Environment

(SATIRE) Ocean Beach Lifeguard Statute Is a Secret Republican Plot to Hold City Council Seat

May 23, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Today – Thursday, May 23rd – will witness the display of a secret Republican plot to maintain the City Council District 2 seat now held by Kevin Hawkner, a Republican who is termed out.

And it all involves the unveiling of a bronze statute dedicated to lifeguards in San Diego and Ocean Beach. The unveiling will occur down at the OB Lifeguard Station at 3pm.

Former Republican old guard, Byron Worn, who used to hold the seat, will be on hand to assist in the dedication. Byron used to be a lifeguard until he propelled his political career off the backs of the Lifeguard Employee Union and into the City Council seat – this was years ago – but his appearance today will confirm his continued involvement in local politics.

Also on hand will be Republican Lori Zapped. She has just recently announced that she intends to run for the seat being vacated by Hawkner. Zapped currently holds the seat for District 6, but city council district boundaries lines have changed recently, and one day, Lori woke up to find herself in Kevin’s district.

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Take 20 Minutes (or less) to Reduce Junk Mail by 90%

May 23, 2013 by Source

By John P. Anderson / San Diego Free Press

junkmailWant to reduce the amount of trash and recycling you have each week? Reducing the amount of junk mail you receive is a good place to start. Below I’ve compiled a convenient list of the websites and companies you should contact to most effectively reduce the junk mail you received.

Here are a few figures from a post by NYU Law School that highlight the environmental impact of junk mail:

  • 5.6 million tons of catalogs and other direct mail advertisements end up in U.S. landfills annually
  • The average American household receives 848 pieces of junk mail per household, equal to 1.5 trees every year – more than 100 million trees for all U.S. households combined.
    • 100 million trees a year is the equivalent of deforesting all of Rocky Mountain National Park every four months.
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Fences, Weeds, and Construction Deeds in Ocean Beach

May 23, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
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Northeast Section of Robb Field Fenced Off Till Labor Day

A huge section of Robb Field has been fenced off for re-seeding, the OB Rag found out, and will be closed off to the public until Labor Day. We spoke with several San Diego Park & Rec guys to get the low-down. Beginning on May 6th, the section had fences go up for the renovation of the grounds – some of which look fairly soddy and shoddy. Seeds will be spread, new dirt, rollers will smooth out the dirt – and this application happens three times. And not for three months will these lands be free … unless …

The Weeds Are Back at OB’s Gateway Corner

Yup, good sized weeds are back – they have returned, even the native plants – and they appear higher and more plentiful than they did last September when the OB Rag and the Green Store sponsored a clean up of the corner.

The Hack Job at the Apple Tree Lot – Speaking about Weeds and Fences

Stinging from a complaint from the City of San Diego, the owner of the lot where the Apple Tree market once stood, has apparently hacked off the bushes that were camouflaging homeless people.

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The IRS War on Medical Marijuana Providers

May 22, 2013 by Source

irs-publication-970By Clarence Walker / StoptheDrugWar.org

Dispensaries providing marijuana to doctor-approved patients operate in a number of states, but they are under assault by the federal government. SWAT-style raids by the DEA and finger-wagging press conferences by grim-faced federal prosecutors may garner greater attention, but the assault on medical marijuana providers extends to other branches of the government as well, and moves by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to eliminate dispensaries’ ability to take standard business deduction are another very painful arrow in the federal quiver.

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Point Loma Imbroglio Continues Over “Bogus” Stop Signs After Peninsula Planners’ Compromise

May 17, 2013 by Staff
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Point Loma Planners’ Recommendation That “Bogus” Signs Be Replaced and Official Signs Removed Continues to Split Local Community

CBS8 reports that the Peninsula Planning Committee’s decision last night – May 16th – to find a compromise on the “bogus” stop signs continues to divide and rile the local hilltop community in Point Loma.

The Committee voted 4 to 3 to send a recommendation to Councilmember Faulconer’s office that the controversial stop signs that appeared and installed by anonymous parties, outside of city regulations, will be replaced – there’s 2 of them – and that 3 official stop signs in the area be removed.

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Peninsula Planning Board to Decide Fate of “Illegal” Stop Signs in Point Loma

May 16, 2013 by Staff

Tonight, May 16th, the planning committee for Point Loma will have on its agenda the fate of two “illegal” stop signs that were anonymously installed up on top of the Peninsula.

The Peninsula Board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Point Loma Library, 3701 Voltaire Street.

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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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A Real Scandal: Activists in San Diego and Around the World to Protest Monsanto May 25th

May 16, 2013 by Doug Porter

Balboa Park March & Rally, Mission Bay Overpass Light Brigade Events Expected to Draw Thousands

By Doug Porter/ San Diego Free Press

While the oldstream media is obsessing on the current crop of Washington’s politi-dramas, an international protest movement is gathering steam. Activists in on six continents, in 36 countries, and in 47 U.S. states — totaling events in over 250 cities — are coordinating demonstrations to occur simultaneously at 11am Pacific time on Saturday May 25th under the general theme “March Against Monsanto”.

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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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OB Crime Watch to Meet Tonight – Monday – at OB Woman’s Club

May 13, 2013 by Staff
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The group that organized in Ocean Beach after a series of sexual assaults against local women is having their monthly meeting tonight at the OB Woman’s Club.

The meeting of the OB Crime Watch Citizens Patrol will be at 7pm at 2160 Bacon Street. They’re asking the community to join them and discuss and share ideas to help keep OB safe.

The meeting is open to all. Organizers are asking attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Loaves and Fishes program.

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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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What My Mother Said: “Derby Day! Time to Sow Seeds!”

May 7, 2013 by Anna Daniels

By Anna Daniels / San Diego Free Press

Derby_Day_soda tinMy mother loved the horses. She grudgingly attended sulky races at The Meadows race track in western Pennsylvania, but it was flat racing that captivated her heart. She and my father would argue for days about the line up for the Kentucky Derby and lay bets with the local bookie; only the stupid or insane would dare to carry on a conversation anywhere close to the television set during the broadcast of this event.

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Hawaii for Cheap: Camping in Paradise

May 7, 2013 by Source

Hawaii County Campgrounds
By John P. Anderson / San Diego Free Press

Hawaii – land of honeymoons, idle thoughts, and sitcom ultimate vacations since the mid-1970s. Also a land frequently visited by residents of Southern California due to the (relatively) close proximity and frequent flight deals. I have been fortunate to visit Hawaii twice – my first trip, to Oahu, followed my junior year of high school and included my first flight, first time seeing an ocean, and many other firsts. The second visit was a ‘babymoon’ in November of 2010, visiting Hawai’i, also known as ‘The Big Island’ since the state is commonly known by the same name as the largest island in the archipelago.

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Extreme Weather Watch: Records Set as Flooding in Midwest Takes Its Toll

May 7, 2013 by Source

By John Lawrence / San Diego Free Press

There was definitely a lot of extreme weather in the Month of April as records were set for rainfall, snowfall, flooding and low temperatures and the month is not even over yet!

However, none of it occurred in sunny San Diego so we should appreciate how lucky we are.

In Rapid City, S.D. April 2013 is the snowiest month on record with 39.5 inches. This beats the previous April and all-time monthly snow record of 38.5 inches set in April 1927.

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Ballot Initiative Seeks to Bring California In Line with Other Oil Producing States

May 6, 2013 by Andy Cohen

Lost Hills Oil Field

by Andy Cohen / San Diego Free Press

North Dakota does it. Louisiana does it. Florida too, and Alaska. Even Texas has an oil and gas severance tax, which largely funds state government there. Alaska is almost entirely dependent on their oil severance tax. But in California, no such tax exists. …

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Is Bigger Better in the Friendly Skies?

May 6, 2013 by JEC

big planeBY JEC / San Diego Free Press

Is bigger better? The new AT&T commercial with the man in a suit sitting on the floor with the kids seems to think so. Cruise ships, now they have gotten huge like Royal Caribbean’s new 5,000 passenger ships. With crew that’s 7,500 souls on board.

But we don’t do cruise ships very often, but a lot of us do fly and we can appreciate the aircraft industry for trying to keep up.

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Where Are All the Strawberry Fields Going?

May 6, 2013 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

strawberries“Far, far away.”

During my trip to Carlsbad last weekend with members of my support group, we stopped in at a delightful shoe shop, “Coolest Shoes in California” and had an interesting discussion with Christine Davis, the owner of the store. Somehow we started talking about the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields and making jam, and she commented to me “better hurry. They won’t be here long.”

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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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The Incredible Lightness of Being Able to Understand Mayor Filner’s 2014 Budget

May 3, 2013 by Anna Daniels
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Community Power Affecting Budget Decisions that Impact Our Neighborhoods

by Anna Daniels / San Diego Free Press

It is highly unusual for a group of strangers to smile broadly at each other and enthusiastically confess that the workshop they had just attended on how to read the City’s Capital Improvement Budget had been really interesting and very worthwhile.
That is exactly what happened a few weeks ago when I got into the elevator with a group of people with whom I had just attended the Community Budget Alliance‘s hands on budget workshop held in City Heights. It’s budget season…
(Come inside for insight into the City’s Budget.)

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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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Right now, the “no’s” are winning in U-T Poll on whether San Onofre should be shut down

May 1, 2013 by Staff
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The UT-San Diego has a poll for its readers going right now on whether you think the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant should be shut down.

As of yesterday, May 1, “Yes”was winning – but as of today, the “no’s are ahead.

C’mon OBceans and San Diegans – Vote to shut it down. We have the link right here so you can vote.S

Here’s the link to vote

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

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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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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