News from Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Early November 2019

DUI While Sailing?

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated after running his sailboat into the shore in Ocean Beach on Sunday night, Oct. 27, authorities said. The man was arrested after lifeguards found the boat on the beach near the Ocean Beach pier, said San Diego police spokesman Billy Hernandez. The man was approached by officers after he was involved in a “nautical collision,” Hernandez said. He was arrested on suspicion of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol, Hernandez said. Lifeguards working to get the boat off the beach Monday posted about the incident on Twitter, adding a message to sailors: “Reminder to boaters: sail sober!” San Diego U-T

Also, another report: A boater was arrested after their vessel ran aground in Ocean Beach, and the boat remained on shore Monday morning, Oct. 28. The sailboat got stuck on the beach near Lifeguard Tower Two around 7 p.m. Sunday evening, San Diego Fire-Rescue confirmed. “The owner was not cooperative and was taken into custody by (police),” fire officials explained. Fox5

Suspect in OB Murder Case of Mother Has Prelim Set

The preliminary hearing for a man suspected of killing his mother in Ocean Beach was set on Oct. 28 for Jan. 14 after he was charged with the special circumstance of murder during a robbery. The new charge means that if Daniel Chase McKibben, 36, is convicted of first-degree murder, he would face life in prison without the possibility of parole. The victim is Heidi Green, 59, who was found dead in a home in the 5000 block of Niagara Avenue near the OB Pier on May 1. Authorities have not said how she died and the facts of the case have not been discussed in court. McKibben appeared Monday in jail clothes before San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth and he waived his right to have speedy court proceedings. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in jail without bail. A family member called police asking for a welfare check on Green and police found her deceased.

McKibben turned up at a home in La Mesa the next day. A resident there called La Mesa Police, saying McKibben would not leave and was trespassing in the 7900 block of Rainey Street. Police showed up at 9:15 a.m. May 2 and discovered that McKibben allegedly was armed with a knife. An officer shot him twice in the shoulder and hand. McKibben was taken to a hospital and was arraigned in his hospital bed. The Beacon

Point Loma High Has Broken Retaining Wall

A massive retaining wall inside the Point Loma High School stadium has broken away from the hillside it is holding back. The wall, approximately 20 feet high and over 100 feet in length, was built in 1960, according to Kelly Lowry, PLHS vice-principal, whose responsibilities include the physical structures on campus. School district personnel have erected a temporary chain link fence away from the wall to keep students and others out of harm’s way but causing another problem. They also dug holes in the brand new track to put in support beams to hold the wall in place.

With the fence covering most of the school’s track lanes, the school’s track and field teams will not be able to practice in the stadium nor will PLHS be able to host any meets during the spring sports season which is scheduled to begin in early March. These teams have more members than any other at the school.

Argument Over Stolen Scooter Leads to Stabbing in Midway District

A man was arrested on suspicion of stabbing another man during an argument over a stolen scooter in the Midway District, police said. San Diego police said the incident happened just before 10:10 p.m. Thursday in a parking lot in the 3700 block of Camino Del Rio West. Police said a 43-year-old man got into a verbal altercation with 31-year-old Adrian Diaz, accusing Diaz of stealing his scooter. In the midst of the argument, police said Diaz pulled out a knife, stabbed the older man in the upper left arm and ran from the scene. Responding officers chased Diaz for two blocks before catching up to him and arresting him. Diaz was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to police. The unidentified victim suffered a non-life threatening 5-inch cut and was taken to the hospital for treatment. 10News

OB Street Stewards Take Off

Ocean Beach Street Stewards are sweeping into town ushering in a new era in community beautification. And, with City staffing levels continually challenged, community volunteers are taking charge doing whatever it takes — cleaning, clearing brush, patrolling — to get the job done. In July, OB resident and graphic designer Aaron Null planted a seed of community “self-help” in creating a Facebook page, imploring residents to adopt a block to clean each week. That seed that’s been planted is sending out roots and baring fruits. “This has gone from literally me and a couple of friends to 70 volunteers now,” said Null, a 10-year OB resident.  See here for more.

StoryTellers Return to OB

A popular event is returning to Ocean Beach next month when Storytellers of San Diego presents an evening of intrigue and imagination cleverly titled Tellabration. Now an annual community treat, eight skilled presenters, one with an added talent, will take audience members on numerous mental expeditions using only their voices, intonations and accents. This year’s event returns to Bethany Lutheran Church, 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. on Nov. 16, running from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and celebrates the somewhat lost art of storytelling. The local event is part of a worldwide celebration of the art on that date. Each year the group selects a theme to honor Ocean Beach, this year’s being “Deep Waters, Still Waters.” Stories told will be chosen from personal experiences, literary and folkloric sources. Tickets are $15 at the door. The evening is best for ages 12 and up. sdnews.com

Newport Pizza May Remain on Newport

All may not be lost when Newport Pizza and Ale House in Ocean Beach closed on Oct. 27. General manager Megan Schuster told the Beacon, “It’s looking very good that we’ll be moving to another nearby property on Newport Avenue. We’re just waiting to work out the details for signing a lease.” The establishment has been around since 1984, starting originally as a pizzeria before becoming a serious beer bar as well. Its current landlord, Schuster added, “did not want to renew our lease.” Stay tuned for updates. 5050 Newport Ave., 619-224-4540, obpizza.com.

Did You Protest Starbucks Coming to OB? If So, You Could Be a True San Diegan

“In San Diego, status as a native-born carries undeniable cachet,” then-Editor in Chief Tom Blair wrote in his March 2006 editor’s letter. “Next best thing is an ability to demonstrate longevity. ‘Came here with the Navy after World War II’ is a common boast. ‘Went to elementary school here’ is another. So, what does it mean to be a San Diegan?” The magazine published a six-page quiz to “determine how you measure up.” It was sort of a checklist or bucket list with 111 items, and if you scored a perfect 111, you could “call yourself a native—even if you just blew into town.” San Diego Magazine

Guardian Angels Coming to PB, Maybe OB

The Guardian Angels are coming to Pacific Beach. The New York City-based nonprofit international volunteer organization of unarmed crime-prevention has operated since 1979. The group was given the go-ahead to form a new chapter in PB, said Guardian Angels spokesperson Ryan Lu. “We are starting a chapter here in Pacific Beach to combat crime, which will hopefully spread across to Ocean Beach and Mission Beach, as well as the rest of San Diego,” said Lu on behalf of the angels, known for their national and worldwide safety patrols. Local Guardian Angels spokesperson and administrator Sarah Bonesteel talked about why PB was selected to become the latest group chapter.

“We’ve had a spike in crime in PB the last two or three years, and we’ve lost control of our parks, beach areas and library, all of which have become very unsafe places,” said PB resident Bonesteel, who noted the new Guardian Angels chapter being formed “will be there to assist police, reach out to them and work with them.” San Diego Community News Group

Cheeky Owners of a Point Loma Home

A whole year has passed since the dust settled from the construction on Patrick Williams’s Point Loma home. But he’s still conversational in first-time-remodeler speak. Ask him about the style of his three-story and, with his hands in the air, he replies simply, “Whatever you see here, I guess.” Then, as though on cue, his interior designer Rhianna Jones chimes in: “It’s casual, modern, coastal. Casual in the sense that they don’t take themselves seriously.” The “they” is Williams, with his dry humor, and his sweeter half, Jen Riddle, both in the medical device industry and part owners of The Lion’s Share and Coin-Op Game Room. San Diego Magazine

Local Playwright Acknowledges “Point Loma Pause”

Shairi Engle left the Air Force in 2005, where she’d served as an air traffic controller, she boxed everything she owned and didn’t look back. It was only in writing about her experiences, both in the military and with personal trauma, that she allowed herself to figuratively unpack. Engle is the 2019 recipient of the Arts in the Armed Forces Bridge Award for playwriting. Voice of San Diego

Paul Caronna, well-known Point Loma yacht broker Passes

Paul was a gentle soul, a respected yacht broker, a kind man, and a good friend to all who knew him. He was supportive of the two industries he knew and loved most – fishing and yacht sales, and those of us who make our livings or spend our leisure hours fishing or messing around with boats, will miss his presence.  Paul’s participation at those forums, plopped down at his favorite table, will be in many of our memories for years to come. Fair seas and tight lines, old friend! The Log

Navy SEALS Rescued Off Point Loma

Two Navy SEALs were rescued after their boat capsized several miles off the coast of San Diego. 10News learned the SEALs were not on duty, and they were fishing for tuna when their boat overturned at around 4 a.m. Monday about 27 miles southwest of Point Loma.

Decorated Marine General Who Fought US Imperialist Wars in Caribbean and Central America Lived in Point Loma House on Curtis

The house at 3202 Curtis St. in Loma Portal has quite the history. Built in 1928 by Chris A. Cosgrove for his parents, Augustus and Louise Cosgrove, the home was historically designated in October 2017 as the Augustus and Louise Cosgrove/Chris Cosgrove House. Chris A. Cosgrove is considered an established master builder in the city of San Diego, and built many homes and commercial buildings around town, according to Alexandra Wallace, principal researcher at Legacy 106 Inc., based in La Jolla. …In 1935 and 1936, 3202 Curtis St. was rented by Marine Brigadier Gen. Herman H. Hanneken and his wife Margaret. Gen. Hanneken had a long history of waging our country’s imperialist wars in Caribbean and Central America. sdnews.com

OB Craft Fairs Coming Up:  Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21.

The Craft Fair will be held on the grass of the Veterans Plaza and will feature local craft vendors, a “Kid’s Corner” with activities and more. All proceeds support the OBTC’s Holiday Food Drive, Holiday Parade and Community Grants. For more information, visit oceanbeachsandiego.com/community-group/ob-town-council.

New NAVWAR Plan Will Change the Midway District for Ever

The new NAVWAR plan to develop its 70 acres into a technology hub with the NAVWAR headquarters at its center will change the Midway District. NAVWAR was formerly called SPAWAR. 10News states, the military poured $28.1 billion into San Diego’s economy. The figure higher than expected, due to more ships stopping in San Diego and more sailors and Marines coming to the region. The author of a new report, Dr. Lynn Reaser, said these numbers back the idea the military is a mega-industry. She noted San Diego is home to one in every six of the nation’s sailors.

Legacy of Point Loma’s Theosophical community on Display SD History Century

A exhibition that opened earlier in October at the San Diego History Center explores the surprising artistic legacy and other achievements of the century-old Theosophical community on Point Loma. In 1897, Katherine Tingley established the Universal Brotherhood and Theosophical Society, nicknamed Lomaland, on a chaparral-covered ridge over the ocean. The dusty plot of land was transformed into a vibrant “White City” that became a center of learning, culture and social reform. The Utopian community dissolved during the Great Depression, but several buildings remain, now incorporated into the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University. However, it was the artistic and cultural legacy that endured.

“The Path of the Mystic: Art and Theosophy at Lomaland,” runs through April 19, showcases the remarkable cultural legacy of artists like Grace “Gay” Betts, Maurice Braun, Benjamin Gordon, Leonard Lester, Marian Plummer Lester, Reginald Willoughby Machell, and Edith White. Times of San Diego

Local Businesses in “the News”

• South Beach Bar & Grill
• Shelter Island’s Fathom Bistro
• Kilowatt Ocean Beach
• Tony’s Martini Bar
• OB Noodle House etc
• Northside Shack in Point Loma
• Beach Sweets
• Maek Ceramics
• Plant Power
• Local Taco Shops – Same link/ article here
  • 5060 Newport Ave.
  • Ortega’s Cocina
  • Nico’s Mexican Food
  • Bravo’s Mexican Bistro and Cantina
  • Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill
  • Hugo’s Cocina
  • Sunnie’s
  • Cotija’s Cocina Mexicana
  • Alamilla’s Mexican Food
  • Mitch’s Seafood
  • El Jardín Cantina
  • Ortiz’s Taco Shop
  • Miguel’s Cocina
  • Point Loma Fish Shop
  • Tony’s Fresh Mexican Food
  • The Brigantine