cover the cost to maintain the fire pits. Last December, the mayor directed staff to rip out the fire pits to save $173,000 a year by eliminating two positions from the Park and Recreation Department. The two employees monitor the 186 rings, cleaning them of ash and debris using a front loader that takes about 30 minutes per ring. Last December, an anonymous donor gave $259,000 to save the remaining fire rings and keep them maintained until June 2010. If the city does not manage to raise enough money to maintain the fire pits, it promises to reimburse donors. Spokesperson Darren Pudgil said the city will reevaluate funding the fire pits once the economy rebounds. “When the economy ultimately returns, then we will certainly take another look at it,” Pudgil said. Anyone can contribute to the saving the fire pits through the city’s Corporate Partnership Program. For more information, visit www.sandiego.gov/philanthropycenter; call Jenny Wolff at (619) 236 7002 or email [email protected] Mission Bay Park Safety Committee welcomes all Residents concerned about safety issues at Mission Bay Park are invited to attend the Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. at the Santa Clara Recreation Center, located at 1008 Santa Clara Place. The Safety Committee is a subcommittee of the Mission Bay Park Committee. East-West Yoga celebrates 10 years East-West Yoga & Health Center will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Saturday, March 14, 3-6 p.m. with an afternoon of festivities: meet the teachers and therapists; receive a consultation; enjoy music and veggies. The event is free and open to the public. East-West Yoga is located at 1356 Garnet Ave. For more information visit www.eastwestyoga.com PB Planning Group seeks candidates The Pacific Beach Planning Group is seeking candidates to fill four residential positions and four commercial positions for the March 26 election. The position is open to anybody of at least 18 years of age who resides or works in Pacific Beach. Terms last for two years and candidates must be able to commit at least four hours a month to the group. In upcoming months, the planning group expects to work on residential and business development, parking and traffic issues, code compliance and other concerns’ residents bring. Candidates must complete an application. Candidates seeking a residential seat must collect 25 signatures from other residents in their census tract to verify they live in Pacific Beach. Candidates running for a commercial seat must collect 25 signatures from business owners or representatives in Pacific Beach. Candidates must submit applications to Jeton Prince by March 12. Applications are available at the Pacific Beach library front desk, online at www.welovepb.com or email [email protected] Legendary photographer visits PB gallery Legendary photographer Aaron Chang has captured the power, grace and beauty of the great ocean, the majestic sunset, the rituals of humanity. Chang says he hopes to inspire people by capturing through a lens the perfection of nature’s design. Chang will visit Aztec Graphics to show his work and sign posters for $5 on March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Poster signing proceeds will benefit the Friends of Scott Foundation that raises money for children with cancer. Aztec Graphics is located at 1439 Garnet Ave. For more information call (858) 272 7760. Celebrate World Day of Prayer Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church welcomes the public to stop by and pray during the World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 6 from noon to 7 p.m. The church is located at 1675 Garnet Ave.