Plus, Michelin Guide food trends — but make it San Diego.
 
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67º | Increasing clouds | 2% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:50 a.m. | Sunset 5:08 p.m. | High tides 2:59 a.m. and 4:03 p.m. | Low tides 10:11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
 

🧪 New lab, loading

New San Diego County Public Health Lab set to open in spring 2025
A rendering of the new San Diego County Public Health Lab under construction in Kearny Mesa.
The two-story lab is under construction at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa. | Photo via County of San Diego
On our constant quest to follow high-impact development projects in San Diego, today we’re breaking down the county’s new, $93.3 million public health lab set to open in spring 2025. Here’s what we know, so far.

The two-story, LEED Gold lab and its 700+ space parking garage (expected to open this September, before the lab) are under construction at the County Operations Center on Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa.

The new facility will span 52,000 sqft — roughly 19,000 sqft more than the County Public Health Lab formerly on Rosecrans Street. It’ll also serve as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lab for San Diego and Imperial counties.

SD San Diego County Public Health Lab rendering

A rendering of the 52,000-sqft facility, expected to open in spring 2025.

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Rendering via County of San Diego

Public Health Services — aka Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) — focuses on community wellness and health in San Diego County, including the prevention of epidemics and spread of disease. Locals will remember this department took center stage during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team also tracks flu cases and tests for food and water safety.

According to county leaders, the new building’s size will lend itself to expanded capabilities and growth, including:
  • A whole genome sequencing lab.
  • More wastewater surveillance to track levels of COVID-19, Hepatitis A, and other viruses.
  • The addition of a training facility for the department’s workforce — which will also be used to partner with local universities and hospitals.
A rendering of the new San Diego County Public Health Lab

Another rendering of the lab.

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Rendering via County of San Diego

“The laboratory will play a vital role in supporting the work of our Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch, our HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Branch, as well as our Tuberculosis Control and Refugee Health Branch,” explained Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten. “It will do this by helping these branches track, analyze, and respond to disease outbreaks and health trends more effectively.”
Events
Thursday, Jan. 18
  • Shen Yun 2024 | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 2-4 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. | $85-$205 | The show filled with classical Chinese dance, multimedia effects, and original orchestral works takes over the North County venue.
  • The Study of Roots | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 5-8 p.m. | The Kitchen at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla | $110 | This dinner at MCASD’s Sahm Seaview Room features influences from Southern European, Northern African, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
  • Peter Hillary: 70 Years of Everest | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Conrad - La Jolla Music Society, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla | $23-$48 | The lifetime adventure seeker — whose father was the first to ascend Mt. Everest — headlines the new Changemakers Speaker Series.
  • Arden Jones | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 8 p.m. | House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $24 | The up-and-coming rapper brings the “Age Tapes Tour.”
Friday, Jan. 19
  • Jurassic Quest | Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. | $22-$40 | Welcome to Jurassic Quest — the educational event featuring life-size, animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digs, and play zones.
  • Cooking Class: Flaky Croissants and Pain au Chocolat | Friday, Jan. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | My Foodie Kitchen, 1423 Cuyamaca St., El Cajon | $69 | Learn to make the light, flaky, French favorites — no experience required.
Saturday, Jan. 20
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sportsfest and Community Celebration | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 9 a.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 6401 Skyline Dr., San Diego | Free | Honor MLK with a parade at 9 a.m. followed by a celebration at 11 a.m. with entertainment, a health and wellness pavilion, food vendors, and community resources.
  • “Korea in Color”: On the Steps at SDMA | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 1 p.m. | The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park | This community fest takes place on the museum’s steps and will feature K-Pop performances, Korean art, snacks, and activities.
  • 2024 Supercross Championships | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 5 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego | $65+ | Watch the world’s elite riders vie for victory in this high-energy competition.
Sunday, Jan. 21
  • Amber Liu | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | The Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego | $30-$150 | The singer and songwriter — who was formerly part of K-pop group f(x) — performs with Marielle Kraft.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Weather
  • Keep that umbrella handy. Light, intermittent showers are expected across SD this Saturday and Sunday, followed by moderate, widespread rain Monday, Jan. 22. This storm could bring up to 1 inch of accumulated rain Saturday-Tuesday, and possible snow in local mountains above 7000 ft in elevation. (National Weather Service)
Civic
Development
  • The city’s ongoing restoration of Balboa Park’s Botanical Building reached new heights yesterday — the 2,000-pound, copper cupola was placed back on top of the structure. Project leaders hope to reopen the century-old attraction by this summer; it’s been closed since Jan. 1, 2022. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Traffic
  • The City of San Diego has begun resurfacing streets around Clairemont Mesa, Mission Hills, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, and Bay Park. More than three dozen streets will get new slurry seal by the end of this month including University Avenue, Alameda Drive, and Grandview Street.
Tech
  • SDSU’s College of Sciences has launched a program to dispense clean lab coats to researchers via vending machines. Two machines were recently installed on campus stocked with a combined 650 standard white coats. Registered researchers can swipe their RedID card for a clean coat; returning a dirty coat will refill their “credit.” (SDSU NewsCenter)
Announced
Sports
  • US Women’s National Team (USWNT) superstar Alex Morgan — also a San Diego Wave FC powerhouse — was named to the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World11 for 2023. This is Morgan’s sixth time earning the honor; she’s been part of the USWNT for 14 years. (U.S. Soccer)
Ranked
  • According to WalletHub, San Diego is the No. 23 best city for STEM jobs in the US. The rankings factored 21 key metrics like per-capita job openings for STEM grads and the median wage growth for jobs in relevant industries. SD scored No. 12 on overall “STEM Friendliness.” (WalletHub)
Environmental
  • I Love a Clean San Diego will host its free Sustainability at Home Workshop this Saturday, Jan. 20, 10:30-11:45 a.m., at Otay Mesa-Nestor Library. The event will cover zero-waste practices and sustainable products, and attendees will be able to make zero-waste cleaning and personal care products to take home.
Shop
Active
  • Is there a gym or fitness studio around town you’ve been wanting to check out? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms with just one membership.*
 
Eat

🍛 Trending: Filipino and Indian food
SD White Rice Bodega San Diego
White Rice Bodega on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. | Photo via @iamjohnmina
The Michelin Guide — the prestigious authority on standout restaurants around the world — looked at current food trends and determined that Filipino and Indian cuisines are having a moment.

In San Diego, those flavors have made their mark on our food scene. Here are a few local, casual spots to get your fix:
  • White Rice | 3586 Adams Ave., Ste. 100 + Liberty Public Market | National City native Chef Phillip Esteban has created a menu inspired by his childhood favorites — savory rice bowls or “silog” (garlic rice and egg).
  • Villa Manila | 500 E. Eighth St. | This restaurant focuses on sweet, sour, and spicy flavors inspired by the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
  • Royal India | 329 Market St. | Find a blend of traditional and contemporary dishes including Chicken Tikka Masala, Punjabi Biryani, and Coco Vino Curry.
  • Dosa Studio | 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste. 113 | This fully vegetarian eatery offers dosas aplenty, plus all-you-can-eat Thali Night every Friday.
The Buy
 
Sleep mist, a cozy sweatshirt, or tea from Six & Main’s homebody collection. That’s right, there’s a collection specifically devoted to staying comfy and cozy at home (count us in).
 
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The Wrap
 
Monica Garske headshot

Today’s edition by:
Monica
From the editor
With gloomier weather on the horizon this weekend, it could be a great time to visit our local museums. I recently took my daughters to the San Diego Natural History Museum — which is turning 150 years old this year.

My girls love the “Fossil Mysteries” exhibition (so many questions!) and the fascinating items on display in “Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage.”
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