Scooters Are Getting Everywhere
Those damn scooters can be found everywhere. Check this photo of a recent Sunset Cliffs rescue. It is time for controls on them. According to Councilwoman Jen Campbell’s office, no date for a hearing on scooters has been set. (Hat tip to Kathy Blavatt)
Bravos Changing Ownership
It looks like Bravos Mexican Food – at the corner of Newport and Bacon – is changing ownership. The notice on the window tells us applicant Zuzola-Sutphin, Inc. is going for an ownership change.
Mural Going Up on AppleTree Market – Jan. 19
A mural is going up on the side of AppleTree Market, at 4976 Newport Ave – and it will be installed on Saturday, January 19 at 1:30 pm. The 4ft X 16ft mural has a simple message: “You Are Beautiful”.
It’s by artist Matthew Hoffman and is from a group of artists that goes by the same name. They say they are “a a positive movement to spread joy and positivity to communities.” Stephanie La Bue Robles will represent YAB for their art installation project. Each state gets one mural and OB / San Diego was chosen to be the holders of this art piece for the entire state of California. You can find out more about YAB on the main website:
Point Loma High Revamp to Begin This Summer
A scheduled vote by the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education at its Feb. 12 meeting will award a construction contract setting in motion an ambitious modernization of buildings and other improvements on the Point Loma High campus. Following the vote, a notice to proceed will be issued by the district and work will begin. The improvements are being financed with Prop. S funds. One of the first targets on the 94-year-old campus is removal of a round building known as the 800 Building and visible from Chatsworth Boulevard. District architects and planners quickly noted several years ago the structure was outdated. … Moving of these will take place over the coming summer, temporarily removing the school from the electrical grid but with all services back in place for the 2019-20 school year, according to Principal Hans Becker.
Teachers from the 800 Building will be moving to temporary classrooms located on the current basketball courts adjacent to the stadium, Becker said. Joining them will be teachers from the current 200 and 300 Buildings, both of which front Chatsworth Boulevard. and are to be renovated. When that is completed, the 800 Building will be demolished. In its place a new three-story building will rise fronting Chatsworth Boulevard. The building will feature a new media center on the first floor and 10 state-of-the-art classrooms on each of the second and third floors. A multi-functional central outdoor space is also planned for student use. The Peninsula Beacon
Mission Bay Park Committee Approves SeaWorld’s Second Roller Coaster
The MBPC unanimously green-lighted a request by SeaWorld San Diego to build a second roller coaster at the marine amusement park, to exceed 100 feet in height and to be named Mako. It is scheduled to open in summer 2020. Mako would be the second roller coaster following the Electric Eel, to open at the popular marine park, which is shifting its emphasis away from animal shows to entertainment with thrill rides and other attractions. “Rides have always been a part of the quintessential SeaWorld experience,” said Dan Sehlhorst, project manager for SeaWorld. “SeaWorld’s master plan, approved in 2002, supports the 2020 attraction.” Sehlhorst noted that, since 1998, SeaWorld has been allowed to construct rides over 30 feet in height. “The master plan allows us to have a maximum of four projects between 100 feet and 160 feet in height in the park,” he said adding the new Mako coaster “will have a 143-foot drop, the longest, tallest, fastest dive in California.” sdnews.com
San Diego Estuary Clean-up Saturday – Jan.19 from 8 – 11 am
Come join The San Diego River Park Foundation for their Estuary Clean & Green event. The San Diego River Estuary is a critically important 330 acre wildlife area with habitat for many sensitive species, including endangered birds that nest in the estuary, like the Ridgway’s Rail and the California Least Tern. Over 100 different species of birds use this area as a rest area along the Pacific Flyway during their yearly migrations between Alaska and Mexico. Please join us as we work to remove trash and debris from this unique habitat.
This event is located on the San Diego River Trail off Sea World Drive, there is no physical address. Directions: Take Nimitz/Sunset Cliffs Blvd. north to Sea World Dr. Turn right at the light for South Shores Park; Take the 1st right onto Old Sea World Dr., Follow to the end, look for the white tent. Parking is available on either side of the trail. This event is open to volunteers of all ages, but volunteers under the age of 16 must come with an adult. Closed-toed shoes are required. Sun protection, water and a snack are highly recommended. Community service hours can be verified. Teams, groups, families and individuals are all encouraged to attend this special event that only occurs twice a year. To learn more or to RSVP please email volunteer@sandiegoriver.org or call 619-297-7380.
Dog-Friendly Option Chosen for Fiesta Island
Dog owners were pleased as Mission Bay Park Committee on Jan. 8 overwhelmingly selected the option they favored for reconfiguring Fiesta Island, which calls for not constructing a road bisecting the fenced-off, leash-free dog area on the 470-acre manmade peninsula. The committee however made a concession to non-motorized paddleboard and kayak users, who argued their water access would be hampered by the option chosen. The committee attached a provision to its motion that an alternate site be sought in and around Fiesta Island to accommodate the launching needs of non-motorized recreational boat users. The proposed project is an amendment to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan to update the land uses and vision for Fiesta Island.
Read more: San Diego Community News Group – Mission Bay Park Committee chooses dog friendly option for Fiesta Island upgrades. sdnews.com
Point Loma Curb Artist Returns
His heart is for art. That is why Point Loman Daniel Juarez, after a long hiatus, has come back to the Peninsula to begin a new career painting curbs. Juarez’s art comes naturally. His father, Louie Juarez, is a well-known San Diego County artist. Juarez talked about how he got involved illustrating curbs. “Someone asked me to paint their curb a month ago,” he said. “Others saw it and asked me to do theirs. So far, I’ve done 20 around town – and all from word of mouth.” Daniel has borrowed thematically from his dad. “One of the themes he is known for painting is sailboats,” he said, adding someone recently asked him to paint sailboats on their curb. “It wasn’t very easy to do since my dad paints with watercolors, and I use spray paint,” pointed out Daniel Juarez. “Also, my dad is a more talented artist. But I was still happy to try and re-create his work.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Juarez noted that, during the past 20 years, there have been many “curb artists” in San Diego who have painted curbs. But Juarez believes his curb art is a cut above. “I do all mine free hand,” he said, noting, “Everyone else has used stencils.” The curb artist takes special requests. “When someone asks me to paint something they have in mind, I never say no, and enjoy bringing their idea to life.” Juarez lived in Point Loma years ago, and just moved back recently. “I am so happy to be back in this community,” he said, adding he only charges “whatever someone can afford,” to paint their curbs, while adding he typically charges about $70 to $90. “Thank you all for welcoming me back with open arms,” said Juarez regarding his Point Loma return. San Diego Community News Group
City Agrees to Fix Flooding at Ramp on Jennings
People who live in Point Loma are fed up over a ramp that was designed to solve accessibility problems, saying it actually created another issue. Water on a Point Loma street is supposed to go into a storm drain but instead just about every day it puddles up at the end of an access ramp, blocking it. “It’s a major inconvenience,” said Jared Koett. He says the issue started happening a few months ago after the city tore up his street to replace water and sewage pipes. While crews re-paved Jennings Street in Point Loma a wheelchair access ramp was added at the corner. “Once the curb went in place, it didn’t matter whether it was raining or someone up the street had a garden hose, it all collects there – that’s the new low point,” said Koett. He said he couldn’t help but notice the irony: a ramp intended to make access easier for wheelchairs and strollers has instead turned into a mess that now no one can use. “We get runners; we have a lot of young families, so we have all sorts of pedestrians on bikes, scooters – even my grandma – she has a walker,” said Koett.
He contacted the contractor, but they said it was the city’s problem and the city said it was the contractor’s fault. Finally, after months of going back and forth the city took a closer look at the situation on Monday and agreed to fix the problem. The street will be lowered toward the storm drain which won’t completely keep the water from puddling up, but it shouldn’t be nearly as bad. CBS8
Water Main Break Causes Flow Down Narragansett’s Hill
A water main broke in Ocean Beach Wednesday, sending water bursting from several cracks in the streets and rushing into a neighborhood, pounding into parked cars. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Capt. Todd Bechtel said … just after 11 a.m. firefighters spotted a significant amount of water coming from Narragansett Avenue. Bechtel said the water was coming from a ruptured underground water main. The water rushed out of cracks in the street, a sight the captain described as thousands of gallons of water, on a high point, rushing down very steep hills. “It was an impressive amount of water,” said Bechtel.
Firefighters worried the water would cause the road to buckle and possibly create potholes or, even worse, a sinkhole. Crews quickly closed off the streets between Narragansett and Del Monte avenues, as well as parts of Froude Street, to prevent traffic from driving through the water. They also helped move parked cars out of the area. Several agencies were responding to a water main break in Ocean Beach. … Eventually, two water main valves were capped by the city’s Public Works Department. Oleska said the water was flowing for about an hour before it was shut off. Bechtel said no nearby homes or businesses were damaged by the water and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the main break is under investigation. Bechtel said city crews have been replacing a lot of pipes in the area, but it is unclear, at this point, if this incident was related to this replacement work. Arian Collins, supervising public information officer for the City of San Diego, said the water main that broke was a 6-inch in diameter, cast iron main located at the intersection of Narragansett Avenue and Froude Street. He said city crews were able to shut down the water main at around 12:40 p.m. As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Collins said seven customers were without water service due to the main break. Crews with the Public Utilities Department are working on repairs and expect to have service restored during the late evening. 7SanDiego
One Pothole in Mission Bay Took Out 8 Cars
One pothole was enough to create a bumpy situation for at least eight drivers in Mission Bay Wednesday. 10News was on hand as car after car hit the pothole on Ingraham Street near SeaWorld. “It was very scary. All the lights started dinging, the car shut down, everything,” said Dotty Doherty. She didn’t see the pothole before she hit it.“I was on the phone with my sister in Atlanta. And she was like, ‘Oh my God what happened!’ And I said, I don’t know, something in the road,” said Doherty. John Lightfoot hit the same bad patch of road. He said the pothole formed after he drove over the same spot Tuesday. “Hit that thing. And my rim in the back dented and all the air came out,” said Lightfoot. Doherty and Lightfoot estimate the pothole disabled at least six other cars. They were impressed at how quickly City of San Diego crews responded. The pothole was repaired before the damaged cars were towed. The city has received more than 1,260 pothole reports on its Get It Done app in the last 30 days. About 600 potholes have yet to be filled. 10News
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Not So “Natural”?
In March, the Reader reported details of the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Improvement Project, quoting Ellen Quick, trails committee chairperson for the park advisory council, saying “Thirty-five acres will be revegetated with native plants. That’s going to bring more birds, more wildlife. The former ball field area will be restored and graded to natural contours. It’s going to be awesome.” But judging from its current condition, not everyone is convinced it’s going to be awesome. On Tuesday December 8th, 2018, Point Loma resident Pauline was walking at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park when she noticed workers spraying along the hillside. San Diego Reader
New Head at NTC Foundation
The NTC Foundation recently announced the election of Ken Stipanov as the new board chair, replacing Lori Fleet-Martin, who served for the last two years. The board is tasked with overseeing the continued development of Arts District Liberty Station and its transformation from a historic Navy base to a vibrant arts and culture district. Stipanov is a retired attorney who now spends most of his time on community, volunteer, and family activities. He has served on the board for the past eight years. During his 36 years of private practice, Ken focused on commercial real estate transactions, particularly in the area of real estate financing. San Diego Community News Group
Shelter Island Boat Launch Launched
When Ed Noonan returned to his Point Loma residence after Christmas vacation, he and his fellow boaters had a 9.6 million dollar surprise waiting at Shelter Island. “We got to try out the new Shelter Island Boat Launch ramp on January 2,” he said. “What a long wait — it was closed a lot longer than anticipated.” “It was closed a lot longer than anticipated.” Noonan, owner of West Coast Yacht and Marine Services, said that since construction began May of 2017, “All the marine related businesses in the area suffered as a result of the ramp being closed. I was using the Pepper Park ramp in National City for business and the Dana launch ramp in Mission Bay for my personal boat.” San Diego Reader
Slightly Stoopid brings 420 party to Las Vegas
Slightly Stoopid will bring their annual 420 party to Las Vegas as they hit The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas with a blazing performance on Friday, 20 April at 8 p.m. Common Kings (Hawaii) and Fortunate Youth (Los Angeles) will open the show. Tickets start at $47 (plus applicable service fees) and go on sale Friday, 18 January at 10 a.m. The Ocean Beach, California-based band formed by multi-instrumentalists Kyle MacDonald and Miles Doughty has matured into a versatile musical ensemble consisting of drummer Ryan “Rymo” Moran; percussionist Oguer “OG” Ocon; saxophonist Daniel “Dela” Delacruz; keyboardist Paul Wolstencroft; trumpet and trombone player Andy Geib, and an arsenal of guests that frequent the stage, most notably Karl Denson (Rolling Stones/Greyboy Allstars), Don Carlos Chali 2na (Jurassic 5) and Rashawn Ross (Dave Matthews Band). An eclectic band when it comes to musical styles as well as collaborations, Slightly Stoopid, now in their second decade of making music, continues to manufacture an energizing and multifaceted sound that has been described as “a spiritual bath of positive party energy.” Slightly Stoopid has inspired a collective and community-based atmosphere at their concerts and a laid-back lifestyle reflected within their art.
In July 2018, Slightly Stoopid released their ninth studio album, “Everyday Life, Everyday People.” The album was inspired by the band’s hometown, Ocean Beach, California. “Everyday Life, Everyday People was recorded at various studios across the world in San Diego, California, Los Angeles, Kingston, Jamaica, Long Beach, California, New York City and Miami. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Album chart. Tickets start at $47 (plus applicable service fees) and go on sale Friday, 18 January at 10 a.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel box office or online. Casino City News
Local Businesses in the News
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
On the latest scooter litter: I don’t have a smart phone and I’m not an app user, so if this sounds neanderthalian, sorry to the “modern” folk. My questions is this: If the app allows one to buy scooter time and be charged for it, why can’t the app also track that the scooter is returned to some appropriately designated location ( off the sidewalks and out of the ocean), otherwise the user is charged for the “clean-up or retrieval”? Seems simple enough.
RB: Uber and Lyft’s scooter app now requires you to take a pic of the scooter after riding it. I think just requiring this probably encourages responsible parking, even if nobody looks at the pics at the company.
Also: cars are now everywhere, even in the ocean:
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/pickup-truck-stuck-in-sand-at-la-jolla-beach-swept-into-ocean-by-tide
Time to ban cars. They kill people every day. They sometimes even end up in the ocean and block sidewalks.
https://westwoodland.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sidewalk-car-b1.jpg
Oh wait, you mean with cars we have to weigh the positive and the negative and the alternatives? That’s just not as much fun as posting only negative stuff, and never a single positive word, about a new technology that you personally don’t like, but many others do.
ZZ: Its not personal! Its not that I don’t like scooters. The concept has merit, the execution is the usual corporate negligence, “foul the nest-who cares” and no regulation! As a biologist, I have witnessed the damage that jet skis, ATVs, snowmobiles, cigarette boats and other recreational vehicles have wreaked on the environment! And scooters, for now, are largely recreational vehicles, until and unless they truly replace Hummers, SUVs, etc as street transportation. Right now its just a joy ride and lazy roll-out. Ecological footprint aside, if people (and profit-making corporations) and technology want this in the daily life of the culture, great. But take some frickin’ responsibility and accountability!
The curb artist’s work in the newspaper is pretty. The article doesn’t have his contact info, and no results on google, which is hard to do on a common name like Daniel Juarez. Anybody know?
Related question: how do you get a utility box in front of your house painted like the ones on Newport? They look so nice. I asked this before, and someone said they think you just do it, if it looks nice nobody would object.
ZZ: If you’re good with a paint brush try it, you could do a “Banksy” and paint it during the dark hours if you’re worried about blow back. I think they are called hand holds, above-ground utility boxes, presumably under jurisdiction of SDG&E. They are ugly, so pretty it up and see what happens :-)
I am very much not good with a paint brush. I’ve covered up graffiti before on those boxes, and might be able to handle a stencil. But I’d rather pay a little to a working artist to do it right. Maybe Daniel Juarez will give me a curb and utility box special if I can find his email.
That would be cool, and I would think a number of mural artists might be interested in the available space, even tho small :-)
“The city has received more than 1,260 pothole reports on its Get It Done app in the last 30 days.”
The app is free on both Apple and Android and easy to use. Last week I saw some ladies working for the City cleaning up graffiti people had reported using Get It Done app.
I would ride a scooter if I could. As a frequent walker, with my little dog, I find the distracted drivers in lethal, large vehicles to be far more dangerous. Drivers come out of alleys and streets and make turns, left and right, without stopping or looking. I practice defensive walking.
Re Seaworld:
I wish someone would sue the pants off Seaworld.They are such a scourge on the landscape. Bad enough that the hideous Eel coaster managed to slip itself in under the guise of educating the public about eels (seriously, really?!) but now that blighted coastline has to suffer a second “Mako” rollercoaster? And what’s the come-on this time? Educating the public about sharks? Or “Well, there’s already 1 so the precedent has been set and there might as well be 2. And in fact the master plan proposes 4…”
I’m obviously completely in favor with removing all of the poor, incarcerated animals, but “Disney on the Bay” is the alternative?! Seaworld is a total loser as a company, as so-called stewards of the environment, and as a member of the community. Any green-washing they spew about the odd seal they capture, save, and release is absolutely offset by their avarice and apathy and disregard for the environment they’re fouling. :(
Every time I drive or ride by Seaworld, I’m reminded of the thriving metropolis known as Wilmington, CA. Now they just need continual fire coming out the tops of the ride(s).
A 26-year-old woman suffered a serious eye injury Thursday in a scooter accident in the Mission Beach neighborhood of San Diego.
The woman got onto a scooter in the 2700 block of Ocean Front Walk about 3 p.m. and began riding it by pushing it with her foot when she stepped in a hole with water and fell, sustaining serious injuries to her right eye, according to Officer Robert Heims of the San Diego Police Department. Times of San Diego https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2019/01/18/26-year-old-woman-seriously-hurt-in-scooter-accident-in-mission-beach/
The woman was taken to a hospital in serious condition, but her injuries were not considered life-threatening, Heims said.
Glad to see that SeaWorld is getting another ride. I finally rode “Manta” and it was a blast! Can’t wait for the new one.