​🌱 ​SD Unified Teachers Rally + Bipartisan TOXIC Act Hits Pesticides

Hey, neighbors! It's Friday in San Diego, and I'm back in your inbox with the latest copy of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Sip that coffee/tea, munch on those cornflakes and banana slices, and read on to find out what's happening in town today:

• Teachers rally at SD Unified schools.
• Bipartisan TOXIC Act targets pesticides sent here by cartels.
• Water Authority seeks rate increase over a two-year period.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and cool.☁️ High: 62, Low: 53.

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

1. Comprised of nurses, counselors, teachers and other certified educators, the SDUSD teachers’ union has not had a contract since June 2022. Rallying for a new contract, the teachers’ union is asking for a doubling of elementary enrichment classes such as music and art; a full-time counselor at every elementary school; a full-time nurse at every high school; better special education staffing; an increase in staffing levels overall; safer school perimeters and controlled points of entry; a fair pay raise; and six weeks paid maternity leave. (CBS News 8)
2. The TOXIC Act aims at lethal pesticides being smuggled across the border by drug cartels to maximize profits from illegal marijuana farms. The pesticide carbofuran is classified by the EPA as Toxicity Category I, the highest toxicity level. It has a lethal potency when absorbed through ingestion, inhalation or contact with skin. Democratic Representative Scott Peters and Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa worked across the aisle to create the legislation. (Patch)
3. The San Diego County Water Authority is considering a new budget which would set rate increases to cover the cost of water-reliability projects that would keep our area free from drought. The agency recommended a $1.85 billion budget over a two-year period starting July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025. Public input on the increases will be gathered over the next two months. (Patch)
4. Love wildflowers? At festivals and botanical gardens, parks and natural gardens, now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the beautiful spring flowers and cherry blossoms. Visit the Alcazar Garden or the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Stroll through the Flower Fields in Carlsbad or see the blooms at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. These and other locations are offering beautiful blooms right now. Check out all the venues available. (Locale Magazine)

Today in San Diego:

• PUBLIC RESEARCH DAY - San Diego History Center (9:00 AM)
• Signing Storytime - College Rolando Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Digital Navigator - Logan Heights Branch Library (11:30 AM)
• Silver Age Yoga - Carmel Valley Branch Library (1:00 PM)
• Chess Club - Rancho Peñasquitos Library (3:30 PM)
• Lego Club - Carmel Valley Branch Library (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Shower our tiny felines: "We asked our kitten whisperers to interpret this little one's message and they are fairly certain it translates to, 'Please send me and my pals a present from sdhumane.org/kittenshower' This very articulate baby knows that tiny felines are already arriving daily, and we need your help to ensure they can grow healthy and strong! Caring for these fragile lives requires formula, bottles, warming pads, cozy blankets and so much more. You can help these babies thrive by picking a special gift from one of our Kitten Shower registries today!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• A safe space: "The City is making plans for a new parking lot for individuals sleeping in their cars. This will be the fourth City-funded lot that provides a safe place to park and include 'wraparound' services to navigate them toward permanent housing. Learn more here sandiego.gov/hssd"
• Biking on the 15 freeway: "We're taking over the 15 Freeway! 🚴 🛣 🎉 We teamed up with @caltrans to host a community group ride on the 15 Freeway while it's shut down for maintenance. Join us on March 25th at 10am at Dennis Allen Park for the group ride." (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition via Facebook)
• Women artists gallery: "Do you know about our digital Women Artists Gallery? 🎨 Shown in image 1 | Silkscreen print on gray mat board by Ethel Greene. SDHC Photo Collection. 🎨 Shown in image 2 | Painting by Hope Mercereau Bryson (1887-1944) 'Village Scene.'" (San Diego History Center via Facebook)
• Stop medical misinformation: "When it comes to health information, which sources can you trust? Always start with reliable websites like MedlinePlus and the CDC website. This video explains more about how to protect yourself from health misinformation. #StopMisinform..." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)
• Walk for animals: "Visit sdwalkforanimals.org to snag early bird registration for the best walk you'll take all year! You'll still enjoy all the same fun, food and furiends at the Walk for Animals – San Diego on May 7, but this special deal is only available for a few more days." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. 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