Tag: homeless

Angel hovers above homeless person.

An angel hovers above a homeless person.
An angel hovers above a homeless person.

I usually don’t post only one photograph, but I captured a remarkable image this morning, and thought some of you might like to see it. I was walking into the Panama-California Sculpture Court at the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park when I observed the standing figure titled “Religion” hovering like a heavenly angel above a homeless person sitting alone on a bench.

Adopt a furry friend in San Diego!

Adopt Leticia! She's a silly Chihuahua and Rat Terrier mix who loves fluffy beds and meeting new people!
Adopt Leticia! She’s a silly Chihuahua and Rat Terrier mix who loves fluffy beds and meeting new people!

Lots of potential furry friends are awaiting adoption at the San Diego Humane Society. They’d like to meet you!

I spotted some fun flyers while walking near Balboa Park yesterday evening. They feature some friendly four-legged folk who are waiting to be adopted. Visit the San Diego Humane Society website to find out more!

Adopt Ellie and Bob! These special kitties are best friends who seek a compassionate human who understands the nature of shy cats.
Adopt Ellie and Bob! These special kitties are best friends who seek a compassionate human who understands the nature of shy cats.
Adopt Lacey! She is a calm, loving girl who is smart and loving.
Adopt Lacey! She is a calm, loving girl who is really smart.
Hey there, I'm Regal! This social gentleman is ready for a home of his own! He loves belly rubs and tennis balls and being with his people!
Hey there, I’m Regal! This social gentleman is ready for a home of his own! He loves belly rubs and tennis balls and being with his people!

…

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

Small flowers sprout in a big city.

Sunflowers appear next to a Barrio Logan sidewalk.
Sunflowers appear next to a Barrio Logan sidewalk.

Sometimes flowers appear in unexpected places. In San Diego, as in any big city, they seem to sprout like small miracles. Here are a few glimpses…

A flower blooms in the window of a downtown San Diego tattoo parlor.
A flower blooms in the window of a downtown San Diego tattoo parlor.
A beautiful bouquet of flowers at an outdoor Little Italy cafe.
A beautiful bouquet of flowers at an outdoor Little Italy cafe.
Bronze statue of Kate Sessions in Balboa Park's Sefton Plaza holds flowers. She planted many seeds a century ago.
Bronze statue of Kate Sessions in Balboa Park’s Sefton Plaza holds a few white flowers. Kate planted many seeds a century ago.
Red bougainvillea poke through a white lath fence in North Park.
Red bougainvillea poke through a white lath fence in North Park.
Beautiful flowers in planters at Lou and Mickey's in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Beautiful flowers in planters at Lou and Mickey’s in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Chalk flowers on a playground's concrete wall, near The New Children's Museum in San Diego.
Chalk flowers on a playground’s concrete wall, near The New Children’s Museum in San Diego.
A San Diego trolley runs along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade near The New Children's Museum's Garden Project.
A San Diego trolley runs along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade near The New Children’s Museum’s Garden Project.
As I sat at the Seaport Village trolley station this morning, a homeless person with a bouquet of flowers passed in the distance.
As I sat at the Seaport Village trolley station this morning, a homeless person with a bouquet of flowers passed between fences in the distance.
Flowers and elegance near front door of the Tim Cantor gallery.
Flowers and elegance near front door of the Tim Cantor gallery.

…

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!

Have you ever witnessed a small miracle? You might enjoy reading my story An Unexpected Sunflower.

Images of joy and sadness as Christmas nears.

Tourist on a Segway passes a disabled Santa in a wheelchair.
Tourist on a Segway passes a disabled Santa in a wheelchair.

Life contains mingled joy and sadness. These feeling intensify as Christmas nears.

Christmas is a season brimming with generosity and hope. But the difficulties we all face persist. And for some, those difficulties are extreme.

During my walk this afternoon beneath dark, dramatic storm clouds, I captured a few images of human sadness, joy . . . and hope.

Storm clouds above downtown San Diego. Christmas is coming, but so is winter.
Storm clouds above downtown San Diego. Christmas is coming, but so is winter.
Palm trees in a row buffeted by a strong chilly wind on a late November day.
Palm trees in a row buffeted by a strong chilly wind on a late November day.
Someone camped against the San Diego County Courthouse. The number of homeless people downtown continues to grow.
Someone camped against the San Diego County Courthouse. The number of homeless people downtown continues to grow.
Using spice as a drug is a recipe for disaster. Drug use downtown has become alarming. Lives are being destroyed. Some residents no longer feel safe.
Using spice as a drug is a recipe for disaster. Drug use by the many homeless in downtown has become alarming. Lives are being visibly destroyed.
The relatively new Horton Plaza Park now attracts many homeless. A sad situation with no easy solution.
The relatively new Horton Plaza Park now attracts homeless people seeking a comfortable place. A deeply sad situation with no easy solution.
But there is also hope, and the potential for joy. A child is shown the dancing fountain at the center of Horton Plaza Park.
But there is also hope, and the potential for joy. A child is shown the dancing fountain at the center of Horton Plaza Park.
Youth peers into a fountain hopefully. What can one see? Dreams filled with light?
Youthful eyes peer into a fountain hopefully. What is it they possibly see? Dreams filled with light?
There is much one can do to brighten the world. Be the voice of a foster child. Provide hope, and a smile.
There is much one can do to brighten this world. I saw this example as I walked.  Be the voice of a foster child. Provide hope, and a smile.
Will it be a white Christmas in San Diego? Probably not. But perhaps Christmas is something more than mere dreams.
Will it be a white Christmas in San Diego? Probably not. But perhaps Christmas is something more than mere dreams.
A Christmas tree in a shopping center. It is a giving tree.
I spotted a typical Christmas tree in a shopping center. But this one is special.  It’s a giving tree.
USO San Diego needs your help to bring holiday cheer to active military families. (Please click the image to read more.)
USO San Diego needs your help to bring holiday cheer to active military families. (Please click the image to read details.)
The sun breaks through storm clouds and shines upon downtown San Diego. A faint rainbow appears above.
The sun breaks through storm clouds and shines upon downtown San Diego. There is much we can do.  A faint rainbow appears like magic above.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk. You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

If you’d like to read an inspiring tale about human generosity, you might enjoy a favorite short story that I’ve written, An Unexpected Sunflower.

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

Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K helps homeless.

Turkey hats on runners preparing for the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K, an annual event to help San Diego's homeless.
Turkey hats on runners preparing for the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K, an annual event to help San Diego’s homeless.

This morning thousands gathered in Balboa Park to participate in the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk. Money raised during the annual event helps Father Joe’s Villages provide food, shelter, medical care, employment training and hope for many of San Diego’s homeless.

If you’d like to donate to Father Joe’s, or learn more about what they do, here’s their website.

Homeless man on Sixth Avenue, across the street from the west edge of Balboa Park.
Homeless man on Sixth Avenue, across the street from Balboa Park.
Thousands gather in Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama before the start of Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk.
Thousands gather in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama before the start of Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk.
Many Thanksgiving-themed costumes and hats could be spotted among the participants. These dogs are already in the Christmas spirit!
Many Thanksgiving-themed costumes and hats could be spotted among the participants. These dogs are already in the Christmas spirit!
Energy-providing fruit slices are prepared for 5K participants before the beginning of the race.
Energy-providing fruit slices are prepared for the 5K participants before the beginning of the race.
The Knights of Columbus had a pancake breakfast in Balboa Park during the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
The Knights of Columbus had a pancake breakfast in Balboa Park during the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
Catholic priests perform a religious service in the Plaza de Panama for the faithful before the Thanksgiving race to help the homeless.
Catholic priests perform a religious service in the Plaza de Panama for the faithful before the Thanksgiving race to help the homeless.
Runners and walkers head toward the start line in Balboa Park.
Runners and walkers head toward the start line in Balboa Park. Morning sun shines on the iconic California Tower.
Thousands of participants pass over the Cabrillo Bridge, just prior to beginning the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
Thousands of participants pass over the Cabrillo Bridge, just prior to beginning the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
This family is dressed like a Pilgrim and a turkey dinner.
This family is dressed like a Pilgrim and a turkey dinner!
People get enthused a few minutes before the fun run begins.
People get enthused a few minutes before the fun run begins.
Homeless person alone on the sunlit grass in the far corner of Balboa Park.
Homeless person alone on the sunlit grass in a corner of Balboa Park.
Getting ready to start a competitive 5K on Thanksgiving morning. Money raised helps provide food and shelter for the homeless in San Diego.
Getting ready to start a competitive 5K run on Thanksgiving morning. Money raised helps provide food and shelter for the homeless in San Diego.

…

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

Courage, wishes and hope on Bankers Hill.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to conquer it.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to conquer it.

Walk up Fifth Avenue in Bankers Hill and you’re likely to see some inspiring chalk art. Words of wisdom prompt those passing by to think about courage, wishes and hope. Here are some photos.

Two of the life affirming messages adorn a community library box located next to the front entrance of a safe haven for the homeless. A brave lion roars nearby. Uptown Safe Haven features transitional housing, supportive services, and hope. It is the project of Episcopal Community Services. The chalk art speaks of their mission.

If you’d like to learn more, or if you’d like to consider volunteering through this program to serve those in need, please click here.

Never stop making wishes. Life affirming chalk art in San Diego's Bankers Hill community.
Never stop making wishes. Life affirming chalk art in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood.
The only thing stronger than fear is hope.
The only thing stronger than fear is hope.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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

Help homeless kids ascend to new heights!

An event in downtown San Diego called Towerthon raised money for Father Joe's Villages Toussaint Academy, which educates homeless youth.
An event in downtown San Diego called Towerthon raised money for Father Joe’s Villages Toussaint Academy, which educates and assists homeless youth.

We all have the opportunity to help homeless kids in San Diego ascend to new heights–even if you didn’t participate in today’s Towerthon, where generous neighbors raised money for Father Joe’s Villages Toussaint Academy by climbing the stairs of the 20-story tall 550 Corporate Center building in downtown San Diego.

During my absolutely incredible morning walk (stay tuned–you’ll see why), I paused for a couple minutes to absorb the humanity of the charitable event and snap some photos.

Would you like to help homeless kids in San Diego? I don’t need to tell you how horrible life on the street can be. Being homeless can be depressing, highly stressful, dangerous–eventually breaking both body and spirit. Many youth became homeless because of unspeakable physical abuse and emotional pain.

Toussaint Academy has been providing homeless youth with a high quality education and other services since 1992. Please click the link above to learn more, about how Toussaint Academy not only save lives, but enables young people to heal, flourish and finally experience true happiness. You might feel inspired to make a donation or provide help in your own special fashion!

(I challenge other bloggers reading this to find charities in your own neighborhood, and help them out!  Your efforts add up and actually help!)

Participants in the charitable stair climb check the standings board in the plaza in front of 550 Corporate Center.
Participants in the charitable stair climb check the standings board in the plaza in front of 550 Corporate Center.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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

Play and work, sadness and time.

Youth play soccer in San Diego's Waterfront Park. They are competing today in the Neymar Fives Soccer Tournament. World champs get to meet the Brazilian superstar.
Youth play soccer in San Diego’s Waterfront Park. They are competing today in the Neymar Fives Soccer Tournament. World champs get to meet the Brazilian superstar.

As usual, my walk today provoked a whole range of feelings. The four simple words: Play, Work, Sadness, Time . . . they describe a few photos that I took.

Those basic words we all understand.

Scrambling for the ball. Joy in movement, camaraderie, friendly competition. Youthful ambitions.
Scrambling for the ball. Joy in movement, camaraderie, friendly competition. Youthful ambitions.
Neymar Jr.'s Five soccer competition includes amateur teams from more than 35 countries.
Neymar Jr.’s Five soccer competition includes amateur teams from more than 35 countries.
Recreation on the green grass one promising San Diego morning.
Recreation on the green grass, one promising San Diego morning.
Strolling down the Embarcadero. Pirate Days is coming to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Let the invasion begin!
Strolling down the Embarcadero. Pirate Days is coming to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Let the invasion begin!
Containing many pleasures, the Disney Wonder cruise ship is docked in San Diego. Seen from the deck of the Star of India.
Containing many pleasures, the gleaming Disney Wonder cruise ship is docked in San Diego. Seen from the deck of the very old Star of India, where countless lives have been tossed by difficult seas.
Volunteer on Star of India is preparing to hoist this plastic cap up to the top of the foremast, which is open and exposed to the elements.
Volunteer on Star of India is preparing to hoist this plastic cap up to the top of the foremast, which is open and exposed to the eternal elements.
Other volunteers are working hard atop the forecastle. Ships require constant work, constant attention and care.
Other volunteers are working hard atop the forecastle. Ships require constant work, constant attention and care.
Climbing carefully up to the very top of the foremast to apply a protective cap, to prevent exposed iron from rusting, decaying.
Climbing carefully up to the very top of the foremast to apply a protective cap, to prevent exposed iron from rusting, decaying.
A writer sat here. Words purposefully put down . . . or discarded . . . or forgotten. Many thoughts lie alone by a bench near the water.
A writer sat here. Words purposefully put down . . . or discarded . . . or forgotten. Many thoughts lie alone by a bench near the water.
The weathered old hands of a sleeping homeless man.
The hands of a sleeping homeless man.
Time-faded monkeys still cling to the wall of a parking garage on Laurel Street.
Time-faded monkeys still cling to the wall of a parking garage on Laurel Street.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? You might enjoy checking out Short Stories by Richard.

A Saturday journey through colorful San Diego.

A group of young skateboarders cruises down C Street.
A group of young skateboarders cruises down C Street.

Here are a few scenes from my walk (and trolley ride) today around downtown San Diego. There is beauty, there is color, there is grit, there is life. My fascination with the dynamic city that I call home is never-ending.

Graffiti on a truck, an old blue house, and a modern high-rise, together in one photo.
Graffiti on a truck, an old blue house, and a modern high-rise, together in one photo.
Colorful art by a downtown San Diego doorway.
Colorful art by a downtown San Diego doorway.
Someone out for a walk passes a window of the Smart Corner building.
Someone out for a walk passes a window of the Smart Corner building.
A truck waits to haul pianos away at the backstage door of Copley Symphony Hall.
A truck waits to haul pianos away at the backstage door of Copley Symphony Hall.
Clean and Safe equipment in the foreground, as a Silver Line vintage trolley approaches the Fifth Avenue station.
Clean and Safe equipment in the foreground, as a Silver Line vintage trolley approaches the Fifth Avenue station.
A couple passengers will take a ride on this restored PCC streetcar, of the San Diego Trolley. I joined them!
Passengers will take a ride on this restored PCC streetcar of the San Diego Trolley. I joined them!
Looking out the vintage trolley window at people walking through the City College station.
Looking out the vintage trolley window at people walking through the City College station.
Heading down Park Boulevard, and people camped on the sidewalk. San Diego, unfortunately, contains many homeless.
Heading down Park Boulevard, and people camped on the sidewalk. San Diego, unfortunately, contains many homeless.
Looking out the trolley window at the Park and Market station.
Looking out the trolley window at the Park and Market station.
A crane above construction near Petco Park holds a POW MIA flag. Banners along Imperial Avenue show Monster Energy Supercross stars. The event is happening this weekend.
A crane above construction near Petco Park holds a POW/MIA flag. Banners along Imperial Avenue show Monster Energy Supercross stars. The event is happening this weekend.
Supercross Party in the Pits is taking place in a parking lot adjacent to Petco Park.
Supercross Party in the Pits is taking place in a parking lot adjacent to Petco Park.
Sign near Downtown Johnny Brown's at Civic Center Plaza reads Eat Drink See Dinosaurs if you drink enough.
Sign near Downtown Johnny Brown’s at Civic Center Plaza reads Eat Drink See Dinosaurs if you drink enough.
Someone looks up at inflatable dinosaur arch outside the entrance to T. Rex Planet at the Community Concourse.
Someone looks up at inflatable dinosaur arch outside the entrance to T. Rex Planet at the Community Concourse.

…

Join me for more scenes of life in San Diego on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Please help Stuff the Bus to fight hunger!

Please help Stuff the Bus to fight hunger in San Diego!
Please help Stuff the Bus to fight hunger in San Diego!

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is getting ready for their 8th Annual Stuff the Bus Food Drive!

You can help fight hunger in San Diego by collecting non-perishable food and by spreading the word in advance!

On December 5, between 9 am and 2 pm, MTS buses will be parked in front of Albertsons and VONS stores throughout San Diego County. The objective will be to fill the buses with food to aid the hungry! Your friends, business or organization can collect canned goods and other nonperishables and help stuff a bus, or you can purchase preselected grocery items inside the stores. When the event ends, the food will be transported to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, which is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County.

Click here for store locations, the food items needed, and other important details!

Come on San Diego! Let’s jam those buses with love!

…

Living in San Diego is great! Join me on Facebook or Twitter.