Classic images of Greeks and ancient Greece are sprinkled about the festival venue.
I enjoyed a wonderful long walk this morning. But it seems my poor old brain forgot some important information. Because when I arrived at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church at 3655 Park Boulevard, I learned that San Diego’s big annual Greek Festival wouldn’t begin for over an hour!
I was allowed to walk about the area behind the church where the festival takes place and snap a few photos. Folks were setting up tents and preparing food. All the people I spoke to were very friendly. According to one, this annual festival is about 40 years old! The three day event features Greek food, music and dancing, and draws thousands from around San Diego. It will be open until 10pm tonight, and again tomorrow from 11am to 8pm.
My legs wanted to continue walking, so here are some photos of morning preparations…
Each year a big Greek Festival is held at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.An hour before the event opens, preparations are being made for coming crowds.Flags, decorations and colorful wares are a feast for the senses outside St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.Orthodox religious icons displayed by one tent include familiar Christian symbols.Icons of Mary and infant Jesus appear as if they’re gilded in the San Diego morning sunshine.Looking up at the church from the parking lot behind it, where the festival is held each year.Lots of people will be following the arrow to Greek coffee and pastries.One fun area contains tables, umbrellas and eventually yummy food. Unfortunately, I was much too early!Pita bread is stacked up waiting at one end of this Greek Deli tent.An ancient scene seems to have sprung from the pages of the Iliad. Are those Greek warriors stirring up some Nescafé?
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Mickey hands greet runners at the 2015 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.
This morning I headed down through East Village to view the finish of the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon. I was rooting for our local running legend Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi, who many years ago went to San Diego High School about a mile from where I live. At 40 years old he’s one of the greatest long distance runners on planet Earth! He was running the half marathon this time. For 2015, United States Track & Field chose this popular San Diego race to be the home of its Masters Half Marathon National Championships.
As I headed over to Park Boulevard and then wound my way south, I saw that the marathoners were well underway. At about the 4 mile mark, their course curled through downtown before heading back up north. Both the full and half marathons ended near Petco Park, and I eventually planted myself one block short of the finish line, at the corner of 13th and J Street. Would Meb win?
Please enjoy some cool photos!
Marathon participants at the mile 4 marker, racing through downtown San Diego.Someone is holding up a big Meb face!Many flags, signs and costumes were seen all along the race course.Less than a mile from the finish line, no runners have arrived yet.The runners will be crossing this cool Rock ‘n Roll Marathon graphic on 13th Avenue.Some photographers sit idle, waiting for the race to come their way.LUCK is created in the mind. A crowd has begun to gather not far from the finish line.One block from the finish, and the half marathon runners should be here in a couple minutes!Here come Meb Keflezighi and Jordan Chipangama side-by-side! Who will win?The top half marathon runners are now arriving on this cloudy San Diego morning.Faces contain strain, determination and elation as the finish line nears.Meanwhile, flowers are being sold to onlookers beside the race route.Here come more runners. Is it the top women’s finisher?It’s the women’s half marathon winner, Eri Hayakawa!Many triumphant faces at the 2015 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll runs!
The winner of the men’s half marathon, with a final burst of speed, was Jordan Chipangama at 01:02:24. Meb Keflezighi came in second at 01:02:26, just two seconds behind!
The women’s half marathon winner was Eri Hayakawa at 01:10:47.
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The Salvation Army marching band parades around County of San Diego Waterfront Park.
Almost everyone recognizes their red shield. Most have walked past their holiday season bell ringers. Many have been helped by their programs and services. The Salvation Army, an important part of our community, is 150 years old.
The local branch of the worldwide organization celebrated that history today in the County of San Diego Waterfront Park. I walked there this morning to see what was going on.
What does the Salvation Army do? In San Diego, their Sierra Del Mar Division provides transitional living for homeless mothers and children. They help the unemployed homeless return to a normal, stable, working life. They have disaster response programs, providing emergency food and help. They provide seniors with nutritional assistance. They help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction. They operate the expansive Ray and Joan Kroc Community Corps Center, which features education, recreation and family support programs. They do a whole lot of good. While The Salvation Army is a Christian organization, everybody is welcome. None are turned away.
As I approached the park, I was surprised and pleased to see a dignified parade coming down the sidewalk…
150 years of community service is being celebrated by The Salvation Army.Drums, banners, uniforms and kids stepping proudly down the San Diego sidewalk.The modest parade ends in the waterfront park, where music, fun and fellowship begin.A speech kicks off the event. The Salvation Army helps the homeless, the poor, the suffering around the world.Coffee is served from rear of an emergency disaster services vehicle.This friendly lady provided some info about the popular Christian charitable organization.A gathering in the park celebrates 150 years of doing the most good.
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Team Love of Ben at the San Diego Brain Tumor Walk. We walk for you. We walk for love.
This morning I stumbled across a deeply touching event. As I was taking photos of something completely different, I noticed hundreds of people walking through the County of San Diego Waterfront Park holding signs. I had to check it out.
The San Diego Brain Tumor Walk had just begun! The event, hosted by the National Brain Tumor Society, was created to raise awareness and desperately needed funds for various important brain tumor programs, including medical research. Many brain cancers are super aggressive and deadly. 69,000 Americans will be diagnosed with brain tumors this year. No cure exists.
As you can see by the signs, this disease is personal, devastating, heart-wrenching. Can you help? Here’s the event page, where you can make a donation. Please do.
Laugh ‘n with Jen. Miss UR laugh Jen.Team Alex walks to fight brain tumors. Today funds were raised to help those affected by this devastating disease.Team Bri. Walking for my cousin. Fight on.Susie has a very rare form of brain tumor. But nothing can hold back Wonder Woman.I walk for my mom!Susie’s Superheroes are on the march! Join them!
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Jeff, a challenged athlete who benefits from Operation Rebound, at a special marathon Spreckels Organ concert.
Right now I’m sitting at my computer on Cortez Hill, not far from Balboa Park. Sometimes I imagine–for a brief moment–that I can hear music drifting in through the window. Whether my ears are deceiving me or not, I do know that the huge Spreckels Organ is booming across the beloved urban park at this very exact moment.
How do I know this? Because San Diego’s own Civic Organist, Dr. Carol Williams, is playing the king of musical instruments today for twelve and a half hours straight! In addition to setting a new official Guinness World Record for organ playing, she’s raising money for Operation Rebound!
Operation Rebound is a division of the Challenged Athletes Foundation. They help American military personnel, veterans and first responders who face permanent disability, but who have a passion to compete in sports. An active lifestyle can help greatly when it comes to both mental and physical health. Here is their website.
The unique event today at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion helps to raise money, so that wounded warriors can obtain expensive prosthetics, specialized equipment, and funds for travel as they compete in sporting tournaments.
It is a most worthy cause.
You can donate right now! Even a few bucks helps! To do so, click here!
Operation Rebound table had images of wounded warriors who have turned or returned to sport. This organization helps challenged athletes with their expenses.Dr. Carol Williams, San Diego’s Civic Organist, is playing for over 12 hours to help raise money, plus to set a new world record!The beautiful Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park is the scene of an important Memorial Day weekend event.Jeff talks movingly about how Operation Rebound has helped him. Wounded warriors who engage in sports often need funds for prosthetics, travel to tournaments, and special equipment.At a table nearby, people were creating greeting cards that thank our troops for sacrificing for our freedom.One handmade heartfelt card reads: You Rock! Thank you for your bravery, dedication, and amazing strength.
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Grossmont High School NJROTC Ceremonial Color Guard waits for an important event to begin.
This morning I attended a moving ceremony. Americans who fought in World War II, members of The Greatest Generation, were honored in a special Veterans Wreath Ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum. It’s one of several events taking place on the USS Midway this Memorial Day weekend. San Diego’s popular aircraft carrier museum promises to be a very busy hub of activity.
I took a few photographs of the ceremony. It was short, but very meaningful.
People cross flight deck of USS Midway aircraft carrier museum to attend a special Memorial Day weekend event. (Chairs are for a Wynonna Judd concert later this evening.)Looking south over San Diego Bay from upper deck of USS Midway Museum. Unconditional Surrender statue can be seen below.Pomerado Community Band plays music before start of short ceremony that honors World War II veterans.God Bless America sung with a deep, resonant voice. Many in the crowd listen with emotion.Guests are ready for the special Memorial Day weekend Veterans Wreath Ceremony to begin.There are two wreaths. One commemorates those who fought in the World War II Pacific theater. The second wreath is dedicated to those who served in Europe.This honored vet performed his duty in the Pacific during the Second World War. With him are two other generations.Also honored was energetic Stu Hedley, who is a Pearl Harbor survivor.Vintage World War II P-35 fighter aircraft from Air Group One (San Diego Wing of the Commemorative Air Force) flies over during the ceremony.The wreaths are presented to the two representative veterans, who will toss them into the water.In a time-honored ritual and tribute, the first wreath takes flight as many watch and The Remembrance Bell is rung.Flowers and memories float on San Diego Bay on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend.A photo from the flight deck of the USS Midway. The historic aircraft carrier is used for many military ceremonies in San Diego.
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Rolling Stones Zip Code tour banners hang outside the Hard Rock Hotel, a couple blocks from Petco Park.
The Rolling Stones are ready to begin their highly-anticipated new Zip Code tour. And it kicks off this weekend right here in San Diego!
Walking about downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter this morning, I saw that Rolling Stones banners have been hung on many street lamps. Very cool! The classic rock band’s new tour will take them to a handful of select cities in North America, and possibly South America.
The last huge concert to fill Petco Park was Sir Paul McCartney on tour last September.
Rolling Stones graphic includes a baseball-like tongue! Also visible in this photo is San Diego’s landmark Gaslamp Quarter sign.
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People at the annual Plastic Fantastic check out cars of the North County Corvette Club.
Here are some cool pics!
I was walking along San Diego’s waterfront today, with no destination in mind, when I stumbled upon a huge gathering of car enthusiasts! Members of the North County Corvette Club had come together for a fun day at Embarcadero Marina Park North, right next to Seaport Village. Their annual car show, dubbed the Plastic Fantastic, is said to be the oldest and largest all-Corvette show in the Southwest. There had to be well over a hundred perfectly gorgeous Corvettes gleaming in the San Diego sunshine!
This cool event benefits the club charity, the San Diego USO, an organization that serves active-duty, reserve, guard and military families. If you’d like, you can donate to USO San Diego here!
The San Diego USO benefited from the all-Corvette car show near Seaport Village.The King Lives–but he must be laying off the donuts, because it seems he’s shrunk a bit.Shiny metallic American flag inside the hood of a cool Chevy Corvette.Artwork on this slick sports car includes flames and a checkered flag.A racy paint job and a beautiful downtown San Diego backdrop.Lots of Corvettes were on the grass of Embarcadero Marina Park North, right next to San Diego Bay.Another colorful photo, with the Marriott Marina in the background.Corvette owners wait to hear which cars won show awards.It’s two o’clock and time to head home. Drivers are graciously thanked for attending!
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Park rangers and community organizations set up displays on the Visitor Center patio.
This morning I headed up Mission Gorge Road to check out the big annual Explore Mission Trails Day event!
Mission Trails Regional Park is a 6000-acre nature reserve located in San Diego’s East County. It’s one of the largest urban parks in the United States–basically a wide stretch of rugged, rocky wilderness within our large modern city! The San Diego River runs through the very heart of the park as it makes its way from higher inland elevations to the Pacific Ocean. I often drive past and gaze at the low chaparral-covered mountains and hills, and twice I’ve climbed Cowles Mountain, but this was the first time I’ve actually set foot inside the Visitor Center.
What an awesome place! How did I miss it all of these years?
Today I limited myself to the south end of the park, including a short but super cool hike from the Visitor Center to the Grinding Rocks. (That will be my next blog post!) There were additional Explore Mission Trails Day activities up by the Old Mission Dam and Kumeyaay Lake Campground, and by Mast Boulevard and Highway 52. I suppose I’ll have to go again next year!
My photos tell the story of what I saw…
Banner beside Father Junipero Serra Trail announces Explore Mission Trails Day!There were opportunities to learn about nature, wildlife, science, history and the environment.Some folks near the main entrance of the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center.Bronze sculpture of a golden eagle is perched above path near the Visitor Center entrance.Plaque by door dedicates the large open space park to past, present and future San Diegans.View inside the Mission Trails Visitor and Interpretive Center from second floor balcony.Flutists play near “Heritage” sculpture depicting native Kumeyaay elders. Amazing monumental artwork is by T.J. Dixon and James Nelson.The Art of Bird Photography is a special exhibition featuring the work of Blake Shaw.Roberta Labastida is the author of My Ancestors’ Village, which tells about the life of the Kumeyaay people who were here long before the arrival of Europeans.Numerous exhibits and activities could be found inside the Mission Trails Visitor and Interpretive Center.Western Scrub Jay and Northern Racoon are animals one might see in this very large San Diego urban park.Cleaning some chalk off where kids have been identifying animal tracks.The bobcat is often encountered in the hills and mountains of San Diego County. I once saw one while hiking around Mount Laguna!Historically, the Kumeyaay lived in large family groups, and moved about depending on the season and the availability of nature’s bounty.Exhibits in Visitor Center’s museum show different aspects of Kumeyaay culture, including songs, games and crafts.Very cool observation window allows visitors to look out upon South Fortuna and Kwaay Paay Peak.With the majestic chaparral-covered Fortuna Mountains as its backdrop, the coastal sage scrub habitat is highly adapted to our long hot summers.Looking back out at the rear patio. More people have arrived in the past few minutes while I explored inside.Now I’m outside again, coming down some steps. Another cloudy day, following San Diego’s latest storm!Replicated flume near Visitor Center is a modern interpretation of the man-made channel that carried water from the Old Mission Dam (a couple miles upriver) to Mission San Diego de Alcala.Sign by replicated flume details how it was engineered over two centuries ago. Water was used at the old historic Mission for livestock, farms and inhabitants.Cool table full of meteorites next to traditional Kumeyaay house made of willow branches.This sign tells the story of a fictional Kumeyaay woman, circa the year 1000. This primitive house was called an Ewaa.Large boulder moved to Visitor Center due to construction contains a mortar-like hole used by Kumeyaay to grind acorns, seeds, roots, herbs and other natural foods.A replicated solar calendar made of stones, used by Native Americans to mark the Winter Solstice. Only a couple have been found in San Diego County.This pink beauty is a California Wild Rose, found beside the patio. They’re more often found along streams.Lady rests in Visitor Center amphitheater by small bronze sculpture of a Dusky-footed Woodrat. This wild rodent can create a nest up to 8 feet high!Sculpture of a coyote, one the top predators of Mission Trails Regional Park. Even with human encroachment, they remain numerous today.Family checks out a very cool, life-size sculpture of a mountain lion at the amphitheater. This secretive animal is rarely seen around here.Ms. Frizzle was present at Explore Mission Trails Day! The event was an educational treat for both kids and adults!
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Summer must almost be here! I saw it on the above sign!
I also noticed lots of happy San Diegans enjoying a sunny day at the big waterfront park that surrounds the County Administration Building. Maybe the families had gathered because today, by sheer coincidence, was Mother’s Day. Seems likely!
Can you believe this popular park is already one year old? I still vividly remember the two ugly old parking lots it replaced! San Diego’s Embarcadero has become much, much more beautiful during the 15 years I’ve lived downtown.
Families just chill and have fun in the San Diego sunshine.It looks like a bunch of kids were put in huge hamster balls.This guy is testing his balance on some sort of board simulator.Kids play on the grass by a flag that flies above the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.I’m approaching a special Mom Zone. Today is Mother’s Day!Free 5 minute massages for moms! That tent seemed the most popular!
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Cool San Diego Sights! 