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KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO: San Ysidro history and 80-year-old Cognac

After 77 years, surviving WW2 Marines open a ceremonial bottle of cognac at a "Last Bottle" ceremony in North County.
By Deb Hellman Photography, BDH Arc. Courtesy of Ken Kramer and Suzanne Bartole
After 77 years, surviving WW2 Marines open a ceremonial bottle of cognac at a "Last Bottle" ceremony in North County. From KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO episode 89, premieres Jan. 20, 2022.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with the PBS App + Encore Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2

On this episode, learn about a missing piece of San Ysidro history. Where did it go? Also: A precious bottle of nearly 80-year-old Cognac is opened by Marines in an emotional San Diego ceremony. We remember a famous Point Loma tortoise and even more famous San Diego dog! Plus items sent in by viewers and much more.

A San Ysidro teenager in the 1950s poses in front with remains of that community's missing war memorial.
Courtesy of Ken Kramer and Suzanne Bartole
A San Ysidro teenager in the 1950s poses in front with remains of that community's missing war memorial. From KEN Kramer's About San Diego, episode 89, premieres Jan. 20, 2022.

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The Emmy-winning KEN KRAMER’S ABOUT SAN DIEGO premieres 5 new episodes on KPBS starting Jan. 6, 2022! Episodes will become available on demand after each broadcast.

With the PBS App, you can watch your favorite and local station shows. Download it for free on your favorite device. The app allows you to catch up on recent episodes and discover award-winning shows.

About The Series:

KEN KRAMER’S ABOUT SAN DIEGO is a collection of stories about the history and the people of the area we call home. Ranging over all of San Diego County, the stories often deal with little known things about our past, and how they relate to places we see every day. Almost every thing, and every place in San Diego has some kind of story behind it. KEN KRAMER’S ABOUT SAN DIEGO tells those stories in a fun and informal way. It’s a show about us!

KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO Returns with 5 New Episodes

About The Producers:

Ken Kramer is the creator, producer, and host of KEN KRAMER’S ABOUT SAN DIEGO. For more than three decades, the series has presented stories of the people and places that define our home county. KEN KRAMER’S ABOUT SAN DIEGO has been honored with numerous Emmy and Golden Mike Awards, as well as recognition from teachers' groups, Save Our Heritage Organisation, City of San Diego, San Diego Historical Society, Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego Press Club, Radio Festival New York, and The Voice of America. In proclaiming “Ken Kramer Day” in 2008, the County Board of Supervisors described the show as “…more valuable to San Diego History than any two or three of our local museums combined.”

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Ken is a fourth-generation native Californian who grew up in Pasadena, Calif. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1974. The program is co-produced by Suzanne Bartole, a photojournalist, multimedia and video producer with the County of San Diego and the videographer for LEGOLAND California. Ken and Suzanne began working together in 1995 at NBC 7. Previously, she was producer, photographer and editor for the popular SAM THE COOKING GUY show. Suzanne has won more than a dozen Emmy Awards for Lighting, Editing, Photography and Producing. She’s a graduate of San Diego State University.