Painting murals on Imperial Avenue under Interstate 15.

Colorful new murals are now being painted on either side of Imperial Avenue beneath Interstate 15.

This public art beautifying the freeway underpass is the first part of a larger multi-location project, organized by Logan Heights CDC, Caltrans, SANDAG, Team Lewis, the Urban Collaborative Project, and local artists. This first group of murals is scheduled to be completed next month.

I swung by today to check out the progress!

One of the artists, Romeo, was up on the scaffolding spray painting his beautiful creation. His mural, like others being painted nearby, has a universally loved theme: music.

Some of the columns supporting Interstate 15 will have several sides painted. Those riding the Orange Line of the San Diego Trolley will be able to view a portion of the art.

You might enjoy seeing what I discovered.

Once the murals are completed and the scaffolding is removed, I hope to return for another batch of photographs…

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Día de Muertos altar created at Mingei Museum.

A beautiful Dia de Los Muertos altar (ofrenda) was created today for the large display case outside the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park.

This particular altar, containing marigolds and other traditional spiritual symbols, is dedicated to beloved athletes who’ve passed away, including Tony Gwynn and Junior Seau.

The altar was created by members of the Sherman Heights Community Center, whose own displays at the community center will open to the public on October 15th.

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LEGO brick train exhibit coming to San Diego!

In November a cool new exhibit is coming to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park!

The exhibit will be celebrating 60 years of powered LEGO trains!

I learned about the upcoming exhibit today during my visit to the museum. Michael was demonstrating a portion of what will be an operating train layout, built mostly of LEGO bricks!

Members of the San Diego LEGO User Group will be working on the layout, which will open just in time for the holidays. You know it’s going to be awesome!

Check out what Michael showed me!

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Love Conquers All at the County Administration Center!

Amor vincit omnia. Latin for “love conquers all.”

Those are the words that welcome lovers to the wedding arbor at the San Diego County Administration Center’s Waterfront Park.

A plaque beside the wedding arbor states:

The ceremonial wedding arbor is provided for civil wedding ceremonies performed at the County Administration Center and was dedicated on Valentine’s Day 2001.

The Latin phrase in the arbor translates to “Love Conquers All.”

Gregory J. Smith

Commissioner of Civil Marriages

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A rooster, a palm tree, and an Art Garden.

I’m not sure when The Judy McDonald Art Garden officially debuted. When I visited Liberty Station in Point Loma last week, I noted the outdoor space (outside Dick Laub NTC Command Center, between Building 200 and Building 201) had a name that I previously hadn’t seen. I also noticed two relatively new works of art in the garden!

I know nothing about the colorful rooster mosaic sculpture. If you know more about it, please leave a comment.

The next photo is of Judy’s Palm/Only Connect, a mural painted by San Diego artist Perry Vásquez back in April.

The palm tree in this public art represents the spirit of inclusiveness, optimism and the ability to bend without breaking. For a good description and explanation, plus photographs of the mural being painted, click here.

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Tattoos become a mural at Liberty Station!

When I visited Liberty Station about a week ago, I checked out this newly painted mural. It’s located in the arched breezeway that connects The Lot movie theater with the Dorothea Laub Dance Place.

The colorful mural is composed of bold designs that one might select at a tattoo parlor!

Estación Libertad is the mural’s title and Mexican American artist Enrique “Chikle” Lugo is the creator. The art was commissioned by Liberty Station. It’s the latest work of public art you can enjoy at the former home of Naval Training Center San Diego.

Dragon, butterflies, hummingbird, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, a Navy anchor, skull, cacti, eagle, dolphin, a zebra-like Tijuana zonkey, a baseball and soccer ball… Many of the images are associated with San Diego or the unique culture of our border region.

I see a flying saucer, too!

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San Diego stickball team scores 4 in first inning!

San Diego stickball team Always on Deck scored 4 big runs in their first inning against New York team Cielo Azul.

This morning I caught the beginning of an early Labor Day stickball game, being played on Columbia Street in front of the San Diego Firehouse Museum in Little Italy.

Ten teams of the initial thirteen were still playing for the tournament championship. I learned Always on Deck was the seven seed.

Fans were lined up on the sidewalk watching and cheering their favorite team on. The action on the asphalt was fast and furious!

Which team would go on to win it all? Sadly, I couldn’t hang around to see the final results.

A few photos of the initial action…

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Anime San Diego debuts at convention center!

The popularity of anime has absolutely exploded in recent years. Series like One Piece, Cowboy Bebop, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball, Pokémon, Naruto, Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer and many others have become pop culture mainstays in America and around the world.

This growing popularity has spawned a variety of events that attract anime fans. One completely new event, debuting in 2026, is Anime San Diego. It’s being held this weekend at the San Diego Convention Center, the famous home of Comic-Con.

I was able to visit Anime San Diego on Saturday morning!

In addition to hundreds of vendors, artists and celebrity guests (many voice actors), the convention features an arcade zone, gaming tournaments, karaoke, live music, industry and fan panels, cosplay meetups, itasha cars, cool merch, giveaways, and just a whole lot of fun!

I was surprised at how many fans showed up and how awesome it all is! Not bad for their first year!

Check out some photos of the action!

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Awesome itasha cars at Anime San Diego!

There’s a brand new pop culture convention in San Diego. It’s called Anime San Diego and it’s taking place at the San Diego Convention Center today and tomorrow!

One very cool part of Anime San Diego is the presentation of awesome itasha cars. Itasha are vehicles transformed with bold artwork inspired by anime, manga, video games, and Japanese pop culture.

The creatively decorated cars are being displayed inside the San Diego Convention Center between the event’s main stage and the giant inflatable zone. The cars, I was told, have come from all over Southern California. Several are from San Diego. Visitors are encouraged to admire the itasha cars and take photos.

That’s what I did!

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Cosplay photos at Anime San Diego!

Anime San Diego is being held this weekend at the San Diego Convention Center. It’s the cool event’s inaugural year!

Anime San Diego has drawn thousands of fans from all over, and, as might be expected, there’s a whole lot of cosplay! Characters made popular in anime series can be seen everywhere. I must confess, during my Saturday morning visit I didn’t recognize some of the characters, but the cosplay is still fantastic!

An Anime San Diego 2026 LEGENDS OF COSPLAY contest would be held Saturday evening on the main stage. Unfortunately, given my hectic schedule, I couldn’t stick around to see it.

I did take these photos of the great cosplay while roaming the convention center floor right as Anime San Diego opened. Enjoy!

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