McKenzie to serve United Through Reading board
Point Loma resident Keith McKenzie was recently elected to the board of trustees for United Through Reading, a San Diego-based nonprofit organization helping separated families connect through reading aloud to their children by way of DVDs.
McKenzie is vice president of Bernstein Global Wealth Management and resides in Point Loma with his wife and two children.
McKenzie is also a member of the San Diego Yacht Club and the San Diego Rotary Club.
Founded in 1989 as the Family Literacy Foundation, United Through Reading helps reduce the fear, anxiety and uncertainty felt by children separated from their parents because of military deployment, incarceration, those in the care of grandparents or those living in different regions of the country, according to program organizers.
“I am delighted to be involved with United Through Reading,” McKenzie said. “That early bond among parents and children is so important in charting a successful future.”
United Through Reading was the nation’s first nonprofit to promote the read-aloud experience for separated families, acording to program officials. Research indicates that being read to aloud is a way for children to experience the joy of reading and to gain critical learning and communications skills.
Currently, there are more than 308,000 parents, spouses and chilren who have benefited from the nationally acclaimed program.
For more information, call (858) 481-7323, or visit www.unitedthroughreading.org.
OB resident tapped
to United Way board
As a means of helping to improve the lives of individuals and families in the region, United Way of San Diego County has tapped five local businessmen to join its board of directors, including Ocean Beach resident Joseph Craver.
Craver, CEO of San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross, joins the board soon after United Way announced a shift to a “community impact model.”
“United Way has studied the needs of the county and the community issues that matter most to our donors, and we are leading collaborative efforts to develop solutions that tackle the underlying root causes of serious problems,” said Doug Sawyer, president and CEO, United Way of San Diego County. “The new additions to the board of directors will help ensure United Way’s efforts result in measurable and lasting change.”
Craver is founder of the nationwide marketing company Galaxie Management, Inc., and is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel. Craver is a Vietnam combat veteran and was awarded numerous honors during his time in the military, including a Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross for Gallantry, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Craver also has a 25-year history of community involvement in San Diego and currently serves as chairman of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau and Public Facilities Authority for the city of San Diego. He is vice chair of MILMEC and sits on the board of directors of the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation, Midway Aircraft Museum, Holiday Bowl and the San Diego Water Authority.
United Way of San Diego County is a local, volunteer-driven organization that raises money for health and human service needs in San Diego County. United Way is focusing its efforts in three specific areas: stopping child abuse and neglect, promoting financial stability and independence, and homeless outreach and prevention. For more information, visit www.uwsd.org.
LWV organizará un almuerzo sobre temas de reforma
Otro de la serie de “Almuerzos con la Liga” será ofrecido por la Liga de Mujeres Votantes de San Diego el jueves 30 de agosto a las 11:30 am en Tom Ham's Lighthouse en Harbor Island.
El representante estadounidense Bob Filner y Christy Guerin, directora de distrito del representante Brian Bilbray, compartirán sus puntos de vista sobre “Reforma migratoria: ¿Quién gana y quién pierde?”
Abordarán los obstáculos que impidieron la aprobación del reciente esfuerzo de reforma migratoria y discutirán los cambios en la legislación futura que brindarán una mayor aceptación por parte del presidente y el Congreso.
Se servirá un almuerzo buffet para $20. Para reservaciones, envíe los cheques a LWV, 4901 Morena Blvd., #104, San Diego 92117. Para obtener información adicional, llame al (858) 483-8696.
Discovery Shop moves toward full-service status
As the Point Loma Discovery Shop prepares for the grand opening of its new location on Saturday, shop officials are touting not only the size of the new store but also its expansion to a full-service facility.
The Discovery Shop, owned and operated by the American Cancer Society, will host the fanfare event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the new, larger location, 3609-C Midway Drive.
But, according to store manager Tami Rose, one of the biggest assets of the new facility is what Cancer Society officials will be able to accomplish as a result of the store’s opening.
Rose said the new facility offers the added benefit of upper-level office space which will be used by the Cancer Society for three of its fund-raising units: Gala, which raises funds through balls, galas and theme parties; Making Strides, which raises funds through breast cancer walks; and Relay for Life, which raises money by walking/running overnight relay team events.
“We are moving toward becoming a full-service facility dedicated to supporting cancer research and education, in addition to offering great shopping for everything from clothing to household items in a spacious setting,” Rose said.
Discovery Shop officials will hold a grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is scheduled to include entertainment and refreshments donated by local merchants.The shop’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Wednesdays through Fridays; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information, call (619) 224-4336.
Point Loma library
site of new Navy exhibit
Residents currently have an opportunity to attend a historical exhibit at the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library that showcases local naval contributions.
The exhibit, “Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego ” Since 1940 On Point and at the Center of C4ISR,” is the theme of the center’s presentation.
The show runs through Aug. 31. This is the second year that the center has displayed historical and vintage items, along with photos of center-developed technology from the past and present.
SSC San Diego invents, develops, fields and delivers real-world command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies for to the nation’s military.
This year’s show features posters and photos highlighting some of the center’s current technology.
“There is a lot of interest from the community about what SSC San Diego is and does,” said library branch manager Christine Gonzalez. “Folks are delighted to learn about their neighbor on the point.”
Show organizer JoAnne Newton, SSC San Diego public affairs representative, said she plans to be on hand at the library today, Aug. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. to meet the public and answer questions about the display.
The library is located at 2130 Poinsettia Drive. Library hours are: Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.; Mondays 12:30 to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesdays 12:30 to 8 p.m.; Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Fridays 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information, call (619) 531-1539.
San Diego Blood Bank to hold local drive Aug. 19
San Diego Blood Bank is holding a public blood drive on Sunday, Aug. 19, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Point Loma Community Presbyterian, 2128 Chatsworth Blvd.
All blood donors will be rewarded with a special San Diego Blood Bank High School Challenge T-shirt at the drive.
Participants will also be able to join the San Diego Blood Bank’s “Donor Difference” program, through which participants can access an online store and track their cholesterol, pulse and blood pressure after donating.
The San Diego Blood Bank, San Diego’s largest blood-collection agency, was established in 1950 to serve patients in 50 hospitals throughout Southern California.
Eligible blood donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.
Donors are advised to eat a good meal before giving blood.
For more information or to make an appointment to donate, contact the San Diego Blood Bank at 1 (800) 4MY-SDBB, or visit www.sandiegoblood-bank.org.