OB and Point Loma News Round-Up

Point Loma Sewage Plant at End of Its Line – Only Large Plant in US Not Up to Fed Standards

U-T San Diego: After suffering years of budget cutbacks because of a pension crisis, San Diego now faces a bigger financial challenge: how to deal with a sewage project that could cost even more money — up to $3.5 billion once interest is included.

The Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant is the last, big sewage-processing facility in the country that hasn’t met the federal standard of secondary treatment. Getting up to speed would cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion before interest charges, city officials said.

That kind of expense would likely trigger sewer rate hikes and service cuts in San Diego and the 16 cities and water agencies that use the Point Loma plant. For the balance of the article.

OB Man’s Bamboo Bicycle Stolen – Pledges to Pedal Across Country If Returned

abc10News: An Ocean Beach man is offering to pedal his one-of-a-kind bamboo bicycle across the United States as long as the stolen bike is returned.   Rob Greenfield is an Ocean Beach resident who owns and operates The Greenfield Group, an environmentally-active marketing company.

He told 10News he just returned from a 4,700-mile trek where he rode from San Francisco to Vermont being as sustainable and earth-friendly as possible, “creating only 2 pounds of trash, using only 160 gallons of water, without plugging into a single light switch.”

He returned to San Diego two weeks ago. Last Friday, he rode the bike – which was handmade in Ghana, Africa and is worth about $3,500 – to the Vons in Pacific Beach to get some ice cream.   “Came back, the bike was stolen,” said Greenfield, who admitted not locking up the bike.  For more.

Body of Man Found Off Ventura Bridge in Mission Bay

 NBC 7News:  A glowing light spotted in the water led to the discovery of a body in Mission Bay, lifeguards said.  A boater was traveling near Ventura Bridge around 4:20 a.m. Tuesday when he saw the dive light underwater and noticed it wasn’t moving.

“I’m out here all the time with my spotlight looking in the water, it’s like my personal aquarium,” the boater told NBC 7 News.   The man, who asked us not to identify him, said something just didn’t look right when he came across one of the pilings and saw a light under water.   “The guy jumped in the water and man he came out in a heartbeat and said ‘Hey, we got a body,’” the boater said.

Divers were called in to the bridge to recover the body.   “It’s an untold story at this point,” said San Diego Lifeguards Lt. Andy Lerum.   Three divers will go into the water and there will be support team members in the boat above to help document what the dive team finds once they move the body, Lerum said.

While they have not identified the diver, officials say they believe they may have found a car belonging to the person.  Lerum said rich marine life makes the area a common dive spot but the boater who spoke with NBC 7 said inexperienced divers should stay away.  “We had a diver opening day of lobster season last year do the same thing,” he said. “Got caught under there cause it’s nasty.”

 League of Women Voters Holds Discussion on Mental Health Sept. 12th

The San Diego League of Women Voters is holding an Ocean Beach/Point Loma discussion meeting Thursday, September 12 at the Point Loma Library. This is one of 9 discussions held around the city monthly.

This month we will be discussing the League’s positions on Mental Health, how it has been followed and how the Mental Health Services Act funds have been used to fund MH programs in our county.

Each month a different topic of importance to San Diego residents is explored. Members and visitors choose which neighborhood meeting they will attend depending on time and location.

Women and men are welcome; all ages are invited to attend. It is not required to be a member to attend and participate. The LWVSD is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.   Hope to see you there!

Ocean Beach/Point Loma 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Point Loma Hervey Public Library 3701 Voltaire Street in Point Loma, San Diego, CA 92107.

Surfrider Suits Up for 22nd Annual Paddle for Clean Water Around Ocean Beach Pier – Sept 22nd

The Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter’s biggest awareness event of the year is back, calling upon ocean enthusiasts of all ages to hit the beach! The Annual Paddle for Clean Water marks its 22nd year and will take place on September 22nd, 2013 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ocean Beach Pier.

The Paddle is an non-competitive event demonstrating San Diego’s support for pollution-free beaches and waterways. Participants are encouraged to bring a surfboard, kayak, body board or other human-powered craft to paddle around Southern California’s longest pier in a mass display of solidarity for the protection of our precious coastline.

This year’s Paddle will be focused on the chapter’s Rise Above Plastics campaign, which aims to reduce the impacts of plastics in the marine environment by raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for recycling and a reduction of single-use plastics.

Chapter Chair, Roger Kube states:

“As one of the leading organizations in San Diego County protecting our coastline, we see first-hand how plastic pollution wreaks havoc on our waterways and marine environment. This year’s theme of the Paddle For Clean Water aims to raise awareness about this issue and how we as a community can come together to find solutions for the problem.”

 The morning’s festivities offer something for everyone — even if you are not participating in the paddle itself. A donation-based yoga class will start the day at 8:30 a.m. on the beach, followed by a free light breakfast for all paddlers at 9 a.m. and the paddle will commence at 10 a.m. After the paddle, there will be a group photo, guest speakers including City of San Diego Councilmember, Sherri Lightner and Rise Above Plastics Campaign Manager, Bill Hickman. The event will also feature live music from local reggae band Ottly Mercer and will be emceed by the UT’s Chris Cantore.

Chapter Coordinator, Haley Haggerstone, says:

 “This event is a favorite amongst our volunteers and supporters. Even if you don’t plan on paddling, we’ll have something for you. Come out and listen to some reggae music, hear from our guest speakers on local plastic legislation, turn an old t-shirt into a reusable bag and cheer on the paddlers from the pier.”

 The 2013 Paddle for Clean Water is brought to you by local, ocean-minded businesses 91X, Cali Bamboo, Clif Bar, Indie Yoga, Ocean Minded, Soulr Surfboards and the Lazy Hummingbird. All participants are invited to a post-Paddle after party at Wonderland — Ocean Beach’s newest surfside bar and restaurant.

New this year, paddlers are able to help raise their own funds to support clean water initiatives in San Diego County. Visit stayclassy.org/paddle to start your fundraising page and encourage friends and family to donate.

 San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Welcomes Tour de Fat – Sept. 28th

Tour de Fat returns to San Diego on September 28 for a day of bikes, beer and bemusement

If you enjoy dressing freaky, riding bikes, listening to bands and drinking beer, then Tour de Fat is where you belong. San Diego County Bicycle Coalition warmly welcomes New Belgium Brewing back for its 14th annual Tour de Fat on Saturday, September 28 in Balboa Park.

San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC), an organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles, encourages San Diego to round up friends, families and neighbors to come enjoy the ultimate day of eclectic entertainment and top-notch beer: all benefiting local bicycle nonprofits.

On Saturday, September 28, 2013 the event kicks off in Balboa Park at 11 a.m. with a massive bicycle parade weaving through city streets. Registration begins at 10 a.m. For the rest of the afternoon, exciting activities and world-class performances will take the stage, including Reggie Watts and He’s My Brother She’s My Sister.

At Tour de Fat people of all ages can ride funky bikes, eat delicious food, relax in the park and participate in unique activities such as the “Thousand Person Dance Contest”, which determines the winner of a 2013 New Belgium cruiser bike. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer’s seasonal, Rolle Bolle, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.

As if the event weren’t exciting enough, New Belgium will also award one brave role model $2,250 to purchase a commuter bike and in turn, hand over the keys to their car and pledge to live car-free for one year. Who will it be in San Diego? Car-for-Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels here.

“Tour de Fat is something all walks of life can enjoy, where diversity is not only embraced but encouraged,” explains Andy Hanshaw, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition. “One of San Diego’s most exciting and diverse events is hosted by a craft beer company AND benefits the local bicycling organizations? This is San Diego in a nutshell. I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t want to go.”

Tour de Fat is a free event, but all proceeds from beer and merchandise go towards making San Diego a better place to ride bicycles. Last year, approximately 3,500 people participated and raised nearly $30,000 for local nonprofits. This year, all proceeds benefit SDCBC and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association.

Everyone is welcome at Tour de Fat and colorful costumes are highly encouraged.

For more information on Tour de Fat, please visit http://www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat or ride along on Facebook for their 12-city adventure. To learn more about San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, please visit www.sdcbc.org.