Robbers strike Midway Sprint store, taco shop Armed robbers targeted two businesses, one in the Midway area, in the span of a half-hour on Oct. 8, according to San Diego Police Department investigators. The two robbers — one of whom was said to have been wielding a small black handgun — first struck a Sprint store on Rosecrans Street shortly after 7:30 p.m., They ordered two employees to the floor, allegedly taking cash and cell phone earpieces, stuffing the items in a duffle bag and backpack before fleeing, according to Sgt. Rick Nemetz. Less than a half-hour later, one of the suspects entered Rosendo’s Taco Shop on El Cajon Boulevard and allegedly pointed the handgun at employees and demanded cash before fleeing. Officers responding to the initial robbery discovered some of the stolen property from the Sprint store at a nearby car wash on Rosecrans Street. One suspect is described as a 24-year-old male, 6 feet tall with a thin build and dark complexion. The other suspect is described as a male between the ages of 22 and 24, 6 feet tall with dark complexion and a 6-inch black hat and a white bandana tied around his neck. Interactive touch-screen kiosk debuts at PLNU Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) has taken yet another step into the advancing world of high technology. University officials held an open house Sept. 3 to unveil the installation of an interactive touch-screen kiosk at the entrance of Smee Hall that features a photo and video history of the campus, an interactive map highlighting the campus’ principal buildings and information links to the school’s benefactors. The new technology was developed and installed by Vital-Signz. The touch-screen technology is housed in a custom granite kiosk. Smee Hall provides offices for PLNU’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry, Wesleyan Center and the Center for Pastoral Leadership. According to Richard Corwin, founder and CEO of Vital-Signz, the system’s PC-based controller and video-streaming technologies were developed entirely in-house and are among the most advanced in the industry. Corwin said the technology is currently in use at a half-dozen museums and other attractions in Santa Barbara. According to Vital-Signz officials, the “Campus Virtual Visitor Center’” was selected for Smee Hall to provide a central point of information for visitors and to provide a visual tribute to the honorees and 260 donors that contributed funds for the facility. Video and graphic content showcasing the university’s history, facilities, programs and campus was created by Vital-Signz under the guidance of Michele Corbett, PLNU’s director of marketing and creative services. For further information, visit www.PointLoma.edu.?Affordable housing forum planned at PLNU Registration is under way for the San Diego Housing Federation’s 17th annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference. The conference, which is expected to draw around 300 participants, will be held Friday, Oct. 17 at Point Loma Nazarene University, 3900 Lomaland Drive. The event will include developers and those who design, build, finance and manage the 35,000 affordable homes and apartments in San Diego County. The keynote speaker will be San Diego Housing Commission president and CEO Richard Gentry, who recently took over leadership of the commission. The conference begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast and opportunities to explore about 25 exhibits. The conference continues through 3:30 p.m. with three rounds of workshops. For prices and registration, call (619) 239-6693, or visit www.housingsandiego.org. Women’s club hosts cancer awareness event The San Diego Alumnae chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, an international women’s fraternity and nonprofit organization, will host a fashion show and luncheon Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Kona Kai Resort in Point Loma to help support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The “Pretty in Pink” luncheon will feature fashions by Talbots of University Towne Centre, a silent auction and views of San Diego Bay. Silent auction items were donated by chapter members and local organizations and include a signed picture of San Diego Padres catcher Chase Headley and a ball signed by Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. Proceeds from the auction and luncheon will benefit breast cancer awareness, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, scholarships and local philanthropies. The “Pretty in Pink” luncheon costs $55 and includes parking at the Kona Kai Resort. The silent auction and raffle will begin at 11 a.m. and the luncheon and fashion show will begin at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call (858) 488-7815. Free marriage workshops held for returning soldiers American soldiers returning from overseas — along with their spouses — will soon be able to take advantage of Mission Strong Connections, a series of no-cost marriage workshops held at Liberty Station in Point Loma. The workshops will be facilitated by Wanda Garner, M.S., M.A., and sponsored by Lifewellness Institute and Freedom is Not Free. Mission Strong Connections is designed for American soldiers who have faced tension, disappointment, conflict and loneliness in their marriages since their return from Iraq and Afghanistan. These workshops are offered free as a way to honor and assist those families who have dedicated themselves to defending the country. Each 2½-day workshop will focus on stepping out of negative communication patterns, expressing wants and needs effectively and offering comfort and support. The workshops will use “emotionally focused couples therapy,” which research shows to be more than two times more effective than traditional marriage counseling, according to program organizers. Workshops will be held at Point Loma Oct. 23-25, although the exact location is not being released for confidentiality reasons. To register or for more information, call (858) 404-0305, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.wandagarner.com. MTS names Point Loman as COO for rail arm Point Loma resident E. Wayne Terry has been named the new chief operating officer for the Metropolitan Transit System’s rail arm. Terry has more than 37 years of experience in the rail industry — 27 of them associated with the San Diego Trolley, said MTS officials. As COO, Terry will have primary responsibility for the oversight of San Diego Trolley’s annual $28 million budget, which boasts 500 employees, 134 light rail vehicles and 54.2 miles of track with 53 stations. He will be charged with providing safe and timely service to more than 37 million annual riders. As one of the original employees in 1981, Terry has served as vice president of operations since 2003. He has been involved in creating and executing start-up plans for nine extensions to the San Diego Trolley system and has been part of numerous industry peer reviews and was instrumental in developing and managing special -event light-rail service plans for major events, including the 1996 Republican National Convention, the 1998 Super Bowl, the 1998 National League Championship games and the 1998 World Series. Terry is also an avid sailor and is a member of the board of directors of the San Diego Yacht Club, currently serving as its commodore. Ballast Point brewery to host fundraiser Ballast Point Brewing Co. will host its 12th anniversary party and beer festival Oct. 25 at Liberty Station’s North Promenade in Point Loma as part of a fundraising event to benefit the YMCA Youth and Family Services Division and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Ballast Point will be joined by more than 15 other local breweries in putting on the event, according to organizers. Participants will enjoy live island-style music from San Diego-based Pau Hana and receive 10 4-ounce tasters for the price of admission. Tickets are $35 if purchased online in advance or $40 the day of the event. “Our previous experiences with sponsoring nonprofit organizations have been overwhelmingly positive,” said Jack White, founder and president of Ballast Point Brewing Co. “And the outpouring of support that we have received from the San Diego community has truly been inspirational.” Ballast Point Brewing Co. distributes five of the brewers’ favorite beers commercially — the Yellowtail Pale Ale, Calico Amber Ale, Big Eye I.P.A., Black Marlin Porter and Wahoo Wheat Beer. For more information about Ballast Point Brewing Co. and the anniversary party/beer festival, call (858) 695-2739, or visit www.BallastPoint.com. Old Aztec Athletic Club to hold youth rugby clinics The San Diego Old Aztec Athletics Club is preparing to open signups for the new Youth Rugby League season and will be hosting demonstrations and free clinics through the end of the month. Sign-ups are for youths ages 5-18 and will be held Sunday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Park in Ocean Beach and Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the same location. Practices begin Saturday, Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. The league offers organized coed, non-contact (touch) divisions for boys and girls 9 and under, full-contact (tackle) rugby for boys 8-18 in four divisions and full-contact rugby for girls 10-18 in four divisions. For more information, call (619) 814-5570, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.san-diegoyouthrugby.com. Howl-O-Ween Festival and Street Fair slated The Ocean Beach Canine Carnival returns with its third annual “Howl-O-Ween Festival and Stree Fair with another free party for the dog-loving community on Sunday, Oct. 26. The event will feature games, a canine costume parade with prizes, a silent auction and a street fair with food and goodies for pets and people. The carnival is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Santa Monica Avenue between Ebers Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. According to organizers, this year’s Canine Carnival will have more human- and dog-friendly events than ever before, including an agility course, bobbing-for-bones, a dog psychic and paw art. The costume contest is expected to feature multiple judging categories, including single dog, groups of two or more dogs and floats. Floats will feature dogs riding in wagons and on skateboards. All registered dogs will receive a special gift bag and are eligible for prizes. Judging will occur throughout the event until the end of the parade. The Howl-O-Ween Festival is presented by the Ocean Beach Kiwanis in association with the Ocean Beach Recreation Council and primary corporate sponsor, Dog Beach Dog Wash. Proceeds will go toward community projects for Ocean Beach, such as college scholarships, beach clean-ups, food drive, toy collection and supplies for a local women’s shelter. Dog registration will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a parade of the registered dogs at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded around 3 p.m. The event is free for people, but registration is $5 for a single dog and $8 for groups and floats. A city ordinance requires dogs to be restrained on a leash with a maximum length of six feet at all times. For more information, call (619) 225-8705 or (619) 225-2237, or e-mail [email protected].