“Cop Car” released into ocean yesterday On July 8 the sea lion pup nicknamed “Cop Car” was released into the ocean alongside three other sea lions after spending just over two months in the care of SeaWorld. On May 5 a disoriented “Cop Car” drew spectator and media attention on Abbot Street near Santa Monica Avenue in Ocean Beach after deciding to take refuge underneath a police vehicle for several hours. The baby sea lion was rescued by Kevin Robinson, senior animal care specialist for SeaWorld. The pup was dehydrated and weighed only 24 pounds. While at the rehabilitation facility at Sea World, the pup was fed squid and other fish making his weight at the time of release 41 pounds, a SeaWorld representative said. “Cop Car” was tagged before being released in the event that he resurfaces on land, researchers will know his medical history. However, SeaWorld hopes he will not be a repeat offender, the SeaWorld representative noted. The four sea lions were released from a SeaWorld boat three miles off La Jolla Cove. What’s happening today: FRIDAY, JULY 9 OLD TOWN • Grand re-opening of the Cosmopolitan Hotel — San Diego’s oldest building — during a gala, 7 to 10 p.m., 2660 Calhoun St. in Old Town. For more information, visit www.oldtowncosmopolitan.com. POINT LOMA • Chris Botti, 8 p.m., Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 241 Shelter Island Drive, (619) 224-1556, $56 DOWTOWN • Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour, Sat., July 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 404 Third Ave., pre-registration required by 3:30 p.m. Friday, (619) 338-9888, $2 donation per adult. LA JOLLA • Foundation for Women First Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Jolla Country Club, 7301 High Ave., (858) 483-0400, $20 What’s happening tomorrow: SATURDAY, JULY 10 LA JOLLA • Nell Carpenter/Streetscape Beautification Committee monthly cleanup, 9 a.m. to noon, Herschel Avenue from Prospect Street to Torrey Pines Road. DAILY NEWS UPDATES, July 8, 2010 Toppled hydrant shoots water sky-high in PB Water shot toward the sky in Pacific Beach this afternoon around 12:45 p.m. in front of the Firehouse American Eatery and Lounge, 722 Grand Ave., after a vehicle struck a fire hydrant. Firefighters from nearby Station 21 assisted city workers to turn off the flow of water. The geyser began to diminish around 1:10 p.m. as the source was closed off. The westbound lane at the very end of Garnet Avenue was temporarily closed while the work was finished and motorists navigated their way through streams of water on the sides of streets. Most avoided splashing nearby pedestrians who waded gingerly through huge puddles. Lunchtime diners finished their meals as they watched events unfold from patio dining overlooks, and a beach crowd gathered to witness the spectacle. Robbery accomplice sentenced to 180 days A woman linked to a robbery at a Radio Shack store in Pacific Beach with a man who committed suicide afterward after has been sentenced to 180 days in jail. The sheriff’s department reported the projected release date for Chantel Marie Lister, 23, is Aug. 4. Lister pleaded guilty to the April 8 robbery in which her friend, Brian Marino, 24, held up the store on Garnet Avenue at gunpoint. Marino and Lister fled and a motorcycle officer, Greg Lindstrom, followed them. Marino fired shots at Lindstrom when he reached the intersection of Ingraham Street and Thomas Avenue. The shots missed the officer and Marino parked his car on Sports Arena Boulevard near Phil’s BBQ. Marino fled on foot and shot himself in the head before any officer found him. Lister ran off in another direction, but was arrested. —Neal Putnam Suspects held for 2003 murder Two Arizona men remain in county jail on high bail after being charged with killing Msindi Ford, 33, in his Mission Beach home in 2003 following a botched marijuana transaction. Richard Cortel Moye, 28, and Gerardo Soto, 29, have both pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ford, who was shot to death in his home in the 700 block of Dover Court on March 18, 2003. Both men will next appear in San Diego Superior Court on Aug. 9 to set a preliminary hearing date. They were arrested in May following a long investigation by the cold case homicide team of San Diego Police. Witnesses say Ford was in the process of selling marijuana to Moye who pulled a gun and allegedly shot him several times. Moye is accused of taking a bag of cash and the marijuana before leaving. —Neal Putnam Public invited to Convention Center workshops The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is inviting the public to attend one of two community workshops to learn about the ongoing planning efforts regarding the proposed expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. The purpose of the meetings is to inform as well as gather feedback from the public on urban design, parks, waterfront enhancements and more. The first opportunity to participate will be Wed., July 14 from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Embarcadero Planning Center, 585 Harbor Lane. The second meeting will be held Sat., July 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, Room 29. A behind the scenes tour of the San Diego Convention Center and the expansion site will be provided on a first come basis as space permits at 9 a.m. Tour participants must sign up in advance with Marit Hill, [email protected], (619) 525-5215. TODAY’S EVENTS, THURSDAY, JULY 8 PACIFIC BEACH • VFW Post # 5985 meeting, 7 p.m., 853 Turquoise St., (858) 488-3631 LA JOLLA AREA • Preschool storytime and crafts, 10:30 a.m., La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.; every Thursday, (858) 552-1657, free • Beach-themed storytime, 11 a.m., Warwick’s Books, 7812 Girard Ave.; reading of David Soman’s “Ladybug Girl at the Beach,” plus beach games, giveaways, and treats; (858) 454-0347, free • La Jolla Town Council meeting, 5 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.; (858) 454-1444, www.lajollatowncouncil.org • Pianist Billy Childs and saxophonist Steve Wilson perform together, 7:30 p.m., La Jolla Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St., (858) 454-5872; www.ljathenaeum.org, $19 members, $24 non-members • Local author Marlene Wagman-Geller will discuss and sign her new book, “Eureka! The Surprising Story Behind the Ideas That Shaped the World,” 7:30 p.m., Warwick’s Books, 7812 Girard Ave.; (858) 454-0347, free DOWNTOWN ? East Village Business Improvement District meeting, 5:30 p.m., Hotel indigo, 509 Ninth St., www.eastvillagesandiego.com TOMORROW’S EVENTS, FRIDAY, JULY 9 OLD TOWN • Grand re-opening of the Cosmopolitan Hotel — San Diego’s oldest building — during a gala, 7 to 10 p.m., 2660 Calhoun St. in Old Town. For more information, visit www.oldtowncosmopolitan.com. POINT LOMA • Chris Botti, 8 p.m., Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 241 Shelter Island Drive, (619) 224-1556, $56 DOWTOWN • Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour, Sat., July 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 404 Third Ave., pre-registration required by 3:30 p.m. Friday, (619) 338-9888, $2 donation per adult.