Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

Presentation on OB Library Expansion Plans – Tuesday, May 31

by Source on May 23, 2022 · 0 comments

in Ocean Beach

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Middle School Students Beautify and Inspire Point Loma

by Source on May 23, 2022 · 0 comments

in Ocean Beach

Generations Keeping Point Loma “Festa” Traditions and Beauty Alive

By Colleen O’Connor

The flags are up, the bunting unraveled, and the volunteers are prepping for Point Loma’s 2022 “Festa” or Feast of the Holy Spirit, which celebrates the city’s oldest ethnic festival and commemorates Portugal’s Queen St. Isabel.

Portuguese Hall and St. Agnes Church will provide the customary venues for the tradition of nightly rosary prayers and end with a celebratory Mass and parade on June 5th.

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San Diego’s ‘No Fault’ Eviction Moratorium Now In Effect

by Staff on May 23, 2022 · 0 comments

in Ocean Beach, San Diego

San Diego’s new eviction moratorium just went into effect Sunday, May 22, and is now the rule that prevent landlords from removing tenants for ‘no fault’ reasons. It applies to renters who are up-to-date on their rent payments and abiding by the terms of their leases.

With the moratorium in place, if a landlord or family member wants to move into the unit, they need to provide the tenant with 90 days-notice. If they want to take the property off the rental market, they now must provide six months-notice.

The ‘no fault’ eviction moratorium is set to expire September 30 — or 60 days after the pandemic state of emergency ends, whichever comes first.

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Forum: Who’s Paying for Misleading Attack Ads to Suppress Voter Turnout in the City Council District 2 Election? – Sunday, May 22

by Source on May 21, 2022 · 6 comments

in Election, Ocean Beach

OB Rag Reporter Geoff Page One of Panelists

From Lori Saldaña for City Council

Three local investigative journalists will conduct an educational forum on Sunday, May 22 at 7:00 PM, to discuss a San Diego Political Action Committee (PAC) that is filling District 2 mailboxes with false and misleading attack ads.

The ads began in early May, and are intended to suppress votes in support of San Diego City Council candidate and former California Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña.

Panelists include retired journalists JW August (KGTV) and Paul Kreuger (KNSD) and current investigative reporter Geoff Page. Page has written detailed articles in the OB Rag investigating the blatant lies included in direct mail pieces being delivered to voters throughout District 2, starting in early May as ballots arrived.

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A Video Ode to Jeff Stone

by Source on May 20, 2022 · 1 comment

in Ocean Beach

The video Ode to Jeff Stone is by Charles Landon with original music and lyrics by Phil Rockhold.

Jeff Stone adopted Ocean Beach in the late 1970s and he and his sweetheart Carole Landon raised their two sons, CJ and Cody from their house on Long Branch. Born on May 25, 1946, in New Jersey, Jeff passed on March 8.

Always the artist and intellectual, Jeff took on several personas during his OB life’s path: an oil painter, the drummer for the local punk band, “Bowling for Larva,” a photographer, a surfer, an Irish nationalist – but always the teacher. Jeff loved kids and he loved to teach them– which he did for decades. He constantly ran into former students as he moved about town and they always expressed their appreciation for him.
Come Inside for the Vid

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SDG&E Wants to Raise Its Rates Even More

May 20, 2022 by Source

San Diego Gas and Electric — which already charges its customers the highest electrical rate in the country — now wants to raise gas and electric bills even more — by almost 9 percent. This would begin in 2024 if state regulators authorize a proposed four-year spending plan submitted this week by the utility.

That means a typical residential customer would see their utility bills jump around $18 per month, according to the utility. (SDG&E defines “typical residential customer” as a user of 400 kwh hours of electricity and 24 therms of gas per month.)

New COVID Numbers for San Diego County Don’t Lie

May 20, 2022 by Source

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Dancing for a Better Humanity

May 20, 2022 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

I sat
the other day
as a dancer,
a Black woman,
moved her body and feet
to African rhythms and beats,
giving honor
to how Black arts
have enriched humanity
since near the dawning
of our species.

As she danced
a young aspiring White supremacist,

San Diego 2022 Homeless Count by 1,400 Volunteers Finds 10% Increase in 2 Years

May 20, 2022 by Source

From Regional Task Force on Homelessness

2022 Point in Time Count Data Released

Data shows progress and opportunities, provides insights into who is experiencing homelessness in San Diego County

The Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) on Thursday, May 19, released the topline results from the 2022 WeAllCount Point-in-Time Count, a one-day snapshot of the minimum number of San Diegans living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, safe havens and on our streets and along our riverbeds.

Lessons From the Network for Public Education Conference in Philadelphia

May 19, 2022 by Source

By Thomas Ultican / Tultican

The Downtown Double Tree Hotel where the Network for Public Education (NPE) conference was held has great meeting facilities.

Over the May Day weekend of learning and being inspired, it was an easy trek from the five joint sessions in the large room to the six smaller breakout sessions. The difficult part was picking which of the eight panels available in each breakout sessions to attend.

Sunset Cliffs Teen Heroes Awarded Highest Civilian Honor for 2020 Rescues

May 19, 2022 by Source

Two teens from Arizona rescued two girls in the waters off Sunset Cliffs back in July 2020. Now, they’ve both been awarded the Carnegie Hero Award for their heroism and bravery.

Zachary Haugen and Jake Watson rescued an 18-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl who had been swept into the sea at the cliffs. there during a swell event. And the whole thing was caught on video. The dramatic rescue was considered heroic by many onlookers.

Sempra Joins Pile-On Against Saldaña, Helps Fund Attack Group ‘New San Diego’

May 19, 2022 by Frank Gormlie

Veteran politics writer Matt Potter over at San Diego Reader has just contributed to our understanding of just who and what are attacking City Council candidate Lori Saldaña.

Potter found out that giant Sempra Energy, “which maintains one of Sacramento’s biggest influence peddling operations,” is funding the attack group New San Diego that has targeted Saldaña.

Repeating much of what Rag writer Geoff Page reported on in who has donated to the group mailing out hit pieces, Potter did state:

Sempra made its $2500 donation to New San Diego on December 20, per the corporation’s Major Donor filing for the year 2021, dated January 22, 2022.

The San Diego Establishment Is Really Afraid of Lori Saldaña

May 19, 2022 by Source

By Geoff Page

Here is what passes for leadership in city council District 2. This came out yesterday:

Breaking: Lori Saldaña Caught Lying to Voters Again, Taking Money From Big Polluters

Lori Saldaña, candidate for San Diego City Council, has been caught lying to San Diego voters about her record of accepting campaign contributions and lavish gifts from California’s biggest fossil fuel polluters.

Saldaña is papering San Diego neighborhoods with seemingly bold claims that she ‘never’ takes money from fossil fuel corporations, but just a quick google reveals that’s yet another bold-faced lie from a politician with an already established reputation for saying and doing virtually anything to advance her political career.

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Help! People make fun of my outdated vocabulary

May 19, 2022 by Source

By Edwin Decker

Dear Ed, recently I used the word “bling” to describe my niece’s jewelry (in a complimentary way). I thought I was using a modern term, but she sneered that the word is passé and that saying it shows my age (I’m 42). This is not the first time she has criticized my word usage. She and others have commented that my vocabulary is often out of touch. I really don’t want to go around sounding like an old fogey so my question is, how can I tell when a term is outdated?

With appreciation,
Not That Old Fogey

Dear Fogey, for starters, don’t say “fogey.” Unless you’re describing a horror movie murder swamp with machine-generated fog (faux-gey), I’d stay away from that word. Kidding aside, the way one determines if a term is outdated is simple. If you are over 30, assume that by the time you hear what you think is a new, hip word or phrase, it no longer is.

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Charlie Collier and the Point Loma Railroad

May 18, 2022 by Source

How OB’s True Founder Built a Rail Line to Point Loma and Ocean Beach – Traces You Can See Today

By Eric DuVall / Pt Loma – OB Monthly / May 16, 2022

As the sands of time drifted into the 20th century, conditions remained very nice at the mussel beds on the west side of Point Loma. Nice and slow, that is. The surf crashed, the gulls laughed as they sailed along with the sea breeze, and wildflowers carpeted the dunes.

Why Is Gil Cabrera – Chairman of Airport Authority Board and Founder of New San Diego – Publishing Smear Mailers About Lori Saldaña?

May 18, 2022 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The founder and sole member of the New San Diego political action committee that is publishing smear mailers about Lori Saldaña is none other than Mayor Todd Gloria’s friend Guillermo “Gil” Cabrera.

Confirmation that Cabrera was the founder and only member of New San Diego came from Cabrera himself during a phone call May 17. A call was placed to his office and a voice message was left asking for a call back. The message was clear that the call was about the New San Diego PAC.

So, who is Gil Cabrera? His name may be familiar because he is the new chair of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board.

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The GOP’s Whining Formula

May 18, 2022 by Source

‘Clothing Swap’ at OB Woman’s Club – Thursday, May 19

May 18, 2022 by Source

This Thursday, May 19, the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club is hosting a “Clothing Swap.”

Here’s how it works:

Bring as much as you want, leave with as much as you want.

Bring whatever clothes and accessories you don’t wear anymore and swap them out for ones you will.

OB Pier Closed Temporarily Until Utility Line Repaired

May 17, 2022 by Source

Expanding Nuclear Power to Fight Climate Change Would Be Insanity

May 17, 2022 by Source

by Sarah Mosko/ Times of San Diego / May 17, 2022

Former nuclear regulatory top dogs from the United States, France, Germany and Great Britain recently issued a joint statement opposing expansion of nuclear power as a strategy to combat climate change. Why? There’s not a single good reason to build new nuclear plants.

Here are ten solid reasons not to.

1. Nuclear is too slow. The new generation of proposed commercial nuclear plants, so called Advanced and Small Modular Reactors, is decades away in designing and building.

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Tuesday, May 17: City Council Expected to Approve Short Term Rental Regulations for San Diego

May 17, 2022 by Frank Gormlie

Today, Tuesday, May 17, the San Diego City Council will make history by voting in new regulations for short term vacation rentals. It’s been a long haul — some say 7 years the battle over STVRs has been going on in the city.

Once the the Coastal Commission approved the new rules by a 12-0 vote in March of this year, it was a green light for Jen Campbell’s proposal to go back before council for its final approval.

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San Diego to Host 8 Community Forums on Barriers Entering Legal Cannabis Industry – May 23 – June 16

May 17, 2022 by Frank Gormlie

While the City of San Diego plans to make key changes to how it regulates the local cannabis industry, city officials are hosting eight community forums this spring to encourage residents to speak about barriers they’ve encountered in entering the legal cannabis industry.

Residents will also be asked about any ideas they may have for ways to make the industry more inclusive. The forums, which are being held in neighborhoods with relatively high minority populations, will take place May 23 through June 16. There will also be a June 15 forum on Zoom.

‘Romantic Old Roseville’ Presented by Ocean Beach Historical Society – Thursday, May 19

May 17, 2022 by Source

Everyone is invited to the Ocean Beach Historical Society’s presentation on “Romantic Old Roseville” by Kitty McDaniel.

Please join them for the free program Thursday, May 19 at 7 pm at Water’s Edge Community, 1984 Sunset cliffs Blvd.

OB Library Now Open – 4 Days a Week With Limited Hours

May 16, 2022 by Staff

The Ocean Beach branch of the San Diego Library opened today, May 16, and currently has a limited hour schedule and is only open for 4 days a week. But it’s open and it has opened even before it was “scheduled” to reopen.

Here are the new hours:

Monday and Tuesday: Hours are 11:30 am to 8 pm.

Wednesday and Thursday: Hours are 9:30 am to 6 pm.

The U-T Endorses Either Saldaña or Day for District 2 City Council Race

May 16, 2022 by Source

The following are the comments about District 2 endorsements by the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board:

District 2: Joel Day and Lori Saldaña

There’s a lot to unpack in this race, so we’ll stick to the highlights — or lowlights.

Incumbent and former City Council President Jennifer Campbell might seem like the frontrunner

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New Addition Destroys Original Design Intent at Salk Institute

May 16, 2022 by Source

By Sheila Pell / San Diego Reader

A dispute over an addition to the Salk Institute in La Jolla has ended. Last week, the Planning Commission denied an appeal claiming the proposed design ruins the historic integrity of the East Torrey Pines building.

It’s like installing a two-story-high picket fence around Stonehenge, as one critic put it.

‘Hostile Architecture’ Another Obstacle for San Diego’s Houseless

May 16, 2022 by Source

By Heather Hope / CBS8

From armrests in the middle of benches to large rocks added underneath bridges and along sidewalks, some homeless advocates in San Diego call these designs “hostile architecture” or anti-homeless. In Hillcrest along University Avenue, it’s not hard to spot a metal bench at MTS bus stops with armrests that prevent people from sleeping on them.

MTS spokesperson Mark Olson says the benches are industry standard. “Prevents people from sleeping on them, so multiple people can sit down. Partitions also offer dedicated space to sit and help people with mobility issues stand up to get on the bus,” said Olson, via text message.

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‘We Won’t Go Back’ – Bans Off Our Bodies Rally in San Diego – Sat., May 14

May 13, 2022 by Source

Our country is facing a healthcare crisis. We invite you to show up for reproductive rights and freedom now!

UPDATED: District 2 Candidates Forum – at Liberty Station – Wed., May 18

May 13, 2022 by Source