CHULA VISTA: Sweetwater Union High School District's board of trustees voted Monday night to pull out of a South County task force on expanding career technical education in South County.

The vote was 4-1, with trustees Jim Cartmill, Pearl Quiñones, Arlie Ricasa and Greg Sandoval in favor and Jaime Mercado opposed.

Superintendent Jesus Gandara said Sweetwater will continue to consider establishing a new construction trades school, starting additional career academies within existing high schools and changing the focus of a charter school to career preparation. Gandara said the pace of planning was slowed by the size of the task force, which had more than 30 members.

The board also approved an extension of Gandara's contract. By a 4-1 vote, with Mercado again dissenting, the board extended Gandara through June 2011 at an annual salary of $250,920.

Mariachi concert set at Southwestern College

CHULA VISTA: Southwestern College will hold a mariachi concert at 7:30 tonight on campus at Mayan Hall Theatre (900 Building).

The concert is part of the group's preparations for a 10-day trip to Guadalajara to participate in the Encuentro del Mariachi festival at the end of the month.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 students and seniors, $5 groups of 20 or more. Box office opens one hour before show time.

Information: (619) 482-6367.

'South Bay Pride' event scheduled for Sunday

CHULA VISTA: The South Bay Alliance will hold its biggest event of the year, “South Bay Pride,” from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Park, just off H Street and Third Avenue in historic downtown Chula Vista. The theme of the event is “Love, Diversity and Equality for All.”

Different from the larger San Diego Pride, this will be more of a hometown-style festival with local food vendors and local entertainers for adults, families and children.

The event is being planned by The South Bay Alliance, which was formed as a way to build an alliance of gay and straight businesses, organizations and residents in the South Bay area.

There will be vendors, a clown, a face painter and air jump for the kids. Entertainment will be provided by Roxy Blue, Rhythm and the Method, Hip Hop and Salsa Dancers from Alandro's Dance Studio.

Information: SouthBayAlliance.net.

New leader named for South Bay YMCA

CHULA VISTA: The South Bay Family YMCA has named Lisa Johnson associate executive director.

Johnson was born and raised in Chula Vista and was most recently director of community relations at The Corky McMillin Companies.

Johnson was previously chairwoman of the South Bay Family YMCA's Board of Management before taking her current position. She also is vice president for internal affairs of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Chula Vista Rotary Club.

Last year, the 51st Congressional District named Johnson Citizen of the Month for March in recognition of her dedication to the South County and long-term community activism. In early 2007, the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce named her Businesswoman of the Year.

The South Bay Family YMCA, at 1201 Paseo Magda, serves the Chula Vista, National City and Bonita areas, offers programs and activities ranging from before-and-after-school programs to sports, wellness programs and fitness classes.

Information: (619) 421-8805 or southbay.ymca.org.

Pageant winners named for South Bay contests

SOUTH COUNTY: Bonita resident Vanessa Sandoval, 20, has been named Miss South County 2009. Candice Margarini, 18, was named Miss Chula Vista 2009, Ashley Horner, 19, was named Miss Bonita 2009 and Sandra Chavez, 18, was named Miss San Ysidro 2009.

The winners receive a $1,000 scholarship.

A reception will be held from 8 to 9:30 tonight at Villa Capri at 2330 Proctor Valley Road to honor the winners.