PAWmicon takes over the Comic-Con Museum!

PAWmicon keeps on growing!

A couple years ago I attended this unique pet cosplay event at Hazard Center, but PAWmicon has grown in popularity so much, this year it was held in Balboa Park at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum!

Every year PAWmicon, organized by the Helen Woodward Animal Center, is enjoyed a week or two before San Diego Comic-Con. Pet owners dress up their pooches like superheroes (or supervillains) and compete in a fun cosplay (paws-play) competition. Some of the dog owners put on costumes, too!

This year I noticed members of the Science Fiction Coalition were in attendance, cosplaying as DC Comics characters. Not surprisingly, I saw that scheming villain Penguin hanging out very suspiciously near a SeaWorld penguin!

Funds raised from this very cool annual event benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a world-renowned organization that rescues homeless dogs and other animals. They also provide education and therapeutic programs for us humans.

Please visit the Helen Woodward Animal Center website here!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Chuck Jones Gallery readies for Comic-Con!

As I walked down Fifth Avenue through the Gaslamp today, I noticed the Chuck Jones Gallery is now ready for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

There’s tons of Marvel artwork right near the entrance, including some awesome pieces by Alex Ross. They’ve got framed prints of classic comic book covers and some stretched canvas, too, which I’m sure will be super popular with fans. Like last year, there’s also cool Star Wars artwork, and lots of fun Looney Tunes stuff, of course!

Here’s the Chuck Jones Gallery’s event page. Creators you can meet at the gallery during 2019 Comic-Con include Simpsons storyboard artist Stephen Reis; Star Wars artists Rodel Gonzalez and Rob Kaz; and Willie Ito, who worked with Golden Age of Animation greats Chuck Jones, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

The Dark Crystal trolley for Comic-Con!

Another cool trolley wrap has debuted for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con! I spotted it this morning. This one might be my favorite so far!

The eye-catching graphics promote an upcoming show on Netflix. Get ready for Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

A colorful 19th century Fourth of July!

The Westwind Brass Ensemble plays on stage in Old Town San Diego's plaza during an 1800's Fourth of July.
The Westwind Brass Ensemble plays in Old Town’s plaza during an 1800’s Fourth of July.

Today a good crowd turned out for a festive 4th of July in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!

Every year this event provides a taste of what Independence Day would have been like in the 19th century. Fourth of July celebrations in San Diego would have officially commenced in 1848 when the small town became part of the United States.

If you remember some photographs that I posted three years ago, you might notice the event hasn’t changed much. But I love the color and history and the public participation so much I decided to go once again!

Many came out to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to enjoy an old-fashioned Independence Day.
Many came out to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to enjoy an old-fashioned Independence Day.
The Old Town 4th of July offered entertainments that would have been common in the 19th century, after San Diego became part of the United States.
The Old Town 4th of July offered entertainments that would have been common in the 19th century, after San Diego became part of the United States.
Boosters of Old Town San Diego Historic Park raise money by selling sliced watermelon and pies.
Boosters of Old Town San Diego Historic Park raise money by selling sliced watermelon and pies.
Members of the San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association had a tent with historical displays.
Members of the San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association had a tent with historical displays.
Photos or reenacted history near San Diego, including the Battle of San Pasqual during the Mexican–American War.
Photos or reenacted history near San Diego, including the Battle of San Pasqual during the Mexican–American War.
A family at Old Town's Fourth of July event learns all about spinning yarn.
A family at Old Town’s Fourth of July event learns all about spinning yarn.
Members of the Historic Quilt Guild had some of their beautiful handiwork on display.
Members of the Historic Quilt Guild had some of their beautiful handiwork on display.
These kids were making stuff with beads.
These kids were making stuff with beads.
Kids have fun with hoops on the grass. Simple play from an age long past.
Kids have fun with hoops on the grass. Simple play from an age long past.
A sack race has everyone laughing.
A sack race has everyone laughing.
This friendly guy near the blacksmith shop was making an axe handle.
This friendly guy near the blacksmith shop was making an ax handle.
Families were peering into the active blacksmith shop.
Families were peering into the active blacksmith shop.
Talking about how iron was shaped in Old Town San Diego in the 19th century.
Talking about how iron was shaped in Old Town San Diego in the 19th century.
All sorts of nostalgic music and dances entertained the crowd.
All sorts of nostalgic music and dances and contests entertained the crowd.
Handing out small American flags to those in the audience.
Handing out small American flags to those in the audience.
The keynote address reminds everyone of the meaning of Independence Day.
The keynote address reminds everyone of the meaning of Independence Day.
Old Glory readied to be raised on the plaza flagpole.
Old Glory readied to be raised on the plaza flagpole.

Diverse people in period costume read segments of the Declaration of Independence.
Diverse people in period costume read segments of the Declaration of Independence. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Volunteers from the crowd also went on stage to read portions of the Declaration of Independence.
Several people attending the event also volunteered to go on stage to read portions of the Declaration of Independence.
A patriotic parade for the Fourth of July commences around Old Town San Diego's historic plaza.
A patriotic parade for the Fourth of July commences around Old Town San Diego’s historic plaza.

Ordinary Americans are invited to join the parade.
Everyday ordinary Americans are invited to join the parade.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

More cool stuff appears for 2019 Comic-Con!

Interesting buildings are popping up as Amazon's offsite is built a couple weeks before 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.
Interesting buildings are popping up as Amazon’s offsite begins construction a couple weeks before 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

Twelve days until 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

I walked around the Gaslamp Quarter, East Village and other parts of downtown both this morning and this afternoon. I noticed that more cool stuff is beginning to appear for SDCC 2019!

The most notable thing I spotted is construction of Amazon’s huge offsite, which is located in the same place where the Jack Ryan Experience was last year. This year Amazon will be promoting their shows The Expanse, Carnival Row and The Boys. I’ll keep walking past this offsite construction in the days ahead, plus I’ll continue looking for other new Comic-Con developments!

A banner is up near the Seaport Village trolley station promoting Stan Lee's Alliances on Audible.
A banner is up near the Seaport Village trolley station promoting Stan Lee’s Alliances on Audible.
The Power to Change Changes Everything.
The Power to Change Changes Everything.
An advertisement slapped on a downtown wall for Marvel Hip-Hop Variants on Vinyl.
An advertisement slapped on a downtown wall for Marvel Hip-Hop Variants on Vinyl.
The American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp has their 2019 Comic-Con lineup on display near the entrance.
The American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp has their 2019 Comic-Con lineup on display near their entrance.
The window of the Super7 pop-up location is packed full of cool figurines.
The window of the Super7 pop-up location is packed full of cool toy figurines.
BOODEGA - CORNER MONSTORE - KILLER DEALS - WE ACCEPT MONSTERCARD - EYE SCREAM -CHILLING DRINKS - GROSSERIES - DEAD MEATS
“Revenge of the Boodega” is the theme of the Super7 pop-up shop during 2019 Comic-Con. Their funny Corner Monstore will feature Universal Monster merchandise.
Canopy for Prime Video Blue Room appears during Amazon's offsite construction before 2019 Comic-Con.
Canopy for the Prime Video Blue Room appears during Amazon’s offsite construction a couple weeks before 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.
Another photo of early construction at Amazon's huge Comic-Con offsite.
Another photo of early construction at Amazon’s huge Comic-Con offsite.
A large edifice is being built at the Amazon offsite construction site!
A large, mysterious edifice is being built at the Amazon offsite! (Kind of reminds me of that Erector Set I played with as a kid.)

UPDATE!

Check out the next photo, taken on Monday, July 8!

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UPDATE!

Here’s a photo taken on Tuesday, July 9 at Amazon’s big Comic-Con offsite. Looks like a science fiction setting–perhaps for The Expanse…

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UPDATE!

I took the following photo on Friday, July 12, only five day to go until Comic-Con. It appears they were working to complete the top level of the tower, which I’m assuming from its colorful appearance will promote Carnival Row.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Crank Yankers on a Comic-Con trolley!

Yet another trolley wrap has debuted for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con! This one promotes Crank Yankers, which is being revived this fall on Comedy Central for its fifth season. Sadly, it seems only the phones got smarter…

Very cool!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Take a ride on the Comic-Con Infinity Train!

Check it out! A very unique trolley has debuted for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

The Infinity Train trolley, which promotes an upcoming animated show on Cartoon Network, is decorated with graphics on both the outside AND inside!

According to Wikipedia: “Infinity Train is an upcoming American animated series created by former Regular Show writer/storyboard artist Owen Dennis for Cartoon Network. The series follows 12-year-old Tulip and her two-in-one robot companion One-One in their journey through a seemingly infinite train with limitless possibilities traveling through a completely barren wasteland. They are joined by Atticus, an intelligent, talking Corgi and king of a Corgi kingdom in one of the train’s cars, as they search for a way to Tulip’s home.”

Today I stepped into that fantastic world of infinite possibility and took a ride on San Diego’s cool version of the Infinity Train!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

House of USA celebrates in Balboa Park!

During my walk through Balboa Park this afternoon, I observed members of the House of USA setting up for their lawn program at the International Cottages. And suddenly I remembered Independence Day is coming up on Thursday!

After walking a little more about the park, I returned to the International Cottages right at two o’clock, just in time for the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

The crowd wasn’t very large, but everyone was enjoying a fine occasion. The House of USA was serving up hot dogs, and people were stepping inside their cottage to see all sorts of cultural and historical displays. Outside on the stage, Navy Band Southwest’s outstanding Prevailing Winds Ensemble was playing a mixture of classic and popular tunes. I really enjoyed their great rendition of music from The Incredibles!

I checked out a couple of booths on the lawn. The House of USA princess posed for a cool photo. I met a gentlemen promoting the Civil Air Patrol.

Over the years, Civil Air Patrol volunteers have saved thousands of lives. They’re the ones who often transport emergency supplies after a disaster, spot people trapped on rooftops during catastrophic floods, and locate hikers lost in the mountains. I learned they have a cadet program for youth interesting in aviation, personal growth and community service.

The Civil Air Patrol always needs volunteers! Click here to learn more!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Creativity at a museum helps to mend lives.

A wonderful new project is underway for the summer at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. To Do: A Mending Project can be enjoyed by the general public at MCASD’s downtown location in their Danah Fayman Gallery, right next to the America Plaza trolley station.

Artists Michelle Montjoy, Anna O’Cain, and Siobhán Arnold offer a unique workshop environment where people in the community can come together, talk, relax, create, and enjoy a tranquil safe space free of the many societal tensions and stresses in our contemporary world. With simple thread divisions are mended, and people feel whole once again.

As I walked into the gallery, the artists were sewing bags, and smiling and enjoying themselves thoroughly. They gave me a friendly welcome!

I poked my nose around and learned that To Do: A Mending Project has its own website, listing a wide range of activities that anyone can join through the summer. There’s the mending of clothes, knitting, poetry collage, yoga exercises, pasta making, a silent reading group, painting, and a whole lot more!

Check out all the activities by clicking here!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Syfy trolleys appear for 2019 Comic-Con!

SYFY It's a Fan Thing trolley wrap for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!
Syfy “It’s a Fan Thing” trolley wrap for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

Syfy’s wonderfully nerdy 2019 San Diego Comic-Con trolleys have begun to appear!

Like the past couple years, the Syfy trolley wrap I spotted this morning pays tribute to the fans of popular culture with an assortment of witty phrases!

To fandom and beyond.
To fandom and beyond.
Eat. Sleep. Theorize. Repeat.
Eat. Sleep. Theorize. Repeat.
Bad guys always have the best lines.
Bad guys always have the best lines.
Geeks, assemble!
Geeks, assemble!

UPDATE!

Here are two more sayings on a different trolley wrap…

It's not a hobby. It's a lifestyle.
It’s not a hobby. It’s a lifestyle.
xIMG_2743
Get your geek on.

And one more!

Talk nerdy with us.
Talk nerdy with us.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!