News and Notices for Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Early December 2018

Banner at the OB Hotel during the Holiday Parade by the OB Resister Sisters.

Intersection at Saratoga and Ebers Upsets Local Residents

Residents in Ocean Beach are taking their concerns over what they say is a dangerous intersection to the OB Planning Board. Isaac Darby, Vice President of the OB Neighborhood Watch, says the intersection in question is Saratoga Ave. and Ebers St., situated near a children’s park and blocks away from Ocean Beach Elementary. The OB Neighborhood Watch group wants to see a four-way stop sign at the intersection. “People kind of pick up momentum seeing that the stop sign on Santa Monica is the last one all the way before the stoplight at Voltaire, so it’s kind of the last stop before you just can bonsai out of town,” said Darby.

In addition to speeding, he says large trucks are often parked on the street causing blind spots. Darby says the intersection is most dangerous during the morning and evening commutes, for both drivers and pedestrians. Darby’s initial application to the city for a four-way stop sign was denied; he was told it didn’t meet city requirements. Now he and other residents are taking their concerns to the OB Planning Board in hopes of building a stronger case. The OB Planning Board Chair says the board can request a traffic study. Once it’s complete, the city will review it and make a recommendation. “My plea is do something proactive before we have to be reactive and someone gets hurt or worse,” said Darby. “A lot of the little accidents and fender benders aren’t reported.” abc10News

Pt Loma Nazarene Faculty and Students Respond to Rapid Response Network Call to Aid Immigrants

Point Loma Nazarene University’s Center for Justice and Reconciliation (CJR), lead by faculty Kim Berry Jones and students Elaine Giles and Lauren Perez, saw a need for help and rapidly put together a clothing drive to later donate to the affected people, in response to a collaborative call from The San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) to aid immigrants. “We knew something needed to be done so decided to do a last minute pop up donation booth on Caf Lane,” said Perez. “We advertised the night before on social media, not expecting a great turn out due to the last minute nature of the donation drive, but people flooded us with donations.” Though the donation drive was short notice, Jones reported two carloads full of food and clothes donated primarily from students. The SDRRN, according to their website, “is a coalition of human rights and service organizations, attorneys and community leaders dedicated to aiding immigrants and their families in the San Diego border region.”

From LomaBeat.com

“At least half of the immigrants didn’t have anything with them but the envelope [of their information from ICE],” Jones said. “It was heartwarming to see the quick response of our students.” Both Perez and Giles went to drop off the donations from PLNU at the private shelters where migrant families are staying. The volunteers present at the facility were able to organize in such a short amount of time — they saw a need and tried their best to meet it.

“I felt heartbroken that the experiences of people seeking refuge in this ‘Land of the Free’ were going to be met with starvation, homelessness and ankle bracelets,” Giles said. “Dropping the clothes off was an intensely emotional experience. We saw those who were receiving the donations face-to-face.” LomaBeat.com

Police: Man Attacked in Midway District Will Not Survive Injuries

A 57-year-old man was attacked Wednesday evening in the Midway District and police said they believe he will not survive his injuries. Police received a 9-1-1 call about 5 p.m. of an assault at 3900 Rosecrans Street, near Interstate 5, and the first officers at the scene found the victim with trauma to his upper body, according to Lt. Anthony Dupree of the San Diego Police Department. The man was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, Dupree said. A witness told homicide investigators the victim was on the ground and the suspect was hitting him with an object, then fled the scene, Dupree said.  A detailed description of the suspect was not immediately available. The name of the victim has not been released. Anyone with information about the attack was asked to call the SDPD’s Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Times of San Diego

Early Surfing Days in OB – OB Library Dec. 8

Time for Surfer Dudes to come to the OB Library! Saturday, Dec. 8, 2 pm. The Surfer Originals: Jim “Mouse” Robb (85), John Holly (75), Tom “Lizard” Chapman (75) and Billy Chapman (73), will discuss the early days of surfing and their “surfer life” culture at Sunset Cliffs. THIS is not to be missed! These dudes have seen it all!. Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 pm, OB Library – Free!

Scrooge in Rouge at OB Theatre Company

When a case of food poisoning kills most of the cast of a production of A Christmas Carol, three actors must play all the parts. Presented by OB Theatre Company, it opens Nov. 30 at the OB Playhouse in Ocean Beach. obtheatrecompany.com

PLNU Bans Weddings

Point Loma Nazarene University wedding ceremonies receptions, and vow renewals ended after the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal nationwide in 2015. “Effective July 1, PLNU will no longer host weddings [including vow renewals], and wedding receptions on the main campus or satellite locations,” said a release to faculty and staff. According to the New York Times, the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage a right for every state just three years ago.

Shortly after this coast-to-coast decision was made, PLNU brought an end to the knots that would be tied on campus from that time forward unless they were scheduled under contract. George Latter, Senior Vice President for Finance said “[…] we discontinued weddings on campus because the cost of staff and equipment needed to schedule and support the weddings outweighed the relatively small amount of revenue we received. We felt that our staff’s time was better spent on the primary business of the university, which is teaching, shaping, and sending students.” Kristen MacMaster, previous Wedding Coordinator for Conference Services said the decision to discontinue weddings at PLNU was concluded by the Administrative Staff of PLNU in the same summer the Supreme Court said, “No longer may this liberty [of same-sex marriage] be denied.” LomaBeat.com

OB’s New Bookstore Run for Cover Vying for Community Hub

Originally from France, Run for Cover owner Marianne Reiner always dreamed of opening her own bookstore one day. “My father was a librarian, and my mother was a pediatrician, and also a bookworm, explains Reiner.  “I grew up surrounded by books… it was always a part of my life, and story time was very important growing up.” Reiner’s passion for working in a bookstore stemmed from her first job when she attended law school in France. “My part-time job was working in a bookstore, and I always thought that one day I will do this,” she says. “Still to this day, that was one of the best jobs I ever had.” Calling San Diego home for the past 21 years, Reiner and her husband, Kacey Caputo, live in Ocean Beach. “We met in OB, we live in OB, our kids go to school in OB, and our friends and family live in OB. It truly is our community,” Reiner says.  San Diego Community News Group

Grandma Builds a Granny Flat in Her Point Loma Backyard With Plans to Rent It Out Via Airbnb

A grandmother of four had a granny flat constructed in her Point Loma backyard to help finance her retirement. Dianne Rodriguez will be retiring in the next few years after decades of working in the hospitality industry. This year, she decided to build a retirement plan. She spent $90,000, construction and permits included, for a pre-built granny flat. Work started in April. The landscaping and final touches were recently completed on a 375-square-foot, one bedroom, one bath tiny home, which she plans to rent out as vacation rental on Airbnb. “Living on a fixed income won’t be easy. This will supplement our income and enable us to stay in San Diego, and do some traveling,” said Rodriguez. She opened it up to her first tenant this week. The cost of the granny flat will add about $300 dollars to her monthly mortgage. She hopes to take in about $3,000 a month from renting it out, which translates into an extra $2,700. The company that built her tiny home is Instant Guest Homes. Owner Michael Avery says interest in tiny homes has surged since the City of San Diego relaxed its granny flat fees in May. He says the fees for an average project have shrunk by about $12,000. abc10News

Why De Anza Cove wetland restoration would help protect us against sea-level rise

The last remaining patch of wetland in Mission Bay, just east of Crown Point, fosters meandering tidal creeks, colorful vegetation, flocks of squabbling birds, and abundant tiny creatures. Nearby lies an area of Mission Bay Park that has, for the last 50 years, been leased to the De Anza Cove mobile home community. This space also had been coastal wetland in the past. Now, its future is being decided as the city of San Diego has undertaken a planning process for “De Anza Cove Revitalization.”

The plans put forth by the city include nods to the value of wetlands but prioritize an expanded golf course, among other sports facilities. Though Mission Bay Park plans have endorsed the concepts of restoration and stewardship for decades, they have neglected to set adequate goals. Likewise, the city’s current study on the site and its prospects for revitalization only takes projected rising sea level into account in a very limited sense. It stipulates that long-term structures be built above the 5.5 feet of sea-level rise that it projects for this century, but — without planning sufficient intertidal and upland restoration area into which wetland plants can shift over time — tacitly accepts the total drowning of wetlands in Mission Bay. For more go to San Diego Union-Tribune

Mission Bay Golf Course Still Losing Money

The Balboa and Mission Bay municipal golf facilities continue to lose money for the city of San Diego’s golf division, which also faces increasing costs for water and personnel. The golf division continues to turn annual profits overall thanks to revenue generated by two courses at Torrey Pines, but the $1.6 million in revenue projected for the current budget year is less than half the $3.5 million average in recent years. That shrinking revenue projection comes despite total golf rounds played at the city’s courses increasing five years in a row, including spikes at Balboa and Mission Bay that have been attributed to upgraded facilities and promotional efforts. Because all division profits get spent on upgrades at the courses, the downturn may delay some projects on a long list of proposed upgrades that includes new clubhouses at Balboa and Mission Bay. …

Total rounds played is also up at Mission Bay, from 56,039 four years ago to 65,164 during the budget year that ended June 30. But that’s also short of the 75,000 target set by city officials. The spikes in usage at Balboa and Mission Bay have been partly attributed to upgrades, including new foot and disc golf courses added to each and a greater focus on the quality of course conditions. …Balboa and Mission Bay typically lose a combined $2 million each year, while Torrey Pines typically turns an annual profit of about $6 million because of its popularity with tourists. … The revenue numbers from the city courses don’t include lease payments the city gets. The city gets about $800,000 in total lease revenue from Mission Bay and Balboa Park, and about $1.6 million from Torrey Pines. San Diego U-T

Point Loma High Gym Gets a Make-Over

The Lee Trepanier Gymnasium at Point Loma High School is getting spruced up for the holidays – and beyond. The indoor athletic facility, one of the largest of any high school in the region, is believed to have been built in the late 1940s. It contains a large balcony with exercise space and many additional bleachers. The bleachers have served thousands of students and audience members well for nearly 70 years, but the main floor bleachers are being replaced. They have already been removed and installation of the new bleachers will begin over the upcoming winter break. Principal Hans Becker said: “It will be about a two-week process. We’ve scheduled games and practices around the construction – not ideal, but we’ll make it work.”

Death at Trestles last weekend

Last weekend, after a deluge of rain earlier in the week and subsequent stormy conditions, on Saturday morning, Dec. 1, a surfer was found face down in the water at Upper Trestles. Witnesses reported seeing Ellis John Manugo Pontillas, 53, “struggling” while attempting to duck dive and paddle out to the lineup. He was later found unconscious in the water. Surfers responded to the emergency situation and attempted to revive him on the beach. Camp Pendleton Fire Department personnel responded to the call but were unsuccessful in their resuscitation efforts. According to Camp Pendleton media officials, Pontillas was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:36 a.m. It is unclear at this point if the man’s cause of death was related to the surf, which was in the waist- to shoulder-high zone, or if there were health factors such as a heart attack in play. As of press time, the San Diego County Department of the Medical Examiner had yet to release the official cause of death. SanClementeTimes

Pink Talking Fish Coming to OB in March 2019

Pink Talking Fish will kick off the first few months of 2019 bringing their fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish all around the country. They will show up in OB at Winston’s on March 28 and 29. Grateful Web

Garrison Street Christmas Displays Still On But No Hot Chocolate

The annual hot chocolate fundraiser hosted by the Ybarras of Point Loma is no more, but the neighborhood Garrison Street Christmas light show will continue. That was the good — and bad — news this year on the peninsula Yuletide front. “Unfortunately we retired the hot chocolate stand on Garrison. Last year was our final year,” said Carrie Ybarra who, along with husband Kyle, has hosted the fundraiser at their home. “After 18 years, our two daughters are now out of the house and off to college, so we decided that it was the right time to bring it to an end. Although it’s bittersweet, we say good bye to our little hot chocolate stand that turned into an amazing community event each year. We can now reflect on the influence we had on so many families in need. We are all pretty proud.” The Garrison Street holiday nighttime Christmas display survives. But the show has been downsized. “The neighborhood has had some recent changes,” noted Carrie Ybarra. “There are a few homes for sale and new folks are moving in, not participating in the light show.” Peninsula Beacon