News & Notes

and sounds of New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou to Spanish Landing Park, 3900 North Harbor Drive, May 11-14. The event features live Zydeco, blues, roots, Creole & Cajun, rockabilly, salsa and New Orleans jass, strolling huskers, kids’ activities, daily Mardi Gras parades, and Cajun and Creole cuisines.

Shelter to Soldier Inaugural Sisterhood of Service event May 18

Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego nonprofit committed to supporting veterans on their mental health journey with trained psychiatric service dogs, along with Zero8hundred, whose mission is to support transitioning military members throughout their post service lifecycle through impact, engagement, and community connection, will host the inaugural “Sisterhood of Service” event on Thursday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Mission Beach Women’s Club at 840 Santa Clara Place, 92109. Sponsored by The Boeing Company, the free event will honor more than 100 women who have served this great nation through military service.

Jenny Craig shutting down after 4 decades

Jenny Craig, a Carlsbad-based weight loss institution for nearly four decades, will soon be closing its doors, a move that comes amid reported financial troubles and efforts to sell the company. In a federally mandated WARN Act notice sent out by the company last week, Jenny Craig stated that it planned to close its Carlsbad headquarters by June 24 and as a result would be terminating its 146 employees who work in that location. The letter, however, notes that the closure could come earlier.

County releases $8.11 billion recommended budget

San Diego County released an $8.11 billion recommended budget this month that continues increased spending to fight homelessness; take on mental health and substance use disorder challenges; improve the justice system; help working families and invest in core services like roads, fire protection and parks.

The “Invested in Community” budget is $745.8 million larger than last year’s budget, a 10.1 percent increase. It also adds roughly 490 new positions, a 2.5 percent increase over last year. The increase in budget and staff will support new and expanded delivery system based in San Diego. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of 3,000 affiliated physicians and more than 16,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, 30 outpatient centers and clinics, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region. social service programs and increasing caseloads to assist vulnerable populations. It also reflects investments in critical infrastructure, like a new Public Health Lab and affordable housing projects.

Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and is the only health system in the region with two level 1 trauma centers. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked five times as one of the nation’s best health care systems by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among of the nation’s best and Scripps is recognized by the Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.

Father Joe’s launches online thrift store

Father Joe’s Villages, a leading homeless service provider in San Diego, launched a new online thrift store on April 24, expanding its retail operations from the brick-and-mortar stores. The store will sell gently used clothing, jewelry, entertainment, household goods, accessories, electronics, and other items donated by supporters, with all the revenue going towards transforming the lives of homeless individuals and families. All retail sales raise funds for the organization’s critical programs and services. Father Joe’s Villages supporters outside of the San Diego area will now have the opportunity to support the organization by shopping online. Visit the thrift store at my.neighbor.org/ shop.

On Saturday, 4-22-23, Celebrate-athon.com celebrated the anniversaries of Batta | Fulkerson Injury Attorneys, Henebery Spirits, Partying for a Purpose and It’s All About the Kids® [IAATK]. Celebrate-athon.com was an in-person and livestreamed fundraiser for the Feed the Kids Program held at the amazing headquarters of Batta | Fulkerson Injury Attorneys. The event video will be released soon on www.ItsAllAboutTheKids.org.

Guests attended and presented GIANT checks to IAATK to fight food insecurity in San Diego. Over $92,000 was raised with pledges of over $206,000. San Diego’s favorite MC Kristy Salazar and Rogue Bunny Mayhem podcast host Brian Olea kept the live-stream fun and energized while the checks poured in. Everyone enjoyed entertainment from J7 Entertainment, Tarciana, El Watusi, Adam Lasher, DJ Scott Roberts, DJ IDeaL and a special live stream set from world-famous DJ Donald Glaude. San Diego’s best stylist Kotton CandiCo dazzled the guests with her styling corner, and then they struck a pose on the Booth12 photo booth and 360 Video. In the ZoomRoom, managed by Rebel Angel Media, donors and guests chatted with Rogue Bunny Mayhem podcast hosts Donna and Victoria who answered questions and told supporters about their amazing life experiences. Production experts Icon Productions and DBS Productions captured the event along with photographers Ivan S. Harris Photography and Guided by Imagination Photography. Photos are available at www. ItsAllAboutTheKids.org. In-person guests also loved the delicious food from Rubicon Deli, Meze Greek Fusion and Pacific Beach Fish Shop. Libations included Agua Fresca, Henebery Whiskey, Layback Vodka and Longball Tea, along with tastings from Cava Antigua Tequila. The on-line auction fea - tured awesome items and there is currently, an auction after-sale with additional items just added at www.celebrate-athon.com. With over 200,000 San Diego children going to bed hungry, IAATK’s mission to feed kids is more important than ever before. Through delivery, and distributions at schools, low-income housing developments, and at Mini-Pantries, IAATK is removing the barrier of transportation to get more nutritious food to over 500 families each week. The Energy Project, within the Feed the Kids Program, sponsors Bike Clubs, teaches nutrition education, and provides each student with PrepEaze’s BEEZ SEEDZ protein bars and new bikes from Out of the Ordinary Group and Team Adventures. For more information about It’s All About the Kids® and how you can help by donating, volunteering, and sharing their mission, please visit www.ItsAllAboutTheKids. org.

BY BART MENDOZA