Peters announces new MTS route, curb ramps
San Diego City Council President Scott Peters and Metropolitan Transit System CEO Paul Jablonski announced a new MTS line in University City on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at a public meeting at the Westfield UTC Shopping Towne Centre.
Peters and Jablonski traveled on an MTS bus to the meeting, which took place at the Miami Grille, and explained that “The Circulator,” or the new route, will be bidirectional and connect UCSD, UTC, Scripps and Thornton hospitals, as well as areas south of Nobel Drive.
The new service will run every 30 minutes every day of the week.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, Peters attended an event to celebrate the completion of a series of curb ramps in La Jolla. Four new ramps were installed on Cliffridge Avenue near the La Jolla YMCA and Torrey Pines Elementary School.
Peters plans to use more than $300,000 of the city’s overall $15.5 million CDBG allocation for 2007 to support 100-plus projects, most of which will assist the disabled.

Weekend workshop will focus on Bird Rock
Stepner Design Group and the Bird Rock Community Council will collaborate to present a workshop allowing residents to voice their opinions on how the neighborhood should look concerning buildings and other new developments.
The goal of the workshop and overall project is to refine the community’s code regulations to better represent the character of Bird Rock, and address needed improvements.
The workshop begins at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3 at the Masonic Lodge, 5565 La Jolla Blvd., and wraps up Monday, Nov. 4. A project overview lecture by project manager Howard Blackson, a meeting for Bird Rock business owners and a project site and surrounding area tour will be offered as part of the workshop.
Residents will also have the chance to review what Stepner Design has already developed for the Bird Rock project.

Walkers get organized for education
Participants from across the county are getting ready for the third annual Dollars for Scholars Walk for Education on Saturday, Nov. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at National University, 11355 N. Torrey Pines Road.
“The purpose of the program is to raise funds for local students to go to college or vocational schools and increase awareness about education,” said Katie O. Whaleen-Elsbree, president of Dollars for Scholars for Ocean Beach. “There are 16 chapters across San Diego now, including some brand-new ones.”
Registration happens at 9 a.m., with the 5K walk to follow at 10 a.m. Participants can walk for free, although there is a $25 donation required to obtain the T-shirt.
“We are expecting 500 people to participate in the walk this year to raise money for higher education,” Whaleen-Elsbree said. “It is a fun, short and educational walk and we are always looking for more participants.”
Visit www.walkforeducation.org.

LJ restaurant owner robbed in his garage
A 50-year-old La Jolla man and local restaurant owner was parking in the garage of his Sea Ridge Drive residence at 9:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, when he was attacked by two men, both in their 30s or 40s and wearing dark clothing.
One of the suspects, clad in a mask similar to that worn in the movie “Scream” (1996), beat the victim and took several hundred dollars from his pocket, according to police reports.
A man who was working at the victim’s home came to his aid and hit the suspect over the head with a hammer, according to police reports. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for head injuries. The suspects are at large.
“We are looking at the possibility that he was set up,” said Lt. Lawrence McKinney of the San Diego Police Northern Robbery Division. “These people may have been watching him a while, knew what business he was involved in and that he carried a lot of cash.”
Detectives have no leads but are trying to link the incident to prior cases involving home invasions where perpetrators wore masks, which has involved conferring with FBI agents.
“Right now we don’t have much to go on, but we are certainly trying to put the pieces together,” McKinney said.

College admissions experts answer questions
A college admissions panel discussion, featuring deans of admissions from Columbia University in New York, Stanford University, University of California at San Diego and Pomona College will be hosted by Pacific Ridge School from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the La Jolla Radisson.
Parents and students from Pacific Ridge School, a new independent facility located in North County, are invited, as well as families from La Jolla Country Day School, La Jolla High School, Cathedral Catholic High and Francis Parker.
Information about the college admissions and selections process will be offered and the panel will address any questions that students or adults might have.
Although the event is free, seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (877) 843-4424 or visit www.pacificridge.org.

Holiday shopping will benefit League House
As the holiday season fast approaches, stores get crowded and finding the perfect present becomes increasingly difficult.
But the Social Service League of La Jolla wants to make it easier by offering “Wrap it Up for the Holidays,” an event that brings 40 local vendors together to provide a selection of unique gift ideas, on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Darlington House.
In the spirit of holiday giving, all proceeds will support the 52 elderly residents at the League House.
“We sent out 1,000 invitations and we’re hoping for a really good turnout,” said Helen Kimball, a Darlington House volunteer. “It was extremely successful last year. This is a great way for these vendors to either introduce themselves or renew business acquaintances and friendships from years past, so everyone’s a winner, really.”
Tree and holiday decorating demonstrations, dessert tips and wine pairing will be included in the festivities, with food catered by Tapenade Restaurant, Culinary Concepts and California Cuisine.
The Social Services League of La Jolla is a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to provide funding for lower-income seniors who live in the League House through fund-raising events at the Darlington House.
Raffle tickets for items offered by individual vendors will be $5, or six for $25. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information, contact Helen Kimball, (858) 459-7270, or sends checks to: Social Service League of La Jolla, PO Box 831, La Jolla, CA 92038.

Chargers player, fiancée open top clothing store
Antonio Gates, a tight end for the San Diego Chargers, and his fiancée Elizabeth Patterson, a former model and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, will hold a grand opening for their new store “Elizabeth’s Closet,” from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.
The store will carry clothing lines for both men and women, with lines from a range of famous designers, such as Sherry Nikka and Catherine Malandrino.
“Elizabeth’s Closet” is located at 1261 Prospect St. For information, call (858) 459-4673.

Brockton Villa reception to boost Historical Soc.
Brockton Villa restaurant, 1235 Coast Blvd., will celebrate its 15th anniversary Thursday, Nov. 9, with a gala reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, wine stations, raffles and giveaways.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the La Jolla Historical Society. For reservations or information, call (858) 459-5335 or visit www.ljhs.org.