07.12.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🌶 Where has all the Sriracha gone?

Where has all the Sriracha gone?

Three shelves full of sriracaha bottles.

And to think we took this sight for granted last year. | Photo by Paul Narvaez via Wikimedia Commons

Last year, we heard word from Huy Fong Foods that a Sriracha shortage was on the horizon. Now, it seems we’re in for another Sriracha drought — quite literally.

Droughts in Mexico — where Huy Fong Foods sources its chilis — have affected supplies. In an interview with Food & Wine, the company recently revealed that the sauce shortage comes as a result of an “unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest.”

So what about those who crave capsaicin? (Think: the chemical that gives spicy food that burning sensation.) Unfortunately, there’s no end to the shortage in sight. And — since it doesn’t sell to stores directly — Huy Fong Foods can’t predict when products will return to shelves. But you could try your luck on a site like Amazon, where Forbes reported a pack of two 17-ounce bottles recently was listed for $94.99. We’ve also seen bottles listed for over $40 on eBay.

Hot licks mural saying the word San Diego with flames — Hot Licks brings the heat to San Diego.
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Photo by Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

Our advice is to go local.

Head to The Crazy Pepper inside Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town. It has an array of sauces, many made locally — some are so hot you may need to sign a waiver to taste them.
San Diego Pepper Co. designed its hot sauces to compliment the cuisines you’ll find in San Diego. You can find it at local grocery stores, online, and at the Solana Beach Farmers Market.
Find the heat at Hot Licks in Seaport Village that has a spicy selection of hot sauces, seasonings, and salsas.
Carlsbad-based brand Bitchin’ Sauce makes almond-based dips, and flavors like Heat and Buffalo can get seriously spicy. Find it at local grocery stores and farmers markets.

Asked

How much spice do you like?

A. No spice, mild only
B. A little bit — medium heat is OK
C. Make it spicy, but not too spicy
D. The hotter the better

Give us your hot take

Events

Wednesday, July 12

“G.B.F.” - 10th Anniversary | Wednesday, July 12 | 7 p.m. | Landmark Theatres Hillcrest Cinemas, 3965 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $15 | Relive the 2013 film “The Gay Best Friend” and join a Q+A afterwards with Director Darren Stein and guests.
Opera Wednesdays | Wednesday, July 12 | 7-8:30 P.M. | La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. | Free | A live showcase of music from acclaimed opera singers.
GoodJokes Comedy: PRIDE SHOW! | Wednesday, July 12 | 7-10 p.m. | GoodBar, 1872 Rosecrans St., San Diego | $10-$15 | Comedians who are part of the LGBTQ+ community present a night of jokes.

Thursday, July 13

Creating the Supreme Art: Early Netherlandish Painting | Thursday, July 13 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Timken Museum of Art, 1500 El Prado, Balboa Park | Free | This docent-led virtual talk focuses on the vivid painting styles of Netherlandish artists.
Sunset Sweep: Manzanita Canyon Cleanup | Thursday, July 13 | 3-5 p.m. | The Manzanita Gathering Place, 4358 Manzanita Dr., San Diego | Free | Join I Love A Clean San Diego, San Diego Canyonlands, and Think Blue San Diego to help divert litter from the watershed and stop it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.

Friday, July 14

All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair | Friday, July 14 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center, 10440 Black Mountain Rd., San Diego | Free | This resource fair for families with all abilities will include activity booths, giveaways, crafts, and vendors.
FANCY: Queens of Country Party | Friday, July 14 | 10 p.m. | The Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego | $15 | Put on your boots — it’s time to celebrate the women of country music, y’all.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Last Call

💸 Deals on deals on deals

The best 2023 Prime Day deals to upgrade every room in the house

A photo of the Samsung TV "The Frame" with an oil painting of a tree displayed.

Yup, it’s on sale — snag the Samsung TV that doubles as a work of art. | Photo via Amazon

Boy, do we have good news for you: Amazon’s Prime Day deals are here. Browse our favorites:

Prime Day deal: SAMSUNG The Frame TV, ~~$1,497.99~~ $987.99 — Finally get a magazine-worthy living room with a TV that looks like a picture frame and displays art when it’s turned off.

Prime Day deal: Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, ~~$329~~ $229 — This tried and true favorite has up to 22 hours of battery life.

See top deals for home

News Notes

Weather

San Diego County officials are advising locals to take precautions during the current heat wave, as the weather often leads to greater fire risks. Residents should use hand tools — not power tools — when doing yard work, and the county shared a list of emergency contacts.

Community

Lauderbach Park in Chula Vista will reopen after being closed for renovations since March 2022. The 3.9-acre space will debut new basketball and pickleball courts, a synthetic turf field, lighting, and sidewalks. The public is invited to attend a reopening ceremony this morning at 11 a.m.

Open

A new restaurant planted itself in Del Mar Highlands Town Center. Farm-to-fresh fast food eatery sweetgreen is now open and can be found next to the Vuori store, making it the chain’s third location in San Diego County.

Festival

Have you seen Morgan Freeman in the Gaslamp Quarter? His face has been plastered on Park 12 as part of a promotional wrap for “Special Ops: Lioness” on Paramount+. This is one of the first building wraps added for Comic-Con, but more are on the way. (SDCC Unofficial Blog!)

Travel

If you’re traveling this fall, it’s time to apply for your passport. About a dozen USPS locations in San Diego County are hosting special passport acceptance fairs this Saturday, July 11, which are designed for first-time passport holders. Applicants will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis.

Real Estate

San Diego is the No. 4 luxury home market in the US, based on homes listed for $1+ million. According to Point2’s study using listing data from July 2023, 58.3% of homes were priced at seven digits, and 7.6% of homes were $5 million or more. (Point2)

The Word

Broncearse. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Trending

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Shop the deals, including 30% off the TV that looks like a picture frame on your wall.*

Shop

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day sales — aka, discounts on everything from iPads to furniture to nugget ice makers. Surf the sales or check out our picks. Note: Deals may be subject to change.

Family

Keep crumbs and messes under control with the iRobot Roomba that empties itself — it’s $400 off (yes, you read that right).

Eat

Bread makers are making a comeback, and we totally get why (read: soft, warm, homemade bread). Snag the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker that’s $34 off.

Arts

Customize tees, pillows, and totes with the Cricut Heat Press Machine’s pro-level heat-transfer that lasts through repeated washes. Get it while it’s 20% off.

Outdoors

Keep comfy and cool this summer with wear-anywhere black running shorts, discounted down from $24.99 to $18.39.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. Recently, I watched the documentary “Wham!” on Netflix, which covered the 1980s band. While the duo never performed in San Diego, George Michael performed his “Faith World Tour” at San Diego Sports Arena in 1988 and his “25Live” tour in 2008. If you missed those performances, “The Life and Music of George Michael” tribute show is coming to Balboa Theatre in January 2024.

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