OB Rag

By Amen Etefa / The Point – Pt Loma Nazarene University / March 26, 2025

Point Loma Nazarene University’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage is a part of the SOC 3035 class field trip to the South. This year, alongside a group of 25 students, staff and faculty, we traveled to Selma, AL, Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA. The trip, which lasted from March 6-12, was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Though it was only a week long, I have never learned so much history or felt such a whirlwind of emotions in such a short time. From heartache to hope, every step of this journey stirred something in me that I will carry forever.

Our first few days were spent in Selma, where we visited several museums and historic homes. One of the most powerful stops was the Legacy Museum, which displayed the harsh realities of American history – from slavery to mass incarceration. Walking through the exhibits, I couldn’t help but cry. The sound of crashing waves, symbolizing the millions of lives lost at sea filled the room. The voices of enslaved people singing spirituals, pleading for deliverance, echoed in my ears. It was haunting. This museum didn’t just teach history – it made me feel it. It shook me to my core.

Four lifeguards were injured Friday night, March 28, after they came to the rescue of a pair of people who were swept off the South Mission Jetty by waves. None of  the lifeguards were severely injured but the woman rescued was in critical condition and was helicoptered out.

Lt. Rick Romero with San Diego Fire Rescue said a lifeguard at the South Mission Tower saw a man and woman get washed off the rocks at the jetty around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, after they had gone to the end of the jetty to check out the waves.

Light snow and rain fell in local mountains Tuesday, April 2. Snow gathered at Mt Laguna at 6,000 feet but not in Julian at a lower elevation.

Rallies in Encinitas and Oceanside

On Saturday, April 5th, San Diegans and Americans across the country are taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!

Here in San Diego, we’re rallying at the San Diego Civic Center Plaza — next to City Hall — at  12 noon. Location: 1200 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

About this event

Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. San Diego is fighting back!

They’re taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.

This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.

The following is based on an April First and Fool’s Day jest by Gianni Buonomo Vintners.

The former winery in OB, Gianni Buonomo Vintners, just bought a new name for a section of the Midway District. Keith Rolle, owner and chief winemaker, just spent over $45,000 to petition the City of San Diego to change a subsection of the area where the winery just moved to.

This sounds like an April Fool’s joke but it’s not.

The new name? “Rancho Point Loma.”

The specific area is three square miles delineated by Kurtz Street to the south, Interstate 8 to the north, with the eastern border at Sherman Street and the western border at Hicock Street.

Supposedly, the name change for the small area will happen on May 1 this year. And aren’t we fortunate that Mayor Todd Gloria will be on hand for a public ribbon cutting ceremony that day at 2:00 pm. A news conference will follow, of course — any time Gloria goes any where, there’s a news conference. Plus, since it’s a winery, there will be wine tasting. And yes, the public is invited — but you’re urged to bring cheese to share. (Is the winery broke after that expensive purchase?)

By Bruce Coons / SOHO Newsletter / March – April 2025

For retirees and those approaching retirement, managing the costs of homeownership can be a daunting challenge, especially in a city like San Diego, where housing prices and property taxes continue to rise. The Mills Act, a groundbreaking preservation program that has helped thousands of California historic property owners for more than 50 years, offers a practical solution that benefits current and future retirees, while preserving the city’s historic character.

By providing significant property tax reductions to owners of designated historic residences, the state Mills Act makes it financially feasible for retirees to remain in their homes, to maintain them, and to enjoy their retirement without the fear of being priced out and forced to move. For those planning for retirement, the locally administered program provides a clear path to long-term housing stability, helping individuals secure their future.

One of the biggest hurdles retirees face is living on a fixed income. While property values and taxes may skyrocket, retirement incomes often remain stable, creating a financial squeeze. For retirees, this ax reduction can mean the difference between staying in their beloved homes or being forced to sell due to rising costs. The Mills Act offers meaningful relief in reducing property taxes, thereby creating a sense of certainty and security for current and future retirees.

By Steve O San Diego

Last Friday, I stopped by OB Noodle House Bar 1502 to finally push myself out of my comfort zone and try something new.

I’ve always been a little intimidated by parts of their menu since I’m not always sure what I’m getting. This time, I decided to just go for it and ordered the Dry “Drunken” Chow Fun with chicken and vegetables (you can also get it with tofu, pork, beef, or seafood). I had no idea what I had just ordered but I’m so glad I tried it. Now I’m instantly all about Chow Fun!!!

My version came with soft, wide rice noodles, bean sprouts, green onions, Chinese broccoli, eggs, and a savory brown sauce. Alex, my server, really knew his stuff. He explained that Dry Drunken Chow Fun is a stir-fried noodle dish made “dry,” meaning it’s cooked without a heavy sauce, letting the texture of the noodles and the flavors really shine.

By Janet O’Dea / SOHO Newsletter / March-April 2025

The City of San Diego Community Forest Advisory Board (CFAB) held a crucial meeting regarding the designation of heritage trees along Sunset Boulevard in on Hills in February 2025. It was the latest chapter in an ongoing battle to preserve the iconic trees planted by pioneering nurserywoman Kate Sessions that have defined the neighborhood for generations.

In 2009, after the establishment of the Mission Hills Historic District, I nominated the Kate Sessions California pepper tree and palm trees along Sunset Boulevard for heritage tree designation. According to City Council policy 900-19, trees qualify for heritage designation if they are “50 years or older or have a connection to some historic event, building, district, or were planted by a historically significant individual.” The CFAB in 2009 approved this heritage tree nomination.

By Kate Callen

A funny thing happened on the way to a March 27 conclave about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) featuring Mayor Todd Gloria and building industry VIPs.

It turned out there were two different ADU workshops in Mission Valley that night. I attended one of them. When I walked in and saw no mayor and no VIPs, I figured I was at the wrong event.

In fact, I had come to the right place.

The Gloria event would have trumpeted his ADU “reform” efforts to soothe public fury over massive projects by predatory developers. (One reform involves developer fees that would be “opt-in” or voluntary. Cool idea, Mr. Mayor! Let’s have “opt-in” trash fees!)

The other event took me back to the original “granny flat” concept where modest structures built by and for families create multi-generational housing with financial stability.

Parallels and pushbacks from national and local politics — Comments on Ready, Set, Grow San Diego, City of San Diego

By Anne S. Fege, Urban and Community Forester / March 27, 2025 

The first 60 days of this Administration have diminished and dismantled equity, science, and respect, and there are parallels to the local “Ready, Set, Grow San Diego” (RSG) project.   Even as the $10 million urban forestry grant will contribute modestly to climate action, it could have gained so much more in community engagement and equity. Seeing and hearing the national impacts in these 60 days now shows me great parallels. I will continue offering suggestions and advising community groups and I will not be silent, afraid, or withdrawn.

Diminished equity. 

• As this Administration attempts to “erase DEI,” I am reminded that “climate equity” was approved and celebrated by the Mayor and Council, yet this RSG grant falls short in several ways.

By Tammy Murga / The San Diego Union-Tribune / March 27, 2025

A large South County development in a fire-prone area, stalled in a yearslong legal battle, will be allowed to move forward with changes aimed at boosting the housing stock while mitigating wildfire risk.

On Wednesday, March 26, state Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that he and several environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, Endangered Habitats League and the Center for Biological Diversity, reached a settlement in their lawsuit against developer Baldwin & Sons over the Otay Ranch Village 13 project, proposed for a site that has repeatedly burned.

In November 2020, the county Board of Supervisors approved the development despite objections that it threatened wildlife and would put too many people at risk of wildfires.

Environmental activists sued the county over claims it violated the California Environmental Quality Act. The Attorney General’s office later joined the lawsuit.