LA JOLLA NEWS NUGGETS
Genesee Ave./I-5 construction complete!
Construction to expand the I-5 overpass at Genesee Avenue from six lanes to 10 — in progress since February 2015 — was completed last week, just before City officials unveiled the bridge.
The $117 million project was funded (by Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and the San Diego Association of Governments) to alleviate traffic congestion and increase safety for commuters walking to the nearby Sorrento Valley Coaster Station.
La Jollans dominate awards for scientists under 43 years old
Two of the three top winners of the 2018 Blavatnik Awards, which recognize the most promising scientific researchers in the United States under age 43, work in La Jolla.
Dr. Janelle Ayres, associate professor at the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis at the Salk Institute, was recognized for her work studying how bacteria interact with humans. Dr. Neal Devaraj, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC San Diego, was recognized for synthesizing artificial cells and membranes. They were selected from a field of 286 initial nominees.
Len Blavatnik, head of the foundation, said that the winners — each of whom will receive $250,000 — “are paving the way for new discoveries that will improve lives and society for the better.”
Local dentist qualifies for Boston Marathon
La Jolla dentist Tracy Taddey has earned a spot in the Boston Marathon April 15, 2019. In her qualifying marathon in Ventura, she needed to beat 26 miles in 3 hours, 55 minutes and did by 10 minutes.
“I’ve been running since college, but became more competitive about 10 years ago,” Taddey said. “I ran the New York Marathon and then decided to wanted to qualify for Boston. It’s one of the hardest races to qualify for, and it’s a special race to run because of the bombing that occurred there.”
BIDs threat pulled from November ballot
A measure called the Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018 — which La Jolla Village Merchants Association executive director Sheila Fortune warned would put hers and other Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) “out of business” — has been withdrawn from the November ballot by its proponents.
The initiative would have required all local tax hikes to pass by a two-thirds public vote, making it much more difficult for cities and counties to raise revenue for a variety of projects.
“I am very happy this issue has been put to rest,” Fortune told the Light. “The Business Improvement Districts all over the state of California add a lot of value to each community that they serve.”
Don’t drink and Uber
Three new California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) went into effect on July 1:
1) Driving a passenger for hire is now illegal with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 percent or more. This lowers the legal limit from 0.08 to the same BAC standard for commercial drivers.
2) Passengers in buses with seat belts must wear them. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 traveling on a bus must wear a seat belt or be in an appropriate restraint meeting federal safety standards.
3) The DMV now has regulatory authority over the Private Carrier of Passengers Program — examples include church buses and employee shuttles — which transferred from the California Public Utilities Commission.
For more information, visit dmv.ca.gov
Call for Maker Faire 2018 inventors
Do you make cool stuff? Show it at Maker Faire San Diego 2018 in Balboa Park. In its fourth year, this two-day event will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7. The call for entries is open through Sept. 7.
Maker Faire showcases work from anyone who is embracing the do-it-yourself aesthetic wants to share their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.
“We are looking for creative people who want to share their energy and talents with others,” said Maker Faire San Diego producer Cody Nelson. “We are inviting artists, musicians, engineers, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, students, teachers, business people, comedians and creative people of all ages and backgrounds to inspire attendees with what we as humans can do.”
To participate, complete an entry form at sandiego.makerfaire.com/makers
Bishop’s student to volley for Brown U
The Bishop’s School graduate Paris Winkler will play volleyball for Brown University, where she enters the Class of 2022 this fall. Winkler was the 2017 senior varsity co-captain at The Bishop’s School, which she attended since the grade 6 and where she was coached by Tod Mattox since age 11.
“I was so proud to wear the Bishop’s ‘B’ on my uniform,” Winkler said, “and this fall, I will continue to wear my ‘B’ but for Brown. I look forward to bringing all that Coach Tod Mattox has instilled in me to the college level.”