Month: September 2022

by Ernie McCray

I might be in trouble
if I were in a classroom today,
approaching learning
as I did in the early 60’s,
trying to hip my students
to what was happening in their world,
first, letting them know who their teacher was
as a living breathing human being,
by telling them of my upbringing
as a Black boy
in a city

By Judi Curry

A year ago I wrote a story about our very own surfing duo – Derby the Golden Doodle and his blue Mohawk partner, Kentucky.

Several things have happened since.  Number one, the pair has been competing in surfing competitions and early this month they went to Waikiki to compete in the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Fest.  Plus, a new book has hit the bookshelves, entitled, The Adventures of Derby California – Derby learns to Surf.

Full San Diego City Council approval seems close to certain next week after the council’s Land Use and Housing Committee’s unanimous vote Thursday to back Mayor Todd Gloria’s recommended developer — a team of companies called Midway Rising — for the 48-acre sports arena site in the Midway area.

But instead of the site’s rebirth being cause for celebration, the fast-tracking is cause for concern.

From Cool San Diego

A memorial to a beloved Ocean Beach man now appears on the small building where he repaired and polished shoes for decades. William L. Washington “Shoeshine Willie” passed away early this year. The memorial contains two short poems written by Aaron Bryant.

The Point Loma-OB Monthly staff interviewed Sandy Hanshaw, the new chairwoman of the Point Loma Association.

By Point Loma-OB Monthly staff / Sept. 12, 2022

Sandy Hanshaw spent more than 20 years in the hotel business in sales and marketing and was part of the opening team at the Omni in downtown San Diego. Before that, she was with the Sheraton Harbor Island.

You Get What They Pay For: Midway Rising and Every Other City “Deal”

By Mat Wahlstrom

In the wake of an FBI investigation into the mayor for his alleged pay-for-play deal to broker (in cahoots with the local Chamber of Commerce) the sale of the city’s sports arena site to a donor in exchange for $1 million to support his re-election campaign, today (September 13) the city council will consider implementing stronger anti-corruption rules.

If you were mistaken in thinking this actual news item was about San Diego instead of Anaheim, it’s understandable.

The question now is whether the avalanche of questions being raised will stall Mayor Gloria’s steamrolling of Midway Rising for council approval?

Over the weekend, the San Diego Union-Tribune joined a chorus of media and other voices in raising tantalizing questions and revelations about the redevelopment team led by Brad Termini  of Zephry Partners.

The Navy will hear you now.

From Point Loma Association

Last month, PLA was unsuccessful in arranging a community presentation by the Navy regarding their plans to increase military training at our neighborhood base. And Public comments closed September 1.

By Colleen O’Connor

Seriously, why are people prepared to wait in line for “thirty hours” at Buckingham Palace to view the Queen’s coffin? Such reverence, not heard of since the death of FDR’s coffin moved by train from Warm Springs, Georgia back to the nation’s capital to lie in rest.

So, why the outpouring of respect, grief, and yes, a bit of fear, at the prospect of life without this Queen.  Granted there are the just curious, the selfie-photographers, and the wannabe influencers.

Councilmember LaCava Calls Issues About Midway Rising “Unsubstantiated”

On Thursday, September 8, a key San Diego City Council committee voted unanimously to push forward Mayor Gloria’s choice for the Sports Arena redevelopment, Midway Rising.

The four councilmembers on the Land Use and Housing Committee include Democrats Vivian Moreno (Chair) – out on maternity leave, Joe LaCava (Vice Chair), and Stephen Whitburn, plus the lone termed-out Republican, Chris Cate.

By Geoff Page

The future of the Ocean Beach Library was the single topic at the OB Planning Board’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday September 7. That future was moved a step closer when the board voted to approve a specific concept for the future library that will move the design and permitting process along.

The meeting was held at the New Break church on Ebers St. where the city of San Diego made a presentation titled “Ocean Beach Library Expansion Survey Results.”