Lurch, the gigantic hand-less skeleton, was observed conducting an organ concert today in San Diego’s Balboa Park!
Lurch stood on the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion as San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez played Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor and other musical selections!
Fearless audience members sat near the outdoor organ and the gigantic skeleton to enjoy the free Sunday afternoon concert –and to stay out of possible rain showers!
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Dia de los Muertos is being celebrated today at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park!
Visitors can view the beautiful Altares Peregrinos (which means Pilgrim Altars) outdoors in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama. The sheltered installation includes a large four-sided altar. Everyone is invited to add marigolds or photos of deceased loved ones through November 8th.
I stepped into the San Diego Museum of Art around noontime when an indoor celebration of Dia de los Muertos was beginning.
Artist Betsabeé Romero, who created the altar, was among those who spoke about the meaning of Dia de los Muertos.
Speakers were followed by a great mariachi performance inside the museum’s rotunda!
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It’s early October. It must be time for La Mesa Oktoberfest!
In previous years I visited the big festival during the daytime. This year I walked through downtown La Mesa and enjoyed the lights and sights of Oktoberfest after dark!
As usual, big crowds. Endless food with lots of sausage and plenty of beer. Rows of vendors, live music stages, carnival rides including a bright Ferris wheel, kids trying out hula hoops, and, of course, the annual wiener dog racing. I saw people in traditional Oktoberfest attire, diners at tables on the sidewalk, happy families and plain good fun.
Walking through it all, I took these nighttime photographs.
The City of San Diego has issued an official proclamation, signed by Mayor Todd Gloria, declaring that September 8th, 2026 is Star Trek Day! On that day Star Trek will celebrate its 60th anniversary!
Star Trek first aired in the United States on September 8, 1966, on the NBC television network. Numerous television series and movies later, the Star Trek franchise continues to thrive with millions of fans!
I became aware of the Star Trek Day proclamation through comic book fanzine collector extraordinaire Larry Thomas. You might recall his very cool fanzine exhibit at the San Diego Central Library during Comic-Con this year. He’ll have another expanded exhibit in 2028.
There’s more!
From September 4 through September 10, 2026, several San Diego movie theaters will have 60th anniversary Star Trek double feature showings. Various showings will be at Regal Edwards Mira Mesa, AMC Mission Valley and AMC Fashion Valley. You want to check out their websites and get your tickets early before they sell out!
Like Star Trek itself, may you Live Long and Prosper!
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In January, the House of Afghanistan became an associate member of the House of Pacific Relations in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Today they held their first cultural lawn program!
The Afghan people have a history that goes back thousands of years. A speech by the Founder and President of the House of Afghanistan, Omed, explained a mission of the organization isn’t merely to archive the past, but to boost a sense of heritage in the present day community.
As their website explains, the House of Afghanistan is working to awaken, document, preserve, and carry forward the philosophical, intellectual, and cultural inheritance of the Afghan people — so future generations inherit more than fragments.
Their first ever lawn program was excellent. All sorts of traditional Afghan food was available, including cream rolls and bolani, a thin, pan-fried flatbread stuffed with various tasty fillings. (Similar to a quesadilla!)
Afghanistan is famous for its pomegranates. Under one canopy pomegranates were being juiced.
Many signs posted around the lawn explained how the Afghan people have contributed to world history. Fun fact: Did you know the first known Afghan in America fought at Gettysburg?
The most inspirational sign concerned how kite flying is one of Afghanistan’s best-known traditional pastimes. The kite operates as a symbol of a resilient people.
In the early afternoon the program took to the International Cottages’ outdoor stage. A contest was held between ladies, to see who could recognize the many spices for which Afghan cuisine is famous.
Soon thereafter, there was the reading of poetry–another thing for which Afghans are famous. Then beautiful singing!
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Musicians were entertaining visitors to the House of the Philippines cottage in Balboa Park today. Many of those walking through the International Cottages paused to listen.
I learned the beautiful string music was being created by members of CTFLC Rondalla, a local group organized in 2021 by the CTFLC (Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture).
According to a flyer that I was handed, the Rondolla is the Philippines’ original ensemble. It is composed of stringed instruments played with a plectrum (pick)…of Hispanic origin since the early Filipinos who made their first instruments patterned these after the guitars which the Spaniards brought with them to the Philippines…
The folk music being played, I was told, was a waltz. It was very soothing and very beautiful!
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I noticed this poster at the San Diego Central Library today. It announces a very special event coming up on the evening of August 18, 2026. Painting the Town: A Night of Art and Community will take place on the Central Library’s main floor exhibit space.
According to the event website, the evening will be the special opening night celebrating artwork created through the Wellness Program at Father Joe’s Villages, which empowers clients experiencing homelessness through creativity and self-expression. Enjoy inspiring artwork accompanied by live music from the San Diego Symphony.
I encourage you to check out the above link!
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One of the coolest offsite activations at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, particularly if you’re a Star Trek fan, celebrates Star Trek’s 60th anniversary. The mobile game Star Trek Fleet Command has assembled original uniforms and props from every live action television series of the science fiction franchise.
On this final day of SDCC 2026, I got in line early and enjoyed a visit!
Fans would love the displays, photo ops, a Holodeck virtual reality experience, and a claw machine with Star Trek prizes. I skipped the latter attractions and focused my camera on the many uniforms and props. If you missed experiencing this offsite, you might enjoy my photographs!
Starfleet Standard Duty Uniforms from Star Trek (The Original Series).U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A, Constitution-class Refit.Props from Star Trek (The Original Series).Starfleet Standard Duty Uniforms from Star Trek: The Next Generation.Data’s prosthetic makeup bust.Starfleet Visual Instrument and Sensory Organ Replacement worn by Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge.Original props from Star Trek: The Next Generation.Võx (Borg).Klingon Negh’Var-class warship.War College Mugato Mascot costume and Starfleet Standard Duty Uniforms from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.Bajoran Orb of the Emissary and Reliquary.Uniforms from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.Borg prosthetic makeup bust.Uniforms from Star Trek: Discovery.Props from Star Trek: Discovery.Starfleet Standard Duty Uniforms from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!
