Special section inside!
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 25, Number 9
Planners hoping third runoff will be the charm Khalil, Page to face off for PCPB seat tonight BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
Lifeguard trainees dive into action Top, instructor Quentin Norman — after concluding demonstrations and having been egged on by recruits — does a perfectly-executed back flip off the pier to the cheers of the recruits already in the water, lower left. Bottom right, San Diego Regional Lifeguard Academy recruits take the plunge off the end of the Ocean Beach Pier on April 18 as part of a demonstration of a pier-jump rescue. PHOTOS BY DON BALCH I THE BEACON
A second runoff election failed to fill the final available seat on the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB). None of the three candidates in the April 8 election received the simple majority vote necessary for election, forcing yet a third runoff election tonight, April 22. Balloting will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St. Since the second runoff vote, challenger Norman Allenby bowed out of the running. SEE PCPB, Page 7
GEOFF PAGE
SUHAIL KHALIL
Robbery triggers pursuit, suicide near sports arena BY HILLARY SCHULER-JONES | THE BEACON What began as an armed robbery in Pacific Beach on April 8 evolved into a police chase that ended with one male suspect committing suicide and a female suspect being taken into custody. Investigators said the incident unfolded when Brian Marino, 24, of Westminster, Colo., entered the Radio Shack store on Garnet Avenue at 12:25 p.m. and began to gather up items. When a store employee confronted him, Marino reportedly pulled a gun and fled with the items in a red Mazda bearing Colorado license plates. A citizen quickly pointed out the fleeing suspect to San Diego SEE ROBBERY, Page 8
E A R T H D AY 2 0 1 0
People’s co-op celebrates planet on daily basis purchases are impacting the planet,” said assistant store manager Evanthia Basilico. While the Peninsula looks through a At OB People’s, 4765 Voltaire St., susgreen lens today in celebration of Earth as the Ocean Beach People’s Organic Foods tainability starts on the shelves. The local Day, some local businesses keep the planet Market. co-op is completely vegetarian, preserving in mind every day. And when it comes to “Things are definitely trending and people SEE OB GREEN, Page 10 food, few are as environmentally conscious are becoming more conscious of how their BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
More Earth Day coverage on pages 10 and 16
Officers cordon off the area around a getaway vehicle near Phil’s BBQ on Sports Arena Boulevard, where a male gunman shot himself to death after an armed robbery in Pacific Beach. A female suspect was taken into PAUL HANSEN | THE BEACON custody.The couple hailed from Colorado.
Talking trash
Alive with history
Making a mad dash
The annual Creek to Bay Cleanup is poised to reach a milestone Saturday of 1 million pounds of waste collected. 2
Local volunteers will restore and rededicate a monument noting the history behind the La Playa Trail. 4
The PLHS girls’ track team is creating a buzz around campus with some blazing speed and promising athletic prowess. 12