Month: December 2017

By Beau Grosscup,

We have seen it coming.

Starting in 2009, the massacres at Virginia Tech, Binghamton, N.Y, Foot Hood, TX, Sandy Hook, Conn, Washington D.C, Charleston, SC, San Bernardino, CA and Orlando FL along with many ‘minor’ shootings too numerous to list, provided strong evidence that American society was becoming a ‘soft target’ for domestic terrorists. The Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Texas massacres, that combined killed 111 and wounded 509 people, confirm it.

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets Wednesday, December 6th, and by the looks of it, the agenda is full of controversy – but no development projects. The Board meets at the OB Rec Center at 6pm.

First of all, the Board will determine if it has to take action against a Board member, Richard Aguirre, for his multiple absences. According to the Board bylaws, if a member misses sufficient meetings without cause, he or she can be suspended or removed.

Restaurant Review –

To The Point
4161 Voltaire Street
San Diego, CA 92107
619-226-6222

The one thing that really impressed me when I ate at To the Point several years ago was the slices of cucumber in their drinking water. I remember at the time it tasted so refreshing that to this day I still add a slice or two in my own water at home. But is pretty much all that I remembered from my eating there then so didn’t know what to expect this time.

Today two of the widow’s from my support group – Candy and Irene – and I got together to have lunch, and I had been asked just this morning if I had had a meal at this restaurant. She told me that the Chef had been changed; the service was better, and the menu and food was very good. I had no trouble deciding where we would go after we met at 11:00am. … Yes. The restaurant has really changed.

Back during the halcyon days of the Obama administration, political scientists Martin Gilens of Princeton University and Benjamin I. Page of Northwestern University published a seminal study on American democracy that illustrated that:

Despite the seemingly strong empirical support in previous studies for theories of majoritarian democracy, our analyses suggest that majorities of the American public actually have little influence over the policies our government adopts. .

Better late than never. Here are some great photos of the OB Holiday Parade – “California Dreamin'”. Most are by Adam Ewing and a couple by Joe Ewing [no relation].

The meeting on what some call the “City’s flawed De Anza plans” is about to happen, as the City presents its proposals before the Mission Bay Park Committee on Tuesday, December 5, at Mission Bay High School, at 6pm (2475 Grand Avenue, San Diego 92109).

This is a continuation of the meeting originally scheduled for November 7th but which was cancelled at the very last minute.

The OB Rag was waving the flag at the time trying to get the attention of OBceans and Point Lomans to get involved in planning in OB’s neglected “side yard” – Mission Bay, “It’s time for Ocean Beach and Point Loma to pay attention to Mission Bay“. Important decisions are coming right up – and they will affect everyone in the surrounding communities.

Why now?

Is the City Council about to make OB’s “Gateway Park” part of Mission Bay Park?

You know, that small slice of land that used to be a pizza place off to your right as you drive into OB on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard? This little park has a history of its own controversies – but now it’s besieged by yet another.

On the docket at the San Diego City Council

By Joaquin Antique

Ocean Beach alleys.

Stretching from the hill to the edge of the ocean.

Gritty concrete and dirt byways where we stash our trash and hide ugly utility poles.

In our alleys you’ll find kids playing on skate ramps or shooting hoops, yard sales, entrances to granny flats, old school garages, and converted sheds.

Dear People of Color: When They Say ‘Tough on Crime’ They Mean Tough on Your Children’s Futures’

By Terrie Best

While following local politics I was surprised to find intelligent people right here in urban San Diego who will vote against their own interests. This particular anomaly is one I’d long ago set aside for white people in the rural south – the ones who are in bad need of dental check-ups but nevertheless want Obama Care repealed. When I hear of communities targeted by law enforcement I assume their leaders will be savvy enough to seek out and oppose the perpetrators of racist practices in the justice system.

Editor’s Note: Here are photos from the 2017 OB Holiday Auction held at the Sunshine Co. last night – Nov. 30th – taken by Larry Wasserman. I don’t think Larry knows the names of all the people he photographed – and neither do we, so if you recognize someone, please let us know in a comment. We also understand that the annual auction to raise funds for the OB Town Council Food & Toy Drive broke the last record in total raised.

Photo Gallery by Larry Wasserman

As I go along day to day, trying to move beyond the dark clouds that hover over me, I find myself indulging in reviving a few precious memories.

I see me in chorus in junior high school. Mr. Sidney Dawson is coaxing us to “sing it like you mean it” with a soulful expression on his face as he holds his hands over his heart.

I’ll always remember the day when we showed up at the Pioneer Hotel to perform, and the bellman said, “I can’t let you colored people come through the front door.”