Today’s newsletter is presented by San Carlos Community Garden.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- The World Cup kicks off tomorrow! Here’s how to celebrate in San Diego.
- Learn more about the college president members of Congress are eyeing to rename Logan Heights’ Chávez post office after.
- Point Loma Summer Concerts has announced this year’s ‘all-star’ lineup.
Tessa Balc
Audience engagement producer
Top story
Meet San Diego’s theater organ player, whose music creates a time machine to the 1920s
Everyone has their thing. Some people can watch golf for hours without cracking a yawn, others can point out each type of cloud. Russ Peck realizes this, and he’s embraced organs as his thing.
Our Drew Sitton caught up with Peck ahead of San Diego Theatres’ unveiling of the lineup for a new season of Silent Movie Mondays. Peck provides the accompaniment for some of these films, and tunes the Balboa Theatre’s massive organ ahead of showings.
The tuning takes around seven hours, and trust me when I say it gets loud.
But, it’s well worth it. I can understand how love for the instrument. Besides his infectious love for the organ, it’s range and depth of sound is truly breathtaking. You can experience it for yourself at the Balboa Theatre, and learn more about the organs around town in our featured story today.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
🍿 Reading Cinemas at Grossmont Center abruptly shut its doors June 1: AMC announced one week later that it acquired the theater, and its doors will remain closed for renovations until early 2027.
🇮🇷 San Diego County is home to over 12,000 Iranians, and some with family still in the country: Local Iranian-Americans are gathering to discuss the trauma of watching the war continue with thousands dead.
📝 County supervisors fail to advance transparency measure after deadlock: The measure to end the practice of creating ad-hoc subcommittees with little public knowledge is set to return to the board on June 25.
🧮 Amid rise in first-year students unprepared for college math, some UC professors say it’s time to reinstate SATs: More than 1,400 UC faculty — most from STEM programs — have signed a letter demanding standardized tests return as an admissions requirement.
🎶 Live music in San Diego: Sublime, Alain Whyte, Summer of Love and Anvil will all be taking the stage this week.
🏡 Opinion: Congress must stop predatory ADA lawsuits driving up housing costs
What else we’re reading
⚓️ Autonomous boats have been launched from San Diego by Seasats — a local startup that has also built satellites for the Navy — to track Chinese ghost fleets (Union-Tribune)
📦 Walmart drone delivery is coming to San Diego. Eligible orders typically weigh two pounds or less and are 6-8 miles away from participating stores. (Axios)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Mid-Week News Quiz
Have you kept up with Times of San Diego this week? Let’s see!
🎵 What band from San Diego is co-headlining a festival at Petco Park this weekend?
A) Sublime
B) Band of Gringos
C) Blink-182
D) Slightly Stoopid
Reply first with the correct answer to earn a shoutout in tomorrow’s newsletter.