Habitat for Humanity is building a house in downtown’s Horton Square!
Yesterday–Sunday–I was leaving Horton Plaza when I noticed a small home is being built in the center of downtown San Diego! The house is rising just south of Broadway in Horton Square, the exact spot where a weekly farmers market and winter ice rink are located.
I swung by again early this morning hoping to see volunteers at work, continuing with the construction. One gentleman had already arrived and was carrying tools out of a shed. I asked him when the day’s work would begin. They were forced to work between 9 and 10, he told me, because of the noise of hammering!
The project is called Habitat Off Broadway. The unusual build site provides Habitat for Humanity an opportunity to share their mission with those who live and work in the heart of San Diego.
Once the house is framed, it will be broken down into pieces and transported to east county’s El Cajon, where it will become somebody’s home.
Gentleman preparing the day’s work told me a little about this unique project.Habitat Off Broadway aims to touch those who live and work in San Diego.Sign explains how home ownership is beneficial for families.The house is partially framed and awaits more work later in the morning!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
The 2014 San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is bigger, crazier and more exciting than ever. If you want to enjoy a really fun time, go check it out! But expect huge crowds!
The theme this year is the Fab Fair, a commemoration of the fifty year anniversary of the Beatles coming to America. Prepare to relive the 60’s in ways you’d never imagine!
On a lark I rode the Coaster from downtown up to Del Mar for the big Opening Day. I didn’t have any sort of plan; I just walked about the fairgrounds randomly the way I often do. But I did discover and photograph lots of cool stuff!
Would you like to see some pics? Let’s start at the West Gate and begin our walk through the enormous Fun Zone…
Make a pool shot and win a stuffed one-eyed Minion!Persuasive carny almost convinces me to throw a ring at a duck.Gazing up at ride in San Diego County Fair’s Fun Zone.The wacky Fun House lures fair-goers and one curious photo-taker.Now we’re near the historic Del Mar Fairgrounds Grandstand.Ms. Senior Nevada performs on the Plaza Stage.Lots of crafts at the Design in Wood exhibition.
Now we’ve headed inside a building adjacent to the Del Mar Racetrack’s big Grandstand. There is also a dazzling Gems, Minerals and Jewelry exhibition which is well worth checking out.
Master woodworker demonstrates planing skills.Student Showcase contains art by high school students.
Many of the fair’s exhibits were in the large Grandstand building. Displays of art, food, clothing, collectibles, and everything imaginable filled several floors. It all had been entered by creative San Diegans, with the hope of winning a blue ribbon.
Home and Hobby exhibition includes many Beatles collectibles.Big crowd outside enjoys fair beneath the Skyway.Demonstrating a fancy vegetable peeler inside Bing Crosby Hall.
The huge Bing Crosby hall is where all sorts of odd gadgets and unique products are touted by eager salespeople!
Psychedelic VW Beetle at the outside Garden Show.
The outdoor and indoor Garden Show is one of my favorite parts of the annual fair. There were many beautiful and creative landscape exhibits.
Cool little keyhole garden can be grown anywhere.Fab Four include Paul, John, George and Ringo.Fun, whimsical display at the popular Garden Show.Lots of hippie-themed stuff to buy everywhere.Here are the good old Footsie Wootsie machines!
I remember these crazy machines at the fair when I was a kid, and that was many years ago!
Just inside the San Diego County Fair’s O’Brien Gate main entrance.Man walks into the Fab Fair Experience.People pose to recreate old Beatles album cover.Lots of displays remember the British Invasion of the 60’s.Sign above the Livestock Barn.
Now let’s go check out some livestock. It’s the county fair, after all!
Judge scores llama in a ring near livestock barn.Young lady looks worried as she prepares to show her goat.Sheep were being sheered in a smaller nearby barn.I missed the Swifty Swine pig racing event!Rescue personnel perform demonstration in Del Mar Arena.Back outside we discover a giant Florida gator.Wall of the Wyland Center has a cool whale mural.
That whale and the underwater scene around it were painted by famed marine-life artist Wyland at the 2006 San Diego County Fair.
Cool photo of extremely popular 2014 San Diego County Fair.The giant Ferris wheel turns in the summer sky.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
Boy gets encouragement before racing in Soap Box Derby.
San Diego’s annual Local Race put on by the All-American Soap Box Derby was held today! The action could be found on 25th Street in Sherman Heights, a neighborhood just east of downtown!
Local kids, 7 to 18 years old, build their own gravity cars, then race them down a straight, sloped residential street. There are three classes of competition: Stock Division, Super Stock Division, and Masters Division. Each class features a unique type of race car.
The kids were having a blast!
Kids learn workmanship building gravity cars.The very simple interior of a gravity car.Two competitors get some last minute advice.Ready to race!Man pushes Ice cream cart up 25th Street hill.Here they come! Racers speed past spectators!Announcer at finish line watches the action!One race is over and a car is retrieved.Gravity cars are towed back up to the start line!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
View of Balboa Park rose garden from nearby bridge.
Mom passed away some years ago. She loved roses. This blog post is dedicated to every precious mom on Mother’s Day.
I took these photos today at Balboa Park’s three-acre Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden. It’s located across Park Boulevard from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and features about 1,600 roses of more than 130 varieties. People love to stroll through the lush award-winning displays. Many mothers and families were present today!
Hundreds of roses surround a large, shady gazebo.Path near the edge of rose garden’s gazebo.Plaque on one gazebo bench with romantic sentiment.A fountain among the roses.Looking across colorful blooms toward entrance.Families enjoy a world-class rose garden on Mother’s Day.Looking over white roses at the Natural History Museum.Garden is dedicated to the memory of Inez Grant Parker.Simply beautiful.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
A big crowd turned out for the 2014 Padres FanFest!
This morning I spent a little time at this year’s Padres FanFest. Wow! I’d never been to this event before, and it was bigger and more exciting than I expected! Padres fans could engage in all sorts of fun activities throughout Petco Park, and I took photos everywhere I turned. Here are a few good ones…
Padres fans stream up the stairs at Petco Park.People enjoy themselves on the baseball field at Padres FanFest.Posing for photos at home plate at Padres FanFest.Padres fans could either walk or run the bases.Small girl with a big pink baseball bat.Padres ball girl reaches into bucket just before throwing to a fan.A vendor with cotton candy moves through the crowd on the field.Small girl heads toward a big pretzel.Padres fan gets to throw a pitch in the Petco bullpen!Fans wait in line to field balls in Petco’s outfield.Padres manager Bud Black speaks to FanFest crowd.Kids check out the big display on the outfield wall.Looking from The Beach through the outfield fence at lots of fans.Fans stream up from The Beach to the Park at the Park.Inflatable Friar stands atop hill overlooking the KidsFest.Padres fan does chin-ups at Marines booth at FanFest.A military robot fascinates kids at Padres FanFest.Kids play at base of Tony Gwynn statue.Padres KidsFest featured lots of games and happy families.Boy gets ready to swing a bat.Pets available for adoption from Helen Woodward Animal Center.People watch kids playing baseball during Padres FanFest.Kids play in the tiny baseball field at the Park at the Park.
Hundreds of colorful tiles encircle a large playground at Liberty Station. Each tile was carefully painted by a child. This one contains a special message.
At Seaport Village yesterday, the Halloween Bash on the Bay brought out legions of costumed kids and their families. Trick or treating, music, food, dancing, crafts and fun were found all over the place.
A colorful costume contest for kids and dogs was held at the central fountain.
A mask making station attracted a whole bunch of creative kids.
In this photo we see kids dancing and showing off their cool costumes. The fun theme song from Ghostbusters and bubbles from a bubble blower filled the food court as I walked through. Not sure what caused the smoke. Not sure about that blue tarp, either. The Seaport Village carousel twirls in the background.
Even the adults dressed up. Or is that wrestler really Macho Man Randy Savage?
This real life hot dog was a favorite at the costume contest. Everyone wanted to take a pic!
