Newsletter: How to make mom friends in San Diego
Plus, a monthly wellness market lowers barriers to self-care.
Hello everyone!
Becoming a mother 14 months ago not only transformed my family, but my friendships and community. With an added identity, new priorities and a whole new set of problems and things to learn, I found some of my existing friendships forever changed. And I needed support from the only people who could truly understand what I was going through postpartum — other mothers.
But making new friends at that stage in life isn’t easy. I had a baby constantly attached to me. I was exhausted. And just because someone was also a mom didn’t mean they shared all my values and interests.
This experience isn’t abnormal for new moms, especially in a city like San Diego where so many people are transplants. But luckily, there are plenty of groups that have popped up to support moms locally and help them find community.
I talked to the founders of two such groups, SD Latina Moms and Mama(cita) Run Club, about the communities they foster, and compiled a list of different groups — for lots of different kinds of moms with different priorities, from sharing their culture with their kids to staying active or turning their passion for social justice into a family affair.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I hope if you need it, you’ll find a group that can support you. If I missed any groups, feel free to send me an email at maya@daylightsandiego.org and I will update the list.
— Maya Srikrishnan
Wellness market builds community
Olivia Steadman-Oladipo built her monthly Shore and Sage Wellness Market as a third space for community connection. This Sunday, the market celebrates its sixth month with a return to its original home at yoga studio Pilgrimage of the Heart — bringing together local vendors, wellness practitioners and neighbors for a day of low-barrier self-care and community building.
— Lauren J. Mapp
After Mayor Todd Gloria proposed to slash arts and culture funding in the fiscal year that begins in July, arts and culture leaders from across the city gathered to demand that the city restore their budget. The demonstrations included a hastily put together band and a group of bboys and bgirls dancing in a cypher.
— Kate Morrissey
Where to buy vinyl records in San Diego
Record Store Day was last Saturday, but this guide to San Diego record stores can help you add to your vinyl collection any day of the year. Happy digging!
— Kate Morrissey
The death toll in ICE custody so far this year rose to at least 16 people. Doctors reviewing medical records for people who died in ICE detention found many were preventable with timely care. Officials in a Minnesota county are looking into charging federal immigration officials with kidnapping and false imprisonment. Here's what happened last week in immigration news.
— Kate Morrissey
Is California in play for a Republican governor?
With the presumptive Democratic favorite, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, exiting the race, the possibility of a Republican being elected governor of deep-blue California has once again swung into view. But what would that look like in practice?
— Story by Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
From guided art walks and live jazz music to community cleanups and discussion-based workshops, here’s what’s happening across the county this week.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
Other news
Attendance at Balboa Park Museums declined by 34% after paid parking went into effect, according to an analysis released by the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, NBC 7 reported.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to advance charter reforms that would increase term limits and the power the board holds, NBC 7 reported. If the board approves the charter reforms on May 19, they will head to a countywide vote in the November election.
The San Diego City Council removed the name of César Chávez from a city holiday and a street in Barrio Logan, following sexual abuse allegations against the labor leader, CBS 8 reported. The March 31 holiday was renamed Farmworkers Day and César E. Chávez Parkway was renamed Chicano Park Boulevard.
Hundreds of residents and community leaders criticized Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget that would cut money for arts, library hours, recreation centers and youth services during public testimony on Monday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The state attorney general and San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians are suing Poway for violating the California Environmental Quality Act by allowing dozens of new homes to be built on a sacred tribal site without sufficient review, inewsource reported.
A new report to the city of San Diego found that forming a public utility company would save San Diegans money in the long-term, KPBS reported.
A new state assembly bill could help San Diego State University get independent doctoral programs in engineering, The Daily Aztec reported.
SDSU has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by more than a dozen female student-athletes who alleged they received less scholarship money than their male counterparts, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The city has conducted almost 500 sweeps along freeway entrances and exits since it got permission to remove homeless encampments on state property last summer, Voice of San Diego reported.
Upcoming Events
April 23
A Walk With Yáamay: New Village Arts and Queer Sol Collective present a free guided art walk blending indigenous poetry, music and storytelling with the natural North County landscape, all inspired by the Yáamay anthology. April 23-24, 10 a.m. - noon, Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
SWANA Heritage Month Celebration: San Diego College of Continuing Education hosts a free South West Asian and North African Heritage Month celebration featuring dance, Turkish guitar, vocal, darbuka and spoken word poetry performances. Lunch will be provided. Noon - 1:30 p.m., San Diego College of Continuing Education Mid-City Campus, Main Lobby, 3792 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
City of San Diego Budget Workshop: Community Budget Alliance is hosting a workshop to help residents learn about the city budget, upcoming priorities and how to participate in local decision-making. Food will be provided. Register online. 6 - 8 p.m., PANA, 5577 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Dining Out for Life San Diego: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is celebrating 20 years of Dining Out for Life, a citywide fundraiser where participating restaurants, bars, coffee shops and more donate at least 25% of sales to support health and wellness programs, including HIV services and prevention. Community members are encouraged to dine out throughout the day to give back. Find participating locations and more information online. All day, Restaurants throughout San Diego County
April 24
Remote Work Meetup: Instagram content creator Scott Muirhead is inviting San Diegans to bring a laptop and coworkers for a casual beachside work meetup at The Cardiff Office. All are welcome. Dress code is business casual up top, weekend vibes below. 3 - 6 p.m., The Cardiff Office, 110 Aberdeen Drive #A, Cardiff, CA 92007
Native Women 4 Change: The Southern Indian Health Council is hosting its annual event to discuss topics like domestic violence and human trafficking. Food and resources will be provided. Register online. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
Pride Volunteer Mixer: San Diego Pride is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Week gathering with refreshments, connection and information about upcoming volunteer opportunities. 4 - 6 p.m., San Diego Pride Office, 3620 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Clothing Swap and Mending: Collective Coalition SD is hosting a clothing swap and mending event in collaboration with Honest Thrift & Plants. Attendees can bring clothes to swap, access mending services and explore linocut printing. Additional details and tickets are available online. 4 - 7 p.m., Honest Thrift & Plants, 2909 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
May Day Planning: Community Self Defense Coalition SD is hosting weekly planning meetings in April focused on community outreach, patrols and organizing for May Day. 6 p.m., 2225 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Sketch Party: Mujeres Brew House is hosting an all-level sketching session with vinyl sets spun by La Crunchy619, Catkiller182 and friends. Food will be available, and some materials will be provided. 6 - 9 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
The Bombillas with Cozmos: Lou Lou’s presents a live music performance featuring The Bombillas and Cozmos, blending global funk, psychedelic sounds and Afro-Caribbean influences. Entry is complimentary, with seating available on a first-come basis. This event is 21 and over. 8 p.m., Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
