🌱 County Kicks Off Annual Blood Drive + Safe Sleeping Ordinance

Hello again, neighbors! It's Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Patch newsletter, bringing you news of what's happening today:

• The 39th annual county blood drive is back and needs your help.
• San Diego City Council will consider safe sleep zones.
• Eelgrass in the bay releases oxygen into the atmosphere.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny.🌞 High: 65, Low: 46.

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

1. The County of San Diego kicks off its 39th Annual Blood Drive this month, making it easy for San Diegans to do their part. One in seven individuals in hospitals needs blood but blood supplies often fall short. The county is partnering with the San Diego Blood Bank to promote and expand blood donations. Check out the 16 donation locations here.
2. City Council members will consider an ordinance that would make it illegal for homeless persons to sleep in public places, if other options are available for shelter. In addition, the ordinance would create safe areas, blocked from view of the public and equipped with restrooms. Information and contacts for social services would also be provided. The safe sleep zones would be in parking lots as well as other open spaces. (KUSI)
3. The Port of San Diego released a study showing that the bay’s eelgrass beds now contain 170,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide — equal to the amount of CO2 emitted by over 37,000 cars each year. Eelgrass absorbs dangerous CO2 and produces oxygen through photosynthesis. The study was funded by MARAD’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program. (The Log Newspaper)
4. On Saturday, April 15, the first annual San Diego Vegan Festival at the County of San Diego Waterfront Park will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The festival is free of charge and will include 70 vendors offering vegan food, beverages, apparel and more. Eight nonprofit exhibitors will also take part. Come on out and experience the vegan life! (VegOut Magazine)

Today in San Diego:

• Kamishibai Storytime - Carmel Valley Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Mind/Body Fitness for Older Adults - San Carlos Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Grief Support Group - OASIS San Diego (10:30 AM)
• Dance Pants Party - Mission Valley Library (10:30 AM)
• Storytime with Ms. Debbie - Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center (11:00 AM)
• Gardening Exchange - Pacific Beach - Earl and Birdie Taylor Branch Library (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Community science: "Spring into phenology with us! 🌸 SDBG is proud to be a partnering garden that contributes findings to Budburst, a community science project and app allowing anyone to monitor and track changes in plant life stages (known as phenology) to help answer important environmental questions about climate change." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Peace in the Park: "🌟🌳 Peace in the Park - April 8, 2023 🌳🌟 Join us and our amazing community partners for a fun-filled 'Peace in the Park' event! 🎉 Let’s come together at Mountain View Rec Center, 641 S. Boundary St, San Diego, CA 92113, from 10 am to 2 pm.
  Don’t miss the exciting egg hunt and enjoy FREE resources for the community! Let’s unite for a safe and vibrant neighborhood." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• Working to find solutions: "Rain or shine, our team continues to help find solutions for unhoused San Diegans. The City facilitates Coordinated Access to Resource and Engagement events throughout San Diego communities twice a month. The City, County, local agencies, and nonprofits partner to help people experiencing homelessness get off the streets. This event was held in the Mission Beach area. At each event, people are assisted with addressing their various needs, including accessing shelter and housing services, DMV services and medical needs." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Starbucks FoodShare: "This Earth Month, we're celebrating our partnership with local Starbucks stores. The Starbucks FoodShare program, a partnership between Starbucks and Feeding America, aims to help address food insecurity while reducing food waste." (Feeding San Diego via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 6)
• A Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the lodge at Torrey Pines State Reserve (April 8)
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You're all caught up 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