Hearing set for suspected rapist A June 3 preliminary hearing has been set for a man suspected of kidnapping and raping a woman in Loma Portal. Michael Meretse Tesfa, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges that also include robbery and false imprisonment of the victim in the March 18 incident. The victim said she met Tesfa earlier that night and he asked her to go to a hotel with him, but she declined. Shortly before 9 p.m., Tesfa is alleged to have sexually assaulted her behind Perry’s Café on Pacific Highway near Rosecrans Street. Court records say Tesfa is on probation for punching his mother in the face on Jan. 2, 2012. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 180 days in jail. His probation has been revoked because of his arrest in the new case. Tesfa is being held on $750,000 bail. —Neal Putnam

Rockin’ fundraiser set to aid MS research Point Loma natives Mary Alice Dube and husband Ray are hosting “Metal 4 MS,” a rockin’ fundraising event on April 20 at Brick by Brick in Bay Park to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research, advocacy, professional education, programs and services to help those living with MS. Ray, drummer for the band Hellbent, and Mary Alice, a local resident who has been living with Multiple Sclerosis since 2006 are hosting the fundraiser to fuse rock ’n’ roll with a good cause. Featured bands include Blackout, Van Roth, Hellbent, Iron Mayhem, Busted Knuckles and Ratz, and raffle tickets will be available at the concert for a chance to win great prizes. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first band will take the stage at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door and all proceeds will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ Metal4Ms. Evaluators sought to assess senior projects Community members are being sought on May 23 to evaluate projects done by Point Loma High School seniors as part of their graduation requirements. Several volunteers will team with a designated classroom teacher to hear preassigned seniors present their project in both an oral and visual format. Seniors are directed to dress up for the event.   A scoring rubric will be used by each panelist to evaluate projects, with a minimum combined score needed to satisfy the graduation requirement. Volunteers would need to be on the Pointer campus from about 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. and should contact Amanda McMillan at [email protected]. — Scott Hopkins

Iconic lighthouse readies for 100th anniversary A community celebration is being planned for the 100th anniversary of the famed Point Loma lighthouse in October. The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation Centennial Celebration is planned for Saturday, Oct. 12. Gates will open at 5:45 p.m. that day for an evening of sunset walks, music, catered hors d’oeuvres, dancing, a silent auction and a chance to see the iconic landmark’s light glow in the dark. Proceeds from the event will be used to support park projects. To receive a formal invitation or volunteer, call (619) 222-4747. The group’s website is www.cnmf.org. — Scott Hopkins

PL Garden Club sets plant sale April 20 The annual Point Loma Garden Club plant sale will celebrate “A Real Garden Party” on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St. Potted plants, orchids and unique succulent plantings will be for sale, along with boutique items and garden-related crafts. Members of the 51-year-old club who are master gardeners will be on-site to answer questions about plants and landscaping. For more information, visit www.plgc.org.   Westminster slates Payson High Choirs gig
Payson High Choirs will perform at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 21 at 10 a.m., located at 3598 Talbot St.    Payson High Choirs, consisting of Bel Coro, the large concert choir and Trouveres, the chamber choir, are traveling to San Diego for an annual choir tour this year. The choirs are under the direction of Marilyn Morgan.  Payson High School is located in the small town of Payson, 20 minutes south of Provo, Utah.  The Payson community has a long history of high musical achievement. The choirs have won numerous awards over the last 30 years as they have toured and competed in various choir festivals like the Heritage Music Festival.  For more information, call Westminster Presbyterian Church at (619) 223-3193. Thrift shop sets sale with international flavor The American Cancer Society Point Loma Discovery Shop, 3609 “C” Midway Drive, is offering customers the opportunity to experience international shopping during its annual “Around The World” event on Friday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A wide array of items have been put aside to make shopping fun and exciting. All proceeds go to cancer research and education. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. For more information, visit cancer.org/discovery, or call (619) 224-4336.