Tag: downtown

Habitat for Humanity builds a house downtown!

Habitat for Humanity is building a house in downtown's Horton Square!
Habitat for Humanity is building a house in downtown’s Horton Square!

Yesterday–Sunday–I was leaving Horton Plaza when I noticed a small home is being built in the center of downtown San Diego! The house is rising just south of Broadway in Horton Square, the exact spot where a weekly farmers market and winter ice rink are located.

I swung by again early this morning hoping to see volunteers at work, continuing with the construction. One gentleman had already arrived and was carrying tools out of a shed. I asked him when the day’s work would begin. They were forced to work between 9 and 10, he told me, because of the noise of hammering!

The project is called Habitat Off Broadway. The unusual build site provides Habitat for Humanity an opportunity to share their mission with those who live and work in the heart of San Diego.

Once the house is framed, it will be broken down into pieces and transported to east county’s El Cajon, where it will become somebody’s home.

Gentleman preparing the day's work told me a little about this unique project.
Gentleman preparing the day’s work told me a little about this unique project.
Habitat Off Broadway aims to touch those who live and work in San Diego.
Habitat Off Broadway aims to touch those who live and work in San Diego.
Sign explains how home ownership is beneficial for families.
Sign explains how home ownership is beneficial for families.
The house is already partially framed and awaits more work later in the morning!
The house is partially framed and awaits more work later in the morning!

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Mexican Navy training tall ship Cuauhtémoc.

Mexican Navy training ship ARM Cuauhtémoc docked in San Diego Bay.
Mexican Navy training tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc docked in San Diego Bay.

I had an unexpected adventure today!

I was just walking along San Diego’s Embarcadero late this afternoon, circling homeward after watching a movie and eating lunch at downtown’s Horton Plaza. And there it was. An absolutely gigantic three-masted tall ship docked near the cruise ship terminal!

It was the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1982. And the few curious people who walked a short distance out onto the pier discovered they could freely board and tour the ship!

I believe the beautiful high-masted ship might be visiting for the upcoming Festival of Sail, which is to be put on by the San Diego Maritime Museum in two weeks. (Yes, I’ll attend!) Fortunately, today I had my trusty camera with me!

Free tour of the huge tall ship could be enjoyed beside cruise ship terminal.
Free tour of the huge tall ship could be enjoyed beside cruise ship terminal.
Visitors look at information sign near the Cuauhtémoc's gangplank.
Visitors look at information sign near the Cuauhtémoc’s gangplank.
On board, looking straight up the center mast.
On board, looking straight up the center mast.
Mexican Navy officer checks the ship's bell.
Mexican Navy officer checks the ship’s bell.
Looking east across the beautiful ship from the upper deck.
Looking east across the beautiful ship from the upper deck.
The Cuauhtémoc has participated in many events, exhibitions and regattas.
The Cuauhtémoc has participated in many events, exhibitions and regattas.
San Diego's tall ship America can be seen on the bay through the rigging.
San Diego’s tall ship America can be seen on the bay through the rigging.
A view of downtown skyscrapers from the Mexican tall ship's foredeck.
A view of downtown skyscrapers from the Mexican tall ship’s foredeck.
A ship's gun points out past the Broadway Pier.
A ship’s gun points out past the Broadway Pier.
Sailors begin a drill by climbing the shrouds.
Sailors begin a drill by climbing the shrouds.
A line of Mexican sailors ascends toward the sky.
A line of Mexican sailors ascends toward the sky.
Higher they go up the enormous mast!
Higher they go up the enormous mast!
They demonstrate a bit of work with the sails.
They demonstrate a bit of fancy work with the sails.
A sailor descends as American flag flies from the visiting vessel.
A sailor descends as American flag flies from the visiting vessel.
Guests and sailors watch the proceedings with interest.
Guests and sailors watch the proceedings with interest.
A boy pretends to command the sailing ship at the wooden captain's wheel.
A boy pretends to command the sailing ship at the wooden captain’s wheel.
An officer's cap rests atop ropes at one mast's base.
An officer’s cap rests atop ropes at one mast’s base.
Ship's plaque describes El Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc.
Ship’s plaque describes El Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc.
Looking west as sun falls toward distant Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
Looking west as sun falls toward distant Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
The figurehead of Cuauhtémoc is a shining Aztec warrior.
The figurehead of Cuauhtémoc is a shining Aztec warrior.

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Urban art: The Power of Collective Thought.

Public art on 11th Avenue in San Diego's East Village.
Public art on 11th Avenue in San Diego’s East Village.

Just some cool pics of colorful urban art on a building wall in downtown San Diego’s East Village.

Neighbors painted many colorful tiles for this artistic creation.
Neighbors painted many colorful tiles for this artistic creation.
The artwork was conceived and applied to a building wall in 1999.
The artwork was conceived and applied to a building wall in 1999.
Diverse faces, names and scenes are assembled in a larger design.
Diverse faces, names and scenes are assembled in a larger design.
Hundreds of hand-painted tiles compose the colorful street mosaic.
Hundreds of hand-painted tiles compose the colorful street mosaic.
The Power of Collective Thought from the Urban Art Trail project.
The Power of Collective Thought from the Urban Art Trail project.

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Glimpsing a secret, bright inner essence.

Solitary figure in morning sun on Torrey Pines State Beach.
Solitary figure in morning sun on Torrey Pines State Beach.

Here are several lucky photographs that turned out to be emotionally stirring or inspiring. In places light shines out from the images, as if we’re privileged to momentarily glimpse a secret, bright inner essence.

Tall palms reach toward a glowing cloud on San Diego's Embarcadero.
Tall palms reach toward a glowing cloud on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
A morning look from Balboa Park toward my Cortez Hill neighborhood.
Bright morning color frames my Cortez Hill neighborhood.
Brilliant sunrise illuminates the horizon east of San Diego.
Brilliant, fiery sunrise illuminates the horizon east of San Diego.
Helping hand is offered at the Toussaint Teen Center.
Touching sculpture offers a helping hand at the Toussaint Teen Center.
Children walk around Balboa Park fountain as evening descends.
Children walk around beautiful Balboa Park fountain as evening descends.
Morning sun and reflection in downtown San Diego.
Morning sun and reflection in downtown San Diego.

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Photos of San Diego’s Spreckels Theater Building.

The Spreckels Theater Building was erected downtown in 1912.
The Spreckels Theater Building was erected in downtown San Diego in 1912.

I must confess I’ve never seen a show at the historic Spreckels Theatre. I do occasionally sit at a table in the building’s Grand Lobby. On a quiet Saturday I’ll eat lunch and write while watching pedestrians pass down the Broadway sidewalk, just outside the glass doors.

The mixed-use Spreckels Theater Building was built in 1912 and has been a cool sight in downtown San Diego for over a hundred years. While the upper stories are occupied by numerous small offices, the theatre itself was built as a 1,915-seat auditorium with an ornate Baroque interior. Over the decades, the theatre has also served as a vaudeville house and movie palace. Famous performers at the theatre have included Enrico Caruso, John Barrymore, Al Jolson, Will Rogers, and Abbott and Costello. In 1978, when Balboa Park’s famous Old Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire, the Spreckels was used as a temporary stage for the Globe. Today, as a live presentation venue, the Spreckels Theatre attracts many diverse attractions, including concerts, comedy shows, and dance and theatrical productions.

The six-story building, designed by Harrison Albright with influences from the Chicago School style of architecture, was built by philanthropist John D. Spreckels, a name you might have noted elsewhere on my blog. Spreckels was a wealthy sugar heir and leading San Diego entrepreneur. He wanted the building to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal, much like the Panama-California Exposition, that would be held in Balboa Park in 1915.

Plaque on The Spreckels Building indicates it's an historical site of the City of San Diego.
Plaque on The Spreckels Building indicates it’s an historical site of the City of San Diego.
The Spreckels marquee is a cool fixture on Broadway in San Diego.
The Spreckels marquee is a cool fixture on Broadway in San Diego.
Classic theatrical figures above and beside the marquee.
Classic theatrical figures above and beside the marquee.
Looking up at Spreckels sign.
Looking up at the Spreckels sign.
The polished marble lobby of the Spreckels Theater Building.
The shining, polished onyx Grand Lobby of the Spreckels Theater Building.
Close look at ornate ceiling in the lobby.
Close look at the ornate old ceiling in the Grand Lobby. The building has undergone several restorations over the years, most recently in 2012.
Many-colored light above inside entrance to the historic old theatre.
A Tiffany window depicting Nine Dancing Muses was originally above the theatre’s entry. While stored during World War II due to blackout regulations in the city, the window was stolen. It was replaced in 1985 by this colorful window designed by Yaakov Agam.
Gazing west down Broadway on another sunny day.
Gazing west down Broadway on another sunny day.

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LEGENDS painted mural: Don’t kill Sean Bean!

Legends mural in San Diego. Don't kill Sean Bean!
LEGENDS mural in downtown San Diego. Don’t kill Sean Bean!

A couple blocks from downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, a huge painted mural on the side of a building depicts actor Sean Bean holding a gun and the Twitter hashtag #DontKillSeanBean. This eye-catching public artwork was created during the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con to promote the upcoming TNT television spy thriller LEGENDS.

Poor Sean Bean never seems to survive his roles. Many of his fans are hoping he makes it through this series. He has died over twenty times onscreen.

Some of his more notable deaths?

Shot through with Uruk-hai orc arrows as Boromir in Lord of the Rings.

Falling from and then crushed by a huge antenna structure as Agent 006 in Goldeneye.

Impaled by an anchor and then blown up during a boat chase in Patriot Games.

Chased off a cliff by a rampaging herd of cows in The Field.

Shot through the neck by a grappling hook and then hung in The Island.

Beheaded as Eddard Stark in the first season of Game of Thrones.

Better luck this time around, Mr. Bean!

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Tuna Harbor Dockside Market’s grand opening!

Fresh fish on display await customers at dockside market.
Fresh fish on display await customers at new dockside market.

The new Tuna Harbor Dockside Market had its grand opening on the Embarcadero this morning! The fresh seafood market, which will be open Saturdays from 8 to 1 on the pier adjacent to Tuna Harbor (between Seaport Village and the USS Midway Museum), is San Diego’s attempt to recreate Seattle’s famous Pike Place Fish Market and San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. It appeared to be a modest but very popular beginning!

There were tables and tanks of fresh fish and invertebrates caught locally by fishermen from the large fleet of boats docked nearby. The ocean off San Diego offers a bounty of healthy and sustainable food that can now be more affordably purchased by the public, direct from the source.

The catch this morning included stone crab, box crab, sea urchins, top snail, kellet’s whelks, black cod, ling cod, rock fish, sand dabs, bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail, sheepshead and even octopus!

According to what I read on the internet, Tuna Harbor Dockside Market is the production of the San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group, which was established in 2010 to promote commercial fishing in San Diego. With the assistance of the Port of San Diego, these hard-working fishermen are adding to the vitality of an already extremely active waterfront!

A huge line of customers was still growing well before the market’s morning opening. Looks to me like they’ll need more fish!

County Supervisor Greg Cox checks out a tank full of crabs.
County Supervisor Greg Cox checks out a tank full of crabs.
Lots of fresh fish sold to the public on San Diego's Embarcadero.
Lots of fresh fish sold to the public on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Fisherman takes fresh catch from ice in cooler.
Fisherman removes fresh catch from ice in cooler.
Television reporters and San Diegans await opening of dockside market!
Television reporters and San Diegans await opening of dockside market!

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Bart Club street art on a San Diego corner.

Two of three utility boxes at Eighth Avenue and G Street.
Two of three Bart Club utility boxes at Eighth Avenue and G Street.

At the corner of Eighth Avenue and G Street in downtown San Diego you’ll find the Bart Club. At this location, three utility boxes have been painted with whimsical versions of Bart Simpson’s iconic television cartoon face!

Street artists are openly encouraged to make their own contributions of Bart art.

Here are some images that I recently captured…

Bart Club on San Diego street corner has fun with Simpsons character.
Bart Club on San Diego street corner has fun with Simpsons character.
Bart looking like a yellow cactus.
Bart Simpson looking like a yellow cactus.
Bart now has become a banana.
Bart now has become a banana.
Bart Club features many crazy images.
Bart Club features many crazy images.
Another odd Bart Simpson on utility box.
Another odd Bart Simpson on a utility box.
The many fun faces of Bart Simpson.
The many fun faces of Bart Simpson.
Another side of one utility box.
Another side of one utility box.
Imagination run amok!
Imagination run amok!
Bart's unique hair seems plant-like.
Bart’s unique spiky hair seems plant-like.
Pop culture street art in San Diego.
Pop culture street art in San Diego.
Artists are encouraged to contribute!
Artists are encouraged to contribute!

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Cosplay and Comic-Con craziness in the Gaslamp!

Gentleman heads toward downtown's Gaslamp with a Spiderman tie.
Gentleman heads toward downtown’s Gaslamp with a Spiderman tie.

Except for the very last photo, I snapped these pics today in the early evening as I walked around downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. 2014 San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing!

Cool Adult Swim car seems to offer free rides around San Diego.
Cool Adult Swim car seems to offer free rides around San Diego.
Steampunk guys heading down toward the center of cosplay action.
Mad Hatter guys heading down toward the center of cosplay action.
It's Spidey driving a pedicab and giving me a thumbs up!
It’s Spidey driving a pedicab and giving me a thumbs up!
Lifetime Channel is to hold a Witches event tonight in San Diego.
Lifetime Channel is to hold a Witches event tonight in San Diego.
Mobile advertisement for the Sin City sequel, A Dame to Kill For.
Mobile advertisement for the Sin City sequel, A Dame to Kill For.
This colorful shop is appealing to the huge Comic-Con crowd.
This colorful shop is appealing to the huge Comic-Con crowd.
Gaslamp Reading Cinemas has showings, including Star Wars Rebels.
Gaslamp Reading Cinemas has showings, including Star Wars Rebels.
Flash sign is a window wrap near Petco Park.
Flash sign is a window wrap near Petco Park.
Two hostesses at a local restaurant are dressed for Comic-Con.
Two hostesses at a local restaurant are dressed for Comic-Con.
Lady with gigantic identification card is promoting Community.
Lady with gigantic identification card is promoting Community.
Lady swings in middle of the cool Assassin's Creed obstacle course.
Lady swings in middle of the cool Assassin’s Creed obstacle course.
This happy family belongs to the Justice League.
This happy family belongs to the Justice League.
Oh my goodness! That might be the real Dark Knight facing me!
Oh my goodness! That might be the real Dark Knight facing me!
Witches were chanting in a circle by the Gaslamp trolley station.
Witches were chanting in a circle by the Gaslamp trolley station.
One witch hexes me with her spooky red eyes.
One witch hexes me with her spooky red eyes.
Superman is down but not out.
Superman is down but not out.
Is that an angry bird or a happy bird, I wonder.
Is that an angry bird or a happy bird, I wonder.
That arm looks downright formidable.
That arm looks downright formidable.
This fantastic beast is called the Giant Creature. It's piloted by a small alien on top. The creature was moving about for the nearby crowd.
Giant Creature catches the attention of Comic-Con fans near the Tin Fish.

This fantastic beast is called the Giant Creature. It’s piloted by a small alien on top. No, actually it contains four people who move the huge limbs from inside. The creature was slowly moving about for the nearby crowd.

Giant Creature is promoting a new fun phone app called Blippar.
Giant Creature is promoting a new fun phone app called Blippar.
Pedicabs become pirate ships and carriages for Once Upon a Time.
Pedicabs become pirate ships and carriages for Once Upon a Time.
This tough vehicle is from the upcoming Brad Pitt movie Fury.
This tough vehicle is from the upcoming Brad Pitt movie Fury.
Dead Island 2 ad on back of enterprising pedicab.
Dead Island 2 ad on back of enterprising pedicab.
Here comes Wonder Woman from the convention center across street.
Here comes Wonder Woman from the convention center across street.
This guy is Green Goblin of Mordor.
This guy is Green Goblin of Mordor.
Crazy people wearing shark heads were promoting Sharknado 2.
Crazy people wearing shark heads were promoting Sharknado 2.
Young Leia has Sharknado 2 chainsaw.
Young Princess Leia has a Sharknado 2 chainsaw.
Just a whole bunch of fun cosplay up and down the crowded streets!
Just a whole bunch of fun cosplay up and down the crowded streets!
Boy shows cool costume as I cross street in Mission Valley this morning.
Boy shows cool costume as I cross street in Mission Valley this morning.

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A look inside San Diego’s old Santa Fe Depot.

Approaching the front of Union Station in San Diego.
Approaching the front entrance of Union Station in San Diego.

Walking into San Diego’s Union Station, more commonly called Santa Fe Depot, is like walking into the past. Or through some airy, sacred, vaulted cathedral.

The old train station seems utterly enormous when contrasted with the actual role that it plays in modern San Diego. Sure, it’s a reasonably important transportation hub, serving two lines of the San Diego trolley, plus the Amtrak Surfliner and Coaster trains. But today it seems to me more like a living memorial to a time long ago, when trains were a central feature of American life.

Here are a few cool photos of the Santa Fe Depot’s somewhat sparse but elegant interior. I love the tile work on the walls, the huge glowing windows, the beams in the arched ceiling…but most of all the classic long polished wooden benches. Whenever I walk through I feel like sitting down with the waiting passengers and pretending I’m off on some exciting transcontinental voyage.

Many years ago the depot held a large model of the USS Midway aircraft carrier under glass; I remember seeing that it was moved over to Petco Park. If memory serves, there was also a small pinball and video game arcade off to one side, by an exit to Kettner Boulevard.

Plaque dates Santa Fe Depot from 1915.
Plaque dates Santa Fe Depot from 1915.

The above plaque is just outside the main entrance.

A look inside the large train station in downtown San Diego.
A look inside the large train station in downtown San Diego.
A cool photo of the arched ceiling of Union Station.
A cool photo of the arched ceiling of Union Station.
Looking back toward the front entrance from inside.
Looking back toward the front entrance from inside.
Coaster train can be seen waiting outside on one track.
Coaster train can be seen waiting outside on one track.
Blue and orange tiles form classic Santa Fe design.
Blue and orange tiles form classic Santa Fe design.

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