🌱 Proposed Ordinance For Homeless Tent Living + Illegal Street Racing

Good morning, San Diego! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know that's going on in town, including:

• A proposed ordinance to ban homeless tents will be considered by the city council.
• Police and citizens work together to stop illegal street racing.
• Some libraries will reopen on Sundays — Is your branch one of them?

But first, today's weather:

Areas of low clouds, then sun.⛅ High: 62, Low: 51.

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

1. According to the downtown partnership’s monthly count, 1,700 people are living on the sidewalks in the downtown area. A proposed ordinance was sent to the Land Use and Housing Committee to ban sidewalk encampments, whether or not housing is available. The proposal will be considered by the San Diego City Council at a later date. While some think the proposal is a good idea, others say it would criminalize homelessness. (NBC San Diego)
2. At a town hall meeting in Mira Mesa, police enlisted community leaders, businesses and residents to help stop street racing. Known as sideshows, these illegal street races take over an area, cars spinning out of control in a blinding smoke screen, endangering crowds and other cars. Drug trafficking and weapons sales often take place at the events as well. Police urge witnesses to go to a safe location, phone 911, and report street races to police. (NBC San Diego)
3. Good news! Many City of San Diego Libraries, which had abbreviated schedules during the pandemic, will reopen on Sundays, beginning April 16. The libraries will be able to provide patrons with many of the services and programs missed during the COVID-19 closure. Find out if your branch library will be open on Sundays at SanDiego.gov. (ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV)
4. It’s not quite the world of the Jetsons, but soon you may be able to travel in style in a "robotaxi," a driverless vehicle by Zoox, Inc. Created for dense urban environments, the vehicle is capable of speeds up to 75 miles per hour and is equipped with cameras, radar and a "LIDAR" "270-degree field of view." The autonomous mobility company will open a San Diego office this summer and bring at least 100 new jobs to our area. (San Diego Metropolitan)

Today in San Diego:

• AARP Tax Assistance - Mission Hills Branch Library (9:30 AM)
• Aging Successfully Lectures: How to Talk About Memory Loss - Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center (10:00 AM)
• Signing Storytime - College Rolando Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Healthy and Fit Adults - Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library (11:00 AM)
• STEAM Discovery Hour - College Rolando Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Arts & Crafts (for kids) - Carmel Valley Branch Library (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Watch that wiggle! "All dogs have their own unique swagger. Vinnie sashays. Dulce sidles. Hercules saunters. And Ramsey has already skeddadled into a new home! While we would never actually deem one doggie's stride better than the other, you gotta admit — it's pretty tough to beat the steppin' style of this crew! They all score 11/10 from us! How about you?" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Name the new shuttle: "Thank you for submitting your ideas to name our new #PacificBeach neighborhood electric vehicle shuttle service. A partnership between the City of San Diego and SANDAG - San Diego Association of Governments, the new shuttle will launch this summer. It's down to the top four. Which is your favorite? BABS –(Balboa and Beach Shuttle), The Beach Bug, BEES (Beach Electric Energy Shuttle), or The Beach Bolt. Submit your vote here: SanDiego.gov/PBshuttle"
• Special plant sale: "🚨 Attention plant lovers! We're having a special plant sale with houseplants and select orchids from the World of Orchids exhibition. Sale will be across from our pollinator garden from 4/13-4/15, or until supplies run out. Be sure to stop by, and don't forget to check out our Plant and Gift shop for more Garden goodies!" (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Herbalism: "Join herbalist Corinne Feinberg April 17, as she teaches you to communicate with the natural world through an intuitive method of herbal medicine. This folk tradition of herbalism is centered around cultivating a relationship and listening to the wisdom of the natural world as a portal to understanding how plants can support us in all facets of our being, and how we can in turn support their ability to thrive alongside us." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Teaching in-person and virtual school: "Old Town San Diego is looking for a FULL TIME School Programs Educator! Work in this historic park providing in-person and virtual school programs and be part of the education team. We value diversity and inclusion." Learn more at bit.ly/oldtowneducator

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Featured events:

• Estate Sale (50 years of collectibles) (April 14)
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• Estate Planning Seminar at Mission Valley Library (April 17)
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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Bettyann Pernice

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