🌱 Among Most Expensive Cities In World + Falling Behind on Housing

Hey, San Diego! I'm here in your inbox today with what's going on around town. Go ahead and have your breakfast, coffee/tea as you read on:

• How did we become one of the most expensive cities in the world?
• Why is San Diego falling behind on housing?
• Where you can enjoy celebrating Hanukkah in San Diego.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun.🌤️ High: 62, Low: 43.

Here are four of the top stories in San Diego today:

1. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), San Diego is now one of the most expensive cities in the world. Why? You wonder. Since the pandemic began, we have become a destination for people of means coming from the Bay Area and other locations, who are no longer shackled to their offices, since they can work remotely. Greater competition for space and the sunshine of San Diego caused a rise in prices throughout this area. San Francisco and Los Angeles are still more expensive, but we now have the dubious distinction of being number 17 on the list of top 20 most expensive cities in the world. (NBC San Diego)
2. Why is the City of San Diego so far behind in its housing goals? Permit applications are up but staffing at San Diego’s Development Services Department is way down. The reality is that a department that receives 60,000 permit applications each year has close to 100 vacancies. To mitigate that circumstance, a recent report recommended that the city should stop duplicating efforts to finance affordable housing, should make it easier to build prefabricated housing, and should change height limits to allow for more development. (inewsource)
3. A shortage of blood is at a critical level in our area right now, and donors are needed to ensure hospitals have the blood they need through the end of the year. In this season of giving, help by donating blood, or blood platelets, to the San Diego Red Cross. This month, a $10 Amazon.com gift card or a T-shirt will be given to those who donate. Open your heart, make an appointment, and give! (CBS News 8)
4. This year, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah will be observed Dec. 18 – 26. If you would like to attend this year's Festival of Lights here in San Diego, join in the celebration at a number of locations around town. Events are happening in Liberty Station, La Jolla, Seaport Village, North County, Hotel Del Coronado, and Carlsbad. Enjoy! (ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV)

Today in San Diego:

• Aging Successfully Lectures — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (10 a.m.)
• Free Play Fridays on the Grass — Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Life's Sunset: Plan Before the Sun Goes Down — OASIS San Diego. (1 p.m.)
• Have-A-Seat Yoga — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (1 p.m.)
• SDCCE Cedar Center Chorus — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (3:30 p.m.)
• Arts & Crafts — Carmel Valley Branch Library. (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Under the mistletoe: "Meeting someone under the mistletoe like 💋 📷: Liz Sauer #Orangutan #DuckFace #Holiday #SanDiegoZoo" (San Diego Zoo via Instagram)
• A lovable bulldog: "We're pleased to introduce you to extra large, extra lovable Dutch! This handsome young bulldog came into our care in August and continues to inspire us with his sweet soul and happy attitude!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Boat parade: "The Mission Bay Parade of Lights is back and bigger than ever! This Saturday, Dec. 10th at 5:30 p.m. join us for a free family fun boat parade on beautiful Mission Bay. Kick off this holiday tradition with SeaWorld’s spectacular fireworks, and enjoy the holiday boats parade on the bay from festive designated spectator viewing areas along the bay." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• American Girl cookies: "This holiday season, Liz tried out some delicious cookies from “American Girl: Sweet and Savory Treats Cookbook.” Find this title at sdcl.org “If you’ve ever wished you could eat a cookie that was having an identity crisis, then the ‘Cowboy Cookies’ recipe in the American Girl: Sweet and Savory Treats Cookbook is the one you’ve been waiting for!" (San Diego County Library via Facebook)
• Mission Academy: "Thank you HandsOn San Diego for partnering with us. You served men, women, and children in our Mission Academy program who have experienced homelessness. You brought HOPE this season!" (San Diego Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• North Pole express: "It's letter season! 📨 Have the family make a stop by the Denny Sanford Children's Library at Central—we're collecting mail for Santa now through Thursday, December 15. The North Pole express will be working overtime to get Santa's replies back in time for our Winter Wonderland Celebration on Tuesday, December 20. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun!" (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)

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Events:

• Oceanside Ceramics Christmas Boutique. (Dec. 10)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Daily? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com