January 2017

With Betsy DeVos the Final Assault on Public Education Is On

January 23, 2017 by Jim Miller

public education

By Jim Miller

During the halcyon days of the Trump transition period, the Education Committee confirmation hearing of Betsy DeVos stood out as perhaps the most jarring example of the craven cynicism that defines the new regime.

The headlines said it all, with nearly every major media outlet noting DeVos’s scant qualifications and terrible performance with extreme skepticism. The New York Times expressed “Big Worries About Betsy DeVos” while the New Yorker outlined “Betsy DeVos and the Plan to Break Public Schools.”

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Tragedy at Sunset Cliffs – One of the Two Women Rescued Saturday Night Dies

January 23, 2017 by Frank Gormlie
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Tragedy enveloped Sunset Cliffs Saturday night, as one of two women rescued after being swept off rocks and into the foamy rough waters, died in a hospital later that night.

The 23-year-old woman, public identified as Adriana Toro, was the first fatality at the cliffs for the new year.

Witnesses told the media that they observed two women walking on rocks near Santa Cruz Avenue and Bacon Street fully dressed with coats and shoes attempting to get a close look at the waves just after sunset. Suddenly a large wave broke over the cliffs and swept both women into the churning surf.

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Women’s March San Diego: Somewhere Near Sanity

January 23, 2017 by Source

Near Sanity

By Bob Dorn

At 9:30 am on Sunday, January 21st, the No. 7 bus driver stopped for us even though he’d lighted the “Out of Service” banner. He told us with a smile “room for two more.” Passengers were butt to butt and belly to belly. A woman said she loved my hat: I’d cut out the letter N and O, for NO, and taped them to the red baseball cap I hadn’t been wearing lately out of fear I’d be considered a TrumpLump.

By the time we’d arrived at Broadway at the 12th Ave. Transit Center crowds on foot were already heading toward the Civic Center. Cars and buses could only inch along beleaguered Broadway. So we jumped off the bus at 4th Ave. and headed north to B St.

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40,000 San Diegans March Against Trump and for Women’s Rights – Photo Gallery

January 22, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

January 21, 2017 was an historic day in San Diego – and around the nation and world – with the Women’s March. According to San Diego Police, the crowd in downtown San Diego at the rallies and the march down Broadway was 40,000 women, men and children of all ages and all hues.

It was definitely one of the largest demonstrations in San Diego’s history – matched probably by the huge immigration march of nearly a decade ago.

Here are photos from yesterday’s march – taken by a number of friends who sent them to us.

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Live Blog: San Diego & National Inauguration Day News

January 20, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

For a live blog of San Diego and national inauguration day events and news, go to our associates at San Diego Free Press – today.

One of the editors of SDFP, Barbara Zaragoza, is in DC and is sending back reports, pics and vids.

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Point Loma High Students Voice Their Concerns about Trump

January 19, 2017 by Frank Gormlie
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A group of students from Point Loma High School’s Cinematic Arts class has made a PSA of students voicing their concerns with President Elect Donald Trump.

Please come inside for video

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“Unite & Resist” Trump Protest on J20 in San Diego

January 19, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

COME INSIDE FOR MORE INFO

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Yoga Festival Coming to Ocean Beach at End of January

January 19, 2017 by Frank Gormlie
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At the end of January, members of the OB community are hosting the San Diego Yoga Festival, an event that has been in the planning since last summer.

The idea supposedly was initiated by a San Diego Police supervisor, Sgt. Yu, who patrols OB, as a method to clear OB’s parks and waterfront out. He told the San Diego Reader that:

“… I love seeing those people doing their workouts; the more they show up, the more we fill these public spaces with this type of positive energy, the more quickly transient gangs will move on…and I call them transient gangs because they gravitate and congregate in groups of 5, 10, 15 and intimidate people; they are no different than a gang.”

The mission behind the yoga festival has deepened since then, and as Katrina Thomas wrote in the San Diego Entertainer Magazine, the festival organizers are “, inviting teachers and participants from around the country,” and aim to place San Diego on the map in the yoga world.

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OB Warehouse to Close in Mid-February – Rumors Abound about Future of Building

January 19, 2017 by Frank Gormlie
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The OB Warehouse on Newport Ave in OB, part of the Cohn family’s Eatery Empire, is scheduled to close up business in mid-February. This report comes from an online restaurant/ beer tabloid, sandieogville.com .

The OB Warehouse just opened in August of 2014 with a lot of fanfare and was much-heralded for its construction motif with award-winning restrooms. It was the 3rd Cohn Restaurant Group restaurant to open in the Peninsula (Corvette Diner in Liberty Station and Bo-Beau’s on Voltaire Street in northwest OB being the others).

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San Diego’s Women’s March: Part of a World-Wide Human Rights Movement

January 19, 2017 by Doug Porter

Women's March

By Doug Porter

In 1913, thousands of women took to the streets of Washington DC on the day before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration calling for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. More than twenty parade floats, nine bands, and four mounted brigades followed activist Inez Milholland riding on a white horse marching from the U.S. Capitol toward the Treasury Building.

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Call Congressional Reps Susan Davis and Scott Peters – Urge Them to Avoid Trump’s Inauguration

January 18, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Hey San Diegans – now is the time to call – or email or text – the two remaining Democratic Congressional Representatives of our area who have not made a commitment to either avoid or boycott Trump’s inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20th.

Rep. Juan Vargas said yesterday that he was not attending the event and instead would be in his community praying with constituents. Fourteen members of California’s Democratic delegation are not attending.

Nearly sixty Congressional Representatives – all Democrats – and no senators – have gone on the record declaring their support for John Lewis by not attending the spectacle.

Come inside for contact info

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Obama Commutes Sentence of Chelsea Manning

January 18, 2017 by Source

President Obama has commuted the sentence of Chelsea Manning, the Army intelligence analyst who leaked American military and diplomatic activities in 2010, and who had become a cause celebre over those years. This act likely saved her life.

According to the New York Times:

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Apple Tree Supermarket Has a New Sign

January 18, 2017 by Source

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Restaurant Review: Ortega’s Cocina in Ocean Beach

January 18, 2017 by Judi Curry

Restaurant Review

Ortega’s Cocina
4888 Newport Ave.
San Diego, CA 92107
619-222-4205

Ever since Rancho’s closed, I have been craving Mexican food. That used to be my “go to” place and I have felt lost without them. I tried Nati’s, but it was too “gringoized” for me, and the service was not good.

I saw where people had written on Face Book that Ortega’s was a good substitute for Rancho’s, so with a new friend, Frank (not my editor-dude Frank) we embarked on an eating journey that I hoped would satisfy my craving.

Like Rancho’s, they have an extensive menu, with Appetizers

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From the Women’s March on Washington: Guiding Vision and Definition of Principles

January 18, 2017 by Source

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

The Women’s March on Washington is a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds in our nation’s capital on January 21, 2017, to affirm our shared humanity and pronounce our bold message of resistance and self-determination.

Recognizing that women have intersecting identities and are therefore impacted by a multitude of social justice and human rights issues, we have outlined a representative vision for a government that is based on the principles of liberty and justice for all. As Dr. King said, “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”

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Another Beer Pub Coming to Newport Ave in Ocean Beach

January 18, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Little Miss Will Become 7th Beer Taproom on or near Newport

Apparently, yet another beer pub is moving into Ocean Beach on Newport Avenue.

In an article published Jan. 17th by Ian Anderson in the San Diego Reader, Little Miss Brewing has just announced that it has signed a lease for the space at 4861 Newport – and pending licensing – plans to open a satellite tasting room at that location. It will be in a 2000 square feet space and Little Miss will offer 20 taps.

The brewery company also plans to open a tasting room in Normal Heights. The 5-month old business, run by Jade and Greg Malkin, began their San Diego operations in a Miramar brewhouse, and soon found a success.

Little Miss has a general motif of World War II imagery.

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A Little Bit of Aristotle’s Philosophy for the Ethically Challenged GOP

January 18, 2017 by Ernie McCray

EthicallyBy Ernie McCray

Aristotle was of the belief that “Achieving good character is a process of clearing away the obstacles that stand in the way of the full efficacy of the soul.”

He came up with such an ethical notion somewhere between 384-322 B.C.E. And here we are, as a nation, in the 21st Century, facing GOP powers-that-be in Washington D.C. who, instead of seeking ways to ethically tend to our society’s political and social needs, choose to do whatever they desire whenever they please.

“To hell with the rules,” is their operating policy.

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Protests, Boycotts, Walk-Outs and Possible Impeachment Face Trump as his Inauguration Approaches

January 17, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

President-elect Trump faces a barrage of opposition as he gets set to be inaugurated this Friday, January 20th.

Protests, boycotts, school walk-outs and possible impeachment will engulf the least-popular president-elect in American history as he takes the oath of office.

Over a half-dozen national networks are mobilizing to protest the inauguration, while on the day after, on the 21st, a massive women-led march in Washington DC promises to be the largest protest that the Capitol has witnessed in years.

Students are organizing school walk-outs across the country.

And a boycott of the inauguration by Congressional representatives has now reached 52 Democratic lawmakers who have pledged to forego the event.

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My Neck

January 17, 2017 by Source

By Anne Haule / Musings of a Boomer Feminist

Photo of hands palm downI love Nora Ephron’s book, “I Feel Bad About My Neck”. I have been feeling bad about my neck since I was about 55. As the years passed, my feelings grew as my weight increased and my necked sagged. All my photos are full face – no side shots allowed.

At 62 I had a consult with a plastic surgeon. When I told him I wanted to lose weight, he told me to wait on the surgery until I reached my weight loss goal – no point in sucking out the fat, cutting the muscles and stretching the skin just to have it sag again on an otherwise svelte neck – assuming I actually lost the weight.

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Welcome To 2017: Seven Keys for Immigrants to Overcoming Adversity

January 17, 2017 by Source
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By Carlos Batara

As the new year dawns, most of us need to reflect where we’re headed, individually and collectively.

Unfortunately, far too many of those active in immigration circles are caught in the “feel sorry for myself” moment. With a new president, one who has articulated strong law enforcement measures, about to take office, the “doom and gloom” sentiments of immigrants and their advocates are deafening.

Yet, stop for a moment and reflect back to 2009 and 2013. What has really changed in immigration law since that time? In the majority of cases, my office helps immigrants under the same rules that existed back then.

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OB Historical Society – Meet Maggie Espinosa : Traveler Journalist & Author – Thurs., Jan. 19th

January 16, 2017 by Staff

Thursday, January 19, 7 pm
Ocean Beach Historical Society Program
Thursday, January 19, 7 pm
at P.L. United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.

Maggie Espinosa

Traveler Journalist & Author

Maggie Espinosa embarked on an 800-mile walk to visit California’s 21 missions from San Diego to Sonoma along the El Camino Real. What ensued was the journey of a lifetime to become the 11th person to complete this sojourn.

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OB Planning Board Meets – Wed., Jan. 18th

January 16, 2017 by Staff
Thumbnail image for OB Planning Board Meets – Wed., Jan. 18th

Here’s the official agenda for the January meeting of the OB Planning Board. (Normally, they meet on the first Wednesday but this month had to postpone it.)

The Board meets at the OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Avenue, and at 6pm sharp.

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OB Library Friends to Meet in the New Library Annex – They Need You and You Need Them

January 16, 2017 by Source
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The Ocean Beach Library Friends sent out an online newsletter with their upcoming calendar the other day and we want to share it with our readers:

The OB Library Friends proudly announce that the OB Woman’s Club has awarded us $1,500! We will use the money for programs and the summer reading program. Thank you to the OB Woman’s Club —you are such a backbone for the Ocean Beach community.

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“How Do I Explain to My Grandchildren that a Dis-Honest Man Is About to Take Over the Country?”

January 16, 2017 by Judi Curry

For the life of me I cannot understand why there is still going to be an inauguration later this week. The papers regaled us this past weekend – and practically every day – with more and more dishonesty emanating from the President-Elect. The fact checkers are on overload, checking the lies that are being told and yet nothing – absolutely nothing – is being done to prevent this monster from ruining our country.

If you haven’t been following the news, here are just a few samples:

That report dated January 10th, 2017 has also been posted on the FEC official website and is available for public consumption.

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Where Do We Go From Here? – Lessons from Martin Luther King Heading Into the Trump Era

January 16, 2017 by Jim Miller

“A nation or a civilization that continues to produce softminded men purchases its own spiritual death on an installment plan.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Strength to Love

By Jim Miller

A few years ago, I made use of this space on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to discuss my favorite speech of his, “Where Do We Go From Here?” and ponder its relevance to the present:

When dealing with the issue of poverty, King notes that, “We are called upon to help the discouraged beggars in life’s marketplace. But one day we must come to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.”

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A Dozen-Plus Opportunities in San Diego to Protest Trump’s Inauguration

January 14, 2017 by Doug Porter

By Doug Porter

San Diego gets it. Lots of us are unhappy with the incoming administration.

There are community gatherings. There are rallies. There are protest marches. There are teach-ins. There are press conferences. There is art. There are even dance parties.

People from all walks of life find are finding ways to express their displeasure with the incoming administration. Check out the calendar below for events over the next ten days or so. Events related to the inauguration include the Trump/NOPE graphic.

Americans don’t think much of the President-elect’s transition performance, according to a Gallup poll released this week. It’s historically bad with 51% of those surveyed disapproving, as opposed to 12% (Obama/2009), 25% (Bush/2001) and Clinton (18%/1993).

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Observations on “Gentrifying” Venice, California Have Lessons for Ocean Beach

January 13, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Back during the 1970s, a group of OBceans (although we didn’t call ourselves that then) were looking into whether OB could separate itself away from the City of San Diego and become an independent municipality of our own. We were so disgusted then at how Ocean Beach was being treated by the larger metropolis that engulfed us, that a viable alternative seemed to be to set up the community as its own city.

We looked around for other examples where people were itching to remove their neighborhoods from a large city – and we didn’t need to look far – as we found a similar movement up in the coastal community of Venice –

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San Diego Sierra Club Rallies Members to Oppose Trump Agenda – Sat. Jan. 14th

January 13, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

From Sierra Club

Sierra Club San Diego will rally members and supporters to oppose the Trump administration’s agenda of increased fossil fuel usage and to promote ways of securing a path to 100% clean energy in the San Diego region through Community Choice Energy. The event will provide the public with opportunities to voice their concerns and get involved in local efforts to resist the Trump administration.

3:00 PM, Saturday, January 14, 2017

Mission Valley Public Library
2133 Fenton Pkwy
San Diego, CA 92108

Background:

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Trump’s Goldman Sachs Connections

January 13, 2017 by John Lawrence

Restocking the Swamp

By John Lawrence

Treasury DepartmentTrump’s new pick for Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, his top campaign fundraiser, was a Goldman Sachs executive. Mnuchin spent 17 years working at Goldman Sachs where he became a partner.

He also worked for hedge fund manager George Soros, founded a hedge fund of his own and was the lead investor in IndyMac, a failed subprime lender that turned into a “foreclosure machine” during the housing crisis.

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Adios Chargers: Don’t Let the Door Hit You Where the Good Lord Split You

January 13, 2017 by Doug Porter

By Doug Porter

The San Diego Chargers are headed to Los Angeles. Halleluja!

“After much deliberation, I have made the decision to relocate the Chargers to Los Angeles,” team owner Dean Spanos wrote in a press release and letter to season ticket holders. “Today we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers.”

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