🌱Promise To Help Homeless Veterans + First High Tech High Contract

Hey, San Diego! I'm here in your inbox this morning to bring you news of what's happening around town. Sip that latte/herbal tea, enjoy that crunchy fruit yogurt, and let's check out the news of the day:

• County Supervisors vote to help homeless veterans with housing.
• First High Tech High contract for teachers.
• State imposes citrus quarantine in Rancho Bernardo.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warm.🌞High: 77, Low: 48.

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

1. The 2022 Point in Time count listed 700 veterans as homeless. Now, county supervisors and citizens of San Diego plan to come together to help homeless vets find a place to live. San Diego County Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, San Diego Veterans Coalition and San Diego Veterans For Peace will join in to help. The goal is to end veteran homelessness here in San Diego. (Times of San Diego)
2. The excitement was palpable at the San Diego Education Association’s Mission Valley auditorium. It took more than a year, but union members were about to ratify their first contract with High Tech High. The contract gives educators benefits and workplace improvements, including a new pay scale, retroactive pay increases, guaranteed lunch breaks, an established teacher evaluation process, as well as a limit on class size. (Voice of San Diego)
3. California Department of Food and Agriculture quarantined a 95-square-mile area around Rancho Bernardo, due to a citrus disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB). The bacterial infection threatens San Diego’s $115 million annual citrus crop, as well as agricultural businesses. While the disease is not harmful to humans, it's fatal to citrus trees. Information to help residents in the quarantine area is available here.
4. If you're a fan of farm-to-table food, GRAZE at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is the event for you! On Thursday, April 13, 5 – 8 p.m., the San Diego County Farm Bureau will bring out chef-created tasty bites of locally grown foods. Participants can sip regional craft beverages while speaking with growers and trade groups to learn about local agriculture. For more information, click here. (San Diego Magazine)

Today in San Diego:

• Preschool Storytime — Tierrasanta Branch Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• Fun & Games for Seniors — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (10 a.m.)
• How to Work a Computer — Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center. (10 a.m.)
• Mandarin Chinese Story Time — Mira Mesa Branch Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Kamishibai Storytime — Carmel Mountain Ranch Library. (11 a.m.)
• Meditation: Renew Your Life and Jumpstart Your Energy — OASIS San Diego. (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Vaccine clinic for rabbits: "Help your somebunny special stay safe! Pet rabbits should be vaccinated against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV2), a highly contagious and fatal disease for rabbits, once each year. We're hosting a vaccine clinic for rabbits on Monday, Feb. 13, with vaccines discounted to just $35! No appointment is needed for this clinic and all rabbits without a microchip will receive one for free!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Walk for Animals: "We'd like to give a HUGE shoutout to the teams currently topping our North County – Walk for Animals leaderboard! These awesome animal lovers have done an incredible job FUNdraising to help save lives, and and there is still time to join." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Counseling and Guidance: "It's National School Counseling Week! Join us as we celebrate our dedicated Counseling & Guidance team and recognize all school counselors for helping students succeed every day! #NSCW23 #BetterSD" (San Diego Unified School District via Facebook)
• Transportation options: "🚴 SATURDAY EVENT! 🎉 (02/11/23) Come out with the whole family to learn about active transportation options! This free event series will include FREE helmets and safety gear, interactive activities for all ages, bike and scooter demos, a skills rodeo, guided family bike ride and more!" (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition via Facebook)
• Reforms and funding: "Thank you Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and SDCountyHHSA staff for leading the reforms and funding made to the Behavioral Health Impact Fund. Additional thanks to the San Diego Housing Commission for their support with wrap around services." (Downtown San Diego Partnership via Facebook)
• Increasing access to AEDs citywide: "We're celebrating #HeartHealthMonth with San Diego Project HeartBeat! ❤️ This program works to increase access to AEDs citywide and to educate people on how to recognize cardiac distress and how to respond quickly to potentially save someone’s life. To learn more, go to https://bit.ly/3RGfPve" (City of San Diego via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update!

— Bettyann Pernice

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