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

Monday, June 1

FESTA DRIVE-THRU CELEBRATION
The Portuguese Festa serving traditional sopas meal via drive-thru celebration was held Sunday, May 31.
“It marked history for us in our community celebrating Festa through a drive-thru parking lot party,” said Margaret Virissimo, former UPSES board member who handles their marketing as a volunteer. “Hundreds of cars showed up to pick up sopas while the traditional Portuguese music played in the parking lot. It was a sight to see. Everyone in masks.”

DAYTIME CLOSURES OF GENESEE AVENUE AND NOBEL DRIVE
Starting June 1 and continuing through Friday, June 5, full closures will be in place on northbound Genesee Avenue from Nobel Drive to Esplanade Court, as well as on eastbound and westbound Nobel Drive from Genesee Avenue to Lombard Place.
As work progresses, lanes may reopen to accommodate traffic on Genesee Avenue and Nobel Drive. Work hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Please expect noise as this work is completed. Follow signage and use caution when traveling in the area.

SPIN RELAUNCHES ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
If you’re looking to hit the streets of San Diego for some two-wheeled fun, Spin is riding to the rescue.
In a release, Spin said it relaunched its electric scooters in San Diego to offer commuters a quick way to scoot around town while still limiting human contact.
Previously, scooters were only available on the UC San Diego campus, which remains closed. As of May 15, however, 300 of Spin’s mobility devices can be accessed in Pacific Beach, Downtown, North Park and more. Plus, Spin is scaling to bring more scooters to San Diego as commuters start returning to their usual schedules. Riders are reminded to always avoid “no ride zones” like boardwalks.
The mobility provider said its employees tasked with charging and deploying the scooters each day are following advanced sanitation and safety protocols while wearing personal protective equipment. When scooters are returned to Spin’s warehouse to recharge, their handlebars and upright stem are cleaned with disinfectant wipes and sprays. High-traffic areas and vehicles used in Spin’s warehouses and deployment routes are also scrubbed down with disinfectant after every shift.
As part of its new roll out, Spin said it’s offering essential healthcare workers free 30-minute rides through its new “Everyday Heroes” program. Spin said the program is intended to allow health care workers — doctors, nurses, medical assistants, radiology and lab technicians, hospital and clinic administrators and janitorial staff — to get to and from work while maintaining social distance.
Health care workers can apply for the program online.

LJCPA MEETING HAS 5 P.M. START
The regular La Jolla Community Planning Association meeting on June 4 will begin at 5 p.m. rather than the usual 6 p.m. With an unusually full agenda for this meeting, based on the plan group’s experience with the April and May Zoom meetings, it was deemed prudent to host June’s meeting earlier rather than have it run late.
As usual, it is necessary to register in advance if you wish to participate in the meeting. Registration is already open; the necessary instructions and links are at gregj.us/2LslG68. The agenda will be posted at lajollacpa.org.

SMALL BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES
Noting the “grim reality is that more restaurants and other small businesses will not survive this pandemic,” District 1 Councilmember and Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry is launching a “How’s Small Business?” feature series over the next few weeks on her Facebook page.
“These businesses are an important part of our economy and our community,” Bry said. “They make San Diego and our neighborhoods unique. That’s why I’m launching ‘How’s Small Business?’”
Bry’s Facebook page will feature a different D1 business speaking candidly about its struggles during this unprecedented time. Look for it among upcoming posts on her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.  

 Saturday, May 30

BEACHES OPEN FOR SITTING JUNE 2
Starting June 2, people will be allowed to sit and lounge at local beaches provided they maintain physical distancing or wear a face covering when close to others, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced.

Sitting on the beach will be allowed for sunbathing and relaxing with towels and chairs if you do it with people in your own household. However, no activities such as football and volleyball will be permitted. Also, all piers and parking lots will remain closed.

All beach communities agreed to ease this restriction starting June 2, but cities can decide if they want to proceed later and how the guideline is going to be enforced.

 BLENDERS EYEWEAR PROVIDES SUNGLASSES

Pacific Beach-based Blenders Eyewear will outfit more than 300 FedEx Express workers across the county, offering workers one of five select sunglasses. The Blenders Eyewear team donates sunglasses to the region’s 300-plus FedEx Express workers to thank them for their continued support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After re-purposing its production to create and then donate 10,000 safety goggles to Southern California hospitals, plus 20,000 pairs to Direct Relief – in addition to a month-long fundraiser for the international aid organization – Blenders wanted to do more to help those at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit BlendersEyewear.com.

WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE
The San Diego Workforce Partnership releases a weekly email update to serve as a one-stop-shop on employment figures and analysis specific to our region’s workforce in regards to impacts associated with COVID-19.

488 total businesses reporting layoffs to the Workforce Partnership since March 10 (up from 482 last week).

• 73,617 total reported employees affected since March 10 (up from 72,446 last week)
  This includes 36,692 in the hospitality and restaurant and bar industries. This is an estimate based on the notices received by the Workforce Partnership, although the full impact to employees and the region’s economy is still unknown.

• 260 open jobs that the Workforce Partnership team is working to fill with local employers in our Career Portal.

• Data from the U.S. Department of Labor:  New unemployment claims in California have held steady at a little over 200,000 for the last three weeks. For context, that’s about twice the pre-COVID-19 record. San Diego County’s official unemployment rate was the highest ever recorded last month at 15%, and we believe the current rate is higher, as about 40% of unemployment claims made since the onset of COVID-19 were submitted after April 12, when unemployment was last measured. 

SUPERVISORS PROPOSE EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENSION

Supervisors Nathan Fletcher and Greg Cox, co-chairs of the County’s COVID-19 Subcommittee, are proposing the County of San Diego extend its moratorium on evictions for both residents and small businesses for one additional month. The Board of Supervisors will vote on the policy extension Tuesday,  June 2. 

“We are proposing extending San Diego County’s eviction moratorium for residents and small businesses through June 30th,” said Cox and Fletcher in a statement. “Our region is slowly recovering from the severe economic damage caused by the pandemic. Although more businesses are reopening, it is going to take time for merchants and their employees who have been out of work to rebuild their bank accounts enough to pay their rent. This will give residential and commercial renters more time to get back on their feet. But we are encouraging renters to pay as much rent as they can and set-up a payment  program with their landlords.”

 The original moratorium policy and resolution is set to expire Sunday, May 31. This moratorium extension only affects the unincorporated areas. If the extension is passed by supervisors, the resolution will continue to ensure protections provided retroactively to March 4, when Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency.

UC SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT

The university will host a virtual commencement for its School of Medicine Sunday, May 31 at 10 a.m. which can be viewed at medschool.ucsd.edu/Commencement2020. Keynote commencement speaker will be Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, the pediatrician, scientist and activist who discovered high levels of lead in the blood of children living in Flint, Mich. and led efforts to publicize and address the source, a contaminated local water supply. 

Approximately 132 graduates will receive their medical degrees. Of those, 11 will also receive Masters of Advanced Studies and six will also receive PhDs. The majority of these newly minted doctors will move on to residency programs in 26 different states and almost every specialty, such as emergency medicine, psychiatry.

ROCK THRIFT STORE REOPENED

The Rock Thrift Store at 3603 Camino Del Rio has reopened its doors after weeks of being closed due to COVID-19 by State and County regulations for non-essential businesses. Rock Thrift will be open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Patrons can shop or drop donations off. Everyone will be asked to abide by County regulations in order to keep the store, staff and customers safe. This includes wearing a mask, keeping six feet apart and following signage posted. 

“I’m most excited to reopen Rock Thrift so we can go back to engaging and serving more of the community and spreading the love and hope of Christ,” said Brenda Swain, store manager.

In addition to the traditional retail aspect of the store, the Rock Thrift Store also provides vouchers to individuals and families in need, through first responders, that may have been evacuated due to a fire, domestic violence and other crises. In a time where COVID-19 has created a multitude of needs for individuals and families across San Diego, the Rock Thrift store is eager to have it’s doors open to exchange those vouchers for much-needed clothing and household items. For store hours, donation guidelines and more information, visit rockthriftstore.com

URGENT NEED FOR BLOOD DONATIONS

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the pandemic.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email. Upcoming blood donation: June 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive.

TASTE OF GASLAMP POSTPONED TO AUGUST

The Taste of Gaslamp, San Diego’s original and longest-running culinary tasting tour, will return for its 26th year Saturday, Aug. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets for the self-guided Taste of Gaslamp tour begin at just $35 for general admission and increase to $45 on the day of the event. For the ultimate foodies out there, upgrade to VIP for $65 ($75 day of) and receive exclusive edible offerings from an additional six restaurants from Gaslamp Quarter’s finest eateries. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tasteofgaslamp.com.

BUFFALO EXCHANGE REOPENING

Starting May 29, Buffalo Exchange in Pacific Beach will reopen at 1079 Garnet Ave. The resale clothing store, considered the originator of buy-sell-trade fashion, will start out with reduced hours of noon-6 p.m. for shopping and will offer customers the option to sell their closet clean outs by drop-off through appointment only. They’ll also be implementing a variety of safety and social distancing protocols. 

Shoppers can expect a slightly different shopping experience when they walk through the doors. In addition to regular sanitation, Buffalo Exchange will be requiring face masks or coverings for all customers and employees, dressing rooms are closed (though the company is extending their return policy) and a limited number of shoppers will be allowed in at a time to allow for social distancing.

The resale favorite is also encouraging contactless payment through methods. To start out, drop-off selling will be limited to 50 items per customer. For more information, call 858-273-6227.

KOBEY’S SWAP MEET REOPENING

Kobey’s Swap Meet will re-open May 29-31 in the parking lot of the Pechanga Arena San Diego at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. Face masks will be required for safety and social distancing will be enforced.

All vendors must comply with government guidelines and new safety protocols.

Staff will increase the cleaning of high-traffic areas. Entrances will be line managed. Portable restrooms will have a dedicated attendant and will be cleaned regularly. Hand sanitizer stations will be at all entrances. Face masks, non-N-95 masks, will be available for purchase at the sellers box office.

LJHS DRIVE-THRU PRE-GRAD CELEBRATION JUNE 2

La Jolla High School seniors, in alphabetical order, will celebrate a senior cap and gown pre-graduation drive-thru ceremony Tuesday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Drive through instructions:

• Remain in your vehicles and drive to the stations to complete the tasks. Only one senior and family members per car. No carpooling allowed

• Make sure to have face masks and follow social distancing guidelines

• Turn in all textbooks, library books, supplies and Chromebooks from the district

• Walk-up stations will only be available for students and families unable to drive-thru due to safety regulations

• Click here for complete drive up instructions and map.

Once seniors have turned in all their books and have cleared all debts, they will be given their senior cap and gown, diploma covers, yard sign, honor cords, and any medals or cords coming from department programs.

Senior Celebration: On June 9, the last day of school, an online senior celebration will be posted at noon. Seniors and families can visit the school website to view shout outs and a senior video.

Yearbooks and Diploma: Will be distributed together at a later date TBA.

In-Person Graduation TBD: For sometime later in summer. If a traditional ceremony is still impossible, there will be a virtual graduation instead at the end of July.

CITY EXPANDS SPANISH-SPEAKING SOCIAL CALLS PROGRAM

In a continued effort to sustain residents impacted by feelings of loneliness and isolation during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, the City of San Diego has expanded its AgeWell Social Calls Program to offer comfort to San Diegans of all ages, including those who only speak Spanish.

“The AgeWell Social Calls Program already offers invaluable comfort to seniors ages 55 and older,” said volunteer, internship and work readiness program manager Kristina Fraijo. “Now, thanks to our expanded program, younger residents and members of our Spanish-speaking communities will also be able to benefit from compassionate, live conversations on a weekly basis.”

City staff will check on the well being of residents and connect them with enhanced life resources from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. up to three times a week. Residents who are interested in taking advantage of the program can sign up for free and indicate their weekly phone call preferences by visiting sandiego.gov/social-calls.

Those in need of assistance with the signup process can contact their nearest library or recreation center or call 619-236-6905 to receive direct assistance from Parks and Recreation Department staff.

The City of San Diego AgeWell Services program offers activities and events for older residents in communities to keep them healthy, engaged and active. For more information about the wide array of services available to seniors, please visit www.sandiego.gov/agewell.

FITNESS TOGETHER LAUNCHES KICKSTART CHALLENGE

Fitness Together Point Loma has partnered with Balanced Habits to offer a 28-day, user-friendly nutritional coaching challenge, beginning June 5, for people who want to live happier, healthier and more confident lives. Half the proceeds from the Balanced Habits app subscriptions will go to the Frontline Hero Fund that supports healthcare worker’s families. 

Individuals can download the app on June 3 via new.balancedhabits.com/fitness-together/.

Founded in 2013, Balanced Habits is a nationally accredited nutrition program that has supported over 175,000 clients in reaching their goals across their network of 300 food coaches and 150 authorized partner providers in the USA and Canada. The company will proudly donate 50 percent of participant fees to the Frontline Hero Fund that supports healthcare worker’s families. 

Tuesday, May 26

HEATWAVE IN SD UNTIL WEEKEND
The National Weather Service reports temperatures soared on May 26 well into the triple digits in the deserts, adding the blazing conditions are not expected to relax until this weekend. Building high pressure over Southern California will keep temperatures warm throughout the County until Friday.
The NWS issued an excessive heat warning that will be in effect from noon May 26 through 7 p.m. Friday in the deserts. High temperatures May 26 were forecast to reach 77 degrees near the coast, 83 inland, 86 in the western valleys, 91 near the foothills, 92 in the mountains and 109 in the deserts.
The NWS urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Also, young children and pets should never be left unattended in a vehicle, with car interiors able to “reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,” according to the NWS.
Desert temperatures could reach 112 degrees on Wednesday and 111 degrees on Thursday, forecasters said. Highs in the western valleys will remain in the low-to-mid-80s through Thursday.

SUMMER BOOK FAIR BENEFITS LOMA PORTAL
Running out of books to read on quarantine? Loma Portal Elementary School in Point Loma is holding a Virtual Book Fair. Shop online to stock up on all the awesome scholastic titles you see at the school’s book fairs. Loma Portal will earn 25% of purchases back to support the school. For more information, contact Devon Gaudet at [email protected] or Leann at lk[email protected].

MURAL PROPOSED FOR PB REC CENTER
Former Pacific Beach Planning Group chair Brian Curry outlined his efforts to secure City approval for a mural on the Pacific Beach Recreation Center at 1405 Diamond St. at the City advisory group’s May 13 meeting. Curry asked for, and received, a letter of support from PBPG.
Curry said an artist, Rob Tobin, has been chosen for the project. “His specialty is community art, which is ideal for this project as we want the entire PB community involved in the beautification of our rec center,” said Curry urging people to observe examples of Tobin’s art at artistrobtobin.com.
Added Curry of the community beautification effort, “It is a pretty long process given it is City property and having to meet all City requirements, etc.”

 SOLO MARATHON FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
An event is coming up on Sunday, May 31 to raise awareness and money for suicide and mental health.
Join virtually the Run For Your Life for the official launch of RecUniversal on May 31. The event will be streamed beginning at 7:30 a.m. that day.
Witness RecUniversal founder Shane Brown as he runs around a San Diego block wearing pictures of suicide victims as their stories are shared for 26.2 miles, concluding with his own mother. Attendees will be able to participate in sharing stories of their loss or struggles with mental health in an effort to provide community and inspiration and raise money and awareness for suicide and mental illness.
Virtual 5k Registration: Tickets costing $30 are available now. Sign up and tag us on social media @RecUniversal with a photo of you on your 5k run using #DedicateTheRUn and tell us the life you RUn for. You will receive some custom swag for finishing. Registration must be completed by June 7. Proceeds will go directly to RecUniversal and Survivors of Suicide Loss – San Diego. Donations: sosl.rallybound.org/run-for-your-life/Donate.

MUIRLANDS ROCKS VIRTUAL ONLINE FUNDRAISER
Bid through Sunday, May 31 and grab some items from online auction donors benefiting Muirlands Middle School in La Jolla. Bidding, which started at 8 a.m. Memorial Day, continues until 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31.  
Grab some amazing items and opportunities while also supporting the school. All of the money raised by auction purchases directly benefits the school. With contributions, the Muirlands Foundation is fortunate to provide funds to support teaching and learning, building community on campus and supporting and organizing campus beautification. To participate in the auction follow the link at 32auctions.com/MuirlandsRocks2020.

 LIGHT OUR WAY CELEBRATION
Advocates for Change Today (ACT), a teen coalition committed to promoting substance abuse prevention and healthy, resilient communities, is teaming up with San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher to launch Light Our Way: A Virtual Community Celebration of the Class of 2020. The three-day, countywide tribute will honor graduates, from kindergarten to university, amid the social confines of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Fletcher will kick off Light Our Way, on Instagram and Facebook, on Monday morning, June 8. The campaign will run through the evening of Wednesday, June 11. A media preview will take place, via ZOOM, on Friday, June 5, at a time to be determined.
Thanks to the power of social media, Light Our Way will inspire the public to post personal messages of hope and encouragement to graduates, using the hashtag #LightOurWay2020.  Teen organizers hope the online campaign generates a virtual wave of goodwill, transporting the energy of the campaign to an international audience.
Light Our Way invites San Diegans to participate in a range of creative, family-friendly activities designed to generate a joyful spirit of civic pride in graduates, as they reflect on their academic achievements and prepare to embark upon the next chapter in their life journeys. 

U.S. REP. PETERS URGES RESTRAINT IN REOPENING
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52), who recently heard from Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and a key member of the Trump Administration’s White House Coronavirus Task Force, issued the following statement after a conference call organized for members of the New Democrat Coalition.
“Many states across the country began to expand their plans to re-open over Memorial Day weekend. With every state creating their own timeline and guidance, I asked Dr. Fauci about the spectrum of criteria being used by states, and what steps can be taken in places where the virus is still strongly present,” continued Peters of Fauci, “He explained that ‘hot spot’ areas like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and other places where the number of cases continues to climb need to exercise extra-special caution as they look to re-open. He emphasized that phases in re-opening are crucial and should be used gradually instead of allowing all preventative practices to slide away at once. He also doubled down on the importance of everyone wearing a face covering when out to prevent the virus from spreading, and u