OB Rag

This was on Reddit by an anonymous letter writer “drinksomesand” – it and the responses are choice — in a good way.

by drinksomesand

I just spent a week in San Diego and stayed in Ocean Beach and I can’t really express what it all meant to me. I went to visit a friend who is spending the summer out there, I hadn’t been to the US for about 10 years and tbh went without really knowing what to expect.

I picked a hostel in OB because it was close to where my friend was staying, read some horror stories online about the area, figured it was gonna be exactly my kind of place.

What I wasn’t expecting though was how insanely friendly literally everyone was. I can’t remember a single time I locked eyes with someone in the street and they didn’t smile. So many strangers on the beach or sat at nearby tables would just strike up a conversation. Everyone seemed so down to just interact for the sake of interacting.

Trolley-to-airport skepticism clouds transit tax

By Andrew Keatts / Axios San Diego / September 9, 2024

An airport-transit connection is one of the big ticket items in a ballot measure to increase sales taxes for transit, but the plan for that project is as uncertain as it’s been in recent memory.

[Please see original for vital links]

Why it matters: The lack of an airport connection to the region’s Trolley system has confused and frustrated residents for years, but an emerging consensus on how to do it ran into a significant delay earlier this year and is now at risk of falling apart completely.

by Ernie McCray

I’m so enjoying
these joyous moments
I can’t stop
going on and on
about it
with no apologies for it
for the reason that
for years an ex-president
who is seeking the presidency again
has been in our face
since way back when
day after day after day,
acting, literally, in the most melancholic
ways,

Coffee Cycle opens at 4856 Voltaire

By Candice Woo / Eater San Diego / September 9, 2024

A coffee company that got its start as a mobile business has just opened its second storefront in Ocean Beach.

Working in the coffee industry since age 16 and never owning a car, Coffee Cycle founder Chris O’Brien combined his lifestyle and interests into building a tricked-out coffee cart on the back of a tricycle, which he pedaled around San Diego for several years before finding a permanent spot to park in Pacific Beach. Operating out of a small cafe on Grand Avenue since 2017, Coffee Cycle previously did its roasting at Point Loma’s Accento Coffee Roasters.

by Tommy Hough / Times of San Diego / August 30, 2024

Why is it so hard for San Diego to get something right, even just once in a while?

Mira Mesa residents have been waiting decades for a new swimming pool and upgrades to their Mira Mesa Community Park — but why can’t the city make those valuable upgrades without destroying dozens upon dozens of mature, environmentally valuable trees?

OB Elementary — in the heart of the village — has two enticement to its returning students for the new school season.

There’s a revamped school mural and an outdoor space called the “Zen Zone” to greet the students.

The mural was originally painted over 20 years ago, but it now has been “updated” by local artist Rob Tobin. It includes language associated with the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” from The Leader in Me program and was supported by the school’s PTA and and family volunteers. Numerous workshops were held and the school’s families worked on it, placing tiles with glue in a series of intricate mosaic sea animals.

By Jennifer Van Grove / The San Diego Union-Tribune / September 6, 2024

The city of San Diego has pushed back the deadline to finalize a deal with the development team selected two years ago to remake the city’s 48-acre sports arena site in the Midway District.

The parties, tied together in an exclusive negotiation agreement that was set to expire on Dec. 5, now have through Dec. 5, 2025, to negotiate a long-term ground lease and complete the environmental review of the Midway Rising project.

I couldn’t help but notice the good news about a week ago for an affluent neighborhood of San Diego — Pacific Highlands Ranch — as it was about to get a brand new all-electric library.

Set to open this fall, construction on the new library began in 2022 and is now nearing completion. Fox5News reported:

The 18,000 square-foot library will be all-electric when it is completed and will be a LEED Silver-certified green building in an effort to help meet the city’s Climate Action Plan goals, the city said.

Presenting the 2024 People In Preservation Award Winners

September/October 2024

This year SOHO spotlights three transformative themes: the triumph of National Historic Districts, the ingenuity of adaptive reuse, and the enduring impact of lifetime preservationists. At the heart of these themes lies a universal truth: Preservation is about people. It’s about fostering a sense of belonging, honoring our roots, and weaving the rich and diverse tapestry of the past into the fabric of our future. This year’s Lifetime and Legacy Award winners embody this spirit, leaving an indelible mark on San Diego’s cultural identity and distinctive character.

Two communities recently achieved prestigious National Historic District status, an authentic grassroots demonstration of residents’ commitment to preserving their shared heritage.

SOHO is also recognizing the giants among us whose lifelong dedication and exemplary work have helped shape San Diego’s preservation landscape. SOHO pays homage to three individuals whose accomplishments remind us that the passion of a few can create a lasting impact for many.

By Shelby Huffaker, MPH – Chair, San Diego Americans for Safe Access / August 2024 Newsletter

On Tuesday, August 29, 2024, the County Board of Supervisors listened to a presentation from the San Diego County Grand Jury on a report it released earlier this summer: Cannabis In San Diego – How Is It Going? The report outlines the “financial, health, and law enforcement impacts of cannabis legalization and recommends actions that should be taken to better inform the public about these impacts in San Diego.” The recommended actions include the following:

By Regina Elling / San Diego Union-Tribune / September 4, 2024

Being able to watch some of the fastest powerboats in the world is one of the highlights of San Diego Bayfair. It is returning for its 60th year at Mission Bay and surrounding beaches. The three-day, family-friendly beach festival runs from Sept. 13 to 15. It has been hailed as the perfect way to end the summer for thousands in Southern California.

Stretching from Fiesta Island to Crown Point Park and East Vacation Island, in addition to powerboat racing, attendees can enjoy beach-based family entertainment, including extreme aquatic sports, live music, a car show, a cornhole tournament, beer gardens and local food vendors.

By Judi Curry

The Mission Bay Park Committee unanimously passed an agenda item that I have been working for for the past umpteen years!  They answered in the affirmative: “Shall the Mission Bay Park Committee take a position and submit letters to the City of San Diego and the California Coastal Commission supporting the cessation of fireworks displays in and over Mission Bay?”

They will draft and submit a letter in October supporting the cessation of fireworks since the Audubon Society showed a huge impact on the Least Terns  in the past years.  Dozens washed up dead  recently, and the main cause is the residue from the fireworks!