September 2011

Hal Brody’s Point Loma Home, the CIMTRA Dome – Green Living in the City

September 30, 2011 by Annie Lane

My mother (like yours, I’m sure) always told me never to judge a book by its cover. So it was fitting when she told me we’d be attending an open house to see the newly built dome house nearby that can best be described as … well … ugly.

Without even asking the street name, I knew the one she was talking about. A while back, I’d been driving along that block of Sterne Street in Point Loma, rubbernecked, slammed on my brakes, reversed and stared in awe at the monstrosity before me. It was as if someone had dropped a giant igloo on top of someone else’s house. I was sure the people crushed underneath were furious.

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A Tour and Question and Answer Session to Be Held at Ocean Park Villas Site – Noon on Saturday, October 1

September 29, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

In the late afternoon on Tuesday, September 27th, a dozen activists sat around the long table at Newbreaks at the beach. Sitting and talking at the table where some sipped coffee were local merchants, planning board members and grassroots activists. The atmosphere was friendly – but the folks there were serious.

They all had come together to discuss what to do about the coming approval by the California Coastal Commission of the newly-designed project called the Ocean Park Villas. The project – long controversial in OB – is facing a “go-ahead” at the Commission’s meeting Thursday, October 6th, because “Coastal” staff has recommended its approval. The future project would be at the southwest corner of Abbott Street and Saratoga Avenue.

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On the Border: 3 Years and 30,000 Incidents of Human Rights Abuse

September 29, 2011 by Source

Allegations range from Border Patrol agents denying food and water to adults and children in detention for several days, to purposely separating families during deportation.

Those are the findings of a new report released by the Arizona humanitarian aid organization No More Deaths.

The report, “A Culture of Cruelty,” documents 30,000 incidents of human rights abuses against undocumented immigrants in short-term detention between fall 2008 and spring 2011.

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Local TV Report: Ocean Beach Vet-Tech Dog Owner Is Certain Her Dogs Were Poisoned

September 29, 2011 by Source

A distraught dog owner is searching for answers on Wednesday after her two dogs were apparently poisoned from eating hot dogs placed outside.

“I just can’t believe someone would do this,” said Deb Powell as she choked back tears. “I’m completely devastated.”

Powell calls Delilah, a 3-year-old lab mix and Ed, a 5-year-old pit bull mix her “babies.”

On Monday at about noon, she was with the dogs at the dog run behind the Ocean Beach condo units that she owns.

“Ed went straight… [to] the corner next to some cots and ate something,” said Powell.

Powell reached into the dog’s mouth but he had already eaten it. She was not sure what Ed ate, but several hours later, her neighbor screamed at her to come outside.

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President Obama: A disaster for civil liberties

September 29, 2011 by Source

He may prove the most disastrous president in our history in terms of civil liberties.

By Jonathan Turley / LA Times / September 29, 2011

With the 2012 presidential election before us, the country is again caught up in debating national security issues, our ongoing wars and the threat of terrorism. There is one related subject, however, that is rarely mentioned: civil liberties. Protecting individual rights and liberties — apart from the right to be tax-free — seems barely relevant to candidates or voters.

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6,000 California Inmates in Round 2 of Prison Hunger Strike

September 29, 2011 by Source

Round 2, Day 4: Strike Expands & Exposes ‘Perfect Storm’ in CA

by prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity / September 29, 2011

As released yesterday, Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity has confirmed that at least 6,000 California prisoners in jails, General Population, Administrative Segregation (Ad-Seg/ASU) and Security Housing Units (SHUs) are hunger striking for the human rights of California’s SHU-status prisoners. We have confirmed prisoners are striking at Pelican Bay, Calipatria, CCI Tehachapi, Centinela, Corcoran, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, and West Valley Detention Center.

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What it Will Take to Make Renewable Energy a Reality in the US

September 29, 2011 by Source

Wind and solar sources make up almost half of all new electricity generation in Europe, but we’re far behind in the U.S. — so what gives?

Renewable energy is essential if we are to avert disastrous climate change caused by carbon-dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. Yet despite significant recent growth, less than 2 percent of the about 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity the U.S. generates a year comes from solar or wind power. More than two-thirds still comes from coal, natural gas or oil, and 20 percent from nuclear power. Meanwhile, the world’s total reserves of oil, gas, coal, and uranium are expected to run out by the end of the century, especially as electricity consumption increases.

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Can a Movement Save the American Dream?

September 29, 2011 by Source

The modern American dream was inspired by a growing middle class that was the triumph of democracy after World War II. Its promise was and is opportunity: that hard work can earn a good life—a good job with decent pay and security, a home in a safe neighborhood, affordable healthcare, a secure retirement, a good education for the kids. The promise always exceeded the performance—especially with regard to racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants and women—and America never did as well as Europe in lifting the poor from misery. But a broad middle class and a broadly shared prosperity at least provided the possibility of a way up.

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Indian Tribe at War with Former Blackwater Exec’s Military Contractor Outfit

September 29, 2011 by Source

Eagle Fire in July Part of Conflict between Los Coyotes Tribe and Eagle Rock Training Center

By Dave Maass / CityBeat / September 28, 2011

An American Indian tribe in San Diego County has been engaged in a four-month standoff with a military contractor that refuses to leave its reservation, according to documents recently filed in U.S. District Court.

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Distressed Homeowners Picket HomeEquity Funding Corporation CEO’s Home in Del Mar

September 28, 2011 by Source

By Carol Zellander/Special to the OB Rag

On Tuesday, September 27th 2011, approximately 25 distressed homeowners, Representative Bob Filner, a San Diego Council member, and members of MoveOn.org rallied to protest the alleged crimes associated with PREDATORY LENDING and MORTGAGE fraud perpetrated by HomeEquity Funding Corporation.

The protest took place in the street in front of Peter Scognamillo’s Del Mar home. Scognamillo is Owner and CEO of HomeEquity Funding Corporation.

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San Diego City Council Votes to Repeal Restrictive Land Use Ordinance for Medical Marijuana Consumer Cooperatives

September 28, 2011 by Source

By: Terrie Best / NUG Magazine / September 27, 2011

In the afternoon session of Tuesday’s San Diego City Council Meeting, the Council voted 7 to 1 to repeal the restrictive zoning ordinance which, if allowed to pass would have identified zones for medical marijuana collectives to exist but at the same time relegated them to far flung industrial areas and forcing a closure while collectives relocated and embarked on a strenuous processing procedure to re-open in those zones.

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Protest and Occupation in 12th Day at “Occupy Wall Street” – Mainstream Media Finally Wakes Up, Blacklash Against Weekend Police Violence and “Occupy” Actions Spread Across America

September 28, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

The “Occupy Wall Street” protests and occupation of a small nearby park, dubbed “Liberty Park”, continues into its 12th day in downtown Manhattan in New York City. The protests began on Saturday, September 17th, and while activists initially wanted to surround the banks and other symbols of Wall Street, they were blocked by the ever-ready presence of the NYPD. So the protesters took over a small park a block from Wall Street and have been occupying it ever since.

A mass arrest last Saturday, the 24th, of over 80 demonstrators by police during a march appears to have back-fired. There is now more corporate and mainstream media coverage since the arrests, and particular official disgust has been directed at one officer in particular who pepper-sprayed protesters for no reason.

“San Diego Anti-Corporation Alliance” to Hold Protest at Courthouse Steps – Wed., Sept. 28th

September 28, 2011 by Staff

Editor: We have received this notice of a protest from the San Diego Anti-Corporation Alliance, about their protest on Wednesday, September 28th on the steps of the Hall of Justice. They have a myriad of demands, focused on protecting public workers’ rights, public education, medical marijuana persecution, and complaints about District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. We have a link to an indymedia website with a video.

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A life of poverty is not a gift

September 28, 2011 by Source

By by Lucas O’Connor / Two Cathedrals / September 27, 2011

More than one third of San Diego County faced economic insecurity last year topping 1 million residents, and nearly one-in-five children lived in poverty according to a new report from the Center on Policy Initiatives released last week. It’s a boost in the overall poverty rate and children living in poverty, set against widening income inequality and poverty that impacts people of color at twice the rate of whites.

These stats are deeply troubling, but this isn’t just a San Diego issue.

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Dog Poisonings in South Ocean Beach?

September 27, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

We have received a very credible report that there are fliers posted all over South Ocean Beach that claim two dogs have been murdered by poisoning.

The fliers claim that dogs with the names Ed and Delilah were “fed strong poisons inside of hot dog pieces”, and the dogs died a “brutal and painful” death “preceded by violent seizures.” This occurred – again according to the fliers – on the 4900 block of Del Mar Avenue.

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San Diego Police: No Reports of Assaults On Abbott Street

September 27, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

The San Diego Police have not received any reports of assaults or robberies on Abbott Street in Ocean Beach in recent weeks.

According to Officer Dave Whitfield, the new Community Relations officer for the Western Division – which includes OB – he did an investigation into the police calls they have received, there have not been any reports of the alleged assaults and robberies on that street.

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The Wealthiest Residents of San Diego County

September 27, 2011 by Source

by Tanya Mannes / SignOnSanDiego

You might see them placing bets at the Del Mar Racetrack, taking in a Broadway show at the La Jolla Playhouse or landing a yacht at the Kona Kai Marina.

They are the richest of the rich, and they live here, too. At least 20 people on Forbes’ annual list of the 400 wealthiest Americans have ties to San Diego County, according to U-T reporting and a review of newspaper archives and property records.

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San Diego City Councilmembers Pledge to Eat Vegetarian in Honor of Veg Week

September 27, 2011 by Source

Council members Marti Emerald and Todd Gloria have joined 1,000 San Diegans who are pledging to go vegetarian for one week during the Animal Protection and Rescue League’s (APRL) 3rd annual San Diego Veg Week (September 25 – October 2). This is Councilmember Gloria’s third year taking the pledge, and last year Gloria sponsored a resolution in honor of Veg Week, promoting local business and “compassion toward animals.”

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“Occupy Wall Street” Spreads to San Diego October 7th in Gaslamp District

September 27, 2011 by Source

Editor: We received the following from “Occupy San Diego”, which is planning on holding a solidarity action in support of the current “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrations that have been occurring daily since September 17th in and around Wall Street in New York City. Who knows what state the Manhattan actions will be in by time the San Diego protest rolls around, but the San Diego organizers are planning daily meetings.

SAN DIEGO-Occupy San Diego is standing in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street in NYC, and will begin a peaceful civil disobedience protest of the global financial corruption currently invading politics, media and corporations, by occupying an open space in the Gaslamp District indefinitely starting on October 7, 2011 at 4:30 pm.

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Black President, Double Standard: Why White Liberals Are Abandoning Obama

September 27, 2011 by Source

By Melissa Harris-Perry / The Nation Magazine / September 21, 2011 ( October 10, 2011 edition of The Nation.)

Electoral racism in its most naked, egregious and aggressive form is the unwillingness of white Americans to vote for a black candidate regardless of the candidate’s qualifications, ideology or party. This form of racism was a standard feature of American politics for much of the twentieth century. So far, Barack Obama has been involved in two elections that suggest that such racism is no longer operative. His re-election bid, however, may indicate that a more insidious form of racism has come to replace it.

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San Diego City Council Voted 5 to 3 to Send Miramar Landfill Out to Bid

September 26, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

This afternoon, after two hours of public testimony and debate, the San Diego City Council voted to send the Miramar Landfill out to bid for its operation. On a close 5 to 3 vote, the Council decided to begin the formal process of privatizing the landfill. Councilmembers Lighter, Faulconer, DeMaio, Zapf and Young voted as […]

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Save the Post Offices Rallies Tuesday! Stop Darrell Issa’s Plan to Privatize the Postal Service

September 26, 2011 by Doug Porter

No doubt you’ve head the headlines that the U.S. Postal Service is facing bankruptcy and that drastic cuts in service are coming shortly.

The only problem with this story is that it is that the Postal Service’s cash crunch (which is real) comes to the American public via a little noticed Republican Congressional action a decade ago called the “Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act”. Signed by President George W. Bush on December 12, 2006, this piece of legislation purported to be an updated version of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.

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Class Warfare — From the Top Down

September 26, 2011 by Jim Miller

Paul Krugman recently wrote that:

“lack of compassion has become a matter of principle, at least among the G.O.P.’s base . . . And what this means is that modern conservatism is actually a deeply radical movement, one that is hostile to the kind of society we’ve had for the past three generations — that is, a society that, acting through the government, tries to mitigate some of the ‘common hazards of life’ through such programs as Social Security, unemployment insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.”

Of course this has been true for quite some time now, …

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Californian Prisoners to Resume Hunger Strike Today, Monday, Sept 26th

September 26, 2011 by Source

Gearing up for Round 2 of Hunger Strike, CDCR Threatens Strikers

By Prison Hunger Strike Solidarity / September 23, 2011

On Monday, September 26th, prisoners at both Pelican Bay & Calipatria will resume the hunger strike to stop the torturous conditions of Security Housing Units (SHUs).

Prisoners first went on hunger strike on July 1st for nearly four weeks, until the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) agreed to begin implementing some of the prisoners’ five core demands.

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Horton Plaza redevelopment design faces final vote this week

September 26, 2011 by Source

This Wednesday [Sept 28th], the Centre City Development Corp. will decide whether to approve the final schematic design plans for the redevelopment of Horton Plaza.

By unanimous decision, and before the plaza’s lead designer, the CCDC Advisory Committee voted last Wednesday to recommend the acceptance of that plan. One week earlier, on Sept. 14, the CCDC Real Estate and Budget-Finance & Administration Joint Committee voted 7-0 to make the same recommendation.

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“Pollution Patrol” Launched by San Diego Coastkeeper

September 26, 2011 by Source

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Coastkeeper has launched a new program to combat urban runoff in San Diego: Pollution Patrollers.

In the new initiative, a team of trained volunteers will search for sources of pollution in San Diego County that contribute to urban runoff. Commonly cited as the number one threat to water quality in San Diego, urban runoff contains pollutants such as oil, grease, pesticides, metals, bacteria and toxic chemicals that wash into the region’s waters during rainstorms and over-irrigation.

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SDG&E Customers Can Delay Smart Meter Installation

September 26, 2011 by Source

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) president Michael Peevey has issued a ruling ordering San Diego Gas & Electric Company and two other utility companies to allow consumers who don’t want a “smart meter” installed to place their names on a delay list, pending the outcome of upcoming workshops on the issue.

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Grocery Workers Vote to Approve Contract

September 24, 2011 by Source

The United Food and Commercial Workers have voted to accept a contract offer from the “Big Three” grocery chains – Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons – ending the specter of a costly strike.

Employees in the San Diego region cast ballots Friday and other locals voted today, with an overall majority voting in favor of what their leaders described as a fair deal. The contract ends a two-tiered system in which new employees paid more for their health benefits.

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Community to City Council: “Just Say No” to Privatizing Landfill

September 24, 2011 by Source

Monday afternoon Coalition will urge Council to keep Miramar Landfill public

From onlineCPI.org

Community groups will be out in force Monday to tell the San Diego City Council to keep Miramar Landfill under public control.

“It’s becoming clearer all the time that contracting out the landfill is a bad idea,” said Clare Crawford, CPI Executive Director. “There are just too many risks for taxpayers, our environment and the services every household and business relies on.”

The Council is scheduled to vote at 2 p.m. Monday on moving forward with Mayor Sanders’ proposal to put the landfill operations up for bidding by private companies.

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Crack-down at Occupy Wall Street Demonstrations During Eighth Day – 60 80 100 plus Arrested

September 24, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

UPDATE: 100 plus Arrested – Come Inside for More Updates

Things have changed drastically at the Occupy Wall Street encampment and demonstrations. There’s been a crack-down by police. Mass arrests, peaceful demonstrators pepper-sprayed. Arrested people – some injured – having to sit in a police van for hours. Over one hundred plus people have been arrested including members of the the Live Stream Media team that has been providing a stream. The major media blackout continues.

COME INSIDE FOR THE LATEST DETAILS AND INFO OF Occupy Wall Street

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kh April 18, 2024 at 11:45 pm on 2 New Projects Proposed for West Point Loma Boulevard in Ocean BeachCurrently you can deduct more property taxes on an investment property than on your primary residence. That’s just insane. This is because of the $10K...
kh April 18, 2024 at 11:40 pm on 2 New Projects Proposed for West Point Loma Boulevard in Ocean BeachWe should not be incentivizing any home ownership beyond your primary residence. It just increases the barrier for those who can’t afford 1 home.
Will April 18, 2024 at 10:35 pm on 2 New Projects Proposed for West Point Loma Boulevard in Ocean BeachI weep not for people who own second homes. We are so thankful to own our OB shack. We see people who do all sorts...
Kirk Mather April 18, 2024 at 7:24 pm on OB Planners’ Project Review Committee: 20 Units at 4705 Point Loma Ave., — Wed., April 17Paul Webb If I read your numbers correctly seems like more than a small deviation @4X increased density. And OB NYC as a comparison seems...
David St John April 18, 2024 at 5:59 pm on Why San Diego Should Not Be Awarded Anything for Its ‘Bonus ADU’ Program — Not One ADU Unit Has Been Built as Low-Income HousingGreat analysis. Have you thought about sending your analysis to the Ivory Group? This ADU plan doesn’t deserve a prize.
Lynne Miller April 18, 2024 at 5:41 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesWe need to appeal by the deadline, and that means collaboration and planning based on the $1,000 appeal fee per applicant. btw, I want to...
nostalgic April 18, 2024 at 5:31 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesI think the 9 parking spaces is history; it is 3.5 parking spaces, or maybe 4 or maybe 3.
kh April 18, 2024 at 4:44 pm on 8 ADUs in 3-Story Complex Proposed for 4500 Block of Pescadero in Point LomaAlso, the Coastal-certified code only allows 1 base ADU on a lot with a single-family-development. Even in a multifamily zone. This means any ADU over...
kh April 18, 2024 at 4:39 pm on 8 ADUs in 3-Story Complex Proposed for 4500 Block of Pescadero in Point LomaThe city is violating noticing requirements on these projects near CPG boundaries. See section (b)(4) §112.0302 Notice by Mail (b) Persons Entitled to Notice. Except...
At the Edge of D7 April 18, 2024 at 4:16 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesI did need that spelled out for me, kh, thank you. That makes sense to me now. Single individuals, as in 1 person, with no...
kh April 18, 2024 at 4:10 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesI thought it was 40% of base density. It would be interesting to see how the affordable density bonus would apply to this project vs...
kh April 18, 2024 at 4:06 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesOB is not on the SDA map because that code update has not been approved by the Coastal Commission. Nor have the zero-parking code updates...
FrankF April 18, 2024 at 4:01 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesIf you want to see what the future looks like, 3781 32nd Street at North Park Way a block from the North Park Library. A...
kh April 18, 2024 at 3:53 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesCoke and strippers oriented
Frank Gormlie April 18, 2024 at 3:37 pm on Open Letter to Councilwoman Campbell on ‘Complete Communities’ from Point Loma HomeownerKH, can you confirm the vote of the PRC.