OB Flashes – News, Discussion, and Calendar Board – December 16-22, 2009

Classic OB scene - photo by Jim Grant 12/15/09

OB Surf and Skate to Move into old Rock Paper Scissors Building

In January 2010, the Ocean Beach Surf and Skate shop will be moving a block closer to the beach and into the former Rock Paper Scissors building (which originally was the old Bank of America) at 4976 Newport Avenue.

The surf shop is also the home to the Ocean Experience Surf School.  The move is expected to expand the surf shop’s business, which originally opened in 1990.  They plan on having a grand opening event once the move is complete. For future details go to:  http://oceanbeachsurfskate.blogspot.com/2009/12/ocean-beach-surf-and-skate-is-moving.html

This is good news for the 4900 block of Newport for ever since RPS closed under shady circumstances early this year, there has definitely been a gap on the side of the street – despite such temporary measures as the Halloween costumes that went in.

Giant Tree Falls at Ft Rosecrans Cemetery – Did anyone hear it?

Jim Grant captured this giant tree that fell in the recent windy storm out at the Ft Rosecrans Cemetery. It took out seven head stones, he reports.

Olive Tree to Open Tasting Room

One of OB’s favorite corner markets, Olive Tree, is opening a Tasting Room right around the corner from its own entrance.  I asked Chris Stavros, the owner, what will be tasted, and he replied, “Beer, wine, cheeses, and chocolates!”  Chris expects the new place to open February 1st next year.

Not to be out done even by himself, Chris also plans to open a restaurant in the same building in the former dry cleaning place – but those plans are still in the works.

OB Town Council Throws a Craft Fair for Saturday Dec. 19th

There will be a Craft Fair at the foot of Newport on the 19th of December. It will feature an array of vendors with local art, crafts, and food.  Hosted by the Ocean Beach Town Council, the Fair will run 9:00am – 3:00pm.

By the way, if you’d like to attend an OB Town Council meeting, they meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Masonic Center located at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., January through October. So, the next meeting is January 27th, 2010.  (However, if you wish to speak at their meeting you have to fill out a Speaker’s Slip 3 weeks in advance, and mail it to them. See this link.)

OB Holiday Parade Winners

Thank you to all who attended and participated, and CONGRATS to the winners! And they are:

• Best Family/Neighbor entry: San Diego Woodies
• Best Music entry: Cameron Highlanders
• Best School entry: Silver Gate Elementary
• Best Individual entry: The Electric Giraffe
• Best Youth entry: Young at Art
• Best Church entry: Noah’s Arc

Blue Whale to Close

The Blue Whale at 4871 Newport, a jewelry store, opened about a year ago, and business was very good over the summer, but dropped to almost nothing once the tourist season was over.  For some reason,  locals just aren’t shopping there.  The owners have decided to close the store and have decided that they will be  going out of business at the end of the month.

They are selling off all the remaining inventory at 50%% off until they close. They have a very nice selection of costume jewelry, and the prices were rather reasonable even before the mark down.

Pipeline – not trucks – will pass excess gas from wastewater facility

On the hot Point Loma issue of having trucks transport excess methane gas from the PL Wastewater Treatment Plant, it seems the San Diego City Council has buckled under to common sense – and community pressure. The City Council voted unanimously on December 8th to allow the volatile gas to be passed through existing San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) fuel lines when the project begins in 2011.   The original plan called for trucks to transport the gas through Peninsula neighborhoods.

Anthony Gentile, of the Beacon, reported that:

[City Councilmember Kevin] Faulconer learned in August of resident opposition to the gas-hauling alternative that grew out of an effort by Citizens for a Green and Safe Point Loma, a citizens group that has been vocal in opposing the city’s trucking option.

Catalina Boulevard resident John Pedersen spearheads this group. “Citizens for a Green and Safe Point Loma and Point Loma residents are very pleased with the revised outcome for the handling and distribution of excess methane gas from the Point Loma Wastewater facility,” Pedersen said. “Utilizing the existing SDG&E pipeline to transport the gas instead of trucking through our residential neighborhoods is a practical, green and safe solution.” For the remainder of this article, go here.

OB Historical Society Presents Local Photographer Steve Rowell in “Our Local Wildlife”

On Thursday, Jan 21st, at 7 p.m. at PL United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., the OB Historical Society will host local OB photographer Steve Rowell who will discuss our local wildlife… the animals in the area (not our local bar scene). Steve will show his extraordinary bird photos that he has taken over many years.

Rowell’s presentation includes his favorite birds, the OB Ospreys, who have set-up permanent residence at Robb Field. These Opreys have become Steve’s extended family. He’s tracked their history and photographed them for years. Come hear Steve’s interesting stories about the birds and wildlife in our area. For info. about Steve Rowell: www.oceanbeachphotos.com

OB Planning Board Meetings

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets on the First Wednesday of every month at 6:00PM at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center at 4726 Santa Monica Ave., so the full Board will meet on January 6, 2010.

The Ocean Beach Project Review Committee meets on the Third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center at 4726 Santa Monica Ave., so their next meeting is December 16, 2009, and then again on January 20, 2010.