Category: Culture

Sitting around trying to clear my mind of all that’s going on in a troubled world I found a picture of me almost as gray of hair and beard as one can be. Green leaves of spring adorned the trees that stood behind me and in my glasses I could see the indiscernible reflections of the children who sat listening so appreciatively to my poetry.

These were students at Einstein Academy, a school literally vibrating with positive energy and I view this picture and the gathering as an expression of how the world should be, older generations, the gray, sharing the wisdom of their age with children, the green, who in their innocence, represent what hope there really is on the planet.

by Wonkette / June 5, 2010 Hard to find even the Gallows Humor in this story, so maybe we won’t…

Once in a while, there’s so much going on at the OB Rag, that we just have to share.

ANONYMOUS DONOR BUYS NEW LAPTOP FOR OB RAG

The OB Rag had only been in its second day of fundraising for a new laptop, when the call came. The voice said, “We think we have a laptop for you,” and with that intro, one of our close supporters informed us that they were so impressed by what we’re doing and by the responses from our readers, that they were offering us $500 to get that laptop we’ve been talking about for months. Tears came to all our eyes, as we were so taken. On Memorial Day we met them at Fryes to see what they had to offer, and we ended up going online and buying a $500 ASUS. I’ve been using it all day and have posted three articles now with the new machine. We’ve been using a borrowed one, but now we can set up shop at the local coffeehouses and blog all day.

We love you guys! You anonymous donor(s).

ALL LINKS AND STORIES INSIDE

* Dianne Bell and Jim Grant sticky on OB Street Vendors?
* Sick Eagles Try to Sneak Onto Dog Beach
* Winstons Benefit for Local OB Bartender Tyson Green June 6th
* Arte Fresca Art Show to Feature Local Artists and Live Music on June 11th
* Dave Gilbert’s Rhythm Ranchers Play at Tio Leo’s June 4th
* OB Historical Society Features Derek Casady June 17th
* OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-off Coming June 26th
* Acupuncture Clinic to Hold Open House on June 5th
* OB Planning Board Project Review Committee Meets June 16th
* OB Town Council meeting June 23rd

I met Mar Cardenas a couple of weekends ago at a Coffee Party meeting. I knew she was one of the main organizers of a car caravan to Phoenix to protest the new Arizona immigration law, SB 1070. She is an energetic woman in her mid-forties who has a huge heart, a leader in the local Unitarian Universalist church, who also is the granddaughter of Lázaro Cardenas, one of the great former presidents of Mexico – in fact the FDR of our southern neighbor.

On Friday, May 28th, she and about a hundred others departed from Chicano Park on their way to cross the desert and arrive in Phoenix for a protest rally and march to the Arizona state capital today.

Dear Rand Paul:

It is not possible to change a true bigot’s values. Much of that comes from generational views passed down from parents, grandparents, whatever. But I want to address your recent remarks since you won the Kentucky GOP senate primary.

I would have to agree to disagree with you on pretty much every level. One argument you make is that you prefer to have racist business owners openly advertising their hatred, so that you can make an informed decision. My guess from this statement is that you’ve never been a victim of bigotry, or racism, or true hate.

Political apathy? Nah, political crapathy!

By Sarah Little / OB Rag / May 27, 2010

After much introspection I’ve concluded that I’m not politically apathetic. I am politically horrified. I’m socially horrified as well. I look around and see a nation of lemming-like creatures who gasp in horror when tragedy strikes as we turn our collective heads to some overriding power that is supposed to step in to avert or mitigate disaster. FEMA, local law enforcement, OSHA, the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, the School Board, the Constitution, the Pope… God! Someone or something is supposed to make sure “this” doesn’t happen and if it does the “they” are supposed to fix it!

By Stephen Luke / NBCSanDiego.com / May 26, 2010

San Diego police are laying out their summer staffing plans for the city’s beach areas. Starting this Friday with the Memorial Day weekend crowds, San Diegans will see a lot more officers near the coast.

“You know, when it’s summertime and there’s more people, there’s more opportunity for problems,” Mission Beach resident Dave Cummings said.

The Ocean Beach Historical Society hosted the 16th annual OB Exposed! photo contest at the Masonic Center on Friday, May 21. As usual, the event was an enjoyable celebration of local photographs and the shutterbugs who snap them.

Over the course of a couple hours, more than 100 people perused the entries, voted for the “people’s choice” winner, and enjoyed free food and drink. Ocean Beach native Noah Tafolla, creator of the KPBS TV series Wonderland, announced the contest winners, which were selected by a panel of judges

When Ocean Beach’s Heathens raise funds, they do it with style.

On a recent Saturday night, the OB-based group of artists, street performers and other free spirits welcomed 150 people to a warehouse in Barrio Logan. The night’s activities alternated back and forth between DJ-driven dance sessions and performance pieces featuring select members of the group.

Escape from Heathens Island was the name given the night’s festivities. Most guests wore costumes, the theme seeming to be a psychedelic blend of pirate and clown, with some tribal flavor tossed in.

Last performance today – Sunday at 4pm.

A few nights ago I saw a premiere presentation of “Nina: A Portrayal of the Life and Music of Nina Simone” in an intimate theater setting in North Park. This work was created over a five year period and directed by Calvin Manson. It is a deeply moving, well executed and revelatory piece of theater, and the last day to see it is Sunday May 23.

ALL STORIES AND LINKS INSIDE:

* Red Bull Rivals: June 5th – OB Is Home to San Diego’s North versus South County surf rivalry
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* Winston’s Holds Benefit for OBcean Injured in Hit and Run – May 23rd
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* The National Football League says Ocean Beach businessman is illegally using the Chargers logo.
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* Pizza Port Finally Opens