Part of Museum of Outdoor Photographic Art’s mural on F Street.
On F Street, one block west of SMARTS farm (see my last blog post), San Diegans can enjoy a huge public mural. Created by the Museum of Outdoor Photographic Art (MOOPA), the photo ArtWall covers the upper portion of the old Jerome’s Warehouse between 14th and 15th Street.
The mural features the work of three photographers. Matt Black’s photos feature a village in the Mixteca, an impoverished area in Mexico. Susan Madden Lankford’s photos show the streets of San Diego and contain many diverse portraits. A simple photo of a cone flower in the center of the mural, linking north and south, is the work of Polly Lankford Smith.
Face peers over treetops from large MOOPA ArtWall.Segment of gigantic mural in downtown San Diego.Walking along the rails on the upper wall of an old warehouse.Amazing photography records a face in time.Another example of art in downtown’s vibrant East Village.Old Jerome’s warehouse on F Street features the huge mural.Public art in San Diego’s East Village includes farm workers.Photo of child in a mask is part of MOOPA mural.Playing a tuba on F Street between 14th and 15th.Museum of Outdoor Photographic Art’s ArtWall is a very cool sight.East side of old Jerome’s warehouse across from SMART farms.
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A friendly greeting from the folks at downtown’s SMARTS Farm.
This morning I headed out for a short walk along F Street in downtown San Diego’s East Village, with the intention of photographing some awesome murals and street art. As I was strolling along, my feet carried me into a super cool place I really hadn’t noticed before.
SMARTS Farm is an urban garden run by the nonprofit organization Humane Smarts. In addition to being a community garden, SMARTS Farm offers educational programs aimed at local kids. Children plant their own produce, watch it grow and learn about our environment. Photography classes are also offered!
How appropriate that I randomly discovered this cool place on Earth Day!
Happiness is working in a beautiful urban garden.Lots of stuff to see, including some photo art.An educational community garden in the concrete jungle.SMARTS Farm is located on F Street in downtown San Diego’s East Village.Children learn to love gardening and being outside.New beds where salsa ingredients will be grown.Lots of fun stuff to see!Look at this big old tub of color!Grow, Cultivate, Learn, Share.
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I enjoyed a stroll through East Village this morning. It was my opportunity to take a few pics of the Padres Opening Day Block Party just north of Petco Park.
Dozens of tents and booths were lined up on either side of J Street. Kettle corn, barbeque on the grill, baseball souvenirs, assorted nonprofits and salespeople and radio shows…all the usual suspects were there. And, of course, baseball fans!
Baseball’s Opening Day celebrated in East Village by Petco Park.San Diego Padres fan tests his pitching arm.Dodgers fans might require a security blanket.People relax and enjoy live music on Padres Opening Day.
Two workers put up large Padres banner at Petco Park.
A variety of workers were out on Sunday afternoon preparing Petco Park for Padres opening day, which is less than two weeks away. I got a few pics of the action…
Getting the outfield ready for baseball’s Opening Day.Watering lush new grass at the Park At The Park.Still no graphics on the back side of the scoreboard.Brand new street lamp banners announce the 2014 season.
Morning look toward East Village buildings from trolley station.
These photos were taken a few weeks ago in the early morning. I was on the way to work and feeling energized, so I walked about the 12th and Imperial trolley station to enjoy the views.
Buildings near Petco Park touched by early morning light.San Diego Central Library dome gilded by rising sun.Early morning in San Diego.
What could be more cool than biking along a city street with a dozen of your buddies? These folks are sitting around a table enjoying drinks and conversation while pedaling away and taking in the sights. This twelve-person bicycle might not be suitable for your typical family, but lots of tourists and fun-seekers enjoy it!
I spotted two of these cool contraptions in East Village!
Front desk and spacious entrance of new downtown San Diego Central Library.
Here are some interior pics of San Diego’s brand new downtown public library! It’s been open for only one week!
The first photo is what you’ll likely see upon entering the new building. It’s the front desk and lobby area, containing escalators, a view of three floors, helpful librarians and lots of library patrons!
The beautiful library shop is just steps from the main entrance. It’s full of great library-related gifts!
As I meandered about the first floor, I discovered this historical exhibit in the middle of rows of bookshelves. It explains how women, after a hard fight, earned the right to vote in California in 1911.
On the first floor you’ll find the children’s section of the library. The walls are painted with characters and scenes taken from Dr. Seuss’s popular picture books. Check out the Cat in the Hat! As many San Diego residents know, Dr. Seuss’s real name was Theodor Geisel, and he was a resident of La Jolla just up the coast.
Check out the reading room on the eighth floor of the new Central Library! It’s roomy, filled with light and lots of comfy chairs. The immense view toward South Bay is awesome!
Here we’re looking upward toward the ceiling of the big reading room. That’s the interior of the Central Library’s iconic steel lattice dome!
There’s a cool baseball history archive and exhibit right next to the reading room. Check out the silvery statue of a baseball player, and all the nostalgic photos on the wall! The exhibit is made possible by the San Diego Ted Williams chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research.
A couple more pics I took during a later visit…
Outside view of upper dome structure and nearby building from 9th floor of San Diego downtown library.Library patron in reading room creates cool graffiti art with the aid of research materials.
Another very well-liked person in San Diego is Padres radio announcer Jerry Coleman. His accomplishments have been so impressive, he’s got a statue and memorial at Petco Park, just inside the east entrance to the Park at the Park.
I remembering listening to Jerry when I was a kid. At the time he did the Padres radio play-by-play, and was teamed with Dave Campbell who provided color commentary. Today, at the lively age of 89, he takes part in the broadcast during day games.
Jerry, also known as “The Colonel”, was named major league baseball Rookie of the Year in 1949 as Yankees second baseman. In 1950 his defensive plays made him most valuable player in the World Series.
As a Marine aviator, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Coleman interrupted his baseball career to serve in the Korean War. He flew 120 combat missions and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also flew during World War II, making him the only major league baseball player to serve in two wars.
Jerry, famous for his enthusiastic phrases “Oh, Doctor!” and “You can hang a star on that baby!” was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
A good argument can be made that the most-liked person in San Diego is Tony Gwynn. He’s one of the friendliest, most good-natured guys you’ll ever find, not to mention one of the best hitters ever in the history of baseball. He was voted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible. He’s also got a great statue in East Village at the center of Petco’s Park at the Park. You’re looking at it!
Tony Gwynn, affectionately called Mr. Padre, played 20 years for the San Diego Padres, winning eight batting titles and five Gold Glove awards. He appeared in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game 15 times! Today he’s the head baseball coach for San Diego State University.
Tony Gwynn statue with Showley Bros. Candy Factory in background.Inspirational words of Tony Gwynn’s father.
A quote from Tony’s father Charles appears on the statue’s base: “If you work hard good things will happen.” These words inspired one of the greatest hitters in the history of professional baseball.
UPDATE…
Here are a few closer photos that I took years later, after the tragic passing of Tony.
Downtown residents and visitors to East Village have access to a great public resource. Green grass, shady trees, a large playground, and views of the city can all be freely enjoyed (when the San Diego Padres aren’t playing a home game) at the Park at the Park!
Situated beyond Petco Park’s outfield, surrounded by sleek city buildings, this public park has a small ball field which is perfectly sized for children. In this pic, taken near the end of the baseball season (the Padres were in San Francisco), a family is seen walking across the diamond. Those patches of bare dirt testify to the popularity of the park during the summer and long baseball season.
Here’s a pic taken on 2/8/14 during Padres FanFest…
Kids enjoy small baseball field during Padres FanFest.
Here’s a pic taken on 7/6/14 during a Sunday afternoon Padres game. This year Bumble Bee (the tuna company) is sponsoring the kids baseball field, with promotional signs on the outfield fence. A new food concession stand has been added just beyond right field…
Folks watch a game at the kids baseball field in Park at the Park.
And finally a pic taken when no one was around…
Scoreboard beyond outfield of tiny baseball diamond sponsored by Bumble Bee.
Cool San Diego Sights! 