News From Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Mid-July 2016

OB in middle of July. Photo by Albert C Elliott

Why Is There a Dip in the OB Pier? Come to OB Historical Society July 21 to Learn More

Do you know why there is a dip in the OB Pier? According to the guy who helped build it over 50 years ago, the pier was built for fishing, and was originally being constructed low enough so people would not have to pull their catches up from great heights. But when the waves from a storm hit Jan. 7, 1966, it was clear that waves could wash over that lower height, and the pier’s design would have to change. So from the location of where the sea pounded the pier that day, the remainder of the still-to-be-built structure would rise, Teyssier said. SD U-T

If you’re interested in learning more about the O.B. Pier, Teyssier and his son, Ralph, a structural engineer, are scheduled to make a presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday July 21 at Point Loma United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. The talk, titled “The OB Pier Turns 50!!!”, is presented by the Ocean Beach Historical Society.

PB Skateboarder Not Expected to Survive After Being Struck Monday Night

A 22-year-old man was said to be in grave condition Tuesday following a skateboarding accident Monday in Pacific Beach. The skateboarder — whose name was not provided — was struck at about 7 p.m. Monday by a Toyota Prius as he crossed the intersection of Ingraham and Felspar streets against a “Don’t Walk Sign,” according to a statement from San Diego police Officer Dino Delimitros. The skateboarder, who was riding southbound on the west sidewalk of Ingraham suffered a “non-survivable” head injury when he was hit by the Prius driven by a 20-year-old woman as she was making a left turn from northbound Ingraham to westbound Felspar, Delimitros said. The collision remained under investigation Tuesday.  San Diego Patch

Woman says she was roofied, left paralyzed after drinking at Ocean Beach bar

10News  A woman claims she was roofied and left temporarily paralyzed after having drinks at an Ocean Beach bar recently.  The 46-year-old mother of three told 10News she went to the bar for a rare night out with her best friend. (10News chose not to identify the woman, but instead refers to her as “Kate.”) They drank three beers together and then switched to water.

“I didn’t even think to watch my drink,” Kate said. “I was out dancing on the dance floor. I didn’t even think that it happens to people like me.” The more water she drank, the worse she felt. Then she noticed a man watching. “As we get closer he just looks me up and down, like so, you just know that creepy kind of look,” Kate said. “And he just says, in the most aggressive, mean-spirited voice, ‘I will break you in two.’ And the hair on the back of my neck stood up.”

She says he followed them until a police officer standing on the corner scared him away. By the time her friend got her home and she collapsed into bed, she was paralyzed. “I felt like I was dying, I honestly felt like I was dying,” Kate said through tears. “And my phone’s right there. And my hand was, I could not, I mean, it’s literally like two feet away and I could not even lift my hand to grab my phone. I just wanted to call 911.” Kate says she could not move for three hours. She says she was conscious the entire time, only able to move her eyes. “No one was home and I thought ‘I can’t believe I’m going to die like this.’” When she finally made it to the emergency room, doctors told Kate they found traces of Ketamine, a drug commonly used to sedate large animals.

How to Protect Yourself From Date Rape Drug

Experts say alcohol is the most common date rape drug. Others are Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine. They are odorless, colorless and tasteless.  There are several things you can do to protect yourself from a date rape drug; this applies to all types of drinks including soda and water.

• Watch your drink at all times.
• Cover your drink with your hand.
• If someone offers to buy you a drink, watch the drink being made and get it from the server yourself.
• If you get up to move or use the restroom, take your drink with you.
• If you start to feel lightheaded, nauseous, dizzy or otherwise strange, seek help immediately.
• Utilize the buddy system where a friend you trust is looking out for you and you are looking out for him/her.
• Step in if you see something suspicious.
• Remember most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows and not a stranger.

Woman and Baby Injured in Car Crash

A pregnant woman and a child were taken to the hospital after two cars crashed in Ocean Beach, police said. A Mini Cooper and Honda Civic crashed at the intersection of Long Branch Avenue and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard Thursday afternoon. Paramedics transported a child to Rady Children’s Hospital and the pregnant woman to Sharp Hospital. They suffered minor injuries. No other information was provided. Fox5

Man Who Fell to Death at Sunset Cliffs From San Diego

Authorities Thursday publicly identified a 67-year-old San Diego man who fell to his death from a sea bluff above a Point Loma-area beach last week. Gregory David Genochio was standing at the edge of a cliff near the intersection of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Ladera Street around 2:45 p.m. on July 5, and fell onto the beach below moments later, according to the county Medical Examiner’s Office. Medics worked in vain to revive Genochio before pronouncing him dead at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the medical examiner and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Fox5

Local OB Business Goes Drought-Tolerant and Employee-Friendly

They say they’re just doing what is right – creating a comfortable, enjoyable space for their San Diego public relations employees to find more joy and a break from the office desk. Mixte Communications is proud – and they say ‘It just happens that we went out of our way to save money and the environment at the same time.’ And more:

The result is an environmentally pleasing, employee-stoking, community-enhancing outdoor space that makes my heart beat stronger and the neighbors stop over. It started when the suffocating nature of my first corporate office job magnified my addiction to walking amongst trees and commuting on two wheels.

Naked Man Arrested

A man was arrested after reportedly scaring customers outside an Ocean Beach store Tuesday and then attempting to break into an apartment while naked.  The incident began when a man was reported acting strangely inside a Rite Aid store on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. They later found his clothes in a pile outside. According to witnesses, the man then approached strangers in the Rite Aid parking lot, yelling and chanting at them.  Witness Ken Legg described the scene to 10News.

“When I came up to the corner here, he was standing there, jumping up and down, chanting something,” Legg said. “I couldn’t hear it at first until he came closer to me and then he ran out into the street and what he was saying was ‘Gridlock is good, gridlock is good.’” Legg said the man was almost struck while in the street before running back into the Rite Aid parking lot and harassing some customers. One of them was forced to physically fight him off. Legg called 911 and San Diego police responded. However, not before the suspect attempted to break into an apartment through the front door. He was unable to get inside. Police arrested him near Dog Beach, still naked. His name and the charges he might face were not confirmed. abc10News

Bird Rockers Consider Private Security Firm Hired in OB

At the Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC) meeting July 5 at La Jolla Masonic Lodge, the board and community members heard the pros and cons of contracting private security to help deter crime in the neighborhood. BRCC member Ron Fineman suggested National Public Safety (NPS) as a possible patrol firm, and introduced its director at a forum June 30 at Chase Bank in Bird Rock.

Considered a “little brother” to the police, NPS would take the “low priority” calls San Diego Police Department does not have the manpower to respond to, such as suspicious persons in the area and car break-ins. If warranted, NPS would hand the case over to the police. In other neighborhoods where NPS has a presence, such as Ocean Beach, residents report faster response times to potential and actual problems than when they called San Diego Police. Understaffing of dispatch and call center officers has created citywide delays on the non-emergency line. La Jolla Light

Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash Near SeaWorld

A motorcyclist was killed in the Mission Bay area of San Diego Friday night in a collision involving three other vehicles, police said. The crash was reported about 8:20 p.m. near SeaWorld in the 2400 block of West Mission Bay Drive, just north of Interstate 8, according to San Diego Police Department Officer Robert Heims. Heims said the motorcyclist “drove next to a Lamborghini and started revving his engine next to it.” The motorcyclist then lost control and accelerated to a high rate of speed and sideswiped a Geo Prism, according to Heims. “Then he rear ended a 2016 Ford Explorer,” Heims said.

The motorcyclist was thrown off his bike and into the center median, resulting in his death at the scene, the officer said. The identity of the deceased was not known as of publication time. The crash shut down Mission Bay Drive in both directions. The Sports Arena Boulevard off-ramp from Interstate 8 was also closed — and expected to remain so for at least three hours — and a SigAlert was issued, according to Heims. San Diego Patch

Navy pipeline project progressing to completion in 2017

The Navy is working hard to minimize traffic disruption caused by the ongoing realignment of a 4.5-mile segment of its existing fuel pipeline from the coast onto Rosecrans Street, a project on schedule for summer 2017 completion.  That’s what Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) Capt. Howard Warner III told Peninsula residents at a June 22 public workshop on progress being made on repair and relocation of portions of its 17.3-mile pipeline running between NBPL and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.  The original 17.3-mile pipeline, built in 1954 with a 30-year designed life, provides fuel for Navy ships and aircraft.  San Diego Community News Group –

Kevin Gormly Loses Battle to Cancer

When I, like anyone else, approached Kevin Gormly, we were assured of receiving one thing in return: a smile.  That wide, trademark Kevin smile was known to thousands of Point Loma High School students, staff, parents and community members over the past l7 years as Kevin served the school and community, beginning in 1999 when he arrived on campus to teach Spanish and social science. In 2003, he was selected for a vacant vice principal position, and it was here he excelled. Most VPs are disliked – often hated – by students who have been disciplined or punished. Kevin managed to do his job and earn the respect and even friendship of his “clients.” San Diego Community News Group –

Barbara Bry and Mary Walshok to Speak on San Diego’s Innovation Economy at Pt Loma Dems – July 24th

The Point Loma OB Democratic Club is hosting club Patron and candidate for San Diego City Council District 1, Barbara Bry as a co-presenter at this month’s meeting. Barbara has spent the last 30 years of her life helping to start companies and create jobs.  Mary Walshok is an author, educator, researcher, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs and Dean of Extension at UCSD. She is a thought leader and subject matter expert on aligning workforce development with regional economic growth.=

Barbara and Mary will emphasize the importance of innovation to San Diego’s future. They’ll dive into the history and what it means to local citizens to have companies that operate in a global arena – where we put our priorities will be shaped by these forces.    4:00PM – 5:30PM, atPoint Loma Assembly, 3035 Talbot St, San Diego, CA 92106; For additional info call (619) 800-5098

Chichiuaua Dies at Dog Beach – Victim’s Owner Wants Changes