Continuing on the road of life … in OB.
OB Featured in CityBeat
In its current issue, CityBeat features OB in its “neighborhood watch” column. The OB Rag is quoted on deaths at the Sunset Cliffs, a bunch of local characters are interviewed, and the whole thing begins:
Ocean Beach resembles Pacific Beach in that both seaside towns are defined by sandy feet and enforced acronyms, in this case: OB. But, that’s about it. Interchange the stereotype of PB bros with OB bohemians, and switch the soundtrack from “Party Rock” to “Jam Rock.”
In achieving small town warmth, OBceans have the I-5 contractors from the ’50s to thank. By circumventing this patch of shoreline, mainstream tourism was funneled into the laps of Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and La Jolla. Sunset Cliffs Boulevard was the road less traveled, turning OB into the Haight-Ashbury of San Diego.
Then the hippies of the ’60s became the entrepreneurs of the ’70s. Now it’s somewhat subdued, but an anti-establishment energy still exists to drown out efforts by mega-corporations trying to set up camp. Starbucks snaked its way on to the main boulevard amid an onslaught of protests in 2001. Otherwise, the shops are independent, and the bars are dingy.
Point Loma Fire Station to Be Demolished and Remodeled
The PL Fire Station on Catalina will be torn down and remodeled by the City in the upcoming foreseeable future.
Gunshot and Stabbing at Santa Cruz Cove
The SD Reader reported: “San Diego police spokesman Travis Easter confirmed they received a 911 call of reported “gunshots” at 7:18 p.m. on May 24. When officers arrived, they found one victim who had been stabbed in the hand but no one had been shot.”
Police Moving into Holiday Weekend and Shift Changes
Community Relations Officer David Surwilo announced at the recent OBTC meeting last week that SDPD will be moving into their holiday weekend schedules. Plus local police are having a shift rotation – which occurs 3 times a year. Western Division officers will be utilized, as they are familiar with OB. Plus the Beach Team will soon be up and running. Surwilo explained that the department is “getting officers ready for July”. And he said that “we have a very good working model for OB’s July 4th and the fireworks.”
Lifeguard Stats for April
Ocean Beach lifeguards, for the month of April 2016, made 72 water rescues, handled 29 medical aids, had 4 calls regarding incidents on the Sunset Cliffs, and made 2 cliff rescues. These were given at the May 25th OBTC meeting.
OB Exposed! Winners
THe OB Historical Society held its annual OB Exposed back in May at the Masonic Center. The winners were Patty Sammuli – Peoples Choice Award, Richard Chouberry – Best Black & White, Best in Show, and Best Color. John Burrell – Best Photo from a photographer under age 16, and Ray Hitchcock – Best Special Effects award.
OB Town Council Offers Community Grants
It’s Grant time with the OB Town Council. Every year the group doles out grants, ranging from $300 to $1,000 to deserving local groups and enterprises doing good for the community. They plan to grant a total of $10,000. July 1st is the deadline to apply – and details are online . Here is what the OBTC states: “The Ocean Beach Town Council (OBTC) is now accepting applications for community grants that the Council will fund for the year 2016. The OBTC seeks to award grants to local organizations, groups, and persons that will promote the general betterment and beautification of Ocean Beach and the welfare of its residents.” Go to their website and complete the forms and submit by 5pm, July 1, to info@obtowncouncil.org – please have the subject line of your email read “OBTC Community Grant.” Grants are open to all, however OBTC Membership is strongly encouraged.
More Graffiti on OB Benches
More vandalizing graffiti showed up on a couple of OB benches just recently. The graffiti had a kind of ‘anti-Trump’ message but the crude spellings and prejudicial message against gays belie a true grounding in politics. Locals painted it all over within hours. This batch of graffiti turned up around the same time that racist vandalism hit some fresh concrete in OB, near the residence of a local OB Latino man. Both patches had anti-gay messages.
New Helm’s on Newport Gets Notice
From the SD Reader: “The Helm’s shop features an open, dog-friendly layout that suits the beach-community vibe, and wood accents and furnishings maintain the brand’s nautical theme. Sixteen taps include a cask handle and rotating seasonal releases in addition to Helm’s eight core beers. True to O.B. style, a roll-up window bar offers drinkers a chance to sample pints and tasters belly up to the sidewalk, where they can watch the street life go by.”
Local OB Bicyclist Mentioned in U-T on Wishes for More Than Bike Lanes
The San Diego U-T: Twice a week Martyna Lapinskaite rides five miles from Ocean Beach to her office in Fashion Valley, in part because she misses living in both Denmark and the Netherlands, countries that are known for their bike-friendly culture. Bikes are seen differently there, and a different perception of bikes in San Diego could help encourage more people here to ride, she said.
Fund Raisers for Point Loma High Vice-Principal Battling Cancer
Funds are being raised around Point Loma for a popular vice-principal at PLHS, Kevin Gormly, who is battling a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. He’s been at Point Loma High School for nearly two decades. CBS8 reported: “Mr. Gormly’s family said he suffered from severe headaches and was diagnosed with brain cancer in October. After chemotherapy and radiation, more tumors were found. His family said Kevin’s prognosis is not good.” During the first fundraiser, supporters carried barrels filled with cash, and – last we looked – more than $60,000 has been raised online. Another fundraiser, A Spaghetti Dinner, will be held on June 17th at San Diego’s Portuguese Hall.
Dia de Portugal Is Coming on June 11 in Point Loma
A day to honor and preserve the Portuguese culture and heritage in San Diego is scheduled for Saturday, June 11. This year’s Dia de Portugal is free to the public and will take place at the UPSES Portuguese Hall from noon to 4 p.m. The event will be full of Portuguese traditions and family friendly fun to celebrate Portuguese culture. The afternoon will kick-off with a traditional Portuguese parade. Throughout the day there will be a talent show, special guests and a variety of Portuguese delicacies. A vendor bazaar will be the highlight of the afternoon showcasing a collection of Portuguese businesses and products. To become a vendor, a donation of $100 is required. More information can be found at www.upses.com. San Diego Community News Group –
Point Loma Summer Concerts on Schedule
Point Loma Summer Concerts announces its 16th season of concerts at Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd., featuring four new acts and a crowd favorite on the main stage and musical groups from Point Loma and Ocean Beach on the junior stage. All concerts are held on Fridays, with junior stage bands performing at 5 p.m. and main stage acts starting at 6:30 p.m. Go here for the line-up.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Noticed another brewery opening up on Newport. Let’s look at what happened to Pacific Beach before we welcome more drinking establishments into OB. The PB Town Council allowed bar after bar to set up in their community, now it has the highest crime rate of any beach community. Let’s not follow in their footsteps. We have enough places to get a beer in OB.
John M – yeah, we get it – see this “How many breweries can OB handle?” http://obrag.org/?p=104889
Exactly when is the upcoming foreseeable future? :-)
The new Helms tasting room is a nicely redone space on a prime corner with a maritime/ocean theme, sustainable materials and OB ownership.
Tasting rooms are not bars. They close earlier an attract customers to Newport Avenue that might eat dinner, shop local and enjoy the Main Street feel of OB.
Sounds pretty good to me.
Above all, the brew tastes good!
You said OB ownership, Byron. Who is the owner?
Geoff
I do not know the name of the partnership, but I do know that at least two of the partners that I spoke with at the opening are local businessman in OB and at least one lives in OB.
Ok, so who are they then? The name of the company is the Helms Brewing Company, LLC. I was curious who the owners were but that information is not available on LLCs, so since you said it was OB ownership I figured you knew.
I’m just hearing crickets, Byron.
Stop by for a taste and ask them. They were there the opening week.
Why are you dodging the question Byron? You told everyone in your comment that the business was owned by local OB businessmen, one of whom lives in OB. That is a major selling point for people in OB. All I wanted was for you to back that up and tell us all who these people are. You will have to forgive me if I don’t take your word as the only substantiation of the comment but I don’t.
From San Diego Patch :
A water main break left three commercial blocks in the La Playa area of Point Loma temporarily without working plumbing Thursday. The ruptured eight-inch-diameter concrete pipeline began flooding the roadway in the 2800 block of Canon Street shortly before 3 p.m., according to city officials.
Municipal workers had the overflow halted within about 35 minutes, said Arian Collins, spokesman for the San Diego Public Utilities Department. No structural flooding was reported. The city sent in a “water wagon” to serve the affected addresses pending repairs.
Crews expected to have the water main fixed and the roadway patched and open to through traffic again by around midnight, Collins said. http://patch.com/california/san-diego/s/frqk1/water-main-break-in-point-loma-cuts-service-to-businesses
Public Info listed on alcohol license:
MEMBER: CIRCA INTERACTIVE INC
MEMBER: JOHNSON, TIMOTHY NEAL
MEMBER: MITCHELL, JASON PAUL
MEMBER: RUIZ, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER
MEMBER: WATSON, KENNETH LARRY
Posted on Helms website: Operating Hours: S-Th (noon-10:00 PM), Fri & Sat (noon-midnight)
Thanks, OB Dude, I found that information but it doesn’t answer the question I’m asking Mr. Wear.
we always need more beer in OB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geoff. Didn’t have any details until OB Dude posted. Circa interactive is a local business on Niagra in OB and one of the partners is local resident Clayton Dean. Can’t recall some of the other names but looks like a good group. Stop by and meet them. Hope that helps. All the best.
Interesting reply, Byron. You posted your comment on the 3rd and OB Dude posted his the next day. On the 3rd, you said the place had OB ownership. You also said you spoke to two of the partners who were local businessmen in OB and that one lived in OB. Sounds to me like you did know more details before he posted the liquor license information.
Circa Interactive has an office in OB but I would not call it an OB business because its work is not in OB like The Shell Shop or Hodad’s.
I’m not being critical of the new business but any time I see you trumpeting a business, as you do every time for Liberty Station, I get the urge to check the facts.
Geoff. I did not know any official ownership details only that they had a previous interest in OB both business and resident. When I am tasting beer I am not necessarily asking a dozen of questions that don’t involve taste of the beer that is being poured. Circa interactive seems like a great OB employer that has a good economic impact as many other non retail businesses do for OB that are professional in nature involving no commute. As for Liberty Station, it is great to see successful retail choices for the Peninsula, like not having to drive to Mission Valley to see a movie.
Well Byron, the way you made your first post, you sure seemed to indicate you knew ownership details. Why else would I have put the questions to you? At least we’ve established that you did not have any facts to base the original comment on.
Since you are still selling, let me ask you a few questions. Since you’re being complimentary of Circa Interactive, how about elaborating for their benefit? What can you tell us about Circa Interactive?
You say it’s a great OB employer. How many people does it employ?
You say it has a good economic impact for OB. What exactly is its economic impact?
As for the movies at Liberty Station, when the introductory low prices end, the tickets will probably cost as much as they do in The Lot’s other venue in La Jolla:
$21.50 for an adult
$15.00 for children
$19.50 for seniors
Fashion Valley theaters charge:
$13.99 for adults
$10.99 for children
12.49 for seniors
I don’t think those prices will trump a little commute to Fashion Valley.
Geoff.
The only owner of Helms I knew before the opening was Clayton Dean of Circa Interactive who invited me to check it out. I know he employs somewhere between 8-10 persons but I am not about to do an economic analysis but only to say jobs are good and no jobs are bad. I know a few more people in OB support our merchants.
The Lot at Liberty Station is getting great reviews from what I hear for the convenience of easy access and saving gas, close proximity to parking off Dewey and Rosecrans, comfortable seating and great service. As for pricing I believe The Lot will need to be competitive as Point Loma is not La Jolla. I understand Tuesdays is a discount day which makes for a great date night.
I suggest you get out in OB and Point Loma and see what is new and interesting.
So have a good week, enjoy a brew and take in a good movie.
Over and out.
B WEAR
Why did it take all of this to finally get an answer, Byron? So now we know you had a personal invitation and you know one of the owners, which explains the BW promo.
Now you have offered more statistics, 8 to 10 employees, but you’re not sure and you don’t intend to back up your contentions about Circa’s economic impact on OB itself. Heck, here is an opportunity to promote a local business so why don’t you do it and let everyone know what Circa is all about, how many OB folks it employs, and its impact on OB. Wouldn’t that be good for their business?
As for The Lot. It is not intended to be just a movie theater in competition with movie-only theaters like Fashion Valley, it makes it real money serving food and drinks. So far, the only one I’ve heard talk about the “convenience of easy access and saving gas, close proximity to parking off Dewey and Rosecrans, comfortable seating and great service” is you. I’m sure it will be popular but not with regular folks who can’t spend that kind of money to go to the movies and order a meal and beverages, that was my original point and I stick by it. Date night on a Tuesday? Really?
I get out in OB and Pt. Loma often enough, Byron, but thanks for the suggestion. My comments were never about the new businesses, I have no problem with any of them. My comments have only been to see if you can back up the things you say. You see, I know that many people think highly of your opinion and believe whatever you say. I’m not one of those people, that’s all. By the way, “over and out” is incorrect, it’s one or the other not both together.
Wow. What a bizarre exchange between you two. Sounds like you have some personal animosities to work out. I suggest you go get a beer and a movie together and hug it out.
There is a history, Jon, you are correct. But there won’t be any hugging or beer drinking. This isn’t the first exchange we have had like this and I sincerely apologize if it bothered you to see it. It’s just that I have a tendency to challenge when someone provides information that is either inaccurate or incorrect, especially when that person is a public figure and other people take that person’s word as gospel. I’m assuming you know who Mr. Wear is when I say that.
Too much drama.
Need to chill, make changes where you can, ignore what you can’t change, enjoy, celebrate, pat Frank on the back for good reporting, have a beer.
You guys need to be Rufusized!