Month: December 2021

by Ernie McCray

2021.
Whew! What a year.
Makes you entertain hopes for what the New Year might bring.

And there could be a variety of hopes.
Know what I mean?

And I have hopes for the New Year.

Based on this past year, a year I suspected would be a bit crazy, considering all the sadness and madness we had to tolerate during the previous four years or so, I would hope we never experience anything so bizarre and frightening ever again.

*** Ocean Beach Apartment Complex Sells for Almost $2.4 Million

*** Local Woman Killed in Wrong-Way Crash at End of I-8

***Maria Senour Re-Elected as Prez of Community College District Board

*** Police Dog Recovering From Stab Wounds in the Midway

***New Shelter Opens in Midway District

*** Man Who Gunned Down Romantic Rival at Pt Loma Gym Pleads Guilty to Murder

By Colleen O’Connor & G.L. Goggin

Colleen’s #1 Pick.

1. Don’t cry for Liz Cheney.

Prediction: Liz Cheney is going to be the first Republican female minority leader after Kevin McCarthy is ditched. She sees the future and it isn’t Trumpism. And McCarthy’s quote that “Everybody in the U.S. has some responsibility” for the capital riot has greased his skids.

That prediction still holds and is more viable than ever in 2022. McCarthy has dissension in his ranks; a wobbly and unattractive history courting Trump; and a tsunami of bad events coming to light.

By Mat Wahlstrom

Good morning, starshine: the earth says it’s time for a prognostication of the year to come! It is written in the stars — or, more precisely, the orbits of the satellites in our solar system. But, I can in full confidence predict that events will transpire and things will happen in 2022, and that many of them will affect you personally.

And by personally, I mean by the random chance of your birth month being shared with a twelfth of everyone else alive — which is why there’s also a handy zodiac guide provided at the end to help understand how each sun sign responds to life’s challenges and windfalls.

So without further ado, here’s what lies ahead!

By Judi Curry

As I look back over this past year, I am so dissatisfied with my lack of accomplishments. In the past I have written books, been active in many organizations, attended classes, etc. This year I didn’t write a book, and with only the brief thought of beginning cookbook #4, I let that thought pass. But there are some things that I am thankful for.

I have a new grandchild – number 19 – and she’s adorable. My grandson graduated college with his B.A, and was hired at his first choice here in San Diego.

I met a person that has relieved the loneliness and depression I have suffered from for the past twelve years. I do not have any of the after effects from COVID, and I have had all three shots so if I should be exposed again my case will be milder than if I hadn’t had the injections.

By Jeff McDonald / San Diego Union-Tribune / Dec. 26, 2021

Top commanders in the San Diego Sheriff’s Department directed their subordinates to enforce some evictions during the past year while others languished for months, according to documents and a longtime sergeant.

Sgt. David Pocklington, who retired earlier this month after 28 years with the county, said he saw political motivation in the orders given to him and deputies under his command in the Court Services Bureau. Pocklington said he believes the evictions were orchestrated to help Sheriff Bill Gore and Undersheriff Kelly Martinez.

California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed 770 bills into law this year, many of them impacting people’s daily lives and will take effect as soon as Jan. 1, 2022.

Here are a few of the more noteworthy ones:

• Animal welfare: Proposition 12, approved by voters in 2018, makes the use of metal enclosures that restrict pigs from turning around and cages that prevent hens from opening their wings illegal.
• Minimum wage: SB 3 requires the minimum wage for all industries employing 26 or more employees to rise to $15, or $14 for those employing 25 or fewer workers.

From Laura Dennison of Friends of OB Library:

One of our dear volunteers, Alice Nodes, passed away last week. Her family will be having a viewing at Beasley-Mitchell Funeral home this Monday, Dec. 27, from 10 am to 2 pm. (Address: 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. 92107).

Matt Beatty, long-time Branch Manager at the OB Library, wrote a beautiful tribute to Alice:

Long time Ocean Beach Library volunteer and Friend of the Library Alice Nodes died peacefully at a care home in Oceanside on December 20th. She was 92 years old.

Photo by Daniel McGinley,