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Articles by Frank Gormlie

A lawyer and grassroots activist, I was finally convinced by Patty Jones to start this blog of citizen journalists after she got tired of listening to my rants about the news. Way back during the Dinosaurs in 1970, I founded the original Ocean Beach People’s Rag - OB’s famous underground newspaper -, and then later during the early Eighties, published The Whole Damn Pie Shop, a progressive alternative to the Reader.

Frank has written 1082 articles for the OB Rag!

Ocean Beach Cottage Among Winners in “People in Preservation” Program

May 21, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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SOHO Awards to Be Presented May 23rd at Point Loma Assembly

Every year the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) runs their “People in Preservation” program to salute individuals and groups who have helped preserve important aspects of San Diego’s heritage, building by building, site by site.

This year the program winners include an Ocean Beach cottage built in 1922 and located at 1975 Bacon Street, and owned by the Wilson family who found an infestation of cockroaches, a falling wall and rotted flooring. Here is what SOHO says about the cottage and family:

The Wilson family is being honored for their sensitive and loving restoration of a cottage in Ocean Beach. Built in 1922, the cottage is one of four, originally identical homes built in a row.

The Wilsons repeatedly turned to these sister cottages for dimensions, materials and features, inside and out, as well as historic photographs during the restoration process. They researched the original exterior paint colors (yellow and green), wooden porch seat, trellis and garden plantings, all of which are back in place.

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It’s a Sad Day in America When the Navy Launches a San Diego-Built Drone off a Carrier

May 17, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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It’s a sad day in America. The US Navy launched the first carrier-based drone off its deck the other day, off the coast of Virginia. It’s an even sadder day for us in San Diego, as the drone was manufactured – in part, at least – by plants and engineers right here in our own city.

The launching of the drone off that deck demonstrates clearly that as drones become more and more integrated into becoming the armament of the nation’s military, they are becoming more and more accepted – here domestically, back in the good ol’ US of A.

And as drones become more and more prevalently utilized, not just by our armed forces overseas, but by law enforcement, border patrol, and local police departments here within our very own borders, American citizens are more and more subjected to a high-tech surveillance that is quite unlike anything we’ve known in the past – a surveillance that is becoming so pervasive, that it challenges our basic civil rights, freedoms and privacies.

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Filner’s Letter Allowing Self-Made Bracelet and Necklace Sales in Ocean Beach Rankles Mainstreet Association

May 16, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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A letter from Mayor Bob Filner allowing a man on disability to sell “home-made” hemp necklaces in Ocean Beach without a permit has rankled OB’s Mainstreet Association.

Earlier this Spring, David Millette, a resident of Chula Vista, began selling his self-made / home-make hemp necklaces, watch bands and other jewelry items on the Wall at the foot of Newport Avenue. After about a week, he was told by San Diego police that his sales were illegal and chased him away.

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School Board Okays Controversial Sale of Prime Mission Beach School Property – Despite Mayor Filner’s Plea

May 15, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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On Tuesday, May 14th, the San Diego Unified School District board authorized the sale of the former Mission Beach Elementary School property to private developers – despite objections by Mayor Filner, residents and community activists.

The 4 to 1 vote by the Board was the culmination of the process to cement the controversial sale of 2.23 acres of prime public school land, a half block from the Pacific Ocean and mere yards from Mission Bay. Mayor Filner, community planners and civic activists, as well as residents pleaded with the Board to keep the land in the public arena, and work with either the City or developers on alternatives. The site was sold for $18.5 million to duo of developers, doing business as McKellar-Ashbrook LLC, registered in La Jolla.

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Councilmember Lorie Zapf to Run for Termed-Out Faulconer’s District 2 Seat

May 15, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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About a week ago, San Diego City Councilmember Lorie Zapf filed her papers with the City Clerk to run for the District 2 seat – currently held by Kevin Faulconer, who is termed out. District 2, of course, covers Ocean Beach, the Peninsula and new areas of Clairemont.

San Diego City Co. district 2 newZapf, a conservative Republican, currently represents District 6, as she lives in Bay Ho. But new district boundaries approved 2 years ago by the Redistricting Commission now place her residence in District 2.

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Colleen Dietzel: The Ecology-Superwoman of Ocean Beach

May 14, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Everybody knows Colleen – the woman who runs OB’s Green Store. She’s been running it for 24 years here in Ocean Beach – along with her volunteers, of course. But this is the person who is responsible for its day-to-day operation and maintenance.

So, we all know Colleen, but how many of us know her personal background? I didn’t – so, I sat down with her the other day at a small, round table outside the shop on Voltaire and began peppering her with questions.

Colleen Patricia Word (now Dietzel) was born in March 1950 in Palmdale, California, to Genevieve and Albert Word.

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Protest Against Ian Rey’s Firing by Point Loma Sprouts – Friday, May 10 at 6pm

May 10, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

Many of us have heard about Ian Rey, a developmentally challenged  employee fired at Point Loma Sprouts. They said he stole another employees jacket. It looked like a black sweatshirt jacket he wore all the time and he mistaken it for his. Channel 10 news did a piece on it. There is a protest this [...]

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“OB Exposed!” Photo Contest and Exhibit: Tonight – May 17th

May 10, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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It’s that time again when the Ocean Beach Historical Society sponsors their annual “OB Exposed!” which is their 19th one – a photo contest and presentation of Ocean Beach and Point Loma.

It will be held on Friday, May 17, at 6 to 8:30 pm at the Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd in OB.

The show will include:

  • Photo exhibit and contest – open to all levels and ages;
  • Old photos, new photos, color or black & white … any photo
  • Photos must be taken in OB or Point Loma – (you don’t have to live here)
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Around the Land of OB

May 10, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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* Interview with Lifeguard Historian Who Notes OB Drownings of 13 on May 5, 1918

* San Diego Bands Play for Benefit and Tribute to Creator of “Crawdaddy” at OB’s Winston’s on Sunday

* Frequency Film Festival Returns to The Ocean Beach Playhouse

* Skateboard Park Designer Got His Start in OB and Point Loma

* History of Medical Marijuana Efforts in San Diego County

* Summer of Love at Liberty Station – All hippies — and hipsters— are welcome!

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We’re back from our Desert get away

May 9, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Hey everybody – the editors of the OB Rag have returned from our desert get-away to Borrego Springs.   We’ll be up in running – either later today – Thursday or at least by Friday. Check this out! Taken from our patio at the inn where we stayed. See the rainbow?

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How You Can Support the OB Rag : Get a New T-Shirt or Packet of Original OB Rags

May 4, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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It’s that time of year when we make our pitch for support from our readers in Ocean Beach and elsewhere. And we’ve made it easy to show support, by having brand new OB Rag T-shirts and packets of the old, original OB Rags – all for donations.

The donations we receive for our T-shirts is one of our chief fundraising endeavors. After all, we do have expenses, and even though much of the labor that goes into maintaining this website is volunteer, we do try to pay our writers a small, occasional stipend – plus we now have our new office to maintain.

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News From the Village of OB

May 3, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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* Oxygen Masks for Dogs First Used in OB
* OB Noodle House Gets Thumbs Up for Sidewalk Cafe From Planners
* OB Plan Update to be Presented at Planning Board Meeting on June 5th
* Blue Tsunami Occasional Wave of the Future
* Point Loma High Tech High Wins World Robotic Award
* Councilmember Faulconer Has New Rep for OB: John Ly
* OB Surfing Legend “Mouse” Turns 80 – and Gets His Day from City Council

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Ocean Beach Lawyer Leads Innocence Project March to Sacramento

May 2, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Some lawyers talk a lot when serving their clients – and now an Ocean Beach lawyer is walking a lot.

OB’s Justin Brooks, a law professor at Cal Western School of Law, is leading a 600 mile march from San Diego to Sacramento, on behalf of his clients. He’s walking with other lawyers and supporters of the California Innocence Project.

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Ocean Beach Planners Vote to Support Inn at Sunset Cliffs’ Application to Okay Deck

May 2, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

In a contentious meeting last night, May 1, the OB Planning Board voted 6 to 3 with 1 abstention to support the application by the Inn at Sunset Cliffs to permit a deck that was covered over with asphalt two decades ago. Some Board members and many in the packed room were in opposition to the permit and said the vote would legitimize ten years of illegal practices by the Inn.

Here is the language of the motion: …
(See inside for more.)

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The Best Bike Ride Around Mission Bay – The Long Version and Photo Journal (for those who will never ride it)

April 30, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

This is a chronicle – complete with a photo journal – of the best bicycle ride around Mission Bay. It is a ride that has been honed by the author – along with a few friends – over the last three decades – since the early Eighties.

It is a ride along a route that has a minimum of traffic and street exposure, and it is a route that is approximately …. 13 miles round trip from the Ocean Beach Skateboard Park in Robb Field.

(Editor: See the “short” version here)

It is a bike ride that is chronicled for two types of people:

  • those who actually try the route (or already have), and
  • those who will never ride it – (although they may walk parts or even all of it).

The main method of my chronicle is a photo journal that accompanies this introduction.

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Factors that “Flip” Airport Landings at Lindbergh – When Take-Offs Are Reversed and Go East

April 30, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Every OBcean knows – as well as every Point Loman and anyone who lives just west of Lindbergh Field, San Diego’s airport – about plane take-offs.

They usually go right over the Peninsula. And have for years. I grew up on Point Loma and went to Point Loma High School and clearly remember many classroom instructions being interrupted by the low-flying giant aircraft directly overhead or slightly over. People in OB call it “the OB Pause” – when all conversation or listening is muted by the roar of aircraft engines over your head.

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Video of Mission Beach Cigarette Citation Goes Viral and Lights Up National Debate Over Cellphone Videos

April 30, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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A video by a guy on the Mission Beach boardwalk who was being given a citation for smoking a cigarette has gone viral. The incident involved Adam Pringle who refused to shut off his cellphone while videoing the San Diego police officer – and now Pringle’s video of part of the incident has sparked a conversation that has gone national over the rights of people using the video on their cellphone (or other cameras).

Pringle – from Escondido – was smoking a cig on the boardwalk at Mission when he was approached by San Diego Police on bicycles. As the officer began writing up a citation, an infraction, Adam Pringle began using his cell phone to video the officer.

The officer then asks Pringle to shut off his cellphone. Pringle refuses – saying it was his right. The officer asks him at least one more time – and Pringle continues to video the officer.

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OB Town Council Decides to Keep Historic OB Entryway Sign Design

April 30, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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The results are in – and now it has been declared that the Ocean Beach Town Council will keep the current design of the OB entryway sign at the end of I-8 when they replace the actual sign very soon.

Town Council members voted during a multiple-month process for the winning design – from a field of 5 designs. Here is what the Council reported on their website:

We had five outstanding finalists for the sign (including keeping the same design, but refurbishing it)! Electronic ballots were distributed to Ocean Beach Town Council members on Monday, April 1 and voting occurred between April 1 and April 8. The winning option was announced at the OB Town Council meeting on Wednesday, April 24.

WINNING OPTION: Keep the same design, but renovate the sign!

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Ocean Beach Planners Have Another Controversy on their Agenda Wed Night – May 1st

April 30, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Yessiree, the OB Planning Board has yet another controversy on their agenda for Wednesday night, May 1st. This time it’s the Inn at Sunset Cliffs issue.

Briefly, at issue is the application by the owners of the Inn, at 1730 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard – at corner with Point Loma Ave. – of a permit for what’s being called “an ‘after-the-fact’ surfacing of a deck on environmentally sensitive lands”. The Inn has 24 rooms and sits upon a .56 acre plot.

There has been some opposition in the surrounding neighborhood to this application, and there is an expectation that residents from that area will attend the meeting to express their views. Reportedly, the sub-committee of the Board that usually makes recommendations to the full Board on projects before it did not take a stand on this issue.

This meeting is the Board’s monthly meeting, held in the OB Rec Center, at 4726 Santa Monica Avenue. The meeting usually starts sharply at 6pm.

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Green Store and OB Rag Open House a Success – Thank You!

April 29, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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The Open House that the OB Rag and The Green Store held yesterday, Sunday the 28th, turned out to be a huge success – with a big turnout. The Mayor was a no-show, however, but he is forgiven as he was down at the international border opening gates, a worthy pastime.

The significant turnout from the community and from supporters of both organizations is gratefully appreciated by all the volunteers who work for the two groups that are now under the same roof. Donations were given, T-shirt sales were made, delightful acoustic music was played, and the liquid refreshments ran out before the vegetarian food. Thanks to all who came and joined us in our celebrations, and who donated to our causes. And gracias to those who also brought food.

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Petition Drive to Get People’s Food Co-op to Move to Old Apple Tree Market?

April 29, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

We have heard rumors that there is a petition drive just getting off the ground here in OB in an effort to get People’s Food Co-op to either purchase or lease the old Apple Tree Market site over in the central commercial area of the village.

The former business – Apple Tree Market – closed at the beginning of the year. The store owner had talked about opening a smaller version of the store in his property on Newport Ave – the old OB Bike and Skate Shop (the old Bof A building), but we are unaware of any progress in that direction.

In the meantime, residents, shoppers, and visitors do not have immediate access to a large market in downtown Ocean Beach. The nearest large food stores are over in the Midway (Barons), up near the high school (Stumps), or on top of Point Loma (but the Fresh & Easy is closing itself).

And then there’s OB People’s Food Co-op – the organic store that has served the community and outlying areas since the early 1970′s – and already OB’s largest employer – with over one hundred full and part time people – many of whom live in the village.

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Mayor Filner to Attend OB Rag and Green Store Open House on Sunday, Apr 28

April 27, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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We have received confirmation that Mayor Bob Filner plans on attending our Open House this Sunday, April 28th.

The OB Rag and The Green Store are sponsoring a joint “happening” promising food, drink, entertainment, and good vibes.

The Open House will be held from 1pm to 6pm at 4843 B Voltaire Street. The Mayor is expected sometime between 2 and 3 pm at the event.

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Strange Sights in Ocean Beach

April 26, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Here are some strange sights of Ocean Beach – sights one doesn’t see all that often during the life course of the village.

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Suit Against Sheriffs Allowed to Proceed – Bogus 2008 Arrest of OB Woman Used Against Her in Custody Dispute with Boyfriend Sheriff

April 24, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Suit Alleges Conspiracy and Excessive Against Sheriffs and County in Arrest

There has been a positive development in a convoluted and sad story about a woman arrested in OB for using her boyfriend sheriff’s credit card. Her arrest had been used against her in a child custody dispute with him. With all charges dropped, Michelle Cameron had sued the County and the Sheriffs for the use of excessive force and conspiracy.

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Mayor Filner Angry at Federal Raid on Pot Dispensary and Demands Answers

April 24, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

Federal Official Reacts to Filner’s Anger and Displays Woefully Inadequate Understanding of Medicinal Herb

Mayor Bob Filner is very angry with the Federal raid on a pot dispensary in downtown San Diego on Tuesday, April 23rd. He called it “provocative” and described it as intimidation. And he wants answers.

A day after the City Council and the Mayor discussed finding solutions to the issue of medical marijuana dispensaries in San Diego, federal agents agents raided a marijuana collective, reportedly breaking a glass door in order to gain entry into the downtown building on Tuesday.

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The Best Bicyle Ride Around Mission Bay

April 23, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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A Tour of the Best Bicycle Route Around San Diego’s Aquatic Playland

The tour I now present around Mission Bay is a great one and it is a ride that has been honed by me and a few riding friends over the last three decades – since the early Eighties. It is a ride along a route that has a minimum of traffic and street exposure, and it is a route that is practically 13 miles round trip from the Ocean Beach Skateboard Park in Robb Field.

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