Vote online for your favorite Service and Retail Businesses All ballots will be entered in a drawing to WIN DINNER FOR 2 ($100 VALUE) PeninsulaBeacon.com San Diego Community Newspaper Group THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011 www.SDNEWS.com Volume 26, Number 14 PLHS’ new coaching REACHING FOR lineup likely to make THE STARS opponents tremble BY SCOTT HOPKINS | THE BEACON “All three of these guys are local, and when we have this kind of talent right The baseball coaching vacancy at here in the community, we don’t need to Point Loma High School has been filled, look elsewhere,” Murphy said. and there will be some big names man- The major prep sports announcement ning the dugout and bullpen at Dana is being made today (Thursday) by Mur- Middle School next season. phy, who exclusively chose The Peninsula Rock Academy head coach Jesse Beacon to release the news first “because Nunez, a former professional player, will of the great coverage provided to Point take the reins as the Pointers’ head coach. Loma High School over the years.” And his assistants? One is a member of Wells, clearly the biggest name of the the San Diego Hall of Champions Hall of three, is no stranger to Peninsula resi- Fame and the other is a museum “coach- dents. ing legend.” A Pointer alum from the class of 1982, For starters, PLHS Athletic Director Wells rose from the streets of Ocean John Murphy lassoed a new pitching Beach to major league stardom. coach — a guy by the name of David Wells, now 48, was named 1982 CIF Wells. Yes, the former Pointer star and Player of the Year. So dominant was the the ex-Padre and ex-Yankee widely southpaw that a 30-year veteran oppos- viewed as one of the best left-handed ing prep coach said, “It was an education pitchers in Major League Baseball. watching (Wells) pitch.” And if that wasn’t enough, Rob Nicknamed “Boomer,” Wells, who Phillips, whose last Grossmont High retired in 2007, is eager to work with teams won four consecutive CIF cham- young Pointer pitchers after ending a pionships, will assist and mentor Nunez as an assistant coach. SEE COACHES, Page 11 Seniors at High Tech High School in Point Loma were treated to a special com- mencement address June 25 with fea- tured speaker Charles F. Bolden Jr., NASA’s top administrator and a former astronaut. Bolden was sent to speak to the local students after High Tech High (HTH) fell just short in a national compe- tition to attract President Barack Obama as the commencement speaker. The com- petition, called the “Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge,” was claimed by a school in Tennessee. Despite the disappointment that left HTH in third place against more than 450 other schools nationally, students like Sydney Delville, left, and Serena Robinson still seemed to have stars in their eyes as they looked toward their bright futures. Photos by Jim Grant I The Beacon Fireworks, summer pose threats Former big-league pitching legend David Wells, left, shakes hands with Pointer catcher Sean Stepina at last year’s naming ceremony for David Wells Field. Wells, a major league to dogs and other beloved pets all-star, will coach the school’s pitchers next season. Photo by Scott Hopkins I The Beacon BY PATRICIA M. WALSH | THE BEACON “That’s a pretty good percentage of registered dogs for a large metropolitan Fireworks on the Fourth of July and area,” she said. the hot summer weather that lingers past If a dog or any pet, becomes lost and is Courtesy photo by Joe Ewing Labor Day will again mean plenty of per- wearing a license or has a microchip, Here’s a look at July 4 fire- OB Planners to take city to ils for pets. owners can start a search by filling out works displays around San According to the San Diego County the Department of Animal Service’s Diego: Department of Animal Services, July 5 is online form at www.sddac.com, or by vis- • Ocean Beach Pier: 9 p.m; lasts task over zoning exceptions the busiest day of the year for county iting shelters. roughly 20 minutes animal shelters. Frightened by fireworks, In central San Diego, the county-run • La Jolla Country Club: fire- dogs are known to jump fences and even animal shelter is located at 5480 Gaines works visible from Mount BY TONY DE GARATE | THE BEACON Loma Boulevard, just south of the crash through windows and wander St. Finders of licensed dogs can also Soledad, approximately 8:20 entrance to the parking lot at Dog confused and disoriented on the streets, access the county’s website and input the p.m. As an advisory body, it’s normally the Beach. possibly destined for a shelter. dog’s license number to find the owner’s • La Jolla Cove: 9 p.m. job of the Ocean Beach Planning Board The letter will be addressed to City “Don’t take dogs to fireworks,” said information. • Mission Bay Yacht Club: fire- (OBPB) to make recommendations to Attorney Jan Goldsmith, the city’s Dan DeSousa, representative for the Other summertime dangers that can works visible from Mission Bay, the people at City Hall who oversee Department of Development Services county’s Department of Animal Ser- wreak havoc on a dog’s health include Mount Soledad and Pacific development. But this time, board mem- and District 2 City Councilman Kevin Beach, 9 p.m. vices. “I’ve been at fireworks and seen heat, fleas, foxtails and radiator fluid, said bers said they don’t want to offer advice; Faulconer, who also chairs the city’s • San Diego Bay: “Big Bay Boom dogs bolt and owners run after them Craig Kinshella, DVM and medical direc- they want to blow the whistle on these Audit Committee. 2011,” 9 p.m. when the fireworks start.” tor of the VCA Hillcrest Animal Hospital. very same people. Fueling the accusations is the city’s • San Diego Symphony (Embar- To deal with the increased number of “Heat is a concern not just when exer- cadero): 9 p.m. Board members voted 13-0 this approval of the Cox residence, a three- lost dogs during this time, the county has cising your dog, but generally any time • SeaWorld: fireworks visible month to prepare a letter alleging “pos- story, single-family house at 5164 West two animal control officers on call. the temperature rises,” Kinshella said. from Mission Bay and Crown sible willful violation of city code” and Point Loma Blvd. on a block dominated There are 139,564 licensed dogs in Point, 9:30 p.m. “possible illegal de facto rezoning” the county’s database, DeSousa said. SEE PETS, Page 7 involving two parcels on West Point SEE PLANNERS, Page 7 THURSDAY · JUNE 30, 2011 2 THE PENINSULA BEACON NEWS Beefed-up enforcement makes for an incident-free street fair BY BIANCA KOCH | THE BEACON One intoxicated pedestrian was report- edly detained to prevent a fight and lost A strong presence of San Diego police children were reunited with parents officers ensured a peaceful afternoon dur- quickly because of the added police man- ing the 32nd annual Ocean Beach Street power. Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on June Sgt. Gary Mondesir, who is assigned to 25, despite a bulging crowd estimated at oversee special events manned by the 70,000 people.. Traffic Division, said officers are chosen Officers from several divisions patrolled for duty from the police department’s the event on foot in teams of two or four database containing the names of more officers, concentrating on Newport than 1,500 officers from all divisions who Avenue and the adjacent alleys and park- previously volunteered for special assign- ing lots. ments to assist the regular field officers. A police van with a canopy, flanked by Mondesir said he evaluates staffing lev- police squad cars, towered in the parking els based on the previous and anticipated lot of 1950 Abbott St. near the lifeguard number of visitors and vendors, the size tower and Saratoga Park. The command and location of the event, the form of post served as a briefing area for the offi- entertainment and whether alcoholic cers on duty. beverages are being sold or prohibited. The strategically planned operation Participants and organizers of the appeared to have kept major disturbances Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook- Ocean Beach Street Fair at bay. One supervising sergeant from Off were complimentary of the police Eastern Division said there had been presence and the interaction between offi- a hit with all ages “absolutely nothing to report.” cers and visitors. Boasting something for everyone, the 32nd annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off was brimming Satur- day with activities, good food, music and entertainment. Above, youngsters get a thrill on the giant slide at the Wonderland children’s area. Left, Ocean Beach Surf and Skate’s skate demonstrations and competition were a huge draw for visitors. Shown is Brendan Villanueva, who won the contest with a perfectly executed move that saw him clear the fence and land perfectly in the adjacent parking lot. 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