Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

Church of the Nazarene Votes to Remove Head Pastor’s Credentials for ‘False Teachings’ on Human Sexuality

by Source on September 22, 2023 · 2 comments

in Civil Rights, Ocean Beach

By Elaine Alfaro / LomaBeat.com / Sept. 20, 2023

Senior pastor Dee Kelley at First Church of the Nazarene, located on Point Loma Nazarene University’s campus, stood trial within the Church of the Nazarene on Aug. 11, accused of spreading false teaching regarding human sexuality. The Regional Board of Discipline in the Church of the Nazarene determined him guilty and ultimately voted to remove his credentials.

The upset began after Kelley contributed an essay entitled “A Hope For Change” to Nazarene Theologian Thomas Jay Oord’s book, “Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQIA+ Affirming.”

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New Stroll at Pt Loma Native Plant Garden

by Source on September 22, 2023 · 0 comments

in Environment, Ocean Beach

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Another San Diego Community Planning Group Takes a Stand — Barrio Logan vs. Biofuel Company Pipeline

by Source on September 22, 2023 · 0 comments

in Environment, San Diego

By Emily Alvarenga / San Diego U-T / Sept. 21, 2023

After months of outcry from neighbors weary of pollution and wary of a growing industrial presence, a Barrio Logan biofuel company has withdrawn its plans for a pipeline connecting its warehouses.

Although New Leaf Biofuel said the project would cut down on truck traffic in a neighborhood already choked with diesel pollution, residents worried it would further cement the plant’s place in the community — and said it symbolized the failure to rid their community of the heavy industry that has long made it one of the city’s most polluted.

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Water’s Edge Congregation to Be Terminated on Christmas Eve, Church to Be Sold by Methodists

by Frank Gormlie on September 19, 2023 · 24 comments

in Ocean Beach

First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley, the parent church for Water’s Edge, wants to terminate the Water’s Edge congregation after 90 plus years, and sell the church.

Water’s Edge church — formerly Point Loma United Methodist –at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd — has for a number of years been functioning as a community center, home to its congregation, of course, and also for the OB Historical Society, the Pioneer School for developmentally disabled kids, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and several AA and NA groups who hold meetings there.

The Methodist trustees would like to see “affordable” housing go in on that corner, Saratoga and Sunset Cliffs. The church also owns the little duplex immediately west of the church school building on Saratoga Ave, which would also be sold.

Ironically, according to plan, the Methodist Church wants to terminate the Water’s Edge congregation on Christmas Eve. This is not a joke.

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The War on San Diego’s Planning Groups

September 19, 2023 by Source

Editordude: The following is by Kate Callen who is a candidate for the District 3 seat on the San Diego City Council.

By Kate Callen

Imagine if all democratically-elected officials had to “apply” to keep their jobs. And the candidates they defeated were invited to apply for those jobs. And the “winners” were chosen behind closed doors.

This is called “overturning elections,” and it’s exactly what is happening to San Diego’s 53 community planning groups, including District 3’s five groups: Downtown, Greater Golden Hill, Mission Valley, North Park, and Uptown.

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San Diego Joins Camping Ban Case Review by US Supreme Court

September 19, 2023 by Source

On Monday, in a closed session, the San Diego City Council voted 6 to 2 to join a city in Oregon that is asking the US Supreme Court to weigh in on the legality of its camping ban. After yesterday’s vote, San Diego will file an amicus brief, or a written submission with legal arguments and recommendations about the case.

San Diego is only joining the case as an “amicus curiae,” or a “friend of the court.” This means the city isn’t party to the case, but can get permission to submit briefs and arguments supporting the city in Oregon — Grants Pass. Of course, San Diego has a reason as it just recently implemented its own camping ban.

Tuesday, Sept. 19: City Council to Consider 20% Rate Increase for Our Water Bills

September 19, 2023 by Source

Today, Tuesday, Sept. 19, the San Diego City Council is scheduled to consider a nearly 20 percent rate-increase for water bills of local customers.

By David Garrick / San Diego Union-Tribune / Sept. 16, 2023

The increase, which city officials began studying last fall, would be the first comprehensive rate hike approved by the council in nearly eight years. It would include a 10.2 increase this December and an 8.75 percent jump in January 2025. City officials say they need additional revenue increases to cover rising costs for imported water, upgrades to thousands of aging pipes and a long list of short-term and long-term capital projects.

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San Diego Closes 2 La Jolla Areas to Protect Sea Lions

September 19, 2023 by Source

by Elizabeth Ireland / Times of San Diego / Sept. 18, 2023

The San Diego City Council Monday, Sept. 18, voted for a year-round closure of Boomer Beach and Point La Jolla, two areas that serve as California sea lion rookeries and areas which have been closed seasonally since 2021.

The closure area encompasses Point La Jolla and parts of Boomer Beach, specifically from the Conrad F. Limbaugh and Harold F. Riley commemorative plaque northwest of La Jolla Cove to the last gazebo above Boomer Beach northeast of Rocky Point.

City Wants to Fix Law That Brought Oversight to San Diego’s Surveillance Technologies, Advocates Want More Input

September 19, 2023 by Source

By Lyndsay Winkley / San Diego U-T / Sept. 17, 2023

A hard-won ordinance that brought oversight to San Diego’s many surveillance technologies needs critical fixes, officials say, or day-to-day operations the city relies on could come to a standstill. The new law, unanimously approved by City Council last September, stemmed from public outcry over the city’s mishandling of a network of thousands of smart streetlights.

Community members learned years after the high-tech lights were installed that police could access video and other data they captured. Over the past year, putting the ordinance into practice has been hampered by delays and legal quandaries.

OB Planners Project Review Com. : Valvoline Station and Dish Wireless — Wed., Sept. 20

September 18, 2023 by Source

This is the official agenda of the OB Planning Board’s Project Review Committee for Wednesday, Sept. 20 :

No Strikes Here: All Home Runs – Portuguese Hall Vintage Car Show

September 18, 2023 by Source

By Colleen O’Connor

A busy weekend at the Point. Sports fishing vessels packed. Duck boats touring the bay filled.

And Portuguese Hall celebrating the Festa Da Lapa Saturday night with folk dancers, food, and “late into the night” live music.

All followed by Sunday morning’s vintage car show.

San Diego’s ‘Crackdown’ on Scooters Has Dropped Use by 80% and Caused 3 of 4 Companies to Leave Town

September 18, 2023 by Source

By David Garrick / San Diego Union-Tribune / Sept. 16, 2023

San Diego’s year-old crackdown on electric scooters has had the unintended consequence of shrinking usage by 80 percent and prompting three of the four companies with city scooter contracts to cease local operations.

The number of annual rides since the new rules were approved in August 2022 plummeted from 3 million to 595,000 and Spin, Lime and Link have all left town, leaving Bird as San Diego’s lone scooter company.

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Hurricane Hilary Blamed for Rise In Ankle Biter Mosquitos

September 18, 2023 by Source

By Paige Austin / Patch / Sept. 16, 2023

It’s been more than three weeks since Hurricane Hilary dumped record August rain on California, and the rare summer storm’s impact on the mosquito population is hitting home, literally.

An uninvited houseguest is plaguing homes up and down California. It’s the Aedes aegypti, better known as the ankle-biter mosquito, one of the most vicious little bloodsuckers to invade the Golden State.

Biden’s Age

September 15, 2023 by Source

Bill Walton: ‘Todd Gloria Has Lied to Us’

September 15, 2023 by Source

By Bill Walton/ Times of San Diego / September 15, 2023

The nightmare continues. When people treat you like they don’t care, believe them.

Todd Gloria, in his more than 3 1/2 years as mayor of what used to be America’s Finest City, has lied to us. He lied to us about who he is, what he’s done, and what he’s going to do. These lies make us distrust him and his homeless policies. Todd Gloria’s ongoing misinformation propaganda campaign promoting the terrific job he’s doing is contrary to

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The Very Latest in the Internecine Warfare Within San Diego’s Democratic Party

September 15, 2023 by Source

By Ken Stone/ Times of San Diego /Sept. 15, 2023

Days after balking at demands that she apologize to Rep. Scott Peters and others, former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña on Tuesday sent San Diego County Democratic Party officials an 830-word memo titled “Re:Social Media statement corrections.”

In short, she apologized.

“I am writing to apologize for using incorrect and misleading punctuation in a social media post in July,” she told the party’s Ethics Committee and executive board. “As a retired teacher, I understand the importance of using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation in any writing, for clarity and accuracy.”

Today Is ‘Democracy Day’ — KPBS Looks at How Well It’s Doing in San Diego

September 15, 2023 by Source

By Amita Sharma / KPBS / September 15, 2023

As the world marks Democracy Day today, the United States’ system of representative government is under attack.

Despite dozens of court rulings to the contrary, nearly 70% of Republicans still believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen. In the last 10 years, more than 29 states have passed legislation making it tougher to vote. Censorship is on the rise. A growing number of Americans, from both parties, believe political violence is justified.

Greenpeace: ‘Huge’ Overfishing Problem Shows Ocean Treaty Needs to Be Ratified

September 14, 2023 by Source

By Romain Fonsegrives / Yahoo News / September 13, 2023

Overfishing in international waters has surged in the past five years and demonstrates the need to ratify a recent global treaty to protect the high seas, a Greenpeace report said Wednesday.

The non-governmental network is calling on as many countries as possible to sign the treaty next week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

OB Friends of the Library Book Sale at Vignettes Antiques — Sat., Sept.16

September 14, 2023 by Source

Far-Right Politicians Try to Muscle In on Citizens’ Revolt Over San Diego Housing Policies

September 13, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

Needless to say, but this summer witnessed a citizens’ revolt over San Diego housing policies, most noteworthy the showdown at the August 3 San Diego Planning Commission hearing on Senate Bill 10. (The Commission voted unanimously against the proposal and Mayor Gloria stated he was taking SB10 out of his housing package – although SB10 opponents won’t rest until it’s formally removed from the Housing Action Package.)

Yet, once the dust settled, one of San Diego’s most far-right politicians emerged to take credit for SB 10’s defeat. Enter Carl DeMaio. His team has since sent out an email to his followers which claimed:

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Reader Rant: ‘New Pier Designs Will Destroy OB’s World-Class Surf’

September 13, 2023 by Source

By Anonymous Surfer

I’ve been surfing OB for decades and as a teenager I remember the 1966 World Class Surfing Contest held at Ocean Beach. Every year since there’s been important surfing contests in the waves right off the OB Pier.

I think now that the new designs for the OB Pier are horrible and will destroy the very surf spot that has put OB on the surfing map.

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Jesus Living On in Chicano Park

September 13, 2023 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

Every time I’d look over
at my good brother, Jesus Nieto,
while a rapper
was doing his thing
to funk beats
or while other music played
or while the Kumeyaay elders prayed,
blessing this rather sublime day,
he’d be sitting back in his wheelchair
wearing that soft gentle smile of his
on his contented face

‘The Piers of Ocean Beach’ by OB Historical Society — Thursday, Sept.21 — at the Pier

September 13, 2023 by Source

25th Annual OB Pancake Breakfast — Sat., Sept.16

September 13, 2023 by Source

The Ocean Beach Town Council will hold the 25th annual Pier Pancake Breakfast on Ocean Beach Pier from 7:30 AM to noon on Saturday, September 16th.

This annual community tradition kicks off their big fundraising season for the Ocean Beach Food and Toy Drive which helps as many 100 local families and seniors in need during the upcoming holiday season.

San Diego County’s Shrinking Beaches

September 12, 2023 by Source

By Phil Diehl/ San Diego U-T / Sept. 10, 2023

San Diego County’s beaches need costly, sustained replenishment efforts to remain the wide, sandy tourist attractions they have been for so long, a new regional study shows.

Shorelines in south Oceanside, south Carlsbad, Leucadia and Coronado are shrinking fast, according to the 2023 “State of the Coast” report released Thursday by the San Diego Association of Governments.

The Saga of the Street Lights on Abbott – Short Video by Charles Landon

September 12, 2023 by Source

Here’s a short video by Charles Landon of “The Sage of the Street Lights on Abbott.”

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Midway Rising Sports Arena Update — Tuesday, Sept.12

September 12, 2023 by Source

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Parents and Students Rallied at Correia for Safety Concerns and Due to ‘Dismissive’ Response by School Officials

September 11, 2023 by Staff

Forum at Correia Planned for Monday, Sept. 11.

Last Thursday morning, Sept 7, a group of parents and students stood outside Correia Middle School on Valeta Street before the bell rang with some holding signs that read “See something, say something,” “Believe them,” and “Zero tolerance for guns at school.”

The small rally was organized by parents concerned about reports of a gun on campus being brandished plus allegations of sexual harassment by boys from over a dozen girl students. Also, part of parents’ grief was the milquetoast response by school officials that denigrated parents’ concerns and students’ claims.