Record numbers turn out for cleanup Waterways around San Diego are a little bit cleaner this week following a record-breaking turnout for the 25th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. An estimated 65,000 pounds of trash was removed from 80 cleanup sites at the California Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19. A total of 9,587 volunteers participated at the event’s 80 cleanup sites — a record number. Trash bagged ranged from the expected — cigarette butts, bottlecaps and plastic bags — to the unexpected, including an ATM machine, a fake nose and pickles. The 80 sites in San Diego were part of a statewide effort in which 56,877 volunteers collected 801,937 pounds of trash. For more information, including additional statistics, visit www.clean upday.org. Leaked kitchen grease jams traffic A truck leaked kitchen grease along the 6700 block of La Jolla Boulevard to the Torrey Pines Road and Ivanhoe Avenue intersection at noon on Monday, Sept. 21, creating a traffic hazard along Pearl Street and a section of Girard Avenue, police said. Police were forced to close the roads, tying up traffic for several hours, San Diego Police Lt. James Filley said. “The grease has the consistency of sludge,” he said. “It took most of the afternoon to clean it up… the biggest impact was the traffic [congestion] along La Jolla Boulevard and other streets.” The Darling International Inc. truck had finished collecting the grease from a nearby restaurant. The driver left the valve open while driving along the street, Filley said. One accident with no injuries occurred when a vehicle could not stop because of the greasy road. Darling International Inc. ships, stores and disposes of food industry byproducts such as kitchen grease. Feasting on History will make rounds The La Jolla Historical Society will host its second annual progressive dinner, which will journey through historic to elegant to art-laden homes of La Jolla, coursing through a night of hors d’oeuvres and dinner to finally land at the Wisteria Cottage for dessert on Saturday, Sept. 26 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Unfortunately, the event has sold out and the waiting list is full. Featured homes include a 1923 Spanish home, where the hostess has studied at the Culinary Institute of America; an expansive California ranch home; a 1928 Mediterranean abode; an elegant Monterey-style home designed with a traditional brick courtyard and a home overlooking the La Jolla Country Club with a remarkable contemporary art collection. The event acts as less of a fund-raiser and more of an opportunity for the La Jolla Historical Society to open La Jolla’s architectural and historical gems to the community, according to Historical Society member Ruth Varonfakis. “Feasting on History’s popularity must be due to our bringing together La Jollans who share a common interest in the preservation of historic homes and who enjoy delicious food and lively conversation,” event chair Connie Branscomb said. For information, call (858) 459-5335 or visit www.lajollahistory.org. Walk/run fundraiser to help cops afford homes The San Diego Association of REALTORS® will bring back its popular 5K walk/fun run fund-raiser on Saturday, Sept. 26 to benefit the SDAR Ambassadors Foundation Everyday Heroes Program. The event, which begins at 8 a.m. at Liberty Station, aids San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers in buying homes near the neighborhoods they protect. Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 250 participants and helped raise money for six officers. Teams and individuals can sign up in advance for $25 per person and make monetary donations by calling (858) 715-8005 or visiting www.walkforcops.com.
