🌱Infrastructure Repair + Need Cash? + Save Water +'Dial M For Murder'

Good morning, neighbors. It's me, Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in the community today.

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First, today's weather:

Sunshine and nice. High: 80, Low: 69.

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

1. The San Diego City Council approved Mayor Todd Gloria’s Build Better SD initiative. The plan will equalize public infrastructure funding across neighborhoods. It will focus on need, rather than the affluence of the areas. According to the mayor’s office, new policies in the city’s general plan will “prioritize investments in areas with the greatest needs, including where the most growth is occurring, and create more opportunities to gather community input on the types of infrastructure projects our residents most want and need.” To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
2. San Diego families are feeling the pinch of inflation. To make ends meet, many residents are selling their treasured goods at the local pawn shop. "Just the other day we had a customer walk in with a TV," said Moris Adato, owner of Cashco Pawn Shop in City Heights. "She was holding a 32-inch TV to bring in for $35. I asked her what it was for, and she said, 'It’s just for more food. It’s not enough.'" According to Adato, a pawn shop might see a 10 percent increase in sales in a given year. Adato has already seen three times that number in 2022. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
3. Have you been wondering how to create a successful water-saving garden? According to the San Diego County Water Authority’s website, there are several things you might consider before you design your garden. You might want to consider adding native plants to the mix. Consider the space you have, and design for mature plant size. Choose plants suited to your microclimate, soil type, and drainage. Plant a tree or two for shade. Choose smaller shrubs or low groundcovers for areas close to the sidewalk or street. Use medium sized shrubs for the setback. Vary colors and textures. Choose a limited number of higher water-use plants. Group plants with similar water use together. Adjust the use of water for irrigation. Limit grass. These suggestions and more are available for consideration. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Times of San Diego)
4. The pace of this interpretation of the old Alfred Hitchcock classic is quicker, with updated dialogue. The women are modern and more complex. The motive for murder remains the same. See the twisted plot unfold in this famous classic from Hitchcock. The Old Globe’s ‘Dial M For Murder’ is sure to please. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Patch)

Today in San Diego:

• Tech Tank One-On-One Session — San Diego Oasis. (All Day)
• Luce Puppet Company Presents: Splashy Sea Saga — Mission Hills Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Friday Kid's Movie — University Community Branch Library. (2 p.m.)
• Friday Ribs — San Diego Elks Lodge #168. (5 p.m.)
• Sweetwater Bike Park Sunset Sessions — City of San Diego Parks & Recreation. (5 p.m.)
• Head Over Heels at SD Junior Theatre — Casa del Prado Theater. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• San Diego Zoo: Good news! Xena, our two-toed sloth, has given birth! Baby sloth is thriving. The young sloth is clinging to its mom, nursing, and getting stronger every day. (San Diego Zoo via Instagram)
• San Diego Humane Society: This great horned owl was caught in a barbed wire fence! The Humane Officer Blackburn acted quickly to cover the frightened owl with a towel and prevent further injury during the rescue. After surgery to close her wounds, and a recovery period, the owl was released back into the wild. (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• San Diego Botanic Garden: Great news! The San Diego Botanic Garden has been named San Diego's Best Museum, Best Scenic Spot, and Best Hiking Trail for 2022! We are now a three-time winner of the San Diego's Best poll. We thank you for your vote! (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• San Diego Humane Society: It was a horrific act! A person threw a kitten from a moving car in Carmel Mountain. The kitten's injuries were so severe, it had to be euthanized. San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement team needs the public's help in this felony animal cruelty investigation. If you have information that may be helpful, contact San Diego Crime Stoppers, or call 888-580-8477. (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• San Diego Central Library: Join us for the special screening of the 2012 documentary, 'Freedom Riders.' Civil rights leader Harold K. Brown will be on hand for a post-film Q & A. (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)
• San Diego County Library: Join Our Women in the Wild crew for events. There will be a 90s throw-back movie night and photo-birding workshop in August, and a Krav Maga self-defense course in September. (San Diego County Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Hydro-Motion Water Sports — (Visit website)
• Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, San Diego, California — (Visit Website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Volunteer wet hops picking for limited edition beer fundraiser. (Aug. 5)
• Award Winning Stacy Antonel Country + Fast Heart Mart Blue Grass + Rip Carson Rockabilly. (Aug. 6)
• Online discussion for specialists of yacht charters in San Diego. (Aug. 9)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Bettyann Pernice

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