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Today’s Forecast

🌇 Sister, sister

This sign in downtown San Diego — near the San Diego Civic Theatre — will show you the way to our sister cities. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

San Diego isn’t an only child. Did you know that America’s Finest City actually has 16 sister cities? Today we’re giving you a tour of SD’s siblings from abroad, from the comfort of your screen.

What is a sister city?

Also known as twin or friendship cities, President Dwight D. Eisenhower began the Sister Cities International initiative in 1956. This relationship is established when two places make an agreement to promote lasting cultural ties. The idea is to form a fellowship that encourages trade, tourism, and even cultural exchanges and projects.

SD sister cities Yokohama Japan — Yokohama, Japan, was San Diego’s first-ever sister city.
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Photo via @rem.mths

Yokohama, Japan | Est. 1957

San Diego signed its first-ever Sister City Agreement with this city in Tokyo Bay — the first such affiliation on the West Coast. The friendship was cemented with the Yokohama Friendship Bell on Shelter Island in May 1958, and the “Girl with the Red Shoes” sculpture near the bell. In Yokohama, find San Diego’s symbol of friendship at the El Camino Real Mission Bells in Yamashita Park.

SD sister cities Tijuana Mexico — The sisterhood between San Diego and Tijuana is strong.
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Photo via @xolo21

Tijuana, Mexico | Est. 1993

The cross-border proximity makes this a super-close sister city. San Diego is always working with Tijuana on binational projects to bolster economic development on both sides of the border. Find a nod to this friendship (and two other sister cities) at the “Pearl of the Pacific” on Shelter Island.

Edinburgh, Scotland | Est. 1977

With many museums, galleries, and theaters, San Diego and Edinburgh both have strong tourism industries. In 2005, Edinburgh donated a bronze statue of Greyfriars Bobby — the city’s famous faithful terrier — to San Diego to celebrate 25 years of sisterhood. In October 2007, the art was dedicated in “The Brother Dog Statues” ceremony along with a sculpture of “Bum,” San Diego’s official town dog. Both pieces sit (like good doggies) at William Heath Davis House Park in the Gaslamp Quarter.

SD's sisterhood is strong

Asked

If San Diego were to add another city or town to its sisterhood, which city do you think it should it be?

Keep the family growing

Events

Tuesday, May 9

Volunteer Event with Supercool | Tuesday, May 9 | 5-6 p.m. | The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla | Free | This event is for high school and college students interested in volunteering at The Conrad.
Patchwork Presents Essential Oil Candle Making Workshop | Tuesday, May 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Societe Brewing, 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $45 | This crafty workshop is fire — learn to make three personalized, hand-poured, fragrant soy candles, no experience required.
1776 | Tuesday, May 9-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego | $39-$124 | This musical tells the story of two dozen individuals settling their differences for the future of America.
San Diego Jazz Collective Jam Session | Tuesday, May 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Duckfoot Brewing Miramar, 8920 Kenamar Dr., Ste. 210, San Diego | Free | Get a taste of jazz at this tasting room.

Wednesday, May 10

South Bay Open Aire Market | Wednesday, May 10 | 3-7 p.m. | Chula Vista Golf Course Parking Lot, 4475 Bonita Rd., Bonita | Free | A gathering of South Bay vendors offering fresh, local goodies.
Violent Femmes with the San Diego Symphony | Wednesday, May 10 | 7:30 p.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego | $98-$153 | The band celebrates the 40th anniversary of their self-titled album, playing their hits alongside the orchestra.

Thursday, May 11

San Diego Job Fair | Thursday, May 11 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | 7450 Hazard Center Dr, San Diego | Free | Meet with top hiring companies in San Diego.
Gator by the Bay Festival | Thursday, May 11-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Spanish Landing Park - East, 3900 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego | $47-$410 | The lively, Louisiana-themed music and food festival returns to the Embarcadero with 100+ musical acts across seven stages.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Low-income families and seniors financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a one-time, $4,000 cash grant. The Recovery Action Fund for Tomorrow program was developed by Jewish Family Service and funded by the county via American Rescue Plan Act money. If you’re eligible, apply through midnight Sunday, May 21.
“Hi-Lo” — it’s time to go. That’s the idea behind the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s new siren system built into patrol vehicles featuring repeating high, then low tones to warn communities of evacuations during emergency situations. The distinct sound will be used during wildfires, flash floods, earthquakes, and more.

Coming Soon

City Tacos will open its 10,000-sqft “OB Playground” concept this July at 4896 Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach. The space will feature a courtyard, picnic table seating, a gated dog park, and lawn games. It’ll also house a coffee shop and flower market, plus 10 craft beer taps and live music.
Puesto has been a staple of the Headquarters at Seaport District since 2013, and now it’s expanding its footprint at the landmark. The brand is building a new space across from its restaurant that’ll focus on innovative, agave spirits-based cocktails. The spinoff should open by the end of this year. (Eater San Diego)

Tech

Local philanthropists Joan and Irwin Jacobs have donated $22 million to UC San Diego Health to help develop a center to better connect digital information — including emerging artificial intelligence — to the La Jolla medical facility. Experts believe AI is rapidly transforming health care, and can help with routine medical tasks. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Arts

More than 100 images from this year’s Mission Trails Regional Park Photo Contest are on display at the Visitor Center through Friday, June 16. The display features the winning pics for Best in Show and first through third places, which will be announced at an opening reception this Thursday.

Active

Find your zen, together. One Paseo in Carmel Valley is hosting its Family Yoga Series — free, 1-hour classes on the lawn behind the Harland Brewing Co. tasting room. Sessions are at 10 a.m. Sundays, on May 14, May 21, and May 28.

Sports

That was a heck of a season, San Diego Seals. The team made the National Lacrosse League playoffs, but was defeated by the Colorado Mammoth by just one point, 13-12. We’ll see the squad again for their 2023-2024 run — with mascot Salty, too.

Pets

It’s Be Kind to Animals Week and the San Diego Humane Society says owners can show kindness to their pets by taking precautions to prevent them from becoming lost. Dogs should have their licenses, and all pets should have their ID tags and microchip so they can be found.

Kids

Two words: free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling everyday this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.

Sports

🏓 Courting is a big dill

New pickleball courts are now open at Westfield UTC — and free to play on though July 31. | Stacy Keck

This is a big dill: Three brand-new, regulation-sized pickleball courts are now open at Westfield UTC on the shopping center’s upper level, above True Food Kitchen.

The courts are open to players of all ages and skill levels, sunrise to sundown — first come, first served (no reservations). They’re free to use through Monday, July 31, as long as you follow these rules. Paddles and balls are not provided, so bring your own gear.

If you don’t quite speak pickleball, learn about the trendy sport before you hit the courts. The fast-growing activity is played with a paddle and plastic ball with holes, as doubles or singles. It’s a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

BTW, San Diego has lots of public pickleball facilities, too — indoor and outdoor — from North County (Cypress Canyon Park), to the coast (La Jolla Recreation Center), and downtown (Municipal Gym).

Pickleball gear recommendations

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

Hello, SD. Tomorrow, my concert-loving heart returns to one of my local happy places — The Rady Shell — to see the Violent Femmes.

The band is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1983 self-titled album, which they’ll perform in its entirety alongside the San Diego Symphony. I can’t wait to hear how the group’s folk punk sounds intertwine with the talents of the orchestra — I’ll bet it’s a “Good Feeling.”

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