THE POLL YOU BEEN WAITING FOR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, TPB IS NEWS.

THIS WEEK, MUCH OF OUR SHOW IS DEDICATED TO COMIC-CON.

COMING UP, WE GET OUR TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF IT.

>>> A WASTED INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC TRANSIT, GOING TO CITY HEIGHTS TO FIND OUT FOR A VISION FOR A THRIVING PEDESTRIAN MALL HAS NOT BEEN A REAL SIZE.

>>> THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP NOW, WE CHECK IN WITH YOUNG PLAYERS IN NORTH COUNTY WHO ARE INSPIRED BY TEAM USA.

>>> STRIKES INVOLVING HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND WRITERS MEANS THERE MIGHT BE A BIT LESS STAR POWER THIS YEAR.

BUT THE COMIC-CON CROWDS ARE STILL HERE IN FORCE.

ALEX WINN WAS THERE FOR OPENING DAY.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF COMIC-CON.

YOU HAVE TO DRESS THE PART.

IT'S THE FIRST YEAR WERE MAJOR STUDIOS ARE NOT HERE AND COMIC- CON ATTENDEES SAY IT'S GETTING COMIC-CON BACK TO THE OLD RITZ.

LET'S CHECK IT OUT.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: WITH NO HOLLYWOOD STARTS AT A COMIC-CON, COMIC STARS ARE THE STARS.

SOUTHBAY ARTISTS HOW TO LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR HIM AS SOON AS THE CONVENTION FLOOR OPENED.

>> IT'S A GREAT TIME FOR THE UNDISCOVERED ARTISTS, SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN WRITING.

TO GET RECOGNITION, AND TO ALSO FIND A NEW CROWD, FIND A NEW AUDIENCE, BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO BE SHOWCASED AMONGST THE NOISE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S HOW PETER EVERYTHING DISCOVERED IT.

>> I DISCOVERED THE ARTWORK THIS YEAR.

I DID NOT REALIZE THE LINE WAS GOING TO BE THIS BIG.

I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS THAT POPULAR.

BUT I CAN SEE WHY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE ART WAS INFLUENCED BY POP-CULTURE, BUT WITH HIS OWN TWIST INCORPORATED FILIPINO CULTURE.

WITH MOST OF THE HOLLYWOOD PANELS CANCELED, MOST PEOPLE WERE OUT HERE ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: EXHIBITORS SAY THEY ARE SEEING MORE PEOPLE STOP BY THE BOOTH, LIKE THIS MAN.

HE WAS STOPPING AT THE BOOTH TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST VIDEO GAMES.

>> THE GHOST BOOTH LOOKS REALLY COOL, THIS ONE LOOKS SUPERCOOL.

I'M EXCITED TO PLAY THAT GAME.

>> Reporter: THINGS ARE MUCH MORE IMMERSIVE THIS YEAR.

>> I STARTED THE RED GUY, WITH THE RED HOOD.

SUPER INTERESTING.

>> ♪ ♪ >> IT'S A LITTLE BIT AFTER 5:00 AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING OVER TO THE GASLAMP AREA WHERE THE PARTIES ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN.

AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, ALEXANDER WINN, TPB IS NEWS.

>>> ARTS REPORTER HAS BEEN ATTENDING COMIC-CON FOR 50 YEARS.

SHE OFFERS YOU THIS GEEKY LIST OF SURVIVAL TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: NUMBER ONE, BADGES.

YOU NEED A BADGE FOR COMIC-CON.

KEEP IT WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS BOTH TAP IN AND OUT OF THE CONVENTION CENTER.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RE-ENTER.

IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, GO TO THE RFID BADGE HELP DESK.

THAT SHARING IS NOT ALLOWED WHATSOEVER.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

>> THIS IS THE WAY.

>> THIS IS THE WAY.

>> Reporter: COMIC-CON PUTS A LOT OF WORK INTO ITS WEBSITE.

EXPLORE THE EXHIBIT FLOOR, CHECK OUT WILL BE AN ARTIST ALLEY, AND SCOPE OUT ALL OF THE PROGRAMMING.

IMPORTANT FOR THIS YEAR, THERE IS A LIST OF CANCELED PANELS REFLECTING THE IMPACT OF THE WRITERS AND ACTORS STRIKES.

>> I HAVE SPOKEN.

>> Reporter: THREE, TRANSPORTATION.

>> TRANSFORMATIONAL.

IT WILL NOT LAST FOR LONG.

IT HAS TO COME OFF NOW.

>> Reporter: GETTING BACK-AND- FORTH FROM COMIC-CON IS HARD TO FIND.

SO CONSIDER USING THE COMIC-CON SHUTTLES OR TROLLEY THAT ARE FREE WITH YOUR BADGE.

AND WHEN THE LAY OF THE LAND.

SO DO NOT WASTE TIME GETTING LOST.

WITHOUT YOUR TRANSPORTER, COMFORTABLE SHOES ARE A MUST.

FOUR, PACK A SURVIVAL KIT.

>> SURVIVAL KITS CHECK.

>> Reporter: WATER, SNACKS, CAFFEINE, CHOCOLATE, BATTERY CHARGERS, JACKET.

DEODORANT, IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERATE.

PRETEND YOU ARE HEADING OUT ON A MISSION AND DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU WILL BE GONE.

FIVE, MAKE A PLAN.

>> THERE IS ONE MORE THING WE NEED TO COMPLETE THE PLAN.

THAT GUY.

>> Reporter: YOU DON'T ACTUALLY NEED THAT GUY'S EYE.

BUT YOU WILL BENEFIT FROM SOME KIND OF PLAN.

WHETHER IT'S A HIGHLY DETAILED STRATEGY OR JUST A CASUAL IDEA TO VISIT THE EXHIBIT FLOOR.

BUT, DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO TACKLE THE CON AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

AND FIGURE OUT THE GEOGRAPHY.

YOU CANNOT GO FROM THE BAYFRONT HILTON AND FIVE MINUTES.

UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF DISTANCE, BUT WHAT STANDS BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DESTINATION?

SIX, BE FLEXIBLE.

>> THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT.

>> Reporter: HEED THE ADVICE AND BE READY TO PIVOT.

IF YOU GET SHUT OUT OF THE PANEL, DON'T LET THAT RUIN YOUR DAY.

SO, GO TO A RANDOM PANEL AND YOU WILL DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW.

CHECK OUT THE COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL AND CHILLOUT WATCHING THE POP-CULTURE INSPIRED FILM.

SEVEN, LINES DO NOT HAVE TO BE A BAD THING.

>> LILY?

I THINK THIS THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP.

>> Reporter: ANTHONY'S FORM LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS WITH PEOPLE THEY MEET ONLINE.

IF YOU ARE STUCK WAITING FOR SOMETHING, CHECK WITH OTHER PEOPLE SIT NEXT TO YOU.

A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP MIGHT LIE AHEAD.

EIGHT, IT'S PRESSURE SELF.

>> COOL SPIDEY OUTFIT.

>> THANKS.

>> Reporter: WEAR A T-SHIRT, COSTUMES SHOWING HER FANDOM.

COMIC-CON IS THE BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE WHAT YOU LOVE AND TO FIND OTHERS WHO SHOW PASSION.

NINE, STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

>> MR. RUBIO, WHERE ARE YOU HAVE TO?

I'M GOING ON AN ADVENTURE.

>> Reporter: EXPLORE.

SEEK SOMETHING NEW.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT AN ANCHOR OR LETTER OR DOES, GO TO A PANEL ABOUT THEM.

AND 10, SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST OR PUBLISHER.

SOON OTELLO, I AM WE LOWLY, I'M THE CARTOONIST OF ANGRY LITTLE GOALS.

>> I MANY ROMERO, I AM AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST THAT TRAVELS THE COUNTRY AND DIFFERENT SHOWS.

>> Reporter: CONSIDER HITTING THE FLOOR FOR AN HOUR, AND SPENDING SOME TIME AND MONEY WITH ARTIST ALLEY OR SMALL PRESS.

THERE ARE TREASURES OUT THERE WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED AND YOU CAN FEEL GREAT KNOWING THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT CREATORS.

FINALLY, -- >> RULE NUMBER 32, ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT.

REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN.

NO MATTER HOW MANY ZOMBIES MIGHT BE CHASING YOU.

>>> COMIC-CON IS NOT ONLY A TIME TO CELEBRATE YOUR FAVORITE HEROES, BUT YOU CAN BECOME ONE AS WELL.

SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK'S LONGEST RUNNING BLOOD DRIVE RETURNS FOR ITS 27th YEAR.

IT RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT AND BLOOD BANK DONATION CENTERS.

AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED.

DONORS WILL GET A T-SHIRT AND A CHANCE TO WIN OTHER PRIZES.

>>> PUBLIC TRANSIT IS ESSENTIAL AS PEOPLE GO TO COMIC-CON.

IN CITY HEIGHTS, ONE TRANSIT STOPS IT'S ABOVE THE 15 FREEWAY THAT RUNS THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS DECADES LATER, A VISION TO RECONNECT THE COMMUNITY REMAINS UNFULFILLED.

>> HOUSES, FAMILIES ON THIS SIDE, I WANT TO SAY THERE WAS HOUSES OVER HERE.

>> Reporter: ALEXIS VILLAIN WAIVER IS WALKING DOWN UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD AS IT PASSES OVER THE STATE ROUTE 15 FREEWAY.

SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT, CITY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP HERE IN THE 1980s, ALL OF THIS LAND WAS TAKEN UP BY APARTMENT BUILDINGS AND BUSINESSES.

BUT, CALTRANS WANTED TO BUILD THE FREEWAY.

SO, IT USED EMINENT DOMAIN TO SEIZE AND DEMOLISH MORE THAN NINE BLOCKS OF PROPERTY.

SOME 2000 RESIDENTS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE.

INCLUDING THE SISTER, OF HER.

>> WHEN YOU ASK THEM TO RELOCATE, YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY ASKING THEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE RENT DEPOSIT AND SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT IS PROBABLY HIGHER IN RENT.

NEELY, MY SISTER WAS CONCERNED OF WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN.

AND ALSO, WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR MY NIECE.

AND MOVE TOOLS.

SO, IT WAS A BIG DECISION.

THERE WAS NO CHOICE.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS FOUGHT TO STOP THE FREEWAY, BUT IN THE END, AFTER YEARS OF EXHAUSTION, CALTRANS AGREED TO CAP JUST ONE BLOCK OF THE FREEWAY.

THAT BLOCK BECAME TORONTO PARK, THE FIRST PARK CALTRANS EVER BUILT OVER ROOF OVER A FREEWAY.

CALTRANS ALSO MADE SPACE FOR A RAPID BUS LINE.

THAT WOULD RUN ON THE FREEWAY MEDIAN, THOUGH IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 18 YEARS AFTER THE FREEWAY OPENED THE BUS LINE TO START SERVICE THE BUS LINE CAME WITH EXTRA WIDE OVER THE FREEWAY.

EACH WITH A LITTLE PEDESTRIAN PLAZA.

>> ALL OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU SEE IS SO PEOPLE COULD STILL ACTIVATE THE SPACE AND NOT FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A WESTERN PART OF CITY HYATT AND EASTERN PART OF CITY HYATT.

>> Reporter: CLOSET COMING GATHERING SPACES THAT WOULD RECONNECT THE COMMUNITY HAS NOT BEEN REALIZED CALTRANS BUILT KIOSKS HERE TO HOUSE A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE A COFFEE SHOP WHERE YOU STAND.

THEY ALSO BUILD BATHROOMS HERE.

BUT IN THE MORE THAN 20 YEARS SINCE THEY WERE BUILT, NEITHER THE KIOSKS NOR THE BATHROOMS HAVE EVER BEEN USED.

VILLAIN WAIVER HAS SAID IT IS A WASTE.

THEY SAY THEY COULD IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE OF WRITING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> SOMEONE IS COMMUTING, AND FAMILIES DO THAT WITH THEIR SERVICE JOBS.

THEY ARE USING THIS EXPRESSWAY, TO GO DOWNTOWN AND BACK.

WHEN THEY ARE MAKING A STOP AWAY FROM COLLEGE AVENUE TO UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, AND EATING BREAKFAST TO HEAD ONTO THE DOWNTOWN JOB, THAT IS A NEED.

THAT IS A NEED TO A COMFORT ABILITY.

IT HELPS THEM TO GET TO WORK ON TIME.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS TO ACTIVATE AND UNIFY THESE PLAZAS.

AND PLENTY OF IDEAS.

>> EXTRA GREENERY.

WE HAVE THE TREE, AND APPLAUDING PLANS.

BUT THAT IS ENOUGH FOR THIS PLACE TO LOOK GRAY AND TO BE QUITE HONEST DISMAL.

SO, WE WANTED TO ADD GREENERY.

WE ALSO WANT LIGHTING.

WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE CONSTITUENTS, LIGHTING IS A NECESSARY PART OF THE BOX.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY MADE PROGRESS TOWARDS ACTIVATING THE KIOSKS OF THE FREEWAY.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AGREED TO LEASE THEM FROM CALTRANS, SO IT COULD FIND ITS OWN VENDORS.

BUT, THEY ARE STILL LOCKED UP.

THE THINGS THAT MAKE THESE PLAZAS UNPLEASANT, LIKE THE NOISE, AND POLLUTION FROM THE FREEWAY, HAVE NO CHEAP OR EASY FIXES.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A COMMUNITY THAT HAS LIMITED RESOURCES, THAT HAS NOT HAD INVESTMENT FROM GOVERNMENT AS MUCH AS IT COULD HAVE, AS MUCH AS IT SHOULD HAVE, IT SHOULD TAKE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE IN OUR LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION HAS DONE FINE.

LET'S COME TO THE TABLE, FIGURE OUT WILL BE NEED TO DO AND HOW MUCH RESOURCES IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO HELP PEOPLE >> >> Reporter: THE EXPERIENCE OF CITY HEIGHTS BEING DIVIDED BY A FREEWAY IS BY NO MEANS UNIQUE.

IT HAPPENS ALL OVER SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

MOST OFTEN, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

THE COMMUNITY IS LEASE ABLE TO FIGHT BACK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE OF OUR FREEWAYS BY LISTENING TO MY PODCAST WHEREVER PODCASTS ARE LISTENED TO.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE STORY WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK, AT KPBS.ORG.

HERE ARE SOME ORDERS.

IT'S JULY, BUT BACK TO SCHOOL FOR SOME KIDS IN THE SOUTH BAY.

KPBS NEWS WAS THERE FOR THE FIRST.

MORE CUSTOMERS WILL GET CREDITS AFTER GETTING EXPENSIVE REESER HEATING BILLS.

>>> COVERAGE OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE VACANT SEAT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

>>> A WEEK FOR SOCCER IN SAN DIEGO, THE NSW SL WILL HOLD ITS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT THAT STOP DRAGON STADIUM.

THE LEAK STARS ARE PLAYING THE WORLD CUP, MELISSA MAY CAUGHT UP WITH YOUNG SOCCER FANS WHO DREAMED OF DOING THE SAME.

>> Reporter: TEAM USA MAY BE PLAYING DOWN UNDER, BUT THEY HAVE PLENTY OF FANS IN SAN DIEGO TO CHEER THEM ON!

>> [ APPLAUSE ] >> IT WILL BE AWESOME TO SEE THEM PLAY, AND, AGAIN, OUR TEAMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> I LOVE THE RUSH WHEN THEY SCORE A GOAL.

BECAUSE IT'S LIKE THE FANS GO, IT GOES WILD.

>> I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE NEW YOUNGER ADDITIONS TO THE TEAM ARE, HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY.

AND HOW WELL THEY BECOME AS A UNIT.

>> Reporter: LOCAL SOCCER CLUB, HAD A SPECIAL TEAM USA DAY DURING THE SUMMER CAMP.

THE SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL SCENE IN THE WORLD CUP.

>> IT'S COOL THAT I GET TO WATCH A LOT OF THE GREAT PLAY, I LIKE WATCHING SAM KERR, ALEX MORGAN.

AND I THINK THAT WHEN THE DIFFERENT TEAMS PLAY, IT'S A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR ME TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY MYSELF.

>> Reporter: THE FIFTH-GRADER IS HAPPY THAT PEOPLE RESPECT AND SUPPORT WOMEN'S SOCCER.

>> THESE GIRLS DID SOMETHING, THEY COMPETED ON A NATIONAL LEVEL OF SOCCER.

AND, THEY WON THE WORLD CUP FOUR TIMES, AND THAT'S REALLY COOL TO ME.

SURPRISINGLY, THE BOYS HAVE NOT WON ONCE.

>> Reporter: FOR YOUNG ATHLETES LIKE HANNAH WRIGHT, IT MEANS A LOT FOR WOMEN TO COMPETE IN THE WORLD CUP.

>> THEY ARE AWESOME, I AM ALSO AWESOME, WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME MOMENTS IN LIFE WHERE WE WERE LITTLE KIDS STARTING SOCCER COME IN THE DAY KIDS GROWING UP TO COMPETE ON THE NATIONAL WORLD STAGE.

>> Reporter: TEAM USA HAS WON FOUR OF THE LAST EIGHT WORLD CUPS AND HAS NEVER FINISHED OFF THE PODIUM.

AND, IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHO THE GIRLS ARE ROOTING FOR, -- >> OBVIOUSLY.

I.V.

THEY ARE THE BEST.

>> Reporter: USA BEGINS THE 2023 WORLD CUP JOURNEY AT 6:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY AGAINST VIETNAM.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN DELMAR, FRIDAY, OPENING DAY FOR THE 2023 SUMMER HORSERACING SEASON.

A SELLOUT CROWD, PACKING THE RACETRACKS, PLACING THEIR BETS AND TAKE PART OF THE OPENING DAY.

HAD CONTESTS AND A SEASON RUNS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10th.

>>> JULY SAN DIEGO IS ABOUT HUGE EVENTS, THAT INCLUDES PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL, JOHN CARROLL TALKED WITH ORGANIZERS ABOUT HOW THINGS WENT.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THE MARCHING, SHOUTS OF SUPPORT, THE MONUMENTAL COLORFUL CELEBRATIONS, NOW JUST A MEMORY.

AND, PRIDE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FERNANDO LOPEZ IS BASKING IN THE GLORY.

>> IT WAS THE SMOOTHEST, BEST RUNNING PRIDE PARADE THAT WE'VE EVER HAD IN OVER 60 YEARS.

>> [ APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE FINAL NUMBERS IN FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS, BUT LOPEZ SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE THEIR ESTIMATES OF 300,000 OR MORE PEOPLE AT THE PARADE AND THE FESTIVAL SCENE ABOUT CORRECT.

>> THEY CANNOT BELIEVE HOW INCREDIBLE THE STAFF AND CONTRACTORS WERE.

I MEAN, EVERYTHING JUST SORT OF FELL INTO PLACE.

>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT ALSO SENSE A SLIGHT RELIEF IN LOPEZ'S VOICE.

WITH THE RISE OF ANTI-LGBT LEGISLATION, AND VIOLENCE ACROSS THE NATION, THERE WERE CONCERNS OF A MASS INCIDENT.

BUT LOPEZ SAYS IN SAN DIEGO, WHEN IT COMES TO THREATS, THINGS ARE BETTER THIS YEAR.

>> THERE WAS A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF AGGRESSIVE EMAILS THAT WE RECEIVED OR COMMUNICATIONS.

I FELT THE SAFEST I'VE EVER HAVE.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, LOPEZ SAYS THE MEDIA ATTENTION TO THE ANTI-LGBT NEWS ACTUALLY ENDED UP HELPING.

>> I GET REALLY PUT THIS LENS ON IT, THAT SEEMS TO DIMINISH THINGS.

SO, I THINK, ALL OF THAT REALLY JUST NOT ONLY HELPS SAN DIEGO PRIDE BE SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL, BUT PRIDE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: NOW, THE 10 TENSION , THE LARGEST PRIORITIZATION THE COUNTRY BY THE WAY, THEY ARE NOW WORKING ON NEXT YEAR'S EVENT.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN FOR MONTHS.

>> YOU HAVE TO START PLAYING THOSE THINGS OUT AT LEAST ONE YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS IN ADVANCE.

>> Reporter: KEEPING PRIDE GOING STRONG.

IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN JUST A LOCAL INSIGHT LGBT COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PRIDE THAT SAN DIEGANS CAN TAKE AND AFRAID THAT IS THE LARGEST SINGLE DAY EVENT IN THE COUNTY COMING OFF WITHOUT A HITCH.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AMONGST THE CAST OF CHARACTERS THAT COME IN, YOU WILL FIND SOME MAD SCIENTISTS.

WHILE THEY ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE IN SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY, THAT YOUR DATA TELLS A DIFFERENT STORY.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER, ANGIE PEREZ, BRINGS US THIS REALITY CHECK FROM THE LABORATORY.

>> IT'S ALIVE!

>> Reporter: DR. FRANKENSTEIN WAS A LITTLE BIT HIGH STRUNG, ALMOST INCONSOLABLE.

WHEN HE CREATED HIS MONSTER.

MAD SCIENTISTS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR ELECTRIC PERSONALITIES.

AND, PENCHANT FOR PURSUING PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS THAT ARE PURELY PROBLEMATIC.

>> I AM READY TO TRY MY EXPERIMENT ON A HUMAN BEING.

>> $1 MILLION!

100 BILLION DOLLARS!

>> Reporter: NO, SHE IS NOT REALLY DR.

EVIL.

SHE IS A ROCKET SCIENTIST, WHOSE LABORATORY IS IN A CLASSROOM WITH STUDENTS.

>> ALL THIS STUFF THAT HAPPENS WITHIN FIVE MOVIES, CAN IT ACTUALLY HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE?

THE ANSWER IS, A LOT OF IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: JASMINE SADLER IS A FORMER MILITARY DEFENSE ENGINEER.

AN ENTREPRENEUR, AND ADVOCATE FOR TEACHING SCIENCE.

THIS SUMMER CAMP AT LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL IS SPONSORED BY THE BLUE HEART FOUNDATION.

THIS SUPPORTS YOUNG STUDENTS OF COLOR AND BECOMING SCIENTISTS WITH AN INFORMAL EDUCATION SPACE.

>> THROUGH SUMMER CAMPS, SATURDAY PROGRAMS, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT GIVES THEM THE REAL WORLD PERSPECTIVE TO THE CONCEPT THAT THEY ARE LEARNING IN SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: SANDLER IS A PANELIST WHO IS BUSTING MYTHS THIS WEEK.

ABOUT SCIENTISTS WHO ARE NEITHER MAD NOR VILLAINOUS.

ALTHOUGH, TEACHING HER STUDENTS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS A CHALLENGE.

>> AS WE STAND ON THE PRECIPICE OF NEW CHALLENGES, THE RETURN OF VICTOR, LOOMS OVER US.

>> YOU DO NOT HAVE LIMITS, OR LAWS.

YOU DO HAVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, DO YOU USE THAT FOR GOOD OR EVIL?

BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS GOOD OR EVIL.

IT'S A PERSON.

>> Reporter: JAKE GODIN IS MYTH BUSTING AT COMIC-CON 2.

SHE IS A REAL SCIENTIST FROM PHILADELPHIA.

DOING REAL RESEARCH TO CURE PANCREATIC CANCER.

SHE KNOWS THE STEREOTYPES THAT SHE'S FIGHTING.

>> ♪ ♪ >> IT IS USUALLY EVIL, OR MAD.

OR VERY EINSTEIN, WITH THE WHITE HAIR THAT IS VERY CRAZY.

>> Reporter: GARDNER IS NONE OF THAT.

BUT, SHE DOES HAVE CREDENTIALS IN CREATING COMMENTS.

SOMETHING THAT SHE HAS DONE SINCE SHE WAS IN GRADUATE SCHOOL.

HER OWN WAY OF TEACHING SCIENCE IN AN UNSCIENTIFIC WAY.

>> WANTING TO SO SCIENCE AND A MUCH MORE FUN AND INTERESTING LIGHT THAN WHAT THE TEXTBOOKS PROVIDE OR HOW SOMETIMES SCIENCE LECTURES ARE GIVING WITH THE MEMORIZATION.

THAT IS FAR LESS INTERESTING THAN WHAT SCIENCE REALLY IS.

>> I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT CODING IS A RECIPE THAT REWRITE THAT A COMPUTER CAN FOLLOW.

REMAKING COMPUTER SCIENTISTS FROM SEATTLE.

SHE IS IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE DR.

EVIL MYTH BUSTING, COMPOUND 2.

>> THAT IS MY IMPRESSION.

>> Reporter: WHAT SHE LIKED IN AN IMPERSONATION, SHE MAKES UP FOR IN HER WORK.

SHE LEADS A TEAM OF ENGINEERS THAT PROCESSES MILLIONS OF SATELLITE IMAGERY, USING INTER- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THAT CAN HELP WORLD ENVIRONMENT LEADERS MAKE DECISIONS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE WITH PICTURES OF THE EARTH.

>> SCIENTISTS ARE REGULAR PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING ON COOL THINGS, AND HAVE THESE SPECIFIC SKILL SETS THAT WE DEVELOPED OVER TIME.

BUT ANYBODY CAN BECOME A SCIENTIST, AND WE ARE NOT VILLAINS.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

>> Reporter: MAYBE HAVE A LITTLE FUN AT THE SAME TIME.

>> GIVE ME THE BIG ONE.

>> NO WAY.

>> IT'S ALIVE!

IT'S ALIVE!

IN THE NAME OF GOD, IT'S ALIVE!

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> STAR WARS ALWAYS HAS A BIG PRESENCE AT COMIC-CON, SAN DIEGO DROID BUILDERS IS OFFERING ATTENDEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THEIR OWN ARE TWO UNITS.

KPBS VIDEOS TAKES US INTO THE BUILDERS WORKSHOPS.

>> THIS IS MY MADMAN'S WORKSHOP.

>> ♪ ♪ >> I LIKE JUNK.

SO, I AM KIND OF A CLOWN.

I LIKE STUFF APART AND FIGURING OUT HOW IT WORKS.

I WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN STAR WARS.

I'VE BEEN DECIMATE A FRIEND OF MY COUSIN, HE INTRODUCED ME TO DISCOVERING DROIDS.

IT TOOK OFF FROM THERE, AND I GET REINVESTED INTO THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE.

I NEVER KNEW THAT I WANTED R2- D2, BUT I WANTED IT.

>> ♪ ♪ >> ♪ ♪ >> THE FIRST ONE TOOK ME ABOUT THREE YEARS.

A LOT OF THAT WAS PART GATHERED.

AND, AS YOU GIVE PARTS, HE WOULD WORK ON SOMETHING NEW, WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, AND ATTACH THINGS.

THERE ARE FORUMS, THERE ARE BUILD LOGS, THERE ARE BLUEPRINTS , SCHEMATICS, JUST ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.

FORTUNATE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE ARCHIVES, SO PEOPLE IN THEIR TAKE MEASUREMENTS, SO THAT WE KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS FAIRLY ACCURATE, PRICE RANGE?

$100 TO MAYBE $30,000.

THERE IS NOT AN UPPER LIMIT.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY INVOLVED, BUT YOU ARE NOT SPENDING IT ALL AT ONCE.

$40 HERE, $100 THERE, GATHERING THE PARTS AND DOING THINGS.

THIS IS MY R2-D2.

IT'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF ITERATIONS.

THIS ONE COMES OUT, TO OPEN THE PIPE PANELS.

WE HAVE A MOTOR HERE TO HELP SPIN THE DOMES.

GIVE A NICE ROTATION.

ANYBODY CAN BUILD A DROID.

THIS COMIC-CON, WE ARE GETTING A DROID BUILDERS CONVENTION, SO WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT VERY THING.

WHEN YOU DO THIS, YOU MAKE ALL KINDS OF FRIENDS AND ALL KINDS OF CONNECTIONS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

AND, IT'S AWESOME.

>> ♪ ♪ >> WE BEEN WANTING TO LEARN THESE THINGS FOREVER.

GO TO COMIC-CON, STAR WARS CELEBRATIONS, PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY MAKING THESE THINGS AND THEY ARE REAL.

SO, I GOT WITH MY BROTHER-IN- LAW, COREY, AND I SAID "HEY, IF I START BUYING STUFF, COULD WE COLLECTIVELY REALLY MAKE THIS HAPPEN?"

AND HE SAID, "WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.".

AND THEN, IT WAS JUST AVALANCHES.

>> THIS IS WHAT YOU START WITH, AND YOU CAN SEE THE TAB HERE, YOU CUT THEM OFF, CLEAN THEM UP.

GET ALL YOUR PIECES TOGETHER.

THEY GET PAINTED BLUE.

>> TYPICALLY, I THINK IT TAKES 5-10 YEARS, WHEN PEOPLE START BUILDING A DROID.

WE HAD HOURS AND SIX MONTHS.

>> I THINK THAT IS UNHEARD OF.

IT'S GOING TO BE HIS FIRST COMIC-CON, ACTUALLY.

HE WANTS TO WONDER CON.

RIGHT, YEAH.

THIS IS GOING TO BE HIS FIRST COMIC-CON.

>> ♪ ♪ >> HE JOINED A CLUB BY THE R2- D2 BUILDERS, AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MAKE-A-WISH CANCER, OR A DRUG.

IS THE PRESENT.

THAT REALLY MAKES EVERYTHING TIED TOGETHER, WHERE MAKES EVERYTHING SO WORTH IT.

>> PEOPLE LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE.

GROWN ADULTS TURN INTO CHILDREN.

>> THE FUN CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND IN THE GASLAMP.

KPBS WILL BE THERE FOR PLENTY OF COVERAGE, FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

OF COURSE, ALL OF OUR STORIES CAN BE FOUND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> ♪ ♪ >> ♪ ♪