Tag: downtown

Funny Irish pub signs in San Diego.

If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough.
If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us! Here are a few warm and funny Irish pub signs that I’ve spotted while walking around downtown San Diego.

I can resist anything but temptation.
I can resist anything but temptation.
Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.
Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.
Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!
Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!
Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)
Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)
Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you're a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.
Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you’re a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.

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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!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

A brilliant recital at the San Diego Opera.

The San Diego Opera has performances scheduled for April and May 2016. Madama Butterfly and Great Scott.
The San Diego Opera has performances scheduled for April and May 2016: Madama Butterfly and Great Scott.

Yesterday evening I attended a recital by Ferruccio Furlanetto at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego. The concert was a collaboration between the San Diego Opera and the San Diego Symphony.

Simply: it was a powerful and deeply moving experience. The combination of a full symphony orchestra and one of the world’s great opera stars stirred my soul and mind in a way that very, very few things can–not unlike the world’s greatest literature or poetry.

Both the quiet moments and the thunder seemed the very elements of human life, but exquisitely condensed, made poignant. During the diverse program, Ferruccio’s voice rose through the hall with sadness, memory and yearning. It was a performance that lifted me as I listened, and as I watched.

And I didn’t understand most of the words that he sang!

A voice that can express high passion with minute subtlety is a rare thing, indeed. Ferruccio was brilliant, and now I want to experience more of the opera.

It was a shame that I saw very few youthful faces in the audience. I suppose the opera is a medium that relies largely on reverence to tradition. But the opera could easily speak to modern, younger audiences. Much of human experience is universal. We all have those same feelings that are expressed in the opera: the same passions and tensions that result from human interaction. I challenge writers and composers to renew the opera and make it less stuffy, less repetitive, less beholden to the past. Our present world is full of great issues and movements. Make these part of a living art, one that moves boldly and experimentally forward into the future.

Because art is ultimately about life. Our lives.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy more Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

Sunlight on new Marriott building’s sculptural facade.

Sunlight reflects from an interesting, eye-catching sculptural facade in downtown San Diego.
Sunlight reflects from an interesting sculptural facade in downtown San Diego.

Some unique artwork has recently appeared on San Diego’s Embarcadero. An eye-catching sculptural facade is part of the new two-hotels-in-one-building project that was recently completed at the site once occupied by historic Lane Field.

Marriott’s dual Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites San Diego Downtown/Bayfront has been open for about two weeks. A couple days ago, I walked right up to the lobby entrance to snap several pics…

A new building now stands at the location of old Lane Field, home of the minor league baseball Padres over half a century ago. It contains two bayfront Marriott Hotels Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites.
A unique building now stands at the location of old Lane Field, home of the minor league baseball Padres over half a century ago. It contains two new Marriott Hotels: Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites.
Shining sculptural facade on parking garage levels of the recently completed Marriott two-hotels-in-one building at site of old Lane Field.
Shining sculptural facade on parking garage levels of recently completed Marriott two-hotels-in-one building.  This unique sight can be found on San Diego’s waterfront at the site of old Lane Field.
Closer photo of the uniquely undulating artwork, which conceals parking garage levels.
Closer photo of the uniquely undulating artwork, which conceals parking garage levels.
Thin, curving layers seem to be made out of painted aluminum.
I learned these thin, curving layers are made of aluminum.
Marriott's new SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn on San Diego's Embarcadero shines shortly before sunset.
Marriott’s new SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn on San Diego’s Embarcadero reflects warm light shortly before sunset.

UPDATE!

I received a comment from the artist! In it he writes:

“My name is David Franklin and I am the artist that created the rippling facade for the new building. Its called “California Rain” and is the product of the percent for art in the Port of San Diego public art program…”

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk!

You can see many more Cool San Diego Sights by following my blog on Facebook or Twitter!

Ship’s bow splashes water into Civic Center Plaza!

A ship's bow splashes water into downtown San Diego's Civic Center Plaza!
A ship’s bow splashes water into downtown San Diego’s Civic Center Plaza!

This evening my route home included a meandering stroll through downtown San Diego’s Civic Center Plaza, which is home to the City Administration Building, the San Diego Community Concourse and the San Diego Civic Theater. I observed that the extremely popular musical comedy The Book of Mormon is playing at the theater tonight. I hope the arriving theatergoers watched their step. Because I also noted a large ship’s bow was splashing water right into the center of the plaza!

But seriously, the iconic bronze water fountain called Bow Wave, created by Malcolm Leland in 1972, was looking beautiful as dusk fell and the lights of surrounding buildings began to glow. It seemed the mysterious ship was arriving just in time for the performance!

The unique water fountain Bow Wave, by Malcolm Leland, 1972. Outward splashing water tricks the eye and the bronze sculpture seems to move forward!
The unique water fountain Bow Wave, by Malcolm Leland, 1972. Outward splashing water tricks the eye and the bronze sculpture seems to move forward!
A strange ship seems to pull into a downtown plaza, to dock beside the San Diego Civic Theater!
A strange, dark ship seems to pull into a downtown plaza, to dock beside the San Diego Civic Theater!
People arrive to watch The Book of Mormon as night approaches and lights come on in downtown San Diego.
People arrive to watch The Book of Mormon as night approaches and lights come on in downtown San Diego.
An iconic water fountain in the heart of San Diego is yet another cool sight!
An iconic water fountain in the heart of San Diego is yet another cool sight!

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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!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

Volunteers preserve history at Maritime Museum.

Volunteers at the Maritime Museum of San Diego haul a rope on the deck of Star of India to help raise a protective tarp above the historic ship.
Volunteers at the Maritime Museum of San Diego haul a rope on the deck of Star of India to help raise a protective tarp above the historic ship.

Sunday is volunteer work day at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Anyone walking along the Embarcadero or visiting the museum can watch history being preserved by energetic volunteers. You can see them pulling ropes, painting masts, scraping, polishing, sweeping and just generally doing all those things necessary to maintain historic old ships.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego could always use new volunteers! No experience required! You mostly work out on the sparkling water, in the sunshine, with senses full of invigorating smells, sights and sounds. And know what? You become a part of history!

Large plastic canopies are being installed on the Star of India to protect her from rain during the upcoming deck restoration.
Large plastic canopies are being installed on the Star of India to protect her from rain during the upcoming deck restoration.
The Star of India's re-decking project is being supported in part by a National Maritime Heritage grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
The Star of India’s re-decking project is being supported in part by a National Maritime Heritage grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Another volunteer works near the bow of the historic tall ship. Downtown San Diego's skyline provides a gleaming backdrop.
Another volunteer works near the bow of the historic tall ship. Downtown San Diego’s skyline provides a gleaming backdrop.
These guys are working above the forward house near the foremast.
These guys are working above the forward house near the foremast.
A mast of the HMS Surprise has been scraped and coated with primer. Now some paint will preserve this amazing tall ship used in the movie Master and Commander.
A mast of the HMS Surprise has been scraped and coated with primer. Now some paint will preserve this amazing tall ship used in the movie Master and Commander.
Another yard to be installed on the San Salvador by crane awaits on the Embarcadero. This heavy yard with sails furled will be supported by the replica Spanish galleon's foremast.
Another yard to be installed on the San Salvador by crane awaits on the Embarcadero. This heavy yard with sails furled will be supported by the replica Spanish galleon’s foremast.
Volunteering for the Maritime Museum of San Diego can be very satisfying. Are you free on Sundays.
Volunteering for the Maritime Museum of San Diego can be very satisfying. Are you free on Sundays?

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Art springs up near New Children’s Museum!

Art is filled with growing strawberry plants at The Garden Project!
Art is alive (with growing strawberry plants) at The Garden Project!

Whenever I mosey down the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, I spy something new.

This morning I noticed that some fun art has sprung up near the New Children’s Museum, in both The Garden Project and the playground. Someone created beautiful chalk artwork on the playground’s concrete wall, and strawberries have been planted art-fully in the public garden! It reminds me that spring is coming!

(I increased the contrast of my third photograph so the chalk artwork could be more easily seen.)

Kids created this fun strawberry art.
Kids created this fun strawberry art.
And young people created this chalk drawing on a playground wall. A heart encompasses the Earth and a puppy dog. Love is powerful.
And young people created this chalk drawing on a playground wall. A heart encompasses the Earth and a puppy dog. Love is powerful.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy more Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

More funny signs and sights in San Diego!

Sip Happens! It's Okay To Wine Sometimes.
Sip Happens! It’s Okay To Wine Sometimes.

Here are a dozen more funny signs and sights that I’ve spotted in downtown San Diego. Since many of these photographs were taken around the Gaslamp Quarter with its many restaurants and bars, it isn’t surprising that a popular theme is Eat, Drink and Be Merry.

A crabby sign. Eat me! Bite me!
A crabby sign. Eat me! Bite me!
Two funny, silly mannequin heads in a shop window.
Two funny, silly mannequin heads in a shop window.
Some call it bitching. I call it motivational speaking.
Some call it bitching. I call it motivational speaking.
Please leave quietly. Let the neighbors sleep.
Please leave quietly. Let the neighbors sleep.
A sign warns: Beware of Little Monsters.
A sign warns: Beware of Little Monsters.
Sea Nile
Sea Nile
The National Beer Pong League
The National Beer Pong League
This alien lifeguard in a yellow hard hat is about to be clobbered by Superman!
This alien lifeguard in a yellow hard hat is about to be clobbered by Superman!
People who say it's the thought that counts give shitty gifts.
People who say “It’s the thought that counts” give shitty gifts.
I distrust camels and anyone else who can go a week without a drink.
I distrust camels and anyone else who can go a week without a drink.
One hundred percent of scientists agree that alcohol is a solution!
One hundred percent of scientists agree that alcohol is a solution!

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If you enjoy my blog, you can follow Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

Lion dances and fun in downtown San Diego!

Lion dancer meets small visitor to the 34th Annual 2016 San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair.
Lion dancer meets small visitor to the 34th Annual 2016 San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, a special festival is being held this weekend in downtown San Diego, in the historic old Chinatown section, now known as the Asian Thematic District. The event is called the 34th Annual 2016 San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair, and it’s being put on by the San Diego Chinese Center (SDCC). You can find the fun on two blocks adjacent to the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. There are lion dances, drummers, temple dancers, story telling, a kung fu demonstration, and just lots and lots of cool sights.

I walked through the festival this morning around 10 o’clock and observed the opening ceremonies. Here are some colorful pics!

The CCBA Lucky Lion Dancers would soon be heading down the street through the crowd.
The CCBA Lucky Lion Dancers would soon be heading down the street through the crowd.
Tables in front of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum contained arts, crafts and many unique cultural objects.
Tables in front of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum contain arts, crafts and many unique cultural objects.
These funny faces were for sale in a vendor's booth. There was lots of Chinese food and a variety of colorful wares for visitors to purchase.
These funny faces were for sale in a vendor’s booth. There was a lot of Asian food and a variety of colorful wares for visitors to purchase.
Uniquely beautiful Asian art could be seen up and down the street during the San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair.
Uniquely beautiful art could be seen up and down the street during the San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair.
Anyone could have their name written in Chinese!
Anyone could have their name written in Chinese!
2016 is the Year of the Golden Monkey. Monkey is the ninth zodiac animal in the twelve year cycle of the Chinese calendar.
2016 is the Year of the Golden Monkey. Monkey is the ninth zodiac animal in the twelve year cycle of the Chinese calendar.
The opening ceremony included an elaborate lion dance, then the display of this banner by San Diego dignitaries.
The opening ceremony included an elaborate lion dance on stage, then the display of this banner by San Diego dignitaries.
The energetic, exciting lion dance resumed, and people fed the lions red envelopes full of money for good luck!
The energetic, exciting lion dance resumed, and people fed the lions red envelopes full of money for good luck!
An explosion of lettuce from the hungry lions during the dance was cleaned up on the stage afterward! Lettuce symbolizes a fresh start in a new year.
An explosion of lettuce from the hungry lions during the dance was cleaned up on the stage afterward! Lettuce symbolizes a fresh start in a new year.
A drummer helps spur the dancing lions, a Laughing Buddha and a monkey into action!
A drummer helps spur the dancing lions, a Laughing Buddha and a monkey into action!
A long Chinese dragon on display. I believe a dragon dance would take place later. One of many cool sights at the annual San Diego festival!
A long Chinese dragon on display. I believe a dragon dance would take place later. One of many cool sights at the annual San Diego festival!

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Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

San Diego residents learn a cool craft in a park!

Neighbors gather in San Diego's East Village to learn how to make cool mosaic planters!
Neighbors gather in San Diego’s East Village to learn how to make cool mosaic planters!

This morning, residents of San Diego gathered at Fault Line Park in East Village to learn how to make mosaic planters! The neighborhood event was put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership and Home Depot.

To make your own cool mosaic planter, you need a clay pot, ceramic tile adhesive, and broken bits of tile, colored glass or mirror. Apply a generous coat of adhesive to the outside of the pot, then press in the colorful, shiny mosaic bits! I was told it takes a good 24 hours for the white adhesive to thoroughly dry and harden.

What a fun DIY gift idea! Or a cool craft project for a downtown apartment or condo!

I think I heard that events like this will be happening at different parks around downtown San Diego every first Saturday of the month!

An event held Saturday morning at Fault Line Park taught participants how to produce an easy, artistic craft.
An event held Saturday morning at Fault Line Park taught participants how to produce an easy, artistic craft.
Home Depot sponsored the Do-it-Yourself Workshop. Everyone learned how to piece together beautiful mosaics!
Home Depot sponsored the Do-it-Yourself Workshop. Everyone learned how to piece together beautiful mosaics!
A layer of ceramic tile adhesive is applied to the exterior of clay pots.
A layer of ceramic tile adhesive is applied to the exterior of clay pots.
Lots of broken bits of tile are spread out on the table like jigsaw puzzle pieces!
Lots of broken bits of tile are spread out on the table like jigsaw puzzle pieces!
Art is easy! You just gotta do it!
Art is easy! You just gotta do it!

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Kumeyaay and The Tracks We Leave Behind.

Native American Kumeyaay from the San Diego area work near the foot of an Ewaa, or dome shaped home made of sycamore and oak tree branches.
Native American Kumeyaay from the San Diego area work near the foot of an ewaa, a dome-shaped hut made of sycamore and oak tree branches.

Over two years ago, when Cool San Diego Sights was relatively new, I blogged about some amazing public art near the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. I provided just a brief glimpse, really.

The artwork, titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, created by Betsy K. Schulz in 2008, is so utterly fantastic, so absorbing, I’ve decided to blog about it once again. Whenever I walk past (which is often), I like to pause an extra few seconds beside my favorite column, which features gorgeous mosaics that depict wild nature and the Native American Kumeyaay people, who have lived around San Diego for about 12,000 years.

Living in this place we set fires to open the land and make the seeds grow. We fish all year, both near shore and deep. We walk to the canyons and the mountains--hunting, gathering food and trading . . .
Living in this place we set fires to open the land and make the seeds grow. We fish all year, both near shore and deep. We walk to the canyons and the mountains–hunting, gathering food and trading . . .
Public art titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, by Betsy K. Schulz, 2008, includes image of a Kumeyaay hattepaa (coyote) howling.
Public art titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, by Betsy K. Schulz, 2008, includes the image of a Kumeyaay hattepaa (coyote) howling.
Beautiful handmade mosaic tiles show a Kumeyaay ispa (eagle) in flight.
Beautiful handmade mosaic tiles form a Kumeyaay ispa (eagle) in flight.
The bald eagle has captured a Kumeyaay hiiwaa (fish).
The bald eagle has captured a Kumeyaay hiiwaa (fish).
Yellow Sycuan Suncups grace this gorgeous, detailed public artwork in downtown San Diego.
Yellow Sycuan Suncups grace this gorgeous, detailed public artwork in downtown San Diego.
The yellow bloom of a prickly pear. This sculpted tile mosaic is so phenomenal, you almost can't remove your eyes from it!
The yellow bloom of a prickly pear. This sculpted tile mosaic is so phenomenal, you almost can’t remove your eyes from it!
The native Kumeyaay people (also called Kumiai, Ipai-Iipay, Tipai-Tipay, Diegueño, Kamia) have lived in the San Diego region for around 12,000 years.
The native Kumeyaay people (also called Kumiai, Ipai-Iipay, Tipai-Tipay, Diegueño, Kamia) have lived in the San Diego region for around 12,000 years.
Public art in San Diego depicts Cinon Duro Mataweer, spiritual leader (kuseyaay or tribal shaman) of the Ipai (formerly northern Diegueño) Native American Indian tribe.
Public art in San Diego depicts Cinon Duro Mataweer, spiritual leader (kuseyaay or tribal shaman) of the Ipai (formerly northern Diegueño) Native American Indian tribe.

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