>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR , PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS BUT ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING THINK IT IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 >> I AM MAYA TRABULSI .

WINTER IS HERE AND SO IS A NEW STORM BRINGING WITH IT RAIN AND SNOW WHILE PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY TO KEEP FLOODING AND SLIDES.

KPBS REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN WITH A LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING DONE PICK >> THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL IS FORECAST FOR THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING WHICH FLOODING EXPECTED CHRISTMASY PICK FRIDAY WILL BRING A SECOND COLDER STORM WHICH SHOULD LEAVE A BLANKET OF SNOW IN MOUNTAIN AREAS.

ALEX TARDY, METEOROLOGIST WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE PRECIPITATION IS STARTING TO PUT A DENT IN THE STATEWIDE DROUGHT.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE A SLOW PROCESS AND WE ARE GOING TO NEED AT LEAST AVERAGE CONDITIONS FOR THE REST OF THIS WINTER BEFORE WE CAN START SAYING THERE IS MAJOR IMPROVEMENT OR EVEN GETTING OUT OF DROUGHT.

>> CITY CREWS HAVE BEEN PREPARING BY CONTINUING TO CLEAR OUT THE STORM DRAINS THEY CARRY RAINWATER FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE OCEAN PICK CITY SPOKESMAN SAID THAT HELPS PREVENT FLOODING AND THE RESIDENT CAN HELP BY PICKING UP TRASH AND DEBRIS AROUND STORM DRAINS AND PLACING TRASH AND RECYCLING BINS 2 TO 3 FEET FROM THE CURB SO THEY DO NOT BLOCK THE WATER FLOW PICK >> IT IS A PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH RESIDENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THEIR PART TO KEEP THE GUTTERS AND CURB CUTS CLEAR IN THEIR AREAS.

>> THE STORMS WILL BE RAINIER THAN LAST YEAR BUT NOT QUITE SO RAINY PICK ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> LET'S GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RAINFALL PREDICTION PICKETT IS A COLORFUL MATT PICHT COMING AT COMMUNITIES EXPECTING THE MOST ARE IN THE MOUNTAINS.

I SHOULD SEE AT LEAST THREE INCHES OF RAIN BUT COASTAL AND INLAND AREAS COULD GET UP TO TWO INCHES WHICH IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT FROM ONE STORE AND PICK WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THE WEATHER IN OUR FORECAST.

>>> TESTING SITES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ARE SEEING LONG LINES AS THE HOLIDAYS ARE FAST APPROACHING PICK KPBS REPORTER, KITTY ALVARADO, VISITED A TESTING SITE WHERE PEOPLE WERE WAITING FOR NEARLY AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE LIGHT TO GET TESTED FOR COVID BUT IT KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND GOING.

IT IS AMONG THE BUSIEST IN THE CITY.

COUNTYWIDE AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 20,000 TESTS ARE BEING GIVEN DAILY AS THE OMICRON VARIANT BECOMES DOMINANT.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WAITING IN THIS LINE?

>> ABOUT 45 MINUTES NOW.

>> Reporter: OMICRON IS, THAT IS A LONG WAIT.

KYLIE WAS WAITING IN LINE WITH HER FAMILY PICK SHE ONLY WANTS TO SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER IT DURING THEIR CHRISTMAS GATHERING PICK >> JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE KEEPING EVERYBODY SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME LIKE THIS WHEN WE ARE CLOSE TO OUR LOVED ONES, THAT WE ARE NOT INFECTING ANY OF THEM PICK >> I THOUGHT I GOT IN HERE EARLY ENOUGH TO GET IN AND OUT AND RUN SOME ERRANDS BUT WE DECIDED WE HAVE TO GET TESTED, WE ARE TRAVELING.

>> Reporter: MARKET WAS WAITING TOO.

SHE SAID THE LINE WAS GOING SMOOTHLY PICK AS A NURSE SHE SAYS SHE WILL FOLLOW THE STATE GUIDELINES AND RETEST AFTER HER TRIP.

VACCINATION IS A MUST IF WE WANT THE PANDEMIC TO AND PICK >> I HAVE A NURSE THAT IS A PATIENT WHO HAS A PATIENT DYING OF COVID.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO SEE THIS.

>> Reporter: DR. DAVID PRIDE SAYS THEY ARE FEELING THE SURGE AGAIN AND ARE SEEING UNPRECEDENTED POSITIVITY RATES.

>> WE JUST BROKE A RECORD FOR NUMBER OF POSITIVES IN A SINGLE DAY.

MEANING THAT THIS IS PROBABLY WORSE THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF SHEER NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INFECTED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE PROBLEM IS THE COMBINATION OF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AND TESTING THAT IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE PICK >> WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE TESTING AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET AND WE HAVE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO BE TESTED BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS KEEPING THIS PANDEMIC GOING RIGHT NOW IS THE FACT THAT IT'S SO HARD TO GET A TEST.

>> Reporter: WHILE HE IS GLAD PEOPLE ARE GETTING TESTED IN LARGE NUMBERS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS HE SAYS THAT NEGATIVE TEST IS NOT A FREE PASS TO SKIP COVID PRECAUTIONS PICK PEOPLE CAN TEST NEGATIVE, NOT FEEL SICK AND STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS.

>> THAT'S WHY WE DO DISTANCING EN MASSE BECAUSE ANY OF US COULD BE PRE-SYMPTOMATIC OR ASYMPTOMATIC AND SHUTTING THE VIRUS TO OTHER PEOPLE AND JUST NOT KNOW IT.

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEW SPEC >>> THE FOR INFORMATIONAL, 19 HAS GROWN IN RECENT DAYS PICK ON KPBS.ORG WE HAVE A PAGE SET ASIDE FOR ALL OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING AND CASE NUMBER SPEC WE HAVE A LINK TO COUNTY RESOURCES FOR TESTING ALL UNDER THE NEW SECTION AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> AN UGLY INCIDENT ON A FLIGHT TO SAN DIEGO HAS LED TO A GUILTY PLEA PICK VIVIANA NOW ADMITS TO VIOLENTLY ATTACKING A SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANT BACK IN MAY.

THE WORKER SUFFERED WILL CONTINUE AND OTHER INJURIES.

PROSECUTORS SAY IT HAPPENED BECAUSE SHE WAS UPSET ABOUT BEING ASKED TO WEAR A MASK.

A SENTENCE WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.

>>> AIR TRAVEL IS BUSIER THAN EVER PICK THE TSA SAYS ON WEDNESDAY THEY SCREENED MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE.

THAT IS MORE THAN THEY SCREENED IN 2019 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THAT THEY EXPECT TODAY TO BE AN EVEN BUSIER TRAVEL DATE THIS RIGHT THE SPREAD OF THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS OMICRON VARIANT.

TSA SAYS OF THE SPLINT IS GROWING 20 MILLION PEOPLE BETWEEN TODAY AND JANUARY 3.

THIS IS ALL HAPPENING AT CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY SEE A SPIKE IN COVID CASES LINKED TO THE NEW VARIANT DARRELL FORAGES UPDATES US ON THE NATIONAL SITUATION.

>> Reporter: OMICRON CONTINUES AS THE DOMINANT COVID 19 VERY NATIONWIDE PICK JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY REPORTS THAT U.S. IS AVERAGING MORE THAN 164,000 NEW COVID CASES A DAY.

THAT IS 36% HIGHER THAN A WEEK AGO PICK >> WE CANNOT EVER THINK WE ARE AHEAD OF IT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH NEW CASE NUMBERS ARE SURGING HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE STEADY.

>> HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOT BEYOND WHAT WE MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED PICK THE VIRUS HAS A WAY OF SURPRISING US.

>> Reporter: MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE TRAVELING AT THREE PANDEMIC LEVELS PICK TSA SAYS AIR TRAVEL WEDNESDAY SURPASSED 2019 LEVELS WITH MORE TRAVELERS EXPECTED TO TAKE TO THE SKIES THURSDAY PICK AMERICANS WAITING IN LONG LINES TRYING TO GET TESTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS PICK PRESIDENT BIDEN DEFENDING HIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> EMPTY SHELLS, NO TEST KITS, IS THAT A FAILURE?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS A FAILURE PICK YOU COULD ARGUE WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN A YEAR AGO, SIX MONTHS AGO, A MONTH AGO.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ENCOURAGING NEWS ON THE VARIANCE OMICRON MAY BE LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE SEVERE ILLNESS OR SEND YOU TO THE OFFICE THE HOSPITAL THAN PREVIOUS STRAINS OF THE VIRUS PICK THIS AS NEW TREATMENTS ARE COMING ONLINE PICK THAT DA AUTHORIZED MERCK'S PILLOW THURSDAY.

>> Reporter: DARRELL FORAGES, KPBS DUES.

>>> THIS TIME AFFECTING ACROSS TOWN MATCHUP FOR SAN DIEGO STATE'S MEN'S BASKETBALL PICK THIS IS A VIDEO FROM LAST NIGHTS WIN PICK THE NEXT GAME ON THE CALENDAR FOR TUESDAY IS SCRATCHED DUE TO COVID ISSUES WITH THE TEAM AT SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN COLLEGE PICK IT WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED PICK SDSU WILL NOW HAVE AN EXTENDED BREAK BEFORE A NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAME AGAINST UNLV ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

THE HOLIDAY BOWL IS A BACK FOR THE THE FIRST TIME IT WILL BE PLAYED AT PETCO PARK BRINGING LARGE CROWDS TO DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO PICK MORE NOW FROM MELISSA MAY PICK >> THE HOLIDAY BOWL RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019 AND ONE OF THE TEAMS IS ALREADY HERE PICK TODAY THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK ARRIVE TO PREPARE.

>> PEOPLE ARE STARVING FOR A BIG TIME FOOTBALL GAME.

RICK SLASHES THE MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR FOR THE STS CCU HOLIDAY BOWL.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE AMAZED AT HOW COOL IT LOOKS PICK >> THE COMFORT OF BALLPARK CAN HOLD UPWARDS OF 40,000 PEOPLE AND WILL BE AIRED ON FOX SPORTS PICK TRANSFORMING A BASEBALL DIAMOND INTO A FOOTBALL GRIDIRON WAS NO EASY TASK PICK >> FROM THE TIME THE PARTIES ENDED THEIR SEASON THEY HAD TO MOVE SOME SEATS AROUND PICK THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF TRANSFORMATION PICK THE SITE IS DOWN, THE FIELD IS LINE PICK IS READY TO GO.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR KNOWS THIS IS GREAT FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY PICK >> AT NOT ONLY DIRECTS THE EYEBALLS TO OUR CITY BUT IT ALSO BREAKS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THE TOWN AND THEIR CREDIT CARD.

>> WE ALSO BRING A LOT OF INCOME TO SAN DIEGO THROUGH TERROR IS HIM AND WE HAVE DONE NEARLY $1 BILLION PICK SINCE THE HOLIDAY BOWL STARTED IN 1978.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS ARE READY TO PUT ON A PARTY FOR SAN DIEGO AND ITS VISITORS PICKS RECHECK EVERYTHING IS DOWNTOWN PICK ON MONDAY NIGHT WITH GOD AND EVENT, BUNCH OF 80 SINGERS AND BANDS HERE OUT AT CALICO SQUARE PICK >> Reporter: THERE IS ALSO THE HOLIDAY BOWL PARADE ON TUESDAY MORNING THAT WILL MARCH ON THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN AND INCLUDES THE NATION'S LARGEST BALLOON PARADE, MARCHING BANDS, FLOATS AND DRILL TEAMS.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A FIGHT OVER WHO SHOULD PICK UP TRASH AND ONE SOUTHEASTERN SAN DIEGO NEIGHBORHOOD IS COMING TO A HEAD BACK I NEWS INVESTIGATOR TELLS US WHAT IS AT STAKE PICK >> PLASTIC AND DEBRIS LITTERED THE SIDEWALK PICK FOR 20 YEARS ORGANIZATION FUNDED AND MANAGED BY LOCAL PROPERTY OWNERS HAS HANDLED KEEPING THE STREETS CLEAN PICK THAN THE CITY TOOK OVER IN JULY PICK >> NOW SOME PROPERTY OWNERS SAY THE QUALITY HAS GONE DOWN PICK THEY PAY EXTRA FOR THE SERVICES I WANT TO STOP HOPING TO DISSOLVE THE MAINTENANCE GROUP ALTOGETHER PICK CONNIE, WHO OWNS RENTAL PROPERTY IN LOGAN HEIGHTS SAYS THAT WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES PICK >> IT COULD BE DIRTY PICK IT'S GOING TO BE DIRTY PICK I WILL TAKE CARE MY STAY HERE PICK I ALWAYS TOLD MY TENANTS YOU GET OUT THERE WITH A BROOM AND SWEEP THE SIDEWALK PICK I DON'T WANT TO SEE TRASH PICK PULL WEEDS.

WE LOOK AT THE STREET CLEAN.

INITIALLY SOME OF THE BUSINESSES SAID HEY WE DON'T WANT TO PAY THIS, WE CAN HIRE SOMEBODY TO GO OUT AND SWEEP EVERY DAY PICK >> THAT PROCESS OF DISSOLVING THE GROUP REQUIRES A PETITION BY PROPERTY OWNERS, THEN A PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL BY THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL PICK >> SOPHIA PASCO.

>> IT IS THAT NONPROFIT FUNDED PARTNER BY KPBS.

>>> THAT IS WHEN THE SUPREME COURT HAS SCHEDULED OR ARGUMENTS AND CHALLENGES TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VACCINE MANDATES PICK SUPREME COURT JUSTICES WERE ASKED TO STEP IN AFTER LOWER COURT DISPUTES OVER THE MANDATES PICK THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID IT WILL NOT IMPLEMENT THE MANDATE OUT MORE THAN 10 MILLION HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHILE THE MANDATES ARE BEING LEGALLY CHALLENGED.

STOMACH IS THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY STRUGGLES TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES SOME HOSPITALITY GROUPS ARE GETTING CREATIVE WITH THE HOPES OF ATTRACTING NEW TALENT PICK REPORTER CHRIS WITH A LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

>> ARE YOU DOING OKAY?

>> WITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN FULL SWING RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE BUSY ONCE AGAIN PICK >> IT IS NOT EASY PICK IS NOT THE SAME AS IT USED TO BE.

>> Reporter: A LABOR SHORTAGE IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON WORKERS WHO HAVE FACED SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY SAYS THE PANDEMIC BEGAN PICK >> IT CAN BE SO CRUSHING SOMETIMES.

>> Reporter: IN SOME KITCHENS A NEW RECIPE IS IN THE WORKS ALL AIMED AT PRESERVING EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH.

>> I LOVE COMING IN AND SEEING THE STAFF INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND HELP EACH OTHER AND JUST GROW TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: DC-BASED FARMERS RESTAURANT GROUP HAS TEAMED UP WITH ONLINE THERAPY PROVIDER TALK SPACE TO OFFER COUNSELING TO THE ENTIRE STAFF AT NO COST >> IT IS ABOUT BEING TREATED LIKE A HUMAN BEING AND NOT LEAVING YOUR PROBLEMS AT THE DOOR.

>> Reporter: CO-OWNER DAN SAYS EMPLOYEES WHO ARE HAPPY AND HEALTHY ARE LESS LIKELY TO LEAVE WHICH OFFERS MUCH-NEEDED STABILITY.

>> YOU TAKE THAT STIGMA AWAY FROM MENTAL HEALTH AND YOU MAY GET HELP AND IT MAKES PEOPLE WANT TO WORK FOR YOUR COMPANY LONGER PICK >> A NATIONAL SURVEY, ABOUT 70% OF RESTAURANT OPERATORS SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO MEET CUSTOMER DEMAND PICK >> WE HAVE GOT A RESTAURANT WORKFORCE THAT WANTS TO PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD, THEY WANT TO GIVE CUSTOMERS THE BEST EXPERIENCE PICK >> Reporter: WITH RESTAURANTS OFFERING ON OPERATING ON THIN PROFIT MARGINS THEY ARE GETTING CREATIVE WITH BENEFITS PICK SOME OFFER ACCESS TO PRE-FRESH NATIONAL COUNSELING.

OTHERS ARE EXPERIMENTING WITH FOUR DAY WORK DAYS WITH MANAGERS PICK >> EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE WHY RESTAURANT WE CAN BE SO FULFILLING.

>> Reporter: MANY RESTAURANTS HOPING TO COMBINE THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS PICK >> YOU TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESS AND YOU GENERATE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT PICK >> AND WANTING TO COME I AM CHRIS WHEN PICK >>> ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STORMS WE HAVE SEEN FOR A WHILE IS MOVING THROUGH TONIGHT.

>> A SOAKING RAIN WERE GETTING THROUGH TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW MORNING PICKETT IS GOING TO MAKE A MESS OF THINGS OUT THERE BREAK THERE IS A CONCERN FOR FLOODING PICK AS WE LOOK AROUND THE REGION THE COOL AIR LINGERING BEHIND AND EVEN A FEW SHOWERS STAYING WITH US IN THE FORECAST GETTING PRETTY MESSY AS WE HEAD TOWARD CHRISTMAS EFFECT THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A FLOOD WATCH IN PLACE PICK THE CONCERN FOR FLOODING IS PROMINENT ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION FOUR ASPECT THAT INCLUDES THE AMOUNTS WHERE THEY COULD SEE 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN AND TOWARD THE COAST WHERE WILL SEE AN INCH OF RAIN POSSIBLE PICK AS WE GOT THERE TONIGHT YOU CAN SEE THE RAIN ICONS ALL ACROSS THE BOARD AND TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE UPPER 50s PICK 54 FOUR OCEANSIDE PICK MT.

LAGUNA, 39 PICK >> VERY HEAVY EVEN AS WE GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE EVENING PICK STILL WORKING ITS WAY ON THROUGH PICK GETTING INTO TOMORROW MORNING YOU MIGHT BE THINKING WE ARE CATCHING A BREAK EARLY ON BUT THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE PICKETT WILL PICK UP AGAIN AS WE GO TOWARD DAYBREAK PICK 6:00 A.M.

STILL SOME HEAVY RAIN TRYING TO MOVE OUT.

WE ARE STILL GOING TO KEEP A SHOWER PICKETT IS NOT GOING TO BE A DRY DAY BY ANY STRETCH OF THE MAIN PICK WE KEEP THE RAINFALL CHANCES REMAINING AS MORE OF THE MOISTURE FOCUSES ITS WAY ON INTO THE INTERIOR SOUTHWEST FOUR ASPECT 63 FOR THE HIGH PICK STILL A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS WORKING ON THROUGH PICK WE ARE STILL GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THE RAIN PICK BODY SHOWERS, EVEN A FEW RUMBLES OF THUNDER CANNOT BE COMPLETELY RULED OUT PICK THE RAINFALL DOES START TO QUIET DOWN INTO FRIDAY NIGHT BUT THEY'RE STILL GOING TO BE SOME CLOUDS, SOME SHOWERS PICK GOOD THING THAT SANTA HAS RUDE OFF THERE TO GUIDE HIS SLEIGH PICK MORE OF THE ENERGY WILL TAKE PLACE NORTH OF US GETTING INTO SATURDAY SO WE WILL WATCH A LOT OF THAT MOISTURE START TO LEAVE THE AREA PICK FOR THE COAST PRETTY WET FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS AND INTO TOMORROW PICK DRYER FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BY KEEPING THINGS COOL PICK INLAND LOCATIONS ALSO STAYING IN THE MID-50s FOR HIGHS FORCE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PICK AFTER WE DEAL WITH THE RAIN IT WILL STAY A LITTLE BIT COOL PICK WE CANNOT RULE OUT THAT SPOTTY SHOWER IN A FEW LOCATIONS PICK PRETTY CHILLY BY SUNDAY PICK A LITTLE BIT OF AN ICY MIX TRYING TO COME THROUGH HEADING INTO MONDAY WHERE WE GET OUR NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN INCLUDING MANY LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE DESERT.

>>> WHEN YOU GET DRESSED EACH MORNING YOU MAY NOT THINK WHAT YOU ARE WEARING IS ARE ABOUT A NEW EXHIBIT AND BALBOA PARK MAY INSPIRE YOU TO LOOK AT FABRIC IN A NEW WAY PICK KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH ACCOMANDO TAKES YOU TO THE LANGUAGE OF TEXTILES PICK >> THE JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN PROVIDES THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR AN EXHIBIT THAT WANTS TO TEACH YOU THE LANGUAGE OF TEXTILE.

>> WE SET IT UP LIKE THIS SO PEOPLE COULD WANDER THROUGH THEM BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE TO EXPENSE TEXTILES.

>> Reporter: JEFF IS THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS .

WHEN MOST PEOPLE LOOK AT A PIECE OF FABRIC AND SEE IT ONLY AS SOMETHING FUNCTIONAL HE SEES IT AS SOMETHING MORE.

>> IF THEY DO NOT DESIGN A FABRIC FOR A SPECIFIC PERSON AND HOW TO USE THE FABRIC IS PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SO FABRIC LIKE THIS CAN END UP AS A KIMONO.

>> WE PUT A LOT INTO DEVELOPING NEW FIBER FABRICS WITH NEW FIBERS FROM CHEMICAL COMPANIES.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHERE THE ARTISTRY AND CRAP COMES INTO PLAY PICK >> THIS ONE IS CALLED STAIN GLASS PICK THE BACK IS POLYESTER PICKETT IS WOVEN AS ONE PIECE.

THE SILKSCREEN PATTERN AND A SPECIAL CHEMICAL ISSUES THAT WILL MELT THROUGH THE COTTON AND STOP WHEN IT HITS THE POLYESTER SO THAT'S HOW YOU END UP WITH THIS PATTERN.

>> Reporter: IT EXPLORES THE EVOLUTION OF TEXTILE DESIGN.

>> DESIGN ON THE WHOLE HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS.

I THINK YOU KNOW HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE IN THIS CHANGE.

>> Reporter: TAKE THIS FABRIC THAT USES BANANA LEAVES.

>> WHEN A TYPHOON COMES THROUGH BANANA LEAVES ARE BROKEN OUT AND THEY HAVE BEEN DISCARDED.

THEIR BIG EFFORT IS TO ELIMINATE WASTE IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS PICK THEY ARE ABLE TO TAKE THESE BROKEN BANANA LEAVES, MELT THEM DOWN INTO GEL AND COAT COTTON FIBER WITH A PICK >> Reporter: THEY CREATE INTEGRATED DESIGNS AS WELL AS ONE SETTING CORPORATE FEATHERS INSIDE THE FABRIC PICK >> THIS FABRIC IS WOVEN ON THE JACQUARD MACHINE AND IT MAKES POCKETS PICK BEFORE THE POCKET IS STILL THEY STOPPED THE MACHINE UP OF FEATHERS IN BY HAND BETWEEN THE TWO LAYERS PICK THEY RESTART THE MACHINE AND IT SEALS THE POCKET.

>> Reporter: ONE BEAUTIFUL AND IMPRESSIVE EXAMPLE IS SOMETHING CALLED ORIGAMI.

>> THEY MADE A PAPER PATTERN AND TOOK THE POLYESTER INTO THE PAPER PATTERN AND HEAT SET IT IN THE POLYESTER TAKES ON THAT PATTERN SO IT LOOKS LIKE THIS PICK WHEN YOU PUT IT BACK DOWN IT JUST GOES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SHAPE.

>> Reporter: THE LANGUAGE OF TEXTILES WILL TEACH YOU TO SPEAK WITH A WHOLE NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE PROCESS OF CREATING FABRIC PICK THE EXHIBIT RUNS THROUGH FEBRUARY 27.

BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE WRAP UP 20 2021 KPBS EVENING EDITION IS LOOKING BACK AT SOME OF OUR BEST FEATURE REPORTING PICK ONE OF OUR BEST STORIES WHERE A BRAND-NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS PROVIDING YOUNG ARTISTS A SPACE TO THRIVE PICK KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER M.G.

PEREZ SHOWS US THE NEW TOOL FOR SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE.

>> Reporter: MAKES EVERY MOVEMENT WITH MEETING PICK SHE IS A DANCER LEARNING HOW TO EXPRESS HER ARTISTIC TALENT AND DEVELOP TENACITY PICK >> IT IS A HUGE ADRENALINE RUSH PICK YOU FEED OFF THE AUDIENCE PICKETT IS AN UNREAL FEELING IF I AM BEING HONEST PICKETT IS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ONE OF THE FIRST STUDENTS TO TAKE CLASSES HERE AT THE NEW 41,000 SQUARE FOOT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE PICK THIS BRAND-NEW COLLEGE IS STATE OF THE ART.

MARY BETH IS DETERMINED TO USE HER MODERN CLASSROOM STUDIO TO TRAIN AND CULTIVATE THE DISTINCT AND DIVERSE TALENT COMING FROM THE SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY PICK >> SOME ARE COMING IN WITH POLYNESIAN TRAINING, BELLY DANCE, LATIN AND YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THOSE SAME PEOPLE IN THE BALLET CLASS OR A MUSICAL THEATER CLASS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE LARGE AUDITORIUM ROOM WHICH WILL BE USED FOR CONCERTS, DANCE CONCERTS AND OCCASIONALLY FOR THEATER PERFORMANCE AFFECT THE SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS NOT JUST FOR LEARNING PICKETT'S FOR ENTERTAINING TOO THE SCHOOL WALL-MOUNTED STUDENT PRODUCTIONS ARE SCHEDULED ALONGSIDE EVENTS PRODUCED BY PROFESSIONAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY WITH THE SAN DIEGO OPERA.

AND THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY TO LEASE THE SPACE IN THE FUTURE.

COMPLEX, $66 MILLION TO DESIGN AND BUILD, ALL OF IT WAS PAID WITH FOUND MONEY APPROVED BY LOCAL VOTERS APPROVED IN 2016 PICK >> WE THANK THE VOTERS WHO SAW THE VISION FOR WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE IF THEY JUST INJECTED SOME FUNDS HERE.

>> Reporter: THIS CORNER OF THE CAMPUS WHERE THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SITS WAS AN EMPTY LOT FOR 50 YEARS PICK GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN FROM THE SOUTH BAY WOULD COME HERE AT CHRISTMAS TO PICK A TREE WITH THEIR FAMILY OR ENJOY THE PUMP CAN PATCH AT HALLOWEEN PICK NOW THIS CORNER OFFERS MUCH MORE THAN JUST FUN BUT OPPORTUNITY LIKE NEVER BEFORE PICK >> I LOVE YOU AND I'M TRYING TO MAKE THIS WORK BUT YOU MAKE IT SO DIFFICULT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY.

>> FRESHMAN TAYLOR WIGGINS WROTE THIS MONOLOGUE PICK SHE US A STUDENT AND ACTING ONE CLASS PICK SHE WANTS TO BE AN ACTRESS OR PLAYWRIGHT SOMEDAY PICKS JIK REGULAR BEING SO VULNERABLE AND SHARING THAT WITH US, TAYLOR.

THAT'S GREAT THAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AND YOU TRUST US ALL TO LISTEN TO YOUR STORY.

>> Reporter: TAYLOR SAYS SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR HER EDUCATION AND THE NEW AND IMPROVED RESEARCH SOUTHWESTERN HAS TO OFFER HER AND OTHER STUDENTS OF COLOR PICK 90% OF THE STUDENT POPULATION COMES FROM HISTORICALLY MINORITY AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.

ALMOST 70% OF THEM ARE HISPANIC PICK JIK IT IS VERY SPACIOUS SO I APPRECIATE THAT AS A DANCER.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS TO BE A CHOREOGRAPHER AND MAYBE ONE DAY START HIS OWN DANCE STUDIO PICK THIS IS WHERE THE DREAM BEGINS FOR HAND-PICKED JIK ENGLISH WAS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE.

I HAVE A LOT OF MEXICAN BACKGROUND AND I REALLY APPRECIATE PICK I'M ALSO A LATIN DANCER PICK I CAN REALLY GET IN TOUCH WITH MY ROOTS PICK >> PROFESSOR HARDBACK HAS SPENT 31 YEARS ON THE SOUTHWESTERN FACULTY TEACHING AND CREATING A COMMUNITY OF NEXT-GENERATION DANCERS PICK SHE PROVIDES THE EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT THAT OFTEN TAKES HER STUDENTS MUCH FARTHER THAN THE STAGE PICK >> I THINK DANCE GIVES THEM A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE THAT THEY START TO COME OUT OF THEIR SHELL A LITTLE BIT AS THINKING TECHNIQUE AND AS THEY PERFECT THEIR CRAFT.

>> Reporter: JUST A FEW WEEKS INTO THE FALL SEMESTER THIS MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IS ALREADY YIELDING A PROFIT.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

STOMACH THAT IS THE KIND OF STORY YOU SEE DURING A SPECIAL BROADCAST WE ARE PULLING TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS WEEKEND.

KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK WILL BE A SHOWCASE FOR SOME OF OUR BEST ARTS AND CULTURAL REPORTING FROM 2021 PICK THE FIRST AIRING WILL BE FRIDAY NIGHT, CHRISTMAS EVE AT 8:30 PICK THERE WILL BE OTHER EARRINGS SET THE WEEKEND AND YOU CAN STREAM THE SHOW AT THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW .

NPR'S MORNING EDITION WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE SURGE IN HOLIDAY TRAVEL DESPITE A RISE IN COVID 19 CASES PICK WHERE SEEING CROWS AND AIRPORTS THAT RIVAL PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS ROUNDTABLE TO MOUNT TALKING WITH THE HOUSE OF LOCAL PODCAST THAT ARE PRODUCED RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE TREE AND ATE, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.