Beauty queens and dancers in colorful dresses watch the House of Peru lawn program in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
I took some photos this afternoon in Balboa Park of the House of Peru’s lawn program. In these photographs you’ll see genuine joy. I felt it.
Like many other nations, Peru is a member of the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, located near the heart of beautiful Balboa Park. The special event today coincided with Peru’s Fiestas Patrias, a holiday that celebrates Peru gaining independence from the Spanish Empire.
I hung around for a bit, absorbing all the life. I then meandered on through the green, sun-filled park. I did a lot of sitting on shady benches. I did my best to conjure up a new short story idea for my fiction blog Short Stories by Richard. I also took a peek at the Orchid Show in the Casa del Prado. I’ll blog about that in a day or two on one of my other photo blogs, Beautiful Balboa Park.
The House of Pacific Relations’ lawn program today among the International Cottages featured the House of Peru. Peru is celebrating its Fiestas Patrias.Many Peruvian products were on display and for sale in tents around the grassy lawn.I was told the sweaters, mittens and other woven goods were made in Peru.There was a lot of favorite Peruvian food, including marcianos (fruit pops) and chicha morada (a sweet Peruvian beverage made from purple corn).A huge crowd assembled for the celebration of Peru’s independence from the Spanish Empire. The lawn program would include speeches, music and dancing.Color guard from Coronado High School’s JROTC program. Photo taken minutes before the event opened with national anthems from both the United States and Peru.Hearty greetings were offered to everyone attending. Many in the audience had roots in Peru. The mural backdrop depicts Machu Picchu.After a few speeches, the lawn program featured stirring Peruvian music.The music was so lively and happy, some people from the audience were soon dancing on the stage!I plainly see that in Peru there’s a deep love of life!Costumed dancers, young and old, practice off-stage during the festive House of Peru lawn program in Balboa Park.
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Serving others. Expressing true compassion with more than words: with actual deeds. Having a purpose that is larger than oneself.
I know quite a few people who are fundamentally unhappy. Of course, they are all self-centered.
Perhaps they should look beyond their own nose and think of others.
Here are some photographic examples of true love. These and hundreds of other unselfish volunteers gladly took to the streets of San Diego this morning to collect donations for Ronald McDonald House.
Ronald McDonald House offers families a place to stay near specialized hospitals where young children are battling life-threatening illnesses. Every year, about 1,400 families, who are undergoing unspeakable stress and worry, and possibly financial hardship, are freely given a place to stay and good meals to eat. Now that is love.
It’s too late this year to roll down your car window and drop some money into a big red shoe. But you can donate online here!
One of many unselfish volunteers who took to the streets of San Diego this morning, collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House.The happiest people alive are the least selfish. Look at the genuine smiles. What more needs to be said.Money collected by this wonderful lady will provide families with a comforting place to stay while children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses are treated at nearby hospitals.
A painting of a market full of Mexican crafts and charm. It makes anyone walking down the sidewalk feel that life is good, just gazing at this colorful artwork.
Some new, very cool urban art has recently appeared on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights! Here are a few photos!
The street mural, titled Un dia de Mercado, is painted on the side of one small building. It depicts a Mexican marketplace, and many of the goods a shopper is likely to find there. The colors are vivid and happy. The artwork inspires joy.
Un dia de Mercado. A fantastic new street mural on Adams Avenue in San Diego’s Normal Heights neighborhood.Un dia de Mercado was completed on April 2, 2016. It was painted by several talented artists. Their signatures are evident in this photo. New colorful urban art in Normal Heights!A smiling face, a funny parrot, an umbrella, guitar, flowers, fruit and a sleeping dog. One day at the market!Beautiful artistry on the side of a building on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights!This street mural adds sunshine and happiness to an already very cool neighborhood in San Diego!
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Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? You might enjoy checking out Short Stories by Richard.
Use your words to speak in a kind way. Help others as you go throughout your day…
If you didn’t have a chance to visit the International Non-Profits Fair in Balboa Park today, here are some photos that might inspire you. I walked through and met many smiling people, all of whom are working unselfishly to make this world a better place.
The fair, put on by The Worldview Project, is all about people from different cultures coming together for mutual understanding, increased tolerance, education and peace. It’s about positive people working to create a better, more happy world. I just strolled through casually, talking to some exhibitors and learning a little, taking a picture here and there. Perhaps you’ll see something that makes you want to explore further. Click the photos to enlarge them, if you’d like to read a poster or bit of information!
People in San Diego’s Balboa Park have gathered to learn how to make the world a better place. Many non-profits were represented at an annual fair put on by The Worldview Project.Some of the values highlighted at the Kids For Peace table. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.Nice ladies from the United Nations Association of the USA, San Diego Chapter, smile for a roving blogger’s camera!A few musical instruments from around the world were on display at this table.The Center for World Music promotes awareness, skills and knowledge of the rich performing arts traditions of the world in San Diego area schools.The San Diego Asian Film Festival is coming up! It runs April 28 to May 5 at the UltraStar movie theater in Hazard Center.These friendly folks are representing the German American Societies, who host El Cajon’s authentic Oktoberfest!More nice people! These guys tried without success to get me to dance. Sorry! The Cabrillo International Folk Dancers meet at the Balboa Park Club.CRY America has a hopeful vision of the world, where all children, everywhere, have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams.Survivors of Torture International. Sometimes we might forget how horrible life for some in this world can be, and the unspeakable suffering they experience.One way to help Survivors of Torture International is to enroll in a free community program when you shop at Ralph’s. Please read this poster for more info.Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County needs you! Operation Bigs seeks civilian, retired and active military adult volunteers to serve military children.Map of San Diego County shows hundreds of children ready to be matched with caring adults. They need more “bigs”!Climate Kids educates youth about climate change through art, storytelling and science.The American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties was represented at the International Non-Profits Fair in Balboa Park.License to Freedom works to stop violence in refugee and immigrant communities in San Diego County.You are loved. Your are so strong. You are worthy. Life is beautiful!
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A challenge for every person, both young and old. It is very simply: Be kind! (Click this image to read the poster!)
Have you heard of the Great Kindness Challenge? I hadn’t, until today.
The Great Kindness Challenge is put on by Kids For Peace, and I learned about it while I walked this morning through the International Non-Profits Fair in Balboa Park. (I’ll blog a little about this inspiring event shortly.) I was really struck by a thoughtful Kids For Peace poster challenging school students to engage in acts of kindness.
What an excellent idea! It seems this reminder to be compassionate, helpful and polite might apply to people of all ages. Sometimes we adults, during our hectic, numbing day-to-day routines, might benefit from a little lesson about the importance of having a warm heart and positive outlook!
Here are just a few of the 50 challenges. These are appropriate for both young and old…
A U.S. military veteran creates art while watching folklorico dancing at a popular festival in San Diego’s South Bay.
Today I met Anthony A. LoBue for the second time. With a great big smile, he was manning his Arts For Veterans tent at the International Mariachi Festival and Competition in National City. (I chatted briefly with him once before at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, during a special concert raising funds for Operation Rebound.)
“Tony the Vet” helps other veterans heal through creative art. He’s the founder of Support Our Veterans Association and the Arts for Veterans Project. The latter organization’s purpose is to: Engage, Educate, Employ and Empower Veterans in the Creative Arts. He provides art classes for military veterans at the Veterans Museum in Balboa Park, Veterans Village, and other places where healing, hope, wholeness and art education are welcome.
He believes the healing power of art dramatically changes lives. It’s an enormous benefit for those returning from war with psychological trauma. Art provides connection, joy, self-empowerment. Art literally saves lives.
Tony has a huge positive vision. He wants to expand his Arts for Veterans program so that it might benefit as many people as possible.
Would you please visit his website and see it you can help in some way?
Art heals. Art provides joy, connection, hope. Art helps to give life meaning and purpose.
Brian Meyer was painting at the Arts For Veterans tent. I spoke to him. He’s a veteran of Desert Storm. He’s a super guy and deeply thoughtful. And his watercolors are amazing. That’s a glimpse of a work-in-progress above. He frequently paints the live musicians at Panama 66 next to the San Diego Museum of Art. Please check out his website!
Hand-drawn art cards with hearts and flags thank service members for their sacrifice.People at the International Mariachi Festival and Competition in National City were making special greeting cards for patients at the VA Hospital.Gifted watercolor painter Brian Meyer, and Anthony A. LoBue of Arts For Veterans.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I was walking along the Embarcadero today when I happened upon a super nice lady who was trying to raise support for the Helping Hands Foundation! What is this organization? They help parents and children affected by a very unfortunate circumstance. According to their website, “Every year, 1 out of 2,000 children in the United States is born with an upper limb anomaly. During childhood, many more lose hands and arms to accidents or disease.”
I learned from the volunteer that they’re sending 100 kids with developmental disabilities, autism and other very difficult physical problems to our world-famous San Diego Zoo! How cool is that?
Would you like to provide a little support for this worthy cause? You’ll make the lives of children and their families so much better. You will add a little needed sunshine to this sometimes difficult old world. What could be more important?
This wonderful, smiling lady is spreading sunshine. She’s trying to help unfortunate kids live a better life, with days full of joy and happiness. Can you help?
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In the newsletter, they are calling for donations to the Friends of Balboa Park Endowment Fund. One generous donor has offered to match gifts made to the endowment during 2015, up to $500,000. That means every dollar you give before the end of this year will likely be doubled.
If you’ve ever been to Balboa Park, you know how special it is. Please consider giving a donation. To do so, click here.
Over the past hundred years, countless millions of people from around the world have enjoyed visiting the park. They have experienced so much joy. Let’s make sure the next hundred years are just as wonderful.
Plaque at east end of Cabrillo Bridge. To commemorate the foresight and civic wisdom of the founders of Balboa Park this tablet is erected by the people of San Diego.View of the Natural History Museum from a point near the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.History comes alive in one small section of the Casa del Prado’s fantastic facade.People enjoy the grass near the Botanical Building.Exploring life and beauty in Balboa Park’s reflecting pool.More natural beauty along Sixth Avenue, the west edge of immense Balboa Park.A view of the Alcazar Garden from above.An artistic face in a fountain by the Old Globe Theatre.The House of Charm and California Tower in silhouette as day ends.It’s the holiday season. Make a donation to the Friends of Balboa Park, and it will be an enduring gift to the entire world.
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Santa and a happy kid enjoy a special Deck the Halls neighborhood block party in downtown San Diego!
I was walking home from the Fifth Avenue trolley station this evening when I stumbled upon downtown San Diego’s fun Deck the Halls holiday block party! I’d forgotten it was taking place today!
Lots of folks were out among bright Christmas lights, greeting one another, tasting food served up by various local eateries, and listening to holiday music provided by the San Diego Symphony. The special event, I learned, was put together by Clean and Safe, which is a service of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
It appeared to me that everyone was having a great time!
It’s the Deck the Halls Brass Quintet performing holiday music! Good times were had by local residents and businesses on one block of B Street in San Diego’s financial district.A number of nearby restaurants were serving up yummy treats for all comers. Christmas lights lit up the night!These smiling folks told me the event was put together by Clean and Safe, a service of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. Thank you guys!
A group of old-fashioned Christmas carolers in Victorian costumes brings holiday cheer to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Look what I stumbled upon yesterday during an afternoon walk through San Diego’s history-filled Old Town. Folks in Victorian costumes were roaming about, singing Christmas carols!
I learned this group is composed of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park staff and volunteers. They were having a great time spreading Christmas cheer, pausing to sing at the various museums, restaurants and shops around old San Diego’s picturesque central plaza.
I was even given a cool little book filled with Christmas carol lyrics. Thank you guys!
Merry Christmas!
Carolers smile, laugh and enjoy the day in front of a reconstructed building at Old Town San Diego’s central plaza.I was given this Caroling Lyrics Booklet. Songs include Jingle Bells, The First Noel, We Three Kings, The 12 Days of Christmas, Deck the Halls and Silent Night.The colorful group of Old Town roving carolers heads to the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which is decked out with festive wreaths.After entertaining some surprised diners, the group heads through the Cosmopolitan Hotel, much to the delight of one server!Singing traditional Christmas carols around the old fountain in the outdoor courtyard of Casa de Estudillo.Now the Christmas carolers are in the Wells Fargo History Museum next to the original 1867 Concord stagecoach! Several people listened outside the nearby door and applauded.A crowd gathered as Christmas carols were heard outside the Threads of the Past Living History Activity Center. One quilter joined in the public singing!Joyful, uplifting Christmas carols are sung as customers leave Toby’s Candle and Soap Shop.
Cool San Diego Sights! 