Tag: sdsu

Student art brightens San Diego bus stops!

Bus stop shelters around the city now feature art created by students from throughout the San Diego Unified School District. I’ve noticed a few of these displays in the past couple weeks, and I discovered another fun example today at the SDSU Transit Center.

The digital doodles in these photographs were created by students from Encanto Elementary and Hardy Elementary. The kids were given two themes: What makes San Diego your home? and How do you connect with San Diego?

According to the shelter poster, over 12 schools and hundreds of students participated in the “I am San Diego” project. The project was launched by Far South Border North, a City of San Diego-led regional collaborative that supports artists and cultural practitioners working in service of the health and well-being of communities in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Next time you find yourself walking down the sidewalk near an MTS public bus shelter, take a closer look!

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Farm coming to SDSU Mission Valley!

Believe it or not, a farm is being created at SDSU Mission Valley!

The future farm is located between the parking lot of Snapdragon Stadium and the SDSU Mission Valley river park. The above photo shows how produce is now growing a short distance east of the Stadium trolley station, where I made the unexpected discovery this afternoon.

Refugee and immigrant women and youth will be working the farm. They will gain work experience, and the produce they grow will be used at a restaurant in North Park, at 2920 University Avenue.

The undertaking is called Community Supported Agriculture. This farm is the creation of Make Project. As their website explains: The 30th Street farm has moved to a bigger, longer-term location at SDSU Mission Valley.

In 2017 I blogged about the previous farm in North Park here.

(It’s interesting to recall that before Mission Valley was developed–before shopping malls and freeways–this land along the San Diego River supported many farms–primarily dairy farms.)

A huge flock of crows was hovering around the new SDSU Mission Valley farm late this afternoon. Hopefully the coming crops are safe!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Beautiful new mural debuts in Rolando!

A beautiful new mural has debuted in San Diego’s Rolando neighborhood!

Depictions of homes in the community, nearby San Diego State University, and familiar plants and animals enliven a wall on 62nd Avenue, a block south of El Cajon Boulevard. The mural was created in partnership with SDG&E, whose substation is located here.

This colorful public art debuted earlier this week and is the work of ArtReach. The lead muralist was Katy Yeaw.

(While visiting Katy’s website, I learned she painted a fun electrical box that I photographed years ago in Little Italy!)

Late this afternoon I checked out the three sides of this great new mural…

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

History at Mission Valley river park.

History is being made in Mission Valley. Two massive projects are being developed along the San Diego River: SDSU Mission Valley and Riverwalk San Diego.

The river park at SDSU Mission Valley is mostly complete, and large areas are now accessible to the public during its soft opening.

I walked around the river park the other day and found a number of fascinating information signs. One shows birds that might be found along the San Diego River. Another concerns stormwater management and the creation of bioretention basins. The largest such basin is located near the Stadium trolley station.

The signs that interested me most concern the history of Mission Valley and the San Diego River.

I took photos of several signs, which you can enlarge for easier reading…

The Native American Kumeyaay historically used plants along the river for food, tools and construction materials. They sustainably managed the land. Before World War II and the subsequent boom in urban development, Mission Valley was largely farmland. At one point there were 20 dairy farms in Mission Valley. Several Japanese American families operated vegetable farms.

Early 1900s postcards of Mission Valley show large areas of green farmland on either side of the San Diego River.

New plants for the new river park at SDSU Mission Valley.

The San Diego River begins in the Cuyamaca Mountains and flows west to the Pacific Ocean. It is the source of important biodiversity. In 1971, plans to replace the sometimes flooding river with a concrete channel were thwarted by intense public opposition. The vision of a more natural San Diego River, with innovative safeguards against flooding, would eventually prevail.

Photo of damaging flooding in Mission Valley circa 1980, before the adoption in 1982 of FSDRIP–the First San Diego River Improvement Project.

The Kumeyaay were the first people to live in this region. This sign explains they understood the importance of caring for the land, water, flora and fauna that are all a part of this intricate ecological system that relates and sustains all life in balance and harmony. A map of Kumeyaay territory includes San Diego County and the northern portion of Baja California.

A field without farms–playing soccer near Snapdragon Stadium at SDSU Mission Valley.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Hubbell art at new SDSU Mission Valley river park!

Nine beautiful works of art by world-renowned sculptor James Hubbell can now be enjoyed by those visiting SDSU Mission Valley and its newly opened river park!

A soft opening of the river park at SDSU Mission Valley includes portions of the two-mile pedestrian and bike pathway that circles Snapdragon Stadium. Every quarter mile, medallions fashioned by James Hubbell and Emilie Ledieu (artist in residence at Hubbell’s Ilan-Lael Foundation) are embedded in the path marking the distance. Each mosaic medallion depicts a significant plant in local Native American Kumeyaay culture.

The first medallion you see in the above photograph can be found a very short distance west of the Stadium trolley station. The image represents Basket rush (Juncus textilis). It’s where our two mile walk will begin.

Here’s a map that shows exactly where each bit of Hubbell art can be found…

A sign in the nearby trolley plaza explains Ethnobotany and describes what each medallion represents…

Okay! Let’s go for the walk (late yesterday afternoon) and take a look at these small but very beautiful works of art, beginning at the Start medallion…

1/4 mile marker. Desert agave (Agave deserti).

1/2 mile marker. Coffeeberry (Frangula californica).

3/4 mile marker. Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera).

1 mile marker. Wild rose (Rosa californica).

1 1/4 mile marker. Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia).

1 1/2 mile marker. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra).

1 3/4 mile marker. White sage (Salvia apiana).

2 mile marker. Eastwood manzanita (Arctostaphylos gladulosa).

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

New park at SDSU Mission Valley turns green!

Large sections of the new river park at SDSU Mission Valley appear to be almost finished!

Not only are there wide fields of new green grass, and newly planted trees, but basketball courts have been installed, along with climbing and other exercise equipment, a big playground for the kids and restrooms.

I stepped off the trolley at the Stadium station today and walked around. The area north of the station, where people can relax on benches on their way to and from Snapdragon Stadium (or future SDSU classrooms and dorms), is now open, green and inviting. You can see how this area looked when I took photographs back in March. Click here.

The wide grassy area that is mostly south of the trolley tracks is still fenced off, but one can walk along the fence and imagine how awesome this public park will be when it finally opens.

Kicking a soccer ball, picnics, kites, playing with a Frisbee, talking with friends, reading a book, completing a class assignment, going for a sunny walk–this will be the place to go!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

World Lacrosse Championship action in San Diego!

The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship tournament is presently underway in San Diego. Thirty international teams are competing to play in the Gold Medal Game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, July 1. Learn more about the World Lacrosse Men’s Championship at their website here.

This afternoon I watched the first half of play between Uganda and France at San Diego State University. I know practically nothing about lacrosse, but quickly became excited by the fast-paced play. Fans cheered from the sidelines. Flags waved. I was impressed by the intensity, athleticism, passion and sportsmanship exhibited by both teams.

The lacrosse action was so rapid, in fact, that taking photographs was a challenge. I envy the skills of professional photographers who capture great moments with regularity.

If you love lacrosse or want to experience the sport for your first time, I suggest you watch these very high level games. You can find the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship schedule here.

So who won? When I left at halftime, the score was a close 4-3 in favor of France. I see they ultimately won the game 13-5.

Those four guys posing for my final photograph play for Ireland. They won earlier in the day in a thrilling double-overtime game! No wonder they were smiling!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!

Let’s Go SDSU Aztecs!

Who would have believed the SDSU men’s basketball Aztecs would be one victory away from a national championship?

Tomorrow the San Diego State University Aztecs face the University of Connecticut Huskies for all the NCAA Tournament marbles. The Aztecs are underdogs. Which means they are poised for another hard fought victory!

What an accomplishment to even reach the Final Four. But now there’s a chance for SDSU to absolutely shock the sports world.

I thought it would be fun to head to SDSU by trolley late this morning to see what I might see. I walked through the center of the campus, past Viejas Arena, past frat houses and local businesses, hoping to find excited banners, posters, hand made signs, anything expressing school spirit during this incredible historic event.

Nothing.

Yes, I know it’s a Sunday and the Aztecs advanced to the title game only yesterday. But the Final Four is a week old. If there are any signs of school spirit now decorating the campus, I completely missed it.

I just saw the above sign at a preschool across Montezuma Road.

I do know for a fact that there are a whole lot of fans out there! So Let’s Go SDSU Aztecs!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!

Great deals, free smiles for SDSU students!

I met the nicest guy today!

As I walked down El Cajon Boulevard east of College Avenue, I noticed a thrift store had an open door. I walked through, hoping to find some cool DVD’s.

What I found was the awesome Aztec Thrift Store, or ATS, operated by someone who has the biggest smile. That someone is Erick West.

I learned the primary goal of Erick is to make life for San Diego State University students much more affordable. And to provide a safe, friendly, welcoming place for anyone who might step through the door.

Erick is all about community. He has family connections with SDSU and understands the necessity to stretch a dollar. If you’re a student in need of clothing, or other useful goods, the Aztec Thrift Store has unbelievable deals.

I was most impressed by Erick’s positive vision and his ambition to create greater good. His smile grew larger the more we talked.

And there were shelves full of DVD’s!

Aztec Thrift Store is at 6216 El Cajon Boulevard. They accept donations. Here’s their Facebook page with more info.

Go check it out!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!

River park at SDSU Mission Valley takes form!

The new river park at SDSU Mission Valley is noticeably taking form. Particularly on the north side of the Stadium trolley station.

I got off the trolley near Snapdragon Stadium today and observed that many plants and trees have already been introduced to parts of the river park. My first batch of photos shows planted areas north of the elevated trolley tracks.

The large area south of the tracks still appears rather barren, but I’m sure that will be changing before too long! Last I read, SDSU Mission Valley’s new river park should be completed later this year.

I previously blogged that mile markers around a long looping path are being created by renowned local artist James Hubbell.

The following two renderings on a nearby construction fence are handy for comparison.

In the first rendering, that’s the north side of the park in the foreground. Note the interesting shade structure…

And here’s the river park’s south side, which will feature wide expanses of grass…

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!