The Finest City

As we continue our journey through the C-3 Oral History Project, we welcome Judy Swink, a longtime C-3 champion, researcher, and librarian. Judy walks us through her early days in C-3, including how she joined amidst a battle over the location of the Naval hospital in Balboa Park. Judy also discusses how C-3 intersects many different interests, a few of the largest lessons she has learned in her w...

This week, Kate sits down with trailblazing activist Anne Hoiberg. Anne discusses her life's work and passion, dedicated to removing systemic barriers to women's advancement. From her tenure as a research psychologist at the Naval Health Research Center to organizing a week-long conference in Portugal sponsored by NATO, Anne takes the future of women's opportunities very seriously. Anne talks abou...

In this episode, Todd Pittman sits down with Diane Powers, a native San Diegan and local champion of cultural tourism. Diane, an accomplished design professional and entrepreneur, shares how she came to preside over Bazaar Del Mundo, a grouping of colorful shops and restaurants in Old Town San Diego. She shares how her interest in art and design started at an early age and credits her growth as an...

In this week's episode, we continue our journey through C3's oral history interviews, in collaboration with the San Diego History Center. Former C3 President Kate Goodson spoke with renowned San Diego artist James Hubbell at his unique home in Santa Isabel. James is the principal creative force behind Ilan-Lael. We speak to James about becoming an internationally renowned artist, poet, designer, a...

This week features a conversation between C-3 Board member Francesca Redetzke and architect, designer, and San Diego State University lecturer Jim Brown. They speak about Jim's approach to design, how architecture has changed in recent decades, and insights into the San Diego design and architecture scene. They also explore Friendship Park and the shared art and design culture of San Diego and Tij...

In this special edition of The Finest City, we take a deep dive into the history of San Diego's extraordinary community of mid-century modern designers, architects, artists, and progressive thinkers. On June 16, 2020, host Sara Fakhoury interviewed archivist Todd Pittman and curator Dave Hampton about San Diego's homegrown modernist architect Lloyd Ruocco. This is the first in a series of intervie...

This week, Ryan welcomes Dike Anyiwo, Vice Chair of the Midway Pacific Highway Community Planning Group. The two discuss the history of the Midway District and Dike's perspective on the major changes coming to this often neglected but central community in San Diego. Dike also shares why he chooses to live in the Midway District and what he sees in the future that gets him excited. Recorded on loca...

On July 12, 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard assault ship caught fire, and burned for more than four days straight, sending smoke and dangerous chemicals billowing all across San Diego. Just short of a month later on August 4, C3 Board Director and Strategic Consultant Ryan Karlsgodt spoke with David Flores, Air Quality Campaign Director for the Environmental Health Coalition, about the impact the f...

On July 17, Kate Goodson spoke with Port Commissioner Ann Moore and Architect Greg Miller about the San Diego Bayfront and the Port Master Plan. The three discuss how the plan will establish more connectivity between the waterfront and the community, the public outreach that's been done, and how the update will shape the way Port lands are developed for generations. Ann and Greg both spoke about w...

This week features a conversation between C3 Board Directors Tommy Hough and Kristen Victor and Barbara Torres, Grants Coordinator for the Port of San Diego, and also founder of the Bike Clairemont program. They speak with Barbara about opportunities for alternative transportation, recreation, and wildlife passage over and through canyon infrastructure. Barbara shares why she feels it is important...

On July 10, 2020, C3 Board Directors Tommy Hough and Kristen Victor spoke with Andrew Meyer about the future of the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve and Wetland Restoration in Mission Bay. Andrew is the Executive Director of San Diego Audubon, and also the Campaign Director for ReWild Mission Bay.  Andrew shares news about the campaign, and a hopeful opportunity for wilder and more accessible bayfront...

This week, Kate introduces a conversation between C3 Board Director and Local Sustainability Advocate Kristen Victor and longtime waterfront activist Judy Swink from July 10, 2020. The two discuss the history of environmental activism on Mission Bay. Judy shares her perspective on how priorities around Mission Bay planning have finally shifted from overdevelopment to wetland restoration. Judy disc...

This week, Kate introduces a conversation between C3 Board Director and Government Relations Professional Denise Price and Serge Dedina. Serge is the current mayor of Imperial Beach, California and Executive Director of Wildcoast, a non-profit environmentalist group. The two speak about the sensitive environmental systems that span the U.S.-Mexico Border and connect our two binational neighbors. S...

This week, Kate introduces a conversation between C-3 Board Director and Planning Professional Suchitra Lukes, Mike Stepner, and Vicki Estrada from June 23, 2020. The three discuss the long-sought vision for a pedestrian link between Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Vicki and Mike are well-known thought leaders and are involved in the San Diego Commons effort that includes a movement to "Heal t...

This week, Kate introduces a conversation from June 22, 2020, between C3 Board Director and Interior Design Professional Kim Nadel and architect and professor René Peralta. Kim and René speak about the cultural, architectural, and urban conditions that define Tijuana and San Diego. Rene shares his perspective on culture exchange between the two destinations, and how we can support our neighbors to...

Every city has a story. And this one is about San Diego. You might know it as a paradise of ocean and sunshine, but as the most biodiverse region in the country, and one half of the second largest by binational metropolis in North America, it's also a battleground. On The Finest City podcast, we will be talking with the creatives, environmentalist and social justice warriors who've been on the fro...

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