Police call graffiti in La Jolla ‘very minimal’
While some La Jolla residents are concerned that gang graffiti and tagging is an escalating problem in the community, police handling the issue at San Diego’s Northern Division said such activities are not as prominent there as in surrounding neighborhoods.
“I wouldn’t say it’s not a real problem in La Jolla,” said Officer Phillip Franchina of Northern Division’s Graffiti Strike Force. “We get some occurrences, but they are few. What happens is that people in La Jolla are very serious about it when they see it.”
An e-mail sent from the San Diego Police Department to La Jolla’s middle and high schools informing residents that graffiti has been noticed more frequently in the community encouraged people to immediately report such incidents.
Although SDPD is vigilant in investigating such crimes, La Jolla generally does not have a problem with gang-related graffiti, Franchina and Northern Division Lt. Brian Ahearn said. Most graffiti in the community is “krew” tagging, or tagging by groups of youths typically aged 15 to 20, Ahearn said.
One gang-related piece of graffiti recently found on Westbourne Street in La Jolla has been photographed, documented by the police department and is under investigation, Ahearn said.
Another incident of tagging involving a youth who was stenciling a band’s logo throughout Kellogg Park was discovered and reported by a La Jolla Shores resident several months ago, Ahearn said. The youth responsible for the stenciling was apprehended and forced to pay restitution of $400 for removal of the work.
Those who spot graffiti in their neighborhood should report it immediately to law enforcement, Franchina said.
Residents who need graffiti removed from private property should contact the Urban Core, (800) 829-6884. For graffiti removal on public property, contact San Diego’s Graffiti Control Program, (619) 525-8522.

UCSD to honor Chicano Civil Rights leader
As a champion of human rights and an advocate for nonviolent solutions to labor practices, César Chavez has a California state holiday in his honor and was nationally recognized by the Kennedy administration in the 1960s for his work in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.
Chavez, and many other activists who have modeled their work after his, will be honored for their accomplishments at University of California, San Diego’s fifth annual César Chavez Celebration, scheduled for April 2 through May 7.
Vietnam War-era journalist and feminist Enriqueta Vasquez will speak about her newly published book, which is a compilation of her essays during the time period, as part of the celebration’s kickoff luncheon on Tuesday, April 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at UCSD’s Institute of the Americas.
UCSD alumnus Victor Nieblas, who now serves as an immigration attorney, and 30-year San Diego activist Olivia Puentes-Reynolds will also be recognized at the luncheon for their contributions to furthering Chavez’s work.
Several films will also be shown, including “The Invisible Mexicans of Deer Canyon,” produced by a local San Diegan and depicting the struggles of thousands of undocumented immigrants as they worked to maintain the homes and businesses of the affluent in San Diego.
The film, which will be screened at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 in UCSD’s Garren Auditorium, will be followed by a discussion of a photo exhibit done by UCSD’s Latino Medical Student Association and the Migrant Farmworker Project, whose members documented the fieldwork of many immigrants during the course of several months, according to Jorge Mariscal, chairman for UCSD’s César Chavez Celebration Planning Committee.
For a detailed list of other events during the month-long celebration, visit http://calendar.ucsd.edu and click on César Chavez events, or call (858) 534-4994.

Parade, contest benefit UCSD Medical Center
The 12th annual Easter Parade and Hat Contest will take place at The Park at the Park at Petco Park on Saturday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The festivities begin with a hat-making workshop for children and adults. Tables will be set up under a huge circus tent with hats and trim in every size, shape and color imaginable. Trims will include ribbons, feathers, flowers, materials and netting. Each attendee chooses a hat base and then designs and makes his or her own unique chapeau using a hot glue gun.
The hat contest follows the workshop with celebrity judges selecting winners for most original, best overall, most glamorous and funniest hat.
Additional activities include a silent auction, educational booths, face painting, a puppet show, a colorful sidewalk parade and an egg hunt for children 2 through 12.
Proceeds for this event go to UCSD Medical Center Hematology Oncology Department of Pediatric Research.
For information, call (619) 233-5008.

YMCA ready for Splash Week
The YMCA of San Diego County is offering swim lessons and water safety for preschoolers and elementary school-age children who do not know how to swim as part of its Splash Week, April 2-6.
Instructors will demonstrate how to be safe and exercise in the water.
Participating YMCAs include the La Jolla YMCA, 8355 Cliffridge Ave., and the Peninsula YMCA, 4390 Valeta St., which also serves the communities of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.
For information, call (858) 292-9622 or visit www.ymca.org.

Students will display their creativity
The Great Artist Grande Finale Exhibition, featuring a display of artwork resulting from a five-week study done by students at The Children’s School, will be held this evening, March 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Students will showcase artwork, as well as dance and musical performances, to family and friends during the evening’s cultural celebration. The presentation is part of a program The Children’s School implements, which teaches students ” preschool through sixth grade ” about different artists and then challenges them to emulate a particular artist’s style.
The Children’s School is located at 2225 Torrey Pines Lane.
For more information, contact Molly Huffman, head of school, (858) 454-0184.

Last chance for March Madness pizza
The winning pie from a Sports Anchors Celebrity March Madness Pizza Making Contest is on the menu at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza locations through April 2.
All money generated from sales of the winning pizza will be donated to after-school programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.
Sports reporters from all five San Diego TV stations were part of the competition.
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza locations include 702 Pearl St. in the Village and 8650 Genesee Ave.