A round-up of news, community, and business briefs from sdnews.com highlighting what’s happening in our community.

Saturday, April 18

COUNCILMEMBER BRY URGES CITY TO OPEN BEACHES

“I urge the City to work with health officials and local enforcement to develop a strategy to safely reopen our parks and beaches within the first week of May with strict adherence to social distancing and face-covering guidelines,” said Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry, who represents District 1. “Parks and beaches play an important role in San Diego life. San Diego is an urban landscape with green spaces proving vital for the welfare of our citizens, from parents looking for a safe outing for their now-at-home kids, to apartment dwellers itching for more space. These public arenas are irreplaceable.”

Added Bry: “I supported the closure of these spaces in March, but COVID is a rapidly evolving situation and we as a municipality have to be flexible toward the needs of our residents. We are entering into a different landscape than we were in six weeks ago – our residents are educated on COVID-19 and have proven that they can be trusted to adhere to orders and recommendations.”

 

INDOOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE CANCELS REMAINING GAMES
The Indoor Football League, America’s longest-running professional indoor football league, announced it has canceled the remaining games of the 2020 season due to the many unknowns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a decision we take very seriously, and it comes as a result of extended, thoughtful discussion among our board of directors,” said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. “Because there are so many critical unknowns that are out of our control, we feel as a league we would be best serving the health and stability of the IFL community by taking a proactive approach and focusing our talents and our resources toward preparing for a breakout 2021 season. The health and safety of our players, coaches, staff, and fans is our top concern.”

The IFL’s board also approved an extended 16-game schedule for the 2021 season to add additional value for season ticket holders and sponsors.

Policies regarding the reimbursement and renewal of season tickets and other ticket purchases, along with how teams will handle corporate sponsorships for 2020, are being made on a team-by-team basis.

 

MANOJ MONGA NAMED CHAIR OF DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY AT UC SAN DIEGO
After a national search, Manoj Monga, M.D., recognized as an international authority in endourology and stone disease, has been named chair of the Department of Urology at University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

“UC San Diego is delighted and deeply fortunate to have successfully recruited Dr. Manoj Monga to lead the Department of Urology,” said Steven Garfin, M.D., interim dean of UC San Diego School of Medicine. “We are honored to welcome Monga back to San Diego and look forward to his exceptional leadership in pursuit of our tripartite mission of groundbreaking research, inspired teaching and outstanding clinical care.”

In his new role, Monga brings with him a fresh perspective on leadership, teaching and clinical management to oversee the Department of Urology’s 23 faculty, 15 residents and five accredited fellowships. He will further build on the academic and clinical success of a department that has contributed to innovations in urologic oncology, women’s pelvic medicine, urinary stone disease, men’s health and infertility, pediatric urology, reconstructive urology and more.

Monga began his career in academic medicine as an assistant professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, following his residency in urology at Tulane University School of Medicine.

LAWYERS CLUB OF SAN DIEGO HAS NEW DATE FOR ANNUAL DINNER
Originally planned for May 14, the club’s annual dinner has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 29.

At that time, the Lawyers Club will be honored to present Stacey Abrams, a political trailblazer, nonprofit CEO, New York Times-bestselling author, tax attorney and television producer, as the keynote speaker.

The dinner will be held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina at 333 W. Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego starting at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit lawyersclubsandiego.com.

Friday, April 17

 

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON CANCELED

Comic-Con International announced on April 17 it is canceling this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 celebration, which had been scheduled for July 23-26, would have been the 51st iteration of the convention, one of San Diego’s largest and most lucrative conventions. In 2019, more than 130,000 people attended. Organizers said the event will return next year to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-25.
“Recognizing that countless attendees save and plan for its conventions each year, and how many exhibitors and stakeholders rely upon its events for a major portion of their livelihood, they had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer,” event organizers said in a statement. “Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year.”
  

MAYOR, SUPERVISOR, ANNOUNCE GROUP TO RE-ACTIVATE ECONOMY

Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and County Supervisor and Board Chairman Greg Cox on April 17 announced the creation of an advisory group charged with preparing the region for economic reactivation and recovery.

The group is being created in partnership with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation to provide guidance on how to phase-in a reopening of San Diego’s economy, following guidance from public health officials. The group will develop recommendations from a variety of industries and provide them to the City and County for review and implementation.

 

VIRTUAL ‘CLIMATE UPRISING’ ON EARTH DAY

On April 22, the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, hundreds of San Diego area climate activists and organizations will unite in a Virtual Climate Uprising. 

San Diegans of all ages will join together to demand urgent action to halt the climate crisis. As with the pandemic, we all must do our part to secure a sustainable future. The Virtual Climate Uprising will make it clear that the time for action is now.

The virtual event takes place from noon to 7 p.m. The main rally will be from noon-1 p.m. with speakers including County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, ICU nurse Shannon Cotton, high school and college leaders, and Bobby Wallace of the Barona Band of Mission Indians (Kumeyaay Nation). 

From 1-6 p.m., a series of workshops and panels will explore the Covid-19 disaster, environmental justice (in Spanish), the Kumeyaay perspective on climate, high school and college climate activism, living sustainably, climate activism from home, the San Diego Green New Deal, and more.

Local artists, music, and yoga mindfulness between the workshops will keep the day lively and build community. A closing session at 6 p.m. will refocus the urgent need for climate action.

The event will be live-streamed on Twitch, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.

CITY LIBRARIES’ STAFF IS ANSWERING CALLS

All San Diego Public Library locations remain closed until further notice, in line with County health guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, library staff can now answer calls Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Although the libraries cannot place holds or check out materials, staff can walk patrons through using SDPL’s digital library and also answer reference questions.

SDPL has expanded the digital resources that you can access 24/7 with your library card at: sandiego.gov/elibrary 

Digital resources include:

• Tumble Book Library: K-6 Children’s eBooks;

• Tumble Math: K-6 Math eBooks;

• Teen BookCloud: Teen eBooks;

• CloudLibrary: Download eBooks and eAudiobooks;

• RB Digital: Download eAudiobooks;

• Enki: Download eBooks;

• AudioBookCloud;

• Romance BookCloud: Romance eBooks;

• Kanopy: Stream documentaries, feature and independent films, and training videos;

• Medici.tv: stream videos with classical concerts, ballets, documentaries, master classes, and more;

• Rosetta Stone: learn languages;

• Gale Courses: enroll in a class from the comfort of your home.

 

FULL CLOSURE OF VOIGT DRIVE IN LA JOLLA

Starting Monday, April 20 and continuing through fall 2021,a section of Voigt Drive will close to vehicles and pedestrians for work on the Voigt Drive Improvements project. 

What to expect: 

• Full closure of Voigt Drive from parking lot P701 to Campus Point Drive;

• Typical work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. but may vary;

• At this time, access to the UC San Diego Medical Center and Emergency Department will not be impacted;

• Access to Scripps Memorial Hospital and Anderson Medical Pavilion will remain available via Genesee Avenue;

• MTS Bus Routes 201 and 202 will not stop along Voigt Drive but will service a temporary stop on Athena Circle, just south of Health Sciences Drive. 

The next phase of work is expected to begin in June 2020 and will impact Campus Point Drive. 

 Thursday, April 16

 

WATCH FOSTER HOME PUPPIES, KITTENS, GROW UP

While families are staying home, San Diego Humane Society is inviting them to watch litters of puppies and kittens grow up in foster care. This baby season, Ready, Set, Grow! will introduce the public to litters of adorable baby animals through regular updates and photos on social media and at sdhumane.org/readysetgrow.

SDHS kicked off Ready, Set, Grow! by introducing a puppy each day on Facebook and Instagram from a litter of Chihuahuas currently living in a foster home. With springtime upon us, the baby season is approaching, and SDHS expects to see an influx in animals over the coming weeks, from cats and dogs to wildlife. As the community responds to the impact of COVID-19, animals are still entering SDHS’s care daily. It’s anticipated, in the coming months, they will see an increase from about 800 to well over 2,000 animals being cared for each day.

 

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED APPROVES HAZARD PAY, GRADE PROTECTION

On April 14,  San Diego Unified School District approved giving hazard pay to employees still interacting with the public in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as protecting the grades of students while schools remain closed.
The district’s board of education approved the emergency measures at its remote meeting. Those include retroactive time-and-a-half hazard pay dating back to March 16 for school district employees serving as disaster service workers by distributing computers and meals to students.
The board also ordered that while the district is engaged in distance learning, students will not be given grades lower than their grades were when the schools closed.

“A crisis like this one may change the way we operate, but it will never change who we are,” SDUSD superintendent Cindy Marten said. “How we operate has definitely changed. We are on track to distribute well over 40,000 computers to students across the City, and we have provided close to 400,000 meals to families in need. And now we are getting ready for the biggest change of all. We are about to open a classroom in the clouds for all our students.”

The school board also called for its congressional delegation and Gov. Gavin Newsom to approve a resolution from a coalition of national education organizations calling on legislators to provide emergency funding of $200 billion for schools nationwide. The coalition estimates additional relief totaling $350 billion will likely be needed to ensure public school funding is stabilized over the next two years.

 
JOBS IN CLEAN ENERGY LOST DUE TO COVID-19

More than 106,000 clean energy workers lost their jobs in March, and hundreds of thousands more clean energy job losses are projected in the coming months, the federal government reported from Washington, D.C.

The analysis of Department of Labor data found that 106,472 workers in clean energy occupations filed for unemployment benefits last month, wiping out all 2019 clean energy job gains across renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean vehicles, energy storage, and clean fuels. These include electricians, HVAC and mechanical trades technicians and construction workers who work in energy efficiency; solar installers; wind industry engineers and technicians; and manufacturing workers employed by electric and other clean- vehicle manufacturing companies and suppliers.

Clean energy has been one of the U.S. economy’s biggest and fastest-growing employment sectors over the past decade, growing 10.4 percent since 2015. At the start of 2020, America’s clean energy workforce accounted for more than one out of every 50 U.S. workers. That made clean energy by far the biggest employer of workers in energy occupations, employing nearly three times more workers than the fossil-fuel industry.

But all that growth came to a screeching halt in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. The March layoffs are just the first indication of how badly the clean energy industry will be hit by the crisis, with projections showing more than 500,000 clean energy workers – 15 percent of the entire clean energy workforce – will lose their jobs in the months ahead unless Congress and the Trump administration take quick and substantive action. A loss of that magnitude would erase the clean energy industry’s total job growth over the last five years.

 

SDIA AWARDED STIMULUS PACKAGE FROM FEDS

San Diego International Airport will receive over $91 million from the newly created Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced April 14.

Across the country, about $10 billion will be distributed to airports to fund continued operations during this crisis and save workers’ jobs, Chao said. In California, 188 airports will receive over $1.08 billion.

The funds are available for airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments.

 

SDUSD SUPPORTS STUDENT CLIMATE RALLY

San Diego Unified School District Board unanimously passed a resolution April 14 encouraging students and their families to participate in the Virtual Climate Uprising on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, showing the district’s commitment to youth-led climate activism. The resolution was requested by student leaders at multiple SDUSD schools.

“As we enter the last decade where it’s possible for us to secure a sustainable future for people my age, I believe it is vital that we take immediate action to avert the irreversible effects of climate change,” said Kate Vedder, a junior at Point Loma High School. “It means a lot to me, as an SDUSD student, to see this support from the School Board for student leadership around climate action.”

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day now includes events coordinated globally in more than 193 countries.

 

NIGHT AND WEEKEND RAIL WORK PLANNED 

This weekend, all COASTER and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services along the San Diego segment of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) coastal rail corridor will be suspended due to a planned Absolute Work Window (AWW).
 
AWWs are select weekends that provide crews safe access to work unimpeded directly along the rail line while all rail services are halted to meet significant construction milestones. No passenger or freight trains will operate between Oceanside and Downtown San Diego beginning early Saturday morning on April 18 through early Monday morning, April 20. Work schedules are subject to change. 
For updates visit GoNCTD.com, Amtrak.com, or MetrolinkTrains.com.

 

SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY CANCELS SEASON

For the health and well-being of patrons, musicians, and the symphony family, the San Diego Symphony has made the decision to cancel the remainder of its 2019-20 San Diego Symphony season concerts. This includes all concerts through May 30. 

“Now more than ever, we need the support of our patrons. I respectfully ask that ticket holders consider donating the value of their ticket back to the San Diego Symphony.?Their tax-deductible donation today means that the next time they are able to join us at Copley Symphony Hall for a concert, the orchestra will be here to share the joy of live music with them once more, as a healthy, vibrant and financially secure organization,” said Martha Gilmer, San Diego Symphony CEO.

The San Diego Symphony encourages virtual connection during this time. Music lovers can:

– Follow the San Diego Symphony and San Diego musicians on Instagram  @sandiegosymphony and @sandiegosymphonymusicians;

– Listen to rebroadcasts of concerts on 89.5 KPBS every Sunday night at 8 p.m.;

Check out the San Diego Symphony Spotify channel where you can find playlists for each of the previously scheduled concerts;

Subscribe to Nuvi Mehta’s podcasts on iTunes or through the website.

 

HILLCREST FARMERS MARKET REOPENS

The Hillcrest Farmers Market has been classified as an essential food service by Gov. Gavin Newsom. To meet those essential service needs, the market will be reopened on Sunday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a smaller footprint and lots of safety precautions. Special shopping hours for elderly customers will be from 9-10 a.m.
Community members are invited to shop at the modified market this Sunday, which will feature pre-packaged food and fresh produce items only. To make sure everyone stays safe while shopping, staff, and volunteers will implement some important safety changes in place for the duration of the current public health emergency including a maximum capacity of 50 customers and social-distancing measures.

The Hillcrest Farmers Market is located on Normal Street between University Avenue and Lincoln Avenue (under the Hillcrest Pride Flag). Free parking will be available for farmers market customers in the Hillcrest DMV parking lot. Enter the parking lot from the west side. After parking, queue and enter the venue on the south side of the DMV building.

For more information visit, hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.

CELEBRATE ART ALIVE ONLINE

Its galleries may be closed, but The San Diego Museum of Art at 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park invites you to celebrate Art Alive 2020, April 24 through April 26, from the comfort of your home with #VirtualArtAlive.

For the first time in the event’s 39-year history, Art Alive will be completely held online. Follow the museum’s social channels every day at 3 p.m. for content featuring floral interpretations over the years, Art Alive fun facts, cocktail recipes and more. Museum visitors will also have the opportunity to submit their own photos and memories of Art Alive for a chance to be featured.

Art Alive is the museum’s annual fundraiser in support of education, outreach programs, and special exhibitions. All events during Art Alive weekend, including Bloom Bash, are available to the public for free but suggested donations will be accepted for those who wish to donate. Follow #VirtualArtAlive on the museum’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Wednesday, April 15

 

LA JOLLA MAD MARCH PROGRESS REPORT

A progress report on community beautification performed by Enhance La Jolla, the community’s Maintenance Assessment District, for March 2020 has been released by district manager John Unbewust.

“Enhance La Jolla has authorized MAD vendors to continue their work in the Village, as all work performed by MAD enhances the cleanliness of the Village,” said Unbewust. “And, MAD’s vendors are complying with the governor’s executive orders and County/City directives regarding distancing and the use of gloves and masks. Enhance La Jolla believes that these efforts provide a significant benefit to all people working and living in the Village.”

Added Unbewust: “A clean environment is a worthy goal. MAD will continue to power wash sidewalks, maintain landscaping and pick up fallen limbs and other debris from trees, and provide litter control and trash collection regularly within the Village.”

Unbewust noted all trash receptacles are disinfected and lids wiped during each servicing. He said painting trash receptacles (lids and frames) continues and will be completed this month. Other anticipated activities have been placed on hold.

“Once conditions allow, MAD will restart its efforts to improve tree wells, paint SDG&E transformers, and recondition wood benches and a dog waste station pilot within the Village,” said Unbewust. “MAD is coordinating with one of our neighbors to remove graffiti. The results have been remarkable. Virtually all of these eyesores have been removed. So, if you see any graffiti, don’t hesitate to notify MAD.”

 

VAPA FOUNDATION’S SECOND ANNUAL FUNDRAISER GOES VIRTUAL

The Visual and Performing Arts Foundation serves art students within the San Diego Unified School District by providing additional funding for projects and materials that are outside of the school’s standard budget. This Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m., the community is invited to enjoy a night of student performances and productions. Originally set to take place at The Conrad in La Jolla, the event has gone virtual and can be found at facebook.com/VAPAFoundSD/. 

“We are excited to host this virtual event through Facebook Live and invite you to tune in on this evening to show your support for our city’s children,” said Doreen Schonbrun, co-chair of the gala. “We will feature incredible student performances and artwork to show you why the work of the VAPA Foundation is so important and deserving of your financial support.”  

 Proceeds from the benefit will support enhanced arts education programs for all students at SDUSD schools.?For more information, visit?vapafoundation.org.

ST. JAMES MUSIC SERIES SUSPENDED IN LA JOLLA

The annual music series of St. James by-the-sea Episcopal Church at 743 Prospect St. has suspended the rest of its current season due to the COVID-19 outbreak. A concert by the San Diego ensemble SACRA/PROFANA, will be rescheduled for next fall. All ticket sales will be honored at that time. 

The final concert of the season, featuring Chanticleer, was not able to be rescheduled but the group has already been booked to appear next spring.

Ticketholders who would like to receive a refund for either of these performances can email [email protected]. Alternatively, all ticket sales will be considered tax-deductible donations to the St. James Music Series, and these proceeds will enable St. James to put together an even more robust season for next year, to be announced shortly.

For more information, visit stjamesmusicseries.com.

 

SAN DIEGANS ON FAMILY FEUD

The Bernardo family of San Diego will be on the popular TV game show “Family Feud” on Monday, April 20, said game show spokesperson Rebecca Taustine. Check your local TV listings for the time of the show.

 

HARBOR POLICE OFFICER TESTS POSITIVE FOR VIRUS

A Port of San Diego Harbor Police officer has tested positive for COVID-

19. The officer has not been to work since March 20 and began feeling ill after that date. Upon notification of the positive test, the Port promptly investigated and determined the officer has not been in contact with any other Port employees or Port facilities since that time.
The officer is under a doctor’s care and has been directed to isolate at home and monitor for additional symptoms. Due to medical privacy laws, the officer’s identity will not be released. Port and Harbor Police staff have been notified.
Prioritizing the health and well-being of the public,