October 2013

After 6 Years – OB Rag Is at a Crossroads

October 28, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for After 6 Years – OB Rag Is at a Crossroads

This past weekend, the OB Rag celebrated its sixth anniversary – and we had a small party and pot-luck complete with a fire-dancer and player piano (and meats catered by the BBQ House).

Ah, yes, six years of being the online ‘news and views’ for Ocean Beach and beyond. We’ve now been publishing for as long as our name-sake predecessor, the original OB Rag, OB’s alternative community newspaper from the Seventies.

It’s been a great run for the Rag, these last years.

But we’re at a crossroads, because the practicalities of continuing to publish are forcing us to face where we’re at and forcing a sober re-assessment and re-evaluation of just what the Rag is doing.

Read the full article → 59 comments

The Widder Curry: Why I’m Not Voting for Nathan Fletcher.

October 25, 2013 by Judi Curry

no_showBy Judi Curry

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet David Alvarez at a “meet and greet” party. Although I walked into the meeting as a Mike Aguirre supporter, I was very impressed with the way David talked to the crowd; answered all questions without hemming and hawing, and told us his plans when he becomes the Mayor of San Diego. …

Read the full article → 11 comments

Virtual Mayoral Forum – Part 2: Looking Back on the Plaza de Panama Controversy

October 25, 2013 by Staff

new-plaza-overlayWelcome to Day 2 of the Virtual Mayoral Forum put together by editors at San Diego Free Press. (See Day 1, Asking about managed competition here. )

With input from our many contributors, editors put together a series of eight questions we felt were unique, not too opened ended and not trite. We’re publishing one response from the candidates per day (Monday-Friday) so readers can see the verbatim responses side by side.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Restaurant Review: Supannee House of Thai in Point Loma

October 25, 2013 by Judi Curry
Thumbnail image for Restaurant Review: Supannee House of Thai in Point Loma

2907 Shelter Island Drive, Suite #110
San Diego, CA 92106
619-795-8424

While attending a recent “meet and greet” for one of the mayoral candidates (David Alvarez), I spoke to a young couple who recognized my name as a restaurant reviewer for the OB Rag. They asked if I had reviewed the “Supannee House of Thai”. It is one of their favorite restaurants and return often for their authentic Thai food. I had not been there yet, even though it was one of the places I had flagged to try at a later time.

The following day I called my friend Eric and asked him if he would like to join me in reviewing the restaurant. He had gone with me when I reviewed another local Thai food restaurant and I felt that he complimented my tastes and likes and would do the same thing at the Supannee.

Read the full article → 26 comments

Word to the Wise: Week of October 24, 2013

October 25, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for Word to the Wise: Week of October 24, 2013

By Kelsey Lynore / The Tarot Nook

Each week, Kelsey from OB throws a “What to do?” spread for each of the zodiac signs. The first card is shown and the other two… well, you’ll just have to infer them from the written forecasts. Mind the heads up and have a lovely week!

17TheStarBulls

Sometimes, the most important part of the healing process is the recognition that you’ve been hurt, Taurus. Which paradoxically hurts! Although it might not feel like healing at the time, I assure you that this week, you are doing just that. The other shoe is about to drop and you may discover that someone wasn’t completely honest with you or that you’ve been duped in some way. But you’re better off knowing the truth than operating in accordance with a lie, no matter how comfy. Trust that strongest part within you, that part that transmutes pain and miraculously sutures its own flesh, and you’ll be healed.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Alvarez and Aguirre Present Themselves to Ocean Beach at Town Council Candidate Forum

October 24, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Alvarez and Aguirre Present Themselves to Ocean Beach at Town Council Candidate Forum

Faulconer and Fletcher Both No-Shows at Mayoral Debate

In front of a full audience, the Ocean Beach Town Council held their mayoral election forum last night, Oct. 23rd, at the Masonic Center. Newly-elected president Gretchen Newsom led her first public council meeting and welcomed candidates David Alvarez and Mike Aguirre. Nathan Fletcher sent a representative – whereas no one from Faulconer’s campaign showed.

Sixty people filled up the meeting room on the bottom floor of the two-story building on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard – some had come to hear a presentation on San Diego banning plastic bags.

Newsom cleaned the agenda and got to the forum part of the night, using her favorite expression, “without further a due”.

David Alvarez – a native San Diegan and current City Councilmember – took the floor and explained his modest beginnings. He got into politics as a community activist for his neighborhood and, stressing that his campaign and office would focus on the neighborhoods of the city, Alvarez said,”San Diego is a neighborhood city.”

Read the full article → 11 comments

Update – Ft. Rosecrans Cemetery

October 24, 2013 by Judi Curry
Thumbnail image for Update – Ft. Rosecrans Cemetery

by Judi Curry / October 23, 2013

It appears that progress is being made at the cemetery. Slowly, in the areas I checked out, but some of the areas of the cemetery that were behind green fences are now sporting beautiful green grass. This is at the most northern part of the cemetery on the east side of the road and snaking down to the bay-side where there are benches to sit on while looking over the San Diego Bay and listening to the cry of the seals.

There was evidence of men working on cleaning the monuments; men were moving the flat markers from the “curb” to the headstones; grading was taking place close to the road on the inside of the eastern part of the cemetery and sod is due to be laid beginning next week.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Virtual Mayoral Forum- Part 1: Managed Competition

October 24, 2013 by Source

Managed Competition GraphicEditor: The following is the first part in a series being published by our online media partner, San Diego Free Press, as a ‘virtual mayoral forum’.

One of the best ways for voters to learn about candidates is via debates.

Debates, however, have real limitations. The positive aspect of actually being able to see a candidate as a person can be countered by constraints of time and space. Sometimes its hard to follow what’s being said, especially if things get heated and candidates start talking across each other.

So we came up with the concept of presenting a virtual debate; an event where the only opinions will be the ones proffered by the candidates. And we tried to come up with questions that were not trite or unnecessarily open ended. (If you’re looking questions about the Chargers, go to any one of the other debates.)

Read the full article → 0 comments

Sex and the City – Special San Diego Mayoral Election Edition

October 24, 2013 by Source

cherub 2By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner

Let’s ease into this subject with a mindful autumn walk. Notice the days getting shorter…. morning air chillier… leaves turning gold on liquid amber trees.

Now notice a fact as unwavering as the seasons — the fact that sex plays a dominant role in San Diego public affairs. Hook it up with other San Diego mainstays (uninspired leadership, stunted civic aspirations, free-floating corruption, overinflated egos, corporate welfare, legal-establishment collusion, Republican Party strategy, dubious fidelity among leading Democrats, to name a few) and it wallops a punch potent enough to knock a new mayor out of the ring and force the city into a costly, rushed election to bring in a replacement.

Of course this is not how the Chamber of Commerce markets our city.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

October 24, 2013 by Ernie McCray

Nina SimoneBy Ernie McCray

I’m not, necessarily, one for seeing movies or plays or other things that are staged more than once unless there’s something really special about it. That being said I can’t wait to take in my friend Calvin Manson’s wonderfully soulful musical “Don’t Let me Be Misunderstood” again.

I highly recommend this beautifully crafted piece of theater because it’s so personal to me. It features the songs of one of my show-people-heroes, Nina Simone. This inimitable singer and pianist not only dazzled the world with her sultry sincere soulful voice but she also, at the same time, actively pursued dreams of that world being one where all people live in freedom. With dignity. Like Robeson and Belafonte. That kind of service to humanity resonates deeply within me.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Ocean Beach Town Council to Hold Mayoral Candidate Forum – Tonight, Oct. 23rd

October 23, 2013 by Staff
Thumbnail image for Ocean Beach Town Council to Hold Mayoral Candidate Forum – Tonight, Oct. 23rd

The OB Town Council is holding a San Diego mayoral candidate forum tonight at it’s monthly meeting, October 23rd.

The meeting begins at 7pm and is held at the Masonic Center. The center is located at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in OB, 92107.

We have heard from the Council’s new prez, Gretchen Newsom, that of the major candidates, David Alvarez and Mike Aguirre are confirmed to be attending.

See inside for details and format, plus the rest of the agenda ….

Read the full article → 0 comments

News for Locs at the Beach

October 23, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

Sharon Chipman OBwoman missOB Woman Missing for 2 Weeks

Sharon Chipman walked away from her group home in Paradise Hills around October 10th. Her family is very worried as they fear she is not taking her prescribed medications and needs to return to her mental health facility. Chipman, 34, is on medication.

Sharon, raised in Ocean Beach, was seen in OB over the weekend, and authorities want help from the public to find her. She apparently made a banking transaction in Spring Valley on the 11th. Reported missing by her Lakeside grandmother, Sharon’s purple bike was found locked at a McDonalds near Sweetwater Rd and Jamacha Blvd in Spring Vally on the 18th.

Read the full article → 9 comments

A Healthy Guide to Eating Fish From Mission Bay

October 23, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for A Healthy Guide to Eating Fish From Mission Bay
Read the full article → 2 comments

I Will Never Use a Pink Water Bottle

October 23, 2013 by Source

TriSuit_wp_mediumBy Eva Posner

I hate pink.

It’s really an awful color in my opinion. I do not begrudge those who like it. We are all different, so rock it if you want to.

But I will not. I cannot. It is not in my wardrobe or my color wheel.

I have the exact opposite problem as David Harris-Gershan, author of My Life with a Pink Water Bottle. Harris-Gershan found himself ridiculed for using his wife’s pink water bottle, and instead of cowering to attempts at humiliation and intimidation by other men, he decided to use it to make a statement about gender roles and sexism. He now carries it around on a regular basis, using people’s reaction to it as a teachable moment. I think his reaction is fantastic and I applaud him for challenging stereotypes.

As a woman, however, I am bombarded with pink constantly, and I am so over it.

Read the full article → 2 comments

Kevin Faulconer and the Republicans Really Don’t Want Liberal Voters at the Beach to Vote for Nathan Fletcher

October 22, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Kevin Faulconer and the Republicans Really Don’t Want Liberal Voters at the Beach to Vote for Nathan Fletcher

by Frank Gormlie

It’s very clear – Kevin Faulconer really doesn’t want you – the liberal voter at the beach – to vote for Nathan Fletcher. Faulconer, of course, is OB’s current City Councilperson and sole Republican candidate for mayor of all San Diego. And of course, Nathan Fletcher is one of his Democratic opponents.

Two recent, slick campaign fliers have recently hit the beach area and tell the story.

One of them shouts out that “Nathan Fletcher is a trusted conservative.” as a quote from liberal nemesis, Karl Rove. Natch, there’s also a nice color photo next to the quote showing Fletcher and Rove standing together – and Karl has a huge smile.

So, get the picture so far? Up at the return address, you see “Paid for by The Lincoln Club of San Diego County”, and think, okay, the Lincoln Club is generally a pro-business GOP group and they just want you to know that Fletcher is indeed “a trusted conservative.”

You turn over the glossy flier and see this: the back end of a big, ol’ truck with half dozen right-wing bumper stickers plastered all over it.

Read the full article → 20 comments

Absent Progressive Uproar, Social Security and Medicare Face Axe

October 22, 2013 by Source

The lines are being drawn for a ‘Grand Bargain’ and the Democrats’ continued willingness to give away role as defenders of safety net and earned benefit programs, say critics, is deeply worrying

capitol hillBy Jon Queally / Common Dreams

If U.S. citizens are increasingly concerned that the Democratic Party is no longer willing to fight off the right-wing attack on Social Security, Medicare, and other key social programs, Sen. Dick Durbin, President Obama and other party leaders have recently offered plenty of evidence to increase that worry.

Since the end of the government shutdown and standoff over the debt limit ended last week, Obama has repeatedly said that he wants to find a “balanced” solution to the ongoing budget debate with Republican lawmakers.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Senator Bernie Sanders: ‘Global Warming Is a Far More Serious Problem Than Al Qaeda’

October 22, 2013 by Source

In new interview with Playboy, the Vermont senator laments the collapsed middle class, corporate power.

sanders_playboyBy Andrea Germanos / Common Dreams

In a newly published interview, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) blasts the “unfettered capitalism” that has collapsed the middle class, and the corporate power fueling climate change, which poses a “far more serious problem than Al Qaeda.”

Sanders speaking about the government shutdown’s impacts. (Photo: AFGE/cc/flickr) Speaking with economics writer Jonathan Tasini for the interview with Playboy, the 72-year-old Independent senator said that “one of the untold stories of our time is the collapse of the American middle class.” It’s due, in part, to “the decline of trade unions,” which means that workers “have less power to negotiate contracts and less political clout.”

It’s a system that has brought immense inequality, he says.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Demolition Derby at OB’s Waterfront – the Destruction of Old Apartments and Former Dempsey’s

October 21, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Demolition Derby at OB’s Waterfront – the Destruction of Old Apartments and Former Dempsey’s

A Pictorial Walk-Around of the Remains of the Saratoga-Abbott Street Apartments and the Old Dempsey’s

The sub-headline says it all. Come along as we walk around the site. This is a pictorial gallery of what the site looks like now – a site that once held ancient apartments built in the middle of last century and the former Dempsey’s – a beachfront restaurant.

Dempsey’s was also the site of the original Hodad’s.

Three story condos will be built here.

Read the full article → 11 comments

Poll: 78 Percent Register Negative Responses to CVS Pharmacy Opening in Ocean Beach

October 21, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Poll: 78 Percent Register Negative Responses to CVS Pharmacy Opening in Ocean Beach

In the latest OB Rag poll, nearly four out of five respondents registered negative responses to CVS Pharmacy opening a store in the former Apple Tree Market building in OB. 78% of the 138 who participated in the poll that went on for a week did not like the idea.

One-fifth of those who responded took a more positive approach.

To the question, “It looks like CVS Pharmacy will be opening up a market for medicine, alcohol and other retail goods in the former Apple Tree Market building. How do you feel about this?”

61% thought it was “terrible news for OB,” and since CVS “won’t be selling any fresh foods”, “OB-central is still without a food market.”

Read the full article → 3 comments

Project Censored 2012-13: The Human Costs of Corporate Propaganda

October 21, 2013 by Jim Miller

blah blahBy Jim Miller

Projected Censored recently released their list of the “Top 25 Most Censored Stories of 2012-13.” As I noted in a column about last year’s list, Project Censored’s definition of censorship is a nuanced one:

We define Modern Censorship as the subtle yet constant and sophisticated manipulation of reality in our mass media outlets. On a daily basis, censorship refers to the intentional non-inclusion of a news story – or piece of a news story – based on anything other than a desire to tell the truth. …

Read the full article → 1 comment

Beach Cities Limit Fitness Classes on Public Beaches and Parks

October 18, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Beach Cities Limit Fitness Classes on Public Beaches and Parks

Have you ever been at the beach or one of the green grass parks near a beach and been inundated with a large group doing exercise or yoga and being led by a trainer?

Throughout Southern California, from LA to OB, parks and beaches have been experiencing an influx of organized joggers or people exercising. Personal trainers are taking their classes out doors to public beaches and parks, to take advantage of the great weather. Every public beach has seen its swarm of organized fitness groups using the public space – at times – for a private profit.

There is a pushback happening. Local residents at different beach cities have taken issue with the group fitness classes. And they’re complaining about the human traffic jams in parks and on beaches enjoyed and appreciated for their beauty, solitude, nature-setting, etc.

Read the full article → 12 comments

Restaurant Review : “Bo-beau” in Ocean Beach

October 18, 2013 by Judi Curry
Thumbnail image for Restaurant Review : “Bo-beau” in Ocean Beach

4996 W. Point Loma Ave.
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
619-224-2884

When I do a restaurant review, I try to stay within a certain price range , primarily because I live on a limited income. I had heard that the food at “Bo-Beau” was very good, but was also told it was quite pricey. I am happy to say that the food WAS very good, and although more than I usually spend on a meal, was not that pricey compared to other restaurants of its quality.

My friend Mary had asked to take me out for dinner – we were in a celebratory mood -, and since we were coming back to Ocean Beach via La Jolla, we decided to go to Bo-beau kitchen and bar, as she had told me many times it was one of her favorites.

Because we were early – not quite 5:00pm, we were seated immediately. We were taken to the patio at first, but the wind was picking up and we decided to eat inside. We picked the only table that had an air vent overhead, and soon we were both very cold from the air conditioner. We asked our waiter – Orion – named after the “hunter” if we could change seats, but he said he would turn off the air – which he did, and we were very comfortable staying where we were.

Read the full article → 10 comments

Jellyfish In Oceans Are Reaching Problematic Proportions

October 18, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for Jellyfish In Oceans Are Reaching Problematic Proportions

By Christian Cotroneo / Huff Post Canada

So long humans.

And thanks for all the jellyfish.

If the oceans are indeed in steep decline, it may just be a triumph of the brainless — namely, the humble jellyfish.

“The number of case studies is increasing,” Lucas Brotz of the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre told the Huffington Post, “And it certainly seems we are having a severe impact on the oceans that is making them less favourable for fish and more favourable for jellyfish in some places.”

So far, the most direct impact — aside from swimming into a cloud of the critters — is being felt at the world’s nuclear reactor sites.

Read the full article → 0 comments

6 Right-Wing Lies About Food Stamps

October 18, 2013 by Source

The right-wing echo chamber has vilified food stamp users with a variety of absurd lies and myths. As a result, people will go hungry.

food stampsBy Dave Johnson / Alternet

In the middle of the worst economy and job situation in decades Republicans in the House voted to cut $40 billion from food stamps. This will kick 3.8 million people out of the program by 2014, 3 million more each year after.

Read the full article → 5 comments

News From Around the Beach You May Have Missed

October 17, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for News From Around the Beach You May Have Missed

Pizza Port Ocean Beach Wins 3 Medals at National Beer Competition in Denver

Pizza Port Ocean Beach claimed a GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE medal at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition. The top three winners in the competition’s 84 beer-style categories were announced October 13 at the Festival awards ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

San Diego’s final Bike Local Sunday hits Ocean Beach October 20th

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, an organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles, ends its six-month stretch of monthly neighborhood bicycle tours this Sunday, October 20, in one of San Diego’s most locally loved neighborhoods: Ocean Beach.

… and much more …. come inside

Read the full article → 4 comments

Word to the Wise: Week of October 17, 2013

October 17, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for Word to the Wise: Week of October 17, 2013

By Kelsey Lynore / The Tarot Nook

Each week, Kelsey throws a “What to do?” spread for each of the zodiac signs. The first card is shown and the other two… well, you’ll just have to infer them from the written forecasts. Mind the heads up and have a lovely week!

20JudgmentRams

Simmer down, Aries. You’re in a rush to start something new and believe yourself possessed by a fresh concept. But in chomping at the bit, you may be trying to run away from something which doesn’t feel so good, in lieu of running towards something which is truly promising. This is not to cast aspersions on your big idea, but please don’t bait and switch yourself. You’d do better to take a time out and really feel your emotions. Don’t run. Don’t even walk. Simply feel. This week, you need to acknowledge and transmute your own sadness. You’ll be reborn of it.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Report From the OB Project Review Hearing: CVS Pharmacy, Verizon, BBQ House

October 17, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for Report From the OB Project Review Hearing: CVS Pharmacy, Verizon, BBQ House

Editor: The following is a report of the October 16 meeting of the Project Review Committee, a sub-committee of the OB Planning Board, chaired by Peter Ruscitti.

By Stephanie Denton / Special to the OB Rag

CVS Pharmacy Alcohol License

Tonight the OB Planning Board’s Project Review Committee agreed to recommend approval to the board of CVS’s ABC License Type 21 application at the proposed location at Santa Monica and Cable. This came about not without debate however as board members were not unanimously in favor of a second pharmacy entering the Ocean Beach community. The recommended approval was strictly regarding the ABC License however and was nominated for a recommendation at a 3 yays to 2 nays vote.

Board members expressed that a second pharmacy in a few block radius of OB is not a necessary or primary need in the community. The CVS representative retorted, “In the American market there is more and more demand for pharmacies.”

Read the full article → 27 comments

Flagstaff Sued in Federal Court: Arizona Law Against Panhandling Is Un-Constitutional

October 16, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Flagstaff Sued in Federal Court: Arizona Law Against Panhandling Is Un-Constitutional

Ocean Beach Needs to Draw Lessons From Ruling

Six years ago the well-known city of Flagstaff, Arizona, began enforcing a state law that made it a criminal offense to panhandle or beg for money or food.

Flagstaff is, of course, close to the national treasure the Grand Canyon, is often awash with tourists and transients alike. Merchants and some residents were getting tired of what they perceived as overly-aggressive panhandling by the transients on the town’s streets – especially in the commercial area. So pressure was applied and the city council ordered police to arrest anyone who panhandled.

During one year, Flagstaff police arrested an estimated 135 people – all on suspicion of loitering to beg. They would be arrested early in the day – in order to avoid the tourists probably. Some were jailed. A local attorney said, “Many of the people arrested under the begging law simply needed a little assistance — not a jail cell.”

Read the full article → 0 comments

Shutdown Deal In the Making – Senate Women Take Lead In Temporarily Resolving Crisis

October 16, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

By 10 am PDT, there appears to be a deal agreed upon within the US Senate to end the immediate crisis of the deal limit.

Both party leaders announced just after noon EDT on the floor of the US Senate that a deal has been reached to do the following:

  • Reopen and Fund the federal government until January 15, 2014
  • Raise the debt limit until February 7, 2014 – thereby extending the government’s ability to borrow
Read the full article → 1 comment

California Nation

October 16, 2013 by Andy Cohen

California-State-Flag-2The national government arguably no longer represents the best interests of California.

By Andy Cohen

With the government shutdown entering its third week and the country on the brink of causing a worldwide economic calamity by defaulting on its financial obligations, the United States sits mired in a major political and economic crisis. It is a self inflicted crisis caused by a bunch of radical know-nothings who have deliberately set out to undermine our government and economy in a game of political brinksmanship. The entire nation is being held hostage so that 30 million Americans can be denied healthcare; because an ignorant and racist faction of the Republican Party has wrested control of the U.S. House of Representatives because they abhor the very idea of a black man occupying the White House.

I’m tired of it. We deserve better. And by “we” I mean Californians.

Read the full article → 4 comments

← Older Articles