Moments That Made US exhibit in Coronado.

Moments That Made US. That’s the title of a special exhibition now at the Coronado Historical Association museum.

The word US is capitalized for a reason. On this 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, US can stand for both us and the U.S. Unique moments in history help to explain our present-day life.

The exhibition concerns a variety of past events in the United States and Coronado. They are often tied together.

History tends to be created through turbulence. A new country’s revolution and its founding documents, the Mexican-American War, gold rushes, voting rights with the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, World War II…

Moments That Made US also includes history of the Hotel del Coronado, North Island as the birthplace of naval aviation, the ferry, notable residents…

All of these pieces of history–large and small–have helped make us what we are today.

My favorite part of the exhibition is a silent video loop showing footage of Coronado’s traditional Independence Day parades in the mid 1950s to early 1970s.

There are marching bands, patriotic floats–everything you’d expect on the Fourth of July. Every year: enthusiasm and an appreciation of liberty, but evolving uniquely over the years.

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Ocean Beach in San Diego is one of a kind!

In San Diego, Ocean Beach is truly one of a kind.

Yes, there’s the beach and surf culture one can find in Southern California. But there’s also a distinctive counter-culture vibe.

Imagine taking a time machine back into the groovy 60s. Hippies. A feel-good, carefree, uninhibited attitude and lifestyle. And all that goes with that.

Whenever I walk down Newport Avenue or along the beach, there’s plenty of interesting sights for my camera.

These are from today–a sunny late summer’s day…

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Young man follows his dreams in San Diego!

Niko Kohnen is following his dreams.

The young man was playing a keyboard outside Petco Park after today’s Padres victory against the Twins.

Where his dreams might take him, only time will tell.

Meanwhile, he’s putting smiles on many passing faces!

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Jerry Stapp bench on the Oceanside Pier.

Perhaps you’ve seen this bench on the Oceanside Pier and wondered, like me, who Jerry Stapp is.

A beautiful bronze plaque with an image of Stapp’s face adorns the bench. On the bench are inscribed the words: IT’S A WONDERFUL WORLD. RELAX AND ENJOY.

I found this article about the life of Jerry Stapp. For many years he was a community champion. Among other endeavors, he was a big supporter of the Oceanside Boys and Girls Club.

What a beautiful place on the Oceanside Pier, overlooking the beach and the wide, blue Pacific Ocean. What a fine tribute to somebody who made a positive difference in people’s lives.

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New website follows the life of San Ysidro.

There’s a brand new website that follows the life and history of San Ysidro. It’s called San Ysidro Archive.

I learned about this new community resource today during my visit to The FRONT gallery and cultural center in San Ysidro.

San Ysidro Archive‘s stated mission is to serve as a living repository for the countercultural histories of 92173. By documenting local activism, joy, and resilience, the archive curates a communal memory that thrives independently of the border.

The website collects old and new photographs that people can contribute. It also tells the stories of individuals who make San Ysidro their home, including business owners, artists, longtime residents, and everyone in between. The website also helps people stay up to date with what is going on in the neighborhood through upcoming events, recent happenings, or ways to get involved.

What an awesome community project!

The San Ysidro Archive website is up and running, even though it officially launches in a couple days. I encourage you to check it out today!

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Jerry Coleman, Tony Gwynn remembered at History Center.

Two of San Diego’s most beloved citizens are being remembered at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park: Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn, a pair of Padres legends.

The museum’s Inside|OUT exhibit behind glass in the atrium contains artifacts honoring the memory of two all-time San Diego baseball heroes.

Both Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn were a big part of my youth. They helped develop my own love for the San Diego Padres.

They were two amazing people, whose positive influences were greatly missed by all of San Diego when each passed.

I attended the memorial services of both. If you’d like to relive the services at Petco Park, where so much love was expressed, click here and here.

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Crazy creative fun on Saturday at Comic-Con 2026!

Saturday is the craziest, wildest, most creatively exciting day every year during San Diego Comic-Con. 2026 is no exception!

Look at what you might encounter by simply walking around downtown San Diego.

The Gaslamp Quarter in particular is absolutely jam packed with people, engaged in cosplay, enjoying the experience, coming and going to the convention center, offsites, restaurants, hotels…

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

CleanUp Kitsune cleans up San Diego Comic-Con!

Look who I spotted today picking up trash outside San Diego Comic-Con. Lila and Corey Cleary-Stoner, also known as CleanUp Kitsune!

CleanUp Kitsune combines picking up litter with performance art while wearing full Japanese costume. You’ve quite possibly seen them leading clean ups in Balboa Park. For example, here.

Hello you two! Thank you for all you do! Great to see you again!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Meeting the unexpected at San Diego Comic-Con!

Perhaps the best part of San Diego Comic-Con?

Suddenly meeting the unexpected!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

San Diego’s very big America 250 party!

When hundreds of thousands of people come together for a good time, that’s a very, very big party. An epic party of that size was held around San Diego Bay today, as folks from all over converged on the waterfront to watch the Big Bay Boom fireworks display and celebrate the 250th birthday of America! Not your everyday Fourth of July!

I’ve never seen so much humanity crowded onto the Embarcadero. Even as I left, shortly after nightfall, people were still arriving from seemingly every direction–filling the boardwalks, Embarcadero Marina Park South and North, the steps of the San Diego Convention Center, Seaport Village, the USS Midway, nearby piers, Waterfront Park…

These America 250 photos were taken as I walked south from the Grape Street Pier to the Rady Shell (where a concert featuring all-American music was being held).

People are more interesting than fireworks to me, so my photos mostly focus on those who came down to San Diego Bay for a patriotic party like no other…

As you can see, the new Ringer’s roller skating rink in Seaport Village is now finished. It opened yesterday!

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