WEEKLY BRIEFING – News and events in and around San Diego

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

LITTLE AMAL IN MISSION BEACH

Little Amal walks south down Mission Beach on Nov. 4 and stops when she discovers the remnants of cherished belongings that have been washed ashore – a sandal (above), suitcase, and life jacket – then listens to the sea, thinking about the millions of refugee children across the world, who, like her, are searching for a better life. Little Amal, the internationally celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, made Mission Beach her final stop during her epic 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall. This week, she crossed the border to Tijuana and started a new journey through Mexico. (Photos by Thomas Melville)

BING CROSBY RACING SEASON

Del Mar racetrack is kicking off its 10th annual Bing Crosby Racing Season on Friday, Nov. 10. The Bing Crosby Season brings back the cool Del Mar vibe and fabulous Southern California weather, running through Dec. 3. Though shorter than the summer racing season, Del Mar’s Bing Crosby season features the same world-class racing and is full of fall festivities. Opening Day (Nov. 10), kick off the fall season with Bing Crosby Opening Day. Veterans Day (Nov. 11), track admission is free for active duty, retired military, and veterans with valid ID cards on Nov. 11. Uncorked: Derby Days Wine Festival (Nov. 18), enjoy over 100 wines and bubblies from across the globe plus live horse races, food trucks, live music and more. Thanksgiving Brunch (Nov. 23), enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving meal in the Turf Club and watch races. Beer & Wine Fest (Nov. 24), keep the Thanksgiving festivities going with food, fun, and more than 50 brews and ciders.

DISCOVER PACIFIC BEACH UPDATE

Discover Pacific Beach, the community’s business improvement district, the second largest in San Diego with over 1,400 member businesses, reports October was a banner month for the organization. DPB seeks to revitalize and promote the Pacific Beach community, both physically and economically.

“It was a month filled with joy, camaraderie, and community spirit that truly defines the essence of our beautiful beachside neighborhood,” said Sunny Lee, DPB’s executive director. “Our BeachFest event marked the beginning of October with a bang. It was a resounding success, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our generous sponsors – High Noon, Mavericks Beach Club and Diamond Parking – who made it all possible, and we look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.

“Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that next year, DPB will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of BeachFest,” continued Lee. “It’s a remarkable milestone, and we’re already hard at work planning an extraordinary event that will make it a year to remember. We can’t wait to share more details with you in the coming months.”

Board Elections – “Our annual meeting and board elections also took place in October,” said Lee. “The dedication and passion of our board members are instrumental in shaping the future of our community, and we are fortunate to have this outstanding group of newly elected individuals leading us into the next year: John Anderson, Mavericks Beach Club, Eric Marenburg, San Diego Running Co., Wilber Lai, Ocean Park Inn, Randall Engstrom, Randall’s Sandals, Shylah Hales, Diamond Parking. “We believe that with this dedicated team on board, we are well-positioned to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” concluded Lee.

SEAWORLD XMAS

Bring your family to celebrate Christmas at SeaWorld from Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 7. The holidays are meant to be merry and bright, and that’s exactly what you’ll find as this beloved event returns with more wondrous moments than ever.

BEACH COMMUNITY COURT

Discover Pacific Beach business improvement district is seeking volunteers for the Beach Area Community Court Impact Panel, to help educate people who have committed quality-of-life crimes in your community. They need to hear from residents how these types of offenses diminish quality of life in the beach area, and how they affect you and your family every year. When it comes from you, it’s real, and they listen. Offenders of quality of life crime examples: alcohol related offenses, urinating in public, littering, glass on the beach, smoking, dogs off a leash.

These types of offenders can be given the opportunity to attend Beach Area Community Court. Community Court happens once a month during most of the year, and several times a month during the summer season. You can help once, or as many times as you like. Needed are a variety of voices and stories to reach participants and broaden their point of view regarding personal responsibility and making amends. The educational component lasts two hours, but participation is for about 45 minutes to an hour on a weeknight. There is also a short training session (2 hours) that you must complete before you can volunteer for BACC. The volunteer registration form includes the scheduled dates of the Impact Panel discussions. Volunteer Registration.

UC SAN DIEGO TOWN AND GOWN PROGRAM

“I Need A Good Night’s Sleep – Help!” is the second lecture of UC San Diego Town and Gown’s lunch and lecture series on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. at Joya Kitchen in La Jolla. This month’s featured speaker is Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine, who will discuss the latest methods and tactics to improve sleep. Contact [email protected] for information about membership and attendance at the luncheons. Town and Gown luncheons are held the first Tuesday of each month during the academic year

Many people believe that older adults sleep less than younger adults, yet that is not necessarily true. Sleep disturbances are very common in older adults, yet they are not a result of aging per se, but rather almost always related to other – treatable – conditions. Ancoli-Israel will walk through the common types of sleep disturbances and the latest effective treatments being developed at UC San Diego.

CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE CONRAD
Join Mainly Mozart for an intimate evening of Chamber Music at the Conrad with works by Mozart and the world premiere of an original work by Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra member Edric Saphire performed by internationally renowned pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, San Diego Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) principal bassoon Valentin Martchev, SDSO concertmaster Jeff Thayer, SDSO associate concertmaster Wesley Precourt, SDSO principal cello Yao Zhao and SDSO principal viola Chi-Yuan Chen at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave.
CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE CONRAD 2

From the mind of acclaimed composer Clarice Assad comes Tapestry, an amalgamation of the ideas of 50 female musicians and composers from across the globe, built as a celebration of women. Performed with pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and more at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, at The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave. The program also includes “Piano Trio” by the prolific American composer Ellen Zwillich who earned the 1983 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her “Symphony No. 1. The concert will conclude with “Piano Quintet in F Sharp Minor” written in 1909 by Amy Beach, who is widely considered to be the first successful woman composer in America. tickettailor.com/events/mainlymozartinc/999243.

PACIFIC RIM PARK FRIENDSHIP WALK

El Ilan-Lael Foundation announced the return of the second annual Pacific Rim Park Friendship Walk, set to take place on Sunday, Nov. 19, from noon-3 p.m. at the Shoreline Park on Shelter Island, home to their “Pearl of the Pacific” sculpture. This year’s event holds special significance as it celebrates the Pacific Rim Park Project and focuses on the San Diego-Tijuana region, where the Ilan-Lael Foundation is actively preparing for their participation in the World Design Capital 2024. The Pacific Rim Park Friendship Walk is not only a celebration of cultural diversity and environmental conservation, but also a commemoration of the ongoing Pacific Rim Park Project. This visionary project aims to create an enduring connection between the cultures of the Pacific Rim through the creation of a sculpture park that bridges the gap between art, nature, and community. For more information and to register for the Pacific Rim Park Friendship Walk, visit https://ilanlaelfoundation.org/walk/.

LJ SANDPIPER HAPPY HOUR

Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters at 2259 Avenida De La Playa in La Jolla Shores offers all-day happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Happy hour on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays is 4-5:30 p.m. Specialty cocktails, well drinks, draft beer, and wines by the glass are all $4 off during that time. Sandpiper is the sister restaurant to founder Trey Foshee’s Georges at the Cove.

DUCK DIVE THANKSGIVING

This Thanksgiving, Buceo de pato at 4650 Mission Blvd. will be serving traditional turkey dinner and a prime rib dinner. Traditional turkey dinner will be $42, and includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. The prime rib dinner is $51, and consists of horseradish cream, mashed potatoes, seasonal veggies, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving dinner service will be 11 a.m.-close, while supplies last, and reservations are encouraged for groups of four or more. Duck Dive will also be serving fall-inspired libations throughout the day. Reservations can be made by calling 858-273-3825. Duck Dive will also be having a canned food drive on Thanksgiving day. Guests can bring in a can of unopened, unexpired food and receive a Jameson Irish coffee for only 1 cent.

MB THANKSGIVING

Mission Beach’s Sandbar Sports Grill at 718 Ventura Place will be serving a Thanksgiving plate, priced at $14. All items are made in-house, and the plate includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The plate will be available all day on Nov. 23 while supplies last.

FREE THIRD THURSDAY

Join Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego at its Joan and Irwin Jacobs Building in La Jolla at 700 Prospect St. from 6-8 p.m. on Free Third Thursday, Nov. 16, for My Barbarian, a collective consisting of Malik Gaines, Jade Gordon, and Alexandro Segade, who will perform a staged reading of “The Mother and Other Plays,” previously presented at the Whitney Biennial 2014, among other venues nationally. This live adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s ”The Mother” (first performed in 1932), includes original musical numbers and improvised content, and also maintains the Brechtian concept of the Lehrstück, or learning-play, by inviting audience members to participate in select scenes. A play about the revolutionary potential of motherhood, My Barbarian’s “The Mother and Other Plays” offers audiences a theatrical, and critical, performance experience. Refreshments will be available for purchase from The Kitchen. For more information, visit Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD).

MURALS OF LA JOLLA BOOK

Murals of La Jolla is a hardbound, 176-page book documenting the first 10 years (2010–2019) and the first 30 murals of the project. The book includes two essays — “La Jolla Views,” by Susan Morgan, and “Reframing a Community: Murals of La Jolla,” by G. James Daichendt; artist biographies; and a map with mural locations. For more information about the book, visit ljathenaeum.org/murals-book.

OB DOG ADOPTION

tacos de ciudad is hosting its first dog adoption event at its OB Playground concept at 4896 Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach on Sunday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pups from PAWS4Thought will be on hand looking for new homes. The 10,000-square-foot OB Playground, which opened in September, is a family-friendly and dog-friendly space that includes a gated dog park with real grass, a fake fire hydrant, and hoops to jump through.

HOMELESS SHELTER

A meeting will be held by Point Loma residents to discuss a City proposal to locate a prospective 300- to 700-bed homeless shelter at H Barracks near Liberty Station on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room of the Point Loma Library at 3701 Voltaire St. Mayor Todd Gloria and representatives from District 2 Council member Jennifer Campbell’s office will be present.

CANDIDATE PRIMARY NOMINATION

The candidate nomination period for the March 5, 2024, Primary Election for the offices of Mayor, City Attorney, and Council members for districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 begins today and ends Dec. 7. Potential candidates must appear in the Office of the City Clerk to obtain nomination papers and can begin submitting nomination papers on Nov. 16. Potential candidates can obtain nomination papers in the Office of the City Clerk any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the City Administration Building at 202 C Street in downtown San Diego. The Office of the City Clerk will also be holding an open house to accommodate candidates wishing to obtain nomination papers from 4-6 p.m. on Nov. 8. This year the City Clerk is introducing new candidate video training modules to assist potential candidates in navigating the nomination process more efficiently and effectively. Potential candidates and those interested in the candidate nomination process can obtain more information on our 2024 Elections webpage sandiego.gov/city-clerk/elections/city/2024elections.

PROTECT UTILITY CUSTOMERS

City Council members Marnie von Wilpert and Joe LaCava brought forward a resolution that passed unanimously calling on the California Public Utilities Commission and the Public Advocates Office to better protect San Diego utility customers from excessive gas and electric utility rates by implementing the California State Auditor’s recommendations for improvements to their oversight. “As chair of the Environment Committee, I invited the California State Auditor to our October hearing to discuss their recent findings and to shine a light on the urgency for the State to implement their recommendations,” said LaCava. “The State audit confirms San Diegans pay the highest utility rates in the nation and reveals that SDG&E has exceeded their allowed rate of return in 14 of the past 17 years. That is 14 years of overcharging San Diegans. The system to protect ratepayers is broken; the CPUC and Cal Advocates are not providing critical oversight ratepayers need. In challenging economic times, they are not protecting San Diegans from excessive profits.  Urgent action is needed for transparency and accountability.”

FINAL EIR

City of San Diego’s City Planning Department has completed a Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the De Anza Natural Amendment to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan. The Final PEIR was prepared by the City in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act and is being distributed via email with a link to a PDF copy of the environmental document, including responses to comments received during the public review period, and associated technical reports. The Final PEIR can be reviewed at the following website, under the “Final Documents” link: https://www.sandiego.gov/ceqa/final.

HOMELESSNESS WALK

HomeAid San Diego, a nonprofit working to provide services to mitigate the homelessness crisis in San Diego County, is participating in STEP UP! Walk to End Homelessness on Sunday, Nov. 12 with a program beginning at 8 a.m. at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay Park, 3000 North Mission Bay Drive. This annual event is a 5k run/walk open to the public that raises funds to benefit HomeAid San Diego’s building projects, community outreach and advocacy efforts. This year, HomeAid is also hosting a blanket drive benefiting PATH (People Assisting The Homeless). PATH will be at the event collecting new, adult-sized fleece blankets. Representatives from HomeAid San Diego and other nonprofit service providers, along with San Diego City Council member Joe LaCava, will be available to discuss issues related to and affecting San Diego County’s homelessness crisis.

BALLOT MEASURE OPPOSED

San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera introduced, and council passed unanimously by an 8-0 vote, a resolution opposing the so-called “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act,” scheduled for the November 2024 ballot. “This ballot measure is an antidemocratic power grab by greedy corporations and puts a radical minority in charge of the democratic process. It also jeopardizes a range of critical City services and infrastructure that our residents have come to rely on and expect,” said Elo-Rivera. “We need more accountability for wealthy corporations, not less. This deceptive initiative would make it more difficult to hold polluters accountable, rob voters of the power to choose how to fund our priorities and steal critical resources away from our children and our neighborhoods. I stand with the over 80 cities and jurisdictions across the state and the governor, in opposition to this deceptive measure and urge others to join me. We need to ensure a greedy, radical minority cannot overrule the will of the people.”

PAINT THE TOWN PINK

The Del Mar Village Association is rallying a crowd of well-wishers to cheer on more than 2,000 anticipated walkers that will pass through the heart of Del Mar Village on Friday, Nov. 17 from 8-9:30 a.m. as the San Diego Susan G. Komen 3-Day kicks off. Anyone interested in participating in this fun and inspirational morning should dress in pink and come to Del Mar Village just south of 15th Street on Camino Del Mar (Highway 101) between 8 and 9:30 a.m. There has been an annual outpouring of support from the community that welcomes the walkers with pink decor, signs, upbeat music, big smiles, and encouragement. Cheerleaders from Torrey Pines High School, the Del Mar Lifeguards, firefighters from the Del Mar Fire Department, local business owners, and community residents line the streets to cheer the event participants on their journey as they travel more than 60 miles south to San Diego to raise funds and awareness in the fight to end breast cancer.

ARLINGTON WEST MEMORIAL

On Saturday, Nov. 11, the San Diego Veterans For Peace will be setting up its “Hometown Arlington West Memorial” on the front lawn of the USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive, near the corner of Broadway, in downtown San Diego from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chapter veterans from all five services will be honoring 288 fallen brothers and sisters from Southern California who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with special memorial markers. The public is asked to stop by, read their names, honor the ultimate sacrifice made by these local fallen men and women, and to reflect on the overall costs of these two wars and wars going on in the Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
AI REVOLUTION
The public is invited to join in at noon on Nov. 15 for a virtual event: “A Deep Look into the AI Revolution” hosted by Kit Pogliano, Dean of UC San Diego’s School of Biological Sciences. From commerce to education to medicine, the AI revolution offers promises and pitfalls in virtually every realm of society. Join to hear four perspectives on the future of AI — from futuristic AI-based simulations for developing new medicines and vaccines; to navigating the frontiers of science with mind-boggling image analysis; to unprecedented explorations of how the brain works. You’ll also hear from the life sciences industry about how AI is pioneering innovation and new product development. Registration: https://adeeplookintoai.eventbrite.com

GLOBAL PICKLEBALL FEDERATION

USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body for the sport of pickleball, along with pickleball federations across 28 countries, today announced the launch of the Global Pickleball Federation. The mission of the GPF is to grow and promote pickleball internationally from the amateur to professional levels with integrity and purpose. Priorities for the GPF include gaining recognition by the International Olympic Committee as the International Federation for the sport of pickleball and securing inclusion for pickleball in the Olympic and Paralympic sport program. Among other goals, the GPF will provide member countries and its pickleball players with access to equipment, official rules, educational resources, an active ambassador network, international tournaments, and equipment standards.

KOREA IN COLOR

The San Diego Museum of Art announced the special exhibition Korea in Color: A Legacy of Auspicious Images, which sheds light on the use of color in Korean painting — known as polychrome painting (chaesaekhwa) — and its role in Korean culture. On view now through March 3, 2024, the exhibition will make its U.S. debut at The San Diego Museum of Art after traveling from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon in South Korea. Exploring the continued influence of polychrome painting and its legacy of auspicious imagery, the exhibition will showcase contemporary works in dialogue with historical masterpieces. Fifty works of art from multiple lenders span a variety of media, including paintings, videos, and installations, many of which have never before been on view in the U.S.

INTREPID NETWORK CONTRACT

San Diego Automotive Museum has contracted Intrepid Network to improve their website accessibility score. The two first began working together in May of 2021 assisting with their website design, digital asset management platform updates, and content creation (graphics, photos, and videos). The Mission of the San Diego Automotive Museum is to tell the story of the social and technological past, present, and future of motorized vehicles throughout its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. Intrepid Network was awarded a second contract in October 2023 to make its content accessible to the widest possible audience, reduce friction, and increase usability for everyone. Intrepid Network was established in 1996 (then Intrepid Designs), by Josh Utley, president and CEO, who holds 26 years of real-world experience in the multimedia industry. Intrepid Network, Inc. helps businesses and organizations align their brand(s) with opportunity. Clients include the Asociación Ocean Beach MainStreet, San Diego Community News Group, San Diego Automotive Museum, USAopoly y Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce.

LITTLE ITALY ASSOCIATION

El Little Italy Association will ring in the holiday season with the annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 4-8 p.m. Nothing marks the start of winter quite like watching one of San Diego’s most iconic neighborhoods go through a festive transformation with 10-foot-tall nutcrackers, kinetic tree holiday displays on street corners, and twinkling Christmas light throughout the 48-square blocks. Take part in San Diego’s long-standing tradition with your loved ones through an evening filled with seasonal vendors, live music and entertainment, holiday treats, family photos with Santa, and above all, the traditional Italian countdown tree lighting ceremony for the Piazza della Famiglia 25 feet tall live tree. Holiday shoppers can also take advantage of the Christmas Village, located on India Street, to find unique stocking stuffers and other holiday goodies from seasonal vendors and select Little Italy Mercato vendors throughout the entirety of the event.

CITY ONLINE APPLICATIONS

The City is accepting online applications for three funding opportunities in the arts and culture sector. These include the Organizational Support Program, Creative Communities San Diego and the newly introduced Impact categories. The funding supports not only general operating expenses but also projects that have a significant creative impact on the community and increase access to arts and culture in all City Council districts. For additional information on how to apply for these funding opportunities, visit the City website.

HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS

From Nov. 13 to Nov. 17, the community is invited to join Pueblos del Padre Joe por Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, an annual recognition where everyone can help end food and housing insecurity across the region. Starting Monday, Nov. 13, the San Diego community is invited to take action during the week-long awareness campaign with five core actions including educational, advocacy, participation, donation and direct action events. Here is the schedule of activities: On Tuesday, Nov. 14,Father Joe’s Villages staff members and volunteers will build and distribute meal packages to those in need at the Emergency Food Pantry; on Thursday, Nov. 16, Father Joe’s Villages’ Street Health team visits with patients as a food truck delivers warm meals. According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition’s Hunger in San Diego report, nearly one in four San Diego County residents experienced nutrition insecurity this year.

FREE THIRD THURSDAY

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla in its Joan and Irwin Jacobs Building at 700 Prospect St. is highlighting its new collection exhibition: “Eleanor Antin and My Barbarian” on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 6-8 p.m. as part of the museum’s Free Third Thursday Program. An intimate performance about the revolutionary potential of motherhood, this adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Mother” includes original musical numbers and improvised content. Seats are limited, so register today. Get Tickets.

BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

November started with a gorgeous sunset on Dia de los Muertos at the Imperial Beach Pier. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

OB BEACH CLEANUP

Join County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer for an Ocean Beach Business District Cleanup, in partnership with the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association and OB Town Council on Saturday, Nov. 4 starting at 10 a.m. Meet at the corner of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street. Buckets and liners provided. Bring gloves and pickers if you have them, and a reusable water bottle. “Additionally, my staff will be present to support constituents who need assistance with any county-related issues,” said Lawson-Remer.

MUSICAL PLAY

Get ready to step back in time and relive the iconic hits of the 1950s and 1960s with “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a musical created and written by Roger Bean. The play runs from Nov. 17 through Dec. 3 on Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at Point Loma Assembly, 3035 Talbot St. This production promises to transport audiences to a world of vibrant melodies and harmonious vocals that will have them tapping their feet and singing along.

Set in the 1958 Springfield High School prom, “The Marvelous Wonderettes” follows four friends, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, as they step onto the stage to entertain their classmates with their renditions of beloved songs. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” is a celebration of the female voices of the era, featuring classic songs such as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “It’s My Party,” and “Respect,” among others. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pointlomaplayhouse.com.

LOMA PORTAL ELEMENTARY

Loma Portal Elementary’s online art shop is open for ordering. Loma Portal partners with Silver Graphics every year to allow families to order keepsakes personalized with your child’s artwork. This is also where all the wall tiles come from in the front of the school. Don’t forget to order a wall tile as a legacy. Orders must be placed by Nov. 8. Go to silvergraphics.com/shop/. Enter access code: Art23LPE.

MILITARY SUPPORT CAMPAIGN

On Oct. 26, Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) announced its Capacity Building Campaign at the organization’s annual “Fall Social” at the Thursday Club in Point Loma. The nonprofit united over 120 attendees at this private event where military members, philanthropists, elected officials, and community leaders learned about STEP’s recent success milestones and plans for future national expansion. STEP leadership took to the stage to announce the public launch of the organization’s Capacity Building Campaign to raise $6.5 million by the end of 2024. To kick off the campaign, the USS Midway, represented by USS Midway Foundation President Laura White, presented their lead gift of $1 million to STEP’s campaign with a special announcement and large check. This is the largest donation in the history of the USS Midway Foundation.

STEP’s Capacity Building Campaign will support the organization’s ability to serve more young military and veteran families in San Diego and across the Western United States, and provide substantial support for the acquisition of the organization’s San Diego headquarters and transformational change to ensure the organization is able to serve today’s and tomorrow’s military families.

“We’re thrilled to present this gift to such a worthy cause and organization like STEP,” said White. “At the USS Midway Foundation, we’ve seen first-hand the dedication and hard work that STEP puts into each military family that needs their support, and the results are thriving households, smiling faces and most importantly, financial reassurance. The USS Midway has proudly supported STEP’s programs and services for years, and we are thrilled to kick off this campaign with our organization’s largest philanthropic investment to date.”

QUINCEANERA EXPO

San Diego’s biggest Quinceanera expo benefiting It’s All About the Kids Foundation, a local San Diego County nonprofit that bridges the weekend food insecurity gap for children who live in impoverished neighborhoods, will be held Sunday, Nov. 5 from 1-5 p.m. at Julep Venue, 1735 Hancock St. Prepare to be dazzled by the latest trends and one-of-a-kind custom quinceañera dresses by fashion designer Osmar Naranjo of Cynderella Brides. Find everything you need to make your quinceañera unforgettable. Raffle prizes will be giveaways like a free quinceañera dress from fashion designer Osmar Naranjo of Cynderella Brides. Free three-hour limo rental by San Diego Limo Boss. Free tuxedos, hair and makeup, accessories and more.

All Raffle Sales will be donated to It’s All About The Kids Foundation. The foundation provides up to 40 pounds of fresh and canned fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, beans, cereal and other non-perishable items to needy families through delivery, at pop-up distributions and at mini-pantries. They also provide diapers, wipes and period products. Ticket link: WWW.SDXVEXPO.COM.

PLHS ROUNDUP

Boys wrestling – The high school welcomes boys and girls who are interested to tryout for the wrestling team starting Monday, Nov. 6 in the wrestling room (behind the big gym). Preseason workouts are currently being held Monday-Thursday 3:30-6 p.m. Send a request to sign-up for the weekly newsletter and stay on top of all the happenings with the team to [email protected].

Student Chromebooks – SDUSD has recently started using Blocksi, a class management tool that allows teachers to control the Chromebooks in their classroom. Parents are now able to control their child’s Chromebook when it’s off campus in the following ways: Block websites or turn off Internet access; view your child’s web history; view detected safety alerts for self-harm and threats.

Senior portraits – Keane Photography will be on campus for senior portraits on Wednesday, Nov. 29 and Thursday, Nov. 30. Check your email for details or contact them in advance to make an appointment for an on-campus portrait.

Tutoring Center open – Students are invited to come to the new Tutoring Center in the Library. Teachers are available Monday-Friday 7:30-8:30 a.m. and Monday-Thursday 3:30-4:30 p.m. for help with math, science, English and history. Tutors are also available during lunch.

Girls Basketball tryouts will be Saturday, Nov. 4 from 1-4 p.m. in the Big Gym. Bring athletic/basketball shoes, a basketball, and water. Have your athletic clearance in before tryouts. Contact coach Mannisto at [email protected] with any questions.

PLA ANNUAL DINNER

The Point Loma Association held its 57th annual fundraising dinner Oct. 30 at the Kona Kai Resort. The theme was “The Point of Point Loma: Decades of History” in recognition of centuries of history on the Peninsula from the indigenous Kumeyaay people, to the explorer Juan Cabrillo, settlement by Portuguese immigrants, ongoing military presence, and pioneering beach culture. Costumes were encouraged. Participants were urged to come dressed as their favorite decade.

Since 1961, PLA has been responsible for removing the billboards along Rosecrans St, beautifying medians along Nimitz, removing graffiti, turning unsightly electrical boxes into beautiful works of art, hanging banners and painting murals in the village, installing the Village Lights along Rosecrans, and maintaining dozens of public landscape sites throughout Point Loma and Ocean Beach on a weekly basis. Community donations help PLA continue to maintain and improve Point Loma as a lasting legacy for all. For more information, visit pointloma.org.

NEW SDIA ENTRANCES

Visitors heading by foot and by car to San Diego International Airport on N. Harbor Drive will access Terminal 1 via new entrances, which are a part of the airport’s New Terminal 1 planning and construction. Drivers heading westbound on N. Harbor Drive will see the new Terminal 1 entrance near Liberator Way. This will come up earlier for motorists than the previous entrance. Pedestrians will access the airport from a new path which begins near the intersection of N. Harbor Drive and Harbor Island Drive. Drivers should slow down, watch for signage, and be prepared to share the road with construction vehicles. The new entrances will also allow construction crews to continue work on the New T1 Parking Plaza, which is scheduled to open in late 2024. The five-level structure will offer 5,200 parking spaces — 750 more parking spaces than the old Terminal 1 surface parking lot. Ten percent of parking spaces in the new parking structure will be equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles. The first phase of the New T1 is scheduled to open in late summer 2025.

For a downloadable aerial map showing the new entrances, haga clic aquí. To learn more about construction impacts, visit New T1.com.

GREEN DAY AT PETCO PARK

Green Day – Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool – have shared details on their 2024 global stadium tour with support from The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and The Linda Lindas. The tour will wrap up at Petco Park on Sept. 28.

CINE EN LA AZOTEA

“Barbie,” which screens Nov. 4 and 11 and “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One,” which screens Nov. 3 and 18, are among more than 75 box office hits set to be screened in November and December as Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero at the Manchester Grand Hyatt announces its end-of-year lineup. Nostalgic classics also dot the slate including the original 1978 classic “Grease”; Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in “When Harry Met Sally,” and John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale and Jeremy Piven in “Serendipity.” Rooftop Cinema Club gift cards are on sale at rooftopcinemaclub.com/gift-voucher.

LJS&C RETURNS

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus is back with the first concert of the season. Don’t miss this special performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from the iconic score of “West Side Story.” Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Mandeville Auditorium at UCSD. Free pre-concert lectures begin one hour before the performance.

HISPANIC NONPROFITS SUPPORTED

El Chingon at 560 Fifth Ave. has partnered with local experiential marketing brand, Subelo Group, to support immigrant and Hispanic communities by donating funds to two charities, Border Angels y Love Thy Neighbor. El Chingon will donate a portion of cover charges collected on Thursdays nights in November and December to the organizations. More information about El Chingon is available at ElChingon.com/San-Diego.

RADIO ANNIVERSARY GALA

Tickets are now on sale for KNSJ Radio’s 10th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 5 p.m. to midnight at the United Domestic Workers of America / AFSCME Local 3930 Hall – 4855 Seminole Drive in San Diego. The event will celebrate all that San Diego’s community Network for Social Justice has achieved in the past decade, as well as highlight the station’s future commitment to defend democracy and create community through independent media. The festive evening will include dinner, live music, dancing, poetry readings, videos, and special presentations.

NEW SALK CIO

The Salk Institute has appointed Jerry Sheehan as the Institute’s first chief information officer (CIO). He will assume the position Dec. 4. Sheehan served most recently as vice president and CIO at San Diego State University, where he led the development and deployment of information technology infrastructure and services for research, instruction, and administration. As Salk’s CIO, Sheehan will work closely with the president, chief science officer, and other senior administrative and scientific leaders to lead technology efforts across the Institute and drive digital innovation in support of the Institute’s leading-edge scientific research.

NEW BAR MANAGER

Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters has named Andrew Phillips as its new bar manager. Phillips, a London native and longtime New York City-area bar manager, will launch a new cocktail program at the casual La Jolla Shores restaurant that is “California tropical” and “approachable tiki” themed.

MORE CLEAN TRANSIT

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that Caltrans approved $192 million in California Climate Investment funds for 136 public transportation projects that will cut pollution and create more affordable transportation options, especially for disadvantaged communities. “More clean and affordable transportation is coming to California, cutting pollution and making it easier for folks to get around,” said Newsom. “These programs are key to our climate goals – building charging stations, getting more EV buses on the roads, and reducing costs for public transit.”
FEEDING HEROES INITIATIVE

Ahead of Veterans Day and to help support military families and veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Humana, and Alimentando a San Diego have partnered to launch the Uniting to Combat Hunger Food Drive across San Diego County. The food drive runs now through Friday, Nov. 10. The public is invited to bring non-perishable food items to participating VFW locations throughout the county. The food donations will also help raise funds for local posts to help towards preservation and repairing and replacing post equipment. A full list of participating VFW drop off sites can be found here.

MORE FOOD INSECURITY

The number of people living in food insecure households in the United States in 2022 increased to 44 million, including 13 million children, according to a report released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is an increase of nearly 31% for all individuals and 44% for children from the previous year, the highest rate and number of individuals and children since 2014 and the largest one-year increase in food insecurity since 2008.

According to the USDA report:

Food insecurity among single mothers was nearly 34%, an increase of 37% compared to 2021.
Notably, food insecurity among households receiving SNAP benefits also increased, with nearly 47% reporting they experienced food insecurity.
Food insecurity increased for Black, white, and Latino individuals. However, food insecurity rates continue to be higher for and disproportionately impact people of color, showing the effect of racial disparities on communities:
- Black individuals saw a 15% increase in food insecurity and were nearly 2.4 times more likely to face hunger than white individuals.
- Latino individuals saw a 29% increase in food insecurity and were 2.2 times more likely to face hunger than white individuals.

White individuals saw a 43% increase in food insecurity in 2022.

UC SAN DIEGO GRANTEE

The American Psychiatric Association Foundation named UC San Diego as one of this year’s seven Helping Hands Grant awardees. Since 2005, the Helping Hands Grants program has awarded over $400,000 in support of psychiatry students addressing mental health and substance use issues through research. Designed to bring needed mental health resources to underserved communities, these grants provide up to $5,000 annually to winning medical school students. Funded projects are created and managed by medical students and can be conducted in partnership with community agencies, or in conjunction with ongoing medical school outreach activities. To learn more about the Helping Hands Grants Program, visit https://apafdn.org/impact/community/helping-hands-grants/application.

FALL BACK FESTIVAL

Step into a living time capsule at the free 23rd annual Gaslamp Quarter Fall-Back Festival on Sunday, Nov. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. as the clocks wind back in front of the Davis-Horton House on 4th and Island Avenue for an unforgettable journey through San Diego’s rich cultural history. There will be refreshments and vendors with items available for purchase within the festival footprint. For more information, visit GaslampFoundation.org.

CLASSICAL CONCERT

This Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. Le Salon de Musiques invites guests to a classical concert featuring the works of Schubert, Mozart and Goldmark titled “Speak To Your Heart” at La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. in La Jolla. The concert will be introduced by musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano. After the concert, a Q&A is organized between the musicians and the audience, followed by a high tea buffet with Champagne, catered by The French Gourmet. To buy tickets, and to read about the season’s program and schedule, visit LeSalondeMusiques.com or call 310-498 0257.

MAYOR GETS BUDGET

The San Diego City Council has unanimously voted to forward their FY 2025 Budget Priorities to Mayor Todd Gloria. The submission of budget priorities in October is designed to provide council members an early opportunity to publicly express their support for funding in their districts and across the City. All nine council members expressed support for funding a variety of homelessness and housing related services and programs, public safety, neighborhood services, and implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan.
“Last year, we crafted a budget that reversed years of operational disinvestment resulting in new contracts with our unions, $140 million for roads, fully funding public safety, and the highest-ever General Fund investment in lifting San Diegans out of homelessness,” said District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava representing La Jolla and Pacific Beach. “As we move into the next fiscal year without the federal relief dollars that supported city operations over the past four years, my budget principles remain unchanged. In FY2025, we must uphold fiscal responsibility and stick to the basics, with a focus on Public Safety and Public Health.”

The Resolution will be submitted to the mayor for consideration in the FY 2025 Proposed Budget. The Council will also have the opportunity to update the FY 2025 Budget Priorities Resolution in February 2024. To start the process, a call memorandum will be issued in mid-December 2023 for Councilmembers’ updates.

SD DOG FRIENDLY

Plowz & Mowz, an outdoor home services app, has just released its list of the “Best Cities for Dog Owners,” and San Diego has secured a spot. A total of nine different data points were analyzed to formulate an overall score for cities across the nation. The article provides detailed insights and can be accessed at plowzandmowz.com/blog/best-cities-for-dog-owners/.

VIRTUAL AI REVOLUTION

The public is invited to join at noon on Nov. 15 for a virtual event titled “A Deep Look into the AI Revolution” hosted by Kit Pogliano, dean of UC San Diego’s School of Biological Sciences. Artificial intelligence has captured the minds and curiosities of people and industries around the world. From commerce to education to medicine, the AI revolution offers promises and pitfalls in virtually every realm of society. On Nov. 15, hear four perspectives on the future of AI — from futuristic AI-based simulations for developing new medicines and vaccines; to navigating the frontiers of science with mind-boggling image analysis; to unprecedented explorations of how the brain works. You’ll also hear from the life sciences industry about how AI is pioneering innovation and new product development. Registration: https://adeeplookintoai.eventbrite.com.

NEW SD HOUSING

Looking at new units authorized by building permits in 2022—as tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau—researchers identified the states and metros building the most multi-family housing. The analysis found that across the country as a whole, 41.4% of new housing units authorized in 2022 were multi-family, marking the highest level since 1985. Meanwhile, 62.4% of the new housing units authorized in the San Diego metro area were multi-family. In fact, out of all large U.S. metropolitan areas, the San Diego metro is building the ninth largest proportion of multi-family housing.

Here is a summary of the rest of the data for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro:

Share of new housing units authorized in multi-family structures: 62.4%
Share of existing housing units in multi-family structures: 37.7%
Total new housing units authorized in multi-family structures: 5,829
Total new housing units in structures with 2 units: 114
Total new housing units in structures with 3–4 units: 374
Total new housing units in structures with 5+ units: 5,341
Total new single-family units: 3,517.

GULLS HOF INDUCTEE

The American Hockey League announced that former San Diego Gulls head coach Roy Sommer was selected for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024. “Since 1936, the American Hockey League has been proud of its foundation of excellence both on and off the ice,” said Scott Howson, AHL president and CEO. “Each of these four individuals exemplified those principles at the highest levels throughout their careers, and the AHL Board of Governors unanimously endorses the Selection Committee’s recommendation for their induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024.”

Named to his position with San Diego on July 12, 2022, Sommer concluded his illustrious AHL coaching career with an 828-770-110 record and is the AHL’s all-time leader in wins (828) and games coached (1,814) after spending the last 27 consecutive seasons as a coach in the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks organizations. Throughout his coaching career, Sommer helped develop more than 150 players from the AHL to the NHL.

PB GUIDED BIRD WALK

Join in a free guided bird walk in Pacific Beach on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 3-5 p.m. The walk goes around the three bridges of Rose Creek: Gotch Bridge over the Mud Flats, between Grand Avenue and Garnet Avenue; the Estuary, which leads into the Riparian area of Sycamores, Ash, Cottonwood; and the Willows that the song birds seek out for nesting, food and mating. It may be chilly closer to sunset so be prepared for coolness as the sun sets. The amazing Kyle will be leading the walk. Sunset is at 4:46 p.m. You are free to leave the walk at any time. Join Kyle and Laurie at Mission Bay High School in the faculty parking lot along Rose Creek off Grand Avenue.

WANDER THE WETLANDS

Visit Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, Nov. 11 and 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. While the new UCSD Research and Educational Center is under construction, we will be meeting at the northern end of Crown Point Park near the dirt lot. Nature lovers, bird enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning more about the habitat existing in the heart of the city are welcome. Learn about the birds at Kendall-Frost Marsh and discover the natural history and restoration progress in Mission Bay. Second Saturdays: 9-11 a.m. Learn what lives in the marsh. There will be bird walks and fish seining expeditions to explore the hidden life of the marsh. Fourth Saturdays: 9-11 a.m., Educational docents and staff are available to answer questions about all things wetlands, birds and ReWild Mission Bay. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available to use. Come lend a hand and pay the marsh back for working so hard. This is a partnership project between UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Audubon Society. Check Wander the Wetlands page para más información.

FARMERS GOLF TICKETS

Individual tickets for the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open will go on sale Thursday, Nov. 2, the Century Club of San Diego announced. Fans are encouraged to buy early, as various days and ticket options are expected to once again sell out. The PGA Tour makes its annual stop at Torrey Pines Golf Course from Wednesday, Jan. 24 through Saturday, Jan. 27, featuring the tour’s only scheduled Saturday finish for the third consecutive year. Grounds tickets and passes to shared hospitality venues, such as the Canyon Club overlooking the 17th and eighth greens and the upgraded Ultra Pass presented by Michelob Ultra at the ninth tee, can be purchased at FarmersInsuranceOpen.com. Ticket prices will be at their lowest from now through Jan. 5.

HUGE SURF HITS PIER

In a scene seen too frequently over the past several years, huge waves pounded the Ocean Beach Pier on Friday, Oct. 20. The Ocean Beach Pier was then closed by San Diego Lifeguards to prevent further damage by more expected high surf. Ocean conditions will be monitored and the pier may be reopened. Keep up with the openings/closings by following the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department on social media. (Photo by Jim Grant)

IN MEMORY OF TYLER KIRBEY

Pacific Beach lost an amazing member of the Cass Street Post Office on Sept. 30. Tyler Kirbey was a great and kind man and the biggest cat lover you will ever meet. He delivered his route faithfully each day, even in pain, he carried on until he recently retired. When not working, Kirbey spent his days volunteering for local shelters and pet rescues giving love and kindness to many homeless cats while they waited for their forever homes. He will be missed by family, friends, and hundreds of cats that he cared so deeply for. On Saturday, Oct. 14, about 25-40 postal trucks drove by his former Pacific Beach route in his memory. They say humans walk through the Golden Gates and animals cross the rainbow bridge, but Kirbey is probably sitting on the other side of the rainbow bridge with all the animals he loved that passed over.

PB TEEN VANDALS

Recently on weekends, a group of three teenage boys have been reported to have engaged in repeated, destructive acts of vandalism on Chalcedony Street in North Pacific Beach by residents. Witnesses say they have video footage of the alleged vandals. In one incident, male teenagers destroyed a sidewalk “Dog Cafe” provided out of kindness by a resident on 1200 block Chalcedony Street. On another night, the same three boys wearing hoods vandalized a resident’s front porch on 1100 block Chalcedony.

According to Next Door comments, the vandals have also been pounding on front doors of other homes, and they have even tried to kick-in a front door. Speculation is that the culprits may be the same three who have also reportedly been terrorizing an elderly woman on the1400 block of Wilbur. Witnesses have Ring camera video from two different addresses. Though it is unknown whether it is related, there was a boy mugged by two or more males on a recent weekend on the corner of Chalcedony and Cass streets. The victim was taken away by ambulance.

OCTOGENARIAN ARTIST

La Jolla artist Peggy Hinaekian, almost 88 years old, is still very active in giving art shows and writing books. She has had about 200 art shows on three continents. She was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and has resided in the Jewel for about 16 years. Her latest shows were at Liberty Station in August and Gallery 21 in Spanish Village at Balboa Park from Aug. 29 to Sept. 10, where she exhibited a retrospective of her works on canvas and on paper, etchings, lithographs, prints and ceramics. She also exhibited at the La Jolla Art and Wine Festival in October.

Hinaekian’s etchings have been distributed by Christie’s Contemporary Art of London. She also has gallery representation in La Jolla, Newport Beach, Birmingham, Ala. and Tulsa, Okla., as well as in Switzerland and Germany. She is also in three museum collections. The Queen of Norway and the ex-Empress of Iran have some of her paintings. She has had write-ups in magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and in Europe. She has also done TV and radio shows in the U.S. and Europe. She has published four books, one of which is a Memoir about her life in Egypt and in Manhattan. For more about this active, tireless female artist and author visit The Girl from Cairo/Peggy Hinaekian, or call 954-952-2210.

CLASSICAL CONCERT

On Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m., Le Salon de Musiques celebrates its second event of the season at La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. Introduced by musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano, the program features three masterpieces by Schubert, Mozart, and Goldmark, a talented American pianist, teacher, and composer and a professor of composition at the Juilliard School of Music, he taught Copland, and Gershwin. After the concert, a Q&A is organized between the musicians and the audience, followed by a high tea buffet with Champagne, catered by The French Gourmet. To buy tickets, and to read about the season’s program and schedule, visit LeSalondeMusiques.com.

PB CHURCH CONCERT

A free concert titled “The Sky of Love” with sopranos Christine Lehman and Hima Joshi, and Anna Juliar on piano, will be held Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 4761 Cass St. Free admission. All donations taken at the door will benefit the Christ Lutheran Music Fund Reservations on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/48YcVKp. The setting of the main sanctuary’s stunning mosaics, stained glass, and renowned acoustics promise an afternoon of moving and uplifting music. The diverse program includes works by Faure, Handel, Alberto Favero, Rosephanye Powell, Kate Moody, Elizabeth Alexander, Joni Mitchell, Jacques Brel, and Clif Hardin.

Seating is general admission and on a first-come, first-seated basis. Limit six seats per reservation. If your plans change, let them know at [email protected]. Reserved seating that is not claimed by 3:45 p.m. day of show will go to wait-list guests. Parking is available in two lots, both accessed from Chalcedony Street: one lot is adjacent to the church and a second one is across Chalcedony, north of the church. Free street parking is also available.

LJ AWARD HONOREE

San Diego nonprofit Mainly Mozart has announced Sanford Burnham Prebys president/CEO Dr. David Brenner as the 2023 San Diego Genius Award honoree. Brenner is the seventh winner of the award first established in 2015 to recognize individuals who have established “a legacy of innovation and genius” within San Diego County. On Friday, Nov. 17, Brenner will join the likes of past award winners Qualcomm co-founders Dr. Irwin Jacobs (2015) and Dr. Andrew Viterbi (2016), “Einstein of the Oceans” Dr. Walter Munk (2017), Nobel Prize winner in physiology/medicine Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn (2018), UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla (2019) and Illumina’s chief commercial officer Susan Tousi (2022).

Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, Dr. Brenner spent 15 years at UC San Diego as vice chancellor for Health Sciences. He is a leader in the field of fibrotic liver disease and liver cancer research and has been instrumental in starting several multidisciplinary efforts in San Diego, including the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, the Institute for Genomic Medicine, the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the UC San Diego Sanford Clinical Stem Cell Program, and the C3 Cancer Center Consortium.

COLECTA DE ALIMENTOS

Plans are being made for this year’s 11th annual Heart To Hands Food Drive, a local food drive supported by businesses in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. This year’s food drive is set to start Friday, Nov. 3 and end on Monday, Dec. 11. The organization has been fortunate and have had great success providing over 25K of food for neighbors in need. The food drive raises awareness for food insecurity here in San Diego. They collect human and pet food and support The San Diego Food Bank, Feeding San Diego, San Diego Humane Society, and the Triton Food Pantry. The food is given to all four organizations and they distribute the food throughout the San Diego area to neighbors in need. For more information, email [email protected].

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LA JOLLA DAY

History buffs and pie lovers are invited to a community celebration marking Congregational Church of La Jolla Day on Oct. 29, after 10:30-11:30 a.m. worship service at 1216 Cave St. The San Diego City Council declared Oct. 30 Congregational Church of La Jolla Day in 1997. Twenty six years later, Pastor Tim Seery and his congregation are planning a festive gathering around delicious autumn pies and a curated history exhibit of church artifacts that tell the story of Congregational Church of La Jolla’s rich, colorful history.

S.O.S. CAMPAIGN

The Mission Beach Woman’s Club is doing their SOS Campaign: Support our Servicewomen. Last year they filled 241 boxes, and hope to send even more this year. The club will be filling the boxes on Monday, Nov. 13. You can help by purchasing items from their Amazon Wish List: MBWCSOS2023. Monetary donations are also appreciated. It costs about $6,000 for shipping, and any additional donations raised are used to purchase more supplies for the care packages.

PB THRILLER DANCE

Thriller dance rehearsals are continuing at Pacific Beach Library at 4275 Cass St. in preparation for a public display of Michael Jackson’s famous Thriller dance. All local ghouls and zombies are invited to perform the Thriller dance on Cass Street Plaza on Monday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Learn the choreography together on Monday at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. For more information, visit https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/thriller-dance-rehearsal-6.

LIVE CONCERT PERFORMANCE

Join in a live performance by Laraaji, a visionary musician, composer, and mystic who has enchanted audiences worldwide with his ethereal and transformative performances on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. at The Loft at UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive. This show is for all ages and general admission standing room with limited seating is available.

ART POWER AT UC SAN DIEGO

The California Festival kicks off in San Diego at ArtPower with a performance by Tesla Quartet and pianist David Kaplan on Nov. 3. The two-week, statewide festival of new music from around the world will showcase innovative, compelling works written within the past five years. On Nov. 3-5, Little Amal, the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child makes a stop in San Diego. ArtPower, along with Blindspot Collective, will host Washed Ashore 6 p.m. on Nov. 4 at South Mission Beach. ArtPower events take place in venues across the UC San Diego campus and around San Diego. For tickets and more information, visit artpower.ucsd.edu.

SEA LION SYMPHONY

The Sierra Club Seal Society invites residents to the premier of “A Sea Lion Symphony” on Nov. 3 or Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Congregational Church of La Jolla’s ballroom, 1216 Cave St. Ticket price is $40. “A Sea Lion Symphony” is a multi-media live performance combining a live string quintet set to an enchanting film on the life of the La Jolla’s resident sea lions interspersed with narrative poetry. Composed and conducted by David Bowser, conductor of the Toronto Mozart Players, this unique experience takes you high above the land to see the sea lions in their natural habitat and then dives into the water to watch them perform their swimming acrobatics. Produced by the Sierra Club Seal Society, this fundraiser event educates and delights the audience. Questions and answers to follow. Buy tickets at https://donate.sierrasd.org/product/a-sea-lion-symphony.

LACAVA APPLAUDS AUDIT

San Diego City Council Environment Committee Chair, Councilmember Joe LaCava, has called on Gov. Newsom, the California Public Utilities Commission, and Cal Advocates to act now to protect San Diego utility customers. He issued the following statement: “The state audit confirms San Diegans continue to face some of the highest utility rates in the nation and reveals that SDG&E has exceeded their allowed rate of return 14 of the past 17 years. That is 14 years of overcharging San Diegans. The system to protect ratepayers is broken; the CPUC and Cal Advocates are not providing critical oversight. In challenging economic times, they are not protecting San Diegans from excessive profits.  Urgent action is needed for transparency and accountability. I urge Gov. Newsom, the CPUC, and Cal Advocates to act now to ensure the public is protected. San Diegans deserve nothing less.”

FARMERS MARKET HALLOWEEN

The Point Loma Farmers Market held Sundays at Point Loma High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is holding a Halloween carnival Oct. 29 to raise funds and awareness for Devoted To Youth Foundation, a charity benefiting underpriviliged youth and families in need, as well as for the PLHS golf and wrestling teams. On Sunday, Oct. 29 everyone can come for free entry to enjoy games, the market and raise money for students in need. Attractions will include carnival games, inflatables, Harry Potter on the projector, arts and crafts, pumpkin painting and so much more. Accepting donated canned goods, boxed foods and non perishables to feed veterans and military families in need for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving eve feed the vets day.

YAPPY HOUR

Fiesta Island Dog Owners (FIDP) is holding a group meetup Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4-7 p.m. at Bay City Brewing Co., 3760 Hancock St., to hear what’s new about the organization, chat with board members and ask questions about several improvement projects in the works. Your well-behaved dogs are welcome at Bay City, so bring them along. There will be fun and silly prizes for best Halloween costumes.

TASTE OF MESA

On Thursday, Nov. 2, San Diego Mesa College will bring back their popular dining event, “Taste of Mesa.” The event is a lively evening modeled after a premier cooking-show style fundraiser benefiting the Culinary Arts Management Program. Guests will get to sample fresh-made cuisine, enjoy competitions featuring local celebrity chefs, and bid on silent auction items. The event starts at 5:15 p.m., with early access for VIP tickets holders. Taste of Mesa features internationally-inspired cuisine and two cook-off competitions between alumni, students and advanced baking teams. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the family-friendly event. Proceeds from “Taste of Mesa” will be used to purchase ingredients that will help train students for the farm-to-table-style restaurants that are becoming more common in today’s market and prepare them to become valued employees in the service industry. To purchase tickets for Taste of Mesa, visit sdmesa.edu/tasteofmesa.

ASIAN SCARY THEATER

To celebrate unique stories and culture, and broaden multicultural awareness and understanding, Asian Scary Theater will host the telling of ghost stories from Asian and the Pacific Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28-29 from 4-7 p.m. at Chinese Historical Museum, 404 Third Ave. Asian Story Theater recalls the mid-20th century radio theater, harkening back to a kind of storytelling where the performance is mostly auditory–relying on vocal performances of the cast as well as sound effects and music to convey the story. For reservations, visit asianstorytheater.org.

UCP WALK & ROLL

No Limits Walk & Roll will take place 9-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 at De Anza Cove on Mission Bay for a walk to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County. This 3.5 mile leisurely family-friendly event for UCP San Diego raises funds to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people affected by Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. Join a team or form your own and come out to De Anza Cove. Check in starts at 8:30 a.m. Visit ucpsd.org to sign up or donate.

BING CROSBY RACING SEASON

HATE-MOTIVATED VIOLENCE

Following attacks against Israel and heightened concerns in the United States, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California will provide an additional $30 million in funding to protect communities at risk of hate-motivated violence. This includes an additional $20 million for the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program as well as $10 million to reimburse local law enforcement agencies providing enhanced protection to houses of worship and other potential targets.
“These critical security resources will make a huge difference and send a powerful message when so many in our community are feeling on edge,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), Co-Chairs of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. “We are deeply grateful to Governor Newsom for his long standing solidarity with the Jewish community and for standing with us in word and in deed during these challenging times. California cannot stand idly by while the Jewish community or any other vulnerable community is threatened by hate and
extremism.”

FATHER JOE’S PODCAST

Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego’s largest homelessness nonprofit, is set to launch a podcast, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” that highlights stories from the frontlines of California and the West Coast’s growing housing and homelessness crisis. Premiering Oct. 24 on Apple and Spotify, the podcast, by Pueblos del Padre Joe, will feature intimate conversations with local leaders, people who once experienced homelessness and frontline providers. Each episode will offer an inside look at how Father Joe’s Villages and other providers help support neighbors on the streets through shelter, health care and other vital programs. Episode one, featuring special guest Tamera Kohler, CEO of the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness, kicks off with a conversation on how organizations are responding to San Diego and Southern California’s growing numbers of people and families losing their homes since the COVID-19 pandemic.

FLU SEASON

During the 2022-2023 flu season in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s preliminary data estimated 26 to 50 million people became ill, there were 12 to 24 million visits to a health care provider and 300,000 to 650,000 hospitalizations. This year’s flu season, health experts are also closely monitoring several other respiratory viruses, including pertussis, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86. UC San Diego Health physicians are urging the community to take preventative actions and consider annual influenza (flu) vaccination and, to those meeting criteria, the updated COVID-19 and new RSV vaccines, especially for vulnerable patient populations at high risk of developing serious health complications, such as people over age 65, adults with certain chronic health conditions and pregnant women.

PARKS PASS PROGRAM

California State Parks Foundation has released compelling new survey data highlighting the success of the California State Library Parks Pass program. That program was launched in 2021 as a three-year pilot program to remove income barriers that keep people from visiting state parks. It gives library card holders free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state parks. Key insights from the survey include: A majority of participants (63%) previously considered cost to be their main reason for not having visited state parks previously. Thanks to the park pass program, a staggering 90% of respondents now plan to visit state parks over seven times a year. Nearly 70% of the survey’s respondents indicated an income level of $60,000 or less. Over 63% of respondents indicated that they are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC).

Since the start of the program, 33,000 California State Library Parks Passes have been placed in more than 1,100 public libraries throughout the state. The program first started in 2021 with 5,000 available passes. Due to the popularity of the initiative, California State Parks added an additional 28,000 passes earlier in 2023. Library-card holders are able to check out the passes and then return them to the library for others to use.

EAST VILLAGE SALUTES

The East Village Association announced the Inaugural ‘East Village SALUTES!’ taking place at the entrance plaza of the Park 12 Luxury Apartments on Sunday, Nov. 12. The celebration will honor the armed forces and feature a variety of attractions including veteran-owned business vendor booths, live musical performances from San Diego Marine Band’s Jazz Ensemble, and family-friendly activities. The honorary event will feature YMCA Kids Activations including a Letters to Veterans station, a visit from the Pad Squad.

PATRIOTIC EMPLOYER AWARD

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP announced that four of its San Diego Litigation partners, Michael J. Gleason, Gabe P. Wright, James E. Heffner, and Brent M. Douglas, have been recognized with the Patriotic Employer Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The accolade is a testament to unwavering commitment to supporting the men and women serving in the military, exemplified by their support of associate attorney John D. Drdek’s Navy Reserve Annual Training duty.

SD BEER WEEK

The 15th-annual San Diego Beer Week, presented by the San Diego Brewers Guild, will take place Nov. 3-12 at breweries, bars, and restaurants throughout San Diego County. The celebration of the local independent craft beer industry begins with a virtual kick-off toast at all Brewers Guild member locations on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. This year’s Beer Week will not feature Guild Fest, traditionally the marquee event on opening weekend of the 10 days of festivities. Instead, Guild Fest will be pushed back to Sunday, Feb. 4. The event at Crafted Culture in Sabre Springs will include more than 30 breweries and curated food pairings. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased aquí. Individual breweries will host events and have beer specials throughout Beer Week, all of which are posted on the Brewers Guild’s calendar.

LGBTQ+ STAND-UP

Chet Sewell headlines an LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy show for one night on Friday, Oct. 27 starting at 8 p.m. at Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St. Others performing include DD Stepps, Pedro Yong, Alex Vo and Cassidy Stains. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. All seats $15.

BLOOD DONOR SCREENING

Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration issued a final guidance that established a blood donor screening process based on individual donor assessments instead of sexual orientation. Now, every prospective donor, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, will be evaluated using the same individual donor assessment questions relevant to HIV. This change will promote the safety of America’s blood supply while making blood donation available to more people, including many in the LGBTQ+ community. The change also aligns the United States with other countries who have implemented similar changes including Canada and the United Kingdom. To be eligible to donate blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds, and be in general good health. Eligible blood donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment at SanDiegoBloodBank.org or by calling 619-400-8251. Walk-ins are welcome.

CHRIS STAPLETON AT PETCO PARK

Chris Stapleton will continue his “All-American Road Show” tour through next summer including a newly confirmed show at Petco Park on March 2. Tickets for the new dates will go on-sale next Friday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. at www.chrisstapleton.com/tour.

GRANTS AVAILABLE TO RESTAURANTS

The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit focused on investing in and empowering California restaurants and their workforce, is again opening applications for its Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. This is the second round of grants in 2023, made possible by donations from SoCalGas, The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). CRF is awarding $5,000 grants to 182 independent restaurants across the state this fall.

Resilience Fund applications will be open from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8 and can be found at www.restaurantscare.org/resiliencia. Grants will be available to all California-based restaurant owners located in the utility companies’ service areas that have less than five units and less than $3 million in revenue. Priority will be given to restaurants who have yet to receive a grant; however, previous recipients are welcome to re-apply.

ESTANCIA HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION

Guests, ghouls and locals alike are invited to Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa’s third-annual Halloween celebration, Estancia’s Wicked Black & White Ball on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 7-10 p.m., guests are invited to escape for a delightfully eerie evening of spellbinding sophistication and mystery. Those who dare to attend will transport to a world of delightful darkness during this spooky-inspired evening, fit with disturbingly delicious food and beverage offerings, freakishly fun performances and other haunting surprises with tickets beginning at $115 via www.estancialajolla.com.

LAWRENCE BROWNLEE IN RECITAL

Single tickets go on sale today for tenor Lawrence Brownlee’s recital on Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the The Baker-Baum Concert Hall of The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. Presented as part of Sociedad de Música de La Jolla’s 2023–24 Winter Season’s Recital Series and co-produced with San Diego Opera, this recital marks Brownlee’s LJMS debut. A star of the Metropolitan Opera, Brownlee is a leading figure in opera, both as a singer on the world’s top stages and as a voice for activism and diversity in the industry.

VANTAGE THEATRE

Vantage Theatre, as a local partner of Little Amal’s visit, is presenting a unique performance highlighting the stories of refugee and asylee women from Anne Hoibergs book “Tears of War–Stories of Refugee Women” on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at La Jolla Library 7555 Draper Ave. Ticket: Suggested donation $20 cash at door or at http://vantagetheatre.com/wordpress/donate. Proceeds to go to Casa Cornelia. Reservations at [email protected] or call 858-461-8552.

CONSTITUTIONAL GUN CONVENTION

County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer agrees with Gov. Gavin Newsom and California State leaders that a Constitutional Convention is necessary to enact common-sense gun safety measures that local communities support to keep residents safe. She wants the County to take a stance on the Right to Safety Amendment and is asking her colleagues to pass a resolution of support. “Families feel the effects of gun violence every time a loved one loses their life to a gun,” said Lawson-Remer, vice chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By enshrining common-sense solutions to reduce gun violence into our Constitution, every neighborhood in the United States would be safer. If we are able to pass this resolution, I am hoping we can inspire other county supervisors, mayors and city council members across the country to put pressure on their state legislatures to support a constitutional convention. Otherwise we are going to keep fighting an uphill battle on gun violence reduction.” To learn more, visit SupervisorTerraLawsonRemer.com.

BIG SKATES

Recent guests to Birch Aquarium may have noticed some unusual egg cases in our nursery, and they finally hatched. Birch Aquarium is celebrating the birth of some ravioli-sized Big Skates. For now, the babies will be raised in the nursery habitat in the Hall of Fishes as well as behind the scenes. As they continue to grow, they will be moved to other locations in the aquarium. A name that speaks for itself, Big Skates (left) are the largest species of skates found in North America and can get upwards of eight feet – that’s about the size of a surfboard. Despite this large size, their flat features and sandy coloration enable them to seamlessly blend into the seafloor. They have two large, black spots on their fins masquerading as oversized eyes. It’s believed these “eyes” make skates look larger, tricking potential predators from messing with them. While skates closely resemble stingrays, they are different. Skates lack a stinging barb and do not give live birth.

UCP WALK & ROLL

WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

On Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m., people living with ALS, family members, friends, caregivers, and others impacted by ALS will join the fight to find a cure at the Walk to Defeat ALS in De Anza Cove. The day will feature an inspiring program featuring some of our ALS families and master of ceremonies Ben Higgins, a Top Team village with top donors, local vendors and sponsors who support the cause, and a 5K walk along Mission Bay. MESA Foundation, which raises awareness for charitable causes in San Diego, will also be there with the San Diego State University men’s and women’s basketball teams.

BILLY JOEL AND STING AT PETCO PARK

Billy Joel and Sting – two of the most respected recording artists in history – have announced a one-night-only performance at Petco Park on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The iconic musicians will each perform their most beloved songs from throughout their illustrious careers. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at LiveNation.com.

RIDE THE POINT

The Point Loma Rotary Club is holding the 10th annual Jim Krause Memorial Charity Cycling Ride the Point supporting pancreatic research at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 11. The ride starts and ends at Liberty Station and includes exclusive scenic routes throughout San Diego. This local all-volunteer ride has raised over $300,000 for pancreatic cancer research at UCSD Moores Cancer Center. The ride has 5-,25- and 62-mile rides with exclusive routes and challenging climbs. The public is invited to the free healthy lifestyle expo at Oggi’s associated with the event in Liberty Station from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with local vendors, music, and refreshments.

Established in 1978, Moores Cancer Center is the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a designation reserved for centers with the highest achievements in cancer research, clinical care, education and community contributions. Moores Cancer Center unites cancer-related research laboratories, clinical trials, prevention and outreach programs, and patient care under one roof. For more information, visit RideThePoint.org.

THE 24 EXPERIMENT

The 24 Experiment to be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4 at Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St. is an extreme theater production project which involves talented people with nerve and lots of caffeinated coffee. Kick-off is Nov 3 at 7 p.m. The event has been performed in theatres across the country and is a process where a series of short original plays are produced by teams of risk-taking writers, creative directors, and dedicated actors in a single 24-hour day. The finished plays are performed in front of a live audience. Audience-nominated awards are given for the best plays. The 24 Experiment is open to all actors, writers and directors 18 and over, experienced or not, who want to taste a fast-paced, intense and rewarding artistic and social event. Participation is limited to the first 24 actors, 24 writers, six directors who register. Participants can only register in one category. There is a $24 registration fee for all participants. For more information, vist pointlomaplayhouse.com.

SUPER LOVE JAM ’24

Pacific Concert Group and Magic 92.5 announced the return of the Valentine’s Super Love Jam on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. The line up of six artists will include some of the biggest names in Old School R&B including Keith Sweat, Next, JonB and more. Tickets prices from $45.50 to $155, which are subject to change, go on sale Friday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m/ at AXS.com. The Pechanga Arena San Diego Box Office is open Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

OUTSPOOKEN COMICS

The material comics will be delivering on Friday, Oct. 27 is so scary its funny. For one night only, starting at 8 p.m., comics will be performing at Point Loma Playhouse at 3035 Talbot St. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. All seats $25.

PLHS ROUNDUP

Students are invited to come to the new Tutoring Center in the library. Teachers are available Monday-Friday 7:30-8:30 a.m. and Monday-Thursday 3:30-4:30 p.m. for help with math, science, English and history. Tutors are also available during lunch. Be aware that the bus loading zone is a no parking or stopping area. Parents have been picking up and dropping off their students and impeding the buses from parking in their loading area. Police will be ticketing. The designated pick up and drop off area is near the flagpole and 100-200 buildings on Chatsworth. In addition, the Clove Street parking lot is for parking only. Parents are asked to drop their students off on Clove Street and only entering the lot if they are parking and exiting their vehicles.

The PLHS girls basketball tryouts will be held Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m.-noon in the Big Gym. Bring water and basketball/athletic shoes. Make sure to have your athletic clearance in before tryouts.

Girls water polo interest fill out this form to be updated on tryout information. All lacrosse players, if you are interested in trying out for lacrosse in the spring complete the following survey:

Boys Lacrosse Interest Survey, contact [email protected]. Girls Lacrosse Interest Survey, contact [email protected]

LIBERTY STATION HAPPENINGS

Step into the rhythm as The Rosin Box Project partners with San Diego Dance Theater for their final free Master Class Series on Saturday, Oct. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Light Box Theater. Each class offers the opportunity to connect with a different facet of the contemporary dance world and brings new perspective to the greater community. Whether you are a beginner level dancer or higher, everyone is welcome to join. The final class is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged as classes may fill up quickly. This month’s class will be taught by Miroslava Wilson and interested students can preregister aquí.

Arts District Liberty Station is seeking qualifications from artists and artist teams to create temporary, site-specific outdoor installations in 2024 to artistically transform the historic 100-acre former Naval Training Center site at Arts District Liberty Station. Deadline to apply is Oct. 22. Learn more aquí.

Don’t miss out in the newest multimedia exhibition titled “Beyond the Elements” at Museo de los Nuevos Americanos on display through Sunday, Dec. 31. “Beyond the Elements” commemorates San Diego’s groundbreaking hip-hop scene from the mid ’80s to the early ’90s. The exhibit features 10 talented local arts, saluting the immigrant influence that fueled the vibrant movement. Explore the fusion of cultures that defined this iconic era, celebrating self-expression through aerosol art, graffiti, DJs, MCs, underground parties, and dance crews. Book your visit aquí.

AIRPORT BOND SALE

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has completed a major bond financing totaling $1.1 billion. The combination of the bond sales in 2021 and 2023 have provided $2.35 billion towards the projected $3.4 billion cost of the Terminal 1 project, whose first phase is set to open in late summer 2025. “The bond sale will help us realize our collective purpose to create an exceptional airport experience for the community and the world,” said Kimberly Becker, Airport Authority president and CEO. “This will also help San Diego International Airport to continue to serve as an economic driver for the region in terms of jobs and tourism.”

ARTIST OUTPOST REGISTRATION

Registration is open for fall, winter and spring art and clay camps at The Artist Outpost in Ocean Beach at 4934 Voltaire St., Suite A. Art and Clay Camps explore a variety of creative projects, artistic methods, play, and collaboration. You might “give thanks” for our Fall Art Camp or give the gift of art with our Winter Art Camp or Winter Clay Camp. Siblings get 10% off. All camps align with the San Diego School District breaks. For more information, visit theartistoutpost.com.

BING CROSBY RACING SEASON

NEW BRANCH MANAGER

Coldwell Banker Realty has welcomed Phil Deol as the new branch manager of its La Jolla office. Most recently, Deol has been affiliated with Coldwell Banker in South Orange County, focusing on selling real estate in the coastal markets of Southern California. He is currently president and chairman of GO Ministry International, a non-profit organization that works with widows, orphans and ministries in need, both locally and internationally.

EERIE-SISTIBLE MUSICAL HALLOWEEN

Trick or treat at Correia Middle School’s Spooktacular Fall Concert and Festival on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at 4302 Valeta St. This annual Halloween-inspired outdoor performance event showcases the Correia Middle School Jazz Ensemble, guitar, orchestra, and advanced band students as they perform eerie-sistible music. The Correia Associated Student Body leadership group will be hosting ghoulish games and shriek-worthy surprises. A full array of concessions will be available for purchase, sponsored in part by Hodad’s, Pizza Port, and Cravory with all proceeds benefiting the Correia Middle School Music Education Department and Associated Student Body programs.

IMAX DOCUMENTARY

Embark on a breathtaking journey in Balboa Park when “Deep Sky” opens in IMAX on Thursday, Oct. 26 at The Fleet Science Center’s newly renovated Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. The highly anticipated documentary brings the awe-inspiring images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope —taking audiences on a journey to the beginning of time and space, to never-before-seen cosmic landscapes, and to recently discovered exoplanets, planets around other stars. “Deep Sky” has a run time of 40 minutes.

NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP

The Prebys Foundation announced the appointment of Dan Yates as its new board chair. Yates succeeds Tony Cortes, who was one of the foundation’s original board members and served as its chair for most of his tenure before rotating off the board. Yates, who is the chief executive officer and founder of Endeavor Bank, has served on the Prebys board for almost four years. He assumes the role as chair after two years as the board’s executive vice chair. “I’m thrilled to continue my service on the Prebys board in this new role, alongside a set of board members who share my passion for the mission,” said Yates.

BARKTOBER BOARD MEETING

Now that the 90-acre fenced area on Fiesta Island is officially a dog park, what’s next for Fiesta Island Dog Owners? Bring your questions and find out at the Barktober brewery event on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4-7 p.m. at Bay City Brewing Co., 3760 Hancock St. Join in to hear what’s new with FIDO, chat with board members, and get updates on several improvement projects in the works. Plus, there will be a Halloween costume contest, so dress up your pup and show off. Judging will be at 6 p.m. Fun and silly prizes for: cutest costume, most creative costume, scariest costume and most hilarious costume.

LGBTQ+ COMEDY SHOW

Chet Sewell headlines an LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy show one night only on Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. at Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $15.

GASLAMP QUARTER HALLOWEEN

The Gaslamp Quarter will conjure up an array of events this Halloween. Movies at the Museum: Oct. 26, at Gaslamp Museum 6:45 p.m. San Diego Zombie Crawl: An Undead Halloween Adventure on Oct. 27, 28, 31, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Experience the thrills of living among the undead in the ghoulish Gaslamp. Enjoy welcome potions, body painting, live entertainment, and more as you crawl through 20-plus haunts. Get your tickets and unleash your inner zombie. “Barbie’s ScreamHouse” by Hard Rock: A Glam-tastic Halloween Bash on Oct. 28, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Age: 21-plus. Three glamorous floors, seven dreamy rooms, and over 15 DJs spinning tracks. VIP lounges. The Shout! House: Halloween Family Night on Oct. 29, 2 p.m. Piano show starts at 2:30 p.m. Get ready to put on your most creative costumes and join The Shout! House for a Halloween family night. Ghosts of the Gaslamp Tour: A Haunting Stroll Through History every Friday in October at 5 p.m. Join Davis-Horton House historian Sandee Wilhoit for a spine-tingling stroll through the Gaslamp’s haunted history. Visit hotels, saloons, brothels, and a long-ago funeral parlor, and end your tour inside the Gaslamp’s most haunted edifice – the Davis-Horton House. For more information, visit gaslamp.org.

MUSEUM GRANT

The San Diego Museum of Art announced that it is a recipient of the ‘Access for All’ grant funded by the Art Bridges Foundation, a national arts nonprofit founded by philanthropist Alice Walton. SDMA will receive $1.6 million over three years to develop tailored programming for the local community, to launch in January 2024.

TENANT PROTECTION

Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) AB 12 was signed by Gov. Newsom. This is a landmark tenant protection bill that stops the practice of California landlords charging two times and (in some cases three times) the monthly rent as a security deposit. California now joins 11 other states i to limit security deposits to only one month’s rent.

“Massive security deposits can create insurmountable barriers to housing affordability and accessibility for millions of Californians” said Haney who chairs the California Legislature’s Renters’ Caucus. “Despite skyrocketing rents, laws on ensuring affordable security deposits haven’t changed substantially since the 1970s. The result is that landlords lose out on good tenants and tenants stay in homes that are too crowded, unsafe or far from work or school. This new law is a simple common-sense change that will have an enormous impact on housing affordability for families in California, while also balancing a landlord’s need to protect themselves against potential liability.”

POTTER TRIVIA NIGHT

Calling all witches and wizards, Buceo de pato at 4650 Mission Blvd. is holding Harry Potter Trivia on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Dust off your broomsticks and spell books and join this PB hot spot for an evening of mischief and mayhem. Trivia will be accompanied by Harry Potter themed drinks, so you won’t want to miss out. Hosted by Sunset Trivia, games will begin promptly at 8 p.m. and tickets can be purchased aquí. To ensure you’re seated together, reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling Duck Dive at 858-273-3825.

GREEN BINS ROLLED OUT

San Diego has completed its rollout of more than 200,000 organic waste recycling green bins to city serviced homes to allow residents to collect food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings for weekly collection. Some 213,000 green bins have been distributed since Jan. 11, along with 281,000 kitchen pails with more than 53,000 tons of organic waste collected to date. “Recycling organic waste is a key part of achieving our climate action goals,” Mayor Todd Gloria said adding, “I know changing habits can be hard, but separating your organics keeps waste out of our landfills and reduces harmful emissions created by rotting waste.” ESD is hosting an in-person workshop, “How to Love Your New Green Bin,” on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St.

GULLS ON TV

The San Diego Gulls, KSWB-TV (FOX 5 San Diego) and KUSI-TV announced the American Hockey League club’s local television schedule for the 2023-24 AHL season. Six games will air live on both networks, available throughout San Diego county. The schedule will feature four home contests at Pechanga Arena San Diego and two at Toyota Arena in Ontario. The first telecast of the season will take place on Friday, Oct. 13 when the Gulls face the Ontario Reign at Toyota Arena (7 p.m.) on FOX 5 San Diego. San Diego will televise the first KUSI-TV game in the team’s history on Saturday, Nov. 11, when the Gulls host the Colorado Eagles for the team’s annual Military Appreciation Night. Aaron Cooney enters his first season as the Gulls’ broadcaster and digital content producer. Cooney returns to the Gulls after spending the 2022-23 season with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

FALL BACK FESTIVAL

The free Fall Back Festival – the Gaslamp Quarter’s only festival just for kids. This vibrant, historical children’s street faire unfolds in the heart of downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., right in front of the Davis-Horton House on 4th and Island Avenue. Activities and demonstrations for this year’s fest include blacksmith demonstration, butter churning/candle making demonstration, caricaturist/face painter/balloon maker, Kumeyaay drum circle, penny candy booth, fun competitions for prizes and giveaways, root beer float bar. For more information, visit GaslampFoundation.org.

EDUCATOR GRANTS

The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has extended the deadline for 2023 grant applications. Local educators now have through Oct. 23 to apply for grants to help with classroom projects. The foundation will be awarding $64,000 in grants to local educators this year, bringing the total amount awarded since 2017 to over $250,000. The nonprofit foundation awards educator grants, annually, ranging from $500 to $2,500 throughout San Diego and Riverside counties. These grants support academic projects and curriculum that advance any of the STREAM fields (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and mathematics) intended to promote lifelong learning.

INDIA STREET HALLOWEEN

For the first time, India Street will be closed for families to enjoy a day of trick-or-treating. Taking place on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Piazza della Famiglia will be activated with Halloween-themed music and decked out with Halloween décor and even a Jack Skellington photo opp. Families and pups are encouraged to come in their very best Halloween costumes.

GARDEN SHOW RETURNS

Now in its 33rd year, the Fall Home/Garden Show returns to Del Mar Fairgrounds for a two-day extravaganza Oct. 21-22. For more information, visit fallhomegardenshow.com.

MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING

Construction Coverage just released a nuevo reporte about multi-family housing in the United States. Looking at new units authorized by building permits in 2022 — as tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau — researchers identified the states and metros building the most multi-family housing. The analysis found that across the country as a whole, 41.4% of new housing units authorized in 2022 were multi-family, marking the highest level since 1985. Meanwhile, 62.4% of the new housing units authorized in the San Diego metro area were multi-family. In fact, out of all large U.S. metropolitan areas, the San Diego metro is building the ninth largest proportion of multi-family housing.

SHORTEST STORY CONTEST

The Library Shop SD has announced the seventh annual Concurso de cuentos de caja de cerillas, giving those with a penchant for brevity the opportunity to show off their wit, humor, and succinctness. The Matchbook Story Contest challenges writers to craft a story short enough to fit inside a book of matches. Each entry will cost $5.Additionally, there’s now a new Team Category, allowing entire companies, book clubs, and other organizations to enter their members for $75 – with no limit to the number of entries submitted. This allows all types of organizations to help their members practice creative writing, foster team-building, and improve morale with a fun activity. Along with an overall winner for the entire contest, judges will also declare a winner from each team. Matchbook Story Contest submissions will be accepted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 at https://bit.ly/matchbook-story. The winner will be announced Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Fourth Annual Shorties, a hybrid awards gala celebrating outstanding contest entries. The winner will receive a $50 Library Shop gift card and 50 matchbooks with their story printed on them. To tune in to the awards gala, visit https://bit.ly/shorties-lfsd.

MMA PENSION FUND

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) AB 1136, the Mixed Martial Arts Retirement Benefit Fund into law. The fund will not be paid for using state dollars. Instead, it will be financed through ticket sales, sports paraphernalia, and souvenirs. For every ticket sold, $1 would go towards the MMA Fighters Pension Fund. MMA fighters would become vested between 12-14 fights, which is around 39 scheduled rounds at Commission regulated MMA events. Champion MMA fighters nationwide have rallied in support of the bill since it was first announced earlier this year, emphasizing the importance of supporting combat sports athletes who often risk their lives for the sport. “This is a monumental victory for the fighters who pour their hearts and souls into this sport,” said Ronda Rousey, former Bantamweight champion and the first female athlete to have signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “With this bill, we are revolutionizing the way we support and care for our fighters, ensuring that their hard work and sacrifice are rewarded not only in the ring but also in their retirement years.”

RECEPCIÓN DE ARTISTAS

R.B. Stevenson Gallery at 7661 Girard Ave., Suite 101 will present the exhibition “Seen & Forgotten” featuring new paintings by San Diego artist Stephen P. Curry. The exhibition opens with a reception for the artist Saturday Oct. 21, from 5-8 p/m. The exhibit will remain on view through Nov. 22. The Gallery will be open at 1 p.m. for early viewing.

GEORGE CLINTON CONCERT

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic are headlining a concert Saturday, Oct. 21 at Epstein Family Amphitheater on UC San Diego Campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the concourse. Tickets $30-$75. Students free via SSO. Celebrate Epstein Family’s Amphitheater first birthday with the King of Funk: George Clinton. The mastermind behind the supergroup Parliament-Funkadelic, Clinton released 19 albums from 1970 and 1981 that defined funk and kickstarted the Afrofuturist movement. In a career that’s spanned over 50 years, he’s influenced everything from NWA to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from Fishbone to the Big Boys, and been sampled by nearly every hip hop artist in the history of the genre.

SAN DIEGO A BEST BIG CITY TO VISIT

Now in its 36th iteration, Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards continues to capture the travel experiences its readers love best, from hotels and airlines to cruises, islands, and luggage. This year, its readers traveled farther and deeper; seeking out remote properties; sailing on smaller, more intimate ships; and prioritizing destinations. At least that’s what 526,518 of readers said in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. Now, everyone can use those survey results, which show San Diego was chosen as the No. 2 best big city in the U.S. to visit, second only to Chicago.

According to Condé Nast Traveler, “Several years ago, travelers headed to San Diego might have wondered what they would do in the city, besides hitting the beaches. No longer. With a recent string of hot hotel openings (like the Guild and the Carté) and a legit food scene that offers up some of the best Mexican dishes and seafood platters you’ll ever taste, San Diego has officially stepped out from the shadow of its big sister to the north, earning world-class destination status that goes well beyond the waves. Come for the sunshine, sure; but stay for everything else.” (Photo of South Mission Beach jetty by Thomas Melville)

IN MEMORY OF TYLER KIRBEY

Pacific Beach lost an amazing member of the Cass Street Post Office on Sept. 30. Tyler Kirbey (left) was a great and kind man and the biggest cat lover you will ever meet. He delivered his route faithfully each day, even in pain, he carried on until he recently retired. When not working, Kirbey spent his days volunteering for local shelters and pet rescues giving love and kindness to many homeless cats while they waited for there forever homes. He will be missed by family, friends, and hundreds of cats that he cared so deeply for. If anyone would like to wave and remember him, even if you didn’t live on his route – the 2100 block of Diamond Street, and 1900 block of Felspar, Emerald, and Chalcedony – come out from noon-12:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, and watch the 25-40 postal trucks that will drive by his route in his memory. They say humans walk through the Golden Gates and animals cross the rainbow bridge, but Kirbey is probably sitting on the other side of the rainbow bridge with all the other animals he loved that have passed over.

SHORELINE COMMUNITY SERVICES FUNDRAISER

Shoreline Community Services, a nonprofit serving unsheltered neighbors, will be holding its second annual “Kick For a Cause” kickball tournament on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 1-5 p.m. at the Pacific Beach Rec Center, 1405 Diamond St. This family-friendly event will bring together the entire community – neighbors, local businesses, community organizations and faith communities. It will be a great sporting event with food, music, games, prizes and more. SCS seeks to create a community aligned with a common goal — a thriving, safe and welcoming neighborhood for everyone. Currently focusing on the unmet needs of unsheltered individuals and families in the Central Beach Area of San Diego, SCS ensures the most vulnerable are cared for with compassion and equity through the efforts of community members and partners.

SCS is collecting items for a raffle from community restaurants, markets, book/music stores, salons, clubs, hotels, theaters, theme parks, wine shops, tattoo parlors, auto shops, coffee spots, etc. Donating an item will have a direct impact in providing essential services to unsheltered neighbors and help to create a permanent solution to the most significant community challenges. Contact [email protected] to make a donation. More details are at https://tinyurl.com/3cdkpnhb.

CAMPLAND FIRE

Investigators are continuing an investigation to determine what caused a fire that destroyed an outbuilding recently at Campland on the Bay. The campground blaze in the 2200 block of Pacific Beach Drive erupted shortly before 2 p.m. on a Monday. Flames soon engulfed a shed, which contained carts and electronics. It took firefighters nearly three hours to fully extinguish the blaze. Medics treated a man in his 40s on-scene for smoke inhalation, who declined to be taken to a hospital. San Diego Metro Arson Strike Team was called in to investigate the origin of the blaze.

MARISA MONTE AT UCSD

After a triumphant summer tour, which featured sold out shows in Toronto, Montreal and New York, the Brazilian diva Marisa Monte shall return for more performances of her spectacular shows on Oct. 18 at Epstein Family Amphitheater UC San Diego. This will be the final chance to see this unforgettable night with all of her greatest hits.

AMIGOS DE ROSE CREEK

Friends of Rose Creek has been selected as this year’s Environmental Justice Award Recipient for the inaugural AD-77 Environmental Hero Awards. The nonprofit’s work has impacted friends, families, communities, and District 77 Assembly member Tasha Boerner honored the group recently at the La Jolla Recreation Center for an Award Ceremony. The Friends of Rose Creek advocate for environmental and racial justice and to insure that everyone has access to nature in their community. Friends recognizes that Rose Creek flows through Kumeyaay land and are honored in caring for this amazing place. Their vision is for lower Rose Creek to be an open space park providing recreational and learning opportunities and a clean, healthy, aesthetically pleasing environment for residents, visitors, businesses, and native plants and animals, while serving as an accessible link for bicyclists, pedestrians, and wildlife to move between Rose Canyon Park, Marian Bear Park, Mission Bay Park, and surrounding communities. SaveRoseCreek.org.

SEAWORLD TREATS MILITARY

Veterans and military members can still redeem up to four free tickets (for you and up to three guests) at SeaWorld San Diego to share the marine mammal park experience with friends and family You can get your tickets by verifying your military status. Veteran tickets must be obtained and used by Oct. 29.

SUPERVISOR MEETUP

The Pacific Beach Town Council will hold a community meet and greet for County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer on Monday, Oct.16 at the Firehouse Restaurant, 722 Grand Ave. starting at 6:15 p.m. While the event is free and open to the public, to ensure that there are enough refreshments, RSVP here. ¿Preguntas? Correo electrónico [email protected] or call 619-531-5533.

PREBYS FOUNDATION ARTS FUNDING
The Conrad Prebys Foundation announced $16 million in arts initiatives to support and uplift the vibrant arts community of San Diego. “We seek to celebrate and strengthen the many forms and roles of San Diego’s dynamic visual and performing arts scene,” said Prebys CEO Grant Oliphant. “Art helps us connect across the region regardless of our ZIP code — whether we reside in the Anza Borrego Desert, the beach communities, or somewhere in between, we want to encourage a robust art scene where creativity can thrive.” For more information, visit prebysfdn.org/arts-initiatives.

Organizations are encouraged to apply as soon as reasonable, as submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis during the application window. The funds will be available to arts organizations and institutions through three initiatives: (Open Now) Communities of Belonging to lift up many different neighborhoods and communities; (Open Now) Anchoring the Arts supporting the creation, production, or presentation of dynamic art that brings people of different communities and backgrounds together; and (Open Now) Art Bridging Communities to support the creation, production, or presentation of dynamic art that brings people of different communities and backgrounds together. Funds will be paid in 2023 and may be used over a grant term of up to 24 months.

EXPOSICIÓN GALERÍA LJ

R.B. Stevenson Gallery at 7661 Girard Ave. will present the exhibition “Seen & Forgotten” featuring new paintings by San Diego artist Stephen P. Curry. The exhibition opens with a reception for the artist on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 5-8 p.m. and will remain on view through Nov. 22. Gallery will be open at 1 p.m. for early viewing. The exhibition will feature still-life painting, which is a questioning of beauty in light of our immediate reality. These paintings begin with imagery of current events that are depictions of destruction, violence, and death in the initial underpainting process as a way to influence, contradict and subvert the act of observation and the painting process as well as the final opposing representation of the beauty of nature. These contradictory images exist simultaneously to engage in a conversation in the seen and the unseen or forgotten. At the same time challenging, yet playful compositional choices are meant to break with traditional still life and illusionistic representational effects are intentionally brought up short by the physical nature of the paint itself. Drips and splatters, dabs and smears, paint does what paint does.

LJ COGGAN POOL RE-OPENING

The Coggan Family Aquatic Complex at La Jolla High School, 800 Nautilus St., is set to reopen following a four-month renovation with a celebration from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15. The event is free and open to the public. It will feature games, activities, music and cake. Phase 2 of the pool’s renovation, expected in 2024, will refurbish buildings, locker rooms and bathrooms. The pool will remain open during Phase 2.

YAPPY HOUR

NEW HIRES AT UCSD & SALK

The University of California San Diego has announced the appointment of Mitra Hooshmand, Ph.D, as the new executive director of the UC San Diego Human Milk Institute (HMI). Her appointment marks an important milestone for the growing institute, which is believed to be the first of its kind worldwide. UC San Diego launched the Human Milk Institute in October 2022 to accelerate research on the nature, biology and therapeutic potential of human milk. The interdisciplinary institute will explore topics including the impact of human milk on infant development, the ability of human milk to prevent or treat both infant and adult diseases, the effects of medications and infectious diseases on milk composition, and the development of public health measures to improve equitable access to human milk.

The Salk Institute will welcome assistant professor Lena Mueller to the faculty in January 2024. Mueller is a plant biologist who studies arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis — a beneficial interaction between plants and fungi. Mueller’s work will bolster Salk’s Harnessing Plants Initiative, in which scientists are working to mitigate climate change by developing Salk Ideal Plants — a new generation of food crops that are optimized to store excess atmospheric carbon in their roots.

MUSTACHE MADNESS

Mavericks Beach Club at 860 Garnet Ave. is gearing up for one of its most popular events of the year. San Diego Fire Department Mustache Madness will take place on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 5-11 p.m. At $20 for general admission and with GA/raffle ticket combos available, 100% of ticket proceeds will benefit Firefighter Aid. Tickets are available through Ticketsauce. The event includes live music, mustache contests, passed apps and drinks, one-of-a-kind silent auction items, raffle prizes, and much more, all in support of Firefighter Aid. Firefighter Aid’s mission is to provide charitable assistance to firefighters and their families in times of need and to promote awareness of firefighter health and safety issues, and the impacts they have upon their families and communities.

PBTC SEEKING MEMBERS

Why Join the PB Town Council? Your support creates a more beautiful, safe and thriving PB, raising the quality of life for current residents and future generations. And your membership can pay for itself with member discounts from local businesses. Your membership dues are instrumental in funding: Monthly meetings that inform and connect residents with elected officials; Advocacy with regulators on issues affecting PB; Annual Graffiti Removal Day; Neighborhood and beach cleanup support; Concerts on the Green – a summer tradition. For more information, visit pbtowncouncil.org.

SUPPORT FOR MBHS FAMILY

The Mission Bay High School community is rallying to support the family of a local two-sport athlete. According to a GoFundMe page, created to help the parents of Buccaneers’ star Isaah Whitehurst, his mother Stacia is undergoing treatment for throat and nose cancer. “Stacia’s battle with cancer has been a challenging and emotionally taxing journey,” reads the fundraiser. “We are launching this GoFundMe campaign to raise $20,000 to support Stacia and the Whitehurst family in their fight against cancer. These funds will be used to cover their mounting medical bills and provide essential home care, making her battle more comfortable and allowing her to focus on her recovery.” So far, the fundraiser is more than halfway to its goal. To view the GoFundMe, visit https://gf.me/v/c/jwbr/help-stacia-fight-cancer-receive-home-care.

BEACH MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) has issued the following beach management actions for Thursday, Oct. 5. Open – Silver Strand shoreline. The water contact closure is lifted for Silver Strand shoreline. Recent water quality samples meet state health standards. Advisory – Tidelands Park, San Diego River Outlet, North Cove Vacation Isle, Tecolote Shores swim area, Tourmaline Surf Park, La Jolla Cove, and Children’s Pool. These beaches remain under advisory. Beachgoers are advised that bacteria levels have exceeded state health standards and may cause illness. Closure – Tijuana Slough and Imperial Beach shorelines. The ocean shoreline from the International Border to south of Silver Strand Guard Shack will remain closed until sampling confirms these areas are safe for water contact. The public is advised to avoid water contact as the water is impacted by sewage and may cause illness. For updates on beach advisory and closure information, visit sdbeachinfo.com.

PSC GETS GRANT

The Peninsula Shepherd Center at 1475 Catalina Blvd. has received a $33,000 grant from San Diego Seniors Community Foundation. That grant will be used to help fund the center’s Out & About Peninsula Seniors Transportation Program, as well as to launch a re-branding campaign and membership drive in early 2024. PSC is a local non-profit serving seniors in the Peninsula communities. PSC’s Aging in Place programs help keep older adults active, independent and in their own homes by providing transportation programs, opportunities to socialize and serve. PSC is the only independent senior center in the Peninsula.

SDSCF is a first-of-its-kind, nonprofit established in 2017, with the singular focus of improving the vitality and quality of life for all seniors in San Diego County. Census data predicts that by the year 2030 there will be nearly 1 million people over the age of 60 living in San Diego. This is part of a national trend that marks one of the largest demographic shifts in U.S. history. Soon there will be more people over the age of 60 than there will be under the age of 18. More information can be found at sdpdc.org or at 619-223-1640.

RESPONDER MEETS MAN HE SAVED

First responders are often credited with saving lives, but they don’t always get to interact with the people they save. Recently, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department personnel reunited with a man they saved by administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and other medical interventions. Tim Gagen, 69, suffered sudden cardiac arrest on June 9 while riding his bike in the Point Loma area. Bystanders immediately called 9-1-1. The SDFD dispatcher sent the crew from Station 15 and an ambulance crew while she gave CPR instructions over the phone. A nurse was also in the area and stopped to help. Engine company 15 arrived within five minutes and took over Tim’s medical care.

“Our crews don’t often get the chance to meet the people they save,” said Fire-Rescue chief Colin Stowell. “We appreciate the Gagens asking for the opportunity to express their gratitude to the crew and share their story with the public. To know that Mr. Gagen has made a full recovery is very rewarding.”

Gagen and his wife, Ann, are from Mesa, Ariz., and spend several months in San Diego each year. They met the crew of SDFD Engine 15 a couple months ago but wanted to share their story publicly in the hopes of learning the identities of the bystanders who also helped. They want everyone to know how important it is to learn CPR, and that anyone could have a hand in saving a life.

OB PIER SURVEY

Have you seen the three new project designs for the potential rebuilding of the Ocean Beach Pier? Tell which design you liked best and what you liked from each design in a encuesta. If you have any additional questions or comments about the project, email [email protected]. The three potential designs include the Squint Test, the Remora, and the Braid. None of these designs are set in stone, and the survey above allows you to pick and choose what you like or dislike from each design. These designs were presented at the most recent public meeting concerning the OB Pier Renewal Project on Sept. 9. If you missed this meeting, you can view the full presentation at OBPierRenewal.com. Please share this survey with friends, family, and on your social media.

OBWC SPECIAL EVENT

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club, 2160 Bacon St., will hold its Beneficiary Award Ceremony. It will celebrate the work of these local charities: Access, Inc., Doors of Change, Friends of the OB Library, Loaves of Fishes, and Project Street Vet. The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club will have a charcuterie spread and encourages attendees to bring a bottle of your favorite wine or beverage to share.
BREWERIES GET MEDALS

A total of 18 medals were awarded to San Diego County breweries at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival recently in Denver. Known as the “The Oscars” of the craft beer industry, the festival is the nation’s largest professional brewing competition. Modern Times Beer in Point Loma got a silver medal for Mega Devil’s Teeth: Double Dutch S’mores Edition in “Dessert Stout or Pastry Stout” category. Pizza Port Ocean Beach won silver for Giullaume in “Session Beer or Belgian-Style Table Beer” category. Modern Times Beer in Point Loma received a bronze medal for Chaos Grid: The Final Final Course in “Dessert Stout or Pastry Stout” category. Last year, San Diego County breweries took home 15 medals, including three golds, at the festival.

“Our breweries showed incredibly well once again in the Mile High City,” said San Diego Brewers Guild executive director Erik Fowler. “It seems like every year we justify our moniker as The Capital of Craft, and I couldn’t be happier for the medal winners and the entire San Diego craft beer scene. Even with summer over, the beer-drinking weather doesn’t really stop, and I hope San Diegans will go out and support all their favorite breweries whether they won a medal or not. There are extraordinarily talented people in America’s Finest City making the finest beer around.”

SD WATERCOLOR EXHIBIT

The San Diego Watercolor Society’s largest and most competitive show of the year is here. The 43rd annual International Exhibition began Oct. 1 at the Watercolor Society’s gallery at Liberty Station in Point Loma, 2825 Dewey Road. The exhibition, which features artists from San Diego County and across the globe in a display of multimedia water-based art, runs through Oct. 31, with an anticipated $20,000 in cash and merchandise awards. This year more than 800 pieces were submitted, with 105 accepted.

“It is a cross-section of traditional watercolor and water media,” said longtime Point Loma resident and Watercolor Society member Roberta Dyer. “This year, for the very first time, the work does not have to be exclusively on paper. It can be on wood or canvas as well, which is a big deal for us.”
PECHANGA CONCERT IN ‘24

Iconic Los Angeles-based balladeer group The Whispers have announced their 2024 tour, presented by Peary Entertainment Group, which comes to Pechanga Arena on Friday, May 31, 2024. The Whispers will be receiving tour support from funk and R&B legends Jeffrey Osborne and Con Funk Shun. In the annals of R&B history, The Whispers have earned a solid and memorable position as one of the world’s longest-running vocals groups. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 6 at AXS.com.

PORTUGUESE POPULATION RISING

The Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States, the singular national organization representing and serving the national Portuguese community, announced that the data from the 2020 US Decennial Census shows an increase in the population of Americans who claim Portuguese ancestry with a total population of 1,454,262. When compared with the previous decennial census in 2000 and the American Community Survey in 2010, the total from the 2020 Census shows an increase of Portuguese-Americans over the past 30 years.

“During the 2020 Census, there was a unique opportunity for our community to finally prove that there is strength in numbers,” said PALCUS chair, Katherine Soares. “We are thrilled that not only do these numbers show that our community is growing, but also that the Portuguese population in the United States is no longer just an estimate or approximation. We now have official numbers that tell us how many we are and where we are.”

PLHS ROUNDUP

The upcoming 2023-24 Early Out days are: Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 22, March 14, April 11 and May 5 and 9. Students are dismissed at 2:33 p.m. on these days. For all PLHS related athletic news, check out plhsfightingpointers.com. You can find the latest updates, schedules, photos, rosters, athletic clearance details, and more. Parents and students can also follow our athletic Instagram page @fightingpointers. For all the latest PLHS news and fun photos, visit Facebook @Point Loma High School and Instagram @PointLomaHS1925. The Pointer Association can be found on Facebook @Point Loma High School Pointer Association.

WEDDING CAKE SURPRISE

Daisy Jade and Perry Ninness traveled cross country from Pittsburgh for their destination wedding in La Jolla on Sept. 22 but didn’t have a cake. Since wedding cakes average $510, the couple was trying to save some dough by forgoing a traditional cake. But maid of honor Jennifer Albert had a different idea. Albert worked with Walmart for a wedding cake surprise. When Jade and Ninness arrived for their pre-wedding brunch at Mavericks Beach Club on Thursday morning, they were surprised to see several cakes ready to sample. And their official wedding cake will be custom made and delivered – courtesy of Walmart – to their La Jolla venue Friday ahead of their wedding and reception. (Courtesy photo)

FREE TACOS AT RUBIO’S

Rubio’s Coastal Grill is giving away free tacos on National Taco Day, Wednesday, Oct. 4. Guests can choose any à la carte taco on the menu to receive free with a purchase. Even Rubio’s most popular tacos – the Original Fish Taco, Salsa Verde Shrimp Taco, Grilled Gourmet Chicken Taco plus the Fish Taco Battle Winner – the Coconut Shrimp with Mango Salsa Taco – are all options to enjoy for free on National Taco Day. To get a free taco, use code TACO when ordering on the app or online, or scan the coupon (rubios.com/coupons/taco-day) at the register at any of Rubio’s participating locations.

PB PUB CRAWL

Join in for a rootin’ tootin’ good time at Pacific Beach Rotaract’s seventh annual Wild West Pub Crawl for Polio through Pacific Beach on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 2-7 p.m. at the Local, El Prez, PB Alehouse, and Backyard. All proceeds benefit End Polio Now, to support polio eradication globally. These beach bars will be slinging awesome drink and food specials, and a chance to win some awesome local swag and gift cards in the annual costume contest. The theme is Wild West, and the best in creativity will sweep the competition. For more information, visit eventbrite.com/e/716433049537?aff=oddtdtcreator.

NEW YMCA GYM

An official ribbon-cutting celebration was held Sept. 23 for Dan McKinney Family YMCA’s new Gymnastics Center in La Jolla at 8355 Cliffridge Ave. Participating were YMCA officials, dozens of gymnasts and community members. The Y is the starting point for many children to learn about the importance of being active and developing healthy habits they’ll carry through their lives. Gymnastics develops strength, balance and agility. The Y’s goal is to provide a safe, fun and encouraging environment for kids to learn gymnastics, build confidence and make new friends. The new Gymnastics Center features a full array of gymnastics equipment and sufficient space and amenities to accommodate preschool and school age gymnastics training and practice. Depending on the age and skill level of your child, the YMCA offers private, semi-private and group gymnastics programs. For more information, visit ymcasd.org.

CONRAD CONCERT

La Jolla Music Society’s 55th Anniversary Season 2023–24 begins on Oct. 7 with pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason in recital at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Tickets and more information are available at the La Jolla Music Society box office, by phone at 858-459-3728, and online at TheConrad.org.

SCS FUNDRAISER

SURF GARDEN DONATIONS STILL NEEDED

Donations are still needed to fund the Pacific Beach Community Surf Garden, a community-sponsored beautification project dedicated in July at Pacific Beach Rec Center, 1405 Diamond St. This neighborhood beautification project, four years in the making, was crafted by muralist Rob Tobin with the aid of nearly 300 volunteers and 64 donated surfboards. The colorful and innovative surf mural depicts flower petals fashioned from re-purposed mosaic-tiled surfboards. Donors will have a surfboard-shaped tile permanently installed into the exhibit. Visit pbtowncouncil.org/pb-rec-center-mural/ for more information and details.

BIRCH HALLOWEEN

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is launching Halloween Aglow, a new event that will take place Oct. 27-28 from 6-8:30 p.m. Modeled after Oceans at Night, the aquarium’s popular adults-only event, Halloween Aglow celebrates the wonders and mysteries of the ocean after dark in a fun family-friendly atmosphere. After the sun goes down, the aquarium will transform into a glowing nightscape featuring live music, a costume contest and trick-or-treat stations. There will also be interactive experiences that highlight ocean phenomena that occur at night including bioluminescence. Tickets for Halloween Aglow are $27 for members and $30 for the general public. Advanced reservations are required as the event is expected to sell out. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the aquarium website.

PINK TEA AT LAV

Throughout October, La Valencia Hotel at 1132 Prospect St. invites guests to come dressed pretty in pink to partake in their third annual “Pink Tea” series, available on Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27, with seatings between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Priced at $85 per person, guests will enjoy DAMMANN Frères tea, festive sandwiches, pink homemade sweets and scones and a glass of bubbly for guests 21+. La Valencia Hotel will donate 10% of all Pink Tea sales to Susan G. Komen San Diego. Reservations can be made aquí.

SANDPIPER HAPPY HOUR

Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters in La Jolla Shores at 2259 Avenida De La Playa has introduced all-day happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays. From 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., it’s $4 off all wines by the glass, specialty cocktails, well drinks, and draft beers. Sandpiper’s signature happy hour offer of a free dozen oysters with the purchase of a bottle of Champagne is available for the duration of the day. Food specials include $4 Baja fish tacos, $8 prime rib sliders, $10 house-made blue corn chips with guacamole and fresh salsa, and other discounted small plates and sandwiches. Happy hour on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays is from 4-5:30 p.m.

PARADISAEA HAPPY HOUR

Paradisaea at 5680 La Jolla Blvd. in Bird Rock is launching a new happy hour menu. Think: 50% off signature cocktails, draft beer, and wine, on top of 50% off a special new bar menu (aquí) including $1 West Coast Oysters. This new happy hour will be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m.

FIDO CLEANUP

The next Fiesta Island Dog Owners (FIDO) cleanup of the fenced off-leash area is Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9:30-11 a.m. There will be tables with trash bags, gloves and other supplies (or bring your own). Event finishes with a raffle at 10:45 a.m. – each participant gets a raffle ticket for doggie-themed prizes. Dogs welcome, of course.

CHURCH ACCORDION CONCERT

Christ Lutheran Church at 4761 Cass St. is holding a free concert, The Global Heart of the Accordion, on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. The church welcomes guests to an afternoon of virtuoso accordion music performed by Mark Danisovsky in the setting of the main sanctuary’s stunning mosaics, stained glass, and renowned acoustics. Danisovsky will be playing music from around the world: the Tangos Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel and Libertango by Piazzolla, French favorites Sous Le Ciel De Paris, Jalousie, La Vie En Rose, and much loved Paris-inspired pieces by Cole Porter. Italy will be featured with Neopolitan standards and some American Italian favorites. His Hungarian upbringing will be represented by a lively Czardas (traditional folk dance), and he’ll play a Jewish Klezmer freilach (happy song). Granada will represent the music of Spain, and Latin and Brazilian music will be included.

TOP-RANKED UNIVERSITY

The University of California San Diego has advanced two spots to become the sixth best public university in the country, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. Overall, UC San Diego ranked No. 28 on the complete list of over 400 of the nation’s colleges, jumping six spots from last year.

YEAR-ROUND CLOSURE

The City of San Diego on Sept. 18 officially approved a year-round closure of Point La Jolla for at least seven years, approving an amendment to a previous coastal development permit that authorized a seasonal closure of Point La Jolla. The year-round Point La Jolla closure also applies to coastal bluffs at Boomer Beach, which is a popular spot for sea lions. Access to Boomer Beach remains open.

LJMS CONCERT SERIES

Sociedad de Música de La Jolla (LJMS) free outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert series at The Conrad in La Jolla at 7600 Fay Ave. will be expanded to add shows in the fall, beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 18 with a Salsa Night featuring San Diego favorites the Manny Cepeda Quartet. Salsa class at 5:30 p.m. Performance at 6:30 p.m. “I’m delighted that the popularity of these free events has allowed us to expand the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert Series again this year,” said Allison Boles, LJMS director of learning and engagement. “Not only does this series engage the community and bring new audiences to The Conrad, it provides an important opportunity to present and celebrate the wide variety of incredible musicians and artists who live and work here in San Diego.”

RHYTHM & BREWS FUNDRAISER
A special fundraising event to benefit Point Loma Summer Concerts will be held Thursday, Sept. 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Thursday Club, 1224 Santa Barbara St. Jensen’s is partnering with Point Loma Summer Concerts for this new fundraising event. There will be tastings of dozens of brewed adult beverages (beer, kombucha, and cider), representing nearly 20 of San Diego’s finest breweries. A ticket includes a Jensen’s homemade bratwurst or a giant pretzel with beer cheese sauce, and other tasty bites to celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest. Plus, each participant receives a commemorative 5-ounce tasting glass to use and keep. Register: pointloma.jensensfoods.com/order-online/rhythm-brews.

JIMMY BUFFETT TRIBUTE & PARADE

A Jimmy Buffett Tribute & Parade with the San Diego Parrot Head Club will take place at 3 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Campland on the Bay, 2211 Pacific Beach Drive. On Friday, the second line procession (parade) around Campland starts at 3 p.m. (a New Orleans-style funeral procession), Buffett trivia at 4:30 p.m., followed by a tribute and toast to Jimmy around 4:50 p.m., and live music from 5-9:30 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 23, there will by live music from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., silent auction, raffles, games, beer/wine/soda/water garden, cornhole tournament, and used tropical shirt sales, all to benefit the San Diego Parrot Head Club’s charities. This year’s donations benefit Honor Flight San Diego and Us4Warriors. Wristbands for the event are $40 per person donation, which includes non-stop live music on Saturday, entrance to the beer garden while supplies last. The San Diego Parrot Head Club is the third largest in the world.

END ZONE PARTY

A Homecoming Tailgate End Zone Party is set for Friday, Sept. 22 from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy a private area with food from local restaurants and then watch the varsity game from the end zone. Ticket price includes: admission to the game, private area Tailgate Party during the JV game and preferred seating in the west end zone. Ticket prices are $75 for two, $40 for one. All proceeds go to PLHS-PA Football.

NTC PARK REFURBISHMENT

The Point Loma Association as announced that, in the next couple weeks, DPR Construction is expected to begin demolishing the dilapidated granite submarine memorials at NTC Park in Liberty Station, replacing them with concrete replicas and fresh information plaques. The company is donating their work, and now that the City has released the Right of Entry Permit, it is hoped the DPR can fit the memorial restoration project into their busy schedule soon. In the weeks ahead, PLA’s Mean Green Team will continue to work on the landscaping around the submarine monuments so the site’s are ready for this year’s wreath-laying event on Dec. 7.

PADDLE FOR CLEAN WATER

On Sunday, Oct. 1, at 8:30 a.m., join the San Diego Chapter of Surfrider at the iconic Ocean Beach Pier for an inspiring gathering to safeguard the ocean’s water quality. The “Paddle for Clean Water” is a call to action, an opportunity to make your voice heard, and a chance to actively contribute to the protection of the oceans. Take to the waves with hundreds of fellow advocates and paddle (or swim!) around the Ocean Beach Pier – the longest concrete pier on the West Coast – symbolizing the commitment to cleaner waters and a healthier ocean. It is a day of advocacy and free, family-friendly fun – including coffee, bagels, beach yoga, prize drawings, and a massive paddle around the Ocean Beach Pier.

BREWERY GRAND OPENING

California Wild Ales held the grand opening of its new brewery and tasting room at 3826 Sherman St. in the Midway District on Friday, Sept. 15. The brewery moved to the Point Loma area from its original location in Sorrento Valley, where it had been operating since 2015. The brewery offers a wide variety of classic fruited sours, clean IPAs, and lagers, as well as seltzers and a non-alcoholic beer on its 20-tap system in its two-story tasting room overlooking the oak barrels. The Point Loma tasting room will also have food options from The Last Typewriter. Patrons can order gourmet burgers and fries, fusion-style fried chicken, toasted sandwiches, and more from a wall-mounted tablet, then have their food delivered to the tasting room. Initially, the tasting room will be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The new tasting room offers a wide assortment of beers including Warzone West Coast IPA, The Point West Coast IPA, Up the Hill Hazy IPA, Rainbow Weather Double Hazy IPA, Pesky Parrot Pale Ale, Bike Lane Lager, Dragon Fruit, Blueberry, Blackberry and Raspberry Sour Ale, German Chocolate Cake Dark Sour, Oak Barrel-aged Saison (collaboration with OB Brewery), Mead Barrel-aged Flanders-style Red Ale (collaboration with 13 Point Brewing and Lost Cause Meadery), Super Cuvée Brewer’s Blend, Buzzed Bee (collaboration with Hoppy Beer Hoppy Life and Lost Cause Meadery), Sour Quadrupel with Kakawa Cold-brew Coffee, Peach and Raspberry Hard Seltzer.

COMEDY WORKSHOP

A one-night stand-up comedy workshop will be held Friday, Sept. 22 starting at 8 p.m. at Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St. Hilarious members of ActLiveNow will be performing their sets live on stage. Doors open 7:30 p.m. All seats $15.

LPE YEARBOOK

Loma Portal Elementary is asking students to upload their school photos to the Yearbook Google Drive in the Google Drive APP or on their desktop and place them in the appropriate folders. (Not all photos will be used for the yearbook). Use this drive throughout the year to help build the yearbook. The Yearbook Committee can’t be everywhere, so help them by uploading your LPE-related photos The link can be found at lomaportalfoundation.org/yearbook.

GLOBETROTTERS AT PECHANGA

The Harlem Globetrotters team is coming to Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. on Feb. 18. The team has showcased their iconic brand of basketball in over 124 countries and territories across six continents since 1926. Proud inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, their mission continues to advance the game of basketball and deliver exciting and interactive entertainment to the world.

TOBYMAC IS COMING

Awakening Foundation has announced the dates of TobyMac’s Hits Deep 2024 Tour. Supported by K-LOVE, Air1, Altrua Healthshare and Food for the Hungry, the 30-city run kicks off on Jan. 26 and will visit Pechanga Arena on Feb. 9. Now in its ninth year, you do not want to miss this night of energy when TobyMac will be joined by many of today’s top artists, including Cory Asbury, Mac Powell, Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick and Terrian. Tickets for Hits Deep 2024 go on sale Friday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m.

PAESAN COMMUNITY BARBECUE

Police And Emergency Services Appreciation Night, “PAESAN,” is an annual tradition in Pacific Beach going back more than 40 years. It’s a community BBQ and awards ceremony honoring the first responders who serve the community. This year’s 43rd annual PAESAN honors the city’s park rangers and will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 4-6:30 p.m. at North Crown Point Shores Rotary Club Pavilion, 3700 Corona Oriente Road, just off Crown Point Drive at Moorland Drive. It’s also a fundraiser. Each year a group is honored and supported — rotating among lifeguards, firefighters, park rangers and police. Typically, Pacific Beach Town Council purchases items that are needed by responders, but not funded by the current City budget. Tickets and sponsorships for PAESAN Community BBQ are now available: Tickets at pbtowncouncil.org.

SEMANA DEL RESTAURANTE SD

San Diego Restaurant Week, presented by the California Restaurant Association, returns from Sunday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 1 with over 100 restaurants across 30 neighborhoods for eight days of dining. Diners can enjoy a variety of diverse menus featuring special prix-fixe pricing throughout the county. Guests can enjoy two-course lunches and three-course dinners for starting at just $20 dependent on the restaurant’s price points. Guests will be delighted to find new restaurant participation with an improved pricing system, with easy-to-understand price points starting at $20 and increasing in $10 increments. Tickets are not necessary, but reservations are recommended. Visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com for more information.

SOHO CONCERT SERIES

Save the date now and secure your tickets for Sept. 29, from 3-5 p.m. for Save Our Heritage Organisation’s third installment of its three-part outdoor concert series. at Marston House Museum & Gardens, 3525 Seventh Ave. This year’s event has showcased women singer-songwriters in Americana, folk, country, and blues music in the timeless and intimate setting of the historic rose garden at the Marston House. There is no parking on this residential street. Utilize the ample free parking all along Balboa Drive, Sixth Avenue, Upas and Thorn Streets. Tickets online AQUÍ, or call 619-297-9327

BELLA VITA FEST

October is Italian Heritage month, and to celebrate San Diego’s Little Italy Association will host the inaugural Bella Vita Festival over the weekend of Oct. 21-22. From the producers of Festa and ArtWalk San Diego events, this new Italian festival celebrates the tradition of street painting that began in 16th century Italy where traveling artists, known as Madonnari, would re-create famous paintings onto the pavement. The ticketed event will also feature Italian music, food vendors selling Italian specialties, wine tastings from more than 30 wineries, and merchandise vendors selling a large variety of products. Tickets to Bella Vita Fest are disponible en linea.

PROHIBITION SPEAKEASY

Prohibition, GBOD Hospitality Group’s popular speakeasy hidden underground at 548 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter, will host an exclusive event where guests can get behind the bar to make their own cocktails with brand ambassadors from Westland Whiskey, from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The class will include hands-on tasting experiences, libations hand-crafted by talented mixologists and opportunities to create cocktails while learning about a variety of spirits. Each guest will also receive exclusive Westland Whiskey merchandise. Tickets, priced at $40 per person, are limited and must be purchased in advance here. More information about Prohibition is available by calling 619-501-1919 or at prohibitionsd.com.

SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING

On Saturday, Oct. 14, a solar eclipse will be visible in San Diego, and the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park is holding a viewing party, outside the Fleet, in front of the Bea Evenson Fountain. The event is free and begins at 8 a.m. The Fleet will provide complimentary NASA 3-D eclipse glasses so everyone can watch the wonder of this cosmic event safely. The eclipse will begin at 8:09 a.m. as the moon appears to touch the sun’s edge. The climax, when the moon is closest to the center of the Sun, will be visible from San Diego at 9:26 a.m. Viewers will see the most exciting moments between 8:45 and 9:45 a.m., with the eclipse concluding at 10:52 a.m., as the moon leaves the sun’s edge. The Fleet’s resident astronomer, Lisa Will, Ph.D., along with additional local astronomy and eclipse experts, will be on hand to answer questions and converse. Three hands-on demonstration stations will feature activities, including crafting solar viewers, led by fleet education professionals.

GOLDEN WATCHDOG & FLEECE AWARDS

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association announced that it is seeking nominations for the 27th annual Golden Watchdog and Fleece Awards recognizing the best and worst of local government working effectively and efficiently in San Diego County. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Budget: The Homelessness Reality.” Golden Watchdog Awards are given to public agencies whose actions exemplify effective and efficient local governance. Fleece Awards are presented to public agencies whose use of taxpayer dollars is wasteful or inefficient. All San Diego residents can submit nominations using this form. The nomination deadline for all awards is Friday, Oct. 20.

FLIGHTS TO LONDON

British Airways announced it will increase its nonstop service with a second daily flight between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) effective April 20, 2024. Of the top 30 U.S.-Europe passenger markets, San Diego has had the strongest recovery from the pandemic. The number of San Diego–Europe passengers is now 12 percent higher than in 2019. San Diego-London passengers have risen dramatically – now over 28 percent higher than 2019 levels. The additional flights to London will begin to address the increased demand to and from our region.

AIDS WALK & RUN

On Sept, 30, the 34th annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego will be hosted by the San Diego LGBT Community Center. The event, San Diego’s largest HIV fundraiser, kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. Attendees are invited to register and fundraise to support HIV prevention and treatment in the San Diego region. Along with the run and walk, the event will feature live music, a memorial to those lost to HIV/AIDS, and an opportunity to celebrate top fundraisers. Funds from this year’s event will support 11 local HIV/AIDS service providers. While this year’s event marks the final traditional AIDS Walk & Run that the organization will be hosting, next year will bring a new, inclusive program that aims to reach more San Diegans through both community education and empowerment to help break the stigma around living with HIV.

COUNTRY AT BELMONT

Dust off those boots and prepare for a night of country music at Belmont Park’s Beach House on Thursday, Sept. 21. Hitting the beachfront stage will be country music star Rodney Atkins, the first country artist to perform at Beach House. Guests can enjoy line dancing by the beach, specialty cocktails and a live performance of Atkins’ chart-topping hits like “Watching You,” “Farmer’s Daughter” and “Take a Back Road.” Tickets are $35 and can be purchased aquí.

MAMA’S NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Every day, thousands of critically ill San Diegans rely on the free meal delivery service provided by Mama’s Kitchen. For over three decades, the nonprofit has made nutritious, medically tailored meals, packaged and delivered with care to homes by Mama’s Kitchen volunteers year-round. As the largest nonprofit provider of home-delivered meals in San Diego and the sole provider of medically tailored meals, Mama’s Kitchen is issuing an urgent community-wide call for volunteers ahead of the busy holiday season. Currently, the organization needs volunteer help in three main areas: meal delivery, kitchen/staging, and phone/office support. For more information, visit mamaskitchen.org.

DEL MAR GEM FAIRE

Gem Faire, America’s Premier Jewelry and Bead Show, is coming to Del Mar Fairgrounds Oct. 20-22 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Hours are Friday noon-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is open to the public. For more information, visit gemfaire.com.

KIDS FREE SD

The San Diego Museum Council has announced the return of the popular Kids Free San Diego program, presented in partnership with the San Diego Tourism Authority and with support from First 5 San Diego. From Oct. 1 to 31, children ages 12 and under can enjoy free admission to dozens of museums and other family-friendly attractions throughout San Diego County. Last year, 85,000 children and adults participated in the Kids Free program. Kids Free aims to give more families access to the wide range of fun and enriching museum experiences offered in San Diego. With more than 50 participating locations all over the county, there is something for every age and interest, including art, science, history, cultural heritage, nature, wildlife, trains, ships and much more. A list of participating museums can be found on the San Diego Museum Council sitio web (with additional locations still being added).

RENTAL AID

Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) AB 12 cleared its final legislative hurdle by passing out of the California State Senate with 21 votes and the Assembly with a final vote of 50 to 18. AB 12 stops the practice of California landlords charging two times (and in some cases three times) the monthly rent as a security deposit. If this bill is signed into law, California will be the 12h state in the country to limit security deposits to only one month’s rent.

“When renters can’t afford deposits they often have to borrow from predatory lenders, go into debt, or just stay put,” said Haney “Landlords lose out on good tenants and tenants stay in apartments that are too crowded or have unsafe living conditions. Creating a rental deposit cap is a simple change that will have an enormous impact on housing affordability for families in California.” If the bill is signed by Gov. Newsom, it will go into effect statewide by June of 2024.

DOGTOBERFEST

The San Diego Public Library holds Dogtoberfest in October with events to celebrate dogs, including costume contests, video competitions, educational visits from community partners and author visits. Submissions are sought for the Dog Stars Video Awards Festival. Entries are due by Sept. 30 and should show your dog’s antics and acting skills on video. (Submit early — only 75 submissions will be accepted.) The Dog Stars Video Awards Festival and Community Panel is slated for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the San Diego Central Library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., presented by the San Diego Public Library and community partners. For more information, visit sandiego.gov/public-library/dogtoberfest.

RETRO FAIR IN 2024

Next year, the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar is going back in time. Bop your way around the happy days of the ’50s. Twist, shout, and shake it into the bewitching ’60s. Move and groove through the disco nights of the ’70s. Moonwalk it back to the gnarly age of big hair, shoulder pads, and parachute pants of the ’80s. And enjoy the era of flannel and floppy drives of the ’90s – or whatever, nevermind. Enjoy the best of what es a blast from the past, the 2024 San Diego County Fair, June 12-July 7 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

OKTOBERFEST GAMES

The Original 40 Brewing Company in North Park at 3117 University Ave. is holding its third-annual Oktoberfest Games Saturday, Sept. 23 in honor of the annual German beer-drinking celebration. Beginning at 3 p.m., four different competitions will be held, including Best Lederhosen and Drindl Outfits, Bavarian Pretzel Eating Contest, Stein Holding Competition, and Partner Pretzel Toss. Gift cards will be awarded to the winners.

NIGHT MARKET

Mission Valley open-air shopping center invites the community to the area debut of the highly popular 626 Night Market event on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The 626 Night Market is an outdoor weekend experience modeled after the nighttime bazaars of Asia where people come together to eat, drink, socialize and be entertained. This iconic California festival combines an exciting collection of street food, merchandise, crafts, artists, games, live concerts and other attractions to create an epic event that appeals to people of all ages. Showcasing local talent – including performers, chefs and entrepreneurs – the 626 Night Market serves as a platform for the community to connect with one another. Open from 1 p.m.-10 p.m. on select Saturdays and Sundays this fall, the 626 Night Market will also feature a full alcohol bar with limited-edition cocktails. This event is free of charge and open to the public; while free to attend, space is limited and pre-registration is required 626nightmarket.com/minisd. For more information, click aquí o visitar mission-valley.com/events.

BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is accepting grant applications from organizations that teach on-the-water boating safety education to the public. A total of $1.6 million in grants is available to local public agencies, nonprofit organizations and colleges/universities operating within California for Aquatic Center Education Program grants. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 26, at noon. Interested applicants are encouraged to first review the FAQs listed on DBW’s website to determine if they meet the grantee eligibility requirements. Grant applications must be submitted through OLGA, the division’s online grant application system accessed en línea.

CLEAN AIR FUNDING

The American Lung Association applauds Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes and Senator Lena Gonzalez for championing AB 126, the re-authorization of another decade of crucial clean air investments through the Clean Transportation Program, Air Quality Improvement Program, and the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program. When signed into law, the bill will continue to provide critical funding to clean air and climate programs, with a strong focus on equity to ensure communities that need it the most can breathe healthy air. The bill is now on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

SUNSET CLIFFS CAR SHOW

The inaugural Sunset Cliffs Car Show was a success. On Saturday, Sept.9, the corners of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Point Loma Boulevard became a colorful showplace for classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and golf carts. The family-friendly event was hosted by the Inn at Sunset Cliffs, Saint Peters By The Sea, and Trinidad Motors parking lots. There were food trucks, music, free giveaways, raffles, and ride-along in exotic vehicles. A Kid Zone offered airbrush tattoos and balloon art. Bike valets were on deck to enjoy the ocean view. Out of 57 entries, the ’57 Rolls Royce (right) took the grand prize of $1,000 cash. Sponsors of the event included The Olive Tree Market, Ulivo, Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association, Music As You Like It, Revoked Mob, Zed Electric, and Efficient Working Bodies. (Photo by Mike McCarthy)

COMMUNITY CLEAN UP

Celebrate PB Pathways along with beautifulPB on Saturday Sept. 16 with a casual ride and community clean-up event. Grab your favorite set of wheels and meet us at Tap Room PB (Garnet and Fanuel) for a short ride to Diamond Street to clean up some of the most important local streets. Then meet back at Tap Room to socialize with food and drinks, with proceeds benefiting beautifulPB and other local organizations. Later that night, at 9 p.m., we’re going to meet up two doors down at The Collective, for an after-party.

BEACH CLEAN-UP DAY

Each year, the beach communities come together to co-sponsor and support a September Beach Clean Up Day. This year, the Saturday, Sept. 26 event coincides with Coastal Clean Up Day. Cosponsored by Don’t Trash Mission Beach, the Mission Beach Town Council, Belmont Park, the Olive Baking Co., and the Felice Agency, volunteers will meet near Belmont Park for the 8 a.m. start. This annual event is a great way for Pacific Beach Middle School students to start earning required community service hours for the 2023-2024 school year. Gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags are provided. Mark your calendar and come out to support an important community service event and earn community service hours as well.

RHYTHM & BREWS FUNDRAISER
A special fundraising event to benefit Point Loma Summer Concerts will be Thursday, Sept. 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Thursday Club, 1224 Santa Barbara St. Jensen’s is partnering with Point Loma Summer Concerts for this new fundraising event. There will be tastings of dozens of brewed adult beverages (beer, kombucha, and cider), representing nearly 20 of San Diego’s finest breweries. A ticket includes a Jensen’s homemade bratwurst or a giant pretzel with beer cheese sauce, and other tasty bites to celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest. Plus, each participant receives a commemorative 5-ounce tasting glass to use and keep. Register: pointloma.jensensfoods.com/order-online/rhythm-brews.

MOTORCYCLE FATAL

A motorcyclist in his 20s was killed in a solo-vehicle collision in Point Loma about 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 when, while westbound on Chatsworth Boulevard, he apparently crossed into the eastbound lanes after failing to get around a curve in the road as he neared the intersection with Clove Street. Police said the 2007 Harley Davidson rider, after cutting over to the other side of the road, collided with the south, raised curb line of Chatsworth Boulevard. The rider was ejected from the vehicle in the collision, sustaining life-threatening injuries and was declared dead on scene. According to SDPD, the rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

GOODBAR COMEDY

Good Bar at 1872 Rosecrans St. is holding an audience-participation comedy show headlined by David Rosenberg and featuring: Kylie Troop, Mikey Perry, and Cassidy Stains on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for this age 21+ event. Doors open 7 p.m. For more information, visit goodbarsd.com.

PECHANGA CONCERT
This fall, AG Entertainment Touring and Mammoth, Inc. proudly present the Rod Wave – Nostalgia Tour. This large-scale multi-city outing will feature Rod Wave headlining 35 of North America’s top arenas coast-to-coast, including Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Monday, Dec. 4. Tickets go on sale to the public Thursday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. For all information regarding the tour, visit https://official-rodwave.com/.

LJCPA NEEDS MEMBERS

There is an urgent need for more members of the Greater Bird Rock Community to join the La Jolla Community Planning Association and it is simple to do that. The LJCPA has been recognized by the San Diego City Council to make recommendations to the City Council, the San Diego Planning Commission, City staff, and other governmental agencies on land use matters. It is critical that more members of Bird Rock join the LJCPA immediately to ensure that the changes to the LJCPA bylaws, which the JCPA will approve soon, will help ensure that, in the future, the LJCPA will be appropriately responsive to interests of the Greater Bird Rock community. It is very simple to become a LJCPA member. You can do that by simply signing up at lajollacpa.org/membership-application/.

YEAR-ROUND CLOSURE

The California Coastal Commission on Sept. 7 unanimously approved the City’s plan to seal off Point La Jolla from the public year-round, a closure scheduled to be in effect for seven years to keep humans and sea lions separated. The Coastal Commission approved an amendment to an existing coastal development permit that authorized Point La Jolla’s annual six-month closure from May 1 through Oct. 31 during sea lion pupping season. The amendment extends the closure to all year. On Monday, Sept. 18, San Diego City Council will vote on an ordinance amending the City’s municipal code to close Point La Jolla and Boomer Beach year-round for the next seven years.

MUSEUM EXHIBIT OPENS

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla at 700 Prospect St. will hold its Free Third Thursday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. for the opening of the newest special exhibition: Kelly Akashi: Formations. Enjoy free admission and a live DJ set by DJ Sir Froderick from 5-8 p.m. On view Sept. 21 to Feb. 18, 2024 in La Jolla’s Strauss Galleries, Kelly Akashi: Formations presents an overview of a decade of work, including glass and cast bronze objects, multipart sculptural installations, and photographic work. It also includes a newly commissioned body of work that explores the inherited impact of the artist’s father’s imprisonment in a Japanese American incarceration camp in Poston, Ariz. during World War II.

SANDPIPER CRAB FEAST

Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters at 2259 Avenida De La Playa and its executive chef Marty Fay are swapping out standard dinner service on Sunday, Sept. 17 for a family-style, all-you-can-eat steamed crab feast. Fay, who hails from the Baltimore area, is bringing this favorite Maryland tradition to La Jolla Shores with two seatings at 4 and 6:30 p.m. For $85 per person, guests can enjoy as many Maryland blue crabs as they can eat, along with shrimp, potatoes, corn, Cesar salad, and choice of dessert. All draft beers will be $5 that evening as well. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made on Tock.

COUNTRY AT BELMONT

Dust off those boots and prepare for a night of country music at Belmont Park’s Beach House 3125 Ocean Front Walk on Thursday, Sept. 21. Hitting the beachfront stage will be country music star Rodney Atkins, the first country artist to perform at Beach House. Guests can enjoy line dancing by the beach, specialty cocktails and a live performance of Atkins’ chart-topping hits like “Watching You,” “Farmer’s Daughter,” and “Take a Back Road.” Tickets are $35 and can be purchased aquí. This event is 21-plus. For those looking to kick their boots up and enjoy the show from one of the VIP Cabanas and tables complete with bottle service and a featured menu, email [email protected].

HUBBS SEAWORLD GALA

On Sept. 21, SeaWorld San Diego will hold a 60th anniversary gala event to highlight Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute’s ground-breaking scientific research, numerous firsts and breakthroughs, and its bright future. Attendees will have behind-the-scenes access to the park and will learn about the latest areas of study from HSWRI scientists. “Our important work began right away,” recalled HSWRI president and CEO Don Kent. “In 1964, we began to tag albacore and bluefin tuna to understand their behaviors. Over ten years, we worked with tuna fishers and collected data that helped them learn how to avoid dolphins.Being in the tuna capital of the world at the time,” he continued, “this was a very big deal.” For more information, visit hswri.org.

EXHIBITION OPENING

The Athenaeum at 1008 Wall St. in La Jolla will present a special exhibition of works by late French artist Françoise Gilot, featuring many never-before-exhibited lithographs. Born in 1921 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Françoise Gilot’s career spanned eight decades, with works ranging from visual art to poetry and prose, including best-selling memoirs. Gilot met legendary artist Pablo Picasso when she was 21, the same year she had her first Paris exhibition. She counted among her friends leading artists of the period, including Matisse, Braque, and Cocteau. Gilot and Picasso raised their two children together until separating in 1953. Gilot married artist Luc Simon in 1955, with whom she had a daughter before divorcing in 1962.

Gilot began visiting the United States in the 1960s to exhibit her work and maintained studios in La Jolla, New York, and Paris. With a degree in philosophy from the University of Paris and another in English literature from Cambridge University, she became an accomplished writer and poet, authoring and illustrating several books. Over time, her art practice expanded to include printmaking techniques such as monographs and aquatints. Gilot’s children appear as the subjects of many of her works, along with themes of birds, emblems, and Greek mythology. Gilot’s childhood in France and travels to Greece and Asia are also frequent subjects. Later in life, Gilot married Jonas Salk, developer of the polio vaccine, and lived for a long time in San Diego. The Athenaeum hosted a private reception and pop-up show in 2022 in celebration of Gilot’s 100th birthday. Gilot continued to paint until her death in June 2023.

BEER CRAWL

Black Plague Brewing, Bottlecraft, The Original 40 Brewing Company, y Compañía de cerveza de segunda oportunidad are teaming up for the second annual North Park Oktoberfest Beer Crawl on Thursday, Sept. 28 to give beer lovers a chance to win a $600 prize package of gift cards and merchandise. Participants must visit each of the four taprooms, which are all within 0.3 mile of each other, within the window of 5-9 p.m. and try each brewery’s beer or food special; that earns you a punch on a special punch card. Those who complete the card will be entered into the raffle for the prize package. Visit altstrategies.com/Oktoberfest for the list of specials and more information.

LUFTHANSA NONSTOP SERVICE

Lufthansa Airlines announced it will increase its nonstop service between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Munich, Germany via Franz Josef Strauss International Airport (MUC) by 70 percent beginning in April 2024. Of the top 30 U.S.-Europe passenger markets, San Diego has had the strongest recovery from the pandemic. The number of San Diego–Europe passengers is now 12 percent higher than in 2019, and the additional flights to Munich will begin to address the increased demand from our region. Lufthansa currently serves SAN-MUC three times a week. It will expand to five days per week in April 2024, and transition to daily service in June 2024.

VACCINATION BOOSTER

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get an updated Covid-19 vaccine, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said to help lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization or death from the coronavirus. The CDC said in a news release that the shots from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna will be available this week. “Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death,” the agency said. “Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter.”

RUSSIA COUNTERED

Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50), along with Representatives Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ-7), William Keating (D-MA-9), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) has introduced a resolution to condemn Russia for exacerbating global food insecurity through its illegal, unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine and abandonment of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The resolution also calls for Russia to return to the agreement and cease the targeting of Ukrainian grain storage and port facilities. “Russia’s remorseless weaponization of hunger hurts the world’s most vulnerable populations,” said Rep. Peters. “With this resolution, the United States House of Representatives is saying with one unified and bipartisan voice that Russia cannot act with impunity and that they must return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.”

SUMMERFEST SUCCESS

Sociedad de Música de La Jolla’s 37th SummerFest, the annual chamber music festival that brings the best chamber musicians from all over the world to The Conrad in La Jolla for four weeks of concerts, set a new festival income record. Programmed by music director Inon Barnatan, this year’s SummerFest ran from July 28 to Aug. 26, and included a total of 85 events including concerts, master classes, lectures, open rehearsals, artist encounters, and more. Among the globally acclaimed artists performing during SummerFest were renowned British composer Thomas Adès, who served as composer-in-residence; conductor Alan Gilbert of Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and former music director of the New York Philharmonic; mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke; Louis Cato, the newly named bandleader of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Band; Stefan Dohr, principal horn of the Berliner Philharmoniker; cellist Alisa Weilerstein; New York City Ballet’s Wendy Whelan; violinist Augustin Hadelich; pianist Conrad Tao; and many more. In all, the festival welcomed 5,951 paid attendees, a 15% increase over last year, and came within 159 seats of hitting an all-time seat record.

PUEBLO REUNION

On Thursday, Sept. 14 the crew of the U.S.S. Pueblo, a Navy Intelligence ship, who were captured, held hostage, and tortured by North Korean state-sponsored terrorists in 1968, will gather in San Diego for their final annual reunion. Notably, the victims were reunited with their families right here in San Diego on Christmas Day, 1968, following their release from North Korea. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the victims’ capture, and still, they and their families are waiting for justice. In 2021, the victims finally had their day in court when a U.S. federal judge ordered North Korea to pay them and their families $2.3 billion in damages. Unfortunately, the victims have been largely unable to collect their shares of the judgment.

ITALIAN GARDEN CASINO

This Friday, Sept. 15, from 7-11 p.m., San Diego’s Little Italy Association will transform the Piazza della Famiglia into an exquisite Italian garden casino experience for the second annual Casino di Piazza. In partnership with Vici Luxury Rentals, the evening will feature craft cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres, live music, blackjack, craps and roulette under the stars. Dress in cocktail or black-tie attire. Upon arrival, guests will be transported to the beautiful, manicured gardens of Milan with greenery lined walls and classic Italian statues set in the heart of the Piazza della Famiglia. Proceeds from Casino di Piazza will benefit the Little Italy Association’s continued beautification and maintenance of the Piazza della Famiglia. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit littleitalysd.com/events/casino-di-piazza.

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE

On Friday, Sept. 15, thousands of young San Diegans will strike and rally at over a dozen schools across San Diego county in solidarity with sister marches around the world in a global day of youth climate strikes and mass mobilizations that will collectively demand that President Biden declare a national climate emergency and champion climate action at the Sept. 20 UN Summit in New York.

The local marches and school strikes are organized by eco-clubs and student leaders at more than a dozen high school and college campuses with support from SanDiego350. San Diego State University’s event is the only event open to general public. On campus events (not public) include: La Jolla High, Patrick Henry High at noon, Mission Bay High, and Torrey Pines High at 3 p.m.

SANDAG APPOINTMENT

The SANDAG Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Courtney Ruby as the agency’s next independent performance auditor. Ruby will lead the Office of the Independent Performance Auditor (OIPA) team to ensure SANDAG is effective and efficient in its operations. The OIPA is the official body of SANDAG that investigates potential fraud, waste, and abuse identified by SANDAG staff or other stakeholders. Ruby will join SANDAG on Nov. 13.

GUN BILL PASSED

The California State Legislature passed AB 28, a landmark measure that would impose an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition sold by gun manufacturers and dealers. Having cleared both the Assembly and Senate by a 2/3 supermajority vote, AB 28 – which is officially known as the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act – is on its way to Gov. Newsom’s desk.

LA MESA OKTOBERFEST

La Mesa Oktoberfest celebrates its 50th year with the largest celebration to date in the La Mesa Village on Friday, Sept. 29, Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1. This San Diego staple event kicks off fall celebrations across the county with three days of free Oktoberfest celebrations, live music, traditional food and drink, games and so much more for the whole family. To commemorate the milestone 50th year, La Mesa Oktoberfest is rolling out a limited release of collectible 50th anniversary memorabilia and merchandise available while supplies last. Guests of all ages won’t want to miss the festivities as the La Mesa Village hosts the largest German celebration San Diego has to offer.

NEW HIRE

El San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center , a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping solve the region’s biggest problems through equity-centered research, policy analysis and collaboration-building among regional leaders and stakeholders, announced the hire of Karen Connolly, who will serve as PIC’s first senior director of workforce development. In this new role, Connolly will lead the organization’s efforts to support the creation of quality jobs throughout the region.

SINISE FOUNDATION GRANT

Thanks to a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation has purchased a new trailer to support the services provided by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s venerable Honor Guard. The trailer will transport equipment and serve as a ‘green room’ for members of the Honor Guard.

BOARD & CARE EXPANSION

The County of San Diego’s Behavioral Health Department plans to expand the number of available adult Residential Facilities and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly beds for Medi-Cal eligible adults and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and the Board of Supervisors supported this with their vote. “Some of our residents rely on Medi-Cal for their mental health care, but right now there are not enough beds to meet the need, and County Behavioral Health is working to open more Board and Care beds,” said Lawson-Remer, vice chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We have pursued funding to help people who cannot afford private care options, done the analysis, and have a strategy in place now to grow bed capacity. Supervisor Joel Anderson’s proposal makes sure we have an accurate picture of the need and I was pleased to support his policy.”

NURSE VISITS SUPPORTED

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors have accepted around $1 million per year through 2028 to provide at-home public health nurse visits for pregnant women and families with young children in the north coastal and inland parts of the County as part of the California Home Visiting Program. “In-home public health nurse services have been a valuable resource for mothers and families in north coastal neighborhoods and our action today guarantees that support will continue to flow into District Three,” said Lawson-Remer, a mother and vice chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Giving mothers the support systems they need to be the best caregiver possible is one of the many outstanding services we offer at the County of San Diego and I am happy we can keep it going.”

MATTRESS DISPOSAL

Disposing of unwanted mattresses and box springs is now as easy as 1-2-3, and it’s free. As part of the City’s participation in the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program, San Diegans can drop off mattresses and box springs at the new collection site, located on the east side of the entrance to the Miramar Landfill on Convoy Street. Mattress collection hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (the site is closed on Saturdays and Sundays). Mattresses and box springs must not be severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, soiled or infested with bedbugs. In addition to diverting bulky items from the landfill, the program also helps the City achieve its Zero Waste Plan y Climate Action Plan goals.

“We are thrilled to announce our participation in MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program,” said Matthew Cleary, assistant director of the Environmental Services Department for the City of San Diego. “By dropping off mattresses and box springs at our new collection site, San Diegans are helping reduce waste, as the City collects these bulky items to be recycled instead of them ending up in the landfill, or worse, on the side of the road.”

HOMELESS PLAYWRITING PROJECT

Father Joe’s Villages has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Humanities For Todos grant awards for a playwriting project called Stories of CREED in Action, which will offer two playwriting residencies to Father Joe’s Villages’ clients in partnership with the San Diego-based nonprofit organization Playwrights Project. Frank Kensaku Saragosa will be leading the playwriting workshops. Saragosa is a recipient of the PEN Literary Award, and has lived experience with homelessness. Public performances of the plays will be held at the Morgan Auditorium – in partnership with San Diego Central Library – on June 14 through June 16, 2024. Joining the project as the designated humanities advisor is Doug Jack, an Emmy-award-winning director of choreography for the Salt Lake City Olympic ceremonies. Jack also has lived experience with homelessness.

SEMANA DEL RESTAURANTE SD

San Diego Restaurant Week, presented by the California Restaurant Association, will feature over 100 restaurants throughout San Diego County, from Oceanside to Chula Vista, Sunday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 1. Diners will be treated to diverse menus featuring special prix-fixe pricing for both lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy two-course lunches and three-course dinners starting at just $20 and increasing in $10 increments. This savory fall dining extravaganza offers the perfect opportunity to dine out while enjoying delicious culinary fare at tantalizing price points. For more information, visit sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

LATINX/E HERITAGE MONTH

In celebration of Latinx/e Heritage Month in September, students from the San Unified School District will raise the official Latinx/e flag at the district’s central office at 4100 Normal St. at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Students, district staff, educators, and members of the Board of Education will attend and support this event. The ceremony represents San Diego Unified’s commitment to recognizing students of all backgrounds and teaching about the significance of understanding different cultures.

OB PIER

The third Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project workshop will be Saturday, Sept. 9 from 2-5 p.m. at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. City officials will give a presentation on new pier designs (right) at 2 p.m., followed by a community workshop providing public input. The design team will present three alternatives for a new OB Pier based on previous community input at workshops. The pier redevelopment team is also asking residents to take a survey on what they would like/not like to see in pier redevelopment at OBPierRenewal.com.

PENINSULA SHEPHERD CENTER

Peninsula Shepherd Senior Center at 1475 Catalina Blvd., the hub for seniors in Point Loma, enjoyed having preferred parking and near-stage seating at this year’s Point Loma Summer Concert Series. PSC is hoping to continue to operate afternoon/evening opportunities for its members to attend, movies, plays, music and other events via its Excursion program allowing members to explore the world outside PSC lounge. For reactions to, and to provide feedback about the Excursion program, call Kathy at 619-223-1640 or email [email protected].

Shepherd is the only independent Senior Center on the Peninsula, providing a place for social activities, clubs, classes, and to connect with others. PSC creates a newsletter, Lamb’s Tales, that informs seniors where they can attend other social and educational events in the community. In addition, PSC provides transportation to grocery stores, errands, medical appointments and Sunday church services. Call for information at 619-223-1640.

SPORTS ARENA

The Midway Rising informational workshop on Sports Arena redevelopment has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn Mission Valley/Stadium’s Pacific Ballroom at 3805 Murphy Canyon Road. “Members of the Midway Rising team will present on the team’s proposal and vision for the site, discuss site access opportunities, highlight the latest ENA milestones and what’s next as we close out the calendar year,” said Midway Rising spokes person Jeff Meyer.

SAN DIEGO BUNNYFEST

For the past 30 years, the San Diego Bunnyfest has been the largest annual fundraiser for the San Diego House Rabbit Society (SDHRS). This event, on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Liberty Station, 2705 Cushing Road, is an open-air festival. Activities include a silent auction, art social, mini educational lectures, games, children’s crafts and 30-plus vendors selling bunny-themed merchandise and services. The Bunnyfest fundraising goal is $40,000 to help defray medical bills. Each year, SDHRS rescues hundreds of rabbits, many in need of medical care. All proceeds from Bunnyfest sponsors and attendees will go toward medical expenses, which can exceed $95,000 per year. For more information about Bunnyfest, go to sandiegobunnyfest.org or contact Jennifer Lee at [email protected].

GULLS PROMOTIONS

The San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League will host 16 promotional and theme nights, including 10 giveaway items, during the 2023-24 season. The 2023-24 season will feature a Halloween-themed game (Oct. 27), Military Appreciation Night brought to you by Indian Motorcycle of San Diego (Nov. 11), Winter Wonderland and Teddy Bear Toss Night (Dec. 16), Country Night brought to you by Palomar Health (Jan. 13), Women In Sports Night (Feb. 2), Mexican Heritage Night (Feb. 3), Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), Star Wars Night benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital (Feb. 17), Gulls Fight Cancer and SoCal Hockey Day (Feb. 24), Disability Awareness Night (March 6), First Responders Night (March 15), St. Patrick’s Day (March 16), Emo Night (April 6), Gulliver’s Kids Club Day (April 7), and Fan Appreciation Night (April 20). Fans can join the Gulls Elite Membership program or place deposits on mini plan and group ticket packages by calling (844) GO-GULLS or visiting SanDiegoGulls.com/GullsElite.

HOT WHEELS AT PECHANGA

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party is coming to San Diego’s Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. on Sept. 23-24 for three performances. There will be unveiling of a brand-new Hot Wheels Monster Truck at the show. The world’s first and only disabled monster truck driver and veteran, Joe Cypher, will be driving one of the trucks. The truck has been modified to accommodate his injuries.

The popular family entertainment tour brings audiences the only opportunity to watch their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Boneshaker, Bigfoot and more, plus the all-new Gunkster – light up the floor in outrageous monster trucks competitions and battles. Event performances will also feature a dance party, laser light shows and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. Plus, a special appearance from the car-eating, fire-breathing transforming robot Megasaurus, and the electrifying high-flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, Freestyle Motocross. Tickets and event information are available at hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com. Show times are: Sept. 23, 12:30 p.m./Crash Zone, 10-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m./Crash Zone, 5-6:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, 2:30 p.m./Crash Zone, noon-1:15 p.m.

MAUI WILDFIRE RELIEF

Local and family owned, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, 4990 N. Harbor Drive in The Promenade in Point Loma, has launched a campaign to raise money to support Maui Wildfire relief efforts. The eatery will donate a portion of proceeds from every Mai Tai sold to the relief effort. Jimmy’s Famous ownership will also match every donation to try and raise as much money as possible. Priced at $14, the Mai Tai is made with Silver Rum, Triple Sec, Orgeat, Lime, Orange, and a Meyers Dark Rum float. For more information, visit j-fat.com or @jimmys_famous on Instagram.

NEW GULLS ANNOUNCER

The San Diego Gulls announced that the American Hockey League club has named Aaron Cooney television and radio play-by-play announcer. Cooney becomes the voice of the Gulls for all preseason, regular season and postseason games televised on AHL TV, Fox 5 San Diego, and the Gulls Audio Network, the organization’s 24/7 audio streaming network. Cooney returns to the Gulls after spending the 2022-23 season with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. He served as San Diego’s director of communications and broadcasting for two seasons from 2021-22, overseeing external media and public relations while serving as the executive producer of the team’s Gulls All Access magazine-style show on Fox 5. Additionally, Cooney assumed play-by-play responsibilities on three different occasions, calling Gulls games both at home and on the road.

PING PONG TOURNAMENT

The third annual Ocean Beach Woman’s Club Ping Pong Tournament, “Battle For The Paddle,” will be held on Friday, Sept. 29. The club will kick the event off with the national anthem at 6:25 p.m. and then play until the final. It’s a 32-player bracket with a prize for the best player name and trophy’s for first and second place. Player sign ups open after Labor Day. They sell out and there is always a wait list. For more information, visit oceanbeachwomansclub.org.

LOMA PORTAL ELEMENTARY

Jog-A-Thon: Loma Portal Elementary School’s largest fundraiser of the school year will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28. This year’s goal is $50,000. Marquee Messages: Celebrate your student’s birthday or promotion with a personalized message on the Loma Portal marquee. The marquee runs seven days a week from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. so you can post your message any day. Messages cost $25. haga clic aquí to purchase your Marquee Message. Please request at least one week in advance. If you prefer to Venmo, please fill out this form and send $25 via Venmo to @LPE-Foundation.

PLHS ROUND-UP

The 2023 Homecoming Dance will take place Saturday, Sept. 23 from 7-10 p.m. at NOVA SD. Tickets are $50 or $35 with a purchase of the ASB card. Tickets are available if you have linked your student ID to your SchoolCash account. In-person ticket sales at the PLHS Finance Office for PLHS students will begin on Monday, Sept. 11. Tickets will be on sale until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. Check out the PLHS website for important news, announcements and links. The school calendar can be found on the homepage. View the full SDUSD academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. Social media: For all the latest PLHS news and fun photos follow on Facebook @Point Loma High School and on our Instagram site @PointLomaHS1925. PLHS athletics can be found on Instagram @fightingpointers. The Pointer Association can be found on Facebook @Point Loma High School Pointer Association.

ONE-OFF COMEDY

For one night, headliner, comedian/HeartDoc hilarious Alan Maisel and Mar Tomic from across the pond will be presenting on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. at Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The event, with all seats costing $15, is being hosted by the wild and crazy Walter Ruskin. For more information, visit pointlomaplayhouse.com.

HISTORIC HOME

In July, the City’s Historical Resources Board designated the home at 2304 Plum St., a one-story Spanish Colonial Revival style home built in 1928, as historic. The Ernest and Ida Cushman Speculation House meets HRB Criterion C, for embodying character-defining features of the style and architectural integrity. The house features an asymmetrical facade; a deep-recessed, arched front entry with a wooden plank-style door; deep-inset wood casement windows; a combination of roof forms including flat, hipped, shed, and faux gable; a mission half-barrel tile roof; decorative rafter tails; and a hand-troweled stucco cladding with sand finish. The designation includes the original garage, but excludes the 2019 pergola structure in the rear yard.

PREUSS SCHOOL DONATION

In August, the SONIC Foundation donated $1 million to help fund requests on DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers. The $1 million donation is part of the SONIC Drive-In brand’s ongoing Limeades for Learning initiative. The following exceptional teacher received support through the funding: In La Jolla, Ms. Ackerman at Preuss School received a donation of $180 for the project “High Interest Books” for grades 9-12.

FREE FISH TACOS

Celebrating National Guacamole Day on Saturday, Sept. 16, Rubio’s will be giving out free Fish Taco Especials to Rewards members, with any order. Place an order though the Rubio’s app, or scan your phone at the register to receive a free taco. Rubio’s Fish Taco Especial is made with fresh guacamole, Wild-Caught Alaska Pollock, beer-battered and cooked to crispy perfection; and served on a corn tortilla with white sauce, mild salsa, cabbage and cheese. Also this month, Rubio’s is launching a new and improved mobile app. App users will have the chance to win a trip to Cabo in the “Back to Baja” Sweepstakes, running Sept. 27–Oct. 31. Every order for Rewards members earns an entry for a chance to win a five-day trip to Cabo, including flights and transportation to and from the airport.

SCIENCE CENTER OPEN HOUSE

El Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park welcomes the new school year with an Educator Open House on Thursday, Sept. 14. This evening invites all San Diego County educators to explore the galleries, including the The Worst-Case Scenario: Survival Experience, engage in professional development opportunities, get creative in the Fleet’s makerspace Studio X, and importantly, preview the Fleet’s latest addition to its very in-demand Don’t Try This At Home science assembly show, Scientific Serenade. Fleet education professionals lead an investigation and visualization of sound through participants’ eyes and ears in this high-energy show. Educators also will get a chance to connect with each other as well as members of the Fleet education department about resources, offerings and special events that can make their classroom and school activities even more engaging. Educators are welcome to bring up to two guests, including children. Light refreshments will be served.

GULLS TICKETS

Individual tickets for the American Hockey League (AHL) San Diego Gulls club’s 2023-24 regular season home contests are on sale. The Gulls will host their Home Opener presented by California Coast Credit Union on Friday, Oct. 20 vs. the Ontario Reign at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m.) with the first 8,000 fans in attendance receiving a Gulls rally towel, light-up wristband and hockey stick cooler bag. San Diego’s season begins on the road Friday, Oct. 13 at Ontario (7 p.m.). The Gulls will host 14 different Western Conference opponents at Pechanga Arena as part of their 2023-24 schedule. Individual tickets can be purchased through SanDiegoGulls.com/Tickets, by calling (844) GO GULLS or at the Pechanga Arena San Diego box office.

AIRPORT TRAFFIC DELAYS

San Diego International Airport advises travelers heading to the airport the weekend of Sept. 8-11 to anticipate traffic delays on southbound Interstate 5. All southbound traffic on I-5 will be rerouted to I-8 east for Caltrans road work. The closure will last from 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, through 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11. Drivers detoured to I-8 east should take SR-163 south and follow signs to the airport. For those coming to the airport via surface streets south of I-8, one lane of southbound I-5 will remain accessible only from on-ramps south of I-8 for limited local and airport traffic. San Diego International Airport offers the following tips to navigate to the airport during the I-5 closure: Plan ahead: Please allow more than 2 hours before your flight departs to allow for potential traffic congestion and delays. Try public transportation: Take the airport’s free all-electric shuttle to the airport from the Old Town Transit Center, or use the MTS 992 bus from the Santa Fe Transit Sation.

WALK & ROLL FOR FHSD
The City is gearing up for the annual Walk & Roll to Cure FSHD, an inspiring event led by the FSHD Society and dedicated volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Harbor Island Park, 1875 Harbor Island Drive. This gathering aims to increase awareness and support for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle-wasting condition affecting approximately one million people globally. There is no effective treatment or cure yet, but due to advancements in research, a treatment may be possible by 2025. The Walk & Roll serves as a beacon of hope and community for those affected by FSHD and their families. To register or donate, visit www.tinyurl.com/San-Diego-Walk-Roll. Para más información visite www.fshdsociety.org.

COLLABORATION BREW

AleSmith Brewing Company unveiled a limited release of SD Loyal Pub Ale, a special collaboration brew with San Diego Loyal SC. Earlier this year, AleSmith was announced as The Official Craft Beer Partner for the 2023 SD Loyal season. The partnership has allowed AleSmith to further support local sports and communities along with a greater presence at Torero Stadium, the home stadium for SD Loyal, where fans could enjoy their favorite AleSmith brews, including Party Tricks IPA, Clásico Mexican Lager, and .394 Pale Ale. AleSmith Brewing Company has become a go-to location for a series of Official SD Loyal Watch Parties for road games in its Miramar-based Tasting Room. Upcoming SD Loyal Watch Parties this season include Sept. 9, Sept. 20, and Oct. 14. To stay up to date on all AleSmith news, follow @alesmithbrewing on social media or visit alesmith.com.

SALAMI HOF

To encourage more San Diego residents to enjoy salami, Olli is introducing the first-ever “Salami Hall of Fame,” which digitally honors Mona Lisa Italian Foods, at 2061 India St., a family-owned restaurant and deli serving authentic pizza, pasta, and provisions for generations to San Diego locals and businesses. This recognition places Mona Lisa Italian Foods among the five iconic restaurants, delis, and retailers across the United States that are elevating the status of salami through creative menu items and retail offerings. Olli is also extending the holiday to salami lovers across the country for an entire week, by hosting a special salami-based recipe contest for a chance to win the “Ultimate Salami Experience” and be named as the latest addition to the Salami Hall of Fame.

LATINO HERITAGE MONTH

San Diego Wave FC announced the launch of La Ola, the club’s limited-edition merchandise collection celebrating Latino Heritage Month. Chicano Federation, a local nonprofit which serves diverse populations throughout San Diego County with programs that help children and families access vital and often life-changing services, will receive 25% of proceeds from the exclusive drop. Available through the San Diego Wave’s en línea and in-stadium, the collection features a T-shirt and hat. Inspired by San Diego’s vibrant Latino community and by Chicano Park, the T-shirt is designed to showcase the artwork along the walking path in Barrio Logan, the city’s oldest Mexican-American neighborhood. The hat features custom accents, including a woven La Ola patch on the front, a Wave FC patch on the brim and custom inside taping. On Sept. 16, the Wave will host Latino Heritage Night with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. at the club’s first Festival Futbolera. Located on the northeast lawn outside of Snapdragon Stadium, Festival Futbolera will feature music, entertainment, drinks and more. Latino Heritage Night, presented by McDonald’s, kicks off at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for the match can be purchased aquí.

RIVERBED ENCAMPMENTS

Data from the San Diego River Park Foundation reveals a persistent increase in homeless encampments along the San Diego River over the years. Recent ordinances, such as San Diego’s camping ban, raise concerns that these individuals may be pushed into more secluded yet dangerous areas like the riverbed. The foundation counted 95 active encampments by the river at the end of July, more than double the total in late 2019. This rise presents challenges for authorities in locating and assisting homeless individuals in these hidden and often hazardous environments. SDRPF is a grassroots non-profit working to create the San Diego River Park connecting people to the river, and conserving local resources.

HOMELESSNESS DATA SHARING

A region-wide group of elected officials and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association has called on all public agencies to automatically share data across jurisdictional boundaries and for the Regional Task Force on Homelessness to be more transparent with the public. Specifically, these regional leaders demanded that RTFH provide public agencies the data for taxpayer-funded homeless service programs. These leaders share the Taxpayers Association’s concern about the homelessness crisis in San Diego, as well as the high financial cost it has had for taxpayers.
The Taxpayers Association was disheartened to learn that the RTFH, which houses all data on homelessness services in their Homeless Management Information System, is not required to share client data with public agencies funding service programs. Many public agencies are therefore unable to conduct program evaluations and understand what is working and what is not. SDCTA therefore recommends that public agencies include, in their contracts with homelessness service providers, a requirement that the contractor automatically consent to have programmatic data shared. The Association and regional leaders collectively stated their desire that taxpayer funds go to the best performers. Maximizing the funds that pay for crisis management will also allow for more taxpayer funds to go to prevention, including critically needed housing.

SUNSET SOIREE

The Rotary Club of Del Mar will hold the 19th Annual Sunset Gala and Auction on Sept. 12, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the ocean-view deck of the Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Mar. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from the area’s finest restaurants and wineries, live music from LP’s Classic Rock Band, and exciting auctions and raffles. This event is a celebration of the club’s achievements and aspirations in the community, and a fundraiser for their local and global causes. Take in the dazzling skyline view as you mix and mingle on Del Mar’s best view deck; sunset is at 6:59 pm, so there will be plenty of time to view the auction items and bid on your favorites.

ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS

San Diego Assembly member Chris Ward (D-San Diego) introduced AB 30 to broaden the atmospheric river program administered through the Department of Water Resources to connect reservoir and flood control operations with best practices in prediction modeling to optimize water management, increase storage, and reduce flood risk. Gov. Newsom recently signed the bill into law and it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, about 30 to 50 percent of annual precipitation in the west coast states occurs in just a few atmospheric river events. A well-known example is the “Pineapple Express,” a strong atmospheric river that is capable of bringing moisture from the tropics near Hawaii over to the U.S. West Coast. Scientists use satellite, radar, aircraft and other tools to better understand atmospheric rivers and their importance to both weather and climate.

SOHO CELEBRATION

In a celebration of San Diego’s rich architectural and cultural history, Save Our Heritage Organisation announced the launch of the book, “Forgotten San Diego,” by esteemed authors David Marshall and Eileen Magno. This captivating book from Arcadia Publishing, uncovers the city’s hidden stories and lost architectural and social past presented through a compelling blend of vintage postcard imagery and expert narrative. San Diego’s city and countywide historic preservation group, SOHO will host the authors for a free talk, book signing, and refreshments at the Marston House Museum & Gardens, 3525 Seventh Ave. on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 5-7 p.m. Marshall and Magno are colleagues at Heritage Architecture & Planning, a San Diego firm known for its expertise in historic preservation throughout California. They bring a blend of interest and passion to this important and informative project. Marshall, an accomplished architect, used a selection of postcard images drawn from his private archives. Complementing this, Magno, a historian, weaves narratives of San Diego’s historic past that is lost forever.

STEINBECK FAVORED

A poll of Californians has revealed that John Steinbeck is the state’s favorite author of all time. Steinbeck’s association with California is profound and enduring. A native Californian, Steinbeck drew deep inspiration from the landscapes, people, and social dynamics of the region. His literary works often feature the iconic settings of California, from the fertile valleys of the Salinas in “East of Eden” to the arduous journey along Highway 66 in “The Grapes of Wrath.” Through his writing, Steinbeck captured the essence of California’s diverse communities and its complex socio-economic fabric. His portrayal of the state’s struggles during the Great Depression and its impact on the lives of ordinary people left an indelible mark on both literature and the collective understanding of California’s history. In many ways, Steinbeck’s connection to California is inseparable from his literary legacy, as his evocative narratives continue to offer insights into the state’s past and present. Californians’ second choice was Raymond Chandler, followed by Philip K. Dick (third). Interactive map showing each state’s favorite author of all time.

POINT LA JOLLA

The proposed year-round closure of Point La Jolla to contact between humans and sea lions was discussed by the California Coastal Commission on Thursday, Sept. 7. The meeting will be in Crescent City in Northern California and broadcast online. The planned amendment to the San Diego municipal code would extend Point La Jolla’s annual six-month closure, currently May 1 through Oct. 31 during sea lion pupping season, to all year.

BOARD MEMBERS SOUGHT

The new Resiliency Advisory Board is currently accepting applications for board members, who will serve as an advisory body to the mayor and the City Council on natural resource conservation, climate resiliency and adaptation, wetlands, habitat preservation, biodiversity and the Climate Resilient SD Plan, and to assist the City in attaining its stated goals in these areas. The Resiliency Advisory Board will include 11 members, six of whom will serve a two-year term and five of whom will serve a one-year term. For more information on the City of San Diego’s Boards and Commissions, please visit the Boards and Commissions website.

The Resiliency Advisory Board will: Review and advise on implementation plans, vulnerability assessments, conservation programs and restoration efforts. Be representative of stakeholder and community interest related to resiliency, climate equity, wetlands and conservation. Bring forward climate-related topics and issues from the community. Perform other studies as requested by the Mayor and Council.

COMIC-CON MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Museo Comic-Con in Balboa Park has announced its fall lineup of exhibits, debuting Oct. 4, including main exhibit “Popnology” produced by Stage 9 Exhibits, “Colleen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman,” and “From Big Dots to the Digital Universe: The Evolution of Comic Book Color,” featuring art by renowned comic book colorist Steve Oliff. The new exhibits will open Oct. 4. In less than two years, Comic-Con Museum has already presented exhibits and events featuring some of the most recognizable names in the popular arts. “We’re bringing in more interactivity with our Popnology exhibit that will explore everything from driverless cars, virtual reality, and robots,” said museum executive director Rita Vandergaw. “And for art lovers, we’re showcasing two artists — Colleen Doran and Steve Oliff — known for capturing fans’ imaginations in the most fantastical ways. We welcome everyone to come check out the new exhibits and get a membership for year-round entertainment.”

GO BUCS!

Mission Bay High’s cheerleaders (above) rev up the crowd during the Buccaneers home opener against University City on Friday, Aug. 25. Mission Bay defeated the Centurions 28-21 to go 2-0 on the season. (Photo by Steve Sidell)

PB JOINT MEETING

A special joint meeting of Pacific Beach Planning Group and Pacific Beach Town Council has been set for Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Crown Point Junior Music Academy, 4033 Ingraham St. (enter the school gym from PB Drive). The two groups invite the Pacific Beach community and neighboring communities to a joint meeting to discuss and help prioritize Capital Improvement Projects for Pacific Beach. This is a chance for residents to have a say on what matters most and understand more about the community planning group and town council.

About 20 projects that provide improvements or additions to PB infrastructure will be available for residents to discuss and vote on. The draft list includes items related to traffic and roads, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, the boardwalk, seawall, beach safety, and the North Pacific Beach lifeguard tower. A final prioritized list will be sent to District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava for consideration in the City’s planning process.

LAHAINA RELIEF

Audacy’s 103.7 KSON (KSON-FM) and Moonshine Beach at 1165 Garnet Ave. are coming together to raise money to help those impacted by the devastating wildfires in Lahaina. Along with Smilin’ Hawaaiin Kimo Jensen, 103.7 KSON is holding a special benefit concert on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Moonshine Beach with performances by country stars Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, Chase Matthew, Runaway June, and Tim Dugger.

P.A.E.S.A.N. BARBECUE

The 43rd P.A.E.S.A.N. community barbecue will take place Sept. 27 from 4-6:30 p.m. at North Crown Point Shores Rotary Club Pavilion, 3700 Corona Oriente Road, off Crown Point Drive at Moorland Drive. Admission is $5. The event celebrates the hard work and dedication of first responders who protect and serve the neighborhoods of Pacific Beach. This is the community’s way of saying, “Thank you for a job well done!” This year’s P.A.E.S.A.N. honors the City’s park rangers and park maintenance staff. Sponsorships for the event are available. All of the proceeds and donations go directly toward improving the conditions and equipment of first responders.

CAMPLAND LABOR DAY

From Friday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 4, Campland on the Bay, 2211 Pacific Beach Drive, will have a variety of outdoor games and activities. Children can unleash their creativity at a tie-dye workshop, cool off on a giant water slide, or play dodgeball, wiffle ball, and soccer. Kids will have a blast playing with Campland’s new Inflatable Dart Soccer that is over 10 feet tall. Adults can also join in the fun with horseshoe tournaments, bingo nights, and a bean bag tournament.

Live entertainment continues into the evening with Campland Rocks, outdoor musical performances featuring the region’s top tribute bands. Dine before and during the show with food and drinks from Campland’s Cantina restaurant and bar, just steps from the stage. For more information, visit MissionBayRVResort.com.

BALBOA ART SHOW

La Jollan Peggy Hinaekian will have a solo art show at Gallery 21 Spanish Village in Balboa Park every day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 30 through Sept. 10. The artist will exhibit lots of paintings never shown before. She will have works on canvas, on paper, etchings, lithographs and even ceramics. Something for everyone at affordable prices. peggyhinaekianartspan.com.

LJ CANCER STUDY

The prevalence of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 has risen in recent decades. One suspected reason: the increasing rate of obesity and high-fat diets. Now, researchers at the Salk Institute and UC San Diego have discovered how high-fat diets can change gut bacteria and alter digestive molecules called bile acids that are modified by those bacteria, predisposing mice to colorectal cancer.

In the study, published in Informes de celda on Aug. 22, the team found increased levels of specific gut bacteria in mice fed high-fat diets. Those gut bacteria, they showed, alter the composition of the bile acid pool in ways that cause inflammation and affect how quickly intestinal stem cells replenish. Bile acids are molecules produced by the liver and used by the gut to help digest food and absorb cholesterol, fats, and nutrients.

“The balance of microbes in the gut is shaped by diet, and we are discovering how alterations in the gut microbial population (the gut microbiome) can create problems that lead to cancer,” says co-senior author and Professor Ronald Evans, director of Salk’s Gene Expression Laboratory. “This paves the way toward interventions that decrease cancer risk.”

“We are only just beginning to understand these bacterially-conjugated bile acids and their roles in health and disease,” says co-author Michael Downes, a staff scientist at Salk.

BELMONT PARK RUN

The inaugural Belmont Park Community 5K Run starting at 7:30 a.m. benefiting the Team Parker for Life Foundation will be held Sunday, Sept. 17. The race will begin and end in the oceanside amusement park. Team Parker is a nonprofit organization with members from all walks of life benefiting victims of childhood cancer. Participants in the 5K will run along the Mission Beach boardwalk. They will also get a free ride pass to Belmont Park, a complimentary drink ticket, and T-shirts will be available. Visit belmontpark.com for more information.

MCASD GALA

Join Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Building at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla, 700 Prospect St., for The Gala at MCASD, an exquisite gala dinner celebrating the ineffable essence of joie de vivre and the impact of art in all our lives. Los Angeles-based artist Kelly Akashi whose first solo exhibition, Kelly Akashi: Formations, will be on view at MCASD in the Strauss Family Galleries later this fall will be the special guest. In anticipation of this captivating exhibition, opening on Sept. 21, The Gala will take inspiration from this body of work, encompassing a selection of artworks made over the past decade, and as always, MCASD’s celebrated Collection Galleries will also be on view.

After dinner, enjoy The After Party, an after-hours, multi-level party experience staged throughout the museum. Find your bliss as the Museum comes to life after dark with special activations, musical performances, immersive art experiences, late-night treats, curated cocktails, and a vibrant dance floor, all inspired by the captivating upcoming exhibition Kelly Akashi: Formations. Attire: Formal contemporary attire. To purchase tickets or a table: visit mcasd.org/gala, call 858-454-3541 ext. 144. The Gala and The After Party is a 21 and over event.

CLAIREMONT FAMILY DAY

Returns Sept. 9 at the South Clairemont Recreation Center, 3605 Clairemont Drive, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Festivities include a pancake breakfast fundraiser, a carnival zone, free pony rides, live music and entertainment featuring bands, dancers, and magicians. The event is also home to “The Greatest Care Show on Turf” with 250 cars hosted by the San Diego Association of Car Clubs. Funds raised from Clairemont Family Day benefit community events at the Clairemont neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and the Clairemont Pool. New this year is AquaFest @ Clairemont Family Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. hosted by The City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department at the Clairemont Pool. The community is invited to swim, splash, and play at San Diego’s largest family-friendly pool party.

EMERGENCY BRIDGE REPAIR

Caltrans has scheduled two major 56-hour weekend closures in September through downtown San Diego on Interstate 5 to repair the bridge deck over State Route 163. Crews will close lanes to repair the bridge deck in both directions of I-5 on separate weekends. The southbound closure will begin at Interstate 8 on Friday, Sept. 8 at 9 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 11 at 5 a.m. with all traffic detoured to eastbound I-8. The northbound I-5 closure will begin at State Route 15 on Friday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 1 at 5 a.m. with two lanes of traffic detoured to SR-15. Remaining northbound I-5 traffic will be directed to eastbound State Route 94 via 19th Street, northbound State Route 163 (SR-163), and one northbound I-5 lane for limited local traffic and airport traffic.

“This proactive emergency work will ensure the structural integrity of the I-5 bridge through downtown for years to come,” said Caltrans district director Gustavo Dallarda. “During these two closure weekends, please avoid using I-5 through downtown and travel on alternate routes like SR-163, I-805 and SR-15.” For real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane, and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, and more, go to http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

PORTS WEBSITE

California State Parks announced the launch of the enhanced PORTS: Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students website, now available at ports.parks.ca.gov. The PORTS program has undergone a transformation, providing educators and students with an even more engaging and immersive online learning experience. Beginning Sept. 1, California educators are invited to sign up for free PORTS Programs on the new website. By participating, teachers gain access to an immersive learning environment that utilizes the rich resources of California State Parks to enhance their classroom teaching.

RADY CHILDREN’S EXPANSION

Rady Children’s Hospital has broken ground on a billion-dollar, seven-story Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Services Pavilion. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 500,000-square-foot pavilion will have a new emergency department, advanced pediatric, neonatal and cardiac intensive care units and operating rooms. The facility will feature welcoming, child-friendly areas and contain large, single-patient rooms with space for caregivers to stay.

RISE OF THE UNDERDOG

A recent survey of 3,000 potential dog owners in California reveals a 2% swing toward shelter dogs preferred over purebreds. In the past, the sight of purebred dogs like Dachshunds, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs was common in neighborhoods. However, recently a notable shift in consumers’ preferences has steered away from these purebreds despite their previous popularity. For some, the exorbitant cost of purebred dogs, which can reach up to $10,000 for breeds such as Rottweilers and Chow Chows, is a considerable deterrent. For others, the concern is over health issues commonly associated with purebreds. English Bulldogs and Pugs, for instance, are often plagued with respiratory problems. Also, many individuals also feel a moral obligation to provide homes to shelter dogs.

CONCERTS SURVEY

Pacific Beach Town Council announced that this year’s Concerts on the Green series had record-breaking crowd sizes at all four of its concerts. However, none of the concerts could have been made possible without community support. Residents can help make next year’s concerts bigger and better by taking a simple survey. By filling out the survey, you’ll help the council team immensely as grants are pursued to expand and grow Concerts on the Green next year. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemPIqwBNSrAz7SJOF6XAZ_sGStkJhh-pGoPswfMDoHaEdyrw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&mc_cid=61499f7732&mc_eid=ed191c6dff.

TEQUILA-TASTING DINNER

Diane Powers’ award-winning Restaurantes Bazar del Mundo including Casa Guadalajara in Old Town at 4105 Taylor St. are each hosting multi-course tequila tasting dinners, offering guests the opportunity to learn about the histories of prominent tequila distilleries and try different types of tequilas while indulging in delicious four-course meals. The experience begins with a Código 1530 margarita then tastings of silver, reposado and anejo tequilas to accompany each respective course. The first course is a Fiesta Chopped Salad, followed by fresh Shrimp Ceviche. Guests will have the choice of one of three combination entrees: Carne Asada and Grilled Shrimp, Pollo Asado and Vegetables or the Combination Vegetariana. The meal is rounded out with Casa Guadalajara’s Famous Flan. Tickets cost $60 and limited spots are available. To reserve a spot, email [email protected]. For more information, visit bazaardelmundo.com.
COVERED CALIFORNIA DENTAL

Covered California announced that the statewide weighted average rate change for dental coverage in 2024 will be 4.31 percent. The rate increase is the first since 2020 and continues a trend of holding costs steady for consumers. “On the heels of two consecutive years of rate decreases for dental coverage, this uptick is representative of a challenging year for health care costs across the nation,” Covered California executive director Jessica Altman said. “Dental care is critical to overall health and well-being, and despite the increase, we’re pleased to continue to offer our enrollees competitively priced, quality dental options that provide incredible value and choice.”

FATHER JOE’S JOBS

On Sept. 15, Pueblos del Padre Joe will unveil updates to one of its largest programs, which focuses on helping people experiencing homelessness to get and keep jobs. The Employment & Education Services program will move to a new location at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa, and will be renamed Gene Burkard Employment and Education Services. The homeless services provider will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the program’s new home on Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. at 1 14th St. The move to Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa will complete an expansion that kicked off in early 2023. First, EES hired three additional staff members to support participants in the program, and now, the move will ensure participants have access to more and higher-quality technology in a larger space. By bestowing the program with a new name, Father Joe’s Villages honors the incredible generosity of Gene Burkard, whose multi-million-dollar support helps to sustain this program and our community. It is in his memory and with gratitude for his generosity that Father Joe’s Villages names the program after him.

FREE4ME PILOT PROGRAM

District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava representing La Jolla highlighted the City’s Free4Me Pilot Program at a press conference on Aug. 30, a date designated as Menstrual Hygiene Equity Day. “I championed combating ‘period poverty’ in the City through Free4Me funding,” said LaCava. “Today, we celebrate ‘Menstrual Hygiene Equity Day,’ and announce the installation of dispensers offering free menstrual products within facilities throughout the City.”

Nearly two-thirds of low-income menstruating women in the U.S. faced financial barriers in obtaining essential menstrual products. Many are forced to decide between purchasing necessities like food or menstrual products. LaCava introduced the Free4Me Pilot Program in the City to address this inequity and increase access to feminine products.

MEET THE PRIMES

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority) will host “Meet the Primes” on Sept. 7 from 5-7 p.m., at the Balboa Park Club Ballroom, 2150 Pan American West Road in San Diego. Hosted by the Airport Authority’s Small Business Development Program, “Meet the Primes” is a free annual networking event uniquely designed to connect the business community with San Diego International Airport (SAN), prime contractors and concessionaires, public agencies, banks, businesses and financial support services, and regional partners. Attendees will learn about construction, concession, and professional service opportunities and regional teaming, partnership, contracting opportunities, and valuable resources through networking at exhibitor booths with prime contractors and Airport Authority departments. For more information on the Airport Authority’s Small Business Development Program, visit san.org/smallbusiness.

RESPONSIBLE BOATING

With the unofficial end of summer approaching this Labor Day holiday weekend, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is reminding boaters and water enthusiasts to take extra precautions to stay safe and prevent tragedies on the water. By California law, all children under 13 are required to wear life jackets on a moving vessel, and DBW urges everyone on a vessel, regardless of age, to always wear a life jacket as a preventative measure. Life jackets are also required on personal watercrafts, also known as Jet Skis, regardless of age. Paddle sports, including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, are considered vessels and the same life jacket rules apply to people aboard the paddle craft.

Take a boating safety course and get your California Boater Card. Even the most experienced boaters can learn from boating safety courses. As of Jan. 1, all operators of motorized vessels on California waterways who are 50 years of age and younger are now required to carry a lifetime boater card. By 2025, all operators of motorized vessels will be required to carry one, regardless of age. File a float plan before you head out. Share a float plan with a family member or friend with the details of your trip in the event of an emergency. Know the latest weather forecast prior to going out and check regularly for changing conditions. Leave the alcohol at home. Alcohol and boating never mix. It is against the law to operate a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more.

HOLIDAY BOWL

Sports San Diego and iHeart Media officials announced a renewed partnership that means the KGB Sky Show will again light up the San Diego skyline over Petco Park with its fireworks display immediately after the 2023 Holiday Bowl. The Holiday Bowl kicks off at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27 and matches top teams from the Pac-12 and ACC. Last year the Oregon Ducks beat the North Carolina Tar Heels in the final minute 28-27 in yet another Holiday Bowl thriller. Tickets for the game and Sky Show go on sale to the public Thursday, Sept. 14, at HolidayBowl.com.

ENDANGERED BIRD RELEASE

On Aug. 29, US Fish and Wildlife Service released a batch of rusty-colored birds with long orange bills, called Ridgway’s Rail, at the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System’s Kendall-Frost Marsh in Pacific Beach. Ridgway’s Rail are federally- and state-endangered, primarily due to the loss of its coastal habitat. The USFWS has a Ridgway’s Rail breeding program located at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. As part of their 1985 Light-Footed Clapper Rail Recovery Plan, the goal is to have 800 breeding pairs in Southern California. Ridgway’s Rail live in many coastal wetlands in San Diego, but California has lost over 90% of its wetland habitat. San Diego Audubon Society is leading the ReWild Coalition composed of 78 allies, pushing the city government to prioritize wetland restoration in the northeastern corner of Mission Bay. Learn more about this project at rewildmissionbay.org.

NEW BREW

AleSmith Brewing Company announced the release of its latest addition to the Speedway Stout family – Speedway Stout: Affogato Edition. This imperial stout is meticulously crafted using premium espresso and Tahitian vanilla beans to offer craft beer connoisseurs an exquisite and indulgent coffee-beer experience. Packaged in 16-ounce 4-pack cans and draft, Speedway Stout: Affogato Edition is now available for wholesale distribution across California. Speedway Stout has already won numerous awards and accolades, along with a 100 rating on RateBeer. Find Speedway Stout Affogato Edition by visiting AleSmith’s Tasting Room, ordering online (CA Shipping available), or by checking out the brewery’s Beer Finder.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND

For Labor Day weekend, the California Highway Patrol is having a Maximum Enforcement Period beginning at 6:01 p.m. Friday and continuing through 11:59 p.m. Monday. “As Labor Day weekend approaches, marking the traditional end of summer celebrations, many people are gearing up for holiday gatherings and road trips,” a CHP statement said. “The CHP is dedicated to ensuring everyone reaches their destinations safely, especially given the surge in traffic that typically accompanies holiday weekends.”
While law enforcement will be looking for traffic violations and assisting motorists throughout the weekend, a special emphasis will be placed on identifying and apprehending those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Last year, during the Labor Day maximum enforcement period, CHP officers made more than 900 arrests for DUI, in addition to issuing nearly 5,700 speeding citations. A total of 52 people were killed in crashes on California’s roads during last year’s Labor Day weekend.

HOMELESSNESS DATA

To provide the San Diego region with a better understanding of veteran homelessness, as well as the progress towards the functional zero goal outlined in the Leave No Veteran Homeless Initiative, the Regional Task Force on Homelessness has begun publishing a monthly data report now available on the organization’s website. “As a region, we’ve come together to get to functional zero for our veterans experiencing homelessness,” RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler said. “This monthly report will provide a progress report on how we’re doing to reach that goal, ensuring that we’re staying focused on leaving no veteran behind.”

Functional Zero is defined as the point when a community’s homeless services system is able to prevent homelessness whenever possible and ensure that when homelessness does occur, it is rare, brief, and one-time. This means that the number of veterans experiencing homelessness monthly is consistently less than are routinely housed each month. It’s a monthly data-driven measure.

SEAWORLD WEATHER ASSURANCE

As extreme heat and wild weather continue to batter regions across the country, SeaWorld is introducing “Weather-or-Not” Assurance: a new policy covering a wider range of weather conditions than ever before and the most generous in the theme park industry. This expanded offering is designed to give consumers peace of mind when planning their visits to SeaWorld. If extreme weather impacts their experience in the park or impacts their flight plans for an upcoming visit, SeaWorld invites them back within 12 months – and at no charge.

The Weather-or-Not Assurance program applies when rides are closed for 60 minutes or more due to weather. Additionally, if inclement weather causes early closure or negatively impacts the park’s operating hours, guests are eligible for a return visit at no additional cost. This expanded policy also covers extreme heat. If park temperatures reach a heat index of 110 degrees or above, visitors will be eligible for a return visit through Weather-or-Not Assurance. Guests must be present in the park on the day of their ticket or fill out an online form with their original order number to be eligible for a return visit at no charge. Tickets must be used within 12 months of the issuance of their originally planned ticket.

SALK AWARD

Physician-scientist Jesse Dixon, an assistant professor at the Salk Institute, has been named a Rita Allen Foundation Award Scholar, a distinction given to biomedical scientists whose research holds exceptional promise for revealing new pathways to advance human health. “We are honored and thrilled Jesse has been named a 2023 Rita Allen Foundation Award Scholar,” said Salk Institute President Gerald Joyce. “His exceptional talent, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of scientific excellence make him a deserving recipient of this award.”

Dixon was one of nine scientists the Rita Allen Foundation named to its 2023 class of Rita Allen Foundation Scholars. The selected scholars will receive grants of up to $110,000 annually for a maximum of five years to conduct innovative research on critical topics in cancer, immunology, neuroscience, and pain. Dixon studies how genomes are organized in 3D space inside of cells, and how errors in genome folding can lead to human diseases, such as cancer. His team recently discovered genetic changes that alter 3D genome folding and lead to activation of cancer-promoting genes. Their findings could lead to improved ways of predicting and treating cancer.

PROMOTION ANNOUNCED

California Coast Credit Union has named Kellen Gill as chief audit and risk officer. In his role at Cal Coast, Gill will oversee internal audit, compliance, risk management, and legal for the credit union.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS

San Diego County has made educating children and families on human trafficking a priority. Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and the Board of Supervisors have passed a policy to require San Diego County schools to provide a human trafficking awareness and prevention curriculum and implement best practices for reporting it. “Providing our kids the tools to protect themselves from human trafficking is very important to the well-being of families across San Diego County. The more we can do to ensure they do not fall victim to predators, the better,” said Lawson-Remer. “Thank you to my colleagues for introducing this policy; as a single parent of a daughter, I am delighted to work with others who care about protecting children and fighting for victims.”

HILARY SUNSET

The sunset in Ocean Beach on Saturday, Aug. 19, the night before Tropical Storm Hilary landed in Baja California and moved north across San Diego County. (Photo by Jim Grant)

CLEAR THE SHELTERS

With more than 900 animals ready for new homes, San Diego Humane Society is waiving all adoption fees on Saturday, Aug. 26 for a special “Clear the Shelters” day. The organization has at least 359 dogs, 17 puppies, 174 cats, 248 kittens, and many, many more species waiting for a second chance at love with a new family. The one-day adoption special is part of NBC Universal and Telemundo’s Clear the Shelters Month. People who have space in their heart and home for a new family member can visit any of San Diego Humane Society’s campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday to adopt a pet at no cost. If they have a specific animal in mind, it is recommended to check the organization’s website first at sdhumane.org/adoptar to help determine which campus is best to visit. When you Adopt from San Diego Humane Society: You’ll help create space in the shelter for other animals in need. You know you’re getting an animal who has been properly assessed and cared for. Your pet has been microchipped, spayed/neutered and vaccinated. San Diego Humane Society offers an adoption guarantee, training advice, pet supplies and educational information to support pet families for the life of their animal.

ALESMITH ANNIVERSARY

AleSmith Brewing Company is celebrating its 28th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 26, at its Miramar brewery location, 9990 Alesmith Court. The festivities will be held from 11 a.m.-10 p.m, with the official party starting at 2 p.m. Live music will be provided by Andy Citrin, Shane Hall, and Aviator Stash, beginning at 5 p.m. Along with several drink specials all day, including two limited edition Anniversary beers, food trucks will also be on-site serving up delicious bites. Prior to the party, AleSmith will also be holding its third annual Barrel-Aged VIP Experience event. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to taste some of AleSmith’s rarest and most decadent cellar offerings. These delights will lead up to the official start of the evening’s Anniversary Party, which will be topped off with live music, DJs, and silent disco. For more information on AleSmith’s 28th anniversary party and Barrel-Aged VIP Experience, go to the brewery’s website or follow them on social media.

SUNSET CLIFFS CAR SHOW & GRILL MASTER COMPETITION

A family-friendly car show at Sunset Cliffs will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Point Loma Boulevard in the church parking lot, in Trinidad Motor’s parking lot, and in the parking area of Inn at Sunset Cliffs. There will be a $1,000 cash prize for best show vehicle. Vehicles including cars, trucks, motorcycles and golf carts are welcome. Sponsors include Inn at Sunset Cliffs, Trinidad Motors, St. Peter’s By The Sea, Olive Tree Market Place, Ulivo, and Ocean Beach MainStreet Association.

There will be food trucks, music, free giveaways, raffles and ride-alongs in exotic vehicles. For entertainment, there will be a balloon artist and airbrush tattoos for the kids to enjoy in their own Kid Zone. A bike valet will operate until 4 p.m. Six contestant spots are open. The contest winner receives two free nights at ther Inn at Sunset Cliffs, a prize package and bragging rights. There will also be VIP party access for car show owners. Claim bragging rights and win prizes in the Master of the Grill Competition from noon-6 p.m. There are still a few contestant spots open. Call to enter. For more information, call 619-222-7901, or email [email protected].

CASTING CALL

Point Loma Playhouse will be auditioning Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 29-30, for the musical production “The Marvelous Wonderettes” from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at 3035 Talbot St. Callbacks: Saturday, Sept. 2, noon-2 p.m. (by invitation). This musical introduces four girls, with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts, at the 1958 Springfield High School prom. Learn about their lives and loves, while the girls serenade with classic 1950s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.”

In Act II, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their 10-year reunion. The girls have experienced highs and lows in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits.

The play was created by Roger Bean and is being directed and choreographed by Kara Tuckfield, with music direction by Jerrica Ignacio. Production run: Nov. 17 to Dec. 3. Those with questions can email [email protected]. Point Loma Playhouse commits to be inclusive and seeks to cast a diverse group of actors within the needs of each production.

NEW SCHOOL WEBSITE

Loma Portal Elementary School at 3341 Browning St. in Point Loma announced its new website: lomaportalfoundation.org. Make sure to check it out for the most updated calendar as well as information about getting involved with the foundation, and the LogoWear shop.

GULLS PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

The San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League will host 16 promotional and theme nights, including 10 giveaway items, during the 2023-24 season. The team kicks off their ninth season of AHL hockey in San Diego with the Home Opener presented by Cal Coast Credit Union on Friday, Oct. 20 vs. the Ontario Reign, with the first 8,000 fans in attendance receiving a Gulls rally towel, light-up wristband and hockey stick cooler bag.

The 2023-24 season will feature a Halloween-themed game (Oct. 27), Military Appreciation Night brought to you by Indian Motorcycle of San Diego (Nov. 11), Winter Wonderland and Teddy Bear Toss Night (Dec. 16), Country Night brought to you by Palomar Health (Jan. 13), Women In Sports Night (Feb. 2), Mexican Heritage Night (Feb. 3), Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), Star Wars Night benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital (Feb. 17), Gulls Fight Cancer and SoCal Hockey Day (Feb. 24), Disability Awareness Night (March 6), First Responders Night (March 15), St. Patrick’s Day (March 16), Emo Night (April 6), Gulliver’s Kids Club Day (April 7), and Fan Appreciation Night (April 20). Fans can join the Gulls Elite Membership program or place deposits on mini plan and group ticket packages by calling (844) GO-GULLS or visiting SanDiegoGulls.com/GullsElite.

HOT WHEELS AT PECHANGA

HARVEST FOR HOPE FUNDRAISER

El Emilio Nares Foundation, a nonprofit that helps families navigate their child’s journey through cancer, announced the 20th Annual Harvest for Hope event, scheduled to take place 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at Coasterra, 880 Harbor Island Drive. The event is being held to help raise awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The 20th Annual Harvest for Hope event is a foodie festival with offerings from 19 local businesses, showcasing the vibrant culinary scene of San Diego. Attendees can expect an exceptional dining experience, complemented by a variety of spirits that perfectly capture the essence of the region. Adding to the ambiance will be Fred Benedetti, a renowned guitarist known for his soul-stirring performances. Sponsorship opportunities for community members and those unable to attend are also available. Purchase tickets or become a sponsor aquí. To learn more about the Emilio Nares Foundation, visit ENFHope.org or follow us on Instagram @ENF_Hope.

MAUI WILDFIRE RELIEF

PING PONG TOURNAMENT

The third annual Ocean Beach Woman’s Club Ping Pong Tournament, “Battle For The Paddle,” will be held on Friday, Sept. 29. This event and the competition is really quite extraordinary. The club will kick the event off with the national anthem at 6:25 p.m. and then play until the final. It’s a 32-player bracket with a prize for the best player name and trophy’s for first and second place. Player sign ups open after Labor Day. They sell out and there is always a wait list. For more information, visit oceanbeachwomansclub.org.

NEW SCHOOL YEAR

San Diego Unified School District kicked-off the 2023-24 school year Aug. 22 at Hoover High School in a ceremony presided over by Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson and district officials with cheer team and marching band performances. After uncertain weather conditions brought on by tropical storm Hilary delayed the first day of school by one day, schools are welcoming some 98,000 students to SDUSD, the second-largest school district in the state. This new school year promises to be one of growth and accomplishment. San Diego Unified remains committed to the values of equity and belonging, to create conditions for all students to thrive. Students have access to mental health and wellness support, free and nutritious meals, and extended learning opportunities. A rigorous education is offered to all students–from 4 year olds enrolled in free Universal Transitional Kindergarten through high school.

NATURAL DISASTERS UP

Natural disasters have increased dramatically, especially in California. Billion-dollar natural disasters are up 121% in California over the last 20 years. A report can be found at the link below. It includes information on the types of natural disasters occurring, the costs associated with these disasters, as well as the frequency and change in each state. https://quotewizard.com/home-insurance/homeowners-insurance-common-natural-disasters#states

Key Findings for California: Natural disasters have caused $100B-$200B in damages over the past 40 years; 31 disaster events occurred since 2004; Nationally, there has been a 157% increase in natural disasters over the past 20 years.

SD WAVE PROMOTIONS

San Diego Wave FC announced the latest promotional updates for the rest of the season with a limited-edition San Diego Wave FC basketball jersey, presented by PNC Bank, on Oct. 15 topping the list of giveaways. The Wave gears up for its World Cup Welcome Back match on Sunday, Sept. 3, to recognize the club’s international players after the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a unique stadium experience versus Houston Dash. The first 10,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a limited-edition World Cup Waves bucket hat. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. To kick off Latino Heritage Month, the Wave invites fans to the club’s Latino Heritage Night, presented by McDonald’s, on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. The Wave has designed limited-edition merchandise for the match that will be available online and in-venue for the match. Proceeds from the merchandise will benefit the Chicano Federation.

MAJORITY VOTE ACT

Currently, under California law, any ballot measure approved by a majority of voters can selectively require a future measure to pass with a super-majority of the vote. Assemblymember Chris Ward has introduced Assembly Constitution Amendment (ACA) 13 to ensure a simple majority vote remains the threshold for a measure to pass, while also requiring any statewide initiative seeking to increase a threshold to also be approved by the same higher threshold it is proposing.

“This is a common-sense measure that protects the majority vote for state initiatives,” said Ward (D-San Diego). “Any measure that imposes a two-thirds supermajority vote threshold should also have to pass with a two-thirds vote.” The Protect and Retain the Majority Vote Act will also preserve the right of local government to place advisory questions on the ballot to ask voters their opinions on various issues. Cities and counties often place non-binding advisory measures on the ballot to allow voters to weigh in. ACA 13 will protect this critical tool so voters can continue to advise their local elected officials through advisory questions.

NEW GULLS ANNOUNCER

TEEN ART COLLECTIVE

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla at 700 Prospect St. invites high school juniors and seniors in San Diego County to join the Teen Art Collective. Apply by Aug. 25 (limited to 20 students). Free. When: TAC meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from September to May 2024, 5–7 p.m. MCASD has presented this teen program for nearly 15 years. Apply for FREE.

SD BAY CLEANUP

Operation Clean Sweep is an annual clean-up event this year on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8-10 a.m. held by the San Diego Working Waterfront, a coalition of Port tenant businesses, in partnership with the Port of San Diego, the military, and volunteers from across San Diego County, to clear trash and debris from San Diego Bay and its shorelines. An after-party for volunteers will take place immediately following the cleanup, which will include the infamous Most Unique Trash Contest. Five sites are open to the public, as listed below. The remaining sites are specific to the bayside businesses: Half Moon Marina, 2323 Shelter Island Drive, public site and family friendly; Harbor Island, rental car lot on Liberator Way, (follow Operation Clean Sweep signs), public site and family friendly; Embarcadero, 1350 N Harbor Drive, tenant only and adult only; Convention Center, 1111 W Harbor Drive, tenant only and adult only; Cesar Chavez Park, 1449 Cesar E Chavez Parkway, tenant only and adult only; Pepper Park, 3299 Tidelands Ave, National City, public site and family friendly; Pier 32 Marina, 3201 Marina Way, National City, public site and adult only; 990 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista, Port/tenant only; Marina View Park, 900 Marina Parkway, Chula Vista, public site and family friendly; Pond 20, Palm Ave., access gate near 606 13th St., Imperial Beach, tenant/port only; Coronado Yacht Club, 1631 Strand Way, Coronado, tenant only, after-party: 10 a.m.-noon; Cesar Chavez Park, 1449 Cesar E Chavez Parkway.

Every year, volunteers remove nearly 20,000 pounds of trash and debris from San Diego Bay and its shorelines during the San Diego Working Waterfront’s Operation Clean Sweep event. This includes dozens of shopping carts, discarded bicycles and scooters, used mattresses, outdated household appliances, and many other items. Most of this debris is found underwater and is recovered by volunteer civilian and military divers. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated Port tenants and volunteers, the health of the bay’s environment has greatly improved over the years.

BOARD MEMBERS SOUGHT

District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava has partnered with local environmental organizations to create two new boards, Climate Advisory and Resiliency Advisory. The goal of these boards is to amplify public participation in the execution of the City’s Climate Action Plan and Resilient SD Plan. LaCava joins the mayor and fellow Council members in recruiting dedicated individuals. Climate Advisory Board details and application: OnBoard2 | City of San Diego. Resiliency Advisory Board details and application: OnBoard2 | City of San Diego. Council nominations are due Thursday, Aug. 31.

SABOR A GASLAMP

The 27th annual Taste of Gaslamp returns on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 1-4 p.m. It is a scrumptious self-guided foodie tour that has become a staple for locals and tourists alike who flock to the Quarter to indulge in a culinary adventure stopping at 20-plus restaurants across 16 square city blocks. General admission for the Taste of Gaslamp tour is $45 in advance and $55 day of event. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.gaslamp.org/tasteofgaslamp or call 619-233-5008. Participating restaurants:

American Junkie
Baja Ricks Cantina
Café Sevilla
Cali Cream Ice Cream
Cerveza Jack’s
Chiefy Café
Chocolate Cremerie
Gaslamp BBQ
Gaslamp Lumpia Factory
La Habana 1920
Il Sogno Italiano
Johnny WAHOO! Golf Bar
Las Hadas Bar & Grill
Lavo Italian Restaurant
Madam Bonnies
Mezze Greek Fusion
Pizza on 5th
Rocking Baja Lobster
Royal India
Smokin J’s BBQ
STK
The Field Irish Pub
Whiskey Girl.

BIRD ROCK MEETING

The major topic for the Sept. 5 Bird Rock Community Council meeting will be the Adelante Townhomes project at 5575 La Jolla Blvd. and potential changes Russ Murfey proposed. The meeting will be from 6-7:30 p.m. at Bird Rock Elementary School, 5371 La Jolla Hermosa Ave., and there will be limited Zoom access. The BRCC hopes to have a good exchange of information about the project and proposed changes before and during the Sept. 5 BRCC Community Meeting. Please think about the project and proposed changes, discuss them with others in the greater Bird Rock Community, make sure your neighbors know about the Sept. 5th meeting and the info provided in the BRCC e-blasts and on the BRCC website at birdrockcc.org, email questions to [email protected], and come to the meeting on Sept. 5.

NEW FAMILY SHELTER

la ciudad new shelter for families at a former motel in Barrio Logan opened this week to families who had been staying at Golden Hall. Each family now has a private room. In total, there are 42 rooms, each able to house up to four people, for a total capacity of 168. Families at the new shelter also receives a full slate of supportive services, including assistance in securing permanent housing. The goal at all our City-run shelters is to offer wraparound services that help people get further on their path to finding permanent homes. This shelter is operated by Alpha Project, under a contract administered by the Housing Commission. This new shelter is part of the City’s comprehensive shelter strategy, which includes short-, medium- and long-term plans to grow our shelter system to move people off the streets and onto their feet in a home they can afford.

HUNGER-RELIEF GRANT

Alimentando a San Diego, a partner food bank of Feeding America, has received a Food Security Equity Impact grant from Feeding America alongside local community-based organization San Diego Food System Alliance. Together, the two non-profits will use the funds to work alongside one another to continue to address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity in San Diego County. The Food Security Equity Impact Fund is part of Feeding America’s broader grantmaking strategy to intentionally support communities of color and rural communities known to be disproportionately impacted by food insecurity. It was created in March 2021 and was seeded with a $20 million donation from MacKenzie Scott. In total, the grant amounts to $500,000, with $425,000 going to San Diego Food System Alliance to be used in its work to create a healthy, sustainable, and just food system in San Diego County. For more information about the Food Security Equity Impact Fund, visit feedingamerica.org/equityimpact.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

A sea lion lunges at several beachgoers last week at La Jolla Cove (left). The City has signs at the Cove urging beachgoers to not approach wildlife and warns that seals and sea lions can bite, may attack when agitated and that harassing them is against the law. The NOAA urges members of the public to not pet, touch, or attempt to interact with marine mammals and to observe marine animals from a safe and respectful distance. (Photo by Jim Grant)

REGGAE AGAINST DUCHENNE

The second annual Cali-Reggae Against Duchenne Fest returns to The Beach House in Mission Beach on Sept. 2 to benefit Cure Duchenne, a leading global nonprofit focused on funding and finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The event will feature reggae artists Through the Roots, Sammy Dread, Common Sense, SM Familia, Skyler Lutes Band, Indica Roots, Beech City, and DJ: Real Alofa Sound & Fandy Hermex. Cali-RAD Fest will be held from 3-10 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $50 for ages 16 and up and $30 for youth. VIP tickets with access to the second story Sky Lounge with private bar and outdoor patio are $100.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal genetic disease that affects roughly 1 in 5,000 male births. Individuals with Duchenne are typically diagnosed as toddlers, lose the ability to walk in their early-teens and often succumb to the disease in their mid-20s. Since Cure Duchenne was founded in 2003, the organization has raised more than $50 million for research and funded 17 research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials. Tickets and sponsorships are available at Caliradfest.com. For more information, visit cureduchenne.org.

CONCERT TICKETS SALE

Single tickets are now on sale for Fragments 2, the second installment of renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein’s multi-year project, Fragments, Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall of The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. Co-presented by the San Diego Symphony and La Jolla Music Society as part of LJMS’s 2023–24 Winter Season’s ProtoStar Innovative Series, this program weaves together the 36 movements of Bach’s solo cello suites with 27 newly commissioned works. Fragments 2 is part of The California Festival: A Celebration of New Music. Details and subscription packages are available at the La Jolla Music Society box office, by phone at 858-459-3728, and at TheConrad.org or SanDiegoSymphony.org.

CANCER RESEARCH

Glioblastoma, the most common and deadly form of brain cancer, grows rapidly to invade and destroy healthy brain tissue. The tumor sends out cancerous tendrils into the brain that make surgical tumor removal extremely difficult or impossible. Now, Salk scientists have found the immunotherapy treatment anti-CTLA-4 leads to considerably greater survival of mice with glioblastoma.

Published in Immunity on Aug. 11, the findings show the benefit of harnessing the body’s own immune cells to fight brain cancer and could lead to more effective immunotherapies for treating brain cancer in humans.

“There are currently no effective treatments for glioblastoma, a diagnosis today is basically a death sentence,” said professor Susan Kaech, senior author and director of the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis. “We’re extremely excited to find an immunotherapy regimen that uses the mouse’s own immune cells to fight the brain cancer and leads to considerable shrinkage, and in some cases elimination, of the tumor.”

When standard cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cease to be effective, doctors increasingly turn to immunotherapy. Immunotherapy encourages the body’s own immune cells to seek and destroy cancer cells. Though not universal, immunotherapy works on many tumors and has provided many patients with strong, long lasting anti-cancer responses. Kaech wanted to find new ways of harnessing the immune system to develop more safe and durable treatments for brain cancer.

PBTC AUGUST SOCIAL

Pacific Beach Town Council will be partnering with Pacific Beach Ice Cream Co. at 1010 Grand Ave. to hold a summer ice cream social on Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 4-6 p.m. PBTC members and non-members are encouraged to attend. For those PBTC members attending, there is a souvenir to take home, on top of a 15% discount on ice cream. Non-members will receive a 10% discount for this event. To sign up for this event, visit eventbrite PBTC August Social.

CRAB BOIL

Buceo de pato at 4650 Mission Blvd. is holding its first Crab Boil on Monday, Aug. 21, from 6-10 p.m. Guests will enjoy 1 ½ pounds of Cajun Style Snow Crab, with Andouille sausage jumbo shrimp, corn, and potatoes, along with Humboldt Distillery drink specials throughout the evening. There is a minimum of two tickets for table seating, and single tickets can be purchased for bar seating. Duck Dive asks that you call to make reservations if you would like to be seated together 858-273-3825.

WINGS EVENT CANCELED

The Lord of the Wings chicken-wing contest sponsored by Discover PB scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19 at Mavericks Beach Club has been canceled. Discover PB apologies for any inconvenience, they have provided a few options for those who have previously purchased or won raffled tickets. Redeem ticket at the next event, Heart of PB Restaurant Walk on Sept. 13. Donate your funds to Discover PB. Request a refund only if you have purchased ticket online, email [email protected].

ART GALLERY EXHIBIT

R.B. Stevenson Gallery at 7661 Girard Ave. in La Jolla will present the exhibition “Small Scale” featuring paintings by San Diego artist Wayne Hilton and sculpture by San Diego artist Jeff Irwin. The exhibition opens with a reception for the artists Saturday. Aug.19, from 5-8 p.m. and will remain on view through Sept. 16. Gallery will be open at 1 p.m. for early viewing. Hilton’s artwork involves bold, vivid hues that harmonize and dance in geometric shapes. Irwin’s artworks came from a desire to make objects that speak to how humans impact nature. They are all either physically, visually or emotionally fragile, alluding to the concept that nature is fragile.

ART & WINE FESTIVAL

The 15th annual free La Jolla Art & Wine Festival returns on Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Visitors can expect a fully packed weekend of fine art, regional and international wines, craft beer and spirits, a high-end silent auction, live entertainment and music, a gourmet food court, pet rescue stations, and interactive, family-friendly fun. The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival features more than 160 juried artists from across the U.S. and Mexico. Artists from all backgrounds will display exquisite creations in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, jewelry, fine glass, ceramics, woodwork, mixed media, photography, and more.

All profits raised at the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival benefit underfunded programs such as art, music, science, physical education, technology, and on-site medical care at La Jolla’s five public schools. Since its inception, the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival has donated more than $1,000,000 to these schools for the educational benefit of more than 4,000 children. For more information, visit ljawf.com.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Belmont Village Senior Living will hold an educational series, Navigating Difficult Behaviors, on navigating dementia as a caregiver, care partner or simply a friend on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. RSVP: belmontvillage.com/webinar. The series will educate on topics such as the basics of dementia, changing family dynamics, communication tips, and how to navigate challenging behaviors associated with dementia. New approaches and techniques will be taught to effectively care for a loved one in difficult times. In the first installment of the series, a discussion on what dementia is and what you need to know about the disease. A Q&A will follow the presentation. For more information or to send questions to the speaker for the Q&A, email [email protected].

NEW SALK HIRE

The Salk Institute welcomes assistant professor Agnieszka Kendrick, a structural biologist who studies how cells recognize and transport cargo within the cell. “Aga is an innovative scientist already making waves in the scientific community,” said Salk president Gerald Joyce. “Her pioneering work in cellular transport will continue to push the boundaries of scientific discovery as she fosters collaborative relationships here at Salk.”

Kendrick investigates how tiny cellular motors in our cells are assembled, how they handle diverse cellular cargo, and how they communicate with each other. Cells use molecular motors to transport essentials for proper cellular function. These highly dynamic, energy-driven molecular machines travel along a cellular highway system — called the cytoskeleton — to transport cargo such as organelles, vesicles, mRNA, and viruses.

FIRST RESPONDERS LUNCHEON

A Labor Day appreciation event is being held for first responders on Monday, Sept. 4 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Belmont Park adjacent to the Police Command Post south of the Plunge. The club will be providing pizza, salad, drinks, snacks and desserts for the beach area police, firemen, EMTs, and park rangers. The event is being sponsored by the Mission Beach Women’s Club, Mission Beach Town Council, OMBAC, Gelson’s, Olive Baking Company, The Bahia, Belmont Park, Cohn Restaurant Group, and Sysco.

ROLLING VET CLINIC

Pets in Father Joe’s Villages shelters Downtown on Aug. 17 will receive free health checks, microchipping, spays and neuters, vaccines and flea and tick medications thanks to a partnership with the Helen Woodward Animal Center and its program Pets Without Walls. In doing their part to support the wellbeing of these pets, dedicated teams at Father Joe’s Villages and Helen Woodward Animal Center are keeping pets healthy and happy, and giving their beloved owners a chance to focus on leaving homelessness behind. As San Diego’s largest homeless services provider, Father Joe’s Villages ensures that each person can rediscover hope and leave homelessness behind. To address the complex needs of people who are homeless, the organization provides housing for as many as 3,000 people each night, along with health care, substance use disorder treatment, job training, therapeutic childcare and more. Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private non-profit organization in San Diego County that has been committed to the philosophy of people helping animals and animals helping people for over 50 years.

FALLEN HIGHWAY WORKERS

Caltrans District 11 announced that it will install memorial signs in roadside rest areas along the California state highway system to honor the 21 District 11 workers who died in the line of duty and to encourage travelers to drive responsibly. The memorial signs were designed, manufactured, and will be installed by Caltrans workers to recognize the 191 highway workers who have been killed on the job since 1921 across the state. Every year, Caltrans employees, family members of fallen workers, and community members throughout California gather to honor these workers and to promote safe driving campaigns.

DACA DAY

As individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, also known as “Dreamers,” continue to face uncertainty after years of debate on the validity of the program in the federal court system, and in anticipation of another District Court decision, Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s Higher Education Legal Services team will hold a free event Saturday, Sept. 9 at the JFS Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus in Kearny Mesa, 8804 Balboa Ave., from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Space is limited with pre-event registration required via jfssd.org/dacaday; registration ends Aug. 31. The event will include Free legal representation and information, application photo and submission, filing fees assistance up to $495 for eligible applicants, know your rights resources, snacks and prizes.

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER

Atmospheric river patterns can help scientists better understand climate change and the environmental implications too much or too little water can have in California. AB 30, introduced by Assembly member Chris Ward, aims to broaden the atmospheric river program administered through the Department of Water Resources to connect reservoir and flood control operations with best practices in prediction modeling to optimize water management, increase storage, and reduce flood risk. The bill is now headed to Gov. Newsom for his consideration.

DROUGHT OVER

For the first time in years, drought figures have decreased across the board in California. And this past raining, wet season has significantly lowered the chances of wildfires this year. Analysts found that severe drought has decreased by 100% in California since 2022. The full report includes detailed information on droughts, at-risk wildfire states, and information on wildfire insurance coverage. Key findings for California: 0% of the state is experiencing a severe drought in 2023, only 15% of the state faces an extreme wildfire risk, nationally, drought area decreased for all of the states most at risk of a wildfire.

SDHS TO MAUI

At the request of Maui Humane Society, San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team is deploying to assist in the aftermath of the wildfire that devastated Lahaina in Maui. A team of four members departed from San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Campus Aug. 14 for an 8- to-10 day deployment. Once on the ground in Lahaina, the team will assist with search and rescue efforts, animal care, sheltering of large and companion animals, as well as transports.

TOP-RANKED UNIVERSITY

The 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities has recognized the University of California San Diego as No. 4 among public universities in the United States, rising one spot from last year. UC San Diego also jumped two spots to No. 19 in the world in the latest edition of the annual ranking released by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. As a $1.76-billion research enterprise, UC San Diego is home to researchers who lead the way to new discoveries in a diversity of fields, ranging from political science and physics to computer science and chemistry.

HIGH RISE GRAND OPENING

Cisterra Development, a San Diego-based office, technology, residential and mixed-use real estate development firm, joined together with property management firm Avenue5 and various City and business leaders to celebrate the Aug. 16 grand opening of Downtown San Diego’s newest high-rise tower in the Ballpark District – Radian. Radian is a 255,000-square foot, 22-story retail and residential development that brings new Downtown residential apartment offerings ranging in size from one-bedrooms to three-bedroom units.

GASLAMP AFTER DARK

In August, the GQA is highlighting the after-hours merchants in the quarter that serve up delicious dishes to curb late night cravings. There comes a time during a night out on the town that lead to rumbling stomachs and post-bar cravings, look no further than these Gaslamp staples open late to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Restaurants open late:

The Melt: 635 Fifth Ave. Open until 2 a.m. for melty cheesy goodness served up with grilled cheese, burgers, fries and more.
Taco Centro: 539 Island Ave. Open until 3 a.m. serving up Mexican street food, tacos, burritos, and bowls.
Taste & Thirst: 715 Fourth Ave. Open until 2 a.m. serving up American comfort food and pub favorites.
Prince Street Pizza: 415 Market St. Open until 2 a.m. with Neapolitan and Sicilian square pizzas from NYC.
The Smoking Gun: 555 Market St. Open until 2 a.m. serving up American comfort food and pub favorites.
Gaslamp Burger: 738 Fifth Ave. Open until 1 a.m. for anyone craving a meaty, cheesy delight served fast.
American Junkie: 628 Fifth Ave. Open until 2 a.m. with fresh takes on American cuisine with fast casual bites.
barleymash: 600 Fifth Ave. Open until 2 a.m. with an extensive menu including flat breads, mac n cheese, and more.
Café Sevilla: 353 Fifth Ave. Serving food until 1 a.m. with a diverse offering of Spanish tapas with a lively atmosphere to accompany your late-night bites.
Werewolf: 627 Fourth Ave. Serving food until midnight for anyone craving American pub favorites.
Lefty’s Cheesesteaks: 528 Fifth Ave. Open until 3 a.m. on weekends for delicious cheesesteaks, hoagies, and other bites.
Gaslamp Lumpia Factory: 423 F St. Open until 2:30 a.m. on the weekends serving up Filipino cuisine.
Mr. Tempo Gaslamp San Diego: 701 Fifth Ave. Open until 2 a.m. on the weekends, and until midnight during the week, this Mexican restaurant has delicious bites packed with flavor from south of the border.
Union Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp: 333 Fifth Ave. California cuisine for the late-night crowd can be found at Union Kitchen and Tap until 2 a.m. on weekends and midnight on weeknights.
Gaslamp BBQ: 524 Island Ave. Open for late night BBQ cravings until 1:30 a.m. on weekends and midnight on weeknights.
Hub Market and Deli: 748 Sixth Ave. Open until midnight daily serving delicious hole-in-the-wall sandwiches with huge flavor.

SEAWORLD BEER FEST

SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival features more than 100 craft brews. Sample an unbeatable mix of domestic and local California favorites. Plus savor food items expertly paired to match your preferred brew. The fun is brewing Fridays-Sundays, Aug. 25-Sept. 10, plus Labor Day Monday.

ASIAN WALKING TOUR

On Sept. 3, at 11 a.m., the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is re-initiating its monthly walking tours of the Asian Pacific Historic District Downtown. Docent Amie Lee Garapich will lead September’s walking tour, drawing from her memories growing up in the Chinese Mission, where her father, Peter Lee, served as minister. The monthly walking tours are free for SDCHM members and are included with museum admission for nonmembers. Pre-registration for the tour is required.

SONIC SYMPHONY

Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe has extended its San Diego pop-up location in the Gaslamp Quarter through Aug. 31, and will host acoustic performances from the Sonic Symphony on Aug. 18 at 910 J St Space 2. Since the Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe opened on July 13, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has awarded more than $160,000 in scholarships to support college-bound high school seniors, foster students and current college students in San Diego or Riverside counties. The nonprofit foundation presented $2,000 scholarships to 59 local students who are pursuing higher education and have proven a commitment to academic excellence and leadership in the community. This year’s awardees include 19 foster youth, and the recipients of first-year foster student scholarships will also be eligible for second-year scholarships by continuing to meet the requirements. Additionally, the foundation recently awarded a total of $49,000 to local community college and university students.

FAST-GROWING COMPANY

Trust & Will announced its placement as No. 363 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list. This recognition by Inc. reaffirms Trust & Will’s position as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the first time Trust & Will is included in the Inc. 5000 list, ranked as No. 21 in Financial Services and No. 59 in California.

TASTE OF BARRIO LOGAN

The inaugural Sabor Del Barrio (Taste of Barrio Logan) self-guided food tour takes over historic Barrio Logan neighborhood on Sunday, Aug. 27, featuring 36 of the neighborhood’s best businesses offering tastes and samples. Ticket to Sabor Del Barrio are disponible en linea for $40 and include a sample taste at all 35-plus participating businesses, as well as free access to the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, access to the Atheneum at Bread & Salt, and access to the free trolley shuttle service for Sabor Del Barrio in the Barrio Logan Cultural District. Tickets will also be available at the will-call booth on the day of the event for $50. For more information about Sabor Del Barrio Taste of Barrio Logan and to purchase tickets, visit allforlogan.com.

GARDEN PARTY

For the second year in a row, the Marston House Gardens plays host to an unforgettable end-of-summer music experience. On Sept. 1, from 3-5 p.m. at Marston House Museum & Gardens, 3525 Seventh Ave. Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) will present the first in the series of three outdoor concerts featuring Americana, folk, country, and blues music in a festival of extraordinary women singer-songwriters. Tickets for each show are $10 for SOHO members and $12 for non-members. Utilize the ample free parking all along Balboa Drive, Sixth Avenue, Upas, and Thorn streets.

NEW SDHS CHIEF

Jace Huggins was sworn in at San Diego Superior Court as San Diego Humane Society’s new chief of Humane Law Enforcement. In his role, Huggins will oversee one of the largest teams of Humane Law Enforcement Officers in California, which includes 56 sworn officers and 18 dispatchers, along with investigations and case management, emergency response, officer training and collaborations with local courts and law enforcement. Huggins has 22 years of experience in animal welfare and veterinary hospital management, including a decade working in humane law enforcement. Prior to joining SDHS, he served as Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Sacramento at Front Street Animal Shelter. Huggins has overseen programs in shelters and in the field, including Sacramento’s Homeless Outreach and Assistance Program; a free monthly vaccine and microchip clinic, and the “Promoting Animal Welfare and Safety” program. He is also a nationally elected board member of the National Animal Care and Control Association.

“Jace has built a reputation for creating innovative programs that keep pets with their families,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of SDHS. “His proven record of providing owners with non-judgmental and low-barrier access to resources, while promoting animal welfare and safety in the community, aligns perfectly with the values and mission of our organization.”

LIBRARY STORY STROLLS

A Story Stroll project by the San Diego Public Library is being conducted by youth services at Point Loma/Hervey Library at 3701 Voltaire St. “The Story Stroll project is a wonderful way to encourage literacy and a growing appreciation of our outdoor spaces,” said Point Loma youth services librarian Dana Sanchez. “The Story Strolls are a part of the San Diego Public Library’s series of sustainability programs aimed at bringing awareness to climate change and providing meaningful spaces and resources for communities to become more climate resilient. A Story Stroll is an innovative and delightful way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Pages from a nature- or conservation-themed children’s picture book are put onto panels and attached to stakes which are then placed along an outdoor path.”

During July, the Point Loma/Hervey Library partnered with the City Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of the Famosa Slough to install a Story Stroll along a loop path at the Famosa Slough, which could be accessed via a dirt parking lot. The story featured was “We Planted a Tree” by Diane Muldrow, a poetic picture book in which two young families in two very different parts of the world each plant a tree. As the trees flourish, so do the families … while trees all over the world help clean the air, enrich the soil, and give fruit and shade.

“The Point Loma/Hervey Library has once again installed a new Story Stroll along a leisurely path at the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park (right) on Aug. 5, in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council,” said Sanchez. “The new Story Stroll can be accessed from the south end of the Ladera Street parking lot at Sunset Cliffs Park. The new Story Stroll features “Explorers of the Wild” by Cale Atkinson, a sweet tale of outdoor adventure and unlikely friendship. Families can once again pick up a scavenger hunt activity sheet at the library to explore the native plants and animals at the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.” A sneak peek of the new Story Stroll can be found on the library’s Facebook page. For questions about the library’s Story Stroll project, contact [email protected].

POST MALONE PRE-CONCERT PARTY

On Sunday, Aug. 13, Mavericks Beach Club will serve as The Official Post Malone Pre-Concert Party. The event, taking place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will be hosted by Dre London with special celebrity guest appearances and presented by Don Londres Tequila. There will be DJ sets from Post Malone’s official DJ Smitty and DJ Antonio Diego. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.

CORNHOLE FOR A CAUSE

Point Loma Rotary Club, in partnership with Good Wood Customs, is holding a unique outdoor fundraiser, Cornhole For A Cause, on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Liberty Station NTC Park, 2455 Cushing St. Tickets range from $5 to $100. For more information, visit PointLomaRotary.org. Peninsula Pints & Bragging Rights: Cornhole for a Cause will incorporate a cornhole tournament with divisions for beginners and advanced players with a total prize pool of $1,500, while also offering local craft brews, a DJ, specialty food vendors, local small businesses for shopping and children’s activities. All ages. Open to the public. All event proceeds stay in San Diego, helping senior citizens and vets. For over 70 years, the Point Loma Rotary Club has provided support for local San Diego civic projects including Boy Scouts, Peninsula YMCA, Little League, and Point Loma Library. We sponsor students at camps to develop leadership and public speaking skills.

TENNIS TOURNAMENT

The United States Tennis Association Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s and 18s National Championships which started on Aug. 5 will continue through Aug. 13 at Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 W. Point Loma Blvd. Over 400 of the top junior tennis players in the country, aged 16 and 18 and under, will compete for the title of National Champion. In addition, the following wild cards to the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., will be awarded to the tournament’s top finishers. Admission is free each day of the tournament and there is no charge for parking at the Barnes Tennis Center. Daily starting times are subject to change. For the schedule, visit ustagirlsnationals.com.

OB PIER WORKSHOP

The third in a series of public workshops on the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 from 2-5 p.m. at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. Presentation of designs will be held at 2 p.m., followed by a community workshop. During the workshop on Sept. 9, the design team will present three design alternatives for a new Ocean Beach Pier based on what’s been heard from the community so far. But before then, the project team would like to get your input by taking the survey at OBPierRenewal.com to tell what you’d like to see in your ideal OB Pier.

HOOK OBITUARY

Point Loma High School alum Andy Hook died on June 18 surrounded by his loving daughters. The 1979 graduate was a natural athlete who loved surfing. Survivors include his parents, Janet and Jerry Hook; siblings Mary Lou Coyne and John Hook; daughters Stephanie Berry and Brittany Hook; two grandsons, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Eddie. The family held a private gathering to celebrate Andy’s life. To plant trees in his memory, visit the Sympathy Store.

PLHS REGISTRATION

Point Loma High School registration days for the new school year are Aug. 10-15 and are divided by grade level. During registration days, students that come to process their registration packet will have their picture taken and receive their photo ID. The PLHS Financial Office will also be open to purchase PLHS gear. Registration packets are ready for pick up in the main office and are also available to download from the website. Students will meet in the 100 quad with their completed registration packets on their scheduled day and time below:

Thursday, Aug. 10 (8 a.m.-noon): In season athletics, band, cheer and seniors. Friday, Aug. 11 (8 a.m.-noon): Juniors. Monday, Aug. 14 (8 a.m.-noon): Sophomores. Tuesday, Aug. 15 (8 a.m.-noon): Freshmen. There will be a freshmen and new student orientation on Friday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the PLHS Big Gym. Volunteers are needed to help with registration packets, directing students on campus, locker combo distribution, and laptop exchange. Plan to park on neighboring streets. Please check in at the main office. For questions, contact Esther Rodriguez Manzano at [email protected].

PLHS FIRST DAY

Mark your calendar for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 21, one week earlier than usual. The academic calendar will move one additional week earlier in the 2024-25 school year. The two-year transition will allow for the first semester to end one week prior to the December winter break. The academic year remains at 180 instructional days, and the last day of school for the 2023-24 school year will be Thursday, June 6, 2024.

CUBAN SANDWICH DAY

La Habana 1920 Cuban restaurant at 548 Fifth Ave. will honor its award-winning Cubano with an exclusive offering. Guests who purchase a Cubano will receive a second complimentary sandwich, available exclusively in celebration of National Cubano Day on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Havana 1920’s Cubano is made with slices of slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard sandwiched in between slices of authentic Cuban bread that is flown in from Tampa, Florida. More information at havana1920.com.

SANDAG COMMITTEE

The San Diego Association of Governments, the region’s transportation planning agency, is seeking three public members and potential alternates to serve on the SANDAG Audit Committee. Members of the public who have at least 10 years of experience as a certified public accountant, a certified internal auditor, or 10 years of other professional accounting, auditing, financial, or legal experience in audit management are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Aug. 15. For more information visit SANDAG.org/audit.

TEMPORARY VISITS BILL

U.S. Representatives scott peters (D-CA-50), Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5), Jim Himes (D-CT-4), and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) have reintroduced the Temporary Family Visitation Act to ease obstacles for travelers looking to temporarily enter the United States to visit family. Under the current system, travelers to the United States must apply for a B-2 visitor visa and be assessed for potential intent to overstay their visit and remain in the United States permanently. The TFVA would establish a new B-3 nonimmigrant visa category specifically for relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents that would allow stays of up to 90 days per calendar year. The application would require a U.S. family member to sign a letter of financial support for the applicant and would be prohibited from sponsoring an applicant if a previously sponsored relative overstayed their visa.

“Hundreds of constituents have asked my office to help them obtain a visitor visa for family members so they can attend meaningful events such as weddings, graduations, and childbirths. The bill we introduced today will make practical changes that make it easier for families to be together for these special occasions while strengthening our tourism-driven economy in San Diego,” said Peters.

ROOFTOP YOGA

Starting Saturday, Aug. 12, the boutique hotel Kimpton Alma at 1047 Fifth Ave. will be holding a recurring yoga class on their fourth-floor pool deck within the VIP lounge. Led by fitness trainer Sara Silberstang, the high-energy vinyasa flow class will focus on mobility and strength, prioritizing proper alignment and breath-movement connection. And for a post-workout reward? All participants can enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco, mimosa or non-alcoholic beverage from Leave of Absence, also located on the pool deck, and a dip in the pool after class. Free for hotel guests. External guests are also welcome to join for just $15 and must make reservations via this link.

SOUR SATURDAY

Bottlecraft, the beer shop and tasting room with an extensive selection of hard-to-find beers from around the world, is holding its fourth and final Sour Saturday of the summer at its Little Italy, North Park, and Oceanside locations. Different styles of sour beers have been highlighted at each Sour Saturday and this rendition is focused on true lambics, which originated in Belgium and is brewed with spontaneous fermentation. The Little Italy location is offering a flight of Tilquin, as well as Cantillon bottles for purchase to go. North Park is offering a flight consisting of Lindemans Cuvée René Oude Geuze, Cantillon Grand Cru Bruocsella, and De Ranke Kriek de Ranke, as well as Cantillon bottles for purchase to go.

SR-94/I-15 CONNECTOR CLOSED

Caltrans crews will close the westbound State Route 94 (SR-94) connector to southbound Interstate 15 (I-15) from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 to install a concrete barrier. The work will be performed in one extended closure for expediency and to minimize impact on the traveling public. Traffic will be detoured and guided by Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS). If traveling west on SR-94, motorists will detour by exiting at 28th Street, turn left to head southbound, re-enter SR-94 eastbound, then continue to the I-15 southbound connector ramp.

FREE HEPATITIS SCREENING

The ElimiNATION Awareness Tour is coming to Pueblos del Padre Joe, offering free hepatitis C virus antibody screenings and confirmatory tests for both people experiencing homelessness and the general public on Aug. 11. In addition to free testing, organizational staff will provide counseling on HCV risk factors, treatment options and care coordination. The event will also feature free giveaways, water and snacks. Over 2.3 million Americans are living with hepatitis C and don’t even know it. This virus infects people and may not reveal symptoms for many years. Hepatitis C can become a chronic, long-term illness causing serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Friday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PMC Courtyard at Father Joe’s Villages, 1501 Imperial Ave.

JUVENILE ARRESTEES

More than 90% of the juvenile arrestees interviewed in 2022 said they had vaped and 75% reported vaping at school, according to a new SANDAG report, 2022 Juvenile Arrestee Drug Use in the San Diego Region. The most common substances vaped were flavored nicotine (82%) and marijuana/THC (78%). When the youth were asked if they had participated in any types of risky behaviors related to substance use in the past 12 months, the most frequent behaviors they reported included riding in a car with a driver who had used alcohol/drugs (52%) and going to school intoxicated (52%). Nearly all (96%) juveniles interviewed reported ever trying at least one illicit substance and 59% tried all three gateway drugs: marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco. Marijuana (93%) and alcohol (86%) were the substances most frequently tried among juvenile arrestees. When asked how they obtained alcohol, most of them said someone 21 years or older gave it to them or they took it from home or someone else’s home.

PB WINE TASTING

Join the PB Kiwanis Club for a mid-summer wine tasting fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 19, 4-7 p.m. at Broken Yolk Cafe, 1851 Garnet Ave. Admission is $30 for this 21-plus event. Enjoy good wine with your neighbors, and stick around for the appetizers, silent auction, and raffle. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, call Jim Moore at 858-692-0403.

THC SOBRIETY TESTS

The use of field sobriety tests to determine if a driver is under the influence of THC from cannabis may be effective in certain situations, but may not be enough to determine impairment on their own, according to a report from UC San Diego researchers. However, unlike the association of blood alcohol concentrations with impairment, researchers found THC blood concentrations do not necessarily correlate with driving performance. Law enforcement instead has relied on behavioral tests to determine a driver’s level of impairment, tests that were primarily created based on alcohol ingestion.

STUDENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The California Supreme Court ruled on July 31 that private higher education schools are not required to allow cross-examination of survivors of sexual and domestic violence in student misconduct hearings.

Equal Rights Advocates and California Women’s Law Center, represented by Gibson Dunn, submitted an amicus letter in the case defending the civil rights of student survivors. The case, Boermeester v. Carry, involved the expulsion of a University of Southern California student for intimate partner violence against a fellow student, one of the first domestic violence cases involving students to make it to the California Supreme Court. The Court clarified fair procedure rights do not require a school to offer the opportunity for live cross-examination of student victims or witnesses.

“The impact of this decision on student survivors cannot be overstated,” said Maha Ibrahim, senior attorney at Equal Rights Advocates, who leads the organization’s Ending Sexual Violence in Education Program. “Studies show that intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based abuse have lifelong impacts on survivors. Already, solamente 20% of college survivors report sexual violence, and a procedural system that allows perpetrators to aggressively cross-examine victims in public settings only further deters reporting.”

BARBIE DANCE PARTY

Grab your Kens and Barbies and head to 860 Garnet Ave. for a night of Barbie dance partying at Club de playa Mavericks on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 9 p.m. Wear your best pink outfit and compete against the crowd for the Best Dressed Award. The winner gets a $100 gift card to Mavericks. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and ticket price includes a complimentary drink, entry to a dance party, photo booth, pink swag, and pink face glitter. Tickets are $10, and can be purchased (via Ticketsauce).

WE BOUGHT THE LOT

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and public officials spoke at San Carlos Library’s “We Bought the Lot” event, a community celebration marking a major step in construction of a new San Carlos Library, on Saturday, Aug. 5. The event was held in the parking lot adjacent to San Carlos Branch Library at the intersection of Golfcrest and Jackson drives. Though more dollars must be secured before the project is fully funded, the purchase of the parking lot is a major moment for the community that has been more than 30 years in the making. Decades ago, the parking lot was an ARCO gas station. Once it became vacant, it was envisioned as an expansion opportunity for the current, adjacent San Carlos Library, which is much smaller than City standards.

WHEEL FUN RENTALS

Wheel Fun Rentals announced they are extending their hours and adding LED-illuminated 4-Wheel Surrey Night Rides at their Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, 333 W. Harbor Drive. Night rides launched Aug. 5 and are available from sunset until 10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday evening.

Both locals and visitors can now light up San Diego’s famous Embarcadero with Wheel Fun Rentals’ illuminated 4-wheel Surrey cycles. These iconic bikes have been equipped with vibrant LED lights mounted on the canopy and frame, creating a mesmerizing rolling twilight experience perfect for enjoying the salty night air of the San Diego Marina. Visit wheelfunrentals.com/SD-night-rides for info.

RAMEN IN UTC

Internationally-renowned Japanese ramen brand, Ramen Nagi has opened its fifth U.S. location at UTC de Westfield in La Jolla. Led by Master Ramen Chef Satoshi Ikuta, a maestro in the art of ramen, this new location marks Ramen Nagi’s first San Diego location, signifying the next step in its international expansion – joining its roster of existing spots in Los Angeles (Century City), Arcadia, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara. “Ramen Nagi offers rich culinary heritage and authentic Japanese ramen we feel will be a fantastic addition to San Diego’s already vibrant food scene,” said Ikuta. “We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to provide genuine hospitality and serve the community delicious and memorable ramen bowls that offer superb flavors.”

SAME-DAY PERMITS

City of San Diego residents can now apply online and instantly receive permits for residential solar and battery storage projects. The City’s Development Services Department has launched a new residential solar instant permitting process, the latest in a series of enhancements meant to help reduce the City’s permitting processing times while supporting the community-wide goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. The instant permit, made possible through a new self-certification process that allows residents to bypass City review of their installation plans by certifying a project’s compliance with building codes, standards and ordinances, is available to residents applying for solar photovoltaic (PV) permits and battery-storage projects up to 38.4 kw for single-family homes and duplexes.

OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP

The San Diego Working Waterfront and the Port of San Diego invite the public to participate in the 33rd annual Operation Clean Sweep on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8-10 a.m. Following the event, an afterparty will be held for all volunteers at Cesar Chavez Park until noon. Volunteers are invited to participate by selecting from a variety of locations around San Diego Bay or choosing an area in their own community to clean. Picking up trash throughout the county helps keep the bay clean because every piece of trash that is not disposed of properly runs the risk of ending up in the bay. Participants are encouraged to invite friends and family members to join in and bring their own bags, gloves and sunscreen. Anyone interested in volunteering can learn more and register at sdworkingwaterfront.com/events/operation-clean-sweep. Participants will also be able to select a location, provide the number of volunteers in their group, and submit T-shirt requests.
P-EBT EXTENDED

The deadline for eligible families to request new P-EBT 2.0 cards has been extended to Aug. 18, giving parents more time to claim an average of $1,192 in food benefits. Thank you to CDSS for responding to continued advocacy on behalf of San Diego County families, and a special thank you to Assemblymember Chris Ward and many state advocacy partners for their support. Households who think they qualify but did not receive a Pandemic EBT 2.0 card in late 2021, should call the helpline number 1.800.887.8230 before the Aug.18 extended deadline. For more information, visit sdhunger.org/p-ebt.

USC MARCHING BAND

On Saturday, July 29, from 3-3:30 p.m., the USC Trojan Marching Band marched from the corner of Bacon Street and Santa Monica Avenue down Santa Monica Avenue to the corner of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street and performed a 30 minute free concert (right). On Sunday, July 30, the USC Trojan Marching Band held an event at the Chula Vista Elite Athletic Training Center in preparation for the Paris, France, Summer Olympic Games in 2024. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

LORD OF THE WINGS

Discover PB, the community’s business improvement district, will present the Lord of the Wings chicken-wing contest in conjunction with several local restaurants Saturday, Aug. 19 from 1-5 p.m. held at Mavericks Beach Club, 860 Garnet Ave. General admission is $40. Participants can help decide the best wings in Pacific Beach as restaurants The Hideout, Mavericks Beach Club, Duck Dive, and Tap Room compete for the title of Lord of the Wings.

Ticket price, $45 the day of the event, includes entry, chicken wing samples from all participating restaurants and one drink ticket. Additional drinks are available for purchase. There will be live music and a handful of items to be raffled. Sponsors are Sysco and Mavericks Beach Club. For information, email [email protected].

PUPPY YOGA

On Sunday, Aug. 6 at 11 a.m., join Club de playa Mavericks at 860 Garnet Ave. for a morning of Puppy Yoga. Tickets are $35 on Ticketsauce with proceeds benefiting Kane’s K9s @ animal rescue. Ticket price includes admission to the class along with a drink ticket for select cocktails at the bar.

PB TRAFFIC COUNT

The annual PB Community Traffic Count this year is planned for Saturday, Aug. 5 from 3-5 p.m. Sponsored by beautifulPB, the organization needs as many volunteers as possible to make this a successful count. No experience or expertise is required, and students can help out to earn community service hours. This is the only volunteer-led traffic count of its kind in San Diego County. Each year, volunteers collect valuable data that helps beautifulPB understand how people travel in Pacific Beach. The data is used to understand traffic patterns, plan for future projects, and advocate for safe mobility throughout Pacific Beach. Email [email protected] for more information and to join this year’s count.

CLEAN AND SAFE

Discover Pacific Beach has developed a Clean and Safe Program to address not just traditional cleaning and security, but to provide the tools needed to make a positive change to the unhoused population and to improve the safety and cleanliness of the entire community. The goals of Pacific Beach Clean and Safe are to help unhoused individuals by providing jobs and upward mobility and decrease complaints associated with inappropriate and aggressive behavior. It takes $34 from 5,000 community members to keep the district clean and safe for one year, while finding permanent employment for the unhoused. Discover Pacific Beach is a small nonprofit organization. If you would like to contribute to this program to help reach the goal of seven days a week, contact the office at 858-273-3303, [email protected].

NATIONAL ROLLER COASTER DAY

National Roller Coaster Day on Aug. 16 is a good excuse to plan a trip to San Diego’s historic beachfront amusement park, Parque Belmont with its iconic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. From its wooden design to its spectacular views, the Giant Dipper is a San Diego landmark that takes you on a fun, ocean-view ride 75-feet up high with speeds up to 48 mph. Following its historic 98th birthday this year, the Giant Dipper has long been the park’s main attraction. The wooden coaster is designated as a National Landmark, staying true to its original purpose; attracting both locals and travelers to San Diego’s beachfront boardwalk. In honor of National Roller Coaster Day, Belmont Park is offering buy one get one free one ride and play pass with unlimited access to all the rides at the park. Buy one ride and play pass and get one free with code “DIPPERBOGO” valid in person or online. This offer is only valid for Aug. 16.

JAZZ AT SCRIPPS

Athenaeum Jazz returns to Scripps Research Auditorium at 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive this fall. The Athenaeum held the first three public concerts in the auditorium in the fall of 1996 and presented fall and spring series each year in the hall through 2019. The fall series showcases the talents of three extraordinary artists who have given unforgettable performances on past occasions in the hall: today’s leading jazz violinist, Regina Carter 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17; brilliant Trinidad-born trumpeter Etienne Charles 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; and piano maestro nonpareil Brad Mehldau 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8. Visit ljathenaeum.org/jazz para boletos

HIV RESEARCH

Salk Institute researchers, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, have discovered the molecular mechanisms by which the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) becomes resistant to Dolutegravir, one of the most effective, clinically used antiviral drugs for treating HIV. The new study, published July 21 in Science Advances, reveals how changes to the 3D structures of integrase, an HIV protein, can lead to Dolutegravir resistance and how other compounds may be able to overcome this resistance. HIV infection depends on the ability of the virus to paste its own genetic material into the genomes of human cells, essentially hijacking the cells to become virus-producing factories. Dolutegravir and related drugs work by blocking integrase, a protein critical to the ability of the virus to integrate its own DNA into the host genome. Without functioning integrase, HIV can’t effectively infect human cells. However, HIV is a rapidly mutating virus, and an increasing number of HIV strains are resistant to Dolutegravir.

“With HIV, one must think two steps ahead of the virus,” said Salk associate professor Dmitry Lyumkis, co-senior author and the Hearst Foundation Developmental chair. “We’ve now determined how the virus could continue evolving against drugs like Dolutegravir, which is important to consider for the development of future therapeutics.”

MARC WESTRAY A LEADER OF INFLUENCE

The San Diego Business Journal announced their list of the Leaders of Influence in Advertising PR & Marketing and has named Marc Westray of Language Service Provider Interpreters Unlimited (IU) as one of the honorees. The Leaders of Influence Award honors distinguished professionals within their fields for their status and contributions in recent years. Recipients were chosen based on their significant accomplishments in 2022 and 2023 to date. As the sales and marketing specialist for IU, Westray was also recognized in 2021 as a winner of the Top 5 Rising Stars in Marketing Awards by Ignite Visibility. With an organic marketing strategy heavily focused on in-house SEO, he has been able to generate significant increases in email campaign opens and clicks, as well as significant increases in website visitors and new client leads.

CUSP TO CLOSE

Owners of Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton at 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, have announced the Aug. 21 closure of Cusp Dining & Drinks, the 11th floor fine dining restaurant known for its perch above La Jolla Shores. The restaurant’s three-month closure will pave the way for the unveiling of Sea & Sky, a new space inspired by the seasonality and bounty of coastal California. Sea & Sky will serve as the new restaurant at the renovated 50-year-old hotel, upon the November 2023 completion of a multi-million-dollar refresh, encompassing all 110 guestrooms and suites, 11th floor public areas, and meeting space. The property will remain open during the renovation project, and guests can already begin reserving the newly renovated guestrooms. The hotel will continue to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner options at its alfresco pool lounge Hiatus. The new look and feel of the dining and bar space, imagined by hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) will capture the essence of the property’s seaside locale, brightening the space with a soothing color palette of muted ocean-blue tones and light wood accents, wall coverings, and textiles reminiscent of La Jolla’s beaches. Sea & Sky is set to open in November 2023. For more information, visit hotellajolla.com.

SD ACTORS THEATRE

San Diego Actors Theatre recently announced a special staged reading of AR Gurney’s comedy “The Perfect Party.” This event, guest-directed by the renowned Sam Woodhouse, will take place on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Riford Library in La Jolla, 7555 Draper Ave. Woodhouse co-founded San Diego Repertory Theatre in 1976, where he produced, directed, and acted for 46 seasons and 333 productions. Tickets for this event are available for $20 at the door, with a discounted rate of $10 offered to students and veterans. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

BUILDING PERMITS

San Diego City Council voted unanimously Aug. 1 to amend the City code to allow an extra 180-day extension for applications for building permits. The measure is intended to allow developers more time between applications and expiration dates with the goal of allowing more housing to be built. Previously, a building permit application expired one year after the date it was deemed complete.

SMART STREETLIGHTS

After months of public input and discussion, and hours of public testimony at San Diego City Council, District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava voted to approve the Smart Streetlight and Automatic License Plate Reader Technology pursuant to the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology Ordinance. “The San Diego Police Department needs every tool at our disposal to solve crime,” said LaCava. “Smart Streetlight and ALPR technologies will optimize the efforts of our understaffed department working to protect the community. There is a real history of opaque use of technology. It is entirely possible to simultaneously support our officers and require transparency.” The item passed City Council 7-2 and 6-3 on Subitems A and B, respectively, with the motion by Council member von Wilpert and seconded by LaCava.

SD BLOOD BANK

San Diego Blood Bank, the primary provider of blood products to the majority of hospitals in San Diego, has joined the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps, a first-in-the-nation partnership with other community-based blood centers across the nation to help prepare for emergencies that may lead to a high demand for blood transfusions. Launched in September 2021, BERC is a cooperative of currently 36 blood centers in more than 40 states that have committed to collecting extra blood units on a rotating, “on call” schedule. The extra blood products will be held in reserve for any critical-need scenario, like a mass shooting, natural disaster, or any other large crisis. In many disasters and critical-need scenarios – like a mass shooting, tornado, or large-scale car crash – a great deal of blood may be needed immediately. With current donation rates nationally, most blood centers don’t have enough blood on their shelves to handle these types of disasters and are forced to request blood units from neighboring blood collectors. By creating BERC, blood will be ready and available if needed, without delays and uncertainty.

LJMS IN FESTIVAL

La Jolla Music Society has announced its participation in the California Festival joining 95 organizations statewide announcing programs featuring music composed within the last five years as they join in the California Festival: Two Weeks of Innovative and Compelling Music from Around the World, Nov. 3-19. The 95 participating organizations include symphony orchestras, chamber music groups, jazz ensembles, choirs and more, performing in more than 80 concert halls, educational institutions, auditoriums, clubs and alternative spaces from north (Symphony of the Redwoods, Mendocino County) to south (San Diego Saints Choir) to east (Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, Tulare County). Two concerts in Sociedad de Música de La Jolla‘s 2023-24 55th Anniversary Season will be part of the California Festival: American Railroad, featuring Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens, on Nov. 10, and cellist Alisa Weilerstein’s Fragments II on Nov. 16.

RECORD TAX REVENUES

San Diego County Assessor Jordan Z. Marks certified the 2023 assessed value roll of all taxable property with a record setting high of $727.48 billion, reflecting a 7.12% increase (or $48.3 billion) over last year. The 2023 assessment roll reflected unprecedented property tax savings of over $275 million for San Diego homeowners, disabled veterans, small businesses, and charitable organizations. This is the eleventh straight year the San Diego County Assessor’s Office has delivered record high revenue for key government services and record high property tax savings making San Diego more affordable to live and thrive. “Thanks to Prop 13, no homeowner should lose their home due to unaffordable property taxes from the recent skyrocketing home prices,” said Marks. “At the same time, governments will receive record high reliable funding for the eleventh straight year to deliver key services like schools and first responders.” Marks said, “The 2023 tax roll shows that San Diego County is the gold standard in fairness, transparency, and putting taxpayers first based on a nearly 100% accuracy rating in our assessment practices from a State of California audit and 98.2% positive customer service rating.”

DOWNTOWN STREET LIGHT REPAIRS

More than 700 broken and vandalized streetlights in Downtown have been repaired ahead of schedule as part of a collaborative effort between the City and the Downtown San Diego Partnership. The project, which launched in May, focused on East Village and Gaslamp Quarter using data-driven analysis to prioritize repairs by geographical location. “Functioning streetlights are crucial for safe, vibrant and thriving communities. That’s why we have dedicated new resources to repairing streetlights in neighborhoods across San Diego,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We are continuing to work to repair streetlights across the city — and we will get it done.” In addition to 710 streetlights being repaired, crews installed 129 anti-theft covers to prevent future outages, as many of the broken lights were caused by vandals who broke into the light poles and damaged or removed the wiring. Repairs conducted by City crews and contractors included replacing fuses, fuse holders, photocells and cabling to circuits.

ELO-RIVERA SPEAKS OUT

“All people have a right to practice their religion without fear of violence or prejudice,” said City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera reacting to a recent attack on a Jewish community member near SDSU. “More and more often, our Jewish community is being targeted with anti-Semitic attacks and discrimination. This is unacceptable. It is despicable to discriminate against people for their religion and particularly cowardly to target an older, more vulnerable resident. We also need the support of all San Diegans who respect freedom of religion and desire to live in an inclusive, welcoming democracy. I urge the public to come forward with information on who is responsible for this attack and other antisemitic activities in our City.”

WANDER THE WETLANDS

Visit Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from 9-11 a.m. While the new UCSD Research and Educational Center is under construction, they will be meeting at the northern end of Crown Point Park near the dirt lot. Nature lovers, bird enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning more about the habitat existing in the heart of the city are welcome. Learn about the birds at Kendall-Frost Marsh and discover the natural history and restoration progress in Mission Bay. Second Saturdays: 9-11 a.m. Learn what lives in the marsh. Fourth Saturdays: 9-11 a.m. Educational docents and staff are available to answer your questions about all things wetlands, birds and ReWild Mission Bay. This is a partnership project between UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Audubon Society. Check Wander the Wetlands page para más información.

EQUITY FORWARD WORKSHOP

The City is holding an Equity Forward Workshop on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Ocean Discovery Workshop, 4255 Thorn St. Equity Forward is a comprehensive approach to creating a more equitable, healthy and enjoyable place for all San Diegans. Your input will help influence various City initiatives including environmental justice policies, the Chollas Creek Watershed Regional Park Master Plan, infrastructure improvements and the City’s first comprehensive Inclusive Public Engagement Guide.

UNSAFE CAMPING

Enforcement of San Diego’s recently passed Unsafe Camping Ordinance has begun. The ordinance prohibits tent encampments in all public spaces throughout the city if shelter beds are available. It also bans tent encampments at all times in sensitive areas including parks, canyons and near schools, transit stations and homeless shelters regardless of shelter capacity. “As the Unsafe Camping Ordinance takes effect, I encourage unsheltered people to take advantage of our new safe sleeping site or available shelter beds,” said Councilman Stephen Whitburn, who introduced the ordinance. “These options are much safer and healthier than living on sidewalks or in parks. Mayor Todd Gloria has intimated that enforcement will begin closest to schools and shelters and expand outward.”

GIRLS SOFTBALL CLINIC

On Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.-noon, San Diego Mesa College Softball team will hold a softball clinic for local girls, ages 6-16, at all levels of experience. The clinic will be run by coaches and players, and will focus on both defensive and offensive skills. Additionally, the team will hold and question and answer session, and focus on the importance of team-building. Registration is $50 per player, with all proceeds benefiting the Mesa College Softball team, and all participants will received a free T-shirt. To register, email head coach Jaclyn Guidi at [email protected], and include player name, age and league (if any).

MAMA’S CEO RETIRES

Alberto Cortés announced that after 21 years of dedicated service, he will be retiring from his position as CEO of Mama’s Kitchen, after elevating the organization into a national model for medically tailored meal delivery and the Food is Medicine movement. “Making the decision to retire from this impactful organization that I’ve helped develop alongside our amazing staff, generous donors, dedicated volunteers, committed board, and devoted community members required thought, consideration, and care. Mama’s Kitchen will continue to thrive and care for our community’s most vulnerable individuals,” says Cortés.

Cortés first joined Mama’s Kitchen’s board of directors in 1999. He was hired to lead the nonprofit organization as executive director in 2002. Under his leadership, Mama’s Kitchen has grown from a $1.7 million to a $5.5 million nonprofit agency, making it a leader in the sector. During Cortes’ tenure, the organization has delivered an impressive 8.75 million meals. Today, Mama’s Kitchen is the largest nonprofit provider of home-delivered meals in San Diego and the sole provider of medically tailored meals, delivering more than 75,000 each month to critically ill individuals and children.

MUSEUM EXHIBIT

The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park will continue to present O’Keeffe and Moore, a groundbreaking exhibition uniting the work of these artistic giants for the first time, on view through Aug. 27, before it travels to Albuquerque Museum in New Mexico and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada. The exhibition re-creates both Georgia O’Keeffe’s and Henry Moore’s studios with their original found objects, tools, and furnishings. Visitors can experience the working practices of the two artists to see how natural forms such as animal skulls and bones, coiled seashells, gnarled driftwood, and interlocking and layered stones inspired the majority of their most iconic creations, and see more than 120 works of art by the two artists on view across five galleries.

NEW CITY CLERK

City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera congratulated Diana Fuentes on her appointment to the position of San Diego City Clerk. Fuentes was appointed by unanimous vote by the City Council and is the first Latina to serve in this position in the City’s history. “Fuentes has proven herself to be the right person for the job with her strong leadership and dedication to providing professional, fair, and transparent service to the residents of San Diego,” said Elo-Rivera. Fuetes has served as interim clerk since Jan. 13 following the resignation of former City Clerk Elizabeth Maland.

NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY

El Chingon in the Gaslamp Quarter at 560 Fifth Ave. will add a refreshing twist to summer with fruit-forward offerings and a watermelon eating contest on Sunday, Aug. 6, in honor of National Watermelon Day earlier in the week. To celebrate the thirst-quenching fruit, El Chingon will feature its signature cocktail, the Madero, concocted with Real del Valle tequila, house-made watermelon cordial, lime and Tajín; as well as the Baja Street Cart fruit salad, served with seasonal fruit spears, chamoy, Tajín and lime; and paleta cocktail towers. El Chingon’s watermelon eating contest will kick off at 3 p.m. Guests will go head-to-head to devour a large watermelon wedge without using their hands. The first contestant to finish will win a $100 El Chingon gift card and their choice of tower, including mimosa, beer, or cocktail flavors such as paleta, green tea or white tea. Registration at ElChingon.com/San-Diego.

COMIC-CON

Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center took over the city – especially the Gaslamp Quarter – last weekend with comic book and pop culture-themed events and thousands of attendees in cosplay. Right, Imperial Stormtroopers from “Star Wars” were on guard outside of Lou & Mickey’s steak house on Fifth Avenue on Saturday, July 22. Comic-Con is a comic book convention and nonprofit multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego since 1970. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

SPORTS ARENA UPDATE

The Midway Rising’s team will unite with the Midway community and San Diegans to help bring thousands of new affordable homes, a dynamic mixed-use entertainment district and a state-of-the-art arena to the San Diego region. The redevelopment team invites the public to learn more about its vision for re-imagining what the sports arena could look like with redevelopment, the project’s latest milestones and the journey ahead at an upcoming informational workshop Monday, Aug. 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Pacific Ballroom, Hilton Garden Inn Mission Valley/Stadium, 3805 Murphy Canyon Road. Complimentary parking is available onsite. For more information, email [email protected].

LIBERTY STATION ARTWALK

San Diego’s ArtWalk Liberty Station from Aug. 4-6 at Ingram Plaza, l2751 Dewey Road, is throwing a Preview pARTy on Friday, Aug. 4 from 4-8 p.m. This all-ages sneak peek opportunity will feature live music by yacht rock tribute act Band Overboard, food, and beverages available for purchase, and a few added surprises.

The festival continues Aug. 5 and 6, showcasing fine art by more than 175 artists from several states and Mexico. ArtWalk Liberty Station, now in its 18th year, is a free-to-attend event celebrating art, music, at the Arts District Liberty Station. For more information, visit artwalksandiego.org.

Tickets to the ArtWalk Liberty Station Preview pARTy are available online for $25 and include entry into the event and two drink vouchers. A portion of proceeds will benefit ArtReach, ArtWalk’s nonprofit partner that brings art education to schools throughout the county that have had art education cuts to their budgets.

USC MARCHING BAND

On Saturday, July 29, from 3-3:30 p.m., the USC Trojan Marching Band will be marching from the corner of Bacon Street and Santa Monica Avenue (across from Pizza Port), down Santa Monica Avenue to the corner of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street and then will perform a 30 minute free concert. On Sunday, July 30, the USC Trojan Marching Band will be holding an event at the Chula Vista Elite Athletic Training Center in preparation for the Paris, France, Summer Olympic Games in 2024.
TRUST LAND USE PLAN

The Port of San Diego has released a Discussion Draft of its Trust Lands Use Plan and is seeking public review and feedback. When finalized, the Trust Lands Use Plan will provide goals, policies, and information on allowable uses and activities within approximately 8,000 additional acres of tidelands and submerged land of San Diego Bay granted to the Port on Jan. 1, 2020, by the California State Lands Commission (State Lands) pursuant to SB 507. Port staff has developed a TLUP Discussion Draft, which is now available for review at portofsandiego.org/trust-lands-use-plan. Public comment will be accepted through Aug. 21, and should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: Port of San Diego, Attn: Planning Department, P.O. Box 120488, San Diego, CA 92112-0488.

Since 1962, consistent with the Port Act and Coastal Act, the Port has successfully managed and balanced a mix of coastal-dependent uses for the people of California in a manner that promotes commerce, navigation, recreation, fisheries, and environmental stewardship. Based on this history and expertise, State Lands recognized the Port is in the best position to manage and ensure efficient oversight of the additional area, which is often referred to as the “donut hole” because it is encircled by tidelands and submerged lands already under Port management. The newly granted areas begin from the mouth of San Diego Bay down to and including the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Pursuant to SB 507, the Port is creating a Trust Lands Use Plan for the additional area now under the Port’s trust and will add it to the Port Master Plan via an amendment, bringing the newly granted areas into the Port’s coastal permitting jurisdiction. The plan must describe any proposed development, preservation, or other use of the trust lands.
SUNSET CLIFFS PROPOSALS

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park has been voted America’s favorite landmark for a marriage proposal out of a survey identifying the top 250 most iconic landmarks for a marriage proposal/family vacation destination this summer. California had eight picture-perfect landmarks that were voted among America’s top 250. Sunset Cliffs was described in the survey as offering a serene and beautiful setting with a clear view of the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal spot for a memorable marriage proposal. The sound of waves and the majestic sunset create an atmosphere that’s both romantic and awe-inspiring.

SDIA ARTS PROGRAM

San Diego International Airport’s (SAN) Arts Program has completed the installation of its latest temporary exhibition A Necessary Departure, located throughout Terminal 2 pre-and-post security. The art exhibit is a collection of works from 17 local artists and organizations that examines personal transformations and how our community has remade itself after the pandemic. Pieces speak to themes that developed out of this unique period in history, through the lens of San Diegans who experienced it in their own ways.

“Through this exhibition, we can reflect on the journey of the past several years, and how our community continues to transform itself after the pandemic,” said Kim Becker, CEO and president of SDIA. “We are proud to provide this platform for local artists and arts organizations to showcase their work to the traveling public.”

Types of artwork in the exhibition include sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, site-specific installation, and more. All exhibition pieces will remain on display through 2023. Each year, the Arts Program identifies an exhibition theme relevant to San Diego and the Airport and invites interested exhibitors to submit proposals related to that topic. Exhibitors are selected based on their creativity, unique use of media, and relevance to the proposed theme. For more information about A Necessary Departure, SAN’s temporary exhibition program, and other Arts Program initiatives, please visit arts.san.org.

GOODBAR JOKES

GoodBar at 1872 Rosecrans St. has a full menu featuring burgers, cheesesteaks, and fish tacos sourced locally from Tunaville. GoodBar continues to host live weekly stand-up comedy. GoodJokes comedy shows are live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. GoodBar hosts both comedy and open mic nights. Comedy nights typically involve a headliner and a couple of other stand-up performances. For more information, visit goodbarsd.com.

ELECTRIC CRANES AT PORT

The Port of San Diego’s two new all-electric Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes from Konecranes have been delivered to the Port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. The new cranes are the first of their kind in North America and will help the port improve public health and air quality, a significant milestone in bringing cleaner air to the portside communities of Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, and West National City.
“These all-electric mobile harbor cranes are a game changer for public health, the environment, and our regional economy. It’s a win, win, win,” said chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “By replacing our diesel-operated cargo handling equipment with electric equipment, like these cranes, we continue to ensure the air on and around the terminal is cleaner to breathe, we reduce our environmental impacts, and we fulfill our responsibility to support commerce and jobs in our region.

The cranes are anticipated to be operational later this year. The Port ordered the battery- supported electric cranes from Konecranes for approximately $14 million and spent an additional $8.9 million to make the needed electrical infrastructure improvements to support the cranes, which included $2.7 million in grant funding from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. They will replace the diesel-powered crane currently in use at TAMT. The conversion from a diesel-powered crane to an all-electric crane system is a big step toward achieving a goal of the Port’s Estrategia Marítima de Aire Limpio (MCAS) of transitioning all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030.

EXHIBITION OPENING

Exhibition opening at Athenaeum Art Center, 1955 Julian Ave. Catherine and Robert Palmer Gallery. Opening reception will be Saturday, Aug. 12, 5-8 p.m. (during the Barrio Art Crawl); free admission

On view Aug. 12-Nov. 25, free admission. There’s Never Just One is an exhibition by Anna O’Cain, who considers everyday observations, events, and vernacular speech potent sources of inspiration. She collects images, fragments of conversation, children’s science books, objects, and maps. In this exhibition, O’Cain delves into diverse subjects and disparate materials ranging from the history of the apple, the adverse role of carbon dioxide in climate change, to collage, and sculptural, photographic sets. Soap boxes placed in front of fragmented photographs, a string of keys spilling onto a table, a collage honoring a friend, and a cloth transcription of artists’ zoom meetings during the pandemic are included in There’s Never Just One. Additionally, her installations often feature performative elements inspired by dreams and domestic activities, such as sewing surrender flags, creating felt book covers, mending clothes, and baking pies. From a broken table to a family letter, a note found on the street, or building a bookshelf, O’Cain’s creative process embraces unexpected starting points with quirky ideas about learning, recollection, and organization found in daily experience.

MONEY MATTERS WEBINAR FOR KIDS

San Diego County Credit Union will present a free Teaching Kids About Money Matters webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from noon-1 p.m. SDCCU experts will present the webinar and walk attendees through the basics of teaching kids about money. Topics include identifying the difference between wants and needs, modeling healthy financial habits, fun ways to learn about money and understanding the value of money. This free webinar is open to the public, but virtual space is limited and reservations are required. To register or for details, visit sdccu.com/fww.

FREE BALLET

Ballet Under the Stars – The Next Generation on Stage is the culmination of City Ballet’s summer intensive program, where the next generation dance artists are joined on stage by City Ballet company members Ariana Gonzalez, Iago Breschi, and Shannon Romeo. The performance takes place Friday, Aug 11, at 8 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. Admission is free but tickets are required. Tickets: https://cityballet.org/performances/ballet-under-the-stars/. The performance will be at Epstein Family Amphitheater, UC San Diego. Drive and park at the Gilman Parking Structure then four-minute walk to the Epstein Family Amphitheater, or ride the Trolley Blue Line to UCSD Central Campus Station adjacent to Epstein Family Amphitheater.

FRONTIER ANNIVERSARY

Frontier Airlines is expanding its series of sales as the airline’s months-long 29th birthday celebration rolls on. The latest promotion includes the option to purchase carry-on bags for $29 each for travel from Aug. 8 through Nov. 15. Additionally, $29 fares and $29 stretch seating are available for nonstop travel valid through Nov. 15. For additional information and to book flights, visit flyfrontier.com.

TASTE OF EAST VILLAGE

Calling all foodies to East Village’s largest taste event of the summer. For three consecutive days, local East Village restaurants will open their doors for the first Taste of East Village taking place from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 through Thursday, Aug. 31. Foodies will eat, sip and stroll their way through the neighborhood sampling appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages from more than 35 of San Diego’s most popular restaurants. Ticketholders will receive a Taste Passport at check-in to use as a guide for mapping out all participating restaurants in the neighborhood and their menu offerings. For more information about the Taste of East Village, visit TasteOfEastVillageSD.com.

FASHION VALLEY EXPANSION

Fashion Valley continues to expand its portfolio as part of its multimillion-dollar revitalization project with 21 new retail and food offerings, seven of which are first-to-market, slated to open in the next year. The center recently welcomed DIOR to its impressive retail lineup. New first-to-market additions coming soon to Fashion Valley include Bottega Veneta, David Yurman, Dolce & Gabbana. and a newly expanded and renovated Prada boutique. Rolex Boutique Fourtané will also double in size to create a custom San Diego-inspired design concept, which will include multiple private consultation rooms and a two-story exterior facade. These new openings will also join the recently added ALO Yoga, Audi San Diego, Porsche San Diego, and Vuori. Further elevating the overall shopping and dining experience for visitors, the project includes new escalators, walkways and bridges, refreshed facades and designer seating areas and new landscaping throughout the property. The project is expected to be complete in time for the 2023 holiday shopping season.

URBAN FIRE CREW

With the hot weather, vegetation around San Diego County has dried out and become dangerous and prone to wildfires. Urban Corps’ Fire Fuel Reduction Program partners with cities and other organizations to train corps members on how to manage that vegetation and create a safer environment for residents, their houses, wildlife, and the community. Corps members climb canyons and walk through densely vegetated open spaces cutting brush to create buffers and make the area more defensible for firefighters. In the 2022 fiscal year, Corps members removed more than 31,784,212 square feet of brush and dried-out vegetation. Training with the fire prevention community gives corps members an opportunity to learn fuel reduction practices and take pride in the work that they’ve done. “After a long day in the heat and dust, it makes me feel good knowing that my work may have helped save somebody’s house in a fire,” said corps member Oscar. You can learn more about Urban Corps’ services and other environmental programs by visiting sitio web.

COMEDIAN-MUSICIAN AT UCSD

Comedian, writer, musician Fred Armisen brings his energetic musical comedy mashup live show, “Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome,” to San Diego on Aug. 2 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, a state-of-the-art performance venue in the heart of UC San Diego at 9500 Gilman Drive. Armisen is most often recognized from his years performing on “Saturday Night Live” and “Portlandia.” He has received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album in 2019 and won two Peabody Awards, one in 2008 as part of the “Saturday Night Live” cast and one in 2011 for “Portlandia.” The show in San Diego features special guest, film composer and multi-instrumentalist Annie Hart of the band Au Revoir Simone. Purchase tickets at artpower.ucsd.edu.

UNSAFE CAMPING ORDINANCE

Starting soon in select parks and schools, the City will begin enforcing the Unsafe Camping Ordinance, said Mayor Todd Gloria. “The San Diego Police Department utilizes a progressive enforcement model, meaning people experiencing homelessness are given the option to accept shelter and services,” said Gloria. “If, on the third offer, the shelter and services are denied, the individual will be arrested. I want to be clear: Arresting people is not what we want. Our desire is for people who are unhoused and living on our sidewalks and in our parks to accept services and shelter.”

Gloria noted this ordinance “provides an additional tool for law enforcement to protect public health and safety. Leading up to this, City outreach workers have been working to bring people into shelters and educating them about what they can expect with the new ordinance. I want to remind San Diegans that addressing homelessness will not be achieved overnight. We all want to see visible progress on our City’s homeless crisis, and we must also be patient and persistent as we work together to start making this much-needed change.”

FOOD BENEFITS

Families have until Aug. 1 to claim an average of $1,192 in food benefits. Households who think they qualify but did not receive a Pandemic EBT 2.0 card in late 2021, should call the helpline number 1-800-887-8230 before the Aug. 1 deadline. Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is a federal program that was set up to provide money for groceries while schools and childcare sites were closed during the Public Health Emergency. The second round of P-EBT (P-EBT 2.0) was the largest round at an average of $1,192 per child and was issued to children who were eligible for free or reduced-priced meals and/or receiving CalFresh benefits during the period of October 2020-August 2021. Most cards were delivered in December 2021. Initial data uncovered by San Diego Hunger Coalition revealed that an estimated 32,500 P-EBT 2.0 cards sent to families in San Diego County were not activated, largely because the cards went to outdated addresses. A recent study by California Department of Social Services (CDSS) now reports that the families of 69,000 eligible children in San Diego County are eligible to reclaim missing P-EBT 2.0 benefits, which could bring as much as $82.2 million in food assistance to the region for households that are experiencing nutrition insecurity this summer. For more information, visit www.sdhunger.org/p-ebt.

DEL MAR RACETRACK

Some recurring events include Turf Club Fridays and Friday Happy Hour, with the Taste of New Orleans event falling Saturday, Aug. 5 from 1-6 p.m. Enjoy authentic Cajun cuisine, including gumbo, po’boys, beignets, and jambalaya and wash it down with hurricanes, daiquiris, and celebrated local beers. The Big Easy experience will also include live Cajun music, bead vendors, face painters and more. First post daily is 2 p.m. until Sept. 2 when first post moves to 1:30 p.m. First post on Fridays is at 4 p.m. (exceptions being Aug. 18 and 25 when the first post is at 3:30 p.m., and Sept. 1 and 8 when the first post shifts to 3 p.m. For more information, call 858-755-1141 or visit dmtc.com.

HIGH-DENSITY PROTEST

As many as 800 or more protestors are expected to converge on Mission Valley this Saturday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to voice their opposition to the City’s high-density housing initiatives. The event will be held along the south side of Friars Road, near the intersection of Ulric Street and the 163 Freeway offramp. “Residents from communities across San Diego are united in solidarity against Mayor Todd Gloria’s ill-conceived high-density housing initiatives that have absolutely nothing to do with providing affordable housing,” said Bonnie Kutch, a University City resident, and lead event organizer. “The city’s proposals far exceed demonstrated demand, ignore the need for supportive infrastructure, destroy our urban canopy, and go squarely against the City’s own Climate Action Plan. Because of the desirable locations where development is being proposed, the new housing stock will be mostly luxury apartment high-rise buildings with high rents that will be out of reach for those in the low- and middle-income brackets as well as for college students.”

Kutch said the city’s decision to opt-in to Senate Bill 10 is the most egregious of them all since it would allow developers to build 14-unit apartment buildings, three stories high, in residential neighborhoods. More information about San Diegans for Responsible Growth can be found at sandiegansforresponsiblegrowth.org.

SD LOYAL COLLABORATION

San Diego Loyal SC announced that it has partnered with legendary skateboarder Willy Santos and his online skateboard shop, Willys Workshop, to launch a first-of-its-kind SD Loyal x Willy Santos skateboard deck. The innovative collaboration unites soccer and skateboarding, celebrating two of the world’s most iconic sports. Featuring the classic dog character used on Willy Santos Birdhouse decks of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a limited edition run of the skateboard deck is available now, in-person only at The Shop @ SD Loyal in Mission Valley (open Monday-Saturday noon-5 p.m.) and online at willysworkshop.com. For more information about Willy Santos and Willys Workshop, visit willysworkshop.com.

TONY GWYNN BREW

AleSmith Brewing Company announced the upcoming Tony Gwynn Day celebration on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the brewery, 9990 AleSmith Court off Miramar Road. The event will commemorate legendary baseball player, Tony Gwynn, and feature two special commemorative beers in 16 ounce 4-pack cans, with eye-catching artwork designed by Ground Floor Murals. The celebration will take place at AleSmith Brewing Company, from 2-6 p.m. There will be live art activations, DJs, raffle prizes, and food trucks on-site throughout the day. The main attraction will be the Padres vs. Dodgers watch party at 5:40 p.m., complete with drink specials available to support the home team. Those interested in attending the event and picking up 4-packs can RSVP on their Eventbrite page to receive more information on the event and exclusive pre-sale details pre-sale of the new releases. For more information on Tony Gwynn Day and to RSVP, please visit the AleSmith Brewing Company Event page on Eventbrite.

MEDITERRANEAN COCKTAILS

Mezé Greek Fusion at 345 Sixth Ave. has crafted new seasonal cocktails and bites that embody Mediterranean flavors in a distinctly Southern California style, available now. GBOD Hospitality Group beverage director Ryan Andrews has introduced a selection of Greek isle-inspired cocktails. The new libations include Una Facia Una Razza, an espresso martini made with Kettle One vodka, Mr. Black coffee, espresso, DropKick bold cold brew, ouzo and pistachio whipped cream; Almost Naked and Totally Famous, a mixture of Divino Maguey mezcal, Aperol, passion fruit, fresh lemon and a tajin rim; and Cucumber Ouzjito, a combination of Rumhaven coconut rum, cucumber, ouzo, mint, lime and sparkling water. More information about Mezé Greek Fusion may be found at GaslampMeze.com.

AI BOOTCAMP PROGRAM

National tech education provider Fullstack Academy and the University of San Diego announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Bootcamp program. The curriculum, designed and delivered by industry-experienced tech practitioners, will equip professionals with the skills and hands-on training needed to build specialized data career paths in AI and machine learning in just 26 weeks. Demand for AI and machine learning professionals is projected to increase by nearly 36% over the next decade, far surpassing the average growth rate of roughly 6% for all occupations. Notably, this AI boom also has the potential to contribute a staggering $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2035, with China and the U.S. positioned to account for nearly 70% of the worldwide impact, according to PwC. Applications are now open for the live online USD AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp. The deadline to apply is Sept. 5, for the program’s inaugural cohort commencing Sept. 11.

HEALTHCARE AFFORDABILITY

California is set to continue its legacy of building upon and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, as its board of directors approved enhanced benefit designs that will ensure over 600,000 Covered California enrollees see reduced out-of-pocket costs in 2024. “Covered California is proud to be a part of another visionary program that strengthens the Affordable Care Act,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “California made history with the State Premium Subsidy program in 2021, and we appreciate the continued leadership from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature to make health care access and affordability a priority in our state.” The new budget package passed by the state Legislature and enacted by Gov. Newsom appropriates $82.5 million of the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund to Covered California to support a program of financial assistance for coverage year 2024. Per the budget agreement, funding for the program is planned to increase to $165 million starting in coverage year 2025.

NORTH PARK PERFORMANCE

In support of his recent album “The Love Still Held Me Near, City and Colour” – acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer Dallas Green will be performing at the The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., on Sept. 8 (Ticket info). This album is a deeply personal and cathartic offering, and the most sonically expansive in the celebrated City and Colour canon. Watch City and Colour’s cinematic music video for the emotionally powerful “Meant To Be” AQUÍ. You can listen to the album AQUÍ.

BECOME A CASA

This month is National Make a Difference to Children Month, and there is a group of exceptional volunteers taking time to selflessly support local children living in foster care — Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers (also known as CASAs). These special volunteers are supported by Voces para niños, the only local nonprofit organization certified by the courts in San Diego and Riverside Counties, to recruit and train CASA volunteers. When community members become CASAs, they help vulnerable children living in foster care cope with unimaginable challenges. These advocates ensure the children they serve are safe, and their needs are met while they navigate living in foster care. What they don’t expect is how much they will gain from the experience. Each CASA volunteer undergoes extensive background checks, makes an 18-month minimum commitment to the program, and completes a 35-hour training program focused on all aspects of a child’s well-being and development. This past year, over 1,300 CASAs and Voices for Children staff supported more than 3,400 youth in foster youth between San Diego & Riverside Counties. But more children come into care across the region and need a CASA every day. To learn more about becoming a CASA or donating to the program, visit speakupnow.org.

COMMUNITY-OWNED ENERGY

Recently nonprofits, community members and leaders from San Diego Community Power and the San Diego Foundation gathered to announce they are granting $390,000 toward local clean energy and green workforce development projects in San Diego County. These are the first awards from the Community Clean Energy Innovation Grant Program, a collaboration between San Diego Foundation and San Diego Community Power, a locally-run, not-for-profit, public agency that provides clean, reliable, and affordable energy to customers in Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, National City, the City of San Diego, and the unincorporated communities of San Diego County.

San Diego Foundation is administering the grants on behalf of San Diego Community Power and donated $90,000 to increase the impact of the program with a specific focus on workforce development programs. San Diego Community Power is California’s second largest Community Choice Aggregator providing nearly 1 million customers with electricity purchased from renewable and clean energy sources.

SAN DIEGO SHOWS ITS PRIDE

On July 15, the Pride Parade made its way through Hillcrest and Bankers Hill with around 300,000 people cheering on the participants. San Diego’s largest annual civic event ended at Marston Point in Balboa Park. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

LJ BUSINESS BREAKFAST

On Tuesday, July 25 at 8 a.m. the public is invited to a free breakfast to learn how to take advantage of Village events and activities. Brian Hileman from the San Diego Tourism Authority will share resources and updates on local, regional, and international tourism post-pandemic. There will be goodies and coffee from Flower Pot Cafe at 7530 Fay Ave. Come for the coffee and pastries and stay for the networking and knowledge.

MOST WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Once again this year, the Pacific Beach Taylor Branch Library at 4275 Cass St. will hold San Diego’s edition of The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever in the library’s park from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, July 30. Described as a flash mob/community dance, the event has taken place internationally every July since 2013. San Diego is one of only five locations hosting an event in the United States in 2022, and the only one on the West Coast.

“Whether you are more a fan of Emily Bronte’s classic 1847 novel ‘Wuthering Heights’ or Kate Bush’s 1978 song adaptation, we invite you to express your inner Cathy at The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever,” said PB Library manager Christina Wainwright. “Don a red dress and dance to Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ in the Pacific Beach Library’s park, using the moves that Kate Bush immortalized in her music video. Afterward, we invite you to hang out in our park.”

“Wuthering Heights” is an 1847 work by Emily Bronte, an English novelist and poet who is best known for this, her one and only novel, concerning two families of the landed gentry and their turbulent relationships. The novel was influenced by Romanticism and Gothic fiction. “Wuthering Heights” is now considered a classic of English literature. But it was controversial for its depictions of mental and physical cruelty, including domestic abuse, and for its challenges to Victorian morality and religious and societal values.

Kate Bush wrote the song from a TV miniseries based on one scene, now captured in her song, showing people in red dresses dancing in a field. Because it is so dramatic, over the top, years later, in 2013, people in English art groups thought it would be a neat thing to invite folks to wear red dances and dance out in the fields. It has since become an international movement.

OVER THE LINE

The 70th annual World Championship Over The Line tournament on Fiesta Island held on back-to-back weekends, continues July 22-23 with four-inning games starting at 7:30 a.m. Over The Line is a public event and requires no ticket or entrance fee to watch the games and enjoy the tournament. However, it is not appropriate/safe for children due to crowds, bat and ball related games and strong language.

The following rules will be strictly enforced: The no “B”s – no bottles, no bicycles, no bowzers (dogs), no babies, no boas, no bad attitudes, no battles (fighting). Drones are prohibited in the permit area. Alcohol rules and restrictions will exactly the same as previous years’ OTL tournaments. Public displays of nudity or violations of San Diego Municipal Code (Section 56.53) are illegal and will not be tolerated. Bikes are not permitted within the dunes, so be smart to bike and store your bike at the bike racks.
OMBAC is a nonprofit organization focusing on amateur sports, youth athletics, and local charities. OTL is the group’s main fundraising event. Past recipients of OMBAC’s fundraising and donations have included UC San Diego Cancer Research, Jr. OTL Scholarships, Wounded Warrior Foundation, Huntington’s disease, Bikes for Kids, Jr. Lifeguard Foundation, Cancer Walk, Marine Family Christmas Fund, Alpha Project, Meals on Wheels, Hospice, Pacific Beach Youth Group, San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade, San Diego Blood Bank, OMBAC Rugby, OMBAC Lacrosse and OMBAC Water Polo.

CONCERTS ON THE GREEN

Sunday, July 23, will be the launch of this year’s summer concert series, sponsored by Pacific Beach Town Council called Concerts on the Green held at Kate Sessions Park, 5115 Soledad Road. The free, family-friendly concert series, spanning four Sundays in July and August, kicks off with Full Strength at 4 p.m. Come enjoy the electric music and snacks and beverages from local business vendors. The community stage will open around 4 p.m. every Sunday and will feature some local amateur and youth bands, with the headliner bands to start playing around 5-7 p.m. at sunset. This year’s four bands are Full Strength – Sunday, July 23, Paging The 90s – Sunday, July 30, Cassie B Project – Sunday, Aug. 6 (Community Night), Band Overboard – Sunday, Aug. 13.

Want to support Concerts on the Green as well as have a brand, group, or family crest that you’d like honored in the public view? Consider a corporate sponsorship. All of these tiers will be honored on various promotional materials. Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.

COLLEGE FOOD GRANT

The San Diego Foundation, in partnership with the County, has awarded San Diego Mesa College $125,000 to work with program partner Garden 31 and student leaders to address food sovereignty by improving the TerraMesa Community Garden, expanding programming, and deepening collaboration with other food security initiatives on campus. The award is part of $5.56 million in grants provided to 43 community-based organizations – including San Diego Mesa College – to help San Diegans experiencing food insecurity by supporting localized, sustainable food production and distribution throughout the region. The San Diego Mesa College TerraMesa Community Garden was established in 2015 when a student presented a vision to create a local, sustainable source of organic produce right on campus. Since then, dozens of students over the years have been supported in growing out the garden to what it is today: nearly 4,000 square feet of community space inclusive of four plots with drip irrigation, a greenhouse, compost hub, shed, and native plant garden and propagation space.

DUCK DIVE MONDAYS

Buceo de pato at 4650 Mission Blvd. will be reopening from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Mondays for the first time in three years on July 17. Come in for their Monday Burger and Beer Special, where you can combine any burger with any beer for just $17 all day.

KEEP PB CLEAN

Discover Pacific Beach, the community’s business improvement district, welcomes the summer months and extra visitors and this means more trash and debris throughout the business district. Discover PB has maxed out on the funding available for clean up. It is asking the business community to help out by maintaining curbside trash barrels and the area outside businesses as needed. If each business could monitor their area at this time, it would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to formally volunteer for a regular clean up shift or organize a monthly clean up, email [email protected].

CREATIVE CITY

This July, the City will host a new series of public engagement events and share tools that San Diegans can use to provide input for developing the first-ever cultural plan, Creative City. The seven- to 10-year cultural plan aims to align arts and culture citywide with key priority areas, including housing, mobility, infrastructure, sustainability and regional prosperity. “The Creative City cultural plan will guide the city’s investments in arts and cultural sectors and strategically position the City and transborder region as an equitable place of inspiration and prosperity,” said Jonathan Glus, executive director for arts and culture. “We were pleased to see many residents participate in the first round of engagement and anticipate more participation from all communities throughout San Diego.”

MEALS ON WHEELS

In late June, SDG&E announced that it awarded $10 million in grants to help local nonprofit organizations expand their essential services for vulnerable residents who struggle with basic needs. Meals on Wheels San Diego County received one of the largest grant amounts at $500,000. The SDG&E Community Assistance Fund is a $10 million shareholder-funded charitable initiative aimed at improving housing stability and food security. The 21 nonprofits selected received grants of $250,000 to $1 million.

The Community Assistance Fund builds on SDG&E’s long history of giving back to local communities. The San Diego Foundation is administering the grants on behalf of SDG&E. Meals on Wheels San Diego County is excited to use the $500,000 grant toward its meal delivery program to support the hundreds of local homebound seniors that the nonprofit serves daily, even on holidays. In addition, the grant will cover the development of a public service announcement (PSA) to help the organization reach more seniors throughout San Diego County, as well as attract more volunteers and supporters.

COMPETITIVE RENTALS

Following up on the latest Rental Competitivity Report, it has been determined that San Diego’s rental market is one of the most competitive in California. A quick turnover rate of 38 days, a significant occupancy rate of 95.9%, and high demand shown by 14 prospective renters per vacancy, contribute to the competitiveness. The balance between new and renewing tenants is nearly even, at a lease renewal rate of 49.4%, while the small percentage (0.17%) of new apartments implies most are existing units.

Orange County, San Diego, and the Central Coast are the most competitive rental markets in California this season. Orange County leads with the highest competitive score in the state (86), due to its strong occupancy rate and high lease renewal rates. San Diego and the Central Coast follow closely, with RCI scores of 82 and 81, respectively, both reflecting significant demand from prospective renters.

PCPB BOARD ELECTION

Peninsula Community Planning Board will hold a special election to fill two vacant board seats prior to its meeting from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, July 20 at the Point Loma Hervey Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St. Those interested must have attended one PCPB meeting in the last year and meet qualifications. Voters must also meet voting requirements as shown on the PCPB election page.

Ballots available at the library during voting hours or you can download a ballot here. All individuals must appear in person and be verified before placing ballot in the box – no proxy voting. PCPB is a community planning group citizen organization that advises the City on land use-based community goals and development proposals.

HOWL-O-SCREAM RETURNS

Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego is back for a third year offering guests a frightful and spine-tingling Halloween nighttime event. Intended for a mature audience and returning on Friday, Sept, 29 through Oct, 31, Howl-O-Scream will reawaken this fall with screams, suspense, and surprises, and guests can plan ahead and prepare themselves for spine-chilling scares with a Sinister Sale from July 19-30. Guests can purchase Howl-O-Scream single night tickets and unlimited admission tickets up to 60% off. Single day tickets will start at $33.99 and for $104.99 guests can test themselves with unlimited scares and unlimited admission tickets for the event. Purchase tickets at howloscream.com/CA.

COMIC-CON AT LIBRARY

Comic-Con 2023 is on at the San Diego Public Library with a full week of programming both on and off the Convention Center floor. Comic fans can pick up a limited-edition SDPL library card, attend a superhero story time, create their own comic book and fix any costume emergencies at the SDPL cosplay repair station. SDPL’s Central Library in Downtown will also host several days of panels discussing the role comics play in promoting education and literacy.

This year’s Comic-Con library card design is “Odi the Coyote, Book Defender!” It features the SDPL mascot with a book, a library card and the iconic Central Library in the background. The exclusive card is licensed by Comic-Con and is the only library card of its kind. The card will be available at SDPL’s booth on the convention floor and at all branch library locations. It is free to sign up for a new card or replace an old one. Supplies are limited, and the cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more on SDPL’s exclusive Comic-Con library card and other events, including Comic-Con Trivia Night and author talks, visit the Comic-Con @ the Library web page.

CHILDCARE RIGHTS

The San Diego City Council unanimously approved protections and education for family childcare providers who operate out of their own rental units. This bill strengthens SB234 (Skinner), which bars landlords from evicting tenants or raising rent for the sole reason of operating a family childcare home, by requiring information about SB234 is included in City of San Diego rental agreements. “Access to quality and affordable childcare is often unavailable for far too many working families in the City,” said Councilmember Raul Campillo, who represents District 7 on the City Council and authored this item. “We know that family childcare providers play a vital role in providing essential services for families and that they can be a big part of improving the supply of childcare options in our City. That’s why I authored today’s ordinance: renters need to know their rights so they can stand up to discrimination from landlords who aim to skirt the law. Improving access to quality and affordable childcare remains a top priority for me.”

SD WAVE PLAYERS

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20, as 32 nations battle for a chance to raise the cup. Five San Diego Wave players will represent their countries, as defender Naomi Girma and forward Alex Morgan compete for the United States, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan for Canada, forward Sofia Jakobsson for Sweden, and midfielder Emily van Egmond for Australia. The U.S. women’s national team kicks off their quest for another Women’s World Cup championship on Friday, July 21 at 6 p.m. on FOX against Vietnam.

MORGAN JOINS RADY

Alex Morgan, forward for the US women’s national team and San Diego Wave, announced a partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego that furthers her mission with the Alex Morgan Foundation to support mothers and help raise the next generation of healthy and inspired kids.

“Shortly after moving to southern California with my family and putting down roots in San Diego, I became aware of Rady Children’s outstanding reputation and commitment to families,” said Morgan. “I’m so proud to partner with the best in pediatric health care, whose mission and standard of excellence align with my personal values and the core pillars of my foundation.”

Launched in March of 2023, the Alex Morgan Foundation centers on three areas of impact: equity in sports, opportunities for girls, and support for moms. Recognizing that access to youth sports and children’s health go hand in hand, this new partnership will help fund the comprehensive care and support all children and their families receive at Rady Children’s. Learn more at alexmorganfoundation.org.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

El San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to helping solve the region’s biggest problems, announced today the addition of former U.S. Congressperson Susan A. Davis and longtime community leader Michel Anderson to its board of directors. Ben Haddad has assumed the role of board chair, replacing P. Kay Coleman, president and CEO of Del Mar Venture Group, who will continue to serve as PIC’s chair emeritus. Additional returning PIC board members include Dr. Constance Carroll, president and CEO of the California Community College Baccalaureate Association; Lisa Cuestas, CEO of Casa Familiar; Jim Howell, vice president and CFO of San Diego Foundation; Mel Katz, co-founder and executive officer for Manpower Staffing Services of San Diego; Ernest Rady, chairman and CEO of American Assets Trust; and Mark Stuart, president and CEO of San Diego Foundation. For more information, visit sdrpic.org.

LJMS WINTER SEASON

Single tickets for all events in La Jolla Music Society’s 2023–24 55th Anniversary Winter Season are now on sale.The season includes more than 70 performances ranging from piano, classical, and jazz to global music, dance, speakers, and kids’ events. Among the highlights are Renée Fleming in recital, Herbie Hancock leading a Jazz Piano Mini Festival, Rhiannon Giddens with Silkroad’s new American Railroad program, New York City Ballet superstar dancer Tiler Peck, the Jussen brothers, Lakecia Benjamin, Bruce Liu, Alisa Weilertein, Lawrence Brownlee, Yefim Bronfman, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Meow Meow, and more. Series packages are still available, ranging from $59 (ConRAD Kids Series) to $446 (Piano Series). Single tickets range from $20 to $150. Buyers may also create Compose-Your-Own packages of any four events or more with a 10% discount. Please visit the website for detailed descriptions of all the events and different options to attend.

TWAINFEST WRITE OUT LOUD

An organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience, announced the 14th annual TwainFest to be held Saturday, Aug. 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Heritage County Park, 2455 Heritage Park Row in Old Town. There is a limited capacity – so reservations are required for your free entry. Learn more and register for attendance at https://writeoutloudsd.com/twainfest/. TwainFest, now a tradition for many San Diego families, is an all-day free festival celebrating Mark Twain and the literature and culture of 19th century America.

REVENUE BONDS REFINANCED

SANDAG, serving as the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission, successfully refinanced $433,355,000 in sales tax revenue in its role as the San Diego Regional Transportation Commission. This transaction provides significant savings to the region and taxpayers. “SANDAG is pleased to be able to bring back these savings to families because this opens new opportunities to develop greater infrastructure projects that can transform our region,” said SANDAG chief financial officer André Douzdjian. “Any time we are able to save taxpayers money, it is a win-win for everyone.” In 2004, San Diego County voters approved a TransNet extension which began in 2008 and is set to continue for 40 years until 2048. The Ordinance and Expenditure Plan for the TransNet Extension includes funding for additional major highway, transit, and local street and road projects, as well as environmental mitigation, smart growth incentives, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and related programs.

HOLIDAY BOWL SKY SHOW

Sports San Diego announced that the 44th annual Holiday Bowl will be played at Petco Park on Wednesday, Dec. 27 with kickoff at 5 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on FOX. The 2023 Holiday Bowl will feature top teams from the Pac-12 and ACC. Last year’s game featured a final minute touchdown by the Oregon Ducks to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels 28-27 before 36,242 fans. For the second straight year, the downtown skies above Petco Park will light up after the Holiday Bowl with the 46th KGB Sky Show. First launched in 1976, the KGB Sky Show is an astonishing and crowd-pleasing fireworks display synchronized to music and broadcast over the radio. Tickets go on sale to the Holiday Bowl and KGB Sky Show to bowl game annual ticketholders on July 31, and the general public around Labor Day and the start of the college football season.

FLEET AT COMIC-CON

The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park gets in on the action at the pop culture, science fiction and fantasy event of the year, Comic-Con International: San Diego 2023. The Fleet’s involvement with Comic-Con underscores its mission of connecting everyone to the power of science and meeting communities where they live, work and play. Two thought-provoking Fleet panels dig into relevant societal topics. Ambassadors from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN Initiative, which includes participants in the Fleet’s New Science exhibition, will participate in the panels. Ms. Marvel and the Power of Representation explores how the television series, whose protagonist is a Muslim-American girl, makes strides toward changing worldviews. Panelists will discuss what it means for Muslim-American girls to see this representation, tapping into ideas of inclusion and intersectionality. In addition, panelists will delve into the specific realm of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

AIR SHOW RETURNS

The Miramar Air Show returns Sept. 22-24. General admission is free. Tickets are now on sale for preferred seating areas with the best views to dedicated family friendly zones. For more information, visit miramarairshow.com.

ACTING PORT CEO

The board of Port Commissioners announced the appointment of Randa Coniglio as acting president and CEO of the Port of San Diego. The board’s decision was made during a closed session on July 14.
Randa Coniglio was the first woman CEO/President of the Port of San Diego through 2021. Under Coniglio’s leadership, the Port revitalized Seaport Village after taking over ownership and operation of the bayfront retail and entertainment center; oversaw the development of the Portside Pier; completed the modernization of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in June 2020 after receiving $10 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation; welcomed the Intercontinental Hotel back to San Diego with its opening on the North Embarcadero in 2018; and launched the Blue Economy Incubator, among other accomplishments.

PROTECTED LEAVE

Soon after the San Diego Unified School District and U.S. Department of Labor reached an agreement in April 2023 to improve compliance by the nation’s 14th largest school district with the Family and Medical Leave Act, the district took immediate actions and the benefits for employees quickly showed. After the division’s initial FMLA policy review, SDUSD followed the division’s guidance and updated its written policy for employees, which included making clear how FMLA-related leave differs from other types of available leave. The changes also updated information on nursing workers’ rights to pump breast milk at work. The district also made systemic changes to make sure employees understood their FMLA protections and their rights to use them. Its changes included publishing the revised FMLA policy on the district’s intranet for employees, in its employee handbook and in other internal communications. In May 2023, a comprehensive FMLA presentation was made to the school district’s representatives to share with employees. Learn more about the FMLA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, including an FMLA Compliance Assistance Toolkit, or contact the division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

MADCAP TEENS VOLUNTEER
MADCAPs teen volunteers, primarily from Point Loma, pose in their new Habitat for Humanity volunteer T-shirts with part of the fence they built together on June 23 (left). Class of 2024 members of Mothers and Daughters Club Assisting Philanthropies (MADCAPs) recently spent six hours together building a new replacement fence around a local property that qualified for Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program. The group of 13 high school seniors is completing their sixth and final year in MADCAPs, which has involved them in both understanding and responding to the needs of their communities. They’ll have several opportunities during their summer break from school to help San Diego Habitat for Humanity respond to local housing needs. (Photo by Karen Austin)

BOAT LAUNCH DOCKS CLOSED
For public safety, the Port of San Diego has closed the west side floating docks at the Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp due to structural damage. The Port’s engineering department and consultants are working quickly to assess the cause and extent of the damage, determine what repairs are needed, and to schedule repairs. The Port urges boaters to use caution when using the boat launch ramp, also requesting patience as only the east side floating docks are accessible at this time. The Port will release additional information as it becomes available and will keep the public posted on when the west side floating docks are anticipated to reopen.

There are four boat launching ramps on San Diego Bay provided at no cost to boaters. In addition to Shelter Island, they are located at Pepper Park in National City, at Bayfront Park/J Street Marina Park in Chula Vista, and at Glorietta Bay in Coronado. For more information, go to portofsandiego.org/boat-launching-ramps.

OB PLAYGROUND OPENING

City Tacos is scheduled to open a 10,000-square-foot concept called OB Playground in July. It will be the seventh San Diego County location for the Mexican eatery, which was founded in 2014 in North Park. Founder Gerry Torres made the announcement. The family-friendly OB Playground at 4896 Voltaire St. (at the northeast corner of Cable Street) will also house a to-be-determined coffee shop and flower shop. The courtyard area will have picnic-table seating, lounge seating around fire pits, and bar stool seating. Sail shades will provide shade.

OB Playground will include a gated dog park with tables lining the fence so guests can eat while watching their pets. Giant-sized games like checkers, chess, Connect 4, and Jenga will be on property, as well as cornhole sets, bocci ball, and foosball tables. Acoustic guitar players and other musicians will perform regularly.

“It has been a dream of mine for quite some time to create an all-ages community hub like this for one of the vibrant areas of our city – a place where people can play, enjoy, and relax,” said Torres, who was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to San Diego in 1992. “I love the OB community. Extending my footprint into OB really is a testament to the great people of San Diego.”

CHURCH FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Rock Church at 2277 Rosecrans St. in Point Loma will hold weekly food distributions throughout San Diego County during the summer months. The free offerings will be open to the community and will include food, diapers and other necessary day-to-day supplies. According to Rock Church, summer months often see an increase in need as students are not receiving free meals at school that are provided during the school year.

WILD ALES MOVING

California Wild Ales, “San Diego’s Sour House,” after operating out of Sorrento Valley for eight years, is relocating to a building at 3826 Sherman St. soon in the Midway District. Sharing the building with Five Star Fish Processing, California Wild Ales has installed new foeders (large wood aging receptacles) and will debut a public tasting room.

SUNSET CLIFFS WEDDING VENUE

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Ocean Beach has been identified in a survey as one of the top 250 most iconic landmarks for a marriage proposal/family vacation destination this summer, according to Infographic. The survey revealed that Americans are notably drawn towards unique, Instagram-worthy locales for popping the question. Topping the charts is the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park offering a serene and beautiful setting with a clear ocean view, making it an ideal spot for a memorable marriage proposal. The sound of waves and the majestic sunsets create an atmosphere that’s both romantic and awe-inspiring.

COURT DATE

A readiness conference was scheduled recently for Robert Brians, who is accused of intentionally driving a car with his 2-year-old daughters off a cliff and into the water off Sunset Cliffs. He faces charges that include attempted murder. Brians is accused of abducting his daughters from his parents’ home on June 13, 2020. About 4:30 a.m. that day, the toddlers’ mother called 911 to report that Brians had taken their children without permission. Previously, his wife testified that after he allegedly took the children, she exchanged several text messages with him stating Brians repeatedly sent messages indicating he was planning to drive off a cliff in his truck with the girls inside.

FREE RUBIO’S CHIPS & GUAC

On Monday, July 31, Rubio’s is celebrating National Avocado Day by giving out free, freshly made chips and guacamole to all Rubio’s Rewards members with any purchase. Simply place your order online, through the app, or scan your in-app QR code at the register. Rubio’s guacamole is made fresh daily, using rich Hass avocados, cilantro, garlic, lime juice and natural sea salt. Tortilla chips are also prepared fresh daily with a light sprinkling of all-natural sea salt. For more information about Rubio’s, visit de Rubio, Facebook, Instagram y TikTok.

SHARK WEEK

Looking for fun Shark Week-themed things to do? The Pearl San Diego at 1410 Rosecrans St. has partnered with the city’s longest-standing surf experts at Ocean Beach Surf and Skate Shop for a Shark Week Trivia Night followed by a Dive-In Movie at the hotel starting on Friday, July 14 (Shark Awareness Day). Trivia will begin promptly at 7 p.m. followed by a poolside screening of “Jaws” at 8 p.m. The event is free with RSVP and open to the public

GUN EXCISE TAX

State legislation, Assembly Bill 28, that would impose a new excise tax on firearm manufacturers and ammunition vendors in California has passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee, clearing its final policy committee. The proceeds from these taxes would be directed towards efforts to better protect Californians from mass shootings and gun violence, including enhanced school safety measures as well as violence intervention and prevention programs. The bill is authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – Encino), chair of the Legislature’s Gun Violence Prevention Working Group. The tax, which is estimated to raise over $160 million annually, will generate funds for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (commonly known as CalVIP) as well as programs and initiatives to improve school safety, bolster firearm investigations, remove guns from domestic abusers and other prohibited persons, and provide trauma-informed services for victims of gun violence, among others.

AQUARIUM SCIENCE NIGHT

Birch Aquarium’s Blue Beach Happy Hours, which have officially kicked off, just got even better with the addition of Science Nights on Wednesday evenings beginning July 19. During Science Nights, guests can sip and snack alongside Scripps Oceanography scientists as they dive into the details of their research in a fun format, perfect for all ages. With topics including sharks, plankton, penguins and heatwaves, guests will get a taste of some of the incredible research taking place at Scripps and talk with the people behind it. The aquarium’s family-friendly happy hours take place Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings in July and August on Blue Beach, a new space that invites guests to connect with the ocean and each other. Happy Hours take place from 5-6:30 p.m. and include music, outdoor games and stunning ocean views.

STUFF THE BUS

San Diego County Credit Union’s Stuff the Bus is collecting monetary donations to purchase back-to-school supplies for students experiencing homelessness to help set these students up for success in the coming school year. The annual Stuff the Bus campaign, now in its ninth year, was launched in partnership with SDCCU, the San Diego County Office of Education, and iHeartMedia radio stations in support of Live Well San Diego. This year the community can also make in-store donations at any Jersey Mike’s location in San Diego County or online at sdccu.com/donate through July 31.

MBTC FUNDRAISER

Mission Beach Town Council will be holding a social event on the North Patio at Draft South Mission at Belmont Park, 3105 Ocean Front Walk, on Tuesday, July 18. All MBTC members are encouraged to attend and bring a friend. This event is open to the entire community and each MBTC member (resident, business, property owner and supporting) will receive one free drink ticket. Appetizers will be provided courtesy of Draft and Belmont Park. To register to attend visit eventbrite.com/e/mbtc-social-event-tickets-663155113797. Registration is encouraged but not required. Memberships range from $15 annually (resident, property owner, and supporting member) to $30 annually (business member). To sign up to join the MBTC as a member, visit missionbeachtowncouncil.org/join.

PRIDE CELEBRATED

St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at 1050 Thomas Ave. in Pacific Beach will celebrate Pride on Sunday, July 16 at 10:30 a.m. in a special church service with prayers and blessings for people who are LGBTQIA+. The previous day, church members will have participated in the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday, July 15, sharing a message of love and acceptance.

“Throughout history, the Church has harmed countless people with homophobic teachings,” said the Rev. Mary Lynn Coulson, rector (head priest) of St. Andrew’s. “The Church has to do the work of repentance for the harm we have caused.”

After the church service on Sunday, July 16, the Rev. Mary Lynn Coulson, the Rev. Daniel McMillan, deacon, will sit on the PB boardwalk with a sign that reads: “To the LGBTQIA+ Community: If you have been hurt by the Church or Christians, we are sorry. We’re here to listen, with no agenda. We recognize the harm our faith has caused and would be honored to witness the stories you’re willing to share.”

POOLSIDE MOVIES

Hotel Valencia at 1132 Prospect St. in La Jolla is inviting guests to dive into their new Poolside Movie Series under the palms, beginning Wednesday, July 19. The series is open to the public and kicks off with the 1953 classic, “Roman Holiday,” starring famed La Jolla resident Gregory Peck, and Audrey Hepburn. Relax poolside at the Pink Lady and catch any of the four film selections playing from July to August. The cinematic summer lineup includes the family-friendly “Luca,” the original “Top Gun,” and “Castles in the Sky,” the surf documentary directed and produced by San Diego resident and legendary pro surfer, Taylor Steele, who will be on hand for the evening. Guests are invited to enjoy pool time and can visit the Cabana Bar. Pool entry starts at 6:45 p.m., with the movie screening starting at 7:30 p.m.

FALCK DELIVERS

Falck Mobile Health, the City’s contracted emergency ambulance service provider, announced that it has delivered advanced life support ambulance service hours in excess of requirements in all San Diego communities during June. Falck delivered a daily average of 926.7 ALS hours to the City exceeding the City’s required daily average of 900 ALS hours. For more information, visit Falck.com.

POOL DROWNINGS

A total of 367 people have drowned in California pools in the last three years, and a concerning amount of them are children. Key findings for California: 367 people have drowned in pools since 2019, 33% of pool drownings involved a child 14 or younger; 99 children under the age of 5 drowned in pools, Florida and Arizona had the highest rates of pool drownings in the nation, the total number of pool drowning deaths in the U.S. was 2,454.

COMIC-CON BLOOD DRIVE

The 47th annual Comic-Con Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive will be held July 19 through July 22, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place on the 4th floor in the Coronado Ballroom. All donors will receive a limited-edition Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 T-shirt (while supplies last, sizes subject to availability). Anyone who donates blood at any San Diego Blood Bank donation location or mobile drive from July 24-Aug. 31 will also receive the limited-edition T-shirt. To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in general good health. Appointments will be honored first, walk-ins are welcome. Photo ID required; no Comic-Con badge required. Appointments are available at SanDiegoBloodBank.org. Since 1977, The Comic-Con Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive has been an important part of the San Diego convention. Over the past 46 years, donors at Comic-Con have donated 62,825 pints of blood, potentially impacting more than 188,475 lives.
RACIST FLYERS

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has condemned the distribution of antisemitic flyers in the historically Jewish neighborhood of Theta Place in Del Cerro in San Diego. Residents of the Theta Place discovered the flyers on their windshields recently. “We condemn this apparent attempt to intimidate our Jewish neighbors with hate propaganda,” said CAIR-San Diego executive director Tazheen Nizam. “All Americans should stand together in repudiation of antisemitism and other forms of hate.”

Nizam said Washington, D.C.-based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.

STAND-UP COMEDY

Hilarious members of the Act Live Now Stand-Up Comedy Workshop will deliver their funny performances on stage at the Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St., on Friday, July 21. All seats are $15. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

ALESMITH BEER RELEASE

AleSmith Brewing Co. announced the release of its latest innovation, a mixed pack of its popular craft beer, .394 Pale Ale. The company is launching a 12-pack of 12 ounce cans of .394 Pale Ale, Hazy .394, and Session .394, the newest addition to the.394 lineup in 2023. AleSmith has long been a staple in the San Diego craft beer scene, with their .394 Pale Ale remaining a fan favorite for years. For nearly a decade, AleSmith has been brewing .394 Pale Ale, in collaboration with baseball legend Tony Gwynn, who was famous for his love of beer and San Diego-style pale ale. With the newest mixed Hometown Packs, AleSmith Brewing Company continues this tradition of tribute by offering beer enthusiasts an opportunity to experience Gwynn’s love for beer and his city.

SLEEP ‘DIVORCE’

A new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine shows that one-third of Americans are opting for a “sleep divorce,” in which they occasionally or consistently sleep in another room to accommodate a bed partner. Whether it’s to avoid partners who steal the covers and toss and turn all night, or those who consistently rattle the room with loud snoring, many Americans are opting for a “sleep divorce” to help improve their nightly sleep. According to a recent American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) survey, more than one-third of people say they occasionally or consistently sleep in another room to accommodate a bed partner. Men are most likely to hit the sofa or guest room, with almost half of males (45%) reporting they occasionally or consistently sleep in another room, compared with just one-fourth (25%) of women.

WATER RATEPAYER PROTECTION

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joined with regional agriculture, business, water and elected leaders recently to oppose a potential $200 million water bill increase for ratepayers across San Diego County. “The proposed action will have significant, long-term economic impacts to most households in San Diego County. Nearly every family and business will see an increase in their water rates,” Gloria said. “The cost of living is a continuous struggle for many San Diegans and these proposed rate increases are unacceptable.”

Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said it’s counterproductive to saddle businesses with additional bills. “This proposal would shift millions in added costs onto local businesses, many of which operate on thin margins,” Sanders said. “Our businesses faces so many threats to success. Let’s not add to these challenges with an unnecessary water rate hike.”

CHINESE HISTORY

This Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m. retired SDG&E energy cost analyst, English teacher in China, and former San Diego Chinese History Museum volunteer Jeff Trace will give a talk that follows the journeys of Xuanzang, a monk who traveled the silk road initially as a fugitive, searching in India and Nepal for answers to questions that troubled many fellow Chinese Buddhists during the 7th century A.C.E. Professor of history and distinguished faculty scholar, Dr. Victor Xiong, will join in on the conversation. Dr. Li-Rong Lilly Cheng will support as moderator. Register here to learn more: https://sdsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdempqzMsGdHGi203un2mP6oqXNpybDug#/registration.

GULLS SCHEDULE RELEASED

The American Hockey League San Diego Gulls regular-season schedule for the club’s 2023-24 campaign has been released. The Gulls will open the season on the road Friday, Oct. 13 against the Ontario Reign at Toyota Arena (7 p.m.). The team will hold its home opener on Friday, Oct. 20 versus the Reign at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m.). The Gulls will host 14 different Western Conference opponents at Pechanga Arena as part of their 2023-24 schedule. The club will play 48 games against the Pacific Division’s other nine teams and 20 inter-conference contests against five clubs from the Central Division. The Gulls will have 26 home weekend dates, including 12 Friday and 12 Saturday games, and two Sunday contests. New to the schedule this season, San Diego will play all Saturday games starting a 6 p.m.. The Gulls will also play 19 sets of back-to-back games throughout the 2023-24 campaign.

VILLAGE HEALTH CENTER

Father Joe’s Villages Downtown reopened its newly-remodeled Village Health Center on July 13. Renovations addressed damage left after a large pipe burst in the wall of the waiting room at the VHC earlier this year. The resulting flooding left major damage to the first floor, including to the waiting room, registration area, RN triage, exam rooms, onsite laboratory, behavioral health and psychiatry offices, dental clinic, and multiple administrative offices. Now that renovations are complete, services can return to their full regular operations in a new and improved space.

The Village Health Center provides critical primary care, dental, psychiatry, and behavioral health services (including substance use disorder treatment) to people experiencing homelessness in San Diego. Additionally, VHC facilitates a Street Health program and provides healthcare services for FJV’s onsite Recuperative Care Program.

BLACK’S BEACH

The reputation of Black’s Beach in La Jolla being a nude beach persists as the beach recently made the list of the13 best skinny-dipping spots in California. MyDatingAdviser.com has identified California’s 13 best skinny-dipping spots, offering an enticing mix of secluded beaches, natural hot springs, and stunning lakes. My Dating Adviser’s comprehensive study compared over 800 beaches in the US across various categories, including beach quality, safety, weather, and accommodation options. California has proven to be a perfect destination for adventurous individuals seeking unforgettable skinny-dipping experiences. Black’s came in third in the rankings being described as a “picturesque beach surrounded by cliffs. popular among nudists and known for its breathtaking beauty. Air and water temperature: 90°F, 82°F. College Cove (Trinidad) topped the list and Deep Creek Hot Springs in Apple Valley was second on the list. Info: mydatingadviser.com/nude-beaches-in-usa/.

SD FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

San Diego Foundation announced it has awarded a record-breaking $4 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 local college students to expand access and opportunity to students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college and from low-middle income communities historically under-represented in higher education. Applications were submitted by more than 3,000 local high school, community college, graduate and adult re-entry students studying a variety of subjects, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); health sciences; business; and arts and education, among others. Of those who received scholarships, 60% were affiliated with a college access and readiness program such as AVID, Reality Changers and TRIO/Upward Bound. If you are interested in opening a scholarship fund to support students fueling the San Diego economy, contact Danielle Valenciano, director of the SDF Community Scholarship Program, at [email protected].

MIRAMAR AIR SHOW PROTEST

San Diego Veterans For Peace Chapter 91 began its public protest of the Blue Angels at the Miramar Air Show on July 13, from at the I-15 North overpass at Carroll Canyon Road. Join them to demand the end of the Blue Angels air show that is fueling climate change on July 27, Aug. 17, 24, 31, and Sept. 7, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24.

LOST PET RETRIEVAL

San Diego Humane Society is waiving reclaim fees for stray pets from July 5-16 in hopes of returning them home faster. The organization is also extending an adoption promotion to “Empty the Shelters,” with adoption fees 50% off for all adult cats and dogs (7 months and older) through July 30. Statistics show one out of every three pets will become lost during their lifetime, and only one in 10 will be found. If your pet goes missing, access San Diego Humane Society’s Lost2Found program by texting “lost” to 858-SAN-LOST (858-726-5678). You’ll receive automated text messages with valuable tips and resources to help you in your search. You can also find more information, including how to reclaim your lost pet at San Diego Humane Society, at sdhumane.org/lost. San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesdays-Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at its campuses. Visit sdhumane.org/adopt to view animals available for adoption, like Tina (left), a 9-year-old short hair tabby who’s ready for her new home.

TWISTED TEA PARTY

Don’t be late for a very important date. A fundraiser titled “A Madhatter Twisted Tea Party,” to benefit Shoreline Community Services in Pacific Beach, is being held Thursday, July 20 hosted by Mavericks Beach Club at 860 Garnet Ave. Live music will be provided by Stampede. The event will raise funds for Shoreline Community Services to provide medical services to homeless neighbors at The Compass Station at 1004 Chalcedony St. Tickets are $40. Participants will be treated to food and drink, a Shoreline Community Services T-shirt, a raffle ticket, a custom hat by red hatter, games and more.

LIMPIEZA DE BASURA PB

Pacific Beach Town Council announced it will hold its second Saturday Weed and Trash Cleanup on July 8 from 8-10 a.m., which will take place along the Boardwalk (Ocean Front Walk), starting at Ocean Park Inn, where volunteers will remove weeds and trash from the adjacent berms. If time permits, trash will also be picked up on nearby streets. One volunteer participant will be chosen at random for a $25 gift card to Pacific Beach Ice Cream Co. Bring a tool for weeding. Other equipment will be provided. You should bring your own gloves and drinking water. You’ll also need to submit an event participation waiver. Questions? Contact [email protected].

ROUNDABOUT IN NORTH PB

District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava joined residents, city staff members, and construction workers to mark the start of construction of a roundabout at Foothill/Loring in North Pacific Beach on Friday, June 30. The roundabout is part of a more than three-decade effort by residents for safety measures on one of Pacific Beach’s busiest and most dangerous streets. Completion of the roundabout, which includes work to repair drainage issues at the intersection, is expected in early 2024.
BIRCH AQUARIUM SCHOLARSHIPS

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is closing out the 2022/23 school year having distributed more than $375,000 in scholarships, an all-time record for the organization which has served more than 41,000 Pre-K-12 students since September. From onsite programs such as Discovery Labs and Beach Teaches to Aquarium Express Outreaches in schools and self-guided field trips, more than 22,000 students received financial support thanks to generous donors.

As the aquarium’s Education Team begins preparations for the 23/24 school year, opportunities are available to support next year’s programming. To learn more about how to give in an impactful way, reach out to Rachel Wyman at [email protected]. To learn more about Birch Aquarium’s school programs as well as how to apply for funding for your school, visit acuario.ucsd.edu. All of Birch Aquarium’s programs for students Pre-K-12 align with the Next Generation Science Standards and support students’ in-class learning, while also serving the aquarium’s mission to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet. Students explore topics from ocean habitats, to animal adaptations, to how scientists conserve species through a variety of hands-on programs whether at the aquarium, in the classroom, or in the field.

HEALTHY ACAI BOWLS

Pacific Beach residents Brian and Michelle Gibbs have brought Nautical Bowls, a Minnesota-based açaí concept, to 855 Garnet Ave. Nautical Bowls values a healthy and active lifestyle and uses ingredients that are all-natural, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, plant-based, and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients to fuel your life. The Gibbs hopped on board this growing franchise concept with the goal of bringing these one-of-a-kind bowls to PB. Nautical Bowls aims to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for guests. This is why the restaurant’s menu stands out with high-quality ingredients that not only taste good, but are also designed to help fuel your life and give you the energy needed to thrive.

MB RV RESORT

Mission Bay RV Resort at 2727 De Anza Road has announced that reservations are open for 147 new available campsites. The project makes way for improved coastal access and affordable camping on in the northeast corner of De Anza Cove west of De Anza Cove Park. “We’re proud of our work to clean up the De Anza Cove peninsula and make it safer and more accessible for San Diego residents, visitors and wildlife to enjoy for years to come,” said Jacob Gelfand, chief operating officer of Terra Vista Management, which also operates nearby Campland on the Bay.

Newly renovated amenities include a pool and spa, a clubhouse with games and lounge area, and additional laundry facilities. All Mission Bay RV Resort guests have access to amenities and entertainment at nearby Campland on the Bay, accessible via the Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge path. Estimated to cost over $8 million, the resort’s cleanup project kicked off its final phase in February, with the removal of 169 mobile homes from the property after abatement of asbestos and other hazards. Additional improvements include the cleanup of overgrown landscaping and the repair and enhancement of the coastal bike and pedestrian path, set to reopen later this summer. For guests who are new to camping or do not own an RV, the resort also has a directory of local rental companies that will deliver RVs, hooked up and ready for use.

PENGUIN ANNIVERSARY CONTEST

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is celebrating the first anniversary of Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins with a photo contest that closed July 2. Birch Aquarium staff and volunteers will select five winning photos. These five photos will be posted on official Birch Aquarium social media accounts on July 12 and displayed in Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins from July 12-31. Each account that posted a winning photo will receive two general admission tickets to the aquarium.

BELMONT BIRTHDAYS

During July, Belmont Park in Mission Beach will be offering special birthday-themed treats like the Giant Birthday Monster Cones at Sweet Shoppe and birthday-themed pastries, Birthday Cake Dole Soft Serve and Confetti Funnel Cake at Belmonty’s Burgers. The boardwalk restaurants – Beach House, Cannonball and Draft – are celebrating Belmont’s birthday by serving up signature cocktails and beers in limited edition Belmont Park take-home cups. Order a Birthday Margarita at Beach House for $17 or the Belmont Park Birthday Beer (any selection of draft beer) at Cannonball and Draft for $14. A discounted annual pass will also be available for $98, originally $120, only valid on Belmont Park’s birthday weekend.

ARCHITECTURAL MODERNISM

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library at 1008 Wall St. will hold an evening with Dr. Mark Hargreaves and Hallie Swenson as they discuss The Distinct Modernism of San Diego on Thursday, July 20. The Distinct Modernism of San Diego lecture is designed to highlight the contribution of San Diego to the architectural modernism of Southern California. It will begin with a look at the work of Irving J. Gill. The lecture will continue with a detailed discussion of three other architects, Frederick Liebhardt, Clyde Hufbauer, and Cliff May, whose work highlights the key characteristics of San Diego modernism. For more information, visit ljathenaeum.org.

UC SAN DIEGO HIGHLY RATED

The University of California San Diego has earned 5 stars–the highest rating available–in Money’s Best Colleges in America 2023 list. The outlet, which annually recognizes colleges that combine quality and affordability, named UC San Diego one of only 13 public universities in the nation to receive a 5-star rating.

PB LIBRARY CLASSES

Pacific Beach Taylor Branch Library at 4275 Cass St. has summer programming going on in July. Sunday, July 9 at 2-3:30 p.m. – Vegan Cooking: Easy Summer Chick’n Salads. Monthly vegan cooking demonstration and tasting. Space is limited, so advance registration is required: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/vegan-cooking-easy-summer-chickn-salads. Monday, July 10 at 1-2 p.m. – Adult SRP: Adult Craft: Flutter Book. Learn how to create a unique accordion book, with master bookmaker Yvonne Perez-Collins. Supplies are limited to registration is required: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/adult-craft-flutter-book. Tuesday, July 11 at 2-2:45 p.m. – Youth SRP: Ralph’s World Concert. Music for the whole family, performed by a Grammy-nominated musician: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/ralphs-world-concert. Thursday, July 13 at 4-5 p.m. – Book Group: “Other Minds: the Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness” by Peter Godfrey-Smith: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/book-group-other-minds. Readers have the option of joining the discussion in-person in the Community Room or virtually. Email [email protected] for the Zoom login information.

LOST PET RETRIEVAL

VOLUNTEERS CLEAN BEACHES AFTER HOLIDAY

More than 345 volunteers gathered at seven popular beaches on July 5 to assist with the Surfrider Foundation San Diego’s annual post-Fourth of July “Morning After” beach cleanup series. In only three hours, volunteers had recovered more than 2,832 pounds of trash ⁠— majorly consisting of single-use plastics ⁠— which otherwise would have been washed into the sea. Cleanups sites were Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach Pier, Oceanside, OB Dog Beach, Mission Beach, Fiesta Island, Crystal Pier, and Moonlight Beach. Total weights by local sites: Fiesta Island (381 pounds), Mission Beach Park (47 pounds), Crystal Pier (96 pounds), Ocean Beach Pier (129 pounds), Ocean Beach Dog Beach (1,925 pounds).

WHALING BAR RETURNS

After a decade-long absence, the historic La Jolla Whaling Bar is returning to the La Valencia Hotel, the “pink lady” at 1132 Prospect St. in La Jolla, this year. The Spanish-style hotel above La Jolla Cove has been a landmark for the coastal neighborhood for nearly a century. The Whaling Bar, an iconic nautical-themed cocktail lounge, opened at San Diego’s “Pink Lady” in 1949, and quickly became one of the most prominent spots in the county. However, the bar closed in 2013 after new ownership took over, with the Café la Rue replacing the lounge during a major renovation of the property. An opening date has not yet been set by the La Valencia team, however, the renovation is expected to be completed by late 2023 or early 2024.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 467, a bipartisan measure authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – Encino) that will strengthen the ability of judges to grant and modify domestic violence protective orders. “At a time in which violence against women and domestic abuse have increased to record levels around the world, it is crucial that we ensure domestic violence restraining orders are offering the fullest possible protection,” said Gabriel. “This legislation will clarify a judge’s authority over these orders, and extend the amount of time a court can modify the orders to ensure that we are providing ample protection to victims of domestic abuse.” Ambiguity in current law has left some courts confused as to when and for how long they have authority over domestic violence restraining orders and when they can modify provisions related to contact between the restrained person and the protected person, which can either be a “peaceful contact order” (PCO) or a no-contact order (NCO). Victims often seek to modify the order from PCO to NCO or vice versa.

ATHENAEUM’S ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION

One of the most prestigious juried shows in San Diego, the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., 31st Annual Juried Exhibition will be on view this summer, July 15 through Sept. 9. Nearly 300 artists entered 900 works for consideration. Juror Isabel Casso, assistant curator, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, selected the final 25 artists and 35 works to exhibit. Prizewinners, including the recipient of the Leslie Von Kolb Memorial Award, will be announced at the opening reception on Friday, July 14, which will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Artists in the exhibition are Elizabeth Burger, Dillon Chapman, Morgan DeLuna, Raul Espinoza, Angela Figueroa, Kaori Fukuyama, Sarah Garcia, Neville Greene, Sam Grenier, Marina Grize, Becky Guttin, Andres Hernandez, Terri Hughes, Mayce Keeler, Gianna LaPonte, Monica Loss, Maria Mathioudakis, Leslie Nemour, Oriana Poindexter, Vincent Robles, Amir Saadiq, Sean Sarmiento, Michael Upton, Leslye Villaseñor, and Lizzie Zelter.

BASTILLE DAY

In light of Bastille Day (July 14), Wolfie’s Carousel Bar, San Diego’s French-inspired eatery at 2401 Kettner Blvd., boasts Parisian-inspired cuisine and cocktails. The business is celebrating the historic event with 10 days of specialty French-inspired menu items through July 14. Take a spin on its antiqued carousel-turned-bar and indulge in French go-to’s.

LAS COLINAS DEATH TRIAL

Superior Court judge Selena Epley has ruled that Dr. Friederike Von Lintig and Danalee Pascua, RN, will stand trial on involuntary manslaughter charges in the 2019 death of Elisa Serna, an inmate at the Las Colinas jail. The case represents the first criminal prosecution of a San Diego County correctional health care provider in nearly a decade.

FOOD ADDITIVE LEGISLATION

The California State Senate Health Committee has advanced first-of-its-kind legislation to prohibit the use of five dangerous and toxic chemicals in processed foods and drinks sold in California. Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Assembly Bill (AB) 418 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food product in California containing Red Dye No. 3, Titanium Dioxide, Potassium Bromate, Brominated Vegetable Oil, or Propyl Paraben. The use of these chemicals has already been terminated in the European Union (EU) and many other jurisdictions due to scientific research linking them to significant health harms, including cancer, reproductive issues, and behavioral and developmental issues in children. Numerous scientific studies have linked these chemicals to significant health harms, including increased risk of cancer, behavioral issues in children, harm to the reproductive system, and damage to the immune system.

PROHIBITION COCKTAILS

Prohibition, GBOD Hospitality Group’s speakeasy hidden underground at 548 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter, has introduced a new lineup of libations for the first time in two years. The cocktail menu, created by GBOD Hospitality Group beverage director and Prohibition lead bartender Ryan Andrews, is organized by spirit and is now available. Prohibition’s classic single barrel, top-shelf Old Fashioned cocktails and popular signature cocktails are still available, such as the Hotel Nacional, Balboa and more. To add extra buzz to evenings, Prohibition hosts live music performances beginning at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, including a variety of jazz musicians and styles, as well as Rockabilly Americana and blues, among other genres. More information about Prohibition is available by calling 619-501-1919 or at prohibitionsd.com.

INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY

Community members wanting to submit infrastructure ideas for their neighborhoods now have until Aug. 15 to fill out the survey to be included in the fiscal year 2025 budget process. The City extended the deadline for the Infrastructure Priorities Survey to give San Diegans more time to provide staff with ideas for new or upgraded parks, libraries, streets and sidewalks. The survey is open throughout the year and informs the annual updates to the City’s Five-Year Capital Infrastructure Planning Outlook (Five-Year Outlook), which assists in planning future infrastructure projects. Any survey information submitted after Aug. 15 will be considered in the following annual update to the Five-Year Outlook. We value everyone’s input For more information visit Infrastructure Prioritization Engagement | City of San Diego Official Website o correo electrónico [email protected].

PRIDE DISPLAYS SUPPORTED

San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and the Library Foundation SD have launched an effort to raise funds to equip San Diego Public Libraries with books and other resources for Pride displays. These fundraising efforts come in response to a recent incident where protestors removed Pride exhibit books out of circulation at a City branch Library. “The Library Foundation SD is very disheartened by the actions of those who took it upon themselves to ban access to books celebrating diversity, identity, and representation of the LGBTQIA+ community. We believe there is no place for exclusion, book banning, or censorship, and stand firmly with the San Diego Public Library to uphold the ideals of intellectual freedom,” said Patrick Stewart, COO of the Library Foundation SD. “Our library and the Library Foundation values the opportunity for all San Diegans to see themselves in the books and programs the library provides, and will continue to create avenues of support for these values.” Those interested in ensuring Pride literature and resources are available in all 36 San Diego City Public libraries are encouraged to visit https://libraryfoundationsd.org/donate and write “Pridebooks” in the comment section when making a donation.

NEW MEALS ON WHEELS COO

Meals on Wheels San Diego County, a leading organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals and vital support to seniors in need, has announced the appointment of Keith Fisher as its chief operating officer. Fisher started in his new role on June 12. As COO, Fisher will oversee all operational aspects of Meals on Wheels San Diego County during a unique and exciting post-pandemic period of growth and opportunity. Fisher’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in furthering the organization’s mission to combat senior hunger, isolation, and neglect. With the nearly 50 percent increase in demand for services during the pandemic, this newly created position at MOW San Diego County was much needed. Previously, Fisher served as COO at the San Diego Opera for 15 years. He played a pivotal role in saving the venerable arts institution from closure in 2014, leading the transition as a facilitator and advisor to the board, staff, and community. For more information, visit sandiegomealsonwheels.org.

PASSPORT APPOINTMENTS

Effective July 5, the Office of the City Clerk Passport Acceptance Facility is increasing daily appointments from 12 to 40 per day. New passport appointments will become available two weeks prior to the appointment date on the City’s Get it Done website aquí. Additionally, the Passport Acceptance Facility will provide walk-in services weekly on Wednesdays between 9 am and 10 am. The San Diego City Clerk’s Acceptance Facility is the only agency in the county to provide walk-in services without requiring a previous appointment. The Office of the City Clerk has been serving San Diegans as a Passport Acceptance Facility since 2013. Members of the public can call 619-533-4000 or visit sandiego.gov/passports to schedule an appointment Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

DOWNTOWN STREETLIGHTS REPAIRED

The City, in collaboration with the Downtown San Diego Partnership, has repaired and illuminated more than 400 streetlights in the Downtown areas of East Village and Gaslamp Quarter since May, thanks to a dedicated effort using data-driven analysis to prioritize repairs by geographical location.

Repairing streetlights in Downtown will improve safety conditions and prevent future outages, as many of the issues were caused by vandals who broke into the light poles and damaged or removed the structure and wiring of the streetlights. City crews and contractors are making repairs that include fixing fuses, fuse holders, photocells, wires and circuits. They are also installing anti-theft covers to protect the newly repaired lights from any future tampering.

REGIONAL INVESTMENT MAP

San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation has launched the San Diego Investment Map, a new digital tool to inform strategic, inclusive growth across the region. As part of EDC’s Inclusive Growth Initiative, the Investment Map provides a first-of-its-kind interactive data tool to support decision-making across core facets of the local economy: childcare, middle-income housing, and corporate site selection. Pulling a variety of datasets into an easy-to-use dashboard, the San Diego Investment Map allows users to explore San Diego County through a different lens. The interactive dashboards include data and analyses, and serve to shine a light on the region’s greatest threats to economic competitiveness: a jobs and housing imbalance, among other affordability challenges.

FOOD BENEFITS

On Friday July 7, San Diego Hunger Coalition will hold a press conference with an urgent announcement to inform households in California that they can request a reissuance of the P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer) 2.0 card. Households who think they qualify but did not receive a P-EBT 2.0 card should call the helpline number 1-800-887-8230. Families only have one month to claim these benefits from June 29 through Aug. 1. P-EBT is a federal program that was set up to provide money for groceries while schools and childcare were closed during the Public Health Emergency. Benefits are issued on an EBT card to the families of children who were eligible to replace the free or reduced-price meals served at childcare or schools that children may have missed because of the pandemic.

MCASD FILM SCREENINGS

The Jacobs Hall at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s Irwin Jacobs Building at 700 Prospect St. in La Jolla is hosting two special film screenings on Thursday, July 6. The films are “The Saddest Music in the World” (2003), Guy Maddin; and “Ana, Who They Pulled Out of the River” (2022), Omar Lopex. Films are free with paid admission. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Refreshments and snacks by The Kitchen at MCASD will be available for purchase on Palmer Terrace.

DEL MAR FOOD & WINE FEST

El Del Mar Wine & Food Festival (Sept. 6-11) is debuting as the city’s marquee culinary celebration in North County, where everyone from chefs and winemakers to professional athletes and celebrities are rallying together to propel San Diego into the spotlight as the next great dining destination. Now, Alex Morgan, one of the most decorated players in women’s soccer history and captain of San Diego’s professional team, has joined Del Mar Wine & Food as an official partner to herald San Diego’s credibility as a rising star among the nation’s top food cities.

PRIDE WEEK

San Diego Pride Week starts this Saturday, July 8. This week’s events begin with She Fest on Saturday and is followed by Light Up The Cathedral, the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, San Diego Pride Parade and San Diego Pride Festival. San Diego Pride Parade, Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. Hillcrest, sdpride.org/parade, Pride Festival, Saturday, July 15-16, Marston Point., Balboa Park. Lineup: sdpride.org/lineup.

OCEAN BEACH STREET FAIR & CHILI COOK-OFF WINNERS
Thousands of people came out for the 43^rd annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off last Saturday for a sunny afternoon of fun, food, and plenty of live music. Lines were long for tasting the Chili Cook-Off contestants’ concoctions until the chili ran out in the early afternoon.

The 2023 Chili Cook-Off winners in the Amateur Division, Judges’ Choice, were Ed Haase with OMBAC in first, and Cory Laughlin with Chili Boat in second; for People’s Choice, Monica Dewitt with California Wild Ales won first, Cory Laughlin with Chili Boat was second, and Anthony To with The Taste Buds team (left) came in third. The Hottest Chili went to Jason Tripp with American Builders, and Best Booth was Jason Bullard with The Chiliest. Winners in the Restaurant Division, Judges’ Choice were OB Surf Lodge in first, and Wonderland Ocean Pub in second. The People’s Choice award was claimed by Wonderland Ocean Pub. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

DUCKS TO PLAY KINGS IN SAN DIEGO

The Anaheim Ducks have announced they will play a preseason game in San Diego. The Ducks will host the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Pechanga Arena, home of the San Diego Gulls. This will be the first time the Ducks have held a preseason game here since 1994. The Gulls are the top development team for the Ducks and since the pairing was begun in 2015. Last season, 12 players skated with the Ducks and Gulls, bringing the number to 84 since 2015. Ticket information and additional details will be announced at a later date.

PCPB BOARD ELECTION

Peninsula Community Planning Board is holding a special election Thursday, July 20 to fill two new vacancies. The election will be held from 4-6 p.m. at Point Loma Hervey Library, 3701 Voltaire St. Those interested must have attended at least one PCPB meeting in the last year and meet qualifications. Voters must also meet voting requirements as shown on the PCPB election page by July 15. For more information, visit pcpb.net.

PICKLEBALL VOLLEYING

Recently, the Pickleball Association of San Diego got a small portion of what it has been seeking the past couple years, as Barnes Tennis Center at 4490 W. Point Loma Blvd. announced it will soon have 19 courts dedicated to accommodate the rapidly growing court sport. The tennis center’s action, however, fell short of PASD’s proposal to convert six of Peninsula Tennis Club’s 12 existing tennis courts at Robb Field at 2525 Bacon St. for pickleball use. One tennis court can be converted into about four pickleball courts.

The City has thus far been reluctant to begin converting any of its 12 tennis complexes, including Barnes and Robb Field, for pickleball use as each site has been successfully run for years by nonprofits. Instead, the City has opted to gradually create pickleball courts in public parks, as well as re-striping several tennis courts to allow co-use for both tennis and pickleball. There are now over 100 re-striped courts at more than 30 City locations.

Responded PASD: “San Diego is still without one dedicated and public pickleball facility in the entire City of 1.5 million residents. We know that this is not a sincere act to advance pickleball, but rather a measure to ensure control of its growth and progress. This is antithetical to a vision for pickleball facilities to be run by the pickleball community with the express interest of pickleball in mind. Pickleball seeks equitable City treatment and some nominal level of autonomy as its own independent sport.”

OLD TOWN FOURTH

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will hold an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration starting at 11 a.m., visitors can join park staff and volunteers to celebrate Independence Day as early San Diego residents did in the 1800s. The public will gain an appreciation of early San Diego life through living history activities, demonstrations, crafts, music, and visiting Old Town San Diego’s many historic sites. A flag-raising ceremony kicks off the event and live music from Big Mountain Bluegrass Band. Nineteenth-century games such as wheelbarrow races and hoop and stick will add some friendly competition to the festivities. Families can also take home some of the fun by creating a historic craft. This celebration has become a memorable tradition for many families in San Diego year after year.

Old Town San Diego, with the support of the Boosters of Old Town, offers these free activities for adults, and children of all ages. For more information, visit parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.

FREEWAY AUTOPSY

An autopsy performed on “Freeway,” the far-ranging sea lion nicknamed for its penchant for repeatedly wandering far inland, revealed the marine mammal may have been poisoned by demoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by algae, an illness shared by hundreds of marine mammals, including at least six in San Diego, that died or were sickened by a recent bloom off the Southern California coast. SeaWorld veterinarian Kelsey Herrick said algae blooms are thought to be seasonal and often occur during periods of warmer water. The demoic acid doesn’t sicken the fish, but it does and can prove deadly to marine mammals further up the food chain who consume the fish.

Freeway, who was spotted far from the ocean three times, was euthanized this April after veterinarians discovered he also had an untreatable protozoal disease. The sea lion was spotted walking onto Harbor Island Drive in November of 2021. Next, SeaWorld received calls about Freeway from a deli in Mission Beach and near the Navy Base in Point Loma. The third and final time Freeway ventured out, he was found walking in a storm drain under the National City Bridge in April 2022.

THEATRE ARTS SUMMER CAMPS

Point Loma Playhouse is holding summer musical theater camps at Liberty Station July 10-14 and Aug. 14-18. Camps involve a week of diving into the four main building blocks of musical theater: music, dance, storytelling and creating an ensemble. Each day, our dynamic ensemble of performers will learn songs, dances and scenes pulled from some of Broadway’s most impactful works over the last decade. At the conclusion of each camp, members will present a showcase for friends and family to enjoy. Details: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Barracks #2, 2785 Truxtun Road. Maximum enrollment 20 in each camp. Showcase location: Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St. in Point Loma. Ages: 7-16 years old. Registration: $425

PREVENTING PET LOSS

To prevent pet loss from frightened animals during the Fourth of July, the San Diego Humane Society is waiving license fees and providing free microchipping now through Sunday, July 2. San Diego Humane Society is calling on pet parents to take proactive measures to prevent their beloved animals from ending up in shelters during and after the July Fourth holiday. Fee-waived licensing can only be done in-person at one of the organization’s campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, or San Diego during business hours. To complete the licensing process, dogs must have a California-approved rabies vaccination. The promotion is valid for a one-year license for residents who live within SDHS’s jurisdiction. Late fees will also be waived through July 2. For more information about locations to license your dog in person, visit sdhumane.org/license. Free microchipping appointments through July 2 can be scheduled at sdhumane.org/microchip to any of the vaccine clinics at the organization’s campuses.

SDHS is offering these incentives because the July Fourth holiday typically leads to a sharp increase in the number of stray animals entering shelter care. Due to pets being spooked by fireworks, the organization is urging pet owners to take steps to protect their pets from becoming lost, as shelters are already full. The organization has been over capacity all year, meaning they are entering the busy summer months — and in particular, the July Fourth holiday — with less space than previous years. “We’ve never been in this situation before — entering the July Fourth holiday having been over capacity for more than six months,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “We can’t stress enough how important it is for pet owners to have a plan to keep their pets safe — even for the unexpected, like unscheduled fireworks, in their neighborhoods.”

IMPROV TRAINING

Registration is now open for a six-week improv workshop and live performance, July 18-Aug. 26, being offered through Point Loma Playhouse. The workshop is being taught by award-winning actor/director Sean Mulvihill. This is an all-levels class, for beginning to advanced improvisers. Even if you starred on the main stage of Second City this class will enhance your improv skills. This improv course will explore the primary tools for creating improvised scenes and developing the why of the scene and to reinforce the basic concepts of improv. The course will wrap with a live performance on stage at the Point Loma Playhouse.

EARLY CANCER DETECTION

The American Lung Association has launched a comprehensive effort to assist San Diegans through the process of determining their risk for lung cancer, how to access potentially life-saving screenings, and quitting tobacco use if applicable. California ranks 50th in the nation for high-risk individuals getting early-detection screenings, which increases the 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed with lung cancer by 60%. High risk individuals include adults 50-80 years of age who have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years or more. For these individuals, early detection and intervention of lung cancer can be a literal lifesaver. Lung cancer screening using low dose CT scans helps diagnose lung cancer at its earlier stages when there are better opportunities for treatment. San Diego County residents who would like to learn more about lung cancer, believe they may be at risk for lung cancer or who have family members at high risk, should call the American Lung Association Lung Helpline at 1-844-ALA-LUNG (844-252-5864).

ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP

County Supervisors vice chair Terra Lawson-Remer voted to approve a $17 million grant to address homelessness and protect the environment along the San Diego River. Lawson-Remer joined the County Board of Supervisors in accepting the funds from the state, which were secured through a County-led partnership. The funding will be used to help people experiencing homelessness along the San Diego Riverbed transition into housing and much-needed support services. “There are serious environmental and health concerns that come with the congregation of encampments along the San Diego River, and we’re taking new action to make sure people without homes are in a safer location and we protect a significant natural habitat that feeds into our beaches and coastline,” said Lawson-Remer.

SD BAYFEST

The fourth annual San Diego Bayfest takes over Waterfront Park on Saturday, July 8, with headliner Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Tickets to San Diego Bayfest are available online. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sandiegobayfest.com.

CHECK YOUR PASSPORTS

Rep. scott peters (CA-50) released the following statement amid a continued surge in requests for passport assistance: “Check your passport before you need it,” said Peters. “Due to high demand for summer travel, it is increasingly harder for the U.S. State Department to process passports, even in cases of emergency. Search for your passports and check expiration dates long before you make any reservations or arrangements to travel abroad. My district office staff is working hard to assist, but there are no guarantees of success. It takes around two weeks to assess and submit requests, and receive responses from the U.S. State Department to notify if the passport will be processed by the planned date of travel.” The U.S. State Department’s processing times for passports are currently 10-13 weeks for routine processing and 7-9 weeks for expedited processing.

PASSPORT APPOINTMENTS

Starting Wednesday, July 5, the Office of the City Clerk Passport Acceptance Facility is increasing daily appointments from 12 to 40 appointments per day. New passport appointments will become available two weeks prior to the appointment date on the City’s Get it Done website here. Additionally, the Passport Acceptance Facility will provide walk-in services weekly on Wednesdays between 9-10 a.m. The public can call 619-533-4000 or visit sandiego.gov/passports to schedule an appointment Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COCKTAIL CLASS

Prohibition, GBOD Hospitality Group’s popular speakeasy hidden underground at 548 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter, will host a cocktail class featuring popular whiskey brand, WhistlePig. The hands-on tasting experience will include cocktails hand-crafted by talented mixologists as well as the opportunity to create personalized combinations while learning about the brand, from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28. Tickets are priced at $50 per person and may be purchased aquí. More information at prohibitionsd.com.

STREET SURVEILLANCE NIXED

After months of anticipation, San Diego’s Privacy Advisory Board recommended Thursday that the City Council reject a police proposal to buy a new streetlight camera system and pair the technology with automatic license plate readers. Board members present voted unanimously to pass along a 15-page analysis of SDPD’s proposal that challenges the department, among other things, on its claim that the cameras don’t constitute an invasion of Fourth Amendment rights. The SDPD proposal and the board’s recommendation goes next to the city council.

FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION

SANDAG will host a virtual public meeting Thursday, June 29 at 6 p.m. to gather ideas and input from the community about the future of transportation in the San Diego region. Register to receive access to the meeting. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in the early planning stages of the 2025 Regional Plan, a 20-plus year blueprint that will reimagine how people and goods move will around our region in a convenient, equitable, healthy, and safe way. Attendees can expect an interactive presentation combined with group polling, followed by a Q&A session.

CITY LOBBY EXHIBIT

Office of the City Clerk’s Archives announced the celebration of Dennis Voyer Allen and other San Diego trailblazers with an archives exhibit in the Lobby of the City Administration Building, 202 C St. Downtown. This event aims to honor and recognize the achievements of remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions towards equality, breaking barriers, and promoting social and political milestones within our City. Allen, a former mail carrier for the City in the early 1900s, will be the focus of this celebration. Allen, an extraordinary civic activist, played a pivotal role in the appointment of the first African American firemen in San Diego and was instrumental in the establishment of the San Diego Race Relations Society. He fought against segregation prejudices, employment denials, and tirelessly advocated for the safety of children in schools.

COCONUT CLUB COCKTAIL

Known for its love of rum and signature cocktails, Miss B’s Coconut Club, 3704 Mission Blvd. in Mission Beach is bringing beachgoers the Diplomatico Daquiri Hour from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Prepare to indulge in the rich flavors of Diplomatico Rum while enjoying live music, exclusive swag handouts, engaging guest education, and delightful tastings. With the upcoming 4th of July holiday, enjoy the Rum, White & Blue Cocktail, featuring Diplomatico Rum, lemon juice, pomegranate, and blue curacao.

CALIFORNIA EV LEADER

California (ranked No. 1) is the national leader on transportation electrification policy, earning 88 out of a possible 100 points, and is home to policies not present (or not as robust) in other states. California received the maximum number of points in both the EV planning and Electricity Grid Optimization category, committing to full electrification of light-duty vehicle sales, electricity and transportation-sector emissions reductions, and planning for considerable changes to its electricity grid to prepare for a sharp rise in EV uptake. The state originated two major EV policies that other states should adopt: Advanced Clean Cars II, which requires all auto sales to be EVs by 2035, and Advanced Clean Trucks, which requires heavy-duty vehicles to start transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity.

CANDIDATES SOUGHT

Peninsula Community Planning Board has two open seats in a special election on July 20 from 4-6 p.m. at Point Loma Hervey Library, 3701 Voltaire St. Perfect time for you to join and be a voice in the decision making for the Peninsula. Take a look at the guidelines and committees and send your applications. Here is the info also found at pcpb.net. Those interested must have attended one PCPB meeting in the last year and meet qualifications. Voters must also meet voting requirements as shown on the election page. The Board Member Application must be received by July 15. Email to [email protected] y [email protected].

COMIC-CON MUSEUM EXHIBITS

Whether your room has a poster or figure of Stan Lee, Ein, All Might, Gumby, PAC-MAN, or the Comic-Con Toucan, Museo Comic-Con in Balboa Park has an exhibit for you this summer. In time for the museum’s namesake convention Comic-Con, the museum will debut three new exhibits and features, along with hands-on programming, opening to the public on Tuesday, July 18, at 10 a.m.

“We always want to pay tribute to creators, innovators, and legends in the popular arts world,” said museum executive director Rita Vandergaw. “We do just that in an homage to Stan Lee’s 100th birthday and Cowboy Bebop’s 25th anniversary. Anime features have been one of the top requests from attendees, so we’re looking forward to celebrating the fandoms of ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and ‘My Hero Academia’ with Crunchyroll for current and future fans to discover.”

NEW MLS HIRES

San Diego MLS, the newest team in Major League Soccer, has named industry veterans Jen Bower and Mark Morris to oversee partnerships, premium, and ticketing for the club. Leading the overall scope of work is Bower who will serve as EVP, partnerships, premium and ticketing at Legends for San Diego MLS, while Morris will be SVP, global partnerships for both San Diego MLS and Right to Dream properties. This news follows the club’s recent multi-year partnership with Legends, a global premium experiences company, for services across partnerships, premium and ticket sales that will maximize revenue generation for the club through a streamlined, data-driven sales approach.

NEW ASYMCA DIRECTOR

The Armed Services YMCA of the USA announced the appointment of Capt. Frank Martin, U.S. Navy (Ret.) as executive director of its San Diego branch. With over a century of experience in enhancing the lives of military members and their families in spirit, mind, and body, the ASYMCA San Diego branch has been a vital support system for the community it serves. “We are thrilled to have Frank join the leadership team, overseeing our San Diego branch,” said ASYMCA president and CEO, VADM (Ret.) William French. “His energy, passion and know-how will propel our efforts forward, ensuring that we are able to serve and strengthen even more military families.”

GIFT CARD SWAPPING

District Attorney Summer Stephan warns that card swapping involves a scammer stealing a stack of physical cards from the retail store outlet and then replacing original barcode with a counterfeit barcode sticker. The scammer will then return the cards to the store and re-hang them on the rack. When a consumer purchases and loads one of the cards with cash, the money goes directly into the fraudster’s bank account rather than the gift card. When the consumer tries to use the gift card the balance is $0.
Tip: When buying a gift card, opt for the ones that are kept under lock and key by the retailer. Always check that the barcode is original and does not appear to be tampered with. There should not be a sticker on top of the original barcode.

WASTEWATER POLLUTION

Rep. scott peters (CA-50) urged Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila to provide updates on the status of projects in Mexico to mitigate wastewater pollution, including the construction of a new treatment facility at San Antonio de los Buenos in Tijuana. In a letter also signed by San Diego members Reps. Mike Levin (CA-49), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Juan Vargas (CA-52), the members state: “Our constituents are clamoring for an end to this crisis, and while we know that these investments will take some time to deploy, we respectfully request that your office keep us apprised of the progress being made so we can further assure the people of Imperial Beach, Coronado, and San Diego that relief is on the way.”

In the letter, Rep. Peters also asked del Pilar to consider short-term measures to reduce bacteria levels at beaches in Imperial Beach and Coronado to decrease the number of beach closures. These measures include dredging existing settling ponds at San Antonio de los Buenos and adding chemical treatment and aerators.

TAX CREDIT RETURNS

United Way of San Diego County, 211 San Diego, and the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition announced that through their collaborative efforts to provide free tax preparation services to the community, a total of $29,949,748 has been returned to San Diego County individuals and families so far this year through federal and state tax refunds. The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) y Child Tax Credit helps low- to moderate-income individuals and families reduce the taxes they owe or increase their refund so they can put more money toward important expenses such as rent, utilities, and groceries. Taxpayers can also receive hundreds or even thousands of additional dollars back on their taxes with the state CalEITC y el Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC).

SABOR A GASLAMP

San Diego’s original tasting tour returns to the Gaslamp Quarter for the 27th annual Taste of Gaslamp on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 1-4 p.m. The Taste of Gaslamp is a self-guided foodie tour that has become a staple for locals and tourists alike who flock to the Quarter to indulge in a culinary adventure stopping at 20-plus restaurants across 16 square city blocks. General admission for the Taste of Gaslamp tour is $45 in advance and $55 day of event. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tasteofgaslamp.com o llame al 619-233-5008.

DANGEROUS APPLIANCES

Researchers from Stanford University and nonprofit PSE Healthy Energy tested gas and propane stoves in 87 homes across California and Colorado and found that every appliance produced a detectable amount of cancer-causing benzene — a chemical with no safe level of exposure. It took only 45 minutes for a single burner on high, or an oven set to 350 degrees, to boost benzene levels above well-established health base lines, according to the study, which was published last week in Environmental Science & Technology. In some cases, benzene levels exceeded concentrations found in secondhand tobacco smoke. Scientists also found that benzene migrated well beyond kitchens, reaching unhealthy levels in other rooms and lingering within homes for hours. The toxic conditions, researchers found, were even worse in smaller homes, suggesting health risks may be worse for lower income families with less square footage.

MEALS ON WHEELS COO

Meals on Wheels San Diego County announced the appointment of Keith Fisher as its chief operating officer (COO). Fisher started in his new role with Meals on Wheels San Diego County on June 12. As COO, Fisher will oversee all operational aspects of Meals on Wheels San Diego County during a unique and exciting post-pandemic period of growth and opportunity. Fisher’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in furthering the organization’s mission to combat senior hunger, isolation, and neglect. The pandemic growth was only the beginning of what is to come with the growing older adult population. By 2030, one out of four San Diegans will be a senior citizen. Due to this increase, organizations like Meals on Wheels San Diego County are planning and preparing to ensure those most vulnerable are not left without the critical services needed to lift their spirits, nurture their bodies, and address the countless issues that threaten their independence and well-being.

SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

With the homelessness crisis greater than ever before across San Diego County, according to the San Diego Regional Taskforce on Homelessness, the community requires proven solutions that address the immediate need for care and create lasting change. For nearly 70 years, the San Diego Rescue Mission has demonstrated that their holistic approach to helping people experiencing homelessness is effective in getting them off the streets permanently. Today, the Rescue Mission announced the July 1 launch of the public phase of its “Every Heart” $5 million capital campaign to double the number of shelter beds and upgrade its residential facility for people experiencing homelessness throughout the county. The Public Phase of the Rescue Mission’s “Every Heart” campaign is part of the larger capital campaign with a goal of raising a total of $25 million. People interested in donating are encouraged to visit sdrescue.org/EveryHeart to learn more about how they can help more people experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives, creating a safer community for everyone.

CELEBRATE CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

California State Parks in partnership with San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation and the San Diego County Fair, invites the public to visit the fair’s 20,000-square-foot custom theme exhibition through July 4 exploring state and county parks in San Diego. The exhibit’s theme, “Get Out There!,” showcases the 16 California state parks in San Diego County and the many recreational opportunities. From exploring Ocotillo-Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area in an off-highway vehicle to hiking in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to biking through Tijuana Estuary (right, photo by Thomas Melville), there are countless ways San Diegan’s can get out there. Fairgoers can pull up a seat at the Campfire Center to enjoy some traditional campfire programs presented by State Park interpreters from Palomar Mountain State Park, learn the stories of the stars with a VR experience from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, and discover why Anza-Borrego Desert State Park smells so good after heavy rain. The theme exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through July 4. Learn more at sdfair.com/events/2023/theme-exhibit.

DONAVON FRANKENREITER TO PLAY ROVING CONCERT

Professional surfer-turned-musician Donavon Frankenreiter and Flying Embers ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages are holding a bus-top concert tour throughout San Diego on June 24 from 2-7:30 p.m. The seven-stop mobile concert tour kicks off at Maverick’s Beach Club winding its way through Mission Bay and Old Town neighborhoods and ending at Town & Country Hotel. At each of the stops, Donavon will decamp his roving stage to greet his fans and enjoy a cold Flying Embers along the way. The single day tour will feature live performances from Donavon and his band stopping at bars and restaurants that serve Flying Embers’ organic hard kombuchas and canned cocktails.

MISSION BAY FIREWORKS

Mission Bay will be the spot for an early Independence Day fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 3. Public viewing areas for the show include Sunset Point Park, Santa Clara Point to Fanuel Street Park, and along Rivera Drive and the shoreline areas with a view of Sail Bay. Boaters can get out on the water from several areas in Mission Bay. Reserve a spot aboard the William D. Evans sternwheeler cruising Mission Bay at bahiahotel.com for a unique view of the show. Radio station partner 100.7 BIG FM will bring the big hits with a custom soundtrack to rev up the festivities.

Mission Bay hotels and resorts are ready for visitors and staycations with VIP viewing areas, food and beverage specials, kids activities, live music, pool parties, and holiday celebration packages. Thanks to overwhelming support from the community and Mission Bay Yacht Club, these fireworks are back but support still is needed to reach the $75,000 GoFundMe goal. Donate at fireworksonmissionbay.com.

SEAWORLD FIREWORKS

Special July 4th fireworks show at 8:50 p.m., and Ignite Fireworks shows most weekends Friday-Sunday summer nights June through August, and Sept. 2-5. View for free from Mission Bay Park.

BIG BAY BOOM

On July 4th starting at 9 p.m. (bigbayboom.com). This free fireworks show is the largest San Diego in San Diego County. The fireworks will be located on four barges off of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero, and Seaport Village/Coronado Landing. You can also watch the show live starting at 8 p.m. on Fox 5. For parking and shuttle information, visit bigbayboom.com.

FAIR FIREWORKS

On July 4th at 9 p.m. at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Advanced ticket purchase required as they will likely sell out. Independence Day is the best day of the San Diego County Fair. Reservations in grandstand area recommended, cost is $20 to $25 and includes fair admission.

OB DRONE SHOW

Ocean Beach, forced to end annual fireworks launched from its pier due to the structure’s age and damage from seasonal storms, will hold a Fourth of July drone show this year. Ocean Beach Elementary School, 4741 Santa Monica Ave., has been selected as the venue to launch 300 drones from the school premises. During the 12-minute show, drones will fly at an altitude of 300 to 400 feet, so the Newport Avenue business district will offer one of the best vantage points for spectators to enjoy the display.

PRIDE IN LA JOLLA

The La Jolla Village Merchants Association and its businesses are supporting Pride month. “We want everyone to feel like they belong in La Jolla,” said LJVMA executive director Jodi Rudick adding, “Diversity comes in so many forms. From what we love to who we love everyone is welcome to shop, dine, stay and play in the Village of La Jolla. Pride has come to represent more than the LGBTQ+ community. Pride is about tolerance, acceptance and empathy. Those are values we strive to practice in the way we do business and interact with one another. Pride is a reminder that there is so much to learn from one another.”

NEW GUARD RAILS

A new guardrail is coming to the north side of La Jolla’s Torrey Pines Road between Prospect Place and Coast Walk. An in-person Guard Rails Working Group meeting will be held on the project Monday, June 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. at La Jolla Public Library Seminar Room, 7555 Draper Ave. This necessary public safety barrier is getting an upgrade to a permanent Torrey Pines Guard Rail and community feedback is welcome. Join City Staff for this first meeting to introduce the project and gather information. Click here for meeting agenda and more details.

CAMPBELL SUPPORTS ENCAMPMENT ORDINANCE

“I want to thank Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn for bringing forth this ordinance to help our unsheltered population receive assistance, as we expand our City’s efforts to ensure that as many unsheltered people as possible can move into permanent housing,” said District 2 Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell. “I will continue advocating for increased sheltered space, affordable housing, and fully staffing our mental health care providers and public safety responders to ensure successful implementation of this ordinance.”

Added Campbell, “This is a win-win ordinance because our unsheltered neighbors camping on unsafe sidewalks and in unhealthy conditions will be able to live in clean and safe sleeping camping areas with 24-hour security, meals, showers, restrooms, and social services; all while being helped to find permanent housing. Meanwhile, families walking through neighborhoods will no longer have to navigate through items blocking sidewalks and health hazards, such as human waste.” Campbell represents Clairemont, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, Old Town, Midway, Ocean Beach, and Point Loma.

OCEANS AT NIGHT

Thanks to the popularity of Oceans at Night, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is revamping the nighttime 21-plus event in order to increase capacity as the event has been selling out in record time. Summer events take place July 27 and Aug. 24 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Oceans at Night is a monthly series that celebrates the wonders and mysteries of the ocean after dark, featuring interactive experiences that highlight ocean phenomena that occur at night including biofluorescence and bioacoustics. The adults-only atmosphere includes live music, a glow lounge with larger-than-life-sized games, and epic ocean views as well as food and beverage for sale from The French Gourmet.

“We launched Oceans at Night as a fun and engaging way to connect our adult guests to the very interesting question of ‘what happens in the ocean when the lights go out,’ said executive director, Harry Helling. “The monthly event has been popular and creates a very different type of aquarium experience than during the day. During the darker months we focused on things that ‘glowed in the night,’ but we are shifting the summer toward listening to the ocean, with new installations from the UC San Diego Music Department and Scripps Oceanography’s bioacoustics lab.”

The cost for the upgraded package is $67.50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. It includes general admission to Oceans at Night as well as one complimentary beverage. Limited capacity is available and reservations must be made in advance. Tickets for the August event will be available for the general public beginning July 27 at noon. Additional events take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on select Thursdays throughout the year. Tickets are $27 for members, and $30 for the general public. Visite www.acuario.ucsd.edu for information and to reserve tickets.

AYUNTAMIENTO VIRTUAL

Don’t miss the Council District 1 Child and Youth Master Plan virtual town hall on Wednesday, June 28 from 5-7 p.m. Together, identify what makes the community unique while tackling the challenges you face. RSVP and register AQUÍ. Parents, youth, caregivers, and supporters can share your experiences about what it’s like to grow up in San Diego, and your ideas on how it could be better. What makes the City special and a fun place to grow up? What makes it difficult to live here? How can we make it better?

ATHENAEUM SUMMER FESTIVAL

The Athenaeum’s 24th annual summer festival four-concert series featuring virtuoso pianist Gustavo Romero will be held July 2, 9, 16 and 23 at 1008 Wall St. For 23 years, Athenaeum has presented festivals featuring Romero performing the complete piano repertoire of a specific composer. Each year, Romero chooses a composer to study in depth, sharing the full range of their artistry. Romero first performed at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library as a young boy, and it was with him that the Athenaeum planned its first Summer Festival in 1999, the organization’s 100th anniversary.

Dinners will be offered at the Athenaeum after the first and last concerts (July 2 and 23), providing an opportunity for concertgoers to socialize, meet Romero, and share a delicious meal. All concerts begin at 4 p.m. Priority seating will be given to Donor-level Athenaeum members and to dinner guests. Visit ljathenaeum.org/summer-festival.

LJ HISTORICAL DESIGNATION

The City Historical Resources Board will vote on June 22 on whether to designate the Helmhurst Cottage at 1570 Virginia Way in La Jolla as a historical resource with a period of significance of circa 1911 under HRB Criterion A. The designation excludes the modified garage and 1957 second- story addition constructed outside of the period of significance. The designation includes the cobblestone retaining walls flanking the driveway.

SEASON FINALE

On June 25 at 4 p.m. Le Salon de Musiques invites you to celebrate its season finale featuring three female composers at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. in La Jolla. After the concert, a Q&A is organized between the musicians and the audience, followed by a high tea buffet with French Champagne, catered by The French Gourmet. For more information, visit LeSalondeMusiques.com or call 310-498 0257.

PB LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Tuesday, June 27 at 2-2:45 p.m. – Youth SRP: Wild Wonders: The Emerald Forest. Visit with the mysterious rainforest dwellers of South America. https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/wild-wonders-emerald-forest-1. Wednesday, June 28 at 3-4 p.m. – Workshop: Brain Training for Healthy Aging. Group brain training class to enhance your motor skills, balance, coordination, processing skills, and cognition. Register at: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/brain-training-healthy-aging-0.

WILDLIFE PROSECUTOR HONORED

Deputy City Attorney Jordan B. DuBois, who prosecuted two high-profile cases against ivory traffickers operating in San Diego, has been named California Fish and Game Commission’s 2022 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year. The award honors a courtroom champion with exceptional skill and an outstanding commitment to protecting California’s fish, wildlife, and natural resources. The Commission selected DuBois, who has been prosecuting such cases for the San Diego City Attorney’s Office since 2018. DuBois’s nomination received a unanimous vote from the commission.

“It means a lot to me to be able to protect my city. I’m protecting the environment itself, but I’m also protecting everyone who uses the environment – our tourists, your average San Diegan who likes to go to the beach, our commercial fishing industry, our sports fishing industry,” DuBois said. “It’s at the intersection of all these different aspects of what it means to be a San Diegan.”

SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

El San Diego County Senior Transportation Program, a County-sponsored initiative dedicated to enhancing transportation accessibility for older adults, announced the expansion of its free ride service to include wheelchair-accessible transportation for low-income seniors in rural and urban communities across San Diego County. SDCSTP is available to low-income seniors, whether they are ambulatory or utilize wheelchairs or other mobility devices, providing them with safe, reliable, and convenient transportation options. The program is operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s On the Go, which remains the County’s largest senior transportation service and collaborates with a network of trained and certified transportation providers who are equipped with accessible vehicles and rideshare drivers to provide passengers with comfortable and convenient travel options. For more information, call 858-637-3210 or visit jfssd.org/otg.

SDHS PREPARE FAIR

San Diego Humane Society is holding a ‘Prepare Fair’ to help pet owners prevent their animals from ending up in shelters during and after the July Fourth holiday. On Saturday, June 24, the community is invited to a special event at the organization’s San Diego Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free services will include microchipping, licensing, pet ID tags and consultations with the Behavior & Training team. There will also be fun pet supply giveaways. Due to pets spooked by fireworks, the July Fourth holiday typically leads to a sharp increase in the number of stray animals entering shelter care. San Diego Humane Society is urging pet owners to take steps to protect their pets from becoming lost, as shelters are already full. The organization has been over capacity all year, meaning they are entering the busy summer months — and in particular, the July Fourth holiday — with less space than previous years. For more information, visit sdhumane.org/protect.

STATE DOG

Make the Goldendoodle the official state dog, said Californians in a statewide poll. It’s well-known that each American state has its unique official designations, from state flowers to state mottos, and even state insects. However, given that approximately two-thirds of American households, tallying up to around 65 million, are dog owners, it’s surprising that only 13 states have official state dogs. The Pampered Pup, recently conducted a poll of 3,000 respondents to find out their preferred breed if given the opportunity to vote for an official state dog. The poll results unveiled a fascinating theme – Americans overwhelmingly favored breeds with significant historical ties to their respective states. This sentiment underscores a deep-rooted connection between the community, their history, and their preferred canine companions.

JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISED

In an entirely student-led show of support, the Juneteenth flag was raised at the San Diego Unified School District education center on Friday, June 16. District leaders, including educators, Board of Education trustees, members of the community, and students joined the celebration. Juneteenth, or June 19, is the day in 1865 when remaining slaves in Confederate-controlled territory learned they were now free. In June 2020, the San Diego Unified Board of Education passed a resolution recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday “to be observed every year, as a day of celebration of the past, present, and future of Black resilience, culture, and liberation.” In 2021, President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. That year, San Diego Unified raised the official Juneteenth flag for the first time with the support of many community members.

SANDAG PLAN

The San Diego Association of Government’s 2021 Regional Plan Amendment is now available for public comment. Last fall, the SANDAG Board directed staff to prepare an amendment to the 2021 Regional Plan without the regional road usage charge. The proposed Amendment is now available for public review and comment through Aug. 8 at sandag.org/RegionalPlanAmendment.
Submit your comments in any one of the following ways: Online form sandag.org/RegionalPlanAmendment; Email: [email protected] with the subject, “2021 Regional Plan Amendment”; Call: 619-595-5078; Mail: SANDAG Regional Plan Amendment, 401 B Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101, c/o Kirsten Uchitel, Associate Planner

Interested in sharing your thoughts in person? Attend the public hearing at Board meeting on June 23. SANDAG is also preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Amendment. It will be available for public review in July.

BOTTLECRAFT ANNIVERSARY

Bottlecraft at 3007 University Ave., the beer shop and tasting room with an extensive selection of hard-to-find beers from around the world, is celebrating its 12th anniversary with a party on Saturday, June 24 beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a special collaboration beer on tap from the City of Orange’s Everywhere Beer, and there will be no corkage fee on select bottled beverages. From 3-8 p.m., the “sippin’ wine and spinnin’ vinyls” DJ Winyl Club will provide music. queso venissimo will serve a special sandwich for the day: Raclette on ficelle bread with pickles and mustard on the side. Bottlecraft, which is dog friendly, has expanded to six locations in its 12 years, including four in San Diego County.

BUS STRIKE ENDS

A five-week strike by bus drivers in South Bay, Chula Vista, and El Cajon that impacted routes in Point Loma and Ocean Beach, ended on June 18. Teamsters Local 683, representing 2,700 workers in a variety of industries in Southern California, narrowly voted 143-121 to accept a new contract. Bus drivers returned to work the following day on June 19, with all bus routes operating on a normal schedule, the Metropolitan Transit System said. The new contracts address key issues including split shifts, unpaid forced overtime, and breaks for meals.

SDHS ADOPTION DISCOUNTED

With a record 2,524 animals in care, and 1,202 of them available for adoption, San Diego Humane Society is reducing adoption fees for all adult dogs and cats (7 months and older) to $20 on June 24-25. The promotion is sponsored by Puriña. SDHS currently has 350 adult dogs and 180 adult cats available for adoption at its campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego. San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesdays-Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The nonprofit is hoping the $20 adoption promotion will inspire the community to open their hearts and homes to these deserving cats and dogs. Adopting a pet is more important than ever, especially as the organization enters the busy summer months with their shelters over capacity and expecting a sharp increase in stray pets over the July Fourth holiday. Visit sdhumane.org/adoptar to view animals available for adoption.

GASLAMP SKATE SUNDAY

It’s time to let the good times roll with the return of the Gaslamp Skate Series. Hosted by Sunset Roller Club, 5th Avenue at Island from 5-8 p.m. comes alive with all-time hits of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s. The Sunset Roller Club takes their tricks to the Gaslamp Quarter as a diverse group of skaters at every level. From advanced roller tricks to beginners, you’ll find it all and more at this weekly decade theme skate session. Each Sunday, the Gaslamp Quarter is transformed into the roller-rink throwback of the century where all ages can get their groove on. July 9 – ’00s Theme, July 16 –’70s Theme, July 30 – ’80s Theme, Aug. 6 – ’90s Theme, Aug. 13 – ’00s Theme, Aug. 20 – ’70s Theme, Aug. 27 – ’80s Theme, Sept. 3 – ’90s Theme.

ATTORNEYS GRADUATE

Leading civil litigation and insurance defense firm Tyson & Mendes announced the graduation of 24 attorneys from its 2023 Tyson & Mendes Trial Academy, a rigorous eight-week training program offered each year for a group of the firm’s aspiring trial attorneys. Attorneys from across the firm’s 19 nationwide offices participated in the intensive program to learn, perform, and receive structured feedback on specific defense trial skills, utilizing a combination of active demonstrations, in-depth lectures, and engaging working groups.

ALESMITH SEASONAL FAVORITE

AleSmith Brewing Company announced the return of their seasonal brew, Funwave Hazy IPA. Following the resounding success of last year’s launch, this refreshing and tropical beer is once again back on shelves from now through December. Funwave Hazy IPA is a hazy, juicy IPA that packs a punch of tropical fruit flavors from the generous use of Vic Secret and Citra hops.

PARTNER JOINS PROCOPIO

Procopio law firm’s award-winning Labor and Employment Law practice has added a new Partner, Lindsay David, who is a seasoned litigator who focuses on wage and hour class action litigation, collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and representative wage and hour litigation under the Private Attorneys General Act from case inception through appeal. She is based in Procopio’s Del Mar Heights office.

ELECTRIFYING EXHIBITION

Brace yourself for an electrifying exhibition experience as The Fleet Science Center presents the grand opening of The Worst-Case Scenario: Survival Experience on Saturday, July 1. This extraordinary exhibit, based on the internationally acclaimed The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, will transport visitors into a world of thrilling survival strategies and escape tactics. Visitors will embark on a heart-pounding journey filled with hands-on challenges and mind-bending puzzles, all meticulously designed to provide the essential skills needed to overcome unexpected real-life scenarios. From staying calm under pressure to thinking logically and being prepared, this immersive exhibition will ignite creativity and problem-solving abilities,.

SECURITY HIRED

The Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, and Jewish Federation of San Diego announced the hiring of Bill Ganley as their new community security director. Ganley will implement, direct, and develop a security program designed to increase safety and security for all those who participate in synagogues, schools, museums, service organizations, and other centers of Jewish life in San Diego.

RESTAURANTS JOIN GIVEBACK

In honor of National Make a Difference in a Child’s Life Month, 10 restaurants across San Diego County are teaming up to make a positive impact by pledging to donate a portion of their sales to Alimentando a San Diego throughout July. These philanthropic partners aim to support families, children, seniors, veterans, military families, and anyone else facing food insecurity in the community during these challenging times.The following establishments have joined hands with Feeding San Diego in this initiative: Arely’s French Bakery: Donating 10% of sandwich and panini sales, Barrio Star: Donating 50% of Barrio Pepino sales, barleymash/ginger’s: Donating $1 from every Champ Burger sold, tacos de ciudad: Donating 50% of portobello mushroom taco sales, Cloak & Petal: Donating 100% of Fo Shisho Roll sales (limited time item), Jose’s Courtroom: Donating $2 from each carne asada burrito sale, Club de playa Mavericks: Donating 100% of Watermelon Margarita Slushies sales, Quiero Restaurants: Donating 50% of avocado taco sales, Sandbar: Donating $1 from every Chicken Tender order, The Smoking Gun/Spill the Beans: Donating $1 from every Fried Pickle order.

PARENTAL LEAVE EXTENDED

Mayor Todd Gloria signed an expansion of parental leave benefits for City employees backed by District 7 City Councilmember Raul Campillo doubling the amount of parental leave provided to employees from 160 hours to 320 hours – eight weeks. Also eliminated was the 30-day waiting period for disability benefits for pregnant employees and employees disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition and changes the eligibility requirement to access the benefits from a one-year minimum employment requirement to 30 days of employment.

WRITE OUT LOUD

Write Out Loud received a $20,000 grant to host the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read in San Diego. Write Out Loud is one of 62 nonprofits in the US selected to receive an NEA Big Read grant to support a community reading program. Activities with San Diego students will begin in the fall and community wide events will take place through April 2024. For more information, visit escribirloudsd.com.

VOLUNTEER CANCER HELP

Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center is looking for volunteers to help patients with wig fittings, organizing library materials/patient information, making chemo comfort bags, or just sitting with people who would like a visitor. Openings in La Jolla, Rancho Bernardo, Encinitas, Oceanside and Hillcrest. Consider volunteering a few hours a month to make a profound impact in your community. Call or Email Kay Clark to learn more about the opportunities available and how you can help. [email protected], 619-819-6523.

SUNSET LUAUS

A summer tradition on the shores of Mission Bay, the annual Sunset Luaus at Catamaran Resort Hotel from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays through Sept. 1 are a festive celebration of Polynesian food, music, and dances for family and friends. The luau experience includes a silk lei, Mai Tai, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and entertainment. Local luau group Pride of Polynesia (right) provides authentic island music and dance, featuring hula and fiery torch dancers. Visit catamaranresort.com/sunset-luaus for more information. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

PENINSULA SHEPHERD CENTER SUMMER CELEBRATION

Peninsula Shepherd Center is holding its annual fundraiser and Summer Celebration from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 at All Souls’ Episcopal Church’s Gooden Hall and Patio, 1475 Catalina Blvd.

Proceeds will go toward enhancing PSC’s Aging in Place programs and services for older adults. Community businesses and organizations participate by donating to the PSC for its opportunity drawing, silent and live auctions. Peninsula Shepherd Center is a nonprofit serving seniors age 65 and older in Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Midway. It is one of 28 senior centers countywide.

In addition, the Summer Celebration Challenge is another opportunity to support PSC by matching up to $5,000 in donations by supporters. Summer Celebration Day is on a Saturday this year to encourage guests from the community to attend. The event will include a delicious luncheon, entertainment and door prizes, as well as and a new vendor fair. Sponsors for Summer Celebration will be featured at the new vendor fair and include Paul Hartley Realty, Bayview Senior Assisted Living, Harbor View Senior Assisted Living, Bridgeview Home Care, Nelson Camera, Mallory Furniture, The Hartley Insurance Company, Cura Home Health, Oliver Stahl State Farm Insurance and Anchor Health.

“Empowering Senior Independence” is the mission of Peninsula Shepherd Center, a nonprofit providing for older adults living independently,” said Lisa Nokes, PSC executive director. She added Peninsula Shepherd Center provides transportation services through its Out & About Senior Transportation Program. Also provided by the center are computer tablets and training through its PSC Connections Through Technology Program. Monthly “Lunch and Learn events,” along with social opportunities in the Senior Lounge, are also available at the senior center. For more information, visit sdpsc.org.

HISTORICAL STRUCTURES

The City Historical Resources board is scheduled to review three structures, one being a segment of the Ocean Beach Pier, for possible historic designation on June 22. One dwelling, the George and Martha Saunders House, is at 3120 Sterne St. Another is the Claude Ryan House at 2275 Evergreen St. Proposed action on both is to designate or not designate the properties as a historical resource under adopted designation criteria. The third structure to be considered by the HRB is Ocean Beach Pier, whose applicant is the City of San Diego Engineering and Capital Projects Department.

What’s being considered by HRB is designation of the pier’s western terminus of Niagara Avenue between Newport Avenue and Narragansett Avenue west of Ocean Front Way, as a historical resource under adopted designation criteria. City staff is recommending historic designation for this section of the iconic pier under HRB Criterion A, with a period of significance of 1966-1977; and under HRB Criterion C, with a period of significance of 1966-1968. The historic designation includes the restaurant structure and lifeguard watch tower.

HOMELESS PRESS CONFERENCE

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer was joined by Shelley Zimmerman, former SDPD chief, and Alpha Project CEO Bob McElroy and restaurant owners Chad Cline and Mena Desiderio at a press conference June 12 at the Alpha Project Bridge Shelter, 1535 Newton Ave. in the Midway District. The conference was held to address the dire humanitarian crisis of homelessness in San Diego, borne out by the recent disappointingly high point-in-time-count numbers, which some argue reflect the City administration’s failure to act, and the allegedly flawed ordinance that the City Council passed this week.

PECHANGA CONCERT

Media mogul, rap pioneer, actor, writer, producer and legendary lyricist Ice Cube will headline The Magic 92.5 Throwback Jam on Friday, Oct. 13 at the Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. Joining Ice Cube on stage will be Warren G, Rob Base, Sugar Hill Gang, Lighter Shade of Brown, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and Scorpio of the Furious Five plus a surprise special guest who will be announced closer to the show. For more information, visit Magic925.com or pacificconcertgroup.com.

SUMMER EXHIBIT AT THE DICK LAUB COMMAND CENTER

A free exhibit in the lobby of the Dick Laub Command Center at 2640 Historic Decatur Road of work by artists working in Arts District Liberty Station based on summer themes is running now through Sept. 30. Additional exhibits in the center include artwork by Joe Pisano’s The Art of Immortalizing Heroes, Joe Frangiosa’s Nautical History Gallery & Museum, and art by Lisa E in the Conference Room off the lobby (part of an NTC Foundation exhibit that includes works by Lauren LeVieux in staff offices). The summer exhibit is open daily from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The side door near Solare Restaurant is open on weekends if the main door is closed.

WORLD’S LARGEST SWIM LESSON
Plunge San Diego at Belmont Park announced they are an official location for the 14th annual World’s Largest Swim Lesson. On Thursday, June 22, from 8-10 a.m. thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities worldwide, including Plunge San Diego, will unite for the 14th year in a row to spread the word “Swimming Lessons Save Lives.” The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson was created to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim to prevent childhood drowning. Since its inception, more than 354,000 children and adults across six continents have participated in WLSL to support the importance of learning to swim. A 15-minute water safety clinic will be held, followed by a 45-minute swim lesson in a large group format with a curriculum set by the WLSL organizers. Afterward, guests will have time for free play on the obstacle course or to swim. All participants will also receive a limited-edition wristband to spin the prize wheel and win special prizes. Tickets range from $10-$20 per participant, and adults or children attending the event and not participating can pre-purchase a facility pass for $5. All guests entering the Plunge facility are required to have either a participant ticket or a facility pass. Tickets are available for purchase aquí, and will also be available at the door.

CITY PARENTAL BENEFITS

The San Diego City Council voted unanimously to significantly increase the current parental benefits provided to City employees. In October 2022, Councilmember Raul A. Campillo proposed his Parental Benefits Package for employees of the City and called on Mayor Todd Gloria and his council colleagues to support these important changes. Campillo’s Parental Benefits Package proposed increases in paid time off for parental leave, while lowering barriers to related disability benefits.

“Our City’s current benefits for expecting parents have been woefully insufficient and complicated to navigate,” said Campillo. “I appreciate my colleagues joining me to take action and address an issue that punished our current workforce and dissuaded qualified applicants from coming to work for the City. By doubling our paid parental leave and by making it easier to access pregnancy disability benefits, parents who work for the City will have much more time to raise their newborns without the worry of being hurried back to work.”

Michael Zucchet, general manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association, the union representing city employees, said: “The City’s parental leave policy was woefully behind the times and needed updating for years. While there has been a lot of general support at City Hall to make changes, Campillo has rolled up his sleeves and took the lead to help make it happen. We are very grateful for his leadership on behalf of employees who are simply looking for the support that many other employees in California already receive.”

FY 2024 BUDGET

“Our commitment at the beginning of this year was to invest in the fundamentals and lean into supporting our seniors and youth. The Council approved a budget that does just that,” said City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. “We’ve made a historic investment in our City workers so San Diego can recruit and retain the workers we need to deliver the services our residents expect and deserve. To address the City’s homelessness crisis, the council prioritized funding for homelessness prevention like the Housing Instability Prevention Program, the Eviction Prevention Program, and the new Tenant Protections Ordinance, which are designed to prevent seniors, families and other vulnerable communities from being unnecessarily evicted and forced into the streets. And, because our young people deserve our investment, the Council funded a new program to provide community-provided care and support for San Diego youth.”

NONSTOP SERVICE

Frontier Airlines has launched nonstop service from San Diego International Airport to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. With the new service, Frontier serves a total of seven nonstop destinations from SAN. The airline is offering fares as low as $119. Frontier is also currently offering the GoWild! all-you-can-fly fall y winter pass for a limited-time at a special discounted price of $299. Terms and conditions apply and are available on Frontier’s website.

SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

Goodwill San Diego is launching its 2023 Summer Youth Program to assist young adults, ages 16 to 25, who are ready to develop work and soft skills. The free program provides students with a Goodwill career advisor to help develop a custom employment plan, a résumé, preparation for interviews, and obtaining employment. In addition, students have the option to participate in Goodwill’s Job Readiness Program, which includes exceptional customer service, workplace communication, conflict resolution, and Bank of America’s financial literacy workshops. Students interested in participating or learning more about the program can make an appointment with a career advisor by visiting sdgoodwill.org or stopping by any of the five San Diego County Goodwill Community Employment Centers.

MADD HONORS PROSECUTORS

Chief Deputy City Attorney Kristen Fossler and Deputy City Attorney Ryan Harris were honored at the 2023 MADD Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards for their work combating drunk driving in San Diego. Fossler received the Victim Advocate of the Year award. She was honored for spearheading efforts to raise the amount of bail for DUI defendants for the first time in at least 17 years. Harris was named MADD Prosecutor of the Year.

SOCIEDAD HISTÓRICA CHINA

On Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m., Professor Zheng-Shang Zhang will be the speaker for a special edition of “The Chinese American Experience & Beyond,” the fourth of the Chinese Americans at SDSU mini-series. Through this Zoom presentation, Zhang will speak about his experience in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan as a Fulbright scholar for 2021-2022. He will share his personal impressions and many images of this beautiful country, as well as his travels to the neighboring countries of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Register here to learn more.

SDUSD CONTRACT RATIFIED

The union educator members of the San Diego Education Association concluded voting on a historic new contract with the San Diego Unified School District. Voting was held at district schools and the SDEA office during the first week of June. After over a year of contract negotiations, SDEA members voted to approve a contract that notably includes a 15 percent pay increase, six weeks of birthing parent or maternity leave, maintains fully paid family healthcare coverage, increases elementary counselors, protects nursing services, increases elementary enrichment classes for students, and addresses special education teachers’ workload. Increasing counseling staff and guaranteeing nursing access for students are some of the contract’s highlights, as the district continues to navigate post-pandemic educational challenges.

PORT OF ENTRY FUNDING

California Transportation Commission staff has made the largest award recommendation of $140 million to SANDAG and Caltrans through the Senate Bill 1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program. The CTC is expected to approve the award for the advancement of the federal State Route 11/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project (OME POE) later this month. The OME POE project will open a new access point in the Cali-Baja region for personal and commercial vehicles. Using state-of-art technologies, the OME POE will implement demand pricing to manage traffic and decrease congestion, lower wait times, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “This is a huge investment in the San Diego region and will help to connect our communities and move freight throughout our binational region, promoting economic prosperity and a cleaner environment,” said SANDAG and San Diego County Supervisor Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “Last year, the federal government, thanks to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, invested $150 million, and now the state’s additional $140 million will help us move even closer to making the future Otay Mesa East Port of Entry a reality.”

WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL

The City Council voted 9-0 to secure $3 million in funding in the FY24 budget for the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 program development and implementation. This investment from the City represents critical funding for the program, but more support is still needed. The funding will be used for program planning, production and marketing efforts. WDC 2024 is committed to supporting nonprofit arts, culture, and design organizations, cultural districts, and other community associations in San Diego.

“We are grateful to Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Raul Campillo and all of San Diego’s City Council members for their support of World Design Capital 2024,” said Carlos de la Mora, chief executive officer of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024. “We know the benefits that the World Design Capital can bring to the San Diego Tijuana region: economic development, tourism, the promotion of local design, international collaboration, regional brand development, and more.”

The World Design Capital program promotes and encourages the use of design to further the economic, social, cultural, and environmental development of the world’s cities. Designated every two years, WDC is a year-long promotional program to showcase the accomplishments of cities that are effectively leveraging design to improve the lives of their citizens.

MEET THE ARTISTS

A reception to meet the artists who participated in this year’s La Jolla Historical Society Secret Garden Tour will be held Saturday, June 17 at La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. from 3-5:30 p.m. Artists include Leah Higgins, Sharon Hinckley, Cindy Klong, Carol Mayfield, Carole Mayne, Mark Sherman, Jill Treadwell, Dottie Stanley, Kathryn Stephens, and Toni Williams.

THE COTTAGE PARTNERSHIP

Two San Diego institutions, The Cottage at 7702 Fay Ave. and Societe Brewing Co., are coming together from 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23 for an evening filled with plates and pours. Curated by The Cottage’s executive chef Paolo Chan, in collaboration with Societe’s head brewer and expert hophead Teddy Gowan, the five-course pairing menu presents a hearty dose of SoCal-American fare and award-winning brews with tickets priced at $89 per person.

LAWYERS IN BLUE JEANS

The Lawyer in Blue Jeans has been servicing clients in and around San Diego for 25 years and the firm is rolling out a new podcast and a new website, and a third addition of their popular book “The Wacky World of Laws” is in the works. While the firm specializes in estate planning, it’s best known for its thoughtful and timely legal analysis of high-profile lawsuits and legal battles, including its entertaining Wacky Wednesday series on social media. “We’ve been calling out absurd lawsuits – calling balls and strikes if you will – for a while,” said attorney Justin Isaac. “Providing general legal analysis of lawsuits and legal issues making news is tied directly to our brand so it’s a natural extension of the legal work we do. My dad became pretty well known for his on-air analysis and I’m carrying that baton now.”

PROFITABLE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

Whether you’re in the market for a new home or selling yours, San Diego home profitability depends a lot on the architectural style of your home. In fact, a May study scraped Zillow listings to find the most — and least — lucrative home style. According to the data, the most profitable architectural style in San Diego is a Spanish style home, selling on Zillow, $1,131,681 on average. The least profitable architectural style in San Diego is a Mid-Century Modern home style, with an average sale price of $777,400. You can check out the full study aquí.

DAD’S DAY RUGBY

Sunday June 18 marks the Legion’s regular season finale at Snapdragon Stadium. Prior to the match, the Navy Leap Frogs parachute team will soar into Snapdragon Stadium, and following the contest, DJ blake. will play a post-match show featuring a country music house mix for all fans in attendance from 6-7 p.m. on the stadium concourse. From 2-3:30 p.m., the Official Legion Tailgate Party and Beer Garden will take place outside the stadium underneath the East stands. It will features live music and libations, including $5 beers and the team’s signature Legion Lager. For more information, visit sdlegion.com.

CLUB DE CINE EN LA AZOTEA

The Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place Downtown, tickets are on sale at rooftopcinemaclub.com/embarcadero. Featured films include “Independence Day,” “The Hunger Games,” “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Scream,” “Goodfellas,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and more than 150 others. The complete lineup through Sept. 4 is attached and can also be found AQUÍ.

JCC PLAY FESTIVAL

On Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m., the 5-Minute Play Festival at the Jewish Community Center’s David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive in La Jolla, returns for its eighth year delivering comedy, tragedy, and everything in between. In this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, directed by Omri Schein, an evening performed by a slate of professional San Diego actors, and featuring scripts written by playwrights from the community and beyond. Price: $25, $20 for JCC members. For more details, visit lfjcc.org/arts.

SEAWORLD RIDE DEBUTS

The fastest and longest straddle coaster on the West Coast, Artic Rescue (right), recently launched on June 2 at SeaWorld San Diego, 500 Sea World Drive. The ice is melting, Arctic animals are in peril and it’s time to hop on your snowmobile and ride to the rescue. Experience every icy thrill as you navigate three exhilarating launches and reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. Inspired by the valiant efforts of the SeaWorld Rescue Team, this is one mission you’ll want to accept again and again.

PASEO DE RESTAURANTES PB

A total of 24 businesses participated in the recent Coast of PB Restaurant Walk staged by Discover PB, the community’s business improvement district. “We had 350 people attend, breaking the record from our previous year,” said Discover PB executive director Sunny Lee, who thanked event sponsors Tequila Herradura and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

MAVERICKS DANCE PARTY

Kick off summer by belting your lungs out during Mavericks Beach Club’s “Mamma Mia” Dance Party on Wednesday, June 14. Located at 860 Garnet Ave., Mavericks is kicking off the summer with a dance party night in the venue’s upstairs bar. DJ Allie will be spinning all the “Mamma Mia” hits and will pick the best dressed of the night, to win a $100 gift card to Mavericks. There will also be “Mamma Mia” themed cocktails to sip on. The event will take place from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets include entry to the dance party, fun swag, face glitter, and a select tequila seltzer.

FATHER’S DAY CAR SHOW AT BELMONT PARK

Parque Belmont will hold its 10th annual Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday, June 18. Celebrate with over 100 classic cars on display, including muscle cars, vintage vehicles, custom-made classic racing cars, and more. In addition, there will be a live DJ, rides and attractions for the whole family, beer on tap out of a classic Tap Truck; plus, raffles with giveaways. For boardwalk brews and views, treat dad to a Father’s Day lunch at Sequía with classic American fare and 70-plus beers on tap. Admission to the car show is free.

NEW LA JOLLA MURAL

Gail Werner’s mural, Mukikmalim, Su’ulim, Chem-tema-ki’ay (Birds, Stars, Our Lands), located at 7836 Herschel Ave., is a painterly homage to the artist’s ancestral land and indigenous family history. Werner descends from three tribes located in San Diego County, Cupeño, Luiseño, and Kumeyaay, and the title of the mural is first written in the Cupeño language. Three unique birds, a Black-throated Sparrow, a Rock Wren, and a Cactus Wren, are visually woven into a vibrant and undulating landscape, rich with symbolic references.

The bird imagery is inspired by traditional Southern California Native American songs, called Bird Songs, and the accompanying dance, the Bird Dance. These songs and dances weave a story of how the people came to be where they are and the accompanying journey that brought them there, which is said to parallel the migration of the birds. Murals of La Jolla was founded by the La Jolla Community Foundation and became a project of the Athenaeum. The goal of the mural project is to enhance the civic character of the community by commissioning public art projects on private property throughout La Jolla.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PB COMMUNITY COURT

Discover PB, the beach community’s business improvement district, is looking for volunteers for the Beach Area Community Court Impact Panel, which will meet on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Offenders of quality-of-life crimes (alcohol-related offenses, urinating in public, littering, glass on the beach, smoking, dog off a leash) can be given the opportunity to attend Beach Area Community Court. Help is needed to educate people who have committed these types of crimes in your community. They need to hear from residents about how these types of offenses diminish the quality of life in the beach area, and how they affect families every year. When it comes from residents, it’s real, and they listen.

Community Court happens monthly during most of the year, and several times a month during the summer season. You can help once, or as many times as you like. Needed are a variety of voices and stories to reach participants and broaden their points of view regarding personal responsibility and making amends. The educational component lasts two hours, but your participation is only needed for about 45 minutes to an hour on a weeknight. There is also a short training session (two hours) that you must complete before you can volunteer for BACC.

If you volunteer for the educational session, you participate in a discussion for about 45 minutes to an hour, with a small group of people who have committed low-level offenses in your community. The discussion is guided, and participants are not permitted to contest their citations. The discussion revolves around what brought everyone to community court, and how those types of offenses affect people in the beach community. Past community members have enjoyed these sessions immensely and say they learned as much from the participants as the participants learned from them.

J PLAYS

Continuing with the mission of highlighting great Jewish theatre writers of the 20th century, Jplays, in partnership with the Roustabouts Theatre Company presents the third and final reading of its inaugural 2022-2023 season, “Enter Laughing” by Joseph Stein, on Sunday, June 11 at 7 p.m. at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive in La Jolla. In this well-regarded farce, aspiring actor David Kolowitz attempts to make his own way in the theater world, ignoring the pleas of his overbearing parents and devoted girlfriend. Price, $25 for general admission, $20 for JCC members.

PIER-TO-COVE SWIM

The Pier to Cove Swim on June 25, presented by the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, is a 1 1/2-mile open-water swim from Scripps Pier to La Jolla. Contestants may compete as “regulation” in just a swimsuit, goggles, and swim cap; or participate without competing as “non-regulation” and wear a wetsuit, fins, and or any other non-motorized swim gear. Starting at about 9 a.m. at Scripps Pier, the race finishes on La Jolla Cove beach. The fastest swimmers typically finish in half an hour, and there is a 90-minute cutoff for the swim. After that time, any swimmers remaining in the water will be removed by San Diego Lifeguards and brought to The Cove. Swim bags will be transported to The Cove so participants can pick them up at the finish line. Duke’s La Jolla will provide a buffet breakfast for all swimmers. Awards will be presented to the first male and first female regulation swimmers and to the first-place regulation swimmers in each age group, broken into five-year increments. For more information, visit lajollcoveswimclub.com.

LJS&C RETURNS

The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus returns to Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, on June 10-11. Arian Khaefi, the Sally and Einar Gall chorus director, will conduct their final concert of the season, “Sacred and Sublime.” The name is inspired by the liturgical themes in the program. In Avodat Hakodesh (Sacred Service), composer Ernest Bloch set out to write a grand Shabbat service for symphony, chorus, and cantor. Local vocalist and cantor Michael Sokol will perform as a soloist in this piece, which is known for its sheer size and difficulty. Symphony audiences will also have a rare chance to experience “The Chariot Jubilee” by composer R. Nathaniel Dett. This powerful piece draws on text from the bible and is thought to be the first major choral symphonic use of African American spirituals. This concert will also mark a full circle moment for guest soloist Ayrton Pisco, who studied at SDSU and won first place in the 2018 LJS&C Young Artists Competition. He will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in the June concert. Tickets are available now and can be purchased by visiting ljsc.org, or phoning the box office at 858-534-4637.

FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

The Marine Room restaurant at 2000 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla is presenting “A Conscious Catch” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. Marine Room executive chef Mike Minor and chef de cuisine Alex Pailles, sustainable-seafood chef Rick Moonen and others have created a menu that minimizes carbon footprints and supports local seafood purveyors. Proceeds will benefit the La Jolla-based Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans.

FIDO CLEANUP

Grab your dogs and gloves and join in Sunday, June 11 to help keep the dog park sparkling. Fiesta Island Dog Owners members are being asked to step up and help patrol the fenced 90-acre dog park from 9:30-11 a.m. Picking up trash periodically is necessary and makes a huge difference. FIDO will supply single-use latex gloves along with trash bags to fill. Bring gloves and a picker-upper. All dogs are welcome. As always, FIDO cleanups are organized with I Love a Clean San Diego. Please sign in at the tables near the north gate. Volunteers needed to help with setup/takedown and to sign up people at the tables. Board members will be there to greet volunteers and coach them through the process.
DADS AT EDDIE V’S

Eddie V’s at 1270 Prospect St. is indulging dad with an 11-ounce Snake River Farms Gold Label Wagyu Strip Steak, available exclusively in-restaurant for Father’s Day on June 18. Top off an exceptional celebration with a special pour of a limited-edition batch of Eddie V’s single-barrel select Blanton’s Bourbon. As a gift from Eddie, Dad will receive a highly sought-after collectible Blanton’s topper by request. Eddie V’s will be open early for Father’s Day, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. with live music in the V Lounge from 4-8 p.m.

ROSE CREEK BIRD WALK

There will be a guided bird walk along Rose Creek in Pacific Beach on Saturday, June 24 from 6-8 p.m. The walk will be around the three bridges of Rose Creek; Gotch Bridge over the Mud Flats, between Grand Avenue and Garnet Avenue, the Estuary, which leads into the Riparian area of Sycamores, Ash, Cottonwood, and the Willows that the songbirds seek out for nesting, food and mating. Join Kyle and Laurie at Mission Bay High School in the faculty parking lot along Rose Creek off Grand Avenue.

Rose Creek is a treasure in Pacific Beach, popular with bikers on the east side, and a quiet, shaded walking path on the west side. Once a month, on Saturdays, Friends of Rose Creek lead a guided bird walk along the mud flats, winding estuary and into the riparian area full of trees and songbirds. Recently seen are baby ducks, seagulls, and osprey chicks. More unusual sightings; Northern Shoveler, Red Knot, and Black-headed Grosbeak.

OCEAN FILMS AT MANGELSEN

The Blue Water Film Festival will hold two special events at Mangelsen-Images of Nature Gallery, 7916 Girard Ave. On Friday, June 9, La Jolla-based artist, Zee Yuransky Book Presentation of “Zedism – New Paintings and Morphologies” including a copy of the book and one glass of wine. On Saturday, June 10 at 4 p.m. Dr. Wallace J. Nichols presents his book “Blue Minds” including a copy of the book and one glass of wine. Founded in 2020, the Blue Water Film festival celebrates the United Nations World Oceans Day, June 8. About 50% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film. Learn more at bluewaterfilmfestival.org.

MCASD THIRD THURSDAY

This Free Third Thursday on June 15, join the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Building at 700 Prospect St. for an artist talk at 6 p.m. with Celia Álvarez Muñoz and celebrate the launch of the full-color publication accompanying her museum retrospective. The publication, which is available for pre-order, will feature artwork by Celia Álvarez Muñoz; essays by co-curator Dr. Kate Green, MCASD Assistant Curator Isabel Casso, and Smithsonian archivist Josh Franco; and a conversation between scholar Dr. Roberto Tejada and Álvarez Muñoz.

MARKETING WORKSHOP

Discover PB will be hosting a marketing workshop by Sam Jusino, managing partner of DISTRIKT, at DPB’s next promotions committee meeting on Wednesday, June 14 at 4 p.m. at the business improvement district office at 1503 Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach. This workshop will help you create a sustainable marketing practice and engage more deeply with your customers. You will learn about data strategy, email marketing, organic marketing, audience targeting, paid social media, Google paid search, analytics and more.

OB PIER RENEWAL

Tell the City what you would like to see in the ideal Ocean Beach Pier at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road, on Saturday, June 10, from 2-4 p.m. The City is inviting the public to provide input about what features they would like to see included in an ideal Ocean Beach Pier. Free ice cream will be available, while supplies last. Fishing poles will be given to the first 20 kids and there will be 10 adult poles to be raffled off. This is the second in-person Community Workshop for the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. To provide public input online, click the following link: Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. Para más información visite obpierrenewal.com.

LOW VACANCY

A nuevo reporte by Construction Coverage looks at the U.S. locations with the highest rental vacancy rates. An important economic indicator, the country’s rental vacancy rate — or the measure of rental homes that are vacant in a given area — signals the balance between supply and demand for rental homes. When the rate is relatively high, it indicates an abundance of available rental properties, which typically places downward pressure on rent prices. Unfortunately, the rental vacancy rate in the U.S. is the lowest it’s been since the mid-80s — and as a result, competition over available units is fierce and prices are historically high. Many renters have no choice but to designate more and more of their income to rent, having less to spend on critical needs like food or healthcare — and being unable to save for life events like reducing debt and planning for retirement or family goals. During the study period, 3.3% of rental homes in the San Diego metro area were unoccupied, compared to 6.4% of rental homes nationally. Out of the 75 U.S. metros included in the analysis, San Diego had the 11th lowest rental vacancy rate in the first quarter of 2023.

SEAWORLD SUMMER CONCERTS

SeaWorld San Diego has announced its 2023 Summer Concert Series Sponsored by Coca-Cola that features something for everyone with a range of pop, R&B and rap artists all summer long. The park will welcome a lineup of iconic, Grammy-nominated, and chart-topping performers including Vanilla Ice, Jordin Sparks, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy, Todrick Hall, Tiffany, Jennifer Paige, Ashanti, and Mario. All concerts with be at Bayside Amphitheater at 6 p.m. and are included with park admission. Those looking to secure a seat can opt to purchase reserved seating in advance. Lineup: June 25 – Vanilla Ice; July 2 – Jordin Sparks; July 9 – Bow Wow and Soulja Boy; July 16 – Todrick Hall; July 23 – Tiffany and Jennifer Paige; July 30 – Mario; and Aug. 6 – Ashanti.

SALK WIDOW DIES

Françoise Gilot, artist, best-selling author, and wife of the late Salk Institute founder and vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, died on June 6 at a hospital in Manhattan at the age of 101. “Françoise Gilot has been truly inspirational to all of us at Salk, to Jonas during his life, and to our entire community through her involvement with Symphony at Salk and many other Salk undertakings,” said Salk president Gerald Joyce. “Her artistic genius can be seen on display around campus through the many pieces of art she donated to us. While we grieve her death, we celebrate Françoise’s spirit as we reflect on her art and her commitment to the Salk Institute.”

Gilot was well known for her fascination with architecture and her lifelong interest in science. Her love of architecture led Gilot to visit the Institute’s campus in 1969, where Jonas Salk personally led her tour. They were married in 1970 and remained wed until Salk’s death in 1995

TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINUES

Teamsters Local 683 representing 2,700 workers in a variety of industries in Southern California, whose members provide transportation services in San Diego, have voted by an overwhelming 95 percent to reject the latest offer from employer Transdev. The workers have been on an unfair labor practice strike since May 16 and will remain on the picket line until an agreement is reached.

After the vote, Local 683 secretary-treasurer Lee Fletcher sent a detailed letter to members and Transdev leadership outlining key issues with Transdev’s offer and why it was a non-starter. “Transdev stated it was disappointed to learn Teamsters Local 683 members voted down Transdev’s offer. This should not have been a surprise as the negotiating committee told Transdev this offer would not be accepted by drivers,” Lee Fletcher wrote. “Transdev continues to ignore the concerns of its employees that provide a service to the public and profit to Transdev.”

Transdev workers provide transportation services for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Following the vote, the MTS Board of Directors announced a special meeting for Thursday, June 8 to discuss resolving the labor dispute. “Teamsters Local 683 bus drivers remain united and committed to improving their working conditions and willing to negotiate a fair labor agreement for the Transdev employees,” Fletcher said.

INTERACTIVE KIOSKS DOWNTOWN

San Diego City Council approved plans to install in Downtown at least 50 interactive kiosks designed to help visitors and residents navigate the City. The new partnership with IKE (Interactive Kiosk Experience) Smart City and the Downtown San Diego Partnership aims to bring state-of-the-art wayfinding technology to commercial, pedestrian-oriented areas at no cost to the City or its constituents. The project is expected to produce nearly $15 million for the City of San Diego and another $7 million for the Downtown San Diego Partnership. IKE Smart City works collaboratively with the City and the Partnership on location selection, kiosk branding, on-screen content, and community engagement.

WRITE OUT LOUD

Write Out Loud – an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading short stories aloud for a live audience closes its 16th Season of Story Concerts with Women, Witty Wily & Wondrous on Monday, June 12 at the Old Town Theatre. Write Out Loud Story Concerts bring literature to life – aloud – with rehearsed readings by professional actors. Each program explores specific themes by weaving a variety of stories, poems, and sometimes music, together into a literary tapestry. Curtain is at 7 p.m. https://writeoutloudsd.com/story-concerts/.

HOTEL GRAND OPENING

Best Western San Diego Zoo/SeaWorld Inn & Suites at 2485 Hotel Circle Place will host a celebratory official grand opening day on Thursday, June 8. The hotel features 199 total guestrooms, including 68 suites, and is managed by Azul Hospitality Group, a San Diego-based hospitality management platform that provides an innovative approach to maximizing performance. The hotel recently completed a renovation of more than $2 million, debuting a new modern design throughout featuring soothing grays and cool deep blues against a backdrop of warm earthy tones. Guests can use laundry facilities, a 24-hour pantry, heated outdoor pool and sauna, business center and a complimentary hot breakfast.

UNDERGROUNDING DONE

City leaders and SDG&E recently removed the last overhead utility pole in La Jolla Shores marking the completion of the second phase of construction on the La Jolla. That project, which began in 2019, has built 1.8 miles of underground electrical, telephone and broadband service utilities that serve 81 homes. It has also provided five new streetlights and 14 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps and includes the planting of approximately 24 new street trees in the neighborhood. “The last pole ceremony gave us pause to recognize the city/SDG&E partnership that brings these projects to completion,” said District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava. “That is worth taking a moment to celebrate as another neighborhood enjoys the benefit of utilities that are safer and more reliable.’” The city is relocating around 15 miles of overhead utility lines underground throughout the city each year with 1,000 miles left to do. Estimates are all residential areas will be completed within the next 54 years.

NEW NONPROFIT VP

El San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to helping solve the region’s biggest problems through equity-centered research, policy analysis and collaboration-building among regional leaders and stakeholders, announced the hire of Emily Wier, who will serve as PIC’s first vice president, chief policy and strategy officer. In her new role, Wier is responsible for identifying, developing and implementing cross-sector initiatives that help PIC secure new growth opportunities through policy, business development, research and partnerships that create positive regional impact.

FLEET AT LIBRARIES

This summer, the Fleet Science Center brings both programming and exhibits to San Diego Public Libraries. “Libraries are looking to be more than places with books, but instead community hubs. Now, with this Fleet-San Diego Public Library partnership, you can pick up a book and see the Nano exhibition or attend a compelling panel discussion on STEM when you visit a library,” said Yanet Lopez, Fleet community engagement manager. Throughout the summer, the Fleet is bringing exhibits to San Diego neighborhood libraries with Fleet On the Go. On Saturday, June 17, the Fleet also will take part in the San Diego Public Library’s first Rainbow Revolution at Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. The Fleet will bring its popular New Science exhibition, which tells first-person stories of intersectional queer identities working in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine) professions. For more information about Fleet On the Go, visit fleetscience.org/events/fleet-go

SAN YSIDRO BUSIEST PORT

A nuevo reporte looking at the busiest border crossing ports for entering the U.S. shows that, in 2022, the San Ysidro port of entry saw 31,817,659 passenger and pedestrian crossings into the U.S. from Mexico. Among all border crossing ports, the San Ysidro port is the busiest for entry into the U.S. Due to non-essential travel restrictions to combat COVID-19, border crossings into the U.S. at ports of entry decreased dramatically in 2020 to the lowest levels since 1996. Since then, however, travel restrictions have been lifted and border entries have begun to recover. In fact, the U.S. processed nearly 194 million people and over 100 million vehicles entered into the country in 2022. And with the expiration of Title 42, border crossings are expected to eventually increase even more. For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on HireAHelper’s website.

ASOCIACIÓN DE FÚTBOL

San Diego MLS, the newest team in Major League Soccer, and Legends, a global premium experiences company, announced a new multi-year partnership focused on delivering a first-class experience for fans and partners with Legends managing global partnerships, premium seating, and season ticket sales for the club. Legends is working with San Diego MLS ownership and CEO Tom Penn to create lasting partnerships and season ticket memberships for the club as it enters the next phase of its journey toward a 2025 kickoff. This partnership will place an increased focus on expanding the club’s reach not only in San Diego, but across the nation, beyond the Mexican border, and throughout the world. “Soccer fans can reserve their place on the priority selection list for season tickets to San Diego’s inaugural MLS season by paying $18 at SanDiegoFC.com. All proceeds will be donated to San Diego Foundation to fund non-profits investing in the development of youth soccer across San Diego County. For the latest news and club updates, follow @SanDiegoMLS2025 on social media across all platforms and use the hashtags #SanDiegoMLS and #LetsKickItSD.

TOP LAW FIRM

For the third straight year, the Hahn Loeser & Parks San Diego Litigation Team was ranked among the top echelon of practices in the area of Litigation – General Commercial for San Diego in the 2023 edition of the prestigious Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, the nation’s most widely used legal services rankings guide. In addition, San Diego partners Michael J. Gleason, Steven A. Goldfarb y Gabe P. Wright were ranked as leaders in General Commercial Litigation.

BODHI TREE CONCERTS

Music En La Calle, the free music festival and street fair that brings together colorful musical performances representing a wide range of cultures and styles, returns to City Heights for the fifth time. It is being presented by nonprofit Conciertos del árbol Bodhi on Saturday, June 24 from noon-6 p.m., at Tierra Central at the corner of 41st Street and University Avenue in City Heights. Admission is free and open to all. Free, secure parking is available.

PASTA QUEENS

Announcing the opening of La Pastaia, a female-owned and operated restaurant in Bay Park. Two women in their early 20s moved to the United States from Sicily, Italy to chase their dream of opening their own, Venetian-style Italian restaurant, La Pastaia – meaning “The Pasta Lady.” The owners bring a wealth of knowledge, passion, and family tradition to Bay Park. Native Sicilian Priscilla Scardina is gifted with pasta-making hands and a heart. Scardina recalls how at the young age of 4 her mother taught her to make homemade pasta with her tiny fingers. She reminisced how, “The kitchen would come alive as the smell of garlic, basil, tomatoes, and rosemary filled the room and told stories of our Italian heritage.” Her love of authenticity and fine ingredients is evident in the recipes used to curate the menu.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

The Summer Reading Program began Thursday, June 1, and runs through Thursday, Aug. 31. Participants can earn prizes by completing 10 books, 10 hours of reading or a combination of reading and activities. Activities include attending a library storytime or Summer Reading event, starting a journal or recommending a book to a friend. The Summer Reading Program offers age categories for children (ages 0-5 and 6-11), youth (ages 12-17) and adults (ages 18 and up). After completing the program, readers will be eligible for prizes including free books, meal vouchers and passes to local museums. Reading and activities can be tracked online or on paper logs printed at home or picked up at any SDPL location. Last year, more than 24,000 people participated in the Summer Reading Program, reading nearly 366,000 books. To register online and view lists of recommended books and activities, visit sandiego.gov/summerreading.

SUCCESSFUL BLOOD DRIVE

More than 580 pints of blood were collected at the Padres seventh annual Summer Blood Drive, held recently at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square. A total of 650 registered donors received a limited-edition Padres Summer Blood Drive T-shirt and access to two complimentary tickets to the June 7 game against the Seattle Mariners. “We are truly grateful to the Padres, our presenting sponsor Sycuan Casino Resort, our supporting sponsors, and of course the donors for making our seventh annual Summer Blood Drive so successful again this year” said San Diego Blood Bank CEO Doug Morton. “As always, this drive helps us greatly as we head into summer – a time when collecting blood is particularly difficult.”

ADOPT A CAT

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and this year it is more important than ever for San Diego Humane Society to get the word out about adopting a feline friend. With a total of 1,310 cats in care, the organization is at 175% capacity for cats. One of the many reasons the organization is so full includes a recent case where 58 cats were rescued and brought to the shelter from a home in City Heights. The cats were found living in deplorable conditions inside a house. They were rescued by San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement on May 5 after a neighbor reached out for help. If you suspect animal cruelty or neglect in your neighborhood, please report it to San Diego Humane Society by calling 619-299-7012 (press 1 to report animal abuse).Visit http://www.sdhumane.org/adopt to view animals available for adoption.

PB LIBRARY JUNE EVENTS

Monday, June 12, 1-2 p.m. – Adult Craft: Origami Mobile Learn how to fold paper cranes, then have them take flight from a wooden perch. Supplies are limited to registration is required: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/adult-craft-origami-mobile. Monday, June 12, 6-7 p.m. – Middle School Book Club: “Laika” by Nick Abadzis. Middle school readers (grades 6-8) are invited to participate in a book club where we read a book, reflect and discuss and create art. Tuesday, June 13, 4-6 p.m. – Adult SRP: Picture This: “What’s Love Got To Do With It” (1993, R, 120 min.). Biographical film centered around singer Tina Turner’s musical success and personal trials. Starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jenifer Lewis, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney.

FESTA ROYALTY

Festa do Espírito Santo 2023 Queen Eva Rosa Jones holds the Crown of the Holy Spirit while walking with the procession back to S.E.S. Portuguese Hall, 2818 Avenida De Portugal, on Sunday, May 28. The annual Festa do Espírito Santo parade and party brings out the Point Loma Portuguese community to gather and celebrate their religious and cultural traditions. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

SAN DIEGO STORYTELLERS

For their free monthly session, San Diego Storytellers have chosen “Alchemy” as the topic for June. As part of the stories of wit and imagination, Lisette Ryan will play her harp as she weaves her tales. Others on the program include Fred Laskowski, Tyler Turner, Arlyn Hackett, and Mindy Donner. The stories, for ages 12 and above are told without notes on the mini-stage at Template, 5032 Niagara Ave. where coffee drinks and pastries will be available for purchase. Future sessions are on the second Tuesday of each month.

SEAWORLD RIDE DEBUTS

The fastest and longest straddle coaster on the West Coast, Artic Rescue, will launch at SeaWorld San Diego, 500 Sea World Drive, on June 2. The ice is melting, Arctic animals are in peril and it’s time to hop on your snowmobile and ride to the rescue. Experience every icy thrill as you navigate three exhilarating launches and reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. Inspired by the valiant efforts of the SeaWorld Rescue Team, this is one mission you’ll want to accept again and again.

ARTS DISTRICT FIRST FRIDAY

On Friday, June 2 in Liberty Station, wander and observe all there is to offer in the Arts District with various art exhibitions, workshops and more. You can view the entire lineup of events aquí. ArtWalk Liberty Station Summer Series is a partnership between ArtWalk and Arts District. An event welcoming people to experience the creative community. Over 20 Arts District tenants will exhibit both outdoors and in their studios to showcase their creative side with special work by Mi Gallery Tu Gallery, which will be holding a Painting Frida Workshop, and Songbirds Music, which will be holding a Rhythm Kids Family Music Class. The showings will take place from 3-8 p.m.

Apt 4 Music’s First Friday at Carruth Cellars is kicking off June 2, from 4:30-8 p.m., attendees of all ages are welcome to stop by for a free evening of live music featuring musicians from Arts District’s own, Apt 4 Music. The night will start with single song performances from practicing students, followed by a junior band and then conclude with Anne/Rice Music. Colectivo de artesanía de San Diego is welcoming attendees to their studio for a free live craft demonstration and portable saw milling. Donated logs that were home to Liberty Station will now be utilized by Craft Collective workers who will be milling the big logs and sharing some background on biomass utilization and sustainable urban forestry.

Sociedad de Acuarela de San Diego will present a water-based media exhibition titled “Color Scheming,” juried by award-winning artist, Stephanie Goldman. The opening reception will take place Friday, June 2 from 5-8 p.m. and will feature over 95 ready-to-hang paintings as well as refreshments. Veltz Fine Art will be holding a painting reception featuring large scale abstract paintings referencing topographical maps by Brazilian born artist Samantha Da Silva. The reception is free and will run from 4-8 p.m. in the Veltz Fine Art studio.

POINT LOMA SUMMER CONCERTS

Point Loma Summer Concerts will celebrate their 21st season with free outdoor summer concerts from July 14 through Aug. 11 with a different weekly theme. Attendees can listen to these free performances at Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd., beginning at 5:30 p.m. The concert lineup will be Big Time Operator (’40s) on July 14; Scot Bruce Elvis (’50s) on July 21; Beatles vs Stones (’60s) on July 28; Full Strength (’70s) on Aug. 4; and DSB Journey (’80s) on Aug. 11.

“We have one of the longest and growing concerts in the County and these concerts provide a great chance for neighbors and families to gather for a relaxing evening of picnicking, entertainment, and great music,” said PLSC marketing director Joel Ellazar.

PLSC has grown into one of the biggest volunteer-run community concert series in San Diego, boasting an average concert attendance of more than 3,500 fans. The concerts are now a community tradition.

While many aspects of the concerts have changed over the years, the organization’s ultimate mission is to support music education in local schools.

PLSC has announced a new partnership with Coldwell Banker West as the title sponsor for this year’s concert series. “We are so very excited to be the title sponsor of PLSC this year,” said Carey Cuthrie, manager of the Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Liberty Station Coldwell Banker West offices. “Coldwell Banker West is one of the top brokerages on the Peninsula, and we are always looking to support the community we love. The opportunity to bring the concerts together for the families of Point Loma and Ocean Beach is truly an honor for our agents who live and work here. We look forward to seeing all our neighbors at the concerts and can’t wait to dance with them on the field as this year’s title sponsor.”

Platinum sponsors are the Point Loma Association, Dorothea Laub, and Anderson Plumbing Heating and Air. Gold sponsors are Gallagher, Bolander Smedley LLP, Point Loma Nazarene University, Bayview Senior Assisted Living, David P. De Rosier Dentistry, and Harbor Town Pub. Opportunities are still available to sponsor on various levels. For more information, visit pointlomasummerconcerts.org.

“The concerts are by the community and for the community,” said PLSC chair Kerri De Rosier. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome Coldwell Banker West to the fold. Without sponsors like Coldwell Banker West, we couldn’t produce these concerts for the community.”
ARTS LEADER RETIRES

Longtime San Diego arts leader Alan Ziter announced that after 43 years of advancing and promoting arts and culture he will be retiring in June from his current leadership role at the NTC Foundation to travel, do community service, and enjoy San Diego like a tourist. Throughout his career in nonprofit arts, he has worked with leading San Diego artists, arts administrators, patrons, civic leaders, board members and audiences.

In December 2003, Ziter was hired as the executive director of the NTCF, which oversees the restoration of 26 historic buildings at the former Naval Training Center and opening of them as Arts District Liberty Station. To date, the NTCF has secured $110 million to renovate 17 buildings. Arts District is a curated campus of 105 galleries, dance companies, civic groups, and nonprofit organizations as well as artists, designers, cafes and creative retail.

“It has been a great pleasure working with Alan through the years and I am so grateful for everything Alan has done to advance the arts at Liberty Station and in the greater San Diego community,” said Lisa Johnson, president and CEO of NTCF. “I am confident he will continue to impact our community in positive ways, and I hope he enjoys his well-earned retirement.”

In addition to being part of the team that renovated the historic Navy buildings, Ziter and the NTCF staff developed community programs at the Arts District, including Friday Night Liberty (now First Friday Arts District) open studios, Liberty School Arts Education Program for Underserved Youth, and Installations at the Station, which commissions local artists to create temporary artworks on the former Navy grounds.

Over the past five years, Ziter and the NTCF team have been working with Cygnet Theatre on the development of a performing arts center for the Arts District. With planning and designs complete, and $38.9 million in fundraising nearing its goal, groundbreaking is planned for late 2023 for The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center with an opening in 2025. It will be the new home for Cygnet Theatre – San Diego’s third largest theater company – and will meet the needs of dance companies and other mid-size to small performing groups.

“We have been so fortunate to have such a passionate arts leader like Alan on our team for more than 20 years,” said Judy Nora, NTCF board chair. “During Alan’s tenure, the NTCF has evolved tremendously, and his legacy will remain through many of the programs he helped to develop.” For more information, visit ntcfoundation.org y artsdistrictlibertystation.com.

PLHS THESPIAN PERFORMANCE

“And Then There Were None,” based on the Agatha Christie mystery novel of the same name, will be the final performance presented by the Point Loma High Thespian Society on Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. in the Larry Zeiger Theater at PLHS, 2335 Chatsworth Blvd. Cost is $8 for students. $15 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, from a cast member or in advance. The PLHS drama program and drama club have been revived post-pandemic. The drama club, officially called the Thespians, was revived this year by junior Emma Nickel, who also helped organize an after-school theater program. The group put on the play “Inherit the Wind” in February and March this year. The new director of the after-school program, and director of the current play, is Kevin Mahoney. The high school has plans for formal theater classes in the 2023-24 school year.

PLHS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

For all the latest PLHS news and photos, follow on Facebook @Point Loma High School and Instagram @PointLomaHS1925. PLHS athletics can be found on Instagram @fightingpointers. The Pointer Association can be found on Facebook @Point Loma High School Pointer Association.

MEMORIAL WREATH LAYING

The San Diego Chapter of Truman National Security Project, along with elected officials and regional community leaders, honored those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the country with 10 wreaths laid at the eighth annual Truman San Diego Memorial Day Sunrise Reflection Ceremony held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Way, on Memorial Day, May 29.

The Truman San Diego Sunrise Reflection began in 2015 with 20 volunteers laying 1,000 roses on the graves at Fort Rosecrans. In 2016, the event had 140 volunteers and 6,600 roses. In 2017, it grew exponentially to 30,000 roses, four wreaths, and more than 900 volunteers at sunrise. In 2018, 1,500 volunteers sign up and more than 80,000 roses distributed across both Fort Rosecrans and Miramar National Cemeteries.

MEALS ON WHEELS FUNDRAISER

Meals on Wheels San Diego County will be taking a walk on the wild side at its “Jungle Jamboree” gala Saturday, June 3 from 5:30-10:30 p.m. in Liberty Station at Building 177, 2875 Dewey Road. Hundreds of community members will gather for an evening to support Meals on Wheels San Diego County, whose mission is to provide meals to its thousands of senior clients seven days a week, including holidays. The evening event will begin with a silent auction and cocktail and appetizer reception, featuring the audience-favorite Chef Appetizer Showcase. For the showcase, each participating chef will prepare and present an appetizer, and attendees will vote on their favorite during the sit-down dinner. There will be a live auction to help raise funds for Meals on Wheels San Diego County’s mission. The live auction will include a trip to Costa Rica, a tropical trip to Nuevo Vallarta, a Palm Springs Paradise package, and other unique experiences. Tickets more information can be found at sandiegomealsonwheels.org.

PECHANGA CONCERT

$uicideboy$ will bring their Grey Day Tour to San Diego on Oct. 8 at Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. Buy tickets at AXS.com. Tickets are also on sale at the Pechanga Arena San Diego Box Office open Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

NEW ARENA GM

ASM Global, a producer of live entertainment experiences, has selected general manager Steve Eckerson to continue the unprecedented streak of Pechanga Arena’s attendance records as the venue nears its 60th anniversary. Following a record-setting 2022, the arena is on track for greater growth in 2023, having already hosted legendary classic rock band The Eagles in March and looking forward to two nights of Blink-182, international artist Luis Miguel, and the return of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to San Diego after 42 years.

“I look forward to working with the stellar team already in place at Pechanga Arena and with the City to enjoy our continued success together,” said Eckerson. “Pechanga Arena has been of interest to me for many years. When the opportunity presented itself to serve as general manager, I knew it would be the right move for me to support ASM Global by coming to San Diego. The arena has a rich history in San Diego with so many first memories made for young sports and music fans.”

EV CHARGING STATIONS

The Port of San Diego has partnered with KIGT, Inc., a minority-owned, manufacturer and services provider of electric vehicle charging stations, to install 10 public EV charging stations in the San Diego Convention Center parking garage. The recent addition of the EV charging stations brings the total amount of stations along the San Diego Bay waterfront to 62, of which 36 are public and 26 are Port staff parking stalls.

PADRES BROADCAST CHANGE

Major League Baseball will begin producing and distributing Padres games after Diamond Sports Group, which operates the Bally Sports regional networks, missed a rights fee payment. Padres fans can now obtain a new direct-to-consumer streaming subscription for $19.99 per month or $74.99 for the rest of the season by registering at MLB.TV. By offering a direct-to-consumer streaming option on MLB.TV in the Club’s territory for the first time, MLB is able to lift the blackout for Padres games previously distributed on Bally Sports San Diego. Fans can also find more information about the availability of Padres games at Padres.com/tunein. Diamond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March and has been negotiating with MLB with its teams over streaming rights. Those talks have not progressed, and Diamond is now looking to shed unprofitable television contracts. The Padres and Diamond were in the middle of a 20-year contract worth $1.2 billion through 2032.

TOP NONPROFIT

Goodwill Industries of San Diego County has been selected as a 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Pro Tempore Toni Atkins. Goodwill San Diego is one of more than 100 nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assembly members for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve. Goodwill locations include La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Clairemont, and the Midway District. “We are deeply humbled to be named a 2023 Nonprofit of the Year,” said Toni Giffin, Goodwill San Diego president and CEO. “The career services we provide to San Diego County residents in need of employment, soft skills training, job search assistance, and wrap-around services to support their career choice are available at our five Goodwill Community Employment Centers.”

TRINITY THEATRE

Trinity Theatre Company has established a “home base” in a Mission Valley mall. Rehearsals for the next Grown Up Stage production “Ride The Cyclone,” directed by Leigh Scarritt, will begin at the new space immediately. The Mission Valley space will open to the public with Trinity’s Level Up Summer Camps, which begins June 20. Helmed by artistic director Sean Boyd, Trinity Theatre Company renders productions of great societal value in hopes of unifying friends, family, and community. TTC believes all individuals wishing to participate in the performing arts should have a venue in which they inspire and are inspired. trinityttc.org.

SISTER LEAGUE

Sister League of San Diego appointed six new board members who will each help support the nonprofit’s work to provide affordable, safe and supportive housing to adult women in San Diego affected by mental health issues, homelessness, trauma and domestic abuse. “We are excited to expand our board with six new members who will bring diverse expertise and insight to our important work,” said Megan Mazza, Sister League of San Diego board president. “We have worked hard to ensure Sister League’s board represents a variety of backgrounds needed to best support the organization’s vision to better women’s lives with resident-centered, recovery-oriented, supportive housing, and our newest board members are no exception.”

SDUSD CELEBRATES PRIDE

In recognition of June as Pride Month, students from the San Diego Unified School District held the annual ceremony to raise the Pride Progress Flag at district headquarters, 4100 Normal St. at 10 a.m. on June 1. District leaders, educators, and members of the Board of Education observed the student-led event. The district recognizes its ongoing commitment to promote safe and affirming school spaces for students, families, and educators that focuses on intersectional diversity, acceptance, and unconditional support for our LGBTQIA+ students, families, and educators. The Pride Progress flag symbolizes the inclusion of marginalized groups within the LGBTQIA+ community.

SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS

Aeropuerto Internacional de San Diego is expecting to see more passengers this summer than at any time since the beginning of the pandemic. Passengers can expect congestion in front of the existing Terminal 1 and on the roadways approaching the airport. Also, with construction underway on Terminal 1 parking structure (scheduled to open in late-2024), airport parking is extremely limited. Parking is currently available at Terminal 2 Parking Plaza. Beginning in June, expect additional construction impacts on the roadways along and approaching the airport. Suggested tips for summer months: Before coming to the airport, be sure to check with your airline to confirm your flight time; arrive early, don’t cut it close; make parking reservations, secure your spot; passengers can ride the Terminal Loop Shuttle, which transports passengers between the two terminals in an efficient manner; Folleto de San Diego is a free shuttle bus service operating seven days a week between the Old Town Transit Station and SAN; get dropped off or use a ride-share; and follow the signs whether dropping off or picking up passengers. For more information, visit san.org.

YOUTH SUPPORTED

San Diego Foundation and Dr. Seuss Foundation announced $1.15 million in grants to support 23 local nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing quality, affordable early childhood education, care, and resources for families with young children, up to age 5. “When we invest in affordable quality early education, care, and resources, we’re investing in our region’s families and the local workforce,” said Mark Stuart, president and CEO of San Diego Foundation. “Through our grantmaking with the Dr. Seuss Foundation, we will have a larger collective impact on San Diego’s children and their families, and build a more resilient region for years to come.” The grant funding includes $650,000 from SDF and $500,000 from the Dr. Seuss Foundation.

OPIOID TREATMENT BILL

Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) legislation allows physicians to enroll youth over the age of 16 in buprenorphine treatment without prior parental consent. AB 816 has passed off the State Assembly Floor with bipartisan support and now heads into the State Senate. Buprenorphine is the only FDA approved treatment for youths and is the safest and most effective treatment available. Due to buprenorphine’s natural chemical ceiling it makes it difficult to abuse the drug and impossible to overdose on.

GASLAMP ARCHWAY RETROFIT

The iconic Gaslamp Quarter Archway, a symbol of the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego, recently had an extensive retrofit to preserve its historical significance and enhance its visual appeal. The retrofit is complete as of June 1. This restoration ensures that future generations can appreciate the archway’s historical significance while enjoying an enhanced and captivating experience. Originally conceived in 1986 and dedicated to the public in 1991, the archway has welcomed visitors to the Gaslamp Quarter for over three decades. The refurbishment work was carried out by Patrick Flahive at Reprohaus Signs. The retrofit embraces a green initiative by transitioning from neon to LED lighting offering energy efficiency and stability. As a result, the archway will shine brighter. To learn more, visit gaslamp.org.

TURNING THE KEY

Father Joe’s Villages has announced two more communities as part of its broader Turning the Key initiative to provide 2,000 affordable housing units to people experiencing homelessness in San Diego. One community is at the intersection of 17th Street and Commercial Street and the other is at 16th Street and Island Avenue. Construction of the property on 17th and Commercial streets will be funded in part by a $4 million Community Development Block Grant awarded by the City of San Diego earlier in March. The property at Island and 16th streets was transferred to Father Joe’s Villages in 2022, and will be demolished to make room for a new building. To address the complex needs of people who are homeless, the organization provides housing for as many as 3,000 people each night, along with health care, substance use disorder treatment, job training, therapeutic childcare, and more. For more information, visit https://my.neighbor.org/.

LACROSSE MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, presented by Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, is set to begin on June 21 when the United States opens the 11-day tournament with a match against Canada at Snapdragon Stadium. The event will feature 30 countries, more than 100 games over 11 days and many of the sport’s top international stars. Games will be played at Snapdragon Stadium and on campus at both San Diego State University and the University of San Diego, including San Diego State’s Sports Deck and USD’s Torero Stadium. Tickets are on sale at worldlax2023.com/.

COUNTY FAIR ADMISSION

The 2023 San Diego County Fair is June 7-July 4. Save on adult admission any day of the Fair at Albertsons/Vons. Pick up your groceries and receive a $3 off discount code to use when you purchase Fair tickets online. Midweek admission is $5 less than Friday-Sunday admission. Kids and seniors are $12 ($17 on weekends), and adults are $15 ($20 on weekends). Combine that with an Albertsons/Vons discount code and save $3 more. Kids 5 and younger get free admission any and every day of the Fair. Children 6-12 years of age are free on Fridays.

ROCK N ROLL RACE

Participants from around the world will hit the roads in America’s Finest City on June 3-4 for the 25th edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego. Beginning in San Diego in 1998, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series has brought the fun to run for 25 years by infusing each course with live bands, cheer teams, community involvement, and more. The historic start line next to Balboa Park on Sixth Avenue will launch more than 25,000 runners into their 26.2- or 13.1-mile journey through San Diego’s communities on Sunday, June 4. On Saturday, June 3, runners participating in the 5K will take in the scenic course through Balboa Park. Race weekend kicks off with the Health & Fitness Expo at the San Diego Convention Center on June 2-3. For more information, visit runrocknroll.com/san-diego.

EDUCATORS REACH AGREEMENT

The San Diego Unified School District, the San Diego Education Association, and the California School Employees Association Paraeducators Chapter 759 have reached tentative agreements on three-year contracts for teachers and paraeducator staff. The deals provide professional development opportunities for educators, additional staffing, lower class size caps for K-3 classrooms, a fair compensation package, and maintain health care benefits for employees. A key component of the agreement is a 10% pay increase for the 2022-23 school year, retroactive to July 1, 2022, and a 5% increase in the 2023-24 school year effective July 1, 2023.

SUMMER ROAD FATALITIES

Summer is the deadliest time of year on California’s roads. A team of analysts at USA Today Blueprint found that the number of fatal crashes in June, July, and August has increased 25% since 2018 – one of the highest rates nationwide. A full report on the rising number of summer driving fatalities is available at the link below. It includes detailed information on the number of fatal crashes in each state and resources for how drivers can protect themselves.

usatoday.com/money/blueprint/auto-insurance/states-with-the-most-summer-driving-fatalities/.

MEDI-CAL COVERAGE

With the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement, Medi-Cal in April resumed the renewal process for its more than 15 million members, and the Department of Health Care Services estimates between 2 and 3 million people will no longer be eligible for coverage. As this process continues over the next year, Covered California stands ready to enroll eligible Californians transitioning out of Medi-Cal. “Covered California is working closely with DHCS to help keep Californians who lose their Medi-Cal coverage enrolled in quality, affordable coverage and to support them every step of the way,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “While everyone’s renewal date is different, there are important steps that Medi-Cal members can take now to keep themselves and their families covered.” Medi-Cal members should update their contact information if it has changed in the last three years by logging in to their online account through BenefitsCal.com o MyBenefitsCalWIN.org. Members can also contact their local Medi-Cal office o visitar KeepMedi-CalCoverage.org to learn how to get started.

SENIORS STAYING PUT

A nuevo estudio looking at the U.S. locations where retirees have been in their homes the longest shows older Americans are holding onto their homes, meaning less existing supply is available for new buyers entering the market. And unlike previous generations, baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — have shown a greater propensity to age in place, proving reluctant to leave homes where they feel comfortable and costs are affordable as they reach retirement. The analysis found that residents aged 65 and older account for 33.1% of owner-occupied households in the San Diego metro area, with 37.7% not having moved in 30 or more years.

YES, NO, MAYBE?

Two beachgoers at No Surf beach at Sunset Cliffs sunbath next to an open question formed from seaweed in the sand on Sunday, May 28. Did they find their prom dates? Not much time left as the Point Loma High School prom will take place on Saturday, June 3, from 7-11 p.m., at the San Diego Zoo. The 2023 PLHS commencement ceremony will take place on June 14 at 5 p.m. in the Greek Theatre at Point Loma Nazarene University. (Photo by Thomas Melville)

PADRES BLOOD DRIVE
Seventh annual Padres Summer Blood Drive, presented by Sycuan Casino Resort, will be Wednesday, May 31, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Gallagher Square 840 K St. All blood donors will receive a limited-edition Padres Summer Blood Drive T-shirt, access to free parking in the Lexus Premier Parking Lot (Corner of Park Blvd. and Imperial Ave.) and access to two complimentary tickets to the June 7 game against the Seattle Mariners (while supplies last). Appointments are no longer available, but walk-ins are welcome. Visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org or call 619-400-8251 for more information.

BEACH AND BAY SAFETY THIS SUMMER

On Thursday, May 25, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) Lifeguard Division and San Diego Police shared information regarding beach and bay safety during holiday weekends. SDFD lifeguards typically see an increase in visitors and activity at Mission Bay, one of the nation’s top destinations for aquatic enthusiasts. With more than 40 miles of oceanfront and bay shoreline to patrol throughout the city, SDFD lifeguards help keep an average of 17 million visitors safe and conduct an estimated 7,000 rescues at local beaches each year. Additionally, lifeguards manage cliff, scuba and swift water rescues, enforce boating safety

“Lifeguards and police officers patrolling the beaches and Mission Bay want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience,” said Lifeguard Chief James Gartland. “Boaters and passengers should learn safety regulations before operating a vessel and be aware of individuals illegally renting vessels.”

In addition, the Clean Beach Coalition – sponsored by Think Blue San Diego and the City’s Parks and Recreation Department – will be adding 200 extra trash and recycling bins during major holiday weekends this summer to keep beach areas free of trash and debris.

GODDESS COFFEE

Goddess Coffee, which markets itself as the City’s first bikini barista coffee shop, is anticipated to open this week at 910 Grand Ave. in Pacific Beach. Goddess Coffee will open in the plaza that also houses The Grass Skirt and Rubio’s. The cafe will feature bikini-clad baristas serving an array of coffee and espresso drinks made with Fair Trade and organic beans from South Park’s veteran-owned Seven Seas Roasting. There will also be grab-and-go food and pastries, as well as protein-infused beverages and mushroom coffee. The business’ mission is to inspire women everywhere to free their inner goddess; to love their bodies, embrace their sensuality, their natural beauty, and their divine feminine power within, according to the company’s website.

RUBIO’S LAUNCHES NEW CARNITAS

It’s time to celebrate Rubio’s 40th summer — the summer of Baja — beginning with the launch of tender, slow-cooked Carnitas. Available starting May 31 will be the new Baja-inspired Carnitas Macha Two Taco Plate (right), Carnitas Macha Bowl, and Carnitas Macha Burrito. Guests can also get the carnitas on any of their favorites, as a substitute for chicken or steak. Rubio’s Summer of Baja also features Baja Weekends, kicking off Memorial Day weekend. From May 25 through Labor Day weekend, guests can enjoy $3 alcohol and free chips with any drink purchase, dine-in only, every Thursday to Sunday, after 3 p.m.

BIKE ANYWHERE DAY

Thousands participated in SANDAG Bike Anywhere Day, formerly Bike to Work Day, on Thursday, May 18. Nearly 3,700 people took the free pledge to GO by BIKE and visited more than 100 pit stops around the region, including one at Pacific Beach/Taylor Library at4275 Cass St. and the La Jolla Riford Branch Library at 7555 Draper Ave. “Thanks to everyone that participated in Bike Anywhere Day. Today was a great example of how our community can come together to promote a cleaner environment,” said SANDAG and San Diego Supervisor chairwoman Nora Vargas. “It shows our commitment as a county in promoting active ways of transportation and moves us closer to cleaner air and healthier and stronger communities in San Diego County.”

From Oceanside to El Cajon to Tijuana, bicyclists were cheered on and greeted by volunteers as they pedaled through the 100 pit stops across the San Diego region. At the pit stops, riders received a free commemorative SANDAG Bike Anywhere Day 2023 T-shirt, snacks, refreshments, and a SANDAG regional bike map to explore the more than 1,700 miles of featured bikeways. SANDAG has organized this event for more than 30 years to promote a fun, environmentally friendly, and cost-saving alternative to driving. For more information about biking and other alternative transportation programs, visit SANDAG.org/BikeMonth.

SALT & STRAW IN UTC

Salt & Straw ice cream has opened a new scoop shop in La Jolla, bringing their cult-favorite flavors to the popular Westfield UTC shopping center, 575 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 1150. Salt & Straw will feature its Upcycled Food Series on its menu. Available from May 26 through the month of June, the series features five flavors, each in partnership with brands focused on reducing food waste in the U.S., with the menu itself fully certified upcycled by the Upcycled Food Association. Upcycled food is an innovative approach that creates new, high-quality products from ingredients that would have otherwise ended up in a food waste destination. Through this series, Salt & Straw aims to save approximately 38,000 pounds of food from going to waste.

FIDO SHIRT SALE & CLEANUP

T-shirt sale ends on June 4. Show your support for FIDO’s efforts to preserve and maintain the dog park, all while wearing the newest FIDO apparel. Check out all the goods on Hoguera – shirts should begin arriving June 13. The next cleanup at the dog park is on Sunday, June 11 from 9:30-11 a.m. fidosd.org.

BENEFIT CONCERT

A benefit concert featuring world-class Ukrainian pianist Oleg Poliansky will take place on Sunday, June 18 at 4 p.m. at La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Poliansky was born in 1968 in Kiev, now Ukraine. He has won prizes at many international competitions. He has performed in the largest international concert halls and performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras such as Moscow Soloists. Poliansky is also a distinguished chamber musician. For further details, see eventbrite.com or call 858-740-4049.

FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

The Marine Room restaurant at 2000 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla is presenting “A Conscious Catch” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. Marine Room executive chef Mike Minor and chef de cuisine Alex Pailles, sustainable-seafood chef Rick Moonen, and others have created a menu that minimizes carbon footprints and supports local seafood purveyors. Proceeds will benefit the La Jolla-based Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans. Visit bit.ly/MarineRoomConsciousCatch.

PET ADOPTION EVENT

ABC Veterinary Hospital Pacific Beach at 2032 Hornblend St. is holding its first adoption event on June 10 from 1-4 p.m. The hospital has been a long standing community member of PB for over 30 years, and is dedicated to being as involved in the community as possible. The adoption event will include a taco food truck, games, prizes and puppies and kittens. They are working with Kanes K9 Animal Rescue and Del Mar Dog Rescue to try and get these furbabies adopted. They offer urgent care services, surgical services, preventative care and international travel services. The first 60 guests will get a free taste of The Lime Truck, and get the chance to meet staff and participate in merchandise giveaways.

POLICE PRACTICES COMMISSION

San Diego City Council members voted to appoint the new commissioners to the Commission on Police Practices, a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to implement Measure B and ensure transparency, accountability, and to foster trust between the community and the San Diego Police Department. “As chair of the City of San Diego Public Safety Committee, I am excited that we are one step closer to implementing bold, robust, and transparent police oversight,” said Councilmember Marni von Wilpert. “I am confident the new commissioners will bring valuable and diverse expertise and perspectives to the table, and I am eager for them to get to work as soon as possible.”

Commissioners are Darlanee Mulmat in District 1, Alec Beyer in District 2, Brandon Hilpert in District 3, Dwayne Harvey in District 4, Octavio Aguilar in District 5, Cheryl Ann Geyerman in District 6, Dennis Brown in District 7, James Justus in District 8 and Ramon Montaño Marquez in District 9.

ATHENAEUM EXHIBITION

Exhibition on view now through July 8 – Wendell Kling transforms the Athenaeum’s gallery and windows at 1008 Wall St. in La Jolla with light, color, and cut paper silhouetted imagery to create a peaceful, contemplative retreat. Taking inspiration from temples of various belief systems, A Coruscating Sanctuary provides a platform for the activities that take place within. Kineto-luminescent furnishings and lights orient participants to the central “altar” and matching lectern. Here, the sanctuary invites visitors to participate in quiet reflection, readings, and occasional activations in the exchange of philosophies through poetry, sound, movement, and performance. Kling’s work is grounded in contemporary interdisciplinary practice that often incorporates sculptural objects with two-dimensional media, installation, performance, and film.

BIKE FRIENDLY SD

It’s National Bike Month and researchers analyzed a series of factors such as infrastructure, traffic safety, weather, share of commuters who ride a bike to work, number of coworking options with bike amenities, and bike sharing services. San Diego took ninth place among the most bike-friendly U.S. cities. In terms of infrastructure and safety, San Diego registered 1 mile of bike lanes per square mile, with one bike accident per 100,000 people over five years, which puts the city in the top 10 in the ranking; San Diego also showcased exceptionally good weather conditions for cycling, ranking third. When it comes to co-working options, four locations offer bike-related amenities in the city, being the fourth best ranking among the Californian locations; California dominated the list of most bike-friendly cities, securing eight spots in the top 20, with San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles making it to the top 10.

JENI’S GRAND OPENING

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in North Park at 2871 University Ave. will hold its grand opening on Monday, June 5 from 7-11 p.m and will be serving free scoops all night long. Bonus: The first few folks in line will get extra Jeni’s goodies.

EL SABOR DE LA PEQUEÑA ITALIA

Prepare you tastebuds for a day full of fresh, authentic Italian cuisine at the annual Sabor de la pequeña Italia on June 20-21. Ticketholders will also receive a Taste Passport at check-in to be used to keep track of their favorite appetizers, entrees, desserts, and beverages from participating restaurants. For more information, visit saboroflittleitalysd.com.

NEW SDHS VP

San Diego Humane Society announced Brian Daugherty as its new executive vice president. Daugherty was promoted after serving for seven years as senior vice president and chief philanthropy and communications officer at SDHS. In his new role, Daugherty will add oversight of operations, to help with the vision, direction and evaluation of all departments. “Brian’s promotion is designed to enable staff and volunteers at the core of the work we do: help pet families stay together,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of SDHS. “As animal welfare continues to evolve, our work will evolve with it to best meet the needs of our community.”

TRANSIT LABOR STRIKE

Transdev workers represented by Teamsters Local 683 who provide transportation services for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) are on an unfair labor practice strike. Local 683 has filed three ULP charges and an OSHA complaint against Transdev for bargaining in bad faith, threatening workers for honoring a picket line, unilaterally changing drivers’ schedules, and failing to provide workers with access to sanitary bathrooms and secure rest areas for their legally mandated breaks. MTS East County routes are currently operating at 85% of normal. South Bay division routes are not as high due to call-offs. All other divisions and the trolley still operating normally. The South Bay Bus routes that may be impacted include 1, 3, 5, 27, 28, 35, 225, 701, 704, 705, 709, 712, 901, 904, 905, 906, 907, 909, 916, 917, 923, 929, 932, 933, 934, 950/950A, 955, 961, 962, 963, 967, 968, 992.

CHILD, YOUTH MASTER PLAN

To help create its first-ever Child and Youth Master Plan, the City will hold nine town hall forums to gather community input on services available to families and young people. The town hall meetings, which began May 20, will be held virtually. The Child and Youth Master Plan will eventually become a roadmap to create a citywide shared vision of services, programs and resources that support equitable cross-generational solutions to uplift the voices of children, youth and families in San Diego. “Creating the first-ever child and youth master plan is important to building a San Diego that considers all ages when creating equal access to opportunities and resources,” said Andrea O’Hara, executive director of the Office of Child and Youth Success. “These town halls provide an opportunity for our community to discuss critical issues affecting our youngest San Diego residents so that we may consider those challenges and create solutions that put residents first.” To learn more about the Child and Youth Master Plan and to register for virtual town halls or sign-up to participate in steering committees, visit sandiego.gov/child-youth-success.

GUN SALE RESTRICTIONS

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a multi-state coalition of attorneys general encouraging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to affirm a district court decision upholding the federal law restricting sales of handguns and handgun ammunition to people under 21 years of age in Reese v. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives. The district court granted the government’s motion to dismiss, and plaintiffs have appealed. The multi-state coalition argues that an opinion striking down the federal law could undermine efforts by states to protect their citizens through the application of similar age limitations laws. “Upholding the federal law is especially important because individuals under 21 commit a disproportionate share of violent crimes,” said Bonta. “For almost 60 years, federal law has prohibited federally licensed firearms retailers from selling handguns and handgun ammunition to individuals under the age of 21. It has stood the test of time and should be upheld to protect people across the nation. I stand with other states dedicated to safeguarding yet another commonsense gun law.”

BURRITO EATING CONTEST

There’s nothing more fun than burritos and friendly competition, and El Chingon at 560 Fifth Ave. will combine the two with its “Fat Ass” burrito eating contest, beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Teams of two will battle against the clock to conquer El Chingon’s famous, five-pound “Fat Ass” burrito, made with three flour tortillas and stuffed with carne asada, refried beans, rice, pico de gallo and Chingon cheese blend, in 30 minutes or less. The first team in each city to finish the five-pound burrito will win a bottle of 1942 Don Julio tequila, $100 gift cards, swag and bragging rights. Entry is complimentary with complete details and rules available online. More information about El Chingon is available at elchingon.com.

FATHER JOE’S FUNDRAISER

On May 20, Pueblos del Padre Joe’ 38th annual sold-out event Waves of Possibilities raised nearly $1.3M for life-changing programs and services to support nearly 600 families and more than 1,100 children experiencing homelessness in San Diego. Father Joe’s Villages provides housing, food, health and dental care, and counseling services for children and adults. During the event, Allan and Peggy Keck, The Menard Family Foundation, and The Ladies Guild were recognized for their commitment to supporting San Diegans experiencing and overcoming homelessness to receive vital services.

JOBSEEKERS TOOLKIT

El San Diego Workforce Partnership’s newly-launched CareerEDGE, a suite of new tools, including self-paced training and virtual job search support, brings critical workforce services to job seekers who participate in their events, workshops and programs. CareerEDGE provides job seekers with a virtual learning experience, including on-demand classes and resources, such as a resume builder, life skills classes and a job interview simulator. Available to anyone who participates in a Workforce Partnership workshop, (free to all San Diego County residents and offered in person and online) those who use CareerEDGE are empowered to find careers that meet their full potential no matter where they are in their job seeking journey, all from the comfort of their home. For more information, visit workforce.org.

911 CALLS

A statewide poll shows that the large majority (88%) of registered California voters want major changes to the way police and other emergency services providers respond to 911 calls. When asked what reforms they want for 911 services, two-thirds (69%) of voters say they want behavioral health professionals to respond either with (35%) or without (34%) law enforcement to non-life threatening situations, compared to 19% who only want law enforcement to get additional training to respond more effectively. Only 12% of respondents want 911 services left as they are. Registered voters think law enforcement is least equipped to respond to calls about mental health crises (67%) and people who are homeless (49%), the situations voters say are most commonly in need of emergency response services.

California’s 911 system was established in 1968 to respond to all types of emergencies: police, fire, and medical. Today, Californians make more than 25 million 911 calls annually. Increasingly, the public relies on 911 for immediate assistance in non-life-threatening situations. Detailed poll results are available at phadvocates.org/911.

NEW HIRE

Dean Asaro has joined Kidder Mathews’ San Diego office as senior vice president. Asaro has over 30 years of experience specializing in selling and leasing warehouse, manufacturing, office, and life science properties in the San Diego area. He has been involved in over 3,500 transactions, totaling over $1.5 billion.

BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

the San Diego City Council has recognized May as Building Safety Month to remind San Diegans about the critical role of building code enforcement staff and first responders in assuring safe, efficient and livable buildings for all. In a continued effort to ensure safe places of work and play, 75 City employees responsible for building inspection and structural engineering recently became certified (or re-certified) during a state-issued safety assessment training. To learn more about building safety and for tips on how to keep your home or office safe, visit buildingsafetymonth.org.

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

The San Diego City Council proclaimed May 21-27 as National Public Works Week in San Diego, joining cities across the country in recognizing thousands of dedicated public works employees responsible for planning, building, maintaining and operating critical infrastructure, systems and services across our communities. This year’s theme, “Connecting the World Through Public Works,” highlights the way public works professionals connect us physically, through infrastructure, and inspirationally, through service to their communities, no matter where we live in the world. Mayor Gloria recently proposed his “Getting It Done” budget for fiscal year 2024, which includes a $647 million budget for the City’s Capital Improvements Program. The proposal allocates nearly $140 million in street repair and resurfacing, the most the City has invested in any given year. The funding would allow the City to resurface 157 miles of streets, including both full overlay and slurry seal.