THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS THIS WEEK, COMING UP, FLEET WEEK IN SAN DIEGO, SEE HOW LOCAL TARGETING A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT OUR LOCAL MILITARY.

>>> CARRYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALONE, A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES COMFORT FOR THOSE AT THE END OF THEIR LIFE, RETURNS TO EAST COUNTY.

>>> A FIELD FOR THE GAME MEAT LOCAL BLIND SOCCER PLAYERS WHO HOPE TO PLAY FOR THEIR COUNTRY AT THE PARALYMPIC GAMES.

WE START WITH ELECTION COVERAGE, JUST DAYS BEFORE THE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ADDED SAN DIEGO TO HIS CAMPAIGN SWING.

IT WAS AN OVERNIGHT STAY, STARTING WITH AN ARRIVAL AT McAS MIRAMAR THURSDAY NIGHT.

FROM THERE, PRESIDENT BIDEN TRAVELED TO MIRA COSTA COLLEGE IN OCEANSIDE, TO SUPPORT CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN.

POLLSTERS SAY HE IS IN A CLOSE REMATCH IN THE 49th DISTRICT AGAINST REPUBLICAN BRIAN MARRIOTT.

>> WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER WHO IN GOD'S NAME WE ARE, WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FOR GOD SAKE.

THERE'S NOTHING, NOT A SINGLE THING IN THE WORLD WE CAN'T DO IF WE DO IT TOGETHER.

NOT ONE SINGLE THING.

>> FRIDAY MORNING PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITED BY A SET AND CARLSBAD FOR AN OFFICIAL EVENT PROMOTING THE RECENTLY PASSED CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT.

>>> CONTROL OF CONGRESS IS GETTING MOST OF THE HEADLINES IN THE SELECTION, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE AT STAKE, ESPECIALLY DOWN BALLOT.

ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES COULD BE A GAME CHANGER WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDCARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

KPBS REPORTER EXPLAINS MEASURE AGE, AND WHY A CONFUSING WORD CHOICE HAS LED TO SOME OPPOSITION.

>> Reporter: MEASURE AGE WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO LEASE OUT LAND AND FACILITIES TO CHILDCARE BUSINESSES.

CURRENTLY SITTING LAND CAN ONLY BE USED FOR PARKS, RECREATION CENTERS, AND CEMETERIES.

COUNCILMEMBER RAUL SUPPORTS THE MEASURE.

>> RIGHT NOW THE CITY CHARTER ONLY ALLOWS THREE USES FOR PARKS.

PASSIVE SPACE LIKE A GREEN FIELD, RECREATION CENTER WITH A BASKETBALL COURT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, OR A CEMETERY.

IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT WE AREN'T LOOKING AT EVERY CITY FACILITY AND SEEING HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO INCORPORATE CHILDCARE INTO IT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: OTHER SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE SAY IT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE SAN DIEGO'S SEVERE SHORTAGE OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE CITY TO LEASE SPACE.

HOWEVER, AN ODD WORD CHOICE IN THE BALLOT LANGUAGE HAS FUELED SOME OPPOSITION TO THE MEASURE.

THE TEXT OF THE MEASURE APPEARS TO GIVE THE MAYOR, NOT THE CITY COUNCIL, AUTHORITY TO LEASE OUT CITY LAND TO CHILDCARE BUSINESSES.

IN A RECENT EDITORIAL, THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE ENDORSED A NO VOTE ON THE MEASURE BECAUSE IT GIVES A SINGLE OFFICIAL VAST POWER OVER EXTREMELY VALUABLE PARKLAND.

BUT, HE SAYS THE NEWSPAPER MISSED AN IMPORTANT POINT, ALL OF THE LEASES FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

HE SAYS NO CHILDCARE PROVIDER WOULD WANT SUCH A SHORT LEASE.

>> I WOULD BE SHOCKED TO SEE ANY CHILDCARE PROVIDER WANTING TO DO A LEASE OF THREE YEARS OR LESS, GIVEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS, THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BUSINESSES, TYPICALLY SMALL BUSINESS OR NONPROFIT, THEY WON'T WANT TO START SOMETHING IN THE SHORT TERM AND THEN SEE IT POSSIBLY EVAPORATE IN THREE YEARS.

THE IDEA THAT THE MAYOR HAS UNFETTERED DISCRETION IS, OVER CITY PARK LEASES, FLIES IN THE FACE OF MUNICIPAL CODE.

>> Reporter: ELECTED OFFICIALS SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEASURE.

ONCE THE CITY COUNCIL PUT THE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT, IT'S LANGUAGE CANNOT BE CHANGED.

ACCORDING TO THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> A FORMER SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMEMBER IS SEEKING A RETURN TO PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE RACE FOR COUNTY ASSESSOR, RECORDER, AND COUNTY CLERK.

AS KPBS METRO REPORTER REPORTS, SHE IS UP AGAINST SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE OFFICE WELL.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY ASSESSOR HAS THE JOB OF DETERMINING HOW MUCH A PROPERTY IS WORTH, AND HOW MUCH OF THAT VALUE CAN BE TAXED UNDER STATE LAW.

THE RECORDER AND CLERK PARTS OF THE JOB INVOLVE ISSUING BIRTH, DEATH, AND MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, AND REGISTERING BUSINESS NAMES.

CURRENT ASSESSOR ERNIE IS RETIRING AFTER 12 YEARS ON THE JOB.

>> I READ EVERY CUSTOMER FEEDBACK CARD THAT COMES INTO OUR OFFICE.

>> Reporter: JORDAN MARCH IS THE CHIEF DEPUTY ASSESSOR RUNNING TO REPLACE HIS BOSS.

HE SAYS THE OFFICE NEEDS SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE WHO WILL PUT THE CUSTOMER FIRST.

>> WHEN I GOT TO THE OFFICE AND THEY SAID WE NEED A NEW WEBSITE, WELL, WE BUDGETED FOR IT, WE PLANNED FOR IT, MINUS THE SLOWDOWN FROM THE PANDEMIC, WE GOT THERE THE TAXPAYERS BECAUSE THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE, HEARING WHAT YOU CAN DO BETTER IN DELIVERING.

>> I'VE BEEN AN EXECUTIVE MOST MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: BARBARA IS MARK'S OPPONENT, A LONGTIME ENTREPRENEUR WHO SERVED ON THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL FOR 4 YEARS, BEFORE RUNNING UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR MAYOR.

SHE SAYS THE OFFICE NEEDS TO UPDATE NOT JUST ITS WEBSITE, BUT ALSO HOW IT GETS INFORMATION FROM CITIES WHEN THEY PERMIT NEW CONSTRUCTION, AND A PROPERTY HAS TO BE REASSESSED.

>> EACH CITY COMMUNICATES WITH THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IN A DIFFERENT WAY, AND IN SOME CASES IT WAS THE U.S. MAIL, AND THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE 21st CENTURY.

WHAT IF A PIECE OF PAPER GETS LOST?

>> Reporter: BREE IS A DEMOCRAT WELL MARKED AS A REPUBLICAN, BUT THE OFFICE IS OFFICIALLY NONPARTISAN.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A GOOD RESOURCE TO GET ORGANIZED FOR THE ELECTION IS THE KPBS VOTER HUB AT KPBS.ORG.

IN ADDITION TO OUR REPORTER STORIES, WE HAVE INFORMATION ON VOTING LOCATIONS CLOSEST TO YOU.

THIS YEAR WE ALSO HAVE A SPANISH VERSION TO GET TO THE VOTER GUIDE, CLICK THE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> BE SURE TO JOIN US TUESDAY NIGHT FOR ELECTION COVERAGE ON ALL KPBS PLATFORMS.

KPBS RADIO WILL HAVE A CALIFORNIA ELECTION SPECIAL STARTING AT 9:00, WITH LOCAL REACTION FROM OUR KPBS TEAM OF REPORTERS .

WE WILL ALSO HAVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT ON KPBS TELEVISION, AND ONLINE, I WILL HOST A SPECIAL KPBS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON OUR YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK PAGES WITH SEVERAL GUESTS OFFERING THEIR REACTION AND ANALYSIS.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, SAN DIEGO HAS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT OUR MILITARY PRESENCE.

MELISSA DAY HAS THIS PREVIEW OF FLEET WEEK.

>> Reporter: FLEET WEEK SAN DIEGO KICKS OFF THURSDAY.

>> IT'S A GREAT FAMILY EVENT, IT'S GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND GREAT FOR THE MILITARY.

>> Reporter: LARRY IS A NAVY VETERAN, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FLEET WEEK SAN DIEGO.

>> THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY CONNECT WITH THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE US ON A DAILY BASIS.

YOU GET TO SEE THEM UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, TORE THE SHIPS, TALK TO THE PEOPLE OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT.

IF YOU ASK ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN STATIONED HERE IN SAN DIEGO, THEY WILL TELL YOU THERE IS A UNIQUE VIBE ABOUT SAN DIEGO THAT DOESN'T EXIST IN OTHER PLACES WHERE THE MILITARY IS AT.

IT'S REALLY SPECIAL, AND OUR IDEA IS TO BRING THIS COMMUNITY AND THE MILITARY TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN THAT UNIQUENESS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE MARINES IS SECOND LIEUTENANT GREGORY JONES, AND HE IS MOST EXCITED ABOUT, >> THE YOUNG SET OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BE COMING OUT HERE TO SEE THE COOL STUFF THAT THEY SEE ON MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES AND STUFF.

A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HOW COOL OUR JOB IS, BECAUSE I WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT I GET TO DO THE JOB I GET TO DO.

>> Reporter: JONES APPRECIATE THE JOB THE COMMUNITY HAS FOR THE MILITARY.

>> THIS IS HOW WE DO IT, THIS IS WHY WE DO IT, AND WHY WE DO IT FOR YOU GUYS IS NATIONAL DEFENSE AND MAKING SURE YOU ARE SAFE TO DO THE THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A FEW NEW FEATURES OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

>> ON SUNDAY WE HAVE AN MRD COOKING CONTEST, MEALS READY TO EAT.

WILL INVITE ACTIVE-DUTY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE AND SEE IF THEY CAN GOURMET IT UP SO TO SPEAK.

IT SHOULD BE A FUN EVENT.

OUR INNOVATION ZONE IS GREATLY EXPANDED THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SO MANY NEW COMPANIES REPRESENTED AS WELL AS THE MILITARY.

>> Reporter: THE SAILORS AND CREW MEMBERS OF THE USS MONTGOMERY LIVE IN SAN DIEGO AND ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WHICH MAKES IT EXTRA SPECIAL THAT THE PUBLIC CAN TOUR THIS ACTIVE NAVY SHIP STARTING THIS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

FROM DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG, SOME MEMBERS OF THE MOUNTAIN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD ARE CALLING FOR THE CLOSURE OF A STORE AT THE CENTER OF A DRUG AND FRAUD INVESTIGATION.

AUTOBAHN CALIFORNIA IS URGING PEOPLE TO EMPTY BIRDBATHS AND FEEDERS TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF AVIAN FLU.

AND A LOOK AT HOW MASS TIMBER CAN HELP SAN DIEGO'S CLIMATE GOALS, WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY FOR YOU A BIT LATER.

>>> NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE ALONE, THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND THE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES END- OF-LIFE COMFORT.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER NAT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON THE RETURN OF AN 11th HOUR PROGRAM AT SHARK MOST RUN HOSPITAL.

>> HE'S BEEN VERY LETHARGIC FOR THE PAST WEEK OR TWO.

AND HASN'T BEEN MAKING ANY PROGRESS, TO GET BETTER.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS DOCTOR GREGORY THOMAS HAS EVERY DAY.

HE IS AN INPATIENT PALLIATIVE CARE POSITION AT SHARP GROSSMONT HOSPITAL IN LA MESA.

HE IS GOING OVER WHAT AN END-OF- LIFE CARE PLAN MIGHT LOOK LIKE, WITH THE HOSPITAL'S CLINICAL CHAPLAIN, ANDREW GRIFFITHS.

>> THEY IDENTIFY AS CHRISTIAN, I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR DENOMINATION IS.

I THINK THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO HAVING SPIRITUAL CARE INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: GRIFFITHS AND A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS ARE STANDING BY, READY TO COMFORT PATIENTS IN THEIR FINAL HOURS.

WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE NO ONE ELSE.

IT'S CALLED THE 11th HOUR PROGRAM.

>> THE MISSION STATEMENT IS NO ONE DIES ALONE.

>> Reporter: GRIFFITHS SAYS IT'S DESIGNED TO GIVE COMPANIONSHIP TO THOSE OF THEIR MOST VULNERABLE.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT DEATH AS A LIVING PERSON, I WORK AROUND IT EIGHT HOURS A DAY, FOUR DAYS A WEEK, BUT I'M STILL SCARED OF DEATH.

I WOULD BE SCARED TO BE AROUND NOT ONLY DEATH BUT, BE AROUND DEATH ALONE.

>> Reporter: ANY HOSPITAL STAFF MEMBER CAN REFER A PATIENT TO THE 11th HOUR PROGRAM.

RIVETS SAYS WHEN THEY GET THAT CALL, THEY KNOW THAT THE PATIENT IS NOT GOING TO GET BETTER.

AND THEY ARE TYPICALLY ON WHAT THEY CALL A COMFORT CARE PLAN.

>> THEY ARE THE END OF THEIR ILLNESS JOURNEY.

THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH FIGHTING, THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF WHAT AN ILLNESS WILL DO TO A BODY.

AND THEY ARE TOWARDS THE END AND ACTIVELY DYING, IT'S NONVERBAL, UNABLE TO SPEAK.

IN GENERAL, THEY USUALLY OLDER POPULATION.

>> Reporter: GRIFFITHS AND HIS TEAM TRY TO GET AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT A PATIENT IS POSSIBLE BEFORE SPENDING TIME WITH THEM, LIKE FINDING OUT THEIR FAVORITE MUSIC OR BOOKS.

>> IF THEY LIKE THE BEATLES, PLAYING THE BEATLES SONGS.

IF THEY LOVE POETRY, READINGS AND POETRY.

SHOWING THE ACT OF, I SEE YOU.

I'M WITH YOU.

I'M HERE.

>> Reporter: THE 11th HOUR PROGRAM IS TO STARTING BACK UP AGAIN AFTER A NEARLY THREE-YEAR HIATUS DUE TO COVID 19.

>> THAT WAS A BUMMER, I THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD TIME FOR OUR PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: TAMARA IS AN 11th HOUR VOLUNTEER, AND ALSO A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AT SHARP GROSSMONT HOSPITAL.

SHE'S BEEN WITH THE PROGRAM SINCE 2015.

SHE SAYS IT WAS TOUGH NOT HAVING IT AROUND DURING THE DEADLY PANDEMIC.

>> THAT WAS WHEN WE WERE MOST NEEDED, IT SEEMS.

BECAUSE LOTS OF PATIENTS HAD TO DIE BY THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES COULDN'T COME TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE NURSES WERE OVERWHELMED WITH LOTS OF THINGS HAPPENING AT THE TIME.

I WISH WE COULD HAVE BEEN THERE BUT THAT WASN'T AN OPTION.

NOW WE ARE BACK, WHICH IS GOOD.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS LOOKING FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP REACH A GOAL OF HAVING SOMEONE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

MAJORITY OF PATIENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK, BUT THEY CAN USUALLY HEAR.

>> I HOLD THEIR HAND AND TALK TO THEM, AND TELL THEM THAT IT'S OKAY.

AND THAT THEY ARE SAFE, THAT THEY ARE IN A GOOD ENVIRONMENT, AND THEY ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.

>> Reporter: SHE DIDN'T THINK TWICE WHEN SHE WAS ASKED TO RETURN TO THE PROGRAM.

FOR HER, THIS WORK IS PERSONAL.

>> IT RESONATED WITH ME BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PRESENT AT THE DEATHS OF THREE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THOSE WERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF EXPERIENCES, BUT, THE COMMON THEME WAS THAT WE HAD SO MANY FAMILY MEMBERS AROUND AT THE TIME.

AND FOR SOMEONE TO PASS ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT ANYONE DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF A COMFORT TO THE PATIENT, AS WELL AS YOURSELF, THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE SOMEONE A FEW MOMENTS OF PEACE.

>> GRIFFITHS SAYS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HE SAW HEARTWARMING SCENES WHERE NURSES AND THERAPISTS TOOK TIME OUT OF BUSY SCHEDULES TO SPEND TIME WITH THOSE DYING ALONE.

HE JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP RESTART THE 11th HOUR PROGRAM, AND HE'S HOPING MORE VOLUNTEERS WILL HELP IT THRIVE.

>> I WANT TO LIVE IN THE WORLD WHERE THERE'S HOPE.

I THINK THIS PROGRAM IS ONE STEP TOWARDS THAT, BRINGING HOPE BACK TO THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: THE 11th HOUR PROGRAM FALLS UNDER THE HOSPITAL'S SPIRITUAL CARE DIVISION, BUT VOLUNTEERS DON'T HAVE TO BE RELIGIOUS TO GET INVOLVED.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK, SAN DIEGANS TOOK TIME TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THOSE THEY HAVE LOST.

JACOB AYER VISITED OLDTOWN 40 A DE LOS SANTOS.

>> IN OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO, PEOPLE CAME FROM FAR AND WIDE TO GET A FEEL FOR A LARGE-SCALE CELEBRATION.

IT'S A HOLIDAY THAT HONORS ANCESTORS AND LOVED ONES THROUGH ALTERS, THERE'S LOTS OF FAMILIES OF FAMILY MEMBERS, PAINTED SKULLS AND SKELETONS.

SHE WAS HONORING HER ANCESTORS THROUGH MUSIC AND DANCE.

>> THE OUTFIT IS [ SPEAKING SPANISH ] WHICH IS MAINLY MEXICAN DANCE, AND THE FACE PAINTING IS DEFINITELY FOR DIA DE LOS SANTOS.

>> Reporter: DIA DE LOS SANTOS TRACES ITS EARLIEST ROOTS TO THE AZTEC PEOPLE, AND IT'S OFFICIALLY CELEBRATED NOVEMBER 1st AND SECOND.

TONYA AND HER MOTHER DROVE ALL THE WAY FROM ESCONDIDO JUST TO SEE THE OLD TOWN ALTERS IN PERSON.

>> EVEN THOUGH WE EMBRACE IT AT HOME, IT'S NICE TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN COME GATHER.

AND EMBRACE THE ROSE TRADITIONS, THE MEXICAN TRADITIONS FOR US.

IT MEANS THAT WE ARE CLOSER TO OUR LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: WEATHER HERE IN SAN DIEGO OR ACROSS THE BORDER IN MEXICO, MANY PEOPLE CELEBRATE IN THE SAME WAY.

>> IT'S LIKE TAKING A PIECE FROM WHERE YOU'RE FROM AND BRINGING IT HERE.

TO WHERE YOU LIVE.

>> Reporter: WITH THE MAIN FOCUS BEING ON FAMILY.

>> IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, WE GET TO REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO US.

IT'S NICE TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT OUR CULTURE, RESPECTFULLY.

THAT FEELS GOOD.

>> Reporter: WELL MANY FAMILIES CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY AT HOME, THE PUBLIC DIA DE LOS SANTOS CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE IN OLD TOWN WEDNESDAY.

WITH OTHER EVENTS SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA RECENTLY UPDATED ITS BUILDING CODE TO ALLOW HIGH- RISES.

MADE ALMOST ENTIRELY OUT OF WOOD.

NOT JUST ANY WOOD.

AND EMERGING TYPE OF WOOD PRODUCTS CALLED MASS TIMBER.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS ITS USE IS GROWING IN SAN DIEGO, FUELING HOPES THAT MASS TIMBER CAN HELP WITH THE CITIES CLIMATE GOALS.

>> Reporter: ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE RANCH, JUST OFF I 15, CREWS ARE ASSEMBLING A 10 STORY BUILDING MADE OUT OF MASS TIMBER.

THE PRODUCT IS MADE BY JOINING SEVERAL PLANKS OF WOOD TOGETHER, USUALLY WITH GLUE, TO FORM LARGE STRUCTURAL PLANNERS AND BEAMS.

>> THE FIRST FABRICATED BY GLUING PLYWOOD TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROFESSOR WITH THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES.

THIS BUILDING WILL NEVER BE INHABITED.

IT'S A RESEARCH EXPERIMENT, TO TEST HOW MASS TIMBER RESPONDS TO EARTHQUAKES.

THE BUILDING'S WALLS ARE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MOVE AND ABSORB ENERGY.

IT'S BUILT ON SOMETHING CALLED A SHAKE TABLE.

IN FEBRUARY, IT WILL MIMIC EARTHQUAKES OF INCREASING INTENSITY.

AS SHOWN HERE FROM A SMALLER SCALE EXPERIMENT IN 2017.

>> I KNOW OUR ENGINEERING IS SOLID, WE HAVE GOOD MATERIALS, WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON A GOOD SHOW.

BUT THE REASON WE DO RESEARCH AND TESTS IS WE DON'T KNOW THE FULL STORY.

>> Reporter: THE MAIN APPEAL OF MASS TIMBER IS ENVIRONMENTAL.

STEEL AND CONCRETE COST HUGE AMOUNTS OF ENERGY TO PRODUCE.

MASS TIMBER, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS MADE FROM A RENEWABLE RESOURCE GROWN BY THE SUN.

TREES CAPTURE CARBON FROM THE ATMOSPHERE AND STORE IT IN THEIR CELLS.

THAT MEANS SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF MASS TIMBER CAN OFFSET THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS.

THEY HOPE THEIR RESEARCH WILL HELP THE PRODUCT GO MAINSTREAM.

>> IN A WAY, WE ARE PLAYING A ROLE TO BE A GOOD EDUCATOR FOR THE PUBLIC, AND ALSO BUILDING OFFICIALS, TO SAY THIS IS TOTALLY FEASIBLE, AND THERE'S A GREAT BENEFIT.

>> ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS HAVE STRUGGLED WITH, HOW DO YOU BUILD IN A WAY THAT'S POSITIVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

>> Reporter: JENNIFER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO OF WOOD WORKS, A NONPROFIT THAT PROMOTES MASS TIMBER.

>> THE BUILDING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES 40%, OF THE TOTAL GREENHOUSE GASES GLOBALLY.

TO THE ENVIRONMENT, IF YOU LOOK AT BUILDING MATERIALS ALONE, IT'S BETWEEN 9 TO 11%.

>> Reporter: THIS SUMMER, CALIFORNIA AMENDED THE BUILDING CODE TO ALLOW STRUCTURES UP TO 18 STORIES TALL.

MADE WITH MASS TIMBER.

THOSE UPDATES CAME AFTER RESEARCH SHOWED MASS TIMBER IS REMARKABLY RESISTANT TO FIRE.

WHEN EXPOSED TO FLAMES, >> THE SOLID PIECE OF WOOD BEGINS TO CHAR, AND WHAT THAT DOES IS CREATE AN INSULATION LEVEL, AN INSULATION LAYER AGAINST FURTHER HEAT DAMAGE, SO THE WHAT IS PROTECTED, AND IS AFFECTING WISHES.

>> Reporter: DESPITE POTENTIAL TO HELP THE CARBONIZED THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, MASS TIMBER REMAINS SOMETHING OF A NOVELTY IN NORTH AMERICA.

ITS POPULARITY IS GROWING FAST.

>> THE BUILDING COMES IN THROUGH HERE AND MAKES AN L, AND YOU WILL HAVE AN OUTDOOR PLAZA.

>> Reporter: ALEX SHOWS ME AROUND A LOT IN NORTHPARK, WHERE HE'S PLANNING TO BUILD A FIVE STORY, 55 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING.

IT WILL BE A HYBRID, WITH MASS TIMBER FLOORS AND CEILINGS, BUT CONVENTIONAL WOOD FRAMING FOR WALLS.

HE ESTIMATES THE MASS TIMBER IS ADDING AT LEAST 15% TO HIS CONSTRUCTION COSTS, BUT HE'S BETTING FUTURE TENANTS WILL PAY A PREMIUM FOR THE AESTHETIC APPEAL.

>> WHEN YOU GO IN YOU WILL SEE THESE HUGE EXPOSED MASS TIMBER PANELS, COMPLETELY UNOBSTRUCTED, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE NATURE ELEMENT INSIDE YOUR UNIT.

LIKE YOU'RE IN A WOODEN CABIN.

>> Reporter: A LOT WILL HAVE TO CHANGE BEFORE SAN DIEGO SEES ITS FIRST MASS TIMBER HIGH- RISE.

CONTRACTORS WITH EXPERIENCE IN MASS TIMBER ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY.

ALEX EXPECTS THE MATERIAL WILL HAVE TO CATCH ON WITH LARGE, DEEP-POCKETED DEVELOPERS FIRST.

>> THE MORE OF THOSE LARGE- SCALE PROJECTS GET ACCOMPLISHED, WITH MASS TIMBER, THERE WILL BE A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT TO THE MASS MARKET AND THE SMALLER PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN BRIEFLY MENTIONS MASS TIMBER AS A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIAL THAT THE CITY SHOULD SEEK TO INCENTIVIZE.

EXACTLY WHAT THOSE INCENTIVES WILL LOOK LIKE, OR WHEN THEY WILL TAKE EFFECT IS UNCLEAR.

IN THE MEANTIME, ALEX SAYS THE CITY HAS TO GET MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE MATERIAL.

HE SUBMITTED HIS BLUEPRINTS FOR REVIEW LAST DECEMBER.

AND IS STILL WAITING FOR A BUILDING PERMIT.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A HISTORIC GRAND OPENING IN THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER TAKES US TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MISSION VALLEY NAMED IN HONOR OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO FIRST LIVED ON THE LAND WHERE IT NOW SITS.

>> SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE, SO MANY GROTE GREAT PARENTS.

>> Reporter: THE EXCITEMENT OF THE MOMENT IS UNMISTAKABLE.

SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL IS HAPPENING HERE.

>> [ MUSIC ] >> Reporter: ALMOST 14 YEARS AGO, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY, WHICH IS NOW FILLED WITH MARKET VALUED APARTMENTS AND HOMES.

THE EXPECTED GROWTH MEANT A NEW SCHOOL WOULD BE NEEDED SOMEDAY.

THIS MORNING, THAT DAY ARRIVED WITH THE OPENING OF THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

YEARS OF PLANNING APPROVALS HAVE LED TO THIS CAMPUS, THAT IS NOW OPEN TO STUDENTS IN UNIVERSAL TK THROUGH SECOND GRADE.

EACH YEAR A GRADE LEVEL WILL BE ADDED UNTIL THERE IS A FIFTH GRADE CLASS.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S NEWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITS ON LAND IN MISSION VALLEY THAT WAS ONCE A VILLAGE.

THAT'S HISTORIC, AND SO IS THE NAME.

>> WE STRIVE TO REPRESENT THE TRUTH OF THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY.

>> Reporter: OLYMPIA IS NATIVE AMERICAN AND A MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION.

SHE WAS ALSO PART OF THE COMMITTEE THAT HELPED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COME UP WITH A NAME FOR THIS CAMPUS.

IT TRANSLATES TO MEAN A SECOND HOME.

THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL HOME, AND LAND, FOR 600 GENERATIONS.

STUDENTS HERE WILL NOW LEARN THAT HISTORY SO IT IS NOT FORGOTTEN.

>> THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE HERE, THEY FEEL THERE'S A PLACE TO GROW, THEY LEARN AND EXPLORE, AND FEEL THAT THIS EDUCATIONAL PLACE IS THERE OTHER HOME.

>> IT'S OFF TO THE GYM, AND THIS PLACE IS SO COOL.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS ARE HYBRID, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES.

IS A COLLABORATIVE LIBRARY AND DEDICATED PLAYGROUNDS DESIGNED FOR EXPLORATION AND LEARNING.

>> WHAT IS YOUR TEACHER'S NAME?

GOOD JOB.

>> Reporter: CURLEY SANCHEZ SILVA AND HER HUSBAND ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD, BETWEEN THE THREE OF THEM, THEY SPEAK SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, AND ENGLISH.

A FAMILY COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND THE MISSION OF THEIR NOW NEW HISTORY MAKING SCHOOL.

>> HAVING YOUR SECOND HOME SOMETHING SPECIAL, WHERE YOU CANNOT JUST BE BUT LEARN AND BE SOMEONE THAT CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE.

>> THIS SCHOOL DID TAKE A BIG PART OF THAT, IN HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY, HONORING THE PEOPLE OF THE PAST AS WELL AS INTEGRATING WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

IT TEACHES THE KIDS THE IMPORTANCE, TO KNOW WHERE YOU COME FROM SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

>> [ MUSIC ] >> Reporter: SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL IS HAPPENING HERE, AS NOVEMBER BEGINS.

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> OUR FINAL STORY TAKES US TO CHULA VISTA, WHERE A GROUP OF ATHLETES ARE VYING FOR A SPOT ON TEAM USA.

VIDEO JOURNALIST MIKE DAMRON MET WITH PLAYERS PUTTING IN WORK TO JOIN THE FIRST EVER LINE SOCCER NATIONAL TEEN.

>> I HAVE ATHLETES THROUGHOUT MY FAMILY AND I WAS NEVER ABLE TO PARTAKE WHEN I WAS A KID, OR PARTICIPATE BECAUSE I WAS BLIND, SO WHEN I DISCOVERED BLIND SPORTS, I FELL IN LOVE AND I FELL IN LOVE THE MOMENT I STEPPED ONTO A SOCCER PITCH.

THERE ARE FOUR FIELD PLAYERS ON EACH TEAM, THE BALL HAS RATTLES IN THE LINING OF IT.

AND YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SAY THE WORD IF YOU ARE ATTACKING THE BALL.

IT'S SPANISH OR PORTUGUESE FOR I AM COMING.

>> KEEP GOING, TURN RIGHT, DRIVE.

>> Reporter: COMMUNICATION IS VITAL TO BLIND SOCCER.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN BE OUT HERE AND PLAY A GAME WITHOUT IT ENDING UP IN EVERYONE BEING INJURED.

>> ON YOUR RIGHT, ON YOUR RIGHT.

>> HE SHOT, HE SHOT.

>> THE BALL IS TWO OR THREE TIMES HEAVIER THAN A REGULAR SIZE 5 SOCCERBALL, IT'S A LITTLE SMALLER, AND THE BEES INSIDE, TRYING TO KICK THE BALL, IT DEFINITELY, IT'S DIFFERENT.

>> SOCCER IS A SPORT THAT WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE, SO THE BLIND ATHLETES ARE EXCITED TO GET OUT HERE AND TRY SOMETHING NEW.

IT'S ALSO MORE OF A PHYSICAL SPORT WITHIN THE BLIND SPORT WORLD, THEY HAVE TO WORK ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT SKILLS FROM COMMUNICATION TO ORIENTATION, BALL SKILLS, IT'S MORE PHYSICAL.

BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE GAME SO EXCITING AND GREAT.

>> I JUST WANT YOU TO DRIBBLE STRAIGHT PAST THAT LINE AND WE WILL COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.

I WANT YOU TO SEE WHAT YOU DO AFTER.

WE ARE COUNTERING TO THAT LINE.

YOU'RE GOING TO STAY IN YOUR LINE.

FOR A GIVEN AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> TO BE ABLE TO BE OUT HERE ON A 40 BY 20 METER FIELD, RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN AS HARD AS I CAN, FIGHTING FOR A BALL, TAKING SHOTS, IT OPENED UP SO MANY DREAMS.

TO REPRESENT MY NATION, MY COUNTRY, TO PUT ON A JOURNEY WITH USA ON THE BACK OF IT, IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

TO THINK OF THE BLIND PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING AT HOME RIGHT NOW THINKING THEY CAN'T DO THIS, THEY CAN'T DO SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS CROSSING A STREET.

AND I'M OUT HERE TRYING TO REPRESENT THEM, TRYING TO SPREAD THIS MESSAGE THAT YES, YOU CAN.

YOU CAN DO THOSE THINGS AND IF YOU DO THEM WELL ENOUGH, YOU CAN ONE DAY PUT ON THIS JERSEY.

>> THAT STORY CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THAT'S WHERE WE ALSO LIVE STREAM EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00 P.M. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, THANKS FOR JOINING US.