The Gentle Giant was a beloved therapy animal and loved by many. Author: Jeff Zevely (Reporter) Updated: 6:24 PM PST January 1, 2021
ENCINITAS, Calif. The San Diego Botanic Garden wants to memorialize their beloved Giant Galapagos turtle with a commemorative bench. In this Zevely Zone, I went to Encinitas to say so long to Sam.
Sam, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, who came to live at the Garden through an amazing set of circumstances and served as a therapy animal for many years to people with special needs, died on Nov. 5, 2020.
There was nothing typical about Sam s story from the start. It gives me goosebumps that this all came together here, said Julian Duval, the San Diego Botanic Garden s President and CEO Emeritus.
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GIA offers virtual activities for gem buffs
The Gemological Institute of America offers a number of free virtual activities and resources that are available to the community. For example, folks can learn about the latest gemological research and new discoveries in Gems & Gemology – GIA’s quarterly journal – including the most recent issue on colored stone origin and every issue, back to 1934 at https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology. GIA also offers access to important books on gemology, minerology, gems and jewelry in the digital collection of rare and historic books from GIA’s Cartier Rare Book Repository and Archives at https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/rare-books-project-puts-gem-jewelry-history-reach.
Drop off letters to Santa by noon Thursday
The elves at La Mesa Community Services are still taking letters to Santa. Drop your letter off at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, by noon Thursday. Make the occasion even more festive by taking an “elfie” and tagging the agency at #FalalaLaMesa.
Free Christmas meals available to go
The Salvation Army will distribute a complete hot Christmas meal at three sites around the county. Meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Christmas Day. Children will also receive a Christmas stocking with toys and snacks. Meals will be available at the Centre City Corps, 825 Seventh Ave., San Diego; Citadel Corps, 4170 Balboa Ave., San Diego; and at the El Cajon Red Shield Center, 1025 E. Main St., El Cajon.