OB Rag

By Steve O SanDiego

I stopped by Val’s Coffee Corner’s newest location, right on the corner of Voltaire and Ebers, to check out their soft opening. They’re still fine-tuning some of the small details, but the place is fully up and running.

Owner Val Fiorini already has a well-loved spot on Cable Street, just half a block south of Newport Avenue, sharing an alley with Kilowatt Brewing. She brings together strong Brazilian roots and easygoing San Diego vibes, creating a space that blends the best of both worlds. She’s the kind of person who remembers your go-to order, your name, and yep, probably your dog’s, too.

For Val, it’s never just about what’s in the cup or bowl. It’s about the moment, the connection, and those small sparks of joy that come with every visit. She and her crew serve up organic, feel good favorites that leave people smiling whether it be a hot coffee, a smooth açaí blend, or a cheesy pão de queijo.

On May 10, 1970, a 23-year-old UCSD fourth-year student burned himself to death in Revelle Plaza to protest the Vietnam War.

Editordude: I was at UCSD when George Winne burned himself to death — and wrote about it in my new book, The May 1970 Rebellion. The Rag has published a number of articles about George and those times (see here) and Patty Jones and I from the OB Rag were at UC San Diego in 2014 when a memorial for him was unveiled.

By Alex Reinsch-Goldstein / The Guardian — UCSD / May 12, 2025

It was just past 4 p.m. on May 10, 1970, when George Winne Jr., a 23-year-old UC San Diego fourth-year, strode out into Revelle Plaza.

Ten days earlier, then-President Richard Nixon had drastically expanded the Vietnam War by sending American troops into Cambodia. Four days after that, National Guard troops opened fire on a crowd of anti-war protesters at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four students. Massive anti-war demonstrations were taking over Revelle Plaza every week.

However, on Sunday, May 10, in this tense atmosphere, Winne walked alone. He held a sign that read: “In the name of God, End this war.”

Winne stood at the northeastern corner of the plaza, in front of what is now Galbraith Hall, and began to douse himself with gasoline. Then, he lit a match.

by Ernie McCray

My eyes have taken in
so much natural beauty
in my life,
as I’ve seen striking waterfalls
as I hiked
in Havasupai land
in the deep recesses of the Grand Canyon,
and in the wilds of Yosemite,
and I’ve watched in awe
as waves the size of buildings
crashed on the North Shores
of Oahu in Hawaii.

by Terry L. Wilson / Peninsula Beacon / May 13, 2025

The long-awaited reopening of Lighthouse Ice Cream store in Ocean Beach took place on Saturday, May 10. Owner Carol Ladiges opened the doors for the first time since a fire two years ago damaged the iconic shop.

“I’m more excited for the community than I am for myself,” said Ladiges. “OB is such a great place; I’ve made so many lifelong friends here. We’ve served generations of families here. Honestly, it’s their support that’s kept me going through some very hard times.”

Former OB residents Ivy and Susan Rackley made a special trip from their home in Iowa to support their friend Carol for her ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We’re old friends of Carol and Dick,” said Ivy. “We are so happy for Carol, and her new ice cream shop looks fantastic. I know how difficult it has been for Carol, this opening required so much time and work to restore the Lighthouse. We are all so very proud of Carol,” said Susan.

Residents, tenants, landowners and businesses of Ocean Beach need to step up and protect fire rings, library and Recreation Center hours from Mayor Gloria’s “slash and burn” budget cuts.

The mayor and city council are trying to trim $258 million from the budget.

Mayor Gloria wants to remove all the beach fire pits — which will save a whopping $135,000.

Supporters of fire pits say these savings for scrapping San Diego’s fire rings is out of line with what the city is. “That is why people come to San Diego is to have that beach culture experience, catching a wave during the day, having a beach bonfire at night, that’s what makes San Diego,” said Richard Bailey, a Mission Beach business owner and former Coronado Mayor.

Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7 PM, the Ocean Beach Historical Society features Dr. Tom Demere, who will present “The Geology and Paleontology of Sunset Cliffs” at Water’s Edge Community Center, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.

Tom Demere’s talk will explore the Point Loma Peninsula’s general geologic history and fossils, with a special focus on Sunset Cliffs. Some 120,000 years ago, global sea level was approximately 20 feet higher than today, and the Point Loma landmass was an island (“Loma Island”) separated from the mainland by a combined “Mission Bay-San Diego Bay.”

By Tyler Faurot / Pt Loma-OB Monthly SDU-T / May 9, 2025

Following its acquisition in March by North Star Homes LP, some businesses at Point Loma’s Cañon Street Marine Center have closed or moved, with those that remain left in “limbo.”

The Marine Center includes two adjacent properties at 2810-2832 Cañon St. and 1101-1111 Scott St. At the time of the sale, the property was fully leased to nine tenants, and commercial real estate firm Intersection, which represented the seller, Cañon Street Properties, boasted the center had gone eight years with no tenant turnover.

But nearly two months into the new ownership, some businesses already have closed or relocated — though North Star Homes, which owns and operates other retail properties in San Diego County, plans to hold the Marine Center as a long-term investment and is expected to maintain it as a commercial center, according to Intersection and Strom Commercial, which represented North Star Homes in the purchase.

The catch is in the rent.

At times, the reasoning by staff at San Diego’s Development Services Department gets so twisted, it’s difficult to recognize what language is being spoken.

Many Point Lomans know about the proposed project for 1004 Rosecrans, formerly occupied by the San Diego County Credit Union, at the intersection of Rosecrans and Talbot.

It is currently under review by the San Diego Development Services Department for a proposed four-story, 56-unit apartment development with 1,700 square feet of first-floor commercial space. There also would be basement parking with up to 45 spaces — for commercial tenants only.

It’s been on the radar by many in the Peninsula, particularly the new group, Protect Point Loma — and by the just-formed San Diego Community Coalition — because the project violates so many rules, norms and laws (just take the 30-foot height limit for example). Purchased by North Star Homes, it has been the focus of scrutiny by many. And community members have voiced opposition to the project’s height, scope and potential effects on traffic and parking in the area.

As many know, the site was a gas station before the credit union was there, raising caution about the soil. Records show that six underground gasoline storage tanks and one underground storage tank for used oil were removed from the property in 1992.

It’s the Annual Ocean Beach Kite Festival — the oldest running children’s kite festival in the United States. And it’s this Saturday, May 17 from 10 am to 3 pm at Robb Field.

Generations have come to know and love the Kite Festival. Now it’s bigger, and better than ever.

Come enjoy free kite making, decorating, and flying. Marvel at spectacular demonstrations from top professional kitefliers.

Enjoy free family fun, and games. Peruse the off-street fair. Enjoy delicious festival food. Listen to live music.

In the end, there were forty-five activists and leaders from communities all over San Diego, and they held a truly historic meeting this past Saturday, May 10. It was and is a rare moment, a moment when that many neighborhood leaders and people active in their community meet together in one room with their own agenda — and without the presence of some governmental board, agency or council.

The beautiful and vintage Point Loma Assembly Hall — over one hundred years old –was the venue for this historic occasion. Hosted by folks from Protect Point Loma who provided the hall and pizza, there were brief welcomes and introductions from Frank G and Kate C of the coordinating committee. Then there was a dramatic moment — a roll call of the communities and hands shot up after each neighborhood was named. From Bay Ho to Encanto, from University City to Linda Vista, Ocean Beach to Mira Mesa, Middletown to Clairemont. La Jolla and Point Loma.

As people settled in, Kate C gave a special shout-out to two groups: to SOHO, Save Our Heritage Organization and to Neighbors for a Better San Diego, both of whom had done needed and crucial spadework on the issues for years.

Frank G then explained that the coalition was actually a coalition of community leaders — that hopefully some day would be a coalition of all the different neighborhood groups themselves — a direction the current network is moving. He said there’s at least two types of leadership. There’s one that shows by example and gets up to the top of the hill. Another is a type of leadership that gets to the top of the hill but takes everyone else with them. People nodded their heads and murmured in acquiescence. And the coalition, he said, needs that type of leadership right now.

Kate spoke of the three Planning Commissioners who back on May 1st were bold enough to just not go along with Mayor Gloria’s so-called ADU reforms, coming up with restrictions in number, height, set-backs, parking and adequate evacuation routes.

Residents of San Diego County have been subjected to two recent devastating news reports about our area.

A doctor expert says San Diego County’s jails are the worst than he’s ever seen them and are ‘far behind other jail and prison systems in California.’ The County has faced dozens of lawsuits that have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in recent years.

And children taken from their parents for their own safety were abused by county social workers. The county is currently confronting hundreds of lawsuits filed by now-grown victims who say they were sexual assaulted at Polinsky Children’s Center and other facilities.

San Diego County might have the best weather around, but perhaps it helps hide an ugly, dark underbelly.

U-T writers Jeff McDonald and Kelly Davis recently published the following on our jail conditions:

‘No meaningful treatment’: Doctor says San Diego County jails are the worst he’s ever seen —
An expert for the plaintiffs suing over jail conditions says San Diego County’s lockups are ‘far behind other jail and prison systems in California.’

First term Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins wants to build homes and rebuild social safety nets in California and in her district

by Deborah Sullivan Brennan / Voice of San Diego / May 9, 2025

First term Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins wants to build homes and rebuild social safety nets in California and in her district in southeastern San Diego.

Sharp-Collins was elected in November, replacing former Assemblymember Akilah Weber Pierson, who was elected to the state Senate. I sat down with Sharp-Collins last week to discuss her priorities for the 79th District, which includes La Mesa, Lemon Grove and parts of the city of San Diego.

The district skews heavily blue, with twice as many Democratic registered voters as Republicans, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Its population is about 43 percent Latino, 27 percent White, 13 percent Asian and 11 percent Black.

“This is the most diverse district, in my personal opinion,” she said. “I’m born and raised here. I love it.”