OB Rag

By Alexander Nguyen / KPBS / February 5, 2024

San Diego’s Naval Information Warfare Systems Command accounts for more than $3.1 billion in gross regional product (GRP) for the economy, according to a report released last week by the San Diego Military Advisory Council and the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business.

The report compiled by USD researchers found that in Fiscal Year 2022, NAVWAR was responsible for between $3.14 billion and $3.38 billion in GRP. Additionally, it employs more than 5,300 people and, when wages and benefits are considered, that workforce brings $910 million to the local economy.

Since the Rag has made Luigi’s Pizza “newsworthy”, a reader sent us these recent photos. Apparently, the owners are cutting new windows for the eatery. Just looks like bad timing to be cutting holes in the side of your place, eh?

By Gary Wonacott 

On December 14th 2023, the California Coastal Commission Commissioners met in Santa Cruz to assess their policy of supporting short term rentals to achieve low-cost access to the coast.  The policy review is needed in light of housing affordability, availability and homelessness across the State.

The twelve commissioners listened to expert testimony from multiple speakers on housing from the California Department of Housing and Community Development and from a speaker at the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation.

By Trever Richardson / Thu, Feb 1, 2024

I am a 4th generation Ocean Beach resident and have personally seen my share of flooding over the years. I saw the Lamborghini submerged in the parking garage on Abbott in 2015. And last week I saw the renters crying as they were stranded on that very same building with an underground parking structure—turned watery moat. As a self declared weather enthusiast I pay attention to the happenings of El Niño and the jet stream.

That brings us to today. As this winter storm approached, I lingered around Abbott and Santa Monica waiting for the deluge of water. Fortunately, the rainfall never reached the torrential threshold to cause flooding like we saw last week.

However, still thirsting for flood viewing, I opened my prosumer radar app “Radar Scope” and found a large cell of heavy rain headed straight for La Jolla. With the prospect of witnessing more atmospheric delights I abandoned my post en route to La Jolla.

All events are online and free unless stated otherwise

Every Saturday 10:30 am. Climate Mobilization Coalition Meetings  February 3rd,

February 2nd to February 10th Human Rights Watch Festival Museum of Photographic Arts

February 6th Tuesday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Mexico Solidarity Project West Coast Speaking Tour

February 6th Tuesday 6 pm District 4 Candidate Forum 

February 7 Wednesday District Candidate Forum 6:30pm

February 8th Thursday 5:30 pm – 8 pm Winter Soiree 2024

February 10th Saturday 10 am – 1 pm  San Diego FixIt Clinic in Chula Vista

February 10th Saturday 3 pm Amnesty International Group 137 San Diego.

There’s snow at Mt Laguna this morning. This was taken from the Mt Laguna Lodge live cam at 9:20 am Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

From San Clemente Green

This is truly a race against time, but many potential victims remain unaware of the threat. In approving the coastal permit, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) put in a condition that requires Edison to evaluate sea level rise in 2035. We are asking the CCC to take the initiative and request an analysis for conditions that may require moving Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) to higher ground. The time has come, sooner than expected and we can’t afford to wait for another decade or more to pass. The planning must begin now. You can help by signing our petition here, which is already well underway. We can’t wait until 2035 to re-evaluate sea level rise, as the permit currently is written.

The United States must make clear to Netanyahu that we will not provide another dollar to support his inhumane, illegal war.

By Bernie Sanders / the Guardian UK / Jan. 28, 2024

Many of us are watching with horror the severe humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues in the House of Representatives and US Senate are choosing to ignore this reality and evade their congressional responsibilities.

Let’s be clear: what’s happening in Gaza is not just some unfortunate tragedy taking place thousands of miles from our shores. The United States provides Israel with $3.8bn in military aid every year, and the bombs and military equipment that are destroying Gaza are made in America. In other words, we are complicit in what is happening.

And what’s happening is unspeakable.

By Geoff Page

Please note that on Monday, February 12, the City will hold a public hearing in city hall on changes to parking rules and modifications in the city’s Municipal Code (see official notice below).

This then is a brief account of the city’s newest effort to reduce street parking and the California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) reactions. What the city wants to do is anathema to many people, reduce parking and parking requirements. But, the Coastal Commission’s recommendations can only be described as impractical.

This City Council is proposing adoption of the CCC’s modifications. First what the city has done, then the CCC recommendations.