Many years ago my mother stumbled through her early morning Thanksgiving ritual of prepping a huge turkey for the afternoon feast. Before her first cup of coffee she dropped the bird in the roasting pan and shoved it into the oven. A couple of hours later she opened the oven door and she realized she had put it in the pan upside (or breast-side) down. At this point the huge bird was too hot to handle so she basted it, tented it and shoved it back into the oven. The resulting bird has lingered in mouthwatering memory…

Standing Rock Solidarity Action at San Diego Army Corps of Engineers – Tues., Nov. 15th

November 14, 2016 by Staff

On Tuesday, November 15th, Native Americans, environmentalists, and nurses will stage a protest at the San Diego Army Corps of Engineers office as part of a national day of action calling on the Army Corps and President Obama to revoke permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline.

There will be speakers – including local Native American leaders who’ve traveled to Standing Rock – and music. Organizers will sign and deliver individual postcards to the Army Corps.

Read the full article → 0 comments

‘We Told You So’ in Ocean Beach

January 7, 2016 by Doug Porter

One condominium complex in Ocean Beach was featured on newscasts throughout the region. Resident Johnny Caito made a YouTube video featuring the area around Saratoga and Abbott Streets.

The OB Rag ended up calling the units The Million Dollar Condos. Years of community opposition to building what some considered to be a fortress-type structure on the beach front ended with the OB Planning Board approving the plans in November 2011.

Read the full article → 3 comments

The Great California Genocide

March 31, 2015 by Staff

Originally published on August 15, 2008

What do you think of when someone says “California”? Beaches? Sunshine? Hollywood?

How about the largest act of genocide in American history?

“The idea, strange as it may appear, never occurred to them (the Indians) that they were suffering for the great cause of civilization, which, in the natural course of things, must exterminate Indians.”
– Special Agent J. Ross Browne, Indian Affairs

California was one of the last areas of the New World to be colonized.

Read the full article → 63 comments

Ocean Beach Activists Join 350.org March in Oakland Urging Gov. Brown to Take Action on Climate Change

February 16, 2015 by Source

By Kim McGinley

Friday, February 6th at 11:30 p.m. San Diego Activists, including representatives from The Ocean Beach Green Center, began gathering at the Old Town trolley station to hop on board a charter bus heading to California Governor Brown’s neighborhood in Oakland.

The goal was to encourage the Governor to be a “climate leader” …

Read the full article → 1 comment

The Election Platform and Brochure of O.B.’s First Planning Group

February 13, 2015 by Staff

In May 1976 the OB Community Planning Group Won a Majority on the First OB Planning Board

In early May of 1976, OB’s very first election was held for the very first planning board. The forerunner of today’s Board, the OB Community Planning Group, ran a slate of candidates, hammered out an election platform and published and distributed its 8 page campaign brochure. The group won 8 of the 14 seats in the election.

We decided to republish their campaign literature, beginning here with the text of the election brochure. The platform and candidate statements of this election that occurred 39 years ago will follow.

And by the way, the current Ocean Beach Planning Board is holding their annual election on March 10th. Half of the seats are up for election. The Peninsula Community Planning Board is also having their election on March 20th.

Read the full article → 4 comments

Point Loma Navy Dolphins to be Replaced by Underwater Drones

December 1, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Did you know that over on the bay side of Point Loma, at the Naval station at Ballast Point – where they keep the nuclear subs – the Navy has been quietly training dolphins and sea lions for underwater duty. This includes finding mines and detecting invading swimmers. The Navy has been using dolphins like this since at least the mid-Seventies when the sea-going mammals were housed out near the Point Loma Lighthouse.
But now, the dolphins will be replaced by underwater “drones” – small, unmanned sub-like computers.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Anti-Nuke Events Proliferate as the Holiday Season Arrives

November 29, 2012 by Doug Porter

It may be the season for shopping for consumers. It may be a time to recharge for political campaigners. But for the anti-nuclear activists in the region it’s time to intensify their efforts. Inside are a half dozen programs, protests and events compiled by the Peace Resource Center for the coming days. Remember to make your holiday season about more than a trip to the mall.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Celebrating the 30 Foot Height Limit As It Turns 40

November 28, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

The room was packed, standing room only the other night as the OB Historical Society led all of us in a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 30 foot height limit. The downstairs community room of the Methodist Church on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. opens its doors every month to the OBHS presentations, and the night of November 15th was no exception as Society president Pat James welcomed the crowd.

Nearly 50 OBceans and friends had come to hear speakers and presentations on this historic fight four decades ago to preserve San Diego’s coast, and I saw many people in the audience who had waged their own battles to save OB over the years.

Read the full article → 16 comments

Twinkies’ Twisted Tale: Junk Food Devoured By Junk Bonds

November 28, 2012 by Source

By John Lawrence / San Diego Free Press

All the late night talk shows laughed it up over the supposed demise of Twinkies, Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread etc as the news came out that Hostess Brands was going bankrupt. But delve beneath the surface and you will find something more akin to a Shakespearean tragedy than talk show banter.

It’s a tale involving two unions, one private equity fund, two hedge funds and a whole cast of former CEOs. There is sacrifice, greed and betrayal. 18,000 workers will be losing their jobs while some vulture capitalists will be walking away with millions.

Read the full article → 1 comment

Doing San Diego for Free

November 27, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

There’s a blogger at San Diego Free Press, John Patrick Anderson, who’s made it a habit to find and write about places to go to for free in beautiful but expensive San Diego. In fact, his column over at our sister site is called “San Diego for Free”, and he’s written about our local museums, parks, biking paths and architecture of interest.

John leads off every column with this:

A weekly column dedicated to sharing the best sights and activities in San Diego at the best price – free! We have a great city and you don’t need to break the bank to experience it.

Also at the front-end of each column is the day or time the place is open for free to the public, their website and physical address.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Wake and Bake – it’s Monday all day!

November 26, 2012 by Source

By OB Joe

Hey kids – here’s a bunch of news stuff you might have missed cuz you were so busy stuffin yourselves.

The OB Chronicle hits the waves

Yessir, ol’ Trevor Watson is up to his old tricks, again, and the OBcean has published another version of his occasional “newspaper” for OB – the Ocean Beach Chronicle – dah tah!. It’s so colorful and fancy, and as a celebration of the year 1967, the 32 page spread found on storefront counters and …
The Portugalia building is sold

On the market for a while, the building that had the Portugalia restaurant upstairs, finally sold. Located at 4839 Newport Ave., it sold for $1,192,500 cash.

Read the full article → 5 comments

The beach is my church – giving thanks for the Great Pacific.

November 21, 2012 by Source

By Sub-Committee

The beach is my church.

Standing barefoot and humble in the sand, looking out past the crashing breakers to the big blue beyond, my mind and heart vibrating with the sound of eternity in the song of the ocean, I am filled with peace and gratitude (and respect) for the strength and the forever-ness of the great ocean, our birth waters.

Read the full article → 1 comment

The OB Holiday Schedule – Get it here!

November 20, 2012 by Staff

The Holiday Schedule for Ocean Beach

Christmas Tree Arrival – Tuesday, Nov. 27

On the morning of November 27th, come on down to the end of Newport Avenue (at Abbott) to watch the delivery and placement of the massive Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree Decoration – with Santa, Wed, Nov. 28

Santa will be in OB the morning of November 28, 2012 to help local OB kids decorate the Christmas Tree at the foot of Newport Avenue (at Abbott).

2012 Auction to Benefit Annual Food and Toy Drive – Thursday night, Nov. 29 at the Sunshine Co.

The annual auction to benefit the OB Town Council Holiday Food and Toy drive will be taking place on November 29, 2012 at 6:00 pm at Sunshine Company – 5028 Newport Avenue – San Diego, CA – 92107. Don’t miss your chance to bid on and win awesome prizes from local businesses and sports teams!

Santa visits OB Every Saturday in December

Read the full article → 2 comments

Owner of Property at Apple Tree Market in Ocean Beach Says Building Will Not Be Demolished

November 16, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

The owner of the property that the Apple Tree Market sits on was kind enough to return my call yesterday. I had left a couple of messages at the office of Elliot Megdal and Associates, up in Los Angeles. And Elliot Megdal called me back himself.

We had several minutes of a polite conversation, with me asking questions about whether he could confirm or not that a Foodland grocery store was going in, as had been rumored recently, whether or not another market was going in at all, and what his general plans for the property were.

Read the full article → 12 comments

Construction to Begin on Ocean Park Villas Condos Early 2013 – Residents Have Until Jan. 2nd to Move Out

November 15, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

The OB Rag has just heard from residents of the apartments at Abbott and Saratoga – they have until January 2, 2013 to move out, as the 10 condo units of Ocean Park Villas will be constructed soon after.

The 10 units will be condos in a 3 story building, 29 feet high, once the existing four buildings are demolished. Three of the buildings are apartments with a total of 15 units, …

Read the full article → 13 comments

A Plea to Help a Point Loma High School Grad Critically Injured

November 15, 2012 by Staff

Editor: Point Loma High School Alumni are responding to a plea for help from a 2010 graduate, Will Barton, recently injured by a random act of violence.

Will Barton: 2010 graduate of PLHS needs our help

Will Barton was critically wounded on Monday night the 29th of October when a fugitive on a rampage shot him in the head while he was walking to his father’s house after getting off work.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Post-Election Thoughts … What if the Blue States seceded from the Red States?

November 14, 2012 by Jack Hamlin

The election is over and the dust really has finally settled. By the way my candidate lost, but it isn’t easy being Green. The 47% and then some spoke up and now, maybe, just maybe, WE can get to work and do the good things we do well, fix the good things we use to do well, and set aside the bad stuff which has been gnawing at our insides for so long.

WE proved the Koch Brothers, et al. could not buy an election, and Karl Rove is as superfluous as a dead rat on the floor just waiting to be swept up and thrown out with the garbage. WE, with the help of Donald Trump and Ted Nugent, proved that just because you have money and a forum, does not preclude you from being as crazy as a three-dicked goat. WE proved that even FOX News has to concede something to the other side every once and while.

Read the full article → 8 comments

Letter to a Future Republican Strategist Regarding White People

November 13, 2012 by Source

To whom it may concern regarding the United States federal elections of 2014, 2016 and beyond:

Allow me to introduce myself to you, the existing (or aspiring!) strategist for the Republican Party. My name is Eric Arnold Garland and I am a White Man. Boy, am I ever – you need sunglasses just to look at my photo!

If I read the news correctly, I fit a profile that is of extreme importance to the GOP, as I embody the archetype that fits your narrative of Real Americans. Just how much should my profile interest you? Are you sitting down?

Read the full article → 2 comments

Another Ocean Beach Woman Assaulted – This One on Ebers Street Friday Night – Nov. 9th

November 13, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Another OB woman has been assaulted. This latest incident occurred on Ebers Street Friday night, November 9th. The woman, whose identity will not be disclosed at this time, was walking home around 11:15 coming home from a bar on Newport.

A man began following her from Sunset Cliffs. She noticed that and had words with him. He reportedly half-apologized. But he kept following her. And somewhere between Santa Monica and Saratoga, across the street from the small park, he attacked her. He grabbed her hair, threw her down and they began scrapping.

Read the full article → 7 comments

OB’s Mysterious Ashes Belonged to Star College Football Player and Inventor of the Ping Pong Net

November 9, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

The amazing story of the mysterious ashes left at the OB Suds Car Wash has had a dramatic turn. We now know much more about Henry Lefebvre – whose ashes were in the gold metal box discovered by the carwash owner more than 6 months ago.

As you may recall, the ashes were found and then turned over to the OB Mainstreet Association for safekeeping.

Read the full article → 2 comments

Ocean Beach Went for Filner for Mayor Big Time – Giving Filner Almost 20 Points Over DeMaio

November 9, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Voters in Ocean Beach went for Bob Filner big time on Tuesday, Election Day 2012. Filner beat DeMaio by a margin of 19 and a half points, with Filner getting 53.9% and DeMaio obtaining 34.4%.

This is compared to the overall City vote where Filner won 51.5 ^% of the vote to DeMaio’s 48.5 %.

This was no surprise, as OBceans voted en masse for Filner during the June Primary as well.

Read the full article → 4 comments

The Dawning of the New Progressive Era in San Diego

November 8, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

The Most Liberal Administration in San Diego History Is About to Take Its Seat

With the election of Congressman Bob Filner to fill San Diego’s mayoral seat, coupled with a now 5 to 4 Democratic majority on the city’s Council as Sheri Lightner has defeated Ray Ellis – we can now claim the dawning of San Diego’s New Progressive Era.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Obama, Filner, Peters … Elizabeth Warren? OMG! Is this the New Progressive Era?

November 7, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Election day was a progressive’s dream come true, wasn’t it? Well, almost, and well – in some ways, not really. But progressives did win some big ones yesterday – and yes, at this moment, there’s almost 10,000 votes between Bob Filner and Carl DeMaio – so, that race is really too close to call, and even though Scott Peters leads Bilbray – he only has about 700 votes over him – so, that one will certainly go to a re-count.

Read the full article → 2 comments

Do I need a California ID to vote? Where is my Polling Place? The Quick and Easy Guide to Election Day

November 5, 2012 by Anna Daniels

Here are some frequently asked questions about election day voting in San Diego County. The source for all of the information below is provided by the League of Women Voters at smartvoter.org unless otherwise specified. Information in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Filipino here.

When are the polls open?

Read the full article → 0 comments

Extreme Weather Watch: Super Storm Sandy – the New Normal?

November 5, 2012 by Source

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and larger in scale. As Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York said, “We’re getting a 100 year storm every 2 years.” It used to be that a hurricane just hit a state. Then along came Katrina that hit 2 or 3 states. The latest Category 1 hurricane was a massive weather system that hit 10 states, a whole region.

Read the full article → 1 comment

End Shadow Government in San Diego and California: Elect Bob Filner and Frustrate Charles Munger and Company

November 5, 2012 by Jim Miller

If you can get past the multi-million dollar glut of garbage that Carl DeMaio and his sleazy allies are throwing at Bob Filner in the closing days of the election, the choice San Diegans face is a simple one: do you want the same old moneyed interests running San Diego or do you want to take a step toward a more democratic city government that listens to the voices of ordinary citizens more than to the pleas of the plutocrats?

Read the full article → 0 comments

Elect Bob Filner Mayor of San Diego

November 2, 2012 by Staff

The 2012 San Diego mayoral race is quite possibly the most important in this city’s history. It is a choice between two very different candidates with two near completely divergent visions of what this city’s future looks like.

Read the full article → 3 comments

A Progressive’s Guide to 2012 California Ballot Propositions

November 2, 2012 by Doug Porter

We’ve Changed Our Minds about Prop 35, but NOT about Sex Trafficking

Over the past six weeks or so we’ve had lots to say about the various propositions that voters will be looking at for the fall elections. Rather than make you look up each article (and in some cases there have been multiple articles) I’ve put together a handy cheat sheet.

Read the full article → 2 comments

New Poll: Filner Ahead by 7 Points Over DeMaio

November 1, 2012 by Staff

A brand new poll by Pharos Research Group just out shows Congressman Bob Filner ahead of Councilman Carl DeMaio by 7 points.

According to the polling, 47.5% of likely voters in San Diego would vote for Filner and 40.7% are for DeMaio, with 11.9% undecided.

Read the full article → 0 comments

← Older Articles

Frank Gormlie April 13, 2021 at 4:06 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryFor those following this commentary, also check out comments at the OB Rag facebook (I know Geoff doesn't do facebook) but they're there: https://www.facebook.com/OB.Rag.blog
Geoff Page April 13, 2021 at 4:04 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryGood positive ideas there, Paul. Why wouldn't any politician want to champion the pier? Everyone loves the pier except for some in the surfing community...
Geoff Page April 13, 2021 at 4:02 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryThey just aren't as good as The OB Rag, Jess.
Geoff Page April 13, 2021 at 3:59 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryI like wooden piers myself but I tend to like all things made of wood. The thing to do is pencil in the costs of...
Frank Gormlie April 13, 2021 at 3:59 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is Historychuckle, chuckle ... but maybe Paul is right. The private sector or larger gov't entity would need to step up. Hey, we could sell the...
Frank Gormlie April 13, 2021 at 3:50 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryAnyone wishing to get their personal email to Geoff, send it to us at: obragblog@gmail.com and we will forward it to Geoff.
Geoff Page April 13, 2021 at 3:35 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryBe happy to, Rick. Are you Drew's dad? If not, I'll need an email.
Jess April 13, 2021 at 3:32 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryWhy aren't any of the news outlets or Tribune reporting on this topic?
kh April 13, 2021 at 3:22 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistorySo the city has been following the most expensive path for the past 20 years - doing nothing. Unless of course they intend to abandon...
Rick April 13, 2021 at 2:53 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryGreat reporting Geoff. Please send me a digital copy of the report. Appreciate it
Paul Webb April 13, 2021 at 1:40 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryGeoff, if a copy is available electronically, I would love to see it. This need not be city money only, if the city decides to...
hOBie April 13, 2021 at 1:13 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryWow. Thanks for this Geoff. Seems like the options, if you can even call them that, are bad (band-aid), worse (tourniquet), and impossible ($60M+ re-build)....
Stu April 13, 2021 at 12:43 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryThe City no doubt will step up in due time, But OBMA and other community groups will have to apply pressure 10 or 20 Mil...
Peter from South O April 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryPerhaps the solution is to replace the pier with a wooden structure. Works well up here as long as the iron braces and wooden decking...
Geoff Page April 13, 2021 at 11:32 am on Unless There’s a Miracle, the Ocean Beach Pier Is HistoryAlso, anyone who would like a copy of the report, I'd be happy to provide it.