February 2022

OB Planning Board: Annual Elections, Pickleball at Robb Field, Project at 4605 Santa Cruz – March 2

February 28, 2022 by Staff

The Planning Board for Ocean Beach meets this Wednesday, March 2, and the meeting will continue to be held virtually via Zoom. (See below for registration.)

Planning Board Elections

The OBPB will also be ending its annual elections during the March 2nd meeting. Information can be found at this Rag article or on the board’s website . Results will be announced Thursday, March 3, 2022 via OBPB email and social media.

The only project up for review is a proposed parcel divide and construction of a new 2,400 square foot house on the second parcel on Santa Cruz.

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With Highest Rates in the Country, SDG&E’s Parent Company Sempra Raked in $2.6 Billion Last Year; Critics React

February 28, 2022 by Staff

On Friday, Feb. 25, SDG&E’s parent company, Sempra Energy, reported $2.6 billion in adjusted earnings for 2021.

It’s not a stretch to say that San Diegans – with the highest electrical rates in the country – have been generously helping the energy giant make its profits.

Sempra’s adjusted earnings of $2.6 billion for 2021 include income from all its companies. SDG&E’s earnings for 2021 were reported as $819 million.

The local CBS affiliate asked Alan Gin, a professor of economics at the University of San Diego, to take a look at Sempra’s recent earnings report. His response:

“Well, I think consumers are probably going to be unhappy because they’re paying these increased rates, the highest in the nation actually. And, yet, the company is taking that and then giving it out as dividends to their shareholders, and they’re also using it to repurchase stock, which is benefiting the shareholders as opposed to the customers.”

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Press Conference to Announce Opposition to Early Endorsement of Jen Campbell by County Democratic Party – Today, Monday, Feb. 28

February 28, 2022 by Staff

Today, Monday, the last day of February, there will be a press conference held to announce opposition to an early County Democratic Party “Friendly Incumbent Endorsement” of Councilmember Jen Campbell before the June Primary.

The press conference will be held at Morley Field parking lot east of tennis courts at 10:30 a.m.

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Union Grocery Workers to Rally for New Contract Monday, Feb.28 at Ralphs on Sports Arena Blvd

February 28, 2022 by Staff

Union grocery workers are rallying today for a new contract at Ralphs on Sports Arena Boulevard today, Feb. 28 at noon. The union contract for almost 9,000 San Diego workers expires on March 6 and the rally is to show the companies and public at large that these workers continue to be essential and that they deserve a new union contract that reflects the service and sacrifices that they have made.

The union that represents the workers is United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135, and the contract that expires covered workers at Albertsons, Gelson’s, Ralphs, Stater Bros, and Vons in San Diego County. The union contracts covered approximately 60,000 workers in Southern California.

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Point Loma Artist Wins Second Place in San Diego Watercolor Exhibition

February 25, 2022 by Source

Julie Anderson, an artist and resident of Point Loma, has won the second-place award in the continually competitive February 2022 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s exhibition “Simple Pleasures.”

It’s an in-gallery show of the SDWS at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, CA.

Anderson’s painting entitled “Surveying the Scene” was selected by prominent local artist and juror Thomas Franco for this honor, out of over 200 entries.

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Restaurant Review : Ketch Grill and Taps in Point Loma

February 24, 2022 by Judi Curry

Restaurant Review

Ketch Grill and Taps
2614 Shelter Island Drive
Point Loma, CA 92106
619-814-8080

By Judi Curry

Almost three years ago to the day I had dinner at the Ketch and did a review of the restaurant. At the time I was impressed with the menu and when I had out of town guests I took them there for lunch. But that time I was very disappointed – the menu had changed – and the food was only fair. That surprised me because the other restaurants in the chain are so good. (Miguel’s, Brigantine, etc.) I have not been back since. Things were about to change.

If you have ever been to the Ketch – the old “Red Sails” restaurant, you know that it is difficult to determine what is the bar and what is the seating area for the restaurant. There was some confusion as to where we could sit; when our table would be ready, etc., and it later turned out that we were comped for our drinks because of the confusion.

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Annual Election for Peninsula Community Planning Board – March 17

February 24, 2022 by Source

The Peninsula Community Planning Board will be holding its annual election to its Board on March 17, 2022. The election this year is to fill five (5) three year seats.

Requirements for those interested in becoming a Board Member:

  • Board terms are for three years.
  • A candidate must be 18 years of age,
  • must reside, own property, or operate a business within the PCPB boundaries, and
  • have attended one regular zoom meeting within the past 12 months. Attending the Candidates Forum would also qualify for this requirement.
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OBTC Public Meeting – Wednesday, Feb. 23

February 23, 2022 by Source

GO INSIDE FOR THE LINK

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The View South of Cabrillo – After the Storm

February 23, 2022 by Source

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Point Loma – OB Democrats Vote Both Saldaña and Day ‘Acceptable’ for District 2 Candidacy

February 23, 2022 by Source

The Point Loma – Ocean Beach Democrats did not endorse any candidate for their San Diego City Council District 2 endorsement last Sunday and ended up choosing both Lori Saldaña and Joel Day as “Acceptable.”

From their newsletter:

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Street Life Is Coming Back to San Diego and So Are the Scooters and Their Critics

February 23, 2022 by Source

By Sheila Pell /’ San Diego Reader / Feb. 22, 2022

Street life is coming back, and with it, scooter critics.

Motorized scooters are often touted as a first or last mile link in the transit chain, and the city counts them among its mobility choices – but some say they’re making it harder for others to get around.

Last month, 561 complaints about scooters were lodged with the city’s Get It Done app for sidewalk blocking and other misuse. The previous January, mid-pandemic, there were only 263 reports.

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Dorothy Smith – a Woman Who Epitomized the Rising of a People

February 23, 2022 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

Dorothy Smith,
a friend
and hero of mine
passed away the other day,
leaving me wishing,
in my sadness,
that she could have seen
“Still, We Rise,”
a poetry and jazz show
featuring Yolanda Franklin
a brilliant local thespian,
and I
reading our poems
and those of
Amanda Gorman
who mesmerized a nation

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San Diego’s Dance Fetish: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

February 23, 2022 by Source

By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner / Feb. 22, 2022

Did you know that San Diego has a dance fetish? Our obsessive routine goes something like this: We take one step forward, then two steps back… one step forward, two steps back… one forward, two back….

Year in and year out, the city makes a bit of progress toward the common good and then pulls back– undermining and diminishing the quality of life in our communities. To jog your memory, here are some random past examples of how we step on our own toes:

Once (circa 1980s), the city had a deal with SDG&E: we permitted them to exact surcharges on customer bills. In exchange, they were to bury the overhead power lines that crisscross our city.

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Midway Planners’ Election Woes and Serious Troubles for Rooftop Solar

February 22, 2022 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The Midway-Pacific Highway Community Planning Group’s discussion about its own yearly elections was the most serious topic by far during the February monthly meeting. A group that should consist of 12 people will have 9 or 10 seats up for election. The problem is – and it is chronic – trying to find enough people to volunteer just to fill all 12 seats.

Elections

After attending these meetings for several years, this writer can attest to the challenge the group has always faced sitting 12 people. The board previously was to be made up of 15 people, they reduced it to 12 because of the difficulty getting volunteers. There always seem to be a few empty seats.

This year, COVID complicated things because they did not have an election last year and sort of agreed to just postpone until 2022. It created problems for all planning boards.

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Both Iraq and Ukraine Invaded With Lies

February 22, 2022 by Source

By Craig Jones

Both things are true: The US military empire invaded and occupied Iraq in 2003, attempting to justify it with lies; and now the Russian military empire is invading and will occupy Ukraine, attempting to justify it with lies. In fact, both these atrocities are purely the outcomes of military-industrial-state complexes.

Military empires can be depended upon to perpetrate atrocities.

There is historic context to what is going on.

It has been clearly documented that the “West” with the US in the lead made promises via Glasnost that NATO would NOT expand further towards Russia; but those promises were demolished precisely by NATO expansion, with military forces, year after year moving ever on, right up to Russian borders.

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To War Or Not To War? That Is the Question

February 22, 2022 by Source

By Colleen O’Connor

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominates the headlines; with good cause. Diplomacy is failing. Inflation is raging. Europe is reliving the nightmare possibilities of more Russian tanks, troops and trenches on its borders.

The current carefully scripted takeover of the two Ukrainian “state-lets” is a repeat of Putin’s takeover of the former Soviet state of Georgia, and more recently, the seizure of Crimea.

“August 7th, 2008, Russia launched a full-scale land, air and sea attack against its tiny neighbor, across an internationally recognized border.

The conflict pitted 70,000 Russian troops against Georgia’s army of about 10,000 soldiers and another 10,000 reservists. Needless to say, the “war” did not last long—it was over by August 12.”

That invasion lasted 5 days.

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White People Have Noting to Fear About Critical Race Theory

February 22, 2022 by Source

By Joni Halpern

Today there is a raging controversy, especially on the part of White Americans, about “critical race theory.” There seems to be a belief commonly held among White Americans that critical race theory is being taught in K-12 schools, or that teachers who might have learned about it in the course of their academic education are going to use it to make White children feel guilty about their race and culture.

People who believe this do not know what critical race theory is. They are wrapped in rage without understanding the theory. In the process, they are making school boards and teachers afraid to engage in any legitimate teaching about the racial history of this country. The unfortunate truth is, most people who oppose critical race theory don’t even know what it is or how it came about.

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Peninsula Planners Tangle With Traffic Recommendations Along Sunset Cliffs

February 21, 2022 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The regular monthly meeting of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, Thursday, February 17, was a basically routine affair. What was probably of most interest to Point Loma residents was a letter that contained traffic recommendations for the length of Sunset Cliffs Blvd. from Adair Street at the north end to Ladera Street at the southern end.

Sunset Cliffs parking regulations

Residents along this stretch of Sunset Cliffs have been complaining for at least two years or more about noise, trash, and basic lawlessness by visitors. The sunsets at the cliffs apparently made it to social media some time ago and crowds flock to the cliffs from outside the area. The traffic jams leaving after sunset are well known by everyone.

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The Coming ‘Whomp Burger & Brew’ to Ocean Beach

February 21, 2022 by Source

Brenna Olsen of Whomp Burger & Brew in Her Own Words

Table Talk by Sal Mineo (@snackdiego)

Welcome back to Table Talk,fellow OBceans – where we get friendly with those in our community keeping the peace by slaking our appetites. This is a hangry-free zone.

Cruising around on my bike a couple of weeks ago, I saw a neon banner hanging off of the old Sundara spot (R.I.P), that says “Whomp Burger & Brew” – I’m sure you must have seen it by now. I know, I know; some of you are thinking ‘another burger?’ and some of you are thinking ‘another burger!’ I say, the more the merrier and judging by the lines outside some of our existing establishments, there’s no shortage of burger enthusiasts in our little hamlet (see what I did there).

Let’s get into some table talk with Brenna Olsen of the soon-to-be-open-in-early-March Whomp Burger & Brew, who with her business partner Brian Freye hopes to bring us another joint to kick back at after the beach.

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Some San Diego Cannabis Retailers Sound Like They’ve Joined the Prohibitionist Movement

February 21, 2022 by Source

Are Cannabis Retailers Weaponizing Drug Prevention to Prevent Equity?

By Terrie Best – San Diego Chapter Americans for Safe Access

The San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access (SDASA), the nation’s largest cannabis patient advocacy group, has been working to advance access to medical cannabis since 2002. We are not surprised at the length drug and alcohol prevention contractors will go to keep medical cannabis over-regulated. One of their strategies is to push policy making it nearly impossible to enter the industry.

In San Diego County, preventionist contractors were instrumental in pushing onerous land use restrictions on commercial cannabis. This placed retailers in the far flung rural areas as if they were radioactive. Placing medicine out-of-reach created large cannabis access deserts and an undue burden on patients throughout the county.

But the coordination between cannabis retailers and the drug prevention community to keep it that way is new.

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The Widder Curry Has Questions for Her – and Our – Next Year

February 21, 2022 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

As another birthday year comes to an end, I look into the crystal ball and wonder what the next year will bring.

I don’t remember ever seeing the ball as dark as it is tonight – very few shining lights peek through the fog. Will we be at war in the next few weeks? Will the former President of the United States be held accountable for his actions – and his lack of actions?

Will he have to answer questions about his part of the January 6th resurrection? Will he have to answer why he took to Florida 15 boxes of classified information? Will he have to answer to the New York Attorney General his business dealings? Will he run for office again in 2024? And if he does will the American people reelect him?

What does the future hold for my children and grandchildren?

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San Diego City Council’s Plan to Delete Emails After 5 Years Is Attack on Accountability

February 21, 2022 by Source

By Mat Wahlstrom/ Times of San Diego / Feb. 18, 2022

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the City Council’s Rules Committee took up its final consideration of the changes to San Diego’s email record retention policy proposed by Mayor Todd Gloria and endorsed by City Attorney Mara Elliott, voting unanimously to move them to the full council as soon as possible to meet a Feb. 1, 2023, implementation date.

Foremost among these is the elimination of the current policy of forever retaining emails with one that mandates that most all city correspondence before Feb. 1, 2018, and going forward be permanently deleted five years to the day after being sent.

This is being praised as a win for transparency because these changes aren’t as bad as shorter alternatives.

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The Forgotten History of ‘Duckville’ of Old Mission Bay

February 18, 2022 by Source

Editordude: OB is lucky. Not only does the community have an historical society, but the president of that society is a good writer and a good writer of local history. The following by Eric Duvall, head of the OB Historical Society, is the most comprehensive historical account of “Duckville” written in modern times. What’s Duckville? Read on …

By Eric DuVall / Point Loma – OB Monthly / Feb. 16, 2022

We’d like to take you all out to Duckville this weekend. Be a hoot, wouldn’t it? Nice and quiet, catch some halibut maybe, tell some tall tales around the wood stove.

We’d like to, but no can do. Duckville isn’t there anymore. Where was Duckville? T

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Charts Show San Diego County COVID Numbers Falling

February 17, 2022 by Source

Here are some heart-warming charts from the San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services that clearly show falling numbers of COVID here.

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‘Should I Ask My Fiancé Not to Go to a Strip Bar For His Bachelor Party?’

February 17, 2022 by Source

By Edwin Decker

Dear SWAT, my wedding is coming up in a month and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The only problem is, I can’t stand the thought of my fiancé going to a strip club for his bachelor party.

I swear I’m not a prudish person but the idea of him staring at all these women, getting lap dances, throwing money at them to see their private parts up close etc., truly creeps me out. At the same time, I don’t want him to think I’m some sort of controlling prude. I’m really not prudish or controlling at all. There’s just something about this activity that grosses me out. What do you think? Should I ask him not to go or keep my mouth shut?

Sincerely,
Not-a-Prude
Mission Valley San Diego

Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play-ay-ay?

Just kidding! I don’t think you’re a prude. But even if you are, so what? You do you. It is your right, nay responsibility, to express your feelings to your mate

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Some Common-Sense About the Ukrainian Crisis

February 17, 2022 by Source

By Volodymyr Ishchenko / Al Jazeera / Feb. 16, 2022

The Ukrainian political leadership must not allow great powers to decide the country’s future.

In late January, as Western countries escalated their rhetoric about an “imminent invasion” by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned this narrative at a press conference with foreign reporters. “I’m the president of Ukraine and I’m based here and I think I know the details better here,” he said following his phone call with US President Joe Biden.

I felt proud and I think many other Ukrainians did so, too. In the 2019 presidential elections, 73 percent of voters supported Zelenskyy, a comedian with no political experience, in an act of total rejection of the dinosaur of Ukrainian oligarchic politics, Petro Poroshenko, who ran on an aggressive nationalist platform.

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Hugo’s in Ocean Beach Is Not Closing

February 17, 2022 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

HUGO’S IS NOT CLOSING! It is opening up under new management effective immediately. And the menu is basically the same – vegan, vegetarian and traditional Mexican food. There are Appetizers, Tortas,

Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Tacos, Tamales, Burritos, Special Combo Plates, Vegan Special Options, plus Sides and Extras, Breakfasts, Salads, Soups, and even a Kids Menu.

So who are the new owners? Two women whose history goes back to when the restaurant was Rancho’s. They are both single mothers; both love to cook; both love to meet new people, and both have a delightful sense of humor. Let me introduce you to Erika Leyva and Georgina Ballesteros.

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Point Loman Mandy Havlik Running for District 2 Council Seat

February 16, 2022 by Source

The following is from the Mandy Havlik for City Council campaign:

Point Loma resident and community activist Mandy Havlik has announced that she is running for City Council, District 2.

The announcement came during a Feb. 3rd Zoom call to media representatives and a public rally on Feb. 5 at Famosa Canyon, the last five acres of uncommitted open space on the Peninsula and a rare freshwater inland disturbed wetland.

“I am the only viable coastal candidate living in Point Loma or Ocean Beach,” Havlik said.

Havlik has been involved in community issues ever since arriving in 2009 with her husband, Cameron, a now-retired Senior Naval officer.

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Primary Candidates Have Lined Up Against Campbell for District 2 Council Seat

February 15, 2022 by Frank Gormlie

Nearly a half dozen candidates have lined up to take Jennifer Campbell on for the June primary election in going after the District 2 city council seat. Campbell is seeking a second term, having ousted Republican Lori Zapf in 2018.

Campbell has some solid opponents such as Joel Day and Lori Saldaña – with Saldaña having tremendous name recognition from her stint and in the state assembly plus her previous runs for mayor and supervisor. Of course, some of that “name recognition” could be negative. Ironically, her online presence is still somewhat weak. However, she just picked up the endorsement of the San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action.

Most of the challengers are Democrats like Campbell and at least two or three – Saldaña, Day and possibly upstart local Mandy Havlik – appear to be coming at her from the left. On the right, there’s one Republican contender, Linda Lukas.

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‘The Extraordinary Adventures of the Ocean Beach Historical Society’ – Thurs., Feb.17 LIVE at Water’s Edge Church

February 15, 2022 by Source

Join the Ocean Beach Historical Society Thursday February 17 in celebration of their 28th year for a LIVE Program:

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ocean Beach Historical Society 1994-2022.

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