>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, SAFETY CONCERNS FOR LOCAL IMMIGRANT .

SOMALI CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN SAN DIEGO SAY STRANGERS ARE SURVEILLING THEIR WORKPLACE.

>>> MORE HOUSING IN LEMON GROVE.

THE COUNTY MOVES FORWARD WITH A PLAN TO BUILD TINY HOMES ON STATE LAND.

>>> AND, AN ALTERNATIVE FOR STREAMING.

WE GO INSIDE A RECORD STORE AND SEE HOW IT GIVES MUSIC LOVERS SOMETHING AN ALGORITHM CANNOT.

>>> A WARNING ABOUT OUR FIRST STORY.

IT CONTAINS MENTION OF DEATH, POLICE VIOLENCE AND SUICIDE.

A SHOOTING IN IMPERIAL BEACH IS DRAWING NEW SCRUTINY ON HOW THE SHERIFFS' RESPOND TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

KORI SUZUKI SAYS THE COMMUNITY IS MOURNING THE MAN'S DEATH.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MISTY SUNDAY EVENING ALONG THE WATERFRONT AT IMPERIAL BEACH.

NORMALLY, THE ENTRANCE TO THE PIER IS COLORFUL AND BRIGHT.

TONIGHT, THOUGH, IT'S CULTURE IS LIT BY THE SOMBER GLOW OF ORANGE CANDLES AS A LITTLE OVER A DOZEN PEOPLE GATHERED FOR A VIGIL FOR GARY GATES.

♪ CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME ♪ >> Reporter: GATES SPENT MOST DAYS LIVING HERE ALONG THE WATERFRONT.

HE HAD SOME ROUGH EDGES.

PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM SAID HE WASN'T ALWAYS RATIONAL OR EASY TO BE AROUND.

THEY SAID HE WAS HONEST AND EMOTIONAL.

HE LOVED FEEDING PIGEONS AND HE WAS A DJ.

GATES WAS ALSO ACTIVE ON FACEBOOK.

HIS PROFILE IS FULL OF VIDEOS OF THE OCEAN WAVES AND PEOPLE IN THE PARK.

HERE IS ONE OF HIM TALKING TO A CITY WORKER.

>> YOU CAME OUT YELLING AT ME THIS MORNING TELLING ME TO LEAVE THE SPOT, YOU CAN'T TELL ME TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: IT SEEMED LIKE GATES WAS IN A DARK PLACE.

ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19th, HE POSTED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES HE FACED IN HIS LIFE, ABOUT THE COST OF HEALTHCARE IN THE BUREAUCRACY OF THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING SYSTEM AND HOW HE MIGHT TRY TO OVERDOSE ON DRUGS AND GET A POLICE OFFICER TO SHOOT HIM.

THAT NIGHT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAID THEY GOT A CALL ABOUT GATES POSSIBLY OVERDOSING NEAR THE PIER.

THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

POLICE SAY GATES WAS HOLDING A KNIFE AND THREATENING TO STAB HIMSELF.

THE OFFICERS CALLED IN THE PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.

THEY SAID THEY GOT HIM TO PUT THE KNIFE AWAY AND OFFERED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BUT HE DECLINED.

THE POLICE LEFT.

>> 911 EMERGENCY.

>> HI, I AM GARY GATES.

I AM HERE AT IMPERIAL BEACH.

CAN YOU SEND OUT OFFICERS TO SPEAK WITH ME FOR A MINUTE?

>> Reporter: TWO DAYS LATER THEY GOT A CALL FROM GATES HIMSELF.

THE VIDEO SHOW A BRIGHT SUNDAY AFTERNOON .

IT IS THE WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND IN THE BACKGROUND THERE IS A POWWOW FESTIVAL GOING ON YOU CAN SEE BIG CROWDS AND TENTS.

>> GATES SAYS HE WAS TO TALK TO ONE OF THE DEPUTIES.

MAXWELL HAMMOND.

HAMMOND APPROACHES GATES, WHO BACKS AWAY FROM HIM.

COME ON, GATES SAYS, GET YOUR GUN OUT.

>> COME ON, GET YOUR GUN OUT?

>> HAMMING KEEPS WALKING TOWARDS HIM.

GATES TAKES HIS KNIFE OUT AND SAYS, DON'T MISS.

>> GARY.

I HAVE A BEANBAG IN MY CAR.

>> Reporter: HAMMOND ASKS ONE OF THE DEPUTIES TO GET A BEANBAG REFERRING TO A LESS LETHAL METHOD.

THE OFFICER DRAWS THEIR TASER INSTEAD.

>> GARY!

GARY!

>> GATES FALLS TO THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: I FORGIVE YOU, HE SAYS.

THE NEXT CLIP WE SEE IS HAMMOND APPLYING BANDAGES.

THERE WAS AN ANGRY CROWD THAT GATHERED.

>> GARY WAS ASKING FOR A SHERIFF TO END HIS LIFE AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THAT SCENARIO IN THE STREET AND WHAT TO DO WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: DANIELLE RICHARDSON IS A DR.

BACK IN THE SOUTH BAY AND A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL WATCH, AN ADVOCACY GROUP THAT REPORTS POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO CALLS.

SHE SAYS THE DEPUTY'S RESPONSE RAISES A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS.

SHE SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN GATES TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN THEY FIRST ENCOUNTERED HIM.

>> WHEN SOMEBODY IS A THREAT TO THEIR OWN LIFE , THEY HAVE TO BE PUT ON WHAT WE CALL A 5150.

THAT'S A MEDICAL HOLD, FOR THEM TO GET EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: RICHARDSON SAYS THEY ALSO SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE KNIFE AWAY FROM GATES.

THE DEPUTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO DE-ESCALATE.

GATES DID TRY TO CONFRONT THEM.

RICHARDSON ALSO SAYS HAMMOND, THE DEPUTY WHO SHOT GATES, DID NOT HANDLE THE SITUATION WELL.

>> HE DIDN'T EVEN MAKE ANY LAWFUL COMMANDS TO TO TO DROP HIS WEAPON.

HE JUST SAID, GARY, NO, NO.

THAT IS NOT A CLEAR COMMAND.

>> Reporter: THE SHOOTING IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY POLICE AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO BECAUSE OF A CITYWIDE AGREEMENT.

THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS BY KPBS.

♪ CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME ♪ TOOK IT FROM IMPERIAL BEACH, KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>> IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, CALL OR TEXT 988 OR ALSO VISIT 988 DATE LIFETIME -- 988.LIFELINE.ORG.

>>> SOMALI CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN SAN DIEGO SAY STRANGERS ARE SURVEILLING THEIR CENTERS.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE HYSON AS THE HARASSMENT SPREAD FROM MINNESOTA THIS WEEK.

>> Reporter: SAMSAM KHALIF HAS PROVIDED CHILDCARE IN SAN DIEGO LONG ENOUGH TO WATCH BABIES BECOME ADULTS.

TWO DAYS AGO -- >> I WAS COMING FROM MY HOUSE AND HAD MY KIDS IN MY CAR AND I SAW A CAR IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

TWO YOUNG MEN WERE IN THERE AND HAVING A CAMERA.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS SCARED.

SHE CIRCLED THE BLOCK, HOPING THEY WOULD LEAVE.

>> FINALLY, I WENT INTO MY HOUSE AND WHEN THEY SAW ME AND THAT I HAVE KIDS, I WAS DRIVING UP IN THE CAR, THEY JUST PASSED BY AND DROVE AWAY.

>> Reporter: SHE IS AND ALONE.

IN DECEMBER, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CALLED SOMALIAN PEOPLE, QUOTE, GARBAGE.

WEEKS LATER, A YOUTUBER BEGAN SURVEILLING SOMALI RUN CHILDCARE CENTERS IN MINNESOTA, MAKING UNVERIFIED CLAIMS OF FRAUD.

THE HARASSMENT SPREAD TO SAN DIEGO.

>> PROTECT AND DEPEND -- >> CHILDCARE.

>> Reporter: A UNION SAYS IT HAS HEARD OF AT LEAST SEVEN INCIDENTS THIS WEEK OF STRANGERS SURVEILLING, HARASSING AND EVEN STALKING SOMALI CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

THEY ENCOURAGE PROVIDERS TO REPORT THESE INCIDENCES AS HATE CRIMES TO THE POLICE.

THIS IS A SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMEMBER.

HE SAYS HE WILL WORK WITH THE POLICE TO MAKE SURE THE REPORTS ARE APPROPRIATELY HANDLED.

>> EVERY SOMALI IN THIS COUNTRY, A SUSPECT FOR FRAUD, RACIST, THAT IS UNFAIR AND COMPLETELY INCONSISTENT WITH THE INCREDIBLE WORK THE SOMALI AMERICANS IN SAN DIEGO DO.

>> Reporter: KHALIF SAYS SHE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE.

SHE INSTALLED A SECURITY SYSTEM ON HER HOUSE.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I AM FEELING THESE FEELINGS IN HERE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT I CAME, YOU KNOW, ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM MY COUNTRY TO HEAR TO FEEL SAFE AND NOW I AM FEELING THIS WAY.

I MEAN, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION IN AMERICA.

IT SURPRISES ME.

>> Reporter: KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE A CHURCH IN LOGAN HEIGHTS HAS A HISTORY OF ACTIVISM.

A FEW YEARS AGO, IT OPENED A TEMPORARY MIGRANT SHELTER FOR A SILO SEEKERS.

NOW THE CHURCHES OPENING AN IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER TO HELP PEOPLE TARGETED BY MASS DEPORTATIONS.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE PAINT DRIES, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IS REDONE AND ALL THE ROOMS ARE CLEANED.

THIS FORMER CONVENT FOR CATHOLIC NUNS WILL BECOME AN IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

OVERSEEING THIS TRANSFORMATION IS THIS FATHER.

THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH IN LOGAN HEIGHTS.

HELPING HIM IS A CREW OF VOLUNTEERS.

>> THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY LOVE TO BE OF SERVICE TO THE WORLD.

THEY WANT TO LEAVE THIS PLACE A BETTER PLACE, RIGHT?

EVERYONE YOU SEE COMING IN HERE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS.

MANY OF THEM ARE MEMBERS OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: HE TOOK A KPBS ON A TOUR.

>> IT'S NOT A SPACE RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY CONSULT YOU GET OUR TOOLS AND WHAT THEY DO.

>> Reporter: BUT WHAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE THE POPE FRANCIS CENTER, A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE IMPACTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MASS DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN CAN GET SOME HELP.

HE SHOWED US THE CONSULTING OFFICE WHERE PEOPLE CAN MEET IMMIGRATION LAWYERS.

THERE IS A DAYCARE SPACE FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE BEEN DEPORTED AND LARGE AREAS TO BE USED FOR COMMUNITY GATHERINGS.

>> AND, IF YOU WALK OVER HERE, THIS WILL BE THE MAIN PRESENTATION.

THE IDEA IS WE GET SO MANY PEOPLE COMING IN AND WE ARE DOING A GROUP PRESENTATION, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE.

PEOPLE DO THE PRESENTATION HERE BEFORE THEY MEET INDIVIDUALLY FOR PRIVATE CONSULTATION.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS WILL PROVIDE LEGAL AID SERVICES TO THE CENTER.

IT INCLUDES THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION IMMIGRANT JUSTICE PROJECT.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO DO HERE IS CREATE HOPE IN A SPACE OF WELCOME.

WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS, IN FACT, WE CERTAINLY CANNOT AND WE AREN'T ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, REDUCE ALL THE SUFFERING OUR GOVERNMENT IS CAUSING.

WE WANT TO OFFER SOMETHING THAT IS MEANINGFUL AND WORTHWHILE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE MANAGER OF THE CENTER.

SHE HAS SPENT MONTHS WORKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS IMPACTED BY MASS DEPORTATION AND SHE SAYS THAT APART FROM LEGAL ADVICE, FAMILIES ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> HOW DO YOU TELL YOUR CHILDREN, HEY, IT'S POSSIBLE ONE DAY YOU COME HOME FROM SCHOOL AND I AM NOT TO BE HERE ANYMORE.

YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE ME.

HOW DO PEOPLE MANAGE THOSE CONVERSATIONS?

I HEARD FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY WANT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> MANY ALSO NEED FINANCIAL HELP.

THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE FOR FAMILIES WHOSE PRIMARY EARNER HAS BEEN DETAINED BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

THE VOLUNTEER CREW IS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK.

THEY ARE MAKING SURE THAT THE POPE FRANCIS CENTER IS READY FOR THE SOFT OPENING ON MONDAY AND ITS GRAND OPENING ON FEBRUARY 1.

ONE ROOM THAT WILL NOT BE COMMUNITY IS THE BUILDING'S CHAPEL.

WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PLACE FOR SPIRITUAL HEALING.

>> THE IDEA IS AFTER A VERY HARD CONVERSATION WITH THE ATTORNEYS, MANY OF THEM, IF THEY QUALIFY FOR SOME SORT OF RELIEF, MIGHT BE A SILENT, WHICH YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DIG UP VERY IMPORTANT ASPECTS AND TRAUMATIC ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO EVEN RECALL.

SO THE IDEA IS THEY CAN COME IN HERE AND SIT AND PRAY AND TO BE ABLE TO KINDA PROCESS THEIR EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER IS FUNDED ENTIRELY BY PRIVATE DONATIONS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> A YEAR BRINGS CHANGES TO HEALTHCARE POLICIES.

THAT INCLUDES MEDI-CAL, WHICH COVERS NEARLY 1 MILLION LOCAL RESIDENTS.

KPBS HELP REPORTER HEIDI DiMARCO TALKS ABOUT HOW THE CHANGES AFFECT SERVICES AT PHARMACIES.

TO TO GIVE YOU ARE ON MEDI-CAL, YOU MAY NOTICE SOME ITEMS AT THE PHARMACY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

STARTING JANUARY 1, SEVERAL MEDICATIONS AND OVER-THE- COUNTER PRODUCTS NOW REQUIRED.>>> APPROVAL AND SOME ARE NO LONGER COVERED.

HERE IS WHAT IS CHANGING.

AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS NOW KNEE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

FOR CHILDREN UNDER 21, TESTS MAY STILL BE COVERED WITH A PEDIATRIC PRESCRIPTION, BUT APPROVALS ARE LIMITED TO FOUR TESTS PER MONTH.

ADULT MULTIVITAMINS ARE NO LONGER COVERED.

VITAMINS AND DRY EYE DROPS MAY NOW NEED A DOCTOR BILLS'S APPROVAL BEFORE MEDI-CAL WILL PAY FOR THEM.

FOR ALLERGY MEDICATIONS, MEDI- CAL NOW COVERS GENERIC VERSIONS ONLY, MEANING BRAND-NAME OPTIONS MAY COME WITH A COST.

POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING GLP-1 DRUGS, LIKE WEGOVY ARE NO LONGER COVERED WHEN USED SOLELY FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

SOME MAY BE COVERED FOR DIABETES.

MORE THAN 80,000 PEOPLE RELY ON MEDI-CAL, CALIFORNIA'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE CHANGES HELP CONTROL RISING DRUG COSTS, BUT RESEARCH SHOWS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS CAN ALSO MEAN A LONG WAIT FOR THE PHARMACY, DELAYED CARE AND HIGHER OUT-OF- POCKET COSTS FOR PATIENTS.

BEFORE HEADING TO THE PHARMACY, CHECK WHETHER A MEDICATION OR OVER-THE-COUNTER ITEM NOW NEEDS PRIOR APPROVAL AND ASK ABOUT GENERIC OR LOWER-COST ALTERNATIVES.

RESEARCH SHOWS A FEW QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME CAN HELP AVOID SURPRISES IN PHARMACEUTICAL EXTRA COSTS AT THE COUNTER.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS.

>>> STRICT WHILE FIRE SAFETY RULES WILL SOON APPLY TO MUCH OF URBAN SAN DIEGO.

WITH PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION NEAR I-5 BORDER AND ALLOWING IT TO REOPEN.

THE CITY SAYS THEY WON'T SUSPEND BALBOA PARKING FEES DESPITE ROLLOUT COMPLAINTS.

>>> THE COUNTY IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS IN LEMON GROVE TO BUILD CABINS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, BUT KPBS REPORTER ELAINE ALFARO SAYS IT HAS HAD SOME HICCUPS ALONG THE WAY.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS THOUGHT THEY HAD A SWEET DEAL HERE AT THE CORNER OF SWEETWATER ROAD AND TROY STREET.

FOR $1.00 A MONTH, THE COUNTY COULD RENT THE LAND FROM CALTRANS AND BILLED ABOUT 60 CABINETS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE CABINS WILL LIKELY STILL BE BUILT BUT THE $1.00 A MONTH DEAL IS GONE BECAUSE THE LAND WAS BOUGHT WITH FEDERAL MONEY AND PRESIDENT TRUMP WON'T ALLOW IT TO BE RENTED AT THE LOW MARKET RATES.

NOW THEY ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS TO BUY THE LAND FROM CALTRANS FOR $950,000.

>> MY DIRECTION WAS, LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND SEE HOW WE CAN NEGOTIATE A SALE.

BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY THE COURSE.

IF WE CHANGE COURSE, WE MAY HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

THAT, IN MY MIND, IS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSING THE PROJECT.

KEWZAH BLAIR LIVES A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM TROY STREET.

SHE UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, BUT SHE DOESN'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT LOCATION.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MANY RESOURCES, AS FAR AS JOB AND EMPLOYMENT.

WE DON'T HAVE MANY RESOURCES, AS FAR AS REHABILITATION OR ANY KIND OF SERVICES THAT THESE PEOPLE COULD RECEIVE.

AND SO IT'S WHY THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC DESIGN AND POLICY.

THEY SAY HAVING RESOURCES ON SITE COULD ADDRESS CONCERNS.

>> IF YOU HAVE SERVICES ON SITE, YOU'VE GOT THE HOUSING, THE RISK TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, IS PRETTY LOW.

IF THIS WORKS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK, THEY WON'T EVEN REALIZE IT IS THERE.

THEY WON'T REALIZE IT IS HOUSING SERVING HOMELESS PEOPLE AS OPPOSED TO HOUSING SERVING ANYBODY ELSE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE CABINS, THE COUNTY IT WILL OFFER ON-SITE SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS.

CALTRANS OFFICIALS WILL MEET IN MARCH TO DISCUSS THE SALE.

IF APPROVED, THE COUNTY HOPES TO BREAK GROUND ON THE PROJECT THIS SUMMER.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN AN AGE OF STREAMING AND ALGORITHMS, PHYSICAL MEDIA IS MAKING A COMEBACK.

AT FOLK ARTS REDIRECT IS, JULIA DIXON SHOWS US HOW THE FOUNDER'S VAST PERSONAL COLLECTION OF MUSIC IS FINDING NEW LIFE ON THE SHELVES.

>> TOP ERA, SON HOUSE.

EARLY PORTUGUESE MUSIC.

I AM SURE HE KNEW THE PERSON AT THIS RECORD LABEL.

>> Reporter: AT THIS RECORD SHOP IN CITY HEIGHTS, EVERYTHING LEADS BACK TO ITS FOUNDER, LOU CURTIS.

CURTIS PASSED AWAY AT 79 IN 2018 .

FOUR YEARS AFTER SELLING THE STORE TO HIS LONGTIME EMPLOYEE, AND FULL ARTS IS STILL GOING STRONG WITH TWO LOCATIONS NOW.

>> I BOUGHT IT IN 2014.

I STARTED SHOPPING THERE, I BELIEVE IN THE YEAR 2000 WHEN I WAS 18.

I LOVED IT.

IT WAS MY FAVORITE PLACE.

I CONSIDERED IT TO BE MAGICAL.

IT FELT LIKE A ROADSIDE ATTRACTION.

>> Reporter: HE OPENED IN JULY 1967, SHORTLY AFTER HE LAUNCHED THE FOLK FESTIVAL.

HE RAN THE SHOP AND THE FESTIVAL FOR DECADES.

>> THE CAMPUS OF SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE, JAZZ.

>> Reporter: EVEN HOSTED A WEEKLY JAZZ RADIO SHOW, ALL IN THE PURSUIT OF SHARING MUSIC AND SUPPORTING MUSICIANS.

>> FOLK MUSIC STOPPED BECOMING A FAD.

HE JUST KEPT ON GOING.

THE SAN DIEGO FOLK FESTIVALS WERE OFTEN A WEEKLONG AND WHERE THESE GATHERINGS WHERE THERE WERE ALL SORTS OF DIALOGUE HAPPENING BETWEEN THE GENERATIONS.

WAS REALLY SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: HIS OBITUARY AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NAMED CURTISS WITH LEGENDS LIKE JOAN BAEZ.

HE WAS RENOWNED NATIONWIDE BUT HIS DEEPEST IMPACT MAY HAVE COME THROUGH COUNTLESS SMALL MOMENTS INSIDE HIS HUMBLE RECORD STORE.

>> PEOPLE HAD THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CURIOSITY AND WONDER, HE WOULD ANSWER QUESTIONS ALL DAY LONG.

YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE HE HAD.

>> Reporter: OF MUSIC SOCIOLOGIST SAYS RECORD STORES AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE LOOK TO LOCAL SYSTEMS.

>> RESEARCH I READ ON DO-IT- YOURSELF MUSIC SCENES, IT IS SO OFTEN TALKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL SPACES TO ENABLE LOCAL MUSIC CULTURES.

>> Reporter: AFTER CURTISS' DEATH, FOLK ARTS ACQUIRED HIS VAST MUSICAL COLLECTION.

IT ESTIMATES WELL OVER 100 BOXES STUFFED WITH VINYL RECORDS, CDs AND CASSETTES, PLUS HIS LEGENDARY MIXED TAPES AND METICULOUSLY ARCHIVED NOTEBOOKS.

>> WHAT MAKES THIS COLLECTION ESPECIALLY UNIQUE IS THAT LOU WAS A UNIQUE CHARACTER.

>> Reporter: IN THE EARLY 1970s, PREACHER TOM SHAW WANDERED INTO FOLK ARTS LOOKING FOR GUITAR STREAMS -- STRINGS.

CURTISS WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HIS MUSIC AND THE TWO BECAME FRIENDS.

♪ IF I HAD MY WAY IF I HAD MY WAY ♪ >> CURTISS HELPED HIM TOUR AND PERFORM MORE AND HE WENT ON TO PERFORM AROUND THE WORLD.

TODAY, FOLK ARTS IS A SCRAPPY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN MUSIC AND STORIES LIKE THAT.

THE STORE IS CHOCK-FULL OF VINYLS, CDs AND CASSETTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD SPANNING GENRES AND GENERATIONS.

THERE IS ALSO A LISTENING STATION.

STAFF WILL OPEN ALMOST ANYTHING AND LET YOU HEAR IT.

THE RESURGENCE OF PHYSICAL MEDIA SUGGESTS DIGITAL FATIGUE.

IT ALSO POINTS TO A DESIRE FOR A RITUAL, FOCUS AND INTENTIONAL LISTING.

>> THERE IS THAT SEEN IN ON FIDELITY AND ALL OF HIS FRIENDS, THEY ARE LIKE, WOW.

THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD SUGGEST.

COME UP WITH, YOU KNOW, SOME KIND OF GUIDING IDEAS, PRINCIPLES, WHATEVER, SO THAT YOU ARE BUYING RECORDS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO YOU.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT RECORDS, IT IS EASY TO IMAGINE THE TEENAGER WHO FIRST WALKED INTO FOLK ARTS, CURIOUS AND HUNGRY FOR MUSIC.

FOR HIM AND FOR CURTISS AND COUNTLESS OTHERS, A LOVE OF PHYSICAL MEDIA IS ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS THIS DIALOGUE OF KNOWLEDGE AND, HEY, HAVE YOU HEARD THIS RECORD BEFORE?

WHICH IS A BIG PART OF COLLECTING MUSIC MEDIA.

>> Reporter: SHOPPERS CAN FIND ITEMS FROM THE COLLECTION ALREADY FOR SALE AT FOLK ARTS MARKED WITH A LOU CURTISS WHIMSICAL STICKER.

>> WE ARE GETTING THE MUSIC OUT IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HE WOULD HAVE WANTED.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE OTHER STORIES.

ANTHONY WALLACE MET UP WITH THREE OF SAN DIEGO'S TOP LOCAL BIRDERS.

>> FOR A BURGER, THERE MIGHT BE NO BETTER PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE BIG LEAGUES OF BIRDING.

>> SAN DIEGO IS ARGUABLY THE BIRDIEST IN THE COUNTY.

>> Reporter: AT THE TOP OF THE BIG YEAR STANDINGS THIS YOUR THREE HEAVY HITTERS.

THERE IS RICK GROVE, SEMI RETIRED FORMER SUPERINTENDENT.

WHEN WE MET UP IN MID DECEMBER, HE HAD 390 BIRDS.

>> WITH 390, THAT PUTS ME IN THIRD PLACE CURRENTLY.

>> GROVE WAS MY THIRD GUY FOR MY FIRST TRIP AT THE SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL, AND EXPERIENCE WE DOCUMENTED ON A PODCAST.

HE WAS SUCH A MASTER AT IDENTIFYING BIRDS, I COULDN'T IMAGINE ANYBODY BEATING HIM THIS YEAR.

DAVID TRISSEL WAS JUST ONE BIRD BEHIND HIM.

NEITHER ONE OF THEM WERE PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO FIRST PLACE.

>> I AM PROBABLY 10 OR 15 BIRDS BEHIND THE LEADER HERE.

>> THE LEADER, WHO I CALL THE TONY GWYNN OF BIRDING IN SAN DIEGO, IS PAUL LEHMAN.

>> I HAVE CURRENTLY THE HIGHEST TOTAL FOR THIS YEAR.

>> IS BACK AROUND IS IN GEOMETRY BUT HIS LIFE HAS BEEN ALL ABOUT BIRDS.

>> I DID THE RANGE MAPS FOR MANY OF THE FIELD GUIDES PEOPLE USE SHOWING WHERE THE BIRDS ARE FOUND ALL THROUGH NORTH AMERICA AND DOWN THROUGH MIDDLE AMERICA.

SO BIRDING WAS A PASSION, A HOBBY, A LIFE, BUT IT WAS ALSO WAY PROFESSION.

>> PAUL FINDS HALF THE BIRDS, MAY BE MORE THAN HALF THE BIRDS REST OF US CHASE.

>> Reporter: THESE BIRDERS GO UP EVERY MORNING, USUALLY BEFORE SUNRISE.

THEY'RE CONSTANTLY ON CALL, LIKE FIREFIGHTERS, READY TO SPRING INTO ACTION WHENEVER A RARE BIRD COMES IN.

>> THIS MORNING WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT.

PAUL PUT OUT THE WORD ABOUT A THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR OUT AT BROWNFIELD.

I WAS ALREADY ON THE ROAD, HEADED DOWN THIS WAY WHEN I GOT THE WORD.

I TURNED AROUND AND WENT THAT WAY.

>> THEY TURNED THEIR BOATS TO EXPLORE THE OCEAN, DRIVE TO REMOTE CORNERS OF THE COUNTY AND CLIMB MOUNTAINS, ALL TO SPOT RARE BIRDS.

THERE'S NO PRIZE FOR WINNING, JUST THE MEMORIES, THE BRAGGING RIGHTS AND THE SATISFACTION OF FINDING SOMETHING TRULY ELUSIVE.

>> IS A COMPETITION, BUT IT'S A COMPETITION WITH YOURSELF MORE THAN WITH ANYBODY ELSE.

>> THIS COMMUNITY IS AMAZING IN THAT EVERYBODY HELPS EVERYBODY AND EVERYBODY WANTS EVERYONE TO SEAL THE BIRDS.

>> Reporter: IN FEBRUARY, EVERYONE CAME TOGETHER FOR ONE SPECTACULAR BIRD, THE UNDISPUTED HIGHLIGHT IN BIRDING, CALLED THE LESSER FRIGATEBIRD .

>> IT'S FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC, SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR TROPICAL PACIFIC.

IT IS ONLY THE FOURTH OR FIFTH TIME IT HAS EVER BEEN SEEN ANYWHERE IN NORTH AMERICA.

>> Reporter: THAT LESSER FRIGATEBIRD LIVES THOUSANDS OF MILES FROM ITS NATURAL HABITAT.

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PHENOMENON OF BIRDING IS THE SCIENTIFIC MYSTERY OF VAGRANTS, BIRDS THAT MIGRATE TO THE WRONG PLACE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHY THE BIRDS SHOW UP HERE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHY THEIR HABITS ARE OFF OR THEIR GPS IS FAULTY.

OR IF THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, YOUNG BIRD, JUST TRYING TO EXPAND THEIR TERRITORY IN TRYING TO FIND A PLACE.

WHO KNOWS?

WE DON'T KNOW IF THESE ARE PIONEERS OF THAT SPECIES THAT DECIDED TO GO WEST.

>> Reporter: FASCINATING BIRDS SURROUND US ALMOST ANYWHERE YOU GO IN SAN DIEGO.

AND, OF COURSE, TRISSEL, GROVE AND LEHMAN COULDN'T HELP BUT SNEAK IN SOME BIRDING DURING OUR INTERVIEW.

WE WERE AT ROBB FIELD IN OCEAN BEACH AND THEY POINTED OUT THE WILLET, WHICH CALLS ITS NAME AND THE FLIGHT AND THE BLACK- BELLIED PLOVER, WHICH FLIES FROM HERE TO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC, BIRDING HAS BECOME MORE POPULAR AND MORE DIVERSE.

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE AT THE TOP OF THE STANDINGS TO MARVEL AT OUR FEATHERED NEIGHBORS.

FOR ME, LAST YEAR'S SAN DIEGO BIRD FESTIVAL WAS SLIGHTLY LIFE- CHANGING.

IT DEEPENED MY APPRECIATION FOR THE MIND BLOWING NATURE IN HER OWN BACKYARD.

THAT FESTIVAL IS COMING UP AGAIN IN FEBRUARY.

YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO BIRD WITH CHAMPIONS, LIKE GROVE OR TRISSEL.

ALL YOU NEED TO GET STARTED AS A WALK OUTSIDE.

THE FREE APP, MERLIN, HELPS, TOO.

>> IT DOESN'T TAKE ANY EQUIPMENT.

>> THE THREE OF US LOOK LIKE WHAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER BIRDERS TO LOOK LIKE.

WE ARE OLD, RETIRED WHITE MAN.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT BIRDING IS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: ANTHONY WALLACE, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE BY SKINNING THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN.

FROM THERE, SEARCH THE PODCAST FOR 100 BIRDS IN ONE DAY.

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

♪