May 2015

Deadline for Entry into Annual Ocean Beach Photo Contest is May 20th

May 20, 2015 by Staff

The annual Ocean Beach Historical Society’s OB EXPOSED! – their exhibit and contest – will be held on Friday, May 22th, at 6:00-8:30 pm at the Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., in OB.

The event is labeled the “Photographic Impressions of Ocean Beach & Point Loma”, and the 2015 OB Exposed! has new and exciting additions… including an opportunity drawing for great prizes from local venders and a larger historical photo display.And it’s all free – including refreshments!

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New Thrift Shop on Newport Avenue Is All About the Animals

May 19, 2015 by Matthew Wood

By Matthew Wood

When local lawyer and activist Bryan Pease opened up his Newport Avenue thrift store earlier this year, it could be confused with a number of other thrift shops in the neighborhood. But this store, like his original store in Clairemont, is all about the animals.

Call it a co-op for a cause. A four-legged five-and-dime. A no-flea market?

Whatever you want to call it, the store isn’t in it to make money, just to further Pease’s pro-animal causes.

He started the Animal Protection and Rescue League back in 2003. Since then he has been a champion of a number of animals rights issues in the news, such as protecting the seals in La Jolla, fighting against puppy mills ,,,

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Sex Trafficking of Minors Hits Close to Home in Point Loma

May 19, 2015 by Source

Point Loma Democrats Hear about Sex Trafficking

By Lois Lane

The program, “Sex Trafficking of Minors in San Diego,” last Sunday, May 17, 2015, seemed distant from the Ocean Beach and Point Loma audience. We quickly learned that this is one indeed one of our local problems and one of the most profitable illegal activities, greatly out-earning drug dealing. The product is also renewable – you can only sell a package once, but with prostitution, you can sell the same product over and over.

The speakers were Ali Serano, Assistant US Attorney, Sergeant Chris Cameron, San Diego County, and Gayle Sollfrank, representing a resource for victims, GenerateHope.

If we don’t think this is our problem, Ms. Serano displayed a printout from that day, showing six active Point Loma links on the primary Internet site (not publicized here).

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Your Fancy Cocktail Was Made by a Former Dirtbag Door Guy

May 18, 2015 by Source

By Torrey Bell-Edwards / Munchies / May 12, 2015

I started as a door guy—I wasn’t even bar-backing at first. There was a sense of being entrenched, where you have to earn your stars. You check IDs and learn how to deal with people, how to calm down angry drunks and occasionally put someone in a headlock if shit gets real.

But mostly, you learn how to treat people right and how to make the night go smoothly, which makes it better for everyone. Then they’ll put you on backing up your bartender, and then it’s just busting your ass for hours on end. It’s cool because the amount of money you make is directly proportional to how hard you work, which is not true of most industries.

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The Race to Replace Marti Emerald

May 18, 2015 by Doug Porter

marti emerald By Doug Porter

One month ago City Councilwoman Marti Emerald made the surprising announcement via Facebook that she would not be running for re-election.

Emerald, who was considered a shoo-in for another term in District 9, endorsed her chief of staff Ricardo Flores as the ‘perfect candidate’ for 2016 at a press conference. Today we’ll take an early look at how the race to replace her is shaping up in an overwhelmingly Democratic council district.

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The Fight for Progressive Tax Reform Continues: It’s Time to Make It Fair

May 18, 2015 by Jim Miller

By Jim Miller

When Proposition 13 was first approved by voters in 1978 it was sold as a protection for single-family homeowners. But what voters were not told is that Prop. 13 contained giant loopholes that allow big corporations and wealthy commercial property owners to avoid paying their fair share of local property taxes.

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The OB CDC: Commemorative Bricks, Bike Stations and Veterans’ Plaza

May 18, 2015 by Source

By Lois Lane

This is my report of the Ocean Beach Community Development Corp (OB CDC) meeting of May 13th, held in the Rec Center.

Commemorative Plaques at Entryway Plaza

The OB CDC regular meeting opened with a discussion on a request for commemorative plaques on the Entryway/Gateway project. There is still space available for 100 bricks. Small ones, 8” x 2”- are expected to cost $200, while the large ones, 12” x 12” – go for $1000.

No phone numbers or advertising are permitted, and the CDC appears to reserve the right to disapprove the engraved wording, just in case you are thinking of funding one that says “In memory of Anthony’s Pizza Parlor.”

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OB Rag’s Week-End Sedition News From Ocean Beach and Point Loma

May 16, 2015 by Staff

Here’s the OB Rag’s “Weekend Sedition” – a round-up of local Ocean Beach and Point Loma news and notes .

*Memorial for Anne Gillin was held on Sat., May 16
* City Atty Office Ordered 10 Medical Pot Dispensaries to Close – Including 1 in OB
*Colony of Cats Fed by OB Joggers and Bikers
*Collier Park Tree Removed after falling
*March vs Monsanto – May 23
*Plum Street House in Perpetual Remodel Under Ultimatum
*Carlsbad May Have Won Fight Against Power Plant
*Overweight, the San Salvador Replica Postpones Official Launch
*Crime report – 52 Crimes 4/24/2015 – 5/3/2015
John Noble of Coastal Sage Adopts a Plot in Balboa Park
*Point Loma Nazarene Extends Nursing Program

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Slightly Stoopid Makes the Rounds in Ocean Beach

May 15, 2015 by Matthew Wood

By Matthew Wood

This week has been a whirlwind neighborhood tour for Ocean Beach’s favorite band, Slightly Stoopid.

The local boys played an invitation-only show at OB Noodle House Bar 1502 on Wednesday night, then made an appearance this morning with 91X at Nico’s Restaurant.

“You can’t beat being home,” said Kyle McDonald, one of the band’s founders. “It suits us nice to live in the place you want to be.”

The show at Noodle House celebrated the restaurant’s first anniversary. It also helped raise funds for the OB Fireworks Show on Fourth of July.

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History of the Rowdies and Ruffians of Ocean Beach

May 15, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

Originally published May 15, 2015

By Frank Gormlie

The recent spate of violence – the several stabbings down at the beach and the recent fight between bar patrons on Newport that broke the window at Lola Luna – remind me of the rough and sordid underbelly of OB’s history.

For matching OB’s reputation of being San Diego’s “laid-back”, liberal seaside village of tolerance, peace and hipness – there is a underbelly that shows Ocean Beach in a different light and gives it some of its color.

It’s OB’s history of rowdies and ruffians.

And gathered together, the stories of the different brands of rowdiness and ruffian-isms give rise to the view that OB indeed is a colorful and diverse community with quite an interesting, not-oft spoken history, with some of it downright nasty and ugly.

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Coming soon …. Later Today (Friday) … the History of OB’s Rowdies and Ruffians, Interview With Slightly Stoopid, News Update

May 15, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

Dear Reader:

Please have patience.

Awesome posts are coming soon …. like, later this morning (Friday)

Such as … the History of OB’s Rowdies and Ruffians,

such as … Interview With Slightly Stoopid,

and a bitchin News Update from OB and the Peninsula

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Progress, San Diego style: Where more gets you less

May 14, 2015 by Source

By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner

I’ve lived in San Diego long enough to remember what things were like “way back when.” And you know what? Not that much has changed!

True, there are more people living here than ever before. More restaurants and bars and multiplex theaters. More monotonous red roofs rimming bulldozed hilltops in the city’s north suburbs. Many more seals and sea lions hauling out on La Jolla beaches.

There are also many more sleek highrises downtown (but, oddly, fewer pedestrians on the sidewalks than you might expect – a mere fraction of what you’ll find in other urban downtowns).

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Drink Outside the Box

May 14, 2015 by Source

By Jill Richardson / Other Words

I recently checked out an upscale yoga studio here in Madison, Wisconsin and discovered a new and disturbing trend: boxed water.

Boxed water?

OK, I’ve heard of boxed wine — and maybe even drunk a little. But water?

The yoga studio in question appeals to a young, wealthy, presumably eco-conscious demographic. As the skinny, beautiful clients file into the heated room with their yoga mats, they pass a refrigerator case of boxed water and a sign proclaiming its environmental benefits.

These supposed benefits come from packaging water in a box instead of a plastic bottle.

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Doctrine of Discovery – Unmasking the Domination Code

May 13, 2015 by Source

A Documentary Film Screening at Sycuan Showcase Theatre

By Rose Davis /Indian Voices

The Kumeyaay bird singers took the stage prior to the screening and set the mood with their rhythmic chants and methodical, hypnotic rattling of seeds in their gourds. A solemn but vitally important occasion which is why the call and response mood of “Where are our leaders, where are our leaders?” resounded throughout the evening.

This documentary, directed by Sheldon Wolfchild is told from the viewpoint of the original people rather than the conquerors, sets the record straight. Co-producer Steven Newcomb, on who’s book“Pagans In The Promised Land” the film is based, patiently and eloquently explained the need for survivors to know what happened in the past.

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What’s in the Mayor’s Budget for Ocean Beach?

May 13, 2015 by Source

By Lois Lane

The City of San Diego Budget hearings are just beginning. OB did get to keep the standard services – trash pickup, beach maintenance, lifeguard services, library and rec center support – all covered under general categories.

What is unfunded is interesting.

The North Ocean Beach Gateway Project (adjacent to Robb Field) Phase II for FY2016 shows no additional funding.

In contrast, FY2015 touts as an accomplishment “Completion of the Ocean Beach Gateway Mini Park.”

OB also did not get the requested library or lifeguard station upgrade in the budget as proposed.

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Dark Clouds on San Diego’s Horizon

May 13, 2015 by Doug Porter

By Doug Porter / San Diego Free Press

Developments over the past few days bode poorly for San Diego’s image and civic pride.

One of the main tourist attractions, the football team, the successor to the downtown development agency and the home for Comic Con are all in turmoil.

Controversies have arisen concerning the lone Democrat on the Board of Supervisors and the sheriff’s department is being investigated for civil rights violations arising out of the arrest of a mentally handicapped man.

So many stories, so little time to tell them all:

Sex and Drugs at SeaWorld …. COME INSIDE

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Gov. Brown on Climate Change: “We’re dealing with it and it’s damn serious.”

May 13, 2015 by John Lawrence

Then Why Haven’t You Put Any Restrictions on Big Oil and Big Ag?

By John Lawrence

Governor Jerry Brown is leading the nation and perhaps even the world in his efforts to do something about climate change and global warming which is causing epic drought conditions in California.

He has mandated that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to 40 percent below 1990 levels over the next 15 years. Brown called this the most aggressive benchmark enacted by a government in North America. All well and good.

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Ocean Beach Lifeguard Station and Library Pushed at City Council Budget Hearing

May 12, 2015 by Staff

A group of OB leaders attended the City Council hearing on the mayor’s budget on Monday and gave the politicos an earful of what Ocean Beach has in infrastructural needs. On top of their agenda was the lifeguard station and the OB Library.

They included Gio Ingolia and Gretchen Newsom from the OB Town Council, Valerie Paz and John Ambert from the OB Planning Board, Judy Collier from the Friends of the OB Library, and a representative of the Sunset Cliffs Nature Park committee.

This group of OBceans joined dozens of other San Diegans who were requesting the Council to increase funding for parks and recreation around the city, as well for increased monies for public safety and the arts – all in the proposed budget of Mayor Kevin Faulconer. His budget includes $3.2 billion.

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Security Forces Clash with Baja California Farmworkers

May 12, 2015 by Doug Porter

By Doug Porter

Police raids and street protests in Baja California have led to scores of injuries in the latest round of labor strife over pay and working conditions in San Quintin, an agricultural region producing produce sold in the United States.

This weekend’s violence followed the failure of Interior Minister Luis Miranda Nava to show up for a meeting with leaders of farm worker organizations in the area.

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Nuclear Shutdown News – April 2015

May 12, 2015 by Michael Steinberg

Nuclear Shutdown News chronicles the continuing decline of the US nuclear power industry, and highlights the efforts of those who are creating a better energy future.

Here’s the April edition:

By Michael Steinberg /Black Rain Press

Oyster Creek – oldest US nuke keeps shutting itself down

On April 28 patch.com ran “NRC Oyster Creek Nuclear Has Substantial Safety Problems.” Located in New Jersey, the Oyster Creek nuclear plant is the nation’s oldest (sometimes) operating nuke. It started up in late 1969, and is now 45 years old. US nuclear plants were designed to last only 40 years.

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Melting Snow and Blooming Flowers in Laguna Mountains in Early May

May 11, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

Just had to see snow last Saturday. It was early May and the drought was going strong.

Had heard that there had been snow falling in our local mountains on Friday, May 8th, so turned the vehicle east and headed out 8.

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Turning 50

May 11, 2015 by Jim Miller

By Jim Miller

Last week I turned fifty, and someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned in half a century of life. I sighed. Never having been one to make too much of personal landmarks, my response was that this was just another day.

And now that that day and that question are already past, what matters most is the unspeakable beauty of this second as my fingers touch the keyboard, and I breath in and out and listen to the sound of my son singing in the background, my wife talking to the cat, and the birds chirping in the branches of the tree outside my window.

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Demonstrators Protest Fatal Police Shooting in Midway

May 11, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

San Diego’s NBC affiliate continues to pave the way for local media in their coverage of the fatal police shooting of a man in the Midway area.Their coverage of the details and developing scandal around this shooting is the only news source tracking down witnesses and covering a small demonstration against the shooting held Saturday, May 9th.

7San Diego interviewed a second man who said he’s seen the surveillance video of the shooting and called it “unprovoked.”

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Large Tree Cut Down or Fell in Collier Park

May 11, 2015 by Staff

This large tree was cut down or chopped up after it fell. It was living in Collier Park for decades until this past weekend.

If we find out any more information about what happened, we’ll let you know.

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Toxic Turf? Movement Grows Against Synthetic Turf

May 11, 2015 by Source

By Jenifer McKim /New England Journal of Invest. Reporting/May,9 2015

Artificial turf fields, cushioned with recycled crushed tires and increasingly in demand for US athletic complexes, are getting some serious pushback.

In Swampscott last week, town meeting members approved plans to install a new synthetic field with silica sand, a more expensive product touted as a nontoxic alternative to the small rubber pellets known as crumb rubber ubiquitous on thousands of synthetic fields across Massachusetts and the nation.

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Update on Fatal Police Shooting in Midway Area

May 8, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

San Diego’s local NBC affiliate, 7SanDiego, has a videotaped interview with a man who saw surveillance footage of the recent fatal police shooting in the Midway area and quotes him as saying,

“This guy shouldn’t have been shot based on what I saw on the video.”

“This was wrong,” the unidentified man said, who works across the alley where the shooting occurred on last Thursday, April 30. He said in the newsvideo:

This guy shouldn’t have been shot based on what I saw on the video. The guy was walking, just normal, lazical lazy walking. If he (the officer) said ‘stop’, that’s all he said. He just opened the door, and said ‘stop’ and shot.”

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Sunset Cliffs Natural Park – After 8 Years of Studies and Planning, Construction to Begin Soon … Maybe

May 8, 2015 by Source

By Lois Lane

A Report of the Sunset Cliffs Advisory Council Meeting – Monday, May 4, 2015

In 2007 a kick-off meeting was held at the OB Rec Center to plan the future of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Dudek & Associates took public input for the Sunset Cliffs Park Drainage Study they were initiating.

Now, eight years later, something is about happen. Not drainage and erosion, but making the park look like a park, with an ADA-compatible walkway, signage, and more native plants.

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LA Times Buys U-T San Diego !

May 8, 2015 by Source

Celebrations are breaking out in some quarters of San Diego today as it was announced that the LA Times is buying the U-T San Diego.

Here is the LA Times account:

The parent company of the Los Angeles Times has agreed to buy the U-T San Diego, uniting the newspapers of California’s two largest cities under common ownership. Tribune Publishing — owner of The Times, the Chicago Tribune and other daily newspapers — announced Thursday that it will pay $85 million in a cash-and-stock deal for the U-T, eight community weeklies and related websites.

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Vatican Approves Serra as Saint Despite Opposition by Native Peoples

May 7, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

Despite long and continued opposition by native peoples in California, the Vatican is making it official that Junipero Serra will be declared a saint.

Serra of course is the friar that began California’s string of missions, beginning with the one in San Diego.

The process to canonize Serra has taken decades but the current Pope Francis has personally given his weight to the effort, which some call “steamrolling” or “fast-tracking” the process, and now it all seems certain.

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Cop’s Body Camera Not On During Midway Fatal Shooting – Which Did Not Involve Knife As First Reported

May 7, 2015 by Frank Gormlie

There are now two very curious things about last week’s fatal shooting by a San Diego police officer of a knife-wielding man in the Midway area.

First, the police officer’s body camera was not on – or at least was not recording.

And second, there was no knife – as first reported – but some kind of “shiny-looking object” in the suspect’s hand, as the U-T San Diego reported today, 5/7/15.

This much we do know: a man named Fridoon Zalbeg Rawshannehad, 31 years of age, was shot to death by San Diego police officer Neil Browder right after midnight, Thursday April 30th. The shooting occurred behind a Midway District adult store, the Hi-Lite Theatre and Bookstore. Browder is a 27-year veteran of San Diego’s police force and he was wearing one of the newly-purchased body cameras.

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Gilbert Field April 24, 2024 at 10:23 am on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’I looked at Zillow for a typical home in Claremont. House is 1200 square feet and the price is $1 million. 1200 time $250 =...
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Gilfield48@gmail.com April 24, 2024 at 9:24 am on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’OK. Not sure where you live, but the $250-300 square feet and value of most homes generates that land is worth more than the home....
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ingrate April 24, 2024 at 1:22 am on Why San Diego Should Not Be Awarded Anything for Its ‘Bonus ADU’ Program — Not One ADU Unit Has Been Built as Low-Income HousingFrank, check the money pouring into the Dems and paying for those flyers. Unions are catching up with developers in funding the candidates and sending...
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chris schultz April 23, 2024 at 2:52 pm on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’I just said my land was assessed at 38% of value. $300 x my sq footage puts me at appraised value for the entire property,...
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Gilbert Field April 23, 2024 at 1:27 pm on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’You are very correct that many sections of our city are outliers, like LaJolla and El Cajon. But, if your home is within a typical...
chris schultz April 23, 2024 at 12:57 pm on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’Sounds like way more land then house based on your numbers. My assessor value tells me everything. Maybe the location differs which would explain some...
Gilbert Field April 23, 2024 at 12:42 pm on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’Of course the land value % will vary within the city. I just had my home reassessed after some improvements, and since I know about...
chris schultz April 23, 2024 at 12:03 pm on ‘Hey You! Get Up! We’ve Outlawed Sleeping in Public!’My land is 38% of the value on my tax assessment. 75% seems like speculative assumptions on what?