Fitness festival for women happens this weekend in Carmel Valley

GOTRIbal, an organization that empowers and connects women through endurance sports, is hosting a fitness festival at Ocean Air Community Park this weekend. On July 17, from 8 a.m. to noon, “GOTRIbal In the Park” will feature a 2K fun run/walk, a mother-daughter cycle and run race, an hour-long yoga session, and a bootcamp class. The event costs $35 for individuals, $45 for a team of two. A big raffle will give away prizes and there will be nutritious refreshments offered.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers gives kids ‘dream camp’

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers hosted his first local youth football camp at UCSD over the weekend, giving 200 kids a dream camp experience with an NFL pro. The Old Spice Philip Rivers Football Camp was also about giving back to the community, as all proceeds went toward his recently established Rivers of Hope Foundation, which aims to help abandoned and orphaned children.

Canyon Crest singer to attend ‘Grammy Camp’

Chris Borst, a sophomore singer/songwriter at Canyon Crest Academy, is one of 82 talented high school students from across the country selected to attend The Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Camp this summer.

From July 10 to 19, Chris will attend the camp at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music with Grammy-winning and nominated industry professionals. Country singer Keith Urban will be serving as the camp’s honorary dean.

Del Mar bakery caters to canines

At a bakery in Del Mar, the treats inside the glass case look delectable — homemade cannolis, Boston cream pies and frosted pink doughnuts. The catch is the tasty treats on display at Three Dog Bakery are for four-legged friends only — these are Boston Terrier Cream Pies and Dalmatian Donuts.

Whittington leaving Del Mar school district

Dena Whittington, assistant superintendent of business services, is leaving the Del Mar Union School District for the assistant superintendent position at San Ysidro School District.

Planning for new Carmel Valley shopping center creates a buzz

A planned Carmel Valley mixed-use shopping center has Carmel Valley residents expressing both excitement and concern.

Kilroy Realty recently sent brochures to nearly every Carmel Valley neighborhood explaining its plans to create a “Main Street for Carmel Valley” on the large empty lot at El Camino Real and Del Mar Heights Road.

TPHS grad continues philanthropic work at orphanage

Torrey Pines High alumna Tara Mullally is spending eight weeks in Jamaica this summer. The 19-year-old isn’t only working on an island tan, she is spending her time at the Marigold Orphanage in Kingston; an orphanage full of children and need.

Tara arrived on the island on May 23 and she will continue her work until July 18, alongside her Vanderbilt University classmate Elin Bunch.

Teens’ T-shirt business promotes positive messages

Three Carmel Valley teens are hoping to encourage others to live a noble life, one T-shirt at a time. Seventeen-year-olds Oliver Belkin, Kia Zomorrodi and Roshan Patel recently started their own T-shirt company, Noble Life Apparel, creating shirts that send positive, inspirational messages.

The T-shirt line not only promotes a good cause but will also support good causes. With each shirt purchased, a percentage of the proceeds are set aside for their Noble Causes foundation. Semiannually, their foundation will donate the funds to customers’ charities of choice.

“We were fortunate to grow up in a place like this,” Oliver said. “It’s about giving opportunities to those who are underprivileged.”

Accomplished Cathedral Catholic graduate overcomes obstacles

Cathedral Catholic High School’s Mallorie Maranda graduated June 5 in the top 2 percent of her class with a 4.5 GPA.

While Mallorie said she is very content and grateful with the opportunities she has been given, it hasn’t always been an easy road. At age 15, she was diagnosed with diabetes.

Physically, she said it was a big change for her, having to take responsibility for her health by monitoring her blood sugar and giving herself insulin shots.

“It was emotionally challenging as well, the change in my lifestyle,” Mallorie said. “My friends and family helped a lot.”

Del Mar Union School District’s search for new office continues

As the Del Mar Union School District’s May 2011 deadline to be out of the Shores property is inching closer, board member Comischell Rodriguez expressed her frustration that the board has appeared to stall in its search for a new home for its district office.

“I’m concerned about our lack of progress,” Rodriguez said at the June 9 meeting. “We have buildings available that fit our criteria and our budget, and it begs the question if my fellow board members genuinely feel we have a need to purchase a district office.”

Trustee Katherine White disagreed, saying that the property issue has been on the closed session agendas for the last few months and they are moving forward.