News From Around Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Mid March 2016

Police surveillance cameras on Lifeguard station.

Some Police Cameras Installed

At least a few of the police surveillance cameras have been installed, and it appears that 3 of them are on the main Lifeguard tower. There’s been no more contentious issue of late rolling OB then these cameras. A community forum was held by Citizens Against Privacy Abuse back in December in which over 50 villagers attended – most of whom opposed the cameras. A quick show of hands at a recent OB Town Council meeting showed nearly a 50-50 split in opinion on them. So despite all the opposition to the cameras – a sizable portion of OB’s populace did not seem to mind them; the merchants had pushed for them, and the police lobbied for them. And now – at least – some are here.

March 19th – Friends of OB Library Book and Yard Sale – Donations Needed

The Book and Yard Sale sponsored by the Friends of the OB Library is fast upon us. Because they have such limited storage space at our historic, but tiny, library, the Friends have been unable to accept book donations until recently. But they really need book donations now, especially hard back fiction, but all donations are fine. Please bring your gently used books, DVD’s, CD’s, Videos, and other audio visual stuff to the library by Friday afternoon, Mar. 18.

They also need small yard sale items, which would be best donated on Friday afternoon. They need buyers, so please bring your friends, neighbors, and random acquaintances to the Book Sale. If your would like to help, they need help sorting books on Friday, from 1:00 until done (by 3:00 usually). On Saturday, they need help setting up (8:30-9:30), taking down (12:30-1:30), selling, schmoozing, and contact having a good time (any times between 9:30 -12:30).

Wife of Drowning Victim in OB Asks “What Was He Thinking?”

The wife of the 46-year old La Mesa man who died after being caught in a rip current in Ocean Beach is questioning what was going through her husband’s mind when he jumped into the ocean.  “I said what’s going on with him?” said Maria Ughetto. “What’s he thinking? Why did he go swimming at this time at the beach.”   “My heart is broken because I don’t have my husband anymore… and he was everything for me,” said Ughetto. Ughetto, a retired army veteran, went swimming near the Ocean Beach Pier died Saturday night- March 12 – at a local hospital, despite efforts by lifeguards to save him, authorities said.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office Sunday identified him as Cesar Ughetto, 46, who had gone out to dinner with family and friends in Ocean Beach before he went in the ocean. Ughetto disappeared from view shortly after entering the water, 911 was called and lifeguards began their search, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.  Lifeguards found Ughetto under water, got him to shore and began life- saving efforts including CPR. For more at Fox5.

The city is saying that Hess hasn’t complied with parking requirements.

Hess Brewery Dinged by Lack of Parking Citation

Hess Brewing Co., the newly-opened and popular beer tasting place on Voltaire was recently cited by the City of San Diego on their insufficient parking available for their patrons. If the city is citing Hess, what’s the city to do with all the new breweries opening up on Newport Ave.?

Point Loma High Players and Fans Left in the Dark

This is a strange story: After winning a CIF soccer championship, Point Loma Pointer players and fans found themselves in a dark stadium at Olympian High School in Chula Vista when stadium lights were turned off before their team’s trophy presentation began following the team’s victory over San Marcos.

A large turnout of these paying students, boosters and fans had watched the Pointers earn a 3-1 victory for their first CIF title in 33 years when, at the final whistle, many students ran onto the field to celebrate with the athletes. When security personnel asked them to leave the field, the students did so quickly and without incident, according to PLHS Principal Hans Becker.  Suddenly, the lights on the Point Loma (visitors) side of the field were turned off, and confused people began leaving the darkened stands.  … Then, as Pointer players and coaches stood awaiting their introduction, the remaining stadium lights turned off, leaving numerous Pointer students, parents and fans in a completely dark stadium at an unfamiliar school site.  San Diego Community News Group –

OB Elementary Principal to Kiss a Pig

There are exciting things going on over at OB Elementary. Principal Drapeau on Friday, March 18th will kiss a pig in front of the whole student body and staff. He agreed to do so if they raised more than last years Jog-a-thon amount of $14,500, and they did! Students raised over $16,000 for our school! Even though the school lost 2 teachers and are down 75 students from last year, our community came together to raise money for its arts program! Come see the action during morning announcements Friday at 7:45am.

No Good Leads in Parrots Killings – Issue to Be Addressed at OB Town Council Meet

Officers investigating the multiple parrot shootings in Point Loma and Ocean Beach this year say they have still not identified a suspect in the crimes.  The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services has been investigating the pellet and BB gun shootings, but say their leads have not panned out. Ch10News There is now an $8,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the parrot shooter.  If you have any information, call the Department of Animal Services at 619-767-2766.

The issue of the parrot killings will be addressed at the next OB Town Council meeting, March 23rd, which will be held at the Masonic Center, at 7pm.

New construction fence around future site of OB Plaza.

New Construction Fence Around Former Doctors’ Offices – the Future “OB Plaza”

There is a new construction fence that raps around the doctors’ offices complex at Cable and Santa Monica. This is presumably to prepare the site for its construction phase – the building of the Ocean Beach Plaza.  The plaza development was approved by the OB Planning Board on August 6, 2015.

Here is an artist rendering of the planned project.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OB Chili Cook-Off Contestants Needed

The OB MainStreet Association is looking for a few good chili cook-off contestants – all for the 37th annual Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on June 25. For more information and to apply, visit oceanbeachsandiego.com.

ChapteOne’s new facade.

Chapter One Tattoo Parlor Opens

The tattoo parlor that went into the Gilmore Family jewelry store has opened, as they said they would, in a short while.

Inside the former jewelry store. Wow. What a diff.

Hookah Parlor Closes

The hookah parlor on Newport closed – finally. No one was ever seen inside. They had recently applied for a food and alcohol license – but it appears nothing came of that effort. Now the space is up for lease. Brewery anyone? (Just kidding)

No one practically was ever seen inside the hookah bar.

Dog Lost at Sea Returned to San Diego Owner 5 Weeks Later

The fisherman whose dog was lost at sea and thought to be dead wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday that he was “beyond stoked” that his beloved pet was coming home at last. And it will soon be a very tail-wagging moment as Luna, a 1½-year-old, blue-eyed German shepherd/husky mix and owner Nick Haworth are expected to be reunited today. Luna fell overboard from a fishing boat off the coast of San Clemente Island in February and was missing for five weeks before she turned up near a naval facility on the island.

Conner Lamb, a friend of Haworth’s, picked up the dog after she was flown to North Island Wednesday because the fisherman was out of town. Haworth and his one-man crew were two miles offshore of the island on the 45-foot boat “Elizabeth H.” before dawn on Feb. 10 when they noticed that the 40-pound dog was missing. “One moment Luna was there and the next she was gone,” Haworth told Navy officials at the time. Lamb said no one is sure how she came to slip off the boat. More at SD U-T.

Two Local Women Beaten Up by Female Traveler

Two local OB women, both who work at Lola Luna on Newport, were beaten up two weeks ago by a female traveler, who had plenty of friends. Rio Mentza and Kimberly suffered injuries after a crowd of young travelers surrounded Rio in the street. Rio had just walked a customer to her car, had returned and had tried to talk sense into a bunch of young people, when the toughs got around her and taunted her. Then a women from the group rushed up to Rio and hit her in the mouth. Kimberly, her boss, was inside the store but rushed out when she realized Rio was being beaten. The same young woman kicked Kimberly in her ribs, fracturing them.

The police arrived and arrested the young female fighter.  Apparently she was released after being convicted and was placed on probation. Rio saw her a few days later walking by the store and again taunting people inside. San Diego Police made a sweep of the Newport Avenue area the next week, and a week after that, a casual observer could not find any clusters of travelers hanging out in front of Starbucks, their favorite place.

OB Picked as “Best” Neighborhood of a Large City

In news that doesn’t sit well for OBceans looking to resist gentrification and the threats to community from short-term vacation rental companies, something called Trulia  has issued a report that found Ocean Beach in San Diego the “best” neighborhood of a large city. Here is what they say: Living Well in Large Cities;

For big-city folks looking to live well, Southern California is the place to be. Four of the top five neighborhoods scoring highest on our live well index are in the Southland. Sunny Ocean Beach in San Diego is an urban hiker’s paradise. Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean, Mission Bay, and Point Loma, it boasts a lengthy network of trails and footpaths, and also a number of surf shops, skate parks, and volleyball courts to help residents live the beach lifestyle.

Here is one of their charts:

More Breweries for Newport – Yoga place just opened, closes.

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