Crusaders Soccer offers online training videos

The Crusaders Soccer Club activities for its recreational and competitive divisions are temporarily on hold until at least May 1 in keeping with the shelter in place guidelines to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department indicates, as of the publishing of this article, all parks and sports fields will be closed until at least May 1. Please check the Crusaders Soccer Club website at crusaderssoccer.org for all updated information.

In the effort to provide players with the opportunity of continuing their training, under the direction of Ivan Melendez, technical advisor for the Crusaders Soccer Club’s Recreational Division, the club has created a series of training videos allowing our players to individually remain actively engaged in training with specialized challenges. These training exercises can be practiced by anyone in a small area. They are posted on the Crusaders Soccer homepage crusaderssoccer.org, and the club encourages everyone to make use of them as well. Additional free soccer training videos will be posted periodically.

Lizzo treats Sharp Grossmont workers

On March 31, pop singer Lizzo gave a “shout out” to Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa and bought lunch for its staff as part of an effort to thank hospital workers across the country.

“Thank you so much for everything you guys have been doing during this pandemic. It has been a very scary time, and you guys have been a peace of mind during this time and a hero” the Grammy award winning artist said in a video message posted by Sharp. “I hope you feel the love and appreciation pouring in from everybody from all around the world because we really do love and appreciate ya’ll.”

Construction in Mission Trails to improve regional infrastructure

When Mission Trails Regional Park reopens and visitors return, they may notice an increase in construction traffic and activities in and near the western portion of the park as the San Diego County Water Authority improves a portion of its regional water delivery system.

The Water Authority has begun work to construct a new underground reservoir and flow control facility. The facilities are part of the Mission Trails Project, a suite of projects that mostly were completed in late 2010 to improve regional water infrastructure. Completed components include construction of a pipeline tunnel, demolition of most above-ground vent stacks in the park, and construction of a stabilized crossing at the San Diego River.

The new underground flow regulatory structure, or covered reservoir, will help regulate untreated water flows in the regional water delivery system. It will hold up to 5 million gallons of water. The reservoir will be covered with soil and vegetation, except for several above-ground access hatches and vents that will allow for air movement in and out of the reservoir. A new flow control facility and pipeline interconnections will also be constructed as part of this project. Pre-construction work to prepare the site has already started. The project construction is scheduled to begin in March and end in early 2022.

Construction vehicles will use Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Calle de Vida, Portobelo Drive, and Antigua Boulevard to access work areas in the park. Some trails leading to the site in the western portion of the park will be closed. For instance, the trail that begins at the intersection of Calle de Vida and Colina Dorada Drive will be closed to allow large construction vehicles and traffic to safely pass through the park. Additionally, parking at the eastern end of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard will be limited to accommodate project field offices and equipment staging.

For more information about either project, go to www.sdcwa.org/mission-trails-FRS, call the toll-free project information line at 877-682-9283, ext. 7004, or email [email protected].

Blood bank wants plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients

Thanks to community response to the plea for blood donation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the blood supply is currently stable both locally and across the nation. San Diego Blood Bank has issued a call for recovered COVID-19 patients, as they may be eligible to donate “convalescent plasma” 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.

“Hospitals are reaching out to us on a daily basis for convalescent plasma,” said David Wellis, CEO, San Diego Blood Bank. “If anyone has recovered from the virus, we are calling on them to join us in helping patients in critical condition fight COVID-19.”

San Diego Blood Bank has created a form where people can submit their contact information to be qualified for convalescent plasma donation.

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.

To submit contact information to be qualified as a convalescent plasma donor, visit sandiegobloodbank.org/donateplasma. Donors will also need to meet routine donor screening criteria.

There are other ways to support San Diego Blood Bank during this important time:

• Make an appointment for a future donation (3-4 weeks). While supplies are currently stable, blood will be needed throughout the pandemic and beyond. O blood types most needed.
• Make a financial donation towards freezer technology that would allow SDBB to freeze a 5-6 day-supply of type O and rare blood types.

To make an appointment or financial donation, visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org. Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh a minimum of 114 pounds and be in general good health.