🌱 400 Homes + Police Want Military-Style Gear + Sea Lion On R-94

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Here's what's going on today in town.

First, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Sunny and very warm. High: 80, Low: 52.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 81, Low: 53.

🏡 When it's time to buy or sell, be sure clients think of you first. See how we can help build your reputation as the go-to real estate pro in San Diego. Learn more here.

Here are the top stories in San Diego today:

1. There are 400 new affordable housing units in the East Village. Father Joe’s Villages St. Teresa of Calcutta Villa units are available for families, seniors, and persons with disabilities who are homeless. Eighty are available for veterans. There are studios, one- and two-bedroom units, a fitness room, dog runs, community gardens, children’s play areas, and community rooms. Persons must qualify by income to become residents. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Press Release Desk)
2. The SDPD wants funds to purchase military-style equipment. The proposal will be available for public review on the SDPD website. "The San Diego Police Department understands the desire for greater transparency when it comes to the equipment officers use to keep the community safe," Police Chief David Nisleit said. "Meeting the requirements laid out in Assembly Bill 481 has been a massive undertaking by SDPD personnel. We look forward to showing how these tools are used to de-escalate dangerous situations in our neighborhoods and how they are crucial to our public safety efforts." To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
3. A sea lion found wandering on State Route 94 was rescued by several good Samaritans back in January. After spending a month in rehabilitation at SeaWorld, the sea lion was returned to the ocean. It seems that this particular sea lion has a habit of wandering to areas that are several miles from the ocean. It was once rescued from Harbor Island Drive. The sea lion now has two tags to easily identify him. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (10News)

This weekend in San Diego:

Saturday, Feb. 12

• Ikebana: Japanese Art of Flower Arranging — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair — San Diego Chinese Center. (10 a.m.)
• iNaturalist Event — San Diego River Park Foundation. (10 a.m.)
• Soapy Joe’s Hosts World’s First Pet Parade through a Car Wash and Adoption Event — Mission Valley. (10 a.m.)
• Free outdoor vaccine event! — My Kroc, Salvation Army. (2:30 p.m.)
• Virtual Rocket Science — SDPL. (3 p.m.)

Sunday, Feb. 13

• Hillcrest Farmers’ Market — Normal Street between University Avenue and Lincoln Street. (9 a.m.)
• Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair — San Diego Chinese Center. (10 a.m.)
• Golden State Sun — Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. (1:45 p.m.)
• Kids Craft & Cooking Class — Naval Base San Diego Waterfront Recreation Center. (2 p.m.)
• St. Valentine's: Dance Music from The Roaring 20s — Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. (2 p.m.)
• San Diego Ballet: Bird/LAND — Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park. (2:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• 45+ Museums, 28 days, 50 percent off tickets available at the library. (Facebook)
• San Diego History Center: "Celebrate San Diego: Black History & Heritage. Dr. Warren is president of Warren Communications, Inc., an African American-owned media group with community newspapers on the East and West Coast. He is the publisher of the 62-year-old San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, which is among the oldest African American newspapers in the country." (Facebook)
• San Diego Police Department: "*SCAM ALERT* We have been made aware of a scam operating right now where people are making it seem as if we, the San Diego Police Department, are calling from one of our divisions (spoofing) and asking for money. The San Diego Police Department will never call you to demand money or ask for money." (Facebook)
• San Diego Botanic Garden: "Take in the effects of being in and walking in a state of relaxation in the natural world. Join our Nature Bathing class once a month to reconnect with nature and feel the healing effects it has." (Facebook)
• San Diego Police Department: "The Crime Suppression Team in Southeastern Division proactively patrols areas with a high volume of violent crimes. They noticed a car being driven at a high rate of speed with a vehicle violation. Officers pulled the car over and recognized the passenger as having multiple cases involving firearms." (Facebook)
• North San Diego Business Chamber: "Thank you to NOVA Home Loans for its generous donation to Operation Connect. With this, we will be able to further help transitioning veterans in San Diego. Know a transitioning service member? Invite them to attend the free Operation Connect Workshop on April 1." (Facebook)

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Featured businesses:

• CBD Philman .com — (Visit website)
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Events:

• First Workshop and Parent Orientation for Seussical, Jr. (Feb. 12)
• Grossmont Union HS Dist. Honors Orchestra & Band Concert. (Feb. 12)
• Valentines | Still Ill Tribute To The Smiths & Morrissey + SM Familia Reggae Quartet + Beta 7 Ska. (Feb. 12)
• My Hungry Valentine’s Day | A gastro foodie experience. (Feb. 14)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 14)
• PRAYERS: Whose Prayers are Answered and Why? Part 2 - How Do I Know God is Listening to My Prayers? (Feb. 14)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 15)
• New Balance Store In Encinitas Village Opens Feb. 10. (Feb. 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 21)
• 41st Annual CARSplus Convention: Networking for Success and Best Practices. (Feb. 25)
• The Cheez Whiz Ultimate 80’s Cover Band. (Feb. 25)
• Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you back in your inbox next week with your next update!

— Bettyann Pernice