June 2017

Restaurant Moving Into the Old Mission Bay Visitors’ Center

June 21, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

In our continuing irregular series on Mission Bay and its condition and future, the following development of a project heading for the old Visitors Center in East Mission Bay is a must-read, especially for those so-inclined to keep up with this largest of aquatic parks on our doorstep in OB and Point Loma.

What’s being called “a waterfront restaurant/event center” will open in the former tourist info center later this year. A $3 million project headed by a San Diego hospitality company, Playground Concepts, is developing the site as “Shoreline Mission Bay”.

And recently, the San Diego City Council approved a 25-year lease with Playground to move forward on their project. The building is 4,600-square-feet and the entire site is 2.6-acres.

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Ocean Month According to Trump and a ‘Dolphin-Hating’ Budget

June 21, 2017 by Source

Trump’s Version of Ocean Month

By David Helvarg / Blue Notes /June 20, 2017

On May 31 the White House released a statement from the President declaring June National Ocean Month. It read in part,

“Today, our offshore areas remain underutilized … In the field of energy, we have just begun to tap the potential of our oceans’ oil and gas, wind, wave, and tidal resources to power the Nation. The fisheries resources of the United States are among the most valuable in the world. Growing global demand for seafood presents tremendous opportunities for expansion of our seafood exports.”

The depths of the ocean are nothing compared to the depths of ignorance in that statement. To reiterate: Good science tells us that we need to leave most of the known oil reserves in the ground and under the seabed, not expand offshore drilling if we’re to survive the climate crisis.

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Alyce Smith-Cooper at the Ocean Beach Library

June 21, 2017 by Source

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Russian Hacking, Voting Restrictions, Data-Mining, and Threats to Democracy

June 21, 2017 by Doug Porter

By Doug Porter

Our ability to vote in fair and free elections has never been more in doubt. This is about more than any single foreign power, dark money donor, or racist state official taking action to degrade Democracy. It’s about all of them combined. Follow me down this rabbit hole….

The Supreme Court has just agreed to hear a case challenging partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin. While it will be a while before a ruling gets announced, this case has the potential to unleash a wave of lawsuits against widespread partisan gerrymanders nationally.

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Film and Discussion on Single-Payer Health Care – OB Green Center – Thurs. June 22nd

June 21, 2017 by Staff

The Ocean Beach Green Center is hosting a film and discussion about single-payer health care for California. This will be Thursday, June 22nd at 7pm.

The presentation and film will be led by a representative of Health Care For All San Diego. The film “Now Is The Time”and the discussion will be on single-payer health care and how we can move forward with SB 562 “Healthy California” legislation.

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An Unnecessary Embarrassment for 39 Cents

June 20, 2017 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

An embarrassing thing happened to me the other day while shopping at Ralphs. Something that had me puzzled, and later pissed off.

Several months ago I purchased an item from an on-line seller. I returned it, but didn’t notice that it took almost 8 weeks to issue me a credit. In the meantime, Mission Federal Credit Union – the institution I have banked at since 1966! charged me interest on the remaining balance.

I protested the charge, and, in the end, I thought it was all taken care of. A credit appeared for the merchandise. BUT I did not check the amount of the credit carefully – my error.

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Peninsula Planners Learn City Missed Crucial Coastal Commission Deadline to Approve Roseville 30-Ft Height Ordinance

June 20, 2017 by Source

By Geoff Page

The Peninsula Community Planning Board held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 15 at the Pt. Loma Hervey Library. The two items that generated the most interest had to do with the 30-foot height limit and the proposed soccer stadium development, or Soccer City, where the Qualcomm stadium now sits.

Missed Coastal Commission Deadline Could Allow for Roseville Projects Over 30 Foot Height Limit

Last year, the city council passed an ordinance to place a footnote in the Municipal Code supposedly “fixing” a loophole in the RM-3-7 zone, specifically in the Roseville area.

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The Mickey Kasparian Scandal, Six Months Later

June 20, 2017 by Source

Update and Time Line of Scandal

By Sara Kent / San Diego Free Press

Six months ago news broke about Sandy Naranjo, a young mother, progressive activist, and passionate labor advocate filing a lawsuit against one of the most powerful men in San Diego.

Mickey Kasparian, President of United Foodservice and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135 was named in the complaint, which included claims of gender discrimination and retaliation she experienced while working at the Union. Kasparian was then also President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council.

That litigation is ongoing.

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Were You in Ocean Beach During the ‘Summer of Love’ in 1967?

June 19, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Were you in or near OB during the “Summer of Love” in 1967?

If so, we’re looking for you and we’d like to hear your stories of those days. The OB Rag is looking for folks who were in OB – or San Diego – during the famous summer 50 years ago and can share what they experienced during that fabled summer.

The summer of 1967 certainly changed OB. Music, clothing, fads, drugs and a new rebelliousness among the young were the hallmarks of the emerging counter-culture which burst upon the national – and international – scene when the fabled Summer hit. And OB was right there – it became the hippie capital of San Diego, while San Francisco became the hippie capital of the nation.

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Ten Concrete Actions Jerry Brown Can Take to Become a Real Green Governor

June 19, 2017 by Source

by Dan Bacher

Responding to President Donald Trump’s decision on June 1 to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, California Governor Jerry Brown immediately issued a bluntly-worded statement condemning the decision.

“Donald Trump has absolutely chosen the wrong course,” said Brown. “He’s wrong on the facts. America’s economy is boosted by following the Paris Agreement. He’s wrong on the science. Totally wrong. California will resist this misguided and insane course of action. Trump is AWOL but California is on the field, ready for battle.”

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The Truth Can Set Us Free

June 19, 2017 by Ernie McCray

Truth

By Ernie McCray

Jim Comey. My man! I wish I could shake his hand. I mean I’ve got to put aside my deep deep deep disdain for the FBI to give props to a man who has come through with something I’ve so much wanted somebody from a high place to do — call Donald J. Trump out for what he is: a liar. For all the world to hear and see.

Of course he was stating the obvious but it needed to be said just as he said it: out loud – because some of us and the media keep cutting him slack with witty intellectualizing about what a lie really is, how a lie might not be a lie if it wasn’t intended to be a lie. What a lie all of that is.

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The Top 5 Stories Getting Buried by the Trump Carnival

June 19, 2017 by Jim Miller

Carnival

By Jim Miller

Trump is a train-wreck, I know.

But while the pathetic carnival that is the White House continues to distract and horrify Americans, some hugely important news is getting lost in the din.

Here are a few of the stories that should be getting equal time but have been drowned out by the drama of the Disaster in Chief.

1. American public education is under an unprecedented assault.

Through a combination of budget cuts and calculated policies to encourage rapid and wide-ranging charterization, the Trump administration’s Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is no joke when it comes to seeking to “disrupt” public education and …

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The Feral Cats of Coronado Avenue in Ocean Beach

June 19, 2017 by Source

Resource List for Help Dealing with Feral and Stray Cats

By South OB Girl

It was two years ago, that I first heard about the feral cat situation or cat hoarding or wild animal infestation in the 4500 block of Coronado Avenue in OB.

Unfortunately it sounds like the issue reared its ugly head again. Which is what happens if food is left out and stray cats are not spayed or neutered. The population of feral -stray cats recently reached a reported number of approximately 50.

Two years ago residents near Coronado and Santa Cruz Avenues, west of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard spoke of an enormous number of cats and a disgusting odor from a residence where the “cat lady” lived that could be smelled even a whole block away.

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Today Is the 45th Anniversary of the Watergate Break-In

June 17, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Today – June 17th, 2017 – is indeed the 45th anniversary of the infamous Watergate break-in.

It was the night of June 17, 1972, that 5 so-called “burglars” were caught red-handed inside the National Democratic Party Headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, DC.

But as it turned out, not only did the burglars have CIA and anti-Castro Cuban connections – they also – and most importantly – were being paid out of a slush fund from the Committee to Re-Elect President Nixon, which was managed by the highest officials inside the White House.

The burglary of the Democratic Party’s HQ was just the tip of the iceberg – but it was that tip that eventually led to Nixon’s resignation on August 8th, 1974.

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Ocean Beach Signs and Memorabilia

June 16, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Before an audience of 50 people inside the chapel at the former Methodist Church on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, Claudia Jack got to show off many of the signs and memorabilia from Ocean Beach that she’s collected over the decades. The show was the monthly public gathering of the OB Historical Society.

After an introduction by the new OBHS president Eric Duvall, Claudia presented slides of many of the signs she has amassed – all kept in her house – and each one with a story. She also had a whole pile of objects from OB’s past.

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Progress on the Avenida de Portugal Park in Point Loma – Workshops Set

June 16, 2017 by Source

By Don Sevrens and Jon Linney

Great news! Public workshops are finally scheduled for the pocket park on Avenida de Portugal.

Well, that is half true.

Workshop No. 1 will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday July 26 at the UPSES Social Hall at 2818 Avenida de Portugal. There is ample public parking and ADA access. The United Portuguese graciously agreed to waive the rental fee …

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San Diego Is Not the Emerald City

June 16, 2017 by Source

Emerald City

By Jack Doxey / Veterans For Peace

When I pick up people at the San Diego Airport, I enjoy watching their reaction as they see, for the first time, the San Diego skyline. Most are impressed with the breathtaking views at night. The bright lights shine like beacons; especially the Emerald Shapely Building with its elegant architecture and its emerald green sparkling lights. San Diego is, indeed, a beautiful city.

However, there is more to the city than meets the eye. San Diego, for me, conjures up memories of the movie The Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy and her newfound friends skip along the yellow brick road and although they get to visit the castle and the wizard himself, they never get to the Emerald City because it is illusionary. It does not exist.

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Volunteers Are Needed for OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival

June 16, 2017 by Source

Volunteer for the OB’s Annual Festival – Saturday, June 24, 2017

It’s the 38th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival, and volunteers are still needed.

From OB Mainstreet Association

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteer assignments have been sent to all our registered volunteers!

If you’d still like to lend a last-minute hand, please contact Isabel in the OBMA office (619-224-4906 or isabel@oceanbeachsandiego.com) so we can find a place for you.

Current volunteers, please contact Isabel with any questions about your volunteer service.

Volunteer Information

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Trump Is Now Under Investigation for Obstruction of Justice

June 15, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Major news organizations – including the Washington Post – have announced that President Donald Trump is now under investigation for possible obstruction of justice by special prosecution, Robert Mueller. The Post ran:

The special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 election is interviewing senior intelligence officials as part of a widening probe that now includes an examination of whether President Trump attempted to obstruct justice, officials said.

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Claudia Jack Presents

June 15, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

By Frank Gormlie

Claudia Jack – a venerable fixture in a “who’s-who” of the people who make OB run – is definitely THE “Go-to-Woman” of Ocean Beach. If you need something, somebody, or have a question or issue about OB, Claudia’s the woman to see. It was just a couple of months ago that the OB Town Council presented her with their Lifetime Achievement Award for 2014.

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The Widder Curry Has Had It with Cox Cable

June 15, 2017 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

As I sit here in front of my non-functioning computer for the 5th day in a row, with my hand on my inoperative land line – and cell phone for that matter – I am frustrated beyond words. And to make matters worse even though I am not a television watcher, my television is not working either!

I can’t begin to tell you how many technicians I have talked to at Cox. Each and everyone has been friendly; each and every one has put up with my increasing irritation; each and every one has offered an adjustment on my bill; and all I want is an explanation and to have the damn thing work.

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Councilwoman Zapf Votes the Party-Line for a Special Election

June 15, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Councilwoman Lorie Zapf voted the Republican Party line on Monday, June 12th, which was to support Republican Mayor Faulconer’s bid for a Special Election. Zapf represents Ocean Beach, Point Loma and much of the beach area in District 2.

Zapf joined the other Republicans on the City Council to oppose a measure that was against holding a special election in November 2017. The final vote tally that day was 5 to 4 against the special election, and Zapf and the other GOP members lost that vote. Yes, the entire Council voted their ‘party lines’, and there’s 5 Democrats on San Diego’s legislative branch. But this is all in the context of some severe partisan actions and reactions going on in city politics of late.

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Mayor’s Vindictiveness Trumps Solving Homelessness In San Diego

June 15, 2017 by Source

homelessness

Faulconer’s Veto Likely Dooms the Convention Center Expansion

By Jeeni Criscenzo / San Diego Free Press

June 5 to 9, 2017 will go down in San Diego’s history as the week Mayor Faulconer revealed the Trump wannabe lurking beneath his compassionate conservative disguise – tweets and all! From Monday to Friday, the San Diego mayor’s office went from sending out a press release declaring:

“Our homeless crisis is staggering and the struggles on our streets are growing as more people fall into homelessness. The time to act is now. Lives of so many men, women and children are on the line.”

….to vetoing the teeny line item to fund a half-time consultant to support the newly formed Select Committee on Homelessness.

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Great White Juvenile Sharks Visiting San Diego

June 14, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Last Thursday, June 8th an 8 foot great white shark was reportedly seen in the waters off Coronado, just outside the surf line at Silver Strand State Beach. Lifeguards promptly posted warnings to beachgoers and surfers.

Local observers cannot forget that in April, a woman was bitten by a great white while she swam off San Onofre State Beach. It was during May that lifeguards at Capistrano Beach in Orange County reported more than a dozen great whites at that beach. And in mid-May, Dana Point harbor patrol officers spotted four great whites at the surf line.

Does it seem that San Diego and Southern California ocean waters are becoming more inundated with the great white predators?

Not to worry, say local marine biologists.

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“O.B. Signs Remembered” by Claudia Jack – June 15th

June 14, 2017 by Staff

The OB Historical Society presents “O.B. Signs Remembered” by Claudia Jack this Thursday, June 15th.

Presenter Claudia Jack has an extensive Ocean Beach sign collection of the community’s most memorable and funny signs we laughed at over the years. She saved many signs that were on the way to being trashed or destroyed.

Claudia will also talk briefly on the importance of community volunteerism. Claudia has often been called, “the mayor of OB” and has been one of the key people in keeping the OB Farmers Market together over the years.

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Restaurant Review : A Second Look of the Supannee House of Thai in Point Loma

June 14, 2017 by Judi Curry

Restaurant Review

Supannee House of Thai
2907 Shelter Island Drive #110
San Diego, CA 92106
619-795-8424
www.sdthai.com

By Judi Curry

It’s been about four years since I last reviewed Supannee House of Thai. A new friend – Marie – suggested that we meet there for lunch and I am glad that we did.

We arrived at 11:45am, and it was already busy. There was a large group of people at one table, and five other tables were already taken. I noticed while we there that there was a steady stream of people coming in for take out as well as dine in. After looking at the extensive menu I could understand why.

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Why Good Journalism is Liberal

June 14, 2017 by Source

Journalism

. . . and conservative journalism isn’t news journalism

By Bill Adams / San Diego Free Press

Mainstream news media has long been accused of having a “liberal bias.” Some studies have supported this belief. “Liberal bias” may be inherent in news journalism for reasons that aren’t flattering to conservatives.

Defining Liberal and Conservative. While political views are neither immutable nor binary, certain characteristics have remained relatively consistent. Broadly speaking, liberal policies support labor, equality and a strong social safety net, strong public institutions, progressive taxation, diplomacy and the avoidance of military conflict, and protection of the environment.

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Fear and Loathing in America

June 14, 2017 by Jim Miller

LoathingBy Jim Miller

A couple of weeks ago I saw Dead and Company open their tour in Las Vegas. The trip was filled with a bit of personal nostalgia for the many other times I came see the Grateful Dead play two or three show runs there before Jerry Garcia died.

Of course, all of those trips, taken with friends steeped in the larger history of the band, were full of easy, ironic references to Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas where he tells the tale of his own savage journey into the Heart of the American Dream.

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OB Rag Readers – Thanks for Your Patience – We Were on Vacation in Mt. Laguna

June 14, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

Thanks for your patience, everybody!

We didn’t post Monday or Tuesday as we were on a much-needed vacation in the local mountains, and had a cabin up at Mt. Laguna.

But now we’re baaack. Refreshed with new energy but bummed that the news continues to be bad.

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OB Planners Juggle Condo Conversion, Bike Boulevard, Capital Improvements and Input for New Lifeguard Station

June 9, 2017 by Frank Gormlie

At the Ocean Beach Planning Board meeting held Wednesday night, June 7th, the Board quickly approved the only project before it, held a discussion about Bacon Street being turned into a bicycle boulevard, prioritized a list of capital improvements for Ocean Beach, and engaged in a preliminary discussion to formulate input to the city about the new OB lifeguard station.

4628 – 4630 Point Loma Ave

The project up for review at 4628-30 Point Loma Avenue was a condo-conversion of two existing residences. Ryan, representing the owners, said his clients have owned the property since 1979. Because the back house was remodeled in 79 and the front in 2013, there was no actual construction planned, just the conversion of the two into condos. The owners plan to live in one and sell the other.

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