🌱 SD Monkeypox Emergency + Road Closures + Sunflower/Watermelon Fest

Hi all. It's me, Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Daily. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening around town.

Now, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 82, Low: 68.

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

1. Responding to the increase in monkeypox cases here, San Diego County supervisors voted to issue a state of emergency. The county can now seek state assistance for testing, contact tracing, and case investigation. "Our goal is to get one dose into as many people's eligible arms as possible," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer. "When we get more vaccine, we can start giving second doses for even higher efficacy." According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is generally spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Patch)
2. Traveling to East County? Be aware that some ramps along a 40-mile area of Interstate-8 will be upgraded this week. This work will continue through the weekend, according to Caltrans. The construction upgrades are an effort to prevent wrong-way drivers from entering the freeway. New striping will also be added, along with specialized red reflectors to alert drivers who enter the wrong side of the lanes. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
3. Join us for some fun at the Sunflower & Watermelon Festival at Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside this weekend. Several watermelon-themed food options will be available for the tasting, along with music, tractor rides, kids' crafts, vendors, photo opportunities, and more! This is a fun event for both kids and adults. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Patch)

Today in San Diego:

• Preschool Storytime — Tierrasanta Branch Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• Qi Gong — University Community Branch Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• Hullabaloo @ the Community Garden — San Carlos Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• How to Work a Computer — Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center. (10 a.m.)
• Kamishibai Storytelling — Cronicas de Dragones by Zancadilla Teatro — San Ysidro Branch Library. (Noon)
• Knit and Crochet Circle — Rancho Peñasquitos Library. (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• San Diego Humane Society: Come to our Community Pet Pantry and get free pet food and supplies to keep your pet healthy and happy at home. (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• San Diego County Library: If you want more information about the risk of monkeypox, you can join the townhall meeting virtually, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 11. (San Diego County Library via Facebook)
• San Diego Botanic Garden: We want to share plant wisdom with the world outside our 37-acre Garden. "Our mission as a garden is to create, share, and apply plant wisdom in our world with people of all backgrounds, ages and interests." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Downtown San Diego Partnership: Thao French and Janelle Louie have been chosen to design a new street mural in downtown San Diego. The mural will be located at the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District of Downtown San Diego. (Downtown San Diego Partnership via Facebook)
• San Diego County Bicycle Coalition: After you have completed part 1, join the part 2 session of our Smart Cycling course. (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition via Facebook)

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Events:

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• Online Webinar with experts for Boat rental services in San Diego. (Aug. 24)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Bettyann Pernice

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