>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS TOLD CONSTITUENTS THAT HE HAS NOT TAKEN ANY MONEY FROM A PRO-ISRAEL LOBBYING GROUP.

>>> PLUS, SEEING A CONCERT ISN'T AS AFFORDABLE AS IT USED TO BE.

WHY TICKET PRICES ARE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

>>> AND PLAYING FROM BOTH SIDES?

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A LOCAL GUY WHO TAUGHT HIMSELF TO BE AMBIDEXTROUS AND SAYS IT CHANGED HIS LIFE FOR THE BETTER.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH COMMUNITY BACKLASH TO SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA'S CITY BUDGET PROPOSAL.

IT CUTS -- KATIE ANASTAS BEGINS OUR COVERAGE AT FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA'S PROPOSED BUDGET WOULD CUT NEARLY $950,000 IN FUNDING FOR THE NEIL GOOD DAY CENTER.

FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES OPERATES THE CENTER.

IT OFFERS BATHROOMS, LAUNDRY, STORAGE, AND MAIL SERVICES.

IT'S ALSO A SAFE PLACE TO NAP.

PETER ALCOCK HAS BEEN HOMELESS ABOUT A MONTH.

HE COMES HERE EVERY MORNING TO CHARGE HIS PHONE AND LAPTOP.

HE USES THEM TO LOOK FOR JOBS.

>> THIS IS A PULSE, AND IF YOU CUT THIS PULSE, YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALMOST NO HOPE WITH NO OTHER OPTION.

>> Reporter: THE CITY'S FUNDING FOR THE DAY CENTER ALSO HELPS PAY FOR SHOWERS AT THE NEARBY JOAN CROCK CENTER.

PAUL MANAGES THE DAY CENTER.

>> I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT WAS CLOSED.

WHERE WOULD PEOPLE GO?

I DON'T KNOW.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO TAKE THEIR SHOWERS?

THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT IN OTHER BUSINESS'S BATHROOMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED TO BE CLEAN.

>> Reporter: JIM VARGAS IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES.

HE SAYS THE CITY TYPICALLY GIVES THE NONPROFIT ABOUT $850,000 PER YEAR TO RUN THE CENTER.

FATHER JOE SPENDS ABOUT $500,000.

THE BUDGET REPORT SAYS THE CUT IS ASSOCIATED WITH CLOSING THE CENTER.

VARGAS SAYS FATHER JOE'S IS WILLING TO KEEP IT OPEN, EVEN WITHOUT CITY FUNDING.

>> WE WOULD HAVE TO CURTAIL OUR SERVICES TREMENDOUSLY, AND WE'RE STILL WILLING TO UP OF RATE, EVEN UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW CRITICAL WE THINK THIS PROGRAM IS.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR MAYOR TODD GLORIA'S OFFICE SAYS THEY'RE PRIORITIZING PROGRAMS THAT, QUOTE, MAXIMIZE SHELTER CAPACITY AND HELP UP MOVE PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, END QUOTE.

GLORIA PRESENTED THE BUDGET TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON MONDAY.

>> AND IT PROTECTS OUR PROGRESS ON HOMELESSNESS BY CONTINUING TO INVEST IN THE STRATEGIES THAT HELPED US TO REDUCE UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY LAST YEAR BY 13.5%.

>> Reporter: BACK AT THE DAY CENTER, VARGAS SAYS THERE AREN'T ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS FOR EVERYONE WHO NEEDS ONE.

>> IF NOT FOR US, THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO WE SERVE HERE WOULD BE ON THE STREETS, RIGHT, AND SO -- AND YET WE KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE SHELTER, RIGHT?

BUT AT LEAST DURING THE DAYTIME PERIOD BETWEEN ABOUT 8:00 A.M.

TO 4:00 P.M.

AND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK THAT AT LEAST THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GO.

>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSING THE BUDGET OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE CITY HALL, A MAKESHIFT ORCHESTRA PERFORMED PEP TUNES.

ORGANIZERS PUT OUT A CALL FOR MUSICIANS TO BRING THEIR INSTRUMENTS LESS THAN 48 HOURS PRIOR.

MUSIC FROM THE LARGE GROUP ECHOED THROUGH THE PLAZA AS HUNDREDS GATHERED TO PROTEST THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET.

ARTS LEADERS SAY THE PROPOSED BUDGET SLASHES ARTS FUNDING BY $11.8 MILLION, AN 85% REDUCTION.

>> LOOK, WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S A BUDGET ISSUE.

WE WERE NOT ASKING FOR AN INCREASE, WE WERE ASKING FOR FLAT FUNDING.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA IS CHAIR OF THE CITY'S VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, IT WILL IMPACT GRANT FUNDING FOR HUNDREDS OF ARTS AND CULTURE NONPROFITS.

>> THIS DECISION CAME AS A COMPLETE SURPRISE.

IT FELT LIKE A KICK IN THE GUT.

>> Reporter: IMPACTED ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE COMIC CON, SAN DIEGO PRIDE, AND MANY MUSEUMS, PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS, AND CULTURAL CENTERS.

>> THE ART IS NOT JUST EXPRESSION, THEY ARE HOW COMMUNITIES FIND AGENCY, CONNECTION, AND POWER.

THE ARTS ARE NOT A LUXURY.

THEY FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, THEY PROVIDE CONNECTION, HEALING, AND HOPE.

>> Reporter: ANNA HERNANDEZ OF ONE OF THOSE NONPROFITS SAYS THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING WHEN PAIRED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY INCREASES.

>> THERE IS EVIDENCE NATIONWIDE THAT -- BUDGETS ARE MAKING US LESS AND LESS SAFE.

THERE IS ALSO POWERFUL EVIDENCE THAT INVESTING IN ARTS AND CULTURE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY.

>> Reporter: NEXT MONTH THE MAYOR WILL PRESENT A REVISED BUDGET FOR A COUNCIL VOTE.

JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>> ADVOCATES RAISING THE ALARM -- FROM A TEMPORARY CAMP TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO OR DRC.

KPBS MILITARY AND VETERANS REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS THAT AFGHANS ARE TOLD THEIR OTHER OPTION IS TO RETURN TO AFGHANISTAN.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 1,100 AFGHANS ARE IN U.S.

CUSTODY IN QATAR.

MORE THAN 400 ARE CHILDREN.

ALL WERE VETTED AND APPROVED TO RELOCATE TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THEY'VE BEEN STUCK AT THE CAMP SINCE DONALD TRUMP'S FIRST DAY BACK IN OFFICE.

HIS ADMINISTRATION LATER ENACTED A TRAVEL AND VISA BAN FOR AFGHANS.

HE WAS A GUNNERY SERGEANT IN THE MARINE CORPS.

>> HE WORKED WITH THE AMERICAN EMBASSY, AS WELL AS AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN, SO HE WAS ABLE TO COME -- HE GOT A PROMISE TO COME THAT WAY.

BUT BY THE TIME HE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET APPROVED FOR THIS VISA, THE ADMINISTRATION CHANGED THE POLICY TO WHERE -- WHERE THEY WERE NO LONGER ISSUING VISAS.

>> Reporter: ADVOCACY GROUP AFGHAN EVACSAYS HE'S ONE OF MORE THAN 150 SERVICE MEMBERS OR VETERANS WITH FAMILY AT THE CAMP.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THIS YEAR IT WOULD CLOSE THE CAMP IN QATAR BUT HASN'T PROVIDED A PLAN FOR THE AFGHANS, ALL OF THEM PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH THE U.S.

OR THEIR FAMILIES.

SEAN IS THE SAN DIEGO-BASED PRESIDENT OF AFGHAN EVAC, HE SAYS THIS REPORTED PLAN IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO IS HOSTING MORE THAN 600,000 REFUGEES.

IT IS FROM ACTIVE ARMED CONFLICT, REFUGEE CAMPS ARE BEING ATTACKED.

>> Reporter: HE DEPLOYED TO THE DRC EIGHT YEARS AGO.

>> I PERSONALLY SERVED AS A MARINE IN DRC.

I REMEMBER MY TIME THERE, AND I WAS THERE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT I REMEMBER HOW TOUGH THAT TIME WAS WHILE I WAS THERE.

>> Reporter: A STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TOLD "THE NEW YORK TIMES" THE ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING FOR RESPONSIBLE AND VOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT OPTIONS AS IT MOVES TO CLOSE THE CAMP.

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SYDNEY DOVE SAYS THERE'S NOTHING VOLUNTARY ABOUT THE PLAN.

>> SO THE OPTION TO BE DEPORTED TO THE TALIBAN OR TO MOVE TO A CATASTROPHIC HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE DRC IS NOT A CHOICE.

IT IS A DEATH SENTENCE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF HAS BEEN HARD FOR HIS FAMILY, MOST OF WHOM ALREADY LIVE IN THE U.S.

HE SAYS BY ADVOCATING FOR HIS BROTHER, HE'S ALSO ADVOCATING FOR HIS COUNTRY, ONE THAT TOLD AFGHANS THEY'D BE TAKEN CARE OF IF THEY WORKED WITH IT.

>> I'M GOING TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR THE CREDIBILITY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THAT WE HOLD OUR WORD TO THE PEOPLE THAT SERVED US, AND IF WE DON'T, NO ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD'S GOING TO SERVE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WHEN WE NEED THEM THE MOST.

>> Reporter: ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS TOLD CONSTITUENTS THAT HE HAS NOT TAKEN A SINGLE PENNY FROM THE PRO-ISRAEL GROUP APAC, BUT REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SAYS FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE RECORDS TELL A DIFFERENT STORY.

>> I.C.E.

OUT.

I.C.E.

OUT.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS JOINING THE CHANTS, UNTIL THEY CHANGE TO SOMETHING THAT VARGAS DOES NOT AGREE WITH.

>> STOP FUNDING ISRAEL.

STOP FUNDING ISRAEL.

STOP FUNDING ISRAEL.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I DISAGREE WITH YOU.

>> STOP FUNDING ISRAEL.

>> GET OFF THE STAGE.

>> Reporter: A FEW MOMENTS LATER, ACTIVISTS CRITICIZED VARGAS FOR ACCEPTING MONEY FROM AIPAC, WHICH HE CLEARLY DENIES.

>> AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE -- >> YOU DON'T GET AIPAC.

>> Reporter: AIPAC IS VARGAS' TOP DONOR, GIVING HIM MORE THAN $225,000 OVER THE LAST TWO CAMPAIGN CYCLES.

VARGAS HAS NOT PUBLICLY EXPLAINED THE DISCREPANCY, AND HE DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE QUESTIONS FROM KPBS.

RECENT POLLS SHOW THAT SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL HAS PLUMMETED AMONG INDEPENDENT AND DEMOCRATIC VOTERS, WITH 65% OF DEMOCRATS SAYING THEIR SYMPATHIES LIE MORE WITH PALESTINIANS THAN ISRAELIS.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN UPDATE NOW TO A KPBS INVESTIGATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING.

A FORMER TOP OFFICIAL IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES HAS FILED A CLAIM AGAINST THE COUNTY SEEKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT ROD CONFIRMED THE OFFICIAL WAS FIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: RACHEL SERVED AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES OVERSEEING THE COUNTY'S TWO ANIMAL SHELTERS.

SHE WAS PUT ON LEAVE LAST FALL AFTER KPBS UNCOVERED A VOICE MESSAGE SHE RECORDED THAT USED PROFANE LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE SHELTER DOGS.

SHE ALSO COMPLAINED THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH EUTHANASIAS.

THE COUNTY FIRED HER EARLIER THIS YEAR.

NOW SHE IS SEEKING OVER $8 MILLION IN DAMAGES FROM THE COUNTY.

SHE CLAIMS A FORMER COLLEAGUE DEFAMED HER, AND THEN THE COUNTY FIRED HER WHEN SHE COMPLAINED TO HR.

THE CLAIM DOES NOT SPECIFY HOW THE COLLEAGUE ALLEGEDLY DEFAMED HER.

HER ATTORNEY DECLINED TO COMMENT.

SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>> IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR KPBS'S INVESTIGATIONS TEAM, SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS@KPBS.ORG OR MESSAGE THEM AT THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN, 619-594-8177.

>>> CONCERT TICKET PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE THE PANDEMIC, AND VENUES AND ARTISTS SAY BOOKING AGENTS AND TICKETING PLATFORMS CALL THE SHOTS EVEN AS LIVE NATION AND TICKETMASTER FACE ANTI-TRUST SUITS.

FOR OUR PRICE OF SAN DIEGO SERIES, KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS.

>> Reporter: ON A BUSY CORNER NEAR THE AIRPORT SITS A SMALL, INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUE A LEGEND IN ROCK AND PUNK CIRCLES.

>> MY NAME IS TIM, AND WE'RE AT THE CASBAH, WHICH I'VE OWNED FOR 37 YEARS NOW.

>> Reporter: IN RECENT YEARS, CONCERT PRICE INCREASES HAVE MEANT THAT FANS CAN PAY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ONE SHOW.

WHILE PRICES AT SMALL VENUES HAVEN'T HIT THOSE LEVELS, THEY'RE STILL FEELING THE PINCH.

PRE-PANDEMIC, SMALLER BANDS CHARGED $12 TO $15 AT THE DOOR.

>> AFTER THE PANDEMIC THAT BUMPED UP TO $15, $18, AND NOW, YOU KNOW, STARTING POINT FOR A BAND THAT'S RELATIVELY UNKNOWN, I SEE, YOU KNOW, ASKS FOR $20 TICKETS, $25 TICKETS AT THE DOOR.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES INTO THE COST OF A TICKET, INCLUDING A BAND PAYMENT TO COVER TOUR COSTS, BASICALLY ALL THE PEOPLE, PLATFORMS, AND EXPENSES INVOLVED.

AND HE SAYS BOOKING AGENTS AND MANAGERS USUALLY HAVE FINAL SAY.

>> I PUSH BACK ON THAT WHEN I CAN.

JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, THAT SEEMS A LITTLE HIGH.

HAS THIS BAND PLAYED IN SAN DIEGO BEFORE?

DO THEY HAVE ANY HISTORY?

BECAUSE IF NOT, IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME, WE SHOULD BE COGNIZANT OF, YOU KNOW, THE PRICING.

>> Reporter: COLLEEN COLLAR-SMITH IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF USC SAN DIEGO'S PERFORMANCE AND EVENTS OFFICE, WHICH OVERSEES ART POWER.

SHE SAYS ACCESS TO ART IS PART OF THEIR MISSION, AND THEY WORK TO KEEP EVENTS AFFORDABLE.

>> FOR US WHEN WE'RE LOOKING ON CAMPUS AT OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE QUITE LITERALLY IN LABORATORIES AND STUDIOS WORKING ON PROBLEMS, NOT JUST OF TODAY BUT WELL INTO THE FUTURE AND REALLY WORKING TO CHANGE THE WORLD, WE THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY HAVE ART IN THEIR LIVES SO THAT THEY'RE REALLY WHOLE HUMANS.

>> Reporter: ART POWER HAS HISTORICALLY OFFERED LOW-COST TICKETS TO STUDENTS.

RECENTLY, THEY MADE THOSE COMPLETELY FREE.

>> WHEN WE TOOK THAT TICKET PRICE OFF, WE SAW 65% INCREASE RIGHT AWAY.

SO WE KNOW THAT REMOVING THAT BARRIERLY DOES IMPACT THE ENGAGEMENT.

>> Reporter: COLLAR-SMITH SAYS ANOTHER COST FACTOR FOR FANS IS THE RISE OF RESALE SITES.

>> OFTENTIMES WHEN YOU'RE GOOGLING AN ARTIST, THE FIRST THING THAT POPS UP IS THOSE RESALE SITES.

>> Reporter: RESALERS OFTEN BUY TICKETS AND RESELL THEM AT A MARKUP, ADDING COSTS FOR FANS.

>> IF YOU DIG JUST A LITTLE BIT, FIND OUT THE VENUE OR THE PRESENTER AND JUST TAKE THAT EXTRA SECOND TO GO DIRECTLY TO THAT SITE, THE PRESENTER OR THE VENUE, OFTENTIMES YOU'RE GOING TO FIND A LESS EXPENSIVE TICKET AND CERTAINLY YOU KNOW THAT YOUR TICKET'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR THAT SHOW.

>> Reporter: PLATFORM COSTS LIKE FEES AND SURGE PRICING HAVE ALSO RISEN.

TICKETMASTER AND LIVE NATION, WHICH MERGED IN 2009, ARE FACING A FEDERAL ANTITRUST LAWSUIT.

THE CASBAH AND OTHER SMALLER VENUES USE INDEPENDENT TICKETING PLATFORMS, OFTEN WITH LOWER FEES, BUT MANY LARGE VENUES STILL REQUIRE TICKETMASTER AS THEIR EXCLUSIVE TICKETING PLATFORM.

FANS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES.

HE SAYS ARTISTS ARE ALSO FEELING INFLATION.

>> SO I MEAN, IT'S GOTTEN WAY EXPENSIVE TO TOUR.

YOU KNOW, HOTELS, GASOLINE, FOOD, EVERYTHING IS WAY MORE THAN IT WAS, OBVIOUSLY, WAY MORE THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.

SO YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S A CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE TICKET PRICING IN CHECK.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS MERCH IS A KEY WAY FOR FANS TO SUPPORT ARTISTS.

>> WE'LL HAVE BANDS HERE THAT'LL SOME NIGHTS JUST DO ALMOST AS MUCH SELLING MERCH AS THEY GET PAID.

>> Reporter: AND THERE'S ONE MORE THING FANS CAN CONTROL, TO AVOID PLATFORM SERVICE FEES, CHECK WITH THE VENUE, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO PAY CASH AT THE DOOR.

JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND THAT STORY IS PART OF OUR PRICE OF SAN DIEGO SERIES, AND WE HAVE MORE COST OF LIVING STORIES ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM RISING GAS PRICES TO SAVING MONEY ON LIVE SPORTS EVENTS.

YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG/PRICEOFSANDIEGO.

>>> NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS SAN DIEGO, THE EXHIBITION KICKED OFF WITH A PREOPENING CELEBRATION AT THE MUSEUM.

KPBS MIDDAY EDITION HOST HINDMAN WAS THERE.

>> Reporter: OPENING NIGHT OF GIANTS BROUGHT A RARE EXPERIENCE TO SAN DIEGO, AN OPENING CEREMONY AND A STAR-STUDDED PINK CARPET, ALICIA KEYS WAS AMONG THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

I SPOKE WITH ALICIA KEYS AND SWISS BEATS ABOUT GIANTS.

>> IT'S LIKE COMING INTO THEIR HOMES, WHICH IS WHY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW YOU SEE HOW WE STARTED FROM HER PIANO AND MY DRUM MACHINE AND THE BIKES.

>> YEAH.

>> AND EVEN THE SELF-PORTRAITS AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE IN A SAFE SPACE, AND THIS IS OUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE MORE THAN 130 WORKS OF ART FEATURE BLACK AMERICAN AND ARTISTS FROM AFRICA, THE U.S., AND CARIBBEAN.

CULTURAL CONNECTION AND A -- CONCEPTUAL WORK BY HANK WILLIS THOMAS.

>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE PIECE IN THE EXHIBITION THAT IS AN X IS ACTUALLY ALL OF THESE INMATE UNIFORMS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND HE CREATED, YOU KNOW, HOW YOU -- HOW THE CONCEPT OF HOW YOU DON'T HAVE A NAME, YOU KNOW, THAT'S YOURS.

>> AND THEN FOR THE SCULPTURE STRIPE TO BE RIGHT NEXT TO IT, BASED ON POLICE BRUTALITY.

UNBELIEVABLE PAIRING.

I DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO PAIR THOSE TWO UP TOGETHER LIKE THAT.

>> REALLY SMART.

>> Reporter: YOU'LL NOT ONLY FIND THE COLLECTION, YOU'LL ALSO SEE PIECES FROM LOCAL ARTISTS LIKE MJ AND OSCAR, WHOSE ART IS FEATURED IN THE HOMETOWN HEROES INSTALLATION.

>> WE FEEL SUPER CONNECTED TO THIS CITY, AND WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT JUST ALL THE DIVERSITY.

>> HOMETOWN HEROES, WE JUST ADDED HOMETOWN HEROES TO THIS SHOW.

IT'S ANOTHER THING TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE CREATIVES THAT BUILT THIS CITY AND MODELLED THOSE PLACES.

>> Reporter: GIANTS IS ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO THROUGH JUNE 9th.

>>> IF YOU ARE RIGHT HANDED AND HAVE EVER TRIED TO WRITE WITH YOUR LESS DOMINANT HAND, CHANCES ARE, YOU PROBABLY STRUGGLE.

IMAGINE DOING THAT WITH TYPING, WRITING BACKWARDS, SHAKING HANDS, AND EVEN SWITCH FOOTING IN SPORTS.

WELL, ONE LOCAL MAN HAS TAUGHT HIMSELF TO DO THAT AND WANTS TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW MIRROR MOVEMENT DEVELOPMENT OR MMD CHANGED HIS LIFE AND CAN CHANGE YOURS.

>> Reporter: WHICHEVER WAY THE GRAIN GOES, JIM CUTS AGAINST IT.

HE GREETS WITH HIS LEFT HAND, TYPES ON A REVERSE KEYBOARD, JOURNALS WRITING BACKWARDS, AND READS USING A MIRROR.

>> I CONSIDER MYSELF ONE OF THE MOST AMBIDEXTROUS PEOPLE ON EARTH.

>> Reporter: HE CALLS IT THE THIRD PILLAR OF LONGEVITY, NEXT TO NUTRITION AND EXERCISE.

LIKE MOST OF US, HE GREW UP WITH A DOMINANT SIDE.

A SKATEBOARDING INJURY YEARS AGO LEFT HIM STRUGGLING.

HE DECIDED TO SWITCH THINGS UP BY SWITCHING UP HIS FEET.

>> I FELT LIKE I COULDN'T DO IT, BUT IT DIDN'T HURT MY BODY, SO I KEPT DOING IT.

AND FOUR YEARS OF THAT, AFTER BEING ABLE TO DO STRIKES AND SUCH, SKATING PROBABLY BEST IN MY LIFE AT THAT POINT.

>> Reporter: TRAINING HIS WEAKER SIDE STRENGTHENED HIS DOMINANT ONE, A CONCEPT KNOWN AS MANUAL TRANSFER LEARNING.

>> BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I STARTED DOING EVERYTHING ELSE LEFTY, SWITCH, AKA MIRRORED.

AND THAT MOMENT WAS A GOOD 15 YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: HE HAS SINCE DEVELOPED HIS ABILITY IN MIRRORED MOTOR DEVELOPMENT OR MMD.

IN SIMPLE TERMS, IT'S DOING EVERYTHING IN A MIRRORED DIRECTION, A CONCEPT HE EXPLAINS IN HIS BIG BIG THREE MMD, HISTORY'S AMBIDEXTROUS AND THE BENEFITS OF MIRROR MOVEMENT DEVELOPMENT.

EACH PAGE IS WRITTEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

>> YOU WOULD THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS FOR OUR BENEFIT.

MEMORY RECOLLECTION IS ONE THING THAT MAJORLY INCREASES.

SPATIAL AWARENESS.

LeBRON JAMES IS MY FAVORITE EXAMPLE.

LeBRON JAMES, JUST LIKE LARRY BIRD, DOES EVERYTHING LEFT-HANDED EXCEPT BASKETBALL.

KOBE BRYANT WOULD PRACTICE SHOOTING LEFTY THREES.

>> Reporter: BUT MIRRORED MOVEMENT IS SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN IN SOME OF THE GREATEST OUTLIERS IN HISTORY, NIKOLA TESLA, GANDY, JIMI HENDRIX.

>> JIMI HENDRIX PREFERRED PLAYING GUITAR LEFT-HANDED, BUT HIS DAD WHO GIFTED HIM THE GUITAR SAID LEFT-HANDED GUITAR PLAYING WAS A SIGN OF THE DEVIL, SO HE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY RIGHT-HANDED.

>> Reporter: TWO OF HIS FAVORITE HISTORICAL FIGURES ALSO TOUTED THE ABILITY TO USE BOTH SIDES, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, WHO OPERATED A PRINTING PRESS, BECAME ACCUSTOMED TO READING BACKWARDS.

>> LOOK AT DA VINCI, HE WROTE ALL OF HIS NOTEBOOKS IN MIRRORED DIRECTION.

>> SO ANY KIND OF USING YOUR BRAIN IS NOT A BAD IDEA.

MY NAME IS ASIA, I'M A PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE AND NEUROSCIENCES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THIS MAY BE A CASE OF NEURONS THAT FIRE TOGETHER WIRED TOGETHER.

SHE RECENTLY STUDIED THE WAY THE BRAIN IS CONSTANTLY IN LOOP BETWEEN HEMISPHERES, VISUALLY AND SPATIALLY, CALLED HEMISPHERIC LATERALIZATION, AN OVERSIZED PROSTHETIC HAND WAS USED TO GRASP OBJECTS.

>> WE WERE TEST TOUCH PERCEPTION.

IT BECAME CHANGED WITHIN 15 MINUTES.

>> Reporter: LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE GENERALLY HAVE A BIGGER CORPUS COL LOS -- >> BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING MORE MANUAL TASKS AND USING BOTH SIDES OF THE BRAIN TO DEAL WITH THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: I WANTED TO TRY MY OWN EXPERIMENT TO SEE THE BOUNDS OF JIM'S MMD SKILLS, AND WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO TRY TO READ SCRIPTS ON MY TELEPROMPTER BACKWARDS.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE, THANK YOU.

>> AN AMBIDEXTROUS SOMEONE WHO DISPLAYS NOTABLE USE OF BOTH HANDS, A TRAIT THAT COMMONLY -- IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS AMBIDEXTROUS.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE ONLY BORN WITH BUT CAN BE DEVELOPED THROUGH PRACTICE BY ANY AVERAGE PERSON.

>> READING FROM A TELEPROMPTER BY ITSELF IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE WORDS ARE MOVING.

>> MM-HMM.

>> BUT ALSO READING MOVING WORDS BACKWARDS, THAT IS QUITE A TALENT.

>> Reporter: MY TURN TO TRY A NEW SCRIPT.

>> THERE'S NUMBERS THERE, LET'S SEE.

I'M NOT GOING TO LOOK.

I'M GOING TO DO THIS FRESH.

READY?

THREE, TWO, ONE.

BACK IN DECEMBER, THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS FACING A $47 MILLION DEFICIT FOR THE THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> Reporter: I STRUGGLED A BIT.

>> AND OTHER CLASSIFIED POSITIONS.

>> YEAH, AND HOW DOES IT FEEL IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE.

I AM DEFINITELY STRETCHING MY COGNITIVE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

>> SO MANY THINGS THAT TO ME HAVE FELT INCREDIBLE THAT I KNOW PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL THAT TOO.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE.

THAT'S WHY THEY SHOULD PRACTICE THIS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WITH SOMETHING THAT IS COST, DRUG, AND PAIN FREE, CREATING BODY SYMMETRY THROUGH MMD IS A GREAT THING.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE AWESOME KPBS INTERVIEW.

THANK YOU, JIM.

>> MAYA TRABULSI -- >> PRACTICE MMD WHEREVER YOU ARE.

>> -- KPBS NEWS.

>> AND I READ THAT ONE BACKWARDS.

>>> FOR MANY PEOPLE, LIBRARIES ARE MORE THAN JUST PLACES TO CHECK OUT BOOKS.

THEY OFFER COMPUTER ACCESS, STUDY SPACES, KIDS ACTIVITIES, AND A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO FIND HELP AND COMMUNITY.

IT'S NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS TAKES US TO THE LOGAN HEIGHTS LIBRARY WHERE A STAFF MEMBER IS RETIRING AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY LIBRARIES ARE OBSOLETE, WHO CHECKS OUT BOOKS ANYMORE.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BOOKS, YOU KNOW, IT'S A COMMUNITY HUB.

MY NAME IS ALINA ROSAS, I HAVE BEEN WORKING AT THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY LOGAN HEIGHTS BRANCH SINCE 1988.

I THINK THIS WAS IN 1989.

THAT'S ME.

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH THAT THE LIBRARY DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES.

HOW TO GET A BANK ACCOUNT, HOW TO GET AN ID, HOW TO FIX YOUR CAR.

WE HAVE THE HOT SPOTS THAT WE LOAN OUT.

PEOPLE SAY, I CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE AT HOME, I NEED TO STUDY HERE, IT'S EVERYTHING.

THIS PLACE IS EVERYTHING.

A LOT OF THE BRANCHES HAVE SMALLER LITTLE SECTIONS FOR SPANISH BOOKS, AND THAT'S JUST PART OF IT.

THERE'S MORE SPANISH.

THIS OTHER SHELF IS ALL SPANISH.

I WENT TO TJ A COUPLE OF TIMES TO PICK UP BOOKS, WENT SHOPPING, BROUGHT BOOKS BACK IN MY LITTLE STATION WAGON.

>> COVID WAS INTERESTING.

WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST BRANCHES THAT WAS ABLE TO GET -- WE GOT A WI-FI EXTENDER, AND WE WOULD SET UP ON THE SIDE OF THE LIBRARY.

WE HAD CHROMEBOOKS PEOPLE COULD USE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING TO FILL OUT JOB APPLICATIONS, UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS, THE LIBRARIANS THEY WOULD MAKE LITTLE TO-GO PACKS WITH BUNDLES OF BOOKS AND PEOPLE WOULD CHECK OUT THE WHOLE BUNDLE.

AND THEY WOULD TELL US WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR, WHAT GENRE OR WHATEVER, AND THEN WE WOULD CHECK THEM OUT TO THEM, PUT THEM ON A TABLE, CLOSE THE DOOR, THEY WOULD PICK THEM UP.

PEOPLE WANTED IT AFTER WE OPENED NORMALLY.

THEY SAID, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BOOK BUNDLES?

I SAID, THE STACKS ARE OPEN, YOU CAN LOOK FOR THINGS.

OH, BUT I LIKED YOUR BOOK BUNDLES.

I LOVE THE COMMUNITY ROOM.

WE'VE HAD MAGICIANS, STORY TELLERS, SCIENCE PROGRAMS, ANIMAL SHOWS.

WE'VE HAD GRADUATIONS IN THERE, BABY SHOWERS, MY 50th BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS THERE.

IT WAS A SURPRISE.

THE PIANO WAS DONATED BY ONE OF THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY WITH THE STIPULATION THAT IT BE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY WANTED TO USE IT.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

YEAH.

I'M GOING TO MISS THIS.

YEAH.

>> AND THE STORY WAS PRODUCED BY KPBS REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS AND VIDEO JOURNALIST CARLOS CASTILLO.

ALINA RETIRES FROM THE LIBRARY IN AUGUST.

CONGRATULATIONS.