Tag: news

Art classes in Balboa Park during 2026.

A variety of art classes in Balboa Park will be available during 2026. Hands-on workshops, guided by professional artists, will welcome creative people at Spanish Village Art Center.

For a fee anyone can learn to create Art Journals, Collage, Chinese Brush Paintings, Paper Art, Silk Paintings, and more!

I saw that making Silver Metal Clay Jewelry would be taught today. Workspaces and materials were being prepared on tables in Gallery 21 when I happened by. (Students would mold material that combines fine powered metal with a pliable binding material. Each piece is then fired in a kiln, and the sculpted metal remains. How awesome is that?)

Would you like to learn a new craft or style of art, or perhaps improve a skill? Check out the Village Arts Center classes on their website by clicking here.

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Big dreams at 2026 Holiday Bowl Parade!

Dreams were absolutely gigantic this morning in San Diego. That’s always the case during the annual Holiday Bowl Parade. In 2026, those watching the balloon parade along Harbor Drive were dreaming very big things.

There were the dreams of college football fans, who’d gathered in San Diego for the evening game between the Arizona Wildcats and SMU Mustangs. The booming sound of their marching bands would stir dreams of a victory at Snapdragon Stadium.

There were the dreams of young and old, viewing beloved characters soaring overhead. Garfield, Mr. Potato Head, Horton the elephant, the Grinch, Mother Goose and Humpty Dumpty were like marvelous visions, parading past the eyes of thousands as the sun broke through morning clouds.

There were the dreams, as well, of those who are more philosophical. If so many different people can gather together for a fun and harmonious celebration, why can’t the people of the world live together this way?

I walked around and took photos before the Holiday Bowl Parade began, then positioned myself on San Diego’s iconic tall ship Star of India, to enjoy the “best seat in the house” for the big parade!

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Donal Hord special exhibit in San Diego.

A special exhibit at the San Diego Central Library was recently installed in a large display case at the Special Collections Center. It concerns the work of San Diego’s world-renowned sculptor Donal Hord.

Historical photos concentrate on Hord’s creation of the Literature East and West bas-relief panels, which still exist on the library’s previous, now-vacant building. Photos (such as the one above) show the preparing, casting and hanging of the sculptural panels back in 1953. I blogged about these panels and other art at that old downtown library many years ago. See that past blog post here.

This special exhibition also showcases a few small but very beautiful works, and covers Donal Hord’s public art that can be found all around San Diego. I’ve covered most of these iconic sculptures. Click here and here and here and here and here and here and here!

Would you like to go see this fascinating exhibit yourself? Head up to the 9th floor of the Central Library and look for the door to Special Collections. You can also enjoy amazing rooftop views of San Diego!

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The art of Mike McCarley at the Central Library.

I really like this fun artwork. It’s now on public display at San Diego’s downtown Central Library. The five original paintings and the digital illustration prints were created by Mike McCarley (aka Mike Mike), who resides in Ocean Beach and imbues his work with a playful, laid-back beach vibe.

As a sign explains, his work has roots in skateboard art, cartoons, and an enduring love for the color blue. To see these in person, head up to the Central Library’s second floor near the escalators and look for the glass display cases. I believe the exhibit continues through December, so there isn’t much time left.

If you dig Mike Mike’s stuff, check out his Instagram page here. He works professionally in architecture, but his creative heart belongs to painting and illustration.

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Giant butterfly visits Balboa Park garden!

A giant butterfly now makes its home in a special Balboa Park garden. The butterfly can be seen among the native plants of the San Diego Natural History Museum‘s Nature Trail!

Today I spotted this butterfly sculpture on the north side of the museum building. It can be observed from the Wildlife Walkway portion of the Nature Trail. I was told it appeared in the past week or two.

It’s appropriate the butterfly now makes this garden home. Many of the native plants along the Nature Trail attract nectar loving pollinators.

I tried to ascertain who made this beautiful sculpture, but no luck yet. If you know anything about it, please leave a comment!

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The Giving Machine returns to San Diego!

The Giving Machine has returned to Old Town San Diego in time for the holiday season. Operate this unique donation vending machine and you’ll generously help those less fortunate than you.

The many different charities that can benefit from your donation are mostly local, but you can help those who live in poverty around the world, too. You choose which charity to help, and they receive one hundred percent of your donation!

This is the second year of San Diego’s Giving Machine. It’s a project of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The people I met in the above photo were super nice, even though my personal beliefs are very different. They want to do good in this world.

I learned that last year, this same machine outperformed every other machine out there, in over a hundred international cities! That’s impressive.

The Giving Machine is located on Twiggs Street again, a bit up the street from last year. It stands on the patio in front of the old Cygnet Theatre building. If you visit Old Town during the holidays, you might see it.

Why not spread a little human kindness?

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Resource Fair for seniors in San Diego!

Are you a senior in San Diego? Do you know a senior?

The City of San Diego will be presenting the AgeWell Services Senior Resource Fair on January 26, 2026. The free event will take place from 10 am to noon at the Park de la Cruz Community Center, which is located at 3901 Landis Street.

At the Senior Resource Fair you can connect with service providers and recreational programs throughout San Diego! It’s healthy and fun to stay active!

You can learn more about this free, very positive event by clicking here.

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Holiday decorations at Old Poway Park!

Imagine my surprise! Nine days until Christmas, and most of the holiday decorations at Old Poway Park are now being taken down!

A worker was removing holiday decorations today as I walked through the historic park. My arrival was just in time to photograph ribbons, wreaths and ornaments before they vanish. Yes, a bit sad.

I was told everything except the lights and Christmas trees (stripped of ornaments) will remain. The big annual “Christmas in the Park” event was held several days ago.

Folks in the Old Poway Park office explained the pre-Christmas removal is being done to preserve the decorations from the weather.

I’m glad I took my Poway walk today and got these photos!

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Pollinator garden planted near Lemon Grove Depot!

A week ago, members of the Lemon Grove volunteer group Revitalize Broadway planted an extensive pollinator garden next to the Lemon Grove Depot trolley station, in what is called Promenade Park. I first read about the project here. I saw the garden today!

Keep in mind the new plants are very small now, but they’ll grow and eventually fill out the garden spaces.

Several informative plaques among the new plantings explain the benefits of native plants, and how they attract a variety of local wildlife, including beneficial insects like butterflies and bees.

If you’d like to learn more about the Revitalize Broadway group and their positive community efforts, click here. Do you live in Lemon Grove? Why not join these good people?

What did I see today?

One plaque describes the life cycle of the monarch butterfly.

Another plaque explains the migration of monarch butterflies and how certain plants provide food sources for declining butterfly populations. Pictured are Yarrow, California Lilac, Pozo Blue Sage, Pacific Aster and Narrow Leaved Milkweed.

Another part of the new garden is slightly depressed and resembles a dry creek. It’s called a rain garden.

Designed to be environmentally friendly, it will help valuable rain water permeate the ground and act as a natural filter.

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La Mesa celebrates Holiday in the Village!

I saw Mrs. Claus today! She was reading a storybook at the big, colorful Holiday in the Village event in downtown La Mesa!

I also saw multiple Santas, a couple Grinches, lots of Christmas trees, families and kids having tons of fun, and vendors selling food and festive gifts along several blocks of La Mesa Boulevard! A stage featured entertainment, and an ice rink featured slippery fun!

(Unrelated, but I also saw a poster in a window indicating the La Mesa landmark arch sign is now being fabricated!)

Look! A friendly writer!

Reina Salome is an author of inspirational fiction and poetry. One of her books is Finding Christmas in the Heart. Check out her stuff on Amazon by clicking here.

Be Merry and Bright!

These kids who love sewing made amazing “travel dollhouses” that festival-goers could purchase!

Check out their “My Darling Home” creations on Instagram here!

Smiles from The Salvation Army Kroc Center!

Feeling inspired this holiday season? Help them do good in the community by clicking here!

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If you’d like to see San Diego through my lens, find the “Follow” box in the sidebar to receive new posts in your email, or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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