Tag: events

Storm Drain Stenciling Day at Liberty Station!

At work on a Liberty Station sidewalk.
At work on a Liberty Station sidewalk.

During my walk through Liberty Station this morning I noticed several volunteers working on sidewalks near storm drains. Turns out that today was Storm Drain Stenciling Day!

Think Blue and I Love A Clean San Diego teamed up for this cool volunteer event. The freshly painted messages near storm drains remind everyone that these drains don’t lead to a sewer system, but drain directly into San Diego Bay and other local waterways.

Litter, waste, oil and chemicals that find their way into storm drains end up polluting beaches, estuaries and lagoons, harming birds, fish, other natural wildlife . . . and people!

This important stenciled message has faded over time.
This important stenciled message has faded over time.
Volunteer on a sidewalk in Liberty Station applies a new coat of paint on the curb above a storm drain.
Volunteer on a sidewalk in Liberty Station applies a new coat of paint on the curb above a storm drain.
Newly stenciled message by a storm drain in Point Loma. NO DUMPING GOES TO OCEAN
Newly stenciled message by a storm drain in Point Loma. NO DUMPING GOES TO OCEAN
Liberty Station in Point Loma is a very beautiful part of San Diego.
Liberty Station in Point Loma is a very beautiful part of San Diego.
I Love a Clean San Diego! (Don't you?)
I Love a Clean San Diego! (Don’t you?)
Let's all keep San Diego safe, beautiful and clean!
Let’s all keep San Diego safe, beautiful and clean!

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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!

Morning of 2019 Padres Opening Day!

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It’s the morning of 2019 Padres Opening Day! Things are beginning to get exciting around Petco Park!

Optimism is sky high for this new season. It’s the 50th Anniversary of the San Diego Padres and the new roster is loaded with promising talent and baseball superstars!

Here are some quick photos that I took while walking past the ballpark!

GO PADS!

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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!

Getting ready for a new Padres season!

New graphics for the 2019 Padres baseball season are now being applied around Petco Park.
New graphics for the 2019 Padres baseball season are now being applied around Petco Park.

Everyone is hustling to get ready for the 2019 Padres baseball season. Opening Day is a week from tomorrow!

I’ve noticed all sorts of preparations now underway at Petco Park, and at businesses on surrounding streets. Petco Park has been getting a new paint job and new player graphics are being applied to the rear of the two big videoboards. One major theme this year is the recent signing of superstar Manny Machado.

Will 2019 be the season the Padres turn the corner and become a winning team?

Fingers crossed!

The first street lamp banners to go up promote the free, family friendly Opening Day Block Party. The annual event will take place Thursday and Friday next week in East Village.
The first street lamp banners to go up promote the free, family friendly Opening Day Block Party. The annual event will take place Thursday and Friday next week in East Village.
A new Manny Machado shirt is now on display in a window of the Padres Team Store.
A new Manny Machado shirt is now on display in a window of the Padres Team Store.
We Who Reign graphic on a vendor cart inside the Park at the Park.
We Who Reign graphic on a vendor cart inside the Park at the Park.
Great progress is being made in erecting the new permanent concert stage in the Park at the Park.
Progress is being made erecting the new permanent concert stage in the Park at the Park.
A worker was welding when I walked past.
A worker was welding when I walked past.
Various restaurants and bars in East Village and the Gaslamp Quarter are putting up Padres banners and posters.
Various restaurants and bars in East Village and the Gaslamp Quarter are putting up Padres banners and posters.
GO PADRES
GO PADRES
Manny Machado has appeared in a window between Will Ferrell and Eric Hosmer!
Manny Machado has appeared in a window between Will Ferrell and Eric Hosmer!

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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!

Asian arts come to life on museum’s front steps!

A colorful Celebration of Asian Arts enlivens Balboa Park . . . On The Steps of the San Diego Museum of Art.
On the steps of the San Diego Museum of Art, a colorful celebration of Asian arts enlivens Balboa Park.

Every so often the San Diego Museum of Art hosts a fantastic, free outdoor event in Balboa Park. This evening I experienced On the Steps at SDMA: A Celebration of Asian Arts!

There were joyful performances of music and dance, and at several booths in front of the museum’s entrance a variety of arts from diverse Asian cultures were demonstrated.

This is what I saw!

I arrived just in time to catch an amazing, super energetic drumming performance by Naruwan Taiko of San Diego.
I arrived just in time to catch an amazing, super energetic drumming performance by Naruwan Taiko of San Diego.
The San Diego Bonsai Club was demonstrating an ancient Asian art form.
The San Diego Bonsai Club was demonstrating an ancient Asian art form.
Like a small forest of tall, beautiful trees.
Like a small forest of tall, beautiful trees.
Ikebana flower arrangements added even more beauty to the event. The demonstration was hosted by Sharon Bristow at the Japanese booth.
Ikebana flower arrangements added even more beauty to the event. The demonstration was hosted by Sharon Bristow at the Japanese booth.
These amazing Korean ceramics were all created by Yonsoo Chung, representing the House of Korea in Balboa Park.
These amazing Korean ceramics were all created by Yonsoo Chung, representing the House of Korea in Balboa Park.
Korean artist Kim, Eun Jin shows youth how to make jewel-like teapots from colorful strips of paper!
Korean artist Kim, Eun Jin shows youth how to make jewel-like teapots from colorful strips of paper!
These tiny teapots are made with recycled paper by the Artreepaper community with the help of Kim, Eun Jin.
These tiny teapots are made with recycled paper by the Artreepaper community with the help of Kim, Eun Jin.
I was shown by an artist from the Confucius Institute as SDSU how the name Richard appears as a Chinese ink painting!
I was shown by an artist from SDSU’s Confucius Institute how the name Richard appears as a Chinese ink painting!
Even more art was being produced by lots of creative people at this table.
Even more cool art was being produced by lots of creative people at this table.
Kids representing the Confucius Institute perform kung fu fan moves in front of the Timken Museum of Art.
Kids representing the Confucius Institute perform kung fu fan moves in front of the Timken Museum of Art.
These performers from the San Diego Korean Pungmul Institute were hanging out in the Plaza de Panama as they awaited their turn in the spotlight!
These performers from the San Diego Korean Pungmul Institute were hanging out in the Plaza de Panama as they awaited their turn in the spotlight!

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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!

Photos of the colorful 2019 Mariachi Festival!

Ready for some super colorful photos?

In past years, the National City Chamber of Commerce’s amazing Annual International Mariachi Festival and Competition has been held in Pepper Park. You might remember my photographs in 2016 and 2017. For this year, 2019, the event was held in Chula Vista’s spacious Bayside Park!

I love the whirling colors of Mexican ballet folklórico dancing, and the soaring, unabashed joy of mariachi music, so today I had to go again!

I took photos of anything and everything!

Enjoy!

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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!

Samples of fascinating architecture in San Diego.

The San Diego Architectural Foundation’s 2019 OPEN HOUSE SAN DIEGO event is coming in two weeks! The public will be invited to freely tour over 100 locations around San Diego. Some of the tours will provide behind-the-scenes looks at some truly unique and fascinating architecture.

In anticipation of the big event, I thought I’d recall a few past blogs posts that concern architecture in San Diego. Most of these posts are from OPEN HOUSE tours in the past couple years.

Click the following links to enjoy:

An architectural masterpiece in San Diego.

A short architectural tour of the Santa Fe Depot.

Architecture and light at Timken Museum of Art.

A quick peek inside St. Paul’s Cathedral.

A tour inside the historic Spreckels Theatre.

Photos behind the scenes at Copley Symphony Hall!

Elegance and history at downtown San Diego hotel.

History comes alive during tour of Spanish Village.

Salk Institute architect Louis Kahn: an amazing exhibit!

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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!

See the Comic-Con Museum’s first exhibition!

If you happen to be in San Diego the next few weeks, you have an awesome opportunity to see the Comic-Con Museum’s very first exhibition! It’s titled Cover Story: The Art of Comic-Con 50. Why that name? This year will be the 50th Anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con!

Today I enjoyed the big opening of the exhibition, which can be viewed in one room of the Federal Building in Balboa Park, future home of the Comic-Con Museum. Lots of other excited people were in attendance. After listening to a few words by those who are shaping the museum’s future, we all headed into the temporary gallery.

My photos provide a hint of what you’ll find. It’s a bit like the Art of Comic-Con exhibition several years ago at the San Diego Central Library, but the emphasis this time is on original art used for the covers of Comic-Con souvenir program books. You’ll see everything from thumbnail sketches to pencil and ink art to stunning colored finished pieces.

You’ll enjoy the work of many top artists, including names like Jack Kirby, Bruce Timm, Matt Taylor, Babs Tarr, Michael Cho, Jim Lee, John Romita, Jr., William Stout, Adam Hughes, Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Will Eisner.

You’ll also smile at the work of creative children, who have a fun table in the gallery where they can draw their own covers!

Finally, in several glass display cases you’ll find all sorts of souvenir program book interior artwork: original drawings by renowned artists, cartoonists and illustrators, who over the years have sent their greetings to Comic-Con!

According to the Comic-Con Museum: “The exhibit will be open Saturday March 16 and Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on select dates through August 4, 2019. Check our Facebook page for future open dates as they are announced.”

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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!

Cool photos of San Diego’s 2019 Busker Fest!

San Diego's own world-famous Murrugun the Mystic exhales a huge fireball during Seaport Village's 2019 Busker Fest!
San Diego’s own world-famous Murrugun the Mystic exhales a huge fireball during Seaport Village’s 2019 Busker Fest!

This is my fifth year blogging about Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. It’s so much fun, I try not to miss it!

This afternoon I randomly walked about Seaport Village, checking out the acts of great street performers from all around the United States and the world. I protected my camera from the wind and showers and took a whole bunch of photographs. Unfortunately, today’s attendance seemed reduced by the weather.

Tomorrow the sun is supposed to come out. Hopefully more people will then head to Seaport Village for this free weekend event!

The highlight for me was the two-act performance of San Diego’s own world-famous danger act and carnival sideshow performer Murrugun the Mystic! As I watched, I could plainly see he was enjoying himself!

Since I last blogged about Murrugun, he has appeared on even more TV shows. He has now been featured on AMC’s Freakshow, Cougar Town, CSI: New York, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! He also holds multiple Guinness World Records for sword swallowing!

I spoke to him briefly after his show, and I learned he’s devising a hollow tube contraption that he will insert into his throat. From that tube he will explosively shoot flaming arrows! Wow! I can’t wait to see that!

Here come fun photos! Enjoy!

Even with the drizzly, breezy winter weather, people came out to Seaport Village on Saturday to watch some of the best street performers from around the world.
Even with the drizzly, breezy winter weather, people came out to Seaport Village on Saturday to watch some of the best street performers in the world.
Daniel Israel juggles while high atop a unicycle!
Daniel Israel juggles while high atop a unicycle!
Cate Flaherty is a professional circus acrobat. Her juggling and balancing performance was great!
Cate Flaherty is a professional circus acrobat with a big smile. Her juggling and balancing performance was great!
George Gilbert entertains people by the water. For a grand finale, he magically made a pineapple appear under his hat!
George Gilbert entertains people by the water. For a grand finale, he magically made a pineapple appear under his hat!
Nolan Webster included a lot of humor in his parlor magic show. That ball was actually attached to his nose! Cheater!
Nolan Webster included a lot of humor in his parlor magic show. That ball was actually attached to his nose! Cheater!
The audiences at the Busker Fest were all smiles.
The audiences at the Busker Fest were all smiles.
Kids seemed to have the best time while the buskers performed. Many adults were very shy.
Kids seemed to have the best time while the buskers performed. Many adults were very shy.
Murrugan the Mystic calls an audience together near Seaport Village's central fountain before beginning his amazing two part act!
Murrugun the Mystic calls an audience together near Seaport Village’s central fountain before beginning his amazing two-part act!
Murrugan's first act is a series of fantastic fire breathing and eating tricks, including shooting flames out of his mouth!
Murrugun’s first act is a series of fantastic fire breathing and eating tricks, including shooting flames out of his mouth! He performed to one side, out of the wind.
The second act was sword swallowing. Murrugan the Mystic is one of the very few true sword swallowers in the world.
The second act was sword swallowing. Murrugun the Mystic is one of very few true sword swallowers in the world.
That's a genuine, long and very sharp sword poised on Murrugun's tongue.
That’s a genuine, long and very sharp sword poised on Murrugun’s tongue.
Here we go!
Here we go!
When all the way in, the sword has penetrated between his heart and lungs and ends at the bottom of his stomach, just below the belly button!
When all the way in, the sword has penetrated between his heart and lungs and ends at the bottom of his stomach, just below the belly button!
Next comes a sword sandwich--six swords carefully aligned together. Over the decades, a scary number of performers have died doing this dangerous sword swallowing trick.
Next comes a sword sandwich–six swords carefully aligned together. Over the decades, a scary number of performers have died doing this dangerous sword swallowing trick. Murrugun himself was once seriously injured.
That's a lot of sharp steel to swallow!
That’s a lot of sharp steel to swallow!
In go six genuine swords!
In go six genuine swords!
One of the most amazing human spectacles you're likely to ever witness!
One of the most amazing human spectacles you’re likely to ever witness!
Back near the water, Jonathan Strange was doing ring linking magic with an assistant from the audience.
Back near the water, Jonathan Strange was doing some mystifying ring linking magic with an assistant chosen from the audience.
Molly Keczan includes lasso rope tricks in her fun The Farmer's Daughter Show.
Molly Keczan includes lasso rope tricks in her fun The Farmer’s Daughter Show.
The Farmer's Daughter keeps balance as she walks along the top of glass milk bottles--with one good eye! A wildly successful show, in spite of her contact lens difficulty!
The Farmer’s Daughter keeps balance as she walks along the top of glass milk bottles–with one good eye! A wildly successful show, in spite of her contact lens difficulty!
While walking around I spotted Martika Daniels setting up for her act with a big smile.
While walking around I spotted Martika Daniels setting up for her act with a big smile.
Martika's cool show included being stood upon while lying on a bed of nails!
Martika’s amazing show included being stood upon while lying on a bed of nails!
Ouch! Martika explained that stunts like this make some of life's difficulties seem small by comparison. Her show was super positive and inspirational!
Ouch! Martika explained that stunts like this make some of life’s difficulties seem small by comparison. Her show was super positive and inspirational!
Another awesome sword swallowing act!
Another awesome sword swallowing act!
Buskers and audience members all seemed to have a good time, even if the San Diego weather didn't cooperate today!
Buskers and audience members all seemed to have a great time, even if the San Diego weather didn’t cooperate today!

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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!

Star Wars at future Comic-Con Museum!

Star Wars cosplay and a sign welcomes visitors to a special Comic-Con Museum event!
Star Wars cosplay and a sign welcomes visitors to a special Comic-Con Museum event!

Around noon today I headed to the Federal Building in Balboa Park for a bite to eat. And what did I see? A special event was being held inside the future home of the Comic-Con Museum!

I walked about and watched people playing Star Wars: Armada and other tabletop games published by Fantasy Flight Games.

Very cool!

Members of the Imperial Sands Garrison of the 501st Legion pose for a cool Star Wars pic at the future Comic-Con Museum!
Members of the Imperial Sands Garrison of the 501st Legion pose for a cool Star Wars pic at the future Comic-Con Museum!
Players try out Star Wars Destiny, a dueling dice and card game.
Players try out Star Wars: Destiny, a dueling dice and card game.
Guys play Star Wars Armada inside the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park.
Guys play Star Wars: Armada inside the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park.
There seem to be a lot of Imperial Star Destroyers in this region of space!
There seem to be a lot of Imperial Star Destroyers in this region of space!
Perhaps players with a high midi-chlorian count can use the Force when throwing these dice.
Perhaps players with a high midi-chlorian count can use the Force to their advantage when throwing these dice.
Cards are used to keep track of Rebel and Imperial fleet ship status during play.
Cards are used to keep track of Rebel and Imperial fleet ship status during play.
A cool game mat depicts the Star Wars ice planet Hoth.
A cool game mat depicts the Star Wars ice planet Hoth.
I see cool LEGO Star Wars figurines of Fleet Admiral Gial Ackbar and Darth Vader.
I see LEGO Star Wars figurines of Fleet Admiral Gial Ackbar and Darth Vader.
Star Wars Legion miniatures game set depicts the planet Tatooine. I see Darth Vader following those stormtroopers!
Star Wars: Legion miniatures game set depicts the planet Tatooine. I see a menacing Darth Vader following those stormtroopers!
The Comic-Con Museum is coming to the Federal Building in Balboa Park!
The Comic-Con Museum is coming to the Federal Building in Balboa Park!

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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!

Badminton champions compete in Balboa Park!

The Balboa Park Activity Center is filled with many elite international athletes, including past Olympic champions, during the 2019 Dave Freeman Classic Open badminton tournament.
The Balboa Park Activity Center is filled with many elite international athletes, including past Olympic champions, during the 2019 Dave Freeman Classic Open badminton tournament.

Some of the best badminton players in the world are competing this weekend in Balboa Park!

Today I headed up to the Balboa Park Activity Center and was blown away by what I observed. At the 2019 Dave Freeman Classic Open, the badminton action is unbelievably fast and furious!

For several minutes I stood and watched some amazing players perform at a very high level. These elite athletes move so lightning fast their bodies and rackets appear as a blur in nearly all of my photos. The shuttlecocks zoomed and floated. I observed strategy, agility, strength and precision. It’s a sport that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated!

Here are a few photos that provide a small taste of this cool badminton tournament!

Looking at plaques with past champions. The 62nd Yonex Dave Freeman Open 2019 is a USA Badminton sanctioned Classic Series Tournament with cash prizes.
Looking at plaques with past champions. The 62nd Yonex Dave Freeman Open 2019 is a USA Badminton sanctioned Classic Series Tournament with cash prizes.

Bronze plaque inside Balboa Park Activity Center dedicated to Dr. David Guthrie Freeman, one of the world's greatest natural athletes of all time, a badminton legend for whom the tournament is named.
Bronze plaque inside Balboa Park Activity Center dedicated to Dr. David Guthrie Freeman, one of the world’s greatest natural athletes of all time, a badminton legend for whom the tournament is named.
The San Diego Badminton Club is one of the sports groups that meets and plays regularly inside the Balboa Park Activity Center.
The San Diego Badminton Club is one of the sports groups that meets and plays regularly inside the Balboa Park Activity Center.

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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!