A round-up of news, community, and business briefs from sdnews.com highlighting what’s happening in our community.
Saturday, April 4
TORREY HOLISTICS DONATES FACE MASKS, HAND SANITIZERS
Local business owners, Tony Hall and Doug Gans of Torrey Holistics, have donated over 7,000 N95 face masks and over 10,000 hand sanitizers to various health centers, local organizations, customers and staff since mid-March. With shortages of medical supplies around the country caused by the COVID-19 international health crisis, Hall and Gans saw an opportunity to directly help their community, the medical workers on the frontlines, and those most vulnerable.
"The Torrey Holistics family and I wanted to make sure that our staff and community stay safe in these unprecedented times,” said Tony Hall, Co-Owner and Founder of Torrey Holistics. “Through my network, I was able to get the necessary items to support the people on the front lines who are working tirelessly to serve and protect San Diego.”
Torrey Holistics has announced a portion of April sales will be donated to senior centers. For more information, visit torreyholistics.com
LOCAL AUTHOR OFFERS ‘BORED GAMES’
Local author Lee Silber is offering his fun and interactive “Bored Games” book to help amuse kids stuck at home during the health crisis.
“People can get the book on Amazon for $5, or we can offer readers a free digital copy,” said Silber. "I converted the book to a PDF. I know it would help a lot of parents who have kids trapped at home make the most of this time together and keep them from going crazy (the parents, too).”
For more information, email leesilber@leesilber.com.
PB LIBRARY TO REMAIN CLOSED
The Pacific Beach Library will not re-open Monday, April 6 as originally planned.
“In line with County health guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the San Diego Public Library system will be closed to the public until further notice,” said PB library manager Christina Wainwright. “When the date when we can safely re-open is decided upon, it will be my great joy to share that information. In the meantime, here are a couple of quick reminders: Our book drops are locked.
“Please hold on to your library materials and return them after we re-open; due dates on library materials have been extended until Friday, May 22; Dates for picking up holds currently in the library have been extended and you can always access our digital collections at sandiego.gov/public-library/elibrary.”
COUNCILMAN RECOVERING FROM COVID-19
COVID-19 stricken Chula Vista City Council member Steve Padilla, and a California Coastal commissioner, is out of hospital intensive care.
"I’m off the ventilator, out of the ICU, and will be home soon,” said Padilla in a release. “After an intense three-week battle with coronavirus, the relief and gratitude I’m feeling right now are overwhelming. I’m so grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at UCSD Medical Center who saved my life. Take it from me: the threat of coronavirus is as serious as it is real. We all need to stay home, and follow County Public Health guidelines to stop the spread and save lives that are at risk.”
Friday, April 3
COUNTY ORDERS ESSENTIAL WORKERS TO WEAR MASKS
To prevent the spread of the virus and potential future deaths, San Diegans who are out in public are strongly encouraged to cover their nose and mouth to flatten the curve, County health officials recommended. Businesses, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants, are required to have employees wear face coverings.
The new order and guidance will go into effect at midnight, Friday, April 3.
“This new amendment is in addition to the other emergency regulations urging residents to continue staying at home, wash hands regularly, and maintain safe physical distances during essential trips out of the house,” said District 7 City Councilmember Scott Sherman.
Wearing a facial covering is useful because the coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets emitted when an individual breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Individuals may be infected with the coronavirus even if they feel no symptoms and the virus can still spread to others if there are no symptoms.
There are numerous types of cloth materials that can be used such as bandannas, turtlenecks, etc. However, N95 and surgical masks that are in short supply should not be used.
For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit sandiego.gov/coronavirus.
BLENDERS EYEWEAR DONATING SAFETY GOGGLES TO HOSPITALS
Pacific Beach-based sunglasses brand, Blenders Eyewear, is devoting a portion of its manufacturing to make 10,000 safety goggles to donate to area hospitals amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Founded in 2012 by San Diego State University alum Chase Fisher, Blenders Eyewear is a sunglasses and lifestyle company started in Pacific Beach.
"Our thoughts are with the doctors, nurses, and medical staff coping with patient surge and putting themselves in harm’s way for the sake of the greater good," said Fisher. "As a community, we all have a responsibility to flatten the curve and lower the peak of this virus."
Blenders announced that it will produce and donate 10,000 goggles to hospitals in San Diego and Los Angeles. The safety goggles are FDA-approved medical devices and will be delivered by April 15.
The company is also offering 5% off all sales throughout April that will go to Direct Relief – a humanitarian aid organization helping provide personal protective equipment and essential medical items to health workers responding to COVID-19. Through this partnership, Blenders hopes to provide an additional 20,000 pairs of goggles to high-need regions in the United States.
2020 CENSUS IS UNDERWAY
By now, every household in Pacific and Mission beaches should have received an invitation by mail to participate in the 2020 Census.
The Census provides more than a snapshot of a community's demographics. Its count determines where nearly $1 trillion of taxpayer money is allocated for healthcare, education, housing, community resources, transportation, and disaster relief.
It is fast and easy to complete your Census questionnaire at my2020census.gov, by phone (844-330-2020), or by mail. All your responses are confidential and private – responses are protected by federal law and are gathered for statistical purposes only.
With questions about the Census, email raquel.juarez@2020census.gov.
AVOID COVID-19 SCAMS
“The FBI has identified a new fraud scheme using text messaging and social platforms to reach potential victims,” said David Surwilo, San Diego Police Department community relations officer. “The message uses the promise of money, i.e., ‘stimulus check’ from the retailer, Costco Wholesale, and provides a link, containing malware, ransomware or other fraudulent methods to steal identity, financial or other personal information.”
Added Surwilo: “The FBI is warning the public that Costco is not texting or using social media platforms to reach the public or its customers to provide a ‘stimulus check,’ ‘freebies,’ or a ‘stimulus package’ in fake messages. Do not click on this type of unsolicited link. Do not provide personal information for unsolicited links.”
Thursday, April 2
WOODSTOCK’S PIZZA DOUGH-NATION
Located at 1221 Garnet Ave., Woodstock’s Pizza Pacific Beach has launched a fundraiser called Double Your Dough-Nation to provide free pizzas to the neediest, in partnership with The Salvation Army. Woodstock's is matching every gift to feed those who are sick/quarantined, health care workers on the front lines, people who have lost their jobs and the homeless.
Woodstock's PB, operated by Laura and Jeff Ambrose, is still open for curbside pick-up and free delivery. The Ambroses said they’ve managed to avoid layoffs so far, primarily by asking their college-age employees with family financial support to give their hours to employees who are solely dependent on their wages from Woodstock's.
SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY RECEIVES BIG GIFT
SDHS has received a $50,000 matching gift from Charles and Carol Baum, which will double donations made to the organization during April. The gift was made in memory of the Baums’ beloved pets Chelsea, Winston, Sullivan and Jordan.
The gift will provide critical support for SDHS during this time of need. As the community responds to COVID-19, animals are still entering SDHS’s care daily. Donations will ensure that the organization is able to continue providing shelter, lifesaving medical care, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, animal-cruelty investigations and more.
“Our work for animals in need doesn’t stop,” said SDHS president/CEO Dr. Gary Weitzman. “We are San Diego’s safety net for animals, in good times and bad. No matter what else is going on in the world, animals are relying on us to save their lives. This generous matching gift helps ensure we can be there for every single one.”
Donations can be made online at sdhumane.org and must be received by April 30 to be eligible for the match.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to inspire compassion for animals in our community during this difficult time,” said donor Charles Baum.“San Diego Humane Society’s lifesaving work continues despite everything else that is happening in the world, and we’re grateful that they’re here for animals and the people who love them.”
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR UPDATE
“At this time, we do not plan to cancel the San Diego County Fair, and we will move forward planning it,” say organizers of the annual regionwide fair scheduled for June 5-July 5 at Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Superheroes are this year’s fair theme. Taste your way through the fair’s superfoods, soar through the air on adrenaline-pumping carnival rides, strike a power pose with your favorite superheroes, discover entertainment surprises and learn the science and history of being a superhero and meet real-life community heroes. For more information, visit sdfair.com.
INSOMNIA COOKIES DIY KITS
With a location in Pacific Beach at 1007 Garnet Ave., the retail chain is offering cool treats for local delivery for the whole family, or for a sweet date night idea. Choose from two DIY kits:
● DIY Cookie’wich Kit - $18, includes 6 traditional cookies, 1 pint of ice cream, 4 toppings (your choice of traditional cookies, ice cream flavor, and toppings);
● Large DIY Cookie’wich Kit - $32, includes 12 traditional cookies, one quart of ice cream, 6 toppings (your choice of traditional cookies, ice cream flavors, and toppings).
To find out if you’re within the delivery radius, enter your address into the location finder on Insomnia’s website. To place an order for local or national delivery, visit insomniacookies.com.
SMALL-BUSINESS STATE TAX RELIEF
Starting April 3, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) will allow small-business taxpayers to enter into 12-month interest-free payment plans for up to $50,000 of sales and use tax liability. This offers what is effectively an immediate interest-free loan to small businesses, providing a bridge until they can get relief from the SBA or their businesses can get back on their feet.
This extends beyond the previous executive order that all small businesses will have an additional three months to file returns and pay taxes administered by the department. Additionally, all businesses will have an extra 60 days to file claims for a refund from CDTFA or to appeal a CDTFA decision to the Office of Tax Appeals.
For more information, visit business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/.
SEAWORLD OFFERS ONLINE CLASSROOMS
The popular marine amusement park understands that patrons need turnkey, engaging activities now more than ever, so SeaWorld has developed standards-aligned resources available to help families virtually explore the wild world of animals and nature for grades K-12.
Parents, students, and teachers can explore hands-on, creative resources including classroom activities, teacher’s guides, Saving a Species Video Series, animal bytes and animal info books.
Materials can be accessed by going directly to SeaWorld.org, or through SeaWorld’s portal at SeaWorld San Diego Education.
SHORE BUDDIES DONATING TO MARINE LIFE
San Diego-based stuffed-animal company, Shore Buddies, which fashions its products from recycled plastic bottles, has partnered up with four nonprofit organizations that are currently treating animals at their facilities and is donating 100% of their profits from online sales to help these animals to get the treatment they need.
It takes six plastic bottles to make one 12-inch Shore Buddy stuffed animal. Each animal covers a different topic of ocean plastic and educates children on how they can help to keep plastics out of the ocean in a playful way.
“Although our mission is to keep plastics out of the ocean, we cannot forget about the animals that currently need treatment,” says founder/CEO Malte Niebelschuetz. “At Shore Buddies, we are great at giving marine life a voice. Therefore, we decided to speak up for them and help these great organizations to continue their important work during this global crisis.”
Shore Buddies is supporting the Dolphin Research Center, The Marine Mammal Center and the San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife.
For more information, visit shore-buddies.com.
CONSTRUCTION IN MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE
When Mission Trails Regional Park reopens and visitors return, they may notice an increase in construction traffic and activities in and near the western portion of the park as the San Diego County Water Authority improves a portion of its regional water delivery system.
The Water Authority has begun work to construct a new underground reservoir and flow control facility. The facilities are part of the Mission Trails Project, a suite of projects that mostly were completed in late 2010 to improve regional water infrastructure. Completed components include the construction of a pipeline tunnel, demolition of most above-ground vent stacks in the park, and construction of a stabilized crossing at the San Diego River.
The new underground flow regulatory structure, or covered reservoir, will help regulate untreated water flows in the regional water delivery system. It will hold up to 5 million gallons of water. The reservoir will be covered with soil and vegetation, except for several above-ground access hatches and vents that will allow for air movement in and out of the reservoir. A new flow control facility and pipeline interconnections will also be constructed as part of this project. Pre-construction work to prepare the site has already started. The project construction is scheduled to begin in March and end in early 2022.
Construction vehicles will use Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Calle de Vida, Portobelo Drive, and Antigua Boulevard to access work areas in the park. Some trails leading to the site in the western portion of the park will be closed. For instance, the trail that begins at the intersection of Calle de Vida and Colina Dorada Drive will be closed to allow large construction vehicles and traffic to safely pass through the park. Additionally, parking at the eastern end of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard will be limited to accommodate project field offices and equipment staging.
For more information about either project, go to www.sdcwa.org/mission-trails-FRS, call the toll-free project information line at 877-682-9283, ext. 7004, or email CIPinfo@sdcwa.org.
LIZZO ‘SHOUT OUT’
On March 31, pop singer Lizzo gave a “shout out” to Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa and bought lunch for its staff as part of an effort to thank hospital workers across the country.
“Thank you so much for everything you guys have been doing during this pandemic. It has been a very scary time, and you guys have been a peace of mind during this time and a hero” the Grammy award-winning artist said in a video message posted by Sharp. “I hope you feel the love and appreciation of pouring in from everybody from all around the world because we really do love and appreciate ya’ll.”
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