Author: South Park SD Blogger

I adore South Park San Diego (SD), the San Diego Symphony, and much more!

100 Years Ago Today: The More Things Change…

A brash Republican leader with real estate expertise, questionable ethics, a gift for snarky nicknames, and a stunning political victory over a heavily-favored opponent three years earlier, sued a liberal newspaper for libel in a fit of pique after the publication mocked the leader’s failed business dealings. Sound plausible? It happened one hundred years ago … Continue reading 100 Years Ago Today: The More Things Change… →

Balboa Park: The San Diego Tree Man’s Hidden Treasure

Have you ever wished someone would write a step-by-step guide through Balboa Park so you could learn its plants and trees? Chauncy Jerabek, known as "The San Diego Tree Man," made that wish come true... over 80 years ago. In beautiful Balboa Park there are crowded many interesting plants from nearly every country of the … Continue reading Balboa Park: The San Diego Tree Man’s Hidden Treasure →

Balboa Park: The Bunya-Bunya Trees

Bunya-bunya. How can you NOT love that name? Bunya-bunya trees are evergreens, native to Australia and impossible to confuse with anything else (https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/araucaria-bidwillii). Southeastern corner of Golden Hill Park, aka the southeastern corner of Balboa Park Credit Miss Kate Sessions with their presence in Southern California. "The name 'Bunya' comes from the aboriginal name for … Continue reading Balboa Park: The Bunya-Bunya Trees →

San Diego Symphony 2/21/20: Breathtaking

The San Diego Symphony, conducted by Music Director Rafael Payare, performed Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major, with soloist Stefan Jackiw, and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11 in G minor to a packed house at Copley Symphony Hall. The ensemble was so moving that the final applause didn't waiver until every instrumental section was acknowledged separately. … Continue reading San Diego Symphony 2/21/20: Breathtaking →

You Gotta Hear this Quartet

Jazz is a conversation. And the Gilbert Castellanos Quartet offers among the most playful and earnest discussions you’ll overhear in San Diego. Sunday, February 16th, “GC” and his group performed at a packed 950 Lounge, at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley, from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Quartet members were Castellanos on trumpet, and Joshua White, … Continue reading You Gotta Hear this Quartet →

South Park SD: Burmese Monk Mural

Street artist Shepard Fairey is best known for creating President Barack Obama's iconic '08 "Hope" image. In 2010, he painted a 3-story mural on the North wall of the Ivy Street shared-office building in South Park SD. The work has received more than a little press: In "Tripbucket" here.Click here for a mention in Tricycle: … Continue reading South Park SD: Burmese Monk Mural →

South Park SD: Welcome!

Lots of ways to greet people at your door. "Hello. May I help you?" "Get your @%!#s in here!""Salutations. Please depart the premises.""And how long might you be staying?" All winners depending entirely on who just knocked. There is another, more joyous, deliberately care-full (and I mean that word just the way it was intended, … Continue reading South Park SD: Welcome! →

South Park SD: Minerva’s Community

Who says art and business can't be bffs? Walk eastward across South Park SD on Beech Street from 28th Street, at stately Balboa Park, towards tree-lined Fern Street. At the intersection with busy 30th Street, you will be suddenly greeted by the Goddess of Wisdom and Strength. The Romans called her "Minerva." She's encircled clockwise … Continue reading South Park SD: Minerva’s Community →

San Diego Symphony 1/24/20: Wow

The San Diego Symphony, led by Principal Guest Conductor Edo de Waart, performed to a mostly full house at Copley Symphony Hall. The Symphony performed Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont, Haydn’s Symphony No. 92 in G Major, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F Major. If you want a real musicologist, click here. You can learn … Continue reading San Diego Symphony 1/24/20: Wow →