The 50th Annual Local Author Exhibit – Golden Anniversary – runs through February 29 at the downtown San Diego Public Library.
San Diego is the home of many thoughtful, creative residents. Proof of this can be seen at downtown’s San Diego Public Library, where a special exhibit features books by local writers that were published in 2015. It’s an impressive visual tribute to local writing talent. Works of fiction and nonfiction alike are on proud display. Congratulations to all!
Many exceptional books of all types were published in 2015 by local San Diego writers.One display case contains an old manual typewriter, and several lists from past years of published authors in San Diego.The many glass display cases feature books by local authors that came out in 2015. Some of the writers are quite famous!Christmas in San Diego by local legend Bill Swank. Cool San Diego Sights has 5 photos in this awesome book! What an honor!
I made a cool discovery! It’s Bill Swank’s new book Christmas in San Diego! I blogged about it a couple months ago!
Through the Dark Door of Time: SAN DIEGO 1867, a novel by Barbara McMikle. Blood of the Band: An Ipai Family Story, by David L. Toler, Jr.Sunshine/Noir II: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana. Coastal Zone, poems by Joe Safdie.7 Deadly Sins That Poison the Soul and How to Conquer Them! by A.D. Brown. States of Terror. The Advocate’s Geocache, by Teresa Burrell.Sally Ride: A Photobiography of America’s Pioneering Woman in Space, by Tam O’Shaughnessy. Troubleshooting Your Mac, by Joe Kissell.Books by local authors concern every subject imaginable, including art, history, culture and photography.Horror, detective fiction, graphic novels, young adult and children’s books . . . San Diego authors are prolific creators!Many eBooks were published online by local San Diego writers!A number of works by local authors were written in foreign languages.How to be Happy in an Unhappy World, by Marie Chapian, a New York Times Bestselling Author.Congratulations to all San Diego writers who had books published in 2015!
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Lots of music was being played during today’s Mormon Battalion Commemoration event in Old Town San Diego.
I love history. So I was thrilled to stumble upon a special event today in Old Town San Diego!
The Mormon Battalion Commemoration is an annual celebration that recalls a part of San Diego’s diverse, often surprising history. The battalion was formed in 1846. Composed of members of the Latter Day Saints and led by regular U.S. Army officers, over 500 men and several dozen women and children set out from Council Bluffs, Iowa and endured an almost 2,000 mile march to San Diego. Their presence in San Diego and several other locations in Southern California helped to support the eventual cession of much of the American Southwest from Mexico to the United States. Many members of the Mormon Battalion went on to play leading roles in the settlement of the West.
Of course, history–like life itself–is a complex thing that can be told and interpreted from many differing viewpoints. Happy reenactments don’t tell the entire story. But among so many costumes and demonstrations, one can start to imagine what life appeared like in San Diego over a century and a half ago.
I ambled around Old Town’s central plaza, spoke to some very friendly folks and took a few photos.
When I saw this rider on horseback as I entered Old Town this afternoon, I knew something special was going on!The public was welcome to this celebration of the Mormon Battalion. It included a parade, which I unfortunately missed.I saw kids in covered wagons, folks on horseback, and just a big whirl of activity all around Old Town today!We are commemorating the end of one of the longest military marches in U.S. Military History. Five hundred soldiers known as the Mormon Battalion marched from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, CA. In addition…there were 35 women and 45 children.Various exhibits recreated aspects of camp life, and life in San Diego during the mid-19th century.Treats on a stick. Lots of families were present for the very popular history-based event.One tent explained the hardships of women settling the West, and what life was like as a laundress.Lots of folks were about Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in period costume. Many people participating in the event were themselves Mormons.More unique and colorful costumes worn to help reenact a fascinating period of local history.Traditional folklorico dancing on a stage in Old Town. A strong Mexican heritage is a vibrant part of San Diego history.During the festivities, a large crowd enjoyed music, dance, food and all sorts of interesting sights.Contestants in a Dutch Oven Bake Off prepare their tasty concoctions for the judges.Young people were shown how clay bricks were made in the early days of San Diego.I was told this fabric would be used in the making of dolls.These ladies on horseback and in a fancy miniature donkey-driven cart were being photographed right and left. Wearing elegant frilly dresses and holding parasols, they delighted everybody!One booth in Old Town’s central plaza had a quilt-making demonstration, where kids could learn about the craft.Of course, there were many historical exhibits that told the Mormon Battalion’s story and described their contributions to San Diego’s early life and culture.The Liberty Stand explained how Mormons believe in the vision of America’s founding fathers, and their belief in values delineated by the U.S. Constitution.Another demonstration had folks grinding nuts and seeds, a skill adapted from Native American Kumeyaay who lived in this region long before Europeans.A guitar and a banjo create upbeat frontier-style music.This nice lady at an information stand gave the thumbs up for my camera!I wandered behind Seeley Stable because I noticed their famous blacksmith demonstration was open today!This lady was hammering glowing red hot iron while kids watched.A miniature donkey pulls an elegant cart!
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A special House of China lawn program at Balboa Park’s International Cottages celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year with food, music and dance.
Today I headed to Balboa Park hoping to catch part of the House of China’s lawn program at the International Cottages. The cultural event celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year, which occurs on February 8. It’s the Year of the Monkey!
I wasn’t the only one who thought of attending! An unusually big crowd turned out for the colorful festivities.
Here come a few cool pics!
Several fascinating displays were at the Chinese New Year event in Balboa Park. This gentleman wrote people’s names using Mandarin characters.Lots of authentic Chinese food was being gobbled up, including these Green Onion Pancakes!Many Balboa Park visitors were heading into the House of China cottage today.Fine exhibits inside the House of China include this interesting carp made of animal horn.Kids look into a display case containing many porcelain dolls.A colorful collection of beautiful porcelain dolls inside the House of China in San Diego’s always wonderful Balboa Park!
This friendly music instructor would teach lots of kids how to play the piano at Hands On Community Day at the San Diego Symphony!
Today I enjoyed a beautiful hour at the San Diego Symphony. I arrived at noon to listen to a free public concert, which was just the first part of the five hour Hands On Community Day event. Later on, after I left for my walk, there were additional performances, and kids were taught how to play the piano by world-class musicians!
The San Diego Symphony is celebrating the piano during an ongoing Upright and Grand festival, which continues through February 8. If you haven’t been to a concert at Copley Symphony Hall, I assure you it’s a magical, wonderful experience!
Please enjoy a few photos and read the captions for explanations…
The San Diego Symphony’s Upright and Grand festival is a month-long event that celebrates the piano.Fantastic mural in lobby of Symphony Towers depicts an orchestra, including a pianist.Some bicyclists stopped by to play the public upright piano in the lobby of Symphony Towers near the box office.A vintage photo in the lobby shows the Fox Theatre, built in 1929, now Copley Symphony Hall. A modern skyscraper called Symphony Towers was built over and around the old theatre in 1989.Inside the elegant, historic Copley Symphony Hall. I arrived early to the Hands On Community Day, so there are few people in this photo.One table had samples of a piano key’s inner workings. Later on I saw lots of families and kids examining these with interest.A representative for the San Diego International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs had a table outside the concert hall.Six grand pianos were set up on the stage. I enjoyed the first hour of the event, which featured The Carnival of the Animals by composer Camille Saint-Saens, with poems by Ogden Nash.Looking up inside the concert hall. A friendly usher told me there’s a winding staircase in the huge chandelier! Girls used to toss rose petals onto the audience, once upon a time long ago.People are arriving for the big San Diego Symphony free event, part of their Upright and Grand festival!After the first hour’s concert is over, the audience applauds narrator Dave Scott and amazing pianists Jessie Chang and Bryan Verhoye!
This super nice lady posed while blowing some bubbles! And I got photobombed! What fun!
Lots of photos today!
Let’s start out with the fun San Diego Multicultural Festival, which was held in sunny Ruocco Park, downtown near Tuna Harbor. I always enjoy walking through the annual event, taking in the cool, happy vibe and listening to some great live music. Here are a few pics!
Remember–tomorrow is the big MLK parade which goes down Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero! It begins at 2 o’clock!
Folks were at the San Diego Multicultural Festival in Ruocco Park listening to lots of great live music.This smiling lady representing the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park had a table full of beautiful crafts. They’ll be having a Let Freedom Ring event on MLK Day.Super colorful art and wares at the WorldBeat table. Celebrating life, diversity and Martin Luther King Jr. Day in San Diego!People were enjoying drumming on the grass in Ruocco Park, near Seaport Village.This cool musician on the stage saw me taking a photo! Hello!
Three magic benches are visible in this photo. Can you spot them?
I discovered three magic benches during my walk through Balboa Park this afternoon! All three are situated in front of the Old Globe Theatre, one of San Diego’s great cultural treasures.
How do I know these benches are magic? It’s very easy to see! Just examine the following photos, and read the captions!
The first bench is dedicated to that magical playwright Shakespeare! As you might recall, the Bard is associated with the original Globe Theatre, which was in London.The iconic face of William Shakespeare on the side of a fantastic public bench in Balboa Park’s Old Globe Courtyard. Sit here and be inspired!A jolly character from the Shakespeare comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor.A famous scene from Hamlet. Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy…The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego is where you want to see Shakespeare’s famous plays, including the tragedy Julius Caesar.Here’s the second magic bench. Looks ordinary? Don’t be deceived! Sit or lie here, and you might mysteriously be transported far away!And finally, the magic piano bench. Anybody can sit here and play music through January, courtesy of the San Diego Symphony’s PLAY ME: Pianos In Public Spaces event!
To learn more about the ten public pianos that have been placed around San Diego, check out my previous blog post!
To experience magic in wonderful Balboa Park, head over to the courtyard in front of the world famous Old Globe Theatre!The Old Globe has another great lineup for 2016. World-class entertainment in amazing Balboa Park!
Gentleman who saw this fun piano in the middle of Horton Plaza sat down and started playing. The San Diego Symphony is spreading music around the city!
Ten pianos have been placed around San Diego for the public to play! Any ordinary person passing by can just sit down and perform music to their heart’s content!
This very cool and unique “event” is being put on by the San Diego Symphony. Their PLAY ME: Pianos In Public Spaces installation is part of this month’s Upright and Grand Piano Festival, and will continue through February 8.
Feeling inspired? Feeling musical? Feeling like a maestro? Would you like to play some wonderful piano selections for your admiring fans? Then head on over to one of the ten public locations! They are: the Symphony Towers lobby, the Quartyard, the downtown Central Library, Horton Plaza, The Headquarters, the Coronado Ferry Landing, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (downtown location), Liberty Station, Balboa Park (by the Old Globe Theatre) and the California Center for the Arts Escondido!
The San Diego Symphony’s PLAY ME: Pianos In Public Spaces program has placed ten pianos around the city for ordinary people to enjoy!A colorfully painted piano in the lobby of Symphony Towers in downtown San Diego. I swung by here in the very early morning when few people were around.A cool guy plays this public piano at the Central Public Library in downtown San Diego. He heard about this very unique event and came on down to tickle the ivories.One of ten pianos placed around San Diego for the public to enjoy. Many library patrons coming through the front door were treated to unexpected music!This piano has a big cyclops eye. It sits outside in the Quartyard in San Diego’s East Village.Few people were about the Quartyard on Saturday morning. It’s a cool eating and event venue that’s fairly new in this hip neighborhood.Amazing talent takes a seat in Horton Plaza. This gentleman was walking through the shopping mall and saw the piano. He sounded like a professional musician!This fellow enjoyed playing another public piano, which has been placed at The Headquarters, near Seaport Village.All ten pianos have unique artwork, painted by various local organizations. The instruments were tuned by experts at the San Diego Symphony–and they sound amazing!Kids twirl to piano music in the wide courtyard of The Headquarters, which is located in San Diego’s old police headquarters.Finally, I saw this piano in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s downtown location, which is next to the Santa Fe Depot.Sign says that we are proud to present this piano painted by Combat Arts as part of the San Diego Symphony’s Upright and Grand Piano Festival’s city-wide installation. We invite you to play!Piano in public for any random passerby to enjoy. Veterans who painted this instrument are part of an art-based museum program to help combat troops recover from PTSD.
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A variety of dried food hangs from the ceiling. The kitchen of the Commercial Restaurant museum in Old Town is a place where visitors are transported back in time.
There are dozens of cool things to see in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. I’ve barely scratched the surface so far with my blog.
For example, there’s a small free museum right next to the central Plaza de Las Armas called Commercial Restaurant. A rather dull name, but a very interesting place jam-packed with history!
The small recreated restaurant shows what life was like in the mid 1800s, back when San Diego was downright tiny. The Commercial Restaurant is comprised of two rooms: one contains the dining area, the other, the kitchen. Originally called the Casa de Machado y Silvas, the house was built by José Manuel Machado and given as a wedding gift to his daughter María Antonia, and her husband, José Antonio Nicasio Silvas. The simple adobe building was converted into a modest restaurant by its owners in the early 1850s. Today it stands as one of the five historic adobes in Old Town San Diego.
I’ve provided a bit more info in the photo captions!
Photo shows the Commercial Restaurant museum, which is free and open to the public in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.La Casa de Machado y Silvas in Old Town San Diego was turned into Commercial Restaurant, then later renamed Antonia Restaurant.Bienvenidos. Come inside. See the recreated Commercial Restaurant. Established in 1854 within the Casa de Machado y Silvas, a home built in 1843. Museum open 10-5.The dining area of the Commercial Restaurant. This is was what it was like to eat in style in the mid 1800s. Many exhibits along the walls recall the history of old San Diego.Art on one wall depicts the grinding of corn. Other nearby maps and graphics show how food is related to our city’s history.
In the mid 1800’s, when New England travelers arrived by ship to Old Town, they sought out a dining establishment serving meals like they would find at home, including stews, soups, crackers, bread and cow’s milk. Over the years, exposure to native Kumeyaay cooking influenced the European diet and became integrated into the region’s cuisine.
As a captive labor force under the Mission system, the Kumeyaay performed their tasks using traditional tools and methods of preparation as a way to continue their cultural identity.Display case contains artifacts used in the daily life of San Diego residents almost two centuries ago.Shelves in the Commercial Restaurant contain old jars, goblets, bowls, bottles, plates and more.It was 1948 when a secret hiding place was discovered in one of the adobe’s window wells. Within the niche were two documents relating to life of an early Old Town San Diego resident.
Historical documents discovered by archeologists hidden in the Casa de Machado y Silvas shed light on the life of San Diego resident Allen B. Light. He was also know as the “Black Steward”. Allen arrived in California during the 1830s, aboard the sailing ship Pilgrim, the same vessel that brought Richard Henry Dana Jr. who would later write Two Years Before the Mast.
One document was “a sailor’s protection”, which proclaimed Light was a “coloured man, a free man, and a citizen of the United States of America”. The second document was his commission from the Mexican Governor of Alta California to investigate illegal sea otter hunting along the coast.
A peek into the recreated kitchen next to the dining room. Cooking was rather primitive in early San Diego.A table full of peppers and vegetables. What life was like many generations ago, in the kitchen of Old Town’s Commercial Restaurant museum.
Decks don’t last forever. Our Star’s decks have reached the end of their lifetime and now Star of India is in need of YOUR help.
The Star of India is one of the most famous and important historic ships afloat. Built in 1863, she’s the oldest active sailing vessel in the world and the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still on the water. She has sailed twenty-one times around the world, surviving the tempests of Cape Horn. She has been caught in a devastating cyclone, trapped in Alaskan ice, and even went aground in Hawaii. She still plies the Pacific Ocean with a volunteer crew. And her hull, cabins and equipment are almost completely original.
So it isn’t surprising the deck needs a bit of help.
“…Our museum is working as part of an international effort to see Star of India inscribed, along with other great historic ships, by UNESCO as a multi-national world heritage site. Like the Parthenon, the Pyramids, and the Great Wall of China, such a distinction would…see that she lives forever.”
Wow!
Right now, the main deck and poop deck need replacing. The wooden decks have come to the end of their lifetime. The Star of India “was recently awarded a $192,000 National Parks Service Maritime Heritage Grant, one of very few such awards and a testimony to both her historical significance and to the viability of the project for extending her life. However, these funds are available to Star of India only if they are matched by an equal amount contributed by those who love her and want to see her sail for generations to come.”
With YOUR contribution, you can become part of an eternal legacy and help to preserve an important part of world (and San Diego) history. That’s big, very important stuff!
Looking along the length of the main deck of Star of India. Deck replacement is needed and so is the generous help of the public.Parts of the wooden deck are in pretty bad shape. Feet, salt, sun and rain have taken their toll.The Star of India is a National Historic Landmark. The oldest active sailing ship in the world, it’s a treasured part of San Diego and world history.Visitors descend from the poop deck. Beautiful woodwork is found all about the ship. But the elements can be harsh.A very old photo of Star of India’s launching day in 1863. Originally it was named Euterpe.Photo of Euterpe, later renamed Star of India, docked at Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand in 1883.Exquisite section of the stained glass skylight in the teak and oak paneled saloon of the Star of India.Peeking into Star of India’s forward house, which contains ropes, tools and instruments which were necessary to maintain and operate the tall ship.I believe that long timber supported by the forward house and forecastle is the top section of the foremast, which is being refurbished. But I might be mistaken.The Star of India’s steering wheel and binnacle on the poop deck.The Star of India needs YOUR help! Donate today to help replace the deck, and to preserve this amazing ship for generations to come.
New International Cottages display explains expansion plans in Balboa Park. Photo taken during December Nights.
If everything goes according to plan, ground will be broken in 2016 at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. Nine new international cottages are going to be built in Balboa Park!
The nations looking forward to having new cottages are Mexico, India, Colombia, Lebanon, Palestine, Peru, Panama, Turkey and the Philippines. While Palestine today is a community of people rather than a recognized nation with borders, like Scotland they’ll share their culture with Balboa Park’s visitors in their own unique cottage.
Nineteen cottages exist today. Nine more cottages will soon be built. But that still leaves many nations on a waiting list. Each member “House” must raise their own funds for construction, as no taxpayer money is used.
During December Nights, I took a photo of a map showing where the structures will be built. It appears to me there’s room for even more cottages in the future!
Map shows where new structures will be built at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages.Six new international cottages are coming to this grassy area, which is southwest of the existing cottages.A view from a different angle includes the Balboa Park Club and some bicyclists.A photograph of some existing international cottages in Balboa Park.Our purpose is to bring into close association the people of the various national groups . . . to foster and cultivate a spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance and goodwill.This property is owned by the City of San Diego and is being utilized for the benefit of the general public through the joint cooperation of the City and United Nations Association.People visit the United Nations Building, at Balboa Park’s unique House of Pacific Relations International Cottages.
UPDATE!
I learned in July 2016 that nearly all the bureaucratic hoops have now been jumped through in order to begin construction. All that remains is approval from the San Diego City Council. It’s hoped the new cottages will be completed in 2017, just in time for the December Nights celebration!
ANOTHER UPDATE!
Now it is hoped the cottages will be completed in 2018. Apparently the construction costs have increased dramatically. And each nation must raise money to build their own cottage.
FINALLY!
Construction began in 2019! You can see one photo of the very early construction here!
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Cool San Diego Sights! 