October 2023

Disgraced Former Sheriff Gore Withdraws His Nomination for Ethics Commission

October 31, 2023 by Source

San Diego U-T

More than a month after being nominated by Mayor Todd Gloria to serve on the San Diego Ethics Commission, former Sheriff Bill Gore has withdrawn his nomination in the face of overwhelming opposition.

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An’s Dry Cleaning Gelato Shop Coming to Ocean Beach

October 31, 2023 by Source

From SanDiegoVille

After being named second Best Ice Cream Shop in America by USA Today, San Diego’s 5-year-old An’s Dry Cleaning Gelato Shop is continuing its local expansion and will soon open a new location in Ocean Beach.

David Aguilera, Travis Bailey, Kris Warren, and Jimmy Blalock opened the flagship An’s Dry Cleaning on Adams Avenue between Hawthorn Coffee and Tajima Restaurant in North Park in spring 2018.

Named after the shuttered dry cleaning shop it replaced, An’s is meant to pay homage to the classic American dry cleaner in its design, finishes, and layout.

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San Diego’s Historic Streetlights

October 31, 2023 by Source

…From SOHO

Picturesque historic streetlights have graced the streets and neighborhoods of San Diego for well over one hundred years, and now they are facing a dire and unnecessary threat of destruction.

Despite being structurally sound and possessing the potential to endure for another century with reasonable repairs and minimal restoration, these historic gems are in immediate and imminent danger due to the City of San Diego’s misguided and fiscally irresponsible plan to replace them with new fixtures.

This ill-conceived move not only dismisses the value of the existing infrastructure but also perpetuates a cycle of wastefulness and erasure of cultural heritage. This is being done against the community’s wishes. Urgent action is imperative to halt this unnecessary demolition and advocate for the preservation of these iconic streetlights.

These historic streetlights in San Diego hold intrinsic and irreplaceable value. They are silent witnesses to the city’s evolution,

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‘Hey, Let’s Make Hillcrest More Crowded!’

October 31, 2023 by Source

City Hall’s Hillcrest “Amendment”: More Density, More Bike Lanes, Less Parking

By Kate Callen –  a candidate for City Council District 3

The “strong mayor” autocracy that runs San Diego has decided that Hillcrest, one of District 3’s most congested communities, just isn’t congested enough. A new fast-tracked “Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment” has been foisted onto the Uptown Planners group for a cursory review. Details are outlined in an Oct. 29 Union-Tribune story. Some takeaways:

The new plan calls for building 20,000 new units and 50,000 new residents in Hillcrest with no measures to increase affordable housing.

Historic preservation will be phased out, especially if Mayor Gloria succeeds in weakening the City’s historic resources ordinance.

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Future of Hillcrest Up in the Air

October 31, 2023 by Staff

If San Diego planning officials get their way, the community of Hillcrest will undergo significant changes with the current update to the community’s blueprint for the future. The changes include dozens of 20- and 30-story buildings, more one-way streets, roughly 50,000 more residents, new public promenades, plus an LGBTQ historic district– and were unveiled in late October.

The proposals would translate to downtown-style high-rise housing in Hillcrest along existing transportation corridors and revamped versions of the neighborhood’s two large hospital campuses.

See this news video from CBS8 on the proposed changes; Mat Wahlstrom is interviewed;

Here are some of more of the elements/consequences of the new proposals:

  • 20,000 new units of housing in Hillcrest
  • 50,000 new residents
  • proposal would double current density maximum now allowed of 109 dwelling units per acre, which typically allows for buildings of 10 to 12 stories to 218 units per acre in some areas and nearly triple it in some limited spots to 290 units per acre. That means buildings of 20 and even 30 stories could be built in Hillcrest.
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The Jewish Case for Palestine: A Jewish anti-Zionist Perspective

October 31, 2023 by Source

The following was given at “A Conversation on Gaza-Israel War” program at the Olympia Center, in Olympia, Washington on October 17, 2023, and revised 10/30/2023.

By Peter Bohmer

I want to share how my background causes me to support the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation of all of Palestine including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Since 1967, I have actively opposed the U.S. military aid and ideological support for Israel, and in solidarity with Palestine.

I mourn the deaths of 9500 people murdered in southern Israel and Gaza over the last three weeks (as of October 29th) over 1400 in Israel, mainly Israeli civilians by Hamas and over 8000 Palestinians in Gaza and growing numbers in the West Bank by the Israeli military, the IDF. Let us take a moment to reflect on this death of human life and the injuries of many more.

My parents and grandparents were Jewish from Central Europe, my parents grew up in Vienna, Austria. The German military and Nazis were welcomed by much of the Austrian population when they invaded in spring 1938. Germany immediately annexed Austria. My dad was 22 when he was incarcerated in Vienna by the Austrian Nazis and frequently  beaten.

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OB Planners: ‘Power San Diego Ballot Initiative’ and More on New Operating Procedures, CPG Application – Wed., Nov.1

October 31, 2023 by Source

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets Wednesday night, November 1  inside the OB Rec Center at 4726 Santa Monica Ave. Their meet begins at 6 pm.

Notable agenda items include a presentation by a representative volunteer of Power San Diego campaign about this upcoming ballot initiative. The presenter will spell out the justification for non-profit control as well as the mechanics of how it is possible.

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San Diego’s Historic Neighborhoods

October 30, 2023 by Source

…From SOHO

San Diego’s historic neighborhoods represent an essential part of our city’s cultural heritage. They embody a valuable, authentic legacy, providing a tangible connection to the past, ongoing pride and bonds, and a sense of continuity for the future.

Our neighborhoods are now threatened by one gratuitous developer’s bill after another, all seeking to overbuild your community, your street, and putting aside/devaluing a general quality of life that all Americans seek. These bills have a significant negative impact on the historic character and integrity of our neighborhoods and threaten to change the face of San Diego forever.

To be alarmed, if not downright scared, we need only look at California SB 10—the fatally flawed, outrageously punitive to homeowners, and, if adopted, irreversible legislation that was sold as a means to create more affordable housing.

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Remembering Tommy   

October 30, 2023 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

The seventy
and eighty
and ninety-year-olds
and beyond
compose a generation
whose days,
after so many yearly journeys
revolving around the sun,
are moving on,
yet,|
though their days will be done,
along with their memories
of a war that was won,
the ending of Jim Crow shenanigans
and marches in the street
for peace and justice and equality
that faced firehoses and snarling dogs
with bared teeth
and so many things –

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Restaurant Review: La Perla Cocina Mexicana #3 in Point Loma

October 30, 2023 by Judi Curry

Restaurant Review

La Perla Cocina Mexicana #3
1224 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92106
619-795-0063

By Judi Curry

It is seldom that I do not have to make dinner for my foreign language students on a school night, but tonight all three of the students had things to do and none of them were going to be home until late, so Steve and I decided to try another new restaurant in the neighborhood.

This time we decided to try a Mexican restaurant we had gone to a long time ago when it was Hector’s.  The few people that I had talked to about the new owners gave it favorable reviews, and since we were doing shopping in the Rosecrans area anyway felt it was a good time to try the place.  And I have to say that we were really happy that we did, because the food was very, very good!

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Don’t Jail Trump — Outsmart Him.

October 30, 2023 by Source

By Colleen O’Connor

The false choices for bringing Trump to account for violating “gag orders” are looming large.

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith (January 6th investigation), the judge in Trump’s civil fraud case, the Attorneys General in Georgia, and New York have all railed against the not-so-subtle threats against themselves, their families, and/or clerks and Georgia election workers.

Fines have failed to deter Trump’s outbursts on social media, in front of the press, and at rallies that would have landed any other defendant in jail.  $5,000 or $10,000 are meaningless. 

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Is It Too Soon to Get Upset About City’s Plans for Homeless Shelter at ‘Barracks H’?

October 27, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

Some Point Loma residents are upset about the city considering a plan to create a mixed-used homeless shelter site on a 5-acre city-owned plot of land near the airport — called “Barracks H.” They took their case to the media last week and have set up an online petition for their cause.

Vacant buildings on the site have for years been utilized for firefighting practices – and some of the buildings have already been demolished. From NBC7:

According to the city’s Homeless Shelter and Solutions Strategy, the site could have traditional shelters, but also potentially include a safe sleeping parking lot with tents and a safe parking lot for people to sleep in their vehicles. … the proposed timeline has the site opening as early as summer of 2024.

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Forming a Neighborhood Watch Group in Sunset Cliffs

October 27, 2023 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

Dozens of people attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting at St. Peter’s by the Sea meeting room earlier this month. Over half a dozen signs had been put over the local area notifying people that there was a watch group forming in the neighborhood. Two people – Rosamaria Acuna and Gary Werchak – were responsible for bringing the effort together.

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City Gives Notice of Upcoming Decision on New 3-Story Multi-Unit Complex at 4705 Point Loma Ave. in Ocean Beach

October 27, 2023 by Staff

The City of San Diego served notice on October 23, 2023, of a upcoming decision by the Development Services Dept on the permit to build a new 3-storty multi-unit complex at 4705 Point Loma Avenue in south OB.

Development Services Staff will make a decision to approve, conditionally approve, modify, or deny an application for a (Process 2) Coastal Development Permit to demolish an existing commercial structure and to construct a new 3-story multi-dwelling unit, located at 4705 Point Loma Av.

Development of the 0.17-acre site has long been anticipated – and the corner itself has an interesting and controversial history.

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75,000 Homes in San Diego County Are Vacant

October 26, 2023 by Staff

Earlier this month U-T reporter Phillip Molnar wrote that a new study by Lending Tree, a loan website, determined that “6 percent of homes in the San Diego metropolitan area — which includes all of San Diego County — are vacant. In terms of raw numbers, that is 74,936 homes.”

Again, that is nearly 75,000 homes, houses, apartments, condos, studios, ADUs – that are taking up space that have no humans in them. In an area in an affordable housing crisis, that’s an astounding number.

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Some Immediate Changes to How You Get to the San Diego Airport

October 26, 2023 by Source

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Historic Preservation Action Alert — Thurs., Oct.26

October 26, 2023 by Source

SOHO has released a Preservation Action Alert and Call to Action for today, Oct. 26 for San Diego’s Preservation Ordinance is in jeopardy.

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Growing an ‘Edible Landscape’

October 24, 2023 by Source

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City’s Homeless Encampment Evicted Disabled Woman In Middle of the Night

October 24, 2023 by Source

By Geoff Page

This is an account of a disabled homeless woman who was tossed out, at night, from the city’s homeless encampment at the city’s Operations Maintenance Yard at 20th and B. She was left to fend for herself huddled against a fence with a few of her belongings in the dark and the drizzle of a Tuesday night.

This writer met Jane – not her real name – last Friday, October 6, during a visit to the camp. She had contacted The Rag around noon desperate for some immediate help because she was about to be kicked out of the camp that day. Jane is disabled because of issues with a leg making walking difficult.

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OB Town Council Meeting — Wed., Oct. 25

October 24, 2023 by Source

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Restaurant Review: Cucina Caprese in the Midway

October 23, 2023 by Judi Curry

Cucina Caprese
3545 Midway Drive
San Diego, CA 92110
619-228-9325 

By Judi Curry

During the past few weeks, I received three calls asking me if I had had a meal at “Cucina Caprese”.  I asked for more information from each caller and last night, when I did not have to cook dinner for my three ESL students, Steve and I decided to try it out.  And we are glad that we did.

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‘Identity Politics,’ GOP Style

October 23, 2023 by Source

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Kate Callen: ‘The Destruction of the Little Red Bungalow in Mission Hills’

October 10, 2023 by Source

By Kate Callen

The Little Red Bungalow, a community icon in the heart of Mission Hills, was demolished on Friday, October 6, to make way for an eight-story market-rate housing tower. The Craftsman bungalow was 111 years old. (see before-and-after pictures below). I was invited to speak at Saturday’s vigil at the demolition site. Here are my remarks:

Today, we are mourning two losses. First, we are mourning the death of a beloved landmark.

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Statement by OB Elementary PTA President Stephanie Trimis on Relocation of Teacher

October 10, 2023 by Source

The following is a statement by Stephanie Trimis on behalf of the OB Elementary PTA — Trimis is its president:

Last week, the parents and guardians of Ocean Beach Elementary students received heartbreaking news regarding the impending relocation of a beloved 3rd-grade teacher, Ms. Bailey Ringer, due to lower enrollment than projected.

This decision has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only Ms. Ringer’s 3rd-grade class but six additional classrooms. The sudden shift in classrooms, effective next week, has left parents, students, and educators deeply concerned.

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Dozens of Parents and Students Rally at OB Elementary to Re-Instate Teacher Bailey Ringer

October 10, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

This Tuesday morning, around 7:15, parents and students began gathering in front of Ocean Beach Elementary — many wearing red. Over the next half hour, dozens more appeared and many carried signs about putting students first.

It was a protest against the transfer of 3rd grade teacher Bailey Ringer by the School District Board organized by the OB Elementary PTA.

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OB Elementary PTA to Rally Opposition to District Decision to Remove Beloved Teacher and Re-Assign Her Class — Tues., Oct.10

October 9, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

The head of the Ocean Beach Elementary PTA is organizing a rally Tuesday morning in front of the school to protest a decision by the School District to remove a beloved third-grade teacher and re-assign her class.

Stephanie Trimis, PTA President, hopes the rally and show of support for third-grade teacher Bailey Ringer who has been re-located to a different school will convince the District to change its decision. Ringer’s class will have to change to a new classroom starting this week which impacts another class

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Where Did All That Passion for the Medical Garden Go?

October 9, 2023 by Source

Roll Up For Cannabis Equity

By Terrie Best

For this Roll Up column I thought I would go farther back in San Diego cannabis time to the late 2000’s when people powered the cannabis movement.

To help, I used a multi-year collection of NUG Mag, a cannabis focused magazine co-founded by San Diegan Dion Margraaff (RIP). Dion was a long-time cannabis and hemp activist not just in San Diego but across the globe. He was a proponent of hempcrete in construction, a man who carried the torch for legalization as a way to save the planet, relentlessly engaged politicians for compassion and was an all around good steward of the earth. We lost him in 2021.

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The ‘Angels in the House’ Will Decide the 2024 Election, Part 1

October 9, 2023 by Source

By Colleen O’Connor

Chaos reigns.

Emergency declarations of war (Israel v. Hamas, Ukraine v. Russia); earthquakes in Afghanistan, massive migration across borders, global economic uncertainty, gun violence, mayhem in the U.S. House of Representatives with the “’first in history’ ouster of the Speaker, at least 538 mass shootings reported so far this year in the United States, and seemingly no one able “to navigate through ambiguity, be adaptable to change, and ultimately create structure where it doesn’t exist.”

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New Homeless Camping Site Near Balboa Park Is Too Isolated and Without Permanent Utilities

October 9, 2023 by Source

By Geoff Page

The Rag had occasion to revisit the city’s homeless parking lot camp site at the City’s Maintenance Operations Yard Friday morning, October 6. During that visit, a couple of surprising bits of news were discovered. It was learned that the city is building a new, bigger campsite and that the city has obtained an extension on the existing parking lot site permit.

Checking the news media following the visit did not reveal any information about the new campsite or the extension for the current site. On Saturday, October 7, however, there was a brief mention in the Union Tribune about the mayor’s press conference on Thursday, October 7. During that conference, the account related the following about the new site.

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October 2023 Events from the Ocean Beach Green Center

October 9, 2023 by Source

Every Saturday 10:30 am. Climate Mobilization Coalition Meetings  October 28th.

October 27th Friday 8 am – 6 pm 2023 San Diego Green Building Conference & Expo BUILDING POSITIVE: CULTIVATING A REGENERATIVE FUTURE UC San Diego Park & Market 1100 Market St San Diego 92101 This is San Diego’s premier event for green building professionals from all fields of expertise to come together to share ideas, inspiration and connection. This year we are partnering with the World Woman Foundation’s Sustainability Forum taking place on Thursday, October 26th at UC San Diego Park & Market. Join both days of this exciting collaboration to hear from visionary leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, academics, artists, and policymakers. $135 to $275 More info:  https://www.sd-gbc.org/sdgbce23

October 28th Saturday 10 am – 2 pm Fall at the Farm Event by Wild Willow Farm We are excited to invite you to a day of fun and celebration At Wild Willow Farm, we are passionate about regenerative agriculture, education, and connecting with our local community. This event is our way of sharing the joys of farm life with you! This event is free and suited for all ages. More info:  https://www.facebook.com/events/710216361149527/?ref=newsfeed

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