Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

The Widder Curry Asks: ‘Who Is Going to Pay my Electric Bills?’

by Judi Curry on August 16, 2022 · 4 comments

in Ocean Beach

By Judi Curry

I heard this was coming. This, plus the proposed increase to my water bills, has me pondering if I should go back to teaching. After all, there is a teacher shortage, and at my age I might just have to go back to work just to pay my utility bills.

Yeah, I can hear you now! What the hell is the old negative widder talking about now? You mean you don’t know? What fun to be able to show you a copy of a “flash” from the Union/Tribune just a few days ago. Ready?

News Alert
Aug. 11, 2022
For subscribers: San Diego looks to eliminate nearly all natural gas by 2035. What does that mean for your home?
A dramatic update of city’s Climate Action Plan aims to retrofit 90% of buildings, including homes. But a cost estimate is still to come.

I don’t know about those of you that cook, but as a gourmet cook that has written three cookbooks

4 comments

‘What’s Up with the Mayors App?’

by Source on August 15, 2022 · 13 comments

in Ocean Beach, San Diego

Part 5

By Colleen O’Connor

How many ways? How many times? How many places? How many photos? Does it take to clean up the city?

This is the fifth attempt to get Mayor Todd Gloria and members of the City Council to leave their white tablecloth lunches and walk just 8 blocks from their offices to see what residents, visitors, businesses, postal workers and taxpayers must wade through every day.

It is a disgrace as these photos demonstrate. It is also a serious health risk amid both a COVID and monkeypox medical emergencies.

We should be appalled. In fact, most San Diegans are more than that. They are outraged.

13 comments

Remembering the ‘Door of Hope’ Program at Collier Park West by OB Historical Society, Thurs., Aug. 18

by Source on August 2, 2022 · 0 comments

in History, Ocean Beach

The Ocean Beach Historical Society invites you to bring your picnic to this FREE Special Event and Learn About “Door of Hope”, Thurs. Aug, 18, 2022 at 5 pm, at Collier Park West (At Greene St. & Soto St., in northeast Ocean Beach – San Diego, CA 92107) Bring your own picnic & gear.

Some older Point Loma and Ocean Beach residents may remember the odd buildings which once sat in the middle of Collier Park west. The buildings, which were part of the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope, included a dormitory style home for pregnant unwed mothers, a nursing facility, and the Collier Park Hospital. Collier Park west is still there, but it has been divided into a small park for picnics, a community garden, and a native plant oasis. A condo development has replaced the Door of Hope buildings.

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August 2022 Events From the Ocean Beach Green Center

by Source on August 1, 2022 · 6 comments

in Environment, Ocean Beach

All events are online and free unless stated otherwise.

Every Saturday 10:30 am. Climate Mobilization Coalition Zoom Meeting 20th and 27th.

Help save Friendship Park Sign the petition: Friendship Park / El Parque de La Amistad is an historic bi-national meeting place on the U.S.-Mexico border.

June 17th – September 7th “The Buses Are Coming.”

August 18 Thurs. 5 pm PICNIC and Learn About “Door of Hope”; The Ocean Beach Historical Society invites you to bring a PICNIC to this FREE Special Event and Learn About “Door of Hope”, Thurs. Aug, 18, 2022 at 5 pm, at Collier Park West (At Greene St. & Soto St., San Diego, CA 92107) Bring your own picnic Food & gear.

August 18th Thursday 4:30pm – 7:30pm Summer Social! a reading by Daniele Horton – Earth’s Climate Heroes.

August 20th Saturday 11 am – 1pm San Diego Fixit Clinic in Lemon Grove E

6 comments

City Announces It Will Replace the Ocean Beach Pier

by Staff on August 12, 2022 · 21 comments

in Ocean Beach

Planning for long-term project to be led by task force of locals and city staff

The City of San Diego has just announced it will replace the Ocean Beach Pier.

Planning for what will be an expensive and long-term project will be advised by a task force made up nominated local OBceans and city staff.

James Nagelvoort, director for the Strategic Capital Projects Department, made this announcement:

21 comments

Brittney Needs Our Love More Than Our Ridicule

August 12, 2022 by Ernie McCray

This is the third in a series on Brittney Griner by Ernie. (Here’s No. 1 and No. 2)

by Ernie McCray

Seems, at times,
that our nation
has trouble loving,
caring,
as evidenced
by so many
people finding joy
in Brittney Griner’s
9-year sentence
for weed possession
in a Russian prison,

Part 2 of Ocean Beach’s Coastal Access – A Power Point Presentation

August 12, 2022 by Source

Here is Part 2 of Kevin Hasting’s “Coastal Access in Ocean Beach – 2022 Update.” (Part 1 here.)

Kevin is the vice-chair of the OB Planning Board and made the this power point presentation at the board’s most recent meeting.

Coastal Access in Ocean Beach – 2022 Update: Power Point Presentation – Part 1

August 11, 2022 by Source

Kevin Hastings, the vice-chair of the Ocean Beach Planning Board — and OB’s foremost expert on the status of the different ocean access points — has put together a power point presentation on the “Coastal Access in Ocean Beach – 2022 Update.” He gave the presentation at the last OBPB meeting.

The Rag has split Kevin’s presentation into 2 parts. Here is Part 1:

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Little to Show in Affordable Housing After 5 Years of Collecting Developer Fees Under Atkins’ SB2

August 11, 2022 by Source

Since 2017, California has collected more than $1.6 billion in real estate fees to fund affordable housing after Sen. Toni Atkins ushered SB 2 through the Legislature. Less than a quarter has been disbursed and San Diego’s cost of living has soared.

by Catherine Allen / Voice of San Diego / August 10, 2022

In 2017, the state passed SB 2, a law its sponsors said would alleviate the cost of shelter in California by providing an ongoing source of affordable housing funds in an industry that mostly relies on single-use money.

New Departure Path for San Diego Airport ‘to Reduce Plane Noise Over Point Loma’

August 11, 2022 by Source

by Dave Schwab / Peninsula Beacon / August 10, 2022

The Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a new San Diego International Airport (SAN) departure procedure intended to lessen noise impacts to areas in the flight path, by having planes fly further out over the ocean before turning back south of Point Loma.

The new ZZOOO3 departure procedure was implemented by the FAA based on a recommendation made first by the Airport Noise Advisory Committee (ANAC) subcommittee.

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Coastal Commission Grants SeaWorld’s 4th Coaster in 6 Years

August 11, 2022 by Source

By Lori Weisberg / San Diego Union-Tribune / Aug. 10, 2022

SeaWorld’s fourth roller coaster in six years got the green light Wednesday from the California Coastal Commission, setting the stage for a possible opening next year.

While the San Diego marine park continues to keep details and renderings of the attraction under wraps, what is known is that it is being designed as a more family-friendly ride that will not exceed 30 feet in height.

San Diego Mayor and Council Ignored Promises of a Full, Open Public Discussion on the Ash Street Litigation

August 10, 2022 by Source

By Paul Krueger / Presidio Sentinel / August 9, 2022

There were many reasons for the City Council to soundly defeat Mayor Todd Gloria’s ill-conceived settlement proposal for the Ash Street litigation. But one very important factor was lost in the machinations that led to the council’s July 26 approval of the settlement.

One month earlier, on June 27, Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and the Mayor abruptly withdrew a previously scheduled discussion vote on the proposed settlement. At that time, the council president and Mayor said they were delaying the vote to give taxpayers more time to study the proposed deal.

‘Oh, Yes! Let’s Raise the Water Rates – Again!’

August 10, 2022 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

Two days ago, I received in the mail, as I am sure that almost all of you did, a notice from the San Diego Public Utilities Commission notifying us of a “Notice of Public Hearing.”

And what is this hearing about? A “Proposed Increase to Water Rates,” to be considered by the San Diego City Council. (In case you did not receive the notice the public hearing will be held September 20, 2022, at 2:00pm.)

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Liz Cheney’s Master Class in Politics: Part II

August 10, 2022 by Source

By Colleen O’Connor

In May of last year, I wrote a column with a rather outlandish prediction:

“A terrifying defeat looms for Trump. As I wrote about the 2020 Presidential race, ‘It is not Biden v. Trump, but COVID-19 v. Trump.’ And COVID-19 won.”

“In 2022, it will not be Biden v. Trump, but Cheney v. Trump. Imagine losing once to a virus and a second time to a woman.”

Yet, here we are. Possibly within reach. Liz Cheney, against all odds, might prevail in her primary election race this coming Tuesday in Wyoming.

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The Bad Math and Bad Faith Behind San Diego’s Housing Policies

August 9, 2022 by Source

A Deep Dive Into San Diego’s “Regional Housing Needs”

By Mat Wahlstrom

On July 13, there was an extraordinary story by Voice of San Diego on San Diego’s current Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA, pronounced “ree-na”) cycle, which was implemented in 2021. This mandates the number of units that a city must have planned to be built by 2029, or else face having more of their oversight on land-use decisions transferred to Sacramento.

And what’s extraordinary about it is that, for once, the RHNA projections were called out as the farce that experts usually only privately admit they are. No less than *the* go-to guy on local land-use economics, Gary London, was quoted as saying, “I don’t think it’s possible” to meet the state’s RHNA goals, as “15,000 units a year is a fantasy.”

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PETA Files Complaint Against SeaWorld for Keeping Incompatible Animals Together, Following Death of 21-Year Old Orca

August 9, 2022 by Source

By Times of San Diego Editor / August8, 2022

PETA has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, calling on the agency to investigate SeaWorld San Diego after an incident that apparently took place Friday.

The animal activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is accusing the park of federal Animal Welfare Act violations over housing incompatible animals together. The filing came about, the organization said, after a park-goer sent in video of a clash among orcas Friday morning at the attraction.

Here Is the Background to SeaWorld’s Orca ‘Nakai’ Who Just Died of Infection

August 9, 2022 by Source

Here is the report on Nakai By Cara Wilson-Granat

Prisoner #7: Nakai

Sweet-natured Nakai was born on September 1, 2001. His claim to fame is that he was the very first orca to be conceived through artificial insemination.

Miramar Air Show Fuels the Climate Crisis – Boycott It!

August 9, 2022 by Source

By Gary Butterfield

As the visible effects of climate change resound throughout the earth, it becomes increasingly important that all of us do our part to responsibly reduce our carbon footprints. This is especially true in San Diego, since our oceans and our coasts are at high risk of damage by climate change.

San Diegans are asked to modify our behaviors to lessen our carbon usage; we must demand the same commitment from our institutions. Many local municipalities are revealing actions to help implement a meaningful Climate Action Plan to secure a Zero Carbon Future for their citizens. So far none of these plans address the military’s contribution to the climate crisis!

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OB Community Garden Events – Saturday, August 13

August 9, 2022 by Source

Rape by San Diego State Football Players 10 Months Ago Still Has Gone Unpunished

August 8, 2022 by Frank Gormlie

The following is based on news accounts but edited on the premise that the victim, her family and friends are telling the truth.

Close to Halloween last year in October 2021, a then 17-year old woman, as yet publicly identified, was out with friends on a Saturday night. She wore a costume. They had heard about a night house party so she and her friends decided to check it out.

Once at the party, she either began or continued to drive alcohol and was intoxicated. At some point, she was approached by a man who made small talk and offered her a drink. He then led her to a room. Other men were there.

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The ‘Rogues’ Gallery’ Behind the Ash Street Deal

August 8, 2022 by Source

The following was originally published on April 27, 2022 under a different headline, “Omertà, San Diego Style.”

By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner / April 27, 2022

Let’s pretend we’re hotshot detectives in a Netflix blockbuster about a real estate deal gone bad … really bad. The action takes place in San Diego, where most every city official — past and present — is hell-bent on burying the evidence.

But prepare yourselves: this whodunit is a true story about real perps, real victims, real consequences, and a labyrinth of backroom deals, tangled networks, secret handshakes, and a really convoluted chain of events.

So far, here’s what our rogues’ gallery looks like:

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Dog Complaints in Ocean Beach Bring Vow to ‘Kick Humane Society in Butt’

August 8, 2022 by Source

By Steven Mihailovich, Rob Vardon / Pt Loma OB Monthly / Aug. 4, 2022

In response to an Ocean Beach resident’s complaints about leashed and unleashed dogs running around beaches during prohibited hours, a San Diego city representative said officials would be asking the San Diego Humane Society — the city’s contractor for animal-control enforcement — about its practices and possibly “kicking them in the butt” if it’s not issuing enough citations.

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A Good Time to Question the Militarization of Students in Our Schools

August 8, 2022 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

So sad
that law makers,
U.S. Senators,
with all the power
in their possession
to do wonderful things,
knowing
that there are ex-servicemen and women
who have fallen ill
from breathing in poisonous air
in the battles in Iraq and Afghanistan,
chose, instead of lending them a hand,
to play games,

Read the full article → 14 comments

Community Meeting to Explore Replacing Ocean Beach Pier’s July 4th Fireworks – August 25

August 8, 2022 by Mike James

Luminosity Festival Envisioned as Planning Begins to Find Alternatives

by Mike James

With structural issues to the Ocean Beach Pier, fireworks are no longer logistically viable in the foreseeable future. Plus with the environmental concerns and the psychological effects fireworks have on both humans and animals, many feel it is time to explore alternative ways to celebrate Independence Day.

On July 3rd, 1776, one of our Founding Fathers, John Adams penned a letter to his wife Abigail, envisioning future festivities to commemorate the Declaration of Independence. He wrote:

San Diego’s Surveillance Technology Now Under City Council Oversight

August 5, 2022 by Source

The San Diego City Council on Tuesday, August 2, gave final approval in an unanimous vote to a new privacy and technology ordinance that will place the City’s surveillance technology under the Council’s oversight.

The passage of the “Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology” ordinance was the result of a long three year effort by more than 30 community organizations that make up a coalition called TRUST SD (Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology San Diego). Work on an ordinance began after residents learned in 2019 that the city had installed a network of about 3,000 cameras on streetlights

You Are Invited to the ‘Top of the Point’ – the Sefton Garden – for a Summer Festival – Sat., August 6

August 5, 2022 by Source

From Point Loma Association Newsletter

Top of the Point

You can drive right up to the place, but chances are slim you’d ever just happen to drive by it. The Sefton mansion, on the crest of Point Loma and Ocean Beach, is 110 years old. Looks terrific in the above photo. But over the years it came upon hard times – foreclosure, condemnation.

Restaurant Review – Sabor Brazilian Grill in the Midway

August 4, 2022 by Judi Curry

Restaurant Review

Sabor Brazilian Grill
3944 West Point Loma Avenue
Midway District
San Diego CA 92110
619-736-1383

By Judi Curry

The last primary election that was held in San Diego introduced me to a new group of people interested in the same solutions for our community as I have. It has been a refreshing, and exciting time. As we get to know each other better, we are branching out and doing more than discussing political aspects of San Diego.

This day was a perfect example, because I went out to lunch with Mandy Havlik, a current elected member of the Peninsula Community Planning Board and former city council candidate. There are several new restaurants that have opened in the Ocean Beach/ Point Loma area. We decided to try Sabor Brazilian Grill. It is located just behind Grocery Outlet to the north.

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All Men Are ‘Real’

August 4, 2022 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

“Gay Black men
are not ‘real’ men”
I heard a brother say
and all I know about him
is he’s ensnared in naivete
because some of the “realist” people I know
happened to be gay,
as there’s nothing
more “real”
than Langston Hughes’ poetry
in opposition
to the injustice and oppression
of Africans trapped in America,

Read the full article → 9 comments

Abortion Is Now Banned in These States

August 4, 2022 by Source

Access to abortion in roughly half the country has changed swiftly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers, patients, lawyers and state officials are scrambling to interpret a cascade of confusing and often conflicting antiabortion legislation, some of it written a century ago.

Thirteen states had “trigger bans” designed to take effect shortly after Roe was struck down. At least eight states banned the procedure the day the ruling was released. While, in Kansas, voters rejected a state constitutional amendment that would have eliminated protections for abortion.

Update on Long Branch’s Dead Torrey Pine – Video

August 4, 2022 by Source

Carole Landon-Stone, who has been leading her block into getting the city — or someone — to take down the dead Torrey Pine at 4633 Long Branch, is sharing a short video she took this morning, Thursday, August 4, when a city survey crew came out to measure any changes in the tree’s movement.

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Recall of Banana Boat Sunscreen in California

August 4, 2022 by Source

California residents and visitors spraying on sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun’s rays should check which product they’re using because of a recent recall.

The parent company of Banana Boat sunscreen products has issued a voluntary recall of several batches of the brand’s hair and scalp sunscreen spray because it may contain a cancer-causing chemical known as benzene. The recall impacts the following products: