WE ARE ADDING MORE HOUSING DENSITY TRYING TO PROTECT THE STATUS FOR TRANSACTING CULTURE.

TREATING ALZHEIMER'S IS NOT AS EASY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

LEARN HOW ACCESS TO PROPER CARE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER.

>>> WE TAKE A TRIP TO A REMOTE PART OF THE COUNTY.

RESIDENTS HAVE SPENT YEARS WITHOUT A LOCAL POST OFFICE.

WE START WITH THE OPIOID CRISIS.

DRUGS LIKE FENTANYL ARE GETTING INTO THE UNITED DATES.

THEY ARE TELLING US ABOUT HOW CALIFORNIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, PUSHED BACK ON GROWING MISCONCEPTION.

>> Reporter: IT IS AN OLD NARRATIVE THAT KEEPS GAINING POWER.

THIS IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND DRUG SMUGGLING.

MANY MINERS ARE CROSSING PARTS OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER, BRINGING DRUGS INTO THE COUNTRY.

THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL, SAYS THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

>> I THINK THE DATA IS NOT LOOKING AT THAT INFLATION COMING OUT.

>> Reporter: POINTING OUT THAT U.S. CITIZENS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR A VAST MAJORITY OF DRUG SMUGGLING.

THEY DO IT THROUGH LEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS.

>> MOST OF THE TRAFFICKING AND THE BUYERS OF FENTANYL, ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS.

AND YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA IS AMERICA.

MY MOM IS AN IMMIGRANT.

I CAME HERE WHEN I WAS TWO MONTHS OLD.

THEY HAVE MADE OUR COUNTRY STRONG.

>> Reporter: THEY MADE THESE COMMENTS DURING A VISIT TO THE SAN DIEGO BORDER REGION.

HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT FENTANYL OVERDOSES.

THEY JOINED THEM AT THE OFFICES OF SAN DIEGO AND RURAL COUNTIES.

HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREAS PROGRAM.

PENALTIES FOR DRUG DEALERS WHOSE PRODUCTS END UP COSTING -- CAUSING OVERDOSES.

>> WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN PREVENTION, AND ALSO PRODUCTION.

HAVING MORE NARCAN AVAILABLE TO SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: FENTANYL OVERDOSES IN SKIN DIEGO SKYROCKETED FROM 154 IN 2019, TO 814 IN 2021.

SINCE THEN, DEATHS HAVE REMAINED AT 800 ANNUALLY.

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE WITHIN THE REGION.

DAVID KING, IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE.

>> WE HAVE THE OVERDOSE DEATH RATE.

STILL, OVER 800 IS UNACCEPTABLE.

TWO PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE THERE AT THE DINNER TABLE.

>> Reporter: THE WAY TO BRING THAT NUMBER DOWN HIS PUBLIC HEALTH, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL IS NOW OFFERING -- OPERATING AT FULL STRENGTH.

THEY MET WITH THE NEWEST MEMBER, WHO WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE THIS YEAR.

>> I SOLEMNLY SWEAR -- >> Reporter: MONICA MONTGOMERY STARTED FROM THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS SEAT IN DECEMBER.

IT LEFT CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

ONE JANUARY STORM, OVERWHELMED THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

THIS WAS THE FLOODED NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY SAY THE FIRST FOCUS IS THE ONGOING RECOVERY.

>> WE HAVE SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN HEARD.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

WE NEED TO GET THEM THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT 4 WAS FORMED .

TODAY, IT HAS A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY IN BLACK AND LATIN RESIDENTS.

FLOOD HIGHLIGHTS THE CITY'S HISTORY OF UNDERINVESTMENT IN THE DISTRICT.

>> FOR TOO LONG, CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IN OUR CITY, HAVE BEEN FLOODED FOR CERTAIN.

GENERATION X HAVE PASSED WITHOUT ADEQUATE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS INCLUDES QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE WILL CHANGE THAT PRACTICE, I PROMISE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY DECIDING THE CITY BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN 2022, THIS TOWN IN RURAL NORTHERN IMPERIAL COUNTY, LOST ITS ONLY POST OFFICE IN A FIRE.

TWO YEARS LATER, KPBS REPORTER, COREY SUZUKI, SAYS RESIDENTS ARE STILL FIGHTING TO GET IT BACK.

>> Reporter: NELLIE PEREZ POINTS THROUGH A HOLE IN THE WALL.

>> THIS WAS THE RETAIL COUNTER.

>> THESE ARE ALL OF THE RETAIL P.O.

BOXES.

>> Reporter: STANDING INSIDE WHAT IS LEFT OF A CHARRED BUILDING.

LAYERS OF DRYWALL AND INSULATION HAVE BURNED AWAY.

THEY USED TO HOLD THE BUILDING OF MALE ON THE INSIDE.

YOU CAN SEE ALL CONTAINERS ON THE GROUND.

BEHIND US, THEY WATCH.

THEY USED TO WORK HERE.

>> ARE RETIREMENTS MIGHT BE IN JEOPARDY IF WE STEP IN THERE.

>> Reporter: FROM THE POST OFFICE, A SMALL TOWN ON THE NORTH END OF IMPERIAL COUNTY, WHERE THEY GREW UP.

FEBRUARY 2022, A FIRE PARTIALLY DESTROYED, CUTTING OFF DIRECT ACCESS TO THE MAIL FOR THE ISLAND.

THAT WAS MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO.

AS OF NOW, RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATES ON WHEN THE POST OFFICE IS GOING TO BE REOPENED.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DRIVE 50 MILES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE DELIVERIES OF MEDICATION, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

AGAIN, ANNA GARCIA.

>> IT HAS BEEN A HARDSHIP.

OUR COMMUNITY IS 60% POVERTY.

THERE IS LIMITED TRANSPORTATION.

SOME DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

MANY THAT ARE ELDERLY AND DISABLED.

THE MAIL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THE POSTAL SERVICE DECLINED AN INTERVIEW WITH US.

THEY ARE COMMITTED TO FINDING A NEW FACILITY.

CONTINUING SERVICE WITHIN THE AIR.

NORTHERN IMPERIAL COUNTY WAS SERVED FOR MORE THAN ONE SECTION.

IT IS PART OF THE BEACH AND OLD WATER RESORT TOWNS.

ISOLATED COMMUNITIES ARE TO THE EAST.

AFTER THE FIRE, USPS REDIRECTED SOME OF THESE MENTAL PROCESSES.

FROM THE BEGINNING, RESIDENTS SAY THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS.

>> IT WAS CHAOS WITHIN THE MAIL.

>> Reporter: A MEMBER OF THIS LAB CITY COMMUNITY.

>> THE OFFENSE IS ADDRESSING ALL OF THEM.

THEY WOULD BE MISSING THEM.

INCLUDING MY VERY OWN PERSONAL STATEMENTS.

>> Reporter: THE DISTANCE WAS ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

THIS IS A 16 MILE ROUND-TRIP.

THEY SAID THAT WAS A STRUGGLE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

TWO THIRDS COUNT AS LOW INCOME, ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS.

>> Reporter: AGAIN.

>> IT IS INTERESTING TO ME THAT I HAVE A WAY.

>> Reporter: OTHER RESIDENTS HAD A EVEN LONGER TRIP READ HE HAD TO DRIVE 50 MILES ROUND- TRIP.

THEY WERE STARTING TO SEND A MAIL TRUCK AND RESIDENTS COULD PICK UP A FEW MAIL PACKAGES DAYS AFTER.

THIS IS NOT A FULL REPLACEMENT.

TO RESIDENTS, IT SEEMS LIKE THE POSTAL SERVICE ISN'T INTERESTED IN REPAIRING THE OLD POST OFFICE.

AGAIN, THEY WOULDN'T COMMENT ON THAT.

THEY HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT.

ONE OPTION UNDER CONSIDERATION IS A PRESCHOOL NEAR THE OLD SITE.

HOWEVER, NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE POST OFFICE AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE DRAGGED ON.

THEY ARE FRUSTRATED AT THE LACK OF COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES.

>> Reporter: THAT ORGANIZED A PROTEST.

MORE THAN A DOZEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE BURNED BUILDING, WAITING FOR BOTH SIDES.

FOR MANY, THE EFFORT TO SAVE THE POST OFFICE IS MORE THAN JUST ABOUT THE MAIL.

IN THE 60s, IT WAS A THRIVING FARM TOWN.

A HELP FOR TOMATOES.

OVER THE DECADES, MANY OF THOSE FARMS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE TOWN HAVE PLUNGED SINCE THEN.

FORCING RESTAURANTS, BANKS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIVELIHOODS TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

THE POST OFFICE WAS ONE OF THE LAST PLACES LEFT.

>> I USED TO TALK TO DIANA WHEN SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS.

>> WHAT DID YOU GUYS TALK ABOUT?

>> Reporter: THAT HOPE OF LIFE, IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SAY.

COREY SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS THE THIRD HIGHEST CAUSE OF DEATH FOR U.S.

ADULTS OVER 80.

NEW DRUGS OFFER HOPE.

KPBS TELLS US THAT THEIR BENEFITS MAY NOT BE WHY THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.

>> MY DAD WAS SO WELL THOUGHT OF.

HE IMMIGRATED HERE WHEN HE WAS 17 OR 18.

MY MOM, VIRGINIA, AND HER DAD, ARE STUCK IN HOSPICE.

>> Reporter: PATRICIA HERNANDEZ HAS BEEN TIRELESSLY CARING FOR HER PARENTS FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES.

THE JOURNEY THAT HAS TAKEN A TOLL EMOTIONALLY.

>> HAVING TWO PARENTS DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA IS DEVASTATING.

THEY WERE NOT DIAGNOSED AT THE SAME TIME.

MY MOM'S DIAGNOSIS CAME FIRST.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY HAD NO HISTORY OF ALZHEIMER'S.

PATRICIA INITIALLY THOUGHT HER MOTHER SYMPTOMS WERE A NATURAL PART.

>> I KNEW SHE WAS LOSING HER MEMORY.

I DIDN'T KNOW EVENTUALLY THAT I WOULD FIND OUT FROM THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS.

ABOUT FIVE YEARS LATER, MY DAD'S DIAGNOSIS CAME.

>> Reporter: HER FATHER DIED IN 2021 FROM ALZHEIMER'S COMPLICATIONS.

>> MY DAD, HIS ALZHEIMER'S PROGRESSED FASTER THAN MY MOMS.

SHE DIGRESSED IN HER ABILITIES VERY SLOWLY.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY WOULD TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE TWO PARENTS WITH DEMENTIA AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND RELATED DEMENTIA IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, IS SET TO SURPASS 115,000 IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS.

NEW DRUGS ARE SHOWING PROMISE SLOWING ITS PROGRESSION.

THEY OFFER HOPE.

THOSE MOST AT RISK, DO THEY HAVE FAIR ACCESS TO THIS NEW MEDICATION?

>> [ INAUDIBLE ].

>> Reporter: BY THE TIME PATRICIA'S PARENTS WERE DIAGNOSED, THEY WERE ALREADY HAVING HALLUCINATIONS.

THE DISEASE PROGRESS WAS CONSIDERED MODERATE TO SEVERE.

MAKING THE FDA APPROVAL BITTERSWEET.

>> I'M VERY HAPPY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS BETTER.

MY PARENTS DID NOT BENEFIT FROM IT.

>> Reporter: THEY TEND TO BE DIAGNOSED AT LATER STAGES.

AUTOMATICALLY EXCLUDING THEM FROM USE OF THE DRUG.

IT WAS DESIGNED AND APPROVED TO TREAT EARLY-STAGE ALZHEIMER'S.

PATRICIA'S CONCERN ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY FROM THE MEDICATION, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE 1.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP ALZHEIMER'S.

EXPERTS SAY THAT HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE HEART DISEASE, AND DIABETES, WHICH ARE MORE PREVALENT AMONG BLACK AND LATIN POPULATIONS, ARE KNOWN RISK FACTORS.

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE RECENT IMMIGRANTS.

THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTAIN IT MUCH.

PEOPLE HAVE HAD MANY GENERATIONS LIVING HERE.

I DON'T THINK MY FAMILY HAD ACCESS TO THAT AMOUNT OF FUNDS.

THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THAT MEDICATION.

>> Reporter: MEDICARE IS CRUCIAL FOR PARENTS -- PATIENTS TRYING TO AFFORD THE MEDICINE.

THIS IS EXPENSIVE FOR BLACK AND LATIN AMERICANS.

IT THEY ALL HAD REPORTED INCOMES OF ABOUT $28,000 PER YEAR OR LESS.

EVEN THOUGH MEDICARE IS PICKING UP A MAJORITY OF THE BILL, MANY PATIENTS WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $5000 ANNUALLY IN OUT- OF-POCKET COST.

NELLIE HERNANDEZ, CLINICAL COACH AT ALZHEIMER SAN DIEGO, SAYS THAT IS STILL TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> EXPENSES, CARE, TRANSPORTATION, OTHER NEEDS ARE FIRST.

>> Reporter: HECTOR GONZALES, A PROFESSOR OF NEUROSCIENCE AT UCSD.

HE'S LEADING THE NATION'S LARGEST STUDY ON LATIN BRAIN AGING.

HE SAYS THAT COST ISN'T THE ONLY BARRIER.

>> YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE OF LATIN HERITAGE, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE OF REGULAR HERITAGE, REALLY HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

IN ORDER TO GET THESE TRIALS, WE HAVE A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, SAYING YES, THIS PERSON DOES LOOK LIKE A TRUE ALZHEIMER'S CASE.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE SHOW LOWER INCOMES AND ENGLISH SKILLS, HAVE NOT THE SAME ACCESS TO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

THIS IS THE KEY TO EARLY DETECTION.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.

ARE WE SERVING THOSE COMMUNITIES?

ARE WE DOING THE EDUCATION TO LET PEOPLE KNOW, THIS MAY HELP YOU OR NOT?

>> Reporter: GONZALES, SAYS THERE IS ANOTHER CAUSE.

>> THIS IS A VASCULAR TYPE OF DEMENTIA.

THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MOST PREVALENT.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT BLACKS HAVE A HIGHER RATE OF VASCULAR DEMENTIA.

THE DRUG WILL NOT BE AS EFFECTIVE FOR THEM.

PATRICIA ISN'T SURE IF HER PARENTS WERE DIAGNOSED WITH THAT TYPE READ SHE WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED HAVING MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH THEM.

>> I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING.

EVEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAY HAVE BANKRUPTED US.

GETTING THAT MEDICATION, IS HOPE BURIED EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO HOPE.

>> Reporter: THESE DAYS, VIRGINIA CONTINUES TO HAVE SOME MOBILITY.

MOST AFTERNOONS, YOU WILL FIND HER ON THE PORCH, DANCING IN HER CHAIR, WEARING RED CAT EYE SUNGLASSES, LOOKING TO CATCH.

>> WHAT OF ABILITIES ONE OF THE THINGS I ALWAYS LOVED ABOUT MY MOM, WAS HER HUMOR.

SHE WAS ALWAYS HAPPY.

>> Reporter: PATRICIA USES MUSIC TO KEEP HER MOM MOTIVATED AND ACTIVE.

SHE HOLDS ONTO SOMETHING THAT SHE ALWAYS LOVED.

>> I AM SO BLESSED THAT DURING HER PROGRESSION, WITH ALZHEIMER'S, THAT HASN'T BEEN LOST.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> BARBERSHOPS ARE MORE THAN JUST PLACES FOR HAIRCUTS.

FOR DECADES, THEY HAVE BEEN SANCTUARIES FOR BLACK MEN.

UC SAN DIEGO LEVERAGE STUDENTS ARE LOOKING AT THIS CULTURAL TRADITION, TO RAISE HEART HEALTH AWARENESS.

ONCE AGAIN, HERE'S OUR KPBS REPORTER, HEIDI DiMARCO.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SCENE AT A FRESHLY CURATED BARBERSHOP.

TODAY'S CUSTOMERS ARE JUST GETTING DOPE HAIRCUTS, THEY ARE ALSO GETTING A QUICK HEALTH CHECKUP.

EVERY MONTH, A GROUP OF SCHOOL OF MEDICINE STUDENTS FROM UCSD, OFFER BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING AT LOCAL BARBERSHOPS, AS PART OF A STUDENT LED PROGRAM, CALLED AID HYPERTENSION.

IT AIMS TO DRIVE HEALTH DISPARITIES PARTICULARLY AMONG THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROGRAM.

HE SAYS THE ISSUE HITS CLOSE TO HOME, SEEING SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS SUFFER HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES.

>> JUST KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY SEVERE HEALTH DISPARITIES WITH HYPERTENSION.

BEING ABLE TO GO OUT AND HAVE PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, HELPS THEM TO RAISE AWARENESS.

>> Reporter: HYPERTENSION OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE, AFFECTING 3-4 BLACK ADULTS BY MIDDLE-AGE.

HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG BLACK SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS.

ARTHUR ALLEN, GREW UP GOING TO BARBERSHOPS.

HE BELIEVES THEY ARE A SAFE PLACE TO TALK TO BLACKMAN ABOUT HEALTH.

>> IT IS VERY DISARMING.

PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE HAD BLOOD WORK DONE IN YEARS.

THEY ARE EMBARRASSED TO BE ON THE SPOT, BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE TAKING THAT FIRST STEP TOWARD >> Reporter: THEY PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREVENTATIVE CARE IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT.

THE BARBER SHOP OWNER, USES HIS SHOP AS A SANCTUARY FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

PARTNERING WITH THE HYPERTENSION PROGRAM, IS HIS WAY OF HELPING CHANGE BLACK PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT HEALTH.

>> WE HAVE TO TAKE AWAY THE SCARINESS OF IT.

WHEN YOU SEE THEM IN PLAIN CLOTHES AT THE BARBERSHOP CRACKING JOKES WITH YOU TAKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE, I THINK THAT HELPS TO HUMANIZE THE ASPECT OF DOCTORING.

IT IS REALLY COOL TO HAVE MEDICAL STUDENTS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IN PARTICULAR, DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: MENTORING AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS, THE PROGRAM IS URGING STUDENTS OF COLOR TO PURSUE CAREERS IN MEDICINE.

HELPING ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED BACKGROUNDS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S ARAB FILM FESTIVAL IS HERE.

IT IS FILLED WITH STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

KPBS REPORTER, SAYS THIS YEAR, MANY OF THE FILMS HAVE A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE CONFLICT IN GAZA.

>> Reporter: HELD AT THE PHOTOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF ART , 13 ANNUAL SAN DIEGO INVESTABLE -- FESTIVAL -- THIS RUNS THROUGH THE 21st.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT AMERICAN FILMMAKER, NEW YORK-BASED, -- >> Reporter: THEY ARE CLOSING THE FUTURE.

>> [ MUSIC ].

>> Reporter: HE SPOKE TO KPBS FROM WHERE HE LIVES.

ISRAEL.

WORK WITH THIS PROJECT BEGAN BACK IN 2016.

>> I WANTED TO TELL THE STORY OF MY HOMETOWN.

THIS WAS OCCUPIED IN 1948.

THEY COLLECTED WAS HIS CONNECTED PALESTINE TO THE WORLD.

TRAINS WOULD DEPART FROM THERE.

THIS IS LEBANON, CAIRO, EGYPT, THEY WERE ALL OPEN.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MANY FILMS FEATURED AT THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL.

EIGHT SCREENINGS IN ALL.

THEY HAVE ONE SHORT FILM FROM ACROSS THE ARAB WORLD.

SEVERAL FILMS AT THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL, REVOLVE AROUND ONGOING CONFLICT.

>> WE ARE STEPPING MORE INTO PALESTINIANS.

THIS IS BECAUSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA, JERUSALEM, AND THE WEST BANK.

>> Reporter: A LOCAL SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL ORGANIZER.

SHE'S ALSO ORIGINALLY A PALESTINIAN HERSELF.

THE FESTIVAL HAS GROWN AND CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

THE FILMS ARE ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN THE STRUGGLE.

>> THE ARTISTS ARE EXPLORING MORE CREATIVELY.

STEPPING OUT OF TELLING THE STORY OF TRAUMA AND OCCUPATION.

>> THIS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

FOCUSING ON ISSUES FROM THE ARAB AND ISLAMIC WORLD.

>> WE WANT TO PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW ITSELF, AND BE PROUD OF ITSELF.

>> Reporter: OUTSIDE OF PALESTINE, THEY FEATURE FILMS FROM COUNTRIES INCLUDING SYRIA, TUNISIA, MOROCCO, AND LEBANON.

>> FILM IS A WAY TO SHOW PEOPLE, REALISTIC DEPICTIONS OF ARAB PEOPLE AND CULTURE.

THIS IS IN A WAY THAT PRINTED PAGES AND OTHER THINGS START TO DO.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THESE FILMS ARE RELATABLE TO THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES.

SOMETHING WE HAVE COMMONLY SEEN IN U.S. CINEMA.

>> MY MOM TOLD ME STORIES ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE CALLED PALESTINE.

THAT IS WHAT WOULD EXPLAIN MY NAME, OUR FOOD, THE SMELL IN OUR HOME, AND THE SOUND FOR FRIDAYS.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES THE FILM WILL SHARE HER IDENTITY, DEFY STEREOTYPES, AND PROVIDE MARGINALIZED OPTIONS.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE YOURSELF REPRESENTED.

ON SCREEN, IN SOCIETY, IT IS CULTURALLY RELEVANT.

AS AN ARAB FEMALE, IT HAS BEEN A REFUTABLE EXPERIENCE TO VIEW THE FILMS ON SCREEN, AND LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS.

ALSO, TO BE PART OF MAKING IT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THIS IS AGAINST A MULTIPLE PAST, PRESENT, AND GOOD FUTURE FROM THE MODERN-DAY ISRAELI CITY.

>> JEWISH PEOPLE, CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS, ARE LIVING WITHOUT OCCUPATIONS.

IT IS NOT UTOPIA, BUT IS ALSO NOT OCCUPYING THE JUST PLACED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT WAS CHALLENGING DUE TO THE ONGOING CONFLICT.

HE HOPES THIS DOCUMENTARY WAS MAKING THEM REFLECT.

>> THIS IS JUST ONE THING THAT CAN BE OCCUPIED.

IF YOU DON'T IMAGINE, YOU ARE DOOMED TO LIVE THE REALITY THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF SOMEONE ELSE'S IMAGINATION.

>> Reporter: TICKETS ARE ONLINE, AND ARABIC DINNERS WILL BE AVAILABLE EACH EVENING.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT SANDIEGO AFF.ORG.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> HILLCREST HAS LONG BEEN A HAVEN FOR SAN DIEGO'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE NEIGHBOR HAS BEEN GROWING RAPIDLY.

OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING TO BALANCE THE NEED FOR MORE HOUSING WITH NEW PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ+ NIGHTLIFE.

>> WE HAVE SPRING DECORATIONS COMING UP.

BUTTERFLIES, EASTER RABBITS.

>> Reporter: BRIAN JENNINGS, THE CO-OWNER OF NUMBER 1/5 AVENUE.

ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S OLDEST GAY BARS.

IT ALWAYS HAS SOME GOOD CORE HANGING FROM THE CEILING.

>> EVERY DIFFERENT SEASON, WE ARE VERY WELL KNOWN FOR THE HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE THE OPEN AIR BACK PATIO THAT HOSTS KARAOKE, KARAOKE PARTIES, AND DRAG SHOWS.

IT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE SOME ISSUES WITH A BRAND-NEW, SEVEN- STORY APARTMENT BUILDING NEXT DOOR.

16 BALCONIES OPEN DIRECTLY ONTO THE PATIO.

>> THE DEVELOPER ACTUALLY APPROACHED US AND MADE US AN OFFER, IN ORDER TO SELL THE BAR TO THEM, AS WELL AS REAL ESTATE, AT EIGHT SIGNIFICANT PROFIT, IN ORDER TO INCORPORATE THIS PROPERTY INTO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

>> Reporter: HE BOUGHT THE BAR IN 2019 TO ENSURE ITS PRESERVATION AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONTINUES TO GROW.

STILL, HE KNEW THAT OWNING A NOISY BUSINESS NEXT TO DENSE HOUSING WAS A RECIPE FOR CONFLICT.

>> I HAVE STUDIED THIS IN OTHER CITIES.

THEY SPEND $100,000 IN ORDER TO FIGHT.

AFTER YEARS OF FIGHTING, THE NEIGHBORS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY ALWAYS LOSE.

WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD A STRUCTURE THAT IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SOUND IS CONTAINED, AND WE CAN STILL CONTINUE TO COEXIST NEXT DOOR.

IT IS GOING TO COST US SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THIS IS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT THAT THE BAR HAS EVER SEEN IN HISTORY.

WE ARE TAKING A BIG RISK.

>> Reporter: CITY PLANNING OFFICIALS LAST MONTH, ARE RELEASING A DRAFT OF HILLCREST LONG-TERM GROWTH PLAN.

TRYING TO CAPITALIZE ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS PROXIMITY.

WE HAVE MAJOR EMPLOYERS LIKE HOSPITALS.

THIS INCLUDES EVEN HIGH-RISES.

AS LONG AS THEY INCLUDE NEW PUBLIC GATHERING SPACES.

THIS INCLUDES MANY PARKS AND PLAZAS.

>> Reporter: SUSAN JESTER, A LONGTIME LESBIAN ACTIVIST.

SHE HAS BEEN HERE FOR DECADES.

BARS ARE MORE THAN PLACES TO GO DRINKING.

THEY ARE A REFUGE.

>> THIS IS ANYWHERE ELSE IN TOWN.

I WAS TRYING TO DANCE WITH IN 1980.

SAME THING.

THIS IS ANOTHER LOST FRIEND.

ORGANIZING OUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS GROUNDED TO US.

I WANT TO KEEP IT FOR US.

TRANSACTING PEOPLE COME HERE, AND CONTINUE TO BUILD.

THIS IS A SAFE SPOT FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THEY GOT INVOLVED IN PLANNING.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT A LGBTQ+ CULTURAL DISTRICT.

HONORING THE COMMUNITIES DISTRICT.

IT REQUIRES LANDLORDS AT NEW APARTMENTS, TO DISCLOSE TO THEIR TENANTS, WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS LGBTQ+ NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE ACTIVE NIGHTLIFE.

THEY ALSO GET FIRST DIBS ON NEW COMMERCIAL SPACES.

THIS IS BECAUSE OF THEIR PROPERTY GETTING REDEVELOPED.

>> THIS IS ALL ABOUT HOW NICE IT IS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS GROWTH PROGRAMS.

HE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THOSE BRAND-NEW APARTMENTS.

SOMEBODY ELSE CAN.

NEW HOUSING CAN RELIEVE THE DEMAND FOR HILLCREST OLDER HOMES THAT ARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> I'M IN A HISTORIC HOME.

THIS WAS BUILT IN THE 40s.

I CAN AFFORD THAT PRETTY COMFORTABLY.

THERE WAS ENOUGH OTHER VACANT UNITS IN MY BUILDING, THEY TRIED TO RAISE MY RENT.

THEY DIDN'T.

>> Reporter: ANDERSON HEARS THE ANXIETY THAT SOME OF HIS NEIGHBORS HAVE AROUND HILLCREST CURRENT GROWTH SPURTS.

A LOT OF IT IS GOING TO BE ROOTED IN CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC.

HE SAYS THAT HIS WIFE THE CITY WANTS TO BUILD OUT PEDESTRIAN TRANSIT NETWORKS.

IT IS EASY TO LIVE CAR FREE LIKE HE DOES.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AS OPPOSED TO THE PLAN.

PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BRING A CAR.

THEY MIGHT ONLY BRING ONE CAR.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN THE CHARM THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW.

STILL BRINGING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO BE ABLE TO LIVE AFFORDABLY.

>> Reporter: THE PUBLIC HAS UNTIL APRIL 29th TO COMMENT ON GROWTH PLANS FOR HILLCREST.

IT IS EXPECTED TO GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL SOMETIME THIS SUMMER.

KPBS NEWS.

>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.