♪ >>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, RETURN TO IMPERIAL COUNTY.

RESIDENTS GIVE US THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE LEADER SEEN WITH THE CONTROVERSIES.

>>> KAISER STRIKE CONTINUES, THEY'RE WARNING OF INTERRUPTIONS TO SERVICE.

>>> AND THE PRICE OF SAN DIEGO, A PREVIEW OF OUR NEW SERIES ON THE RISING COSTS OF GROCERIES.

>>> WE START WITH RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

HOW BLACK DEFENDANTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO FACE CHARGES THAT LEAD TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

SHE SPOKE WITH A FAMILY WHOSE LIVES ARE SHAPED BY THAT REALITY.

>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE HOW EVERYTHING TOOK PLACE, A REGULAR DAY.

>> Reporter: MAY 14, 2022, BRITTANY AND JAMES CALLAWAY BROUGHT THEIR SON HERE.

>> IT WAS A FAMILY BARBECUE, A GATHERING.

AND THE EVENT TOOK A TURN.

>> JAMES CALLAWAY DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS AN EX-GANG MEMBER.

BEFORE THAT DAY, HIS LAST CONVICTION WAS 2019.

HE SAID HE TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND, STARTED A TRUCKING COMPANY.

HE SPOKE WITH ME FROM A COUNTY JAIL.

I TOOK HIS VIDEO CALL FROM HIS TODDLER'S iPAD.

>> MY DAY-TO-DAY WAS DRIVING TRUCKS, COMING HOME, BEING A DAD.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, ANOTHER MAN WAS PART OF THE SAME GANG.

STACY LEFT HIS JOB, RODE HIS MOTORCYCLE THERE, CALLED JAMES CALLAWAY OVER AND PULLED GUNS ON HIM, HAD HEARD RUMORS HE WAS A SNITCH.

OTHERS MANAGED TO TALK STACY DOWN.

HE DROVE HIS MOTORCYCLE AWAY, STOPPED NEARBY.

>> WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO BESIDES WHAT I DID?

>> Reporter: CALLAWAY RAN TO HIS CAR, DROVE UP TO STACY AND SHOT HIM DEAD.

>> MEN HAVE AN OBLIGATION THEY DO NOT ASK FOR, PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY.

THAT'S INSTILLED UPON US AS KIDS.

>> Reporter: BRITNY SAID THE CHARGES SURPRISED HER.

>> FIRST DEGREE WAS A SHOCK, BECAUSE HOW?

HOW AND WHY?

THIS IS AT MOST SELF-DEFENSE OR INVOLUNTARY.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE ISN'T THE REASON CALLAWAY IS FACING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

IF HE HAD WALKED UP TO STACY AND SHOT HIM, HE MIGHT HAVE THE CHANCE AT PAROLE.

BUT BECAUSE HE FIRED FROM A VEHICLE, HE WAS SENTENCED TO DIE IN PRISON.

IT'S ONE OF THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN CALIFORNIA LAW THAT CAN LEAD TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

THE LIST IS A LARGE PATCHWORK.

IF THE MURDER WAS COMMITTED FOR MONEY.

IF THE VICTIM WAS A FIREFIGHTER.

IF THE DEFENDANT USED POISON OR WRECKED A TRAIN.

THE LIST WAS CREATED IN 1977 AS A WAY TO LIMIT WHO COULD RECEIVE THE DEATH PENALTY AND LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE TO THE WORST OF THE WORST.

AFTER THE SUPREME COURT SAID THEY WERE BEING GIVEN TOO RANDOMLY.

BUT BALLOT MEASURES KEPT EXPANDING THE LIST BY POPULAR DEMAND.

A 1978 VOTER GUIDE READS -- IF CHARLES MANSON WERE TO ORDER HIS FAMILY OF DRUG CRAZED KILLERS TO SLAUGHTER YOUR FAMILY, MANSON WOULD NOT RECEIVE THE DEATH PENALTY.

THAT PROPOSITION PASSED, MORE THAN DOUBLING THE LIST.

THE LIST GOT SO LONG THAT BY THE '90s, NEARLY ALL FIRST DEGREE MURDERS WERE ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN CALIFORNIA.

CALLAWAY'S SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE, SHOOTING FROM A VEHICLE, WAS ADDED IN 1996 TO COMBAT DRIVE-BY GANG SHOOTINGS.

ALL THIS HISTORY IS NOW BEARING DOWN ON CALLAWAY.

>> IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY HARD, JUST THINKING ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO HOLD MY SON, NOT BEING ABLE TO BE A FATHER.

>> BRITNY IS NOW RAISING FIVE CHILDREN ON HER OWN.

SHE STARTED WORKING OVERNIGHT SHIFTS AT A HOSPITAL.

SHE'S ALMOST NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, SECOND SUR GASSY PREGNANCY TO MAKE ENDS MEET SINCE JAMES WAS INCARCERATED.

THEIR BABY IS NOW 4.

SHE SHOWS HIM PICTURES OF HIS FATHER, TELLS HIM THAT'S YOUR DAD, REPEATS IT OVER AND OVER LIKE A FLASHCARD, HOPING IT WILL STICK.

>> HE HASN'T HELD OUR SON IN YEARS.

I HAVEN'T TOUCHED HIM OR HUGGED HIM OR ANYTHING IN YEARS.

>> Reporter: IT'S ENTIRELY UP TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY WHETHER TO CHARGE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN A CASE.

BRITNY CALLAWAY BELIEVES EVERYTHING WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF HER HUSBAND WEREN'T BLACK.

>> IF HE WAS A WHITE MAN, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: JAMES CALLAWAY REQUESTED RESENTENCING BASED ON RACIAL PROFILING.

HIS LAWYER BRINGS UP HIS OWN DATA, NOT ONLY A RACIAL GAP IN WHO RECEIVES THE CHARGES, BUT AFTER HE BECAME THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN 2017, IT BECAME WIDER.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> PART TWO DIVES DEEPER INTO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE RECORD.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON OUR PAGE.

>>> A STRIKE INVOLVING KAISER PERMANENTE WORKERS WILL CONTINUE TO NEXT WEEK AND MIGHT BRING DISRUPTIONS TO PATIENT CARE.

>> WHAT DO WE WANT?

>> Reporter: AS NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE, KAISER PERMANENTE WORKERS RETURNED TO THE LINES FOR CHANGES THEY SAY ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT STAFF AND PATIENT CARE.

THE UNION SAYS THE DISPUTE IS NOT JUST ABOUT PAY BUT STAFFING LEVELS THEY SAY ARE UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH RISK CARE SETTINGS.

>> I NEED TO HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE PRESENT THAT ARE ABLE TO CATCH A BABY, GET A MOM SITUATED, STABILIZE.

IT'S A HIGH STRESS BUT ALSO UNSAFE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: ELIZABETH HAS BEEN A LABOR AND DELIVERY NURSE AT KAISER FOR THREE YEARS.

>> WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A BABY, THERE'S HIGH RISK OF HEMORRHAGE, YOU RISK INFECTIONS, A LOT OF THINGS HAPPEN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN BABIES COME OUT.

>> Reporter: KAISER PERMANENTE SAYS ITS NURSES ALREADY EARN MORE THAN THEIR PEERS AND THE THEY EXCEED STATE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS.

BUT THE WORKERS SAY THE NUMBERS DON'T REFLECT THE CONDITIONS INSIDE.

>> YOU COULD START WITH FOUR OR FIVE PATIENTS, COULD END WITH EVERY ROOM AND EVERY TRIAGE FULL.

>> Reporter: KAISER SAYS IT'S OFFERING THE STRONGEST COMPENSATION PACKAGE, TOTALING A 30% PAY INCREASE OVER THE LENGTH OF THE CONTRACT.

THE HEALTH SYSTEM SAYS UNION WAGE DEMANDS WOULD RAISE PAYROLL COSTS BY BILLIONS AND MAKE HEALTH CARE LESS AFFORDABLE FOR MEMBERS.

>> KAISER INCREASES THEIR MEMBERSHIP PRICES FOR THEIR PATIENTS EVERY YEAR REGARDLESS, NOT JUST DURING CONTRACT YEARS WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO FIGHT FOR OUR CONTRACT.

>> Reporter: KAISER IS ALSO PREPARED FOR A POSSIBLE SECOND OPEN-ENDED STRIKE STARTING MONDAY WITH CLINICAL WORKERS AND LAB SCIENTISTS.

THE HOSPITAL HAS ALREADY ALERTED PATIENTS ABOUT POSSIBLE DISRUPTIONS NEXT WEEK.

HEIDI DeMARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FACE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEPORTATION EFFORTS HAS A HISTORY IN THE COUNTY AND IS RETURNING TO THE AREA.

ANDREW SPOKE TO RESIDENTS ABOUT HIM.

>> Reporter: IRRIGATED FARMS STRETCH FOR MILES ALONG THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF INTERSTATE 8 IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

EL CENTRO IS A FAIRLY CONSERVATIVE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, THRUST IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH THE RETURN.

>> THE WHOLE IMMIGRATION SITUATION HERE BECAUSE WE'RE A BORDER TOWN, IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE.

>> Reporter: BORDER PATROL HAS BEEN PART OF THE COMMUNITY A LONG TIME AND OUTSIDE OF AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION, THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REGION.

>> SO A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES ARE INTEGRATED AND A LOT OF BORDER PATROL IS LOCAL.

NEIGHBORS AND COUSINS.

>> Reporter: WE MET UP WITH A NEARBY RESIDENT WHO HAS DEALT WITH BORDER PATROL A LOT AS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST.

SHE'S SHOCKED BY WHAT SHE'S SEEN OF HIM ON TV.

>> THE PERSON I'VE SEEN IN RECENT WEEKS OR MONTHS IS NOT THE SAME PERSON THAT I THOUGHT HE WAS WHEN I TALKED TO HIM.

I MEAN I -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE WANTS TO BE SEEN AS MEAN AND NASTY.

AND YET THAT'S WHAT I THINK HE IS TRYING VERY HARD TO COME ACROSS AS SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL.

>> Reporter: HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE BORDER PATROL IN EL CENTRO IN 1996, GOT PROMOTED A COUPLE TIMES, SENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C., EIGHT YEARS LATER.

HE RETURNED TO CALIFORNIA, SERVING IN IMPERIAL BEACH.

IN 2020, HE WAS APPOINTED CHIEF PATROL AGENT IN EL CENTRO.

BRIEFLY RELIEVED OF COMMAND IN 2023 AFTER CONTROVERSIAL SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, BUT WAS BACK WEEKS LATER.

AND DONALD TRUMP THEN APPOINTED HIM AGENT AT LARGE, AND HE'S LED CONTROVERSIAL OPERATIONS IN CHICAGO AND MINNEAPOLIS.

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED HE DIDN'T FADE INTO THE SUNSET AS HE SHOULD.

>> Reporter: A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER IN THE VALLEY.

HE SAYS IMMIGRANTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO IMPERIAL COUNTY.

>> THIS COMMUNITY WOULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT THE CROSS BORDER IMMIGRANT POPULATION WE HAVE.

THEY HARVEST THE FIELDS THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WON'T DO, TAKE CARE OF GROUNDS AND CHILDREN, SO ON AT SUBSUBSISTENCE LEVEL OF WAY, ALLOWING A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Reporter: LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, HE DISTURBED BY THE ACTIONS OF AGENTS UNDER DONALD TRUMP.

>> DOESN'T BECOME THE NORM IN IMPERIAL COUNTY AS WELL.

WE HAVEN'T HAD THOSE TACTICS, THIS GANG MENTALITY TACTICS AND ABUSE OF PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, EVEN PEOPLE THERE JUST TO WATCH HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR EVEN MURDERED AS WE'VE SEEN RECENTLY.

YES, I'M VERY WORRIED.

>> Reporter: AN HOUR LATER, 25 MILES NORTH OF EL CENTRO NEAR THE SALTEN SEA.

CALIPATRIA, WE MEET THE MAYOR.

HE'S A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL BUT TALKS LIKE AN ACTIVIST AND WANTS MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE.

>> I'M TIRED OF FOLKS ON THE LEFT WITH THEIR PERFORMATIVE I.C.E./IMMIGRATION IES WITH THEIR TOURS AND PHOTO OPS, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS TO DO MORE.

>> Reporter: DOESN'T APPRECIATE HIM SENT BACK TO THE AREA.

>> WHY ARE WE A WASTELAND, A PLACE FOR THEIR SCRAPS AND REJECTS?

>> Reporter: A HANDFUL OF RESIDENTS ARE PROTESTING.

WE HAVEN'T INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED HE'S BEEN REASSIGNED TO EL CENTRO, BUT HIS HOME IS NEARBY IN THE CITY OF IMPERIAL.

FOR EVERYONE WE SPOKE WITH, THAT'S AN ISSUE.

>> MY ISSUE IS WITH GREG BOVINO, AND HE'S GOING TO RETURN 20 MINUTES FROM HERE AFTER TERRORIZING PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND PRETEND LIFE IS FINE.

>> Reporter: HE REPORTEDLY LEFT AND HAS BEEN MAKING HIS WAY SOUTHWEST.

FROM EL CENTRO, ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE WORKER BEHIND THE SOMALI DAY CARE VIDEO THAT COINCIDED WITH THE RAID THERE.

HE'S GOING TO POST A VIDEO, IF IT'S LIKE THE PAST, PEOPLE SHOULD BE SKEPTICAL.

>> Reporter: NICK SHIRLEY'S VIDEO ALLEGING FRAUD AT SOMALI DAY CARES WERE SHORT ON FACTS AND WERE USED TO JUSTIFY THE IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN.

WHY DID THE VIDEO HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT?

>> THE TIMING, MINNEAPOLIS, POLITICALLY CONVENIENT FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES IN RIGHT-WING MEDIA.

>> Reporter: JARED HOLT RESEARCHES HOW INFORMATION SPREADS ONLINE.

IT'S NO ACCIDENT THAT SHIRLEY WAS UNKNOWN BEFORE THAT VIDEO WENT VIRAL.

>> NICK SHIRLEY AND PEOPLE LIKE HIM LIVE IN -- ARE MAKING CAREERS IN AN ONLINE MEDIA ECOSYSTEM THAT REWARDS SENSATIONALISM, BEING INFLAMMATORY, AND AFFIRMING THE BIASES OF WHAT THEY THINK THEIR AUDIENCE IS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S HOME TO THE SECOND LARGEST SOMALI IMMIGRANT POPULATION AFTER MINNEAPOLIS.

SHIRLEY REPORTEDLY WENT AROUND WITH AMY RIKER, A FORMER CANDIDATE.

SHE TOLD AMERICA'S VOICE SHE CONVINCED SHIRLEY TO COME TO SAN DIEGO.

>> THAT'S WHEN I REACHED OUT TO NICK SHIRLEY, COME ON OUT TO CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID SHIRLEY'S VIDEO WILL BE OUT NEXT WEEK.

HOLT SAY PAY ATTENTION TO HOW THINGS ARE SAID IS, NOT JUST WHAT.

>> IF IT'S LIKE MINNEAPOLIS VIDEO, IT'S BOUND TO INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS, FILMING OF LOCATIONS OR PEOPLE AND SAYING HMM, ISN'T THAT WEIRD, ISN'T THAT STRANGE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE SAYS IT HAS RIGOROUS FRAUD DETECTION SYSTEMS AND ALLEGATIONS LIKE THE ABSENCE OF CHILDREN ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF FRAUD.

RIKER SAYS SHE'S NOT SAID THERE'S BEEN FRAUD.

>> ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, TAKE WITH A BIG SIZED GRAIN OF SALT.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

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

OTHERS -- NO I.C.E.

AT SUPER BOWL, DEMOCRATS MAKE THE DEMAND AS RUMORS SWIRL.

THE STORY EARLIER FROM CASEY HYSON, AND THE DEATH OF THE AFFORDABLE RESTAURANT MEAL, PART OF THE NEW PRICE OF SAN DIEGO SERIES WHICH WE'LL HAVE MORE OF LATER.

>>> LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO TEMPORARILY EXPAND TENANT PROTECTIONS.

IT FOLLOWS PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER A RECENT RISE IN NO-FAULT EVICTIONS.

>> REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO HAS COME OUT, SHARED YOUR VOICE AND EXPERIENCE.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

THERE ARE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT HAVE ALSO COME TO US WITH ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL'S ACTION ON TUESDAY MADE LEMON GROVE THE LATEST CITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO CREATE BROADER PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS FACING EVICTION.

IT MAINLY FOCUSES ON SO-CALLED NO-FAULT EVICTIONS, EVICTED EVEN THOUGH THEY PAID THEIR RENT AND DIDN'T VIOLATE TERMS OF THE LEASE.

>> I KNOW HOW URGENT THIS IS AND WE SIT ON OUR HANDS AND PRETEND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO IS ONE MORE DAY THAT PEOPLE JOIN THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> Reporter: THERE'S ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NO-FAULT, 120 DAYS NOTICE, RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND ONE MONTH'S RENT.

IT IS IN EFFECT.

SHEILA IS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTION.

NEIGHBORS IN HER APARTMENT BUILDING HAVE BEEN SERVED.

>> A LOT OF US ARE LIKE A FAMILY THERE.

THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS SHOCKING TO ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: THE TEMPORARY REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT CHANGE THE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE NOTICES.

PERMANENT ORDINANCE MAY COME LATER AFTER THEY GATHER COMMUNITY FEEDBACK.

KPBS.

>>> AFFORDABILITY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR NEW DIGITAL SERIES, WE'RE CALLING IT "THE PRICE OF SAN DIEGO."

LOOK FOR IT ON OUR PLATFORMS.

KATIE ANASTAS IS LEADING US.

>> Reporter: THE COST OF FOOD HAS GONE UP MORE THAN 25% SINCE THE PANDEMIC, REASONS, EVERYTHING FROM BIRD FLU TO TARIFFS TO THE WEATHER.

THOSE SHOW UP ON THE GROCERY BILLS.

SHE STARTED TO NOTICE HOW HIGH HERS WERE GETTING.

>> I WAS NOT MEAL PLANNING OR COOKING AT HOME.

WE WERE EATING OUT A LOT, IT GOT OVERWHELMING.

I REALIZED HOW MUCH I WAS SPENDING.

>> Reporter: ESTIMATE OF MORE THAN $200 IN 2017.

IN 2025, THAT'S $267.50.

SHE WANTED TO MAKE A CHANGE SO STARTED TO PLAN OUT MEALS THAT WORKED WITH HER SCHEDULE.

>> ONCE I MOVED INTO THE MEAL PLANNING, A MOTHER OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME AFTER FULL-TIME WORK.

START WAS TWO MEALS A WEEK, CROCK POT MEALS.

FIGURED IF I STARTED SMALL, IT WOULD BE EASIER.

>> Reporter: NOW SHE PLANS FIVE TO SEVEN DINNERS A WEEK.

TAKES STOCK BEFORE GOING TO THE STORE.

>> EVERYTHING IS CHECKED.

>> Reporter: $150 PER WEEK AT GROCERY STORE AND $250 EVERY FOUR TO SIX WEEKS AT COSTCO.

SHE SHARES ON Y GETTING GIRL.

>> $107.27, UNDER THE BUDGET OF $150 A WEEK.

>> Reporter: SHE SUGGESTS LOOKING FOR SALES.

IF DISCOUNTED ITEMS ARE ALREADY ON THE LIST.

>> THE POTATOES WERE ON SALE, COLE SLAW AS WELL.

>> Reporter: SHE BUYS MEAT AT COSTCO AND FREEZES IT, GETS SNACKS, MILK AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS THERE SINCE HER FAMILY OF FOUR WILL USE IT UP QUICKLY.

SHE SAYS LEAVE THE FAMILY AT HOME.

>> I ALWAYS LIKE TO SHOP ALONE.

THAT'S ONE THING.

WHEN YOUR KIDS AND SIGNIFICANT OTHER COME ALONG, THAT BILL STARTS GOING UP BECAUSE THEY'RE THROWING THINGS IN THE CART.

>> Reporter: MORE STORIES OF HOW TO SAVE MONEY AT OUR SITE.

>>> TAKING A WHOLE FAMILY TO A MUSEUM CAN BE PRICEY BUT NOT IN FEBRUARY.

JOHN CARROLL SAYS IT'S A CHANCE FOR YOU AND THREE OTHERS TO GET HALF OFF ADMISSION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

>> Reporter: THIS COLORFUL CARD CAN BE WORTH BIG BUCKS DURING FEBRUARY.

>> THIS IS WHERE WE OFFER HALF OFF ADMISSION TO ALL OUR MUSEUMS.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME OUT, HAVE FUN, BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, ENJOY THE DAY VISITING AS MANY MUSEUMS AS YOU CAN.

>> Reporter: FROM THE CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM IN OCEANSIDE, TO THE RANCH HOUSE IN THE EAST, TO THE TIJUANA ESTUARY, YOU'VE GOT LOTS OF CHOICES.

>> GET A PRINTED PASS, FREE FROM ALMOST 90 LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

COUNTY, CITY, LIBRARY, UC SAN DIEGO, PLENTY OF PLACES TO PICK IT UP.

>> Reporter: OR DOWNLOAD A PASS ON MOBILE FOR MOST MUSEUMS.

A FEW WILL ONLY ACCEPT THE PRINTED, LIKE THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART.

WHEN IT COMES TO THIS GRAND DAME OF MUSEUMS, THERE'S A VERY GOOD REASON TO VISIT THIS MONTH.

AS THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART LOOKS FORWARD TO MUSEUM MONTH, THEY'RE AT THE SAME TIME LOOKING BACK 100 YEARS.

THE MUSEUM IS CELEBRATING ITS CENTENNIAL.

>> A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM OPENS DOORS FEBRUARY 28, 1926.

THIS DAYS KA ULRING.

>> IT'S GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY, OVER 35,000 WORKS IN THE PERMANENT COLLECTION.

WELCOME TRAVELING EXPEDITIONS FROM ALL OVER AND SEND OUR WORKS TO OTHER MUSEUMS.

>> Reporter: ENTERING THROUGH THE SOUTH-FACING DOORS TAKES YOU TO THIS HALLWAY/GALLERY.

THIS IS ALWAYS FREE BY THE WAY.

ON THE WALLS NOW, A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE LAST 100 YEARS IN THE MUSEUM.

>> SHOWS THE HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM WITH ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAPHS.

>> Reporter: AND THIS, IF YOU'VE WONDERED WHAT THE STUNNING FACADE MIGHT LOOK LIKE REIMAGINED, THERE'S AN EXHIBIT CALLED LOCAL VISIONS.

>> MULTIPLE, ALMOST 100 ARTISTS SUBMITTED THEIR PORTFOLIOS AND WE CHOSE TEN.

THEY CREATED WORKS OF ART THAT REIMAGINE OUR ICONIC FACADE OUTSIDE AND SHOWCASE WHAT THEY DREAM OF THE MUSEUM.

>> Reporter: ARCHITECTURAL PURISTS NEEDN'T WORRY, IT'S IN THE REALM OF DREAMS.

THE FACADE IS NOT CHANGING.

THERE IS MORE TO SEE ACROSS THE 20 GALLERIES AND OUTSIDE THE WALLS.

18 MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN BALBOA PARK, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY.

ALL HALF OFF UNTIL FEBRUARY 28.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CINEMA JUNKIE HAS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SUPER BOWL ON SUNDAY.

A LIVE CONCERT CELEBRATING PIONEERING FILMMAKER GEORGE MELLIER.

>> GEORGE MELLES WANTED TO SEE WHAT MAGIC HE COULD CREATE ON SCREEN.

>> AT THIS PERIOD, YOU HAVE TOOLS, SCISSORS AND FEW.

SO EVERYTHING WAS IN HIS MIND, AND THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: AND THAT INSPIRED JEAN FRANCOIS TO CREATE A TRIBUTE TO THE CINEMATIC INNOVATOR, WITH A LIVE MOVIE CONCERT OF HIS FILMS.

THE TITLE PLAYS OFF THE FAMOUS IMAGE OF "A TRIP TO THE MOON" IN WHICH A ROCKETSHIP HITS THE MOON IN THE EYE.

>> IT'S SILENT FILM AND MUSIC, MUSICIANS ON STAGE PLAYING MORE THAN 15 INSTRUMENTS.

IT'S A WHOLE EXPERIENCE IN SET DESIGN.

IT'S A JOURNEY THROUGH MAGIC.

AND ALL THE THINGS HAPPEN IN THE JOURNEY.

♪ YOU HAVE EVERYTHING RELATED TO MAGIC.

BUT ALSO ALL HIS FILMS RELATE TO SCIENCE FICTION AND ALSO HIS CREATIVITY IN EACH OF HIS FILMS.

SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT IMPRESSED ME.

>> Reporter: MELLES' GROUNDBREAKING FILMS ARE AS ENCHANTING NOW AS A CENTURY AGO.

BUT SEEING THEM ON A BIG SCREEN WITH AN INVENTIVE SOUNDSCAPE IS RARE OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED.

KPBS NEWS.

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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.