Police hunting suspected WaMu bank robber
Police are looking for a man who allegedly robbed the Washington Mutual on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard on Friday, Dec. 14, at about 2:15 p.m.
The man, described as a white male, about 40 years old, wearing a baseball cap and green Army-style jacket, walked into the Washington Mutual facility, 1881 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., and gave the teller a note demanding cash.
The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of money, said SDPD Lt. Vincent Villalvaso.
“He didn’t show any weapon,” Villalvaso said, “[but] the mere fact he’s presenting a demand note for the money is a threat.”
Police said the robbery was one of four bank robberies that occurred in San Diego County in the span of about an hour and a half.
The robbery in Point Loma does not appear to be connected to the other robberies ” one of which took place in San Ysidro and two in Carmel Valley. Security cameras led police to believe the same suspect robbed the two banks in Carmel Valley, Villalvaso said.
Residents with information about the robberies are urged to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS.
Christmas tree collection sites established by city
Now that the Christmas holiday has passed, the city has set up a number of Christmas tree collection sites for the beach communities.
Trees can be dropped off for recycling at the following locations:
“¢ Mission Bay: SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Highway.
“¢ La Jolla: Kate Sessions Park, Soledad Road and Loring Street.
“¢ Ocean Beach: Robb Field, 2525 Bacon St.
“¢ University City: Swanson Pool, 3585 Governor Drive.
Half-price animal
adoptions still available
There’s only a few days left to take advantage of County Department of Animal Services’ half-off offer for dog and cat adoptions.
The adoption fee for cats has been reduced to $29 and for dogs $35 until Monday, Dec. 31. The shelter is also waiving fees for any animal that has been at the shelter for more than 30 days. Also, anyone who has adopted a cat from Animal Services within the year can adopt a second cat at no charge.
All animal adoptions include spaying or neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and a health examination.
The shelter at 5480 Gaines St. is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For information call (619) 236-4250 or visit www.sddac.com.
Hornblower Cruises extends invitation to rescue workers
Hornblower Cruises & Events, along with Mayor Jerry Sanders, announced a monthlong extension of the company’s thank-you to the first responders of October’s wildfires. Throughout the month of December, firefighters, police officers, sheriff department officers and first responders involved in helping to fight the San Diego wildfires will receive free admission for themselves and one guest aboard any of Hornblower Cruises & Events’ one- or two-hour Harbor Cruise & Sea Lion Adventure on San Diego Bay.
There are six daily Harbor Cruises starting at 10 a.m.
Hot food, snacks and beverages are available on board during daily harbor cruises. Call (619) 686-8715 for more information or visit www.hornblower.com
Henry’s Grab ‘n’ Give to Father Joe’s Villages
This holiday season, from now until Dec. 31, Henry’s Farmers Market is hosting its Grab ‘n’ Give food drive benefiting Father Joe’s Villages. Henry’s patrons can drop off non-perishable food items at collection bins at the front of any of the 19 participating Henry’s Farmers Market stores in San Diego, including the North Park store, 4175 Park Blvd., the Pacific Beach location, 1260 Garnet Ave., Point Loma store, 3315 Rosecrans St. and the University City location at 3358 Governor Dr.
The items collected will benefit Father Joe’s Villages, its fire relief program and 4,000 meals that the Villages serve each day.
To make giving even more convenient for customers, Henry’s is providing prepackaged Grab ‘n’ Give grocery bags filled with items that are appropriate for Father Joe’s meals and other holiday and fire relief food drives.
For more information on Henry’s Farmers Markets visit www.henrysmarkets.com. For more information on Father Joe’s Villages visit www.neighbor.org.
Giant Panda cub at zoo finally gets a name
The San Diego Zoo announced on Monday, Nov. 26 that the now 21-week-old giant panda cub would be named Zhen Zhen.
After sorting through more than 2,400 names submitted by San Diego Zoo visitors, the Zoo’s giant panda team narrowed the names down to four and gave people all over the world the opportunity to vote for their favorite. The Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association approved the four finalist names.
Zhen Zhen, which means precious, garnered more than 50,000 votes at 36 percent. This is the first time the Zoo has given the public an opportunity to be heavily involved in the naming of the giant panda cub.
Zhen Zhen has not yet made her public debut. As of Nov. 28 she had taken her first steps and received the last in a series of vaccinations to protect the cub from disease.
Zhen Zhen and her mother Bai Yun can be viewed 24 hours a day through the Zoo’s Panda Cam at www.sandiegozoo.org.
University of Phoenix offers new programs
The University of Phoenix San Diego campus announced its new program to certify nursing professionals who wish to teach and guide the education of up-and-coming nurse practitioners with a four course, 12-unit certification program.
Nurses who currently have a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) or a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) can take the education specialization to teach as adjunct faculty in area nursing schools. This can help ease the burden of students who are waiting for admission into traditional nursing programs, and they can complete the needed coursework to begin their career in the nursing and health care fields.
For more information on the nursing educator certificate program and the psychology program visit www.phoenix.edu.