LJHS, UCHS to hold cancer fund-raiser
“Blow the Whistle on Cancer” is the name of a fund-raiser organized by the Associated Student Bodies at La Jolla High and University City High, in association with sports officials nationwide who donate their game officiating fees to the Jimmy V. Foundation for cancer research.
The ASBs will collect donations during halftime of a basketball game this Friday, Feb. 1 at UCHS. The ASBs hope to top a previous year’s contributions of $4,600.
Those interested in helping should make checks payable to the Jimmy V. Foundation. Checks may be dropped off at the LJHS front office during the week, as well as collected at the game.
For more information, call (858) 454-3081.

Riford Center starts book, grief groups
The Florence Riford Adult Center will begin a new Book Group Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.
At the meeting, interested participants will present plans and suggest books for discussion.
For information or to sign up, call (858) 459-0831.
The center will also start a six-week grief counseling group in association with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.
This group will meet on Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. The support group is free, but new members must join at either the first or second meeting.
For information, call VITAS, (866) 418-4827.
The Riford Center is located at 6811 La Jolla Blvd.

Water Dept. calls for poster contest art
As San Diegans grapple with possible water shortages and reductions for myriad reasons, area students are preparing to get involved with their own conservation messages during the City of San Diego Water Department’s eighth annual Water Conservation Poster Contest.
Water officials are encouraging all public, private and home-school teachers to use art to teach students about the benefits of water conservation by entering the contest. The Water Department will accept entries through Wednesday, March 26.
Water officials say they hope the student-based art will help inspire the community and transform the way residents view water conservation. The theme of this year’s contest is “Water Wins.”
All students who create a poster for entry into the contest will receive a certificate of participation. Of the total submissions, 18 winners will be selected and recognized at a future City Council meeting. These 18 students will receive a U.S. Savings Bond, four tickets to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and a certificate of excellence. Winning posters will be on display in the lobby of the city Administration Building, the San Diego Watercolor Society’s gallery and the San Diego County Fair Kids Best Art Exhibit.
Specific dates for the displays are yet to be announced. Winning posters will also be featured in the city’s 2009 water conservation calendar.
Information, entry forms and a free activity book are available online at www.sandiego.gov/wat-er/conservation. For more information, call (619) 533-5312.

Science/Engineering fair seeking volunteers
Officials at the 54th annual Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair are seeking judges, students and community volunteers. The fair will take place Tuesday, April 1 through Sunday, April 6 at the Balboa Park Activity Center, 2145 Park Blvd. Judges, students and community volunteers will be needed for various times between Friday, March 28 and Monday, April 7.
This great volunteering opportunity offers flexible schedules. Volunteers can work as little or as much as they would like while fulfilling community service or internship hours. No science background is necessary.
For more information on the fair, visit www.gsdsef.org. Interested volunteers can send inquiries to [email protected] or visit the fair’s Web site above.

Tuna Challenge raises record amount for kids
The San Diego chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation raised a record $340,000 for children with threatening medical conditions at the 17th annual Tuna Challenge held late last fall.
The challenge, hosted by the Silver Gate Yacht Club and sponsored chiefly by the San Diego Credit Union and the Southern California Tribal Nations, exceeded last year’s funds by $40,000, according to organizers. The newest division of the competition, the sport boat division, brought in 70 anglers. More than 650 anglers and 130 boats participated in the competition.
Many of the anglers were out for 24 hours, according to Rachel Gershwin, director of marketing and development for the San Diego Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“The anglers enjoy the competition and they enjoy doing something for a cause,” said Gershwin.
This year’s tourney winner was Dan Green, who caught a 54.9- pound bluefin tuna. His catch was the largest in three years, Gershwin said.
Make-A-Wish children were also given the chance to participate in the day’s events for the first time in 18 years, according to organizers. Everglade Boats sponsored boat rides and mini-fishing trips for the children and their families.
“It was a fun way to incorporate our kids into the activities going on that weekend,” Gershwin said.
The day after the competition, participants attended an awards banquet featuring raffles and live and silent auctions. The grand-prize winner of the raffle package was Jeff Brill of Poway, who won an 18-foot Parker boat valued at $40,000.
Gershwin hopes for a larger turnout at the next Tuna Challenge.
“We know that things change from year to year, so we always are hopeful for a bigger and better year. But we are very grateful for the committee that does it and all the sponsors,” Gershwin said. “We are always so surprised and happy about the results.”

Decoys will draw wildlife art lovers to festival
Wildlife lovers will gather at Liberty Station’s NTC Promenade during the weekend of Feb. 9 and 10 for the 35th annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival.
The event, sponsored by Pacific Southwest Wildlife Arts, Inc., will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10.
PSWA is a nonprofit organization founded to support and promote wildfowl art, particularly the traditional hunting decoy.
More than 200 artists and carvers from the United States, Canada and Japan are expected to participate in the event and to compete for awards.
Organizers said the show has gained a national reputation as one of the best decoy competitions and wildlife art shows in the country.
Escondido artist Tom Tiedman has been named artist of the year. His watercolors exhibit bold contrasts of light and dark and realistic subjects on a loose background.
The show is funded in part by the city of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
Admission is $5, free for children under 16. The location of the event will be the Corky McMillin Events Center, 2875 Dewey Road.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call (760) 945-8442.

SeaWorld extends free military admission
SeaWorld has extended its “Here’s to the Heroes” military appreciation program through 2008, offering free admission to active duty servicemembers and three of their dependents.
Any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve and member of the National Guard can participate in the program.
Service members can either sign up online at www.herosalute.com or at the park’s entrance and show a Department of Defense ID to be admitted free at SeaWorld.