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

I AM JADE HEITMAN.

PROTECTING VULNERABLE SPECIES IN NORTH COUNTY, SEE THE WORK THAT'S PART OF EXPANDING RAIL SERVICE IN THE AREA, AND YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

VOLUNTEERS ASSURE US THAT COVER A LOT OF GROUND IN RURAL EAST COUNTY TO PROVIDE CONNECTIONS FOR SENIORS.

AND AT TRYOUTS IN TIJUANA, SAN DIEGO'S NEW MLS TEAM TAKES ADVANTAGE OF ITS INTERNATIONAL TALENT POOL.

>>> WE SEVER THE INDEPENDENCE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS IN SAN DIEGO.

THE BASKET OF REPORTER SCOTT ROHDE SAYS CURRENT AND FORMER APPOINTEES ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT A NEW SET OF RULES PROPOSED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE DOZENS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS IN SAN DIEGO THAT PROVIDE ANALYSIS, OVERSIGHT, AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE COVER RANGE OF TOPICS FROM HOUSING TO HISTORICAL RESOURCES TO POLICING.

MAYOR TODD GLORIA'S OFFICE WANTS TO IMPLEMENT A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS WHO ARE VOLUNTEER APPOINTEES.

MOST OF THE ROLES THAT SEEM LIKE COMMON SENSE, SUCH AS PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING AND CREATE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

BUT SOME ARE MORE CONTROVERSIAL, LIKE THE ROLE THAT SAYS, QUOTE, NEVER PUBLICLY CRITICIZE AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE.

>> THAT IS TRULY MUZZLING MEMBERS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

>> PEGAH PARSI IS VICE CHAIR OF THE PRIVACY ADVISORY BOARD.

>> SAYING THAT WE CAN'T CRITICIZE THE WORK OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, THAT'S AN EGREGIOUS THING TO HAVE IN A CODE OF CONDUCT.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED CODE OF CONDUCT ALSO SAYS THAT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PRESS MUST FIRST BE SUBMITTED TO GLORIA'S ADMINISTRATION FOR PRIOR REVIEW.

THAT APPARENTLY INCLUDES ANY TIME AN INDIVIDUAL BORDER COMMISSION MEMBER DOES AN INTERVIEW.

>> IT COULD LEAD ME AND ANY MEMBER OF A BOARD OR COMMISSION TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ABLE TO TALK TO THE PRESS.

>> Reporter: CRITICS SAY IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THOSE WHO SERVE, BUT THEY ARGUE THE CURRENT PROPOSAL GOES TOO FAR.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR JUST AND MORAL GOVERNANCE PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE COMMISSION ON GANG PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION.

>> BY PROHIBITING PUBLIC CRITICISM, THE POLICY COULD VERY WELL HINDER THE ABILITY OF COMMISSIONERS TO HOLD CITY EMPLOYEES ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL GO BEFORE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RETURN FROM SUMMER RECESS.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM GLORIA'S ADMINISTRATION DECLINED OR DID NOT RESPOND TO REPEATED INTERVIEW REQUESTS.

THEY ALSO DID NOT RESPOND TO 80 EMAILS LIST OF DETAILED QUESTIONS.

THE PROPOSED CODE OF CONDUCT COULD ALSO RAISE LEGAL QUESTIONS.

COREY BRIGGS IS AN OPEN GOVERNMENT LAWYER WHO HAS SUED THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO NUMEROUS TIMES.

>> THEY HAVE A RIGHT AS SOMEBODY PUT IN THAT POSITION TO FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THAT MEANS SPEAKING THE TRUTH.

>> Reporter: HE ARGUES THAT'S JUST A MATTER OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNING.

SCOTT ROHDE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ENVIRONMENTAL WORK IS UNDERWAY IN NORTH COUNTY TO PROTECT VULNERABLE AND THREATENED SPECIES.

AS ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US, IT'S PART OF A PROJECT TO DOUBLE TRACK THE RAIL CORRIDOR.

>> Reporter: THESE MARINE BIOLOGISTS ARE OUT HERE TODAY LOOKING FOR THESE.

THEY ARE CALLED EELGRASS.

>> IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SPECIES TO THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE COMPUTER FOR MAC TIM PESCE IS A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER FOR SANDAG.

>> THAT'S A VERY BAD SPECIES THAT TAKES OVER THE STREAM CHANNELS, EDIT OUT COMPETES EELGRASS.

IF THAT'S THERE, WE WANT TO WORK THE RESOURCE AGENCIES TO GET RID OF IT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS FOUND IN SAN DIEGO BAY LAST YEAR.

HE DOES NOT THINK IT IS HERE AND THAT THE GOODS OF THIS IS JUST A CAUTIONARY MEASURE PARROTFISH DEPEND ON NATIVE EELGRASS FOR FOOD AND SHELTER SO THIS IT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

EELGRASS SURVEYS AS PART OF A PROJECT TO REPLACE THIS BRIDGE THAT IS MORE THAN 80 YEARS OLD.

THIS ONE IS MADE OF WOOD.

THE NEW ONE WILL BE CONCRETE AND DOUBLE TRACKED.

SANDAG SAYS ADDING A SECOND TRACK TO ALLEVIATE RAIL CONGESTION THROUGH THIS CORRIDOR LEADING WERE TRAINED THROUGH, AND THE NEW BRIDGE WOULD ALSO IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE LAGOON.

>> THE LAGOON OPENING UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE WOULD BE ABOUT 40 FEET WIDER MUSCLE THAT WILL INCREASE THE TITLE FLOWS INTO THE CENTRAL BASIN AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.

FORMAT CONSTRUCTION FROM THE BRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2028, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT NESTING SEASON FOR WETLAND BIRDS.

THE BATIQUITOS LAGOON DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COST MORE THAN $165 MILLION.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALSO, NARCAN VENDING MACHINES HAVE POPPED UP THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY, BUT THAT TOOL HAS HAD A SLOWER ROLLOUT ON TRIBAL PROPERTIES.

TANIA THORNE TALKS ABOUT RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE AT WYNN CASINO.

>> Reporter: OVER A DOZEN ALEXA VENDING MACHINES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY, BUT THEY AREN'T ALL THE SAME.

WE HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE NARCAN VENDING MACHINES THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY, BUT THIS ONE RIGHT HERE IS THE FIRST SMART ENDING MACHINE AND IT IS HERE ON TRIBAL PROPERTY AT CASINO PALMA.

IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING, DISPENSING OR FENTANYL TEST STRIPS AS WELL AS YOUR NARCAN NASAL SPRAY, BUT IT DOES MORE THAN THAT.

IT HAS A TOUCHSCREEN AND NEW AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY.

YOU CAN CLICK HERE ON THE HOME SCREEN AND GET SERVICES, HUNDREDS OF HUNDREDS OF SERVICES BETWEEN SAN DIEGO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY.

IT HAS A MAP THAT SHOWS WHERE YOU ARE AND WHERE THE SERVICES ARE AROUND YOU, AND THOSE THINGS ARE SHELTER AND HOUSING, FOOD AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND WHAT IS CONVENIENT ABOUT THIS IS THAT ANYONE CAN USE THIS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A TRIBAL MEMBER OR A CASINO PATRON.

ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC DRIVING THROUGH CASINO PALMA ARE ON THE ROAD CAN COME AND USE THIS MACHINE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NUMBERS WE DON'T HAVE A BIG FENTANYL PROBLEM, BUT WE KNOW IT'S HERE, SO WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO NOT ONLY SERVICE THE TRIBE, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

FOR MAC CHAIRMAN OF THE PALMA BAND SAID THE TRIBAL COUNCIL APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THE VENDING MACHINE UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT FOLLOWED SUPPORT FROM CASINO PALMA.

>> IS NOT INDICATIVE OF AN ISSUE THAT'S PARTICULAR HERE, BUT WE KNOW IT IS ONGOING AT ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON TO HAVE ISSUES WITH ADDICTION, AND THIS MACHINE CAN BE LIFESAVING.

IF IT SAVES ONE LIFE THAT WE ALL WANT TO BE PART OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THE MACHINE IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE CASINO IN A DISCREET LOCATION FOR ANONYMITY.

THE REDUCTION COALITION SAYS THE MACHINE CAN BE A LIFELINE FOR COMMUNITIES ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SAN DIEGO.

'S >> THE ONLY ALL HAVE SO MUCH FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUTSIDE SERVICES AND REFERRALS, SO THIS MACHINE REALLY HELPS WITH THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE A CASEWORKER OR A CASE MANAGER SITTING HERE GIVING YOU REFERRALS.

YOU CAN COME UP ANONYMOUSLY AND GET THE REFERRALS THAT YOU NEED WITHOUT HAVING TO SEE SOMEBODY.

SOMETIMES THAT OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF CARE FOR PEOPLE, REMOVES A BARRIER THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE.

>> Reporter: THE MACHINE IS HAVE OVER 2500 INCREASE IN A TIME SPAN OF ALMOST 2 MONTHS.

ACCORDING FROM CASINO PALMA, TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS, YOU CAN SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF OUR MORE POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

>>> IN A PAVILION AND BALBOA PARK CELEBRATE SAN DIEGO TIJUANA AS WORLD DESIGNED CAPITAL.

WE WILL HAVE THAT A BIT LATER.

>>> AND A CONSENT FORM REVIVES DEBATE OVER SAN DIEGO UNIFIED JROTC PROGRAM, AND MEET THE SAN DIEGANS WHO ARE BRINGING HOME OLYMPIC MEDALS FROM PARIS.

>>> RECENT HEAT WAVES PUT ISOLATED SENIORS IN RURAL AREAS AT GREATER RISK.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DiMARCO SHOWS US HOW VOLUNTEERS ARE HELPING THEM STAY SAFE AND EXTREME TEMPERATURES.

>> WELFARE CHECKS 0.9.

>> MY NAME IS STACY COPAL.

I AM 63 YEARS OLD.

I HAVE BEEN A VOLUNTEER OF THE SHERIFF VOLUNTEER PATROL FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> AT THE MILEAGE.

>> OH YOU DID?

ALL RIGHT.

>> I AM MY DAD'S PARTNER.

>> WE COVER A 400 MILE RADIUS.

WE ARE OUT IN THE BACKCOUNTRY.

WE GO AS FAR AS THE IMPERIAL COUNTY LINE UP TO THE MOUNTAINS TO POTRERO, AND RIGHT ALONG THE BORDER.

>> Reporter: STACY AND HER DAD, BILL, WORK OUT OF THE PINE VALLEY SHERIFF'S STATION.

THEY ARE AMONG 336 SHERIFF VOLUNTEERS WHO CHECK ON ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE LIVING ALONE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

TODAY THEY ARE VISITING 82-YEAR- OLD GEORGE FLOOR AND HIS DOG, ALL LIVE.

>> HOW ARE YOU SURVIVING IN THE HEAT?

>> I MAKING IT.

>> HE USED TO BE A LOGGER, BUT HE LIVES WAY OUT IN THE EAST COUNTY.

IS IN A LITTLE TRAILER, HIM AND HIS DOG, AND WE HAVE BEEN GOING AND SEEING GEORGE NOW FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

>> SO WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HAPPY, THEY ARE SAFE.

WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL THE WEATHER OR THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY LIVE IN, BUT IF THEY SAY THEY ARE HUNGRY, THEN WE REACH OUT TO MEALS ON WHEELS, PACE.

WE TRY TO FIND EVERY RESOURCE AT THERE IS THAT COULD HELP MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BETTER.

>> HOW ARE YOU, MY DEAR?

>> GEORGE, A NEIGHBOR SIGNED HIM UP, BUT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SIGNED UP, A DEPUTY HAS BEEN CALLED OUT ON A WELFARE CHECK, SEES WHAT IS GOING ON, AND THEY GET THEM SIGNED UP.

NOW, THE PERSON HAS TO AGREE TO IT, THAT WE CAN COME BY AND VISIT THEM EVERY DAY.

>> I JUST LOVE IT WHEN YOU COME OUT HERE AND CHECK ON ME.

I'VE GOT DIABETES AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS GO INTO A DIABETIC COMA AND LAY THERE AND DIE.

SO I REALLY LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT AND CHECK ON ME, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: SENIORS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE UP 40% OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS BY 2030 ACCORDING TO THE URBAN INSTITUTE.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, NEARLY 101,000 SENIORS ARE SPENDING THEIR GOLDEN YEARS ALONE AND FACING INCREASED HEALTH RISKS IN SOLITUDE.

>> SOME OF THEM DON'T HAVE ANY AIR CONDITIONING, AND IT IS 100 DEGREES OUT HERE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOING THROUGH A REAL HOT SPELL, BUT IT IS EVERY SUMMER.

SO WE CHECK ON THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING SOME KIND OF RELIEF FROM THE WEATHER.

MAKING SURE THEY HAVE WATER.

MAKING SURE THEY HAVE FOOD.

>> Reporter: HEAT POSES GREATER RISKS FOR OLDER ADULTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH PRE- EXISTING CONDITIONS.

SOCIAL ISOLATION, OR LIMITED ACCESS TO AIR CONDITIONING.

>> HOW AM I DOING WITH THE HEAT?

NOT VERY GOOD.

I'VE GOT AIR CONDITIONING, BUT I DON'T LIKE TO RUN IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT COSTS A FORTUNE.

I HAVE A FAN GOING IN THERE.

>> Reporter: HEAT CAN BE ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH EMPHYSEMA, AND OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE THAT HEIGHTENS THE RISK OF BREATHING DIFFICULTIES.

>> IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVING SOMEONE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ME, WHICH WOULD BE VERY UNUSUAL.

I'VE GOT EMPHYSEMA.

>> OH, DEAR.

>> Reporter: HEAT WAVES STUDIES REVEALS THAT OLDER ADULTS LIVING ALONE FACE THE HIGHEST RISK OF HEAT -RELATED DEATH.

A UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO STUDY CALLS FOR POLICY REFORMS TO ENHANCE AIR CONDITIONING ACCESS FOR SENIORS IN THE SOUTHERN U.S.

RECOMMENDS BOTH MANDATORY AIR CONDITIONING IN NEW HOMES, AND SOLUTIONS TO REDUCING OPERATING COSTS.

>> HONEY, I LOVE YOU SO.

YOU ARE KEEPING THIS OLD MAN ALIVE, YOU?

>> IT IS SAD, BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM, THEY ALL HAVE FAMILIES, AND A LOT OF THEM SAY, WELL, THEY NEVER COME AND VISIT US.

>> EVERYONE A BEAUTY.

I WOULDN'T KNOW IF I SAW THEM ON THE STREET THAT'S HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM THEM.

I LOVE MY KIDS.

I LOVE THEM.

>> I WISH THIS PROGRAM WAS MORE KNOWN.

I AM SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COULD BENEFIT, AND IT IS ALL OVER SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> CHECKING ON ME, YOU KNOW, IF I WAS DEAD, YOU KNOW.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE HERE A LONG, LONG TIME.

>> OH, YEAH.

I HAVE NO INTENTION OF PASSING.

I'M TOO YOUNG.

>> Reporter: HEIDI DiMARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGANS ARE GETTING THEIR FIRST LOOK AT A PLACE THAT SYMBOLIZES HOW SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA CAME THIS YEAR'S WORLD DESIGNED CAPITAL.

THOMAS FUDGE SAYS IT IS AN EVENT THAT SHOWCASES ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING.

>> Reporter: THE EXCHANGE PAVILION IS IN THE PLAZA TO PANAMA AND BALBOA PARK.

YOU CAN'T MISS IT.

IT HAS A STRUCTURAL DESIGN TO MIMIC THE SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA BORDER WALL BUT IN THIS WHILE THERE IS A GAP.

>> THE PAVILION IS A WALL THAT HAS BEEN FUSED TOGETHER TO BECOME THIS COMMUNITY SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME JOIN, GATHER, AND IT IS ACTUALLY A REPRESENTATION OF NEARSHORE, AND WE REALLY TRY TO COME IT OPENED OUR EYES TO THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT EXISTS IN OUR REGION AND HOW STRONG WE ARE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE WORLD DESIGNED CAPITAL IS IN RECOGNITION AND THE POWER OF DESIGN IN A COMMUNITY.

PAST CAPITALS HAVE INCLUDED MEXICO CITY AND C OLIN SOUTH CAMINO.

SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA WAS THE FIRST JOINT APPLICATION IN THE PROGRAM'S HISTORY.

THE PAVILION AND BALBOA PARK IS A SIMPLE AND A GATHERING SPACE.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMAN RAUL CAMPILLO WAS AN EARLY SUPPORTER OF WORLD DESIGNED CAPITAL 2024.

HE SAID THE INCLUSION OF TWO CITIES THIS YEAR IS EMBLEMATIC OF LIFE IN THE REGION.

>> I THINK THE IDEA THAT WE ARE A BINATIONAL REGION THAT OPERATES AS ONE ORGANISM RATHER THAN TWO SEPARATE CITIES IN TWO SEPARATE COUNTRIES IS GOING TO BE ACHIEVED HERE, BECAUSE THE PROGRAMMING THAT COMES HERE IS GOING TO HIGHLIGHT AMERICAN ARTIST SENT MEXICAN ARTISTS.

IS GOING TO HIGHLIGHT AMERICAN SCIENTISTS AND MEXICAN SCIENTISTS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER EXCEEDS A LOT OF IDEAS, A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY, A LOT OF JOBS.

4 THE REAL BORDER WALL IS TRANSFORMED IN THIS PAVILION TO A PLACE FOR LECTURES AND EDUCATION.

AN ELECTRONIC TICKER SHOWS POEMS, NOT STOCK PRICES.

THE GRAND OPENING IS THIS WEEKEND.

A LIST OF EVENTS LINKED TO WORLD DESIGNED CAPITAL, 2024 CAN BE FOUND ON ITS WEBSITE.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS .

>> SOMETHING TO DEFINITELY CHECK OUT.

>>> IT IS NOT EVERY DAY YOU GET A CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE, BUT IN TIJUANA THIS WEEK, HUNDREDS OF YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS GOT THAT RARE OPPORTUNITY.

GUSTAVO SOLIS WENT TO A TRYOUT FOR THE YOUTH ACADEMY FOR SAN DIEGO'S NEW MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ABOUT AS HIGH-STAKES AS YOU CAN GET FOR YOUTH SOCCER.

THESE KIDS ARE TRYING OUT TO BE PART OF SAN DIEGO'S NEW MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM, SAN DIEGO FC.

THE TEAM WILL START PLAYING AT SNAPDRAGON STADIUM NEXT YEAR.

>> I'M TRYING OUT, BECAUSE HOPEFULLY I CAN MAKE THE TEAM AND GROW IN SOCCER.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL ACTUALLY.

I LOVE IT.

I HOPE I CAN MAKE IT.

I'M GOING TO GIVE IT MY ALL AND TRY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF MANY TRYOUTS AND TOURNAMENTS SAN DIEGO FC SCOUTS WILL BE ATTENDING OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IN SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA.

THE PLAN TO EVALUATE WHERE THAN 20,000 PLAYERS WITH ONLY 30 MOVING ON TO JOIN THE TEAM'S YOUTH ACADEMY IN EL CAJON.

>> THESE TYPES OF EVENTS, FOR SURE WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE TOP PLAYERS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: THAT IS RAFAEL CALDERON, ONE OF THE TEAM SCOUTS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR PLAYERS.

THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

IT'S SOCCER.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 1000 KIDS BORN BETWEEN 2020 AND 2014 REGISTERED FOR THE OPEN TRIAL IN TIJUANA ON MONDAY.

THAT THIS IS HAPPENING SOUTH OF THE BORDER IS HISTORIC, SO SAYS JOAQUIN ESCOTO.

HE RUNS THE SAN DIEGO FC YOUTH ACADEMY PROGRAM.

>> WE ARE IN HER FIRST-EVER TRYOUT, OPEN TRYOUT IN MEXICO, WHICH STARTS IN TIJUANA.

WE ARE SUPER EXCITED, THE FIRST TIME THAT ANY MLS TEAM COMES TO SCOUT IN MEXICO AND FOR US, THERE IS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY, BUT WE WANT TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANY KID IN TIJUANA TO COMPLAIN SAN DIEGO CITY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS BECAUSE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER LIMITS EACH TEAM TO A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA IN WHICH THEY CAN DEVELOP YOUTH PLAYERS, AND THE SAN DIEGO TEAM IS THE ONLY MLS AREA WITHIN ASSIGNED AREA THAT INCLUDES MEXICO.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY AN ADVANTAGE.

IT IS UNIQUE.

I THINK IT IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR US AND ANYBODY IN MEXICO.

>> Reporter: INC. OF THE ACADEMY AS A FARM SYSTEM WHERE THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP TALENTED YOUNGSTERS INTO MLS PLAYERS.

SAN DIEGO'S ACADEMY WILL BE FREE TO THE LUCKY FEW THAT ARE ACCEPTED.

ESCOTO SAYS THAT INCLUDES TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND ROOM AND BOARD.

PLAYERS FROM MEXICO WOULD EVEN GET STUDENT VISAS TO LIVE AND STUDY IN THE U.S. >> YOU ARE EITHER GOING TO BE A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER AND GO TO THE TOP SCHOOL IN THE NCAA.

FOUR BACK THAT IS ALSO A DREAM COME TRUE FOR PARIS.

ARTURO DROVE FROM LOS ANGELES TO ATTEND THE TRYOUT.

>> WE HEAR THEY ARE PROVIDING SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING, SO THAT IS LIKE, THAT IS A PLUS FOR US.

WE ARE EXCITED.

MACKEY EVEN BOUGHT -- BROUGHT GRANDMA AND GRANDPA ALONG.

>> I THINK THEY ARE DOING A GREAT THING, YOU KNOW.

EVERYBODY DESERVES A CHANCE.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FEW HOURS MONDAY MORNING, SCOUTS BEGAN SELECTING PLAYERS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF TRYOUTS.

THOSE CHOSEN TO MOVE ON WERE PRESENTED WITH BRIGHT RED WRISTBANDS WITH THE LETTERS "VIP" PRINTED ON THEM.

DIEGO WAS ONE OF THEM.

THE 11-YEAR-OLD ATTACKING PLAYER GAVE HIS DAD A BIG HUG AFTER HEARING THE NEWS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: THEN HE CALLED MOM.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NOW WE GO FROM THE SOCCER FIELD TO THE CLASSROOM WHERE STUDENTS IN THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT RETURNED TO CLASS THIS WEEK.

WE STOPPED BY CRAWFORD HIGH SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE READY FOR A NEW YEAR.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE 1st DAY OF SCHOOL AT CRAWFORD HIGH SCHOOL.

FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN KAYLEE AND KEIRA, IT BRINGS UP A MIX OF EMOTIONS.

>> I'M PRETTY NERVOUS BECAUSE IT IS A NEW SCHOOL AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT MUCH PEOPLE, BUT I'M ALSO SUPER EXCITED.

I LIKE SOCIALIZING A LOT.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR SAYS CRAWFORD PRINCIPAL ROCHON HILLARY.

WHEN IS THE NEW PE PROGRAM FOCUSING ON SWIM AND WATER SAFETY.

TWO SUMMERS AGO, A CRAWFORD STUDENT WAS CELEBRATING HIS GRADUATION AT MISSION BEAK -- MISSION BEACH AND DROWNED THERE.

>> THIS PROGRAM REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD AS WE TRANSFORM A PAST TRAGEDY INTO A TRIUMPH FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: OTHER CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE SCHOOL'S LAW ACADEMY, WHICH OFFERS CLASSES, MENTORSHIP WITH LOCAL ATTORNEYS, AND FIELD TRIPS TO PLACES LIKE EL CAJON SUPERIOR COURT.

STUDENTS CAN PRINCIPATE IN THE MOCK TRIAL TEAM AND HELP MEDIATE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THEIR PEERS.

THIS YEAR CRAWFORD ALSO PLANS TO LAUNCH EIGHT TEEN COURT PROGRAM.

>> SO SOME JUVENILE IS CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING.

PART OF THE DIVERSION PROGRAM IS THEIR CHOICE.

THEY CAN GO TO TEEN COURT, SO HERE WE WOULD HAVE STUDENTS AS THE JURY.

WE WOULD HAVE AN ACTUAL JUDGE OR ATTORNEY, AND THE STUDENTS GET TO ASK PARENTS QUESTIONS, THE JUVENILE QUESTIONS, AND THEN THEY COME UP WITH CONSEQUENCES.

>> THIS SCHOOL YEAR STARTS A WEEK EARLIER THAN LAST YEAR.

THE DISTRICT SAYS THE NEW CALENDAR ALLOWS THE FIRST MASTER TO END BEFORE WINTER BREAK SO STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT END OF SEMESTER PROJECTS AND EXAMS DURING THEIR TIME OFF HERE KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND KPBS IS EMBARKING ON A NEW SERIES ABOUT VOLUNTEERING, SHARING PEOPLE AND THEIR STORIES ABOUT HOW THEY DEVOTE THEIR TIME IN UNEXPECTED WAYS.

SOUTH BAY REPORTER COREY SUZUKI WENT TO VISIT ONE VOLUNTEER WHO WORKS AS A GUIDE AT THE TIJUANA RIVER ESTUARY AND WHO LEADS A REALLY UNIQUE KIND OF TOUR.

>>> YES, THIS IS LEMONADE BARRY .

THE REASON I KNOW IT IS LEMONADE BARRY IS BECAUSE THE LEAVES ARE THICK AND LEATHERY, ALMOST LIKE THE TONGUE OF A LEATHER SHOE.

I HAVE LEARNED TO IDENTIFY ABOUT ALMOST 40 PLANTS JUST BY TOUCH, AND ALSO SMELL.

MY NAME IS RON PETERSON.

I AM 73 YEARS OLD.

I AM A RETIRED SCIENTIST AND ENGINEER.

I WORKED FOR THE U.S. NAVY FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS.

I LIVE HERE IN IMPERIAL BEACH.

AND I AM BLIND.

AND THIS IS GIDGET, THIS IS MY GUIDE DOG.

WE ARE HERE AT THE TIJUANA ESTUARY.

THIS IS ONE OF MY HOMES AWAY FROM HOME.

I WOULD SAY THERE ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT 50 NATIVE PLANTS.

THERE IS ALSO AN AMAZING BIRD SANCTUARY, SO OUR NATURE WALKS HERE AT THE ESTUARY, THERE ARE SEVERAL NATURE WALKS IN SEVERAL BIRD WALKS.

ONE OF THOSE NATURE WALKS IS MINE.

I AM A DOCENT FOR THIS NATURE WALK, CALLED THE EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE WITHOUT SIGHT, WHERE A BLIND PERSON LEADS A NATURE WALK AND INTRODUCES VISITORS TO THE NATIVE PLANTS WITH THE EMPHASIS ON THE OTHER FOUR SENSES BESIDES SITE.

LET'S START OVER HERE WITH A VERY SPECIAL PLANT, RIGHT OVER HERE.

EVERYBODY TAKE A WHIFF AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.

>> I DON'T LOVE IT.

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T CARE FOR IT ALL THAT MUCH.

THIS PLANT IS ACTUALLY CALLED BLADDER POD, AND I THINK YOU CAN SEE WHY IT IS CALLED THE NAME BLADDER POD.

>> I HAVE WORKED HERE AS A VOLUNTEER FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS.

I LEARNED THE PLANTS, AND I DID A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK HERE, PLANTING NATIVE PLANTS, CLEARING TRAILS.

BUT THEN FIVE YEARS AGO, THINGS KIND OF WENT SOUTH FOR ME.

GLAUCOMA.

I LOST MY VISION, AND I COULDN'T WORK HERE ANYMORE.

I COULDN'T DO THE THINGS THAT I WAS DOING.

IT WAS FRIGHTENING.

I FELT VERY MUCH ALONE, AND I FELT THAT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS GOING TO ENJOY LIFE ANYMORE.

>> ♪ ♪ >> AND THEN FINALLY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THE IDEA CAME ALONG THAT SINCE I HAD ALREADY LEARNED MANY OF THESE PLANTS BY SITE, I COULD LEARN THESE PLANTS BY TOUCH AND SMELL, AND THEN SHARE THAT WITH PEOPLE DURING ONE OF THE NATURE WALKS.

IT IS WONDERFUL FEEL AND ESPECIALLY SMELLS, AND THERE ARE EVEN SOUNDS.

THE BLADDER POD WHEN THEY TRY THEY MAKE LITTLE RATTLES, AND THE WIND BLOWING THROUGH THE COTTONWOODS , KIND OF A WHISPERING SOUND BECAUSE OF THE SHAPE OF THE LEAVES.

AND THE SOUND OF THE BEES IN THE LEMONADE BERRIES.

THERE'S EVEN TASTE.

THEY REALLY TASTE GOOD.

THEY TASTE LIKE LITTLE LEMONADE CANDY, BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO WITH VISITORS.

THE THING ABOUT GIVING TO OTHERS IS NOT ONLY IS IT A GOOD THING TO DO, IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

BUT ALSO, IT TAKES THE FOCUS OFF OF YOURSELF, SO YOU DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF.

YOU ARE PUTTING THE FOCUS ON OTHERS.

SO TO ME THAT JUST BECAME AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE, BUT IT HAS HELPED ME TO WAKE UP WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE, TO WAKE UP LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY, AND FEELING GUY ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING AT THE END OF EACH DAY , THAT I DID SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE BESIDES ME.

>>, ON CLOSER, FOLKS., ON CLOSER SO YOU CAN HEAR ME.

WE ARE NOW BENEATH SOME SPECIAL TREES, SPECIFICALLY THE FREMONT COTTONWOOD.

THEY ARE VERY DISTINCTIVE.

THEY ARE LARGE.

THEY ARE SOFT.

THE SHAPE OF THESE LEAVES IF THERE IS A STRONG BREEZE, THEY WILL VIBRATE A LITTLE BIT.

IT IS REALLY AN AERODYNAMICS THING, AND THAT VIBRATION CAUSES THE TREE TO KIND OF SHIVER, SOME PEOPLE SAY MURMUR IN A BREEZE.

>> ARE YOU HEARING THAT SOUND RIGHT NOW?

>> WITH ALL THE NOISE AND THE HELICOPTERS, AND THE WIND IS NOT BLOWING QUITE HARD ENOUGH I KNOW I'M NOT.

I'M NOT HEARING IT NOW.

BUT IF IT WAS BLOWING HARDER AND IF IT WAS VERY QUIET.

MAYBE I CAN.

MAYBE I CAN.

>> ♪ ♪ >> WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

RON'S STORY WAS PRODUCED BY COREY SUZUKI AND CAROLINE CARELLA'S.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.