Lockdown Looms

Get ready for another lock down… Governor Gavin Newsom announced new rules yesterday that will lead to another round of business closures and other measures meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions aren’t in place just yet. But they’re very likely coming very soon… The trigger for the stay-at-home order to take effect here in San Diego County is the percentage of available ICU beds in the Southern California region. Once the intensive care unit bed availability dips to 15 percent or lower, that’s when the new rules will take effect. Officials say ICU availability for our region could dip below 15% as soon as later today. Governor Newsom says the new restrictions would last at least 21 days. “When the region is placed in the stay at home category, the bars, wineries, personal services, hair salons and the like will be temporarily closed for that three week period.” Restaurants would be limited to take out and delivery only. And we residents would be told to stay at home as much as possible and not gather with anyone outside our own households. The state will lift the new restrictions if -- after three weeks -- ICU projections look better. *** And the latest local COVID numbers… San Diego County health officials reported 1,504 new COVID-19 cases and five additional deaths Thursday. Thursday marked the 11th day of the last 14 when more than 1,000 new cases were reported. *** A 30-acre fire in Rancho San Diego...a small brush fire in San Marcos… It's December, but San Diego is still in a red flag warning until at least the end of today. Strong Santa Ana winds are fanning the flames and have caused SDG&E to implement power safety shut offs impacting more than 50-thousand San Diegans. Cal Fire’s Thomas Shoots says it’s not just strong winds that are a major concern…. WHEN THE AIR IS REALLY DRY WE HAVE THOSE LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY IT’S BEEN LOW YOU CAN FEEL IT’S IT’S BEEN IN THE SINGLE DIGITS AND TEENS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT’S INCREDIBLY DRY. Forecasters are predicting moderate Santa Ana winds next Monday and Tuesday, too...which could bring another red flag warning..more fires...and more power shut offs. *** It’s Friday, Dec. 3. From KPBS, I’m Kinsee Morlan, in this week for Anica Colbert, and you’re listening to San Diego News Matters, a daily podcast powered by everyone in our newsroom. . Stay with me for more of the local news you need. A San Diego County church has been issued health department advisories about COVID-19 outbreaks at three of its campuses. The church,...is promising to push back. KPBS reporter Jacob Aere has more on the reaction from Awaken Church. The advisories say there have been 65 cases in all, at Awaken Church campuses in Kearny Mesa, San Marcos and Chula Vista. The county asked those who attended in-person services from November 15th to the 22 to get tested or quarantine for 14 days, depending on which location they attended. The church did not respond to KPBS’ requests for comment. But in an Instagram post on Wednesday, its Executive of Ministries, Matt Hubbard, promised to push back. 05:37 - 5:45 “There is gonna be political ramifications and you’re picking a fight. You’re picking a fight, and that’s called bullies. And we’re not gonna be bullied.” The San Diego County Sheriff’s department says citations could be issued to establishments that violate cease and desist orders, and such cases could be referred to the district attorney. *** So...Even when things are normal, high school seniors are often super stressed out in early December -- studying for finals while also applying to colleges. But in this most abnormal of years, they’ve reached peak anxiety levels. KPBS education reporter Joe Hong spoke with students and university officials about how the pandemic is rocking students' worlds right now. Frank Granda is a senior at Serra High School in San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood. He planned out his high school career so he’d be a competitive applicant to colleges and universities across the country. But after years of hard work, the pandemic has left him in a state of uncertainty. MARKER 3 Your grades are now muddled because the grading system changed abruptly. You can’t take the standardized tests, You can’t take the SAT, you can’t take the ACT. School won’t provide you with that. And your extracurricular activities, you have to adapt to the pandemic. Meanwhile, college admissions officers are navigating their own uncertainty. The pandemic cancelled all college visits and in-person tours. Stefan Hyman is the associate vice president of enrollment management at San Diego State University. He said the university has been holding virtual events for prospective students, but they fall short. MARKER 3 Actually being on a campus, gives you that aha moment. This is the right place for me. That’s challenging for students and we absolutely feel for students in terms of having to make a decision without necessarily having that kind of experience. But with most universities making standardized tests optional this year, admissions officers must examine their applicants in a more holistic way, which Hyman says is a change for the better. *** For some, the Pandemic has created very busy days. Others have been left with a lot of time to be bored and stuck at home. So...there’s a bit of silver lining on the dark covid cloud...some folks are using that extra down time to be creative. For instance, what better time to consider writing about the experiences in your life...writing a memoir. Tomorrow, a virtual celebration of writers exploring their own lives will take place at the San Diego Memoir Showcase. Marni Freeman is Producer of the event. Lindsey Salat-ka is one of the writers featured in Saturday’s showcase. They spoke with Midday Edition host Maureen Cavanaugh. 4:04 " ...Marni and Lindsey, Thank you. Thank you." The Showcase will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday on the San Diego Writers Festival facebook page. *** Coming up… A musical tour of San Diego pianist Ed Kornhauser’s new jazz quartet album. That story after the break. A San Diego musician is out with a new jazz album and arts Calendar Editor and Producer Julia Dixon Evans says it weaves nicely through lots of different styles, textures and moods of jazz. It’s Friday, so...do yourself a favor….grab a beverage..and yes...coffee or tea counts...kick back for a sec, and take a quick tour through San Diego pianist Ed Kornhauser’s debut jazz quartet album...an album that takes on the squishy concept of time…. The days are long, but they years are short is a common mantra of parents attributed to writer, Gretchen Rubin 33 year old pianist. Ed Kornheiser has been envisioning and putting off writing the short years, his debut jazz quartet album for some long years. But once he finally got started with the recording process, the days moved quickly. 10 is the magic, not the enemy of the short years though. Released November 8th. it's a series of moments walked in time by a recording. And, you know, the title refers to, to me in a way it speaks to how it might be tough right now in the moment. And things might be dragging on, but you know, still things will pass quickly. And we need me to appreciate what we can in the moment. Hauser who grew up in Escondido and studied music at San Diego state university is known among the local music scene as a prolific pianist, performing with other groups as well as, as an accompanist and gave musician. Yeah, I met the saxophone player was on this record, Dylan Hermanson and I, and, uh, I really liked the sound and we did a gig where we played some of my songs and I'm like, that's it. That's the other voice I want. This is the extra ingredient I already know the drummer and the baseball, or I want. I'm just going to find a date. Everyone's available, book it at the studio and go finding a sax player. Didn't just trigger the act of recording the album. It shaped the project. I spent my years in San Diego in large part as an accompanist, and it's made me really appreciate, you know, a good like ensemble sound. I love a good group, you know, and I wanted that extra voice in there. He rounded up Hermanson along with basis to McKenzie, Layton and drummer, Kevin Higuchi, who is also the drummer for punk rocker. Jeff Rosenstock, to record the 13 track collection in just two days. The short year is weaves through moods, textures and styles, showcasing corn housers. And versus, huh, since saxophone is a strong element throughout the album and shines, but doesn't dominate just like corn hazards, piano on close inspection. Each track on the album feels like it brings something new to the jazz table, but the album is ambient enough to hit play and listen three. the opening team. The Schaeffler has a classic swing standard. Feel to it. The track manages to showcase the tight compositions and ensemble unity before an early scalpel, piano solo. Then an instant switch to Hermanson on saxophone for a solid solo plus a few breaks to show off Layton's bass. And he Gucci his drums before settling back into the tracks reframe for the final mix. Quinn has her pulls away from the standards quickly with salad and the second track that's startlingly melodic. It's a lovely tune with twinkling piano and a romantic edge saxophone, melody and Kornheiser said the track was inspired by San Diego pianist, Danny green. Another standout piece is the moody foo U which opens with nearly two minutes of piano solo, like a welcome magnifying glass for corn hazards, style chops and creativity. In a few more minutes, the tuna solidly in a highly technical whirling, saxophone, solo, sharp edged, but maintaining the tracks slowed down darkness. the track Tumblehome is driven by what Kornheiser describes as the traditional train beat. It's a fun wandering track, packed with melody and steady drums. And he use of gospel in America. and has her said that this album, like all improvisational music is a snapshot in time and that at no other time, will these tracks sound the same? The music is formed by these four musicians in each one, the seven minute take of each track on every subsequent time they're performed, the band can grow with the tune and make room to be surprised by it. The concept of time is undeniable in this piece of work and Kornheiser, his approach to composition and jazz and jazz. The old saying is we only have the moment. And jazz is an intensely, a femoral music. It exists in a unique space and a unique time. . *** And that’s all for today. Thanks so much for listening. Have a great...and safe...weekend.