With the first day of school just around the corner, a typical teenager would most likely be found surfing, swimming or simply doing nothing at all. But 15-year-old Charlie Reed spent the end of her summer vacation teaching about two dozen 5- to 10-year-olds how to sing, dance and act — all in the name of charity.

San Diego County Fair dates for next year were approved during the Aug. 12 board of directors meeting of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which sponsors the fair.

Recent announcement that the Escondido Jaycees has cancelled its Christmas parade after more than 50 years is a sad testament to the fact that once-vibrant Jaycees, a national organization with chapters throughout the country, are fading into history.

With a 4-1 vote at a special meeting Aug. 11, City Council approved an ordinance only slightly modified from one considered the previous week to place a measure on the November ballot allowing an increase in the transient occupancy tax, or TOT. The new ordinance includes a subsection in which council agrees to consider other fees before setting the TOT. If the measure passes, council will have the flexibility to raise the tax by an amount up to 13 percent, however, the increase is not automatic and not necessarily for the full 13 percent.

When a list of six proposed exceptional public benefits to be provided by Garden Del Mar was presented at the July 21 City Council meeting, almost no one was happy. Steering committee members who spent almost two years working on the project felt their requests were ignored. Council members had more questions than answers and ultimately took no action. The developers nearly walked away.

When Del Mar residents go to the polls Nov. 4, they will be asked to vote on the adoption of the Garden Del Mar specific plan as approved by City Council on Aug. 4.

As far as Jim Watkins is concerned, amending the municipal code to allow sidewalk cafes in downtown Del Mar is a move that’s long overdue.

In mid-May, when the city purchased a 5.3-acre lot from Del Mar Union School District, it did so with a $5 million down payment and $3.5 million promissory note due within a year.

Bocce ball contests are being held all over the place and growing in popularity.

Bobby Gooding, now retired and a resident of Encinitas, laughs with gusto when asked about the Terrace Rats Gang of which his son was a member.

After distributing a test, the teacher advises students to read all instructions before starting. The obedient ones discover in the last sentence that they need not take the exam. The others spend the entire class completing unnecessary work only to receive Fs because they didn’t do as they were told.

Downtown revitalization, Crest Road traffic improvements and a new library roof all fared well in the 2008-2009 budget passed by City Council on June 30.

A long time ago when the city was a village, there were only two seasons — the racing season and between the races season.

Council members recently filled six vacancies on a variety of city advisory boards.

Before the year’s end, Los Angeles County is planning to invest 800 grand in a rain-inducing project. Idea is to inject the San Gabriel Mountain clouds with a solution of silver oxide particles.