Museum Month Returns to San Diego

Bob Lehman at Visions Art Museum with Executive Director Laura Mitchell (courtesy images)

“this is the perfeCt time to go and expLore something new in san diego,”

By LGBTQ San Diego County News Staff

It’s time to get out and explore the fun as the San Diego Museum Month celebrates its 33rd year of half-off tickets to more than 45 museums across San Diego County.

During the month of February, everyone can get a free Museum Month pass at a San Diego Macy’s store or one of more than 80 public libraries. Each pass is good for up to four people to visit a local museum, historic site, garden, zoo/aquarium and more.

“This is the perfect time to go and explore something new in San Diego,” said Bob Lehman, Executive Director of the San Diego Museum Council which sponsors the 28-day event. “After last year’s mainly virtual event, we couldn’t be happier to welcome people back in person.”

According to Lehman, one of the main goals of Museum Month is to increase accessibility to all communities to enjoy San Diego’s cultural institutions. Partnering with local libraries makes it easy and convenient for families of all neighborhoods to access the free passes.

Lehman, who previously served as Executive Director of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, sees his new mission as an opportunity to increase diversity and inclusion within the museum community. New to Museum Month this year is a wide range of participants including the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art, the Women’s Museum of California, the Marine Corp Recruit Depot Command Museum and Balboa Park’s Comic-Con Museum. For a list of participating museums and restrictions, go to www.SanDiegoMuseumCouncil.org.

“Many people don’t know that we have museums throughout the County, not just in Balboa Park,” noted Lehman. “From the California Surf Museum in Oceanside to the Tijuana Estuary in Imperial Beach and east to the Barona Cultural Center and Museum in Lakeside, we are truly everywhere.”

For families with kids, a favor-

Bob Lehman at the New Children’s Museum Teatro Piñata with designers Emily Schmit and David Israel Reynoso

Bob Lehman at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot

ite museum is the New Children’s Museum downtown which currently features Teatro Piñata, a colorful theater and backstage for kids to explore. It was designed by local theater designer David Israel Reynoso, known for his work at The Old Globe and La Jolla Playhouse. This month, the museum welcomed its new executive director and CEO, Elizabeth Yang-Hellewell who lives in Bonita with her wife and two young children.

“Members of the LGBTQ community have long been instrumental to the museum community, as artists, curators, administrators and—most importantly—as museum enthusiasts,” said Lehman. “We hope Museum Month gives our community, and all communities, the opportunity to further enjoy San Diego’s rich and vibrant cultural offerings and explore the fun.”

some of the more than 45 MuseuMs aCrOss saN diegO COuNtY

SaN DiEGo aFriCaN amEriCaN muSEum oF FiNE arT

555 saturn Blvd. suite B, #261 san diego, Ca 92154 www.sdaamfa.org

BaroNa CuLTuraL CENTEr & muSEum

1095 Barona rd. Lakeside, Ca 92040 www.baronamuseum.com

CaLiForNia SurF muSEum

312 pier view way oceanside, California 92054 www.surfmuseum.org

ComiC CoN muSEum

2131 pan american plaza san diego, Ca 92101 www.comic-con.org/museum

ThE NEW ChiLDrEN’SmuSEum

200 wisland ave. san diego, Ca 92101 www.thinkplaycreate.org

My name is Dave Myers and I’m running for San Diego County Sheriff. Our campaign is historic. If elected, I would be the first LGBTQ elected Sheriff in the State of California.

I am a native San Diegan, born and raised in the Allied Garden neighborhood. My family was not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination – but my parents gave us so much love and attention that we always felt secure and confident about our future. Every child in San Diego should grow up with that sense of security and nurturing. I have always known as far back as I could remember that I wanted to be in law enforcement. Perhaps it came from the belief instilled by my parents and grandparents that you always lend a hand to those in need, and you do it with dignity and respect. I have two grown children; I’m a new first-time grandfather and I currently live in La Mesa with my husband Dominic of 18 years.

I joined the San Diego Sheriff’s Department in 1985. One of the most memorable events during this time was when I responded to a call involving two 8-year-old twin boys living in a foster home who were trying to commit suicide. Using my K-9 dog Sarge as an icebreaker, I was able to coax them away from the edge of the 20 feet deep culvert that they had planned to jump into. In 1994, I was presented with the Department’s Medal for Lifesaving. I happened upon a person who was going to

dave MYers

for san diego CoUntY sheriff

jump off a bridge onto a heavily traveled roadway. As the paramedics on the scene kept the attention of the individual, I snuck up from behind and grabbed him off the edge of the bridge and back onto the roadway.

I’ve worked my way up the ranks at the Sheriff’s Department from a patrol Deputy to Commander. I’ve worked in almost every part of the Sheriff’s Department, including as a beat patrol Deputy, a detentions Deputy, a homicide detective, Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving, a Lieutenant for the Border Crime Suppression Team and the Communications Center. As Commander, I’ve managed 24 patrol stations and substations encompassing all of San Diego County. In addition, I ran the Special Investigations Division, which included homicide, narcotics, terrorism, and gangs and served as the Commander for the Courts Division, which is responsible for the security at all Superior Court facilities.

I’ve previously served as Board President of the Y.E.S. Program, a non-profit organization centered in Barrio Logan that connected at risk youth with social services such as remedial education, and work readiness skills. Currently, I am a board member for two non-profits, Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance, and the Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation.

My law enforcement and community-based experience makes me the best candidate for Sheriff in San Diego County. I’d appreciate your support. Visit our website and sign up to support.

www.davemyersforsheriff.com

DAVE WILL BE THE FIRST LGTBQ SHERIFF IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY IF ELECTED.

HE HAS THE EXPERIENCE, THE VALUES, THE STRATEGIES TO PROTECT US ALL AND DO IT IN A FAIR AND EQUAL MANNER. HE IS THE CHANGE WE BADLY NEED IN SAN DIEGO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

§ 35 years distinguished experience in law enforcement, including a lifesaving medal. § Priority is to end the cruel, unacceptable deaths in our jails (171 deaths as of January 2022). § Only SheriffÕs candidate already working with the ACLU and other criminal justice reform organization

to address racial inequities in policing in San Diego.

§ Nationally recognized expert on criminal justice reform policies and practices. § Has a solid plan to rebuild trust with law enforcement, especially among the LGBTQ+ community and

people of color.

§ Started the first-ever SheriffÕs Department recruiting booth at SD Gay Pride to increase diversity. https://www.davemyersforsheriff.com/