🌱 ​​Child Care/College + Work 4 Homeless + Help Afghan Refugees

Morning, San Diego! It's Tuesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in San Diego.

First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 75, Low: 49.

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

1. Think child care is cheap? Think again. Child care in San Diego is as expensive as college tuition. While average child care costs are just under $17K a year, tuition at UCSD is just under $17.5K a year. Workers earning the minimum wage of $15 per hour in California must work 33 weeks to pay for child care. The fact is that the cost is just too much for 90 percent of our families. The California Policy Institute reports that only 7 percent of the state's families can afford the average cost of child care. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
2. Perhaps you have seen the yellow-vested workers cleaning sidewalks in some San Diego communities. These workers are employed by Wheels of Change, a group that helps homeless workers earn money to clean up neighborhoods and help the homeless keep their self-worth. “They're getting a wage,” said Kevin Barber, the co-founder of Wheels of Change. “They can buy their necessities. And they also just love giving back. They love cleaning up the streets.” To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (10News)
3. The Sdara Group handed out much need supplies to 300 Afghan children who were due to start school this week in San Diego. Zulaikha Rahim, secretary at Sdara Group, expects 500 more Afghan refugees to arrive here soon. “We want to encourage them to get on their own feet, you know, we don’t want to make it seem like we don’t want them to start their life here, so a lot of it is cultural differences, we kind of teach them that,” she said. If you would like to contribute, donations of supplies, housing, storage, and money are welcome. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (fox5sandiego.com)

Today in San Diego:

• Coffee and Connections — Toby Wells YMCA. (8 a.m.)
• Gems From the Archives — San Diego History Center. (Noon)
• Downtown San Diego Lions Club Presents — State of Bicycling in San Diego. (Noon)
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK @ THE LIBRARY — San Ysidro Branch Library. (3 p.m.)
• Create! At the Library — Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center. (5 p.m.)
• Bibliomaniacs Book Club — Mira Mesa Branch Library. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• San Diego Police Department: "What does it look like when a legend retires? Let us show you! Communications Division would like to wish a very happy and healthy retirement to Police Dispatcher Ann Claret who is signing off on Friday after 32 spectacular years of service to the City and residents of San Diego." (Facebook)
• San Diego Humane Society: "You may be familiar with reactive behaviors on leash, like barking, lunging or growling at other dogs, but do you know how to resolve these problem behaviors with your pup? Our 6-week Reactive Rover: Heel Work class concentrates on building leash skills and focus for dogs who are reactive outside the home, and help your dog remain cool and calm on walks!" (Facebook)
• San Diego Botanic Garden: "Seeds of Wonder is popping with color! Hidden away in the back of the Garden, Seeds of Wonder is the perfect location for children and adults to connect with nature in this interactive garden." (Facebook)
• San Diego Rescue Mission: "This week we welcomed Dr. Rosolyn Eatmon, Rescue Mission Program clinical administrator, to our morning devotion time in honor of Black History Month. She opened with a video of Dr. King's moving 'I have a Dream' speech and allowed us to dig deeper into African American history and celebrate the progress that has been made." (Facebook)
• Downtown San Diego Partnership: "Over the next few weeks Downtown will get a lot more bike friendly. As you may be seen have seen, construction of new bikeways on Beech Street, Sixth Avenue, Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue is nearing completion. The new bikeways will connect Hillcrest to Downtown, and the waterfront and Little Italy to East Village and Petco Park, giving visitors, residents, and Downtown workers a convenient and comfortable travel option." (Facebook)
• San Diego History Center: "Celebrate San Diego: Black History & Heritage — Interested in having your story become a part of the San Diego History Center’s collection? Submit an event, milestone, or memory that should be included in the history of Black San Diego and Black San Diegans." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Secrets to Selling Your Home for Top Dollar. (Feb. 9)
• 5 Ways to Manage Your Debt Online. (Feb. 10)
• Ask the Divorce Experts — Vesta San Diego, California Hub. (Feb. 10)
• 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)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (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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• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at sandiego@patch.com

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Bettyann Pernice