Patrick Block, long-time Disney comics artist, draws the famous face of Donald Duck. A beloved character comes to life during the Creating a Comics Story event at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum.
This afternoon I attended one of the coolest events EVER!
I and other spellbound people sat in the auditorium of the future Comic-Con Museum, watching as veteran Disney comics artists Patrick and Shelley Block brought Donald Duck to life! With the help of the audience, right before our eyes, they created an absolutely original, hilarious and brilliant comic book story! The penciled five page story was about Donald Duck working as janitor at a comic book convention, and much of the story’s essential plot came spontaneously from the audience!
It was pure magic. Patrick sketched with practiced ease while sharing his thought process, and Shelley Block contributed humorous banter and brilliant inspiration. From the tip of a number 7 mechanical pencil, Donald Duck emerged into our world–reminding readers that much in life is inherently funny, and that a cartoon about a zany “everyperson” duck can reinforce a sense of our own humanity.
During the event all sorts of questions were asked by the smart audience, and I wish I had taken notes. But the entire experience was simply too mesmerizing.
If this is a preview of coming events at the Comic-Con Museum, which we learned is slated to open in May of 2021, it’s going to be one of the most amazing museums in the world. That’s no exaggeration.
I can’t wait!
Art and writing team Patrick and Shelly Block, Disney comics creators for 26 years, talk about the creative process.Three pages of the five page Donald Duck comic are nearly done. Through an odd series of funny events, Donald has become janitor at a comic book convention!Donald Duck wants to see the masquerade ball, and after many gags and catastrophes ends up winning it!Original Donald Duck artwork created by Patrick and Shelly Block for the Comic-Con Museum. Don’t forget us funny animal comics!
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Dancers entertain visitors to Balboa Park as the House of China celebrates Chinese New Year at the International Cottages.
It’s February already, and beginning to feel a tiny bit like spring!
Visitors to Balboa Park today could enjoy many wonderful experiences: the Chinese New Year Festival . . . the International Dance Festival . . . and even a few early cherry blossoms!
As I walked in sunshine and scattered sprinkles, I took many photos.
Colorful young dancers on stage celebrate the Chinese New Year in San Diego.Food, culture and sunshine (and scattered, sprinkling clouds) at the Chinese New Year Festival in Balboa Park.A glimpse of the El Cid statue in Balboa Park on a springlike Sunday in February.Sunshine on bubbles.There’s plenty of bright green down in the Balboa Park Rube Powell Archery Range.A beautiful photo between the House of Hospitality and Casa de Balboa.Prado Perk’s chalkboard indicates it’s almost Valentine’s Day!Athletes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association gather during a time out during the Third Annual Brad Rich Invitational at Balboa Municipal Gymnasium.The ornamental pear trees are blooming near the Plaza de Balboa.Members of the San Diego Bonsai Club work on small olive trees in the Casa del Prado.I spotted Captain America in the cafe of the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum! (He’s actually a member of San Diego’s Science Fiction Coalition.)A beautiful springlike day on El Prado.I was welcomed to the International Dance Festival in the Balboa Park Club.Flags of many nations follow a bagpiper through Balboa Park as the annual International Dance Festival is about to begin.Colorful banners approach the Balboa Park Club.Folk dancing is ready to begin!A banner of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.Meanwhile, folks walk through the always beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden.Looks to me like spring is coming fast!A few early cherry blossoms are blooming in February at the Japanese Friendship Garden.Yes! Spring is around the corner!
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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!
When I noticed the San Diego County Orchid Society was having their Winter Show and Sale in Balboa Park today, I headed directly to the Casa del Prado. That’s where tables overflowing with colorful, jewel-like blooms awaited the public.
I know next to nothing about orchids. All I know is they affect me in a mysterious way. Like any beautiful thing. Their exquisite forms seem to have sprouted from some perfect, generative, magical place.
Of course, you and I also sprout from that same place.
The San Diego County Orchid Society had their Winter Show and Sale in Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado this weekend!Orchid lovers around San Diego submitted their entries in the hopes of winning Best of Show.
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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!
Community members line a sidewalk in Mission Hills, passing books from old shelves to a brand new branch library!
A very exciting and historic event took place this morning in Mission Hills! Hundreds of people lined the West Washington Street sidewalk to pass books from the old, now closed Mission Hills Branch Library to the beautiful, larger, brand new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Library!
The final 200 books from the old branch library were transferred along the sidewalk, hand-to-hand, by volunteer participants. Some were dressed as favorite book characters. All eyes glanced at the passing titles, and many smiles resulted!
Once every book had been transported to its new home, a Grand Opening ceremony was held in front of the new Mission Hills-Hillcrest Branch Library. When the speeches were complete, community members streamed into the new building!
The very last book to be passed was The Hobbit. It was selected in a poll to make the fantastic journey.
And onward into the future we go!
“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!”
–Bilbo Baggins
Volunteers for the Book Pass gather in front of the new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Library.Those who will participate in the historic Book Pass, wearing yellow scarves, fan out along seven blocks of West Washington Street in Mission Hills.Members of the Book Brigade are getting ready on Block 3.Someone reads while waiting for the Book Pass to begin.Look! It’s Balboa Park’s Ranger Kim Duclo, with his cool new children’s book!This person’s favorite book is Peter Benchley’s Jaws!I spotted Cruella de Vil, Maleficent and Captain Hook!Here comes Professor Trelawney!Near the brand new Mission Hills-Hillcrest Branch Library, the Book Pass is almost ready to begin.Volunteers are lined up by the old branch library, awaiting the first book!Cameras ready!A fun moment in history is about to begin…The final 200 books in the now closed branch library will be passed from hand to hand to the brand new Mission Hills-Hillcrest Library.Here they are on a book cart!Empty shelves are all that’s left in the old Mission Hills Branch Library.And here comes the very first book in the Book Pass!Doing the wave! Too much excitement!Library books are transported by the hands of those who love to read to their new home.The books head east through Mission Hills.Here they come!People pause to look at titles as the books are passed along. Most of the books are classic works of World Literature.Very quickly the cart is almost half emptied!The smiling Bike Brigade showed up to transport a few books!There it is! The final book of the Book Pass is waiting at the bottom of this stack. The Hobbit! (It happens to be one of my favorites!)The final 25 books represent the 25 most checked-out books in the history of the old, now closed Mission Hills Branch Library. I noticed several were by Dr. Seuss.Finally, it’s J. R. R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy novel The Hobbit.It seems Bilbo Baggins has embarked on another journey. The Hobbit makes it’s way to the brand new Mission Hills-Hillcrest Branch Library.Friends and neighbors are excited to be a part of history in San Diego.A happy kid hurries across an intersection with The Hobbit!Everyone holds up The Hobbit as many photographs are taken.One of many wonderful Book Pass memories for hundreds of participants.A huge crowd accompanies The Hobbit across another intersection as the Book Pass approaches the new branch library.The beautiful new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Library is now in sight!San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer poses with some kids for a photo.The Hobbit is approaching its new library home!A favorite book held high for all to see!One last book and the historic Book Pass transfer will be complete.Many have gathered for the Grand Opening ceremony at the new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Branch Library.The Hobbit has reached its new home.Speeches begin. The Mayor of San Diego addresses a large crowd. The beautiful new library, which was built in the Craftsman architectural style, is finally ready to open.People eagerly head into the brand new Mission Hills-Hillcrest Branch Library!On we go!
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Early sunshine on the handsome new Mission Hills-Hillcrest Branch Library. It will be completed and open to the public in a little over two weeks!
If you live in Mission Hills or Hillcrest, or simply love the San Diego Public Library , you have the opportunity to take part in a unique and historic ceremony!
On February 26, 2019, members of the community will participate in a unique “Book Pass” to celebrate the grand opening of the new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Branch Library!
Sign up for this event and you’ll be one of many who line the West Washington Street sidewalk symbolically passing a few books from the old branch library to the beautiful, much larger new building!
According to the website: “We will line streets from the current library to the new location to pass along select books as part of a grand opening party. Each book passer will receive a free scarf and other promotional items to commemorate this historic day. The Book Pass will take place from 9 to 10 am. Registration, Donuts, & Coffee, will be at 8:00 am at the new library, 215 West Washington Street.”
Photo of the old, now permanently closed Mission Hills Branch Public Library.Fall was followed by the dead of winter at the closed old library building. But spring always follows winter…The ceremonial “Book Pass” from the old branch library to the new branch library will carry books east along the West Washington Street sidewalk past these flowers.Books used for the symbolic opening ceremony, as they are carried to the new branch library, will pass by this flock of birds!And the books will finally arrive at their much larger, very beautiful new home.The new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Branch Library opens on January 26, 2019! You can participate in its opening and become part of history!
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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!
The 2018 Holiday Bowl Parade headed down Harbor Drive the morning of New Year’s Eve. Chilly, drizzly weather couldn’t stop America’s Largest Balloon Parade!
It might’ve been a bit more chilly and breezy than usual for San Diego this New Year’s Eve morning, but the 2018 Holiday Bowl Parade was just as fun as ever!
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, which proceeded down Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero, is billed as America’s Largest Balloon Parade. This year the parade featured the two college football teams that are competing in the 2018 Holiday Bowl: Northwestern University and the University of Utah. The big bowl game is kicking off right as I post these photographs!
Without further ado, here we go!
Before the Holiday Bowl Parade began, three cool old biplanes made a fly-by. Trailing smoke is a 1941 Boeing Stearman; the other two are Great Lakes.The Solar Turbines 5K run begins down Harbor Drive shortly before the parade.Northwestern University and University of Utah fans wore their colors up and down the parade route.Barricades are moved as the Holiday Bowl Parade is ready to begin!First up is WorldStrides on Stage. They will perform the halftime show at the Holiday Bowl football game in the afternoon.Another super fun Holiday Bowl Parade has begun!The San Diego Harbor Police Honor Guard helps to lead things off.Here comes Marine Band San Diego.The first balloon is cheerful Cheri the Octopus!And here comes Carter the Sea Turtle!San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts waves from the Wonderfront float. San Diego’s waterfront is indeed full of wonders!I wish I’d gotten a better pic of this funny group: The World-Famous Lawn Rangers! Their synchronized routine is so absurd you have to laugh out loud!Here come the Shawnee Mission North Marching Indians from Overland Park, Kansas.Pageantry and marching bands make any parade exciting!That big balloon swimming under the clouds is Louie the Blue Whale!And now I see good old Garfield! He’s giving somebody the thumbs up.These are the Norris High School Marching Titans from Firth, Nebraska!Next up is the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.Bob the Builder has either lost his balance or the breezy weather had gotten the better of the balloon’s handlers!Herencia Hispana comes down Harbor Drive wearing elaborate dresses and folk costumes!Beautifully swirling Mexican dresses delight the eye.Chinelos dancers were viewed with astonishment by many in the audience. It’s an unusual Mexican tradition popular in the state of Morelos.Danza del los Diablos. Looks like devilish fun!Another marching band! This one comes from Palo Verde Valley High School.Go Padres!That’s one gigantic, very happy Gingerbread Man! (Any relation to the friendly Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?)Many in the audience suddenly became excited. Who is that approaching?Here comes Northwestern University, one of the teams in the 2018 Holiday Bowl!Banners twirl proudly!Members of the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band thunder past!Willie the Northwestern mascot is up on the purple and white float with some cheerleaders!That’s one mighty big football!Members of Sports for Exceptional Athletes demonstrate their skill during the parade.Look! Here comes the University of Utah!The Utes also had a big contingent in the Holiday Bowl Parade.Swoop, the Utah mascot had a bit of trouble donning that Santa hat!The red and white Utah Utes float with smiling cheer squad passes by.The University of Utah Marching Utes all appear to be having a great time.More college football pageantry.Goodness! Here come even more balloons down Harbor Drive!It’s Hog Heaven!There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here! (My favorite.)And here is the Deer Valley High School Marching Band!Snowman is either tipping backward in the breezy weather or gradually melting.The San Diego State University Marching Aztecs precede Nicholas the Nutcracker!SDSU, a local university with a great sports history, marches with pride through downtown San Diego.The San Diego Star Wars Society is always a sure hit with young and old alike in any parade!Darth Vader says hello to someone watching the cool parade!A tiny TIE fighter and tiny Star Wars characters!Medieval fantasy follows futuristic fantasy. It’s Merlin the Wizard!Even more fun balloons! I see a San Diego Zoo Panda!It’s the beloved Very Hungry Caterpillar!It’s Mother Goose. (She must be taking a break from her big annual parade out in El Cajon.)More pageantry and excitement. It’s the Green Valley Marching Band!Yikes! Here comes the scariest Holiday Bowl Parade balloon of them all! Tessa the T-Rex!U.S. Naval Sea Cadets march past and receive many waves.The parade program calls this balloon entry Saxophone. It sure is a big one, though!The Bobcat Marching Band came to San Diego from Western Dubuque High School.During a break in the parade I turned my camera toward San Diego Bay and captured the nearby Star of India.From the world’s oldest active sailing ship to a space shuttle! This particular balloon Space Shuttle was taxiing down Harbor Drive on tiny wheels!You know these guys simply had to be in the parade. It’s the Al Bahr Shrine and their Tin Lizzies.Here come some Al Bahr Clowns.I had fun! Did you?
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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!
I just learned a cool kids entrepreneur fair will be held on Saturday, January 19 in Kearny Mesa! Enterprising youth who’d like to participate, and families and community members who’d like to support them are all invited!
The Kids Entrepreneur Fair is hosted by Girl Scout Troop 4207 and will take place from 10 am to 2 pm in the Go-Staff parking lot at 8798 Complex Drive.
To learn more about the event, and how you can participate click here!
Optimistic kids who dream and move forward with a positive outlook shape our world’s future!
Best wishes to those who have bright shining dreams!
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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!
I spotted a Santa Claus with a beard made of white yarn at 2018 December Nights!
Another year, another wonderful December Nights in Balboa Park!
I headed across the Cabrillo Bridge at noon today, just as the second day of San Diego’s big annual holiday event got underway.
I prefer to wander through December Nights in the early afternoon. The sun is out, the air is warm, and the feeling is unhurried and carefree. I miss the magical Christmas lights after dark, but I also avoid the hectic press of huge crowds.
I’ve blogged December Nights for so many years now, I thought I’d try for a new angle in 2018 and focus on all the holiday art and crafts one can see while walking around. As usual, however, I ended up taking photos of anything fun that happened to catch my eye.
Many fun holiday crafts and decorations can be enjoyed throughout Balboa Park during December Nights.Jeff, the super cool Spanish Village Art Center historian, holds a drum and greets visitors with a huge smile!I was taking a photo of glass Christmas ornaments in Spanish Village when I got photobombed!A happy elf was lurking near one of the Spanish Village artist studios.Some of the carved wooden animals of the historic Balboa Park Carousel were wearing elf and Santa hats.I learned Santa Claus would be hanging out in front of the Starlight Bowl.I noticed The Old Globe Theatre’s gift shop was well stocked with vile, nasty Grinches, and his adorable dog Max, too!People take a break during December Nights by sitting near cheerful red poinsettias in the Botanical Building.A big Santa hangs from the Point Loma Garden Club’s candy and cookie bedecked tree, one of many fantastic Christmas trees inside the Casa del Prado.Another Christmas tree at the annual Festival of Trees was decorated by the Friends of Balboa Park with many happy dreams.The San Diego Womens Chorus sings holiday music at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during 2018 December Nights.A group of children called Let’s Dance for Fun! performs at the small December Nights stage near the Botanical Building.Santa, a guest of the House of Finland, was checking his list to see if children have been naughty or nice at Balboa Park’s International Cottages.Holiday traditions and music from around the world are celebrated at the International Cottages during December Nights.The House of Sweden always has lots of Christmas crafts and fun holiday stuff on display.I headed over to the Starlight Bowl and spotted a happy snowman atop the outdoor amphitheater’s box office roof.These friendly folks with Save Starlight are looking for people to help support the restoration of a cherished San Diego performance venue, Balboa Park’s Starlight Bowl.
If you love Balboa Park, and would like to help restore the beloved Starlight Bowl, please take a moment to visit the Save Starlight website here!
I poked my nose inside the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater and noticed there’s going to be a fun Merry Christmas Show coming up!I discovered lots of holiday art, crafts and fun at another wonderful December Nights!
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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!
Second grade students from Dailard Elementary School fill Balboa Park with joyous song during 2018 Christmas on the Prado.
If you love Christmas and happen to be in San Diego this Sunday afternoon, head over to Balboa Park! It’s the second day of Christmas on the Prado!
The 5th Annual Children’s Coalition “Christmas on the Prado” will be held at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and International Cottages from 1 – 4 pm, and will feature a special Christmas Concert by Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez, lots of holiday treats, inspiring scenes of the Nativity, games and crafts for kids, cultural displays of Christmas Around the World, a reading of The Night Before Christmas by Mrs. Claus, and photos with good old Saint Nick himself!
Christmas on the Prado is a joyful two day holiday event that celebrates the birth of Christ and the generous spirit of Christmas.
Click here to learn more. (Christmas on the Prado continues to grow every year–but they can always use more volunteers and participants! I learned that church groups from all around San Diego are welcomed to come together and join the program! Why not?)
Yesterday I experienced the first day of this year’s event.
Here are some photographs . . .
Mrs. Claus greeted me in the early afternoon as Christmas on the Prado got underway.Looking at eight beautiful scenes of the Nativity created by the Community Christmas Center, which was established in 1953 in Balboa Park.Child sees a visiting angel.Elsewhere in the rear of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Santa confers with an elf before a photo is taken.Dozens of happy, energetic elves would be first to perform on the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage.Young singers from Dailard Elementary School treat the crowd to fun holiday music.The nearby International Cottages were celebrating Christmas Around the World. This beautiful creche in the Hall of Nations is from Peru.These fun Christmas crafts were on display in the House of Sweden’s cottage.Christmas baskets made of paper by many hands inside the House of Norway’s cottage.The House of Hungary had their very beautiful Christmas sparkling for all to enjoy.The House of England was hoping that Father Christmas would Please Stop Here.Members of the House of Ireland prepare to sing among the International Cottages during Christmas on the Prado in Balboa Park.A bit later, Santa and Mrs. Claus read The Night Before Christmas to gathered children and the young-at-heart.Back at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the super talented group Chamber Bravura performs. They’ve sung several times at Carnegie Hall!Chamber Bravura lifts hearts with Christmas song, combining popular carols with unexpected bits of silly humor.Jumping for treats at the Gingerbread House.The Kearny Mesa Concert Band is almost ready to perform as the magical Spreckels Organ Pavilion lights come on.Lights also come on in the Nativity scenes. A beautiful depiction of Mary and Joseph with the Christ child, escaping to Egypt.Jesus with the little children. For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.More happy elves take the stage for a Christmas sing-along.The Sun Harbor Chorus Elves had many in the audience singing, clapping and ringing bells.The nose of an elf named Faith was getting cold, so Santa took a mini-Santa hat off the tree and put it on her nose. Photo courtesy Bill Swank. (Thank you!)
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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 San Diego Sights! 