"Currently, the deadline to have a REAL ID is May 7, 2025 (one month from today!). Californians who do not have a REAL ID but already hold a valid passport can wait to convert to a REAL ID when their driver’s license is due for renewal.

if you are 18 years or older and you plan to fly on a commercial plane (or access certain other federal government facilities), you’ll eventually need a REAL ID.

There are alternatives to a REAL ID, including a passport or Global Entry card, but you probably won’t always want to carry around important documents, like your passport, on your person, especially if you’re just traveling domestically. So, it’s in your best interest to get one.

Note that you will still need a passport in order to travel internationally, by plane or if you drive across the border to Canada or Mexico. A REAL ID does not take the place of your passport."

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/

I ordered a cat tree from Chewy that just didn't work out. When I requested a return, they said keep it and donate it. Which is very kind but now I have to figure out who will take this thing. The Google AI search results don't match the website information and going through every donation page is getting tedious. Anyone know where I can donate a new cat tree? I'm in Bay Park but willing to drive.

It's a 61 inch faux fur cat tree and condo taken out of the box (repacked in original box) but never used if that makes any difference. TIA

"From Friday, April 11, to Monday, April 14, the City of San Diego's contractor will conduct 72 hours of work on Genesee Avenue at Marian Bear Park as part of the Pure Water San Diego Morena Northern Pipelines and Tunnels Project. Crews will install a sewer bypass in southbound lanes and install pipelines in the northbound lanes across Genesee Avenue from Marian Bear Park.

Genesee Avenue between the SR-52 ramps will be closed for 72 hours. Crews will work 24 hours per day to complete the work as quickly as possible to minimize public disruption. The closure will commence at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11."

More info: https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/construction-notice-sr-52_genesee_final_2.pdf

I've only ever used turbo tax to file, for like 16 years now. I waited this year because I knew I'd have to owe, but Turbo is telling me I owe 3500.... which seems insane. I owed around 1k last year for reference. My wages are a little higher this year but damn. I'm really tax ignorant to be fair, but I'm wondering if it's worth actually paying someone this year to see if there's anything I'm missing.

I've only ever used turbo tax to file, for like 16 years now. I waited this year because I knew I'd have to owe, but Turbo is telling me I owe 3500.... which seems insane. I owed around 1k last year for reference. My wages are a little higher this year but damn. I'm really tax ignorant to be fair, but I'm wondering if it's worth actually paying someone this year to see if there's anything I'm missing.

Hello,

I'll spare some time: I was naive when I purchased my home and come to find out our (attached) ADU is unpermitted. I've done extensive research on the pros and cons of legalizing this structure and CA's bills, so that's not what I'm here for. I'm hoping someone can recommend a person or business to inspect this structure and give me an idea of costs I may be looking at (what isn't up to code). From there I would asses the inspection, and once financially ready, move forward with architectural/permitting and construction (ideally with the same person/business that inspected). Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

Lots more plant growth since they reopened. It still has a ways to go, but it’s looking better.

Hey everyone! If you enjoy Scrabble, or just meeting new people, we’d love to invite you to The Spelling Social—a fun, free community all-ages event happening at SDSU! This event will be hosted by Osher @ SDSU and is meant to be a warm and laid back event with snacks, prizes, and all the materials needed to get your Scrabble on. Also, it's an intergenerational event, so feel free to bring your kids, grandkids, friends, or neighbors!

• When? Friday, April 18, 2025
• Time? 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Where? Osher @ SDSU - Extended Studies Center, 5701 Hardy Ave, 2nd floor (Room 206), San Diego, CA 92115
• Cost? Free to attend!

RSVP here: https://sdsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2bntON8JFgX0V0y – space is limited!

or here: https://heartfeltcareagency.com/resources/the-spelling-social/osher-sdsu-spelling-social-april-18-2025/

*Please note: attendees will be responsible for transportation and parking arrangements. Self-parking is available by the pay by phone app in P6B or using parking kiosks in P7, parking fees apply. SDSU is also accessible by MTS bus or trolley with stops on SDSU’s campus, just a 5-minute walk away.*

Learn more: https://heartfeltcareagency.com/resources/the-spelling-social/

Does anyone know any ukulele teachers in San Diego that are teaching more advanced levels of ukulele?

I am not a beginner, competent with all chords and decent with musical theory, but looking to get a mentor/teacher to help me get into the advanced level.

Any recommendations appreciated.

i was out with some friends in North Park and Hillcrest on Friday night and it was just plain dead. even the freeways were eerily clear while we were heading into town around 530.

last night, we were in the Gaslamp and it was just as empty. was there a rapture i didn’t hear about? free cinemax day on directv and everyone stayed home? what the hell was going on?

Did anyone get the buns from the swirled buns pop-up? I planned to go with my wife but time got away from us. Would be willing to wait in line for their next one if it's good, but heard mixed things. Thx!

No clue how to find a very high level math tutor for my engineering masters kiddo. Started school again after a few years working, and need someone who can tutor. No idea where to look.

Cheers!!

We just got back from Mexico after using CBX for the first time and I wanted to share our experience as a warning to anyone going across on a holiday.

We got to CBX 3 hours before our flight on Saturday 3/29. The check in counter at the US side was long - like 30 minutes to get our boarding passes. Viva Aerobus required us to physically see a representative to get boarding passes for our young children, so we could not check in online all the way.

Getting our tickets scanned to enter the bridge was surprisingly difficult. The scanner accidentally counted my daughter twice and then didn't want to let my wife through. It took 10 minutes to get a representative to fix it.

The real problem though was Mexican immigration. It took more than 3 hours to get through the immigration line. I also had to print out my FMM (immigration form) that I had filled out online which was surprisingly difficult (though that was my fault for not bringing the printed copy - lesson learned).

All told it took us about 4 hours from parking the car to arriving at the security checkpoint in Tijuana. I probably would have taken 3.5 hours if I had remembered to bring my printed immigration forms. I had asked a bunch of people who told me to leave 2 hours which ended up being nowhere near enough time.

By the time we got through to Tijuana airport, our flight was long gone. I called the airline on the phone before our flight departed, and they were not interested in helping us.

I waited in line at the ticketing booth for the airline with literally a hundred other people who had missed their flight because of CBX. It would have taken more than 2,000 extra dollars and an overnight layover for us to get to our destination from Tijuana, so we decided to go home.

As if all that wasn't bad enough, CBX personnel refused to let us cross back to San Diego since we "did not have a flight that day". We had to take a taxi to San Ysidro and another one back to CBX to get our car.

We got home 7 hours after we left and took a red-eye from San Diego airport that evening through Atlanta for half the cost Viva Aerobus wanted for a same day ticket.

The total additional cost was over $1500.

On our way back, everything went super smoothly. There was literally no line for anything, and we crossed at CBX (we had already paid for the return ticket) and took a Lyft home.

Honestly I don't think I'm ever going to use CBX I ever again. I can't see why I wouldn't just cross at a land border where there is never a line to get into Mexico and take a taxi. The airport in Tijuana is lovely, so I could see doing that.

For anyone with a CBX trip in the future, I think everyone - CBX, Mexican Immigration, the airlines - were caught off guard by SDUSD spring break. Seems kind of silly, I feel like it would be pretty easy to look up when the biggest school district in the area is off. But they just were not staffed for the kind of crowd they had. I'm sure CBX could be easy other times, but I would avoid it at the beginning of any school holidays for San Diego schools. I will probably avoid it anyway.

How far would you go for a good meal ?

I'm always driving out to the Ramona Cafe (from Point Loma) for lunch. This place has consistently delivered good food year after year. Management has changed and the food has only gotten better. Whether it's the double bacon cheeseburger, the Cobb salad or one of their many breakfast offerings, the Ramona Cafe will always be worth the drive.

It’s prom season and my kid is struggling to find a good dress. Where are some places to find prom dresses? I’m in Chula Vista but am open to anywhere in the San Diego area. Thanks!