Shorn for Locks of Love

By: J. STRYKER MEYER - Staff Writer | Sunday, July 10, 2005 8:32 PM PDT ∞

San Marcos-based International Institute of Martial Arts instructor Meagan Frank recently donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love in an effort to raise sponsorship money to attend the IMAC World Karate Championships in Las Vegas. The actual haircut was donated by Suzanne Sisler of Hair Biz in San Marcos. Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with medical hair loss. The custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided free of charge or on a sliding scale to children whose families meet Locks of Love's guidelines. Donors provide the hair, volunteers staff the office and the manufacturer hand-assembles each piece, which requires about four months. Since 1997 more than 1,000 children have been helped. Call Frank at (760) 752-7996. The Locks of Love Web site is: www.locksoflove.org.

SER TRAINING ---- The nonprofit SER Inc. is beginning its second year of Pro-Active Career Employment Project, which pays young people between 18 and 21 during job readiness training while learning valuable skills to complete their high-school degree or GED. Program Manager Miranda Romero said last year's initial effort was successful and that a few slots remain in this training program, designed to help young adults at a critical point in their lives. Call Romero at (760) 754-6500.

LIVE LOVE ---- Former Palomar College student Donnie Stevenson ---- now a USD law school student ---- recently proposed live on-air to radio student Emily Irish on the college's radio station, KKSM, while at the San Diego County Fair. Irish said '"Yes," and continues to work as an entertainment technician at Harrah's Casino.

BILBRAY SAY ---- Former congressman, former county supervisor and former Imperial Beach Mayor Brian Bilbray set tongues wagging Thursday when he made a surprise appearance at political consultant Jack Orr's luncheon at Marie Callender's in Carlsbad. With "Duke" Cunningham under some political heat and State Sen. Bill Morrow's seat termed out, people openly wondered if Bilbray was positioning himself to run for Congress. Bilbray's answer: "My mother lives in Carlsbad and I'm here to help her through some problems. I have no political plans in North County."

MATH PAYS ---- Pioneer Elementary School students in Escondido recently raised $2,444.30 for the St. Jude Hospital for Children by security pledges for doing math booklets over spring break.

J. Stryker Meyer can be reached at (760) 901-4089.