Tag: environment

Urban Corps mural shows an optimistic future.

South end of long Urban Corps mural on Jefferson Street.
South end of long Urban Corps mural on Jefferson Street.

San Diego’s Urban Corp is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a high school education and green job training to young adults. Whenever I ride the trolley to work, I usually see a number of youth in green uniforms disembarking at the Old Town station. They’re heading off to begin another day developing new skills, while working to improve San Diego’s environment.

A long, colorful mural was recently painted along Jefferson Street, right across from the Urban Corps. You can find this public art near Rosecrans at Interstate 5.

Here are some pics I took as I walked north!

Mural depicts youth bettering San Diego's environment.
Mural depicts youth bettering San Diego’s environment.
Urban Corps provides valuable employment training.
Urban Corps provides valuable employment training.
Eliminating graffiti is one important activity.
Eliminating graffiti is one important activity.
Youth have a second chance to earn a high school diploma.
Youth have a second chance to earn a high school diploma.
Urban Corps mural shows conservation efforts.
Urban Corps mural shows conservation efforts.
Education is the key to moving forward to success.
Education is the key to moving forward to success.
Young people have an opportunity to earn a paycheck.
Young people have an opportunity to earn a paycheck.
Segment of Urban Corps mural near Rosecrans and Jefferson.
Segment of Urban Corps mural near Rosecrans and Jefferson.
Optimism and opportunity on a long, colorful mural.
Optimism and opportunity on a long, colorful mural.

San Diegans donate used textiles for charity.

san diegans donate used textiles for charity

I just got home from my walk today, when lo and behold, on the corner of Ninth Avenue and Date Street right next to the Tweet Street playground are a couple of friendly folks collecting used and unwanted textiles. Here’s a pic!

Their website is www.rippletextilerecycling.com and they raise money by collecting old, stained or torn clothing, bedding, towels, shoes, stuffed animals . . . you name it! Wearable and useable items are sent to developing nations. The other stuff is ground up and converted into new products. They earn 10 cents a pound, and the proceeds are donated to local charities.

The money raised today will go to the YWCA Cortez Hill Family Center!

Please check out their website and make a note of their upcoming events!

More photos from the ribbon of life mural.

ribbon of life mural 02

Here are more photographs that I took of the wonderful mural Our River, which depicts a sinuous blue ribbon of life, symbol of the San Diego River.  The long blue ribbon is held up and cherished by those who live along it. The flowers, tree, cloud and happy children give this fine example of public art amazing vitality. The surprising parking lot mural contains joy from one end to the other!

Two figures hold up the long blue ribbon of life.
Two figures hold up the long blue ribbon of life.
Small portion of the Our River mural in Mission Valley.
Small portion of the Our River mural in Mission Valley.
A figure from the extensive Our River mural.
A figure from the extensive Our River mural.
Happy faces at the beach on an outdoor mural.
Happy faces at the beach painted on an outdoor mural.