City asks for funding 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 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 citywide fire pits, cleaning them of ash and debris using a front loader that takes about 30 minutes per pit. As a result of the city’s action, an anonymous donor stepped forward in December to give $259,000 to save the remaining fire pits and keep them maintained through June 2010. City officials said if they do not solicit enough money to maintain the fire pits, the city will 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, call Jenny Wolff at (619) 236-7002 or e-mail [email protected], or visit www.sandiego.gov/philanthropycenter. Bizarre police pursuit ends in Ocean Beach Six men riding in a van led police on a minutes-long vehicle chase along Sea World Drive, ending with several of the occupants tumbling out of the vehicle as it swerved through an Ocean Beach neighborhood. The incident occurred Saturday, Feb. 21, at about 11:30 p.m. Police received a call that a group of men was trying to cause fights along the 700 block of Garnet Avenue. The suspects left the area in the van and fled southbound on Interstate 5, according to a statement from San Diego Police Department spokeswoman Mònica Muñoz. A canine officer stopped the van near the Grand Avenue exit on the southbound I-5. The driver stopped initially, but then continued on the southbound I-5 with police in pursuit. The driver led police along Sea World Drive before driving into Ocean Beach by way of 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 in Ocean Beach 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/. ‘Biggest Loser’ audition set at Liberty Station NBC’s popular reality series “The Biggest Loser” is launching a 14-city, cross-country search to find new contestants for the next edition of the hit show — including one casting call at Liberty Station on March 14. Both individuals and teams are encouraged to apply for the new season, which will air in the fall. To keep creative options open for the new season, producers are also looking for certified trainers. Outgoing and charismatic individuals or teams of two are encouraged to apply, especially those who have the personality, desire and competitive edge to vie for the opportunity to lose weight, change their lives and compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Teams can include family members, spouses, dating or engaged couples, grandparents, co-workers, former teammates or athletes, best friends and college students. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and legal residents of the United States. Producers are also looking for certified trainers with strong personalities who have a solid track record of taking the weight off of overweight clients. Nutritional credentials are a plus and trainers applying must provide references. The local audition will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. For more information, visit www.nbc.com/casting.