In San Diego this afternoon, blue and yellow umbrellas sheltered a tight-knit gathering from the rain. Supporters of Ukraine met near the El Cid statue in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama, waving flags, giving heartfelt speeches, asking for help.
It’s now a year since Putin’s Russia invaded Ukraine, and in San Diego many are appalled that dictatorship and murderous barbarism can rise again in the 21st century.
Powerful images and messages that concern one year of Defending Freedom surrounded the group.
As I stood in the crowd listening, a young person voiced her optimism that Freedom, in the end, would prevail.
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Did you know the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden in Balboa Park was renovated and greatly beautified last year?
I hadn’t realized the “Old (1935) Cactus Garden” behind the Balboa Park Club had been renamed the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden until I walked through yesterday and noticed a new sign.
Look how amazing it appears! An initial revitalization of the historic garden had taken place in 2019, but now, with the help of Forever Balboa Park volunteers last year, it really shines! Paths are wide and inviting, there’s more seating, and the cacti and succulents in their cleaned out beds appear like elegant works of natural art!
This is one of three gardens started by Kate Sessions in Balboa Park about century ago. You can read about how she said San Diego had the ideal climate for the best cactus garden in the world by clicking here.
If you want to see historical 1935 photos of Kate Sessions in the beautiful Cactus Garden, 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 Twitter!
An inspirational event was enjoyed by many today in San Diego. It was the first ever African American Heritage Celebration in Balboa Park!
The House of USA hosted this program at the International Cottages for Black History Month. Starting at 2 o’clock, the celebration was jam-packed with history, culture, education and optimism.
Community organizations had booths around the lawn, and some tasty food was served up on the patio in front of the House of USA cottage.
I thought the highlight of the event were the young speakers and dancers who took to the stage. They were like bright stars shining for all to see.
The House of USA royal court read inspiring words from Kwame Alexander’s “The Undefeated.”
A local artist professor spoke about African American creators and how they connect and inspire the community.
A skit performed by young people reenacted the historic bravery of civil rights hero Rosa Parks on that segregated bus.
And there was much more!
Enjoy these photographs and be sure to go to this great event next year.
(And please read about several organizations in attendance that are working to make a positive impact…)
The above smiling young people are future leaders who are participating in the Dr. JAM Program! Click this link to visit the website.
Their motto is: In the depths of Wisdom abounds Knowledge!!! Knowledge is divine!! So I lend my ear to Listen, my heart to the Respect of my People and my soul to the Preservation of my Culture!
What’s the Uplift Institute? Just what it sounds like!
They are working to improve lives in the community, particularly when it comes to our shared environment. They have an event coming up called Sustainable ‘Hood Education and Career Expo ’23. It will be taking place May 6 at UC San Diego’s downtown Park and Market.
This organization empowers underserved, unemployed men, including Veterans and the unsheltered. They provide support for men who face challenges while attempting to transition back into the workplace to achieve self-sufficiency.
The 25th Annual Fungus Fair of the San Diego Mycological Society was held today in Balboa Park. I’ve checked out this event in past years, but I’d never seen such enormous crowds before. The popularity of mushrooms in San Diego appears to have greatly . . . mushroomed!
Not only was Room 101 of the Casa del Prado jammed with people gazing at informative exhibits, but numerous vendors were displaying mushroom art and crafts and edible concoctions in the building’s outdoor courtyard.
I wandered about amazed by all the varieties and apparent benefits of fungi. Mycophiles in attendance could learn how to grow and forage mushrooms. Curious people like me could learn about the characteristics, medicinal uses and dangers of different types.
Check out some fun fungus photography!
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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 Twitter!
Did you know one of the best players in the history of tennis made Balboa Park her home?
Maureen Connolly grew up in San Diego and played at the Balboa Tennis Club. (Which recently celebrated its centennial.)
“Little Mo” would go on to win nine major singles titles in the early 1950s, and would be the first woman to win the Grand Slam. She was the number one ranked female tennis player from 1952 through 1954, and was also voted female athlete of the year from 1951 to 1953!
Should you visit the Balboa Tennis Club, you’ll see a special tribute to Maureen Connolly outside their Pro Shop. I took these photos during a walk through the Morley Field Sports Complex a few weeks ago.
Incidentally, did you know tennis phenom Michael Chang, the youngest man in history to win a singles major, also made the courts in Balboa Park his home?
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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 Twitter!
The House of Turkey in Balboa Park is now raising earthquake relief funds. I learned this today as I walked through the International Cottages.
According to a House of Turkey flyer, one hundred percent of the money donated will go toward the earthquake relief effort, which includes providing life saving supplies.
An exhibit is now being readied at the San Diego History Center for Black History Month. Two museum walls will feature photographs selected from the History Center’s archives.
When I asked about this installation today, I learned that the centerpiece will be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to San Diego back in 1964. Many additional photographs concern citizens in our community who dared to advocate for equal rights.
About a third of the photos were up this afternoon. The exhibit should be completed sometime this week!
Protesting racial segregation in front of Woolworth’s storefront in downtown San Diego in 1960.Racial equality sit-in at SDG&E in 1963.Board of Education racial integration proponents disrupt meeting in 1968. A group of parents fought against inequalities for students of all ethnic backgrounds.
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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 Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 