Tag: kids

Future technology showcased at 2018 Comic-Con!

Visitors to the Future Tech Live! exhibition at 2018 San Diego Comic-Con have fun making a cool 3-D video courtesy of the Overwatch Payload Tour.
Visitors to the Future Tech Live! exhibition at 2018 San Diego Comic-Con have fun making a dynamic 3-D video courtesy of the Overwatch Payload Tour.

Anyone attending 2018 San Diego Comic-Con who loves gaming, augmented and virtual reality, and the very latest in cool technology should definitely head over to the Omni Hotel to check out Future Tech Live!

You’ll discover a wide variety of exhibitors demonstrating all sorts of innovations. There are augmented and virtual reality products, and visitors can experience the latest in eye-popping video game play. There are innovative robots, some amazing art, and several opportunities to learn about cryptocurrency and using the blockchain to buy and sell video games and make in-game purchases. There’s even a Bitcoin ATM!

You’ll also find a couple of friendly scientists who are ready to answer any sort of scientific question, plus some fascinating exhibits by UC San Diego. And if you work up an appetite, grab some free treats, courtesy of 7-Eleven!

These photos provide a sample of what you’ll find!

(Unlike last year, when the exhibition was called the Futurism & Tech Pavilion, in 2018 you’ll need a Comic-Con badge to gain entry.)

Future Tech Live! can be found in the Omni Hotel, across from the San Diego Convention Center during 2018 Comic-Con.
Future Tech Live! can be found in the Omni Hotel, across from the San Diego Convention Center during 2018 Comic-Con.
Multiple players enjoy a team gaming experience inside a Hologate virtual reality system.
Multiple players enjoy a team gaming experience inside an incredible Hologate virtual reality system.
Ozobot showcases Evo, a robot that is controlled with magic markers or stickers!
Ozobot showcases Evo, a robot that is controlled with magic markers or stickers!
Evo follows drawn lines and turns depending upon color sequences that it detects.
Evo follows drawn lines and turns depending upon color sequences that it detects. It’s a fun and visually creative way to teach coding concepts to kids.
Eric Ninaltowski shows some of the super cool pop culture art that he has created.
Eric Ninaltowski is showing some of the super cool pop culture art that he has created.
Someone engages in an augmented reality lightsaber battle courtesy of Star Wars Jedi Challenges by Lenovo.
A visitor to Future Tech Live! engages in an augmented reality lightsaber battle courtesy of Star Wars Jedi Challenges by Lenovo.
A friendly guy representing Stimuli VR demonstrates glasses that convert almost any smart phone into a virtual reality device!
A friendly guy representing Stimuli VR demonstrates amazing glasses that convert almost any smart phone into a virtual reality device!

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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!

Superhero sand sculptures in Imperial Beach!

Superman enters a phone booth. When he comes out, who will he become?
Superman enters a phone booth. When he comes out, who will he become?

Today I headed down to Imperial Beach to enjoy the Sun and Sea Festival. The annual summer event is famous for its popular sand sculpture contest near the pier. You might’ve seen photos I took in past years.

In 2018 the theme for the sand sculpture competition was Superheroes In The Sand.

A big crowd turned out on a sunny summer Saturday in Imperial Beach to enjoy the annual Sun and Sea Festival.
A big crowd turned out on a sunny summer Saturday in Imperial Beach to enjoy the annual Sun and Sea Festival.
Cool comic book cover! A surfer wears a cape for the 2018 Sun and Sea Festival in Imperial Beach. The original sandcastle competition!
Poster looks like a comic book cover! A surfer wears a cape for the 2018 Sun and Sea Festival in Imperial Beach. The original sandcastle competition!
A big sand sculpture near the event's entrance greets one and all to the Sun and Sea Festival.
A big sand sculpture near the event’s entrance greets one and all to the Sun and Sea Festival. That caped hero seems to be holding a surfboard.
I found my first superhero on the beach. It's Wonder Woman!
I found my first superhero on the beach. It’s Wonder Woman!
Here's a tribute to a young superhero. A young lady named Angela had her wish made true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Here’s a tribute to a young superhero. A young lady named Angela had her wish made true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Titans Collide, a sand sculpture by the Sculpintures. Thanos and Hulk are ready to do battle.
Titans Collide, a sand sculpture by the Sculpintures. Thanos and Hulk are ready to do battle. I hope Thanos doesn’t have that gauntlet on.
Hulk is finally angry and ready to smash.
Watch out Thanos! Hulk is finally really angry and ready to smash.
The Coastal Carvers were creating the IB Bears. I'm not sure how exactly this fits with the superhero theme.
The Coastal Carvers were creating the IB Bears. I’m not sure how exactly this fits with the superhero theme.
Howie's Crew was creating Gotham City out of sand. I see the Bat Signal and the Bat Cave!
Howie’s Crew was creating Gotham City out of sand. I see the Bat Signal and the Bat Cave!
And I see Wayne Manor, too!
And I see Wayne Manor, too!
Scooby Doo is a superhero, right? The Guardians of the Sandlot had scenes from that favorite cartoon. Here's the Mystery Machine!
Scooby Doo is a superhero, right? The Guardians of the Sandlot had scenes from that favorite cartoon. Here’s the Mystery Machine!
And here's something scary! It's probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker cleverly disguised as a monster. Just my wild guess.
And here’s a super scary creature! It’s probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker somehow cleverly disguised as a big monster. Just my wild guess.
According to the San Diego Sand Castles, you don't need a cape.
According to the San Diego Sand Castles, you don’t need a cape.
Wonder Woman has no cape, nor She-Ra.
Wonder Woman has no cape, nor She-Ra.
Working on sand art celebrating She-Ra. You'll see why, shortly.
A local guy working on sand art that celebrates She-Ra. You’ll see why, shortly.
Heroes gathered in Imperial Beach the week before 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
A variety of heroes gathered in Imperial Beach the week before 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
Archisand was crafting a sandcastle fantasy and a beautiful face.
Archisand was crafting a sandcastle fantasy and a beautiful sleepy face.
There were sand sculptures on either side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Lots of surfers out today, too.
There were sand sculptures on either side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Lots of surfers out today, too.
Sandytales was creating Dreaming, an imaginative sand sculpture with another sleepy face and whimsical castle.
Sandytales was creating Dreaming, an imaginative sand sculpture with another sleepy face and whimsical castle.
Here's the castle and a smile. Creating that looks like fun!
Here’s the castle and a smile. Creating that looks like fun!
Team Sandstorm was creating something just north of the IB Pier.
Team Sandstorm was creating their sand sculpture just north of the IB Pier.
Forever Heroes. It's a big Purple Cross.
Forever Heroes. It’s a big Purple Cross.
Spheres are sculpted to become helmeted war heroes.
Sand spheres are sculpted to become helmeted war heroes.
Many heroes behind the medal.
Many heroes behind the medal.
The Sandcastle Man Team is creating a fantastic Star Wars setting.
The Sandcastle Man Team was creating a fantastic Star Wars setting.
A sand sculpture rendition of a distant world. Rebels and Resistance.
A sand sculpture rendition of a far distant world. Rebels and Resistance.
The I.B. Posse created a new chest emblem for Superman. It features a firefighter's helmet.
The I.B. Posse created a new chest emblem for Superman. It features a firefighter’s helmet.
Superman entered the phone booth in my very first photo . . . then emerged as a true hero firefighter!
Superman entered a phone booth in my very first photo . . . then emerged as a true hero firefighter!
Here are some hero lifeguards.
Here are some hero lifeguards.
Why do a number of local sand artists favor the heroine She-Ra?
Why do several local sand artists like the heroine She-Ra?
This sculpture by the San Squirrels honors a former member. I believe her name was Shera. Her surviving brother works with sand for the first time.
This sculpture by the Sand Squirrels honors a former member. I believe her name was Shera. Her surviving brother works with sand for the first time.
My Heroes, by the I.B. Family Posse, has Batman and Spiderman ready side by side.
My Heroes, by the I.B. Family Posse, has Batman and Spiderman ready side by side.
A kid is surrounded by Superman and other imaginary superheroes. He wears a fireman's helmet.
A kid is surrounded by Superman and other imaginary superheroes. He wears a fireman’s helmet.
My Heroes.
My Heroes.

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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!

Help sick kids and their families in San Diego!

Donate today to help sick kids and their families in San Diego!
Donate online today to help seriously ill kids and their families!

Would you like to do something positive today? Would you like to help others who find themselves in an unspeakably difficult situation?

Please consider making an online donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities San Diego. Their mission is to help families that have a child receiving critical treatment at a San Diego hospital.

These kids have a very serious, often life-threatening disease or condition. And parents need to be at the bedside of sick children. Ronald McDonald House provides a place nearby where these families can stay.

Today was Ronald McDonald House Charities San Diego’s 9th annual Red Shoe Day. I took these photos during my morning walk to work!

If you weren’t able to slip a few dollars into a red shoe, and you find it in your heart to help, please visit the online donation page here.

Thank you!

If you support Ronald McDonald House, you'll smile just like these generous people!
If you support Ronald McDonald House, you’ll smile just like these generous people!
Your gift will sponsor a meal, provide supplies for a student, or help a family stay near a hospital where their child is receiving critical treatment.
Your gift will sponsor a meal, provide supplies for a student, or help a family stay near a hospital where their child is receiving medical treatment.
More happy people on the streets of San Diego! Have I convinced you yet?
More good people on the streets of San Diego!
Even if 2018 Red Shoe Day is over, you can still donate online today!
Even if 2018 Red Shoe Day is over, you can still donate online today!

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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.

Dancing with joy at a big Greek Festival!

Early this afternoon I headed to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church on Park Boulevard to enjoy their annual Greek Festival. Wow!

Tables and tents in the parking lot behind the church were overflowing with yummy Greek food, laughter, smiles and good cheer. Under the big tent the music, song and dancing was nonstop. Everyone clapped to lively traditional Greek music as people spontaneously jumped up and joined hands to dance. The spirit of “Opa!” was alive!

Kids in colorful Greek costume also danced. I believe the group I watched were called the Delphinian Dancers. They were showered with money during the performance, flowing from the large audience’s sheer joy and gratitude.

The festival continues through the weekend. If you like good times, you must definitely go!

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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!

Photos from 2018 San Diego Shaka Fest.

Canoes head out into Mission Bay during the 5th Annual San Diego Shaka Fest, a celebration of Hawaiian culture, arts, and athletics.
Canoes head out into Mission Bay during the 5th Annual San Diego Shaka Fest, a celebration of Hawaiian culture, arts, and athletics.

Yesterday I walked along the east side of Mission Bay. For a few minutes I lingered at De Anza Cove to take in the rich color and Hawaiian vibe at San Diego Shaka Fest.

Many youth were racing outrigger canoes out on the water, and entertainment on the grass included dance and music.

Here are some photos. Read the captions to learn more!

The San Diego Shaka Fest at De Anza Cove is hosted by the Na Koa Kai Canoe Club. There was a outrigger canoe regatta, stand up paddle race and Polynesian entertainment!
The San Diego Shaka Fest at De Anza Cove is hosted by the Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club. There was a outrigger canoe regatta, stand up paddle race and Polynesian entertainment!
Many youth would participate out on the water.
Many youth would participate out on the water.
Some stand up paddle boards are ready on the sand.
Some stand up paddle boards are ready on the sand.
A team walks their outrigger canoe out into Mission Bay.
A team walks their outrigger canoe out into beautiful Mission Bay.
The SUP Race Course in Mission Bay heads down to Fiesta Island.
The SUP Race Course in Mission Bay heads down to Fiesta Island.
Hundreds of visitors to the event enjoyed entertainment and an assortment of vendors.
Hundreds of visitors to the event enjoyed entertainment and an assortment of vendors.
Lots of crafts and colorful clothing could be found at Shaka Fest.
Lots of crafts and colorful clothing could be found at Shaka Fest.
Hawaiian music and dance in sunny San Diego!
Hawaiian music and dance in sunny San Diego!
Whether family by blood or friends by choice, we are ohana.
Whether family by blood or friends by choice, we are ohana.

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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!

Dance on Sunday afternoons in Balboa Park!

On Sunday afternoons I seem to be spending more and more time in the grand Ballroom of the Balboa Park Club. Cushioned chairs line the walls, and I can sit peacefully as I read or write, listening to gentle, sprightly folk music, occasionally looking up at happy people dancing.

I don’t do much in the way of dancing–not with my feet. But I’m sure some of you do! And I bet some of you’d like to learn all sorts of different folk dances!

I spoke to a nice lady who is a member of one of Balboa Park’s dance clubs, and she told me they are looking to grow their membership. There’s an opportunity for ordinary people with varying levels of experience to learn folk dances from many different cultures. And each lesson costs only a couple bucks!

As you can see from one of my photos, kids and parents can also learn how to dance the third Sunday of every month, from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Sounds like fun!

Interested? Visit the International Dance Association of San Diego County website by clicking here!

If you can walk, you can dance!

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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!

San Diego students learn STEM through aviation!

Cool aircraft are displayed during an event at Gillespie Field by Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force.
Cool aircraft are displayed during an event at Gillespie Field by Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force.

Today I headed to Gillespie Field in El Cajon and checked out an Expo organized by Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force. As I walked among all sorts of restored World War II aircraft and a wide variety of fascinating exhibits, I made a very cool discovery!

Students in San Diego are invited by Air Group One to participate in a special aviation-themed STEM educational program! The special program is designed for middle and high school aged youth. Ricardo Sevilla, the friendly A-STEM Educational Officer, walked over to introduce himself to me, and I learned a little bit about this truly amazing opportunity.

S.T.E.M subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) can be taught to students in San Diego classrooms or at Air Group One’s super cool Gillespie Field headquarters, where there are a variety of potential hands-on activities. Topics that are featured include how to become a pilot, how to operate a drone, how to build a rocket, and the aerodynamics and design concepts that enable an airplane to fly. Potential careers in aviation and the aerospace industry are also introduced. Sounds like lots of fun!

Are you a teacher in San Diego who’d like to learn more? Wouldn’t your students be thrilled to visit an actual airfield? Check out this page of the Air Group One website!

Banner promotes Air Group One's Aviation Educational Programs.
Banner promotes Air Group One’s Aviation Educational Programs.
Air Group One's historic 1943 SNJ-5 "Sassy" on the tarmac at Gillespie Field.
Air Group One’s historic 1943 SNJ-5 “Sassy” on the tarmac at Gillespie Field.
Flyer describes an exciting ASTEM educational program offered by Air Group One.
Flyer describes an exciting ASTEM educational program offered by Air Group One.
If you're interested, use the email shown in this photograph.
If you’re interested, use the email shown in this photograph.
Learning about aviation can help a student take flight and discover new horizons!
Learning about aviation can help a student take flight and discover new horizons!

I’ll be blogging about today’s fantastic event at Gillespie Field as soon as I get my photographs together!

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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!

Kids create Minecraft-style Mona Lisa mural!

Washington Elementary students create abstract Mona Lisa chalk art during 2014 Festa in Little Italy. It would later become the basis for some cool public art!
Washington Elementary students create abstract Mona Lisa chalk art during 2014 Festa in Little Italy. As you will see, it would later become the basis for a very cool public mural!

Students at Washington Elementary STEAM Magnet School in Little Italy have helped to produce a very cool public art mural! As motorists depart Little Italy, turning onto southbound Interstate 5 from Grape Street, they are greeted by a colorful Minecraft-style Mona Lisa along with the big word CIAO!

The abstract 20′ x 20′ Mona Lisa mural is based on chalk art that Washington Elementary School kids created for 2014 Festa, an annual Italian-themed festival in their very own Little Italy neighborhood.

I happened to blog about Festa that year, and took the above photo of the kids working on the original Mona Lisa chalk art. With the help of local artist Jayne Barnett, their completed work would eventually become a very large, very creative mural that thousands of delighted drivers pass every day!

Mine-A-Lisa's Salutation. The Little Italy mural is a much larger recreation of chalk art created by students at 2014 Festa. The Italian art-themed piece was rendered using "bricks" of color in the Minecraft style.
Mine-A-Lisa’s Salutation. The Little Italy mural is a much larger recreation of chalk art created by students at 2014 Festa. The Italian art-themed piece was rendered using “bricks” of color in the Minecraft style.
An abstract Mona Lisa mural greets cars with a large CIAO as drivers head onto southbound I-5 from Grape Street!
Mona Lisa says goodbye to everyone with a large CIAO as drivers head onto southbound I-5 from Grape Street!

If you’d like to see more chalk art created during 2014 Festa, including many amazing pieces produced by students from schools all around San Diego, click here!

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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!

Science questions that curious kids can ask.

How was Earth made. How many skin cells do we have.
How was the Earth made? How many skin cells do we have?

Thousands of kids attended the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering EXPO Day event today at Petco Park. The annual festival of STEM learning features all sorts of fun activities and demonstrations presented by dozens of local schools, universities, businesses and organizations.

Kids wandering from booth to booth were encouraged to ask a variety of fascinating questions. Young minds learned about physics, medical research, information technology, space exploration, environmental science . . . The number of scientific subjects seemed unlimited.

Fun experiments were performed. Conclusions resulted. More questions arose.

That’s how science works!

As I wandered about the festival I discovered some questions that curious kids might ask…

Thousands of curious kids attend EXPO Day at Petco Park during the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering.
Thousands of curious kids attended EXPO Day at Petco Park during the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering.
To help support STEM learning in San Diego and the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering, read this banner.
To help support STEM learning in San Diego and the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering, read this banner.
How is curiosity a driving force behind human progress and development.
How is curiosity a driving force behind human progress and development?
What is in snot. How does mucus neutralize an invading virus.
What is in snot? How does mucus neutralize an invading virus?
How does a snake move.
How does a snake move?
Why is math important. Why are puzzles so much fun.
Why is math important? Why are puzzles so stimulating?
What are amino acids.
What are amino acids?
What is symmetry. Why is it found in plants and animals.
What is symmetry? Why is it found in plants and animals?
Can creative people and scientists be superheroes
Can creative people and scientists be real superheroes?
Can science be fun. Can you make a rap song about something scientific.
Can science be entertaining? Can you invent a rap song about something scientific?
What is a molecule.
What is a molecule? What is an atom? Is anything smaller than an atom?
What is oobleck. Where did the word come from. How do you make it.
What is oobleck? What Dr. Seuss book did the word come from?
How do you make a secret code. How do you decipher a code.
How do you make a secret code? How do you decipher a code?
Can little robots destroy cancer. Why do earthquakes become so strong in some cases.
Can little robots destroy cancer? Why do earthquakes become so strong in some cases?
What is light.
What is light?
How does a flamingo become pink.
How does a flamingo become pink?
What is static electricity.
What is static electricity?
What are comets made of.
What are comets made of?
How was the first cell created. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
How was the first cell created? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
What is the extracellular matrix.
What is the extracellular matrix?
How does your heart work. How do you keep it healthy.
How does your heart work? How do you keep it healthy?
How do we stop pollution.
How do we stop pollution?
Is fusion the energy for the future of mankind.
Is fusion the energy for the future of mankind?
How can we remember many things like language. Why are some people so tall when their parents are so short.
How can we remember many things like language? Why are some people so tall when their parents are so short?
Why does a jellyfish glow.
Why does a jellyfish glow?
Why is this silly guy acting like a jellyfish.
Why is this silly guy acting like a jellyfish?
How does the Earth stay in orbit. How can people help the Earth stay healthy.
How does the Earth stay in orbit? How can people help the Earth stay healthy?
What is it like to be in space. How do you become an astronaut.
What does it feel like to be in outer space? How do you become an astronaut?

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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!

Help raise awareness for World Rare Disease Day.

World Rare Disease Day is February 28, 2018. Show you care by spreading the word.
World Rare Disease Day is February 28, 2018. Show you care by spreading the word.

I learned something important today. This coming Wednesday–February 28, 2018–is World Rare Disease Day.

I wouldn’t have known this had I not walked through Mission Beach’s Belmont Park and met some smiling volunteers. They are working to raise awareness about rare diseases. They had a table set up near the carousel and told me a little about this often overlooked problem.

Rare diseases are usually caused by faulty genes, and about half of the people affected by rare diseases are children. Almost a third of these children will not live to see their fifth birthday.

Sadly, about half of all rare diseases do not have a specific foundation supporting or researching the condition. As you can see, it’s critical for many kids that we spread the word and provide support for those who are sick, and fund research in the search for effective treatments.

Two websites where you can learn more and perhaps help are here and here.

Please click my photo of the information chart, and it will enlarge so you can read it. Feel free to share any of these images.

These cool volunteers at Mission Beach's Belmont Park were informing the public about rare diseases.
These cool volunteers at Mission Beach’s Belmont Park were informing the public about rare diseases.
Rare diseases are often caused by faulty genes. They impact more people than cancer and AIDS combined. Only 5 percent have an FDA approved drug treatment.
Rare diseases are often caused by faulty genes. They impact more people than cancer and AIDS combined. Only 5 percent have an FDA approved drug treatment.
Help fight rare diseases by learning more and spreading the word.
Help fight rare diseases by learning more and spreading the word.

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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.