Jim Bell’s House Gets a Make-Over
The House of Jim Bell, named after OB’s famous environmentalist who recently passed, is getting a make over. An entire new west wall was installed, with new windows. Plus the exterior is getting a stucco finish. 
The guys doing it all are doing it practically as volunteers. When the front wall is finished, expect to see Kip Kruegar go to work with a new series of expressions of wisdom and painted flowers. When this reporter was there (11/18/19) the second coat of stucco was being applied.
Intersection at Point Loma Ave and Santa Barbara a Dangerous One
Residents near the intersection of Point Loma Ave and Santa Barbara feel it’s a very dangerous one – too dangerous, despite the four-way stop. Why just this week a San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Services truck ended up on its side after a collision with a brand new SUV at the intersection. This was Monday afternoon, Nov. 18. The SUV sustained only minor front end damage. No one was injured in the accident that happened just after 2 PM. The lifeguard truck, which was not responding to any emergency call, also slid into a parked vehicle before coming to rest.
Photo By Scott Hopkins
Jill Johnson, a Sunset Cliffs resident, told local CBS8: “If you stand out there long enough, you will see people roll through the intersection, like that car! It is daily honking, screeching, people screaming at each other. It is almost constant.” Jill told the station in the past 16 months there has been at least three major crashes, including the overturned Lifeguard truck. Jill is concerned and has been soliciting ideas on how the city can address the hazard posed by the intersection. Some suggestions include speed bumps or a flashing sign. It’s already a 25 mph zone. “I am hoping something can be done before someone gets killed,” said Jill.
The city has responded and said: “The city will evaluate what more can be done to make this intersection safer and prevent collisions, including installing increased signage indicating a stop ahead.” City residents can request traffic safety measures through the city’s website or on their Get It Done app.
Barber, Leon Guerrero to compete in 2019 National Bodyboarding Festival in OB
Guam’s John Barber and Jon Leon Guerrero will compete in the inaugural 2019 National Bodyboarding Festival even taking place in Ocean Beach Nov. 23-24. Barber and Guerrero placed first and third, respectively, in last month’s Monster Surf the Basin, the duo will head to Southern California with confidence. “This is a big deal because it is … the launching of U.S. bodyboarding,” said Concepcion, a former GNI vice-president. The NBF, sanctioned by the Association of Professional Bodyboarding North America, is a component of a national grassroots movent designed to “groom bodyboarding and bring it back into the light,” Concepcion said. For more.
Why Californians Should Party on the Beach – Now
Yes, sea levels are rising. Yes, California’s coastline is eroding and changing. And yes, even with Californians taking action against climate change, we are going to lose beloved beaches, bluffs, and homes. But we must not let our relationship with the coast become dominated by fear, division, and local politics. Approaching sea-level rise as another legal-political fight encourages the kinds of climate response—drastic, panicked, and litigation-driven—that our descendants will rue.
Instead, we should embrace the coast’s constantly shifting nature, cling to its mysteries, and celebrate its evolution as a way to encourage our own. How? In the spirit of California, I want us all to party on the beach. All day and all night. The state known for social innovations such as Beach Blanket Bingo should apply the full force of its fun-making genius to organizing free, public events that draw Californians to the coast. For more, go here.
An OB Tree Covered With Ivy and Rats – Whose Problem?
In a recent CBS 8 article by weatherman Shawn Styles asking if the City is responsible for an overgrown tree filled with rats in Ocean Beach, the answer is no, said Anthony Santacroce, senior City public information officer. “The City is not responsible for the rat problem,” said Santacroce. “There is no City vector control services that we have apart from our own maintenance on our own buildings. There is no mechanism to come out and do vector control.” Pointing out the rat-infested palm tree at issue is on a property site that Santacroce described as “in a bit of disarray,” with the palm tree covered with English ivy, Santacroce added, “The City prohibits the planting, or augmentation, of City trees in the public right-of-way.”
Added the City PIO, “People always love English ivy, until it grows damaging the host tree. We’re not responsible for outgrown of the ivy, or any pests nesting in the tree.” Santacroce said the City sent a letter to the affected tree’s property owner this week informing them they “must clean that palm tree and remove the ivy within 30 days.” Once the ivy is removed, Santacroce noted the ivy that gives rats cover there will be gone, effectively resolving the rodent problem. If the homeowner fails to comply with the City order, Santacroce said, “The City will take action to remove that ivy, and assess the damage that has been done to the tree. And if the tree has been damaged, the City will look to recover the taxpayer’s costs.” San Diego Community News Group
Auto Shop on Voltaire Has Closed After 30 Years
The Ocean Beach Auto Body shop at 4856 Voltaire Street has closed. It’s been there for 30 years, says Kip of Voltaire, and closed because the owner was in ill health.
Doggie Street Festival – Saturday, November 23
Bring your furry friend for a fun day at the largest pet celebration down in Liberty Station from 9-3 pm. The FREE event will include auction prizes, contests, yummy treats and much more for you and your pet to enjoy.
Ocean Beach Cleanup
Give back to the community by cleaning up San Diego beaches. Volunteers can also help stencil pollution prevention messages on all storm drains in the neighborhood. Help to remove litter and debris before it reaches the San Diego River watershed. Cleanup is from 10 am-12 pm at Robb Field in Ocean Beach.
Point Loma and OB Democratic Club Meets for Endorsements – Nov. 24, 4pm at Pt Loma Assembly, 3035 Talbot
Out of all local races, judge positions are often the hardest to research and understand. Judges aren’t identified on a ballot by party preference, and their professional history often makes it difficult to determine how they would side in precedent-creating cases. How can you tell if you’re electing a judge with Democratic values? Thanks to Jeanne Brown of the League of Women Voters we’ve been able to put together a fantastic panel to discuss why the role of judge is important: Professor Samantha Begovich, JD, Esq., Retired Superior Court Judge Janet I. Kintner, Retired Superior Court Judge Laura P. Hammes. Superior Court Judge – For the March 3, 2020 ballot we’ll also consider endorsement of Democratic candidates running for uncontested open positions: Office 18: Roberta Winston, Office 30: Tim Nader, Office 36: Michelle Ialeggio – and we’ll consider endorsing in the contested seat at our January meeting. Office 22: Steve Miller, Alana Robinson
‘All Power’ to the Outage
Several thousand people were left without power Tuesday night, Nov. 19. The largest two outages left more than 5,035 San Diego Gas & Electric customers in the dark at one point in neighborhoods in and around Ocean Beach, Point Loma and the Midway District, and near the San Diego International Airport, according to an SDG&E outage map. One of those outages occurred around 8 p.m., the other one about an hour later. SDG&E estimated restored power to some 3,390 customers by about midnight, and to the rest by about 2 a.m. Wednesday.
OB-bred jam band Slightly Stoopid to Play at Waterfront Festival This Weekend
The three-day Wonderfront festival this weekend, headlined by Ben Harper, Miguel, Slightly Stoopid and several Rock Hall of Famers, will offer boats and water taxis to ferry fans from stage to stage. See U-T article.
‘Home Is Where the Art Is’
On Sunday, December 8, Lady Brain Presents will host its first annual holiday party at The Holding Company (5046 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA). The free, 21+ concert, titled “Home is Where the Art is,” will run from 4-8pm and features performances by Chloe Lou and The Liddells (retro rock/soul), Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres (South Americana), Miki Vale, (hip-hop) and special guests including emcee Tori Roze.
In addition to musical performances, the event will feature a raffle, a collaborative art activity for all attendees, and a winter clothing drive to benefit North County Lifeline’s LifeSpring Program, which offers transitional housing for former foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness. Guests are encouraged to bring (preferably new) beanies, gloves, scarves, socks, blankets.
Judi’s Book “Liar, Liar” Available Locally
Judi says, in answer to the calls that I have been receiving about where my book, “Liar, Liar” – a true on-line dating experience can be purchased I am happy to say that it is now available on Amazon.com, at Rosedogbookstore.com, and I even have some for sale here in Ocean Beach! I will be happy to autograph any that you might purchase. Let me caution you, however, that James Patterson also has a book out with the same title – I will not autograph his book! It’s also at the OB Library on the “OB Shelf”. Thanks for all of your support. Judi
Ocean Beach Small Business Saturday
OB shops will celebrate Small Business Saturday with several giveaways and photos in front of a holiday postcard for shoppers. Those who spend $75 at local merchants can grab a $25 gift card for free, and a complimentary trolley will help shoppers around the neighborhood.
Liberty Station Small Business Saturday
Liberty Station vendors and restaurants will offer shoppers locally-made gifts and delicious eats on Small Business Saturday. Participating vendors like Shop Mingei, Moniker General, and Apricot Yarn & Supply have unique gifts sure to please those on your shopping list.
The Women’s Museum Has Full Calendar
Regular Monthly Events – Public is invited and welcome to join – More info on website calendar
- Second Wednesday 5:30 PM National Women’s Political Caucus Meeting (NWPC)
- second Friday, 6 PM Women Occupy of San Diego
- Second Sunday, 4:30 PM Second Sunday Author Series
- Third Wednesday, 6 PM National Organization for Women Meeting (NOW)
- Third Saturday at 10 am Women of the Gaslamp Walking Tour
- Fourth Tuesday at 1:30 PM, OWL and WIPFL Meeting
General Museum Hours of Operation: Wednesday – Sunday, 12:00 – 4:00 pm; located at 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92106 Phone: (619) 233-7963
Local Businesses in “the News”
- Rubios
- Indie Yoga
- Baron’s Market, Point Loma
- People’s Food Market
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