The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) got a positive reaction May 8 from the La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) after DAR members suggested Kellogg Park be considered by the LJSA as historically significant. “If you’re amenable, the La Jolla chapter of the DAR wants to know if there are any areas in La Jolla Shores that would be suitable for being marked historically,” said Barbara Denny of the DAR, a nonprofit, women’s organization for descendants of individuals who aided in achieving American independence. The DAR is noted for its historical preservation work. “We wanted to gauge your interest. It’s really a beautiful spot,” said Denny. Denny brought photos of plaques sponsored by the DAR marking historic spots, including one in the La Jolla Library bearing a bust of La Jolla philanthropist Florence Riford. LJSA board member Mary Coakley Munk suggested the base of the flagpole at the south entrance of La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club might be another spot worthy of historic designation in the Shores. Denny urged community members to suggest spots they’d like to see historically designated by the DAR. She can be reached by mail at [email protected]. Benjamin Lewis, the LJSA’s new lifeguard representative, told the advisory group it’s anticipated that the new Shores Lifeguard Tower will be completed before the summer construction moratorium starts on Memorial Day. “The tower is something that’s been on everybody’s mind, as well as ours, and we’re (lifeguards) getting in there pretty soon, though we don’t have a date yet,” Lewis said. Coakley Munk suggested the advisory group write a letter to the city stating “we would be fine with the work continuing, including the demolition of the old tower, after Memorial Day because it doesn’t start to get really busy there (Shores beach) until the end of June. The city should know we’d be supportive of something like that.” Lewis added there have been an increasing number of marine-mammal carcasses turning up on the beach in La Jolla Shores and at Black’s Beach, which have had to be removed. “A lot of them are starving,” he said. LJSA chairman Tim Lucas noted there are presently three board vacancies on the group, adding, “We need better outreach.” Lucas also commented on a luncheon meeting LJSA board members enjoyed recently with University of California, San Diego chancellor Pradeep Khosla. “What was interesting for me personally was that UCSD’s student population enrollment has been down the last two years,” Lucas said, adding he was also surprised that the size of the university’s budget devoted to students was actually relatively small compared with its research and medical budgets. “They’re (UCSD) trying to make this campus the jewel of research,” he said. “It’s one of the top six universities in medical research in our country.” UCSD community relations representative Anu Delouri confirmed UCSD student enrollment is holding steady. “There are 26,999 full-time equivalent students this year, of which 6,000 are grad students, which is less than the number of students enrolled in 2008,” she said, noting the university’s staff numbers about 19,000. “Health sciences is where the growth is happening, in medical,” Delouri said. Neighborhoods near UCSD have had ongoing problems with students taking up parking there intended for residents. New LJSA board member Matthew Edwards suggested the board keep pressure on the city to consider the possibility of adding a ranger to patrol Kellogg Park, one of the city’s busiest summer beach areas. “A ranger is critical in the park,” Edwards said. “It also keeps the community a beautiful place.” LJSA’s next meeting will be June 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Building T-29 at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. For more information, visit www.ljsa.org.