>>> THANK YOU RETURNING US FOR A LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, RESIDENTS NEAR DELMAR SUE OVER THE AMOUNT OF SOCCER HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

WHY THEY SAY IT IS HARMING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

SAN DIEGO'S HIGH COST OF LIVING IS AFFECTING WORKERS IN THE UC SYSTEM.

HERE THE DEMANDS THAT THEY ARE MAKING FOR BETTER PAY.

AND THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY IS CULTIVATING A NEW GENERATION OF MUSICIANS.

SEE HOW THEY ARE PREPARING FOR A SPECIAL SHOW COMING SOON TO THE RADIO SHOW.

>>> ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ORDER WHILE THREATENED TO DESTROY HUNDREDS OF EUROS THAT DECORATE THE TAWANNA SIDE.

NOW A GROUP OF ACTIVISTS FOUND A WAY TO PRESERVE SOME OF THEM.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE WORKING TO SAVE A SLICE OF OUR COMMON HISTORY.

>> Reporter: FOR A LONG TIME, THE BORDER WALL WAS JUST THAT, A WALL.

THEN ARTISTS ON THE MEXICAN SIDE DECIDED TO MAKE IT A WINDOW INTO OUR CROSS-BORDER CULTURE.

THEY PAINTED COLORFUL, VIBRANT MURALS.

THE BLOOD RED HEART WITH "LOVE" WRITTEN ON IT, A DEPICTION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MAKING OUT WITH DONALD TRUMP, AND POWERFUL TRIBUTES TO DEPORTED VETERANS.

FERNANDEZ IS A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO CHRONICLED THIS TRANSFORMATION OF HER 25 YEARS.

>> SINCE I STARTED, I STARTED FEELING THAT THAT OBJECTS, THE WORK WAS ALIVE.

I SAW ALL THIS TIME THAT IT WAS CHANGING, IT WAS GROWING.

WAS REPRODUCING FROM ONE TO TWO AND TO OTHER PLACES TO THREE.

>> Reporter: THEN CAME 2023.

THAT IS WHEN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TORE DOWN THE OLD WALL SO I COULD BUILD A BIGGER ONE, AND THE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED, OR SO WE THOUGHT.

>> WE KNEW THE MEXICO SIDE, THE COMMUNITY AND THE MEXICO SITE HAD INVESTED IN SO MUCH LOVE AND CARE AND ENERGY AND CREATIVITY ON THE SITE.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SOME OF IT WAS PRESERVED.

>> Reporter: HE IS AN ACTIVIST WITH THE GROUP OF FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK, AND HE CANNOT BEAR TO SEE THOSE MURALS LOST FOREVER, SO HE CALLED MICAH PARSON, CEO OF THE MUSEUM OF US COME OUT WITH ONE SIMPLE QUESTION.

>> WOULD YOU CONSIDER HAVING THE MUSEUM TRIED TO OBTAIN THESE SECTIONS OF LAW BEFORE THEY GET DESTROYED, ANDREA ABSOLUTELY JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM SPENT EIGHT MONTHS ACQUIRING 20 PIECES OF THE OLD BORDER WALL.

IT WAS A LONG AND COMPLICATED PROCESS THAT INVOLVES MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AND THE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR HIRED TO DISMANTLE THE WALL.

THOSE 20 PIECES ARE NOW SAFE IN AN UNDISCLOSED WAREHOUSE IN THE SOUTH BAY.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSE ENOUGH, AND AT JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE YOU CAN SEE MIGRANTS CROSSING THE BORDER , AND EACH SECTION HAS A SMALL DETAILS HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, LIKE TINY HEARTS AND BUTTERFLIES, EVEN HANDPRINTS.

YOU CAN EVEN TELL WHICH SECTIONS OF THE WALL WERE CLOSEST TO THE OCEAN BY LOOKING AT HOW THE SALTY AIR CORRODED THE METAL BEAMS.

FERNANDEZ THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS OVERJOYED TO SEE THE MURALS SURVIVE.

>> THEY MEAN A LOT.

THEY MEAN A LOT FOR THE HISTORY OF THAT AREA.

BACK PARSONS SAYS THAT HISTORY WON'T BE LOCKED UP IN A MUSEUM.

>> THEY DON'T BELONG TO US.

THEY REALLY BELONG TO THE COMMUNITY, AND IT IS A COMMUNITY THAT SHOULD COME TOGETHER TO DECIDE HOW THIS SORT OF WEALTH GETS REDISTRIBUTED BACK INTO OUR CHINA NATIONAL REGION.

FOR MAC MUSEUMS HAVE A HISTORY OF TAKING THINGS THAT DON'T BELONG TO THEM.

PARSONS SEES THIS PROJECT AS PART OF THE ONGOING EFFORT TO CORRECT THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST .

>> WE HAVE CAUSED IRREPARABLE HARM TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR BY TAKING THEIR BELONGINGS.

BY TAKING THEIR ANCESTORS AND REFUSING TO GIVE THEM BACK FOR DECADES.

WE HAVE REALLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TURNED THAT CORNER AND REALIZED THEY DON'T BELONG TO US AS AN INSTITUTION.

THEY BELONGED BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

HEART MAC THEY SAY THAT FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK, THE MUSEUM OF US, AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS WILL SPEND THE NEXT YEAR FIGURING OUT WHERE AND HOW TO DISPLAY THESE UNIQUE ARTIFACTS.

>> PERHAPS THERE WILL BE SITES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE BORDER WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THESE SECTIONS OF WALL MAY BE DISPLAYED .

PERHAPS THERE MIGHT BE A TRAVELING SITE WITH A SECTION OR TWO OF THE WALL, ABLE TO VISIT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

WE DON'T KNOW.

THESE ARE ALL POSSIBILITIES.

>> Reporter: THEY ENVISION A TRULY GENUINE TRI-NATIONAL EVER INCLUDED PEOPLE FROM SAN DIEGO, TIJUANA, AND THE -- NATION.

>> BEFORE THERE WAS A U.S.- MEXICO, THERE WAS US, AND SO WE ORIGINALLY INHABITED THE AREA FROM GENERALLY DOWN AROUND THE ENSENADA AREA UP TO THE CAPISTRANO AREA.

>> Reporter: AND FRIENDSHIP PARK IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT AREA.

>> SO THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER FROM ITS CONCEPTION SPLIT OUR HOMELAND VIRTUALLY IN HALF.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THE BORDER WALL HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON THEIR PEOPLE.

IT HAS SEPARATED THEM FOR GENERATIONS.

>> I THINK THAT THIS PROJECT IS A GREAT WAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO THAT, AND BRING SOME LIGHT TO THOSE ISSUES OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE BORDER.

>> Reporter: A WAY TO REOPEN THE WINDOW.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

STORM MAKING PART OF OUR COVERAGE THIS WEEK FOCUSES ON THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN SAN DIEGO.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE STORIES AND PUTTING A REPORT BY MELISSA MAE THAT SHOWS OUR REGION REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE NATION FOR RENTERS.

BUT FIRST, THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR BETTER PAY FOR UC WORKERS.

GAMGEE PEREZ HEARD SOME OF THEIR DEMANDS FROM THE PICKET LINES.

>> Reporter: THE MESSAGE GOT LOUDER AS MORE AND MORE WORKERS ARRIVED HERE TO SPEND THEIR LUNCH HOUR PROTESTING OUTSIDE SEVERAL UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH FACILITIES IN LA JOLLA .

>> IT IS HORRIFIC.

WE DO NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

WE ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY.

YOU KNOW, IT IS THE ECONOMY.

IT IS EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES UNION REPRESENTS 33,000 OF THE LOWEST PAID UC SERVICE AND PATIENT CARE WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA.

THEIR JOBS INCLUDE CUSTODIAL WORK, MEDICAL BILLING, AND MANY OTHER FRONT-LINE POSITIONS.

NINA JOHNSON IS THE OPERATING ROOM INSTRUMENT COORDINATOR AT THE JACOBS MEDICAL CENTER.

SHE IS ALSO A SINGLE MOTHER OF A SON AND DAUGHTER.

>> WITH THE WAGE THAT THEY HAVE HERE, IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

IT IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH.

IF YOU HAVE TO WORK OVERTIME EVERY DAY JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET JUST TO FEED YOUR FAMILY, THAT'S NOT FAIR.

>> Reporter: THE UNION STARTED NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW CONTRACT IN JANUARY.

WORKERS WANT A MINIMUM WAGE OF AT LEAST $25 PER HOUR AND AN IMMEDIATE 5% PAY INCREASE.

THEIR LAST CONTRACT WAS RATIFIED IN FEBRUARY, 2020, JUST BEFORE THE COVID SHUTDOWN.

A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, AND THESE WORKERS WANT PROTECTION BEFORE THE CONTRACT ENDS JULY 31st.

THEY ALSO WANT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO STOP INVESTING SOME OF THEIR PENSION MONEY IN THE BLACKSTONE REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST, A COMPANY KNOWN FOR HIGH PRICED HOUSING IN LA JOLLA WHICH MANY WORKERS CANNOT AFFORD.

>> THEY ARE MAKING HOUSING UNAFFORDABLE.

IT IS CAUSING A BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS, INCREASED HOMELESSNESS, AND LEANING ON THE SOCIAL SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT TO KPBS, THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAID IN PART, WHILE THE YOU SEE HAS NO CONTROL OVER STATEWIDE RENT OR HOUSING COSTS, WE KNOW THE COST OF LIVING IN CALIFORNIA IS HIGH.

BY PROVIDING EMPLOYEES WITH COMPETITIVE WAGES AND REGULAR PAY INCREASES, WE AIM TO HELP OUR EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR COST OF LIVING EXPENSES.

NEGOTIATIONS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL BOTH SIDES REACH MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL AGREEMENTS.

FOR THE MOMENT, UNION WORKERS WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ZUMPER IS A RENTAL PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES MONTHLY NATIONAL REPORTS WITH UP-TO-DATE DATA ON THE 100 MOST POPULATED CITIES IN THE U.S. WHERE SAN DIEGO RANKS AS THE EIGHTH MOST EXPENSIVE CITY.

>> WE LOOK AT OVER 1 MILLION ACTIVE LISTINGS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY EVERY MONTH, AND THEN WE LOOK AT THE ACTIVE LISTING RENTS, SO WE THINK WE HAVE THE BEST PICTURE OF THE OPEN MARKET.

>> Reporter: CRYSTAL CHEN WITH ZUMPER SAYS IN FEBRUARY, A ONE BEDROOM RENTAL IN SAN DIEGO IS $2300, WHICH IS A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE THAN THE STATE MEDIAN PRICE, BUT IS ALMOST $1000 MORE THAN ZUMPER'S NATIONAL RENT INDEX.

ZUMPER ALSO BREAKS DOWN THE RENTAL MARKET FURTHER AND RELEASES MONTHLY REPORTS OF METRO AREAS, INCLUDING THE SAN DIEGO MARKET.

>> WE DO ZOOM IN ON SAN DIEGO'S MARKET AND IT COVERS ABOUT 12 CITIES IN THE METRO AREA.

SAN DIEGO RANKED AS THE FOURTH MOST EXPENSIVE CITY IN THE METRO REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE TOP MOST EXPENSIVE CITY CEMENT ARE CORONADO WITH ONE-BEDROOM RENTALS AT $3900, FOLLOWED BY ENCINITAS AT $2700, AND CARLSBAD WITH RENT AT $2400, BUT CHEN HAS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR RENTERS.

>> SAN DIEGO RENT HAS BEEN DECLINING THE LAST FIVE MONTHS, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH NATIONAL TRENDS.

I THINK SAN DIEGO WILL RETURN TO NORMAL PATTERNS AFTER SOME HUGE SPIKES IN LATE 2021 THROUGH 2022.

>> Reporter: ZUMPER ALSO SAYS THAT MORE THAN 4000 NEW APARTMENTS ARE GOING TO BECOME AVAILABLE ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN 2024, AND -- >> THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU SHOWED THAT ALMOST 31,000 MORE PEOPLE MOVED OUT OF THE COUNTY LAST YEAR THAT MOVED IN, SO THAT RESULTS IN A SLIGHT DIP IN THE SAN DIEGO POPULATION OVERALL.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT DETERMINED THAT EL CAJON IS A MORE AFFORDABLE PLACE TO RENT IN SAN DIEGO WITH A ONE BEDROOM GOING FOR $1780 PER MONTH, FOLLOWED BY LA MESA WITH RENT AT $1980 AND CHULA VISTA, ESCONDIDO, AND IMPERIAL BEACH TIED FOR THIRD MOST AFFORDABLE WITH RENTS AT $2000.

THE REPORTS ALSO FOUND THAT RENTALS IN NATIONAL CITY HAVE INCREASED THE MOST SINCE LAST YEAR.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A CITY OF SAN DIEGO OWNED PROPERTY IN DELMAR IS CAUGHT UP IN A CONTROVERSY AT A LAWSUIT FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING ON ITS FIELDS.

JACOB AERE REPORTS ON ITS NEIGHBORS WHO SAY THE SPORTS PARK IS BEING MISUSED AND HOW IT MAY BE SETTLED IN COURT.

>> Reporter: THE WELL MANICURED SUCKER PAGES AND FACILITIES OF SURFACE SPORTS PARK ARE SURROUNDED BY NATURE PRESERVES AND HIGH END HOMES, BUT THERE IS TROUBLE IN PARADISE.

>> OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR WE WILL HAVE 400 TO 500,000 PEOPLE COMING TO THIS PLACE WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND NOISE, PROBLEMS, POLLUTION.

>> Reporter: LARRY LIVES NEAR THE PARK HE SAYS THE FIELDS DON'T FEEL LIKE AN OPEN PUBLIC SPACE ANYMORE ESPECIALLY SINCE 2016 WINDSURF SPORTS TOOK OVER THE SITE FROM THE SAN DIEGO POLO CLUB.

>> WITH A HAVE DONE HERE IS THEY HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS ALMOST LIKE A WEST COAST HEADQUARTERS.

>> WE PUT ABOUT $5 MILLION INTO THE PROPERTY TO TRANSITION IT FROM BEING A HORSE PROPERTY INTO THE PREMIER YOUTH SPORTS FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: HE IS A COO OF SURF SPORTS WHICH OPERATES THE SITE WITH A LEASE FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

THEY HOSTED 35 EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO EACH YEAR, HOSTING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

IT IS THE NUMBER OF EVENTS THAT UPSET ITS NEIGHBORS.

THE FAIRBANKS POLO CLUB HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION IS SUING THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO BECAUSE OF IT.

WALL ISN'T A PART OF THAT LAWSUIT, HE AGREES WITH WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

>> I THINK THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS AS ACCOUNTABLE, MAYBE EVEN MORE, BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND AND HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED WHAT IS IN THE LEASE, AND THEY ARE ALLOWING SURF SPORTS TO VIOLATE THAT LEASE.

>> Reporter: THE SUIT SAYS A VIOLATION IS IN HOSTING EVENTS TOO OFTEN.

UP TO 200 DAYS PER YEAR.

IT SAYS THE LEASE ONLY ALLOWS 25 DAYS OF EVENTS PER YEAR.

KPBS ASKED ABOUT THAT NUMBER.

THERE WERE NOT EXACT FIGURES, BUT THEY SAID THEY LET OTHER GROUPS USE THE PARK AS WELL, AND TALKED ABOUT THE OVERALL IMPACT.

>> WE CREATE HOTEL ROOMS, JOBS, ECONOMIC IMPACT BY BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE CITY HERE.

AND WE HELP KIDS CHASE THEIR DREAMS.

I HAVE A HARD TIME FIGURING OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: SAYS HE IS CONCERNED THE PARK IS TURNED INTO A MAJOR SPORTS AND EVENTS COMPLEX WHICH FALLS OUTSIDE OF WHAT THE DEED ALLOWS, WHICH IS KNOWN RECREATIONAL USES THAT DON'T INVOLVE LARGE GATHERINGS OF PEOPLE OR CARS.

>> IT SHOULD BE ESSENTIALLY USED AS A PARK.

>> Reporter: MAGGIE BROWN IS PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE SANTA CLARITA RIVER VALLEY WHICH UNSUCCESSFULLY SUED THE CITY IN 2016 OVERUSE OF THE FIELDS.

SAYS THE SENSITIVE WETLAND HABITAT IS ALL AROUND THE AREA.

>> THE WILDLIFE CORRIDORS HAVE ALL BEEN CUT OFF THE FENCING THAT IS PRESENT.

THE BIRDS STAY AWAY FROM IT.

IT REALLY IS VERY DAMAGING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, SURF SPORTS WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR ILLEGALLY REDIRECTING STORMWATER AND ISSUED A CIVIL PENALTY NOTICE FOR UNPERMITTED GRADING AND FILLING.

THE CLO SAYS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS HAVE BEEN FIXED, BUT BROWN IS CONCERNED ABOUT FURTHER EXPANSION EFFORTS, INCLUDING AN ADJACENT PROPERTY SLATED TO BECOME A YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX.

>> THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE REPRESENT INTENSIFIED COMMERCIAL USE, WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY NOT ALLOWED BY THE GRANT DEED ON THE LAND THAT THEY ARE ON.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE SIZE AND INTENSITY OF THE EVENTS HAVE NOT INCREASED OVER TIME, AND THAT THEY STRIVE TO COMPLY WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE LEASE.

>> WE HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF FIELDS FOR MANY YEARS.

IT IS THE SAME SIZED PROPERTY.

YOU CANNOT FIT MORE TEAMS ONTO AN EVENT IN THE SAME TIME OF DAY LIGHT ON THE SAME KIND OF FIELD.

>> Reporter: IS 2022, SOME OF THE FIELDS ARE BEING USED BY THE SAN DIEGO WAVE FC, AND THE LAWSUIT SAYS THAT HAS ADDED TO THE PROBLEMS OF PUBLIC ACCESS AND COMMERCIAL USE ON-SITE.

THE CONCERNS THE COO SAYS IS COMING FROM A SMALL BUT VOCAL GROUP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE LET THEM KNOW WHEN WE'RE HAVING A FENCE.

WE DON'T GO TOO LATE.

WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL, GOOD NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS A TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 14, 2025.

JACOB AERE , KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE STORY WE HAD EARLIER FROM MELISSA MAE ON THE RENTAL MARKET IN SAN DIEGO.

FREE RIDES ARE HELPING SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY USES SOUND AND ASSIGNMENTS TO TEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT MUSIC.

WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY A LITTLE BIT LATER.

>>> TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR A STATE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES DIAPERS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN SAYS FUNDING IS AT RISK BECAUSE OF THE STATE'S BUDGET SHORTFALL.

>> Reporter: AT NORTH COUNTY FOOD BANK IN VISTA, LEONORE ALFARO GETS MORE THAN JUST FOOD FOR HER GROWING FAMILY.

SHE ALSO GETS DIAPERS THROUGH THE DIAPER BANK FOR HER TWIN GIRLS.

HER HUSBAND IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE FAMILY WORKING RIGHT NOW, AND WITHOUT THE DIAPER BANK, SHE SAYS IT WOULD BE MORE OF A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO RAISE HER FAMILY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: THE FOOD BANKS VISTA WAREHOUSE SERVES AS A DISTRIBUTION HUB WORKING WITH MORE THAN 100 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER DIAPERS TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

VANESSA WAS ONE OF THE PARENTS WHO BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM.

SHE RECEIVED DIAPERS THROUGH MIRACLE BABIES, ONE OF THE PARTNERS.

WITH IMMATURE TRIPLETS AND A TODDLER AND OR TWO, NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT DIAPERS WAS A HUGE STRESS RELIEVER FOR HER.

>> I WASN'T WORKING AT THE TIME BECAUSE COVID HAD JUST HIT, AND ALSO I HAVE THE TRIPLETS SO I NEEDED TO TAKE MORE TIME OFF THAN NORMAL.

I MEAN, IT WAS A HUGE BLESSING TO OUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: FUNDING FOR THE $30 MILLION STATE PROGRAM IS SET TO EXPIRE IN JUNE.

THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK RECEIVES $3.7 MILLION OF THAT MONEY FOR THE DIAPER BANK.

BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE PROJECTED BUDGET SHORTFALL, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THE PROGRAM IS NOT SET FOR RENEWAL.

WITHOUT THE DIAPER PROGRAM, FOR SOME FAMILIES IT BECOMES A CHOICE BETWEEN DIAPERS OR FOOD, AND THAT COULD LEAD TO HEALTH COMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHILDREN.

CASEY CASTILLE SAYS NEARLY HALF OF SAN DIEGO'S FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO BUY DIAPERS.

>> FAMILIES WHEN THEY ARE STRUGGLING FOR BASIC NEEDS, PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE OR PURCHASING DIAPERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN OR INFANTS, THEY WILL RATION THOSE DIAPERS, KEEP THEM ON LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD BE ON , WHICH CAUSES RASHES AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE FOOD BANK IS WORKING WITH LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO GET FUNDING AND RENEW THE PROGRAM.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN , KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK, KPBS LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE SERIES THAT IS ALL ABOUT PARENTING AND THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS FAMILIES RELY ON.

IT IS CALLED "WHERE'S MY VILLAGE," AND KPBS REPORTER TANIA THORNE SHARES HER OWN STORIES AND THOSE OF OTHERS AROUND SAN DIEGO.

IT INCLUDES A DEEP LOOK AT THE CRISIS IN THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY FROM THE STRUGGLE TO RETAIN WORKERS TO THE RISING COST FOR PARENTS.

THE ENTIRE SERIES CAN BE STREAMED ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE AND AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> MARCH IS NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, AND WHILE WOMEN HAVE MADE STRIDES IN MEDICAL FIELDS, THEY STILL MAKE UP ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF ALL EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS NATIONWIDE.

THE NEW PROGRAM BY THE REGION'S LARGEST AMBULANCE COMPANY IS LOOKING TO CHANGE THAT.

ONCE AGAIN, HERE IS ALEXANDER NGUYEN.

>> Reporter: JUDITH RAMIREZ IS SHOWING HER DAUGHTER THAT THERE IS MORE TO AN AMBULANCE THAN JUST THE LIGHTS AND SIRENS.

>> OUR OLDER POPULATION, THEY GET COLD EASILY.

>> Reporter: RAMIREZ WANTS TO INSPIRE HER TO PURSUE HER DREAMS JUST LIKE SHE DID.

>> I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP SHARING THESE EXPERIENCES WITH HER.

>> Reporter: HER STORY IS ALSO INSPIRING.

A YEAR AGO BEFORE BECOMING AN EMT SHE WAS WORKING THREE JOBS TO SUPPORT HER DAUGHTER AS A SINGLE MOTHER.

>> I WAS IN SUCH A DIFFERENT PLACE, AND NOW TO BE HERE, TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH MY DAUGHTER, I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

>> Reporter: WHAT CHANGED HER LIFE TRAJECTORY WAS THE EARN WHILE YOU LEARN TRAINING ACADEMY , ONE OF THE REGION'S LARGEST AMBULANCE TRANSPORT COMPANIES.

>> I WENT TO CLASS AT SOUTH WESTERN, SUPERVISORS CAME IN AND THEY PREVENT -- PRESENTED US WITH THIS PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AMR AND MIRAMAR COLLEGE.

THE COMPANY COVERS THE COST OF BOOKS AND TUITIONS AND PAYS CADETS WHILE THEY ATTEND CLASSES OR JOB SHADOWING, BUT FOR THE NEXT ACADEMY THIS FALL, AMR WILL LAUNCH AN ALL-FEMALE CLASS.

RIGHT NOW IF YOU CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE, THE EMT WHO SHOWS UP AT YOUR DOOR WILL MOST LIKELY BE A MAN.

NATIONALLY ONLY 30 TO 40% ARE WOMEN.

>> WOMEN CAN OBVIOUSLY EMPATHIZE AND UNDERSTAND MORE WOMEN EMERGENCIES.

>> Reporter: A SUPERVISOR AT AMR SAYS WOMEN CAN PICK UP ON SOME THINGS THAT MEN SOMETIMES MISS.

>> BEING ABLE TO QUICKLY UNDERSTAND, QUICKLY PICK UP ON CERTAIN THINGS HAS A FEMALE, IT DEFINITELY MATTERS IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> Reporter: RAMIREZ IS WITHOUT THE EARN WHILE YOU LEARN PROGRAM, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED HER DREAM OF BEING AN EMT.

>> IT OPENED UP AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME AND CHANGED MY LIFE IN A WAY THAT I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS EVEN EXPRESSIBLE IN WORDS.

>> Reporter: UPON GRADUATION AND PASSING THE NATIONAL EMT TEST, CADETS ARE GUARANTEED A JOB WITH AMR.

WOMEN INTERESTED IN THE PROGRAM CAN APPLY ONLINE AT AMR SAN DIEGO.NET/EW YL INFO.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN , KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE IS A SPECIAL SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY CONCERT COMING TO THE RADY SHELL NEXT MONTH, AND IT WILL INCLUDE TWO PERFORMANCES BY PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS WITH SOME HELP FROM HUNDREDS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ HAS MORE IN THE INTERACTIVE MUSIC PROGRAM PROVIDING LESSONS IN SOUND AND SILENCE.

>>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THIS IS MUSIC TO THE EARS OF STUDENTS AT SANDBERG ELEMENTARY IN MIRA MESA.

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH GRADERS HAVE BEEN LEARNING MUSIC VOCABULARY AND GETTING AN EDUCATION IN HOW ORCHESTRAS AND INSTRUMENTS WORK TOGETHER.

THE BASSOON COMPLEMENTS THE FLUTE.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THIS COLLABORATION IS CREATED BY MUSICIANS FROM THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY'S WOODWIND QUINTET.

MAX OFFER COOKIES THE CLARINETIST, WHO ADMITS HE STUMBLED INTO PLAYING THIS PARTICULAR INSTRUMENT.

>> I THOUGHT IT LOOKED COOL AND I WAS ABLE TO GET A SOUND OUT OF IT RIGHT AWAY WHICH IS NOT THE CASE FOR MOST OF THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: 215 STUDENTS FROM SANDBERG ELEMENTARY ENJOYED THE QUINTET CONCERT AT THEIR SCHOOL.

IT IS A BONUS TO THE CURRICULUM THEY HAVE BEEN LEARNING, WITH SOUND AND SILENCE.

>> SOUND AND SILENCE ARE THESE TWO CHARACTERS WHO MEET IN THEIR UNIVERSE JUST BY CHANCE, AND THEY CLASH A LITTLE BIT AT FIRST.

SOUND IS REALLY ENERGETIC.

THEY CAN SING HIGH PAGES, PLAY LOW PITCHES.

THEY CAN PLAY MUSIC WITH A REALLY FAST TEMPO OR SLOW TEMPO.

AND SILENCE, THIS CHARACTER IS KIND OF SHOCKED BY ALL OF THIS NEW KNOWLEDGE.

>> Reporter: TOGETHER THE CARTOONISH SOUND AND SILENCE JOIN PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT MUSIC CONCEPTS LIKE PITCH, MELODY, AND IT TEMPO.

>> I LEARNED THAT THE TEMPO CAN BE, LIKE MY FAST, LIKE, REALLY FAST.

>> Reporter: 9-YEAR-OLD DEXTER IS A FOURTH-GRADE STUDENT WHO IS ALREADY PLAYED SOME PIANO, BUT IT IS THE CELLO HE IS WORKING WITH NOW.

THE SOUND AND SILENCE LESSONS HAVE INSPIRED HIM TO KEEP ON LEARNING.

>> TRY OUT OTHER INSTRUMENTS, AND THEN MAYBE GO BACK TO THE CELLO, OR STAY WITH WHATEVER I LIKE.

>> Reporter: AND MAYBE BE A MUSICIAN?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP , DEXTER?

>> I DON'T KNOW YET ACTUALLY.

>> Reporter: HIS CLASSMATE IS MORE CERTAIN ABOUT HER FUTURE IN MUSIC.

SHE HAS TRIED THE FLUTE , BUT HER CREATIVE HEART IS ELSEWHERE.

>> MY BIG PASSION IS THE GUITAR , AND I REALLY LOVE IT, SO I WANT TO BE A GUITARIST OR AN ARTIST WHEN I GROW UP.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NINE WEEKS OF CURRICULUM CULMINATING WITH A SPECIAL CONCERT AT THE RADIO SHOW ON APRIL 19, WHERE STUDENTS WILL JOIN A SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY USING THEIR NEW KNOWLEDGE INTO THEIR BODIES AS PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS.

STEPHEN SALT SAYS IT IS THE ULTIMATE IN INTERACTIVE LEARNING.

>> THAT IS HIS WHOLE PATTERN THAT THEY HAVE LEARNED OF CLAPS, SNAPS, AND A DRUM ROLL, LAP.

IT OCCURS IN A VERY RHYTHMIC PIECE THAT THE SYMPHONY WILL BE OPENING THE CONCERT WITH.

>> Reporter: SOUND AND SILENCE WORKING WITH PROFESSIONALS TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS CAN HEAR THE MUSIC AND THE MESSAGE.

SHE IS ONE OF THE SANDBERG TEACHERS.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW IN THE CREATIVE ARTS THAT IT IS A PROFESSION, AND IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

>> Reporter: MAX WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE HIS TALENT AND EXPERIENCE.

>> AND SEES OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS THAT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE THEY MEAN MUCH, BUT THEY REALLY DO TO THESE KIDS.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: AND STEPHEN SALTZ WITH THE GRAND FINISH.

>> IF THEY ALREADY PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AT THEIR SCHOOL OR IF THEIR SCHOOL EVEN HAS A MUSIC PROGRAM AT ALL, OR IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS BRAND- NEW TO THEM.

FOR INSTANCE, MAYBE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD EVEN A RECORDING OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BEFORE.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE NOW.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS .

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

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