>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, A FIRST FOR THE U.S. MARINE CORPS, HERE FROM A PRODUCT TESTING SICK WHO COMPLETED BOOT CAMP WELL MAINTAINING HIS RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED BEGAN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH SUPERINTENDENT, LAMONT JACKSON, ABOUT GOALS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DISTRICT.

>>> HEADING FOR A DISASTER ZONE, SEE HOW THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY ARE HELPING PEOPLE AND PETS AFFECTED BY HAWAII'S DEADLY WILDFIRES.

>>> WE WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS WE ARE CLOSELY WATCHING THE FORECAST FOR HURRICANE HILLARY.

IT WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT TRAVELS NORTH TO A REGION.

THE SITUATION CAN CHANGE, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO STAY ON TOP OF THE LATEST INFORMATION AND ONE WAY TO DO THAT IS BY VISITING KPBS.ORG.

LIVE LINKS TO THE LATEST FORECAST FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ON THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING AND WIND DAMAGE.

CHECK IN FOR REGULAR UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

>>> ANOTHER DISASTER THIS WEEK, THE WILDFIRES THAT KILLED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ON MAUI.

IN RECENT DAYS, SANDY AKINS HAVE MOBILIZED TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP ERIC TONYA TELLS US ABOUT THE LOCAL MMA FIGHTER WHOSE ONLINE FUNDRAISER HAS RECEIVED AN ENORMOUS RESPONSE.

>> Reporter: McFARLAND IS A PROFESSIONAL MMA FIGHTER WHO NOW LIVES IN SAN FRANCISCO.

WHEN SHE HEARD OF THE FIRES IN MAUI, SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO HELP IN SOME WAY.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS BIG.

>> Reporter: SHE STARTED BY CALLING ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS TO HELP WITH MONEY.

>> I PUT MY INITIAL GOAL AS 10,000 AND I WAS HAPPY WITH ANYTHING AND IT ENDED UP EXPLODING OVERNIGHT.

IT GOT TO 1 MILLION IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS NOW RAISED MORE THAN $2 MILLION.

SHE WILL BE WORKING WITH MAUI COUNTY TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS BUT SHE ALSO KNEW RESOURCES IN MAUI WOULD BE SCARCE FOLLOWING THE FIRES.

>> THEY ARE EXTREMELY SHORT ON RESOURCES.

WE GET A MAJORITY OF EVERYTHING SHIPPED OVER.

>> SHE STARTED A LOCAL DONATION DRIVE FOR ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES.

SHE PLANNED ON COLLECT ITEMS ALL MONTH BUT THE SUPPORT WAS SO OVERWHELMING THAT SHE HAD TO START TURNING DONATIONS AWAY.

>> IT IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING THAT HAPPENS AND SURELY DARK, DARK TIMES AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T SEE ANYBODY'S POLITICAL BELIEFS.

I DON'T SEE ANYBODY'S SKIN COLOR, I DON'T SEE ANYBODY'S, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER, WHATEVER THEY BELIEVE IN.

IT IS JUST PURE LOVE THAT I SEE AND APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE.

>> Reporter: McFADDEN ORGANIZED AND DROVE THE DONATIONS TO A SHIPPING CONTAINER IN LONG BEACH THAT WILL BE DELIVERED TO MAUI.

WHILE SHE IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING SUPPLIES, SHE IS STILL ACCEPTING MONEY BECAUSE MALLEY WILL NEED ALL THE SUPPORT THEY CAN GET.

>> WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE DARKNESS YET.

IT IS BECOMING MORE TRAGIC NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR FAMILIES AND THEY ARE IDENTIFYING THE BODIES.

>> THE NONPROFIT IS CALLED FOUNDATION.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING IN HAWAII.

PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS WERE ALSO CAUGHT UP IN THE DISASTER.

THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US HOW THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY SENDS A TEAM OF EXPERTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN FIRE ZONES.

>> Reporter: THE MAUI HUMANE SOCIETY REACHED OUT TO SAN DIEGO'S HUMANE SOCIETY FOR HELP, KNOWING SAN DIEGO HAD A TRAINED FIRE TEAM.

THIS MORNING, THEY WERE PACKING RESPIRATORS AND OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOURNEY.

THEIR GOAL IS TO SAVE ANIMALS THAT WERE STANDARD IN THE FIRE LINES.

>> IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THOSE WHO ARE LEAVING.

>> Reporter: PIPER IS A LEADER WITH THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> WE ARE ANTICIPATING ENCOUNTERING A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO ENCOUNTER.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE LARGE HEARTS FOR PEOPLE AND ANIMALS.

>> THE DEVASTATION OF THE WILDFIRES HAS KILLED CLOSE TO 100 PEOPLE.

PIPER SAID ONE THING THAT IS COMMON IN FAST-MOVING WILDFIRES, ANIMALS ARE LEFT BEHIND AS PEOPLE HAVE TO FLEE.

>> PEOPLE HAD NO NOTICE TO LEAVE THEMSELVES, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE, YOU MAY HAVE HAD A CAT THAT'S HIDING.

YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO GET OUT AND FIND YOUR CAT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO LOAD YOUR GOATS.

>> THE EQUIPMENT THE TEAM WILL BRING TO MAUI INCLUDES WHAT IS NEEDED TO BRING AN ANIMAL IN.

>> THERE ARE GLOVES, NETS, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ALLOW TO SAFELY CAPTURE, CONTAIN AND TRANSPORT AN ANIMAL.

>> ANIMALS WILL BE SHELTERED UNTIL THE BURNED AREAS BEGIN TO REPOPULATE.

THAT IS WHEN PEOPLE WILL REACH OUT TO HOPEFULLY BE REUNITED WITH THEIR COMPANIONS.

>> THEY WILL PROBABLY SET UP A WEBSITE THAT SHOWS PICTURES OF THE ANIMALS AND THINGS LIKE THAT FOR PEOPLE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE.

>> THE FIRE TEAM EXPECTS TO BE IN MAUI FOR UP TO 10 DAYS.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>> A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS DAYS AWAY FOR OUR LARGEST LOCAL DISTRICT, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

DR. LeMOND JACKSON SAT DOWN WITH PEREZ FOR A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN MEMORIES OF THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

>> NEW BACK PACK, PENCILS, THERE WAS EXCITEMENT AROUND THE AND NERVOUSNESS.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, DR. JACKSON, IS READY TO WELCOME BACK STUDENTS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER.

HE TELLS US THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IS HIS FIRST PRIORITY.

>> I THINK WE ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF EXPOSING INDIVIDUALS, HUMAN BEINGS, TO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH IN SILENCE AND IT IS MUCH MORE PUBLIC.

WITH THAT, COMES SELF REFERRALS.

SO WE ARE GETTING MORE REFERRALS.

STUDENTS ARTICULATING WHAT THEY ARE FEELING.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS HIRING MORE COUNSELORS.

TEACHERS ARE RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM THIS SEMESTER WITH A HISTORIC 15% PAY RAISE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, JUST ONE HIGHLIGHT THAT CAME FROM NEGOTIATIONS THAT DRAGGED ON FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> WHAT DID THAT DO FOR THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE TRUST AND QUITE FRANKLY, HOW DID YOU GET THERE?

15% IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

>> THEY DESERVE THAT AND MORE AND WE SAID WE WANT TO BE THE HIGHEST PAYING DISTRICT IN THIS COUNTY AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR 100% BENEFITS PACKAGE WE HAVE.

YOU SAID IT BEST, IT IS TRUST.

WITH LABOR PARTNERS BUT AT THE CORE, IT IS A BELIEF THAT OUR EDUCATORS, OUR STAFF MEMBERS, DESERVE IT.

>> THIS YEAR, SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CAMPUSES NOW DESIGNATED AS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

>> WHEN I WAS HIRED AS A SUPERINTENDENT AND THE COMMUNITY SAID WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE CHILD, IT'S ABOUT BRINGING THE RESOURCES OF THE COMMUNITY INTO THE SCHOOL AS A HUB.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, YOU HAVE SUPPORTS THEIR.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL HEALTH, WE HAVE ON-SITE CLINICS.

MAY HAVE DENTAL, MEDICAL FACILITIES RIGHT AROUND CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: WITH THE HELP OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE BUSINESS AND STATE FUNDING, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED GOES FROM FIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO 15 COMMUNITY SCHOOL CAMPUSES ACROSS THE DISTRICT THIS FALL.

THEN THERE IS THE MUCH ANTICIPATED GUARANTEED ARTS FUNDING FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA.

VOTERS APPROVED PROP 28 LAST NOVEMBER, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE UP TO $1 BILLION FROM THE STATE BUDGET EVERY YEAR.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HIRE MORE EDUCATORS AND MORE PROGRAMS.

WE GET INSTRUMENTS INTO THE HANDS OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: DR. JANSEN AND HIS WIFE DID HAVE A BRIEF SUMMER VACATION TO MAUI.

THEIR FLIGHT BACK HOME TO SAN DIEGO TOOK OFF JUST HOURS BEFORE THE FIRST FIRE STARTED, LEAVING HIM BITTERSWEET.

>> WE ENJOYED IT BUT MY OTHER THOUGHT WAS, I WANT TO GO BACK AND HELP.

I EVEN HAD A CRAZY THOUGHT THAT WE COULD DO SOME HYBRID LEARNING, AND OFFERED TO THE SCHOOLS TO ZOOM IN TO SOME LEARNING HERE.

DEVASTATING, DEVASTATING, BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY, AND BECAUSE OF LIKE THE OHANA SPIRIT .

THIS IS WHAT WE DO, WE HELP OUT.

AND THOSE WHO HELPED THE MOST, LOST THE MOST AND IT IS SAD.

YOU ASKED ME ABOUT VACATION, GOT AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT I RETURNED WITH A HEAVY HEART.

>> Reporter: MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE FORECAST FOR HURRICANE HILARY IN RECENT DAYS.

HERE ARE THE OTHER MOST READ STORIES THAT KPBS.ORG.

>>> A RUNOFF IS EXPECTED IN NOVEMBER FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SEAT AFTER THIS WEEK SPECIAL ELECTION.

SAN DIEGO HAS A NEW URBAN CAMPING BAN BUT WAS MISLEADING DATA USED TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT FOR THE CHANGE?

>>> OUR PUBLIC ARTS SERIES FOCUSES ON THE STEWART COLLECTION AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>>> ANOTHER STORY RESONATING WITH THE AUDIENCE IS THAT OF A 21-YEAR-OLD SICK MAN.

IS THE FIRST TO GRADUATE FROM MARINE CORPS CAMP, HIS BEARD AND TURBAN.

ANDREW DYER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: NEWLY MINTED MARINES MARCH AT THE SAN DIEGO MARINE CORPS DEPOT.

AMONG THEM, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, THE RIGHT TO WEAR HIS BEARD THROUGH TRAINING IN A LAWSUIT.

HE KEPT HIS ARTICLES THROUGH BOOT CAMP.

HE SAID MARINE CORPS AND SIKH VALUES ALIGN.

>> THROUGHOUT HISTORY, YOU FIND OUT A LOT ABOUT THE AND COMMITMENT AND YOU HAVE COMMITMENT IN THE FAITH IN SIKH.

>> Reporter: GISELLE IS THE DEPUTY COALITION, SHE SAID THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR FAITH TO SERVE.

>> THIS CASE IS ANOTHER POINT OF PROOF THAT SIKH ARTICLES DO NOT INHIBIT SERVICE ACROSS THE MILITARY.

>> Reporter: THE MARINE CORPS AND NAVY ARE THE LAST HOLDOUTS WHEN IT COMES TO SIKH ARTICLES OF FAITH.

THEY FORCED THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE TO COME WITH THEM WITH THE LATEST BEING THE AIR FORCE IN 2019.

THE MARINE CORPS COURT -- ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DRAG QUEENS, CHRISTIAN MUSIC AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN A COMMUNITY STANDS UP TO ONLINE ABUSE PICKETT LED TO A PERFORMER REACHING THE TOP OF THE iTUNES CHARTS.

BASIN EQUITY REPORTER SAT DOWN TO LEARN THE STORY BEHIND THE MOMENT.

>> Reporter: MATTHEW GREW UP IN WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS A RELIGIOUS BUBBLE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> MY CHURCH WAS SUPER FUNDAMENTALISTS, VERY LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE.

VERY PATRIARCHAL AND VERY STRICT.

SO, I DID NOT BECOME A DRUG QUEEN UNTIL I WAS NEARLY 40.

I SPENT A LONG TIME AVOIDING THIS RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: LOVE GOOD, NOW OUT AS NON-BINARY AND GAY, LEARNED EARLY NOT TO EXPLORE GENDER.

>> I GOT THE MESSAGE FROM AN EARLY AGE, THIS IS NOT HOW A BOY BEHAVES.

THIS IS NOT HOW A BOY DRESSES.

YOU NEED TO FIT IN BETTER WITH THE OTHER BOYS.

>> Reporter: HE BECAME A WORSHIP PASTOR AND MOVED TO SAN DIEGO TO START A NEW CHURCH.

DURING THAT TIME, THEY QUESTIONED WHAT THEY WERE TAUGHT AND EMBRACED THAT THEY WERE GAY.

>> I GOT KICKED OUT OF THE CHURCH.

IT WAS VERY HARD.

>> Reporter: LOVEGOOD SAYS THROUGH DRUG, THEY DECIDED TO STAY IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

>> IT WAS IN HER CHILD WORK FOR ME, TALKING TO THE YOUNGER VERSION OF MYSELF AND SAYING, FOR YOUR WHOLE LIFE, YOU HAVE CARRIED THIS BELIEF THAT SOMETHING ABOUT YOU IS BROKEN AND WRONG AND SINFUL AND UNWORTHY AND UNLOVABLE AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO NOW, YOU ARE OKAY, BABY.

GIVING YOURSELF THE POSITION TO BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN GOODNESS.

>> Reporter: A PASTOR INVITED THEM TO GIVE A SERMON AS THEIR DRUG PREEN QUEEN PERSON I.

THE VIDEO WENT VIRAL ON TIKTOK.

>> I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY SCROLLING THROUGH COMMENTS OF PEOPLE SAYING THIS MAKES ME FEEL SEEN AND SAFE, WHICH IS WHAT DRAGON IS DOING FOR ME.

MAKING ME FEEL SEEN PICKETT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD AN INCLINATION MY DRUG WAS NOT JUST FOR ME, WAS FOR OTHERS TOO.

>> Reporter: LOVEGOOD SAW THERE WAS A ROLE FOR THEM TO PLAY IN CHRISTIANITY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SOME PEOPLE TO TAKE UP SPACE IN THE CHURCH WHEN THERE IS NO REPRESENTATION FOR THE THING YOU ARE DOING.

>> IN JULY, GRANT POSED FOR A PHOTO WITH CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS FROM THE 90s.

>> THAT GOT TO SEAN, A CONSERVATIVE LEADER.

>> THIS IS THE END, COLLABORATING WITH A DRUG QUEEN.

IT'S TRULY THE LAST DAYS.

I REPLIED BACK, AND GO?

BABY, NO.

WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED.

HE CAME BACK AND SAID, WELL, GOOD THING HARDLY ANYONE IS LISTENING TO YOU OR CARES WHAT YOU DO, WHICH IS NOT ANYTHING YOU SAY TO A DRUG QUEEN.

YOU JUST DON'T BECAUSE IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT DRAG PERFORMERS EVERYWHERE HAVE IN COMMON, WE KNOW HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON A MOMENT.

WE KNOW HOW TO TAKE SOMETHING INTENDED FOR OUR HARM AND TURN IT INTO OUR GOOD.

>> Reporter: THEY ASKED TO PROPEL THE ALBUM ONTO THE iTUNES CHRISTIAN MUSIC CHARTS.

>> I ROLLED THE DICE, KNOWING WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, THAT WAS A GOOD BET.

>> Reporter: THE ALBUM HIT NUMBER ONE SHORTLY AFTER.

FLAMING GRANT WAS IN THE HEAD SIGNS OF "ROLLING STONE."

>> THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT THIS MOMENT AND HOW I'M BEHAVING AND I AM HOPING TO SEE THAT THERE IS SUCH A GOOD LIFE FOR YOU AFTER YOU LEAVE HIGH DEMAND, TOXIC RELIGION.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR ENTIRE FAITH STRUCTURE.

YOU CAN STICK AROUND AND JUST DO IT BETTER.

>> Reporter: IN A COUPLE WEEKS, LOVEGOOD AND THERE HAS BEEN PLAN TO MOVE BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA.

>> AND STILL A SOUTHERN KID AT HEART AND I FEEL MY DRUG WILL FIT WELL IN THE SOUTH.

I WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT WHERE LAWS ARE LITERALLY BEING PASSED AGAINSTAND TRANS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AND ONE OF THE LAST PERFORMANCES, THEY PERFORMED A SONG TO YOUNG MATTHEW.

♪ >> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR YEARS, PERFORMANCE ARTIST, THEATER GROUP THEN DAN'S COMPANY IS ON THE SOUTH BAY HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO BRING THE PERFORMING ARTS TO LIFE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES BUT AS KPBS ENGAGEMENT PRODUCER, MARK TELLS US, LIMITED FUNDING MAKES IT A CHALLENGE.

>> I SPOKE SPAKE SPARE BEFORE I SPOKE ENGLISH.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WILLIAM ALEJANDRA, REMEMBERING HIS FIRST AUDITION AT THE OLD GLOBE THEATER WHEN HE WAS JUST 9 YEARS OLD.

THAT WAS THE START OF HIS PASSION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.

TODAY, HE IS THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR THERE AND ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE MULTICULTURAL THEATER COMPANY, KNOWN FOR THEIR PRODUCTION OF THE CHRISTMAS SHEPHERDS PLAY.

HE SAYS, PUTTING ON A PLATE CAN BE EXPENSIVE.

>> HOW CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

>> THIS IS AN ANIMAL THAT BREATHES 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> Reporter: FINDING A PLACE TO PERFORM IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: THE SHEPHERDS PLAY AS A METAPHOR FOR US.

IT'S AN ANALOGY.

IT'S LIKE WE ARE THE SAME SHEPHERDS LOOKING FOR A HOME.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR FOREVER.

>> Reporter: STILL, THEY HAVE PERFORMED FOUR DECADES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WITHOUT A PERMANENT VENUE.

HE SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO FIND A SPACE IN THE SOUTH BAY.

>> WE HAVE TO SHOW THESE KIDS THE PASSION.

WITHOUT EXPOSURE, PEOPLE WON'T KNOW ANY BETTER.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN THE BALLET, HE -- YOU WILL NEVER METHOD.

>> Reporter: THE ISSUE OF FINDING SPACE IS NOT UNIQUE TO CHULA VISTA.

THAT IS A PHILIPPINE PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY BASED IN NATIONAL CITY.

IT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE HELM SENSE 1987.

SHE SAYS THE NONPROFIT DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO SUPPORT FULL- TIME EMPLOYEES.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A CULTURAL THING, BUT WE BECOME RESOURCEFUL AND MAKE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE AND WE FIND JOY TO CONTINUE WHAT WE LIKE DOING AND WE HAVE NEVER SKIPPED A BEAT.

WE HAVE NEVER SKIPPED A JUNIOR CONCERT.

36 YEARS IN A ROW.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP OWNS A BUILDING A NATIONAL STUDY THAT IS USED MOSTLY FOR REHEARSALS AND STORAGE BUT SHE SAYS THE BUILDING NEEDS REPAIRS AND IT IS HARD TO SECURE FUNDS.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOMETHING, THAT DRIVES YOU.

THAT LIGHTS THE FIRE UNDER YOU TO KEEP MOVING AND TO KEEP GOING ON, STRIVING FOR BETTER.

>> I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THE DISCUSSION OF THE LACK OF CULTURE AND ART IN CHULA VISTA WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS CHRISTINE, A RESIDENT OF 25 YEARS.

AS AN ARTS ADVOCATE, SHE HAS WORKED WITH MANY ARTISTS, SEARCHING TO RENT OUT CHEAP VENUES.

>> Reporter: SAY ONE WEEK, WE WOULD'VE THREE PRODUCERS, AND WANT TO RENT THE SPACE BUT THERE WAS AN IN-HOUSE GROUP THAT WANTED TO USE THE SPACE AND THERE WAS BASICALLY NOTHING AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: BRADY PROPOSES CREATING AN AFFORDABLE ARTS VENUE ON THE WESTSIDE BUT THAT TAKES MONEY.

SOME EXPERTS SAY CITIES ALREADY FACE A NUMBER OF FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE ARTS OFTEN FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.

THIS FISCAL YEAR, MOST CITIES IN THE SOUTH BAY ALLOCATED LESS THAN 2% OF THEIR BUDGET TO THE ARTS BUT MONEY FOR A NEW VENUE IS JUST PART OF ONE SOLUTION.

EXPERTS SAY THE VENUE HAS TO BE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE BUT ALSO AFFORDABLE TO LOCAL ARTISTS.

IN CHULA VISTA, BRADY FEELS OPTIMISTIC.

THEY HAVE A NEW MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND AT A RECENT MEETING, SOME LEADERS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS.

BRADY HELPS -- HOPES THAT SUPPORT WILL LEAD TO INVESTMENT.

>> THEIR VALUE NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN FIND OUR STORIES ANYTIME ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND SIGN FOR NOTIFICATIONS WHEN NEW CONTENT IS POSTED.

THAT IS ALSO WE STREAM WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> THERE IS A VINTAGE UPRIGHT PIANO AT LIBERTY STATION RIGHT NOW THAT IS CREATING COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A SPECIAL KIND OF MUSICAL MESSAGE.

MG PEREZ INTRODUCES US TO A COUPLE OF YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO TURNED A SCHOOL PROJECT INTO A LESSON OF HOPE AND HEALING.

♪ >> Reporter: 14-YEAR-OLD McKENNA AND HIS LIFELONG FRIEND, 14-YEAR-OLD, LIAM, HAVE A CREATIVE CONNECTION.

THEY MOST RECENTLY USED IT AT A COLLABORATION TO REVIVE AND AGING POND UPRIGHT PIANO.

>> THESPIAN OUT HIS SIGNIFICANTLY OLDER PICKETERS LIVED ABOUT THREE LIFETIMES.

>> Reporter: McKENNA IS AN ACCOMPLISHED PIANO PLAYER.

LIAM PLAYS THE ELECTRIC GUITAR.

TOGETHER, THEY MAKE MUSIC AND CREATE ART, WHICH BRINGS US TO THE PIANO PROJECT STARTED LAST OCTOBER TO EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AT SCHOOL.

THE PIANO WAS HEADED TO THE JUNKYARD BUT THE BOYS WERE SURE IT STILL HAD VALUE AND A REASON TO PLAY ON.

THAT IS WHEN THEY REACHED OUT TO THE NATIONAL SAVING FOR HELP ORGANIZATION, A NEW YORK CITY- BASED NONPROFIT THAT USES ARTISTS EVERYWHERE TO BRING HOPE , HEALING, AND INSPIRATION THROUGH ART TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST.

STARTING WITH RESTORED PIANOS.

>> SOMEONE PAINT THE PIANO, BUT IN THE PUBLIC FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE IN THE PUBLIC DISPLAY SECTION AND IT'S DONATED TO A FOREVER HOME SUCH AS A HOSPITAL, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY CENTER.

EVEN SOMEPLACE LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: THE PIANO HAS LIVED IN THIS CORRIDOR AT DEWEY AND DECATUR ROAD IN LIBERTY STATION.

IT'S KEYBOARD IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE PASSING BY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DOODLES, SKATEBOARDS, WAVES ALL OVER THE PIANO.

>> Reporter: LIAM IS ALSO A TALENTED ARTIST, WHO USES ACRYLIC PAINT AND MARKERS TO DRAW.

IT BECAME HIS CANVAS, HONORING HIS OWN OCEAN BEACH COMMUNITY.

>> AT THE SUN WITH RAYS SHOOTING OUT FROM THE SUN AND A LARGE SCALE OCEAN BEACH PIER WITH A BUNCH OF WAVES BREAKING.

>> Reporter: FOR McKENNA, THERE'S A DEEPER MESSAGE IN HIS MUSIC, INSPIRED BY THE LEGENDARY PIANO MAN.

>> YOU SEE LITTLE KIDS TINKERING AROUND ON PIANO, AND MAYBE THAT COULD INSPIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE LESSONS AND BECOME THE NEXT BILLY JOEL OR SOMETHING.

♪ >> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THIS INCOMING HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN WAS NAMED ONE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS ONE OF MOST REMARKABLE CHAIN AGERS FOR HIS FUNDRAISING AND HIS BILLY JOEL -LIKE TALENT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: McKENNA ALSO HELPED SAVE LIVES AS A JUNIOR LIFEGUARD ALONG BEACHES.

HE USES A SURFBOARD IN HIS TRAINING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BUT WITH THE SOUND OF THE WAVES, YOU CAN ALSO HEAR THE PASSION OF HIS MUSICAL TALENT AND HOW HE USES IT TO HELP OTHERS.

>> THEY COULD'VE BEEN HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR WHATEVER AND THEY WALK BY A PIANO LIKE THIS AND THEY HEARD SOMEONE PLAYING OR THEY SAT DOWN AND PLAYED AND THAT PREVENTED THEM FROM DOING WHATEVER THEY WERE GOING TO DO AND JUST CONNECTING THROUGH THE ARTS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROJECT.

>> WE TALKED WITH CAMILLE, COFOUNDER OF THING FOR HELP IN NEW YORK CITY ABOUT McKENNA AND WILLIAMS PIANO PROJECT PICK SHE GIVES THEM AN A+ ON THE MESSAGE THEY HAVE CREATED THROUGH THEIR MUSIC.

>> IT EXPANDS OUR MINDS AND BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS.

I THINK THAT CONNECTION AND SPARK OF INNOVATION IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED.

AS LIFELONG LEARNERS, WE HAVE TO BE REENGAGED WITH THE SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY.

>> ARE YOU THE PIANO BOY?

THAT IS NOT FOR ME TO SAY.

>> Reporter: LIBERTY STATION WILL ALLOW THE PIANO TO STAY AND TELL THEY CAN FIND IT'S FOREVER HOME.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS HOW TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED LATE THIS WEEKEND.

KPBS.ORG HAS THE LATEST INFORMATION ON HURRICANE HILLARY GOVERNMENT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN TO A TROPICAL STORM BY SUNDAY EVENING.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE AT KPBS.ORG.

JUST LOOK FOR THE BANNER ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED KPBS NOISE -- NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.