A smile, a Votes For Women sash, American flags, and a California Equal Suffrage Association banner.
Early this evening a rally and parade celebrating the ratification of the 19th Amendment were held in Balboa Park. As the sun descended toward the horizon, a small crowd gathered in Sefton Plaza to hear a variety of interesting, often stirring speeches. The speakers portrayed notable women in American history who have worked to further the cause of women’s equal civil rights. Wearing period costumes, the historical personalities included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and Eleanor Roosevelt, plus important local San Diegans Dr. Charlotte Baker, our city’s first female practicing physician, and prominent philanthropist and journalist Ellen Browning Scripps. The event was sponsored by the Women’s Museum of California in Point Loma.
Here are a few photos!
Two women head for Sefton Plaza in Balboa Park, where a suffrage rally would celebrate the anniversary of the 19th Amendment.The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920. It guarantees all American women the right to vote.Historical sign proclaims a woman living here has registered to vote thereby assuming the responsibility of citizenship.In period attire, the person being interviewed played the role of San Diego philanthropist and trailblazer Ellen Browning Scripps during the rally.The woman with the microphone portrayed American suffragist and social activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who wrote many of Susan B. Anthony’s speeches.Many wore historical sashes, hats and costumes to commemorate suffragettes and leaders who have fought for equal women’s rights.One participant reenacted Eleanor Roosevelt, speaking about her life and accomplishments. The statue is of Kate Sessions, one of the founders of Balboa Park.The suffrage parade begins. Participants march toward the heart of Balboa Park, down El Prado and over the Cabrillo Bridge.
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Workers have begun to install the first paver “bricks” dedicated to people, businesses or organizations at the foot of San Diego’s Broadway Pier.
I was walking along San Diego’s waterfront after work today, enjoying what remained of daylight, when I spied some sort of construction underway at the foot of the Broadway Pier. I moseyed over to check it out.
I discovered that the first of the custom pavers are being installed by the Port of San Diego, in the wide new plaza at the pier’s entrance. Anyone can sponsor a paver “brick” and have a name engraved upon it for posterity. Phrases such as “In memory of,” “In celebration of,” “In honor of,” “Sponsored by,” “Established in,” and “Dedicated to” are allowed. Plaques on furniture such as tables, chairs and benches can also be customized with a name of your choosing. A tall stack of pavers was ready to be installed, so it looks to me like the Port of San Diego is off to a good start!
Interested? Check out sdportwalk.org for further details!
San Diego’s North Embarcadero, often referred to as the city’s front porch, has undergone enormous improvements in recent years. I’ve lived downtown for 15 years, and the waterfront is more beautiful, friendly and functional than ever. But additional phases in its revitalization await completion. According to the Port of San Diego website, money that is raised will help fund future improvements and developments on the Embarcadero.
Anyone can place their name on a permanent paver to help support improvements to the North Embarcadero. Custom plaques on furniture, like public benches and tables, are also available.Some of the first pavers are engraved with the names of VIPs. Included are the current Mayor, several Port of San Diego officials, and City Council President.Smiling Port of San Diego guys explained to me a little about this ongoing project. Ultimately, these legacy “paving blocks” will stretch in a band across the entrance to Broadway Pier.Looking east down Broadway from the foot of the pier, on San Diego’s continually improving, very beautiful Embarcadero.
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San Diego County Credit Union and Shred-it team up to attempt a new world record for paper collection and shredding!
The huge SDCCU Super Shred Event is underway right now as I type! The event is an attempt to break the world record for paper collection in a single location during a 24 hour period!
San Diego County Credit Union already holds the official Guinness World Record. Today they’re trying to break it. So why was I there taking photos? I collect my old records in a box at home, and whenever SDCCU offers free shredding, I head on down to take advantage of the service which is available to anyone. This morning the annual event, taking place in Mission Valley’s gigantic Qualcomm Stadium parking lot, is bigger than ever. So I brought my camera!
Not only does shredding paper documents protect against identity theft, but recycling paper is good for our environment. So this event is pretty cool for a whole variety of reasons!
The SDCCU Super Shred Event held in the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot. Unlimited free shredding helps fight identity theft!As cars queue, volunteers collect donations for the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA.SDCCU already holds the world record for most paper collected in a single location in a 24 hour period.Shred-it, a document destruction and recycling company, had a whole fleet of trucks ready for the big event!A super nice volunteer smiles for my unexpected camera. Thank you!
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Bronze sculptures of Our Silences, by Mexican artist Rivelino, are loaded onto a truck for transport from San Diego to San Francisco. Each figure weighs about a ton.
Last January I posted the blog: Our Silences and precious freedom of speech. I had walked down to Ruocco Park, just north of Seaport Village, to investigate an eye-popping new installation of public art titled Nuestros Silencios (which translated from Spanish means Our Silences).
The mysterious, monumental bronze sculptures, created by noted Mexican artist José Rivelino Moreno Valle, convey the importance of freedom of speech. The mouths of the huge anthropomorphic figures are each blocked by a metal plate; voices are censored and silenced. The emotional reaction the artwork produces is quite strong. In the past six months millions of San Diegans and visiting tourists have had the opportunity to be directly influenced by Rivelino’s thought-provoking artwork.
This morning I made another discovery! I was walking along San Diego’s waterfront when I noticed a crane lifting large objects near Tuna Harbor. I thought it was some sort of boating equipment being loaded onto a truck. As I approached, I suddenly saw the large objects were Rivelino’s sculptures!
I soon learned that Our Silences is on its way to San Francisco! (The sculptures were supposed to move to Los Angeles in March, but those plans changed.) The amazing public artwork will soon be situated on the north end of Harry Bridges Plaza, on San Francisco’s Embarcadero in front of the Ferry Building! They should arrive in time to take part in San Francisco’s Mex I Am festival, which showcases performing arts, culture, and ideas from Mexico.
Our Silences has been traveling around the world for about 4 years, making its potent statement in San Diego, Mexico City, and in numerous major cities throughout Europe.
But wait! Would you believe it? I was fortunate this morning to meet the artist himself! He was hanging out at Seward Johnson’s famous Unconditional Surrender statue just across the Fish Market’s parking lot, and I was graciously introduced and allowed to take a photograph!
Rivelino, smiling, showed me on his smartphone a new piece of public art that he’s been working on. Called Equality, it’s going to be installed in historic Trafalgar Square, at the center of London, England! Equality will consist of two huge sculpted index fingers, each pointing at the other. It seems that each massive finger is blaming the other. But people can stand in a space between the two sculptures, reach out and touch the tips of each finger, uniting both! I can’t wait to see photos when Equality is finally installed!
Very cool, indeed!
Rivelino smiles broadly as he supervises the movement of his monumental works of art!Our Silences will soon be exhibited at Harry Bridges Plaza, in front of San Francisco’s landmark Ferry Building.
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Conan O’Brien Live at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con, advertised on marquee of the Spreckels Theater Building in downtown San Diego.
With this important blog post I’d like to address an astonishing rumor. It concerns popular television personality Conan O’Brien, and his impending visit to San Diego for 2015 Comic-Con. An interpretation of the strange clues and suggestive images photographed on the sign below has produced a startling rumor.
It’s rumored that Conan O’Brien, who now possesses vast powers, will once again boldly address The People of Earth from this bus stop strategically located next to the NBC building.Upon closer inspection, the orange bus stop sign appears to contain fascinating and possibly meaningful markings.Conan, it is thought, will emerge at the San Diego Comic-Con as a full fledged superhero, battling for the justice of all humankind.Fans have begun to wonder what form the nascent superhero will assume. Perhaps he’ll resemble a bat.Or perhaps Conan O’Brien will wear a Superman-style emblem that warns all troublemakers of his amazing superpowers, which include flaming hair.Odds are he’ll style himself as Conanman, as that’s generally the thing a godlike superhero will do when presented with the opportunity.All shall bow down before him. And San Diego Comic-Con, to loud and universal acclamation, will immediately be renamed Conan-Con.Hopefully the newborn superhero won’t suffer a meltdown.Or perhaps he’ll just remain plain old funny Conan. And remain happily on TBS.
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Three Japanese warships are visiting downtown San Diego’s waterfront.
This afternoon I spotted three ships of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in San Diego. They were docked at the downtown Cruise Ship Terminal on the busy Embarcadero. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force must be training with the US Navy off our coast, although I find nothing about any joint naval exercises when I do a quick search of Google News.
A year ago I spotted three warships belonging to Japan docked in the same spot. I see the big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, has returned. (Last year an article I researched referred to it as a landing ship.) I suspect the other two are destroyers, like last time.
It’s an interesting sight you don’t often see up close, so I took a few pics!
A sailboat on San Diego Bay checks out an unusual sight on a cloudy day.Bow of big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
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Mickey hands greet runners at the 2015 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.
This morning I headed down through East Village to view the finish of the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon. I was rooting for our local running legend Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi, who many years ago went to San Diego High School about a mile from where I live. At 40 years old he’s one of the greatest long distance runners on planet Earth! He was running the half marathon this time. For 2015, United States Track & Field chose this popular San Diego race to be the home of its Masters Half Marathon National Championships.
As I headed over to Park Boulevard and then wound my way south, I saw that the marathoners were well underway. At about the 4 mile mark, their course curled through downtown before heading back up north. Both the full and half marathons ended near Petco Park, and I eventually planted myself one block short of the finish line, at the corner of 13th and J Street. Would Meb win?
Please enjoy some cool photos!
Marathon participants at the mile 4 marker, racing through downtown San Diego.Someone is holding up a big Meb face!Many flags, signs and costumes were seen all along the race course.Less than a mile from the finish line, no runners have arrived yet.The runners will be crossing this cool Rock ‘n Roll Marathon graphic on 13th Avenue.Some photographers sit idle, waiting for the race to come their way.LUCK is created in the mind. A crowd has begun to gather not far from the finish line.One block from the finish, and the half marathon runners should be here in a couple minutes!Here come Meb Keflezighi and Jordan Chipangama side-by-side! Who will win?The top half marathon runners are now arriving on this cloudy San Diego morning.Faces contain strain, determination and elation as the finish line nears.Meanwhile, flowers are being sold to onlookers beside the race route.Here come more runners. Is it the top women’s finisher?It’s the women’s half marathon winner, Eri Hayakawa!Many triumphant faces at the 2015 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll runs!
The winner of the men’s half marathon, with a final burst of speed, was Jordan Chipangama at 01:02:24. Meb Keflezighi came in second at 01:02:26, just two seconds behind!
The women’s half marathon winner was Eri Hayakawa at 01:10:47.
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More welcome rain has begun this morning on Cortez Hill!
A large storm cell is passing through downtown this morning!
Rain is such a rare and beautiful thing in San Diego I had to jump outside with my camera for a couple quick pics! At the time, a few drops had just begun to fall.
Night showers have scattered jacaranda blooms on the sidewalk in Tweet Street park.
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Someone displays a cool-looking drone and describes its operation.
While drones might not be delivering pizzas anytime soon, they do make for an interesting hobby. I could clearly see that when I wandered into a cool event by sheer chance. International Drone Day was celebrated today at the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego field near Mission Bay.
I was walking along the San Diego River Trail when I glimpsed something strange flying about behind a line of trees. Whatever it was didn’t behave like a bird. I had to go investigate!
What I discovered was a large gathering of electric drone hobbyists. They were flying their unique propeller aircraft, checking out different equipment, and enjoying hot dogs out in the San Diego sunshine!
In the event you pass by one day, the small field is located on the north side of Sea World Drive, just east of SeaWorld. I had visited once before, the day I blogged about birdwatching along the river estuary. On that day RC model aircraft were circling in the sky. I’ve added one pic from that visit, as you’ll see.
International Drone Day in San Diego brought out a bunch of serious hobbyists.A quad hovers above the special flying area on a breezy day near Mission Bay.People checked out drones of every size and description.A smaller drone displayed on a table.This larger drone was designed to be aerodynamic.Drone builders and enthusiasts were in heaven in San Diego today.It looks like high-tech drones have replaced humans already!This field is used by Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego, and their radio-controlled aircraft.Guy sets his drone down in preparation for a demonstration.A crowd watches the action. My camera barely captured one distant craft in flight.Other days, electric-powered RC model airplanes take off and glide from this field.I took this photo on a prior occasion. That radio-controlled plane is huge!Drone on the ground makes for a cool, futuristic pic.Club members prepare their drones for the High Noon “All Up”!
At noon, all the drones took to the air at once! Unfortunately, my pics of the spectacle came out pretty lousy. So use your mind’s eye! According to the announcer, 32 drones hovered above the field at one time. The San Diego team’s High Noon “All Up” took place simultaneously with 150 other teams celebrating International Drone Day around the world.
What will I discover next? It seems that anything is possible!
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Thousands of Chargers fans head toward the entrance of Qualcomm Stadium for a special public hearing.
Many San Diegans are passionate about their Chargers. The very real possibility that the much-loved NFL team might leave our city has energized the loyal fan base.
This evening a big rally and special public hearing concerning the possible construction of a new stadium in San Diego took place at venerable but decaying (almost half a century old) Qualcomm Stadium.
I work in Mission Valley very close to The Q, so after I clocked out I headed over to check out what was going on in the parking lot. Loads of fans turned out–thousands! Some arrived early and tailgated as if it were a Sunday football game.
Here are some colorful pics before it got dark outside!
Social media driven Save Our Bolts rally attracted a huge crowd of diehard fans.Rapper led passionate crowd chanting Save Our Bolts for many live news cameras.Legions of local football fans waved banners of blue and gold.Handmade signs express hope that Chargers football remains in San Diego.These mega fans were proudly displaying a unique, patriotic Chargers flag.Check out this super cool Chargers custom pickup truck!A long line of people waited to enter Qualcomm Stadium to attend or watch the public hearing.Lots of kids were excited to be part of the big event.Many fans, with hearts full of hope, would observe the proceedings on the old stadium’s Jumbotron.Ladies thank Mayor Faulconer for expediting the process to hopefully keep our much-loved NFL team in San Diego.
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