San Diego, CA
Attendee of the Week: Damian Da Cruz
Every week from now until San Diego Comic-Con, we’re celebrating you: our readers! So let’s meet this week’s Attendee of the Week:
Damian Da Cruz
@Azmoedeus

Where are you traveling from for San Diego Comic-Con?
Northern Virginia
How many years have you been attending?
I’ve been coming every year since 2017.
What was your favorite panel and why?
The Magicians panel moderated by Chris Hardwick. I love the show and was just very excited to see the cast. I went up to ask a question and Chris complimented my accent. I then got Rick Worthy and Jade Tailor to do an impromptu duet by asking about what their character’s walk-out music would be.

What is your favorite exhibitor or artist booth and why?
This is probably a UBlog cliché but it has to be Patrick Ballesteros. I just love his art style and he’s always been so happy and friendly when I’ve met him.
What is your favorite item you’ve ever taken home from the convention (swag, exclusive, merch, etc.)?
I think it would have to be one of the free daily panel guides from 2017. My sister was in the front row at the Stan Lee panel, and they used a picture with her in it on the front cover. It was a very unflattering photo of her, which I found hilarious.
What was your favorite autograph session and why?
I’ve only done one autograph session, which was for the Guild 10th Anniversary. What I loved about it was that the cast had also been at Awesome Con in DC about a month before and they remembered me when I came up.

Tell us about your most memorable celebrity encounter at the convention.
Last year I had a couple of amazing encounters – I was lucky enough to get the Omni, and managed to meet a lot of the UBlog team. Also, I’m a big Felicia Day fan and she had a meet-up at an ice-cream parlor in the Gaslamp. It was a lot of fun hanging with Felicia and a bunch of fans for an hour or so.
What was your favorite offsite and why?
I really enjoyed The Boys offsite a few years ago but have to say that getting to drop off the UBlog Meatball as an offering at the Immortal Universe offsite last year, immediately jumps to the top. It was an amazing, immersive experience, with music, activities, and some fun swag. Who could ask for more?

Where is your favorite place to eat during the con?
I don’t have a favorite place to eat, I like to try at least 1 new place each con. That said, I had a great, greasy burger at The Melt a few years ago, I usually get one meal at the Old Spaghetti Factory because it’s easy to get in late after a day at the con, and this year I’m really hoping to get the Breakfast Company flight – I tried last year but their waffle maker was broken.
What is your favorite thing about San Diego Comic-Con?
It has to be the atmosphere. There’s so much to see and do. I love the way the con takes over the whole Gaslamp district.
What is your best tip having a good con?
Don’t over plan your day, just pick a couple of key things and have a backup plan. Also be prepared for long lines, have snacks and drinks available and don’t be afraid to start up a conversation with the people around you in line. You clearly love the same things, and the attendees at the con are generally a very friendly bunch who are happy to speak with you about their fandoms!
Do you tend to do the convention solo or with friends?
I’ve always gone with friends and family but this year I’ll be flying solo.
How would you describe SDCC to someone who has never been before?
The biggest collection of fans of all genres gathered into the beautiful downtown San Diego Gaslamp district, which fully embraces the con with pop ups, banners, and street events to keep you entertained. There are amazing cos players and, in my experience, everyone there is friendly and very excited to be there.
If you are a fan of anything, books, comics, film, television, or video game related, you should definitely add it to your bucket list.
Want to be featured as our Attendee of the Week? Find out how!
San Diego, CA
City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness
Last week Mayor Todd Gloria released the budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal budget. Protected homeless services is among his top priorities mentioned in the proposal. However, some of the reductions he’s proposing could impact thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness.
Located on 17th and K Street, the Neil Good Day Center offers an array of services to nearly seven thousand people experiencing homelessness. The services include giving them a place to shower and do laundry, and connecting them to a case manager, among others.
“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well,” Deacon Vargas with Father Joe’s Villages said.
Deacon Jim Vargas heads Father Joe’s Villages, which runs the center. He said through their prevention and diversion strategies, they’ve managed to keep nearly one thousand individuals from falling into homelessness.
“So by helping them pay rent, or helping them with their utilities, or helping them to reunite with family,” Vargas said.
Right now, the city allocates at least $850,000 per year to the Neil Good Day Center, according to Vargas.
But the future and funding for these services are in limbo because of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts.
“The impact to those whom we’ve been serving the Daily Center would be very severe,” Deacon Vargas said.
In a statement to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria said in part, “We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”
Since it’s still at a proposal stage, Deacon Vargas said it’s unclear how the city will decide to move forward.
However, Deacon Vargas said services would be significantly reduced because they would be forced to operate solely on a budget of about half a million dollars they receive from philanthropy.
“The hours would be cut. Some days would be cut. We would have showers that might be impacted because they’re given seven days a week and we’d close two days a week, then the showers would be five days a week, the case management,” Deacon Vargas said.
Deacon Vargas is certain of one thing.
He would like to continue offering services at the Day Center, even if the city goes through with the funding cuts.
“As we work with individuals at the Day Center and at Father Joe’s Villages, the community becomes healthier as a result of it,” Deacon Vargas said.
The budget also recommends additional cuts to homeless services, but does not give specifics as to where those cuts would be.
San Diego, CA
Game 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels
San Diego Padres (14-7) at Los Angeles Angels (11-11), April 19, 2026, 1:07 p.m. PST
Watch: Padres.TV
Location: Angel Stadium – Anaheim, Calif.
Listen: 97.3 The Fan
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San Diego, CA
Solans, Luna, Guilavogui help RSL beat slumping San Diego, extend unbeaten streak to 6 games :: WRALSportsFan.com
SANDY, Utah — SANDY, Utah (AP) — Sergi Solans had two goals and an assist, Diego Luna added a goal and two assists, and Real Salt Lake beat San Diego FC 4-2 on Saturday night to extend its unbeaten streak to six games.
Morgan Guilavogui scored his first goal in MLS and had an assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1). The 28-year-old designated player has five goal contributions in his first six career games.
RSL hasn’t lost since a 1-0 defeat at Vancouver in the season opener.
San Diego (3-3-2) has lost three in a row and is winless in five straight.
Luna opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he re-directed a misplayed pass by Duran Ferree, San Diego’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, into the net.
Moments later, Solans headed home a perfectly-placed cross played by Luna from outside the right corner of the 18-yard box to the back post to make it 2-0. Solans, a 23-year-old forward, flicked a header from the center of the area inside the right post and past the outstretched arm of Ferree to make it 3-1 in the 37th minute.
Guilavogui slammed home a first-touch shot to give RSL a three-goal lead in the 45th.
Marcus Ingvartsen scored a goal in the 14th minute and Anders Dreyer converted from the penalty spot in the 66th for San Diego.
Ingvartsen has five goals and an assist this season and has 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in 16 career MLS appearances.
Rafael Cabral had three saves for RSL.
Ferree finished with five saves.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
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