Category: Ocean Beach

Afghanistan: 2/3rds of OBceans want a non-military solution

 Frank Gormlie  October 14, 2009  3 Comments on Afghanistan: 2/3rds of OBceans want a non-military solution

Over two-thirds of OB residents want a non-military solution to US involvement in Afghanistan.

We took a poll beginning October 2nd and ran it for a week asking readers what they thought President Obama should do about the war in Afghanistan. 69% of the respondents called for a non-military solution.

This included 25% who thought the US should give only social and economic aid – “assistance in education, agriculture and international commerce.”

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Reader Rant: OB’s Oktoberfest? Bah humbug!

 Source  October 14, 2009  24 Comments on Reader Rant: OB’s Oktoberfest? Bah humbug!

by disillusioned local

How do you say, “bah humbug!” in German? That’s my attitude about the most recent event in downtown OB this past weekend that was labeled “Oktoberfest.”

Was this an Oktoberfest or just another street fair at the end of Newport? Nothing seemed like Oktoberfest. This event was no different from any other street fair at the bottom of Newport. The charity is the same, the cost is the same, the crowd is the same…the only thing different is that this is called “Oktoberfest”.

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Suffering through the Fall in OB

 Mary E. Mann  October 12, 2009  10 Comments on Suffering through the Fall in OB

by Mary E Mann

Even in Ocean Beach, a Mecca for sun-lovers, you can feel the fall coming. Obecians jump right into the season – just the hint of crispness in the air, and suddenly everyone is wearing sweaters, making soup, and huddling around mugs of tea or coffee, looking for all the world like extras in Home Alone 5: The Beach Holiday.

What to do with this surfeit of cozy feeling? Even in the city of eternal summer, options abound for fall fun. Here are just a few ideas for creating fall in the shadow of a palm tree:

1) Escape the bubble – I know it’s scary to cross Nimitz and venture into the shadowy world beyond OB, but I believe in you. San Diego is one of the largest and most diverse counties in the U.S.A., and an hour drive can take you to another world.

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OB Flashes – News, Calendar and Discussion Board: October 9 – 15, 2009

 Frank Gormlie  October 9, 2009  19 Comments on OB Flashes – News, Calendar and Discussion Board: October 9 – 15, 2009

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UPDATE: Airport could get a new track – public hearings to be held on High-Speed Rail line
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OB Elementary calling on alumni for Holiday Parade
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Should this tree be cut down?
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Hodad’s staging benefit to honor OB Elementary’s Centennial
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OB Rag to receive ’special award’ from OB Mainstreet Association
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Anti-graffiti progress seen along cliffs but not at local market
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Sale of Sunset Cliffs seascape to benefit Cliffs Natural Park Council
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OB Rag to you: please support our sponsors
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Jump in the OB Elementary PTA’s recycling program
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OB Peoples Food to hold “Healthy Halloween for The Children”
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Don’t forget Halloween clean-up by OB Town Council and Dog Wash
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Continue Reading OB Flashes – News, Calendar and Discussion Board: October 9 – 15, 2009

OB health care reform poll: 80% dissatisfied with status quo – 2/3rds want single-payer or public option

 Frank Gormlie  October 9, 2009  4 Comments on OB health care reform poll: 804 dissatisfied with status quo – 2/3rds want single-payer or public option

OCEAN BEACH, CA. As the debate over health care reform rages, OB Rag readers chimed in – and they chimed in heavily on the side of single payer or public option health care options.

From the poll, which ran for about one week starting on September 24, 2009, clearly 80% are dissatisfied with the current status quo. 72 voters out of a total 0f 90 responded that they either don’t have health insurance at all – 11%, or they want single payer – 32%, or want a public option-34%, and 2% said they have employer-provided insurance but don’t use it because of the high co-pay. That 66% want single-payer or the public option mirrors the figures in national polls.

Continue Reading OB health care reform poll: 80% dissatisfied with status quo – 2/3rds want single-payer or public option

Reader Rant: Be peaceful at Dog Beach. ‘If the dogs can do it, can’t we?’

 Source  October 7, 2009  6 Comments on Reader Rant: Be peaceful at Dog Beach. ‘If the dogs can do it, can’t we?’

by Karma Patrol
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We had our first experience of what I would like to call, “Dog Rage” this weekend.

I have seen “Dog Rage” at Balboa Dog Park, but this was my first time experiencing it firsthand.

On a past weekend we were out enjoying the late afternoon sun with the dogs at Dog Beach. An unneutered male dog approached our blanket and attempted to mount my spayed female dog.

My boyfriend “shoo’d” the dog away from the blanket. At no time did either of us touch the dog.

The owner approached my boyfriend verbally threatening violence…..

Continue Reading Reader Rant: Be peaceful at Dog Beach. ‘If the dogs can do it, can’t we?’

OB Town Council Takes on Lifeguard Station and Restrooms

 Frank Gormlie  October 2, 2009  9 Comments on OB Town Council Takes on Lifeguard Station and Restrooms

OCEAN BEACH, CA. Every now and then, an Ocean Beach organization takes one of the community’s problems head-on. This is happening with the old OB lifeguard station and its public restroom facilities. Recently, the OB Rag complained about the state of the restrooms.

Stepping up to the problems, the OB Town Council has “adopted” the public building – built sometime in the late Sixties – and plans to shepherd through some improvements with the facility.

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New and Improved OB Flashes – Calendar and Discussion Board: Sept 30 – Oct 6, 2009

 Staff  October 1, 2009  37 Comments on New and Improved OB Flashes – Calendar and Discussion Board: Sept 30 – Oct 6, 2009

OB’s Oktoberfest Is on October 10th at the OB Pier
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Anti-Hate Crimes Conference October 1st
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Peaceniks Leaflet Point Loma High School
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North OB Restrooms to have Temporary and Mobile Replacements
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Bongo drum attacker arrested on Voltaire Street
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Diver who died off Sunset Cliffs identified
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Banned Book Week Looks at Censorship
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OB Town Council and Dog Beach Dog Wash Annual Clean-up on Halloween
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………. ALL DETAILS INSIDE ……

Continue Reading New and Improved OB Flashes – Calendar and Discussion Board: Sept 30 – Oct 6, 2009

Community split 2 to 1 in favor of art installations on top of Peace Rock

 Frank Gormlie  September 26, 2009  15 Comments on Community split 2 to 1 in favor of art installations on top of Peace Rock

OCEAN BEACH, CA. What do you think about art installations on top of Peace Rock? This became an issue lately, when a group of Point Loma High School seniors placed their year “2010” in wood red numbers up on the rock. The rock is the large, protruding rocky sentinel that juts out of the Pacific Ocean just south of where Froude Street runs into Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Everybody who has driven, walked, or jogged along Sunset Cliffs knows it.

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From OB to Burning Man and back – with pics

 Sunshine  September 24, 2009  16 Comments on From OB to Burning Man and back – with pics

by Sunshine

As my son, Van, and I planned and prepared for this years trip to Burning Man, I had no expectations and really no idea what would occur. What can I say to sum up such an epic journey that it ultimately transformed my entire existence?

For months before the event, we planned ~ I, of course, made my usual notes and massive to-do lists ~ checking off everything as we went: shop for supplies, have the van checked, and eventually pack up for the long journey away from OB.

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The First Circle of the OB Rag – circa 1970

 Staff  September 24, 2009  7 Comments on The First Circle of the OB Rag – circa 1970

The Etiwanda House

The initial circle of the OB Rag newspaper consisted of Frank Gormlie, a local who had grown up in Point Loma, who had surfed in OB in his youth, and a recent graduate of UCSD – the Rag had been Gormlie’s brainchild as he saw it as a handy way to do community organizing in OB; the circle also included Bo Blakey, fresh from the campus battles at UC Berkeley and another graduate with Gormlie of Pt. Loma High; …

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Bars and Clubs of OB – a Review

 Mary E. Mann  September 24, 2009  104 Comments on Bars and Clubs of OB – a Review

by Mary E Mann
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After very careful analysis, and more than a few whiskey gingers and Belgium beers, what follows is a review of the Ocean Beach bars/clubs. Pardon me if I missed one or two – a girl can only do so much drinking. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
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Pacific Shores:

Ah, the black light undersea glow is almost as soothing as the drink prices …

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