🌱Our Ocean Is Pink! + IRS Changes Course + 1st AIDS Memorial At Park

Hello, neighbors! I'm here with your fresh copy of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Take a sip of that coffee/tea, munch on that French cruller, and read on to find out what's happening in town today:

• No, you are not seeing things — our ocean is pink.
• IRS changes course with regard to the Middle-Class Tax Refund.
• At the new park, the city will include its first AIDS Memorial.

But first, today's weather:

A shower; becoming windier.🌧️ High: 58, Low: 42.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. No, you are not seeing things, that water really is pink! Scientists at UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography partnered with the University of Washington in an experiment to study coastal ocean dynamics by turning the surf pink. The experiment, Plumes in Nearshore Conditions, will study the estuary and coastline around the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon to discover how small freshwater outflows interact with surf. The experiment will continue through February. (San Diego Metropolitan)
2. And now, some good news! After advising that there may be a tax on monies received from the Middle-Class Tax Refund, the IRS finally settled the question. It was a long time coming, but the IRS reversed course on its decision. So, monies received from the Middle-Class Tax Refund will not be taxed by the IRS. The bad news? Now, you can go ahead and file your taxes for 2022.😊 (Patch)
3. A new community space will be built where only an empty lot stood before. The new park in the City of San Diego will include an AIDS memorial, a new playground, ADA-compliant pathways, and more! Olive Street Park will be created on a half-acre of property in Bankers Hill and will be due for completion by summer of 2024. The memorial is said to be a tribute to the past and to those living with AIDS today, as well as a symbol of hope for the future. (City News Service)
4. San Diego County is a bird paradise, with wild parrots seen in Ocean Beach, Santee and El Cajon. According to SoCal Parrot, red-crowned and lilac-crowned Amazon parrots are quite common now in our area, after being released here back in the late '50s and early '60s. Both are considered endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We're very lucky that they now call San Diego their home. (CBS News 8)

Today in San Diego:

• Digital Literacy: Word Series — San Diego Public Library/Central Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• Mind-Body Fitness for Older Adults — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• Basic ESL I presented by SWC — Otay Mesa Branch Library. (Noon)
• Toddler Storytime — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (Noon)
• Adult Social Scrabble — North Clairemont Branch Library. (1 p.m.)
• Kamishibai StoryBox Theatre — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Explore Old Town: "A day exploring Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a day well spent! 📷 IG: photographybyrovin" (Visit San Diego via Facebook)
• Wild babies! "WARNING: This photo might make you 'awwww' out loud! But now that we’ve got your attention: the first wild babies of the season are arriving, and they need YOUR help! When you choose a gift during our virtual Wildlife Baby Shower, you will help us provide fragile newborns with the specialized care and support they need to grow up healthy and strong — and return to the wild!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Operation homecoming: "This year marks the 50th anniversary of Operation Homecoming, the government and military mission to return the 591 American Prisoners of War that were held by North Vietnam. Join Christine Stokes, Executive Director, and Vickie Stone, Curator of Collections from the Coronado Historical Association for this timely virtual discussion!" (San Diego History Center via Facebook)

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• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Scottish Rite Center of San Diego. (Feb. 16)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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