Hubbell art exhibition at San Diego libraries!

San Diego area artist James Hubbell is beloved by many. He has achieved international renown. His beautiful, uniquely organic sculptures can be found all around the city. I’ve photographed much of his public art over the years.

Starting today, his visually stunning artwork can be enjoyed inside four different San Diego Public Libraries!

The exhibition James Hubbell: Architecture of Jubilation can now be viewed at the Central Library Art Gallery, the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library, the Mission Valley Library, and the Otay Mesa-Nestor Library. The citywide event will continue through August 4, 2024. To discover what you might find at each of the four libraries, click here!

I was granted a quick sneak peek inside the Central Library’s Ninth Floor Art Gallery this afternoon. The following photographs provide a taste of what you will experience…

Several special programs at the Central Library coincide with this exhibition.

On Tuesday, March 19, there is a film screening of James Hubbell: Between Heaven & Earth.

On Monday, April 22, there is a Dave Hampton lecture titled “James Hubbell at Midcentury: His Early Years in the San Diego Art Community.”

On Tuesday, May 21, there is a Keith York lecture titled “James Hubbell & Sim Bruce Richards: Collaborations.”

On Friday, May 17, there’s a stained glass workshop taught by ArtReach San Diego.

For more information about these programs, and to register, click here!

Finally, enjoy a photograph I took near the Central Library’s front desk. The beautiful sculpture is by James Hubbell. Opus, made of bronze, was created in 1970. It belongs to the City of San Diego Civic Art Collection:

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History inside old San Diego bread factory!

Industrial baking equipment can be viewed inside the building in Logan Heights that once housed a San Diego bread factory. The old building, at 1955 Julian Avenue, is now home to Bread & Salt, a cultural hub that features multiple art galleries, plus a brewery and coffee shop.

Today’s coffee shop–which occupies the oldest part of the building–is where Cramer’s Bakery operated a century ago. Read its history here.

The bakery expanded over time and eventually produced Weber’s bread, as you can see in my photograph of the building’s front entrance.

I stepped into Bread & Salt today because the public was invited to tour the historic building during this weekend’s San Diego Architectural Foundation Open House event. While I enjoyed viewing artwork in the various galleries, I was most intrigued by the remaining old baking equipment.

I’m no expert, so I can’t explain all that I saw. No information was available. Perhaps knowledgeable readers can leave a comment.

I did observe how bread dough would be sent from large steel “funnels” hanging from the ceiling into large bread-making ovens (one oven remains behind the coffee shop counter). A machine against a nearby wall appears to have been used for making or mixing dough. I also recognized an old-fashioned printing press. I don’t know if it was utilized in the factory–perhaps for advertising.

Step through the following door to make your own discoveries:

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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A sunny Saturday bowling in Balboa Park!

Many members of the San Diego Lawn Bowling Club were in Balboa Park today, competing in the Jay Robbins Knockout tournament.

People lawn bowling in Balboa Park? It must be a Saturday!

When I walk through Balboa Park on a Saturday, I’ll often sit on a bench by the lawn bowling green on the park’s West Mesa, at the west end of the Cabrillo Bridge. It’s a fine place to watch games while relaxing or having a bite to eat.

The players, dressed in white or light colors, in various poses on the green, together present a sunny, relaxed scene–like a nostalgic painting of summer. Watch the players closely, however, and you’ll notice they’re competing in earnest, strategizing, concentrating, trying very hard to defeat their opponents.

How does one play lawn bowls? This page explains the game.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Volunteers beautify a Balboa Park garden!

A group of volunteer Garden Stewards were busy in Balboa Park today working in the Casa del Rey Moro Garden!

Garden Stewards were trimming plants, pulling weeds, sweeping away debris, and contributing to the celebrated beauty of this elegant Moorish garden behind the House of Hospitality.

When you walk through Balboa Park, especially on a weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll see these volunteers working in one or more of the park’s eighteen gardens. Their efforts supplement work performed by City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department employees.

Now that Spring is here, expect to see happy Garden Stewards working their magic among many colorful flowers! Say hello! They like that!

Do you love sunshine, plants and flowers? Do you live in San Diego? Would you like to become a Garden Steward and magnify the beauty of our city? Check out this web page to learn more!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Free architectural tours in San Diego this weekend!

An architectural masterpiece, the First Church of Christ, Scientist building by Irving Gill.
An architectural masterpiece, the First Church of Christ, Scientist building by Irving Gill.

An incredible free event is taking place in San Diego this weekend, March 9 and 10. The San Diego Architectural Foundation‘s big Open House San Diego 2024 will allow the public to tour dozens of fascinating buildings around the city!

I’ve enjoyed many Open House tours in past years. As before, the buildings that you can freely explore are located in several San Diego neighborhoods.

This year the neighborhoods are Bankers Hill, Barrio Logan, National City, Point Loma, Coronado, Downtown and La Jolla. Some of the included buildings are old, some are new. Some are historically important. All feature uniquely interesting architecture.

There are guided tours and self-guided tours. In many cases, the public is allowed to view interior rooms and private spaces.

Most of the Open House tours require no reservation–just show up on the designated day between certain hours. To get a full rundown of the architectural tours you can enjoy in 2024, click here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

San Diego Stadium lights become art at Snapdragon!

Some very unusual art is installed in a concourse at Snapdragon Stadium. An array of 24 stadium lights has been mounted to one wall. Color changes at the center of each individual silvery floodlight. Over all are the words: San Diego.

When I attended a recent event at Snapdragon, I asked a knowledgeable employee who was working nearby about this art. I learned the old floodlights are from the demolished San Diego Stadium (aka Jack Murphy Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, SDCCU Stadium), which stood on this same property in Mission Valley from 1967 to 2021.

Cool idea!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

A look inside San Diego’s Brain Observatory!

Refrigerator at the Brain Observatory holds brains preserved in formaldehyde.

About a year ago the Brain Observatory moved into downtown San Diego.

What, exactly, is the Brain Observatory?

It’s a museum-like place that the public can tour, whose mission is: Advancing knowledge of the brain and mental health through research, education, and the arts.

I enjoyed a look inside the Brain Observatory recently and much of what I saw was astounding. I was shown about briefly and learned about the unique facility’s history and mission.

The Brain Observatory houses a fully-functional research laboratory. Students and visitors can learn about the brain by utilizing authentic, state-of-the-art scientific equipment and by exploring real data, including samples from a large collection of donated human brains.

Founded in 2005 by Dr. Jacopo Annese, the Brain Observatory began as a brain research lab at UC San Diego. Ph.D. scientists from around the world, including a Nobel Prize winner from the Salk Institute, are on the Advisory Board.

The Brain Observatory uses MRI and microscopy to understand the biological basis of normal brain function and neurological disease. Advanced scientific equipment is also used to educate youth who take part in school programs.

Curious? The public can tour the Brain Observatory by reservation. In addition there are lunchtime lectures. Learn about these great opportunities by clicking here.

Dr. Jacopo Annese enthusiastically talked about his endeavors during my short visit. He has big plans. My own brain tried to assimilate so much information.

Brain Observatory tours and lectures, and the programs for students, are certain to be very stimulating!

A look inside the Brain Observatory in downtown San Diego. This space was last occupied by the SDSU Downtown Gallery.

The fascinating Brain Observatory uses scientific equipment to slice brains and conduct microscopic investigation.

Education is a focus of the Brain Observatory. Student artwork hangs on one wall.

Photos of people who donated their brains to science.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Fascinating model of Grand Canyons of La Jolla.

Kellogg Park at La Jolla Shores features environmental displays in an outdoor plaza by the busy beach boardwalk. A three dimensional model of underwater canyons in the Pacific Ocean is one part of The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla Educational Plaza.

I blogged about this amazing plaza a couple years ago. See those images (which include stunning mosaic art) and read descriptions by clicking here.

During that previous walk, the three-dimensional, topographic model that you see in the above photo was under construction. Well, it was finished when I and some friends walked by recently!

The fascinating model depicts canyons running down from Mount Soledad into the ocean. On the sides of the model, plaques present information concerning the geology of the canyons, ocean wave dynamics, and other related environmental issues.

Should you ever walk past Kellogg Park in La Jolla Shores, pause for a few moments and learn a good deal about oceanographic history, our local environment, and this planet we live on.

From the HEIGHTS OF Mt. Soledad to the DEPTHS of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla – Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans – Honoring Walter Munk’s legacy of daring exploration and discovery through scientific research, education, and ocean conservation… A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO WALTER & MARY MUNK

Checking out information about the La Jolla Sea Caves, and Native American Kumeyaay Cosmology.

Walter Munk, “Einstein of the Oceans” – Austrian born Walter Munk arrived at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1939 as a summer intern, beginning a career of pioneering ocean exploration and discovery spanning eight decades…

How Bathymetry Affects Wave Refraction at Scripps Pier from a paper published by Walter H. Munk & Melvin A. Traylor (1947) – Wave refraction (bending) is affected by the shape of the ocean bottom. Wave energy can focus or dissipate, affecting coastal erosion patterns and surf conditions.

Geologic Block Diagram From Torrey Pines State Beach To Mt. Soledad

Geologic Columnar Section of Mapped Formations La Jolla Area (from Late Cretaceous to Holocene)

Graph shows how Atmospheric CO2 (carbon dioxide) Affects Sea Level.

“People should treat the oceans like we do anything else that we care about–with consideration, with care, and affection.” –Walter Munk

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Basketball court takes shape at Waterfront Park!

A new basketball court is taking shape at Waterfront Park, just north of San Diego’s County Administration Building! Check out the above photo taken this afternoon.

A large swath of the garden that originally existed on the north side of Waterfront Park has been removed, and recreational facilities are beginning to appear. Right next to this basketball court will be two pickleball courts. There will be table tennis and fitness equipment. A dog park will also be created.

These facilities will be welcomed by many downtown residents.

According to a banner on a construction fence, estimated time of project completion is July 2024.

(I’ve been told the Serpent Tree, a colorful sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle that used to rise here, will not be returning. If true, that’s sad.)

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Snapdragon mural: Play hard and have fun!

Remember these two things: Play hard and have fun!

These words of wisdom were spoken by San Diego legend and hero, our beloved Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn. They are also painted in a colorful mural at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley.

Tony Gwynn is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He won eight Major League Baseball batting titles and was a 15-time All-Star. Perhaps just as importantly, he was honored for his character and humanitarianism with the 1995 Branch Rickey Award, the 1998 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award and the 1999 Roberto Clemente Award, which USA Today called “baseball’s Triple Crown of humanity and kindness.”

Tony liked to smile and laugh. He loved everybody. He played hard and had fun. He was an example for all of us.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!