MAN WHO CORNERED BOY AT ROBB FIELD GIVEN A YEAR
A man who held a 7-year-old boy against his will at Robb Field has been sentenced to one year in jail and ordered to stay away from the Ocean Beach park where the boy had been playing Little League baseball.
After Jarrod Dwayne West, 28, finishes his jail term, he will be supervised on his release and banned from the park for two years, according to the sentence handed down May 8 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Robert O’Neill.
Deputy District Attorney Julie Lynn said the boy was not molested, but West was legally bothering the youth in a Feb. 20 incident. West was given jail credits of 156 days and fined more than $1,120.
Lynn asked for an 18-month sentence. West apologized to the boy, who attended the sentencing with his mother.
O’Neill dismissed charges of attempted kidnapping and resisting arrest after West pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. In his guilty plea, West wrote that he intentionally confined the boy against his will at Robb Field. — Neal Putnam OB MAN TO STAND TRIAL IN HATCHET ATTACK An Ocean Beach man has been ordered to stand trial on charges of robbery and premeditated attempted murder of the owner of a jewelry store in El Cajon who was repeatedly struck with the blunt end of a hatchet.
Travis Scott Kelley, 24, was also ordered to stand trial for attempted mayhem, three burglaries, assault, elder abuse, grand-theft firearm and fraudulent use of another person’s credit card. A trial date was set for May 27.
The victim, Carl Hamlin, 75, testified before El Cajon Superior Court Judge John Thompson about the Jan. 22 incident that left him with a concussion and a skull fracture. Deputy District Attorney Gordon Davis said Hamlin had more than 200 stitches to close a head wound.
The alleged getaway driver, Ali Armeen Toombs, 21, of La Mesa was ordered to stand trial for robbery, felony assault, burglary and fraudulent use of another person’s identification at the end of the preliminary hearing last month. Toombs was waiting outside Hamlin’s Jewelers on the day of the attack and was not present during the assault.
The store’s security-camera footage was shown at the hearing. Davis said Kelley’s fingerprints were found on the inside door and Hamlin’s blood was found on Kelley and the passenger side of the getaway car.
Davis said Kelley faces a life term in prison if convicted of premeditated attempted murder. Kelley was arrested Jan. 24 in Ocean Beach by the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Kelley and Toombs have pleaded not guilty. Both remain in custody in lieu of $1 million and $300,000, respectively.
— Neal Putnam GAS-STATION ROBBERY SUSPECT TO FACE TRIAL
A judge has ordered a man to stand trial June 12 for the armed robbery of a USA service station in the Sunset Cliffs area.
Steven Joshua Balistreri, 36, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which also include auto theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the March 9 incident. He has a prior conviction for residential burglary.
Deputy District Attorney Jim Koerber said Balistreri stole more than $240 from the clerk and then apologized to her before fleeing. A police officer arrested him near Robb Field.
Balistreri had been free on bond from another auto-theft case that was pending in Chula Vista Superior Court and faces another charge of committing a crime while out on bail.
He remains in custody on $350,000 bail.
— Neal Putnam OB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EXPANDS SCHOLARSHIPS The Ocean Beach Scholarship Fund (OBSF) is now a program of the Ocean Beach Community Foundation and will offer new opportunities to those not only in Point Loma but in OB, as well. The OBSF has been awarding scholarships since 1986. Scholarship funds have been donated by many local groups and individuals in the Ocean Beach and Point Loma areas, including the Ocean Beach Town Council, Ocean Beach Community Foundation, Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, Point Loma Masonic Lodge, Dr. Michele Yamada, Point Loma Pointers Association, Point Loma Ocean Beach Realty Association, Elsbree House Bed & Breakfast and two environmental scholarships.
Traditionally, Point Loma High School seniors have benefited and have received all of the scholarships. This year, in addition to the PLHS scholarships, three scholarships will be available for the first time to the Ocean Beach community at large. Any adult who is in need of college financial support who lives in the 92107 ZIP code, is attending college full-time, has a minimum 2.5 GPA and has volunteered 25 or more documented hours to the Ocean Beach community is eligible to apply. The community service scholarships are awarded to students who give their time and efforts to help make the Ocean Beach community a better place for all. 
The Community Service Scholarship application is available online at www.-OceanBeachScholarshipFund.org. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 25. All applications must be postmarked no later than that date. For details, visit www.OceanBeach-ScholarshipFund.org. To help students by donating to the all-volunteer organization’s OB Scholarship Fund, email [email protected]. OBMA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR ANNUAL STREET FAIR
The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association is looking for some helping hands to volunteer in various capacities during the 35th annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on June 28.
Volunteers may sign up for three- to four-hour shifts and receive a free event T-shirt. A variety of jobs are available, including setting up and breaking down the chairs and tables at the eating areas, helping sell T-shirts and miscellaneous OBMA products, selling tickets to the chili cook-off, assisting with the community mural and other tasks.
To volunteer, leave a message at (619) 224-4021 or e-mail [email protected]. Applications may also be downloaded from the OBMA website at www.OceanBeachSanDiego.com. PLNU BREAKS GROUND ON SCIENCE COMPLEX
Point Loma Nazarene University broke ground May 8 on the long-awaited science complex addition to the Point Loma campus. University President Bob Brower was joined by the PLNU Board of Trustees, faculty, students, alumni, donors and community leaders to celebrate the new building. Twenty years in the making, the new facility will accommodate the growing number of undergraduate students wishing to study science at PLNU. The PLNU science program can now reach new heights with modern technology and collaborative research opportunities.
“The current Rohr Science Building, built in 1962, is no longer equipped to meet the demands of contemporary science,” said Brower. “This new, innovative facility will offer ample space and modern technology to ensure the growth of our program and the success of our PLNU science faculty and students.” Designed by San Diego based firm, Carrier Johnson + Culture, the 32,900-square-foot science complex will include a two-story laboratory, four attached classrooms and a rooftop patio. The facility will enable the science program to reach new heights with collaborative research opportunities and modern technology to attract quality science faculty and students.
With nearly 40 percent of PLNU’s undergraduate students majoring in one of the science-related disciplines and all undergraduate students required to complete a laboratory science course during their time at PLNU, the new building is a desirable addition to campus. PLHS SCORES PRESTIGIOUS GOLD AWARD HONOR
Point Loma High School has received the highest of honors, the Gold Award, because of a recent ranking of more than 31,000 public high schools in all 50 states.
The annual evaluation, conducted by U.S. News & World Report, in conjunction with the Washington, D.C.-based American Institutes for Research. Point Loma rated 101st in California and No. 473 nationally.
The methodology included looking at reading and math test scores for all students in a school to identify those performing above statistical expectations.
Economically disadvantaged students were evaluated to determine whether they were scoring better than the average for similar students in the state.
The final criteria examined college readiness using test data from advanced placement (college-level) courses at each school as a benchmark. Schools were measured to see which ones produced the best college-level achievement for the highest percentage of students. 
Rankings by state and nationally can be found www.usnews.com/educa-
tion/best-high-schools/national-rankings.
— Scott Hopkins POINTER ASSOCIATION GIFTS $32,000 IN GRANTS
The Pointer Association of Point Loma High School approved more than $32,000 in grants to the programs of school staff members at its May 12 meeting under the direction of president Kevin O’Beirne.
The spring allocations follow an earlier round of grants that brings the school-year total to more than $44,000.
A committee headed by Renatte Adler, vice president of programs, evaluated a wide-ranging list of requests submitted by Pointer teachers — totaling more than $63,000 — to determine the amount of funding that could be allotted for each.
The association uses an “AAA” guideline in offering balanced support of school activities. AAA stands for Academics, Arts and Athletics.
In most cases, the committee approved partial amounts of the requested funding. 
The three largest grants, at $4,750 each, went to the instrumental music program’s needs for instruments, repairs and competitions, the theater program for a new lighting computer system and athletics for underfunded sports and athletic-trainer supplies.
The committee declined to fund a $2,000 request for student planners.
A discussion was held about the usefulness of the printed planners that have been given to every student for a number of years. Principal Hans Becker said students were being polled, asking if the printed planners were most useful or whether alternatives, like online versions, were preferred.
The Pointer Association is a nonprofit organization consisting of the parents/families, students, faculty, alumni and other community members serving Point Loma High School.
— Scott Hopkins MATH LEARNING CENTER MOVES TO LIBERTY STATION
Mathnasium, an established math learning center in the Midway District, has moved to 2590 Truxtun Road in Liberty Station, Building 176, Room 104, inside of the historic schoolhouse. The new space and surrounding area will offer parents more parking in a convenient, less dense commercial location with more activities, parks and space for parents to explore while their children are being tutored. 
Parents can preview the new facility and pick up a free booklet of math-teaching tips for summer (while supplies last) at an open house on Thursday, May 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.
 Mathnasium provides quality math tutoring and math workouts for children in 2nd through 12th grade throughout the year. With summer on the horizon, parents are looking for options to keep math skills strong.  During summer, many students lose 2 to 2.5 months of math computational skill they acquired during the school year. A summer workout program two or three times a week at Mathnasium can help kids review and/or preview the coming year’s curriculum. Mathnasium offers flexible packaging that makes it possible to attend around other activities and vacations.
Hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Mathnasium will be located in the same building as the California Ballet School, Recreational Music Company and Pilates by the Bay.
For more information, call (858) 717-5634 or email [email protected]. 
 
TASTE OF POINT LOMA RETURNS JUNE 10
The Point Loma Chamber of Commerce’s 25th Taste of Point Loma, a self-guided tour of the peninsula’s restaurants and their cuisine, will take place Tuesday, June 10, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. A shuttle service will transport patrons from The Brigantine parking lot, 2725, Shelter Island Drive to 14 locales. Savor featured dishes at a series of local establishments, enhanced by a panoramic bay view, between 6 and 9 p.m. Proceeds from the event support scholarships for Point Loma High School, traditional 4th of July fireworks and the Point Loma Summer Concert series.
This year’s participants include:
• The Elegant Truffle
• Bali Hai Restaurant
• Blue Wave Bar and Grill
• Brigantine
• Fiddler’s Green Restaurant
• Northside Shack
• Living Room Café
• Miguel’s Cocina
• Mitch’s Seafood
• Old Venice Restaurante
• Point Break Café
• Redz & Greenz
• Quarterdeck at Bay Club
• Wine Pub
The cost of admission is $25 per person or $15 for active-duty military and college students. Pre-sale tickets are available online at www.showclix.-com/event/TasteofPointLoma or from The Wine Pub at 2907 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 108, or at the State Farm Insurance office at 4148 Voltaire St. Tickets will also be available in the parking lot of the Point Loma Brigantine Seafood restaurant on the day of the event. SOLEDAD MEMORIAL GROUP SEEKS VOLUNTEERS, DOCENTS
The Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, the administrative body of one of the area’s central tributes to military veterans, is seeking volunteers in its La Jolla office and docents at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, located atop Mt. Soledad. Volunteer opportunities include those in memorial plaque design and sales, website support, veteran event activities, social media and general administration. On-site volunteer docents answer questions about the memorial and conduct tours. Each opportunity calls for approximately three hours’ donated time a week. Training programs are in place to orient new volunteers.
The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial is the only veterans memorial in the United States that honors veterans, living and deceased, from the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in the Middle East. The association offices are located at 6437 Caminito Blythefield, Suite B in La Jolla. For more information, call (858) 459-2314, or visit soledadmemorial.com.