Memorial Day ceremony in National City.

A public Memorial Day ceremony will be held next Monday in National City at La Vista Memorial Park.

The family-friendly event welcomes everybody. It will remember and honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

There will be a rifle salute and flyover, and special Civil War honors. Those attending will enjoy live music and a free picnic lunch. Kids will enjoy a petting zoo.

I experienced Memorial Day at La Vista Memorial Park three years ago. You can see how special and emotionally moving it was from this past blog post.

The event will take place at 3191 Orange Street in National City on Monday, May 25th, between 1 and 3 pm.

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Lavvu is demonstrated by House of Norway!

That’s not a tipi. It’s a lavvu! It’s the portable dwelling used by the nomadic indigenous Sámi people when following herds of reindeer in the arctic north!

Why was it set up in Balboa Park today? It was a part of the House of Norway’s cultural lawn program at the International Cottages.

As a nearby sign explained, a lavvu is similar to a Native American tipi but less vertical and more stable for the high winds of Sápmi (formerly known as Lapland), a region mostly north of the Arctic Circle. The foundation of a lavvu is built into permafrost for warmth and stability.

The House of Norway had numerous interesting displays and activities for their lawn program this year. I had never heard of a lavvu, so it particularly intrigued me!

The flag of Sápmi was being draped on the lavvu when I took my final photograph.

The elements of the flag are symbolic. This article explains the historical meaning of its design and colors.

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Geranium show brings color to Balboa Park!

The 2026 Geranium Show and Sale was held this weekend in Balboa Park. Members of the San Diego Geranium Society filled Room 101 of the Casa del Prado with beautiful living color!

There’s something very homey about geraniums. They’re easy to propagate and grow, and their cheerful blooms endure most of the year. What home doesn’t have a pot of these flowering plants on a porch or window sill?

In addition to the different varieties of geranium in the show, visitors could view works of art and special displays that celebrate the geranium.

Some photographs…

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Fashion Redux 2026: Cocktail Hour in San Diego!

Fashion Redux 2026: Cocktail Hour opened last month at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. I enjoyed a look at the exhibition today.

Once again, students from the Mesa College Fashion Program have produced inspired creations for this annual event.

As one display explains: This exhibition explores the rise of the “Modern Woman” through the lens of cocktail dresses, featuring contemporary designs by San Diego Mesa College students inspired by examples from the San Diego History Center’s historic textile collection that span the periods 1890 to 1970.

Women’s fashion has changed greatly over the decades, driven by societal “norms” of the day. History that was studied by the student designers included social movements leading to both Prohibition, its repeal, and women’s suffrage.

The cocktail dress emerged in the 1920s, as women embraced more public and social roles, moving away from restrictive floor-length dresses, into a short, semi-formal garment for early evening events…

A number of displays, including historical photographs and garments, demonstrate this fascinating evolution of fashion.

At the center of the exhibition, however, are the reimagined cocktail dresses. It’s very impressive how college students designed the four unique dresses you see in the next photograph!

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Preparing for America at 250: San Diego 1776 – 2026!

The 250th Anniversary of the United States is coming up. There will be big celebrations in San Diego and around the nation on July 4, 2026.

The San Diego History Center in Balboa Park will be taking part this summer, too, with a special America at 250: San Diego 1776 – 2026 exhibition. A large gallery space will be filled with fascinating displays, recalling San Diego’s rich and diverse history.

I stepped into the museum today and noticed they’re starting to get the exhibition ready. So far I noticed an El Cajon & Lakeside stagecoach, a mining ore car, an antique printing press, a vintage automobile, a model of Horton Plaza, and even a classic Jack in the Box drive-thru intercom clown head!

I can’t wait to see what else appears! Stay tuned!

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Art and creativity at Goldenpalooza!

Art and creativity were busting out everywhere at today’s big, very colorful Goldenpalooza festival at the Golden Hill Recreation Center! Check it out!

The festival offered families creative opportunities at every turn. There were multiple art-making stations and workshops for every age. You could learn how to make a cyanotype, a monster and a zine!

Friendly artists were painting, printmaking, demonstrating their technique and showcasing fantastic creations. There was even a cool, highly original video game created by San Diego locals that kids (or adults) could play!

All this while listening to live music from the stage!

Literacy also had a big presence at the festival. Kids were encouraged to read. Reading is fun and expands your mind!

Okay, can you tell I really loved Goldenpalooza? It was my first ever visit to the festival, and will likely not be my last.

Words Alive San Diego encourages children to read. It’s done with art and adult participation.
A lot of activities for Makers!
Sun Art! Golden Hill is the perfect place for this!
The Joey, Jeremy & Camille Trio wave from the Goldenpalooza stage.
INSIDE:ART (@insideart_sd) supports the fostering of identity for adults with developmental disabilities through dignified access to the creative arts community of San Diego.
The Wall of Questions & Colors by Compagnia Creativa (@compagniacreativa) asks festival goers “What makes you smile?”
Made me smile!
Testing out the cool, locally developed Behemoth video game (find it on STEAM). A bit like the classic arcade game Joust.

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Feeding San Diego brings smiles to Goldenpalooza!

Everyone was smiling at Goldenpalooza in Golden Hill today, especially those at tables stocked with free healthy food, courtesy of Feeding San Diego!

The cost of living seems higher than ever in San Diego, so keeping food on the table is a struggle for too many residents. Feeding San Diego is there to fill in the gaps (and hungry stomachs).

At the Goldenpalooza community festival, people could fill a bag with potatoes, melons, tuna, low fat milk, and other nutritious essentials.

On behalf of so many in San Diego, thank you!

If you’d like to help Feeding San Diego fulfill their mission, or receive help putting food on your own table, visit their website here.

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Dogs of Downtown gather in San Diego!

Another fun Dogs of Downtown event was held today in San Diego! Canines were the furry superstars on the outdoor WeWork Terrace at 600 B Street!

Downtown residents and four-footed best friends enjoyed free live music, a pup fashion show, dog-centered art, crafts and goods, and the opportunity for dog adoption. There were even VIP tickets available if you wanted your pet to be drawn by a caricature artist, have its tag engraved and more!

It was a great way for people and dogs who live at the center of San Diego to make new friends. And take a pic or two!

The tail-wagging annual event is courtesy of various supporters and the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

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Clean and Safe program beautifies San Diego!

This morning I noticed somebody freshening one of the hanging planters in downtown San Diego’s Cortez Hill neighborhood. On a ladder above the sidewalk, he was adding geraniums and other flowering plants!

It was a friendly worker from Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Clean & Safe program!

Thank you!

San Diego youth explore Wonder through art.

Voice Out 2026 is a youth media art exhibition that officially opens today inside San Diego’s downtown Central Library.

Young creators from across the San Diego region were invited by Outside The Lens to explore the idea of Wonder through photography, digital illustration and mixed media. Nearly 200 pieces are now on display on the first floor of the Central Library.

I checked the art out yesterday after the displays were set up!

Wonder stretches our curious minds, leading us to places beyond our accustomed horizons. Places that can be fantastic and strange. I saw images full of dreams, discovery and possibility.

The art of Voice Out 2026 will be on display at both the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the San Diego Central Library throughout June 2026.

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