City Beat: Dispensaries raided for acting like for-profit businesses

 Source  September 10, 2009  9 Comments on City Beat: Dispensaries raided for acting like for-profit businesses

The police raids on numerous San Diego County medical marijuana dispensaries that took place throughout the afternoon are the culmination of a five-month investigation, CityBeat has learned. A law enforcement source close to the operation and familiar with the details told CityBeat the investigation revealed that many of the marijuana collectives and co-ops were functioning as for-profit businesses, and thus lost the protection granted to them by voters under Proposition 215 in 1996.

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Friday Sept 11th: Special beach clean up featuring Stefan Lessard of the Dave Matthew’s Band

 Jon Carr  September 10, 2009  1 Comment on Friday Sept 11th: Special beach clean up featuring Stefan Lessard of the Dave Matthew’s Band

Hey folks, this Friday 9/11/09 Surfrider Foundation SD is sponsoring a special beach clean up starting at Veterans Park in Ocean Beach!

As an added bonus, Dave Matthews Band’s bass player, Stefan Lessard will be joining the effort, chatting with the volunteers and holding a special contest …

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The 18th Annual Surfrider Paddle For Clean Water is taking no BS.

 Jon Carr  September 9, 2009  19 Comments on The 18th Annual Surfrider Paddle For Clean Water is taking no BS.

This years Paddle For Clean Water event is happening Sunday- September 13th at 10:00am at the OB pier. This marks the 18th year the San Diego chapter of Surfider Foundation has hosted the event in Ocean Beach and this should prove to be one of the biggest and best years to date.

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The Dilemma of the Disenchanted Progressive – Part I

 Frank Gormlie  September 8, 2009  15 Comments on The Dilemma of the Disenchanted Progressive – Part I

This latest politicization of President Obama’s speech that he gave to school children this morning was way over-the-top. It is the latest round of extreme partisanship being carried out by elements within the Republican Party, led by right-wing radio pundits and and being promoted and propagated by the mass corporate media.

They mobilized people to call schools and administrators to cancel the address – or organized a boycott of schools or kept their children out of school for the day. This was ridiculous. The flap they caused was outrageous and clearly unacceptable.

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Poll Shows Dissatisfaction With Booze Ban At Beach

 Frank Gormlie  September 8, 2009  27 Comments on Poll Shows Dissatisfaction With Booze Ban At Beach

OCEAN BEACH, CA. The results of our last week’s poll on the beach alcohol ban show a clear over-all dissatisfaction with the booze prohibition.

59% of our 105 respondents voiced discontent with the ban. People voted that the ban trampled their freedoms or that they had less fun at the beach, objecting to not being able to bring a cup of wine or beer to the sand.

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OB Flashes – Community Bulletin and Discussion Board: September 8th – 14th

 Staff  September 7, 2009  10 Comments on OB Flashes – Community Bulletin and Discussion Board: September 8th – 14th

OCEAN BEACH, CA. This is OB Flashes – the OB Rag’s weekly Community Bulletin and Discussion Board. Discuss anything that is bugging you, or exciting you, or of interest. Do it in the comments section. Not only that, if you or your buds are having a meeting or event you would like to inform the rest of us about, do so here. If you want to get rid of something, like an old working TV, do it here.

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Labor Day 2009: A Social Worker’s Reflection On Why We Do This Work

 Lane Tobias  September 7, 2009  18 Comments on Labor Day 2009: A Social Worker’s Reflection On Why We Do This Work

by Lane Tobias

Anyone who works in human services knows that these are lean times. Budgets have been cut, while the services we provide are in higher demand.

This goes across the board, from government agencies to non-profits, and while the services provided to the community may not be lessened in terms of effectiveness, there is certainly an emotional effect on both those seeking services and the providers themselves.

There are more people seeking help, and just as many people to help them as before…

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President Obama’s Address to School Children

 Source  September 7, 2009  12 Comments on President Obama’s Address to School Children

by President Barack Obama – to be delivered Tuesday, September 8, 2009
______________________
Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today.

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous…..

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Reader Rant: “Hrrrrmppff On the Peace Rock Killjoy”

 Source  September 7, 2009  16 Comments on Reader Rant: “Hrrrrmppff On the Peace Rock Killjoy”

by Peace Rocker
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I was discouraged almost two years ago when the Peace Sign was stolen in the middle of the night. Perhaps, I thought, the thief chose (wrongly!) to see the sign as a political statement, rather than as a simple and eternal prayer for “peace on earth, good will towards all.”

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Why Honor Organized Labor on Labor Day?

 Source  September 7, 2009  17 Comments on Why Honor Organized Labor on Labor Day?

Labor Day, to most people, is little more than the end of summer. Labor Day commemorates the labor union movement, the demand for an eight hour work day, better working conditions, fair wages and an end to child labor.

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Court in San Diego Medical Marijuana Case Denies Valid Request for Dismissal

 Source  September 4, 2009  17 Comments on Court in San Diego Medical Marijuana Case Denies Valid Request for Dismissal

SAN DIEGO – A San Diego County Superior Court today denied medical marijuana patient Donna Lambert’s request for dismissal. Ms. Lambert’s supporters urged District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis not to pursue the case, to uphold the state’s medical marijuana laws and to turn law enforcement’s attention to matters of public safety not politics.

“I’m disappointed at today’s ruling, but I am resolved to fight this egregious case against me,” said Ms. Lambert, who faces seven felony counts for providing medical marijuana to another qualified patient.

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