The finish at the MLB All-Star 5K Color Run this morning was a crazy scene! Different colored chalk was tossed and blown onto laughing, happy participants.
I walked a bit around downtown this weekend–both yesterday and today. Here are some fun photos that are (mostly) related to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Week here in San Diego. The whole city seems to have gone into party mode. I’m sorry to say I didn’t get photos of the Soul Pose All-Star Yoga event yesterday. But, as you’ll see, I did stumble upon a number of other events and cool sights!
A young person checks out an All-Star Fanfest decal on the sidewalk behind the San Diego Convention Center. Promotional graphics have been placed in many popular downtown walking spots.Yesterday, Santa was hanging out by a Seaport Village sign that advertises All-Star Game merchandise. He told me he was there to spread smiles. Sounds good to me!These music lovers were heading toward Embarcadero Marina Park South on Saturday. They would enjoy one of the three huge MLB All-Star Concerts!When I walked by on Saturday morning, the San Francisco Giants had the only National League flag flapping wildly at Petco Park. Oh, oh. It’s an even-numbered year. Another omen, possibly…This morning, the All-Star 5K Color Run appeared to be extremely popular. People covered with brightly colored chalk were all over downtown! I caught a bit of the finish near the County Administration Building.Yes, you guessed it. The Color Run is mostly about different colored chalk being launched every which way. Even during the post-race concert! Getting your shirt splashed with color is part of the fun.And then, when you’re done and ready to go home, a couple of air blower guys blast the harmless chalk right off you!Friends posing for a photo on surfboards at Waterfront Park after the MLB All-Star 5K Color Run.This All-Star belongs to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It’s their Spanish galleon replica, San Salvador. Walking along the water, I spotted it heading out toward the bay’s entrance. I was told she’s out on her 3rd or 4th test run. They’re learning how to steer her with a rudder, just like they did centuries ago! I was also told she bobs up and down like a cork when out on the open ocean!Festive All-Star graphics adorn a large stage on the Broadway Pier. I was told there will be some sort of big Major League Baseball VIP party here.Of course, I had to swing by PLAY BALL PARK once again. There were so many kids out having fun playing baseball this Sunday morning I couldn’t believe it!Right next to Petco Park, every imaginable type of 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game merchandise was for sale. Lots of fans seemed interested.And finally, late this morning about an hour before it officially opened, I strolled down J Street where the All-Star Week Block Party would be held.Pepsi is the main sponsor of the block party, as far as I can tell. They had balloons all over the place.Here’s something you don’t see every day. A guy is putting an All-Star Game cover on a trashcan!Just walking down J Street, adjacent to the Park at the Park, while vendors prepare for the All-Star Game block party.Pink Padres pennants and small All-Star Game commemorative bats are placed on a vendor’s table.Kudos to COX for creating this unique sculpture made of baseballs. It was cool enough that I posted a photo of it on my silly blog!And finally, I spotted a huge All-Star Game banner today near the front door of Alamo Flags in Seaport Village!
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Display cases in San Diego’s Central Library feature cool comic books and original art with a baseball theme! Perfect for both San Diego’s MLB All-Star Game and Comic-Con!
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game and San Diego Comic-Con are taking place at nearly the same time! They are separated by only one week. So a very cool exhibit related to both events has been created in the downtown San Diego library. You can find this exhibit on the first floor, just beyond the lobby.
Lots of baseball-related comic books and original comic artwork is on display, taken from the vast baseball collection of Andy Strasberg, who once was Vice President of Marketing for the San Diego Padres.
It was hard to take photos without reflections on the glass display cases. Seeing these comics in person is so, so much better!
This comic book art will remain on public display through San Diego Comic-Con and long after–until August 26. Since the Central Library is just a couple blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, and across the street from Petco Park, where other fun activities are planned–why not head over to check it out!
Comics Team Up With Baseball. Selections from the collection of Andy Strasberg. On view through August 26.Pages from It Really Happened, 1946.The Amazing Willie Mays, 1954. Famous Funnies Publications.Babe Ruth As I Knew Him, 1948. Dell Publishing.Original artwork for the satirical Motley’s Crew comic strip.The Legend of the Blue Knight, 1997. Jackie Robinson’s 50th Anniversary commemorative comic book.Gil Thorp, 1963. Dell Publishing.A funny Beetle Bailey comic strip, titled Star of The Team.Yogi Berra Baseball Hero, 1951. Fawcett Publications.Richie Rich, Casper and Wendy–National League, 1976. Harvey Publications.Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, 1964. George A. Pflaum.Vintage comic book explains how pitchers apply spin to a baseball, making a ball move differently as it approaches the batter.How the Automatic Umpire Works. Unknown date and publisher.Baseball Facts and Fun Book, 1956. Post Sugar Crisp.Original comic artwork for Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica. Batter On, 1974.A real classic. Tip Top Comics, 1955. United Features.Walt Disney’s Donald Duck, 1978. The baseball flew down his sleeve!One of several Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies baseball comic books on display. Bugs Bunny is about to pitch a tomato to his arch-nemesis Elmer Fudd!Comic book cover features Bugs Bunny angrily calling a baseball umpire out!Even when at bat, Bugs Bunny likes to chomp on his carrot. What’s up, doc?Bugs Bunny’s ears nimbly catch a pitched ball! Elmer Fudd is not amused.
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One brief moment in a 63 second video that relives MLB All-Star Game history, seen in the San Diego library’s auditorium during today’s special “Talking Baseball” event!
A very cool event was held today, Saturday, at downtown San Diego’s beautiful Central Library! “Talking Baseball” was the title an all-day program held in the Neil Morgan Auditorium, and featured diverse speakers and entertainers celebrating baseball and its rich history. Speakers included Bob Kendrick, Negro League Baseball Museum president and Gene Locklear, former Padres outfielder, who talked about his life as a Native American professional baseball player.
Talking Baseball was organized by Andy Strasberg, who served for twenty years as the Padres baseball team’s Vice President of Marketing. This cool event was held in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Week, which is taking place right here and now in San Diego!
I lingered and enjoyed the programming for about an hour and a half. I listened to the hilarious and heart-warming tunes of San Diego baseball singer/songwriter Joe Rathburn, then watched a rarely seen 63 second video that was shown on the scoreboard during the 1992 All-Star Game in San Diego. Every second represented one year of 63 All-Star Games. This was the first time the video has been seen in 26 years! Finally, I watched with amazement as former Yankees catcher Matt Nokes narrated a film that showed every pitch of Jim Abbott’s 1993 Yankees no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. Now that was inspirational . . . and just plain exciting! That was easily the highlight of my day!
Here are a few captioned photographs that provide a taste of this very cool event. Some photos, taken in the dark auditorium, came out a bit blurry.
Talking Baseball was a special event programmed to coincide with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego this year. It was held in the downtown library.Just before stepping into the Neil Morgan Auditorium, visitors are greeted with lots of cool posters and professional baseball memorabilia!A huge collection of baseball memorabilia on display was courtesy of Andy Strasberg, who was once Vice President of Marketing for the San Diego Padres.There were so many cool baseball sights to absorb! Displayed were old magazines, programs, autographed baseballs, pennants, baseball cards, souvenir bats–you name it.Collectibles remember New York Yankee reliever Sparky Lyle and San Diego’s own superhuman Wizard of Oz shortstop, Ozzie Smith!Cool old team photograph of the 1952 San Diego Padres, with the players’ names and autographs!San Diego’s gifted baseball musician and songwriter Joe Rathburn performs. His lyrics are really good and touch a warm spot in the heart.Next, a 63 second video that was last played at the 1992 All-Star Game shows the history of the Midsummer Classic. One second equals one year!Matt Nokes, former catcher for the New York Yankees, narrates a special video which documents–pitch by pitch– Jim Abbott’s 1993 Yankees no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.Jim Abbott was born in 1967 without a right hand. That didn’t stop him from becoming an accomplished professional baseball pitcher. He spent 10 years in the major leagues.Suspense builds as pitch by pitch, inning by inning, Jim Abbott works his way brilliantly (with some sparkling Yankees defense) toward a rare no-hitter.The amazing no-hitter is achieved! Jim Abbott’s teammates swarm around the triumphant pitcher with excitement. At the time, this was only the Yankees’ 8th ever no-hitter.Jim Abbott overcomes a difficult physical challenge and great odds, adding his name to a list of baseball’s immortals. Today he is a motivational speaker.
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Visitors to the Ocean Beach Pier during its 50th anniversary celebration look at posters containing information about the amazing concrete pier’s construction and history.
I enjoyed a walk along the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier this morning around 10 o’clock, just as the pier’s 50th anniversary celebration got underway! One of my favorite places in San Diego, the OB Pier has a fascinating history.
Here are some cool photos of what I saw and learned! To enlarge the posters containing historical information, click the images!
A table near the OB Pier gate welcomes people to the 50th anniversary celebration with flyers and event info.This San Diego Fishing Pier plaque was unveiled on July 2, 1966, 50 years ago when the engineering marvel known today as the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier first opened to the public.A good crowd turned out for the beloved pier’s big day! Here we are looking west toward the Pacific Ocean.Later in the day, a new plaque would be unveiled near the stairs down to the beach.Turning for a moment back east toward Ocean Beach. It’s a pleasant if somewhat overcast morning in early July.A stand up paddle surfer next to the OB Pier. It’s possible to watch a lot of surfing action from the top of the pier on almost any given day.The familiar old Pier Cafe has a brand new red, white and blue paint job!People were poking their heads through a couple of fun photo props, set up just for the special occasion.As we approach the hub of the anniversary event, just past the Walking on Water Cafe, a lady peers through the jaws of a shark!The United States Postal Service had a temporary philatelic station out on the OB Pier! Anyone could have a special pier postcard stamped with a custom-designed postmark!Before the OB Pier was built, the Mission Bay Bridge across the San Diego River was used by trolleys, cars and fishermen. It no longer exists. The Del Monte Avenue Steel Pier’s construction was halted due to WWII.The Souvenir Dedication Program Book dated July 2, 3, and 4, 1966. The original opening celebration was also around the Fourth of July!Planning the pier. Historical photos of the people who commissioned and built the truly amazing 1971 feet long pier–the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. Its original purpose was simply for fishing, out beyond rock and kelp beds!Engineering the OB Pier was no small feat. Thirteen months were required for the pier’s completion because of various design changes.Poster shows photos of the OB Pier construction back in the 1960s. The 2 foot diameter piles were place 12 feet deep into bedrock. Slabs were placed on top and everything was welded securely.I couldn’t help but notice a surfer in this old photograph! No obstacle can deter a good ride on the mighty ocean, even half a century ago!Photo shows concrete pilings and steel. The pier has survived countless huge storms over the decades.A poster highlights events at today’s Ocean Beach Pier 50th anniversary. There will be spectacular fireworks this Fourth of July!Photos of the opening celebration weekend in 1966. California Governor Edmund Brown cut the ribbon and cast the first fishing line . . . but gave up after 5 minutes! Festivities included parades, a surfing and variety show, and a sandcastle contest.This cool dude gave me the thumbs up while hanging a display for the Ocean Beach Pier’s 50th anniversary. That’s OB style!Generations of San Diegans have been fishing here for half a century. I wonder . . . how many fish have been caught over the years?A gull and the OB Pier hover over the restless ocean. This 180 feet extension of the south arm at the pier’s end was added at a later time, and remains a favorite spot for fishing way out where the water is around 30 feet deep.
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Gifted artist with a great laugh creates a beautiful dragonfly using ink. Demonstrations were part of this weekend’s free art show inside the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.
I was wandering all over Balboa Park today when I saw a sign on El Prado. A free art show was being held inside the Casa del Prado!
What I discovered was pretty cool. Lots of really fine art, created by members of the Art Club of San Diego. Every year they have an exhibit in Balboa Park, and I was told taking photos was just fine. So here the photos are–and I hope many people enjoy them! Please note the name of the artist if you happen to be taken by a particular piece.
The Art Club of San Diego showcased the work of their artists in Balboa Park. Types of art included Sumi-e (Japanese ink wash painting), Ceramic and unusual, highly creative Art Forms.Many great pieces were out on view for anyone to enjoy. I was told taking photographs was fine. So here are some cool works of art! I’ve done my best to note the artists.I love this bear and the wild hills beyond! Artist Keiko Kitano.Some unusual but beautiful sculptures were part of this unique, once-a-year show.Beautiful artwork, everywhere I turned!I love this traditional bamboo. The artist is Joe Cross.Another fine work of art using ink and brush. Artist Louise Rendich.A colorful bird! Uh, oh. I didn’t get the artist. Sorry!I wasn’t the only one who was really enjoying these. You might want to watch for notices of the show next year.Mother monkey and offspring in a tender embrace. Fantastic. The artist is Kayo Beach.This one really caught my attention! The artist is Kayo Beach.One table had superb ceramic works arrayed upon it, all produced by Kazu Takahashi.According to a nearby sign, this Nihonga Japanese Style painting uses gansai Japanese colors on gold screen or dosa treated rice paper, or on silk.More beauty found in amazing Balboa Park. The Art Club of San Diego has some fine artists! Here we see the work of Kazue Knowlton.
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Construction workers carefully install new public art near the Marriott Marquis hotel’s recently completed conference center. These colorful vertical posts are part of a sculptural creation titled Tide.
Look at one of the cool things I stumbled upon during my walk around downtown San Diego this morning! New colorful public art is being installed in the plaza by the Marriott Marquis hotel’s new conference center! The bright, imaginative sculpture is titled “Tide”. You can see why in these photos. Looks to me like sunlight reflected from rolling water, creating a bright spectrum of rising colors! I can’t wait to see this piece finished!
I spoke for a moment to the artwork’s two creators: Katie MacDonald and Kyle Schumann of After Architecture. The friendly designers work out of Boston, Massachusetts and have created all sorts of cool stuff that can be enjoyed in public spaces around the country!
(There’s even more to come from a truly awesome morning adventure…)
The creators of “Tide” smile! That’s Kyle Schumann and Katie MacDonald of After Architecture.Looking along the wavy length of the colorful tide. The public art seems to undulate like water.A big crane lifts sections of the artwork into position on a sunny Saturday morning in San Diego. The Marriott Marquis’ brand new conference center shines in the background.The artists supervise the installation of their monumental art. It will be finished just in time for San Diego Comic-Con next month.San Diego continues to grow more interesting and beautiful as public art is installed near the waterfront!
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Doctor Strange street lamp banners have appeared along the Embarcadero more than a month before the start of 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.
A sign that 2016 San Diego Comic-Con is near has appeared along the Embarcadero. Many street lamps are hung with cool Doctor Strange banners! Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme and his upcoming movie will definitely be a big source of excitement at this year’s Comic-Con. A little more than a month to go!
Want to see lots more Comic-Con stuff? Then stay tuned to this blog, Cool San Diego Sights! As some of you may know, I live in downtown San Diego and have compiled quite a few Comic-Con photos over the past couple years. This year I should be able to take a ton more! Every single day during the incredible event, I’m going to walk everywhere (and I mean everywhere) outside the San Diego Convention Center and all around the Gaslamp and downtown San Diego to see what I can see. I’m going to snap literally thousands of photos and share the best ones with you! There’s a chance I might go inside, too! I sure hope so!
Meanwhile, if you’re hungry for photos from the past couple years, check out these fun pics from old blog posts! (And if you want to share any of this stuff on social media, that’s cool with me!)
If the gray sky is an omen of impending mystical evil . . . fear not! Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme will make a big appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in July!
This year’s Comic-Con will be bigger and probably crazier than ever! Follow along for all the fun!
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Even though I have many posts concerning Comic-Con, my blog concerns a whole variety of stuff about San Diego! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Unique holographic artwork painted on glass as seen through a downtown San Diego window. Reflections of life on the street are also visible in this photo.
Look what I discovered! These super cool, revolutionary paintings are on display in downtown San Diego. You’ll find them arranged behind the windows of the now closed Gaslamp 15 movie theater, just beneath the old marquee.
When I read the signs near these vibrant paintings, my curiosity was piqued. An inventive gentleman named Liguori has used proprietary holographic paints to create two-dimensional images that seem three-dimensional. The visual appearance changes depending upon the angle from which the artwork is observed!
According to the written description, this method of painting is so unique that it constitutes a completely new art form! My photos through the glass windows don’t really demonstrate the appearance of three dimensions. But my photos do include interesting reflections from the city street! Melded with the colorful art are buildings, people, a bus, cars, and just regular ordinary stuff a person walking down the sidewalk might observe. In a sense, this adds another unusual dimension! Please read the two signs that I photographed. Especially if you are keenly interested in physics and philosophy, and unbounded human creativity.
Do you have questions? Would you like to learn more? Perhaps you’d like to purchase one of these completely revolutionary pieces, which belong to an art movement yet to be named! That’s what the sign says! And all proceeds go to charity! To contact Liguori, use the email that is at the bottom of the signs.
Very cool!
Very cool works of art are on display in downtown San Diego. You can see them in the windows of the now vacant Gaslamp 15 movie theater, beneath the old marquee.Liguori is a successful businessman in his seventies. He took up painting late in life. He developed a totally new art medium. All the proceeds of his work will go to various charities!More examples of Liguori’s dazzling, thought-provoking pieces. Apparently the application of his special holographic paint on glass is an entirely new, revolutionary art form.Bold color stimulates the human mind and imagination. Like the universe (or perhaps multiverse), what is seen depends on the observer’s momentary point of view.Liguori’s work provides a physical manifestation of objective reality. When viewing this holographic art, countless three dimensional images are possible. It depends upon the angle of observation.Abstract art melds with cars, buildings, and bits of everyday experience in one wonderful window.More fantastic artwork. I was unable to take photographs without reflections in the windows. But it makes these images that more interesting!A dim somebody strides through a splash of vibrant color.The cosmos is incomprehensibly enormous and complex. Different wavelengths, angles, points in space and time…different states of mind and a blink of the eye. Objective reality is observed only in tiny slices.
UPDATE!
I’ve decided to walk past these holographic paintings again, and attempt to take some better photos without the street reflections. I’ll post them shortly…
Okay, I somehow got two close-up photos through the windows that are pretty amazing. Here they are…
01 Close-up photo of holographic painting by Liguori.02 Close-up photo of holographic painting by Liguori.
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Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? You might enjoy checking out Short Stories by Richard.
A very cool street mural in North Park depicts icons from three decades: the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Check out this super cool street mural in North Park, on the side of a building near the corner of 30th Street and Adams Avenue! It’s titled “Remembering… 50’s 60’s 70’s” and was painted by the artist Kerry A. Moore in 2008. The mural depicts small, iconic scenes from what many might call the good old days! I searched like crazy but could find absolutely nothing about this fun street art on the internet.
How many entertainment legends and famous people from those three decades can you spot? Among others, I recognize Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, the I Love Lucy show, the Rat Pack, Martin Luther King, Jr., Neil Armstrong, the Beatles, JFK, Easy Rider, Jimi Hendrix, the original Star Wars, The Godfather, Happy Days, John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, and, of course, Rocky Balboa. I was a kid in the 70’s and remember many good times. Movies I remember fondly include Star Wars, Rocky and Superman. But most of my best old memories are probably from the 80’s, experiencing life and this great big world as a young adult. Wow, the years have gone by quickly.
I have a dream. Make love, not war. Happy Days. Revolutionary music, cool cars, sports heroes, and a space opera that changed entertainment forever. Bits of history and popular culture from America’s past. Now that is one jam-packed mural!
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Houses appear to be stacked on the back of a howling wolf! One of several fantastic images on a building that is being renovated in North Park.
Here are more cool pics from my long walk a couple weekends ago. I took these as I headed up 30th Street through North Park. The building you see has featured ever-changing graffiti for many years, even before the laundromat went out of business. I’ve often glanced at the street art while driving past, but until now didn’t have a good opportunity to snap photographs.
Bicyclist rides south down 30th in North Park, past an old closed laundromat at Redwood Street. This building’s exterior has long featured changing works of street art.Utility box across the street near a liquor store has been painted with colorful leaves.Another side of the same utility box. A hand stands treelike at the center of the unusual metal canvas.Bunny Kitty frolics on a building at the corner of 30th Street and Redwood. Fun art spray painted by notable San Diego graffiti artist Persue.Some more bold graffiti on the south side of the old laundromat.And even more dazzling street art at the right end of the building’s south side.Strangely squished faces on the north side of the now vacant Redwood Laundrymat. I once photographed similar graffiti at SILO in Makers Quarter in East Village. It’s in one of my old blog posts!And one more pic. This is the left end of the building’s north side. It appears doors are being installed in the dynamic artwork!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to enjoy!
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