CHULA VISTA: The Chula Vista Elementary School District board eliminated the equivalent of 62 full-time non-teaching jobs Tuesday night in its attempt to cut $11million from its budget.

It's unclear how many people the move affects because some of the positions are vacant and the number is calculated by combining part-time jobs so that they're expressed as full-time positions.

Positions eliminated include 11 custodians, 17 instructional assistants, clerks, computer technicians, secretaries and a baker. The board also reduced the work hours or days of 379 other non-teaching employees.

The district had previously notified 274 teachers that they may be out of work July 1 if the state budget situation does not improve.

Next month, the district will approve a budget of about $235million for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Forum to be held on Blackwater plans

BONITA: Residents who wish to learn more about Blackwater Worldwide's plans to operate a military training facility in Otay Mesa are invited to attend a forum tonight at the Bonita-Sunnyside Branch Library, 4375 Bonita Road.

The event, sponsored by the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club, will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the community room. The featured speakers are San Diego City Councilman Ben Hueso and Ray Lutz, a community organizer who worked to block Blackwater's plans for a training facility in Potrero.

In March, Blackwater obtained permits to operate a training facility for Navy personnel in a warehouse in Otay Mesa.

Friendship games set for Saturday

CHULA VISTA:The public is invited to attend the first Chula Vista International Friendship Games on Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway.

The International Friendship Games will begin at 10 a.m. and end with a 6 p.m. awards ceremony. The event will feature:

A youth soccer match with teams from Chula Vista, Tijuana and Ensenada.

A boxing exhibition featuring local boxing talent scheduled for Saturday evening.

An archery exhibition at 12:30 p.m. by U.S. athletes now training at the Olympic Training Center.

The event is a project of Councilman Rudy Ramirez and is intended to showcase Chula Vista as an international city.

For more information call Ramirez's aide, Alma Tindall, at (619) 585-5717.

Peaking power plant expansion opposed

CHULA VISTA: Residents held a rally on Monday to protest plans to expand a peaking power plant in southwest Chula Vista.

More than 50 people attended the rally at the Otay Recreation Center on Main Street. The rally was organized by the Environmental Health Coalition and the Southwest Chula Vista Civic Association.

MMC Energy is seeking state permission to double the capacity of its seven-year-old, gas-fired peaker, a small power plant that fires up quickly during periods of high energy demand. Even though the upgraded plant would produce cleaner power, it would run more often, potentially producing as much pollution as the old one.

Nearby residents are concerned about air quality and on-site storage of ammonia. They say the existing peaker never should have been built because it is too close to homes and Otay Elementary School.

The California Energy Commission's staff has recommended approving the new power plant. The commission will vote this fall on a permit. Leo Miras of the Environmental Health Coalition said that the staff analysis is “woefully inadequate” and that the permit should be denied.

Passport services now available on Fridays, too

CHULA VISTA:The Chula Vista City Clerk's Office is now offering passport services on Fridays. Renew or apply for passports Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. One-stop passport application services are available by appointment only at a kiosk in the City Hall lobby at 276 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista.

Due to stepped-up travel restrictions, passports will soon be required for some trips to Mexico and Canada as well as more distant destinations. Until last fall, passport services were offered at only one location in Chula Vista, the post office.

Applicants must be prepared with the necessary paperwork before they arrive for their appointment. Pick up an application at the Office of the City Clerk or download the form at travel.state.gov. Submit paperwork, present the necessary documentation and have a photograph taken at the City Clerk's lobby location.

To make an appointment, call (619) 409-1949. For more information, call (619) 409-1950.

Community groups sponsor city celebration

SAN YSIDRO: San Ysidro Day/Dia de San Ysidro on Saturday will feature live music, dance performances and food booths.

The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Ysidro Community Park, 212 W. Park Ave.

Casa Familiar, a social services agency, and Neighborhood Partnership Program, a nonprofit organization representing more than 40 groups, are sponsoring the celebration.

Performers will include Ballet Folklorico de Casa Familiar and Fiesta Mexicana. There will be raffles and activities for children.

For information, call (619) 428-1115.

Save on gas, join Bike to Work Day

CHULA VISTA: San Diego has been named the best American city for cycling in the March issue of Bicycling Magazine. Now, the Sweetwater Union High School District invites employees and South Bay commuters to save on gas by parking their cars and joining Bike to Work Day, tomorrow from 6 to 10 a.m.

The Sweetwater District Office, at 1130 Fifth Ave., Chula Vista, will serve as a “pit stop,” offering refreshments to riders. For commuters who find biking all the way to work too daunting, it is suggested they drive, park at the district office on L Street and ride the rest of the way.

For more information, call (619) 691-5578.