OB Rag

Times of San Diego has announced the opening of the first “Roman” eatery in Ocean Beach: Elvira in the former  Bo-Beau’s at 4996 West Pt Loma Blvd.

The restaurant, which opened Nov. 19, is meant to carry on the Roman legacy of Niccolò Angius’s great-grandmother, Elvira Lippi. Angius is one of the trio of restaurateurs behind Point Loma Heights’ Cesarina Ristorante and Elvira. The other two are chef Cesarina Mezzoni and Giuseppe Capasso.

By Geoffrey Hueter and Danna Givot / Op-Ed San Diego U-T / Dec. 5, 2023

Following the San Diego City Council’s postponement of the Housing Action Package 2.0 on Nov. 13, Mayor Todd Gloria launched a public relations campaign instead of providing thoughtful responses to the valid concerns of the City Council and community members.

The mayor is being disingenuous when he says that critics are opposing needed new housing.

After a little over a decade of hosting more than 30 productions of Broadway musicals, OB Playhouse will soon close following a hefty rent increase at its space at 4944 Newport Ave in Ocean Beach. And the current and last show at OB Playhouse is “Rent.”

The current tenants, Bill and Jennie Connard, own and manage OB eBikes in front of the theater, were given a commercial eviction action against them in March 2022 by Lyle and Linda Cocking, who own the playhouse property. However, the case was dismissed back then.

By Colleen O’Connor

Former Rep. Liz Cheney’s new book, Oath and Honor, is just being released, garnering more press and more serious attention since her disciplined, singularly scholarly co-chairmanship of the January 6th Committee.

She has appeared in extensive primetime interviews on the major networks, in dozens of op/eds in the world’s press, and drummed up enough attention to make Taylor Swift envious.

A controversial package of housing measures rejected by the San Diego City Council on November 13 will be quickly revised and returned to the city council for potential approval this month — Tuesday, December 12.

Not too long after that contentious council hearing in Nov. where Mayor Gloria’s sponsored initiative went down to defeat, he and Council President Sean Elo-Rivera issued a joint statement declaring they’re moving quickly to revive the package because the city’s housing crisis is so urgent.

Here’s a wonderful slideshow of the OB Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 from the Pt Loma-OB Monthly online mag: go here. The shots are by Milan Kovacevic.

An eight-unit apartment property located at 4840 Del Monte Ave. was sold for $3,650,000.

Apparently the layout of the units (?), the apartment’s location and the abundant off-street parking were the factors that pushed the buyer, 9 Mendridge LLC, to clench the deal from seller The Gilbert K. & Sheila A. Sloan Family Trust. The buyer was represented by Graeme Henderson.

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets Wednesday night, Dec. 6, at the OB Rec Center, 4726 Santa Monica at 6 pm.

Two notable items on the non-project agenda includes a board review of the application for an appointment to the board by Denise Larson for the empty District 1 seat. Also, somewhat controversial, the board will vote on whether they want to change the traditional monthly meeting of the board from the first Wednesday of the month to the first Tuesday.

The board will also form an election committee for the annual board election in March 2024.

A federal court said only the government, not civil rights groups or individuals, can enforce the Voting Rights Act.

By Marjorie Cohn / Truthout / December 1, 2023

The Voting Rights Act, which Congress passed to enforce the 15th Amendment, has been targeted by the right wing since it was enacted in 1965. In the last few years, the Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act but has never ruled that civil rights organizations and aggrieved individuals could not sue to enforce its provisions.

San Diego Union-Tribune for subscribers only

Topgolf International and the Port of San Diego are close to reaching an agreement on preliminary lease terms for a 9.5-acre site on East Harbor Island, opposite San Diego’s airport, where the entertainment company is looking to a build a flagship, driving-range venue with panoramic views of the bay and downtown.

Tuesday, December 5, Port of San Diego Commissioners will vote on whether to sign a non-binding term sheet with Topgolf, as recommended by the agency’s staff.

December 21st Thursday 3 pm -7 pm Homeless Person’s Memorial Day – Tent Vigil, Light Brigade, Winter Gear and Non-perishable Food Drive Event by SD Emergency Housing Alliance (HEMA)  Del Mar Fairgrounds West Parking Lot via Solana Gate, 

December 29th Friday 10:00 am – January 1st Monday 6 pm San Diego Auto Show  Recommended by Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego   San Diego Convention Center 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego December means it’s time for the annual San Diego International Auto Show.

By Geoff Page

As recounted in The Rag’s November 22 story, the city has decided to keep the OB Pier closed until the winter storm season is over.

The Lifeguards closed the pier October 20 because of high surf. The San Diego Fire Department announced the closure in a Tweet. The Lifeguard Department is part of the Fire Department now. The Tweet said the pier would probably open the next day.