UC elementary school counselor killed
“Right now I’m just numb. It’s just hard,” said Sheila Ortega, secretary at Spreckels Elementary School in University City.
Ortega and other administrators are working with the school’s Parent Teacher Association to finalize a date for a memorial ” probably next week, she said ” for school counselor Rebecca D’Aoust, who died May 26 after sustaining a head injury. D’Aoust was reportedly struck by a hammer or blunt object wielded by her daughter, according to police.
Now, an elementary school mourns.
“Our counselor Rebecca ‘Becky’ D’Aoust passed away Monday 5/26/08,” the school’s Web site reads. “Our deepest sympathy goes to the D’Aoust family.”
Police said they did not know why D’Aoust’s 14-year-old daughter allegedly struck her at about 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Her husband and another daughter awoke to screams and called police, reports said.
Spreckels PTA will announce a memorial service sometime next week, Ortega said.
“We hope that she finds peace and quiet rest as memories of one you love comfort you,” said a statement by the Spreckels PTA.
For info, visit www.spreckelsweb.net.

Free e-waste recycling events slated Saturday
La Jolla High School’s PTA and Clean Campus Club will host a free e-waste disposal event Saturday, May 31. E-Waste Recycling Day will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Qualifying items include computers, monitors, televisions, stereos, phones, fax machines, copiers, cameras, stereos and scanners, with proceeds benefiting the school. Appliances and batteries will not be accepted.
A free drive-through drop-off area will be located where Westbourne Street meets the teachers’ lower parking lot. For information or to volunteer for a two-hour shift, e-mail Bee Mittermiller, [email protected].
In related news, Recycle San Diego and the Heritage Escrow will host a free e-waste disposal the same day in the parking lot of the Vons store, 2535 Truxtun Road, Bldg. 29, at Liberty Station.
Proceeds will be donated to I Love a Clean San Diego. For more information, call (858) 569-1807, or visit www.recyclesd.com.

Kid’s water conservation art exhibit slated
The City of San Diego Water Department is making a splash with the San Diego Watercolor Society in honoring the winners of the 2008 Children’s Water Conservation Poster Contest ” including winners from La Jolla and Silver Gate elementary schools.
The winning posters will be on exhibit from Monday, June 2 through Monday, June 30 alongside original watercolor paintings reflecting the “Little Drops of Water” theme at the Watercolor Society’s Gallery in NTC Promenade at Point Loma’s Liberty Station, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 105.
A special reception will be held on Friday, June 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Watercolor Society’s gallery. The event will honor the 18 winners out of the thousands of students who entered the 2008 contest. Admission is free. During the reception, student and member artists will be recognized.
Among the winners in the 2008 contest, themed “Water Wins!,” were first-place contestant Olivia Teague and second-place contestant Piper Wade, both first-graders at Silver Gate Elementary School, and second-place contestant Audrey Tsai, a second-grader at La Jolla Elementary School. For information, call (619) 533-4203 or visit www.sandiego.gov/water.

EdUCate to host Friendraiser
EdUCate!, the University City Foundation for Public Schools, will award $80,000 for programs at five UC public schools during a Friendraiser on Saturday, May 31, noon to 2 p.m. at UC High School, 6949 Genesee Ave.
Activities will also include student performances and refreshments. Admission is free. For information, visit www.uceducate.org.

Crab Catcher features surf legend August
Surfer Robert August, a star of the legendary movie “Endless Summer,” has branched out into wine. He will meet fans during a private tasting of his new wines, with hors d’oeuvres, on Wednesday, June 4, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Crab Catcher, 1298 Prospect St.
Tickets are $50. To RSVP, call (858) 454-9587.

Toastmasters will toast 30 years
Toastmasters of La Jolla will celebrate its 30th anniversary Tuesday, June 3 starting at 6:30 p.m.
All past members and potential future members are invited to La Jolla Firehouse YMCA, 7877 Herschel Ave. Visit www.tmlajolla.com.