Community Briefing (07/21/15)

Runner to benefit HonorFlight in SF ultramarathon

Michelle Skeen, a psychologist and radio show host in San Francisco, will run an ultramarathon this weekend, the San Francisco Marathon, doing so to raise funds for HonorFlight of Northern California. The organization takes World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial on the Capitol Mall. Scores of veterans from the Valley and Sierra foothills have made the trip free of charge. Skeen said she flew with a group of veterans, and determined she wanted to help raise money for the organization. She contacted Ron Lopez of Modesto, who heads the NorCal chapter. An ultramarathon is 52.4 miles, or twice the distance of a regular marathon. Her race will begin at at midnight Saturday. She is looking for sponsors/donors, asking people to contribute to Crowdrise.com/HonorFlightNorthernCalifornia/fundraiser/michelleskeen. Visit her professional website at http://michelleskeen.com/blog. She also has a Facebook page. Skeen raised $1,250 through Tuesday morning.

Ex-Sonoran could be in the chips

Sonora native Jim Wagner, now living in Wichita Falls, Texas, is a finalist in the Lay’s Do Us A Flavor contest. Hopefuls invent a new flavor of potato chip, submit their entries and let them fall where they may. Wagner, 37, attended Sonora High through his junior year and is now an F-15 crew chief at Sheppard Air Force Base. He concocted the Greektown Gyro flavor, based upon the tasty meat from the Mediterranean. The winning chipmaker will really be in the chips, with a $1 million prize at stake, with voters making the determination at dousaflavor.com. Voting begins July 27, or you can text to 24477 and type in VoteGyro. Twitter and Instagram users can use #VoteGyro as well.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Community Briefing (07/21/15)."