News and Notices from Ocean Beach and Point Loma: Mid- March 2019

The Jennings House Café at 1018 Rosecrans, Point Loma; the historic Jennings House was built in 1886.

OB Rag‘s Judi Curry to Be Interviewed by Local NBC for Her “Scam” Post

On Monday, March 18, OB Rag‘s own columnist, Judi Curry, will be interviewed by the local NBC television affiliate, Channel 7, for her recent post on scams on so-called market researchers. The interview is around 10:30 a.m. so we imagine it will play at noon and 6pm.

Woman to Go to Trial for Manslaughter in Wrong Way Crash that Killed OB Man

A former server at the Viejas Casino in Alpine was ordered March 1 to stand tri­al for second-degree murder and gross vehicular man­slaughter while intoxicated. After a three-day prelimi­nary hearing, San Diego Su­perior Court Judge Robert O’Neill held Lauren Ashley Freeman, 23, of Santee, to answer for all charges in the Feb. 26, 2018, death of Justin Callahan, 35. “When someone drives the wrong way, it is not an accident,” said O’Neill. Freeman is alleged to have driven the wrong way on a transition ramp between Interstate 8 and I-5 around 1:55 a.m. and collided head-on with Callahan’s Volkswa­gen Jetta. Initially, California High­way Patrol officers believed it was Callahan who was driving the wrong way, but a re-examination of the evi­dence caused the agency to reverse its findings. She was arrested Nov. 2. Deputy District Attorney Laura Evans said Freeman was driving at a blood/al­cohol level of .24, which is three times the limit for felony drunk driving. Alpine Sun

Trader Joe’s to Cut Back on Plastic Packaging Waste – After Greenpeace Petition Circulates

A recent petition launched by Greenpeace targets Trader Joe’s to “play a leading role in phasing out throwaway plastic” at the corporate level. The petition, which garnered more than 100,000 signatures, outlines corporate greenwashing about recycling and the havoc plastic pollution is causing to the world’s oceans and marine life. Since the petition’s national circulation, Trader Joe’s recently made an announcement that it will take the necessary steps to cut back on packaging waste in an effort to “eliminate more than 1 million pounds of plastic from its stores,” EcoWatch reported. Last year, Trader Joe’s stopped the use of single-use plastic takeaway bags nationwide and is in the process of using more biodegradable and compostable options to eventually do away with their plastic produce bags and Styrofoam meat trays. NationofChange

Young Woman Left for Dead at Sunset Cliffs Testifies

A woman who was shot and left for dead at Sunset Cliffs last year took the stand Tuesday in the preliminary hearing for the three known gang members accused in the crime. The woman, whom FOX 5 is identifying as Mya, claims three people — including a man she knew — kidnapped her and then shot and killed an innocent man in Chula Vista while she was in the backseat of a car. They thought the man was an undercover officer following them. After the murder, Mya says they drove her to Sunset Cliffs, made her walk down to the ocean and shot her three times. “I didn’t really understand what was going on,” Mya said. “I didn’t understand why I couldn’t move. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t scream, ’cause I tried to scream but nothing came out. I tried to move. I tried to grab the bars that were there on the stairs. All I could do was just lay there and pray.” Mya laid on the beach for hours until a tourist found her the next morning. She is now a quadriplegic. Fox5

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri at Hodad’s

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri pulled up to Hodad’s in his red 1968 Chevy Camaro to grab a bite, Monday, March 4. The restaurant was featured on Fieri’s show “Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives” in the past and his production crew was with him on Monday as well. Fieri drives around the country highlighting different eateries and has called Hodad’s one of his favorite places to eat. CBS8

OB Elementary One of Top 10 Schools for Disadvantaged Kids

Friday mornings at Ocean Beach Elementary School are a local happening. A light breeze blows off the water and early light dusts the courtyard. Parents, students and teachers linger together, chatting. The principal makes a few announcements. A man, whose students haven’t attended the school for years, comes to the center with an acoustic guitar around his neck. He plays the song he plays every Friday, and everyone knows the words. “Follow the rules if you wanna be cool, Help each other out, Make a good choice with your words and your voice, That’s what catchin’ the wave is about”

“Catchin’ the Wave” is full of cheesy clichés, but their ritual singing contains a simpler and deeper truth: Ocean Beach Elementary is a good school. That starts with the intangible community network that materializes every Friday morning. But it ultimately translates to much more than feel-good social events. In recent years, OB Elementary was ranked one of the top 10 schools in the city for educating disadvantaged student groups. Voice of San Diego

PL Nazarene Surfers Win 5th State Championship

Point Loma Nazarene University’s surf team took to the waters at Encinitas for the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s California State Championships. For the past four years, PLNU has took home the gold, claiming the title of state champs. This year, their streak continued and they became five-time state champions. In June, the team will head to the NSSA Nationals in Huntington Beach to compete against the best surf teams in the U.S. sdnews.com

Navy Man Will Go on Trail for Murder of Point Loma Wife – Elizabeth Sullivan

The trial date has been set for a former U.S. Navy service member whose wife’s body was found floating in San Diego Bay on the same day he was packing up his belongings and moving out of California. Matthew Sullivan will go to trial on October 22 on suspicion that he killed his wife, Elizabeth Sullivan, in 2014. The body of Elizabeth Sullivan was discovered two years after she was first reported missing near the area where she was last seen alive.  Her husband has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge and remains in jail on a $2 million bail. During a pre-trial hearing, a former co-worker testified Elizabeth was in a very troubled marriage and eventually had started an extra-marital relationship in September 2014, a month before she disappeared. The same co-worker testified that Elizabeth had talked with a divorce attorney, transferred some money from a joint bank account to her own account, and taken steps to get a restraining order against her husband to stop him from moving his mother and sister into the couple’s home in Liberty Station. NBC7SanDiego

The OB Rag has been following Elizabeth Sullivan’s case for years. See New Details in Murder of Elizabeth Sullivan – Navy Mom Who Went Missing in 2014 and Found in 2016.

Fractured Leg From Scooter Being Broadsided in Midway

A man riding a scooter suffered a fracture to his leg when he was broadsided by a motorist in the Midway community of San Diego, Saturday, March 2. The 46-year-old man was transported to an area hospital, where his injury was considered non-life threatening. The man was riding a 2016 Lance Scooter southbound in the 3800 block of Rosecrans Street at 10:25 p.m. Saturday as a 51-year-old man driving a 2002 Ford pickup truck was going northbound on Rosecrans Street. The man riding the scooter moved into the left turn lane to go westbound on Hancock Street when he was broadsided by the motorist in the pickup truck, who had just made a left turn. The motorist in the truck was not injured and it was not known whether he was cited or arrested. CBS8

The Jennings Family… More than Meets the Eye! By Cathy Gallagher,

Thursday, March 21, 7 PM- “Special Event-Program” at the Jennings House Café at 1018 Rosecrans, Point Loma.

The historic Jennings House on Point Loma, built in 1886, will be the topic, and the setting, for the OBHS meeting on March 21. Located at 1018 Rosecrans, the one-time residence of Frank Jennings, early San Diego County Sheriff (1895-1902), is the oldest house built on Point Loma. In recent years, it has found new life as the Jennings House Café (previously the Living Room), co-owned by our March guest speaker Cathy Gallagher.

In researching the history of the house, Cathy came up with many fascinating facts about Frank Jennings, his brother Fred (who also served as San Diego County Sheriff from 1907 to 1914), their families, and their descendants. She will provide a detailed account of Frank and Inez Jennings, their entrepreneurial and philanthropic commitment to San Diego, and their role in the development of Point Loma in particular. Join us as we travel a few miles from our usual Ocean Beach meeting place to “the other side of the hill” for a fascinating slice of local history. (And enjoy snacks and a hot beverage, too!) You may even learn about a connection between the Jennings family and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. This event is FREE!

Red Bull Holds OB Surf & Ski Event for SoCal College Students

Red Bull is hosting 300 college students for a day of adventure on March 23rd at Red Bull Switchboard; the ultimate day of California living. Beginning at 8am in two locations – Huntington Beach and Ocean Beach, San Diego,  – students will come together with like-minded boardsport enthusiasts for a morning surf. Following a spring session in the Pacific and a hosted breakfast, students will then climb aboard shuttle buses and head to the mountains. Southern California students will ski or board at Big Bear Resort, and celebrate the two-sport day at Red Bull Plaza in Big Bear.The entire experience is expected to last 12 hours, and participates will be joined by Red Bull athletes as they experience the unique landscape that SoCal has to offer. This event offers rewards in the way of waves caught, miles covered and slopes ridden. Registration is limited to 300, but is open to all college-aged men and women. Register here.

Surf Films and Classical Music Free at Stone Brewing Liberty Station

Surf films and live classical music combine as one in this highly unique and creative performance at Stone Brewing Liberty Station on Monday, April 1 at 7:00pm. “Sounds & Swells” pairs a curated selection of surf footage with a live performance by the Hausmann Quartet, playing works by Philip Glass, Lou Harrison, Claude Debussy and more. This night of far-out collaboration is free of charge. Food and drink are available for purchase. Lawn chairs or blankets are recommended. Eric Starr, “Surf & Swells” curator, educator, performer, & Ocean Beach resident. “Sounds & Swells” is a collaboration between Art of Élan, Eric Starr, and the Hausmann Quartet. Videography by William Zauscher including surf footage from California, Hawaii, Portugal, Tahiti, the Arctic, and Namibia. Cover image courtesy of Timo Londen. Monday, April 1, 2019; 7:00pm; Free admission; Food and drink available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Stone Brewing Liberty Station- Movie Courtyard, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, CA 92106

OB’s Methodist Church Flies Its Rainbow Flag Proudly

Many Methodist congregations have a “big tent” approach, welcoming all without dwelling on members’ sexual identities. Some take a more conservative view, while still others — like Water’s Edge, a Methodist faith community in Ocean Beach — occupy the other end of the spectrum. “We fly our rainbow flag proudly every Sunday,” said Lysa Edward, who worships there. “I hope that we all come to the conclusion that we are all God’s children and he loves us the way we are.” Norwalk Reflector

Do You Know How to Spot a Vegetarian in OB? Close Your Eyes and Then Open Them

They’re everywhere. The counterculture set up camp here in the ’60s because no freeway had direct access to it (I-8 didn’t reach it until 1972), making it a prime place to turn on, tune in, and drop out. Gentrification has finally, tragically reached OB, as any longtime resident who’s recently moved to East County will attest. But hippie culture is hanging on, thanks to residents who bought property when the market was low and refuse stupid-high offers because they feel a spiritual obligation to preserve the last great beach town in California. (The low shower-per-capita and bustling homeless population also requires a down-to-earth, highly humanist gentry—aka hippies). They’ve got the only food co-op in San Diego (People’s), which refuses to sell meat. Even the local barbecue joint offers decent veggie burgers (not one, but two) and veggie wings. San Diego Magazine

Police Officer and Vandalism Suspect Injured By Vehicle in the Midway

A San Diego police officer was in serious, but stable condition and a pedestrian was in critical condition with life- threatening injuries Thursday [Feb. 28] morning after they were both struck by a vehicle on a street in the Midway District, police said. Police say they responded at 4:48 a.m. to a report of vandalism in the 3100 block of Midway Drive. Officers arrived and found a suspect in the area, but the suspect attempted to flee on foot and officers chased him, San Diego Police Sgt. Victoria Houseman said.  One officer caught up to the suspect in the 3500 block of Rosecrans Street and was taking the man into custody in the street when they were both struck by a vehicle, Houseman said. Both patients were taken to hospitals. PatchSanDiego

From 7SanDiego: A white SUV slammed into the two just before 5 a.m. as the officer had the suspect pinned to the ground in the middle of Rosecrans Street near Midway Drive, San Diego Police Department Sgt. Thomas Sullivan said.  An official with the San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA) identified the SDPD officer involved in the crash as officer Matthew Lorenzen. A woman who witnessed the crash told NBC 7 southbound lanes of Rosecrans Street were dark and the two were on the ground in the middle of the roadway, probably making it difficult for the driver to see them.

“No way that she could have seen them. It was dark, they were on the ground in the middle of the street,” Tanya Daley said. “There’s no flashing lights, there’s no way to tell anybody was on the ground. You would’ve never known.” The man, believed to be in his early- to mid-30s, was suspected of vandalism for breaking windows at a nearby 7-Eleven with a pipe, SDPD traffic investigations Lt. Duane Voss said.

Why Do Tourists Drown?

Tourists are a high-risk group for drownings. They’re generally unfamiliar with the beach and its safety measures, and have poor knowledge of beach hazards such as rip currents and breaking waves. This lack of knowledge is further exacerbated by language barriers, overconfidence in swimming ability and the tendency to make unwise swimming decisions after too many beers and umbrella drinks. Visual cues such as this palm-lined walkway can draw you to the water. While one of the signs warns hotel guests to be careful swimming, the design makes it appear that swimming is encouraged. Many visitors simply do not think about water safety because beaches also offer plenty of distraction and temptation — drinks, vendors and people watching.

Many beaches popular with tourists do not have lifeguards or systems in place to warn beach users about dangerous waves, fast-changing tidal conditions, dangerous marine life such as sharks and jellyfish, and rip currents. Rip currents are believed to be the primary reason for rescues and drownings on recreational beaches in the United States and around the world.

Rip spotting

Rip currents (commonly referred to as “rips” or colloquially as “rip tides”) are found on ocean beaches and some large lakes around the world. Driven by the breaking of waves, these currents extend away from the shoreline and can flow at speeds easily capable of carrying swimmers a great distance from the beach. While it can be difficult to spot a rip, they can be identified by an area of relatively calm water between breaking waves, a patch of darker water or the flow of water, sediment and debris offshore. A person caught in a rip is transported away from shore into deeper waters, but not pulled under the water as is commonly believed. Drowning starts when the swimmer is unable touch the bottom to keep their head above water. If they are a weak swimmer or try to fight the current, they may panic, fail to effectively evaluate the situation or find a way out of the rip and back to shore.

Peer pressure

Even when people are aware of rip currents and other beach hazards, they may not make the right decisions. Despite the presence of warnings, our actions are greatly influenced by the behavior of others, peer pressure and group think. The social cost of not entering the water with the group may appear to outweigh the risk posed by entering the water. College students on spring break or taking part in study abroad programs are prone to taking risks when on the beach. Their actions are guided by peer participation, sensation seeking and perceived benefits of being part of the group. Rather than stay on the beach, weaker swimmers will put themselves in danger by following the group into breaking waves and deeper water. Young men are the most at risk for following the group and putting themselves in a dangerous situation. The Conversation

OB / Point Loma Businesses in the “News”

• Royale
• Modern Times Point Loma tasting room
• Kindness Gems
• People’s Organic Market
• The Black