City freed in cross case
The United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit removed the City of San Diego from the Mount Soledad Cross case when it dismissed an appeal, according to a June 11 ruling.
According to a press release from City Attorney Michael Aguirre, Steve Trunk and Philip Paulson sued the city and the federal government after the government acquired the Mount Soledad Veterans War Memorial, which includes the Mount Soledad cross. The men “” who said they were atheists “” asked the court to remove the cross, claiming the location of the religious symbol violated their state and federal rights.
The U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit dismissed the plaintiffs’ appeal because they did not file on time, according to Aguirre’s office.
“The City of San Diego is no longer a named party in a lawsuit that seeks to declare unconstitutional the federal law that permitted the city’s transfer of the Mt. Soledad Veterans War Memorial to the federal government,” Aguirre’s office said.
The June 11 ruling affirmed “the dismissal of the city from the lawsuit, [and] upholds Judge Burns’ ruling. The lawsuit will continue to proceed only against the federal government,” the press release said.

LJCPA seeks new board members
The La Jolla Community Planning Association, advisory group to the City of San Diego, is accepting applications for locals to run in an election to fill three vacant board seats.
The group will hold an election Thursday, Aug. 7, to fill the remaining term of three trustee seats, including that of former LJCPA president Tim Golba, who recently moved to the city’s planning commission, and Sherri Lightner, candidate in a November runoff for the District 1 City Council seat. According to LJCPA president Joe LaCava, one seat will expire in March 2009 and two in March 2010.
“This is your chance as a La Jollan to have a say in local planning affairs and to let your voice be heard on all projects in La Jolla,” LaCava said in a prepared statement. “This is an excellent opportunity for anyone with an interest in local planning to get involved and give back to the community.”
Eligible candidates must be members of the LJCPA in good standing who have attended at least three LJCPA meetings during the past 12 months prior to Aug. 7.
Elected trustees are expected to attend monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., LaCava said. The LJCPA appoints volunteers to other local committees, including Planned District Ordinance, Coastal Development Permit, La Jolla Shores Permit Review, Traffic & Transportation, and La Jolla Parking Advisory Board.
Deadline for submitting a letter of interest is the group’s July 3 meeting, LaCava said. The LJCPA will hold a candidate forum during the July 3 meeting at 6 p.m. at La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
For more information, or to submit a letter or e-mail of interest, e-mail [email protected] or leave a message for Joe LaCava, (858) 456-7900.
For information about the organization, membership qualifications, attendance records and meetings, go to www.lajollacpa.org.

Children’s charities team up to collect stuffed toys
The Child Abuse Prevention Foundation (CAPF) and United Way are teaming up to provide a little comfort by collecting 10,000 stuffed animals for 10,000 abused and neglected San Diego children.
This Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will be accepting new stuffed animals to “stuff the bus” as donations will fill a vintage Volvo bus at the United Way office, located at 4699 Murphy Canyon Road.
CAPF of San Diego will distribute the toys to various group homes and organizations from the United Way office on Monday and Tuesday, June 23 and 24.
For additional volunteer information, contact Kiki Schrijver, CAPF events manager, (858) 427-1107.

Library’s summer reading club begins
The Riford Library will kick off its summer reading club, “Catch the Reading Bug,” with a free Mad Science event at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21.
“Catch the Science Bug” will examine the world of insects for ages 4 to 12.
The library is located at 7555 Draper Ave.
For information, call (858) 552-1657.