VILLAGE NEWS LA JOLLA
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
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www.SDNEWS.com Volume 17, Number 4
The thrill of the catch Debbie Peagler stands behind security glass at the Central California Women’s Facility prison in Chowchilla, Calif. Peagler is the subject of La Jolla filmmaker Yoav Potash’s new film, “Crime by Crime.” Photo courtesy Yoav Potash, LS Films, LLC
Local filmmaker comes home with a purpose Steve Schur shows off his catch last year during lobster season. Photo courtesy Mark Lozano
As lobster season swings into high gear, authorities remind divers to remember the risks BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS Lobster diving season has hit the California coastline from Monterrey Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Popular coastal sites in San Diego like the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, Point Loma’s giant kelp forest and Wreck Alley off Mission Beach’s shore draw in lobster divers from all over the nation for the thrill of catching the delicious crustaceans. San Diego safety officials and diving experts urge caution and proper knowledge of regulations when catching the elusive critters, which only come out at night and hide in rocks and reefs during the day. Ignorance about lobster diving regulations can lead to hefty fines — up to $1,000 for fishing without a license, said Andrew Hughan, representative for the California Department of Fish and Game’s South Coast Region.
According to California laws, lobsters must be measured underwater and those with carapaces less than 3 1/4 inches must be thrown back. Additionally, no more than seven lobsters can be taken per person per day, divers can only use their hands to take lobsters and all recreationally harvested lobsters must remain whole and intact while at sea. Hughan said opening day of lobster diving season on Oct. 1 went smoothly. “It was a great day — no safety violations, no one got hurt,” he said, although wardens did issue several citations throughout the day for undersize lobster catches and exceeding limits. The season has not gone all that smoothly since then, however. One death already occurred from the aquatic pursuit — that of 35-year-old Jimmy Somphiringa Tanovan on Oct. 9.
According to police, Tanovan went into the water alone around 7 p.m. He was found dead in waters south of Children’s Pool in La Jolla — in an area known as “Hospital Point” — around 8:30 p.m. Tanovan’s death marks the 11th diving fatality in San Diego since 2007. Marine safety lifeguard Lt. John Everhart emphasized the importance of diving safety during the height of the season. “Don’t dive alone,” he said. “You have to think that every diving death that we’ve had where a diver was diving alone could have been prevented. It’s critical to have a buddy.” He also urged divers be aware of their abilities and surroundings both on the surface of the water with currents and swells and below the surface in the kelp forests, reefs SEE LOBSTER, Page 6
BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS La Jolla-grown filmmaker Yoav Potash, called “Joe” by classmates during his school days, will have a short-yetsweet homecoming by showcasing his highly acclaimed, award-winning film, “Crime After Crime,” at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center on Oct. 27. Proceeds from the film screening will benefit Project SARAH (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home) — a Jewish Family Service program that provides counseling, case management, therapeutic support groups and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse. “Crime After Crime” is a documentary film that takes an intimate look into the case of Debbie Peagler — a victim of domestic abuse and sex trafficking by her boyfriend — and the efforts of two rookie land-use lawyers who fought for Peagler’s freedom after she was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for collaboration in her abuser’s murder. “I was blown away by the film,” said Cheryl Bruser, Project SARAH’s outreach coordinator. “Some of the things that stick out to me are the resilience of Debbie. She keeps getting knocked down and dealt terrible cards, starting with the abuse and continuing with the courts, but she keeps a positive attitude.” Potash learned of Peagler’s story from friend Joshua Safran who, despite having no experience in criminal law, reopened Peagler’s case pro bono with fellow land-use attorney Nadia Costa. “After I heard a little bit of Debbie’s story from him, I agreed SEE FILMMAKER, Page 5
A holiday roundup of the ghoulish kind BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS La Jolla has some frighteningly fun events in store for Halloween this year, including a haunted fishy adventure at the Birch Aquarium, free kid-friendly fun at the La Jolla Recreation Center and a La Jolla Shores restaurant that goes above and beyond with Halloween decorations for its favorite holiday. Barbarella’s ‘Howl-O-Ween’ It would be impossible for passersby on Avenida de la Playa not to notice a funky little Italian joint called Barbarella’s. The front patio and façade are spilling over with ghouls, goblins, ghosts and ghastly characters of all sorts, Mummies stand watch as guests enjoy adding a few extra guests to the table. their meals at Barbarella’s. The lavish HalPirate skulls and a giant red demon loween decorations took the restaurant’s leer over guests as they eat, creatures of crew at least an entire day to set up. DON BALCH | Village News all sorts creep out of bushes and a group
of skeletal mummies jealously oversee guests enjoying scrumptious meals while they remain bound by chains on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. Barbarella’s invites creatures of all sorts, including pets, for their “Howl-OWeen” pet costume contest on Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. Pets can also enjoy items from their very own “doggie menu” including “Rover Easy,” “Barbarella Bits” and “Puppy Delight.” Barbarella’s is located at 2171 Avenida de la Playa. For more information or Guests eat among the ghostly decorations at Barbarella’s, located at 2171 Avenida to make reservations, call (858) 454- de la Playa. DON BALCH | Village News 7373 or visit www.barbarellarestauThe experience will include live music the City of San Diego Water Conservarant.com. and dancing with Billy Lee and the tion, San Diego Audubon Society, Baskin Swamp Critters, a “deep sea” slime lab Robbins, Cliff Bar and Birch Aquarium “Shipwrecked” at Birch Aquarium Kids can discover the lurking myster- and the chance to collect tricky treats volunteers. Spooky story times will take place ies of the deep in a haunted “Ship- throughout the three-hour evening wrecked” adventure at the Birch Aquar- exploring eerie creatures lurking in the throughout the evening and a costume depths. Games will also be provided by ium on Oct. 21 and 22. SEE HALLOWEEN, Page 2