Tag: downtown

More awesome street art at SILO in Makers Quarter.

Large blue female face looks out from SILO wall at passing traffic on F Street.
Large blue female face looks out from SILO wall at passing traffic on F Street.

SILO in Makers Quarter keeps evolving.  New murals are painted over old, and once-blank walls fill up with life. This unique event venue in East Village was pretty cool when I photographed it over a year ago, but now it’s simply awesome. (I did observe, sadly, the funny Bart Club art I documented here has vanished.)

A hummingbird seems attracted to a jogger coming down an East Village sidewalk.
A hummingbird seems attracted to a jogger coming down the 15th Street sidewalk.
A bather, a turtle, a frog and KAABOO, an upcoming major music festival to be held in Del Mar up the coast.
A bather, a turtle, a frog and KAABOO, an upcoming major music festival to be held in Del Mar up the coast.
Graffiti faces are all squinched up on the wall between SILO in Makers Quarter and F Street in East Village.
Graffiti faces are all squished up on the wall between SILO in Makers Quarter and F Street in East Village.
Various street art designs where a branch of the Bart Club used to reside.
Various street art designs where a branch of the Bart Club used to reside.
Napping white female outline and some geometric crystals.
Napping white female outline and some geometric crystals.
A wall just inside SILO is jammed with cool urban art.
A wall just inside SILO is jammed with cool urban art.
This hip event venue has benches, tables and other items scattered about a wide open space.
This hip event venue has benches, tables and other items scattered about a wide open space.
Endless Bummer, big cat, third eye in purple face, fantastic creature, and a ton of other awesome stuff.
Endless Bummer, big cat, third eye in purple face, fantastic creature, and a ton of other awesome stuff.
Super colorful artwork jammed onto this low wall almost appears like panels in a comic book or graphic novel.
Super colorful artwork jammed onto this low wall almost appears like panels in a comic book or graphic novel.
Want to book an event? Here's the info!
Want to book an event? Here’s the info!
Two more faces which materialized since I last walked past SILO.
Two more faces which materialized since I last walked past SILO.
Latino lovers and a guy who looks like an elf.
Latino lovers and a guy who looks like an elf.
A very fun, funky place in San Diego's happening East Village!
A totally fun, funky place in San Diego’s happening East Village!

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Art tiles painted by East Village neighbors.

Exotic mask with horns painted on a tile.
Exotic mask with horns painted on a tile.

The other day I walked down 11th Avenue through East Village. For a few moments I paused to again enjoy The Power of Collective Thought urban art tile mosaic. I took a few photos of individual tiles hand-painted by creative San Diego neighbors. Many caught my eye…

Robert and his mom hold hands beneath trees.
Robert and his mom hold hands beneath trees.
I large open eye gazes at people passing down the sidewalk.
I large open eye gazes at people passing down the sidewalk.
Another eye on a fiery, dazzling art tile.
Another eye on a fiery, dazzling art tile.
A sun painted on a tinted sky.
A sun painted on a tinted sky.
Smiling sun and blue moon fused into one.
Smiling sun and blue moon fused into one.
Cool cat dances under a crescent moon.
Cool cat dances under a crescent moon.
A dinosaur among dots.
A dinosaur among dots.
Ghostly figures rise like swirls of color.
Ghostly figures rise like swirls of color.
One cool painted tile in The Power of Collective Thought.
Cool painted tile in The Power of Collective Thought.
A blue peacock and two fruit trees.
A blue peacock and two fruit trees.
A fun dragonfly with a human-like face.
A fun dragonfly with human-like face.
Female head with curly hair and yellow flowers.
Female head with curly hair and yellow flowers.
A kimono and umbrella.
A kimono and umbrella.
Two people connect on a purple tile.
Two people connect on a purple tile.
A mysterious monster rises from the deep!
A mysterious monster rises from the deep!
A colorful abstract design.
A colorful abstract design.
A sailboat and shell in San Diego.
A sailboat and shell in San Diego.
A smiling face peers back at you!
A smiling face peers back at you!

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Ant-Man street banners in San Diego for Comic-Con.

Ant-Man banners in downtown San Diego decorate street lamps for 2015 Comic-Con. The tiny Marvel superhero better not park here!
Ant-Man banners in downtown San Diego decorate street lamps for 2015 Comic-Con. According to a nearby sign, the tiny Marvel superhero better not park here!

I just got home from a short walk after work through downtown San Diego. I wandered down Broadway and a bit through the Gaslamp. I noticed a bunch of new street lamp banners are up for 2015 Comic-Con. They all promoted the upcoming Marvel Ant-Man movie!

I’ve also included a couple bonus pics, just for fun!

While I walked around, I spotted this cool guitarist making music by the door of the Hard Rock Cafe.
While I walked around, I spotted this cool guitarist making music by the door of the Hard Rock Cafe.
A bar called Analog in the Gaslamp had a huge (non-digital) Rubik's Cube out on the sidewalk! The security guard said it's there just for fun!
A bar called Analog in the Gaslamp had a huge (non-digital) Rubik’s Cube out on the sidewalk! The security guard said it’s there just for fun!
Large Marvel Ant-Man movie banners flutter in the breeze down the center of Broadway.
Large Marvel Ant-Man movie banners flutter in the breeze down the center of Broadway.

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Japanese Self-Defense Force ships visit San Diego.

Three Japanese warships are visiting downtown San Diego's waterfront.
Three Japanese warships are visiting downtown San Diego’s waterfront.

This afternoon I spotted three ships of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in San Diego. They were docked at the downtown Cruise Ship Terminal on the busy Embarcadero. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force must be training with the US Navy off our coast, although I find nothing about any joint naval exercises when I do a quick search of Google News.

A year ago I spotted three warships belonging to Japan docked in the same spot. I see the big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, has returned. (Last year an article I researched referred to it as a landing ship.)  I suspect the other two are destroyers, like last time.

It’s an interesting sight you don’t often see up close, so I took a few pics!

A sailboat on San Diego Bay checks out an unusual sight on a cloudy day.
A sailboat on San Diego Bay checks out an unusual sight on a cloudy day.
Bow of big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Bow of big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

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Photo mural of baseball long ago in San Diego.

Padres fans walk down 11th Avenue toward Petco Park on a game day. They pass a mural featuring photos of baseball in San Diego many years ago.
Padres fans walk down 11th Avenue toward Petco Park on a game day. They pass a mural featuring photos of baseball in San Diego many years ago.

On 11th Avenue, a few blocks north of Petco Park, anyone walking down the sidewalk can pause for a moment to enjoy a cool photo mural. Three large panels feature nostalgic old black-and-white photographs of baseball many years ago in downtown San Diego.

This public art project was created in 2004, with the help of the San Diego Padres, the Centre City Development Corporation and the San Diego Historical Society.

First panel of photo mural shows baseball teams from San Diego and Coronado in 1874. Ball field is on the block bounded by Sixth, C Street, Seventh and Broadway.
First panel of mural shows baseball teams from San Diego and Coronado in 1874. Ball field is on the block bounded by Sixth, C Street, Seventh and Broadway.
Close look at an old photograph of baseball players in San Diego nearly 150 years ago.
Close look at a cool old photograph of baseball players in San Diego nearly 150 years ago.
Second panel of photo mural shows kids in the Rose Park Playground at Eleventh and Island in 1915.
Second panel of photo mural shows kids in the Rose Park Playground at Eleventh and Island in 1915.
San Diegans loved the enduring sport of baseball a hundred years ago.
As they do today, many San Diegans loved the enduring sport of baseball a hundred years ago.
Third panel of photo mural shows a portion of San Diego's Embarcadero in 1936. Lane Field, at Broadway and Pacific Highway, is under construction.
Third panel of mural shows a portion of San Diego’s Embarcadero in 1936. Lane Field, at Broadway and Pacific Highway, is under construction.

Lane Field, which was located at the west end of Broadway right next to the bay, was the home of the San Diego Padres from 1936 to 1957. That’s back when the Pads belonged to the Pacific Coast League. A young Ted Williams played there. It’s said the longest home run ever hit in baseball history was at Lane Field. A ball flying out of the park landed in a train’s boxcar near the Santa Fe Depot, and turned up later in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the identity of the player who hit an astonishing 120 mile home run remains unknown!

These cool photographs in San Diego's East Village preserve history and reflect memories of a time long ago.
These photographs in San Diego’s East Village preserve history and reflect memories of a time long ago.

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Faces of victory at Rock ‘n Roll run in San Diego.

Mickey hands greet runners at the 2015 San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon.
Mickey hands greet runners at the 2015 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.

This morning I headed down through East Village to view the finish of the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon. I was rooting for our local running legend Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi, who many years ago went to San Diego High School about a mile from where I live. At 40 years old he’s one of the greatest long distance runners on planet Earth! He was running the half marathon this time. For 2015, United States Track & Field chose this popular San Diego race to be the home of its Masters Half Marathon National Championships.

As I headed over to Park Boulevard and then wound my way south, I saw that the marathoners were well underway. At about the 4 mile mark, their course curled through downtown before heading back up north. Both the full and half marathons ended near Petco Park, and I eventually planted myself one block short of the finish line, at the corner of 13th and J Street. Would Meb win?

Please enjoy some cool photos!

Marathon participants at the mile 4 marker, racing through downtown San Diego.
Marathon participants at the mile 4 marker, racing through downtown San Diego.
Someone is holding up a big Meb face!
Someone is holding up a big Meb face!
Many flags, signs and costumes were seen all along the race course.
Many flags, signs and costumes were seen all along the race course.
Less than a mile from the finish line, no runners have arrived yet.
Less than a mile from the finish line, no runners have arrived yet.
The runners will be crossing this cool Rock 'n Roll Marathon graphic on 13th Avenue.
The runners will be crossing this cool Rock ‘n Roll Marathon graphic on 13th Avenue.
Some photographers sit idle, waiting for the race to come their way.
Some photographers sit idle, waiting for the race to come their way.
LUCK is created in the mind. A crowd has begun to gather not far from the finish line.
LUCK is created in the mind. A crowd has begun to gather not far from the finish line.
One block from the finish, and the half marathon runners should be here in a couple minutes!
One block from the finish, and the half marathon runners should be here in a couple minutes!
Here come Meb Keflezighi and Jordan Chipangama side-by-side! Who will win.
Here come Meb Keflezighi and Jordan Chipangama side-by-side! Who will win?
The top half marathon runners are now arriving on this cloudy San Diego morning.
The top half marathon runners are now arriving on this cloudy San Diego morning.
Faces contain strain, determination and elation as the finish line nears.
Faces contain strain, determination and elation as the finish line nears.
Meanwhile, flowers are being sold to onlookers beside the race route.
Meanwhile, flowers are being sold to onlookers beside the race route.
Here come more runners. Is it the top women's finisher.
Here come more runners. Is it the top women’s finisher?
It's the women's half marathon winner, Eri Hayakawa!
It’s the women’s half marathon winner, Eri Hayakawa!
Triumphant faces at the 2015 San Diego Rock 'n Roll runs.
Many triumphant faces at the 2015 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll runs!

The winner of the men’s half marathon, with a final burst of speed, was Jordan Chipangama at 01:02:24. Meb Keflezighi came in second at 01:02:26, just two seconds behind!

The women’s half marathon winner was Eri Hayakawa at 01:10:47.

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Quotes on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade.

Walking past a plaque which is engraved with one of many important quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.
Walking past a plaque which is engraved with one of many important quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.

I frequently walk along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade in downtown San Diego. Whenever I do, I like to randomly read some of the historic MLK quotes that are engraved in plaques along the long pathway. I’ve never counted the number of quotes. There are easily dozens. Every quote on every plaque is important and powerful, and reflects the intelligence, energy, optimism and wisdom of America’s great civil rights leader.

Here are photos taken at different times of a few of Dr. King’s quotes…

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed.
The deep rumbling of discontent that we hear today is the thunder of disinherited masses, rising from dungeons of oppression to the bright hills of freedom in one majestic chorus.
The deep rumbling of discontent that we hear today is the thunder of disinherited masses, rising from dungeons of oppression to the bright hills of freedom in one majestic chorus.
Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can only be done by projecting the ethic of love to the center of our lives.
Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can only be done by projecting the ethic of love to the center of our lives.
We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the Earth like brothers.
We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the Earth like brothers.
Two people walk side-by-side down the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade in downtown San Diego.
Two people walk side-by-side down the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade in downtown San Diego.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
The democratic ideal of freedom and equality will be fulfilled for all--or all human beings will share in the resulting social and spiritual doom...
The democratic ideal of freedom and equality will be fulfilled for all–or all human beings will share in the resulting social and spiritual doom…
The greatest victory of the civil rights period was something internal...We armed ourselves with dignity and self-respect...We straightened our backs up...
The greatest victory of the civil rights period was something internal…We armed ourselves with dignity and self-respect…We straightened our backs up…
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Any law that uplifts human personality is just, any law that degrades human personality is unjust.
Any law that uplifts human personality is just, any law that degrades human personality is unjust.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
Breaking the Chains sculpture, by Melvin Edwards, reminds people on MLK Promenade of the positive legacy of a great civil rights leader.
Breaking the Chains sculpture, by Melvin Edwards, reminds people on MLK Promenade of the positive legacy of a great civil rights leader.

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Signs the Rolling Stones are coming to San Diego!

Rolling Stones Zip Code tour banners hang outside the Gaslamp's Hard Rock Hotel, a couple blocks from Petco Park.
Rolling Stones Zip Code tour banners hang outside the Hard Rock Hotel, a couple blocks from Petco Park.

The Rolling Stones are ready to begin their highly-anticipated new Zip Code tour. And it kicks off this weekend right here in San Diego!

Walking about downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter this morning, I saw that Rolling Stones banners have been hung on many street lamps. Very cool! The classic rock band’s new tour will take them to a handful of select cities in North America, and possibly South America.

The last huge concert to fill Petco Park was Sir Paul McCartney on tour last September.

Rolling Stones graphic includes a baseball-like tongue! Also visible in this photo is San Diego's landmark Gaslamp Quarter sign.
Rolling Stones graphic includes a baseball-like tongue! Also visible in this photo is San Diego’s landmark Gaslamp Quarter sign.

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Recycled plarn sculpture at Horton Plaza.

Close look at beautiful plarn artwork exhibited on lower level of downtown San Diego's Horton Plaza.
Close look at beautiful plarn artwork exhibited on lower level of downtown San Diego’s Horton Plaza.

Should one walk through downtown San Diego’s colorful Horton Plaza shopping mall, one might see an unusual work of art. I took some photos for everyone to enjoy.

This sculpture is called Grow and is made of crocheted plarn. What the heck is plarn? It’s plastic yarn! I once watched a lady making the interesting material at Balboa Park’s annual EarthFair. Plastic bags, once converted into plarn, do in fact resemble yarn!

What a unique and environmentally friendly way to reuse plastic shopping bags!

Grow is an upcycle sculpture depicting a play between natural and synthetic elements. For this project, discarded plastic grocery bags were hand crocheted to form the Plarn installation.
Grow is an upcycle sculpture depicting a play between natural and synthetic elements. For this project, discarded plastic grocery bags were hand crocheted to form the plarn installation.
Plarn is plastic yarn made from recycled plastic bags. It is durable, weather resistant, and can be woven to create various items.
Plarn is plastic yarn made from recycled plastic bags. It is durable, weather resistant, and can be woven to create various items.
The artist Cat Chiu Phillips utilizes found materials and creates displaced juxtapositions. She includes unusual mediums such as recycled objects.
The artist Cat Chiu Phillips utilizes found materials and creates displaced juxtapositions. She includes unusual mediums such as recycled objects.
Work of art, titled Grow, can be examined up close by visitors and shoppers walking through the Horton Plaza mall.
Work of art, titled Grow, can be examined up close by visitors and shoppers walking through the Horton Plaza mall.
A box by the fantastic plarn sculpture invites passersby to recycle their plastic shopping bags.
A box by the fantastic plarn sculpture invites passersby to recycle their plastic shopping bags.

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Cool Corvette car show benefits San Diego USO.

People at the annual Plastic Fantastic check out cars of the North County Corvette Club.
People at the annual Plastic Fantastic check out cars of the North County Corvette Club.

Here are some cool pics!

I was walking along San Diego’s waterfront today, with no destination in mind, when I stumbled upon a huge gathering of car enthusiasts! Members of the North County Corvette Club had come together for a fun day at Embarcadero Marina Park North, right next to Seaport Village. Their annual car show, dubbed the Plastic Fantastic, is said to be the oldest and largest all-Corvette show in the Southwest. There had to be well over a hundred perfectly gorgeous Corvettes gleaming in the San Diego sunshine!

This cool event benefits the club charity, the San Diego USO, an organization that serves active-duty, reserve, guard and military families. If you’d like, you can donate to USO San Diego here!

The San Diego USO benefited from the all-Corvette car show near Seaport Village.
The San Diego USO benefited from the all-Corvette car show near Seaport Village.
The King Lives--but he must be laying off the donuts, because it seems he's shrunk a bit.
The King Lives–but he must be laying off the donuts, because it seems he’s shrunk a bit.
Shiny metallic American flag inside the hood of a cool Chevy Corvette.
Shiny metallic American flag inside the hood of a cool Chevy Corvette.
Artwork on this slick sports car includes flames and a checkered flag.
Artwork on this slick sports car includes flames and a checkered flag.
A racy paint job and a beautiful downtown San Diego backdrop.
A racy paint job and a beautiful downtown San Diego backdrop.
Lots of Corvettes were on the grass of Embarcadero Marina Park North, right next to San Diego Bay.
Lots of Corvettes were on the grass of Embarcadero Marina Park North, right next to San Diego Bay.
Another great photo, with the Marriott Marina in the background.
Another colorful photo, with the Marriott Marina in the background.
Corvette owners await to hear which cars win show awards.
Corvette owners wait to hear which cars won show awards.
It's two o'clock and time to head home. Drivers are graciously thanked for attending!
It’s two o’clock and time to head home. Drivers are graciously thanked for attending!

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