A round-up of news, community, and business briefs from sdnews.com highlighting what’s happening in our community.
Monday, April 27
PB TOWN COUNCIL AWARDS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year, PB Town Council bestows the Dan Froelich Youth Award for outstanding community service on middle school and high school students who have made positive contributions to the Pacific Beach community.
This year, the Dan Froelich Youth Award winners are Ashley Slomba, a graduating senior at Mission Bay High School, and Sophia Sidell, a student at Pacific Beach Middle School.
PBTC awarded Ashley a check for $1,000, and Sophia received $500.
Ashley has tutored fellow students in math, science, and Spanish; she also recruited others to volunteer in the tutoring program. She played soccer, lacrosse, water polo, and field hockey and was a referee for Pacific Youth Soccer League.
Sophia is part of the Associative Student Body at her school, helping other students flourish and planning events such as the Fall Dance, Fifth Grade Tours, and College Week. She attended leadership training through the California Association of Student Leaders. For her school, she has played volleyball and run track. She especially enjoys playing ice hockey and spends her free time teaching the sport to younger kids.
CITY ACCEPTS PERMIT PLANS ONLINE
Starting May 4, the City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) will start accepting permits online for all new projects, expanding the existing digital permitting process that is currently available for a limited number of permits.
The conversion to a fully cloud-based permitting system is scheduled to launch later this year. In the meantime, electronic plan submittal has been expedited – including the ability for customers to review project status and comments on Open DSD – to help meet safety protocols for customers and employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This move to fully embrace online permitting is needed now more than ever as our builders navigate their way through a global health pandemic,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. “We still face a major statewide housing crisis that will only get worse if construction slows down so we’re trying to make it easier to get shovels in the ground. This change also keeps residents and employees safe during COVID-19 and beyond by eliminating the need to exchange thousands of paper documents in person.”
5 BEERS FOR QUARANTINE
In support of the local breweries, we asked brewer and beer aficionado Megan Stone (@isbeeracarb on Instagram) for her recommendations of some brews to enjoy while stuck at home. Sláinte!
1. The Pupil by Societe.
2. Clever Kiwi by Burgeon.
3. Rain by Pure Project.
4. Bacon and Eggs by Pizza Port.
5. Eppig, and Burning Beard are both making great beer.
CITY OFFERS SOCIAL CALLS TO SENIORS IN NEED
While current public health orders encourage people to stay home, the City of San Diego is taking steps to address mental stress that can arise in older adults who are feeling lonely during the crisis.
San Diego seniors ages 55 and older can receive a telephone call from staff in AgeWell Services, part of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. Calls are made every weekday between 8 and 10 a.m. to provide older residents with a compassionate voice to talk with and help reduce feelings of isolation they may experience.
“The social calls service provides seniors the chance to speak with a live person at least once a day to make them feel connected to their community during this unprecedented time,” said Andy Field, director of the Parks and Recreation Department. “We want to make sure we are reaching out to those vulnerable seniors who would benefit by hearing a friendly voice that can provide comfort and reassurance.” The social calls service is free and participants must opt-in. Seniors or their loved ones can contact AgeWell Services at 619-236-6905 or [email protected] to sign up and have their questions answered. The City of San Diego AgeWell Services program offers activities and events for older residents in our communities to keep them healthy, engaged and active. For more information about the wide array of services available to seniors, visit sandiego.gov/agewell.
ROGERS AFFILIATES WITH COLDWELL BANKER LA JOLLA
Nick Rogers has associated with the La Jolla office of Coldwell Banker Realty as an affiliate agent.
“My experience in marketing, negotiation, and communication as well as running a small business gives me the skills to help my clients succeed at the highest level when buying or selling a property in San Diego. What sets me apart is my persistence to win and get the job done and I will not stop until the deal is finished,” said Rogers.
Wednesday, April 22
PBTC SPONSORS QUARANTINE T-SHIRT ART CONTEST
Are you creative? Then you could win $500! How it works: Submit a design that captures the spirit of Pacific Beach during the COVID-19 quarantine with the theme, “Separated But United.”
The design must be suitable for use on a T-shirt. You may use a maximum of four colors, with no gradients.
The limit is one submission per person. The winning design will be used as an official PB Town Council T-shirt or other swag, available for sale. Send your artwork (and questions) to Regina Sinsky-Crosby at [email protected]. The deadline for submission is May 8, and the winner will be announced on May 12.
RECOVERED COVID-19 PATIENTS SOUGHT BY BLOOD BANK
San Diego Blood Bank recently issued a call for recovered?COVID-19?patients to?help treat patients fighting?the virus.?While COVID-19 has no proven treatment, plasma taken from those who have recovered?may help patients currently?fighting?the virus. This is because the plasma has developed antibodies against the virus.?
Experience with historical infectious diseases, including the Spanish flu, sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS), and influenza H1N1, have shown that convalescent plasma can be a beneficial viral treatment and prophylactic medicine. ??
San Diego Blood Bank has created a form at sandiegobloodbank.org/donateplasma, where people can submit their contact information to be qualified for convalescent plasma donation.? Donors will also need to meet routine donor screening criteria.??Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh a minimum of 114 pounds and be in generally good health.??
Individuals?can donate?convalescent plasma if they have?a confirmed?positive laboratory test?and no symptoms for the last 28 days. People with a subsequent confirmed negative?test?can donate?after?14 days of symptom resolution.?People are encouraged to fill out the form even if they have not yet been tested since antibody tests will be available in the future.?
?To make an appointment?to donate blood or make a financial donation, visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org.
SMALL-BUSINESS SURVEY FOR CITY RECOVERY TASK FORCE
Mayor Faulconer and Supervisor Cox created an advisory group tasked with preparing recommendations for our region’s economic reactivation and recovery. The Downtown Partnership’s president/CEO Betsy Brennan was asked to sit on the Responsible COVID-19 Economic Reopening (RECOVER) Advisory Group, and she needs business owners’ input working together to craft this plan.
So business owners are being asked to respond to a survey, which will be used to form the task force’s recommendations found at surveymonkey.com/r/QBYLMLT.
Respondents are asked to do so quickly as the task force would like to start reviewing answers as soon as possible. For more information email [email protected].
THE OSHER INSTITUTE AT UCSD MOVES ONLINE
The institute is offering its 1,000 members twice daily discussions of current events and lectures on a variety of academic subjects featuring distinguished faculty from UC San Diego and other local universities, community leaders, artists and musicians, and others. Recent lectures have discussed the future of the European Union, how baby brains are formed, the life and works of artist Marc Chagall, among others.
The online program format is typically a one-hour lecture followed by an always-lively question-and-answer period. Now in its 46th year at UC San Diego, the Osher Institute is a membership organization for adults over the age of 50 who wish to enrich their lives through continued learning and engagement. Both monthly and quarterly memberships are currently available. See the Osher at extension.ucsd.edu/olli/join for current online program offerings and how to become a member.
COUNTY DEFEATS PROPOSAL TO REOPEN
On April 21, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher voted against a proposal from Supervisors Jim Desmond and Kristin Gaspar to set a date of May 1 to re-open all business.
“We all want to open things back up, but we have to exercise caution and ensure our actions are guided by the facts presented to us and advice from public health experts, not arbitrary dates decided by Supervisors Desmond and Gaspar,” argued Fletcher.
Their motion failed on a 2-3 vote with Supervisors Cox and Jacob also voting no. Fletcher is the co-chair of the County’s COVID-19 Subcommittee.
Tuesday, April 21
TRASH PILES UP AT ROSE CREEK
“The City of San Diego had made a commitment to empty trash cans through the end of June 30,” said Karin Zirk, executive director of Friends of Rose Creek. “I’m guessing due to COVID-19, funding has dried up but my attempts to obtain a status have gone unanswered. Also, I Love A Clean San Diego’s Creek to Bay Cleanup originally scheduled for Saturday, April 25 has been postponed until June 20.”
Added Zirk: “When we have heavy rains like we did the week ending on April 10, large amounts of trash are washed off the streets and sidewalks into the creek. Due to the high water levels, the trees between Garnet and Mission Bay Drive are chock full of trash, suitcases, clothing, and other debris.
“I can only imagine how much more of this trash washed into Mission Bay and our oceans. I have submitted a few GetItDone requests for trash, but they keep getting closed with no action taken.”
FREE MEALS AT THE KROC CENTER
The meal packages will include a free lunch and breakfast for the following morning (while supplies last). Parents can drive-thru Monday-Friday anytime from 10 a.m. to noon. Children under 18 must be present in the vehicle and it is one meal per child. The drive-thru is located at 6845 University Ave.
MEALS ON WHEELS GALA ONLINE
Meals on Wheels San Diego County invites San Diegans to their “Cheers to 60 Years” online gala Friday, May 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. This year, Meals on Wheels San Diego’s 2020 online gala will be a party-infused virtual fundraiser with special guest speakers and performing artists.
The gala’s goal remains unchanged: to raise critical funds to support the independence and well-being of over 3,200 homebound seniors in San Diego County. Meals on Wheels San Diego County is looking to outdo last year’s fundraiser gala by raising $300,000 for these seniors. This is important now more than ever with so many older adults in the community confined to their homes causing the demand for service to skyrocket.
Meals on Wheels San Diego County is committed to delivering meals throughout this pandemic and beyond – but they need your help. To register and for more information, visit meals-on-wheels.org/events.
LA JOLLA SCHOOLS HOST VIRTUAL UNITED NATIONS
Students from La Jolla Country Day School and The Preuss School UC San Diego are joining forces to host the virtual T&T Model United Nations Conference on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Participants from local high schools and from around the world will be discussing global issues ranging from the Iranian missile crisis to marine pollution from the viewpoint of an assigned nation.
For more information about the student-led conference email [email protected].
MOVEABLE TINY HOMES ORDINANCE APPROVAL UPDATE
The proposed “Moveable Tiny Homes” Amendment to the Municipal Code Sec. 141.0302 and Local Coastal Program were recommended for approval by the San Diego Planning Commission on April 16 without formal comments from any of the community planning groups.
City Council has two regularly scheduled meetings in April where it may be discussed and adopted. With the Code Amendment to Sec. 141.0302, Moveable Tiny Homes (designated by “L”) will be added to Companion Units and Junior Units now allowed in all Single Family Zones. They will be approved in accordance with Process One (over the counter) ministerial review.
Excerpts from the Draft Amendment can be found at sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/dsd_pc_20-017_movable_tiny_houses.pdf.
PPE DONATION TO UCSD HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
Nearly half a million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) are expected to arrive from China thanks to a donation by Joe and Clara Tsai. Much of the donated equipment, which will provide assistance in combating the COVID-19 pandemic statewide, will be shipped to the University of California San Diego and other health care providers in our region.
UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla said, “Our university is privileged to play a role in assisting Joe and Clara in providing their generous donation of masks and goggles to health care institutions in the greater San Diego community and other parts of California. This equipment is invaluable as our region prepares for a likely surge in the number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Joe Tsai is co-founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. His wife Clara and their children are residents of San Diego. The Tsai family asked UC San Diego to assist in distributing the donated equipment to health care institutions in the San Diego community as well as other areas in California.
UC San Diego Health, the first local health system to care for COVID positive patients in the region, has been a leader in COVID-19 testing capacity with more than 700 per day currently and 1,000+ soon (this including processing tests for other local hospitals and testing all symptomatic first-responders in San Diego). Additionally, UC San Diego Health is leading clinical trials to help identify future treatment for this dangerous viral disease.
Visit campaign.ucsd.edu/impact/coronavirus to learn more.
Monday, April 20
POINT LOMA SUMMER CONCERTS CANCELED
The Point Loma Summer Concerts board has decided to postpone the 20th season of the Point Loma Summer Concerts until the summer of 2021.
“Being proactive in protecting the safety of the Point Loma community is our top priority during this unpredictable time,” said concert organizers. “We thank our sponsors, volunteers, and vendors for making the concerts happen – and we thank you, our fans, for your enthusiastic support.”
Special thanks from organizers went out to sponsors who already stepped up to support the concerts this year: Presenting Sponsor: Willis Allen Real Estate; City of San Diego Arts and Culture; Mayor Kevin Faulconer; Junior Stage Sponsor: City Council District 2 – Councilmember Jennifer Campbell; County of San Diego – Supervisors Greg Cox and Nathan Fletcher; Exclusive Sponsor: Dorothea Laub; Exclusive Sponsor: Point Loma Association; Stage Sponsors: Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air; Sound Sponsor: Point Loma Nazarene University; Field Sponsor: Warren-Walker School; Field Sponsor: Bay View Senior Living; Safety Sponsor: Ryan Family Charitable Foundation; Shuttle Sponsor: Ryan Family YMCA; Band Co-sponsors: David P. De Rosier DDS, and Dr. Grant McGann, McGann Facial Design, among others.
MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEXT PHASE OF OPERATION SHELTER TO HOME
After successfully relocating hundreds from city shelters into one of San Diego’s most iconic buildings, outreach teams are now working to bring individuals living on the streets into the convention center to provide safe and sanitary living conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 85 unsheltered homeless individuals recently were moved into the convention center as part of Operation Shelter to Home.
Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer was joined by Alpha Project president and CEO Bob McElroy and Father Joe’s Villages president and CEO Deacon Jim Vargas to talk about this next phase in Operation Shelter to Home.
“We repurposed the convention center to address this health crisis now, and to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness going forward,” Mayor Faulconer said. “After successfully moving hundreds from our shelters to the convention center, we’re starting the next phase by welcoming people off the streets through our coordinated outreach program. The goal is to get people indoors and then get them into a permanent home.”
Coordinated outreach teams are now engaging with people living outdoors to offer them shelter appropriate to their condition, whether it be at the convention center, a motel room or another option. Partner agencies include the City’s Homeless Outreach Teams, Downtown San Diego Partnership, Regional Task Force on the Homeless, County Health and Human Services Agency, PATH, and service providers. The effort is similar to the approach used when City bridge shelters were first opened in 2017.
REP. PETERS INTRODUCES BILL TO OFFSET COVID HEALTH INSURANCE SPIKES
U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) has co-introduced the Stop Health Premium Spikes Act to help mitigate the drastic health care premium increases expected as a result of the unanticipated surge in medical-care costs due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The projected health care costs associated with providing medical care for patients with COVID-19 will be enormous. Because insurers base premiums each year on estimated average health-care costs of enrollees, it is difficult to gauge exactly how much more Americans will have to pay for coverage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, experts project health insurance premium prices for next year could increase anywhere between 4 to 40 percent.
The Stop Health Premium Spikes Act would temper these unpredictable premium hikes for consumers by establishing a stop-loss program through Health and Human Services (HHS) that would ensure insurance companies selling health care plans to the individual and small group markets for 2020 and 2021 set accurate premiums during this time of immense uncertainty. The two-year program would provide assistance to insurers facing extreme loss in order to minimize spikes in premium pricing and maintain a competitive, stable insurance marketplace.
DIAMOND ENVIRONMENTAL DONATES TOILET PAPER
“We were researching who was really looking for help and got word about the Jewish Family Service, which is doing tremendously good work by helping those in need,” said a Diamond spokesperson. “The coronavirus has inspired us to be even more supportive of our communities. Besides helping JFS, we are also pumping the tanks of RV’s for MD’s at discounted rates.”
Over 540 cases with 62,400 rolls of toilet paper are being shipped four to five pallets at a time as quickly as they can be distributed. They are being donated to the elderly first, with additional rolls going into food bags for those in need and to the Safe Parking Program.
Diamond has been designated as an Essential Services company that remains open during the coronavirus crisis. As such, it has been actively servicing the military, hospitals, homeless shelters and others in need.
For more information, visit diamondprovides.com.
FLEET SCIENCE CENTER INTRODUCES ONLINE INITIATIVES
With schools, libraries, recreational centers and even the facility in Balboa Park closed, the Fleet Science Center is activating and expanding their network of partners to ensure that the next generation of scientists and engineers has access to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) support systems they need to thrive.
“The Fleet Science Center has grown from a museum in Balboa Park to a county-wide organization focused on reaching San Diegans where they live, work and play,” said Steve Snyder, president/CEO of the Fleet Science Center. “Given the current challenges facing our community, this shift in direction is of special importance.”
One of the first initiatives put in practice is FLEETtv, an online place to find fun and engaging science experiments, hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes interviews, bloopers, jokes and more.
The BE WiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering) program keeps connecting participating girls to female scientists and engineers through live chats.
The Fleet is also working with San Diego Unified Schools to ensure that science activity guides are distributed at sites that offer Title 1 school lunch pick-up. The guides provide information for a different science activity each week and the Fleet Science Center plans to distribute up to 1,000 activity guides per week.
For more information visit rhfleet.org.
Saturday, April 18
COUNCILMEMBER BRY URGES CITY TO OPEN BEACHES
“I urge the City to work with health officials and local enforcement to develop a strategy to safely reopen our parks and beaches within the first week of May with strict adherence to social distancing and face-covering guidelines,” said Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry, who represents District 1. “Parks and beaches play an important role in San Diego life. San Diego is an urban landscape with green spaces proving vital for the welfare of our citizens, from parents looking for a safe outing for their now-at-home kids, to apartment dwellers itching for more space. These public arenas are irreplaceable.”
Added Bry: “I supported the closure of these spaces in March, but COVID is a rapidly evolving situation and we as a municipality have to be flexible toward the needs of our residents. We are entering into a different landscape than we were in six weeks ago – our residents are educated on COVID-19 and have proven that they can be trusted to adhere to orders and recommendations.”
INDOOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE CANCELS REMAINING GAMES
The Indoor Football League, America’s longest-running professional indoor football league, announced it has canceled the remaining games of the 2020 season due to the many unknowns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a decision we take very seriously, and it comes as a result of extended, thoughtful discussion among our board of directors,” said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. “Because there are so many critical unknowns that are out of our control, we feel as a league we would be best serving the health and stability of the IFL community by taking a proactive approach and focusing our talents and our resources toward preparing for a breakout 2021 season. The health and safety of our players, coaches, staff, and fans is our top concern.”
The IFL’s board also approved an extended 16-game schedule for the 2021 season to add additional value for season ticket holders and sponsors.
Policies regarding the reimbursement and renewal of season tickets and other ticket purchases, along with how teams will handle corporate sponsorships for 2020, are being made on a team-by-team basis.
MANOJ MONGA NAMED CHAIR OF DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY AT UC SAN DIEGO
After a national search, Manoj Monga, M.D., recognized as an international authority in endourology and stone disease, has been named chair of the Department of Urology at University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
“UC San Diego is delighted and deeply fortunate to have successfully recruited Dr. Manoj Monga to lead the Department of Urology,” said Steven Garfin, M.D., interim dean of UC San Diego School of Medicine. “We are honored to welcome Monga back to San Diego and look forward to his exceptional leadership in pursuit of our tripartite mission of groundbreaking research, inspired teaching and outstanding clinical care.”
In his new role, Monga brings with him a fresh perspective on leadership, teaching and clinical management to oversee the Department of Urology’s 23 faculty, 15 residents and five accredited fellowships. He will further build on the academic and clinical success of a department that has contributed to innovations in urologic oncology, women’s pelvic medicine, urinary stone disease, men’s health and infertility, pediatric urology, reconstructive urology and more.
Monga began his career in academic medicine as an assistant professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, following his residency in urology at Tulane University School of Medicine.
LAWYERS CLUB OF SAN DIEGO HAS NEW DATE FOR ANNUAL DINNER
Originally planned for May 14, the club’s annual dinner has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 29.
