Misstep plunges woman, 25, to death at cliffs An evening outing to Sunset Cliffs by two sisters on Jan. 12 to enjoy an idyllic twilight view turned deadly when one of the women fell to her death.
San Diego police reported the 25-year-old victim, visiting from Santa Rosa, was apparently posing for a photo as she stood atop the cliffs at dusk. She reportedly lost her footing and fell 40 feet on to rocks below.
The incident took place on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard near Ladera Street, according to police.
The victim was identified as Anna Bachman, who was pursuing her masters’ degree at the University of Illinois and was in town to visit her sister, according to reports.
A call for medical aid was placed to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at 5:20 p.m.
Police Lt. Paul Phillips said two nearby nurses went down the cliff and joined several surfers to help the woman, but “it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Crisis counselors were summoned to the scene by police to comfort the distraught sister and some witnesses, Phillips said.
Fire-Rescue Department personnel joined with San Diego lifeguards to recover the victim’s body.
Police are investigating to locate exactly where the victim was standing on the cliff, while the Medical Examiner’s Office works to determine the exact cause of death.
— Scott Hopkins Sewage spill closes Spanish Landing Beach An estimated 100-gallon sewage spill forced the temporary closure of Spanish Landing Beach on North Harbor Drive on Jan. 7, according to county health department officials. The spill reportedly occurred when a small diameter, pressurized sewer lateral became blocked, causing sewage to flow down the beach into San Diego Bay. Health officials said the sewage spill was stopped shortly after it was discovered by crews which were already working at the spill site on other projects. A portion of the 100-gallon spill absorbed into the beach sand and was quickly excavated and removed from the site, said officials. Signs warning of sewage contamination were posted along the Spanish Landing beachline and remained in place until samples could confirm the water was not impacted.
For updates on beach closure information, visit the beach water quality mobile web application at www.sdbeach-info.com, or call the 24-hour hotline at (619) 338-2073. Peninsula planners seek candidates for board Peninsula residents who want to get more involved in the governance of their neighborhoods are being invited to run for the local planning board. The Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) will hold an election in March to fill five board positions that will become open. 
To be eligible, aspiring board members must be at least 18 years of age, live in or own a business within the PCPB boundaries, be able to commit to a three-year term (shorter for unexpired terms) and have attended at least one regular meeting within the last 12 months (attending the candidates’ forum qualifies for this requirement).
The candidates’ forum is Thursday, March 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The election is scheduled for Thursday, March 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. 
Candidate applications can be downloaded from the PCPB website at www.pcpb.net. Email applications to [email protected].
The Peninsula Community Planning Board is a community planning group citizen organization that advises the city on land use-based community goals and development proposals.
The PCPB meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, located at 3701 Voltaire St. Various subcommittees also meet on regular basis.
For more information, contact [email protected]. Silver Gate school to host concert cruise fundraiser Silver Gate Elementary School will host its first concert cruise fundraiser on Feb. 6 to raise funds for the school’s new literacy lab.
The live, local-music cruise, benefiting the Friends of Silver Gate Foundation, will be held on Flagship Cruises’ yacht “California Spirit.”  The new literacy lab will provide extra language arts instruction with a focus on the new common core state standards to all grade levels.
 “We hope to bring together more than just Silver Gate parents,” said Wendy Engel, the Silver Gate Elementary parent coordinating the event. “We’re hoping to bring together lots of friends from all over San Diego to enjoy an elegant, relaxed yet fun night out.”
The floating concert gives guests the chance to view the San Diego city skyline from the water while dancing to great local music and enjoying food and drinks. A limited number of tickets are available for $60 per person, which includes one complimentary glass of champagne, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert and a commemorative photograph during a three-hour tour of the bay on Flagship Cruises’ luxury yacht. Boarding starts at 5:30 p.m. The ship departs at 6 p.m. and returns to the docks at 9 p.m.
The evening opens with local musician Marcela Mendez, known for her role as lead singer of San Diego’s popular pop/rock cover band HoneyRock. Mendez’s acoustic music has been turning ears for several years with her soaring vocals and spicy personality.
The local band Last Call, formerly The Weener Pigs, will get the dancing started with ’70s rock ’n’ roll. The band features Adam Harris, a Silver Gate Elementary dad on lead vocals and local Seaside Dentistry dentist Jim Jones on drums. Heather Jones and Silver Gate mom Erika Dale provide backup vocals.
To purchase tickets, drop by or call the Silver Gate School Office at (619) 222-1139 or email [email protected].
Silver Gate Elementary School is located at 1499 Venice Street in Point Loma. For more information, visit www.silver-gateschool.com. La Playa Trail Association continues history talks
The La Playa Trail Association will host another in a series of informative programs to share the history of the Point Loma area with residents on Jan. 21. Gabe Selak, public programs manager at the San Diego History Center, will take guests on a meandering journey to explore one of the busiest roadways in San Diego’s past. From the Kumeyaay Indians to military commanders and from steel magnates to merchants, the La Playa Trail has played a crucial role in the development of the region and continues to open up new avenues to the community’s collective past. The evening will begin with hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. Suggested donations are $10 at the door. The mission of the La Playa Trail Association is to preserve, restore, enhance, promote, commemorate and educate the public about the La Playa Trail and the associated historic sites located between Ballast Point and the north side of Presidio Park. Planning meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. at US Bank on Rosecrans Street. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, visit www.LaPlayaTrail.org.