>>> 84, A BUILDING THAT BEGAN ITS LIFE 90 YEARS AGO, AS AN ORNATE FOX MOVIE THEATER.

SYMPHONY OURS WAS BUILT AROUND AND OVER IT, BUT THAT WAS 38 YEARS AGO.

SYMPHONY MANAGEMENT DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR A MAJOR UPDATE.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING IN THE REALM OF RENOVATION IS GOING ON BEFORE YOU EVEN GET INSIDE.

THIS SCAFFOLDING GIVES YOU A CLUE AS TO WHAT'S HAPPENING BEHIND THE ORIGINAL FOX THEATRE DOORS.

>> HOW DO WE TAKE THE 1932 INTRATER MOVIE PALACE AND TURN IT INTO A 2022 OR 2023 SYMPHONY HALL?

>> Reporter: A MAJOR CHALLENGE, TO BE SURE.

ONCE IT'S UNDERWAY NOW, AS YOU CAN SEE -- >> YOU CAN SEE THIS TENDER, LOVING, ADORING CARE OF THIS INCREDIBLE VENUE, WHILE STILL BRINGING PERKS OF THE 21st CENTURY.

>> Reporter: THE ARCHITECTURE, SPANISH BROKE BREATHTAKING DETAIL EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK.

>> IT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED OR DAMAGED OR TINKERED WITH IN ALL THESE YEARS.

AND SO, WE'RE REALLY PRESERVING THAT.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE NEW BOX SEATS WITH A JULIET BALCONY USED FOR SEATING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE STAGE IS BEING RECONFIGURED.

A NEW ORCHESTRA ENCLOSURE WILL GREATLY IMPROVE ACOUSTICS FOR MUSICIANS AND THE AUDIENCE.

A NEW CORAL TERRACE WILL ALLOW FOR LARGE CHOIRS TO ACCOMPANY THE ORCHESTRA, OR IT CAN BE USED FOR AUDIENCE SEATING.

THIS DECORATIVE METAL MESH WILL ADD TO ACOUSTICAL EXCELLENCE.

THERE WILL BE NEW SEATING AND NEW WAYS TO CONFIGURE IT, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT OF SIGHT IS ALSO IMPRESSIVE.

A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM, WITH THE ARCHITECTS MAKING USE OF PREVIOUSLY-UNUSED SPACE, MAKING ROOM FOR THINGS LIKE STORAGE OF INSTRUMENTS.

WHEN TAKEN ALTOGETHER, IT IS A MAJOR GIFT FOR MUSIC LOVERS, AND A DREAM COME TRUE FOR THE SYMPHONY'S MUSIC DIRECTOR.

>> IT'S FANTASTIC.

I FEEL GREAT.

>> Reporter: RAFAEL HAS ALREADY EXTENDED HIS CONTRACT ONCE.

HIS PASSION IS BRINGING THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY TO NEW HEIGHTS.

>> THIS IS ONE WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD, TRYING TO GO HIGHER AND HIGHER WITH HER >> Reporter: IT'S SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE FALL OF 2023, AND IT'S AN EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING.

125 MILLION, MOST OF IT, COMING FROM DONORS.

THAT COMBINED WITH THE RAINY SHELL, THE NEW INDOOR HOME FOR THE SYMPHONY, WILL MOVE SAN DIEGO INTO A NEW ECHELON WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC A PROPOSITION WHICH REALLY IS PRICELESS.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE CONVOY ASIAN CULTURAL DISTRICT ARE KNOWN FOR COMMUNITY CULTURE.

NOW, YOU CAN ADD THIS TO THE LIST.

KPBS' REPORTER, JACOB AYRES, TELL US ABOUT THE DISTRICT CELEBRATING SAN DIEGO'S BLACK HERITAGE.

>> Reporter: WALK INTO THE WORLD-FAMOUS IMPERIAL VIRAL BARBERSHOP AND YOU WILL FIND HOMAGE TO BLACK HISTORY AND ARTIFACTS AND ART.

IN THE HEART OF THE RECENTLY DESIGNATED BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT, WILL THIS COMMUNITY MAY ACTUALLY GROW, AND GROWTH MEANS ART IS THE FOUNDATION.

>> IT'S OUT-OF-CONTROL, BRO.

>> Reporter: THE SHOP'S OWNER, FOR HIM, THE ART ISN'T JUST INSIDE.

THE BACK PARKING LOT FEATURES SOME OF THE DISTRICT'S LARGEST ART PIECES TODAY.

>> WE HAVE HAD ARTISTS OUT HERE TO PAINT CERTAIN ARTS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OUR EXPRESSION OF WHERE WE'RE AT MENTALLY, CULTURALLY.

SO, WHAT YOU SEE, RIGHT HERE, IS BASICALLY A WHOLE THING OF JUST DIFFERENT ARTISTS THAT COME OUT FROM SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO THAT'S VERY, VERY TALENTED.

>> Reporter: ARTS IN THE DISTRICT COMES IN ALL DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES, AND LOCAL ARTISTS.

>> I PAINTED A NUMBER OF MURALS ON THIS STREET AND IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS OVERJOYED WHEN THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.

>> TEARS OF JOY, OF COURSE.

THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE WE SEE ANOTHER COMMUNITY, LIKE CHICANO PARK, YOU IMMEDIATELY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.

YOU FEEL A SENSE OF CULTURE AND PRIDE.

AND SO, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS FELT WE DESERVE, AND THAT WE NEED.

>> Reporter: THE NEW CULTURAL DISTRICT COVERS EIGHT BLOCKS ALONG IMPERIAL AVENUE, INCLUDING MEMORIAL PARK THIS PART OF TOWN ONCE HOSTED SUMMERTIME STREET FAIRS.

>> VENDORS FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER.

HEADLINER BANDS, AND JUST EVERYBODY WOULD COME OUT HERE, WONDERFUL WEATHER, AMERICA'S FAVORITE CITY, ENJOYING EACH OTHER.

THIS PARK BECAME THE STAPLE OF THAT.

WE WANT TO BRING THAT BACK.

>> Reporter: THAT'S THE CEO OF THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, URBAN WARRIORS.HE SAYS, SAN DIEGO USED TO BE KNOWN AS HARLEM OF THE WEST, AND HE HOPES IT WILL SOON BE THAT AGAIN.

>> BUT WE DON'T DO THIS ON PURPOSE, CREATE AN EPICENTER TO WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND A COMMON GROUND AND SEE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THIS, SEE HERE THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS, HEAR MUSIC THAT SPEAKS OF US, YOU CAN FORGET WHO YOU ARE.

>> Reporter: THE ARTS DISTRICT, PART OF SAN DIEGO'S CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT BOARD, REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL NUMBER MONICA MONTGOMERY.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRESERVING HISTORY.

THIS IS THE DISTRICT THAT, HISTORICALLY, HAS HOUSED THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN SAN DIEGO.

THIS DISTRICT EXPERIENCED THE RED LINING.

THIS IS THE DISTRICT WHERE WE FORMED COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE DESIGNATION NEEDS FUNDING TO IMPROVE STOREFRONTS, ENHANCE LANDSCAPING , AND SUPPORT SMALL BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS ADDING FREEWAY SIGNAGE.

GRANT FUNDING WILL BE OVERSEEN BY THE SAN DIEGO AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, WHICH IS FORMING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO GET COMMUNITY INPUT.

GARY FINI IS THE ADVISOR.

>> PEOPLE COME TO ME AND WONDER WHERE THE BLACK REALLY IS.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

SO, HAVING AN AREA TO BE DESIGNATED TO BE DEVELOPED, THAT DESIGNATION FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE, YOU CAN BE PROUD OF THE AREA.

>> Reporter: FINI SAYS, THE WEBSITE FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD WILL BE LOST IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

PHYLLIS B PLANS TO PROVIDE HER VOICE FOR THE EVOLUTION.

>> A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING, FROM STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR STRUCTURE CHANGES, AS FAR AS DRIVING DOWN IMPERIAL.

UNIFICATION WHEN IT COMES TO JUST THE LANDSCAPING, TREES, DEFINITELY MORE MURALS.

WE JUST WANT TO SEE LOVE POURED INTO THE AREA.

>> Reporter: BACK AT THE WORLD- FAMOUS IMPERIAL BARBERSHOP, THERE'S ALREADY AN INCREASE IN THE COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HEALING THIS DESIGNATION CAN BRING.

>> WE NEED A CULTURE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY.

HEART WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE HOOD.

THE CULTURAL PART OF IT HAS TO COME, WHETHER IT'S ART, WHETHER IT'S SPORTS -- IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THERE THAT PEOPLE CAN GRAB A HOLD.

I BELIEVE ART IS THE UNIVERSAL MESSAGE FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, ART IS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER EMERY WHITMAN MEMORIAL PARK LAST WEEKEND, THE PARK WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES IN THE DISTRICT TO SEE UPGRADES.

JACOB, KPBS NEWS .

>> ART IS AN OUTLET THAT CAN GIVE PEOPLE INSPIRATION TO KEEP GOING, ESPECIALLY ON THE WORST OF TIMES.

THAT'S PARTICULARLY TRUE FOR REFUGEES, WHO FOUND THEIR WAYS TO SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR.

KPBS' REPORTER, JENNY ALVARADO, WITH THIS STORY OF A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER FROM UKRAINE.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIAN REFUGEES FEEL VERY MUCH AT HOME IN THIS SPANISH-STYLE HOUSE IN SAN DIEGO .

HERE, THEY FEEL FREE TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE.

CONNIE WILLIG WELCOMES THEM INTO HER HOME AND EVEN OPEN HER ART STUDIO FOR RIVERA, WHO SAYS, THE SPONSOR FAMILY KICK THEM OUT ON THE A MONTH AFTER THEY ARRIVED FROM POLAND.

>> WE ARE VERY LUCKY, LISTING THE HOME WITH THE ROOM ON AIRBNB IN FEBRUARY, AFTER THE WAR STARTED.

I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING AT ALL.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, AN INCREDIBLE PAINTER JUST DROPS OUT OF THE SKY, RIGHT INTO MY GARAGE, MY HOUSE, AND IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL >> Reporter: VERA'S HUSBAND IS A MILITARY AIRPLANE MECHANIC NEEDED IN THE WAR EFFORT IN UKRAINE.

RIVERA SAYS, BEFORE THAT EXPERIENCE, FLEEING FROM THE WAR WAS HER LOWEST POINT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE WILL I BE NOW IF CONNIE DIDN'T HELP US.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: VERA CAN SMILE AGAIN, BECAUSE HER DAUGHTER IS SAFE AND SHE CAN PAINT AGAIN.

SHE'S AN PUBLISHED ARTIST WITH HER OWN STUDIO IN UKRAINE, WHERE SHE TAUGHT ART.

SO, THIS STUDIO, WHERE SHE CAN PAINT HER FAMOUS SUNFLOWERS, HAS BROUGHT HER BACK TO LIFE.

>> WE CAN FIELD DIFFERENT FEELINGS.

SO HER GOAL IS TO ONCE AGAIN EARN A LIVING FOR HER ART SHE CAN SUPPORT HER FAMILY WHILE SHE'S HERE.

WHAT SHE STRUGGLES WITH NOW ARE WAS AN MOMENTS.

>> IT HELPS YOU FEEL BETTER AND WE FEEL FREE TO EVERY TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES THIS PIECE, THAT CAPTURES THE SUNFLOWER, CALLED "TIME INSPIRES OTHERS," TO LEARN FROM THE MOMENT SHE WISHES SHE WOULD HAVE SAVORED MORE.

>> DIFFICULT WHEN YOU WON'T DO THAT, BUT IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THAT DREAM.

>> Reporter: KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SPORTS IS PART OF OUR CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT, AND THIS YEAR, SAN DIEGO OPENED UP A STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW VENUE.

DRAGON STADIUM DEBUTED IN SEPTEMBER, THE HOME OF SDSU FOOTBALL AND SAN DIEGO WAIVE SC.

THE TEAM SET A NEW RECORD FOR BIGGEST CROWD FOR WOMEN SOCCER IN THE U.S., WITH MORE THAN 32,000 FANS.

>>> IT WAS ALSO A BREAKOUT YEAR FOR THE SAN DIEGO PADRES.

THEY MADE A DEEP RUN IN THE PLAYOFFS, WHICH INCLUDED HOSTING THEIR FIRST HOME PLAYOFF GAME WITH BANDS SINCE 2006.

MANY OF THEIR STAR PLAYERS WILL BE BACK IN 2023.

>>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR OF REBUILDING FOR A YOUTH BOXING PROGRAM THAT LOST ITS GYM, BUT AS KPBS' REPORTER, TONYA THORNE, SHOWS US, IT HASN'T LOST ITS DRIVE TO HELP KIDS BECOME CHAMPIONS.

>> Reporter: FROM THE OUTSIDE, RUDY MARINO SAYS, THE HOME LOOKS PRETTY NORMAL.

BUT THROUGH THE SIDE PATH, YOU'LL FIND A LARGE TENT FILLED WITH YOUNG AND INSPIRING BOXERS.

PART OF THE NONPROFIT HE STARTED CALLED HERO INC., HELPING EVERYONE REACH OPPORTUNITY.

>> I HAVE A MOTTO, WHICH IS LEARN, GROW AND LEAD.

OKAY?

EACH ONE OF THESE KIDS, THEY LEARN SOMETHING.

OKAY?

THEY LEAD, THEN THEY BECOME LEADERS, TEACHING OTHERS, AND THEN THEY JUST GROW FROM THERE.

>> Reporter: MARINO USED TO TEACH IN A BIGGER SPACE.

BUT LAST YEAR, THE PROGRAM WAS DISPLACED TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE LOST A BIG FACILITY UP IN NORTH SANTA FE.

WE PUT OUR MINDS TOGETHER, PUT OUR MONEY TOGETHER, AND IT WAS PRICEY, AND WE DECIDED, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE HAVE SPACE IN OUR BACKYARD.

WHY DON'T WE JUST CONSTRUCT SOMETHING HERE?

>> Reporter: MARINO BUILT THE GYM IN HIS OWN BACKYARD.

BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS BOXING BROUGHT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, YOU KNOW, HEALTHY, MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND NOT ONLY DO I WANT TO CREATE CHAMPIONS IN THE RING, BUT I WANT TO CREATE CHAMPIONS OUTSIDE OF THE RING AS WELL.

THAT WAY, THEY BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

>> Reporter: BOXING HELPED MARINO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE GROWING UP IN VISTA.

HE WENT ON TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE, SERVING FOR 20 YEARS.

AFTER RETIREMENT, THE SPORT HELPED THEM RECOVER FROM THE EFFECTS OF PTSD.

>> THERE WAS A TIME MY BODY STARTED FALLING APART, BASICALLY, AFTER RETIREMENT, I GUESS, BECAUSE I WASN'T PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: NOW, MORENO GIVES BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN WITH THE BOXING, WORKING WITH KIDS LIKE MELINA TORRES.

>> I THINK IT HELPED ME NOT TO GET PICKED ON, AND IT'S JUST BECAUSE I'M SMALL DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE'S THE ONLY GIRL IN THE GROUP.

SHE'S WON NATIONAL TITLES AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS THAT SHE HOPES WILL KEEP STACKING UP.

>> I WANT TO TAKE IT TO AT LEAST THE OLYMPICS, TO WHERE I GET THE TOP, AND EVEN MAYBE PROFESSIONAL.

>> Reporter: 17-YEAR-OLD FRANKLIN GARCIA SAID, BOXING HELPED HIM FROM HANGING OUT WITH THE WRONG CROWD.

>> THIS IS WHAT KIDS CAN DO.

NOT JUST BOXING.

THERE'S OTHER SPORTS.

I ENCOURAGE KIDS TO GO OUT THERE, WITH SPORTS, IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: BOXING ALSO INSPIRED HIM TO JOIN HIS SCHOOL'S CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM.

HE HOPES TO GO TO A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY AND CONTINUE BOXING >> BECAUSE COUNTRIES BOXING, YOU KNOW, IT'S COOL.

I HOPE TO BE SOMEWHAT BIG.

YOU KNOW?

ONE OF THE BIG, BIG TOP FIGHTERS.

>> Reporter: VICTOR GOMEZ, THE YOUNGEST COMPETITOR FOR MORENO, AT 10 YEARS OLD.

>> IT HELPED ME BY GETTING CONFIDENT AND MORE STRENGTH FROM MY MIND AND MY BODY.

>> Reporter: LIKE THE REST OF THE BOXERS, TONY BOY HAS BIG GOALS IN MIND.

>> WHAT I WANT TO DO IS BE A PRO , SO I CAN MAKE A CAREER FOR MYSELF, AND I CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> WHAT BRINGS ME JOY IS SEEING THEIR EXPRESSIONS.

WHEN WE GO TO A NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AND THEY WIN A NATIONAL TOURNAMENT, YOU KNOW, OR EVEN LOCAL TOURNAMENTS.

SEEING THEM WIN.

THEY KNOW THE HARD WORK THEY'VE BEEN PUTTING IN AT THE GYM IS PAYING OFF.

>> Reporter: MORENO BACKYARD BOXING PROGRAM IS TEMPORARY.

HE HOPES TO GET A BIGGER PLACE WITH MORE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> FITNESS, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, I WOULD LIKE MY FACILITY TO HAVE A LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER, COMPUTER LAB, WHERE KIDS CAN COME AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK, AND THEN PARTICIPATE IN AN ACTIVITY.

>> Reporter: UNTIL THEN, MORENO BACKYARD IS OPEN UNTIL THE FUNDS GO DOWN TO HELP KIDS REACH NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

>> YOU WANT TO HELP THAT ONE PERSON UP, SO THAT WAY, THEY CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON.

>> Reporter: TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS KNOWN AS A HOTBED FOR SURFING, BUT TRAVEL STOPPED, AND THE LOVE FOR THE SPORT IS JUST AS DEEP, AND SO IS ITS HISTORY.

KPBS' REPORTER, GUSTAVO SOLIZ, HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE BAJA COAST HAS ALWAYS HAD AMAZING WAVES.

GROWING UP IN ENSENADA DURING THE 1960s, SURFBOARDS WERE A RARE COMMODITY.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: FELIX WAS AMONG A GROUP OF CHILDREN THAT SPENT HOURS AT THE BEACH, SITTING THERE, ON THE SAND, WATCHING SURFERS CATCH WAVES.

AS HE GREW OLDER, FELIX'S CURIOSITY TURNED INTO A PASSION.

HE BECAME ONE OF THE ORIGINAL COFOUNDERS OF THE BAJA SURF CLUB, THE FIRST OFFICIAL CLUB IN MEXICAN HISTORY.

HE MEMBERS BEING TOTALLY STARSTRUCK WHEN SURFING LEGEND HE HAD ONLY SEEN ON MAGAZINE PAGES CAME TO ENSENADA FOR A CONTEST HE HELPED ORGANIZE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: BY THE TIME PETE TORRES FIRST PICKED UP A BOARD IN 1970, SURFING WAS BECOMING MORE POPULAR IN MEXICO, BUT IT STILL HAD A STIGMA.

HE SAYS, IT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG HAIR, HIPPIES AND DRUGS.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: MEXICO HAS THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COASTLINE AND SEVERAL WORLD-CLASS SPOTS THANKS TO THESE NATURAL AREAS WITH A RICH HISTORY, FULL OF ADVENTURES, DISCOVERING NEW WAVES AND EVANGELIZES THE SPORT AS THE COUNTRY'S CULT.

ALSO, A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIDN'T WANT THEM AROUND, BUT THAT RICH HISTORY IS NOT WELL KNOWN.

TORRES AND WHO'S WHO'S OF THE PODCAST AND INSTAGRAM PAGE CALLED [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> THAT'S THE MAIN OBJECTIVE.

TO TALK ABOUT SURFING CULTURE, MEXICAN SURFING CULTURE, AND TO START TO GIVE IT AN IDENTITY, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOVE.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT HAS TAKEN THEM TO FAMOUS BEACHES.

THEY HAVE TRACKED DOWN HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS AND INTERVIEWED PIONEERS OF MEXICAN SURFING.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO SEE -- TO HOLD THE HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS.

YOU KNOW?

>> Reporter: TORRES AND SALAZAR SAY, ONE THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN MEXICAN SURF HISTORY WAS IN 1970.

FELIX AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BAJA SURF CLUB PERFORMED WELL AT THE 1966 WILL CHAMPIONSHIP'S IN PUERTO RICO.

THEY PUT ON A BID TO HOLD THE TOURNAMENT AS HOSTS IN 1970.

AGAINST ALL ODDS, THEY WERE AWARDED AHEAD OF HEAVYWEIGHTS LIKE AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH AFRICA.

NOBODY EXPECTED THEM TO GET THIS.

THE GOVERNMENT COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE EVENT WAS GOING TO PUT MEXICAN SURFING ON THE MAP, BUT THE CULTURAL APPEAL OF THE LATE 1960s WAS IN FULL SWING.

WOODSTOCK HAD JUST MADE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES.

THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WASN'T INTERESTED IN A SOUTH OF THE BORDER VERSION OF THAT CHAOTIC SCENE.

SO, THEY CANCELED THE CONTEST >> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THAT DECISION DERAILED THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITIVE SURFING IN MEXICO.

MEXICAN SURFERS WOULD NOT GO TO ANOTHER WORLD CHAMPION SHIP UNTIL 1988, THE YEAR TORRES WAS ON THE TEAM.

SALAZAR SAYS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THE HISTORY TO TELL THEIR OWN STORIES.

>> AMERICANS HAVE COME ALONG AND THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF STORIES ABOUT SURFING IN MEXICO , AND THEY TELL VERY LITTLE ABOUT MEXICANS.

WE FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET STORIES ABOUT MEXICANS OUT THERE .

>> Reporter: THEIR EFFORTS ARE STARTING TO PAY OFF.

SALAZAR AND TORRES HELPED RESEARCH AN ARTICLE IN ACAPULCO SURF CULTURE FOR THE LATEST EDITION OF THE JOURNAL.

THEY FEEL THAT COLLABORATION WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST JOURNALS IN THE WORLD ON SURFING IS A VALIDATION OF THEIR EFFORTS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN APRIL, WE SAW THE EYES OF YOUNG ARTIST WITH KPBS' ART REPORTER, TAKING US TO AN EXHIBIT THAT SHOWS CONCERN FOR OUR PLANET'S FUTURE.

>> Reporter: DR. NGUYEN CALLS HERSELF A SECRET SAVIOR OF THE EARTH, SAVING IT ONE PIECE OF PLASTIC AT A TIME.

>> I'M A CLIMATE ACTIVIST.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS A PUBLIC -- IS A PEDIATRIC PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

I WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND THINK TO MYSELF, HOW CAN I HELP STOP THIS?

HOW CAN I BEEN THE BAR TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE?

AND SO, IT SEEMS CRAZY, BUT ONE OF THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT A CHILD CAN DO IS DRAW PICTURES I USED MARKER AND CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY DON'T LIKE THEIR WASTE BUT DUMP IT IN THE OCEAN.

SO, I MADE THE OCEAN BLACK LIKE IT WAS OIL.

IN THE WHALE, IT'S A LOT OF OTHER SORT OF PLASTIC TRASH, AND STUFF THAT'S JUST BAD FOR ANIMALS BUT THEN, WHEN IT COMES OUT OF THE BLACK WATER, THE COLORS CHANGE FROM GRADE TO A BRIGHTER BLUE.

THAT MAKES IT SEEM MORE ALIVE, IN A SENSE.

>> Reporter: LOOKING AT CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH YOUTHFUL EYES IS AT THE HEART OF THE STUDIO DOOR'S SAYING.

DR. ANDRE EMBODIES THIS >> WE COULD INVOLVE THE CHILDREN INTO CREATING ART AND SOME EXPERIENCE, POSITIVE EXPERIENCE ABOUT HOW TO THINK ABOUT NATURE, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY BECOME A BETTER CITIZEN.

>> Reporter: MAJA SATTERBERG IS TRYING TO BE ONE OF THOSE CITIZENS.

THE 17-YEAR-OLD MISSION BAY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HAD HER WATER-TEAMED PAINTING ELECTED FOR THE EXHIBIT.

>> I PORTRAY EVERYBODY'S ELECTIVE NEED FOR WATER, COLLECTIVELY, AND I DID THE WHOLE PIECE BY MAKING WAVES NEXT TO IT TO SHOW HOW EVERY ASPECT IS AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: MAKING WAVES IS EXACTLY WHAT THE ARTISTS AND ORGANIZERS WANT THE SHOW TO DO.

>> I THINK THE ART IS SUCH A USEFUL AND POWERFUL TOOL TO CONVEY ANY SORT OF MESSAGES.

SO, ANY VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS, WHAT I MOSTLY INTERESTED IN.

I THINK IT'S SO INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS COME UP WITH AS WELL.

JOE FELLOW ARTIST, MICHELLE HUGH, 12-YEAR-OLD O'KELLY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT, CONCERNED WITH POLLUTION.

>> I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN ANIMALS A LOT OF THE ANIMALS THAT I LIKE, THEY'RE SLOWLY GOING EXTINCT BECAUSE OF THE CHANGING CLIMATE AND A LOT OF TRASH THAT WE DUMP INTO THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: PEDIATRICIANS LIKE NGUYEN HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS CHILDREN.

>> WE SEE ASTHMA AND OBESITY MORE.

WE SEE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, CAN ONLY BE HEALTHY IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.

WE NEED A HEALTHY NATURE.

IT'S ALL CONNECTED.

THE REASON I BECAME A PEDIATRICIAN IS TO CHANGE THINGS FROM THE START.

>> Reporter: SO, THE PROBLEMS WE SEE IN PEDIATRICS, WILL WE SEE PLUMMETING CHILD MENTAL HEALTH?

IT'S ALL CONNECTED TO THE CLIMATE.

>> WHEN YOU REALIZE THE INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE AND HEALTH AND CHILDREN ON THE EARTH, IT OPENS THE DOOR, MAKES US MORE CREATIVE TO KIND OF DEAL WITH MEDICAL PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD.

>> Reporter: #WEBORROWTHEEARTHFROMOURCHILDREN HELPS MORE THAN JUST THE CHILDREN.

>> WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, IT'S AN ACCIDENTAL CRISIS.

WE NEED TO ACT NOW.

>> Reporter: ART CAN HELP CONVEY THAT MESSAGE AND ENRICH A STUDENT'S HEALTH.

>> TO BE CRITICALLY ENGAGING WITH TOPICS YOU'RE MAKING ART WORK OF, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT.

WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN, IT'S VISUALLY COMMUNICATED TO AN AUDIENCE.

OLD WAYS, WITH ART, IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO ENGAGE CRITICALLY WITH WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED.

>> Reporter: ENGAGE WITH BOTH THE ART OF STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AT THE STUDIO DOOR WITH #WEBORROWTHEEARTHFROMOURCHILDREN.

BECCA FOR MONDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE CAN HAVE A SHOW ABOUT ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WITHOUT, CON.

THE POP-CULTURE CONVENTION RETURNS IN JULY AFTER THE EVENT WAS CANCELED THE PAST TWO YEARS.

KPBS' VIDEO JOURNALIST, CARLOS CASTILLO, THERE TO CAPTURE ALL THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS.

>> IT'S BACK!

>> SOME OF US HAVE BADGES AND THINGS, BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE HOME AGAIN.

>> IT'S REALLY GOOD TO BE BACK.

THE CROWD HERE HAS BEEN FANTASTIC THE ENTIRE WEEK SO FAR.

EVEN THE WEEKS BUILDING UP TO THE EVENT HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC.

THE WHOLE CITY FEELS ALIVE AGAIN.

>> THE GREAT THING ABOUT THE PLACE IS ALL OVER THE PLACE, EUROPE, UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO, WE ALL MEET UP HERE.

>> WE'VE GOT VENOM HERE, ALONG WITH EDDIE FUNKS.

>> PEOPLE THAT I HAVE KNOWN FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS ARE LIKE, OH, I CAN ONLY SEE YOU AT, CON.

NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THEM FOR THAT MANY YEARS REALLY DID TAKE A TOLL ON ALL OF US.

WE'RE JUST EXCITED, MEETING UP, BUSTING OUT OF MY SUIT HERE.

>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS WEEK AT KPBS NEWS' "NEWS THIS WEEK."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.