>>> THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US FOR A LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING ON KPBS THIS WEEK P OR I'M AMITA SHARMA.. >>> A SAN DIEGO POLICE SAID RUNNING THROUGH THEIR OVERTIME BUDGET AND MAY NEED MILLIONS MORE DOLLARS.

>>> STRENGTHENING SCHOOLS IN NORTH COUNTY.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE NEW APPROACH.

>>> IT IS MUSEUM MONTH IN SAN DIEGO.

LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAM THAT CAN GET YOU IN THE DOORS AT HALF PRICE AT MUSEUMS AROUND THE COUNTY.

>>> WE START WITH A BIG CHANGE IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BILL GORE IS NO LONGER WEARING A BADGE.

HE RETIRED THURSDAY AS SHERIFF.

IT IS THE SAME DAY THAT ESTATE AUDIT CRITICIZED HOW HIS DEPARTMENT HANDLED DEATHS WITHIN THE JAILS.

>> Reporter: BILL GORE TOOK OFFICE IN 2011 AFTER SERVING AS INTERIM SHERIFF FOR A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS.

IT WAS A ROUGH TIME.

THE SWINE FLU HITS JAILS AND TWO TEENAGE GIRLS WERE MURDERED WITHIN 13 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER.

>> I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER.

>> Reporter: GORE SPENT 30 YEARS WORKING FOR THE FBI AND HE WAS THE SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE IN SAN DIEGO IN 9/11.

HE SAYS I TAUGHT HIM THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION.

>> HE HAD A GREAT IMPACT ON HOW WE WORKED.

HE DID THAT VERY WELL.

HE HAD THE RESPECT OF EVERY POLICE CHIEF.

AND CERTAINLY THE RESPECT OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEA.

>> Reporter: THEY SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY LAUDS HIM FOR HEADING UP A HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE AND FOR LOOKING AT COLD CASES AND SEX CRIMES.

THEY ALSO WORKED ON MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS STABILIZATION GROUPS.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF POSITIVE AND WHY THIS AREA IS LOOKED AT AS A GREAT SYMBOL FOR PROFESSIONAL POLICING.

BUT I THINK HE WOULD, HE WOULD OWN ALL OF THOSE POSITIVES.

AND WOULD ALSO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE NEGATIVE.

>> Reporter: MANY SAY THE NEGATIVES OUTNUMBER THE POSITIVE DURING HIS TENURE.

IT DURING HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BASED SCRUTINY FOR HOW IT HANDLED THE CASE OF ONE WOMAN.

AS SHE WAS FOUND HANGING IN A CORONADO MANSION.

THOUGH ALTHOUGH SHE HAD BEEN BOUND AND GAGGED IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SHE HAD DIED BY SUICIDE.

HER FAMILY BELIEVES SHE WAS MURDERED BY THE BROTHER OF HER BOYFRIEND.

IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, GORE CONTINUE TO FACE ACCUSATIONS THAT HE HAD RUSHED TO JUDGMENT.

HE WOULD NOT BE INTERVIEWED FOR THIS STORY BUT IN 2018 HE TOLD THE REPORTER THAT THE SUICIDE RULING FOLLOWED A CAREFUL INVESTIGATION.

>> WE LOOKED AT THIS AS A MURDER CASE.

WE DID NOT START OFF SAYING IT WAS SUICIDE AND THEN GATHER INFORMATION TO PROVE IT WAS A SUICIDE.

>> Reporter: GORE FACED PUBLIC IRE FOR THE CONDUCT OF DEPUTIES.

MORE THAN A DOZEN LOCAL WOMEN ACCUSED DEPUTY FISHER OF MISCONDUCT.

>> YOU JUST SCARED ME SO BAD THAT I WOULD KEEP MY DOORS LOCKED ALL OF THE TIME.

I WOULD NEVER LET AN OFFICER IN MY HOUSE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: MANY PEOPLE BLAME GORE FOR NOT FIRING HIM QUICK ENOUGH.

>> IT IN MY MIND IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO DO IT RIGHT RATHER THAN FAST.

>> Reporter: HE THEN CAME UNDER FIRE FOR FAILING TO DISCIPLINE CHRISTOPHER VILLANUEVA.

HE SHOT AND KILLED CORNELL WHY TRYING TO SERVE A SEARCH WARRANT.

>> THESE GENTLEMEN WERE UNARMED.

THEY MAY HAVE BEEN GANG AFFILIATED BUT THAT WAS SPLASHED ALL OVER THE NEWS TO DEFAME AND TRAUMATIZE THE FAMILY AND CRIMINALIZE THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH THE RACIAL JUSTICE COALITION AND HE DESCRIBED GORE AS A POLITICIAN.

>> I THINK HIS PR IS EXCELLENT.

HIS DEPARTMENT AND HIMSELF, THEY KNOW HOW TO NEUTRALIZE AND DEFLECT THE COMPLAINS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY DID THAT WELL.

>> Reporter: SOME COMPLAINTS WERE BACKED UP BY DATA.

A STUDY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICING EQUITY SHOW THAT DEPUTIES WERE FOUR TIMES AS LIKELY TO USE FORCE ON BLACK PEOPLE COMPARED TO WHITE PEOPLE.

DEATHS IN SHERIFFS OPERATING COUNTY JAILS ALSO SOARED.

AN INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD THE HIGHEST DEATH RATE IN THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA.

HE DISAGREED WITH THE METHODOLOGY USED.

GORD CHOSE TO RETIRE EARLIER THAN EXPECTED TO CARE FOR HIS AILING WIFE, NATALIE.

HE CALLED HER HIS BIGGEST SUPPORTER AT HIS LAST SWEARING IN.

>> YOU ARE MY ROCK AND I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH.

>> KPBS MIDDAY ADDITION AND ROUNDTABLE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE RETIREMENT OF SAN DIEGO SHERIFF BILL GORE.

YOU CAN FIND THE STATE AUDIT ON LOCAL JAIL DEATHS AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> ANOTHER JOURNALIST WAS KILLED THIS WEEK IN MEXICO.

THIS FOLLOWS THE MURDERS OF THREE OTHERS OVER THE LAST MONTH, INCLUDING TWO IN TIJUANA.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS MET WITH SOME THAT TAKE ON THIS JOB AND SAY THAT THESE TARGETED ATTACKS ARE TAKING A TOLL.

>> Reporter: TWO DAYS AFTER THIS WOMAN WAS MURDERED, HER DAUGHTER HER DOG IS STILL WAITING FOR HER TO RETURN.

CONCERNED NEIGHBORS BROUGHT FOOD AND WATER BUT THE DOG REFUSES TO EAT OR DRINK.

IT JUST SITS THERE WHIMPERING NEAR THE DOOR.

MALDONADO WAS THE SECOND JOURNALIST TO BE KILLED THIS MONTH AND THE THIRD IN MEXICO.

MARTINEZ, A PROLIFIC PHOTOGRAPHER, WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY.

A VERACRUZ JOURNALIST WAS STABBED TO DEATH.

MEXICO IS A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR JOURNALISTS.

BUT THE FEAR IS THAT A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

THIS WEEK THEY TOOK TO THE STREETS.

>> [ CHANTING ] [ CHANTING ] >> Reporter: THE REPORTERS ARE DEMANDING MORE PROTECTION AND JUSTICE FOR THE DEAD.

SONIA HEADS A LOCAL JOURNALIST COLLECTIVE CALLED "YES, I AM A JOURNALIST.

WILL QUELL HE HAS HELPED SOME GOOD ROLE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS.

SHE SAYS THAT PROGRAM FAILED MALDONADO THOUGH.

SHE SAW HER OWN DEATH OUTSIDE OF HER OWN HOME.

SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT WOULD HAPPEN.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> SHE ASKED FOR PROTECTION LAST MONTH.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: BUT THE GOVERNOR HAD NOT THOUGHT OF THE PROCESS.

HE SAYS THAT THE PROTECTION PROGRAM IS INADEQUATE.

>> THE ENTIRE MECHANISM IS A HOLLOW SHELL.

IT IS NOT AUTONOMOUS AND DOES NOT HAVE -- OF ITS OWN.

IT HAS THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE WORKING FOR IT.

IT HAS A KNOWLEDGE OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND ITS PROTECTIONS ARE RUDIMENTARY AT BEST.

>> Reporter: THOSE THAT ASSAULT REPORTERS ARE REALLY PUNISHED.

>> THERE IS IMPUNITY IN MEXICO.

MORE THAN 95% OF ALL CRIMES IN MEXICO ARE NEVER PROSECUTED.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH A REPORTER AT THE SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE.

THE LAST TIME SHE SAW MALDONADO WAS SET A VIGIL FOR MARTINEZ.

>> WE WERE HERE FOUR DAYS AGO AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME I WOULD SEE HIM.

>> Reporter: NAVARRO SAW HER AS AN INSPIRATION.

>> I REMEMBER HER AS A HARD WORKER AND AN EXAMPLE FOR MANY OF US THAT STARTED JOURNALISM WHEN SHE WAS ALREADY A BIG REPORTER HERE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER REPORTER SAYS THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF SIMILAR CRIMES IN TIJUANA AGAINST PEOPLE YEARS AGO.

HE MARCHED IN 1988 AFTER THE MURDER OF ANOTHER REPORTER.

HE WORRIES THAT YOUNGER REPORTERS WILL LEAVE THE INDUSTRY.

>> MANY PEOPLE WILL THINK TWICE.

WHEN THEY SEE THIS VIOLENCE.

THEY SAY THAT THE RELATIVES OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY GET AWAY FROM THE PROFESSION.

WHY DO YOU COME BACK TO THE CITY WHERE IT WAS NOT SAFE.

IT HAS A TOLL.

>> Reporter: THE KILLINGS THIS MONTH HAVE HAD A PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT.

LOCAL REPORTERS ARE SECOND GUESSING WHEN TO LEAVE THE HOUSE.

THE TRAVEL IN PACKS FOR PROTECTION.

ONE JOURNALIST SAYS THE PRESS CORPS IS LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER.

>> I THINK ALL OF US ARE SCARED.

WILL LEAVE THE HOUSE SCARED.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: BUT SOME SAY THEY WILL NOT BE FEARFUL.

THEY WILL NOT STOP WORKING EVEN KNOWING THAT THEIR BLOOD COULD BE SPELLED.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE U.S. HAS ITS OWN ISSUES WITH GUN VIOLENCE, INCLUDING THE PROLIFERATION OF GHOST GUNS.

THEY HAVE THAT NAME BECAUSE THEY ARE LARGELY UNTRACEABLE.

KITTY ALVARADO TELLS US ABOUT THE PUSH TO KEEP HIM OUT OF GUN SHOWS IN DELMAR.

>> Reporter: ASSEMBLY BILL 311 WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO SELL GHOST GUN PARTS AT THE DOWNS.

>> IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, AS MUCH AS ONE THIRD OF GUNS LEGALLY HELD OUR GHOST GUNS.

>> Reporter: CHRIS WARD WROTE THE BILL THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE STATE ASSEMBLY.

GHOST GUN PARTS DO NOT HAVE SILLY OR NUMB SERIAL NUMBERS.

THEY ARE NOT REGISTERED AND BUYING THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK.

>> THE POTENTIAL THAT THEY WOULD BE AFFORDED TO BE SOLD AT FAIRGROUNDS, THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Reporter: INITIALLY THE BILL BAND THE SALE OF THESE PARTS ON ALL STATE LANDS BUT IT BECAME CLEAR IT WOULD BE TOO COSTLY AND TOUGH TO ENFORCE.

INSTEAD OF SCRAPPING IT HE AMENDED IT.

HE SAYS THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO HAVE PASSED THEIR OWN GHOST GUN LAWS.

>> THAT WOULD LEAVE A DONUT HOLE AT THE DELMAR FAIRGROUNDS BECAUSE THEY ARE STATE LANDS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE POLITICAL THEATER BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE ANTI-GUN ZEALOTS.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL SCHWARTZ IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR --.

>> WE WISH YOU WOULD GO AFTER CRIMINALS RATHER THAN THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO ABIDE BY THE LAW.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS GROUP IS AGAINST ANYONE USING GUNS IN ILLEGAL WAYS.

ESPECIALLY IN VIOLENT CRIMES.

HE SAYS GHOST GUN CRIME GOES GUN SALES ARE ILLEGAL.

>> FOLKS SHOULD NOT BE TARGETED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

FOR DOING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT HURTING ANYBODY AND THAT IS NOT INTENDED TO BREAK A LAW.

THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY ARE STILL RIGHTS.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LAW-ABIDING COMMUNITY IS DIRECTED TOWARDS LEGAL POINTS OF SALE AND THE PROCESS OF REGISTRATION AND THE ABILITY TO TRACK THESE SO THAT THEY ARE NOT CONTINUING TO PROLIFERATE AND CAUSE HARM IN COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: SHORT SAYS IF THE BILL PASSES IT WILL BE TIED UP IN LITIGATION, JUST LIKE A SIMILAR LAW IN SAN DIEGO.

>> I CAN GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE LAWSUITS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY THE SENATE AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES AT KPBS.ORG.

A VIRAL VIDEO IS DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF RACE IN CORONADO AS THE CITY INVESTIGATES COMMENTS MADE BY A LONGTIME WORKER.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN LOOK AT THE USE OF MASKS.

IT SO IS THE COVERAGE OF MUSEUM MONTH AND THE HALF OFF DEAL FOR ADMISSIONS.

>>> SCHOOLS IN OCEANSIDE ARE GETTING A HEAD START ON AND A $3 BILLION INVESTMENT TO BUILD DEEPER ROOTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

OUR NORTH COUNTY REPORTER, TANIA THORNE, GOT SOME INSIGHT ON THIS NEW APPROACH >> Reporter: FOUR OCEANSIDE THE SCHOOL CAMPUSES HAVE BECOME COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

MISSION LAUREL AND JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL ARE AMONG THOSE.

>> COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IS A MISSION THAT IS EMBRACED ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE STATE.

THE IDEA IS THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT BY MAKING SURE THAT WE INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS AND ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE POVERTY OR ARE UNDER RESOURCES UNDER RESOURCED THAT WE PUT THOSE BARRIERS IN.

>> Reporter: GRANTS WERE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THIS MONTH.

OCEANSIDE DID NOT WANT TO WAIT AND SET ASIDE FUNDING TO ROLLUP THE PROGRAM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

AND INCLUDES HIRING A COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR FOR THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

>> THEY ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE LEADERS AND MANAGERS.

THEIR GOAL IS TO REACH OUT TO PARENTS AND BUILD A CAPACITY FOR PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS RESOURCES AND ALSO BUILD MORE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS COORDINATORS WILL WORK WITH SCHOOLS AND PARTNERS TO EXPAND SERVICES TO STUDENTS.

SOME WILL BE OFFERED AT A NEW WELLNESS CENTER AT JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> WE WILL FOCUS ON HEALTHY EATING, MINDFULNESS, BETTER EXERCISE AND IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THAT ARE ON SUBSTANCES AND TO HELP STUDENTS TO AVOID BECOMING DEPENDENT ON SUBSTANCES.

WE WILL SEE HEALTH CLINICS.

THAT INCLUDES AN DENTAL SCREENING CLINIC.

>> Reporter: NATALIE SANCHEZ IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARENT- TEACHER ORGANIZATION AND HAS MET WITH THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR AND PLANS TO GET HER PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVOLVED IN CONVERSATIONS.

>> I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT HAD STUDENTS THAT DON'T GO THERE ANYMORE BUT WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE.

SO, HOPEFULLY WE GET ENOUGH PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO JOIN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: SANCHEZ HOPES THAT BRINGING SPORTS TO THE SCHOOLS WILL BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL PLAN.

>> SPORTS IS A BIG CHANGE.

WE DO NOT LIVE IN A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD SO WE TRY TO DISTRACT THE KIDS FROM EVERYTHING ELSE AND I THINK THAT HAVING ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS WILL HELP STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: SANCHEZ IS EXCITED TO SEE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS GROW AND THINKS IT IS A GOOD WAY FOR THE DISTRICT TO BUILD TRUST WITH PARENTS.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK WE HAD THE ONE SAN DIEGO, ONE BOOK CHALLENGE.

>> I WAS DETERMINED TO SHOW THEM THAT THE VOICES OF KIDS MATTER AND THAT, I KNEW I WAS GOING TO DO THIS FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT EVERYBODY ELSE THAT WAS NOT THERE.

>> THAT IS THAT JENNIFER.

SHE IS THE SUBJECT OF THE BOOK, "ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP."

THIS IS THE CURRENT FEATURED BOOK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING STORIES ABOUT INCLUSION AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AND REVISIT SOME OF OUR PAST EVENTS AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> CALIFORNIANS WHO WANTED TO THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE ARTS HAVE BETWEEN NOW AND MAY TO COLLECT 1 MILLION SIGNATURES.

ANGIE PEREZ SHOWS US HOW CREATIVE EXPRESSION IS IMPACTING YOUNG LIVES HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: MAX ONE IS THE ART TEACHER AT THE CREATIVE PERFORMING MEDIA ARTS MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CLERMONT.

BEST KNOWN AS CP M A.

IT IS A SHOWCASE CAMPUS FOR THEATER, IS A, DANCE AND THE STUDIO ART CLASSES TAUGHT BY MR. SWAN, WHO STARTED AS A MATH TEACHER.

>> I HAVE A MATH AND ART CREDENTIAL.

THEN I FOUND OUT HOW MUCH THEY OVERLAP IN INTERCONNECT.

>> Reporter: HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS ART AS HE CONVEYS COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE TO HIS SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS.

THEY ARE WORKING ON A GROUP MURAL THAT WILL BE DISPLAYED ON CAMPUS.

>> YOU CAN EXPRESS YOURSELF IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

YOU COULD TELL THE NEEDS AND COLORS.

YOU CAN EXPRESS HOW YOUR DAY IS GOING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CREATIVITY THAT HAS SURVIVED THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND BUDGET CUTS.

IT IS ALSO AN EXCEPTION EVEN THOUGH THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE DEMANDS THAT IT BE OFFERED TO EVERY STUDENT BUT, VERY FEW HAVE A DEDICATED GROUP THIS IS CALLED HIS PASSION PROJECT TO COLLECT 1 MILLION SIGNATURES BY THE FIRST AND GET AN ARTS FUNDING MEASURE ON THE BALLOT.

HE WANTS TO BRING EQUITY TO THE SHOW BUSINESS STATES.

>> YOU EARNED THIS IN AMERICA AND IN THE ECONOMY AGAINST INDUSTRY AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT OFFER THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZERS ARE ASKING THE LEDGES LEGISLATURE TO USE STATE BUDGET SURPLUS TO EXCLUSIVELY PAY FOR ARTS PROGRAMS IN EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH NO OPTION TO DO FOR THE MONEY ELSEWHERE.

IT IS A RADICAL IDEA WITH RADICAL SUPPORTERS.

>> YOU MAY KNOW ME AS AN ACTOR BUT WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER I WAS AN ARTIST.

>> Reporter: JOHN LITHGOW IS NOW THE FACE OF THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURE TO SAVE THE ARTS.

HE IS PUSHING FOR SIGNATURES AND WILL BE LOOKING FOR VOTES IF THE VOTE MAKES IT TO NOVEMBER.

>> THIS IS A TIME OF POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS.

EVERYBODY IS HOTHEADED ABOUT THIS BUT, THE ARTS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN ALL SORTS OF WAYS.

>> BACK AT CPM A MIDDLE SCHOOL, STUDENTS ARE BEING COACHED.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS CONTRIBUTED HER OWN MONEY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND HOPE THAT CALIFORNIA VOTERS WILL DO THE SAME.

>>> IT WILL THE NICE TO GET THE EXTRA HELP WITH ALL OF THE PROPER RESOURCES FOR THINGS LIKE SETS.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE UPGRADED IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.

>> Reporter: 16 GRADERS SAYS THEY ARE FIRST TIMERS.

THEY ARE PROUD YOUNG LADIES OF COLOR WHO WANT TO SEE MORE ARTISTS WHO LOOK LIKE THEM.

>> IN THEATER HELPS ME GET LESS SHY AND BE MORE CONFIDENT IN MYSELF.

AND THEY FEEL VERY PROUD OF WHO I AM.

>> YOU DON'T STAY DOWN WHATEVER OBSTACLE.

AND THAT IS WHY I WANT TO BE AN ACTOR BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: THIS COULD BRING MORE SUPPLIES AND CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN CLASSROOMS JUST LIKE THESE ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> I AM SETTING UP A BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED GROUP.

>> IT IS DEPENDENT UPON 1 MILLION SIGNATURES TO SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS.

>>> FROM MODEL RESULTS TO SHIPS AND MORE.

THERE IS A MUSEUM FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE.

DURING FEBRUARY CAN GET IN THE DOOR FOR HALF PRICE AT DOZENS OF LOCATIONS.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL HAS A LOOK AT ONE OF THE MANY UNIQUE SPOTS.

>>> WHEN YOU THINK OF MUSEUMS, WHAT COMES TO MIND?

THERE IS ONE THAT HOUSES ARTIFACTS.

THE WEBSTER DICTIONARY DEFINES THEM AS INSTITUTIONS DEDICATED TO THE PROCUREMENT AND DISPLAYS OF OBJECTS OF VALUE AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS RICH WHEN IT COMES TO MUSEUMS.

>> WE ARE ALL ABOUT SHARING THESE WITH EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: BOB IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM COUNCIL.

THEY HAVE SPONSORED MUSEUM MONTH SINCE 1989.

>> THE MUSEUMS COME TOGETHER AND GET A PASS.

YOU CAN GET THESE AT ANY MACY'S OR ANY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

>> BALBOA PARK PROBABLY COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS.

THERE ARE 17 OF THEM THROUGHOUT THE LANDSCAPE.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY MORE MUSEUMS IN THIS COUNTY OUTSIDE OF THE CONFINES OF THIS PART.

ONE OF THEM IS ON THE WATER.

THIS IS THE SAN DIEGO MARITIME MUSEUM.

>> WE STARTED OUT AS THE ZOO.

>> Reporter: WHAT?

>> THE PLAN WAS FOR THERE TO BE AN AQUARIUM ON THE WATERFRONT.

WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE A CENTERPIECE.

>> Reporter: THE AQUARIUM WAS SEPARATED FROM THE ZOO IN 1948 AND THAT IS WHEN IT BECAME THE MARITIME MUSEUM.

BY THE 70s OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REALIZE THAT THE MUSEUM NEEDED MORE SHIPS.

>> Reporter: THEY ACQUIRED THE BERKELEY AND THEN THE MADEA CAME ALONG.

NOW IT HAS EXPANDED.

>> THERE IS THE DOLPHIN.

OTHER SHIPS INCLUDE THE SURPRISE THAT WAS USED IN THE RUSSELL CROWE MOVIE "MASTER AND COMMANDER."

THE SAN SALVADOR WAS BUILT HERE LARGELY BY MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS.

THIS SERVES AS THE MUSEUM BUILDING BUT NOT FOR MUCH LONGER.

A NEW MUSEUM BUILDING IS IN THE WORKS.

>> WE MOVE THE SHIPS OUT.

THE BUILDING GOES HERE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF MORE THAN 45 MUSEUMS FROM OCEANSIDE TO THE SOUTH BAY IS READY CAN GET 55% OFF THIS MONTH.

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

I'M AMITA SHARMA.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.