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 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. Mayoral spokesman 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 e-mail [email protected]. Famed surf/beach photog visits PB gallery Legendary photographer Aaron Change 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. Old Town-UC trolley plan seeks funding Visitors may soon have easier access to University City (UC) and Pacific Beach via a new trolley line extension that would connect Old Town to UC. The San Diego Association of Governments plans to extend the San Diego trolley line from the Old Town Transit Center to University City with stations along Morena Boulevard. The extension could shave valuable minutes in travel time for commuters from Old Town to Pacific Beach, Clairemont and University City. City Planners are looking for SANDAG and redevelopment agency funds to start the project. The $600,000 project should start in June and take about two years to complete, said San Diego city planner Craig Schmollinger. “The main objective is to increase connectivity between stations…and to promote multimodal connectivity, pedestrian safety and bike rider safety,” he said. The City of San Diego is responsible for planning and designing three trolley stations near Mission Bay. The new line would weave from Old Town Transit Center, through the Tecolote community, Clairemont and Balboa Avenue, according to plans presented to the Pacific Beach Community Planning Group on Jan. 28. City planners are looking to community planners in Pacific Beach and Linda Vista to help design these stations, Schmollinger said. Conflict resolution unit to honor McGovern, Dole The National Conflict Resolution Center will stage its annual Peacemaker Awards on Thursday, March 12 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina to recognize individuals and organizations for their creative and effective solutions to crises and conflict. This year’s awards will be presented to former Sens. George McGovern and Bob Dole for their International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program initiative, designed to eliminate hunger worldwide. The local honoree is 17-year-old Lincoln High School student La Chanae McAfee. McGovern and McAfee will be present to accept the awards for their notable achievements. The food program has provided opportunities to millions of children in 41 countries previously trapped in cycles of hunger, poverty, and violence. In March of 2008, McAfee organized a peace rally and worked with prominent organizations in her Southeast neighborhood following the freeway shooting deaths of two teenagers. The National Conflict Resolution Center is a not-for-profit organization internationally recognized for its alternative dispute resolution services, mediation training and credentialing. The dinner is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m., with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten and can be purchased at www.ncrconline.com or (619) 238-2400, ext. 221.