Plus, San Diego FC's 'Chrome Ball Tour' + State of the City.
 
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🎂 A sweet sesquicentennial, naturally

Museum milestone: The Nat celebrates 150th anniversary in San Diego in 2024
SD San Diego Natural History Museum
The Nat moved into its permanent home in Balboa Park in the 1930s. | Photo via Eric Scire + San Diego Natural History Museum
The year was 1874. A group of amateur naturalists formed the San Diego Society of Natural History in hopes of growing local scientific culture, finding new species, and contributing to the studies of our region’s one-of-a-kind biodiversity.

That group — the oldest scientific institution in Southern California — would grow to become the San Diego Natural History Museum, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024.

The museum — aka The Nat — is ringing in its sweet sesquicentennial with fun additions and special events. We roamed The Nat’s archives and halls with Director of Research Library & Archives Ariel Hammond to see what we can expect during this year’s milestone. Here’s what we unearthed.

SD San Diego Natural History Museum 150th anniversary

A view from above: Check out the new Atrium art by Eva Struble.

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Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

  • New art, on display now: Last fall, local artist and SDSU professor Eva Struble created a colorful, 33-ft mural in the museum’s Atrium — “Frasera” — inspired by The Nat’s collection and SD’s biodiversity.
  • Fresh spaces: A new museum store and cafe will open this spring.
SD San Diego Natural History Museum Nature Trail rendering

The Nat’s new trail and native plant garden will debut in spring 2024.

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Rendering via San Diego Natural History Museum

  • Nature Trail and Garden: Construction is underway on a new trail and native plant garden surrounding the building, debuting this summer. The space will be a free amenity for all Balboa Park visitors — a gift from the museum to the community.
  • New exhibition: “Action from the Archives: The Nat at 150” will debut Friday, May 24. This is high on our list of art exhibitions to explore in SD in 2024.
  • New film: Debuting in late 2024, this 40-minute anniversary movie will showcase a year in the life of SD’s flora and fauna.
  • Special events: Keep an eye on The Nat’s calendar — events are coming like Nat Talks, docent tours, parties, and a community mural featuring nature photos from locals.
Did you know? The Nat has been at its permanent home in Balboa Park since the early 1930s. Today, you can visit daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
More happenings + history
Events
Friday, Jan. 12
  • Wandering the King Tides | Friday, Jan. 12 | 8-10 a.m. | Kendall-Frost Marsh, 2055 Pacific Beach Dr., San Diego | Free | The King Tides have arrived in San Diego — join this group to discover how the exceptionally high tides influence the local ecosystem and how local wildlife and wetlands adapt to sea level rise.
  • Winter Festival | Friday, Jan. 12 + Saturday, Jan. 13 | 5-9 p.m. + 3:30-8:30 p.m. | Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Dr. | Free | Enjoy all of the wintry things — like “snow”, sledding, ice skating, and twinkling lights — at this annual community fest.
  • “Intimate Apparel” | Through Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach | $49-$74 | It’s opening weekend for this heartfelt tale of belonging, love, and survival set in New York City in 1905, stitched together by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Lynn Nottage.
  • “The Wiz” | Through Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego | $33+ | There’s no place like home — this Tony Award-winning musical adapted from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” is recognized for changing the face of Broadway with its iconic score.
Saturday, Jan. 13
  • Holistika Fest | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | Centro Cultural De La Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., San Diego | Free | Explore various aspects of holistic living — from yoga and meditation to wellness workshops — plus activities with practitioners, discussions, and services to help you live a balanced life.
  • Biltwell Parts & Labor Custom Motorcycle Expo | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. | Free | Vroom, vroom — drift into this showcase of 75+ hand-built motorcycles, plus industry vendors galore; parking is $15.
Sunday, Jan. 14
  • MLK 5K Run/Walk | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Embarcadero, 1492 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego | $20-$30 | This 5K supports local youth scholarship opportunities and starts near the County Administration Building and ends near Ruocco Park.
  • 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m. | North Harbor Drive, Waterfront Park to Seaport Village, San Diego | Free | This 1.2-mile procession honors MLK with floats, marching bands, and performances from local organizations.
  • San Diego Rodeo Finals | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 2 p.m. | Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego | $35+ | Yeehaw, y’all — it’s the final ride of the world’s best cowboys competing for prizes at the ballpark-turned-rodeo venue.
  • DJ Pauly D | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 9:30 p.m. | Nova SD, 454 Sixth Ave., San Diego | $35+ | Start fist pumping ‘cause “the cabs are here” — the celebrity DJ brings his “Jersey Shore” sounds to SD.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Weather
  • King Tides will continue today at San Diego County beaches, with the highest surf expected to reach above 7 ft. The phenomenon is predicted to return to our shorelines next month, too — around Friday, Feb. 9.
Civic
  • San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria touched on homelessness, housing, and infrastructure in his recent 2024 State of the City address. He also discussed public safety and local crime rates, including his support for statewide action to amend Proposition 47 focused on low-level offenders — an idea that he says isn’t working.
Development
  • Forever Balboa Park has hired Spurlock Landscape Architects to design the exterior gardens at the Botanical Building as the ongoing renovation project enters its second phase. Work will begin this month to enhance the gardens surrounding the landmark, including reconstructing a historic pergola that once stood on the west lawn.
Coming Soon
  • Downtown Chula Vista isn’t just getting a Tuetano Taqueria — it’s getting a Mujer Divina Coffee Shop right next door, too. The businesses are set to open this year at 216 Third Ave., Ste. A and B. The taqueria’s location at Old Town Urban Market is now permanently closed.
Legacy
  • The city plans to rename a street leading to Petco Park as “Peter Seidler Way” in honor of the late Padres owner and chairman. In his State of the City address, Mayor Todd Gloria said this will honor Seidler’s love and legacy for SD, especially his compassion towards unsheltered locals.
Closed
  • The San Diego Union-Tribune — now owned by Alden Global Capital — is no longer publishing its Spanish-language weekly, “The Union-Tribune en Español.” The publication’s final issue in late December came as a surprise to many, especially coming into an election year where many San Diegans rely on Spanish-language media. (E&P + KPBS)
Closing
  • Walmart is closing two of its low-performing stores in San Diego County. The locations at 2121 Imperial Ave. in Logan Heights and 605 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon will shutter on Friday, Feb. 9. The company said employees will be eligible to transfer to other nearby stores. (CBS 8)
Sports
  • Slay, Queen Nay. San Diego Wave FC defender Naomi Girma has been voted the 2023 US Soccer Female Player of the Year. With 948 passes completed and 88.68% passing accuracy, Girma was among the top NWSL players and helped lead the Wave to an 11-win season last year.
Traffic
  • Caltrans is studying how artificial intelligence could improve traffic on California roads. The agency wants AI to examine data surrounding traffic jams and crashes and use predictive analytics to find hotspots where it could improve safety. Tech companies have two weeks to submit their ideas. (CBS 8)
Transit
  • Heading to the MLK Parade along Harbor Drive this Sunday, Jan. 14? The Trolley can get you there. MTS recommends taking the UC San Diego Blue Line or Green Line to Santa Fe Depot, or Orange Line to America Plaza; from both stations, it’s a short walk to the Embarcadero.
Read
  • The Museum of Us has partnered with SD Public Library for the Winter Reading Challenge open through Wednesday, Jan. 31. Anyone who completes the challenge will receive two free museum passes, while supplies last. Join the finale celebration at the museum’s Book Swap Surprise! Saturday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Finance
  • 2024’s “it card” is here. Not only does it offer a $200 bonus, but also unlimited 1.5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Oh, and did we mention the annual fee? No — because there isn’t one.) Learn more + apply.*
Health
  • Anxiety can make every day a challenge. Connect with a therapist on BetterHelp + take the first step towards a calmer mind. Save 25% with BetterHelp’s New Year offer.*
 
Sports

⚽ Ballin’ in SD

San Diego FC kicks off countywide ‘Chrome Ball Tour’
The San Diego FC's chrome ball art installation features the names of the 18 cities that make up San Diego County
The chrome ball took the stage (to the left) at Snapdragon Stadium in May 2023, featuring the names of the 18 cities that make up San Diego County. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
San Diego FC — is kicking off a fun community initiative: The 2024 “Chrome Ball Tour.”

Let’s run the play back for a second.

When MLS announced its San Diego expansion at Snapdragon Stadium last May, the stage was adorned with an 8-ft chrome soccer ball, each shiny panel emblazoned with the 18 cities that make up San Diego County. Club leadership hailed the installation as a symbol of solidarity — that together, SD’s communities are “woven into one.”

Now, the team is taking the art piece on the road, dropping into all 18 cities to connect with fans.

The kickoff celebration starts tomorrow at the club’s new Eighteen Threads retail store at Mission Valley Mall, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The ball will then travel to:
  • Oceanside — Saturday, Jan. 27, at Oceanside Amphitheater
  • Escondido — Saturday, Feb. 3, at Washington Park
  • Poway — Saturday, Feb. 17, at North County Soccer Park
  • Santee — Saturday, March 2, at Sportsplex USA
Pass it on: More details
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The Wrap
 
Monica Garske headshot

Today’s edition by:
Monica
From the editor
Happy Friday, San Diego. If you’re into gardening — or just like having nice potted plants at home — you should check out Momma Pots’ new showroom and retail shop in El Cajon.

The local brand specializes in chic, pretty pots and the new store features Momma Pots’ colorful collections, gardening essentials, a hearty selection of plants, and even a little planting station. We hear the space will be used for special events down the line, too.
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