www.SDNEWS.com Volume 15, Number 18
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
Director plans Riford revitalization BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | VILLAGE NEWS
Radio personality Ron Jones is known around town for his smooth voice as the emcee at the summer Concerts by the Sea and Sunday farmer’s market. Jones is now employing his persuasive tones and long standing in the community to garner support for the Riford Center on La Jolla Boulevard, which Jones aims to reinvent as a social venue for adults and shake off its image as a senior center. Jones was appointed executive director of the Riford Center in October. “The recreation center takes
care of the kids. The YMCA takes care of the families. The JCC [Jewish Community Center] takes care of the families and the kids,” Jones said. “When you get to the needs of the empty nesters, it doesn’t exist. Now it does here.” Jones wants to host weddings at the Riford in the near future. Thanks to a $150,000 donation, the Riford Center just completed a commercial kitchen to cater events and to host regular cooking classes. Dick and Kaye Woltman made the donation in memory of their mother, Dorothy Reasner. “The kitchen is the engine that
drives this place,” Jones said. “I plan to give Great News [Discount Cookware and Cooking School in Pacific Beach] a run for its money.” The ceiling on the center’s airy, main room was also renovated with the Woltman donation, as was the flooring. Patrons gather there for the “Jazzercise” workout classes held in the mornings and evenings. Jones wants to bring more nighttime activities and highprofile speakers to the center. With Jones as deejay, social dancing classes will debut on SEE RIFORD, Page 3
Black’s Beach loses winter guards BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | VILLAGE NEWS
Black’s Beach will no longer be patrolled by lifeguards from Labor Day through May as part of the $34 million midyear cuts made to lifeguard and fire services to help close the city’s anticipated $179 million shortfall in the 2011 general fund. Two lifeguards will continue to patrol Black’s Beach during the summer from June through Labor Day. “There are many other areas of the San Diego coastline that have been unguarded VILLAGE NEWS | DON BALCH for decades, among those A surfer’s dreamscape arrived at Black’s Beach on Dec. 28, but safety concerns have arisen with the elimination of lifeguards there during winter.
SEE GUARDS, Page 4
Booters follow bouncing ball to victories BY DAVE THOMAS | VILLAGE NEWS
Several local scholastic girls soccer teams have been following the bouncing ball to victories lately. At The Bishop’s School, the Lady Knights under head coach Brian Quinnn came into action this week with a 10-2-1 record. Goalkeeper Devan Osegueda has seven consecutive shutouts, which is a testament to the
defense playing really well and her ability to make key saves when called upon. Defenders Jenn Akin, Zoe Merewether, Maya Theuer, Elyse Tierney and Dana Christenson have all been playing well, according to Quinn. On the attacking side, Kaylie Davidson has been in good form and Sarah Noble, Francis Harvey and Laura Aguilar starred in the “Butch Lee” Cathedral
Catholic tournament, which the Lady Knights won. Bishop’s is rated 32nd nationally in a poll conducted by ESPNrise, which tracks high school sports throughout the country. Locally, the Lady Knights are rated in the top 5 with the Division I powerhouses: Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon, Poway and Division II school Westview. “We are looking forward to SEE BOOTERS, Page 2
VILLAGE NEWS | PAUL HANSEN
ROAD TESTED Olivia Jacobs (above) lies in the real Indian motorcycle from the movie “The World's Fastest Indian” at the Jan. 10 La Jolla Motor Car Classic at Scripps Park. Half of the outer shell was removed to view the inner workings. She barely fits at 5 feet 8. In the movie starring Anthony Hopkins, a replica was used. A 1972 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI State Limousine (below) is decked out for a picnic.