La?Jolla High conquering financial woes With public schools battling budget cuts year after year, the Foundation of La Jolla High School is fighting back by reviving its “Conquer the Cuts” fundraising program to counter the challenges ahead. “Budget cuts affecting San Diego city schools like La Jolla High School have become all too familiar. Every school year brings with it a new set of budget cuts and obstacles to surmount,” said Jeff Macelli, president of the Foundation of La Jolla High School. “This year’s campaign will require the support of everyone in our community, from parents to local business owners.” The foundation will maintain all proceeds donated to Counter the Cuts II and distribute funds to the school based on its most immediate needs. Funds raised in the past have gone to new technology, grounds beautification, and restoring and improving athletic fields, the auditorium and other buildings. “This year the foundation has been asked to fund items that historically you would expect your tax dollars to provide: textbooks, classroom equipment, school supplies, campus maintenance and teaching staff,” said Macelli. “The foundation will work hard to make sure that every dollar you contribute goes directly to continuing the tradition of academic excellence at La Jolla High School.” So far, the foundation has raised $53,000, more than one-third of the way toward its $150,000 goal. “We’re off to a great start, but we still have a long way to go,” he said. Anyone interested in making a donation can visit www.ljhs.sandi.net/foundation. — Mariko Lamb Art & Wine Fest an overwhelming success For two days, masterful works of juried art, the sweet sound of live music and world-renowned libations hit the streets for the fourth annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival on Oct. 13 and 14 on upper Girard Avenue. This year, the charity-driven festival was successful in raising more than $100,000 from the free event to support underfunded programs at four public La Jolla schools. Including funds raised from this year’s two-day event, organizers of the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival and their community partners have been successful in raising more than $220,000 for art, music, science, physical education, technology and on-site medical care programs at Muirlands Middle School and Bird Rock, La Jolla and Torrey Pines elementary schools over the past four years. — Mariko Lamb West Nile virus found in dead crow A dead crow found in La Jolla has tested positive for West Nile virus, announced San Diego County vector control officials announced on Oct. 30. The infected crow is the first bird detected with the virus in San Diego this year. Despite cooling temperatures, county environmental health officials are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves, pants and insect repellant when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk, and keeping screen doors and windows closed and in good condition. Officials also ask residents to prevent mosquito breeding by dumping out or removing potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, like plant saucers, rain gutters and other backyard water sources. Some San Diego locations are even offering free mosquito fish, which may be used to control mosquito breeding in still water sources nearby. Finally, vector control officials urge residents to report dead birds and green swimming pools to the county at (858) 694-2888. For more information about West Nile virus or to search locations for free mosquito fish, visit www.SDFightThe-Bite.com or sign up to receive the latest West Nile virus text message updates by texting PEST to 75309 on your cell phone. Give a family in need a delicious Thanksgiving Vaughn Woods Financial Group is hosting a Thanksgiving food drive during the month of November. Donations will be accepted Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the red plastic bins located outside the financial group’s office at 2226 Avenida de la Playa through through Nov. 22. Donors are encouraged to bring canned meats, soups, vegetables, infant formula, peanut butter and dried goods (pasta, rice, grains), and volunteers will help unload the goods if donors call in advance, (858) 454-6900. The group will also convey any checks made out to the San Diego Food Bank.