It’s the summer of coronavirus – and to keep it from spreading we’re staying home more, foregoing big vacations and looking for new ways to entertain and educate kids who have been home for months.

Well, here’s some good news. There are still some great, fun, free or inexpensive things that kids, families and adults can do in July.

For example, you can swap out those big vacations for some shorter, nearby, get-outside, socially distanced adventures at County parks and trails! Virtually tour cool museums, watch science experiments, or learn how to grow stuff, or make stuff.

Here’s just some of the cool things you can still do in July:

County Parks and Recreation Department
Become a Track Trail-er at seven County Parks: Track trails lets kids and their families take self-guided tours on trails at seven County parks and earn rewards for “tracking” their progress in a brochure, then reporting them online by smartphone, laptop or computer. Reach certain milestones and win nature-related prizes, including magnifying glasses, backpacks and bandanas.

Track Trails can be found at Felicita County Park, Guajome Regional Park, Lake Morena County Park, Lindo Lake County Park, San Dieguito County Park, San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, and Stelzer County Park.

Scripps Theatre Arts, a local youth theater organization that is only about two years old, has been put on pause due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

"We were in the middle of our biggest production yet, 'Beauty and the Beast.' It was going to have the largest cast, set and audience. There were over 70 kids ranging from ages 4 to 16. The production was supposed to be in May," Scripps Theatre Arts founder Alicia Gonzalez said. 

From April to May, the organization held virtual rehearsals and master classes. 

The theater group was supposed to hold three camps over the summer. However, due to the Scripps Ranch Recreation Center not being open for use yet, it had to cancel all three of them. 

Alongside the now cancelled summer camps, the third production of the year in September, which was supposed to be held at Marshall Middle School, is now cancelled as well. 

Due to the ever-changing virus situation, they have decided to go on pause for the whole summer. 

"At this point we are waiting on the Poway Center for the Performing Arts to start booking dates. Once we receive a date from the theater, we are planning to come back at 100 percent or more. The actors need a lot of support. I'm hoping the community comes out in full force to support and fills the theaters," Gonzalez said. 

The organization is mainly funded by ticket sales as well as donations from companies such as Dixieline and people who want to support those in the productions. 

The theater group has only had one production this year in February: "Once Upon a Mattress."

"With the production in February, we introduced a relatively unknown story with great success. Also, it was the most prepared that our youth had been," Gonzalez said.

Scripps Theatre Arts focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion. 

"We want to really include everyone and give children in under-served communities an opportunity and a way for some to get scholarships," Gonzalez said.

Where You Want to Be Tours and Out of the Ordinary Group & Team Adventures presents the fourth in a video series showcasing the most unique places, hidden gems, mystery spots and urban legends in San Diego.

This new episode takes visitors on a “hidden” walking tour through the community of Burlingame.

This tour includes beautiful homes, a cool canyon thick with vegetation and a quick look at the commercial district.

Amid the challenges presented by COVID-19-related concerns and restrictions, Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT) had to get extra creative during an unexpected and extended intermission. 

"Were on hold, we're not closed," said SRT Director of Public Relations Susan Clausen. 

The theater had the play "Love Song" cast, rehearsed and were close to opening when orders went out shutting down large public gatherings. Since then, the theater has been sharing as many things online as it could. First, in early April, was an online reading of Casey Tibbitts' "A Quiet Cross," a coproduction with Oceanside Theatre Company. No tickets or prepayment were required, but viewers could donate to support the show and the theaters. 

"It's not the perfect medium for theater but it's how we can story tell at the moment," she said. 

Next, was an online concert by singer and actor Luke Monday performing online with his pianist. An online concert featuring singer-actress Nina Herzog accompanied by twin brother musicians Jack and Benny Lipson and percussionist/drummer Jonathan Pinson was set for June 20. A live reading of the Paul Coates play "The Longer You Wait" is scheduled for July. 

"It is definitely a different way to communicate," she said.

She also thinks presenting theater virtually provides an opportunity for people seeking solace or relief in challenging times. Still, the theater expects to feel the pain of the lingering effects. 

"Theater, as a whole, is very dependent on donations and grants, city funding that will drop, and that will affect us," Clausen said. "We'll have to revisit what kind of expenditures we can afford to put out and we'll also continue to count on the support of the community." 

As for when things like community theaters will be able to reopen for in-person performances, SRT leadership is still trying to figure that out. 

"A lot of this will be guided by law and also the response of the community," she said. "What things will theaters have to install to make the pubic feel comfortable enough to come back? As big a question as, ‘what does our future look like?' is ‘what is the community ready for?'" 

An enterprising mother of three in Scripps Ranch has founded the Scripps Ranch Wine Club, a social media group created to bring local women closer together in these times of isolation and division. 

Katie Schmidt – a resident of Scripps Ranch who grew up here, went to Scripps Ranch High School and moved back to Scripps Ranch five years ago to care for her parents – founded the club on Facebook “to create some connections in the community during this season that we’re all going through right now,” she said.

According to Schmidt, the Scripps Ranch Wine Club is similar to groups in other parts of California, including The Ladies Wine Club of Fallbrook in San Diego County.

“It turns out that they have women’s clubs like this all over the place. This is a pretty common thing, I guess, but it seems to be perfect for a tight-knit community like Scripps Ranch,” she said. 

Schmidt started the club on May 20 and within a week there were 500 members.

“It grew very quickly, and we had to cap any new growth until we can catch up with the momentum,” she said. “I’m hoping we can add more members as soon as possible.” 

As with many people, Schmidt was recently laid off and had to shelter in place with her family for an extended period because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Honestly, the idea for the wine club really came out of me feeling lonely and isolated and desiring connection,” she said.

Here’s how the club works: when a new woman joins they are asked to write about themselves, including biographical information, favorite activities and the kind of “self-care goodies” they would enjoy receiving, so that the club members can get to know one another. They also submit their address, choose another member to “wine and dash” and then assemble a wine gift basket and secretly leave on another member’s porch (acting as a “wine fairy,” Schmidt said.)  

Once members receive a wine basket, they delete their address from the list and post a picture of their basket with the hashtag #winefairycame.

It doesn’t have to be a wine basket. Some members may prefer spirits, hard cider or even a non-alcoholic beverage. Schmidt said the typical gift basket will also include items such as a scented candle, some chocolate, perhaps some hand lotion or moisturizer, and maybe even a face mask.  

Many of the members came from Schmidt’s connections with Scripps Ranch Pop Warner and Cheer Association. Her 13-year-old daughter has been involved with that organization, said Schmidt, who also has a four-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son. 

“I think a lot of people have made connections (through the wine club) with people they wouldn’t have met otherwise,” she said. “And it’s all been done through social media. My vision is to have a wine tasting gathering, or maybe a Temecula wine tour together. I can see this being a great bond after some of these restrictions are lifted. There’s obviously a need for it.” 

Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT) – located on the campus of Alliant International University ­– and Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) – the resident professional theatre company at The Historic Brooks Theatre – present Nina Herzog in concert accompanied by Jack and Benny Lipson, and percussionist/drummer Jonathan Pinson. The concert will stream live on Facebook on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Seacoast Media Lab, LLC – publisher of Scripps Ranch News – presents the third in a video series showcasing the most unique places, hidden gems, mystery spots and urban legends in San Diego.

This new episode takes visitors on a “hidden” walking tour through the historic and established coastal community of Point Loma.

This tour includes beautiful homes, gardens and crisp views of the ocean. Few realize that Point Loma is not only one of the most established, historic communities in San Diego, its residents are also the wealthiest per capita and the real estate is some of the most expensive in the County.

The video showcases a few longtime establishments for dining and entertainment that are just now beginning to offer more and more as the COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen up.

Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT), located on the campus of Alliant International University and Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) the resident professional theater company at The Historic Brooks Theatre, present “The Longer You Wait,” by Paul Coates. The live online Zoom event will take place on Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m.

As part of the City’s efforts to provide economic relief to those struggling financially during the pandemic, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer announced $1 million in funding to support local artists, bolster public art in neighborhood parks and expand the Civic Art Collection.

This funding is available through private donations and fees developers pay into the City’s Public Art Fund.

As COVID-19 continues to devastate the global economy, local artists are among many struggling to make ends meet as work opportunities are scarce. To support those artists, the City of San Diego is launching two new initiatives to beautify public spaces like City parks and add new works to the City’s collection.

“As we continue to slowly reopen our economy, we’re looking for ways to help folks get through this difficult period and begin to recover,” Mayor Faulconer said. “That’s why we’re launching two new initiatives that will provide work for many struggling artists and create beautiful, thought-provoking public art for everyone to enjoy.”

The first arts initiative, SD Practice, will support artists through the direct purchase of existing artwork, providing income to working artists. This effort is made possible through a $500,000 gift from the late Thomas O. Rasmussen, an avid contemporary art collector.

“Thinking Shakespeare Live: Sonnets!” is a half-hour, “social-distance” version of “Thinking Shakespeare Live!” that introduces the sonnets and then delves into one masterpiece of the form, exploring its language and how it works, and how it relates to Shakespeare’s work for the stage.

(StatePoint) With many events canceled and public venues closed, the backyard is likely going to be the new hot spot destination for families nationwide. But staying home doesn’t have to be boring. Using these tips, you can put together an afternoon of sunshine and fun, right in your own backyard.

Create a theme night
Choose a different theme for every backyard BBQ you enjoy with your family – whether it’s all songs about summer or you focus on a particular decade, you can create a specialized playlist to set the tone and dress for the occasion.

Game on
You may be feeling a bit cooped up these days, so be sure to play some yard games that allow you to stretch your legs as well as concentrate. Cornhole and bocce make great choices, or set up outsized versions of your favorite board games that are best played outdoors.

Cool off
Keep a cooler of delicious drinks handy to stay refreshed on a warm day. Iced tea is always a summer classic, but be sure to have a variety of flavors on deck to satisfy everyone’s taste buds – sweet tea, zero calorie sweet tea, and tea mixed with lemonade, to name a few. The high-quality, fresh beverages offered by Milo’s are made with natural ingredients and have no added colors or preservatives.

Focus on the food
For delicious wings, you don’t need to head to a favorite restaurant. You can prepare them at home with this recipe for Milo’s Sweet Tea Wings:

Ingredients:
• 3 cups Milo’s Sweet Tea
• 2.5 pounds chicken wings, cut into drums and flats
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt, divided
• 1.5 - 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, depending on heat preference
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper

Instructions:
• In a medium bowl, whisk together Milo's Sweet Tea and 2 teaspoons garlic salt; set aside. Place chicken wings in a large shallow dish. Pour Milo’s mixture over chicken; cover and refrigerate for 8 hours.

• Preheat grill to medium or oven to 400 F.

• In a large bowl, combine remaining garlic salt, cayenne, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika and lemon pepper. Toss chicken and spices in large zip lock bag or bowl until evenly coated.

• For grill, place wings over heat turning frequently. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees and skin is crispy.

• For oven, arrange wings on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, turning halfway through, until skin is browned and tips are crispy. Serve warm. For extra crisp, toss wings on the grill over medium-high heat for three minutes per side before serving.