Hotel Cafe Announces "Uncancelled Music Festival" April 2-9, 2020

From Cary Brothers, in his own words:

hey, guys! i guess i'll be putting pants on to play some songs for you this thursday night, april 2nd (my birthday!) at 7pm PST. benefitting the staff at my home base venue The Hotel Cafe & The Recording Academy MusicCares let's help my fellow music folks get through this! https://uncancelledmusicfestival.com

More after the jump:

CoViD-19: Cover Your Face, Dammit!

A January sunset from Lake Murray. If we had only been paying attention to China then. 

The well of scienctific knowledge about the novel coronavirus and CoVid-19 is constantly growing. But as "community spread" of coronavirus increases and information about how long the virus can hang in the air or on a surface changes, it's time (if you haven't already) to cover your face if and when you're out in public. This certainly doesn't mean you should run out and buy masks that could otherwise be used by essential personnel, but dig through your closet, your drawers, your old sports bags, and find yourself a bandanna, a scarf, or something to cover your face --your entire nose and mouth--when you're out. And as the kind man at Costco recommended to me today, you should also consider coverage for your eyes, too. Something, the science would now suggest, is better than nothing in preventing other people's droplets from entering your system or from keeping you from spreading should you be asymptomatic and carrying the virus yourself. 

It's Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work
Official advice has been confusing, but the science isn't hard to grok. Everyone should cover up. - Wired

Riverside County recommends covering face in public to prevent coronavirus - The Press Enterprise

Should you wear a mask? US health officials re-examine guidance amid coronavirus crisis - CNN Health

Should We All Be Wearing Masks In Public? Health Experts Revisit The Question - NPR

And this article argues that no, you should not, but only because they're concerned with shortages. Frankly, after reading this article about the Washington Chorale, I think saying no at this point is unbelievable irresponsible.

Should you wear mask in public if not sick with coronavirus? - PBS Newshour

CoViD-19: What's Booze Got To Do With It?

I miss my bar pal, Julie. (This is an oldie from 2018)

Look, live your life as you will and I'll live mine. People can have differences of opinions so long as we keep our facts straight. And the fact is, certain states and entire countries are banning or otherwise limiting alcohol sales during the coronavirus pandemic. And look, I don't think California is gonna limit or ban alcohol sales. But, I also don't really need to be doing beer runs during the shelter-at-home order. So let's just say I panic purchased, and we're set, at least for a minute. I mean, I had to go get some stuff for my parents at CostCo anyway, so I don't feel like I was unnecessarily clogging the store, but if I happened to pick up a couple cases of beer and some liquor while there? Well, sorry not sorry.  And I'm not the only one.

(Wanna virtually buy me a drink? Venmo/PayPal)

So how is the rest of the country and the rest of the world handling alcohol during this pandemic? Some articles and references, after the jump.

CoVid-19: Following The Bay Area, A Glimpse of What Is To Come

Darren, his mother Billie, and nephew Jonathan taken January 2020

Darren was born an raised in the Bay Area, so we have a long-running joke/argument about things being better in San Francisco vs San Diego. The burrito debate. The public transit. The culinary scene. It's generally all in jest and out of love. But we have certainly been paying attention because his senior mother still lives in Contra Costa county with his two nephews, one of which takes the bus and BART daily to his job at an Amazon distribution center. San Diego has lagged slightly behind the Bay Area in cases, but also in responses, but we've noticed that any guidelines they enact are soon followed or replicated here, with perhaps a few days or a couple weeks of lagtime.

Today, the Bay Area extended their Shelter-In-Place order through May 3rd and have added the following restrictions. I wouldn't be surprised to hear similar restrictions placed on our entire region in the coming days:

• Use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas, and similar recreational areas is prohibited. These areas must be closed to public use.
• Use of shared public recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, pools, and rock walls is prohibited. These facilities must be closed for recreational use.
• Sports requiring people to share a ball or other equipment must be limited to people in the same household.
• Essential businesses must develop a social distancing protocol before April 3.
• Most construction—residential and commercial—is prohibited.
• Funerals are limited to no more than 10 people attending.
• Essential businesses will include service providers that enable residential transactions (notaries, title companies, Realtors, etc.); funeral homes and cemeteries; moving companies, rental car companies and rideshare services that specifically enable essential activities.
• Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities must scale down operations to their essential component only.

Coronavirus: Bay Area shelter-in-place extended through May 3 with new restrictions - Mercury News

I missed the County of San Diego update today but will post if there's any new info.

Covid-19: Fader Fort Goes Digital on March 31st & April 1st

The Fader Fort is one of the hotspots of SXSW every year, and since the festival was obviously canceled this year, The Fader has decided the show must go on, virtually, of course. Tune in to their link here. Videos will only be live for 24 hours, so check it out sooner rather than later.

(Update: due to popular demand, the live stream has expanded to two days. Check after the jump for full lineup.)

Full press release after the jump:

CoViD-19: Local Musician Drew Andrews Shares His Coronavirus Diagnosis, Experience

I'm so grateful to my sweet friend Drew Andrews for allowing me to share his story today on SoundDiego. Check it out: Local Musician Shares Coronavirus Diagnosis, Experience

My dear friend and colleague Graham Stevens also believes he may have the virus and has shared a personal video here.

I wish I had more to say but it's kind of overwhelming right now.
Just wishing the best for my pals.

Drew has continued sharing valuable information, which I'm reposting, after the jump:

Reading & Watching: Stuck At Home Edition

Safari Park Taken in November 2019 (I think it's Mkhaya but could be Zuli)

I've been watching a lot, reading a lot, and obviously posting a lot. I haven't done a general Reading & Watching list in a while but thought I'd update with some links I've been saving that don't really belong anywhere else. I'm on Goodreads, too, but I'll add some of the books I've gone through lately as well. Check it out after the jump if you're so inclined.

CoVID-19: California Closes State Parks To Vehicular Traffic

Hiking Anza-Borrego Slot Canyon in March of 2019

Well, we couldn't stay away. Californians heard the warnings and threats and then, as we do, found the loopholes. Last week it was City parks and beaches and canyons that closed, so everyone (including my family) found county and state park loopholes, or sought the cities where closures hadn't gone into effect, like Oceanside and Coronado. But it's bad. And the numbers keep growing. And we don't want to be like Italy. And I know we are accustomed to a certain lifestyle here in Southern California, that's why we pay the so-called 'sunshine tax' to live here, but now the state parks have had to shut down to vehicular traffic, too. And this is a good little primer from KQED: Can I Go Hiking During California's Shelter in Place? Yes, But Read This First, though I just realized this was posted on Friday, before the state expanded their closures. It's so confusing. I know.

Full press release after the jump.

CoViD-19 Diary: My Life At Home

I couldn't write yesterday. I was exhausted and it was all just too much. I needed a "mental health day," and I just kinda sponged and couched and slept. It didn't help that in the morning, my dog bucked my eye with the top of her head and gave me a shiner. Actually, it's just swollen at this point, but I imagine it will start going through the rainbow of blue, yellow, and purple as it heals. She just gets a little too excited sometimes, and having all of us home all of the time certainly has her over stimulated. More covid diary after the jump.

COVID-19: Important Reading

Luka celebrated her 1 Year Birthday today at the Safari Park (photo taken December 2019)

Hate to be grim, but it's not looking good out there. I had to take a couple days off covid posts because it was just too much. I thought I'd do a little article wrap-up in case some things missed your feed, but definitely don't read them all at once. If you want to skip them all, then just know that the numbers are going up, the US passed cases in China and Italy two days ago, and San Diego County just extended the stay-at-home/social distancing order to "until further notice."

Coronavirus: What Your Fellow San Diegans Are Asking KPBS

The Analogy Between Covid-19 and Climate Change Is Eerily Precise - Wired

F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Bill - NYT

Coronavirus conspiracy theories are a public health hazard - Wired

US coronavirus cases top 100,000, doubling in three days - CNBC

This Week Is ‘Crucial’ for San Diego's Virus Fight, Scientist Warns - VOSD

San Diego County extended its stay-at-home order so that it remains in effect until further notice. 

Every expert opinion you’ve heard about wearing masks is right Quartz

CoVID-19: The Old Globe Arts Engagement Offers Free Education and Programs for Adults

TOGA- The Old Globe Arts Engagement

Check it all out after the jump.

SoundDiego: ‘You Are (Not) Going to Hate This’: The Frights Plan Full-Album Livestreams

The Frights at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in February 2020 

I wrote about The Frights at Home Tour for SoundDiego. Check it out. (watch tonight at 7pm via Instagram)

Here are the links to some of the other pieces I've written this week:

Blink-182 Gives Social Love to Coronavirus Parody ‘Wash My Hands Again’

Lady Brain Trust

San Diego Music Awards Rescheduled

Local Nightclubs Get Creative to Help Struggling Staffers

Seaport Sessions Switch Up

Local Artists #BandTogether to Livestream Concerts
Aztec Brews Livestream Shows for Housebound Fans

Entercom Lockdown Prompts ‘Local 949’ Hiatus

CoViD-19: Help For Musicians and Venues

Everyone is struggling right now, no doubt, but I've heard of some great resources that you might want to check out if you're a musician or worker who has been furloughed, lost work, or otherwise are losing income during this time.

NPR: Resources For Music Businesses And Industry Workers In Need Amidst The Pandemic

MusicCares: Recording Academy and MusiCares Launch Coronavirus Relief Fund

COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources

New Music Solidarity Fund (offering $500 grants for musicians)

San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund

California EDD 

Conversely, if you're looking for ways to help out, we set up a PayPal for the Casbah to support the staff currently out of work.

Here's an article I wrote for SoundDiego with a list of venues and ways to help.

If you'd like to help keep things going here at sddialedin and have found this site to be a useful resource, we're certainly struggling here without Darren working and no telling how long this will carry on. You can Venmo me direct at @sddialedin or PayPal, too.  As everyone would like to keep reminding you, every little bit helps. Truly.

COVID-19: Online Arts, Museums, WebCams To Keep The Kids

I've posted these links before, but thought I'd add to the list and update.
Leave a comment if you've got some for me to add.

San Diego Humane Society "Humane at Home" series- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2pm

San Diego Zoo Kids Programs

California Women’s Museum

Free Drawing Classes by Professional Illustrators

PBS Learning Media has media and resources for all grade levels

Khan Academy Math Resources

eLibrary Resources San Diego: San Diego Public Library has online resources

San Diego County eLibrary

NYPL Remote Learning Resources (some available without NYPL card)

State Resources that Support Distance Learning 

Travel Sites and Attractions That You Can Visit Virtually

Virtual Field Trips - Google Doc -

Oceans Initiative Virtual Marine Biology Camps

List of Free Educational Site Resources (Kids Activities Blog)

National Park Services (scroll down to "Opportunities to Find Your Park Virtually):

Outside Science (inside parks) Video Series

Watching Wildlife Webcams

Bloomcam National Mall & the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Explore The Universe with NASA

Sea World Educational Resources 

Learn With MOPA

CoViD-19: Organizing Links & Resource Information

(Originally posted 3.20.2020, but have made some updates and added links for clarification)
I didn't expect to have so many posts this week, but here we are. Italy has just launched their military to enforce lockdown and had their highest death day yet, with 627 deaths. (Source: CNN) New York is now the epicenter of COVID-19 while idiots in Florida are partying for spring break like nothing is going on...it seems the longer other places don't lockdown, the longer we will be, and it sucks. I still (like many) can't find toilet paper. Thought I'd update the lists of sources and information that have been helpful in this time.

Here are the important links to keep up with everything:

International:
World Health Organization (WHO) WHO Myth Busters

Johns Hopkins University Coronovirus Resource Center (and world count)
Coronavirus Data Dashboard 

National:
CDC - Center for Disease Control
Centers for Disease Control - How it spreads

Prognosis: Coronavirus Updates via email 
National Park Service Health Update (check for individual park closures)

State:
California Governor's Office 
California Department of Public Health
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
California State Parks COVID-19 Resource Center
CA Employment Development Department

White House National Guidelines
Department of Homeland Security - Travel Guidelines

County:
San Diego County Coronavirus Positive Cases (Updates at 4pm daily)
San Diego County COVID-19 Information
San Diego County Park Updates
San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund

City:
City of San Diego Coronavirus Information
Dogs and the New Coronovirus - A Resource for Pet Owners from Rover
Travel Resource from TripAdvisor
NBC San Diego Coronavirus Coverage
Voice of San Diego Coronavirus Coverage
KPBS- Tracking Coronovirus

And if you need a reminder about the obvious (I've added some of my own):

• Washing hands with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer when washing hands is not possible. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
• Following guidance from public health officials.
• Replace handshakes with smiles and elbow bumps to avoid unnecessary contact.
• Use gloves or a paper towel when using shared surfaces, like gas pumps
• Hands off surfaces, railings, handles, doorknobs as much as possible (STOP LETTING YOUR GRUBBY HANDED CHILDREN PLAY ON PLAY STRUCTURES!! Generally, they're not getting infected but they're definitely little carriers!)
• Use a pen or stylus at ATM, store card/chip readers, credit card machines

CoViD-19: A Summary of Hiking Closures

A View of Point Loma from Coronado, taken 12.28.2020

The other day I said I wouldn't post comments from a private group, but I thought this one was important. This is from Nick Gee, admin on the group San Diego Hiking Society, posted Marcg 24 around 9am. This is a constantly evolving situation:

There are numerous updated and current posts about closures to specific areas and lands managed by every agency present within San Diego County. County parks and preserves are still open, except those closed for rain damage. City parks and reservoirs are all closed. Torrey Pines State Reserve is closed. Carlsbad parks and beaches are closed. State parks like Cuyamaca, Anza-Borrego, and Palomar Mountain are open for hiking but not camping in developed campgrounds. Other wilderness areas, state conservation areas, and wildlife refuges are open. National parks like Cabrillo are open for hiking. Cleveland National Forest is open, though the two popular waterfall trails, Three Sisters and Cedar Creek Falls are closed to hiking. That's a comprehensive breakdown of current conditions on Tuesday morning, March 24th.
"The Trails" do not exist on their own. "The Trails" are a product of political acts made by many different agencies and public government entities. We really need to realize this for our future decisions of land use and jurisdiction for public lands and utilities, and private lands that surround them. Let's get serious about our hobby when this is over.

COVID-19: Where To Find Music LiveStreams

This is the perfect time for me to remind you that I have a YouTube channel with hundreds of live performances in San Diego. In fact, if you're bored and want to comment on untitled posts, I can go in an update with the proper titles. But aside from that, obviously there are hundreds (thousands?) of musicians with the same intent to livestream. Some of the best lists I've found are below. I'd love to organize a local list but I've got a few other priorities right now. Maybe I'll get around to that. In the meantime, check out the links below:

Radio.com/ALT 94/9 Music Live Streams

Live Music at Home - PASTE

KEXP - Upcoming Virtual Concert Schedule

NPR - Tiny Desk Home Concerts

Billboard- Live Streams & Virtual Concerts to Watch During Coronavirus Crisis (Updating)

SongKick Live Stream Concerts

91X Live Stream Concert List

Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie (Because he deserves his own link. 4pm PST Daily)

Beatport Presents: ReConnect, A Global Music Event - Beatport will host 24-hour music marathon stream on Twitch with funds distributed to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund (March 27th, starting at

COVID-19: San Diego County Graphic Related to County Managed Properties

County of San Diego Parks and Recreation:

This relates to County-managed properties, only. Some agencies have instituted their own policies, based on staff and the likelihood of maintaining safe social distancing. Get info before you go.

You can also check Get Outside San Diego, which can tell you which jurisdictiton manages specific trails and parks.

CoViD-19: City of San Diego Furthers Beach, Park, and Trail Closures

Mission Trails Regional Park is on of many closed due to COVID-19 (photo from January 2020)

I have directed the @CityofSanDiego to move forward with closing all City-owned parks, beaches and trails. There were far too many ignoring physical distancing rules this weekend. The actions of a few can cost the lives of many. Please stay at home, San Diego.

— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) March 23, 2020

"This weekend, in response to numerous reports of gatherings at parks and beaches, gatherings both large and small, we closed down City owned parkings lots around beaches, parks, and trails. Now I am directing City of San Diego staff to move forward with the closure of all parks, beaches, boardwalks, bays, city lakes, and trails to the public, until further notice in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
I wanna be clear, we are still encouraging people to go outdoors. But do outdoors close to home. It's time to look out for each other." -Mayor Faulconer

The City's site for COVID-19 can be found here, though it does not have the present update. More cities within the County of San Diego and the County itself will likely issue similar orders, so stay tuned. California State Parks have a closure and resource page, though the Governor has closed many state parks and beaches (KPBS), too.
More after the jump.

CoViD-19: This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Parks, Beach Lots, Hiking Trails CLOSED

A photo of Crystal Pier from January 2020 -- when we should've been paying better attention to China 

Well, if you caught my post earlier this morning, you know that the issue of getting out of the house was front of brain. But just like alcohol at beaches...people couldn't follow the rules and demonstrated they have no common sense and ruined it for everyone else. The thing that really bums me out is that this is definitely a social equity issue...the wealthy live in these expansive homes and live in traditionally more picturesque areas while us apartment dwellers living on top of each other in sub-1000 square feet in the 'hood are surrounded by freeways and 'buy here pay here' auto lots. Anyway, the City of San Diego is cracking down, as is Cleveland National Forest. County Parks are still accessible for the time being, but I'd recommend checking their site for updates. Twitter updates and full press release are after the jump.

CoVid-19: To Hike (or Bike or Run or Skate) or Not To Hike

I recently joined a Facebook group called San Diego Hiking Society. And while there are a lot of informative posts and beautiful photography, there's also a lot of Nextdoor type scrapping going on. The current debate rages on of whether a "stay-at-home" order allows for hiking. The answers, it appears, can vary from "yes, as long as you're social distancing" to "yes, but only in your neighborhood" to a flat "no, not ever, stay at home."
Since it's a private group, I'll refrain from sharing the comments, but you can imagine all the ways it went. And it totally sucks. Just last week I was sharing places we'd like to go before the Stay At Home order. And we did a jaunt (more than a walk, less than a hike) to a couple San Diego spots, still, before the Stay At Home order.

I have some very serious opinions, after the jump.

CoViD-19: I've Been Everywhere, Man. Finding Stuff in San Diego.

It's Saturday and I cannot tell you how good it feels to finally have the things we need. We have an abundance of produce and pasta and rice and canned goods and a freezer full of food...that's just how we roll on the regular...but not having toilet paper? Man, that was really stressing me out. But we took care of it and now could pretty much last for months at home if we really had to. After the jump, I'll share my adventures in shopping.

(Update 3/25/2020: This one has been the most popular post to date, so scroll to the bottom with some updates.)