News from Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Late April 2018

It’s always a party at the foot of Newport Ave on Farmers Market day in the springtime. Here’s the OB Twirler

“Bait Bike” Program Launched by Police in OB and Point Loma

The San Diego Police Department is launching its “bait bike” program in Point Loma and Ocean Beach after its success in Pacific Beach. The program outfits bikes with GPS devices that notify officers when a bike is being stolen. Officers are able to track the suspect’s location in real time before arresting them. San Diego PD has received enough funding for at least 2 bait bikes for Point Loma and Ocean Beach, according to Councilmember Lori Zapf’s Office. Figures from Pacific Beach indicate officers arrested 109 bike thieves last year since the program began, with the program having a 100 percent conviction rate. Bait bikes were first rolled out in SDPD in 2014. It’s estimated more than 3,000 bikes are stolen every year across San Diego County. Experts say U-shaped locks are the most effective. 10News

OBceans Turned on to Books About OB

A good number of OBceans hit the books last week so to say; a hundred people turned out for Kathy Blavatt’s book premier of “Ocean Beach-  Where Land and Water Meet“, and 45 people squeezed into the Green Center for Jim Miller’s book reading of “The Last Days of Ocean Beach”.

Power Outage Hit OB, SeaWorld and Airport

A power outage affected thousands San Diego Gas & Electric customers in the Ocean Beach area and SeaWorld late Friday, April 20. The outage was reported just before 4 p.m. It wasn’t immediately clear what led to the outage. SeaWorld said the power outage was short lived and only affected the central and west areas of the theme park. No guests were trapped on any rides or injured and all animals were okay, according to the park. The outage also hit a portion of San Diego International Airport. Officials say power has since been restored but had affected Terminal 2 and the Rental Car Center. In total, about 15,000 customers have been affected, according to the power company. Crews were able to restore all power as of 5:40 p.m., according to SDG&E. 10News

Friends of OB Library News

Grass Growing Back

Under the protection of orange fencing, the grass at the foot of Newport next to the Veteran’s Memorial is growing back.

Pt Loma Patient Consumer Co-op Wins 2nd Place in SoCal Cannabis Cup – Best Hybrid Flower

In Winners of the SoCal Cannabis Cup, 2nd Place was won by Sugar Biscuits #8 by Kanna King Farms in collaboration with Point Loma Patient Consumer Co-op. High Times

Pot dispensary raided for second time in Midway District

Narcotics agents were on familiar ground Wednesday when they raided a Midway District marijuana dispensary — for the second time. Officials said the dispensary that had operated under the name Sacred Source Dispensary reopened as Cannabis Sanctuary. A San Diego police narcotics team had raided the place on Midway Drive near Fordham Drive on Feb. 9, Lt. Matt Novak said. At that time, police seized about seven pounds of cannabis products, $1,200 in cash and a handgun, and cited five employees for running Sacred Source Sanctuary without a city permit. The business changed its name to Cannabis Sanctuary and kept operating “in defiance of local and state laws,” Novak said in a statement.

Officers served a new search warrant at the business Wednesday morning. They seized 1 ½ pounds of high-grade marijuana, cannabis edibles and concentrates and $1,300 in cash, Novak said. Two employees were cited on charges of possession of marijuana for sale and operating a business without a permit. Novak said the owners were not there, but will face charges. Narcotics teams have been hitting unlicensed marijuana dispensaries for several months. San Diego Union-Tribune

OBceans Develop $5 / Day Food Recipes

There’s a new website you’ll want to explore. The brainchild of two Ocean Beach residents, Lucy Eron Holland and her brother, Ethan Eron, the site brings to the web a project they’ve collaborated on with their Cape Cod-based mother and stepfather, Carol and Hugo Rizzoli. The goal of the $5 Foodie concept (www.thefivedollarfoodie.com) is to provide tools and recipes to help people feed themselves and their loved ones on $5 a day per person — that’s three daily meals for just $5. SDU-T

Reward Offered for Info on Hit-and-Run Driver

San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego Police Department’s Traffic Division are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the driver that struck a pedestrian in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego. On April 9, 12:06 a.m., a 26-year-old good Samaritan (victim) stopped to assist a disabled motorist who was parked along the west curb line of the 2900 block of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard near Robb Field. While the victim was standing next to the disabled vehicle, an unknown suspect driving southbound on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard struck the victim and the disabled vehicle. The suspect continued driving southbound and fled the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital and sustained a fractured lower right leg and other internal injuries. The victim is now recovering at home.

Suspect vehicle description – The suspect vehicle is described as a green 1998 or 1999 Subaru Outback Legacy wagon. The suspect vehicle will have right front end damage, including a damaged grill, fog lamp and right side mirror. Anyone with information on the identity or location of the suspect and or the suspect’s vehicle is asked to call SDPD’s Traffic Division at 858-495-7805 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Visit sdcrimestoppers.org for information on how to send a web or mobile app tip. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Where Are All the Vendors Going?

Julie Stalmer in her recent SD Reader article, helps keep track of where all the vendors from the Antique Mall are going. She reports:

Glen Gorham said about half the Antique Center vendors moved to the Kurtz Street Vintage Marketplace behind the Valley View Casino Center in the Midway District, including his space, The Mod Pad.

Criminal Proceedings Suspended for Man Suspected of Shooting Boss at Pt Loma Auto Shop

The attorney for a man suspected of killing his former boss at a Point Loma auto shop in 2011 asked a judge Friday to get another doctor’s opinion about his mental competency before a ruling. Criminal proceedings have been suspended against Nicholas Brito Rosales, now 54, as his attorney has doubted his mental competency to stand trial. Jalel (Joe) Abou, 63, was shot to death at his shop at Joe’s Auto Repair on Rosecrans Street on April 19, 2011. Rosales used to work for Abou, and he was extradited from Mexico in September 2017. San Diego Superior Court Judge Margo Woods said she had received a report from one doctor who interviewed Rosales in jail, but his attorney, Brian Schmidt, said he wanted “an independent evaluation” from another doctor before proceeding. Another doctor will examine Rosales in jail and a mental competency hearing by Woods was set for June 20. Abou was found dead at 7:30 a.m. when officers responded to the shop in the 1900 block of Rosecrans Street. Rosales fled the area to Mexico, but was arrested for an unspecified crime for which he was sent to prison. The U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested him Sept. 12 in Mexico City after his release from prison. If Rosales is found mentally competent, a preliminary hearing will be set. If he’s found incompetent, he would be sent to a state psychiatric facility for treatment. Rosales has pleaded not guilty and remains in the central jail on $4 million bail. sdnews.com

Pt Loma Association Chair Wants More Affordable Housing

In an interview of Clark Anthony Burlingame, chair of the Point Loma Association, Burlingame was asked: If you could wave a magic wand and make a wish for Point Loma come true, that wish would be, and he responded in the Q and A: “More affordable housing! We raised two sons here and enjoyed a wonderful sense of community; we looked out for our neighbors’ kids, just as their parents looked out for ours. I would like us to solve the housing issues we have so our grown children are able to live in the neighborhood they grew up in!” See rest of Q and A at La Jolla Light.

OB Beekeeper at Earth Fair

Jenny Sabato was showcasing another out-of-the-ordinary species during the parade, walking and chanting, “Save the bees. Plant more flowers,” with her 5-year-old daughter, Lilly Jane Kraus, who was dressed head to toe in yellow and black. Kraus’ bee costume was complete with a colorful umbrella that said, “Please don’t swat,” across the top. Sabato, a local beekeeper in Ocean Beach, said it was especially important for her to educate her daughter and other young children about bees, their benefits and why it’s important to protect them. “The kids are our future so if we can, as they say, ‘plant the seeds now,’ and teach them how to conserve, maybe we really can save the earth,” Sabato said. “Or at least just save the bees.” She added that learning about bees and other insects can helps kids — and sometimes adults — get over their fear of being stung. “There’s so much fear being instilled in our children these days,” she said. “The more we can remove that fear and make life just a bit more fun, the better.” SDU-T

The Chart Lady of Point Loma

When marine electronics fail, you’re going to need a paper chart – Ann Kinner, Captain, US Coast Guard, has put the little sign strategically among all the rolls of charts in her Seabreeze Book and Chart Store in Point Loma. It’s the kind of display that likely hasn’t changed in seaports for 200 years. You’re surrounded by rolled paper charts peeking out of long cubby holes, dozens of them, along with maps, and books with titles such as Rounding the Horn. Sailing ships and yacht models sit between dangling globes, but make space for this wall given over to the rolls. We’re talking navigational charts from San Diego Bay to Pago Pago, American Samoa. But do we really need them today? “People rely too much on electronics,” Kinner says. “And the thing is, electrics and salt water don’t go well together, and batteries can get wet, give out. You have to have a Plan B. These charts are Plan B.” SD Reader

Denny Knox Interviewed

In an interview, well-known Denny Knox, CEO of OBMA says her favorite thing about OB is, “I really find it satisfying to go out to dinner and bump into four or five people that I know. It gives me a sense of belonging, like having an extended family. I also like, as many others have expressed to me, that in OB, you are not overpowered by tall buildings — you feel in scale with your community.” LaJollaLight

Voltaire Beach House to Have Bowling Lanes

Still in the design phase, “OB Lanes” will have 4 lanes and be part of and separate from the main restaurant, Voltaire Beach House – which opened in January 2017 at 4934 Voltaire St. in the space formerly holding O’Bistro Cafe.  OB Lanes will about double the size of the existing eatery, with plans of more indoor-outdoor seating, and thoughts of another bar, fire pits, swings, party games, live music and sports viewing. OB Lanes will have its own separate, seasonal menu featuring appetizers and finger foods. The ownership group of Voltaire Beach House also owns Florent Restaurant & Lounge, Double Deuce and Whiskey Girl in the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. SD Community News Group

Walk for Animals at Liberty Station – May 5

This area is noted for the enlightenment of its pet communities – and on Saturday, May 5, an annual San Diego County Humane Society fundraising dog-walk is expected to draw more than 3,000 participants and volunteers whose support helps fuel that reputation. The Walk for Animals consists of a two-mile stroll around NTC Park at Point Loma’s Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Road (a half-mile course has been set aside for dogs and owners who prefer a shorter trail). It begins at 9 a.m., with registration, breakfast and opening ceremonies starting at 7 a.m. Families and children are welcome.  Proceeds will help fund the humane society’s lifesaving programs and services, including shelter, adoptions, veterinary care, humane law enforcement, emergency rescue and behavior and training on behalf of the 30,000 animals expected to come into the humane society’s care this year. Registration fees range from $10 to $40. Further information is available at support.sdhumane.org or at 619-243-3469. San Diego Community News Group

Choose the Right Type of Yoga

Yoga beginners may do best to look for classes described as restorative, gentle, or Iyengar, says Jessica Matthews, M.S., a professor of kinesiology and integrative wellness at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. These use props such as blankets and bolsters to make poses more acces­si­ble. And “let your instructor know if you have any health ­issues, such as arthritis,” Matthews says. That way, he or she can show you modifications to poses. Consumer Reports

Point Loma Has a Used Book Store

Point Loma has a second-hand book store and that the books being sold there seem to be in pristine condition, because almost all of them are only “slightly used.” (In addition to the used books, they also sell new books.) Many non-fiction books are available – rows and rows, shelves and shelves of them. La Playa Books, at 1026 Rosecrans St., prides itself in being only one of a handful of “independent” bookstores left in San Diego. With only one exception, everyone working there is a long-time Point Loma family resident. The store has long been a dream of Jim Hall, the proprietor and two years ago it came to fruition. La Playa Books at 1026 Rosecrans St.; Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Info: laplayabooks.com.

Patti Serrano is one of the most influential voices in bodyboarding.

Between the mid-1970s and the late 1990s, this hyperactive soul worked for Tom Morey, organized some of the first bodyboarding contests, ran magazines, and founded sports organizations. Serrano’s life is a movie script. In an exclusive interview with SurferToday, the creator of the “History of Bodyboarding” Facebook group reveals how bodyboarding sculpted her days. Today, she likes to be called Patti-with-an-i and manages a busy agenda which includes book writing, podcasts, social meetings, and public speaking. Who is Patti Serrano? Patti Serrano, now 72 years old and retired from business consulting is one of the unsung heroes of the sport of bodyboarding. Patti was the first contest organizer, promoter, and bodyboard mag editor and was there at the very beginning of bodyboarding’s humble beginnings. Surfer Today

Hands Across the Sand – May 19

Hands Across the Sand, a coalition of organizations, activists and citizens around the world that brings the message of clean oceans to local and world leaders, will hold an event at 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 19. Founded in 2010, Hands Across the Sand grew into an international movement after the BP oil disaster in April of that year. People came together to join hands, forming symbolic barriers against spilled oil and to stand against the impacts of other forms of extreme energy. Eight years later, there’s a rising tide of grassroots activism demanding that the U.S. and the world ends the expansion of offshore oil drilling. For more information, visit handsacrossthesand.org or the local group’s Facebook page, Hands Across the Sand – Mission Bay.