This morning thousands of generous, compassionate people are walking and running to support local autism programs! The Race For Autism is taking place in Balboa Park as I post this blog!
I wanted to get a taste of the event so I walked up Sixth Avenue from Cortez Hill. I saw so many smiling superheroes I knew at once that those who experience autism are in powerful caring hands.
You can support the National Foundation for Autism Research’s work, particular people, or Race For Autism teams by checking out the donation page here!
Visitors enter the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum during the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s OPEN HOUSE 2017.
This weekend the San Diego Architectural Foundation is having their big annual Open House event!
For 2018, an amazing 84 locations will participate, each building or urban site recognized for its unique contribution to San Diego’s architectural history. Many different architectural styles will be highlighted, at locations in Balboa Park, Bankers Hill, downtown, the Gaslamp, East Village, Barrio Logan and Point Loma. Some locations will offer guided tours or special talks; at many others the public is invited to take a self-guided tour.
To find out more, including days and times of tours this Saturday and Sunday, check out the SDAF website here.
In 2017 I took full advantage of this event and visited a range of interesting places. The following are links to photographs that I took:
Paintings in Balboa Park Conservancy Board Room. (I took these photos during a 2017 Open House tour of the House of Hospitality. Unfortunately I joined the group midstream and took few useful notes.)
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!
Visitors to the gallery on the 9th floor of the downtown San Diego Central Library look at some fascinating artwork.
A fantastic exhibition is now open free to the public in the 9th floor gallery at San Diego’s Central Library. You Are Here features work from art students and professors at 13 different institutions of higher education around San Diego County.
Not only is this exhibition an opportunity for talented artists to show their creative work in public, but visitors to the Central Library can learn a little about each school’s unique art program.
I took photos of some of the artwork. Please swing on by–you’ll be impressed by the quality of these imaginative, evocative pieces. You Are Here runs through May 6, 2018.
You Are Here, a special exhibition in the Central Library’s gallery, collects the work of 26 artists from 13 different higher education art departments across San Diego.Diverse examples of thought-inducing visual art attract curious eyes.Space Ships, Wendell M. Kling, Professor of Art, San Diego Mesa College, 2013-present.Hubcap Milagro for Chunky, David Avalos, Professor of Visual Arts, California State University San Marcos, 2011.Untitled, Monique Van Genderen, Associate Professor of Art, UC San Diego, 2017.Pink Cactus Moon Rock, Corina Bilandzija, Student, Palomar College, 2017.Warm Lights, Niki Ito, International Student, San Diego City College, 2017.Hair, Larissa Lopez, Past Student, Cuyamaca Community College, 2017.Ophelia, Hanna Hunter, Student, San Diego Miramar College, 2016.
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Do you enjoy discovering new things? I do! My camera is always ready during my long walks around San Diego!
I went on a long walk yesterday between rainstorms. It was St. Patrick’s Day.
Many carefree people were heading into downtown to celebrate all things Irish: to attend the big Shamrock event, drink green beer, listen to music, dance a jig and party. Others were not thinking about St. Patrick’s Day.
There are countless participants in San Diego’s life.
One day in the city is infinitely complex. So many feet–moving forward in time–crossing paths, weaving a mystery.
People descend along a path into the beautiful Lower Garden during the Japanese Friendship Garden’s 2018 Cherry Blossom Festival.
I took many photos today at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Balboa Park. After the morning drizzle subsided, I headed up to the Japanese Friendship Garden where I knew there would be lots of fun, food and breathtaking natural beauty.
Not quite as many blooms as last year–this winter has been drier than average–but still an absolutely wonderful event. Thank you JFG!
Come along with me as we visit the festival…
The 2018 Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park is just as wonderful as ever.Outside the garden, a short distance from the entrance is a plaque. It’s a replica of another plaque in Yokohoma, sister city of San Diego. The left half contains the theme song of the Yokohama-San Diego Friendship Committee.Sheet music and lyrics for San Diego, The Beautiful.
If you’d like to hear San Diego, The Beautiful, click here!
The festival had many exhibitors in the courtyard near the JFG office.Smiling young ladies were showing visitors how to fold bits of pink paper into cherry blossoms!A poster explains Cherry Trees at the JFG. Most in the garden are Pink Cloud cherry trees. They have recently acquired three more types–Taiwan Flowering, Okame and First Lady.Cherry blossoms in Japanese culture represent the transience and beauty of life.
The transience of cherry blossoms inspired a very short story, which I titled A Short Bloom. To read it, click here!
This part of the poster explains the six stages of bloom for cherry blossoms, from green bud to full, glorious bloom.Vendors showcasing crafts and gifts at the festival included Tum Tum Arts.Some cool Japanese artwork by Jed Henry on display at one table.I learned a bit about making Washi Dolls from one nice lady at the festival. Her mother makes these.Japanese crafts include the making of beautiful dolls with washi paper.The game of go is played near the Japanese Friendship Garden’s koi pond. Funny–by sheer coincidence I watched A Beautiful Mind last night. This mental game–more complicated than chess–begins and ends that inspiring film.More art by the koi pond–some colorful handmade cards.People head through the Charles C. Dail Memorial Gate to enter the Lower Garden, where many flowering cherry trees await.A master gardener hard at work by the path. He’s pruning some greenery on the Sunday of the Cherry Blossom Festival.Now we are in the Lower Garden. In mid-March, the beautiful stream runs past many delicate clouds of pink.A bit like heaven, perhaps.People stand on the waterfall bridge gazing toward the Inamori Pavilion.Walking past an ornamental Japanese lantern to the pavilion, where I knew there would be a lot of food!Checking out a big selection of Japanese food, including fried squid leg and shrimp tempura.Getting ready to flip some healthy Japanese savory pancakes, or okonomiyaki.These friendly guys pushing the huge drum would perform later in the day.These cool ladies held up a sweet fish-shaped taiyaki. Yum! I had one last year, too!Every year, the Cherry Blossom Festival promises lots of fun, good food and exquisite natural beauty!
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Flyer contains details of The Thursday Club’s 2018 Rummage Sale in Balboa Park.
Get ready! The largest rummage sale in Southern California is taking place this weekend! It’s open free to the public and it’s going to be epic!
A simply enormous selection of antiques, clothing, books, housewares, sporting goods and more will be descended upon by eager bargain shoppers once the doors open. The Thursday Club’s annual Rummage Sale will be held March 10 and 11 inside the spacious Balboa Park Activity Center at 2145 Park Boulevard.
Proceeds from this fun event will support a host of local beneficiaries, including Balboa Park, Goodwill, the Ronald McDonald House, the San Diego Youth Symphony and San Diego Zoo Global. Over the years, the Thursday Club rummage sales have raised almost $2 million dollars for Balboa Park and a wide variety of charitable organizations.
To learn more, including the hours of the 2018 Rummage Sale and directions to the Balboa Park Activity Center, check out the flyer. Feel free to share it!
UPDATE!
I ventured up to the Activity Center on Sunday to take a quick look around on the final day and was surprised at all the good stuff still available–all at half price! Make sure you put this on your calendar for next year . . . and the year after that! All proceeds go to charity!
Just for fun, I took some photos while I walked about and browsed the various tables…
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The highlight of my walk through Balboa Park today was the San Diego Wabi Spring Flower Show. My feet often halted as I passed dozens of exquisite Japanese ikebana flower arrangements. My camera couldn’t stop snapping. As you will see, the beauty was indescribable.
This annual event, which is held for one weekend inside the Casa del Prado, provides a breathtaking exhibition of the traditional Japanese art, as taught by the Ohara School of Ikebana. In addition to the many heavenly flower arrangements, there were demonstrations by local ikebana masters for those who are interested in learning about or practicing this ancient art form.
Many of these photos are close-ups of flower arrangements. I tried my own “hand” at artistic composition.
I’m so envious of the talent displayed at this show. Every careful work of floral art was a poem for the eyes.
The San Diego Wabi Study Group Annual Flower Show, with beautiful ikebana arrangements and demonstrations, was held this weekend in the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.Many superb examples of exquisite ikebana Japanese flower arrangement pleased the eyes of delighted visitors.
Young eyes observe a demonstration of traditional ikebana flower arrangement. Every work in this ancient art form is like a visual poem.
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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!
Sam Malcolm, a juggling comedian from Denver, Colorado, performs high atop a ladder during the Seaport Village Spring Busker Festival!
Today I enjoyed an hour or so at the 2018 Seaport Village Spring Busker Festival. It’s hard to believe, but this is the fourth time I’ve blogged the annual event. Considering how quickly the years have flown by, I must be having fun!
This year’s busker festival is just as colorful and entertaining as ever. It continues tomorrow, so make sure you head down to Seaport Village for lots of fun, laughs and thrills!
Here are photos from a few of today’s performances…
The 2018 Seaport Village Spring Busker Festival is taking place this weekend!Dango (Derrick Gilday of San Diego) climbs a stack of chairs in Embarcadero Marina Park North, right next to Seaport Village.Dango juggles flaming torches to the delight of the gathered crowd!I was laughing out loud at the screwball antics and absurd comedy of Wacky Chad.Wacky Chad jumps rope every which way. An exhibition of amazing physical dexterity.More juggling. This time atop a super tall unicycle.Some crazy, super high pogo sticking was the highlight of Wacky Chad’s routine. He has appeared on America’s Got Talent twice!The Lynx Variety Show, coming from San Francisco, included a feat of amazing sword swallowing.Mitchell Walker is a regular at Seaport Village, and so is his cool didgeridoo!Greg Frisbee prepares to begin his funny Rubber Chicken Show.Extreme Rahim prepares to wow his audience with magic and positive clean humor. I often see him performing at Seaport Village.Extreme Rahim provides a smile and many good memories in San Diego!
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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!
How was the Earth made? How many skin cells do we have?
Thousands of kids attended the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering EXPO Day event today at Petco Park. The annual festival of STEM learning features all sorts of fun activities and demonstrations presented by dozens of local schools, universities, businesses and organizations.
Kids wandering from booth to booth were encouraged to ask a variety of fascinating questions. Young minds learned about physics, medical research, information technology, space exploration, environmental science . . . The number of scientific subjects seemed unlimited.
Fun experiments were performed. Conclusions resulted. More questions arose.
That’s how science works!
As I wandered about the festival I discovered some questions that curious kids might ask…
Thousands of curious kids attended EXPO Day at Petco Park during the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering.To help support STEM learning in San Diego and the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering, read this banner.How is curiosity a driving force behind human progress and development?What is in snot? How does mucus neutralize an invading virus?How does a snake move?Why is math important? Why are puzzles so stimulating?What are amino acids?What is symmetry? Why is it found in plants and animals?Can creative people and scientists be real superheroes?Can science be entertaining? Can you invent a rap song about something scientific?What is a molecule? What is an atom? Is anything smaller than an atom?What is oobleck? What Dr. Seuss book did the word come from?How do you make a secret code? How do you decipher a code?Can little robots destroy cancer? Why do earthquakes become so strong in some cases?What is light?How does a flamingo become pink?What is static electricity?What are comets made of?How was the first cell created? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?What is the extracellular matrix?How does your heart work? How do you keep it healthy?How do we stop pollution?Is fusion the energy for the future of mankind?How can we remember many things like language? Why are some people so tall when their parents are so short?Why does a jellyfish glow?Why is this silly guy acting like a jellyfish?How does the Earth stay in orbit? How can people help the Earth stay healthy?What does it feel like to be in outer space? How do you become an astronaut?
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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!
People enjoying the annual Bird Festival at Marina Village have walked to the San Diego River Estuary where many aquatic birds congregate.
Today during my walk I encountered of group of enthusiastic birders at the San Diego River Estuary. These folks were all participating in the San Diego Audubon Society’s annual Bird Festival, which takes place this weekend at the nearby Marina Village Conference Center.
Later during my walk I visited the Bird Festival’s registration room, where anyone can purchase dozens of different birdwatching and reference books, plus other gifts. A friendly lady informed me that the San Diego Audubon Society has about three thousand members! During the Bird Festival and throughout the year, members can go on all sorts of field trips around San Diego County, and take every sort of bird-related class imaginable.
Members and volunteers are also involved in working to restore critical bird habitat in Mission Bay! I blogged about that a couple years ago here!
Do you make your home in San Diego? Do you love birds? Then you probably should join the Audubon Society! Here the local chapter’s website, where you can also learn more about the very cool Bird Festival, which continues through tomorrow!
The San Diego Audubon Society offers many birdwatching opportunities. The organization also has a vital conservation program.If I joined the Audubon Society, maybe I’d learn what sort of behavior these birds are displaying!Poster at the Bird Festival shows how the San Diego Audubon Society is helping to restore the nesting habitat of the endangered California Least Tern in Mission Bay.I believe this little guy on the bank of the San Diego River is a snowy egret.Members of the San Diego Audubon Society enjoy a perfect sunny day and identify lots of birds!
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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!
Cool San Diego Sights! 