Month: October 2013

By Matthew Wood

Sprechen sie Dude?

Thousands will flock to OB next weekend – October 11th & 12th – to speak German – or at least drink German – at the annual Oktoberfest on the beach and in the OB Pier parking lot, presented by the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association, Ocean Beach Community Foundation and a group called Hoy Hoy Boys.

This year’s two-day event is chock-full of contests, prizes, food and lots of beer. Hit the grassy area by the beach on Newport and Abbott for a more family-friendly atmosphere with music and games for the kids. Those who want to take it up a notch (and are of age) can head to the “beer garden” in the beach parking lot for beers, food and some rowdier times.

By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner

Did you ever suspect you were being taken for a ride but decide to go along with it anyway? Did you ever ignore that little voice inside your head warning you to watch out! because the guy conning you was so smooth, so really cute, how could you say no?

You’ve just been introduced to Nathan Fletcher in his rematch race for mayor of San Diego.

Nathan Fletcher is funny, engaging, self-deprecating, and a topnotch storyteller.

It appears that a CVS Pharmacy and retail store will be opening up at the old Apple Tree Market site.

This is confirmed by a quick look at the agenda of the OB Planning Committee’s Project Review Committee for September 18th. Action Item No. 1 was an application for a “Alcoholic Beverage Control License Type 21” for CVS Pharmacy at4949 Santa Monica Avenue in OB. That’s the exact location of the old Apple Tree.

CVS was applying for a liquor license for the sale of wine and distilled spirits for consumption off the premises.

But the agenda item was pulled at the last moment because, as we are told, the applicant “wasn’t ready.”

The applicant – CVS Pharmacy – is according to the agenda planning a store that “will be a pharmacy/retail establishment with less than 10% of floor space dedicated to alcohol sales ….”

This is big news and a big deal for the community.

The Ocean Beach/Pt. Loma League of Women Voters is taking off in our area. For years we did not have any local meetings, and finally we have our own group meetings right here at the Point Loma Library, 3701 Voltaire St.

October 7th, (Monday), from 1:00-3:00pm there will be a 2 hour presentation about the FDA and how drugs are approved. Besides the short video, the following questions will be discussed along with questions from the audience:

What is a generic drug and a “me too” drug?; What is an “off-label” use of drugs? Does the FDA monitor manufactures worldwide? Why do we have drug shortages?

By Jim Miller

To the surprise of many over the last couple of weeks, San Diego’s Labor Council, the San Diego Democratic Party, San Diego Democrats for Equality, Progressive San Diego, the Environmental Health and Justice Campaign, and a host of other local progressives have all lined up to endorse David Alvarez for Mayor.

Working on behalf of The Corky McMillin Companies, a major national financial player called HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) was able to secure the amount of $43 Million in financing for the Liberty Station Marketplace.

Everyone on the Peninsula is familiar with the Liberty Station Marketplace – it’s where Trader Joe’s and Vons have markets. It’s also where Rock Church is located. Plus much more.

Folks who love what’s going on at Liberty Station – the former Naval Training Center – like to site all the amenities in the area. The development has won awards. But it also has controversy.

In a recent study, Ocean Beach and Point Loma join other communities around the County that are forecast to have the highest rental increases over the next year. The Peninsula also has a 2% vacancy rate, the study showed.

El Cajon, Santee, and Lakeside join the Peninsula neighborhoods that are named by the Casden forecast for the County to have rental increases the most at a 2.9 percent rental increase from this year to next.

The USC Lusk Center for Real Estate just released its ….

A woman’s body was found floating in the ocean near the foot of Monaco Street along Sunset Cliffs. About 12:30, Thursday, a group of surfers found the body about 100 yards offshore, in the surf.

A passerby called 911 at 12:35. Lifeguards pulled the fully-clothed body from the water. The woman appeared to be in her mid-20’s San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesperson Maurice Luque told the press.

OB Community Plan Update & EIR Released for Public Review; Community Meeting Scheduled for Nov 13

by OBPB

The Draft Community Plan Update and its associated Environmental Impact Report were released for public review by City staff at the October meeting of the OB Planning Board. The official 45-day public review period begins on Friday, October 4, 2013.

Download the full documents at the OB Planning Board’s Community Plan page.

Editor: The OB Planning Board held its monthly meeting on October 2nd. Here is a report of that meeting by Sara Huffington.

By Sara Huffington

In news from the OB Planning Board …

New Board Member Appointed

Drew Wilson was unanimously approved by the OBPB as the newest Ocean Beach Planning Board member representing District 3. Newly appointed board member Wilson lives in district 2, has a degree in City Planning and comes from a family of active community members.

Proposal to Raise City Water Rates Explained

The City of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department Brent Eidson provided more information to the Board regarding the City Council’s proposal to raise water rates.

By Kelsey Lynore / Tarot Nook

Each week, Kelsey throws a “What to do?” spread for each of the zodiac signs. The first card is shown and the other two… well, you’ll just have to infer them from the written forecasts. Mind the heads up and have a lovely week!

Rams

Stay flexible, Aries. Be humble, be nimble, and remain open to the various information threads that will be weaving their way into your life this week. You haven’t heard them before. And therein lies the danger. For while you are possessed of a big idea and only too eager to make progress on it, various messengers (like, real people) will be communicating to you, slowing you down, and confusing your aims…
More? Come inside.

We’re in Day 3 of the Federal government shutdown. If you are outraged or upset, how about calling or contacting San Diego’s Congressional members who support the shutdown?

Call Congressmen Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter, Jr. Both are Republicans and both have consistently voted to shutdown the federal government in efforts to defund the law called the Affordable Care Act.

San Diego’s Democratic Congressional members, Susan Davis, Juan Vargas, and Scott Peters – all have supported the Obama Administration’s efforts to keep the government open.

Here’s contact info on both Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter.