🌱 Au​to Insurance Costs To Rise + Felons Pick Up Trash To Give Back

Good morning, everyone! It's me, Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Sip that coffee/tea, munch on that bacon and eggs, and read on to find out what's happening today in our neighborhood:

• Another shocker: auto insurance costs to rise in 2023.
• Willing helpers: felons pick up trash to give back.
• New rules apply to beach bonfires now.

But first, today's weather:

Clearing, a thundershower.☔ High: 58, Low: 46.

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

1. According to Bankrate, auto insurance rates will rise 15 percent this year for San Diego drivers. For some it means that annual premiums will rise to an average $2,270. Why? Inflation and reckless driving are the culprits. More accidents, more claims, and higher repair costs drive up the cost of premiums. If you are thinking of trading your current provider, be sure you have a new provider in place before you cancel. (CBS News 8)
2. Working to clean up neighborhood streets may not be the ideal job, but two ex-felons have joined together to clean up areas in and around homeless encampments here in San Diego. Steven Phong and Jose Sifuentes have been doing the work for free. The two recovering addicts with auto theft, identity fraud, and drugs on their rap sheets, met in a recovery program and are now on parole. They say that every day they fight their addictions as addicts in recovery. The pair are positive about cleaning up San Diego and helping people at the same time. (NBC San Diego)
3. Love a bonfire on the beach? New rules concerning wood-burning beach fires go into effect in mid-February. The City Council approved a ban on wood-burning fires outside of city-provided rings on the beaches. SDPD, SDFD, lifeguards, and Park Rangers will have the authority to cite people for not following the rules. To find out more about beach fires within the City of San Diego, click here. (NBC San Diego)
4. Need some love? Cuddly pets can bring love into your life and your home. Check out Toby and Simba, a bonded pair of cats who are pets of the week, at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. These loving adult male domestic short hairs are indoors cats who lived together with a family of adults and teens. They are now available for adoption, along with many others at the shelter. Open your heart and give some love to get some love. Check out www.SDpets.org. to learn more. (Times of San Diego)

Today in San Diego:

• The Kook Run — BUBS Naturals. (7 a.m.)
• The Big Game Watch Party — The Shelter Club. (11 a.m.)
• Storytime — Museum of Contemporary Art. (12:30 p.m.)
• Spreckels Organ Society presents "All You Need is LOVE" — Balboa Park. (2 p.m.)
• Super Bowl Watch Party 2023 — Sandbar Sports Grill. (2 p.m.)
• Only Here for the Halftime Show Anti-Super Bowl Party — Cusp Dining. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Need volunteers at Ramona campus: "We're recruiting new volunteers for our Ramona Campus! If you have a passion for wildlife in need, you can make a life-changing difference for animals by volunteering for San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Memorial and community park: "Mayor Todd Gloria was joined by Assemblymember Chris Ward, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn and the San Diego AIDS Memorial Task Force to break ground on a memorial and community park in Bankers Hill." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Sharing the love: "Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day weekend! We include cards created by local artists in each box of food we distribute to help spread love and positivity to the people we serve. With Valentine's Day approaching, we wanted to share the love." (Feeding San Diego via Facebook)
• Origins of electronic music: "So grateful to have KPBS visit and share the story of Don Lewis and the Live Electronic Orchestra! Museum Month is a great time to visit and discover this unique innovation. Thank you, San Diego Museum Council!" (Museum of Making Music via Facebook)
• Bird watching at the Garden: "Can you spot the wildlife? 👀📷 The perfect date spot for all nature lovers! With more than 85 different bird species spotted throughout the year, the Garden is an idyllic location for bird watching. Bring binoculars and a bird book." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Bettyann Pernice

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