>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR A LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINALLY REPORTING FOR KPBS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, SAN DIEGO TAXI DRIVERS LAUNCH THEIR OWN APP.

IT WILL TELL US HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT WILL HELP THEM KEEP MORE OF THE MONEY THAT THEY EARNED.

>>> A HOME FOR ART THAT WAS PULLED FROM SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

WE CHECK BACK WITH THE ARTIST TO CLAIMS THAT HIS WORK WAS CENSORED AND HOW HE IS STILL MANAGING TO GET HIS MESSAGE OUT.

>>> KPBS TALKS WITH THE TWO WOMEN WHO ARE TAKING OVER THE REGION'S LARGEST LGBTQ ORGANIZATION.

IN RECENT DAYS THE PEDESTRIAN BORDER CROSSINGS ARE CLOSE DUE TO LACK OF STAFF.

THOSE WHO TRAVEL IN CARS ARE ALSO SPENDING MORE TIME CROSSING THEN THOSE GOING NORTH.

THE BORDER REPORTER GERARDO LUIS EXPLAINS THE LONGER WAIT TIMES FOR THOSE GOING SOUTH.

>> RUSH HOUR AT THE BORDER IS A SYMPHONY OF HONKING CARS.

GLORIA WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

LAST THURSDAY AFTERNOON SHE WENT SOUTH TO HER HOME IN TIJUANA.

IT TOOK A HALF AN HOUR TO DRIVE TWO BLOCKS.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT IN LINE AT 2:00 IT WILL TAKE HOURS TO GET ACROSS.

>> THE CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC IS NOT A NEW PHENOMENON.

FOR DECADES PEOPLE HAVE WAITED AS LONG AS FIVE HOURS JUST ACROSS FROM TIJUANA INTO SAN DIEGO.

BUT NOW WE ARE SEEING TRAFFIC JAMS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

>> EVERYONE STARTED TO SEE AND NOTICE 2 TO 3 HOUR WAIT TIMES SOUTHBOUND INTO MEXICO WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNCOMMON.

>> THIS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SMART BORDER COALITION.

HE SAID THEY STARTED NOTICING PROBLEMS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO.

SOUTHBOUND BORDER TRAFFIC HAS INCREASED SLOWLY BUT STEADILY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THEY FORCED MORE PEOPLE TO LIVE IN TIJUANA BUT WORK IN SAN DIEGO.

THE FINANCIAL WORKFORCE CONTINUES TO GROW AND WITH NEWS OF THIS BEING THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITY IN THE U.S.

IT CREATES MORE STRESS IN TIJUANA AND THAT WOULD CREATE MORE STRESS ON THE BORDER CROSSING.

AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> IT USED TO BE THAT THIS TRAFFIC WAS ONLY THAT ON FRIDAYS.

BUT NOW THAT HAPPENS EVERY DAY THE WORK WEEK.

STREETLIGHT DATA IS A MOBILITY PLATFORM THAT ANALYZES THOUSANDS OF DATA SOURCES TO STUDY TRAFFIC PATTERNS.

THEY CAN BOUND THE DATA FROM JANUARY THROUGH MARCH OF 2022 TO THE SAME TIMEFRAME TO THIS YEAR.

THE STREETLIGHT DATA SAYS THERE IS A STEADY INCREASE.

>> THE RUSH HOUR HAS GONE TO RUSH HOURS.

AND IT IS STARTING EARLIER AND ENDING LATER.

THIS KIND OF TRAFFIC COULD RUIN SOMEONE'S DAY.

IMAGINE WAITING THREE HOURS JUST ACROSS INTO SAN DIEGO AND THEN WORK AN EIGHT HOUR SHIFT BEFORE YOU CAN FINALLY WAIT ANOTHER TWO HOURS BEFORE YOU CAN GO BACK HOME TO TIJUANA.

>> SO MUCH OF YOUR LIFE IS LOST WAITING ON THE BORDERLINE.

>> MARGARET IS THE CO-OWNER OF BORDER TRAFFIC WHICH GIVES YOU A REAL-TIME VIEW OF THE TRAFFIC AT THE BORDER.

THE COMPANY LAUNCHED WITH ONE CAMERA IN 2010 AND NOW THEY HAVE MORE THAN 40 CAMERAS.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF USERS AS WELL.

ALL OF THEM PLANNING THE ENTIRE SCHEDULE AROUND THE BORDER TRAFFIC.

>> PEOPLE REALLY DEPEND UPON OUR SERVICE BECAUSE IT DOES OFFER SOMETHING THAT YOU CANNOT GET ANYWHERE ELSE.

NO ONE ELSE HAS THIS LIVE VIDEO UPDATE.

THERE IMPACTS THAT GO WAY BEYOND INCONVENIENCE COSTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOST PRODUCTIVITY EVERY YEAR.

THE INCREASE IN SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IS NOWHERE NEAR THAT BUT IT IS SO BAD THAT THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO HAD TO GET INVOLVED.

DURING A PLEBE BRAND VISIT IN NOVEMBER LOCAL REPORTERS ASKED MANWELL LOPEZ TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

YOUR LENDER MARLIS TOLD THE PRESIDENT THAT PEOPLE ARE ANGRY AND TIRED.

AND HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

GIVE ME UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR HE SAID.

THE SITUATION HAS IMPROVED.

BEFORE THIS VISIT THEY WOULD ONLY BE SIX SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE BORDER CROSSING.

NOW ALL 20 ARE OPEN AND THEY SAY THIS COMES AT THE PERFECT TIME RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON.

>> WE'VE ALREADY SEEN SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING ALL OF THOSE LANES OPEN GOING INTO TIJUANA.

STILL IT IS NOT ENOUGH WE TALKED TO SEVERAL ON THEIR WAY TO TIJUANA IN THE MIDDLE OF THURSDAY'S RUSH HOUR.

VICTORIA SAID SHE WAITED FOR FOUR HOURS TO CROSS INTO SAN DIEGO.

THEN SHE WAITED ANOTHER HOUR TO GET BACK INTO TIJUANA.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE HER SON HAD TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO DOES PLAN TO BRING NEW COMMUNITY PARKING DISTRICTS TO KEARNY MESA ENSIGN MacEDO.

THE DESIGNATION COULD GENERATE MONEY TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE AND OTHER PROJECTS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS HOW THIS WORKS.

>> WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF A PARKING DISTRICT THEY'RE REALLY THINKING ABOUT PARKING EXCLUSIVELY.

CANTLEY ON CONVOY STREET LOOKS AT THIS WIDE ARTERIAL ROAD WITH STRIP MALLS THAT FEATURE SOME OF THE BEST ASIAN RESTAURANTS IN SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS GROWING AND THE STATUS QUO OF EVERYONE GETTING AROUND BY CAR IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

>> IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW EVERYONE GETS AROUND.

IF WE HAVE BIKE FACILITIES AND CROSSWALKS DESIGNED FOR PEDESTRIANS.

>> ALL OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS NEED FUNDING AND THE NEW PARKING DISTRICT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP.

THERE ARE NOT ANY IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR PARKING METERS IN KEARNY MESA.

BUT THE POLICE OFFICE IS TALKING ABOUT THEM WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.

AS A WAY TO INCREASE THE TURNOVER IN THIS HIGH DEMAND PARKING SPACES.

A PORTION OF THE REVENUE CAN BE REINVESTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IT SEEMS NATURAL FOR AN AREA WITH THEY'RE LOOKING TO TRAVEL FROM A RESTAURANT VISITING A SPOT FOR DESSERT OR A PLACE FOR KARAOKE AT THE END OF THE NIGHT.

THIS IS THAT NATURAL PLACE FOR HAVING DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO GET AROUND WOULD BE VERY VALUABLE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THE PARKING DISTRICT WILL OFFER US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THESE OPTIONS AND MAKE THIS MORE FRIENDLY FOR PEDESTRIANS OR THOSE TRAVELING HERE BY VEHICLE BUT ALSO FOR THE BUSINESSES THAT ENJOY THAT KIND OF TRAFFIC.

>> CHANGES ARE HAPPENING.

THE ONE AT PACIFIC BEACH WAS CREATED IN 2005 BUT ONLY RECENTLY DID THEY DECIDE TO ADD METERS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THOSE METERS ARE HELPING TO FUND THE ON-DEMAND SHUTTLE THAT COULD TAKE PEOPLE FROM THE TROLLEY TO THE BEACH.

>> THIS GOES BEYOND BEAUTIFICATION.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

AND PEOPLE WILL NOT USE THOSE UNLESS IT'S SAFE TO DO SO.

>> JERRY TRUSSELL IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UPTOWN COMMUNITY PARKING DISTRICT.

THAT INCLUDES HILLCREST AND MISSION HILLS.

THE DISTRICT USED TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF PARKING.

NOWADAYS IT IS ALSO EMBRACING PROJECTS THAT REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR PARKING.

BY MAKING STREETS MORE WALKABLE AND BANKABLE.

>> THEY HAVE EQUAL LIGHTING AND SOME OF THE TRAFFIC CALMING PLANTERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> THIS IT USED TO BE HARDER TO GET CITY APPROVAL FOR THIS KIND OF SPENDING.

THE PARKING DISTRICTS BUILT THAT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RESERVES THAT THE CITY WOULD NOT LET THEM SPEND ON THE THINGS THEY WANTED.

THEN MAYOR TODD GLORIA SWITCH THE OVERSIGHT TO A NEW CITY DEPARTMENT.

>> THE MAYOR CREATED MOBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY.

THAT DEPARTMENT IS VERY FORWARD THINKING.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT SAYING WE NEED THE LIGHTS.

SO STREETLIGHTING WAS APPROVED.

>> ALWAYS MAKE THE OBSERVATION I WOULD RATHER TALK ABOUT TAXING RATHER THAN PARKING.

>> MAYOR GLORIA SAYS THE NEW PARKING DISTRICTS OUR RESPONSE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL CONCERNS.

BUT HOW BIG WILL SAN DIEGO GO ON PARKING METERS?

COULD THEY BE USED TO FUND LARGER PROJECTS LIKE NEW BUS AND TROLLEY LINES?

THE CITY IS DEVELOPING A MOBILITY MASTERPLAN THAT MENTIONS PARKING DISTRICTS AS A WAY TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

GLOBALLY FOR THE CITY GOING FORWARD IT IS REMAIN TO BE SEEN ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE HEAD-ON.

THEY THINK THAT WILL HELP THE NEIGHBORHOODS MOVE BETTER.

IT IS WHAT IT IS TODAY BECAUSE FOR GENERATIONS THIS WAS NOT A DESIRED PLACE TO BE.

COUNCILMEMBER CANTLEY SAYS THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS OUTGROWN THE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN.

IT NEEDS A FACELIFT AND WHEN GOVERNMENT RESOURCES ARE SCARCE A PARKING DISTRICT CAN HELP TO PAY FOR UPGRADES THAT COULD OTHERWISE TAKE DECADES TO FUND.

>> IT WILL HELP MANY SMALL BUSINESSES.

MANY OF THEM ARE CULTURALLY DIVERSE AND THEN IT CAN HELP US AS A REGION TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS IS A DESTINATION NOT JUST FOR THOSE IN SAN DIEGO BUT ALSO ANYONE WHO'S VISITING.

>> ANDREW BOWEN IS ONE OF OUR GUESTS ON THE LATEST EPISODE OF KPBS ROUNDTABLE.

PART OF THIS DISCUSSION INCLUDES THE UPDATING HOUSING PLAN PASSED BY THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL.

IT AIRS ON KPBS RADIO AND ALSO YOU COULD STREAM IT AT KPBS.ORG AND WHEREVER ELSE YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> TAXI DRIVERS NOW HAVE A RIDE HAILING APP.

JUST LIKE UBER AND LYFT YOU COULD STILL CALL A DISPATCHER BUT THE UNITED TAXI WORKERS UNION WILL PUBLICIZE ITS APP CALLED RADIO RIDE UNITED AT AN EVENT ON SATURDAY.

THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US ABOUT THE APP AND WHY SOME DRIVERS THINK THAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAIL A TAXI INSTEAD OF A RIDESHARE.

>> DESPITE THE STORM OF CHANGES BROUGHT BY RIDESHARING COMPANIES THERE ARE STILL TAXIS HERE.

NOW THOSE DISPATCH THE UNITED TAXI WORKERS HAVE A NAP.

YOU WILL SEE RIDE UNITED PASSENGER.

YOU CAN CLICK DOWNLOAD LIKE YOU WOULD ANY OTHER APP.

>> SHE HELPED TO EVEN DESIGN RIDE UNITED WITH INPUT FROM YOU TW DRIVERS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SATURDAY AS ITS ALREADY DOWNLOADABLE.

IT WILL AUTOLOAD THE ADDRESS WHERE YOU ARE.

MAKE SURE IT IS CORRECT.

DROP IN WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

THE TAXI BUSINESS HAS GONE THROUGH MANY CHANGES AND TURMOIL BUT NOT JUST BECAUSE THE COMPETITION FROM RIDESHARE IS THERE.

THERE WAS A CAP ON TAXI PERMITS WHICH CREATED A BLACK MARKET WERE THE PERMITS ALSO CALLED MEDALLIONS WERE TREATED FOR $160,000 EACH.

THE UNITED TAXI WORKERS MIKELL HUSSEIN SAID THE DRIVERS TODAY ARE SELF-EMPLOYED.

THERE IS NO LONGER A CAP ON HOW MANY DRIVERS CAN WORK IN THE BUSINESS.

THEY ARE CALLED INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

WE ARE ALL NOW SELF-EMPLOYED.

IT USED TO BE 3000 NOTES $1600.

HE SAYS JOINING THE RANKS OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE RIGHT HEALING APPS SIMPLY REFLECTS THE WAY THAT CUSTOMERS GET RIDES NOWADAYS.

PEOPLE DON'T EXPECT HAVE TO CALL DISPATCH ON THE PHONE.

PEOPLE DEVELOP HABITS BY PULLING OUT YOUR PHONE AND JUST LOOKING TO SEE HOW YOU COULD GET THAT ESTIMATE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE.

THEY PROMOTE THEMSELVES SAYING THIS BUSINESS IS REGULATED LOCALLY AND NOT STATEWIDE.

AND THERE IS NO SEARCH PRICE DURING RUSH HOUR.

ALSO THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE FAIR THE COMPANY PAYS GOES TO THE DRIVER.

94% ACCORDING TO HUSSEIN.

>> IT WAS APPROVED BY THE CITY AND THAT'S ALL WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE.

>> IT IS COMPLICATED DEPENDING ON THE TIPS THE FEES IN THE VOLUME OF RIDES BUT UBER UPTAKE RATE THE PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPANY TAKES FROM EACH RIDE IS MUCH HIGHER.

29%.

WITH REGULATION AND INSURANCE COSTS THERE IS PLENTY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WITH THE TAXI BUSINESS.

BUT A BABY ON CARLOS SAYS THE CONTROL HE HAS OVER HIS BUSINESS AND THE INFLUENCE ON THE APP IS WHAT HAS KEPT HIM DRIVING A TAXI.

>> I GREW UP WITH THIS COMPANY AND I AM ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO STARTED THIS.

THAT WAS MY CHOICE.

SELF INDEPENDENT WORKING FOR MYSELF THAT'S WHAT I AM HERE.

>> THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE STORY WE HAD ON CROSS- BORDER IS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK.

CAN PENALTY MARINES ARE INVESTIGATING AN ACCIDENT THAT KILLED ONE OF THEIR OWN.

TACTICAL VEHICLE ROLLED OVER DURING TRAINING.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL GIVES APPROVAL TO UPDATED HOUSING ACTION PACKAGE THAT WOULD BOOST HIGH DENSITY NEIGHBORHOODS.

>>> AND A PERFECT STORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS, KPBS WENT TO VALLEY CENTER TO SEE THE FORMER HOME OF BETTY CROCKER.

NINE MONTHS AFTER PUBLIC ART PIECE WAS REMOVED FROM THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR BEING TOO WOKE, WORK IS RESURFACING.

NOW IT IS AT A NONPROFIT LOCAL WE HAVE A LOOK AT THAT EXPANDED EXHIBIT.

>> THIS WILL BE LIKE A HANDOUT.

STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT WILL BE DISPLAYED.

>> DECIDING A DETAIL AS SIMPLE AS A DISPLAY IS THRILLING FOR THIS ARTIST AS HE INSTALLS HIS WORK AT THE ART CENTER IN LOGAN HEIGHTS.

THE DEBUT THERE TOMORROW CAPS OFF A BUMPY JOURNEY.

IN MARCH, SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIALS UNCEREMONIOUSLY STRIPPED THE WALL NEAR 848 OF THE PUBLIC ARE VIDEO PIECE CRITICAL OF THE MILITARY PRESENCE AFTER AN ONLOOKER CALLED IT WOKE.

>> THAT PERSON'S COMMENTS WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ART AIRPORT.

IT EXPRESSES OPPOSITION TO THE MILITARY COMPLEX AND THE ROLE IN WORLD COMPLEX THROUGH THE MOUTHS OF THE STATUES.

THE SEVERED HEADS ARE COMPUTER- ANIMATED AND SPEAKING THE WORK OF SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS.

A STATUE OF MARGARET THATCHER ASKS DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO CREATE AN ECONOMY THAT BELIEVES IN DEATH AND DESTRUCTION?

>> JUST WEEKS BEFORE THEY SLAM THE DOOR ON THIS PIECE, HE SAID THEY OPEN THEIR'S TO SHOW THE WORK AT THE CENTER.

KRISTY MITCHELL DECLINED THE INTERVIEW BUT IN A STATEMENT SHE SAID THE CENTER WAS INTERESTED IN OFFERING A SOLO SHOW BECAUSE OF HIS HYPERFOCUS ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

HE ADDED THAT THE VIDEO WORKS AS THE RESULT OF YEARS OF RESEARCH AND THINKING AND WE ARE EXCITED TO BE MAKING THEM AVAILABLE TO HER AUDIENCES AND TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES.

HE SAYS THAT THE INVITATION HAS RENEWED HIS EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE PROJECT THAT HE STARTED IN 2017.

>> IT IS NOT EASY TO ENJOY SOMETIMES BECAUSE THE SUBJECT MATTER IS SO INTENSE.

IT'S ABOUT VIOLENCE.

THE FACT THAT SOMEONE WANTED TO SUPPORT IT AND WANTED TO SUPPORT ME IN GETTING THESE IDEAS OUT THERE, FELT LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE.

>> ELIZABETH LARRY WAS AT THE COALITION AGAINST VINCE CENSORSHIP AND IS CALLED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THIS WORK CENSORSHIP PIECE SHE SAYS THE ADVANTAGE TO SHOWING ARTWORK IN NONGOVERNMENTAL SPACES LIKE ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS IS THAT THEY MAY BE MORE RECEPTIVE TO CONTENTIOUS IDEAS.

PARTICULARLY IF IT GOES WITH THE BRAND OR OMISSION OR THE ARTISTIC TASTES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR CLIENTS AND THEIR AUDIENCE.

THEY MAY BE LESS CONCERNED WITH THE CONTROVERSY.

>> WHILE IT MAY SEEM LIKE THIS ART MIGHT HAVE FEWER EYEBALLS AT A GALLERY INSTEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THEY SAY THAT IT DRAWS MORE INTEREST WHEN IT'S ANY KIND.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED BARBRA STREISAND TRIED TO GET THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION TO GET RID OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF HER MALIBU HOME TAKEN TO DOCUMENT EROSION.

>> SOME ARTIST WHEN THEY ARE CENSORED THERE SOMETHING LIKE THE STREISAND EFFECT WHICH TAKES PLACE MEANING THAT THE ATTENTION BROUGHT BY THE CENSORSHIP ACT ITSELF CAN HELP THE ARTIST SHOW OTHER PLACES.

>> THEY EXPENDED MONUMENTAL INTERVENTIONS TO INCLUDE A SEGMENT ON THE GRAVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF A NEARBY NAVY BASE AND SHIPYARD ON BOREAL LOGAN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST POLLUTED COMMUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA.

>> THE COMMUNITIES ADJACENT TO THE SHIPYARDS LOCK ACCESS TO THE OCEAN.

THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF ASTHMA AND OTHER DISEASES.

>> THEY'VE ALSO ADDED PIECES TO THE EXHIBIT.

ONE HIGHLIGHTS THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT IN THE 60s AND 70s AND ANOTHER IS A TAPESTRY OF TAGLINES DOCUMENTING THE RED SCARE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE COLD WAR.

HE IS ALSO CREATED A MAP FOR THE DEFENSE CONTRACTORS WHERE THEY PRODUCE AND WHERE THEY SELL THEIR WEAPONRY.

>> WE KNOW THIS IS A MILITARY TOWN BUT WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT VIOLENCE THAT IS INFLICTED.

WHEN YOU SEE THESE SPECIFICS THOSE ARE THINGS THAT INDIVIDUALS DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT.

>> HE ADDS THAT THOSE ARE THE VERY THINGS THAT WE DO NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.

KPBS NEWS BACK TO YOU.

>>> SAN DIEGO PRIDE IS WRAPPING UP THE YEAR WITH NEW LEADERSHIP AND UNCERTAINTY FOR THE FUTURE THE ORGANIZATION.

PUBLIC INPUT WAS GIVEN IN A TOWN HALL THIS WEEK.

WE SPOKE WITH THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS LEADING THE TRANSITION.

>> SERAFINA SCOTT PITINO AND JEN LEBARON HAVE BEEN ASKED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHY THEY HAVE AGREED TO LEAD THIS TEMPORARILY AND TOGETHER?

>> IT WAS IMMEDIATELY SUPPORTING THE STAFF VOLUNTEERS.

IN PART FROM THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES WELL BEYOND THE ANNUAL SAN DIEGO PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL IN JULY.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS 22 EMPLOYEES.

THE DATABASE HAS MORE THAN 2800 VOLUNTEERS.

NEXT YEAR MARKS THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRIDE FEST EVENT AND THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NONPROFIT INCORPORATION AND THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SAN DIEGO PRIDE MARCH.

>> WITH THE DUAL LEADERSHIP IN THIS TIMEFRAME I THINK IT'S REALLY GOING TO SET US UP WELL.

WE DO RIGHT BY ALL THOSE ANNIVERSARIES IT'S THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE THAT WANTS TO SEE US CELEBRATE THIS.

>> SHE'S BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY AND FINANCE.

JEN IS THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

THEY REPLACE FERNANDO LOPEZ WHO WAS LET GO THREE WEEKS AGO IN WHAT WAS CALLED AN AMICABLE SPLIT WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

NOW THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PERMANENT REPLACEMENT.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SOMEONE THAT CAN COME IN AND NOT ONLY DRIVE THE CONTINUITY BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY GREAT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE ARE OFFERING, BUT ALSO TO BUILD UPON THAT.

>> THE CHANGE IN SAN DIEGO PRIDE LEADERSHIP CAME SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY TO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT ALSO CAME WITH LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS.

HERE IS A SAMPLE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM A TOWN HALL MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT.

>> WHY DO WE OPT FOR THE DUAL LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE TRANSITION?

WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY EMPLOYEES LEFT IN SUCH A SHORT TIMEFRAME?

>> THEY WANTED ASSURANCES THAT THE PROGRAMS OF THE LOVER NOT GOING AWAY.

THAT PRIDE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THESE ISSUES.

AND I HOPE THAT WE GAVE THEM THAT REASSURANCE.

>> BOTH HAVE BEEN ASKED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT THE PERMANENT POSITION.

>> I STEPPED OUT TEMPORARILY JUST TO GET US THROUGH.

BUT MY INTENTION WAS TO MOVE ON AND GO BACK TO MY EGG WITH ADVOCACY WORLD.

>> AND THAT IS HER LAST WORD FOR NOW.

KPBS NEWS BACK TO YOU.

>>> FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS QUEEN BEES HAS SERVED AS A LIVELY COMMUNITY SPACE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS.

THEY ARE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH AND BETH OKAMOTO TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY.

>> HELLO EVERYONE.

THIS IS QUEEN BEES.

COME IN AND WELCOME.

FOR 15 YEARS, RODRIGUEZ HAS BEEN OVERSEEING 8000 SQUARE- FOOT OF QUEEN BEES ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER IN NORTHPARK.

>> THIS IS WHERE MAGIC TAKES PLACE.

KEITH AND YEAR AS WEDDINGS TO CONCERTS AND COMEDY.

OPEN MIC NIGHTS POETRY AND EVERYTHING YOU NAME IT.

SALSA, SWING AND SWAP MEETS AND EVEN A CLASSROOM TO TEACH POLE DANCING.

RODRIGUEZ ALSO POINTS OUT THE BATTLE SCARS FROM NUMEROUS PUNK CONCERTS.

>> LOTS OF SCRATCHES IN MY FLOOR BECAUSE OF THE MATZOH PIT.

>> MY VISION FOR THE LOCATION WAS BASICALLY BEING A HUB OF ART AND CULTURE.

AND TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH A UNIQUE SPACE TO CREATE NEW EVENTS AND PROMOTE ART AND MUSIC.

AND DANCE AND EVERYTHING THAT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY.

EVEN IF WHAT MAKES THE ARTIST HAPPY WOULD CAUSE CONTROVERSY.

LIKE A BLACK MASK PERFORMANCE ART SHOW FROM ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO.

>> WHEN PEOPLE BRING ME AN IDEA OR THEY SAY I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS, THIS IS A PLACE FOR EXPRESSION.

THIS IS A PLACE FOR ART.

AS LONG AS IT IS WITHIN THE GUIDELINES, AND THE POLICIES, EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

NOBODY JUDGES ANYONE ELSE INSIDE THIS FACILITY.

THE WAY I SEE IT, COME IN EXPERIENCE AND BE YOURSELF.

IF YOU WANT TO CREATE THIS IS THE PLACE TO DO IT.

>> RIGHT NOW RODRIGUEZ IS CREATING A PARTY TO CELEBRATE THE 15 YEARS AS A SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS.

>> IT WILL BE A PARTY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS HERE.

>> RODRIGUEZ IS BUSY PREPARING FOR THE PARTY.

I HAVE TO WEAR SO MANY HATS AND KEEP THEIR HIVE ALIVE.

>> SHE IS EAGER TO SHOW HOW SHE IS TRANSFORMED A $.99 STORE WITH MULTI-BUILDING EMBELLISHMENTS TO VIBRANT ART SPACE.

>> I CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME WHEN THE ECONOMY WAS PRETTY MUCH CRASHED AND THERE WAS A LOT OF ABANDONED PLACES AND BUILDINGS.

IT WAS CHALLENGING TIMES.

THE TRANSFORMATION WAS INCREDIBLE.

IT TOOK YEARS.

IT DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

>> SHE WILL BE CELEBRATING NOT JUST THE BIRTH OF QUEEN BEES BUT THE LIFE OF ALAN HITS THE LATE OWNER OF THE BUILDING.

>> HE WAS VERY AMAZING.

HE HAD SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS AND HE HELP ME THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

AND HE WOULD JUST SAY DO WHAT YOU CAN AND WHEN WE GO THROUGH THIS WERE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> HE DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND RODRIGUEZ IS NOT TRYING TO FIND THE BUILDING TO SECURE THE FUTURE.

A PORTRAIT OF HER AS NAPOLEON INDICATES HER LEVEL DETERMINATION.

>> THE INTERPRETATION OF NAPOLEON.

MY FATHER NAMED ME NAPOLEON THING I WANTED TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD.

BUT ANOTHER PORTRAIT OF HER TAPS INTO THE JOYOUS SPIRIT OF THE UPCOMING PARTY.

>> THE GRAND MARSHAL OF THE PARADE OF DREAMERS AND MUSICIANS AND EVERYTHING THAT TAKES PLACE HERE QUEEN BEES.

>> THE DONATION-BASED COMMUNITY EVENT KICKS OFF AT 12:00 AND IT WILL CELEBRATE THIS BUZZING HIVE OF CREATIVITY.

IT IS VERY BUSY AND PASSIONATE.

KPBS, BACK TO YOU.

>>> ONE WAY TO FOLLOW ALL OF HER CONTENT IS ON YOUTUBE.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NOTIFICATIONS OF NEW CONTENT AS IT'S POSTED.

THAT INCLUDES ORIGINAL SHOWS LIKE ENGRAVERS ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

WE ALSO LIVE STREAM EVENING ADDITION ON YOUTUBE WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.