🌱 Some SD Schools Keep Masks On + SD Offers Community Power

Happy Wednesday, people of San Diego! Here's everything you need to know to start today off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in San Diego today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 73, Low: 58.

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

1. The CDC has issued San Diego County a high "community level" rating for COVID-19 and has recommended masking indoors at school while San Diego is under that rating. "Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our District has looked to the guidance of federal, state, and local health agencies, as well as to the advice of trusted medical professionals in making science-based decisions for the policies we put in place to keep our students, our staff, and their families safe," a letter sent to SDUSD parents read in part. School districts plans to reevaluate the decision in two weeks' time. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
2. Finally, there is a choice. La Mesa residents will now be able choose to receive power from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) or to receive power from San Diego Community Power (SDCP). Several other San Diego communities, such as Encinitas, Chula Vista, and the City of San Diego, will also have that option. National City will launch the program next year. Find out more to decide whether you will go with SD Community Power or if you will choose to opt out. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)
3. Union workers are demanding higher wages and better benefits. Employers are not budging. “We recently started negotiating with Kroger and sitting at the bargaining table, they looked down at us last Thursday and said 55 cents [of an increase was their offer],” said Todd Walters, UFCW Local Union President. Kroger owns all Ralphs stores. Union workers at Albertson’s, Von’s, Gelson’s Markets, and Stater Bros. are also due for a new contract at the end of the week. They are asking for higher wages to meet the higher cost of living. Last month, a survey of its workers found that food insecurity among its grocery workers is seven times the national average. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (NBC San Diego)

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Today in San Diego:

• Neighborhood House Association Head Start table — Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center. (10 a.m.)
• Bilingual Storytime: Spanish — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library (Cuentos Bilingües: Español). (10:30 a.m.)
• Gardening Exchange — Pacific Beach — Earl and Birdie Taylor Branch Library. (Noon)
• CL-Knit a Bit — Mission Valley Library. (Noon)
• Internet Safety, Social Media — San Ysidro Branch Library. (1:30 p.m.)
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK @ THE LIBRARY — San Diego Public Library, Central Library. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of San Diego: "The 4th and 5th Avenue bikeways are officially open! 🙌 🎉 The 4.5 miles of new bikeways provide a vital connection for residents to walk and bike between neighborhoods in San Diego’s urban core including Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, and Downtown." (Facebook)
• San Diego Humane Society: "Beginning Tuesday, March 1, San Diego Humane Society’s hours of operation will be changing to 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Tuesday through Sunday) at our campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego." (Facebook)
• San Diego Botanic Garden: "There are multiple clusters of 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘴 getting ready to bloom in our Conservatory! Also known as Jade Vine, Emerald Vine and Turquoise Jade Vine, this beautiful bloom has a very distinct luminescent green coloring that can be spotted from across the room." (Facebook)
• San Diego History Center: "Celebrate San Diego: Black History & Heritage Donna M. Stewart is a trailblazer in San Diego broadcast journalism. In her 30-year career, she has received three Emmy awards, a Radio Television News Association of Southern California Golden Mic, a National Press Club Photographers award, as well as several San Diego Press Club awards and many other accolades." (Facebook)
• San Diego County Library: "Our new books of the month are available with no wait starting tomorrow! 'The Mountains Sing': The enveloping, multigenerational tale of the Trần family, set against the backdrop of the Việt Nam War." (Facebook)
• San Diego County Library: "Registered voters — look for postcards from the Registrar of Voters listing voting options and additional days to cast your ballots in the June 7 Gubernatorial Primary Election." (Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Bettyann Pernice