Motorcycle crash kills young serviceman A makeshift memorial, placed at the corner of Cañon and Rosecrans streets marks the location of a motorcycle accident that took the life of 22-year-old serviceman Blake Martin on March 31. According to San Diego police officer Rod Fischer, Martin apparently raced his Suzuki 1000 around two cars in an attempt to beat a yellow light when he slammed into a black Cadillac making a left turn. Martin was thrown over the car and onto the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The 64-year-old female driver of the Cadillac was taken to a hospital with cuts and bruises. — Mike Ryan Peninsula planners look to fill vacant seats The Peninsula Community Planning Board plans to fill two board vacancies at its upcoming meeting April 21. Applicants are subject to the same requirements as applicants for general elections. According to planning members, the term of the office will be for the balance of the vacated terms in 2012 and 2013. For more information, call Helen Kinnaird at (619) 224-9897, or visit www.pcpb.net. PL student in 2nd season at San Diego Opera Caterina Brown, a 10-year old Dana Middle School fifth-grader, has been cast in two San Diego Opera productions for the 2011 season. Brown performed in San Diego Opera’s “Turandot” in January and February and will appear in “Carmen” (May 14, 17, 20, and 22) at the San Diego Civic Center. Her opera debut was in last year’s San Diego Opera production of “La Boheme.” Brown is active in the musical theater program at Dana Middle School, the St. Cecelia choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and has performed with Pacific Children’s Theater, Pickwick Players and San Diego Junior Theater. Students help military members aiding Japan Students and staff at Sacred Heart Academy in Ocean Beach rallied to aid members of U.S. Navy deployed to Japan to help in the post-earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. More than 200 pounds of aid and supplies were collected and packed up March 28 for shipment to the 15 ships assigned to the USS Reagan task force, which has been on site in Japan giving aid and providing supplies since the day after the disaster. Items included Easter goodie bags, puzzle books, DVDs, note paper, reading lights, beef jerky, granola bars and candy. Among those pitching in to aid the sailors was Damien Honda, 7, a first-grader at Sacred Heart Academy whose father, Dagan, is assigned to the USS Reagan aircraft carrier. Busker Festival to return to Seaport Village Seaport Village will again host the Spring Busker Festival, bringing colorful street performers out for a two-day package of entertainment ranging from juggling to sword swallowing and contortionism to comic stunts. The event takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, although there is also Buskers After Dark on Saturday, April 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. The untamed show will feature a DJ, food and drink specials and multiple busker acts best suited for those over 18.  Seaport Village’s Spring Busker Festival is the only of its kind in California.  A shuttle will run from the County Administration Building at 1600 Pacific Highway. Parking is $10 for the day and shuttles will run every 15 minutes from noon to 6 p.m. For more, call (619) 235-4014, or visit www.seaportvillage.com. Group sets talk, sale of native plants Members of the Point Loma Garden Club will host a presentation in conjunction with California Native Plant Week, which runs April 17 through 23. The club will host Richard Dhu of the San Diego River Park Foundation, who will speak on the native plant garden in Point Loma and the value of native plants to the community. The presentation takes place beginning at noon on Saturday, April 16 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St. The Point Loma Garden Club will also be having a plant sale at the church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a variety of succulents, seeds, heirlooms tomatoes and native plants. For more information, visit www.plgc.org. Easter-themed event to benefit Rady’s Legends Escrow Services, Inc. will host “Easter Bunny Drive 2011” today, April 7, to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. The event will include a guest appearance by Craig D. Swing, radio show host of “Real Talk” on 1170AM-KCBQ. Guests are asked to bring a stuffed bunny to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. The event runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Wine Steals Liberty Station, 2970 Truxtun Road. RSVP by calling (619) 709-7669, or emailing [email protected]. Community egg hunt planned in Ocean Beach The Robb Field Recreation Council and the Ocean Beach Recreation Council will host a Spring Egg Hunt at Robb Field, 2525 Bacon St., on Saturday, April 16. The family-friendly event begins at 10 a.m. with face painting, fire-truck rides, balloons, free popcorn and the egg hunt with our spring bunny. For more information, call (619) 531-1563.