October 2012

OB Bus Riders of No. 35 – Be Aware

October 23, 2012 by Judi Curry
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They did it again!

Without any warning, the No. 35 bus has had its route changed.

Two of my foreign exchange students who live with me waiting for the bus at Sunset Cliffs and Pt. Loma Avenue were informed by another passenger that due to construction on Sunset Cliffs, the “new” bus stop would be at Cable and Del Mar beginning Monday, Oct. 22nd (the day this was written)!

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Saying Good-bye to George McGovern and Russell Means – Heroes of the 1970’s

October 22, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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When heroes from our past pass on, sometimes it seems like there’s a rush to the exit doors. This weekend and today, both George McGovern and Russell Means passed through that door. Both of these heroes of the Seventies lived and died in South Dakota.

George McGovern, the peace candidate from South Dakota, a former Congressman and Senator from that state, who won the Democratic Party’s nomination for president in 1972, died early Sunday in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was 90.

And Russell Means, a former American Indian Movement activist who helped lead the 1973 uprising at Wounded Knee, reveled in stirring up attention and appeared in several Hollywood films, died early Monday at his ranch in Porcupine, S.D. He was 72 years old and had fought throat cancer.

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Minority Students and Others at SDSU Stage Silent Protest Over Loss of Votes

October 22, 2012 by Staff
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Minority students, members of San Diego State cultural organizations and members of the the Residence Hall Association placed red duct tape over their mouths in a silent demonstration last week against the student government’s restructuring plan, a plan that they way will result in a loss of representation and votes for these students and their organizations.

During their assembly last week – the focus of the protest – the A.S. Council approved a proposed model for its governmental restructure through a majority vote—eliminating individual votes for cultural organizations. The current structure – the one just pushed aside – allowed for “cultural organizations” to sit on the council, giving each sitting representative one vote. The restructure model which was approved will be implemented once finished, combines the cultural representation in A.S. into what the restructuring committee called the “Student Diversity Commission”.

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Rumors and Crime in Ocean Beach. The Truth Is Out There, and we at the OB Rag aim to find it.

October 22, 2012 by Mercy Baron
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Like the poster on Fox Mulder’s wall, we, at the OB Rag, aim to find it.

I’m referring to the rumors that have been flying around our little beach community in regards to all the assaults, sex crimes and attacks that have been occurring in alarming numbers here the last couple of months and even longer. Most of them are true, but some of them just ain’t.

It seems that we hear of an incident, and within 24 hours, we “hear” of several more. In response to all of this, many of us have formed the OB Citizen’s Patrol, along with the guidance of Tim Nolan, owner of Tower Two Cafe.

The first meeting was on October 8, and over 30 people crammed into Tim’s resto to voice their concerns and sign up for the first organized patrols since the 1970’s. Tim said it started way back then in response to local crime and the time had come again to relaunch the patrols. Tim was involved back then, and has been patrolling ever since. He has gone out on his own for many years to make the neighborhood safe for his family.

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Connecting More Dots Between Propositions 30, 32, and 38

October 22, 2012 by Jim Miller

The Munger Muddle, Democrats for Education Reform, Obama, and the Koch Brothers et al Weave a Tangled Web that Might Just Kill Our Children’s Future (if we let it)

In a recent column, I outlined the connections between the advocates and funders of Proposition 32 and opponents of Proposition 30, noting the central role of Proposition 38 backer Molly Munger’s brother, Charles Munger, who has donated over $20 million of his own money to a campaign fund to gut unions and defund education. Charles’s main allies in this effort, as I pointed out in that column, are also big supporters of the privatization of education and other forms of profiteering at the expense of public schools.

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On Probation or Off Parole? You can Vote in California – Register Now! Here!

October 21, 2012 by Patty Jones

While having a conversation about the upcoming Presidential debate I asked a coworker if he was going to be voting. He replied, “I wish I could, but I’m on probation.” Whoa… This was a moment in a busy shop, that is normally filled with Mitt Romney and Ron Paul supporters, where two like minded people had a few minutes to chat. The young man I was talking with is quiet about his political affiliations and before I could respond to his statement we were surrounded by republicans, once again.

Once I was back at my desk I did a quick internet search and printed a page from the Northern California ACLU website that I handed to him later in the day. He thanked me with a big smile on his face.

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OB Friends of the Library Book Sale – Today – Sat., Oct. 20th

October 20, 2012 by Staff

Come on out to the Book Sale Today – Saturday, Oct. 20th – in front of the OB Library – Santa Monica and Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

Volunteers needed to help set up and help break down before and afterwards

Please come to the Book Sale, and bring your friends, etc. We need help setting up and taking down our upcoming Book Sale. We especially need help between 9:00 am and 10:00 am and between 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm.

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New “Waves” Painted at OB Skate Board Park

October 19, 2012 by Staff
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Has anyone noticed the entrance to OB by the skate park has been beautified with painted waves?

Katy Helen was contacted by the OB Community Development Corporation to paint the K-Rails. The OBCDC is paying for the materials and Katy has volunteered her time to do the project. She has been working a few hours each day since October 9th and her artwork is near completion.

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Homelessness Myth #25: Here a homeless, there a homeless …

October 19, 2012 by Christine Schanes

For some time now, we have been aware of homelessness in our midst. In the 50’s, we called people without homes, “hobos.” The hobos were generally men who we believed chose the free and easy lifestyle of riding railroad cars and doing odd jobs for housed country folk in exchange for sandwiches.

In fact, the lives of hobos were romanticized through movies, including “Emperor of the North,” staring Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine.

Today, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families, including single mothers with their children. I don’t know anyone who believes that families choose a homeless lifestyle. There is nothing free and easy about their homelessness. And there are no romantic movies being made about their plight.

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Killings by Border Patrol to Be Reviewed After Congress Reacts to Rojas Death at San Ysidro

October 19, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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Bob Filner Among 16 Congressional Members Urging Review of Deadly Force Use by Border Patrol Agents

Since 2010, at least 16 civilians have been killed by Border Patrol agents along the US-Mexico border. Many of those killed were involved in throwing rocks at agents during confrontations with border smugglers.

Yet, since September, there have been three persons killed by agents – including the young mother of 5 who was a US citizen right here in Chula Vista. The three also include 16-year-old suspected rock thrower from Nogales.

But it was the 2010 taser-linked death of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas here at San Ysidro that pushed members of Congress to urge a review of how border patrol agents use deathly force. After a video surfaced showing a customs officer in San Diego using a Taser on Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, who later died of a heart attack, some Congressional members were moved to act and send their letter to the Inspector General.

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San Diego Police Conduct “Audit” of 137 Known Sex Offenders in the Area

October 19, 2012 by Christopher Dotson
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The SDPD’s Western Division is conducting an audit of the some 137 known sex offenders in the area. And it began Thursday, Oct. 18th. (The “area” is assumed to be the City of San Diego that is in the Western Division.)

We learned of the audit while conducting some follow-up of our own on some OB crime activity, including the recent stabbings, as well as the status of DNA evidence which is believed to have been collected from the Saratoga Avenue peeping tom.

Police say this on-going operation is not in response to any perceived increase in recent sex crimes, but rather it is an effort by the SDPD Western Division to determine the status of the area’s sexual offenders. The police summary report reflects the efforts of eleven different agencies.

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Suspect in Ocean Front Grope Attack in Custody – Police Call for Witnesses

October 19, 2012 by Christopher Dotson

Suspect Arrested on Other Charges – SDPD Calling for Witnesses and Information to Attack in Ocean Front Alley on Wednesday

San Diego Police Department’s Lt Natalie Stone has confirmed a suspect who police think is the perpetrator in the grope attack is in custody – although he is in custody on other charges. The man had just been released from jail last Monday – 2 days prior.

A 25 year old woman was ambushed while walking in the 1600 block of Ocean Front alley shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the 17th of October. She was hit on the head, told to be quiet, and then groped. The man ran off. There is some new info – the assailant apparently was frightened off by the sudden appearance of a Cox Cable truck.

Police say they need any witnesses to come forward who may have any information regarding this most recent attack against a young woman in South Ocean Beach. If you do have info, contact the San Diego Sex Crimes unit by calling 619-531-2210.

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Daniel Ellsberg: Defeat Romney, Without Illusions About Obama

October 18, 2012 by Source
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With Election a Toss-Up, Progressives Could Influence Outcome and Prevent a Romney Victory

By Daniel Ellsberg / Reader Supported News / October 18, 2012

It is urgently important to prevent a Republican administration under Romney/Ryan from taking office in January 2013.

The election is now just weeks away, and I want to urge those whose values are generally in line with mine — progressives, especially activists — to make this goal one of your priorities during this period.

An activist colleague recently said to me: “I hear you’re supporting Obama.”

I was startled, and took offense. “Supporting Obama? Me?!”

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“The Power was Overwhelming” at Women’s Fundraiser for Bob Filner

October 18, 2012 by Judi Curry
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A new young couple moved into our neighborhood in south Ocean Beach two years ago and over that time I have had conversations with them. I worked with Heather and taught her to make jam; I called on Mark to help with a few heavy things that needed to be done around the house; I fed their dog treats when Buddy and I take walks together.

So, I was thrilled when she called me and asked if I would like to go the “Women for Filner” fundraiser at the University Club on Wednesday, October 17th. Although there was a $100 donation, (which I could not make) I am not sure how Heather worked it so that I could attend, but attend I did, and had a great evening.

The power in that room was overwhelming. So many of the “big guns (gunnettes?) of the San Diego female world were in attendance

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Tina deBaca – Presente!

October 18, 2012 by Source
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San Diego Chicano Activist to Be Laid to Rest – Tina Was on the Front Lines of Chicano Rights; She Walked Farmworkers’ Union Picket Lines in High Heels

By Vincent deBaca

Tina C. de Baca (mother, friend, sister, and compañera) is now at peace and she sits happily with our ancestors in heaven where the world cannot hurt her. She requested the sacraments to the end and she knew God’s love, patience, and forgiveness. Compounding other illnesses, Tina fell into unconsciousness after suffering two strokes on October 3rd and she passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

She was born Celestina Maria Marquez at the family ranchito in Anton Chico, New Mexico. Family teased her as “The Slick Chick from Anton Chic.” She was the only woman ever seen walking UFW picket-lines in the 1960s dressed stylishly “to the 9s” in high heels. A stunning beauty, Tina possessed a great sense of humor and a strong dedication to human rights in good and bad times.

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Victor in Fight for Sherri Lightner’s District 1 Seat Will Determine Balance of Power on City Council

October 18, 2012 by Andy Cohen

The lone remaining City Council race is scrutinized

And then there was one. Out of nine city council districts—five of which were up for grabs in the June 5th primary—only one remains without a definitive answer as to who will be its representative to the city government. District 3’s Todd Gloria ran uncontested, as did District 5’s Mark Kersey; Marti Emerald cruised in the newly created District 9 taking 72% of the vote in the primary and winning it outright; and in District 7, Scott Sherman earned just barely enough of the vote with 50.09% to lock up his own election (in city council races, any candidate who earns 50% plus 1 of the overall vote is declared the winner outright, eliminating the need to carry on through the November general election).

The lone remaining undecided city council race is in District 1, where incumbent Democrat Sherri Lightner finished a close second to Republican challenger Ray Ellis. Which is surprising, and then again not surprising, since of the four contestants in the race, two of them were Democrats.

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OB Historical Society Presents: Local Photographer Steve Rowell and his “Local Birds and Life in O.B.”

October 18, 2012 by Staff
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The Ocean Beach Historical Society presents:

Local Birds & Life in O.B.
by O.B. Photographer Steve Rowell
Thurs., Oct. 18th, at 7 PM
P.L. United Methodist Church,
1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.

Steve Rowell programs are always a visual treat with great insight into both our local 2 and 4 legged residents.

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Coastkeeper Responds to Criticism of “Partnership” with SeaWorld on Mission Bay

October 17, 2012 by Source

Editor:The following – by Megan Baehrens, Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper – is a response by their organization to our post on Tuesday questioning their “partnership” with SeaWorld in cleaning Mission Bay. It has not been edited.

By Megan Baehrens /San Diego Coastkeeper

Hello Frank and OB Rag readers.

First of all, Frank, thank you for maintaining a level of journalism in San Diego that holds the community accountable. We indeed asked ourselves some of these same questions nearly a year ago as we weighed our options for how to work with SeaWorld—as you note, a significant presence on our waterfront. Ultimately, as Jill pointed out, we believe it’s important to build relationships and respect—all while maintaining integrity–in order to open doors to much harder (and much more important) dialogue.

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New Sexual Assault in Ocean Beach – in Ocean Front Alley Between Del Mar and Coronado

October 17, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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The U-T San Diego is reporting yet another sexual assault in Ocean Beach. This one was in south OB, in the Ocean Front alley between Del Mar and Coronado Avenues.

In this latest incident, which occurred Wednesday morning – Oct. 17th – a young woman walking in the alley was assaulted by a man who approached her from behind. He struck her on the head, told her to be quiet and he wouldn’t hurt her, fondled her breast and then ran away.

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Concerns and Questions about Crime in Ocean Beach: Crime Map of Last 30 Days

October 17, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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Ask around. It does seem like there’s an uptick in crime around Ocean Beach, doesn’t it?

Or at least, we seem to more aware of it.

The sexual assaults, the peeping tom, and now all these assaults and stabbings around Newport Ave, the Pier, and Oktoberfest…. There’s been so much concern of late, that an OB Citizens’ Patrol has been formed, and has been out on its rounds in northwest late-night Ocean Beach. Fliers are circulating warning women not to walk alone at night.

Our community nerves have been shaken. Our antenna are out – and some of us are more aware.

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San Diego Zoo Expansion Plan: Make 61% of Balboa Park’s Parking Paid

October 17, 2012 by Doug Porter

Now that (it appears) plans for construction of a paid parking garage adjacent to the Plaza de Panama are moving forward, the San Diego Zoo has dusted off an eight year old project involving construction of a fee based 4800 space underground garage and will eliminating the free 2500 space surface lot currently in use.

Construction of these two facilities will result in a net total of 9,146 spaces, 5597 of which will cost $5 per four hours of use by automobiles.

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OB Citizens’ Patrol to Meet Tuesday Night at Tower Two Cafe – Oct. 16

October 16, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

The OB Citizens’ Patrol – set up in response to several sexual attacks and peeping tom in northwest Ocean Beach – will hold its second meeting tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 16th at 7pm. The group meets at Tower Two Cafe – owned by Tim Nolan, who has been organizing the patrols.

Last Friday, Oct. 12th, the patrol had its first launch, with people going out from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., and then again at midnight until 3 a.m. But they just missed a stabbing at the Oktoberfest.

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Next OB Planning Board Meeting – Wed, Oct. 17th

October 16, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Here is the agenda for the Project Review Committee of the OB Planning Board, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17th. The sub-committee of the full Board is chaired by vice-president Landry Watson and starts sharply at 6:30 pm. All their meetings are held at the OB Rec Center at 4726 Santa Monica Avenue.

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Something smells fishy with Coastkeeper ‘teaming up’ with SeaWorld to ‘beautify’ Mission Bay.

October 16, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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Something smells fishy. The other day we received a press release from San Diego Coastkeeper – actually, it was a joint press release, from them and from SeaWorld – talking about how they are both “teaming up” together to “keep Mission Bay beautiful”. They’re planning a “clean the Bay day” on October 27th – and volunteers will get prizes including passes to SeaWorld.

While we applaud any organization’s efforts to clean Mission Bay – heaven knows it needs it – something just doesn’t sit well with us on this announced partnership.

Why is that? What’s wrong with a strong environmental organization with a solid reputation partnering up with a corporate entity to beautify the surrounding area?

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Don’t Let the Pesticide Companies Buy Your Vote! Volunteers for Prop 37 to Meet at People’s Food

October 16, 2012 by Source
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A Million a Day in TV ads can buy lots of confusion

by Stacy Malkan/ Yes on 37 / October 15, 2012

The world’s largest pesticide companies are spending One Million Dollars a Day to confuse California voters about Proposition 37 — a simple label that will give us the right to know what’s in our food.

A Million a Day in TV ads can buy lots of confusion, but it can’t buy facts.

Here are the facts about Prop 37:

  • No cost to consumers: Adding a few words to labels costs nothing. Labeling didn’t raise costs in 50 other countries and won’t raise costs here. It won’t add red tape or bureaucracy either, and the only independent study on Prop 37 confirms these facts. Read the Truth about Cost.
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Bain Owned Plant Removed US Flag as American Workers Forced to Train Chinese Replacements

October 16, 2012 by Doug Porter
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Editor: The following is from Doug Porter’s column at San Diego Free Press, The Starting Line, published Oct. 15th.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney loves to berate the Chinese on the campaign trail. He portrays himself as the candidate that will stop Beijing from “cheating” that will stem the flow of jobs being exported to Asia from the United States. Yet an Illinois company that he has large investments in is forcing soon to be laid off workers to train their Chinese replacements even as Romney continues to claim that his programs will revive the economy and create jobs.

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Powerful Court Quietly Takes Marijuana Case that Could Shatter Federal Prohibition Laws

October 15, 2012 by Source
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Alternet / By Steven Wishnia / Oct. 11, 2012

For the first time in two decades federal courts will consider the science behind medical marijuana — and today there is more evidence than ever.

Once again, medical-marijuana advocates are taking to the courts to eliminate the biggest barrier to legal use—the federal law that classifies marijuana as a dangerous drug with no valid medical use.

On Oct. 16, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the federal appeals court that usually handles cases involving government regulations, will hear oral arguments on Americans for Safe Access v. DEA. .

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Note to Obama: Ditch Simpson-Bowles for FDR

October 15, 2012 by Jim Miller
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In the aftermath of the spectacular shellacking that Mitt Romney gave the President in the first debate, there was much handwringing in liberal circles. Critics on the left side of the spectrum couldn’t believe how Mr. Obama let Romney prevaricate so boldly and wildly as he hammered away at the President’s record while simultaneously and stunningly repackaging himself as a centrist unrecognizable to those of us who were paying attention to Mitt’s rightward tilt during the primary season and the obvious implications of his plutocratic agenda.

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(Another) Injury from Fall Off Sunset Cliffs Near Ladera Street – But Our First Responders Were There

October 15, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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Yet another person has been injured in a fall off Sunset Cliffs. Late Sunday night – early Monday morning around 2 am, lifeguards got the call about injuries from people falling off the cliffs near Ladera Street.

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Coast Guard Suspends Search for Boat Off Point Loma

October 15, 2012 by Staff

Around sunset Sunday evening, the Coast Guard suspended its search for a vessel in distress off the coast of Point Loma.

According to lifeguards, the Coast Guard was searching for a white and green vessel carrying two adults and three children.

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