Celebrate scouting! La Jolla United Methodist Church will celebrate Scout Sunday on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. The contributions to church and community by scouting organizations is significant, and this Sunday has been set aside to recognize all of our community scouting organizations and their leaders, past and present. La Jolla United Methodist Church is especially proud of Boy Scout Troop 506, founded 46 years ago and chartered by the church ever since. Over the years, Troop 506 has produced 56 Eagle Scouts. It currently consists of 40 youths and 16 registered adult leaders, led by Scoutmaster Clark Smith. The ultimate mission of Troop 506 is to impart the principles of the Scout Oath and Law and to enable the boys to grow into ethical and self-reliant young men. That mission is being fulfilled! Community service is a hallmark of the troop. Recent Eagle projects have included creating a meditation garden at La Jolla Congregational Church; renovating the exterior of the Florence Riford Senior Center; improving areas of Crest Canyon, Balboa, Marian Bear and Torrey Pines parks; completing numerous projects at La Jolla High, Pacific Beach and La Jolla elementary schools, the La Jolla United Methodist Church Pre-School, and for the Audubon Society. The troop also sponsors an annual Christmas service project for the needy and helps out its home church every March after the annual rummage sale. Troop 506 scouts also like to have fun with events such as backpacking in the Sierras, canoeing down the Colorado River, skiing at Big Bear and rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park. They enjoy many such activities plus overnight camping trips to local parks, exploring local hiking trails and working on merit badges and rank advancement. La Jolla United Methodist Church wishes to acknowledge not only the members and leaders of Troop 506, but also ALL of the other wonderful and productive scouting organizations of the community this coming Sunday. All generations of scouts, past and present, and their families are cordially invited and encouraged to attend — and don’t forget to wear your uniforms, badge sashes or any other mementos you may have of current or past scouting activities. La Jolla United Methodist Church is located at 6063 La Jolla Blvd. For information, call (858) 454-7108. Sandy Coler , La Jolla Pay attention to scientific facts The following is a copy of a letter to the Natural Resources and Culture Committee of San Diego City Council. When considering the marine mammal park regulations for the Children’s Pool in La Jolla regarding the Pacific harbor seal colony, be sure to remember that the following scientific reference concluded that the majority of great white shark attacks in California and Oregon often are in the vicinity of pinniped colonies. McCosker, J.E. and Lea, R.N. 2006. White shark attacks upon humans in California and Oregon, 1993-2003. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 57(17): 479-501. Please pay attention to scientific facts when formatting these beach regulations. Thank you. Anthony Ramirez, Pacific Beach