Firefighter and paramedic Colin Kennedy spoke about fire safety, firefighting gear and the responsibilities of a fireman. (photos by Jacqueline Gregory)
NEWS UPDATES Oct. 19, 2017
Pack 1216 learns about first responders
The theme for the Oct. 18 meeting of Cub Scout Pack 1216 at Miramar Ranch Elementary School was “First Responders.”
Firefighter and paramedic Colin Kennedy explained his responsibilities and demonstrated how to quickly put on firefighting gear, which he did in 38 seconds. He also spoke about fire safety and the importance of having a home evacuation plan in case of an emergency. Fire extinguishers and alarms should be in every house, he said.
Bob Ilko, a former San Diego Police officer, was also a guest speaker. He explained what it means to be a police officer. Ilko wore a police belt and explained the gear, including handcuffs, which the Scouts were allowed to pass around. The belts, when loaded with items such as a taser, gun, ticket book and flashlight, weigh about 30 pounds, he said.
Fun activities followed the presentations. The pack leader described emergency scenarios and the kids had to decide which first responder to involve for each instance.
Awards followed: Bears were given pocket knives, Webelos received cast iron chef pins, and any scout who viewed the solar eclipse at the library last August received eclipse patches.
Kathryn Crivello and her husband Salvatore are Pack 1216 Cub Masters.
School festivals set this weekend
Two local elementary schools are holding their big annual autumn events this weekend and both are open to the community.
On Friday, Oct. 20, Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary will hold its Fall Family Festival from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 11778 Cypress Canyon Road. Enjoy games, food, face painting, a costume parade, a silent auction and a cake walk. Students may wear their Halloween costumes and have their picture taken with the Super Penguin.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, Miramar Ranch Elementary School will hold its 44th Annual Halloween Carnival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Halloween Town” is the theme of this year’s event, which is Scripps Ranch’s longest-running Halloween festival. The carnival will feature a cake walk, bake sale, haunted house, silent auction, sand art, nail painting, face painting, a used book sale, more than 25 carnival games, laser tag, dodge ball, a pumpkin patch, balloon animals, a live DJ, fun contests, a raffle, carnival goodies and a prize booth. A costume contest for children in grades TK to fifth will begin at 1 p.m.
Fire Safe Council holds golf fundraiser
The 11th annual Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Oct. 21 at The Vineyard in Escondido. The cost of $125 per player will include golf, cart, lunch, two raffle tickets, contests and gifts. The purpose of The Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council is to establish fire breaks and bring together public and private organizations to discuss fire safety in the community. For more information call Karen, (858) 201-3711. Visit srfiresafe.org.
SRCA Clean-up Day on Saturday
The Scripps Ranch Civic Association (SRCA) will hold its Fall Clean-up Day on Saturday, Oct. 21. Residents are encouraged to clean up around their homes, yards and community area or local open spaces, and place items for the landfill in large dumpsters available Saturday morning for this event. One dumpster will be located in the business park on Meanley Drive. The other will be at the SRCA Community Center, 11885 Cypress Canyon Road. The dumpsters will be available from 8 a.m. to noon, or until the dumpsters are full, whichever comes first. No paint, electronics or recyclable items are allowed. Collection boxes for batteries will also be available. The event is co-sponsored by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club.
Volunteers needed to prepare packets for wildfire survivors
Out of the Ashes, a group of survivors of the 2003 and 2007 devastating wildfires in San Diego County, have united to create Out of the Ashes Boxes to support other wildfire survivors. The group seeks volunteers this Sunday, Oct. 22, to prepare file tote boxes for those who lost their homes in the recent Santa Rosa fire, the Tubbs Fire.
The tote boxes stem from the experiences of many of the San Diego wildfire survivors who were dazed and helpless following the loss of their homes. The tote boxes, organized to help the fire survivors keep important recovery paperwork together to help rebuild their homes and their lives, are important and useful tools. Out of the Ashes plans to assemble 1,000 totes and deliver them to Santa Rosa by truck for distribution on Monday, Oct. 23.
Volunteers may sign of for any of three shifts for Sunday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. This is the sign-up page to volunteer: http://tinyurl.com/y9k4j2j6. This is the project’s Go Fund Me page: http://tinyurl.com/ycq7ms97. Donations may be made directly by contacting Linda Currie at lcurrie@san.rr.com. Visit the group’s Facebook page for updates: facebook.com/outoftheashesbox.
Out of the Ashes rented a 24-foot truck to deliver the tote boxes. Former Scripps Ranch Civic Association (SRCA) President Wes Danskin and current SRCA President Bob Ilko are reportedly intending to drive the totes to Santa Rosa on Monday.