Month: December 2020

This Thursday, December 17, newly-elected Mayor Todd Gloria and the newly-seated City Council will review just from whom and what bids have been made for San Diego’s electric and gas franchise agreements.

The Council will not be making any decisions, however, on granting any franchises. There is no vote – and the agenda item is listed solely as an “informational” one.

The old franchise agreements run out on January 17, 2021. They’ve been held, of course, by San Diego Gas & Electric. The current one was granted in 1970, and SDG&E had held the earlier 50-year agreement. So, that’s one hundred years that the company has had a monopoly here in San Diego. A lot of people think it’s time for a change, where the utility company with the franchise places the residents and businesses of the city at the top of whomever it serves – not its investors.

Diego Marquez
“The Marketplace”
619-672-5911

By Judi Curry

Several years ago, my daughter bought me a very pretty, glass bird bath to attract more birds into my back yard.

For months I loved watching the birds come and drink from the bowl or take a bath when the weather was warmer.

And then, one day, a “murder” of Crows landed on the glass bowl and quickly toppled it. And from that day on I have been searching for another bird bath.

I found that many of them were built very flimsily; and knowing that not only do I have crows that have heard that the water is good at the “Curry Household” I have been providing several different hawks with the same good water so it is imperative that the bird bath be strong enough to handle several large birds at one time.

By Geoff Page

I saw two headlines Monday that were a wonderful balm for the eyes and the mind. That is saying something considering what we are all seeing in the headlines, and have been seeing for months.

The first headline was “Joe Biden is confirmed as president-elect.” Now, this was not wonderful because I love Joe Biden, nor do I dislike him, it was because of the contrast between this moment and one four years ago.

I was in a hotel room in Colorado on business the night of the election four years ago. I had an uneasy feeling and as the night wore on it did not dissipate. I had to get to bed because I was going to be teaching the whole next day. When I got up the next morning, I made some coffee but I dreaded turning on the TV.

When I finally did hear the news, I stood gaping at the TV in shock and what first ran through my mind the most was the judicial system. I’m old enough to know the effect of an election on the judicial system

Restaurant Review

Z & F Chinese Food
2907 Shelter Island Dr., #104
San Diego, CA 92106
619-269-7668

Cooking for One Ain’t Fun – Part 2

By Judi Curry

Last week I ordered several items from another Chinese restaurant in the OB/ Pt. Loma area. Needless to say I wasn’t too happy with it, and decided that I would start looking about the area to find one that was more to more liking. I had had food from Z & F before, and decided to try them again.

The one thing I was very disappointed in at the other restaurant was the Won Ton Soup,

By Colleen O’Connor

Wonderful stories that perfectly illuminate an age do exist. Sometimes becoming bestselling books or blockbuster movies, but that is rare. Sometimes they also become classics.

Best examples of these contemporary, metaphorical triumphs include Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games; J.K. Rowing’s Harry Potter; Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet; and possibly George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones.

Although each of the blockbusters commanded massive international audiences and still move global emotions, none have done it with the raw reality of journalist, Jessica Bruder’s book, Nomadland.

With the vote of California’s electors, President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win over Donald Trump has been formalized.

States have been voting throughout the day, but it took California’s 55 votes to bring Biden over the 270 needed to win. As of this writing, Biden has 302 votes; he needed 270 – as if we could forget.

Under the new Southern California “lock-down” due to the continuing ravages of COVID, I wanted to check out how the business district of Ocean Beach was handling it. Especially during the holiday-time.

Cruising down the several blocks of OB’s main commercial avenue, Newport, and out along the waterfront, I could see many people with masks on. Most had them on, but not all.

Also, most businesses were open – although under limited capacities. Most of the restaurants had customers – there were even lines at a few. Eating was only allowed outside, of course, and there were a few folks having lunch at isolated tables.

By Steve Rodriguez / Times of San Diego / December

I don’t want to talk about the recent election. I’m tired of politics.

It was a long campaign and I’m emotionally worn out from all the debates, and the tweets, and the rallies.

Instead, I want to discuss the past baseball season. I’m sure all of you know the Dodgers won the World Series, but in order to get to the Word Series they first had to beat the San Diego Padres in a playoff series. Sure, if you’re a Dodgers fan, you’re really happy about beating the Padres.

But there’s one thing I want you to know…those games between the Dodgers and the Padres back in October were RIGGED.

By Jon Carr – Vice-President of the OB Town Council

The Ocean Beach Town Council (OBTC) Board of Directors is now accepting Candidate Statements for the 2021 board election.

If you would like to take your community involvement to the next level, here’s a great opportunity to do so.

As a volunteer OBTC Director you would help to plan and organize the many local OB events produced by the Town Council. You will also serve as an elected voice communicating the views and needs of the community to the appropriate agencies, be at the forefront of community discussions, take appropriate action on community issues and be a leader in promoting the general betterment of Ocean Beach.

There are 15 seats on the Board of Directors. OBTC members elect Board Members for two-year terms. Half of the Board stands for election every year.

By Barbara Bry / Times of San Diego / December13, 2020

The vote that elected District 2 Councilmember Jennifer Campbell as the next president of the San Diego City Council has made the effort to recall her a citywide issue and has galvanized residents all over the city to join a growing coalition.

The council president is important because this person sets the council agenda that determines what and when the council votes on issues and also makes committee assignments. In short, that office wields a “choke hold” position on city matters.

The recent 5-4 vote, with District 4 Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe on the losing end, clearly demonstrated where the power behind-the-scenes is and who elected officials are beholden to.

In a Sabino Canyon State of Mind

by Ernie McCray

My mind,
in these times,
often drifts
to Tucson.
Home.
Home to me
and home
to Sabino Canyon,
grounds that are sacred to me,