OB Rag

San Diego City Council Race Results in Districts 4, 6 and 8

November 7, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

Here, straight from the Registrar of Voters:

Cable Companies and Street Lights

November 7, 2018 by Judi Curry

The Old Broad

My Cable Company

I wonder if I will get as much flack over this column as I have with all the other ones I have written in the past two months. I have yet to talk to anyone that recommends their cable system, so I have a feeling that I may be treading well. We’ll see.

My cable provider is “Cox”. I have a bundle consisting of WiFi, Television and a Land Line. Someone asked me the other day why I needed a Land Line and my answer was “that is the way I find my cell phone.” Quite honestly I prefer talking on my land line. The reception is clearer; it doesn’t hurt my hand holding the receiver the way the cell phone does, and I can put it on my shoulder comfortably and still have the use of both hands. The cost is reasonable – $20.82 – at least compared to my cell phone.

But I am having some trouble with my landline since Cox went digital.

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The Youth Vote November 6th

November 6, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

This is Skylar Seguin, after her mom just voted. Editordude’s grand-daughter, who will be 3 in January.

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A Few of the Polling Places in Ocean Beach – Tuesday, Nov. 6th

November 6, 2018 by Source

Here’s a few of OB’s polling places.

The OB Rec Center … just to encourage and remind you to vote …

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Some Good Things Progressives Can Do Down Ballot – Vote for Measure D, Tony Thurmond & David Alvarez; Against Props 5 & 6

November 5, 2018 by Jim Miller

This is perhaps the most crucial midterm election of our lives and all eyes will rightfully be on the national scene with everyone hoping for a Democratic take-over in the House of Representatives that will put a brake on the increasingly dangerous Trump Administration. Nonetheless, there are still a number of very important things that progressives can do at the state and local level that make it worthwhile to not neglect the down-ballot races and propositions.

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Last Minute Questions for Voting in San Diego: Need a Ride to the Polls? Can I Still Register? Are Ballot Selfies Okay? Do I Need an ID?

November 5, 2018 by Doug Porter

Don’t let real or imagined barriers keep you from voting on election day, 2018. “Look for the helpers!” as Mr. Rogers used to say.

There are many ways to get help, and we’ve tried to put them all in one place.

Need a ride to the polls? The folks at Lyft got my attention with a press release claiming 15 million people were registered to vote in 2016 but didn’t cast a ballot due to transportation problems.

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Those Who Turned Their Bodies into the Ocean Beach “Vote!”

November 2, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

The Dog Beach parking lot was packed by 9am this past Saturday, April 21st, the day when people were going to congregate on the sands and spell out the word, “VOTE!” with their bodies and towels. It wasn’t supposed to start till 10 and the drone wasn’t flying over until 11.

Mike James, the principle organizer, was busy when

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San Diego Progressive Voter Guide – 2018 General Election

November 2, 2018 by Staff

Here is the Progressive Voter Guide for the 2018 General Election in San Diego County, published by the San Diego Free Press and now republished by the OB Rag. A few words about our process are in order. The OB Rag and the San Diego Free Press are online siblings. The OB Rag has been publishing since October 26, 2007, and the SDFP, as an all-volunteer group, has been publishing daily since June 4, 2012.

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The Sins of Lorie Zapf – Part 1

November 2, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

by Frank Gormlie

As Councilmember Lorie Zapf does her victory laps through the coastal neighborhoods of District 2 for her successful stand against unrestricted short term vacation rentals, locals need to remember Zapf is also a partisan candidate running to keep her seat on the Council (and hoping for an unusual third term).

A more serious look into her record over the past 8 years on Council does more than raise eyebrows – it raises the blood pressure.

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The Sins of Councilwoman Lorie Zapf – Part 2

November 2, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

By Frank Gormlie

Here is Part 1.

Zig-Zags on the 30 Foot Height Limit

These days, it does appear Councilwoman Lorie Zapf is a strong supporter and defender of the sacrosanct 30-foot height limit for San Diego’s coastal and and beach communities. She did come out against a 4-story monstrosity on Emerson Street in the Roseville neighborhood of Point Loma, and along with Mayor Faulconer, issued a joint statement announcing a “stop-work” order for the project.

However, we have to note, as we reported then in June 2016:

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Dr. Jen Campbell’s Candidacy in District 2: Is She the Cure?

November 2, 2018 by Source

By Brett Warnke

Dr. Jen Campbell is not tall, loud, or filled with that busy anxiety of most politicians. But Campbell has a thoughtful quality. And a talk with her about the city’s problems is much like discussing the ailments of a weary organ. What seems to rile her most, like any good physician, is the untreated and blase patient. In this case, the city’s leadership, perpetually reacting to San Diego’s crises rather than responding actively to new realities and opportunities.

“It’s an old story of San Diego,” Campbell said. “It’s a city that just doesn’t plan ahead. Especially on infrastructure. We’re a city that has constantly gone from crisis to crisis. Zapf is part of this problem.”

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‘Vote As If Your Medicare Depends On It’ – OB Resister Sisters at It Again

November 2, 2018 by Source

The Resister Sisters of Ocean Beach hung another banner Thursday afternoon

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It’s Nathan Fletcher vs. Bonnie Dumanis in San Diego County Supervisor D4 and It’s a Critical Contest

November 2, 2018 by Doug Porter

Editordude: The following post about the District 4 County supervisor race explains why it’s a critical contest. Ocean Beach, much of Point Loma, the Midway and other beaches – plus most of the City are in District 4.

Tuesday, November 6 should be the beginning of the end of a status quo situation in San Diego that is just. plain. wrong.. All you have to do is vote.

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Lorie Zapf Does a Double-Take: Calls a Press Conference to ‘Set the Record Straight’ on Anti-Gay Comments and Trumpian Celebration – Then Cancels Without Explanation

November 1, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

Things must be tightening up in the District 2 race for City Council between Republican and incumbent Lorie Zapf and Democratic challenger Jen Campbell. Things are getting weird.

Check this out. Andrew Keatts over at Voice of San Diego posted Zapf’s campaign had announced she was going to hold a press conference to clear things up, to set the record straight about recent allegations and claims regarding all those anti-gay comments she made years ago – and about the whooping it up she did along with her fellow Republicans the day Trump was inaugurated.

Within hours, it was cancelled. And a rally was held instead. What? Why – or why not?

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Author Appearances at OB’s New Bookstore – Run for Cover – Nov. 3rd and Nov. 4th

November 1, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

As you probably know, Ocean Beach has a brand new book store. Run for Cover at 4912 Voltaire, near Cable, was opened up by Marianne Reiner on October 5th.

And now she is proud to announce there are a couple of book readings or author appearances at Run For Cover Bookstore coming right up.

Children’s author Henry Herz will be reading from and signing books including his latest work, Alice’s Magic Garden, a prequel to Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, on Saturday, November 3, at 1 PM.

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Gun Violence: ‘I Gotta Do Something. Anything.’

November 1, 2018 by Source

By John White / San Diegans For Gun Violence Prevention

“I gotta do something. Anything.”

How many times have you told yourself that?

Did you tell yourself that after Sandy Hook, when gun violence took the lives of 20 children and six adults?

Or after Las Vegas, when a man with guns left 58 people dead and 851 injured?

Or after Parkland, when 14 high school students and three adults died …

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It’s ‘Official’ – Target Says It Will Open Store in Ocean Beach on Newport Avenue

November 1, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

It’s now “official” – Target has confirmed it is opening up a store in Ocean Beach, right there on Newport Avenue – where we all knew it was coming in.

But according to 7SanDiego the giant retailer has announced it is moving from merely “pursuing a site on Newport Avenue” to actually moving in. The exact date of its opening has not been made known publicly – other than sometime next year.

Jacqueline DeBuse, a PR agent with Target, told NBC 7: “Target has long been pursuing a site on Newport Avenue to serve the surrounding community.”

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‘Obecian Luau’ Annual Fundraiser at Ocean Beach Woman’s Club – Sat., Nov. 3rd

November 1, 2018 by Source

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OB’s History of Flirting with White Supremacy

November 1, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

Originally published on Aug. 17, 2017

Less than two weeks after Donald Trump was elected, dozens of OBceans and San Diegans rallied against him at the foot of Newport and then marched down the sidewalks chanting, “No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA!”

This is a common chant these days at anti-Trump protests, yet the inclusion of “KKK” in a chant shouted out in Ocean Beach was not as out of place as it may have seemed, for OB does have its own history of a KKK – or Klan – presence, and the presence of other white supremacists over the years. And within OB’s well known laid-back character and tolerance for alternative lifestyles –

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Hate Crimes Rise in San Diego County and California; Occur Even in Ocean Beach

October 31, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

In the wake of Pittsbugh’s mass murder of Jews and the week of terror given the county by the MAGA pipebomber, it’s very troubling to hear reports that hate crimes are rising in San Diego County and across California. Ocean Beach has even been the site of some.

In San Diego County, hate crimes jumped up 27 percent between 2015 and 2017. And between 2014 and 2017, they rose 44 percent within the state.

Specifically, anti-Semitic hate crime rose nearly 27 percent from 2016 to 2017 statewide.

Just this past Monday up north at California State University San Marcos, white nationalist posters were discovered on campus – and then taken down by campus police. The posters were of a hate group.

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District Attorney Summer Stephan Must Apologize to San Diego’s Jewish Community

October 31, 2018 by Source

By Eva Posner, Mary Latibashvili, Susannah Bankhead, and Jay Bartell

On Monday night, District Attorney Summer Stephan attended the vigil at the Congregation Beth Israel for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. She stood on stage and sat in the front row.

However, when asked by a reporter from Times of San Diego about the anti-Semitic website that her campaign launched attacking George Soros during the June primary election, Ms. Stephan refused to answer any questions or acknowledge the issue.

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Duncan Hunter Is That Bro

October 31, 2018 by Source

By Brett Warnke

Duncan Hunter is a human hangover. He’s that bro who double-parks in a Navigator, who goes Dutch on a third date, and wears sandals with bruised toes. He’s that bro who the rain never touches, whose suits always fit right, and who gets the sort of bad tattoos that everyone compliments.

He’s that bro without underwear who scratches himself at your kids’ games attracting your wife’s attention. Duncan Hunter is that jock who wouldn’t pass the ball in your final high school game, going for glory as your team loses the sectional.

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OB Walkabout: Halloween 2

October 31, 2018 by Source

by Joaquin Antique

As I strolled around town this week there seemed to be less Halloween decorations in Ocean Beach than last year. I think it’s probably because most people are burned out from the real horror show in the White House and the Republican-dominated Congress.

Who needs jack-o’-lanterns when you already have an evil orange demon running the show in Washington? Who needs zombies when you have packs of evil racists marching through the streets of Charlottesville and other cities?

Some people in OB still are spreading the Halloween spirit, though as the accompanying pictures demonstrate.

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Airport Noise and the ‘Caravan’

October 30, 2018 by Judi Curry

The Old Broad Speaks Her Mind

Airport Noise and the Button

Let’s start this column by saying those of you that will tell me that they are used to the airport noise do not have to read any further. Let’s continue this column by saying to those of you that say that the airport was here before me do not have to read any further either. Those of you that will say there is nothing we can do about the airport can also skip this column. And those of you that will say that I am always bitching about something do not have to read any further either. And those of you that are not bothered by the black soot, or the shaking windows, or the air pollution – well – you can skip reading also. Because I am pissed by all of the above.

Today, Sunday, October 28th, I pushed the airport noise button 7 times; four times within two hours.

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It’s Michael Winn’s Mission to Form a Point Loma Town Council

October 30, 2018 by Source

By Geoff Page

There was a meeting October 24 at the Point Loma library to talk about the Point Loma Town Council.

Point Loma Town Council you say? Point Loma doesn’t have a town council. Ocean Beach has a town council. So does Mission Beach and Pacific Beach and even La Jolla has one. That’s what this meeting was about, Point Loma doesn’t have a town council and one man is trying to change that.

Community member Michael Winn has made creating a Point Loma town council his mission and he has put some effort into it.

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District 8 City Council Candidate Vivian Moreno Is Backed by Short-Term Vacation Rental Industry

October 29, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

While many eyes in District 2 are focused on the intense campaign between Democratic challenger Dr Jen Campbell and incumbent Republican Lorie Zapf, we ought to take notice of what’s going on over in District 8. Because whichever of the two candidates running in that district wins, the victor will definitely have an impact on residents at the coast.

District 8 is a largely Democratic district and that’s why two Democrats are running against each other for November’s general election. Antonio Martinez and Vivian Moreno are battling it out for the soul of the district. But it seems Moreno has a leg up on Martinez on money and that’s partially due to the fact the short-term vacation rental industry is backing her.

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OB Resister Sisters Hang Another Banner – ‘Vote As If Your Social Security Depends on It’

October 29, 2018 by Source

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Pittsburgh

October 29, 2018 by Judi Curry

The Old Broad Speaks Her Mind

Pittsburgh

I was in Las Vegas when I heard about the shootings in Pittsburgh. It spoiled my entire trip. (Of course not being able to find a Blackjack table for under $10 a hand didn’t help my mood.)

I was raised in a Jewish Neighborhood – the “Borscht” belt in Los Angeles. My high school – Fairfax High – was closed for Jewish holidays. Although I did not go to Sunday School, most of my friends did; most of my friends were either Bar Mitzvahed or, if female, Bas Mitzvahed. I would go to the Synagogue with friends when asked to go with them, and attended many Seder’s on the holidays. I celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas, and have a Menorah and candles ready for this holiday season.

You would think that people would be safe in the “House of God”. The president’s idiotic comment that if there had been armed guards at the “Tree of Life” Synagogue there would not have been so many deaths.

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Democrats’ Midterms Anxiety

October 29, 2018 by Jim Miller

With the midterms a little more than a week out there is a good amount of handwringing in progressive circles about whether or not the “blue wave” will actually happen.

Nervous Democrats pore over the latest posts on the polling at FiveThirtyEight, and the talking heads on MSNBC parse the current numbers, muse about the accuracy of the polling, and commiserate about their post-traumatic stress after the 2016 election.

With decision day looming, the collective anxiety is getting more and more palpable. In between ranting about Russia and the Mueller investigation, the unthinkable question is on the tip of many a liberal’s tongue: could we actually blow it again?

As of this writing, it appears that the Senate—which was never really in reach—is out of the question but

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News from Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Halloween 2018

October 26, 2018 by Frank Gormlie

OB Rag Celebrates 11th Birthday Online

On Oct. 26, the OB Rag turned 11 years old, having begun its online run during the massive fires that swept San Diego County in October 2007. And we’ve been going ever since. The original OB People’s Rag began …

McMillin Co. Asks City for Okay to Sell Liberty Station Lease

The Corky McMillin Cos., the San Diego developer that remade the Naval Training Center into a sprawling housing, business and and entertainment hub, has asked city officials to review a plan to sell all or part of its leasehold in what’s now known as Liberty Station. …

‘An Alligator Walks into a Pet Store and Says …’

An alligator was left on the steps of a pet store in Point Loma …

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