♪ ♪ ♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JACOB AERE IN FOR MYA.

MESSAGES SENT WIRELESSLY THROUGH THE AIR WAVES SHOULD BE ENCRYPTED, YET SOME AREN'T.

>>> PLUS, THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON.

WE VISITED DIA DE MUERTOS ALTAR IN TIJUANA.

>>> AND ONE LOCAL LIBRARY IS LONING OUT A LOT MORE THAN JUST BOOKS.

THERE, YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT POWER TOOLS.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH OUR TOP STORY ABOUT 400,000 PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ARE EXPECTED TO LOSE THEIR CAL FRESH BENEFITS SATURDAY BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TELLS US WHAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND FOOD BANKS ARE DOING TO KEEP THE FOOD FLOWING.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE NEARLY 400,000 COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE MORE THAN 100,000 CHILDREN, ALONG WITH SENIORS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND VETERANS.

FEEDING SAN DIEGO CEO BOB KAMINSKY FRAMED IT IN STARK TERMS.

>> THIS MORNING, WHEN I PULLED INTO OUR PARKING LOT, I SAW A LINE OF PEOPLE EXTENDING OUT FROM OUR MARKETPLACE PANTRY AT OUR FACILITY TWO HOURS BEFORE SCHEDULED OPENING.

>> Reporter: AND HE DIDN'T STOP THERE.

>> TSA EMPLOYEES, 700 FAMILY BOXES JUST LAST WEEK.

AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

THEY'VE REQUESTED 800 MORE NEXT WEEK.

>> WHEN FAMILIES LOSE ACCESS TO FOOD ASSISTANCE, THE IMPACT DOES NOT STOP AT THE DINNER TABLE.

THEY FALL BEHIND ON RENT, ON MEDICATIONS, ON CAR PAYMENTS.

THEY TAKE A MORE PERSONAL DEBT JUST TO GET BY.

>> Reporter: BUT THIS NEWS CONFERENCE WASN'T JUST ABOUT DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM.

THE FACT THAT FEDERAL BENEFITS PROBABLY WON'T BE LOADED ON TO CAL FRESH CARDS THIS WEEKEND.

IT WAS ALSO ABOUT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO HELP FILL THE GAP AND HOW TO ACCESS THAT ASSISTANCE.

>> WE'VE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED ABOUT A DOZEN POP-UP DISTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS, AND WE ARE IMPLEMENTING ADDITIONAL POP-UP DISTRIBUTIONS FOR CAL FRESH RECIPIENTS.

>> Reporter: IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING FOR PEOPLE WHO SUDDENLY FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT FOOD BENEFITS, BUT THERE IS A ONE-STOP SHOPPING OPTION, THE COUNTY'S 211 LINE.

>> ANYONE CAN SIMPLY CALL 211 TO SPEAK WITH A TRAINED SPECIALIST OR VISIT 211SANDIEGO.ORG, WHERE WE HAVE DEDICATED A FULL PAGE AND SEARCH CAPABILITIES FOR ALL THE FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR SHUTDOWN-RELATED ACTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON FRIDAY, TWO FEDERAL JUDGES ORDERED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO REPLENISH S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS TO TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE SPOKE TO AN OFFICIAL AT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK WHO SAYS RECIPIENTS WILL STILL LIKELY FACE DELAYS IN GETTING THEIR BENEFITS.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.

FOR UPDATES AND LINKS TO RESOURCES LIKE THE FOOD BANK, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

>>> THE CHEAPEST HOUSING OPTION IN SAN DIEGO HAS LONG BEEN DORM-STYLE ROOMS, BUT THEY'RE RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING, AND THE CITY CAN'T SEEM TO TURN THAT AROUND.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE HYSON LOOKS AT WHY THAT'S HAPPENING AND WHY IT MATTERS.

>> Reporter: A SAYING HANGS ON THE WALL OF CALVIN NEIL'S ROOM AT THE HOTEL CHURCHILL DOWNTOWN.

>> I HAVE DONE THINGS THAT HAUNT ME AT NIGHT SO YOU CAN SLEEP IN PEACE.

>> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCIES OR SROs IN SAN DIEGO.

>> AND I WILL LIVE BY THE OATH UNTIL THE DAY I DIE BECAUSE I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A U.S.

VETERAN.

>> Reporter: INCENSE FILLS THE SMALL ROOM THAT CONTAINS HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

>> THAT'S MY KUWAIT BOOK.

I GOT IT WHEN I WAS IN PANAMA.

>> Reporter: NEIL WAS A COMBAT MEDIC IN THE MILITARY.

HE TRIED TO FIND WORK IN HOSPITALS AFTER HE RETURNED HOME BUT COULDN'T.

HE WORKED SECURITY JOBS INSTEAD.

UNTIL HE WAS LAID OFF.

HE MISSED A PAYCHECK AND THAT MONTH'S RENT.

AN EVICTION NOTICE APPEARED ON HIS DOOR.

HE SPENT THE NEXT THREE YEARS HOMELESS.

HE USES THE SAME TWO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HIS TIME IN THE GULF WAR AS HIS TIME ON SAN DIEGO'S STREETS.

>> NOT GOOD.

YEAH, IT WAS -- THE GROUND WAS TERRIBLE.

BUGS WERE TERRIBLE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT GOT ME THE MOST IS HOW PEOPLE WOULD JUST WALK PAST YOU.

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THEY DON'T SEE YOU OR THEY DO SEE YOU, THEY DON'T CARE.

AND IT REALLY BOTHERED ME, YOU KNOW?

HOW COULD I GO FROM SERVING THE COUNTRY TO HERE, AND WHY DOESN'T ANYONE CARE ABOUT IT?

>> Reporter: NEIL SAYS BECAUSE HE FOUGHT IN A WAR, HE WAS FAST-TRACKED FOR A VETERAN HOUSING VOUCHER AND PLACED IN THIS BUILDING WHEN IT OPENED.

THE CITY ALREADY OWNED THE WORLD WAR I-ERA HOTEL.

NINE YEARS AGO, THEY RENOVATED IT INTO AFFORDABLE SROs.

ON THE SCALE OF SROs IN SAN DIEGO, THE HOTEL CHURCHILL IS THE RITZ.

IT'S GOT PRIVATE BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS, COMMUNAL SPACES, AND ON-SITE SOCIAL SERVICES.

THE UNITS ARE FOR VETERANS, TRANSITIONING FOSTER YOUTH, AND RECENTLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE.

A TYPICAL SRO IS LIKE A DORM ROOM.

TENANTS OFTEN SHARE A BATHROOM OR KITCHEN DOWN THE HALL.

THE AVERAGE SIZE IN SAN DIEGO IS 200 SQUARE FEET, LIKE A ONE-CAR GARAGE.

THEY CAN BE POORLY MANAGED.

BECAUSE OF THOSE DOWN SIDES, SRO RENT IS USUALLY THE LOWEST IN THE MARKET.

AT THE CHURCHILL, IT'S LESS THAN $1,000 A MONTH.

AND THERE ARE USUALLY LESS BARRIERS TO RENTING THEM.

NO CREDIT CHECKS OR SECURITY DEPOSITS.

THEY ARE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE HOUSING IN ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE MARKETS IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN NEIL MOVED INTO HIS SRO, HE MOST LOOKED FORWARD TO RESTING.

>> I WANTED TO LAY DOWN ON A BED.

IT FELT REALLY GOOD, YOU KNOW?

AND ALONE.

YOU KNOW?

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT OFFERS PEACE THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN THE STREETS OR IN SHELTERS.

>> AWAY FROM THE TURMOIL AND ALL OF THAT, YOU KNOW?

AND I JUST -- IT'S JUST GOOD TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO BE.

YOU KNOW?

I GO OUT INTO THE WORLD, HAVE A BAD DAY, COME IN HERE, AND I'M FINE AFTER A WHILE.

>> Reporter: HE COULD SET DOWN THINGS HE'D BEEN LITERALLY CARRYING ON HIS BACK FOR YEARS.

PUT HIS BOOKS ON A SHELF.

HANG FAMILY PHOTOS ON THE WALL.

HE COULD LOCK HIS DOOR.

RUN CLEAN WATER AND PLAY MUSIC TO KEEP HIS SPIRITS UP.

♪ >> I THINK ABOUT MY MOM ALL THE TIME, BECAUSE WE USED TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND PLAY MUSIC ON SATURDAYS, AND I DO THAT HERE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE CAN THINK BETTER HERE, UNPACK HIS PAST.

>> MY KIDS.

MY FAMILY.

YOU KNOW, MILITARY STUFF.

ALWAYS -- IT ALWAYS STAYS IN MY BRAIN FOR SOME REASON.

>> Reporter: AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

ON THE FRIDGE IS AN OATH HE SWORE TO HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS HOMELESS.

>> THROUGH MY DEEDS, I WILL TAKE CONTROL OF MY LIFE AND BE THE BEST MAN I CAN POSSIBLY BE TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.

>> Reporter: NEIL DOES GOOD DEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S FORMING BETWEEN TENANTS HERE.

>> I HELP THEM CLEAN THEIR APARTMENTS.

TAKE OUT THE TRASH, GO RUN ERRANDS FOR THEM, WHICH I REALLY -- I REALLY -- THAT'S REALLY -- MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

IT HELPS ME OUT TOO.

>> Reporter: FOR THE TENANTS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET PLACED IN THEM, SROs CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING.

NEIL LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW OF HIS SRO AND ACROSS THE STREET WHERE A NEW LUXURY CONDO HIGH-RISE IS BEING BUILT.

ONE CONDO IS SELLING FOR JUST UNDER $2 MILLION.

THE BUILDING WILL HAVE A PET SPA.

ON THE SIDEWALK BELOW NEIL'S WINLD, HOMELESS SAN DIEGANS FIGURE OUT HOW TO SURVIVE THE DAY.

NEIL SAYS LIVING IN THIS SRO, HE FEELS SOMETHING LIKE SURVIVOR'S GUILT.

>> I THINK SOMETIMES THAT IF -- I WOULD RATHER SOMEBODY OUT THERE GOT THIS.

I THINK I WOULD PROBABLY BE WILLING TO BE HOMELESS AGAIN IF I COULD DO THAT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S HOMELESS POPULATION HAS SOARED OVER RECENT DECADES.

BUT AS THE NEED FOR SROs INCREASED, THE UNITS CONTINUED TO VANISH.

WE'LL LOOK INTO WHY IN PART TWO TOMORROW.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PART TWO OF THE STORY ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THAT'S ALSO WHERE WE STREAM EVENING EDITION LIVE AT 5:00 P.M.

ON WEEKNIGHTS.

>>> OCEANSIDE IS GETTING MORE SAND FOR ITS DWINDLING BEACHES THROUGH SOMETHING CALLED OPPORTUNISTIC SAND REPLACEMENT.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN EXPLAINS WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> IT'S AWESOME.

WE NEED IT.

>> Reporter: WHAT'S A BEACH WITHOUT STAND?

THAT'S WHY OCEANSIDE IS BRINGING IN 2,000 CUBIC YARDS OF SAND TO REPLACE TYSON STREET BEACH.

OCEANSIDE RESIDENT AND SURFER SEAN BUSH IS GLAD IT'S HAPPENING.

>> IT'S NOT A SIMPLE SOLUTION, BUT SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE CITY'S FIRST OFFICIAL SAND COMPATIBILITY OPPORTUNISTIC USE PROGRAM PROJECT OR S.C.O.O.P.

JAMIE TIMBERLAKE IS OCEANSIDE'S COASTAL ADMINISTRATOR.

>> WE GRAB SAND FROM AN OPPORTUNISTIC SOURCE.

>> Reporter: BASICALLY, IT'S SAND FROM A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OR EXCAVATED DURING CONSTRUCTION.

>> AND WE SAMPLE IT, TEST IT, MAKE SURE IT'S APPROVED BY ALL THE OVERSEEING AGENCIES, AND THEN REPLACE IT ON THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: THIS SAND IS A MIXTURE FROM THE DREDGING PROJECT AND THE EXCAVATION AT THE NEW FRONT WAVE ARENA.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST PROJECT IN DECADES THAT THE CITY'S DONE FOR THIS TYPE OF EFFORT.

AND IT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: BOB ASHTON IS THE CEO OF SAFE OCEANSIDE SAND.

HE SAYS REPLENISHING SAND IS IMPORTANT FOR A MYRIAD OF REASONS.

>> OUR ECONOMY IS FUELED BY THE BEACH.

AND FOR MANY OF US THAT SURF AND GREW UP HERE, THIS IS PART OF OUR CULTURE.

IT'S IN OUR DNA.

>> Reporter: I WANT TO SHOW YOU THE STARK DIFFERENCE THE SAND MAKES.

THIS IS THE BEACH WITH SAND, AND THIS IS THE BEACH WITHOUT SAND.

>> SO, WE HAVE COBBLE HERE NATURALLY.

THE REASON WHY THE COBBLE IS EXPOSED IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A LACK OF SEDIMENT AND A LACK OF SAND IN THE SYSTEMS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.

THE SAND OUR WASHED AWAY BY THE SURF WITHIN SIX MONTHS.

>> BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT SAND STAYS IN THE SYSTEM.

IT WILL START MIGRATING SOUTH TO SOUTHERN BEACHES IN OCEANSIDE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS LOOKING FOR LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

THE INITIATIVE WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS AND WILL NEED MULTIPLE AGENCIES TO SIGN OFF.

>> TEMPERATURES RISING, WATER LEVELS ARE RISING AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.

I'M GLAD SOMETHING'S HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: THE CITY RECENTLY FILED A NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR REBEACH, GIVING RESIDENTS 30 DAYS TO COMMENT ON THE PROJECT'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

A PUBLIC MEETING IS SET FOR THURSDAY AT 5:30 AT CITY HALL.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM NORTH COUNTY DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

NORTH COUNTY FOCUS IS ONE OF MANY NEWS LETTERS WE OFFER.

YOU CAN SIGN UP AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> WIRELESS MESSAGES WE SEND THROUGH THE AIRWAVES SHOULD BE ENCRYPTED, BUT SOME ARE NOT.

KPBS SCI-TECH REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US HOW MANY SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS WERE SHOCKINGLY EASY TO INTERCEPT BY UC SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN'T SEE THEM, BUT UP IN THE SKY, ABOUT 30,000 MILES FROM SAN DIEGO, THERE ARE DOZENS OF SATELLITES.

THEY ARE NEEDED TO TRANSFER IMPORTANT DATA THAT INCLUDES CELL PHONE CALLS AND CODES THAT ALLOW REMOTE CONTROL OF IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> BUT THE SIGNAL'S ALSO ABLE TO BE PICKED UP ANYWHERE.

IN PARTICULAR, WE COULD PICK IT UP JUST BY POINTING OUR DISTURB UP HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: HERE ON THE ROOF IS A SATELLITE DISH THAT WAS RECEIVING A LOT OF MESSAGES THAT WERE NOT ENCRYPTED.

AN ENCRYPTED MESSAGE HAS BEEN TURNED INTO CODE, MAKING IT UNINTELLIGIBLE TO UNINTENDED USERS.

THE SATELLITE DISH ON THE ROOF IS NOTHING FANCY, AN OVER THE SHELF PRODUCT YOU COULD BUY FOR LESS THAN A THOUSAND BUCKS.

SOME UC SAN DIEGO PROFESSORS IN CAHOOTS WITH PARTNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND ANALYZED THE MESSAGES THEY INTERCEPTED.

COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSOR AARON SHULMAN SAYS HE WAS KIND OF SHOCKED.

>> WE REALIZED VERY QUICKLY WE HAD TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF OUR PROJECT.

OUR SCIENTIFIC GOAL WAS TO MAKE SURE ENCRYPTION WAS USED WELL AND NOW WE'RE LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE, THERE WAS NO ENCRYPTION.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHO THIS IS AND REPORT TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THE UNENCRYPTED MESSAGES INCLUDED SENSITIVE COMMERCIAL INFORMATION AND EVEN PEOPLE CALLING TO SPEAK WITH THEIR DOCTORS AND LAWYERS.

SHULMAN SAYS THEY GOT MESSAGES FROM A MEXICAN MILITARY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM THAT KEPT TRACK OF SHIPS ON THE WATER.

HE SAID A LOT OF U.S.

NAVY COMMUNICATIONS THEY GOT WERE ENCRYPTED BUT SOME WERE NOT, ENOUGH TO REVEAL THAT THEY WERE NAVY SHIPS.

>> YOU KNOW, DEPLOYING ENCRYPTION TAKES SOME WORK, BUT IT IS CLEARLY DOABLE, BECAUSE EVERY PHONE, EVERY WEB BROWSER, EVERY LAPTOP COMPUTER, WI-FI NETWORKS ARE ENCRYPTED.

SO, THIS IS A PERVASIVE THING.

AND SO, TO NOT HAVE IT BE UNIVERSAL FOR A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION IS QUITE SURPRISING.

>> Reporter: HENNINGER SAYS PHONE CALLS IN URBAN AREAS ROUTED THROUGH CELL PHONE TOWERS REMAIN ENCRYPTED, BUT SHE SAYS IN REMOTE AREAS, CELL PHONE TOWERS HAVE TO RELAY THE SIGNAL TO A SATELLITE WHERE THE ENCRYPTION CAN BE STRIPPED BEFORE IT REACHES THE PERSON BEING CALLED.

THE GOOD NEWS, SAYS SHULMAN, IS WHEN THEY TOLD COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENTS THEIR COMMUNICATIONS WERE INTERCEPTED AND NOT ENCRYPTED, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM.

>> DEPENDING ON THE ORGANIZATION, SOME FIXED WITHIN 24 HOURS.

SOME TOOK A FEW WEEKS.

BUT INDEED, THEY REALIZED THIS WAS VERY REAL VERY QUICKLY, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK A LOT OF THEM ALSO REALIZED THAT THIS IS ULTRA-SENSITIVE TRAFFIC.

>> Reporter: THE RESEARCH GROUP PUBLISHED A PAPER ON THEIR FINDINGS FOR A COMPUTER SECURITY CONFERENCE IN TAIWAN.

THE HEADLINE OF THEIR PAPER ON CLEAR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS WAS, "DON'T LOOK UP."

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FALL IN TIJUANA IS A SPECIAL TIME.

KPBS VIDEO JOURNALIST MATTHEW BULLAR WAS GIVEN SEASONAL ACCESS TO THE DIA DE MUERTOS OFRENDA AT MERCADO HIDALGO.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A BREEZY, OCTOBER DAY IN TIJUANA.

THE PAPEL PICADO DANCED IN THE WIND.

IT IS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS AND IN MERCADO HIDALGO, THE ALTAR OR OFRENDA WELCOMES SHOPPERS.

THIS WOMAN SAYS HER GRANDFATHER HELPED TO FOUND MERCADO HIDALGO, AND FOR 70 YEARS, TRADITIONAL MEXICAN OFFERINGS HAVE DELIGHTED CUSTOMERS.

AND THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON.

>> Reporter: FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS, THE SHOPKEEPERS HAVE BUILT A DIA DE LOS MUERTOS OFRENDA.

IT STARTED SMALL BUT HAS GROWN TO FILL THE GAZEBO IN THEIR LARGE PARKING LOT.

ESTRADA SAYS THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE THROUGH THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DEATH.

>> Reporter: AS A THIRD GENERATION SHOPKEEPER, SHE SAYS THE OFRENDA REMINDS HER HOW HARD HER GRANDFATHER WORKED TO CREATE A BUSINESS THAT STILL SUPPORTS HER FAMILY 70 YEARS LATER.

>> Reporter: ACROSS MEXICO AND HERE IN OUR BORDER REGION, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS OFRENDAS CONTINUE TO GROW IN POPULARITY.

MERCADO HIDALGO'S ALTAR WILL BE UP THROUGH NOVEMBER 3rd.

IN TIJUANA, MATTHEW BOLLER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS IS HOSTING A DIGITAL COMMUNITY OFRENDA OR ALTAR IN HONOR OF DIA DE MUERTOS.

WE RECEIVED 400 SUBMISSIONS, ALONG WITH PHOTOS, VIDEOS, AND AUDIOCLIPS.

WE INVITE YOU TO VIEW THE INTERACTIVE ALTAR BY GOING TO KPBS.ORG.

IF YOU LIKE, YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT A MEMORY FOR A LOVED ONE WHO HAS PASSED ON.

>>> THE NATIONAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS CELEBRATING ITS FIRST YEAR OF A NEW KIND OF BORROWING PROGRAM.

KPBS SOUTH BAY REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS THIS LIBRARY DOESN'T CHECK OUT BOOKS OR DVDs.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EVERYTHING YOU'D EXPECT.

THE BOOKSHELVES, THE BULLETIN BOARDS, THE TABLES OF PEOPLE QUIETLY WORKING OR CHILLING OUT.

BUT IF YOU HEAD UP THE STAIRS AND PAST THE WATER FOUNTAIN, YOU'LL FIND SOMETHING UNEXPECTED.

>> IT'S LIKE A TYPICAL OFFICE SPACE BUT INSTEAD OF HAVING DESKS IN HERE AND CHAIRS, IT'S JUST MOSTLY SHELVING UNITS FULL OF TOOLS.

>> Reporter: ALEX IS THE SYSTEMS LIBRARY HERE.

HE STARTED THE LIBRARY'S FIRST TOOL-LENDING PROGRAM, WHICH CHECKS OUT DIFFERENT TOOLS TO EVERYONE WITH A LIBRARY CARD.

WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING HAMMERS OR SCREWDRIVERS.

>> SOME OF OUR MORE RECENT ADDITIONS HAVE BEEN CONCRETE TOOLS, SO WE HAVE A CONCRETE SAW DOWN HERE AND THIS CASE IS A JACKHAMMER.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

IT'S SMALL BUT GROWING AND IS OPEN TO ANYONE WITH A NATIONAL CITY LIBRARY CARD, WHICH MEANS ANYONE WITH A COUNTY ADDRESS.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, NU SAYS THEY'VE REGISTERED MORE THAN A HUNDRED PATRONS.

AT FIRST THE PROGRAM WAS ONLY OPEN FOR IN-PERSON CHECKOUT MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY EVENINGS BUT MORE RECENTLY, THEY'VE STARTED USING AN ONLINE CHECKOUT SYSTEM.

>> EVERYTHING WE HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE, THERE'S A FULL CATALOG OF TOOLS, PEOPLE CAN RESERVE THEM IN ADVANCE IF THEY WANTED TO.

AND THEN, ON EACH TOOL, WE HAVE A TUTORIAL FOR HOW TO USES THEM AS WELL.

>> Reporter: TOOL LENDING PROGRAMS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES AREN'T UNHEARD OF BUT THEY AREN'T COMMON.

IN 2021, A STUDY FOUND ONLY 50 OF THEM NATIONWIDE.

NU FIRST LEARNED ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AROUND A DECADE AGO IN PORTLAND.

HE NEEDED A LAWN MOWER BUT DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ONE.

HIS NEIGHBOR SAID THERE WAS A LIBRARY JUST A COUPLE MILES DOWN THE ROAD.

>> IT WAS LIKE AN AHA MOMENT.

IT IS LIKE A NEW TREASURE THAT I JUST STUMBLED UPON.

>> Reporter: HE DREAMED ABOUT STARTING HIS OWN PROGRAM.

WHEN HE JOINED THE CITY LIBRARY, HE SAID IT FELT LIKE A PLACE THAT MADE SENSE, ONE OF THE POORER CITIES IN THE COUNTY.

HE APPLIED FOR A STATE ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT AND USED THE MONEY TO STOCK UP ON MORE THAN 200 TOOLS, FOCUSING ON ELECTRIC HARDWARE, GARDENING SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR CARS, BIKES, AND CRAFTING.

>> THE TILLER IS OUR FAVORITE.

>> YEAH.

>> Reporter: ALLISON AND JOHNNY CALDERON MOVED TO NATIONAL CITY TWO YEARS AGO.

THEY COME BY REGULARLY FOR GARDENING EQUIPMENT LIKE THE TILLER, WHICH IS USED TO BREAK UP THE SOIL BEFORE PLANTING.

>> WE FOUND THERE'S A LOT OF GARDENERS IN NATIONAL CITY AND SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE PRETTY BIG GARDENERS, SO THEY'VE ENCOURAGED US TO GROW OUR OWN FOOD, AND ALLISON'S A VEGETARIAN, SO IT'S BEEN LIKE A FUN PROJECT FOR BOTH OF US.

>> Reporter: A COUPLE DAYS LATER, I STOPPED BY TO SEE THEIR GARDEN IN-PERSON.

THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THEIR HOUSE IS CROWDED WITH BEDS OF VEGETABLES, BLOOMING WITH TOMATOES AND STALKS OF CORN.

JOHNNY BENDS DOWN AND PICKS UP A SMALL PUMPKIN.

>> WE'RE ABLE TO CLEAR THIS WHOLE AREA OUT BECAUSE THIS WAS ALL GRASS AS WELL.

AND THEN, WE WERE ABLE TO, LIKE, BUILD SOME OF THE FRAMING FOR THE GARDEN BEDS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE GARDEN, THE LIBRARY'S TOOLS HAVE ALSO HELPED THEM BUILD WHAT FEELS LIKE A NEW HOME.

THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE ARE RECENT ARRIVALS TO NATIONAL CITY.

ALLISON SAYS IT'S GIVEN THEM A WAY TO BECOME A PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> MOVED AWAY FROM A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND CAME DOWN HERE, NOT KNOWING A TON OF PEOPLE.

SO, HAVING PEOPLE JUST WANT TO STOP BY AND GO GROCERY SHOPPING IN OUR BACKYARD, IT IS REALLY NICE TO JUST HAVE A FRIENDLY FACE POP OVER.

>> Reporter: BACK AT THE LIBRARY, ALEX SAYS THESE KINDS OF EXPERIENCES ARE PART OF THEIR GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM.

HE'S SEEN PLENTY OF FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS COMING IN BUT ALSO PATRONS WORKING ON DRESSES OR LOOKING TO CHANGE THEIR TIRES.

LAST YEAR, AS HE WAS LEAVING FOR HIS LUNCH BREAK, SOMEONE CAME IN AND SAID THEIR CAR WOULDN'T START.

HE WENT STRAIGHT TO THE TOOL LIBRARY.

>> WE HAVE A BATTERY PACK THAT WE CAN LOAN OUT, BUT I WAS ABLE TO JUST COME OUT HERE, GRAB IT, AND JUMP HIS CAR FOR HIM.

>> Reporter: LIBRARIES, HE SAYS, ARE MUCH MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING FULL OF BOOKS.

THEY'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO ADAPT TO THE NEEDS OF THE PLACES AND PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

>> THIS IS LIKE ONE WAY OF SHOWING TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE'RE HERE FOR THEM.

WE'RE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM, AND FOR MORE THAN JUST, YOU KNOW, CHECKING OUT MEDIA OR FINDING INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE STILL DOING THAT, HE SAYS.

JUST IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

IN NATIONAL CITY, KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CHECK OUT A NEW EPISODE OF THE KPBS PODCAST, THE FINEST.

IT'S ABOUT A SAN DIEGO COMPOSER WHO WAS FAMOUS IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY BUT HAS SINCE BEEN FORTEN.

NOW, A LOCAL RESEARCHER IS BRINGING HER STORY AND MUSIC BACK INTO THE PUBLIC EYE.

YOU CAN LISTEN AT KPBS.ORG/THEFINEST OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> THIS WEEK MARKED BAT WEEK, AN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF THE FLYING MAMMALS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH ACCOMANDO VISITED THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THESE MISUNDERSTOOD CREATURES.

>> Reporter: BATS GET A BAD RAP.

MAYBE IT'S BRAM STOKER'S FAUMT FAULT FOR LINKING THEM TO VAMPIRES, BUT MARCO POINTS OUT THAT OF ABOUT 1,400 BAT SPECIES, ONLY THREE FEED ON BLOOD.

>> MOST BATS EAT INSECTS LIKE MOSQUITOS, AS AN EXAMPLE.

BUT MANY ARE POLLINATORS, EATING FRUIT AND NECTAR FROM A LOT OF THE PLANT SPECIES FOUND AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: THESE BATS ARE VITAL FOR POLLINATING FLOWERS AND SPREADING SEEDS.

DONNA KENT WORKS WITH BATS AT THE SAFARI PARK, AND SHE'D LIKE TO DISPEL A COMMON MYTH.

>> YEAH, SO MANY MYTHS.

A BAT IS NOT GOING TO FLY IN YOUR HAIR UNLESS IT'S A 6' TALL BUFFANT AND THERE ARE MOTHS IN YOUR HAIR.

WHAT WE FEAR, WE USUALLY DON'T LIKE, AND WHAT WE DON'T KNOW, WE DON'T LIKE.

SO, THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE BETTER.

>> Reporter: AND KENT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THE RODRIGUEZ ISLAND FRUIT BATS SHE SPENDS HER DAYS WITH.

>> THEY'RE ONLY FOUND ON RODRIGUEZ ISLAND, WHICH IS IN THE MAURITIUS ISLAND COMPLEX.

>> Reporter: RODRIGUEZ ISLAND FRUIT BATS ARE FROM A TROPICAL HABITAT SO THE EXHIBIT IS WARM AND HUMID.

THEY'RE ALSO AN ENGAGED SPECIES.

>> BACK IN 1979, THEY WERE VIRTUALLY WIPED OFF THE ISLAND.

ONLY 70 OF THOSE BATS REMAINED AFTER A TROPICAL CYCLONE WENT THROUGH.

BUT CONSERVATIONISTS THOUGHT AHEAD, BROUGHT SOME OF THOSE BATS INTO A BREEDING SITUATION, WHICH WE ARE PART OF, SO, AGAIN, TODAY, THE NUMBERS ARE AT LEAST 20,000, BUT IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, THAT'S NOTHING.

>> Reporter: KENT HAS A DAILY ROUTINE WITH THE BATS, WHOSE PERSONALITIES SHE'S COME TO KNOW.

>> WE DO A HEAD COUNT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS ALL RIGHT AND HEALTHY AND HANGING UPSIDE DOWN LIKE THEY SHOULD BE.

WE THEN CLEAN UP.

SO, WHEN A FRUIT BAT EATS FRUIT, IT'S DIFFERENT THAN US HUMANS.

WE CHEW AND SWALLOW.

A FRUIT BAT CHOOSE, EXTRACTS ALL THE JUICE AND FLUID, AND SPITS OUT THE FIBER.

WE CLEAN UP LITTLE BAT PANCAKE PATTIES OF FIBER ALL OVER THE GROUND.

THEY GET A FANCY FRUIT SALAD.

>> Reporter: WHEN KENT PUTS OUT THE FRUIT SKEWERS, THE SLEEPY BATS CAN SHOW THEIR AGILITY.

>> AND BATS ARE IN THE ORDER CHYOPTERA, THEY ARE THE HAND-WINGED MAMMALS.

FAVORITE FACT ABOUT A BAT IS BATS ARE THE ONLY FLYING MAMMAL.

EVERYONE SAYS, NO, THERE'S FLYING SQUIRRELS.

THERE ARE GLIDERS AND SUCH.

THEY GLIDE, THEY DO NOT FLAP.

BATS ARE THE ONLY FLAPPING, TRULY FLYING MAMMAL.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE RODRIGUEZ BATS, THE SAFARI PARK ALSO PROVIDES A REFUGE FOR NATIVE BAT SPECIES.

>> HERE AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK WE DO A LOT OF INCREDIBLE WORK WITH BATS.

WE HAVE 20 BAT BOXES ON THE PROPERTY AND BATS ARE GOING TO LIVE IN THEM DURING THE DAY, ZOOM OUT AT NIGHT AND FLY BACK IN FOR THE PROTECTION THE NEXT MORNING.

>> Reporter: THE BATS ALSO ENJOY THE PARK'S BAJA GARDENS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE BAT SPECIES AND OFTEN USE THIS AS A FOOD SOURCE AND POLLINATE A LOT OF THE PLANTS, LIKE THE MEXICAN LONG-TONGUED BAT, WHICH IS AN INFAMOUS BAT KNOWN FOR POLLINATING A VERY SPECIAL PLANT, THE AGAVE PLANT, SO BIG KUDOS.

>> Reporter: VISITORS CAN STOP BY THE SAFARI PARK THIS WEEK OR ANY TIME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE AMAZING BUT OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD FLYING MAMMALS.

>> HERE AT THE SAFARI PARK, AT THE BAT EXHIBIT, I'M BETH ACCOMANDO FOR KPRBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JACOB AERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.