San Diego, CA
Daily Business Report: February 20, 2024, San Diego Metro Magazine
Carlsbad’s Viasat is betting on space satellites
so you don’t drop texts. How would that work?
Tech companies like SpaceX, Apple and Viasat are investing millions of dollars in satellite networks that will expand smartphone and device coverage beyond Earth’s cell towers.
A growing field of technology companies will spend millions of dollars this year on space satellites so you can keep texting. Their goal is to build global satellite networks so phones, computers, cars and people never lose coverage.
It won’t replace the cellular service you pay for from companies like Verizon and AT&T, but it would be an added benefit to cover dead zones. That means you might soon have an option to pay extra to get satellite texting on your phone while you hike the mountains or get stuck in an emergency off the grid.
The latest player to plant their flag in the direct-to-device space is Carlsbad’s Viasat.
The local telecommunications company has partnered with Skylo Technologies, a non-terrestrial network service provider, to provide direct-to-device services globally. It marks a new revenue opportunity for Viasat in the IoT (Internet of Things) space at a scale it hasn’t previously delved into, said Anton Monk, vice president of wireless initiatives at Viasat.
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Top Illustration: The new nonterrestrial network will utilize Viasat’s existing global L-band capabilities as well as partner satellite operator networks. (Courtesy of Viasat)
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3 Ocean Beach Pier Renewal design concepts to be aired
The City of San Diego will hold a public April 6 community workshop to present three preliminary design concepts for the
Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. The workshop will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road, San Diego 92106. A presentation will be at 2:15 p.m. followed by interactive workshops.
The designs have been prepared following a year of public outreach events, community meetings, booths at major events, flyers and emails, and an online survey of 5,000 participants.
OB Pier renewal design concepts: top: Squint test-labeled birdeye; center: Braid-labeled birdeye; bottom: Remora-labeled birdeye.
Click here for enlarged top pier design
Click here for enlarged center pier design
Click here for enlarged bottom pier design
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How California lawmakers want to target retail theft
By Lynn La | CalMatters
Nearly four months after forming a bipartisan select committee and two hearings later, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced legislation last Thursday to combat shoplifting and organized retail theft — just beating the deadline to introduce new bills.
He joined Democratic Assemblymember Rick Zbur of Los Angeles, chairperson of the committee, and Kevin McCarty of Sacramento, chairperson of the Assembly Public Safety committee, to unveil the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, which Rivas describes as “critical legislation” to address “a serios crime that’s hurting businesses and impacting our communities.”
Focusing on “professional retail thieves,” Zbur said the measure would create a new crime with a penalty as long as three years behind bars for the possession of stolen property with the intent to sell.
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Bill introduced to increase safety measures on e-bikes
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), whose district includes the beachfront, has introduced AB 2234 to ensure the safety of e-bike riders and those who share the roads with them.AB 2234 will require anyone over age 12 without a valid driver’s license to take an online e-bike safety training course and pass a written test to prove they understand traffic safety rules.
Those without a valid driver’s license must have a state-issued ID to operate an e-bike. The bill will also prohibit children under the age of 12 from operating e-bikes.
“Owning and riding an e-bike is a big responsibility, and children and their parents must understand the liability they take on when they get on an e-bike that can go nearly 30 mph,” said Tasha Boerner. “As an avid cyclist and a mother, my goal is to ensure that California’s young riders are educated on the rules of the road to increase their safety and the safety of other road users.”
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Birch Aquarium opens immersive art exhibit on kelp forests
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography has opened “Hold Fast,” an immersive art exhibit that invites guests to explore the impact of climate change on the local kelp forests through the lens of three local artists and scientists.
“Warming waters and giant kelp don’t mix. We have to be realistic about the outsized impact that climate change has on our local giant kelp forests,” said Megan Dickerson, Birch Aquarium’s director of exhibits and co-curator of the installation. “But at the same time, local people are doing beautiful things. This ‘Hold Fast’ installation posits that the actions of local artists and scientists can give us hope that together, as a community, we can make collective change as we also acknowledge climate trauma.”
Aquarium visitors can now explore a labyrinth of cyanotype-printed giant kelp by photo-based artist and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter. They can come face-to-face with local species via gyotaku prints – the traditional Japanese method of printing fish – by artist Dwight Hwang. Finally, they can peer into the tiny world of kelp propagation with Scripps Oceanography PhD student Mohammad Sedarat.
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Mrs. Stephanie Aretz named COO of Smartville Inc.
Carlsbad-based Smartville Inc., a leader in sustainable energy solutions and a trendsetter in repurposing electric vehicle batteries, announced the appointment of Mrs. Stephanie Aretz as its new chief operating officer.
Mrs. Aretz’s vast experience and profound leadership in the technology sector will be pivotal as Smartville continues its mission to revolutionize battery energy storage worldwide, one battery pack at a time.
Mrs. Aretz will spearhead all day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and budget execution at Smartville, Inc.
Priya Huggett appointed to board of NAIOP San Diego
Priya Huggett, a partner with Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson, a commercial real estate law firm, has been appointed to the board of NAIOP San Diego, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.
Huggett has more than 20 years of experience in all facets of commercial real estate – including acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing, finance and operations covering multifamily, retail, residential, hospitality and office assets.
She was general counsel of Brixton Capital prior to joining CGS3 in 2022.
Brian L. Frary joins Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani law firm
Brian L. Frary has joined the law firm of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a partner in its San Diego office, and membe of the Employment Law practice group.
Frary has practiced law in San Diego for over 20 years.
His practice includes business litigation, consumer finance litigation defense, class actions, real property litigation, product liability, personal injury, construction defect litigation, and professional liability defense. He is a long-time member of ACA International and the San Diego Bar Association.
Cal Coast Cares Foundation scholarships top $1 million
The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has just reached a major milestone, awarding over $1 million in student scholarships and educator grants to nearly 800 individuals in San Diego and Riverside counties since Cal Coast Credit Union established the foundation in 2015. The foundation will award an additional $260,000 in scholarships and grants in 2024. Established by San Diego teachers in 1929, California Coast Credit Union is the longest-serving financial institution based in San Diego County with more than $3.5 billion in assets.
UCSD, Sanford Burnham, Prebys secure $9 million NIH grant
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys, UC San Diego, and San Diego-based Camino Pharma received a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support further studies around a drug to treat nicotine addiction. Under the three-year grant, researchers will conduct toxicology studies and drug manufacturing for the therapy that reduces levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter linked to nicotine addiction and relapse behavior.
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Sony Electronics launches aibo Espresso Edition in the U.S.
Sony Electronics Inc. announced that the limited-quantity aibo Espresso Edition (ERS-1000B) is now available for purchase in the United States directly from Sony.
Originally released in Japan in late January 2023, the aibo Espresso Edition is the fourth color variation of the acclaimed aibo (ERS-1000) robotic “puppy” companion in the United States. The aibo Espresso Edition is currently available on Sony’s website for a suggested retail price of $2,899.99.
Mindgruve partners with Kick It California in tobacco cessation program
Mindgruve, a digital marketing agency, announced its partnership with Kick It California, the longest-running statewide phone-based tobacco cessation program in the U.S. The collaboration focuses on a complete redesign of the app formerly known as NoButts and NoVape, now rebranded as the Kick It app, tailored to aid users in their journey to quit both smoking and vaping. The app officially launched on Dec. 29, 2023.
The Well Community For Women opens North Park location
The Well Community For Women, a San Diego-based nonprofit, is opening its second coworking, childcare, and resource center at 3810 Bancroft St. in North Park. The Well’s new San Diego location is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and its original La Mesa location is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Ste. 195. Coworking memberships in North Park Park ranges from $60/day to $250/month plus the option to add childcare and enrichment activities. La Mesa memberships range from $50/day to $600/month plus the option to add childcare and enrichment activities.
Cue Health appoints Rishi Reddy to board of directors
Cue Health, a health care technology company, announced it entered into a cooperation agreement with Tarsadia Investments, and appointed Rishi Reddy to its board of directors, effective immediately. Reddy is a managing director at Tarsadia, where he leads the firm’s venture and growth equity strategy. He was previously an observer on Cue’s Board of Directors from April 2018 to September 2021. In addition, the board intends to commence a process to add an additional highly qualified, independent director to the board.
Spectator Health adds Surescripts certification
Spectator Health, a San Diego-based senior living technology company, announced the complete integration of Surescripts’ suite of e-prescribing capabilities into its platform, allowing for real-time medication analytics and e-prescribing for senior living communities caregivers and providers. Spectator Health’s platform has been awarded key certifications, which cover a comprehensive suite of Surescripts.
Tuesday night was a tale of two parties. Two election night parties.
At Liberty Station’s Stone Brewing, a small coterie of Democratic elected officials and functionaries and a larger coterie of news media shuffled around trying to make sense of the lackluster returns trickling in.
Meanwhile, at downtown’s US Grant Hotel, a much more spirited collection of Republican operatives and supporters laughed and drank in a blindingly-lit convention room, backed by a pianist’s rendition of “Billie Jean.”
The takeaway seemed clear: this was a not-so-great night for San Diego’s Democratic in-group. Chula Vista’s Republican mayor had a huge lead over his Democratic opponent. A tax on second homes lagged behind in the vote count. And several Republicans seemed to make it out of crowded primary fields in local races.
Hell, even if it was only a just-OK night for Republicans – that still seemed worth celebrating to them.
Normally we now get long stretches of days, even weeks of fingernail-biting anticipation as the county so slowly tallies the rest of the votes. But there doesn’t appear to be many close races to watch this time around. There are a couple. We start at the top:
It’s Becerra vs. Hilton
As of 11 p.m., with more than 50 percent of votes counted, it appeared that a Republican and Democrat — rather than two Democrats — would make it through to the general election. Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra led the race, with billionaire Tom Steyer on the outside looking in. The New York Times has a nice tracker here.
Empty Homes Tax Goes Down
Measure A presented a simple choice. What do voters in the city of San Diego have more disdain for – people with enough money to own a second home they leave empty, or new taxes? Turns out, it’s additional taxes. For now, at least.
Championed by Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, Measure A would have placed a tax on homes left vacant for more than half of the year. It was pitched as a way to both raise badly needed revenue for the city and, potentially, make available badly-needed housing.
As of Tuesday evening, the measure’s prospects looked grim, with about 58 percent of voters casting a ‘No’ vote. It will become the second citywide tax increase rejected by voters in as many years. Despite the poor showing, intern Naomi Granata found the pitch resonated with some voters in North Park.
San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Jordan Marks was one of a number of local electeds who came out in opposition of the tax. He said the city’s housing problems couldn’t be solved by what he called “bad taxes.”
“This result reflects that Sean Elo-Rivera and the City Council have lost the trust of the public and that voters are reading the fine print,” Marks said.
Elo-Rivera said it wasn’t looking good, but he was hopeful the picture would improve. Ultimately, he thought the money spent opposing the tax — and the distorted message he felt it sent — was too big to overcome.
“There was an enormous amount of money spent, and not just money spent, but money spent to trick voters into thinking that something was going to impact them that wasn’t,” Elo-Rivera said.
No Ammar
Republican County Supervisor Jim Desmond led the way in the 48th Congressional District on Tuesday night.
What we were waiting for is the candidate who would go with him to the runoff. It will attract a ton of national attention and money. It was one of the seats made more competitive by Democrats in the special redistricting vote last year.
San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and Ammar Campa-Najjar, squared off for a chance to wrest the seat out of longtime Republican control. With 53 percent reporting, von Wilpert held a commanding lead over Campa-Najjar. The councilmember will advance to face Desmond in November.
On the ground in the district, reporter Tigist Layne found that the national politics that led to the redistricting fight were also front and center on voters’ minds as they headed into vote.
Bailey vs. Crosby in Coastal Council District
Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey and Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby will advance to the November election in District 2 of the San Diego City Council.
Bailey, a Republican-turned-Independent, seemed destined to finish in the top two after he attracted significant attention on social media. The race for the second spot was more uncertain. Josh Coyne, like Crosby, attracted significant Democratic support. And Mandy Havlik — a more development-resistant candidate — also had strong grassroots support in Point Loma.
Our new intern Fiona Bork talked to voters in District 2, which covers the city’s southern coastline, who said that affordability was the most important issue. Exactly how that explained their electoral choices differed by a lot. One voter said Coyne’s market-driven approach to building more housing appealed to him. Another liked Havlik’s approach to limiting vacation rentals. A third voted for Bailey because she wanted less development and more public transit. It seems unlikely that Bailey, who is fiscally conservative, would support massively expanding public transit options. Read the full story here.
City Council District 4: The race for southeastern San Diego’s council district featured three candidates: incumbent Henry Foster, Martha Abraham and Johnny Lee Dang.
Abraham was highly critical of Foster in her campaign and that seemed to resonate well with voters. At the latest count, she led Foster by several hundred votes.
Foster has many supporters in the district, but the city’s handling of catastrophic flooding in January 2024 — among other issues — has led to massive distrust of City Hall.
Council District 6: Incumbent Kent Lee had one prominent opponent, Mark Powell, who is a former member of the County Board of Education. They will both make the runoff but Lee got 55 percent of the vote in early counting.
City Council District 8: San Ysidro School Board Member Antonio Martinez and current District 8 chief of staff, Gerardo Ramirez, lead in this race — which was crowded with Democrats. Venus Molina, who serves as the chief of staff to Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, trailed closely behind in third place. This is one of the races close enough to change as the registrar continues counting votes. Molina’s count improved slightly as the night went on.
Our South County reporter, Jim Hinch, spoke with voters outside the Otay Mesa/Nestor Branch Library. One voter told Hinch she voted for Molina because she liked that she is local and a single mother. Read the full story here.
Election Watch Party Bonus: Ramirez’ supporters and family gathered at the Landing Strip, a bar and restaurant at Brown Field Municipal Airport, to watch results roll in. They broke out into applause when results showed him coming in second.
“For some of the folks it might seem like ‘hey man’ you’re second place, but we’re in there. This is a huge, wonderful sign,” said Ramirez.
DeMaio’s Gonna Gloat
Two local elections were something of a proxy battle between two warring factions of the Republican Party. Assemblymember Carl DeMaio’s team won, again. Every time local Republican leaders unite to oppose him or the people he supports, DeMaio wins. This time it was about two races: the one to replace County Supervisor Jim Desmond and the one to replace State Sen. Brian Jones.
In the county supervisor race: San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones left no doubt she would make it to the runoff. The only remaining question is who will face her — Vista Mayor John Franklin or Kyle Krahel, the former chair of the Democratic Party. After the first votes were counted, Krahel held a slight advantage with 20 percent of the vote compared to Franklin’s 19 percent. DeMaio went all in for Jones and she led the field with more than 41 percent of the vote.
In the state Senate race: As expected, former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott made the runoff for the state Senate District 40 seat. She got nearly 45 percent of the votes counted so far. The real question was who would go with her. That Republican battle between Kristie Bruce-Lane and San Marcos City Councilmember Ed Musgrove seems to have also gone DeMaio’s way with Bruce-Lane holding a 4.7-percentage-point advantage over Musgrove.
That’s not enough of a gap to call the race but it’s significant.
Teachers Union Pushed Barrera to Runoff in Statewide Race
The race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction became something of a flex test for the state’s largest teachers union. Could the California Teachers Association almost singlehandedly lift a relatively unknown San Diego board member over a bevvy of better financed, higher profile candidates? Yup. Easily.
Fueled by nearly $5 million in spending from the state’s largest teachers union, longtime San Diego Unified Trustee and labor-darling Richard Barrera sailed to a convincing second place finish in the race for state supe. In his nearly two decades as the power behind the throne of the second largest district in the state, Barrera has engineered a progressive labor friendly transformation that the union hopes can be taken statewide.
He will now face off against Republican Chino Valley Trustee Sonja Shaw in November.
Brews and News + Your Chance to Win Padres Tickets
Meet our team and get an election debrief at our Brews & News Live Podcast at Soda Bar on Thursday, June 11. We will be joined by San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. Get your tickets here and you’ll be automatically entered to win two tickets to a Padres game. Winners will be announced at the event.
Obligatory note: No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win the Brews and News Live Podcast Giveaway. A ticket purchase or donation will not increase chances of winning. All applicable federal, state, local and municipal laws, rules, and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.
In Other News
- Opinion: A retired lifeguard finds irony in SDG&E’s stance on residents putting solar panels on their balconies. The company once argued against rooftop solar because it was unfair to renters, but now, he writes, “a low-cost system allows most of those same people access to solar, but SDG&E seeks to deny them as well.” (ICYMI: Our MacKenzie Elmer wrote that plugging in such a device could put her at risk of getting her power cut.)
- San Diego County officials warned South Bay residents to limit their exposure to the outdoors after a broken pipe spilled millions of gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River. (Union-Tribune)
- NBC 7 reports that a judge ruled that the city of San Diego illegally collected parking ticket late fees for three years.
- About that cross-border tunnel: The U.S. Attorney’s office says a recently discovered, massive tunnel stretching from Tijuana to Otay Mesa leads to a fake store in the southern San Diego neighborhood. Four people have been charged in connection with drug trafficking linked to the tunnel.
The Morning Report was written by Jakob McWhinney, Mariana Martínez Barba and Will Huntsberry. It was edited by Will Huntsberry, Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña and Scott Lewis.
Related Posts
There’s a creative inertia that resides in San Diego, producing a near-constant stream of cool events. Fortunately, this weekend is no different. Those with an artistic inkling can search for inspiration at MCASD’s EXPO Design Market or admire the mixture of live performance and neighborhood charm during the North Park Music Fest. Foodies can dine (with wine) at Stake Chophouse & Bar during its ZD Wines Dinner or explore Barrio Logan’s standout eats at the Sabor Del Barrio. Plus, Pride Month is already in full swing in SD with the return of DISCO RIOT’s Queer Mvmnt Fest and the two-day Out & Abt Music Festival.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
ZD Wines Dinner at Stake Chophouse & Bar
June 4
Stake Chophouse & Bar is collaborating with Napa Valley’s ZD Wines—a family-run winemaking institution that’s been around since 1969—on an intimate four-course dinner this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Throughout the meal, each dish will be paired with a curated pour from ZD Wines, with patrons set to receive a chardonnay, pinot noir, and pair of cabernet sauvignons. Dinner guests will also be treated to insight on the night’s wine pairings from ZD Wines’ senior winemaker Chris Pisani. Reservations are $210 pre-paid through OpenTable.
1309 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Sabor Del Barrio
June 7
Take advantage of all the dynamic attractions that the Barrio Logan Cultural District has to offer—and eat very well while you’re at it—during the third annual Sabor Del Barrio. This Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. attendees can devour their way through 35 neighborhood staples and traverse the tasting stops on foot, by bike, via a free trolley shuttle, or a combination of the three. Tickets are $40 online ($55 day of) and come with complimentary admission to Quint Gallery, the Athenaeum Art Center, and the Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center, plus a free tour of Tao of Clay.
Barrio Logan
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival at Old Poway Park
June 6
Survey the depth of oral storytelling during the free annual Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Poway Park. Named for harmonica virtuoso, marine biologist, and longtime San Diegan Sam Hinton, this event highlights folk artists who specialize in time-honored traditions. Throughout the day, attendees can see performances by musicians with roots in Americana, Cajun, and Appalachian rhythms on the main stage, dance in the Templars Hall, and hear historical tales from the Storytellers of San Diego in the Porter House.
14134 Midland Road, Poway
North Park Music Fest
June 6
Psychedelic rockers Frankie and the Witch Fingers will headline an eclectic lineup at the North Park Music Fest. This Saturday, enjoy sets from noon to 1:45 a.m. from over thirty performers—including DJs, bands, and local acts—across a dozen North Park venues. Ticket options include general admission ($25 online, $35 day of) and VIP passes ($65) which come with lounge access at Granada House, line-skipping privileges and more; festival proceeds will go towards the North Park Business & Neighborhood Foundation. Plus, performances at Pure Pawsh, Visual Art + Supply, Overland, and Playground Art + Coffee will be open to the public.
North Park
Out & Abt Music Festival
June 6 & 7
The calendar has just flipped to Pride Month, and Out & Abt is celebrating in style. The two-day Out & Abt Music Festival begins Saturday from 3-10 p.m. at The Soap Factory with drag shows, circus acts, a manic pixie dream market, two stages of live music, and last but not least, a mechanical bull. The festivities will continue with an after party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Gossip Grill and conclude with an afternoon pool party at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego on Sunday from 1-7 p.m. Ticket options include weekend general admission passes ($70), and entry to the music festival ($30), after party ($17) and pool party ($27).
Citywide
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
The Monsters at La Jolla Playhouse
June 2-28
Fresh off its Drama Desk Award-winning run in the Big Apple this past winter, The Monsters will have its first West Coast production beginning Tuesday in the Mandall Weiss Forum at La Jolla Playhouse. Written by and co-starring Ngozi Anyanwu, The Monsters finds its reconciliatory narrative in a young woman yearning to repair her relationship with her estranged older brother in the brutal and unforgiving world of mixed martial arts. The Monsters will have preview performances this Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 & 7 p.m., with tickets ranging from $30-$74.
2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Queer Mvmnt Fest
June 3-7
DISCO RIOT has orchestrated five days of queer-focused events centered on the essence and vitality of movement for its annual Queer Mvmnt Fest. The festival begins Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. with short film screenings at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and will include six free movement workshops, with instruction ranging from breathwork to ballet and beyond. Plus, on back-to-back nights at the Malashok Black Box Theater, the participating 2SLGBTQIA+ artists will perform in a variety show (Friday at 7 p.m.) and a featured artist showcase (Saturday at 7:30 p.m.). Admission ranges from free to $40 for individual events at Queer Mvmnt Fest.
Citywide
Golden State Ballet: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Balboa Theatre
June 5-7
The final production in Golden State Ballet’s 2025/26 season will be a world premiere version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, crafted by the company’s artistic director Raúl Salamanca. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s celebratory fantasy play and George Balanchine’s subsequent ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will guide viewers into a fanciful world. This production will also feature the return of Houston Thomas’ neoclassical ballet The Four Seasons to the Golden State Ballet program. Tickets range from $45-$126, with performances this Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Balboa Theatre.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Let’s Chat at Lamplighters Community Theatre
June 5-14
The ever-expanding presence of artificial intelligence looms large over America’s educational institutions, most notably at the college level. In Let’s Chat, a world-premiere play written and directed by Lisa Balderston, a complex student-teacher quarrel is sprung from the natural tug-of-war between AI usage and ethical standards. Theatergoers can catch Let’s Chat at Lamplighters Community Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. this week and next. Tickets are $30 for adults and $28 for students, seniors, and active military.
5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa
Hairspray at New Village Arts
June 5 – July 19
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the dancefloor of The Corny Collins Show, the city’s preeminent teen variety show, is the unlikely setting for a battle over racial integration. Based on John Waters’ most accessible film, Hairspray has since become a beloved stage musical featuring teen idols, endearing characters, and a beat that can’t be stopped. New Village Arts’ production of Hairspray will begin with previews ($40) this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., and two additional previews next week, before the production opens on June 13 ($80).
2787 State Street, Carlsbad
New Exhibitions at California Center for the Arts Museum
June 6 – August 16
Ancestry, history, and the immersively original connection to them both is at the forefront of two new exhibitions opening Saturday at the California Center for the Arts Museum. In Field Notes on Memory, a product of the museum’s In Studio Artist Residency program, artists Farshid Bazmandegan, Tony M. Bingham, and Helena Westra blend sentimental and tangible materials with culturally-grounded stories. In José Hugo Sánchez’s Amoxtlis, which will have a free opening reception this Saturday from 4-6 p.m., Sánchez tackles border relations through printmaking informed by Mesoamerican innovation and medium-spanning influences.
340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair at Digital Gym Cinema
June 5-11
Digital Gym Cinema and American Cinematheque invite filmgoers to resonate with all matters of havoc and helplessness during Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair. While this week-long gauntlet of afflicting cinema will examine the atrocities of the world in which we live, it is also intended to demonstrate the resounding hope that remains. The Bleak Week programming at Digital Gym Cinema will navigate stories of grief, pain, gore, and beyond, with selections by international directors like Lars von Trier, Béla Tarr and Andrzej Wajda. Tickets are $14 for all series screenings, with multiple showings of each film happening throughout the week.
1100 Market Street, East Village
Giro di San Diego GranFondo
June 6
Cyclists will test their strength as well as their appetites (for both a challenge and the large meal that follows it) during this Saturday’s Giro di San Diego GranFondo. All riders depart from Frances Ryan Park in Escondido at 7:15 a.m. and end in the same location, with mountainous course distances of 20, 32, 56 and 95 miles, as well as the brand-new King & Queen of the Mountain climbing challenge. But no GranFondo is complete without a proper reward, and all cyclists who cross the finish line can enjoy a post-ride massage, receive a finisher’s medal, and dive fork-first into an Italian feast. Registration ranges from $97-$278 for the GranFondo races.
390 Hidden Trails Road, Escondido
EXPO Design Market
June 6 & 7
Tap into cutting-edge worlds of local creativity during the third annual EXPO Design Market at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., network with fellow arts lovers and check out vinyl DJ sets, maker-led talks, local vendors, a zine workshop, and more. Additionally, festivities will continue each day from 8 p.m. to close during the free 21+ Expo After Dark activation at Kiku Room. Market entry is free for all ages and RSVPs are encouraged, but not mandatory, for both Saturday and Sunday; gallery admission is 50% throughout the weekend when purchased at the front desk.
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
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Countdown to ’26: International Soccer Weekend at Snapdragon Stadium
June 6 & 7
In less than two weeks, 48 nations will vie for soccer’s most desired prize during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But before the tournament kicks off across North America, Snapdragon Stadium will host a pair of friendly matches showcasing four of the tournament’s featured teams. During International Soccer Weekend, local fans can catch matchups between Switzerland and Australia (Saturday at noon) and Colombia vs. Jordan (Sunday at 4 p.m.) as they prepare to play on the sport’s biggest stage. Tickets start at $55 for Saturday’s match and $74 for Sunday’s match.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
San Diego, CA
Where to watch San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.
The MLB action continues on Tuesday as the San Diego Padres visit the Philadelphia Phillies.
Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies?
First pitch between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Jun. 02.
How to watch San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.
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MLB scores, results
MLB scores for Jun. 02 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
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San Diego, CA2 minutes agoMorning Report: Runoffs Largely Set
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Milwaukee, WI7 minutes agoMPS staffer who got plea deal in slapping case had earlier incident
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Atlanta, GA14 minutes ago19 new metro Atlanta restaurants opened in May, but 11 closed
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Minneapolis, MN17 minutes agoMotorcyclist seriously injured in north Minneapolis hit-and-run
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Indianapolis, IN22 minutes agoNew stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe
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Pittsburg, PA29 minutes agoBlanche says DOJ
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Augusta, GA32 minutes ago
Amy Elizabeth Black Obituary May 29, 2026 – Platt’s Funeral Home
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Washington, D.C32 minutes ago
Sherry Abedi has been appointed as General Manager at LINE DC
