COMING UP, THE VALUE OF FUNDING THE ARTS.

WE ARE GOING INSIDE OF A LOCAL CLASSROOM TO SEE HOW KIDS ARE BENEFITING FROM A BIG DECISION BY VOTERS.

>>> REMEMBERING THOSE WE'VE LOST.

SEE HOW HILLCREST TOLERATED THE ED DAVIS MATOS THIS WEEK.

>>> AND SCIENTIST GIVING A GLIMPSE OF A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM JUST OFF THE COAST AND WIDEST DRIVING.

>>> WE HAVE SEEN A RECENT EFFORT IN CLIMATE CHANGE.

CARS CONTINUED BRC'S BIGGEST SOURCE OF POLLUTION.

>> IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE PROTECTION FROM THESE CARS GOING REALLY FAST.

>> Reporter: I'M WALKING WITH KARINA ON THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN ROUTE TO THE GRANTVILLE COLLATED TROLLEY STATION.

THE TROLLEY COULD BE A MAJOR ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY OF GRANTVILLE, BUT THE JOURNEY TO GET THERE IS AN EASY OR PLEASANT .

IT IS A LONG AND INDIRECT WALK .

THERE IS NO SHADE, AND IT IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE DEAFENING I-8 FREEWAY.

>> NOISE IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT CAN REALLY DESTROY YOUR PEACE OF MIND.

>> Reporter: GRANTVILLE IS A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS RAPIDLY IDENTIFYING WITH NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

GIVEN HOW ACCESSIBLE THE TROLLEY IS, IT IS NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY MOST OF THE NEW RESIDENTS ARE DEPENDENT ON THEIR CARS.

THAT TRANSLATES TO MORE TRAFFIC AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

>> WE CAN BE MAKING TREMENDOUS ADVANCES IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND REDUCING OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM THAT SECTOR, BUT IF EVERYBODY IS FORCED TO DRIVE BECAUSE TRANSIT STATIONS LIKE THIS AREN'T WELL-CONNECTED TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND IT, OF COURSE ARE EMISSIONS ARE GOING TO KEEP GOING UP.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN MAKING BIG PROGRESS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

EMISSIONS FROM ELECTRICITY FELL BY AN IMPRESSIVE 27% IN 2021.

THE MOST RECENT YEAR WITH AVAILABLE DATA.

BUT 2021 ALSO SAW MORE CARS ON THE ROAD, AS COVID RESTRICTIONS EASED.

THAT EFFECTIVELY CANCELED OUT THE YEARS PROGRESS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THOSE FINDINGS WERE BURIED IN THE APPENDICES OF A CLIMATE MONITORING REPORT THE CITY QUIETLY RELEASED IN MARCH.

>> IT DOES NEED TO TREND DOWNWARD.

IT HAS TO.

BUT POLICIES DON'T MANIFEST IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: ALYSSA MUTO IS SAN DIEGO'S DIRECTOR OF MOBILITY.

SHE SAYS MANY OF THE CITIES CLIMATE POLICIES, LIKE ALLOWING MORE DENSE HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE ALREADY LESS CAR DEPENDENT, WILL TAKE YEARS TO TRANSLATE TO LOWER EMISSIONS.

AND, SHE SAYS, THE YEAR-TO-YEAR FLUCTUATIONS ARE NOT AS AN ORDINANCE THE LONG-TERM TREND TOWARDS THE CITY'S GOAL OF NET ZERO ADMISSIONS BY 2035.

>> WE REALLY CHANGED THAT PERSPECTIVE OF GETTING TO NET ZERO.

IT DOES NOT MATTER THE BASELINE OF WHERE WE START, WE JUST KNOW WE NEED TO GET TO THIS ZERO NUMBER.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE LATEST EFFORTS THE CITY HAS TAKEN TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION IS THE MOBILITY MASTER PLAN.

SHE SAYS THE CITY ANALYZED A HOST OF DATA SOURCES TO IDENTIFY PROJECTS AND POLICIES THAT WILL INCREASE MOBILITY WHILE REDUCING EMISSIONS.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A LIST OF OVER 200 PROJECTS THAT IF THE CITY INVEST IN THOSE MORE NEAR-TERM IT WILL HELP TO MOVE US TO PROVIDE MORE OPTIONS THAT ARE SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, AND BUSINESSES ALIKE.

>> Reporter: BUT SOMETHING THE CITIES MOBILITY MASTER PLAN DOES NOT DO IS IDENTIFY PROJECTS THAT WILL INCREASE EMISSIONS.

THERE IS ONE SUCH PROJECT IN GRANTVILLE.

I'M HERE ON FAIRMONT AVENUE IN GRANTVILLE.

THIS ROAD IS THE GATEWAY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT IS PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS CONGESTED.

CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEERS ARE RESPONDING WITH A PLAN TO WIDEN THE ROADS IN THIS AREA TO ACCOMMODATE MORE CARS.

THAT WILL COST TAXPAYERS ABOUT $40 MILLION, BUT GET THIS.

BY THE CITY'S OWN ESTIMATES, BEST CASE SCENARIO IT WILL SAVE DRIVERS ABOUT 22 SECONDS.

>> WHEN WE COMMIT TO MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, WE ARE ENHANCING STREET-LEVEL SAFETY.

AND THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT.

>> Reporter: MARINA CONTRAST IS UNIMPRESSED BY THE CITIES MOBILITY MASTER PLAN.

SHE SAYS IT IS GOOD THE CITY IS PAYING ATTENTION TO EQUITY AND TRYING TO IMPROVE MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES FIRST.

BUT THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE A DETAILED PLAN FOR HOW TO LEAD THE CARBONIZED IT'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

>> EVERY YEAR YOU ARE NOT ADVANCING TO ACHIEVING THOSE GOALS, YOU ARE FALLING FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND.

ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE THIS A+ VISION, AND YOU ARE KIND OF OPERATING AT A D- LEVEL.

>> Reporter: ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NOW WE HAVE A UNIQUE VIEW OF THE VIBRANT ENVIRONMENT JUST OFF OUR COAST.

ANDREW ERICKSON SHOWS US HOW SCRIPT RESEARCHERS ARE TRYING TO UNLOCK THE OCEAN DYNAMICS TO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE CREW ABOARD THIS RESEARCH VESSEL SPENT A WEEK DRAGGING SENSITIVE MACHINERY THROUGH THE WATER AROUND A SUBMERGED LA JOLLA CANYON.

THEY'RE HOPING TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEX PROCESSES THE FEED THE RICH ECOSYSTEM UNDER THE CIRCUS.

THE ENGINEER SAYS THE TEAM USES A WINDOW SYSTEM TO RAISE AND LOWER A CTD DEVICE WHICH MEASURES CONDUCTIVITY, TEMPERATURE, AND DEPTH.

THE TEAM IS TRACKING DIE RELEASED NEAR THE CANYON DAYS AGO.

>> WE ARE YO-YOING BACK AND FORTH TO SEE IF WE CAN SEE THE DIE THAT WE RELEASED ON TUESDAY , WHICH IS LETTING US MEASURE BASICALLY HOW THE SEAFLOOR IS SHAPING WHAT THE WATER DOES WHEN IT IS GETTING THERE, AND HOW ENERGY IS DISSIPATING OR HOW ENERGY IS BUILDING UP MORE.

BASICALLY WHAT IT DOES TO THE AREA.

>> Reporter: THE FOUR FOOT LONG TO RESEMBLE THE MODEL ROCKET.

THEY CAN BE RAISED AND LOWERED QUICKLY THROUGH THE OCEAN LAYERS, GIVING RESEARCHERS A SNAPSHOT OF THE WATER COLUMN FROM THE SURFACE TO THE OCEAN FLOOR.

>> THIS IS THE CRASH GUARD.

THIS IS GOING TO BE REMOVED WHEN WE ARE DEPLOYING IT.

THIS IS JUST FOR ON DECK.

THEY ARE CRAZY DELICATE, AND YOU CAN BREAK THEM BY LOOKING AT THEM.

>> THERE IS ANOTHER TOOL THAT DOES ROUGHLY THE SAME THING BUT MUCH SLOWER.

INSTEAD OF PULLING AND DROPPING THE DEVICE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, IT IS DESIGNED TO TAKE IT'S TIME.

>> FALLS AT HALF A METER PER SECOND.

IT HAS THESE UMBRELLA WINGS THAT OPEN UP SO THAT IT HAS A NICE, STEADY DESCENT RATE AND FREE FALLS.

WE NEED IT TO FREEFALL NICE AND SLOW SO THAT THE SENSORS ON THE TIP OF IT, WHICH WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ONES.

ONE FIRST YEAR, AND ONE FOR MICRO TEMPERATURES.

SO THOSE CAN GO DOWN THROUGH THE WATER COLUMN ALMOST LIKE A PHOTOGRAPH.

>> Reporter: THE INFORMATION IT GATHERS HELPS RESEARCHERS UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF THE OCEAN AND HOW TURBULENCE AFFECTS THEM.

WARMER WATER NEAR THE SURFACE IS SEPARATED FROM DEEPER, COLDER WATER BY THE THERMO CLIMATE.

IT IS AN ACTIVE BARRIER BETWEEN WARM AND COLD, AND ALSO WHERE THE DIE HAS PERSISTED FOR NEARLY A WEEK.

RESEARCHERS ADDED AUDIO SNAPSHOTS OF THE WATER COLUMN THANKS TO AN ACOUSTIC DEVICE STRAPPED TO THE SIDE OF THE SHIP.

>> WE CAN'T USE LASERS, THINGS THAT USE LIGHT AND WATER.

BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, PROBABLY BY LOOKING AT THE OCEAN, YOU CAN'T SEE VERY FAR DOWN.

SOUND CAN PROPAGATE A LOT FURTHER.

>> Reporter: POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER SAYS THE ACOUSTIC SIGNALS ARE SENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN EVERY FEW MINUTES.

THE RETURN ECHO HELPS FILL IN THE GAPS THAT THE LARGER INSTRUMENTS MISS.

>> WE CAN ALSO TRACK THE POSITION, SO WE CAN TRACK IT WITH VERY HIGH RESOLUTION.

WE ARE HAVING ONE ACOUSTIC PROFILE EVERY MAYBE 1-5 METERS, WHICH IS MUCH HIGHER RESOLUTION THAN THE CTD THAT WE ARE DROPPING AND BRINGING BACK UP.

THAT IS MAYBE EVERY 100 METERS.

>> Reporter: FOR A SOLID WEEK, THE VESSEL SPENT EVERY DAY WITH INSTRUMENTS IN THE WATER, TRACKING THE DIE AND THE CONSTANTLY MOVING OCEAN.

RESEARCHER MATTHEW OFFERED HOPES THAT DATA WILL HELP OTHERS EXPLAIN THE UNDERWATER TURBULENCE.

>> THIS IS PROVIDING US WITH FUNDAMENTAL FLUID MECHANICS THAT IS SUPER CLIMATE RELEVANT.

>> Reporter: OCEANOGRAPHERS LINK THE UNDERWATER TURBULENCE BRINGS NUTRIENTS FROM THE DEEPER WATERS TO THE WARMER SURFACE LAYER OF THE OCEAN.

THAT FEEDS ALL MANNER OF PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE, CONTRIBUTING TO THE VIBRANT UNDERSEA ENVIRONMENT.

>> EMULATION LIKE THIS HAVE BEEN ON FOR YEARS, BUT FOR THIS ONE I REALLY LIKE TO SEE THE STRUCTURES IN THE DIE.

YOU CAN SEE HOW INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED THE TURBULENCE STRUCTURES ARE.

>> Reporter: OFFERED COMPARES THE UNDERWATER WAVES TO WHAT ONE MIGHT SEE ON THE SURFACE.

THE WIND DRIVEN FORCES HITTING THE SLOPE OF THE CANYON FUEL THE WATERS MOVEMENT, AND RESULTING PATTERNS ARE COMPLEX, BUT PROTECTABLE.

>> THIS DYE BEGINS AT THE BOUNDARY, BUT VERY QUICKLY, DUE TO CONVERGENCES IN THIS PROCESS, GETS SHOT OUT TO THE INTERIOR HERE.

AND THIS THREE-DIMENSIONAL ASPECT OF THE TURBULENCE IS NOT CAPTURED IN THE MODEL THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: IN THE WEEKLONG EXPERIMENT, THE DYE RELEASED IN THE OCEAN TEACHES RESEARCHERS ABOUT THE UNDERWATER WAVES, AND UNDERSTANDING THE VIGOROUS AND COMPLEX TURBULENCE THAT FEEDS LIFE NEAR THE CANYON IS A SMALL STEP TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING LARGER OCEAN PROCESSES THAT CAN AFFECT THINGS LIKE CLIMATE.

>> CLIMATE MODELS HAVE GRID CELLS.

THEY DIVIDE THE WHOLE OCEAN INTO GRID CELLS.

THE SMALLEST GRID CELL OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART CLIMATE MODEL IS SAN DIEGO COUNTY SIZE.

EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN LA JOLLA CANYON IS NOT REPRESENT IMPROPERLY IN CLIMATE MODELS.

WE HAVE TO TEACH THEM HOW TO REPRESENT THAT.

>> BETTER CLIMATE MODELS WILL LEAD TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING TO CHANGES THAT ARE COMING AS THE OCEANS WARM WITH THE REST OF THE PLANET.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE STORY WE HAD EARLIER FROM ANDREW BOWEN WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR OVER A KPBS.ORG THIS WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OTHERS.

>>> AND NATIONAL REPORTS THAT SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES IN THE U.S. A STEP FORWARD IN TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT.

>>> AND A GIANT BEAR CUB IS HEADED TO RAMONA.

WE WILL HAVE THE STORY COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> THIS WEEK WE SAW ALL SORTS OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATIONS.

THAT INCLUDES ONE IN THE HEART OF SAN DIEGO'S LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

REPORTER KATIE HEISS AND HAS THE STORY FROM HILLCREST.

>> Reporter: BENEATH THE TOWERING PRIDE FLAG, CANDLES FLICKER AROUND FRAMED PHOTOS OF LOVED ONES THAT HAVE DIED.

AND THEIR FAVORITE TREATS.

HOT TAMALES, FIREBALL WHISKEY, AND A LOAN CIGARETTE.

AT THE CENTER, A PAIR OF WORK LOVES WORN BLACK WITH USE.

TUCKED AMONG THE FRAMES ARE ICONS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY.

MEXICAN SINGER JUAN GABRIELLE WHO SONG PLAYS AS THEY PASS.

>> LAST YEAR FOLKS WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE OFRENDA ENDED UP DESTROYING IT.

>> Reporter: CARLA SAYS SHE IS ONE OF A DOZEN VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE BEEN GUARDING THE OFRENDA ALL DAY AND NIGHT TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT GET ANALYZE AGAIN.

SHE SAYS THE COMMUNITY OFRENDA GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE TO GRIEVE TOGETHER.

>> SOMETIMES THAT TAKES A LOT MORE STRENGTH AND COURAGE, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE EACH OTHER DURING A MOMENT OF PAIN.

>> MANY OF THE FACES IN THIS OFRENDA ARE NOTICEABLY DONE.

TORRES SAYS THAT REFLECTS DEATH BY SUICIDE, HOMICIDE, AND A.I.D.S.

AMONG THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY.

BUT MORE THAN GRIEVING, SHE SAYS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR LIVES.

KATIE HEISS AND, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THIS YEAR KPBS IS HOSTING A DIGITAL COMMUNITY OFRENDA .

WE INVITED KPBS VIEWERS, LISTENERS, AND READERS TO SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.

YOU CAN FIND IT ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG/DAY OF THE DEAD .

>>> IT IS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE CALIFORNIA VOTERS PASSED A MEASURE TO GUARANTEE ARTS AND MUSIC FUNDING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ SHOWS US HOW THE INVESTMENT IS PLAYING OUT LOCALLY.

>> Reporter: THIS MANTRA IS THE MESSAGE STUDENTS RECEIVE EVERY TIME THEY MEET FOR MISS MONTY'S DANCE AND THEATER CLASS AT WEBSTER ELEMENTARY, WHERE THERE IS PLENTY OF BOUNCING, DANCING, AND LEARNING GOING ON.

>> THE FIRST THING YOU SEE A BABY DO BEFORE THEY EVEN WALK IS BOUNCE.

>> Reporter: MISS MONTY IS MONICA HARRIS, A VETERAN DANCER, THEATER PRODUCER, TEACHER, AND PERFORMING ARTIST WITH SAN DIEGO UNIFIED VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM.

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD JADE ROADLESS HAS FOUND HER GROUP.

>> I LIKE DANCING BECAUSE IT GETS ME REALLY EXERCISED.

AND EVERY DAY I DANCE IT GETS ME MORE EXCITED.

>> Reporter: HARRIS WENT FROM A SUBSTITUTE TO REGULAR TEACHER IN 2019, WITH SPORADIC VISITS TO CLASSROOMS.

NOW SHE IS POISED TO TEACH MORE THAN 700 STUDENTS AT THREE DIFFERENT CAMPUSES THE SCHOOL YEAR.

LIKE OTHER TEACHERS, HER SCHEDULE IN EACH CLASSROOM IS GOING FROM ONCE A MONTH TO ONCE A WEEK IN SOME CASES.

THANKS TO THE VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA, WHO OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED PROPOSITION 28 LAST NOVEMBER, GUARANTEEING ARTS EDUCATION FUNDING FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE.

MONICA HARRIS TAKES THAT AS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR HER TALENT AND TEACHING.

>> WHAT THEY SAID TO ME AND TO US AS AN ARTISTIC COMMUNITY IS WE WANT LEGACY.

WHAT YOU HAVE, WE WANT YOU TO PASS THIS TO OUR CHILDREN SO THAT THE LEGACY OF THE ARTS, MUSIC, DANCE, THEATER, PAINTING, FILM, ALL OF THESE THINGS GETS PASSED ON TO OUR CHILDREN SO WE HAVE ANOTHER GENERATION OF ARTISTS.

>> Reporter: PROP 28 MONEY IS MAKING VISUAL ART MORE ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS MORE OFTEN AND WITH MORE RESOURCES.

>> THEY NEED TO LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE ALL OF THE VISUAL ELEMENTS THAT ARE WORLD THROWS AT THEM.

CONTINUOUSLY.

>> Reporter: HEATHER GONE WAS A LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER FOR 15 YEARS, BUT PAINTING IS HER PASSION.

SO SHE TRANSITIONED TO THE PROGRAM WHICH NOW HAS FUNDING FOR NEW IPADS, SO EVERY STUDENT CAN CREATE VISUAL ART WITH A DIGITAL PAINTBRUSH THAT CAN LEAD TO ARTWORK YOU HANG ON THE WALL.

CULTIVATING A NATURAL TENDENCY TO BE CREATIVE.

>> I THINK EARLY ON, IF IT'S NOT FOSTERED AND ALLOWED TO HAVE A SPACE WITHIN WHICH TO JUST EXPERIMENT AND NOT HAVE A RIGHT AND WRONG, THEN IT CAN BE SQUELCHED.

BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NERVOUS THAT I AM DOING RIGHT OR WRONG WITH ART.

>> Reporter: BEFORE PROP 28, GOD WAS TEACHING JUST ONE ART SESSION PER CLASSROOM EVERY FIVE WEEKS.

EVENTUALLY THE STUDENTS WILL HAVE OUR CLASS EVERY WEEK.

THERE IS A VISUAL ARTS VIBE AT SCHOOL NOW THAT SEVEN-YEAR-OLD ISABELLA IS ENJOYING.

DRAWING WITH HER NEW iPAD.

>> IT NEVER SNOWS IN CALIFORNIA SO I LIKE TO MAKE SOME SNOWMAN'S.

>> ARE YOU AN ARTIST?

>> YEAH, I LIKE TO DO SOME ART AND SOME CRAFTS AT HOME.

>> Reporter: THE EXPECTED $1 MILLION ALLOCATED EACH YEAR IN THE STATE BROUGHT IT BY PROP 28 IS GUARANTEED AND CANNOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING BUT ARTS EDUCATION.

THERE IS ALSO THE BENEFIT OF WELL-BEING FOR STUDENTS.

RUSS SPERLING IS THE DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S VAPA PROGRAM.

>> THE ARTS DO A LOT FOR MENTAL HEALTH, A LOT FOR WELL-BEING.

THEY CENTER US .

THEY GIVE US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> Reporter: AND MISS MONTY'S CLASS, THE DANCING HAS STARTED ACTING.

AND WITH EVERY LINE DELIVERED IN CHARACTER, THERE IS ALSO HOPE THAT AN INFUSION OF ARTS WILL LEAD TO BRIGHTER FUTURES WITH MANY MORE POSSIBILITIES.

AS LITTLE JADE ROADLESS TOLD US .

>> IT'S JUST REALLY FUN FOR ME.

>> WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

>> PROBABLY A POLICE OFFICER.

SO I CAN SAVE THE WORLD.

>> BRAVO.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> A RECENT STUDY SUGGESTS THAT ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS BENEFIT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY BY MORE THAN $1 BILLION EACH YEAR.

KPBS COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER WHEN LOOKS AT ONE ARTS ORGANIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDING BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: UP AND DOWN CARLSBAD VILLAGE THERE ARE SHOPS AND EATERIES EVERYWHERE.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT IS NEW VILLAGE ARTS, A MIDSIZE THEATER COMPANY THAT ATTRACTS MORE THAN 35 PEOPLE EACH YEAR.

>> VILLAGE ARTS PROVIDES $2.6 MILLION OF ECONOMIC IMPACT EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: CHRISTIE IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 22-YEAR-OLD COMPANY.

SHE SAYS THE ARTS AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY REPORT PROVES THAT HAVING A HEALTHY ARTS SCENE BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY.

>> BY HAVING AN ARTS ORGANIZATION IN A COMMUNITY LIKE CARLSBAD, YOU ARE ACTUALLY RISING THE TIDE FOR ALL OF THE OTHER BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU.

NOT JUST FINANCIALLY, BUT THEN YOU ARE ALSO FEEDING THE SOUL OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: NEW VILLAGE ARTS IS SURROUNDED BY RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS, AND EVERY TIME THERE IS A SHOW THE SHOP SAY THEY SEE AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS.

PURE PROJECT IS LOCATED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM NEW VILLAGE ARTS.

>> WE LOVE SUPPORTING THEM, AND THEY LOVE SUPPORTING US.

>> EVENT SUPERVISOR KYLIE SAYS SHE DEFTLY NOTICES AN INCREASE IN CUSTOMERS EVERY TIME THERE IS A SHOW.

>> WHEN THE SHOWS ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, THOSE MATINEE SHOWS, A MORNING.

PEOPLE GO TO THEIR BRUNCH, THEY GET THEIR NEW VILLAGE ARTS ON, THEN THEY WILL COME OVER TO US AND SWING BY FOR A BEER.

WE DEFINITELY SEE MORE FOOT TRAFFIC.

>> ONE THING THE STUDY HAS POINTED OUT AS THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO ATTEND THE SHOW TEND TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 40 OR $50 MORE PER PERSON OUTSIDE OF THE COST OF THE TICKETS.

>> I'M SURE THEY'RE GOOD.

BUT THEM ON THE SIDE.

>> Reporter: THIS REPORT INCLUDED THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.

70% OF THE STAFF IDENTIFIED AS BIPOC , WHICH STANDS FOR BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> WE CAN MAKE THE ARGUMENT OF WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FROM A CULTURAL STANDPOINT, BUT WHEN YOU CAN ALSO SHOW THAT IT IS JUST AS FINANCIALLY IMPORTANT, I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY INTO THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: SHOWING THAT ARTS CANNOT ONLY FEED THE SOUL, IT CAN ALSO FILL OUR BELLIES.

ALEXANDER WHEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MOVIES ARE ANOTHER ART FORM THAT WE DO NOT LASTING IMPACT.

THAT IS EVIDENT IN A NEW EXHIBIT BY THE LA JOLLA CULTURAL SOCIETY.

THIS WAS BACK ON THE UNICORN CINEMA, WHICH IS STILL FONDLY REMEMBERED MORE THAN 40 YEARS SINCE IT CLOSED ITS DOORS.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S NOT JUST THE MOVIES WE SEE, BUT WHERE WE SEE THEM THE MAKES AN IMPACT ON US.

>> GOING TO THE UNICORN WAS ALWAYS A TREAT.

IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE 50 OR 60 SEATS.

IT WAS QUITE SMALL.

AND ONCE SETTLED IN, ALL EYES WOULD BE ON THE SMALL SCREEN AT THE END OF THE HALL.

THE FLICKERS WOULD COME ON.

>> Reporter: JOHN RIBBLE WAS A TEENAGER GOING TO THE UNICORN CINEMA AND ITS ADJACENT BOOKSTORE IN THE 1970S.

THE LA JOLLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY CELEBRATES BOTH VENUES IN A VENUE CURATED BY CAROL HOLTON.

>> I'M SITTING IN THE UNICORN CHAIR, A PIECE OF MEMORABILIA IN OUR EXHIBITION.

EVERYBODY REMEMBERS THAT YOU HAVE TO ENTER THE UNICORN CINEMA BY GOING THROUGH THE BOOKSTORE FIRST, WHICH WAS ITS OWN KIND OF EXPERIENCE.

IT WAS A TYPICAL KIND OF BOHEMIAN ATMOSPHERE.

>> Reporter: BOTH VENUES OPENED IN 1964 AND CLOSED IN 1982.

>> IT WAS A REALLY SAD TIME FOR ANYBODY WHO REALLY LOVED FILM AND MOVIES.

>> I WAS THE LAST EMPLOYEE OF UNICORN CINEMA.

SO I TURNED THE KEY ON THE FINAL NIGHT, WHICH WAS KIND OF A SAD SITUATION.

WE HAD A FEW PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND AFTER THE MIDNIGHT SHOW.

AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL COUPLE OF YEARS EXPERIENCE.

THAT IS WHAT I WAS REALLY FIRST EXPOSED TO THE SAMURAI CINEMA.

>> IT WAS A PLACE THAT YOU SAW FRENCH NEW WAVE, YOU SAW GERMAN WAVE, YOU SAW STUFF FROM THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA.

>> THE UNICORN THEATER IS WHERE I LEARNED TO LOVE FOREIGN FILM.

SOME OF THE MOVIES GOT OUT AFTER THE BUSES RAN, SO THERE WERE TWO THINGS THAT I WANTED TO DO AFTER THE BUSES RAN.

THAT WAS MIDNIGHT MOVIES AT THE ACADEMY, AND THE UNICORN THEATER.

SO I BOUGHT A MOTORCYCLE EXPRESSLY TO COME TO THE UNICORN.

>> I'M JACKIE ESTRADA.

THE THING I REMEMBER THAT JUST POPPED IN MY HEAD WHEN YOU SAY UNICORN CINEMA WAS SEEING THOSE MOVIES, COMING OUT OF THE THEATER AND JUST DOING CAKES AS WE WERE WALKING TO OUR CAR, DANCING LIKE WE WERE IN A BERKELEY MOVIE.

WE WERE MEMBERS.

YOU GOT A MEMBERSHIP CARD.

YOU PUNCH IT EACH TIME YOU WENT.

AND THEN YOU GOT YOUR TENT MOVIE FREE.

>> THE MOST FAVORITE THING WAS THE MARATHON.

>> I CAN REMEMBER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA CAME ON.

AND I JUST KEPT NODDING OFF AND NODDING OFF, OPEN MY EYES, IT IS SAND, SAND.

YOU JUST GET A PHOTO I.D.

ADMISSION THING THAT YOU WOULD WEAR SO YOU CAN COME AND GO.

GO HOME, TAKE A NAP, COME BACK, ET CETERA.

>> I'M THE SON OF HAROLD DARLING, THE FOUNDER OF THE UNICORN CINEMA.

THE UNICORN WAS MY BABYSITTER.

IF MY PARENTS WERE BUSY THEY WOULD STICK ME IN.

>> HIS STEPMOTHER, SANDRA, DESIGN THE BROCHURES THAT NOW COVER THE EXHIBIT WALLS.

>> THE CINEMA HAD THESE REALLY AMAZING BROCHURES AND PROGRAMS.

THEY BECAME QUITE A COLLECTORS ITEM.

I PICKED OUT A NUMBER OF THESE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL AROUND.

>> WHY A CIRCLE?

THAT IS A CRAZY THING TO DO.

THEY JUST WOULD DO ANYTHING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY LOVED ABOUT SEEING THAT SHOW.

THE SENSE OF CREATIVE FREEDOM.

THEY JUST DID ANY OLD CRAZY THING THAT CAME TO THEIR MIND.

WHICH I LOVE.

>> EVEN THE BOOKSTORE FLOOR WAS AN ACT OF CREATIVITY.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY, SO THEY THREW A BUNCH OF OLD PAPER ON THE FLOOR AND LACQUERED IT.

SO IT WAS THIS INSANE COLLAGE.

>> I REMEMBER SITTING ON THAT FLOOR, EXPLORING THE COLLAGE, THEN WATCHING GLORIOUS FOREIGN FILMS LONG BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO APPRECIATE THEM.

BUT THE UNICORN'S PASSION FOR CINEMA CONTRIBUTED TO MY LIFELONG LOVE OF MOVIES.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE WRAP UP THIS NEWSCAST WITH ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK.

IT IS ABOUT ONE FAMILY'S MISSION TO HAVE THEIR PUMPKIN RISE ABOVE THE REST.

JACOB AIR TELLS US ABOUT THE GREAT PUMPKIN OF ESCONDIDO AND ITS FURRY BENEFICIARIES.

>> Reporter: IN KRISTIN AND JASON BUSHES ESCONDIDO BACKYARD, THEIR FAMILY SET OUT TO GROW MONSTER PUMPKINS A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> THIS IS OUR COVID HOBBY THAT WE STARTED WITH THE NEIGHBORS.

WE ALL SAID HEY, LET'S WORK IN OUR YARDS AND SEE HOW BIG A PUNK AND WE CAN GROW.

>> THEY HADN'T HAD MUCH SUCCESS UNTIL THIS YEAR.

>> THIRD TIMES THE CHARM.

WE GOT THIS 465 POUNDER.

PRETTY PROUD OF IT.

>> Reporter: JASON IS AN ENGINEER AND MADE A DEVICE TO KEEP IT IN PLACE.

BUT MOVING IT ISN'T EASY.

THE LARGEST OF THE TWO ATLANTIC GIANT PUMPKINS THEY GREW TOOK AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE TO LIFT AND A DOLLY TO MOVE AROUND.

BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE, THE BUSHES THOUGHT IT SHOULD HAVE A GREATER PURPOSE, LIKE BEING FOOD FOR ANIMALS.

BUT THEY HAD SOME TROUBLE FINDING A TAKER.

UNTIL THE SPOOKIEST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR.

>> WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING US WITH POSSIBLY THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE DONATED TO TWO BEAR CUBS THIS SUNDAY AT SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY'S RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER.

>> WE DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE NATURAL ENRICHMENT ALL OF OUR ANIMALS.

THE BEAR CUBS IN PARTICULAR, IT IS REALLY GOOD TO GIVE THEM ENRICHMENT THAT THEY CAN EAT OR TEAR APART.

SO, A 460 POUND PUMPKIN IS GOING TO BE AMAZING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TO THEM.

>> Reporter: ANGELA HERNANDEZ CUSICK IS THE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION SUPERVISOR.

SHE SAYS THE PUMPKIN DONATIONS ARE WELCOME FROM ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT CARVED OR TREATED WITH PESTICIDES.

>> WE WILL PROVIDE THIS PUMPKIN TO THE WILDLIFE.

WE CARVE THEM OUT, WE GIVE IT TO THEM WHOLE.

GIVE IT TO PRETTY MUCH ALL OF OUR SPECIES.

>> IS VITAL THE DIFFICULTY TO GROW AND MOVE THE SUPERSIZED GOURDS, THEY PLAN TO DO IT ALL AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

WITH EVEN BIGGER GOALS IN MIND FOR NEXT HALLOWEEN.

JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN STREAM KPBS CONTENT ANYTIME ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE.

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

I MET MATT HOFFMAN.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.