06.29.2023

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Today’s Forecast

A call for a solution

State of emergency declared for the US-Mexico Transboundary Pollution Environmental Crisis

South Bay residents have seen these signs for 500+ consecutive days. | Photo via @cityofib

This week, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to declare a state of emergency for the US-Mexico Transboundary Pollution Environmental Crisis. Locals know sewage has been entering the Pacific Ocean in Imperial Beach from the Tijuana River for decades, and leaders hope this is a significant step in making improvements.

How does this help?

The state of emergency speaks to the severity of the issue, but according to County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer it will:

Call for federal and state governments to work to secure more funding for repairs
Send an urgent message to Mexican officials to make repairs on the Punta Bandera pipeline that allows pollution to enter water through the Tijuana River Estuary
Streamline the allocation and expenditure of funding to make necessary repairs

With this declaration, the county’s chief administrative officer will assess the economic impacts of repairs, which must be presented within 120 days.

Why now?

The ongoing issue is allowing pollution to enter our water and air at a record pace. Following guidance from the Beach & Bay Water Program, the unsafe conditions have resulted in beach closures in IB for 550+ consecutive days. Coronado’s shoreline has also seen closures for ~80% of days in 2023.

Last year, the International Boundary and Water Commission secured $300 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency to address waste water in the Tijuana River Valley. This year, it was discovered that deferred maintenance on the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is estimated to consume half of that budget.

Earlier this month, IB Mayor Paloma Aguirre penned a letter to the White House to encourage the Biden-Harris Administration to allocate more funding to issues caused by this pollution, as addressed in the EPA’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. The federal government has not yet responded.

Events

Thursday, June 29

Oceanside Sunset Market | Thursday, June 29 | 5-9 p.m. | Pier View Way, Downtown Oceanside | Free | 200+ vendors span four city blocks for this weekly food and live music gathering in the North County.
“The Simpsons” Trivia | Thursday, June 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Preztels & Pints, 3812 Ray St., San Diego | Free | Doh — answer questions about Springfield’s favorite family.
Rocky Dale Davis LIVE! | Thursday, June 29-Saturday, July 1 | Times vary | The American Comedy Co., 818 Sixth Ave., San Diego | $10 | Enjoy some laughs, courtesy of the NBC “Bring the Funny” comic whose videos on TikTok and Instagram tend to go viral.

Friday, June 30

Cruisin’ Grand | Friday, June 30 | 4-9 p.m. | Grand Avenue, Escondido | Free | The North County staple invites pre-1974, American-made classics, customs, vintage, muscle, and hot rods to proudly park along West Grand Avenue for a real community vibe.
Adventures in Parrotdise: A Jimmy Buffet Tribute | Friday, June 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista | $17-$42 | Barrie Cunningham sings all of your favorite Jimmy Buffet songs.
Gimme Gimme Disco | Friday, June 30 | 9 p.m. | House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $22-$32 | Hustle over to this show and have a disco ball.

Saturday, July 1

Savage Gardens | Through Sunday, Oct. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | San Diego Botanic Garden , 300 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas | $10-$18 | It’s opening day of this 8,000-sqft exhibit that invites you to explore the bizarre and captivating world of carnivorous plants.
“Definitely Denim” | Saturday, July 1 | 12-9 p.m. | Sew Loka, 2113 Logan Ave., Ste. B, San Diego | Free | This vintage denim art show features 30+ artists.

Sunday, July 2

House of USA Lawn Program: Independence Day | Sunday, July 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | International Cottages, Balboa Park, San Diego | Free | This weekend’s culture program is all about the Fourth of July, with music, dance, arts, and food.
Jordin Sparks | Sunday, July 2 | 6 p.m. | SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Dr. | $85-$115 | The “American Idol” star headlines the theme park’s Summer Spectacular Concert Series; the concert is included with park admission.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

San Diego City Council has finalized its controversial ban on homeless encampments on public property when shelter beds are available. The law will take effect in 30 days, which follows today’s opening of the new safe sleeping area on 20th and B streets. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Real Estate

Home prices in the San Diego metro area are movin’ on up again. According to Case-Shiller Index, the average price rose by 2% in April compared to March — the third consecutive monthly spike. However, the average home value is 5.6% lower than April 2022. (Times of San Diego)

Arts

“Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee” will be coming in a flash. The new exhibit will debut at the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park on Tuesday, July 18, and will explore the writer’s legacy with paintings, rare comics, and original art.

Festival

Funkoville is coming back to Comic-Con, and this year it’ll be bigger than ever. The Funko toy brand shared images of its expected display, which includes a Blockbuster Rewind store. The throwback shop will help promote the brand’s new VHS-inspired toys. (IGN)

Open

Here’s the deal — Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Ysidro welcomed five new additions this month. Shoppers can now visit LOFT Outlet, Psycho Bunny, City Kicks, and Sox Empire. And, if you get hungry, Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar is also open now.

Cause

San Diego County Credit Union is partnering with the San Diego County Office of Education to bring back the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign. Locals can make monetary donations online or at Jersey Mike’s locations to help purchase school supplies that will be distributed to local children experiencing homelessness. (Times of San Diego)

Read

Samantha Childs from Solana Beach has released “Henri and the Magnificent Snort,” a children’s book about a French bull dog who moves from New York City to San Diego. The story discusses themes of bullying and self-love, and pays tribute to the author’s late dog, Henri. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Wellness

Meet the only probiotic Halle Berry will take. It’s created by scientists and optimizes metabolism to support a healthy weight. Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month.*

Holiday

🇺🇸 Soaring into the Fourth of July

Where to see Fourth of July 2023 fireworks in San Diego

Drones rising up with palm trees behind them. — Drones can also light up the sky on the Fourth of July.
|
Image courtesy of Luminosity

Not in the mood for traditional fireworks this Fourth of July? San Diego also has two patriotic drone shows on the holiday.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club teamed with San Diego-based Drone Studios and will deploy a fleet of 100 drones above the shoreline. The free, synchronized performance begins at 8:45 p.m. and can be seen from various locations — but Kellogg Park is a prime viewing spot.

The Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association announced the LUMINOSITY drone show will replace the community’s fireworks display — which ended in 2018 due to structural damage to the OB Pier. A fleet of 300 aircraft will soar into the sky starting at 9:05 p.m., with viewing sites in OB and Point Loma.

Drone shows are zero-emission celebrations without the loud noises that tend to scare pets. Viewing sites may allow dogs, but expect crowds and noises from other nearby fireworks.

I'm looking for real fireworks

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. I’m getting ready to say baa-bye to June, and I wanted to share one cool thing I discovered this month. Did you know Sweet Sugar Farm in Encinitas offers goat yoga?

You’ll practice yoga for an hour and goats will join you as you find your zen. Then, you’ll wrap up with a cuddle session. Sessions often sell out, so you’ll need to book in advance, but I thought it might be a great date idea.

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