October 2019

New Recycling Center Opens Next to Pat’s Liquor in Ocean Beach

October 9, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Here’s some good news. Ocean Beach has a brand new recycling center.

Prince’s Recycling Center just opened earlier this week next to well-known Pat’s Liquor at 5096 Voltaire at the intersection with Abbott Street. James Prince and Allison and Laura are making the bold venture.

Their center will be open Mondays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

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Point Loma Architectural Reporter Gives Tour of What’s on Deck for San Diego Development

October 9, 2019 by Source

Editordude: Local Roger Showley, Point Loma High School Class of 1966, gives an illuminating tour of what’s on deck in terms of San Diego’s mega development projects. Love development or hate it, it’s important to know what’s coming.

By Roger Showley / The Architect’s Newspaper

As it celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding this year, San Diego is rethinking past projects, planning billions of dollars’ worth of new projects, and coping with a housing shortage that is making it one of the nation’s least affordable markets.

The most significant project on the boards is the redevelopment planned for Horton Plaza shopping center, a 1985 postmodernist downtown mall designed by Jon Jerde. But there are many other megaprojects under construction or in the offing throughout this county of 3.3 million residents.

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OBceans Volunteering at Tijuana Orphanages, Migrant Centers

October 9, 2019 by Staff

By Brett Warnke

San Diego is a refugee city.

Yet, in an age of fears and in a time of increased dislocation, millions of people are on the move. Spurred by bad policies, corruption, inequality, gangsterism, war and climate change migrants find themselves jammed in ad hoc centers and refugee camps in developing cities like Tijuana with few resources.

Many migrants have been blocked from entry and wait in an impoverished limbo, uncertain what will come.

The Sharda Yoga Center is working to fuse yoga and art education for people caught in this horrifying vortex. It’s founder, Nora Munoz, believes making art and yoga available to all children regardless of class or socio-economic status is a goal worth achieving.

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Widder Curry ‘Banned’ From Nextdoor

October 9, 2019 by Judi Curry

Just What Is Nextdoor?

By Judi Curry

Let me begin this biased report by saying that I have been reduced to a “read only” status on our neighborhood Nextdoor. And yes, I admit that I violated their rules re: no political discussions on this site.

And yes, I admit that it has happened more than one time. However, many things that I write about are politically motivated – be it outright, or “under the covers.” And yes, I admit to being a liberal; I cannot stand the person in the White House; I have no tolerance for people that were my friends – and relatives – supporting children in cages; separating families; no medical attention; no flu shots.

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Audit Reveals San Diego Losing $2 Million a Year Due to Free Trash Pickups at Short-Term Rentals

October 8, 2019 by Source

A report by Union-Tribune writer David Garrick last week confirmed the fears: according to a recent city audit, San Diego is losing $2 million a year by allowing trash pickup at short-term vacation rentals around town.

Short-term rentals, along with commercial buildings, apartments, multi-family units and condos are excluded from the free trash pickup embedded in stone with the People’s Ordinance which guarantees free trash pick-up for single-family homes.

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Now, Here’s a Good Article from the Channel 8 Reporter We Criticized: ‘Baby Boomers and Empty-Nesters Coming Together’

October 8, 2019 by Source

Editordude: Just to show some balance and to show a pat on the back, we are reposting a good article by Channel 8 reporter Abbie Alford who was criticized last week by one of our writers.

‘Silvernest’ matches senior citizens looking for roommates
Baby boomers and empty-nesters are coming together under one roof.

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — About a million San Diegans will be 55 years or older by 2030, which is a 194% increase, says Silvernest, a home sharing site for an aging population.

Silvernest says it’s a modern Golden Girls service that primarily matches baby boomers with empty nesters.

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Trump’s Stonewalling of Impeachment Inquiry Is Itself an Impeachable Offense

October 8, 2019 by Source

By Marjorie Cohn / TruthOut / October 7, 2019

As three committees of the House of Representatives proceeded with the impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump, the president tweeted, “I am coming to the conclusion that what is taking place is not an impeachment, it is a COUP.” Encyclopedia Britannica defines coup d’etat as “the sudden, violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group.”

On the contrary, Congress is fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to investigate allegations that could constitute impeachable offenses — that is, high crimes and misdemeanors. Indeed, during its early history in England, impeachment was called “the most powerful weapon in the political armory, short of civil war.”

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OBceans Sue Each Other Over Peanut Butter Whiskey

October 8, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Usually when there’s an article about Ocean Beach on the front page of the San Diego Union-Tribune‘s Sunday paper, it’s a fluff piece about how the bohemian enclave does or doesn’t live up to its name. This has happened so often that we even keep a file on all those articles.

But that wasn’t the case this last Sunday, October 6. This time the front page article was headlined: “Lawsuits Erupt Over Ocean Beach’s Famed Skrewball Whiskey” and it was all about the three suits – two of them by well-known OBceans – against the makers of Screwball Whiskey – that new combo of whiskey and peanut butter invented in OB and now being marketed across the country.

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Ocean Beach’s ‘Outlaw’ Pot Dealer Detained On Newport Ave

October 8, 2019 by Staff

by Joaquin Antique

Locals and visitors alike watched as San Diego police plainclothes officers apparently arrested a man who had set up a “mini-dispensary” at the foot of Newport Street yesterday, October 7. The marijuana products the man was selling were confiscated and bagged up and the vendor was placed in an SDPD vehicle.

For several weeks one or more individuals have erected a card table, sun shelter, and display case next to the OB Pier parking lot and have been selling pre-rolled ganja and cannabis edibles.

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Ocean Beach Ten Years Ago: October 2009

October 7, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

It’s amazing to discover what was going on in Ocean Beach a decade ago – in October 2009. Because the OB Rag keeps archives which can be pulled out at any time (and available to our readers), we looked at the articles we posted 10 years ago and found many parallels with today in OB. So get on the OB Time Machine and travel back with us ten years … to another era ….

  • Poverty Rate at 50-Year High in San Diego County

Poverty in San Diego County shot up in 2008, rising at a much faster pace than in California or the nation … Poverty rate at 50-year high in San Diego County

Here’s some local news from ten years ago:

  • Peaceniks Leaflet Point Loma High School – …
  • North OB Restrooms to have Temporary and Mobile Replacements – …
  • A man hit a woman on the head with a bongo drum …
  • Diver who died off Sunset Cliffs identified –
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News On Newport Avenue Ten Years Ago in October 2009

October 7, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Newport News 007-cow-smOriginally posted on October 17, 2009

Cow is moving out of OB

We spoke to Greg last week, the owner of Cow, Newport’s only music store. And unfortunately for the community, his business will be moving out of Ocean Beach by the new year. He is on a month-to-month lease. The reason for the move from the beach? Well, there are two reasons:

First, the owner of the BBQ House is expanding and developing a new restaurant next door to its current and apparently successful enterprise. Abdul is opening up – probably – a pizza and beer place – the space that Cow now rents. So, Cow has to move.

But Greg wanted to buy a building up the street – in the 4900 block of Newport – and had offered the owner over half a mil.

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OB Networking Group – Bytes, Computer Tech, and Knowing Google – Tues., Oct. 8

October 7, 2019 by Source

Join the OB Networking Group this Tuesday, October 8 for a talk by Steven Murphy, of Murphy’s computer services.

He has three subjects to cover:

  • Got your bits in a byte: Tuning up your tech.
  • RTFM: How 80% of tech work is knowing how to Google.
  • Have you turned it off and on again: Talking to tech support effectively.

This all happening at 12 noon at Te Mana Cafe

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Restoring Justice Heart to Heart After the Racial Taunts From San Clemente High

October 7, 2019 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

If there is an American tradition that has lasted longer than “racial taunting” I’d like to know what it is.

It’s truly as American as apple pie.

And it often comes out of nowhere, rising at any time and at any place, as the Lincoln High Hornets Cheerleaders found out not too long ago at an away football game against the Tritons at San Clemente High.

Oh, they were just bouncing and dancing and prancing and chanting on behalf of their guys, trying, by the way, to hold their heads up high as the other guys were winning the day, big time, and the home crowd was feeling it, big time, having a grand old time, hugging each other and high fiving and dancing on their feet, their marching band tapping away with snappy victorious drum beats, the brass section blasting their horns until the cows come home…

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American Inequality is Still Surging Along, Now is the Time to Finally Address It.

October 7, 2019 by Jim Miller

By Jim Miller

Back in June I noted in this space that despite the mainstream media chorus about our “good economy” things weren’t so great for the average American worker when –

“4 in 10 Americans couldn’t put together $400 in cash to meet an emergency expense, 6 in 10 couldn’t meet 3 months of expenses if they lost their jobs, only 36% of workers are on track with their retirement savings, and a quarter of Americans have skipped some kind of medical treatment in the past year because of finances.”

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Luisa Moreno: A Proud San Diego Troublemaker

October 4, 2019 by Staff

By Brett Warnke

In a 1991 article John Celardo writes, “Luisa Moreno sensed the local uneasiness created by [World War II], particularly in San Diego. Housing was in short supply, rations became a nuisance, transportation became a problem, and racial conflicts in the Navy and around San Diego became more intense.”

Luisa Moreno was born and died in Guatemala but spent the 1940s and 1950s as one of San Diego’s tireless and brave local labor organizers. She challenged the bogus tranquility of our quiet little paradise in the sun. She understood the divisions and attempted to forge friendships across the city but, like most greats, she had all the right enemies.

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This House Design Is Completely Free to Download and Has a Net-Zero Footprint

October 4, 2019 by Source

Anyone can download the plans for this elegant three-bedroom home, which won Phoenix, Arizona’s competition aimed at jumpstarting energy-efficient construction.

By Evan Nicole Brown / Fast Company

A few years ago, city officials in Phoenix, Arizona, were looking for a way to address the need for more sustainable architecture in their hot, arid environment. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States — and as a result, has a significant environmental footprint. But in 2016, officials debuted a road map designed to transform it into a completely carbon-neutral, zero-waste city.

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San Diego to Crack Down on Street Vendors?

October 4, 2019 by Source

By Priya Sridhar / KPBS / Sept.25, 2019

The City of San Diego is considering cracking down on street vendors because of a new state law that went into effect January 1.

The new law decriminalized street vendors and requires cities across California to create local ordinances that only regulate street vending based on public health and safety, not stifling competition.

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Congress to Expand Investigation into San Diego VA Liver Study

October 4, 2019 by Source

by Jill Castellano & Brad Racino / inewsource / October 1, 2019

Congress will conduct a hearing to investigate a powerful healthcare office in the Department of Veterans Affairs following inewsource stories that exposed the office’s shoddy review of a dangerous San Diego liver study. A new inewsource analysis shows the agency under scrutiny — the VA’s Office of the Medical Inspector — has a long history of performing poor investigations into veterans’ medical care.

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OBceans Attend Elizabeth Warren Rally at San Diego’s Waterfront Park

October 4, 2019 by Staff

By Brett Warnke

Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke on October 3 on a cool night as the sunset sank beyond Waterfront Park. The setting and format were quintessentially Warren: tidy, organized, and a bit nerdy. Warren was introduced by a veteran and woman whose parents were deported after living in the country since 1986.

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What You Can Do Besides Being an OB Vigilante

October 3, 2019 by Staff

By Brett Warnke

John Brady, a local advocate who has experienced homelessness in his own past, is the Director of Advocacy for the Voices of Our City Choir. He’s on the YIGBY task force focused on faith-based properties to build affordable and low-income housing for people in need.

He doesn’t take my own adversarial approach to local anti-homeless vigilante groups, but he says he supports people who want to keep their communities safe. He also doesn’t know much about the anti-homeless groups quoted in a recent mediocre, poorly written profile by Channel 8’s Abbie Alford.

However, Brady does see a need for informed interdictions regarding unsheltered people.

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Shame on you, Channel 8: An OB Media Criticism of Journalistic Mediocrity

October 3, 2019 by Staff

By Brett Warnke

In a sloppy, half-baked under-sourced brief, Channel 8’s Abbie Alford became San Diego’s publicist for the worst quarter of Ocean Beach, a vigilante group of homeless-haters.

Characterizing the group in her story as “fed up with troublemaking homeless,” Ms. Alford’s first paragraph claims the so-called “community group” puts “troublemakers on notice.” She includes a bland statement from Jen Campbell’s office and a series of tactics and quotes by the group as well as a smiling picture of them.

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San Diego Green Calendar for October 2019 – from the Ocean Beach Green Center

October 3, 2019 by Source

Events at the Ocean Beach Green Center

Ocean Beach Green Center, 4862 Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach 92107 oceanbeachgreencenter@gmail.com

October 10th Thursday 7 pm. Film Night “The Human Element”
Every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Climate Mobilization Coalition Meeting. October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
October 24th Thursday 7 pm Jim Bell’s Legacy meetings.

Other Events in Ocean Beach and Point Loma

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City’s Absurdities Confront Ocean Beach Planning Board

October 3, 2019 by Staff

By Geoff Page

We live in a highly regulated world that often borders on the absurd. There was a great example of this Wednesday at the regular monthly Ocean Beach Planning Board meeting held at the OB Rec Center.

The city of San Diego was there seeking the board’s approval because the city needs a Coastal Development Permit. By itself, that is not unusual but why they needed it was. Some time ago, at least a year ago or maybe two, the city performed an emergency repair on a section of sidewalk. The sidewalk is on the north side of the big, dilapidated apartment building just south of the OB Pier.

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Bill Mayo Jr. Passes – Memorial at Sunset Cliffs Friday, Oct.18

October 3, 2019 by Source

Bill Mayo Jr.

William “Bill” Mayo Jr. died at age 93 on September 21 in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was the middle son of three, born in Norfolk, VA, and grew up in the Navy towns of Norfolk, San Diego and Honolulu. Independent by nature, his childhood was full of freedom and adventure.

In 1955, Bill moved back to San Diego with his young, growing family, and was a well respected local fixture in OB and Point Loma for 64 years.

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OB Library Special Events for October 2019

October 3, 2019 by Source

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Scooters: It’s Not About the Technology – It’s About How They Were Rolled Out

October 2, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Last week, our good friend Brett Warnke gave a “full-throated defense” for those scooters scattered around about town. He adores them and thinks “they’re the best idea to come to San Diego in a hell of a long time,” and wants to “subsidize thousands more of the damn things in low-income neighborhoods, in addition to more bicycles.”

His rant is all about the technology and eco-friendly advance that will save us from ourselves (rising sea levels, polluted air, etc), but fears we’re about to regulate them and ourselves “backward into a political logjam,” due to our “reactionary debates disguised as ‘progressive’ or ‘safety-concerns’.

Brett does usher in some good ideas – but he misses the main point about scooters

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North County Climate Action Plans: A Tale of Two Cities With San Marcos and Carlsbad

October 2, 2019 by Source

By Richard Riehl / The Riehl World / October 1, 2019

A funeral was held last month at the site of Iceland’s Okjökull glacier. A century ago it covered nearly six square miles, measuring 164 ft. deep. Today, it’s less than one square mile, 49 feet thick. The shrinking sheet of ice can no longer be called a glacier. A tombstone plaque was placed at the site:

A Letter to the Future

This monument is to acknowledge that we know
what is happening and what needs to be done.
Only you know if we did it.
August 19, 2019

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Let the Children Play

October 2, 2019 by Source

By Thomas Ultican / Tultican / Sept 25, 2019

Two education experts and fathers have issued a clarion call to “Let the Children Play.”

Pasi Sahlberg and William Doyle co-authored Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive. These two fathers with young children were both shocked by the education system they found when the American scholar Doyle took his family to Finland and Finland’s Education Director General, Sahlberg, brought his family to the United States. Their book is a tour de force about play practices globally and the research supporting the developmental need for children to play.

The authors document the stunning reduction in authentic outdoor self-directed play children in the United States and around the world are experiencing.

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OB Planning Board to Review Demolition of One House and the Building of Three on Same Lot.

October 1, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets this Wednesday, October 2, at 6pm at the OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave.

The board has one new project to review, plus a review of emergency repairs made over a year ago, and will receive an update on the Dog Beach Access Ramp improvements.

4811 Pescadero Ave.

This is a project where the applicant is seeking a Coastal Development Permit to demolish an existing single family residence and detached garage, and construct a new single dwelling unit and new duplex units.

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News and Notices for Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Early October 2019

October 1, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Newport Pizza to Close Sadly, we hear that the 35-year-old business on Newport Avenue is set to close. .

Dirty Birds Has Opened The grill and sports bar at the corner of Cable and Santa Monica

People’s Restaurant Space for Lease The former space of the OB Garden Cafe is now up for lease,

12 Years for Causing Fatal Crash on OB Freeway

OB’s Oktoberfest Coming Oct. 11-12 The 15th annual OB Oktoberfest with beer garden, live music and contests is approaching
Arson Team Looking at Video for Arsonist Who Set OB and PL Fires

Friends of OB Library Report Success at Recent Book Sale

Young Man Stabbed in the Midway, Mother Has Panic Attack – Both Hospitalized

Liberty Station Art District Programs

Local Businesses in da “Newz”

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