GETTING ANTSY: An innovative and groundbreaking new iPhone application has its roots in Pacific Beach. 9
POOL SENSATIONS: Mission Bay High’s aquatics programs are making serious waves. 13
Thursday, May 27, 2010
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Love, loss and strength A U.S. veteran attends a past ceremony at the Mount Soledad VeterDON BALCH | Beach & Bay Press ans Memorial.
The Hutchison family strikes a surfing pose beside Crystal Pier. From left are Neil, Charlie, Andrew, Sam and Margot.
Photo by DEB SCHWEDHELM
Sam Hutchison’s legacy lives on
BY JENNA FRAZIER | BEACH & BAY PRESS The 29-foot cross that crowns Mount Soledad may continue to foster controversy, but that won’t prevent the Mount Soledad Memorial Association from holding a ceremony May 31 to honor United States war veterans. The event, which marketing representative Bob Phillips expects to attract a crowd of about 1,000, including District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner of La Jolla, will last from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial. The service will commemorate the sacrifices of Medal of Honor recipient Army Col. Robert Howard with a plaque to be installed on the Veterans Wall. Howard, who is believed to be one of the most heavily-decorated American veterans in recent history, served five tours of duty during the Vietnam War and was nominated for the Medal
BY JENNA FRAZIER | BEACH & BAY PRESS He may be small, but Charlie Hutchison, 3½, a Pacific Beach resident, knows how to think big. Along with his older brother, Andrew, 7, and his parents, Neil and Margot, he helped La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School (LJUMCNS), where he is a student, raise $446 at a used book sale on May 5 and 6 to memorialize his 9year-old brother, Samuel Thomas Hutchison. Sam passed away March 12 from the effects of neuroblastoma, a vicious cancer common in infants and children, after a battle that lasted more than half his life. Liza Olmert, a LJUMCNS board member, said the sale was planned last fall as part of a series of fundraisers held throughout the year while Sam was still fighting the disease. SEE HUTCHISON, Page 8
Veterans ceremony set at Mt. Soledad
Samuel Thomas Hutchison
Photo by DEB SCHWEDHELM
SEE SOLEDAD, Page 8
A ‘high five’ for Memorial Day weekend BY ANTHONY GENTILE | BEACH & BAY PRESS
Temperatures are getting warmer and warmer as the arrival of Memorial Day weekend signals that summer is right around corner. Here is a list of five fun things to do in Mission Beach, Mission Bay and Pacific Beach to make it a thrilling three-day weekend
Soak in a sunset With three days this weekend, there is a good chance that one picturesque sunset will break through the May gray. For those looking to view a sunset in a natural environment, take a picnic to a local park. Grab a blanket and basket and head to one of three spots: Crown Point Park on Crown Point Drive and Ingraham Street; Kate Sessions Park on Lamont Street; or Fanuel Park on Fanuel Street and Sail Bay.
Tee off at Mission Bay Golf Course While most of the bigger golf courses in San Diego are across the freeway, hackers can sneak in a quick 18 this weekend at Mission Bay Golf Course. No drivers necessary on this executive golf course that measures only 2,719 yards. Tee times at Mission Bay Golf Course can be made from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling (858) 581-7880. Mission Bay Golf is the only course with night lighting in San Diego, open until 10 p.m. for the night putters out there.
Board the Bahia Belle Start the weekend off on Mission Bay with the Bahia Belle cruise on Friday or Saturday night. The old-fashioned sternwheeler circles the bay while providing a taste of yesterday. The Bahia Belle departs from the Bahia Resort Hotel on Mission Bay each hour from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., with family hour at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. and the 21 and up cocktail cruise leaving the docks at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. For those trying to avoid the Mission Beach traffic, the boat also picks up at the Catamaran Resort hourly starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit www.sternwheelers.com/cruise.html.
Catch a wave in Belmont Park For those who love the big wave but hate the hot sand or adventure junkies looking for a fix, WaveHouse in Belmont Park might be the best weekend bet. Beginners can get started with the FlowRider wave machine, where no experience is necessary and the chute is padded. Those aiming for a big challenge can try FlowBarrel, with water flowing as fast as 30 mph to make a 10-foot wave. Rides start at $20 per hour. For more information, visit www.wavehousesandiego.com.
Bike around the bay Few local areas are nicer to take a beach cruiser around than bike paths around Mission Bay. Dust off the banana seat and take a breeze-filled trip around the bay. Don’t have a bike? Not a problem. Rent one at a local shop like Bicycle Discovery (742 Felspar St.) or Pacific Coast Bicycle (1633 Garnet Ave.) and cruise on down to the water.