10.19.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🚢 A look barrack in time

Liberty Station celebrates its centennial

Recruits on the USS Recruit. | Photo via Liberty Station

It’s a salute 100 years in the making: This month, Liberty Station celebrates its centennial. The former US Navy facility is anchored in history, but now, it serves SD in a different way.

Voyage back in time

Construction on the Naval Training Center (NTC) began in 1921 at the recommendation of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who saw the potential for San Diego to serve as a training site. On Oct. 27, 1923, the $4 million development was dedicated to the City of San Diego. Some of its first buildings included barracks, a fire station, and four schools.

NTC expanded in the 1930s, eventually tripling in size, and its peak population reached 33,000 during World War II. More than 2.75 million US Navy recruits and sailors have trained here, but its closure was announced in 1993 as part of the Realignment Act of 1990, and active military use ceased on April 30, 1997.

Liberty Station recruits line up — Recruits line up at the Naval Training Station.
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Photo via Liberty Station

The new journey

In 2000, the City of San Diego gained ownership of the ~550-acre site with the intent of making it a center for retail, art, and history. It was renamed “Liberty Station,” and began voyaging toward its identity as we know it today. This includes the Art’s District that began opening in 2006, NTC Park in 2010, and Liberty Public Market in 2016.

Liberty Station’s award-winning redevelopment has worked to preserve the site’s US Navy history, and in 2001, the landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

An aerial shot of the Arts District at Liberty Station — The Arts District helps build community and preserve Liberty Station’s history.
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Photo via Liberty Station

Join the celebration

To commemorate 100 years in San Diego, Liberty Station is hosting special events, including:

The Centennial Community Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 29 — plus Halloween fun
Free, weekend visiting hours at the USS Recruit exhibit
The “Art of Immortalizing Heroes” exhibit, with pieces by Joe Pisano

Events

Thursday, Oct. 19

LinkedIn Workshop | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 12-1 p.m. | Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista | Free | Level up your LinkedIn game with this professional seminar led by Dmitriy Kalantarov, Ph.D. — bring your laptop or mobile device.
Six In The Corner | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | THE LOT La Jolla, 7611 Fay Ave., San Diego | Free | Jazz up your night with this Live Music Series show, and purchase drinks and small bites on the patio.
Maps and Memories | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 7-8 p.m. | Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, San Diego | $25-$35 | This show, inspired by the “Washi Transformed” exhibit, features a concert with the San Diego Children’s Choir.
Daniel Sloss | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $36-$46 | The Scottish comedian — known for his books, Netflix specials, and “Conan” appearances — performs with guest Kai Humphries.

Friday, Oct. 20

Fall Fest Weekend Series | Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand Del Mar Court | $20 | This family-friendly shindig features seasonal treats and drinks, festive activities, a pumpkin patch and a DJ spinning Halloween hits.
“Last Podcast On The Left” | Friday, Oct. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $34-$74 | Watch a live taping of the podcast that covers all the horrors of the world — both imagined and real.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Walk4ALZ | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8-10 a.m. | Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego | Free | Walk to support those with Alzheimer’s or dementia; every dollar raised will benefit San Diegans.
Pika Boo Bash | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 12-9 p.m. | The Pika Place, 701 Robinson Place, San Diego | Free | “Pokémon” fans, head to this Pikachu-centric store dressed as your favorite character and score treats, giveaways, and more.
SDSU Aztec Football vs. Nevada Wolf Pack | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego | $50+ | Cheer for the Aztecs, plus this game features the SDSU ROTC March-On and it’s SDSU Family Weekend.

Sunday, Oct. 22

Crafty Workshop: Pumpkulents | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 12-2 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten, San Diego | $39 | Get crafty by decorating a small pumpkin with succulents and dried floral arrangements; your ticket includes all materials and your first pour.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The City of San Diego has released a draft of its Master Mobility Plan, a comprehensive transportation effort to improve sustainability and access while supporting projects in areas with the greatest need. The draft is open to public feedback, and locals are encouraged to leave comments.

Community

County Fire Station 38, reporting for duty. The new station opened earlier this week in East Otay Mesa — a community that has reported slower emergency response times. The building is designed to be zero net energy, and will create more energy than it uses. (Times of San Diego + City News Service)

Transit

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System will be installing new lighting at seven Orange Line Trolley stations starting early next year. The bright idea was a result of the Social Equity Listening Tour, a safety project designed to make transit more accessible and equitable.

Closing

As a result of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the court has prescribed Rite Aid to close 154 US locations. This includes four local stores in Mira Mesa, Grantville, Ramona, and Oceanside — the last days of operation have not been announced. (City News Service via NBC 7)

Sports

Tickets are still available for San Diego Loyal’s playoff match on Sunday, Oct. 22, at Torero Stadium. We’re rooting for you, Loyal, because if the team loses it will be their final game as a soccer club. The match will also air on The CW San Diego at 7 p.m.

Trending

Real swift, Alex Morgan. The soccer legend and Wave FC forward extended an open invitation for Taylor Swift (who’s reportedly dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce) to attend Wave FC’s games. Morgan added, “American football games are fun, but the real football is more fun.” (Sports Illustrated)

Today Is

The Great California ShakeOut, a day when locals and schools prepare for earthquakes with drills and readiness plans. Today, Cuyamaca College is hosting a 7.0-magnitude earthquake simulator, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., that’s open to the public.

Listen

🎙️ Mike (and Monica) check

SDtoday editors chat with ‘All in San Diego’ podcast

Longtime former radio personalities Sara Perry and AJ Machado have teamed up again for this podcast. | Photo via All in San Diego with AJ & Sara

Michael and Monica here. We recently had the opportunity to join “All in San Diego” podcast hosts Sara Perry and AJ Machado for an episode of their show.

We talked about developments we can expect to see in San Diego by 2030 — and if you’ve been following SDtoday, you know there are some big things coming to SD, including:

The Midway Rising development
The Ocean Beach Pier Renewal
San Diego International Airport’s New T1
Gaylord Pacific Hotel and Convention Center in Chula Vista
The Convoy District redevelopment

We had a great time chatting with Sara and AJ, and they create one of our favorite podcasts that highlights the amazing things happening in San Diego and breaks down local, positive news.

Hear what we're talkin' about

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. Liberty Station holds so much of San Diego’s history, and there are some places you can visit if you’re feeling especially retro. You can try the Corvette Diner for a 1950s-inspired diner experience, or head to RAD Burger in Liberty Public Market and feast your eyes on a design that looks like it popped out of “Saved by the Bell.”

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