family – Page 30 – Cool San Diego Sights!

Mormon Battalion Commemoration coming in January!

The annual Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day is coming to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park on January 27, 2018.

Anyone interested in the long march of the Mormon Battalion from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego and their important contributions to our city’s early history should put the event on their calendar!

I’ve been informed by the commemoration day organizer that entertainment will include a Native American dance group featuring drums and singers, some colorful ballet folklorico dancers, and an old time fiddler’s group!

To get a taste of the many interesting things you might see, view photos of past Mormon Battalion Commemoration Days here and here!

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I recently finished writing a short story about generosity and the true spirit of Christmas. To read it, click here!

Photos of 54th Annual North Park Toyland Parade!

A cool sight before the 54th Annual North Park Toyland Parade gets started!

Here are lots of photos from today’s 54th Annual North Park Toyland Parade!

This was my first year watching the Toyland Parade. I headed to North Park and walked about a little before the parade began. Then I found a spot on the sidewalk and got my camera ready!

Kids head toward the parade route, which begins along University Avenue in San Diego's North Park neighborhood. — Kids head toward the parade route, which begins along University Avenue in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.

These kids were selling fresh mistletoe before the parade got started.

Folks chat in the staging area before the hometown holiday parade begins in the late afternoon.

And here we go! Boy Scouts lead the parade carrying flags.

After a bunch of local San Diego politicians go by, here comes the Grinch!

It's the Gift of Dance! Some very lively Mexican folklorico dancing adds zest to the parade! — It’s the Gift of Dance! Some very lively Mexican folklorico dancing adds zest to the parade!

A fun truck with a Christmas tree in back.

This fun parade entry sported a miniature North Park landmark sign.

I believe this is a student attending Saint Didacus Parish School.

Lots of candy was being handed out to thrilled kids along the parade route.

Kimberly Wong was the 2017 Miss Toyland Parade Queen!

Friendly folks from the Cambodian Nazarene Church.

This silly guy with the John P. Squibob group posed for my camera.

San Diego's Al Bahr Shriners seems to be in every parade around the city. — San Diego’s Al Bahr Shriners seems to be in every parade around the city.

Here come those fun little parade vehicles the Shriners always drive.

Here come some North Park Little Leaguers.

A Mexican and Canadian flag, and a really good time. I believe these are kids at Jefferson Elementary Steam Magnet.

Everyone loves a parade. Including the participants!

Here comes the Madison High School marching band!

Marching cheerfully down University wearing Santa hats. Many familiar holiday tunes were performed during the parade. — Marching cheerfully down University Avenue wearing Santa hats. Many familiar holiday tunes were performed during the parade.

Yikes! It's Bumble, the Abominable Snowmonster of the North! Watch out Rudolph! — Yikes! It’s Bumble, the Abominable Snowmonster of the North! Watch out Rudolph!

And here comes another Grinch! Is nobody safe? — And here comes another fierce Grinch! Is nobody safe?

Here comes a bunch of super cool vehicles. Check this out... — Here comes a bunch of super cool vehicles. Check this out…

Check out the hydraulics action of this awesome lowrider! These guys were bouncing their cars like mad all along the parade route!

The parade crowd loved these crazy cars.

It's the Sweetwater High School Red Devil Corps! — It’s the Sweetwater High School Red Devil Corps!

Here comes Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock on an elf-driven motorcycle!

These are members of the Realm of Andor, part of the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society. They meet Sundays in Balboa Park at Morley Field.

Everyone is in the North Park holiday parade. Even the Junk King!

This guy's cool Star Trike appears to be modeled after the Starship Enterprise. — This guy’s cool Star Trike appears to be modeled after the Starship Enterprise. I wonder if it’s difficult to obtain dilithium crystals?

And at the end of the North Park Toyland Parade, good old Santa Claus waves to everyone from atop a fire engine! Merry Christmas!

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Four years of December Nights memories.

December Nights begins this afternoon! The big holiday festival in Balboa Park runs today from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and tomorrow from noon to 11:00 pm.

The past four years, Cool San Diego Sights has featured many fun photos from December Nights. So many smiles! So many heartwarming memories!

Perhaps you’d like to relive those moments in time. Simply click the following links!

2016 . . .

Searching for Santa at December Nights!

2015 . . .

Fun photos of 2015 December Nights in Balboa Park!

2014 . . .

Joyful colors of Christmas at December Nights.

2013 . . .

Lots of Balboa Park December Nights photos!

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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!

Fun photos of 2017 Christmas on the Prado!

Energetic elves run about the colonnade of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during 2017 Christmas on the Prado in Balboa Park!

Look at all these fun photos! I took them today in Balboa Park, where the 2017 Community Christmas Center’s “Christmas on the Prado” is being held, even as I type this.

I caught the very beginning of the annual family-friendly event. Various activities and musical entertainment on the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion emphasize the religious importance and meaning of Christmas. The central feature is an extensive life-size nativity display showing Biblical events leading up to the birth of Christ.

When I walked around Balboa Park during the afternoon, I noticed other holiday decorations are going up all throughout the park. Next weekend the big December Nights event will be held, which is one of the nation’s most popular and spectacular holiday festivals!

Even with that smile, you can't fool me Mrs. Claus! That's not really Santa! — Even with that smile, you can’t fool me Mrs. Claus! That’s not a real Santa!

A bunch of folk from the North Pole were getting ready as Christmas on the Prado was almost set to open. — A bunch of folk from the North Pole were getting ready among toys as Christmas on the Prado was almost set to open.

These outstanding U.S. Marines were collecting Toys for Tots during the annual family-friendly event.

I learned kids would be playing pin-the-carrot-on-the-snowman!

First up to sing were those elves. They attend Dailard Elementary School. Funny songs included Silly Humans and Elfie Selfie.

Lots of parents were in the large crowd waving.

This elf probably thought I was a silly human, who asked her to smile for my camera!

Christmas on the Prado emphasizes the religious importance of the holiday. Scenes in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion show Biblical events leading up to the birth of Christ.

I spy four smiling faces in this photo. Can you count them?

As the evening becomes chilly, a line will form at the Gingerbread House for cookies, cocoa and coffee.

Here are some additional photos from around Balboa Park today. The first two I took at the International Cottages…

A beautiful small Christmas tree inside the House of Sweden cottage.

Visitors to the House of Norway were making all sorts of holiday crafts. — Visitors to the House of Norway cottage were making all sorts of holiday crafts.

Artists were selling their work not far from the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. I spied some truly amazing Christmas artwork created by Katrina Bittar. I learned that the core of each delicate piece is papier-mâché. — Artists were selling their work on some grass near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. I spied some truly amazing Christmas artwork created by Katrina Bittar. I learned that the core of each delicate piece is papier-mâché.

All sorts of fun holiday stuff can be found in Balboa Park's Spanish Village Art Center. Seems it's going to be a Meowy Christmas! — All sorts of fun holiday stuff can be found in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center. Appears it’s going to be a Meowy Christmas!

I bought 3 bags of cookies from this happy elf in front of the Casa del Prado. I believe funds were being raised for the San Diego Junior Theatre.

A bunch of elves are running loose 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!

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!

Holiday by the Bay opens in San Diego.

Holiday by the Bay in front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront opened on Thanksgiving. There is an ice rink, Christmas-themed miniature golf and many colorful lights.

During my walk this evening I noticed that Holiday by the Bay has opened. It’s Thanksgiving Day.

Cheerful lights surround a small ice rink and a fun Christmas-themed miniature golf course in front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. While just one person was skating as I walked by, it looks like a wonderful place to spend some time!

Holiday by the Bay is open until New Year’s Day. With every ticket purchased, Hilton will give $1 to USO San Diego. According to the Hilton website, one can eat breakfast outside here with Santa!

Best of all, it’s a place of innocent joy and peace. On beautiful San Diego Bay.

It's early evening. Someone enjoys the ice rink on San Diego's beautiful waterfront. — It’s early evening. Someone enjoys the ice rink on San Diego’s beautiful waterfront.

It's almost sunset on Thanksgiving. Some cheerful Christmas trees are lit. — It’s almost sunset on Thanksgiving Day. Some cheerful Christmas trees are lit.

Lights, fun and good cheer await visitors to Holiday by the Bay!

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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!

Volunteers restore habitat in San Dieguito River Valley!

Hard-working volunteers remove non-native vegetation in a small part of the San Dieguito River Valley. — Hard-working volunteers remove invasive vegetation in a small area of the San Dieguito River Valley.

Today I happened upon a bunch of energetic volunteers working to restore habitat in the San Dieguito River Valley! They were removing non-native vegetation near the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead!

Lots of invasive, rapidly growing wild mustard appeared to be the main problem. I also learned from a friendly San Dieguito River Park ranger that mustard is highly flammable, much more so than California coastal sage and chaparral plants that are native to our arid region.

Today’s work, coinciding with Family Volunteer Day, was an effort of several organizations, including the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Their mission is to implement the vision of the San Dieguito River Park, a greenway that stretches all the way from Volcan Mountain near Julian to Dog Beach in Del Mar! Their conservation and educational programs, along with their purchases of land in the River Park planning area, will ensure that the beautiful San Dieguito River Valley will be a rich and healthy natural treasure for many lifetimes to come!

Want to learn more? Or maybe get involved? Here’s their website!

This Saturday event was part of Family Volunteer Day, a worldwide day of service promoted by generationOn.

Youth have fun while they work to make the Earth a healthier place.

A San Dieguito River Park ranger had brought many pots of native lemonade berry to plant.

Another perfect day to work outdoors and help the environment!

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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!

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Holiday food drive in Hillcrest to help special kids.

Aseltine School's 2017 Holiday Food Drive takes place Wednesday, December 6, 530 pm to 730 pm, at Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest. — Aseltine School’s 2017 Holiday Food Drive takes place Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest.

If you’re in San Diego, please consider participating in the Aseltine School’s 4th Annual Holiday Food Drive. It will be taking place on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest, which is located at 1236 University Avenue.

Bring non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, canned chicken and tuna, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, soup and pasta. The food you bring will support students and families in need.

Aseltine School is a supportive, positive place where K-12 students are helped to overcome a variety of difficulties. Their innovative program transforms young lives. Learn more at Aseltine’s website.

Your generosity will be greeted with lots of big smiles!

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Are you a blogger? Do you want to help make the world a better place? You might want to join Bloggers Lifting Others Generously.

Love and memory: Old Town’s Dia de los Muertos.

Names and a few loving words. Spiritual magic, linking the living with the dead during Dia del Los Muertos. — The names of loved ones. Spiritual bonds link the living with the dead during Dia de los Muertos.

Many generations came together in Old Town this evening during Dia de los Muertos.

Love and memory were written on so many smiling faces as people celebrated their departed loved ones. Chalk memorials and scattered marigolds lined San Diego Avenue. And the evening ended with a candlelight procession from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to the small El Campo Santo cemetery. A walk of several blocks in the growing darkness . . . a short walk down a road brightly lit by love.

My poor camera failed to capture the candlelight procession as night descended. But your heart and mind might imagine it.

An abundance of music, humor and life on stage during the Dia de Los Muertos celebration in Old Town San Diego! — An abundance of music, humor and life on stage during the Dia de los Muertos celebration in Old Town San Diego!

People could pose for photos with two giant skeleton puppets!

An artist paints two large skulls--calaveras--in Old Town's Plaza de las Armas during Dia de los Muertos. — An artist paints two large skulls–calaveras–in Old Town’s Plaza de las Armas during Dia de los Muertos.

Children decorate traditional sugar skulls.

Some around the park wore fancy dresses and hats for the day, recreating the iconic Mexican image of La Calavera Catrina. There were many faces painted like fantastic skulls. — Some around the park wore fancy dresses and hats for the day, recreating the iconic Mexican image of La Calavera Catrina. I saw many faces painted like fantastic skulls.

Some of the shops in Old Town had a mix of decorations for both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.

A large, colorful calavera above a restaurant inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Face painting and a smile. — Face painting and a youthful smile.

Hundreds of tributes and sentiments for departed loved ones were written with chalk on a long stretch of San Diego Avenue inside the State Historic Park. — Hundreds of tributes and sentiments for departed loved ones were written in chalk on a long stretch of San Diego Avenue, inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Lanterns among the heartfelt Dia de los Muertos chalk memorials. — Lanterns among the many Dia de los Muertos chalk memorials.

Te amo--I love you--and a marigold. — Te amo–I love you–and a marigold.

Love and memory connect generations as the years roll on. — Love and memory connect many generations as the years roll on.

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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!

Day of the Dead celebration at the Old Globe.

Day of the Dead altar created by the Old Globe Theatre contains photos of departed loved ones, roses, candles, and an image of Shakespeare.

For several hours today, visitors to Balboa Park could enjoy traditional Dia de los Muertos activities in Copley Plaza, at the entrance to the Old Globe’s theater complex. The event’s main attraction was two performances of a powerful new play called La Muerte Descansa en Paz (Death Rests in Peace). The first performance was in Spanish, the second mostly in English.

The brief but emotionally stirring play, directed and co-created by Daniel Jáquez, was presented for the very first time on Saturday during the SAY San Diego’s City Heights Day of the Dead Celebration. The production is the result of a collaboration between the Old Globe’s coLAB and AXIS programs and the San Diego community of City Heights.

Here are some photos of today’s event!

Day of the Dead--Dia de los Muertos--was celebrated today in Copley Plaza, outside the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in Balboa Park. — Day of the Dead–Dia de los Muertos–was celebrated today in Copley Plaza, outside the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in Balboa Park.

A Dia de los Muertos altar remembers and celebrates those who've passed out of life. Their spirits are enticed to return among the living. — A Dia de los Muertos altar remembers and celebrates those who’ve passed into the next world. Their spirits are enticed to return among the living.

A loving tribute to loved ones, dearly missed. — A loving tribute to relatives and loved ones, dearly missed.

Kids have their faces painted like sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos.

At one table creative kids could color Dia de los Muertos skulls.

Shakespeare among Dia de los Muertos skulls. Perhaps one belonged to Yorick. — Shakespeare among Dia de los Muertos skulls. Perhaps that one in the center belonged to Yorick.

A performance of La Muerte Descansa en Paz (Death Rests in Peace) begins. The dead enter in front of a living audience.

The character Death takes the stage. Death sees both sides of the river. Death sees life's joy, pain, dreams--and the souls of the departed. — The character Death takes the stage. Death sees both sides of the river. Death sees life’s joy, pain, dreams–and the souls of the departed.

The dead dance. On Dia de los Muertos, when the church bells ring, Death permits the dead to return briefly as spirits among the living.

A dead poet remembers the richness and brevity of life--the joy, the sorrow. — A dead poet vaguely remembers the richness and brevity of life–the sharp joys and sorrows. Her voice was cut short, but her living words linger.

The dead briefly take the stage. We, the living, experience a glimpse, a whisper, a moment of lost love.

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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 fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Halloween fun and creativity in Balboa Park!

Kids at Halloween Family Day in Balboa Park color Dia de los Muertos skulls.

Today was Halloween Family Day in Balboa Park!

A lively crowd filled the park, roaming about in fun costumes, trick-or-treating, eating yummy food truck offerings, and enjoying all sorts of entertainment. But the coolest part of the event, in my opinion, was the opportunity to create all sorts of colorful Halloween art!

Many families filled El Prado during Balboa Park's fun Halloween Family Day. — Many families filled El Prado during Balboa Park’s annual Halloween Family Day.

The Timken Museum of Art had a table that helped kids learn how to make some cool Halloween artwork.

A scary hand print and nearby smiling pumpkin treat.

A panda and his pals were providing music in the Plaza de Panama. People in Halloween costumes look on. — A panda and his pals were providing music in the Plaza de Panama. Young and old in Halloween costumes look on.

Decals were being applied to trick-or-treat bags in Spanish Village Art Center.

Anyone at the Japanese Friendship Garden could make a cool spider sucker holder using craftily bent black pipe cleaners.

More fun Halloween coloring at the International Cottages table on El Prado.

Flesh-eating plants displayed by the San Diego Carnivorous Plant Society appeared even scarier than usual!

The San Diego Public Library was at the annual event promoting reading. Something a bit spooky might be perfect today.

Even the Balboa Park electriquettes were dressed up for the occasion!

Making bats at the San Diego Natural History Museum table.

A beautiful glass pumpkin, that was made by the glassblowers of Spanish Village.

Kids learn how to sculpt in Spanish Village during Halloween Family Day.

Yikes! That's really creepy! — Yikes! That’s really creepy!

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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!

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