July 2013

OB Historical Society Presents : Carol Sing Swims Into History – Thursday July 18

July 18, 2013 by Staff

Ocean Beach Historical Society presents

Carol Sing Swims Into History

Thurs., July 18th at 7PM
at P.L. United Methodist Church
1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.

In the tradition of Florence Chadwick, champion swimmer Carol Sing spent her formative years in Ocean Beach. Living blocks from the beach gave her a love for the ocean, having a positive lifelong role in her life.

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The Widder Curry Reports on Meeting of “Nextdoor – Sunset Cliffs”

July 18, 2013 by Judi Curry
Thumbnail image for The Widder Curry Reports on Meeting of “Nextdoor – Sunset Cliffs”

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to join “Nextdoor” by a friend that lives on Rosecrans in the 92106 zip code. Since she lives several miles from me I ignored her request, but in the mail yesterday I received another invitation to join “Nextdoor – Sunset Cliffs.”

I was now intrigued to find out what this group was all about and did some checking, only to find it was similar to a “Neighborhood Watch Group” but more specific to the area in which I live. It was referred to as “a private neighborhood website”. It went on to say that “Nextdoor helps you to get to know your neighbors; share local recommendations and advice; lend, borrow and give away; keep your neighborhood safe and stay informed.” It sounded like something I might be interested in and so I joined. I was pleased to see that some of the information comes directly from the Police Department.

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Does His Stance on Protecting the La Jolla Seals Make Candidate Ed Harris Un-Suitable for Council District 2 ?

July 18, 2013 by Doug Porter

ed harris opposing rope
By Doug Porter

As City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer fades into the sunset (or not, if he runs for Mayor in a recall election), things are starting heat up in the race to find his replacement.

Current Councilmember Lori Zapf, whose residence was moved into the redrawn district boundaries, is the best known candidate, bringing along the advantages of her incumbency in D6 and the support of the local conservative establishment.

But challenger Ed Harris is about to get some attention, even if it’s of the unwanted type. A group lead by activist Bryan Pease is opposing his candidacy on the grounds of Harris’ past statements and actions about the La Jolla seals, along with other stances they consider anti-environmental.

Harris, who is currently a San Diego lifeguard, appeared at numerous meetings of the City Council and Coastal Commission opposing plans to allow a rope barrier to encourage a safe viewing distance, according to the group.

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Unbelievable Directions and Instructions from Judge Sway Jury in Zimmerman Trial

July 18, 2013 by Source

George Zimmerman

By Marjorie Cohn

A Southern jury of six women – none of them black – found 28-year-old George Zimmerman’s shooting of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin to be justifiable homicide because he acted in self-defense.

The jurors were prohibited from considering race. They were instructed only on the parts of self-defense law that helped Zimmerman, and the chief police investigator improperly testified that he believed Zimmerman.

Jury prevented from considering race

None of the jurors thought race played a role in the case, Juror B-37 told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. In fact the question of Zimmerman profiling Martin because he was African-American didn’t even come up in deliberations, the juror said.

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Ocean Beach Gang Attacked Homeless and Locals Sunday Night, July 14

July 17, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Ocean Beach Gang Attacked Homeless and Locals Sunday Night, July 14

The OB Rag has heard from two independent sources that an Ocean Beach gang attacked several homeless men Sunday night, July 14th, causing at least one serious injury, and then also attacked some locals. This occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on OB’s main street, Newport Avenue.

A group calling itself “OB Rats” assaulted and beat a couple of homeless guys, with one of the victims having his nose seriously injured from a kick in the face. He reportedly had his backpack stolen by the gang of young males that contained food for his dog. This attack occurred in the 4900 block of Newport Avenue.

The attackers then tipped over a trash container on the sidewalk along Newport Avenue. A local – a young man – who was sitting near the OB International Hostel, yelled at them to stop and have respect for OB.

The group then crossed the street and began assaulting him and at least one other male in front of the hostel. One of the attackers was thrown on the ground, and his buddies picked him up and left.

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News Around Newport Avenue in Mid-July

July 17, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for News Around Newport Avenue in Mid-July

Here is the latest in a series of irregular updates of what’s happenin’ on Newport Ave – OB’s main street – in mid-July, 2013.

OB Newport 7-16-13 TiltedBowTilted Bow Takes Over for Caio Bella

A new restaurant has just moved into the former quarters of the Italian place, Caio Bella, at 4953 Newport. I spoke briefly to Tim Pang, the manager – who also manages OB Sushi down the street. It will offer Pho and seafood, craw fish, small lobsters, that sort of thing. The staff inside was hanging out today, waiting for the Health & Safety inspector to come by and approve the place, so they can open. To my surprise, Tim told me that he has a five year lease. That’s great. And BTW, have you seen the inside of OB Sushi? Very plush.

OB Hostel Getting Psychedelic Make-Over

Just about all the white space on the front and sides of OB’s international hostel have been covered with bright colors, flowers, peace signs, mushrooms, sealife and a total psychedelic make-over. Artist Kim Howell was out in front with a couple of assistants painting the east side of the building. They’ve been at it for two months and expect another 2 or more weeks on the project. After she’s done, they’ll put a coat of Clear Coat on it to protect the murals.

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OB Man – Garret Rodriguez – Missing for 6 Months

July 16, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for OB Man – Garret Rodriguez – Missing for 6 Months

Editor: This is a story that we became aware of, potentially a tragic story, of how an OB man, Garret Rodriguez, has gone missing these last six months. It’s thought that he disappeared in Humboldt County.

By Kym Kemp / Lost Coast Outpost

When Garret Rodriguez drove north from Ocean Beach in late December 2012, he sat behind the wheel of his newly purchased 1998 Dodge Ram four-wheel drive pickup. He and two friends had left their marijuana growing operation in Humboldt to visit the neighborhood in San Diego that he had lived in for many years.

Now, he was headed back to Rancho Sequoia, a rural subdivision near the tiny hamlet of Alderpoint in southeastern Humboldt County. The area has a reputation for violence and is sometimes known as Murder Mountain. (See why below.)

As Rodriguez headed back to the Emerald Triangle after the holidays, he called a friend, Katrina LeBlanc, to ask her to visit him there. She explained, “He wanted a big group of us to come up for New Year’s Eve.”

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Reader Rant: Filner and His Opposition

July 16, 2013 by Source

By an anonymous reader

On the continued fight over forcing the Mayor to resign – It is not too smart to call a press conference, like the one Briggs, Frye and Gonzales called yesterday in an attempt to use the media to force San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign, then attack the media for asking legitimate questions.

I believe Bob Filner should resign for the good of San Diego, but if he survives this thing, it will be due to his opposition playing such heavy handed politics – from the left and the right – that the public decides this is all just another power grab and there is no difference between Bob and his adversaries.

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A Mindful Walk Through Treacherous Territory – Sex and Loathing in San Diego

July 16, 2013 by Source

peep holeBy Norma Damashek

Today I’m on a mindful jaunt through America’s finest sexiest city. Not just ordinary sexy but exuberant sexy... in-your-face, over-the-top sexy. It’s a walk that calls for extra-special noticing (though not much letting go).

I notice that there’s a three-ring circus in town, selling its special merchandise to participants and spectators alike — an exotic brew of beer-soaked hormones, pheromones, secretions, and sundry other exudations.

It’s being peddled on Fiesta Island at the annual beach bacchanal known as the Over-The-Line Tourney — a boozy, raunchy, let-it-all-hang-out display of tantalizing semi-bare bodies engaged in personal pleasures and pursuits and not-necessarily-innocent fun and games.

It was widely available at the LGBT Pride Parade – a comparable extravaganza of raunchy, let-it-all-hang-out semi-bare bodies engaged in the celebration of freedom to be and liberation from the shackles of conventional restraints and taboos.

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Restaurant Review: Point Break Cafe on Shelter Island

July 16, 2013 by Judi Curry
Thumbnail image for Restaurant Review: Point Break Cafe on Shelter Island

Point Break Cafe
2743 Shelter Island Dr
San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 758-9870

“Doesn’t Anyone Use REAL Ham Anymore?”

Years ago our family patronized this restaurant site when it was the Boll Weevil. It was a favorite of ours, not because of the décor but because of the hamburgers and accompanying condiments on the table. After it closed down, we had several meals at the “Point Break” but it looked rather dingy to us and we were told that it was going to be remodeled. I have not been back for at least 4 years, but I heard that the Pt. Loma Democrats go there after their monthly Sunday meetings. Now that I have renewed my membership in the club I decided if it was good enough for them, it must be good enough for me. I asked my neighbor Jim and his friend Marilyn to join me and they were eager to try it out.

It could have been an omen, but when we walked in and seated ourselves, we were in front of one of the many televisions in the small restaurant. And you will never guess what channel was playing: Yep, FOX News. I sat with my back to it but both Jim and Marilyn got to watch it, even if they didn’t want to.

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OB Rag Reader Comments Published in U-T Focus on Filner Debate

July 15, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for OB Rag Reader Comments Published in U-T Focus on Filner Debate

Much to our astonishment, when we opened Sunday’s U-T op-ed section, “SD in Depth”, we found the OB Rag logo and excerpts from some of our readers’ comments plastered right there on the second page of the section.

The whole page was wrapped around the headline: “Both sides vocal on Mayor Filner Saga“, and there were quotes from readers at the LA Times, KPBS, the U-T, San Diego Rostra, and from the OB Rag.

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Reader Rant on Filner Circus: “It All Saddens Me”

July 15, 2013 by Source

By David Warmoth

In recent days, there have been subtle, and more than a few overt implications that those of us who have not yet jumped on the resignation bandwagon don’t have a high enough sense of morality or aren’t concerned about the serious issue of sexual harassment. I don’t believe this is true and it saddens me.

It saddens me that a freedom rider who has done so much for civil rights, worker’s rights and just generally, the improvement of the lives of average San Diegans has been brought to the position that he now finds himself. The irony though, is that for all the manufactured outrage and scandal from the UT, City Attorney, Council members, and supporters of other mayoral candidates seeking a re-do for their man/woman, it’s the Mayor’s own hubris and venality that has brought him here. He is a crotchety, old misogynist who will probably end his career in disgrace because he couldn’t keep it in check. I’m sad for this end but a self-inflicted wound is not the biggest tragedy.

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Dissin’ Mayor Bob – Are We in for a Decade of Republicanism Delivered by Democrats in Name Only?

July 15, 2013 by Source

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone… – John 8:7

By Bob Dorn

circle-the-wagonsThe Pharisees are circling. Their feasting on what are –still — unsubstantiated rumors reveals the same mob-thought and histeria of ancient history, before the rule of law.

We still haven’t heard descriptions, neither anonymous ones nor any from his public accusers, of what Filner has done. Of all the “multiple victims” (the words of a principal accuser who happens to be a lawyer encouraging people to use his services) not one has stepped forward into the light to explain when and where the mayor harassed her, or him. The words sexual abuse have not even appeared in the trash talk of the politicians and partisan lawyers.

There’s a sloppiness in this attack that beggars the imagination, as if the hatred and passion of those dancing around the bonfire has relieved them of their reason and awareness of what they’re saying.

The most recent story to come out against the mayor was from Lori Saldana, a Democratic State Assembly member until 2010.

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Things Fall Apart: Filner’s Betrayal and the “Political Circus”

July 15, 2013 by Jim Miller

…the real winners here are the same old downtown insiders who are busy popping champagne corks and laughing at Filner’s implosion and cheering the welcome help they are getting from unlikely sources.

Downtown-sdfpBy Jim Miller

Whatever the end result of the Filner sexual harassment scandal, it’s clear that even if the mayor beats the odds and survives, his credibility and ability to move a bold populist agenda is severely damaged.

Hence, San Diego’s first truly progressive mayor may have squandered the opportunity to be a transformative figure, the progressive fighter and game changer we had hoped he would be. Worst of all by engaging in abusive behavior towards women, Filner has betrayed the core principles of any progressive politics by failing to respect the civil rights and humanity of women. We don’t need to hear all of the details to know that this is true–he has admitted as much himself.

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Mayor Filner: DO NOT RESIGN

July 11, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

For the last twenty-four hour news cycle, San Diegans have watched stunned as three Democrats have stepped forward and publicly called for Mayor Bob Filner to resign. Donna Frye, Cory Briggs and Marco Gonzalez all sent letters to Filner – and the media – in the last couple of days calling on the Mayor – who has been in office all of seven months – to step down.

Briggs and Gonzalez are both attorneys involved in litigation against the City of San Diego. Donna Frye, of course, is the former City Councilmember and the ‘woman who should have been mayor’. Frye actually won a three-way race a few years ago for mayor in her write-in campaign, but was not sworn in due to the ballots being questionable.

Frye and Gonzalez alleged sexual harassment charges in their letters – although no details were given – whereas Briggs cited other issues, mainly around the latest Sunroad controversy.

The three are holding a press conference, today, Thursday, at 10 a.m. to outline more details it is assumed. (The OB Rag will be reporting on the presser, hopefully later today after the San Diego Free Press reporter writes up a story.)

In the meantime, thoughtful Democrats and progressives have had their worst nightmare materialize. Their darling – the most liberal mayor of San Diego in history – is on the ropes. Will he resign? Can he weather this crisis?

At this point – we urge Mayor Filner NOT TO RESIGN.

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We’ve Gone Surfin’ – Open Thread on Discussion of OB Issues

July 10, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for We’ve Gone Surfin’ – Open Thread on Discussion of OB Issues

We’re going surfing – boogie-boarding to be exact. I have a new board and new fins and plan on meeting JEC down at Tower 2.

In the meantime, here is an open thread – on issues of Ocean Beach. Leave your comments, observations, opinions, and thoughts in the comment section below. And if you don’t like the issues we suggest, raise some of your own.

Here are some discussion points:

  • Marshmallow/ marshmellow wars – Do you think they’re ready to be banned or brought under control some how? And how and who will do this? Who should pay for the clean-up? We personally think that the police should be kept out of it, that volunteers and locals need to deal with it.
  • OB’s new draft Community Plan update. … What? … Yes, the City has issued a new community development plan for OB. All OBceans need to familiarize themselves with the new plan, the old plan, planning issues, and history.
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South Swell Coming Wednesday Through Saturday?

July 10, 2013 by Staff
Thumbnail image for South Swell Coming Wednesday Through Saturday?

Whether OB benefits from a new long-period south swell which is scheduled to hit San Diego County late Wednesday, we’ll have to see. But this south well will bring big waves and strong rip currents to the beaches through Saturday night, meteorologists said.

OB is not a south-facing beach, but several of the surf breaks along Sunset Cliffs are, which means that they could see the large swells coming in from the “south”.

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A Mindful Walk Down Sunroad Lane

July 10, 2013 by Source

fsm7_walkerBy Norma Damashek / San Diego Free Press

To tell you the truth, these mindful walks can give me a headache…notice and let it go… notice… let go…

When I started these walks it looked like letting it go would be the hard part. Turns out the noticing part is worse — because what I’ve been noticing is really screwy. In fact, it stinks.

I notice that while Republican voters no longer dominate San Diego elections, the city’s entrenched wheeler-dealers (still predominantly Republican) persist in manipulating, controlling, and subverting city government, the news media, and public opinion.

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Is Your Vacation Stealing Your Life?

July 10, 2013 by Jim Miller

Flipped copy of molokai-e1373298775606-300x225By Jim Miller

Upon returning from my travels it was with some amusement that I noted the tag at the end of my “greatest hits” series of columns in June: “We’re re-running some of the best of his columns while Jim takes this ‘vacation’ thing we keep hearing about.” I was amused because I hate “vacations.”

Hate vacations? What am I crazy? No, not crazy just not a fan of the way our consumer culture steals our lives and sells them back to us. As Michael Ventura notes in his seminal essay, “Report from El Dorado”:

Our idea of “a vacation” is an idea only about 100 years old. To “vacation” is to enter an image. Las Vegas is only the most shrill embodiment of this phenomenon … People come here to step into an image, a daydream, a film-like world where “everything” is promised.

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Ocean Beach Planners Begin Discussion on New Draft of Community Plan Update – Release Update to Community

July 9, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Ocean Beach Planners Begin Discussion on New Draft of Community Plan Update – Release Update to Community

During their monthly meeting on July 3rd, the OB Planning Board held a discussion and then voted unanimously to release to the public the new Draft Community Plan Update for Ocean Beach. The Board also announced its ranking of public facilities it wants funded under the new plan.

It was the day before the Fourth of July – which everyone knows is a beeg deal in OB – and the attendance at this meeting was light. The Board – with 14 seats and two vacancies – had problems getting a quorum on Wednesday. Finally, 7 board members were present, and Chair Tom Gawronski continued to conduct the meeting that was to be the first public forum on the new Draft Update.

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Basking in a Baby’s Smile

July 9, 2013 by Ernie McCray

Lyric's SmileBy Ernie McCray

I was a bit out of tune the other day from just dealing with whatever tiny bits of frazzle-dazzle life had laid in my path that day and as I’m mumbling to myself over my little “First World Problem”, my cell phone vibrates in my levis pocket and I turn it on and there’s a picture of the dude, my main man, the leader of the band: Lyric. Flashing a smile that says in its very cuteness “Hey, dude, let all that minutiae go, bro.”

And so I did, like the sun melting snow. I just let it slide off my hide. I do that anyway, via my DNA, but my grandson’s smile made me not only stop but pause. Any rose near my nose was going to be smelled.

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Restaurant Review: Country Waffles in the Midway

July 9, 2013 by Judi Curry
Thumbnail image for Restaurant Review: Country Waffles in the Midway

Review by the Widder Curry

Country Waffles
2323 Midway Dr
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 223-2225

“Country Waffles” was a restaurant that my husband and I used to frequent often. I had not been back since he passed away, almost 4 years ago, so when Marilyn told me she would go grocery shopping with me and help me push the shopping cart – as I have a broken shoulder, I suggested breakfast also. I knew that she liked the “Country Waffles” and I figured I could go back there without any “pangs” as I frequently do when I go to a favorite place alone for the first time. It was interesting to see that nothing had changed; even the wait staff was the same.

They have a very extensive menu, which includes breakfast and lunch. They are not open for dinner. Besides the waffle selection, they have a skillet/scrambles section; a country breakfast; omelets; pancakes and crepes; Benedicts; hamburgers and sandwiches, etc. The prices range from $6.99 for their specials to $9.25 for a “Butcher Block Burger.”

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Faulconer Declares War Against Mayor Filner – Adding Fuel to Rumor that Filner Was Set Up on Sunroad Controversy

July 8, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Faulconer Declares War Against Mayor Filner – Adding Fuel to Rumor that Filner Was Set Up on Sunroad Controversy

Kevin Faulconer, councilmember for Ocean Beach, the rest of the Peninsula and District 2, has just declared war on Mayor Bob Filner. Faulconer is a Republican and Filner is a Democrat.

In an Op-Ed piece at the U-T San Diego published on July 5th, entitled “Leadership Must Put People Before Politics”, Faulconer takes Filner to task for ignoring the people’s business, putting politics in front of road repair, neighborhood services, government waste, blah blah blah, declaring that “Filner’s bizarre actions and combative personality now stand in the way of San Diegans getting the government they deserve.”

Claiming that “this isn’t about politics”, and he doesn’t “have a feud with Mayor Filner”, that he’s given Filner the benefit of the doubt,” Faulconer says he can’t stand by any longer and watch “Filner’s antics” breed “political dysfunction and disregard for common sense that ruined our city’s reputation a decade ago”….

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Calls Grow to Halt the Marshmallow Wars of Ocean Beach

July 8, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Calls Grow to Halt the Marshmallow Wars of Ocean Beach

Enough locals in Ocean Beach have been incensed at the horrible mess left after the July 4th marshmallow fights that some of them are now calling for an end to the summer holiday tradition.

Mike James – a former leader of the business community – has now began a facebook page, calling for “No More Marshmallow Wars“. As of this morning, it already had 214 “likes” – and they were increasing by the hour.

Here is what James says on his facebook page:

The now infamous Ocean Beach Marshmallow Wars has been taken over by idiots who could give a rat’s ass about our community. Take back our beaches.

This page was started by Mike James. Mike was instrumental in bringing back the fireworks to O.B. in 1980 after a long hiatus. His hope is to bring the community together to find a solution to what has become a destructive event in our community. He is joined by Tyler Brand, who has seen first hand the violence and the negative environmental impact the Marshmallow Wars have caused to Ocean Beach. …

There are a number of suggestions and observations on the page:

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Ocean Beach Accounted for Three-Quarters of Garbage Collected from Four Beaches

July 8, 2013 by Staff

On the day after the Fourth of July, Surfrider organized a massive clean-up of four beaches: OB, Mission Beach, PB and Oceanside. Hundreds of volunteers fanned out over these beaches in their “Morning After Mess” annual clean-up, and collected a total of 2,372 pounds of trash from the 4 beach areas.

But most of the trash collected off the sand and beaches – over three-quarters of it – was picked up off Ocean Beach.

OB accounted for 1,802 pounds – 76% of the total. 168 volunteers began at 9am near the OB Pier. Over the next couple of hours, the cleaners picked up 2,395 cigarette butts, 407 plastic bags, 131 styrofoam pieces, and 32 pounds of recycling material. The most unusual items collected were a BBQ and marshmallow guns.

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Here’s how we do the 4th in OB!

July 5, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for Here’s how we do the 4th in OB!

This was sent in by our friend, Jon Carr. Do you have a photo of the 4th in OB you’d like to share?  Send ’em on in via our email:  obragblog@gmail.com

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Reader Rant: July 4th Aftermath in OB – Power Washer on Newport Pushes Trash Into Gutters and Storm Drains

July 5, 2013 by Source
Thumbnail image for Reader Rant: July 4th Aftermath in OB – Power Washer on Newport Pushes Trash Into Gutters and Storm Drains

Editor: The following rant and photos were sent to us by a local OB resident who witnessed an early morning clean-up today – July 5th – on the sidewalks of Newport Avenue that disturbed him. He was upset and made the following accusations, which are of concern if true, but they cannot be independently verified at this moment.

Of course, as we all know, the clean-up in OB after the fireworks and marshmallow fight is very staggering and any effort to wash up the mess is applauded. Yet if the Newport trash – including marshmallows, cigarette butts, cans and bottles – is indeed washing down the storm drain – then that is a concern.

By OBracer

The Ocean Beach Main Street Association ( OBMA ) pays for a power washer to clean the sidewalks along Newport Ave after the fireworks.

All night they clean the sidewalks pushing all the trash into our storm drains and gutters.

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Oh, the Mess, the Mess … the Gooey Mess – Open Thread : What Are Your Thoughts Or Observations?

July 5, 2013 by Staff

It’s the Fifth of July – The Day After – and as usual, there’s a clean-up job to do in Ocean Beach. Is the mess worse this year? Was it worse last night? How far did it get? What are your thoughts? What are / were your observations?  Put ’em here in the comments.

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July 4th, 2013: I Don’t Feel Very Proud of Being an American Today – With Latest Revelations About Postal Service Copying All Our Envelopes

July 4, 2013 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for July 4th, 2013: I Don’t Feel Very Proud of Being an American Today – With Latest Revelations About Postal Service Copying All Our Envelopes

Yes, it is the Fourth of July, that glorious day where we Americans celebrate our history – honoring the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed and passed by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

But, no, I don’t feel very proud today of being an American. Why not, you ask, as you bundle up your family, hot dogs, beach umbrellas and head out for your own family’s festivities.

It now turns out that our own Postal Service has been spying on our mail for years. About 160 billion postcards, packages – and yes, envelopes were photographed by the good ol’ US Postal Service last year.

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July 4th: Stand by the Fourth Amendment

July 4, 2013 by Doug Porter

I’m taking today off. Unless we all stand up and say something, we have no chance of changing the government’s schemes for ‘protecting us’.

They say this is what people are asking for in the name of stopping ‘terrorists’, because ‘everybody knows’ creating a massive data sucking intelligence industrial complex is our only hope.

Mostly I’ll be hanging out with my family today. But I’ll take an hour or so so today to make a statement about what liberty needs to look like in the future. There’s a rally in Balboa Park at 11am.

Thousands of websites are participating in a July 4 online protest against the NSA surveillance programs. Reddit, Wordpress, and Mozilla are taking part in the ‘Restore the Fourth’ campaign online. ‘Restore the Fourth’ is aimed at restoring the fundamentals of the Fourth Amendment – the part of the Bill of Rights which protects citizens against unlawful searches and seizures.

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