Month: August 2019

Scientists may have taken a big—and controversial—leap by mixing human cells into monkey embryos.

by Antonio Regalado / MIT Technology Review / Aug 1, 2019

In a controversial first, a team of researchers have been creating embryos that are part human and part monkey, reports the Spanish daily El País.

Daring biologist: According to the newspaper, the Spanish-born biologist Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, who operates a lab at the Salk Institute in California, has been working working with monkey researchers in China to perform the disturbing research.

Their objective is to create “human-animal chimeras,” in this case monkey embryos to which human cells are added.

By Stan Levin

Two more mass murders put the lie to an increasingly tiresome but popular cliché, “This is not who we are”.

Unless and until we make reasonable gun control the law of the land,

Unless we cease pursuit of the empire by making war all over the world,

Unless we put an end to taking inestimable human lives as well as wasting more than half of our national budget expanding the military,

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets this Wednesday, August 7, at the OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Avenue, at 6pm sharp.

On the volunteer panel’s plate this week is a number of traffic-calming proposals, and minor public infrastructure and Dog Beach improvements.

Here are the action items for the agenda – briefly:

• Dog Beach Ramp accessibility improvement;
• Bacon and Newport traffic calming proposal to place temporary diverts at intersection;
• Pier Safety – install removable bollards at base of the Pier to block unauthorized vehicles;
• West Point Loma Traffic Calming – study on roundabouts at Cable Street and Abbott along West Point Loma Ave.

By Jim Miller

I had to find an old picture the other day, and I found myself flipping through decades of photos in boxes and on my computer. Other than showing me, sometimes brutally, how much older I am now, I found that this exercise did much more than chip away at my vanity.

When we see images of ourselves in our childhoods, adolescence, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, and on, it gives us a chance to consider how that thing we like to call “ME” is far more transient, indeed downright flimsy, than we sometimes like to think.

Editor’s Note: The following opinion piece by Norma Damashek does not reflect the views of the OB Rag.

By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner / August 2, 2019

Introduction

Stories #1 and #2 are connected by a common thread: the selective system that elevates, protects, and rewards San Diego’s compliant players while throwing principled nonconformers to the wolves…

Story #1 revisited the 1984 San Ysidro massacre. Not many people think about this story anymore.

Story #2 revisits the Bob Filner story. It’s a third-rate operetta compared to the San Ysidro tragedy. But sex sells and the Filner story has morphed into a national hit.

There’s a new sheriff in town – in OB town – and his name is Tim Foley and he could very well determine the future of downtown Ocean Beach.

Who the heck is Tim Foley, you may righteously ask?

He’s the big-time developer who will decide what goes in on that choice 27,000 square feet of land that used to be Nati’s and its parking lot. Sure, part of that decision has already been made, as the folks who own Wonderland are bringing in La Dona, a Mexican restaurant.

Yet Tim Foley is jazzed. Having all that land a block from the Pacific Ocean – wow! He’s excited. In a recent interview with the San Diego Business Journal, he said:

“I like beach areas. This is a crazy location.” As in “good” crazy.

Always on top of the latest news, the Resister Sisters of Ocean Beach hung these signs this morning – Friday, August 2 – over the 163 in Balboa Park.

(San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis Still on Sidelines)

By Mike DeBonis , Felicia Sonmez , John Wagner and JM Rieger / Washington Post / August 2 at 1:44 PM ET

The movement to oust President Trump from office crossed a new threshold Friday, with a majority of House Democrats endorsing an impeachment inquiry — a development that ramps up pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has resisted such a move.

The push in the House to remove Trump has been accelerated by testimony from former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III confirming that the president could be charged with obstruction of justice after he leaves office — prompting more than 20 Democrats to announce support for an inquiry since then.

The Ocean Beach Green Center is leading the campaign against the new Target – which is a campaign to support local independent businesses. Under the campaign’s slogan of “Protect Our Community from Further Corporate Takeover!”, the Center has organized a number of events this week.

August 4th Sunday Noon to 1 pm Help Support Our Local Businesses in front of Target, 4864 Newport Ave.

The Center is asking folks to carry “Shop Local” signs and help pass out flyers educating people on where they can shop local. They’ve had a weekly presence since Target opened July 21st.

August 6th Tuesday 6:23 pm – 8 pm Support Independent Businesses meeting at Ocean Beach Green Center, 4862 Voltaire St.

By Judi Curry

Last Thanksgiving one of my daughter’s was hospitalized for an unknown stomach problem. As we tried to trace what caused the problem a very interesting development came to the forefront. But more about that in a moment.

A few nights ago that same daughter began experiencing the same stomach symptoms and that is where answers began to form. Because – in November and that eventful night last week it was determined that she had had a California wine both times.

Now that doesn’t sound so bad; California wines are well known throughout the world. But what isn’t known – and I didn’t know it until I did some research – that EVERY California wine that was tested – and some beers also, showed glyphosate residues. Granted, not EVERY wine made in California was tested, but enough were tested to find this startling information.

The Board of Directors of the OB People’s Organic Food Market – otherwise simply known as “People’s” – is making a call on its member-owners to get involved in the democratically-run business. Now in its 47th year (see below).

In the most recent issue of People’s Market News this is what the call stated:

Love People’s? Get involved!

Board of Directors’ Information Table Saturday, August 10, 12 – 2 p.m.

Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market’s Board of Directors encourages member-owners to engage in owner activism.

You are invited to stop by People’s Board of Directors’ information table, located at the entrance to the market, on August 10, 2019 between 12 and 2 p.m. Board Directors will be available to answer questions about co-op governance and the responsibilities of the board.

*Mayor’s Deadline for Scooter Companies Is Here – Has City Crews Check “Parking Corrals”

* 4-Way Stop Now at Ebers and Saratoga
* Campaign to Begin for a Bronze Mermaid Next to the Bronze Lifeguard?
* Petra de Luna on Voltaire Closing
* Man Jumps Out of the Way But Gets Hit in Midway District
* Pickets Greet Target’s Opening
* Street Vendors May See New Rules
* OB Playhouse Extends Avenue Q!
* Margaritaville To Take Over Paradise Point in Mission Bay
* Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty in Death of OB Man
* Man Brandishing Gun-Like Lighter Forces Midway Students to Shelter
* Local Businesses in the “News”