♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, I'M JACOB AERE.

BRINGING GENTLE DENSITY TO SAN DIEGO.

CITY LEADERS WANT TO UPDATE ZONING LAWS TO ALLOW MORE TOWNHOMES AND DUPLEXES.

AND THE MAYOR IS SETTLING INTO A NEW BRICK AND MORTAR STORE FRONT.

AN UPDATE ON WHAT HAS BEEN A WILD YEAR FOR THE LOCAL SHOP THAT WAS PART OF A SUCCESS TO TIKTOK.

PLUS, ESPORTS IN THE SOUTH BAY.

TEAMWORK WITH THE HELP OF VIDEO GAMES.

WE START WITH AN UPDATE TO A KPBS INVESTIGATION.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE UNCOVERED A CRUDE VOICE MESSAGE FROM A TOP OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES CALLING FOR MORE DOG EUTHANASIAS.

KPBS REPORTER SAYS THE OFFICIAL SENT IN AN APOLOGY LETTER THAT HAS SOME QUESTIONING ITS TRUTHFULNESS.

>> THE CONTENTS OF THE RECORDING ARE JARRING.

ESPECIALLY WHEN CONSIDERING THE SOURCE.

>> I'M SO SICK OF US KEEPING DOGS THAT AREN'T GOING TO GET ADOPTED.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE OVER CROWDED.

CALL ME HEARTLESS, BUT I'M ALSO REALISTIC.

>> THAT'S THE VOICE OF RACHEL BERELLI, THE DEPARTMENT'S NUMBER TWO OFFICIAL.

KPBS CONFIRMS SHE WENT ON LEAVE IN SEPTEMBER.

>> INTERESTING.

OKAY.

>> MOLLY HIGGINS IS A FORMER KARLSBAD SHELTER VOLUNTEER.

THE VOICE MESSAGE REFLECTS BERELLI'S ATTITUDE TOWARD EUTHANASIA.

>> WHEN I HEARD THE VOICE MEMO, I WASN'T SURPRISED.

THAT'S JUST VERY ON BRAND FOR THE RACHEL BERELLI THAT I KNEW AND EXPERIENCED AT THE SHELTER.

>> KPBS OBTAIN THE HER APOLOGY LETTER THROUGH A CALIFORNIA PUBLIC REPORTS ACT REQUEST.

THE RECORDING WAS MADE WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, SHE CLAIMED.

OUR REPORTING FOUND OTHERWISE.

A VOICE MESSAGE TO ANOTHER PERSON WHO THEN SHARED IT WITH KPBS.

THAT PERSON ANSWERED QUESTIONS OVER TEXT AND ASKED KPBS TO WITHHOLD THEIR NAME DUE TO FEARS OF PROFESSIONAL REPRECUSHIONS.

THEY WROTE, QUOTE, HER CLAIM THAT IT WAS RECORDED WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE IS FALSE.

THE EXPLANATION DOESN'T LINE UP WITH WHAT SHE ACTUALLY SAID, END QUOTE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES WOULD NOT AGREE TO AN INTERVIEW, BUT SENT A STATEMENT REGARDING THE RECORDING.

QUOTE, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS, BUT THE RECORDING PREVIOUSLY REPORTED DOES NOT REFLECT THE VALUES OR MISSION OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO.

IT IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CARING AND DEDICATED WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES STAFF.

KPBS LEARNED EARLIER THIS MONTH, THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS UNDERGOING AN AUDIT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, SCOTT ROD, CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.

IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR KPBS'S INVESTIGATIONS TEAM, YO U CAN SEND AN E-MAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS@KPBS.ORG OR MESSAGE THEM AT THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

619-594-8177.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO WANTS TO ADD MORE TOWNHOMES TO EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WILL REQUIRE MONTHS OF PLANNING AND ZONING CHANGES.

KPBS REPORTER TELLS US ABOUT THE MAYOR'S VISION FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

>> 80% OF LAND IN SAN DIEGO THAT IS ZONED FOR HOUSING IS RESTRICTED TO SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

THEY ARE OFTEN THE MOST EXPENSIVE KIND OF HOUSING ON THE MARKET.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOMES FOR ALL OF US INITIATIVE WOULD OPEN UP SOME OF THAT LAND TO LOWER COST TOWNHOMES.

GLORIA SAYS THE GOAL IS SO- CALLED GENTLE DENSITY.

THAT BLENDS IN WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD BETTER THAN LARGE APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

>> SAN DIEGO HAS LONG BEEN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE BUILD THEIR LIVES, RAISE THEIR FAMILIES, AND PURSUE THEIR DREAMS.

TO KEEP THAT PROMISE ALIVE, WE MUST CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE STUCK BETWEEN THE RISING COST OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND THE LIMITED OPTIONS IN TODAY'S MARKET.

NEIGHBORHOOD HOMES FOR ALL OF US GIVES US A CHANCE TO DO JUST THAT.

>> GLORIA'S ANNOUNCEMENT TOOK PLACE AT THREE ROUTES, A DEVELOPMENT IN MESA.

IT WAS BUILT ON A FORMER ROCK QUARRY, THE LARGE OPEN SPACE THAT IS INCREASINGLY SCARCE IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT'S WHY THE CITY HAS TRIED TO INCENTIVIZE MORE HOME BUILDING WITHIN EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS.

COUNCIL MONTANA SAID THE IDEA OF QUOTE, GENTLE DENSITY, IS NOT NEW AND DUPLEXES, COTTAGES, AND TOWNHOMES ARE A PART OF THE CITY'S HISTORY.

>> IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU SEE THIS EVERY PLACE AND YOU SEE PEOPLE REALLY LOOK AT THOSE LOVINGLY, ABOUT MAYBE THAT'S WHERE I COULD LIVE.

DOESN'T FIT EVERYONE, BUT IT'S PART OF SAN DIEGO'S TRADITION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

GOOD IDEAS IN THE PAST THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BRING FORWARD TO MAKE NEW THINGS HAPPEN.

>> GLORIA'S ANNOUNCEMENT WAS LIGHT ON THE DETAILS, WHICH HE SAYS WILL BE DEVELOPED THROUGH FOCUS GROUPS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

THE MAYOR HOPES TO PRESENT A PACKAGE OF ZONING AND PERMITTING REFORMS TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF 2026.

ANDREW BOWAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> CALIFORNIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IS WAITING INTO A DISPUTE BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT AND THE CITY OF DEL MAR.

THE STATE IS WARNING THE CITY OF POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OVER THE ISSUE.

>> IN 2023, A DEVELOPER APPLIED TO BUILD THE SEASIDE PROJECT HERE ON THE BLUFFS OVERLOOKING DEL MAR'S BEACH.

WITH 85 AFFORDABLE UNITS.

42 OF WHICH ARE LOW INCOME.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE THE BEST DECISION TO BUILD IN THIS LOCATION RIGHT HERE.

>> DEL MAR RESIDENT THINKS THE CITY NEEDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, JUST NOT ON THE BLUFFS.

>> EVERYTHING IS CONGESTED HERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMERTIME.

I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY TO HAVE IT IN THIS LOCATION.

>> THE CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT DEEMED THE APPLICATION IN COMPLETE.

PART OF THE REASON IS THAT THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD NEED A ZONING CHANGE.

>> CHANGING WHAT CAN BE BUILT ON A BEAUTIFUL FRAGILE BLUFF LIKE THIS ONE IS AN EXTREME ONE.

THIS IS A COASTAL BLUFF AND THAT MEANS THE COASTAL COMMISSION HAS TO WEIGH IN.

AND THE APPLICATION LACKED THOSE MATERIALS.

>> THE DEVELOPER FILED SUIT IN 2024, CLAIMING THE PROJECT IS ELIGIBLE FOR A BUILDER'S REMEDY.

THAT'S A PROVISION IN STATE LAW ALLOWING DEVELOPERS TO BYPASS BUILDING LAWS.

CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL THINKS THE CITY IS DRAGGING ITS FEET ON THE ISSUE.

THE CITY'S POSITION THAT THE APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE IS LEGALLY UNATTAINABLE.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAYS, BY INSISTING THE APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE, THE CITY HAS EFFECTIVELY BLOCKED THE APPLICANT FROM OBTAINING A MEANINGFUL REVIEW FROM THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE COURTS.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL IS STANDING BY ITS ASSESSMENT THAT THE APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE AND THEY'LL HAVE A DISCUSSION.

>> IN THE LETTER, THE AG'S OFFICE WARNS OF POTENTIAL PENALTIES.

THE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2026.

IT GIVES DEVELOPERS MORE POWER TO SUE CITIES FOR VIOLATING HOUSING REFORM LAWS.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S MIDWAY RISING PROJECT WAS DELAYED ONCE AGAIN IN RECENT WEEKS.

EXTENDING THE TIME LINE ON THE $4 BILLION DEVELOPMENT.

PUBLIC MATTERS REPORTER, JAKE, HAS THE STORY OF HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT IS NEXT.

>> MIDWAY RISING IS A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD REVITALIZE THIS AREA THAT IS FULL OF PARKING LOTS, WAREHOUSES, AND BIG BOX STORES.

IT IS A KEY PART OF THE MAYOR'S PLANS TO BOOST HOUSING PRODUCTION.

ESPECIALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> IT WILL BE THE LARGEST, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY.

WE ARE PROUD, BUT NOT SURPRISED, THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS NOW.

IT GOT PUSHED BACK AGAIN.

TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROJECT KEEPS GETTING DELAYED, WE HAVE TO GO BACK IN TIME TO 1969.

WAY BACK THEN, PACIFIC BEACH RESIDENTS LEARNED THIS BUILDING WAS GOING UP HERE ON THE BLUFFS.

THEY WERE TERRIFIED DEVELOPMENT LIKE THIS WOULD BLOCK VIEWS OF THE OCEAN AND BRING UNWANTED POPULATION DENSITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY COULDN'T STOP THIS ONE, BUT THEY GOT TOGETHER AND GATHERED ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO PUT A STOP TO ANY FUTURE TALL BUILDINGS.

THE 30-FOOT HEIGHT LIMIT WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 1972 AND PUT A CAP ON DEVELOPMENT WEST OF I-5 TO THIS DAY.

RECENTLY, STATE LEADERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

IN 2018, THE CITY REZONED THE MIDWAY AREA TO ALLOW FOR 10,000 NEW HOMES AND THEY DID THE REVIEW REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.

THEY ALSO WANTED TO EXEMPT THE AREA FROM THAT HEIGHT LIMIT TO FACILITATE PROJECTS LIKE MIDWAY RISING.

HERE'S WHAT JEN CAMPBELL TOLD KPBS IN 2020.

>> IT CAN BECOME NOT ONLY AN AREA FOR A SPORTS OR ENTERTAINMENT AREA, A VIBRANT TRANSPORTATION, RESIDENTIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EMPLOYMENTY AREA.

>> THE CITY REMOVED THE HEIGHT LIMIT RESTRICTION, AND THE MAJORITY APPROVED IT.

CHALLENGED THE HEIGHT LIMIT EXCEPTION IN COURT.

>> ACCESS FILED THIS LAWSUIT, BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE IMPACTS THAT THIS PROJECT WOULD HAVE ON SAN DIEGO.

>> THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED THE CITY'S INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT DIDN'T STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF TALL BUILDINGS.

THE COURTS AGREED.

SO THE CITY WENT AND STUDIED THE IMPACTS OF TALL BUILDINGS.

VOTERS REAPPROVED THE MEASURE IN 2022 AND SAVE OUR ACCESS SUED AGAIN, SAYING THE CITY ESSENTIALLY HAD TO REDO THE WHOLE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TO INCLUDE TALL BUILDINGS.

THE COURTS, ONCE AGAIN, AGREED.

McKNABB SAYS HIS PRIMARY CONCERN IS TRAFFIC FOR MIDWAY RISING.

>> YOU PUT 200,000 PEOPLE HERE, YOU FREEZE THE FREEWAYS.

THE NORTH, SOUTH CORRIDOR PEOPLE TAKE EVERY DAY.

>> THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY AND TRANSIT AGENCIES TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON CARS FOR THE PROJECT.

THAT INCLUDES BUILDING THINGS LIKE BIKE LANES AND WALKING PATHS.

>> YOU WILL JAM AND CRAM ALL THESE PEOPLE HERE.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF EVERYBODY?

>> HE WOULDN'T SUPPORT MIDWAY RISING EVEN IF IT WAS BUILT BELOW 30 FEET.

UC DAVIS LAW PROFESSOR SAID THE CITY BELIEVED THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT WAS SUFFICIENT.

HE ARGUES THE COURT SHOULD DEFER TO THAT ANALYSIS.

>> THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT IT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWS, LIKE, PREDICTABILITY FOR THE CITY.

>> THE STATE LEGISLATE PASSED LAWS IN RECENT YEARS TO MINIMIZE WHAT HE CALLS ABUSE.

>> FOR THE COURT JUST TO SAY, AH, NONE OF THAT HAS ANY BEARING ON WHETHER WE INTERPRET SEQUA IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS ONE RANDOM WHO DOESN'T LIKE DENSE HOUSING TO HOLD IT UP FOR A DECADE.

LIKE THAT'S INSANE.

>> THE FORMER SAN DIEGO PLANNING DIRECTOR SAID THE COURT PROBABLY RULED HOW THEY DID, BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS A BALLOT MEASURE.

>> THE JUDGE MADE THAT POINT VERY, VERY CLEAR, THAT PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF A BALLOT MEASURE, THE PUBLIC NEEDED TO KNOW ALL OF THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, NOT JUST THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY IS GOING TO APPEAL THAT DECISION TO THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT.

THAT CASE COULD MAKE IT EASIER OR HARDER FOR CITIES TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS.

BUT THE MIDWAY RISING PROJECT HAS ANOTHER TOOL IT MAY USE TO EXCEED THE HEIGHT LIMIT.

THE STATE'S DENSITY BONUS LAW LETS THEM EXCEED THAT THRESHOLD BECAUSE THE PROJECT INCLUDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE TIME LINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED EVEN FURTHER.

AS THE CITY AND DEVELOPERS RENEGOTIATE.

>> MANY OF HIS STORIES ARE DIGITAL FIRST.

GIVE HIM A FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM@JAKEGOTTA.

: A TIKTOK VIDEO HELPED MARIGOLD BAGELS GO VIRAL.

THEY NEEDED AN ACTUAL STORE FRONT TO MEET DEMAND.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER SAYS A YEAR LATER, MARIGOLD BAGELS SETTLING INTO IT NEW HOME IN NORTH PARK.

>> WE ARE HERE AT THE NEW MARIGOLD BAGEL STORE FRONT.

IT WAS ALMOST A YEAR AGO TODAY THAT I MET MIKE, WHO IS THE ORDINARY REASON OF MARIGOLD BAGELS.

HE HAD A TIKTOK VIDEO MAKE HIS BUSINESS GO VIRAL AND IN ORDER TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF EVERYBODY WHO WANTED BAGELS, HE HAD TO OPEN THIS STORE FRONT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.

HERE WE ARE AT THE NEW MARIGOLD BAGELS.

MIKE, THIS IS A BIG DAY FOR YOU.

FINALLY, YOUR STORE FRONT.

>> YES, YES, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> SO NOW, YOU USED TO HAVE ONLINE AND AT FARMER'S MARKETS.

BAGELS AVAILABLE.

SO, IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A LONG AND ROCKY ROAD TO THE STORE FRONT?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEEN ROCKY, IT'S BEEN GREAT.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE, OF COURSE, AND SOMETIMES OVERWELMING.

GOING FROM THE HOME KITCHEN, WHICH IS A SMALL OPERATION, MY REFRIGERATOR COULDN'T FIT ANYMORE, SO WE GOT A SHARED KITCHEN.

WE GOT A GHOST KITCHEN.

WE'RE MOVING UP EVERY STEP.

THAT'S ALL BEEN GREAT AND FUN CHALLENGES AND NOW, OF COURSE, WE'RE HERE.

>> YOU USED TO HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF BAGELS YOU COULD MAKE, ABOUT 500.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW?

>> WELL, WE CAN MAKE ABOUT 800 A DAY NOW, WHICH IS ACTUALLY NOT THAT UNCOMMON FOR A BAGEL SHOP OUR SIZE.

AT THE BEGINNING, WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE A HIGHER DEMAND, JUST BECAUSE WE ARE RELATIVELY NEW AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AWHILE.

>> PART OF THE REASON WHY YOUR BUSINESS HAS GONE KIND OF VIRAL AND PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING THESE BAGELS IS THESE BAGELS HAVE NEW YORK SOUL, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THESE?

>> NEW YORK SOUL, SAN DIEGO HEART.

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THEM, IT'S A FOUR-DAY PROCESS, AND WE REALLY DO USE THE OLDEST OF TRADITIONS.

WE USE VERY HIGH PROTEIN, OR STRONG FLOUR, WHICH IS 14%.

SO HIGH GLUTEN.

DO YOU HAVE NO GLUTEN?

ACTUALLY, WE USE EXTRA GLUTEN.

IT'S JUST HOW THE BAGELS ARE MADE.

FLOUR, WATER, SUGARS, YEAST, AND SALT.

THAT'S IT.

PLAY AROUND WITH TEMPERATURE, TIMES, COOKING, HAD FRIENDS WHO WERE TASTE TESTERS.

PEOPLE IN MY BUILDING, AND SORT OF NARROWED IT DOWN.

>> AND YOU CAME TO THIS AFTER RETIRING FROM BEING A CHEMIST.

>> YES.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU EVER RETIRE FROM BEING A CHEMIST.

IT'S ALWAYS WITH YOU.

IT'S BUILT IN.

BUT YES, I WAS A RESEARCH CHEMIST FOR 32 YEARS IN PHARMA AND BIOTECH.

>> YOU PUT THAT SCIENTIST APPROACH TO KIND OF CONCOCTING YOUR RECIPE HERE.

>> YES, IT WAS INTERESTING, BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT, BAKING, THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN BAKING, I FOUND, ARE ACTUALLY SORT OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN CHEMISTRY.

BUT IT TURNS OUT, WHEN YOU ARE BAKING, YOU PAY ATTENTION TO TEMPERATURE.

YOU PAY ATTENTION TO QUANTITIES.

HAVING THE COMFORT OF WEIGHING EVERYTHING IN GRAMS.

I DON'T USE CUPS OR OUNCES OR GALLOPS.

EVERYTHING IS WEIGHED OUT IN GRAMS AND KILOGRAMS.

THAT WAS A VERY COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR ME.

AND LED TO REPRODUCIBLE RESULTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND NOW, YOU ARE GOING TO BE HAVING YOUR GRAND OPENING ON SATURDAY, TOMORROW.

SO, I THINK IT IS NOW TIME FOR ME TO FINALLY GET TO ORDER A BAGEL SANDWICH.

ALL RIGHT.

I'M BETH FOR KPBS NEWS HERE AT MARIGOLD BAGELS.

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

ICE DETAINS THE UKRAINIAN WIFE OF A U.S.

CITIZEN FOLLOWING A GREEN CARD INTERVIEW.

SHE HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED.

ALSO THE STORY WE HAD EARLIER FROM JAKE GOTTA.

AND SAN DIEGO'S 21 BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS OF 2025, CHOSEN BY KPBS STAFF.

>>> WE WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO TUNED IN THIS WEEK TO OUR LATEST ONE BOOK, ONE SAN DIEGO AUTHOR EVENT.

OLIVIA IS THE AUTHOR OF THE INTERPRETER, THIS YEAR'S BOOK SELECTION FOR KIDS.

SHE TOOK PART IN A LIVE INTERVIEW HOSTED BY TAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S ONE BOOK SELECTIONS AND STREAM THIS WEEK'S EVENT AT THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> WARWICK'S BOOKSTORE WON PUBLISHER WEEKLY'S BOOKSTORE OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND DEDICATION FOR HOSTING LITERARY EVENTS.

BETH VISITED THE BELOVED INDY BOOKSTORE TO REMIND PEOPLE OF ITS LONG HISTORY.

>> WARWICKS IS THE OLDEST, CONTINUOUSLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BOOKSTORE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND NANCY WARWICK LEARNED THAT FROM A CUSTOMER.

>> THE KEY TO THAT IS, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN IN MY FAMILY.

MY GREAT GRANDFATHER OPENED THE FIRST WARWICK'S IN 1895 IN MANCATO, MINNESOTA.

NOW THE FOURTH GENERATION TO RUN THE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE.

>> I LOVE THIS STORE.

IT'S IN MY BLOOD.

IT'S SO MUCH PART OF MY LIFE.

AND IT WAS REALLY GREAT BECAUSE MY PARENTS ALWAYS INCLUDED US FROM A YOUNG AGE.

THEY WOULD ASK OUR OPINIONS.

THEY WOULD TELL US STORIES.

THEY WOULD BE FUNNY STORIES.

THEY WOULD BE SAD STORIES.

THEY WOULD BE STORIES OF SHOPLIFTERS.

>> BOOKSTORE WAS THE FAMILY BUSINESS, ALSO A PLAYGROUND FOR WARWICK, ESPECIALLY THE DUMB WAITER.

>> WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MY SISTER AND I USED TO SIT IN HERE AND RIDE UP AND DOWN AND GO AS FAST AS WE COULD.

IF YOU LOOK IN THE BACK OF IT, YOU CAN SEE OUR PARKING LOT USED TO START HERE.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST EXPANSIONS OF THE STORE.

>> AS AN ADULT, WARWICK TOOK OVER THE STORE IN THE 1990s.

>> THE ROLE OF INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE, I CAN'T OVERSTATE.

IT'S THE SENSE OF CONNECTIVENESS BETWEEN BOOK LOVERS.

THE SHARED LOVE OF A GREAT READ AND WANTING TO HOLD IT AFTERWARD.

>> WE HAVE THIS WONDERFUL CUSTOMER BASE.

PEOPLE WHO SHOPPED HERE WHEN THEY WERE A CHILD ARE BRINGING IN GRANDCHILDREN.

WE HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT COME IN EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, OR WE HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT BRING THEIR DOG IN EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

SO SMART TO HAVE DOG BISCUITS IN ANY KIND OF STORE.

>> IT'S SMART TO HAVE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

BUILD COMMUNITY, SELL MORE THAN JUST BOOKS, AND BE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT CAN AFFORD TO BUY EXPENSIVE HARD BACKS.

AS WARWICK'S HEAD BOOK BUYER, MALLORY, HAS A DREAM JOB.

>> SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME I COULD BUY BOOKS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE, YOU'RE KIDDING.

IT'S GREAT.

WHEN I AM BUYING BOOK, I'M THINKING ABOUT WHAT TABLE THEY'RE GOING TO SIT ON AND WHERE THEY WOULD BE SITTING ON THE TABLE.

BUT IT'S ALSO REALLY TRYING TO SEE WHAT'S OUT THERE.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT.

WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE SOMEONE STOP AND LOOK AT IT?

THAT'S VERY KEY WHEN WE ARE WORKING IN A PHYSICAL WORLD.

>> PUBLISHERS FOCUS ON THE PHYSICAL PACKAGING.

TO MAKE OWNING A BOOK FEEL A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL.

AND GROFF LIKES TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ON THE ART WALL.

>> IT IS ONE OF PROBABLY THE RAREST THINGS YOU WILL FIND IN AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE.

WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT BOOKS THAT PEOPLE LOOK AT.

WE CATCH PEOPLE'S EYE FROM THE STRAOEFP.

>> ONCE PEOPLE ARE INSIDE, THE STAFF CAN PAIR THEM WITH THE PERFECT BOOK.

>> THE FACT THAT PEOPLE PUT SO MUCH TRUST IN OUR BOOK SELLERS.

WE HAVE SO MANY RECOMMENDATIONS, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO ASK IF THEY DON'T WANT TO.

BUT IT IS A JOY TO WATCH DIFFERENT BOOK SELLERS WALK CUSTOMERS AROUND, FIND THEM THE PERFECT GIFT, IT'S A JOY AND THAT'S SOMETHING WHERE WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE STAFF THAT IS SO GOOD AT RECOMMENDING AND REALLY LISTEN AND KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> CONNECTING PEOPLE TO BOOKS IS PART OF WHAT JULIE DOES AS DIRECTOR OF EVENTS.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING HOLLOWED ABOUT THESE WALLS THAT PEOPLE LOVE TO COME AND BE PART OF THE LEGACY OF, YOU KNOW.

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE SITTING IN THE ROOM HEARING AN AUTHOR TALK ABOUT THEIR WORK.

I MEAN, IT IS TRANSCENDING.

YOU CAN'T REPRODUCE THAT ON AN AUDIO FORMAT.

>> WARWICK'S IS ABOUT THE IN- PERSON EXPERIENCE.

HAVING A PERSONALITY AND EVEN A LIFE OF ITS OWN.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED, BUT SOMEHOW THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE STORE MAKES PEOPLE FEEL WARM AND SAFE.

I THINK PART OF THAT IS BOOKS, YOU KNOW, BUT ALSO IT IS ABOUT HAVING SO MANY LONG-TERM STAFFERS WHO REALLY LIKE THE CUSTOMER.

IT'S A WARM ATMOSPHERE AND THERE'S A LOT OF SHARING OF STORIES.

>> AND APPRECIATING 128 YEAR FAMILY HISTORY.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY FROM THE WARWICK'S DUMB WAITER, I'M BETH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, A PERFORMANCE WITH DANCERS AND MUSICIANS IS ABOUT HONORING THE LITTLE THINGS.

ALONGSIDE THE HEAVINESS AND CHAOS OF THE WORLD.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER TAKES US INSIDE A REHEARSAL.

>> DANCER AND CAR JOG PER, COOREOGRAPHER.

>> I WAS NOTICING HOW TAKING ON THE WEIGHT OF THINGS WITH THINGS IN MY FAMILY OR THINGS JUST IN THE WORLD, AND THE CHAOS OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME, AND HOW IT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL HEAVY AND IT WOULD TRANSLATE INTO MY MOVEMENT.

AND I STARTED TO THINK ABOUT HOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCE.

>> FRANCISCO IS THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF ALL THE BIG AND LITTLE THINGS, WHICH IS INFORMED BY THE WAYS WE CARRY OUR BURDENS.

>> SO I WAS WANTING TO EXPLORE HOW WE CAN BETTER TUNE INTO THOSE MOMENTS WHERE WE MIGHT BE AWARE OF IT, AND OTHER TIMES WHERE WE MIGHT NOT BE AND LEARN TO ACCEPT BOTH AND EMBRACE BOTH VERSUS TRYING TO CHANGE ANYTHING.

>> FRANCISCO WORKED WITH OTHER MOVEMENT AND SOUND ARTISTS TO DESIGN A PRODUCTION THAT SITS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN COOREOGRAPHED AND EMPROVISED.

>> CAN YOU DO THE RAIN STICK?

>> YEAH.

♪ >> MUSICIAN, ZANE, WAS PROMPTED TO STUDY HOW SOUND AND MUSIC ARE PERCEIVED.

>> CAN WE NOTICE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO SOUND?

CAN WE NOTICE WHEN IT TURNS INTO MUSIC IN WHEN WE FEEL LIKE IT'S MUSIC AND BLURRING THAT LINE.

>> THE SOUNDS INCLUDE CLARINETS, SLIDE WHISTLES, HARP, POETRY, EVEN BALLS BOUNCING ON HAND DRUMS.

THIS SORT OF CROSS DISCIPLINARY WORK IS A STRENGTH OF THE REGION.

>> I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHAT KIND OF PLACE SAN DIEGO IS, WHERE THERE'S NOT THIS, I GUESS CRITERIA TO DEFINE YOURSELF AS ANY ONE PARTICULAR THING.

>> PERFORMANCES TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND AT SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGES CITY GALLERY.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE SOUTH BAY ARE COMPETING IN A NEW SPORT FOR THEIR DISTRICT.

IT'S NOT PLAYED ON A FIELD OR COURT, BUT INSIDE OF A ROOM ON A CHAIR IN FRONT OF A SCREEN.

A RECENTLY VISITED ONE OF THEIR TOURNAMENTS IN IMPERIAL BEACH.

INSIDE OF IMPERIAL BEACH'S WEST VIEW CAMPUS, GAME CONTROLLERS AND VIDEO SCREENS FILL THE AUDITORIUM.

HERE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER TO WATCH THEIR THIRD THROUGH 6th GRADERS TAKE PART IN THE BAY CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> HERE IT IS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I WAS RECENTLY MOVING INTO MY NEW SCHOOL AND MY MOM WAS LOOKING THROUGH CLUBS, BECAUSE SHE HAS WORK, AND SHE FOUND ESPORTS AND I ASKED HER, WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?

AND I GOT SIGNED IN.

>> THESE ARE THE FIRST EVER PLAYOFFS FOR THE NEW SOUTH BAY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT ESPORTS LEAGUE.

ESPORTS ARE ORGANIZED VIDEO GAME COMPETITIONS.

IN THIS CASE, THE GAME IS SUPER SMASH BROS, PLAYED ON THE NINTENDO SWITCH.

>> IT HAS TO BE DARK SOUNDNESS.

>> SUPER SMASH BROS IS AN ANIMATED FIGHTING GAME, WHERE THE WINNER IS THE LAST CHARACTER OR TEAM STANDING.

IT IS POPULAR WITH FANS OF ALL AGES.

>> I'VE BEEN DOING IT SINCE I WAS LIKE, FIVE YEARS OLD, I THINK.

>> CHRIS GARCIA IS WITH THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

HE SAYS SOUTH BAY UNION IS THE FIRST ELEMENTARY DISTRICT IN THE REGION TO HAVE AN ESPORTS PROGRAM.

>> SO WE HAVE 43 PLUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND MORE OR LESS, WE HAVE ABOUT HALF OF THEM THAT HAVE AN ESPORTS PRESENCE.

>> IT'S AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM.

JORGE OVERSEES IT.

>> AND THIS PARTICULAR TOURNAMENT, WHAT WE DO IS WE DO 2V2.

IT WILL BE TWO STUDENTS FROM ONE SCHOOL PLAYING ANOTHER TWO STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL.

>> LACK OF EXERCISE AND VIOLENCE IN SOME ESPORTS GAMES.

BUT HE SAYS THE START OF THE LEAGUE BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE ALREADY PLAYING COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMES AT HOME AND PHYSICAL SPORTS.

>> A LOT OF STUDENTS CAN BE A PART OF A TEAM, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME DESIRE TO MAYBE DO A PHYSICAL SPORT, BUT ESPORTS IS VERY CHALLENGING TEAM BASED.

>> MENDOZA ELEMENTARY SAYS IN SOME CASES, GAINING IS HELPING IN THE CLASSROOM, TOO.

>> THEY WERE COMING IN EVERY DAY.

SOME OF OUR STUDENTS WHO HAD A LOT OF ABSENTEEISM ISSUES, THEY WERE ACTUALLY COMING INTO SCHOOL, EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE.

>> CASTRO SAYS E-SPORTS REQUIRES PRACTICE, TEAMWORK, AND RULE FOLLOWING, LIKE ANY OTHER SPORT.

>> NOW THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS KIND OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STUDENTS, THEY GET TO SHOW OFF THESE SKILLS AND BE ABLE TO SAY HEY, I REPRESENT MY SCHOOL AND I'M ABLE TO SHOW OFF THESE SKILLS IN THESE BIG LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE BAY CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS TAKE PLACE THIS THURSDAY.

SEASON 2 STARTS IN FEBRUARY.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

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

I'M JACOB AERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.