Plus, a special election, new ramen, and a vegan collab.
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❤️‍🩹 Lending a hand to LA

A man holds his hands up in the air in the shape of a heart during sunset golden hour. The sun is peeking through the heart.
To LA, with love. | Photo via Shihab Nymur + Pexels
San Diego stands with Los Angeles. More than 60 San Diego Fire-Rescue Department personnel have joined other SD fire agencies helping LA.

If you’re looking for ways to help victims impacted by LA County’s devastating wildfires, we’ve gathered a few resources.

Feeding San Diego

The local hunger relief organization is collecting essential supplies to take to the LA Regional Food Bank in the coming weeks. The most-needed items include bottled water, packaged + shelf-stable snacks, and non-perishable meals. You can drop off donations at Feeding San Diego’s office — 8477 Waples St., Ste. 100 — Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. You can also drop off donations at 655 Broadway in downtown San Diego.

Callie’s Stuffies for Comfort Drive

East Village’s popular restaurant Callie is collecting new stuffed animals to distribute to children in LA. Stuffies can be dropped off at Callie Wednesday-Sunday, 12-10 p.m., through Friday, Jan. 17. You can also purchase stuffies for the drive through this link.

California Fire Foundation

This organization works with local fire agencies and community organizations to directly support victims of wildfires and disasters in California. Donate online.

Share this with your LA friends:

The San Diego Tourism Authority said dozens of local hotels are offering special accommodation rates for those impacted by the LA wildfires. This includes Town and Country Resort, Bahia Resort Hotel, and the Westgate Hotel. Share this list with your LA friends. Several Gaslamp Quarter hotels are offering discounted rates, too.
9 more ways to help

Events

Thursday, Jan. 16

“Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience” | 8-10 p.m. | The Events Center at Harrah’s Resort SoCal | $94+ | The “Long Island Medium” and TV personality shares her talents live at the Valley Center venue.

Friday, Jan. 17

BIG Salsa & Bachata Festival San Diego 2025 | Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 19 | 10-4 a.m. | Marriott Mission Valley | $66+ | This fest is packed with dance classes for all levels, live performances, and Latin dance parties.

Jurassic Quest | Friday, Jan. 17-Monday, Jan. 20 | Times vary | Del Mar Fairgrounds | $30+ | See animatronic dinos, excavate fossils, and train a raptor at this immersive event before it goes extinct.

Party Girl: “A Night of Party Girl Anthems” | 9 p.m. | The Music Box | $21 | You are that girl — enjoy a night of fun-loving tunes to match your vibe.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Holo Holo Music Festival | 4 p.m. | Frontwave Arena, Oceanside | $76+ | Head to the new North County venue for island and reggae performances by Common Kings, Josh Tatofi + Spawnbreezie alongside food vendors.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship | 5 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium | $50+ | The world’s elite off-road motorcycle riders — think: Jett Lawrence, Cooper Webb + Haiden Deegan — showcase their high-flying skills as they compete for the Supercross Champion title.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Harbor Drive South | Free | This waterfront parade will honor Dr. King with floats, high school bands, drill teams, and local organizations, and will also feature a 5K Walk/Fun Run + festival.

Frank Black: “Teenager Of The Year Tour” | 7 p.m. | The Magnolia, El Cajon | $42+ | The former Pixies frontman-turned-solo artist performs his 1994 album in full.

Monday, Jan. 20

36th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration | 12-5 p.m. | Worldbeat Cultural Center | Free | Celebrate unity, community, and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at this family-friendly event.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

Farmers Insurance Open | Wednesday, Jan. 22-Saturday, Jan. 25 | Times vary | Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla | $65+ | The prestigious PGA Tour tourney swings into the scenic golf course — who will be crowned champion?
More SD fun this way
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Health

Take control of your health goals without leaving home

Presented by Hims & Hers
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From personalized plans to unlimited check-ins, this program helps make weight loss simple and sustainable. | Photo provided by Hims & Hers
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With treatment plans tailored to your health history, eating patterns, and lifestyle, paired with 24/7 online access for medication adjustments and support, success is closer than ever.

Plus, the included behavioral program offers simple healthy meal ideas and lessons tailored to your lifestyle to help healthy habits stick.
Take the free assessment

News Notes

Civic

It’s official: SD will hold a special primary election on Tuesday, April 8 to fill Nora Vargas’ District 1 seat. More than 376,000 voters will be mailed a ballot beginning March 10. If no candidate receives the majority vote, the two top contenders will move onto a special general election on July 1.

Number

$258 million. That’s the budget deficit San Diego is facing and the focus of Mayor Todd Gloria’s 2025 State of the City Address. Gloria said SD must make “clear-eyed decisions” about every dollar spent, including cutting some services. He also talked about reducing homelessness, building more housing, and fixing “the damn roads and storm channels.” (CBS 8)
POW. ZAP. BOOM. Comic-Con International will stay in San Diego through at least 2027. The pop culture convention — which has called SD home for 50+ years, growing by leaps and bounds — will remain at the San Diego Convention Center. This year’s event is Thursday, July 24-Sunday, July 27.

Opening

Vegan restaurants Evolution Fast Food + Donna Jean are opening a 4,000-sqft shared space in North Park. Evolution left its Hillcrest drive-thru location and will officially reopen in North Park on Saturday, Jan. 17. Donna Jean’s will close its Bankers Hill location and reopen at the new hub on Thursday, Feb. 13. (Eater San Diego)

Sports

We see you, San Diego FC. Our city’s new MLS team will make its Snapdragon Stadium debut on Saturday, March 1, and single match tickets are now available for the 2025 regular season. Fans can expect live music, fun activities, and post-game “Extra Time” celebrations at home matches.

Traffic

The city’s Traffic Engineering team recommended improvements like additional signs, light upgrades, flashing beacons + crosswalks at seven “high crash” locations identified through a Transportation Department evaluation. The sites include intersections like Art Street at El Cajon Boulevard, Kurtz and Rosecrans streets, and Miramar Road at Nobel Drive.

Edu

Powered by San Diego Foundation, the inaugural $500,000 National Rainbow College Fund is accepting applications through Wednesday, March 5. The fund supports California’s LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education and will award 200 students with $2,500. San Diego Foundation is also offering $5 million in college scholarships to local students.

Closing

Macy’s is moving forward with its planned closures of 66 “underproductive” stores nationwide, including two in San Diego County. The retailer will shutter its locations in Mission Valley and Otay Ranch Town Center. Locals can still shop at Macy’s stores including Westfield UTC, Fashion Valley, Grossmont Center, and Westfield North County. (CBS 8)

Biz

Times are rough for San Diego’s craft breweries. Several taprooms shuttered last month — including Border X Brewing, Rouleur Brewing, and Bolt Brewery’s headquarters in La Mesa — but with the new year comes new hope. Some owners believe they’ll find ways to reopen or try new business models. (San Diego Beer News)

Sports

Justin Herbert’s disastrous playoffs performance has some fans questioning if he has enough “dog in him,” but his grit cannot be questioned. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Chargers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Eat

Start 2025 with Thrive Market: organic groceries delivered right to your door. (They ban over 1,000 harmful ingredients.) Join here to get 30% off your order plus a free $60 gift.*

Finance

When this card hit the market, it became the do-it-all card that took the top spot in thousands of peoples’ wallets. Perks include a significant first-year bonus, up to 5% cashback on everyday purchases, no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases + balance transfers into 2026. Cha-ching.*

Job

Ready to get connected with the best local talent in 2025? We created our community job board just for you. Give it a try by posting your first listing for free.

Volunteer

Did you know MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Join AmeriCorps this MLK Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and help your community by volunteering on Monday, Jan. 20. Find volunteer opportunities to serve locally.*

City Guide

🔎 Exploring SD’s must-see museums

A view of the San Diego Air and Space Museum with an airplane flying above in Balboa Park
The aviation and space exploration hub known as the San Diego Air & Space Museum is just so fly. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Museums are the cultural hubs of San Diego. Whether you’re looking to learn something new about America’s Finest City or plotting a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, here are 28 museums to visit in our city.

History

Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House | $8-$12
This museum operates out of a home built in 1850 — the oldest standing structure in downtown San Diego, which also once served as a county hospital. Don’t miss: On Tuesdays, the museum offers private, guided tours by reservation.

Kids

New Children’s Museum | $3-$24
Little ones will love the interactive, playful art installations perfect for exploring their creativity and imagination. Don’t miss: The sensory-friendly “Breathing Room” is perfect for a relaxing break.

Science

San Diego Air & Space Museum | $17-$28
Part of SD’s museum landscape since 1963, this aviation and space exploration hub features hands-on exhibits and activities. Don’t miss: The Apollo 9 Command Module and replica of Charles Lindbergh’s historic Spirit of St. Louis plane.
On exhibit: 25 more museums

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The Buy

A pair of 14K gold plated heart hoops. The huggie-sized earrings are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Psst — they’re also the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Wrap Monica Garske Purple
I hope you and your loved ones are doing OK. I know these LA wildfires are tough to hear about, especially since SD knows wildfire devastation all too well. It’s always a good idea to brush up on local wildfire safety resources and our city’s emergency resources, and lay out an emergency plan for you + your family. Stay safe, friends.
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