Retired military to hold unity meeting
The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) invites all retired, as well as active duty military to a unity meeting scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at Coco’s Restaurant, 1324 E. Main St. in El Cajon.
Coco’s will offer a no-host “Linner,” so those who attend can have a late lunch or early dinner.
“We’re starting a new chapter of The Retired Enlisted Association here in San Diego County,” said Fred Langston, interim president of the new chapter. “Nationally we have about 800,000 members, but there’s never been one in San Diego County. So we’re forming one and this will be our second meeting.”
Headquartered in Denver, Colo., TREA comprises mostly retired veterans working to reclaim lost benefits that would improve the quality of life for retired veterans.
TREA has been working hard to get back the benefits that have been lost over the years. The organization aims to keep current and future retirees informed about current events in Washington that directly affect them.
Active duty, reserves, National Guard and military retirees are invited to come to the meeting as well.
For information call Langston, (760) 788-6701, or e-mail milvet99@sbcglobal.net.

Seniors-4-Kids seeks volunteers
Grossmont College Child Development and Family Studies Department is looking for senior volunteers, 55 years and older, interested in partnering with their choice of 14 preschools in the city of San Diego as part of the Seniors-4-Kids program.
Volunteers would help preschool-aged children up to age 5 with pre-reading skills, language skills and other early learning activities at a time that is “critical to brain development,” said Lorraine Martin, a professor of Child Development at Grossmont College and the program’s director.
“They also offer emotional support to children having a difficult time in their young lives,” Martin said. “Our volunteers love helping children and are energized by being with them.”
Although the training is at Grossmont College, the preschools are located throughout San Diego.
The program, which works under contract with the First Five Commission of San Diego County in partnership with Aging and Independent Services, is an Intergenerational Grant designed to use the skills and abilities of people over 55 to help young children.
Funding for the program comes from a tax on tobacco products designated for programs for children age 5 and under.
Volunteers must complete eight hours of training over two days at Grossmont College, as well as 12 hours of training scheduled by Aging and Independent Services, which usually consists of three modules.
They must also complete Live Scan and tuberculosis (TB) testing prior to approval.
Volunteers also qualify for a stipend each time they complete a time sheet with 30 hours of service. The program’s pay schedule is every other month, which allows for a volunteer with 30 hours per month, for two months, to receive $270.
“This is such a good program because it provides direct services to children,” Martin said. “Our volunteers are a very capable, enthusiastic group of people who thrive on being active and giving back to the community.”
Those interested in volunteering for the Seniors-4-Kids program are invited to attend an orientation meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 16 and Thursday, Aug. 17, which will run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. both days, at Grossmont College, Room 371.
For information, including a map of the campus to room 371, call Lorraine Martin, (619) 644-7398.

Smoking ban will get amended next month
An ordinance outlawing smoking at all City of San Diego beaches and parks has created some disagreement over whether or not beach boardwalks will also be smoke-free.
Pam Hardy, spokeswoman for District 1 Councilman and Council President Scott Peters, said the ordinance, which passed with an 8-0 vote by the City Council June 19, was created with the intent of including the boardwalk.
But because it is a public right-of-way, it is part of the city’s Streets Division and not included in the city beach and park areas, she said.
An amendment to the original ordinance is in progress, but must wait for another vote after the legislative recess, which ends Sept. 12.
George Biagi, the mayor’s deputy press secretary, has said that currently there is nothing on the table to include the boardwalk in the ordinance.
Pending consultation with advisory committees, the mayor envisions allowing smoking in leasehold areas within city parkland and on public rights of way, according to a press release from the Parks and Recreation Department.
The original ordinance, which bans smoking on city beaches and in parks, will take effect Aug. 17 and fine violators initial penalties of $250.
People smoking on the boardwalk will not be fined, though that may change in the coming months.
The ban also includes all city-owned open space, including golf courses, community pool facilities and tennis centers, said Andy Field, administrative services manager for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Recognizing that some park users want to smoke, the Park and Recreation Department will be soliciting input from community groups and organizations during the next 60 days regarding “designated smoking permitted areas” within the city’s park system.
These areas will be discussed throughout the month of September, with Mayor Jerry Sanders giving the final decision as to which areas would allow smoking, Field said.
The goal is to have the “designated smoking permitted areas” established well before the end of the calendar year, Field said.