MTS reports slight rise in trolley-related crimes
San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), owner-manager of the city’s trolley network, reported a slight increase in the number of crimes committed in 2007 aboard and around the trolleys.
Last year, MTS trolleys carried more than 36.8 million people. During that time, there were 173 reports of incidents including theft (83), robbery (41), aggravated assault (25) and auto theft (22). There was one homicide at an MTS parking lot and one burglary. No rapes or arsons were reported.
Of the 108 thefts and aggravated assaults in 2007, 43 were committed against trolley security staff or trolley property.
The figures translate to .47 incidents per 100,000 passengers, an increase of less than 1 percent from the .44 incidents recorded in 2006.
“While the 2007 rate increased slightly from last year, MTS is still 23 percent lower than the incident rate in 2002,” said Paul Jablonski, MTS chief executive officer.
MTS plans to expand its safety and security efforts this year. Projects include the addition of two transit centers with security camera capabilities, bringing to 21 the total number of stations with closed-circuit television security cameras. One-hundred fifty personnel work for MTS’ security force.
The MTS SafeWatch line, (619) 557-4545, links directly to trolley operation control, where security teams can be dispatched and trolley operators alerted. For further information on MTS, visit www.sdmts.com or call 511.

Blood Bank offers free bone marrow testing
Free bone marrow testing is being offered at all San Diego Blood Bank Donor Centers until the end of March. The Bone Marrow Foundation of San Diego’s donation is allowing people to join the national registry without paying the $52 for tissue typing.
Healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 60 are being urged to join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry in case they may be a match for one of the thousands looking for a stem cell donor.
To join the registry, a small amount of blood is needed for analysis. According to NMDP, if participants are a potential match they will be contacted to discuss the transplant process. Adult donors are asked to donate in one of two ways; the most common is comparable to donating plasma. The second is a simple outpatient surgical procedure with marrow being removed from the donor’s pelvis.
Individuals from varied ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to register because ethnicity and race affect the probability of a match. Donors must have no history of asthma, cancer, diabetes, neck or back problems, heart or circulatory disease and must be within 20 percent of the ideal weight for their height and age as set by the NMDP.
For more information, call (619) 400-8268, or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org/bonemarrow/.

UJF seeks Super Sunday volunteers
The United Jewish Federation of San Diego County is calling for volunteers to man the phones during the annual Super Sunday fund-raiser. This year’s telethon is Sunday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each volunteer is asked to take a two-hour shift.
The event will be held at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive.
In conjunction with the fund-raiser, Jewish Family Services’ Hand Up Pantry will collect food items for Passover Baskets that will be delivered to seniors in San Diego County. Items including gefilte fish, Kedem grape juice, matzah ball soup mix, kosher cake mix and macaroons can be dropped off at the UJF office, 4950 Murphy Canyon Road, on or before April 4, or the items may be brought to the JCC on April 6.
To volunteer for the Super Sunday fund-raiser, visit www.jewishinsandiego.com.

Fans invited to meet Hot Curl creator
Artist and cartoonist Michael Dormer, creator of the famous “Hot Curl” surfer statue originally erected in 1963 at Windansea Beach, will meet the public Sunday, March 30 at the California Surf Museum.
A handcrafted, life size “Spittin’ Image” of the the original statue will also be on display, along with Hot Curl T-shirts, signed limited edition prints, mugs and more.
The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 223 North Coast Highway in Oceanside.
Admission is free, and snacks will be provided. Beverages will be available for a small donation. For information, call (760) 721-6876 or visit [email protected].

Ed art gallery to open March 29
La Jolla’s newest studio/art gallery will open with a reception on Saturday, March 29, starting at 7 p.m. Ed Studio/Gallery is located at 737 Pearl St.
The inaugural exhibition titled “You Call That Art?” features three unknown artists. Wine and sandwiches will be served.