Hit-and-run victim asks for help finding driver
The victim of a recent hit-and-run is asking for the public’s help to find the driver of a 1990s-model black convertible BMW that fled the scene of an accident.
Celene Cortney, 17, was turning left onto La Jolla Boulevard from northbound Mission Boulevard at 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, when a driver ran a red light and hit her 2000 Volkswagen Beetle, sending her car over the center island and into oncoming traffic, She suffered back injuries in the accident.
According to Cortney, the arrow was green for her, and the car in front of her had already turned. The oncoming BMW struck her car about midway through the turn, then continued south into Pacific Beach. Although there were numerous witnesses, but no one could identify the license.
Anyone with information regarding the incident can call Crime Stoppers, (888) 580-8477.

Buoys will be reinstalled at Shores boat launch
The coastal commission voted unanimously to once again rope off waters near La Jolla Shores boat launch with buoys and ropes to protect swimmers from kayakers and boaters.
New signs will also indicate that the waters are open to the public, following a lawsuit by the Sierra Club that the buoys falsely suggested that the area belongs to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. The tennis club’s signs, “No Trespassing” and “Private Property,” suggested the same, according to the commission’s report.
While the tennis club owns the beach in front of the Marine Room, the public is permitted to walk the water’s edge and the ocean is open to all.
The city will take responsibility for installing the buoys from March 1 to Oct. 31, instead of relying on the tennis club as done before.
The buoys will also be placed immediately south of the boat launch at Avenida de la Playa, further north than original to indicate that the roped-off area extends beyond the tennis club.
Buoys have bobbed in the water since 1966 when the waters were designated as a swim area.

Everybody’s gone surfin’
“Surfing La Jolla, From Black’s Beach to Bird Rock” is the topic of the La Jolla Historical Society’s annual open house.
This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, July 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect St.
The former home of John Cole’s Book Store, Wisteria Cottage will soon become the Historical Society’s new headquarters.
Boards showing expansion plans for the historically designated cottage will be on display, along with an exhibition of vintage surf photos and memoriabilia. Refreshments will also be served.
For information, call (858) 459-5335.

Volunteers needed for river clean-up
The San Diego Audubon Society invites volunteers to participate in a San Diego River clean-up effort on Saturday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help pick up debris and overgrown vegetation that chokes out native plants. Wild chrysanthemums, tumbleweeds and castor bean are on the list of invasive plants not native to the area.
The clean-up effort will cover the adopted stretch of river that extends from Interstate-5 west to the mouth of the river along the small service road that lies along the bank.
“There’s a lot of small stuff, like Styrofoam cups and hamburger wrappers and stuff like that. A lot of that is blown in,” said Jim Harrison, San Diego Audubon Society member.
That area is prone to trash dumping because it’s secluded, Harrison said, even though it’s posted that dumping is prohibited. Debris, having settled there after heavy rains, is washed down as runoff to the mouth of the river.
Harrison said that one of the main reasons for the clean-up effort is to preserve the natural habitat for wild birds and other naturally occurring flora and fauna.
On alternating months, Harrison and other volunteers can be found cleaning and helping to preserve Mariners Point in Mission Bay. The spot is a well-known seasonal nesting point for least terns, which prefers clean, sandy beaches.
To reach the river work site from Sea World Drive, go south at the South Shores Park stop light about 30 feet to the service road, turn left and proceed about one-quarter of a mile east on the service road.
For more information on volunteering, call (858) 273-5242.

Sempra supports Strong student
La Jolla High School graduate Emma Strong was recently awarded a $16,000 academic scholarship by Sempra Energy as part of the company’s effort to further education in the communities in which it does business.
Strong was one of the seven students selected to receive the $4,000-a-year scholarship for four years.
Leadership qualities, community involvement and academic achievements were among the qualities considered upon selecting potential winners.
“We look for students who have a plan and show strong leadership contributions to their communities and peer groups,” said Jennifer Andrews, a Sempra Energy employee.
Strong was the captain of her high school’s cross-country team and a member of Key Club, a volunteer-based organization. She was also nominated and served as vice president to the Mariners, a prestigious honor society. Strong has contributed to her community through her volunteer efforts for the Special Olympics, Scripps Green Hospital and the Veterans Medical Research Foundation.
Her confidence and seemingly assured future are what set her apart from the sea of applicants, Andrews said.
“She really conveyed her interest in the environment and knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life,” Andrews commented.
This fall, Strong plans to attend UC Berkeley and major in bio or environmental engineering.

Belmont Park rides discounted on Tuesdays
Pleasurable summer activities for whole family can quickly add up dollar-wise, but local families can take advantage of the Belmont Park Family Nights for discounted rates on rides and attractions.
Every Tuesday through Aug. 29, families visiting Belmont Park can ride the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and other attractions for half the regular price from 4 to 11 p.m.
Tickets for the Giant Dipper will be marked down to $2.50, while a carousel ride would be $1.
“It’s become a real tradition. A lot of families latch on to it and come every week,” said Wendy Crain, general manager of San Diego Coaster Company, which owns and operates Belmont Park.
For more information, call (858) 488-1459.

Girl Scouts solict applicants for award
The Girl Scouts San Diego-Imperial Council is currently accepting applicants for the prestigious James S. Copley Award for Citizenship.
Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts who demonstrate “exemplary participation in community life” are encouraged to apply.
For 24 years, the San Diego Union-Tribune has sponsored this award that recognizes outstanding community service by a local Girl Scout.
“The nearly 30,000 Girl Scouts in our council area all help their communities through troop projects and activities,” said Mary Doyle, director of communications of the San Diego-Imperial Council, in an e-mail interview. “The Copley Award for Citizenship is an opportunity to publicly recognize and thank some of San Diego’s most active and enthusiastic young people for the difference they’re making.”
While this is an award and not a scholarship, girls are still encouraged to apply.
“Girl Scouts who share their time and talents to help make the world a better place deserve to be honored,” Doyle said. “It’s quite an experience for the Copley Award recipients, who range in age from 7 to 17 years old, to be the guests of honor at a large gathering of community leaders. The community newspapers and the San Diego Union-Tribune run stories and photos of the recipients, so it’s a nice opportunity for the girls to be recognized publicly for their good deeds. I’m sure each of them lists the honor on their college applications as well.”
A selection committee chooses the recipients. The committee includes members of the San Diego Rotary Club No. 33 Girl Scout Committee, headed by Suzy Spafford. The committee will select one recipient from each level of Girl Scouts.
The deadline for applications is Friday, July 21 and applications may be downloaded at www.girlscoutsssdi.org/copley or requested by calling (619) 610-0710.
Winners will be announced on Aug. 24 at a luncheon meeting of the San Diego Rotary Club, during which they will receive a plaque. Their names will also appear in the council’s newsletter and on a perpetual plaque displayed at the Balboa Service Center.