OB Rag

By Geoff Page

On Saturday, June 10, the public had a second chance to participate in the design process for the pier that will one day replace the aging OB Pier.  The second in a series of planned workshops was held at the Liberty Station Conference Center. There was a good-sized crowd at the first gathering and attendance at this second workshop was clearly higher.

The presenters asked those who had attended the first workshop in April to raise their hands. It was good to see a lot of hands go up signifying an on-going interest. It was equally encouraging to see how many people did not raise a hand, indicating a clear increase in public interest about the project.

New Ordinance Is Very Majestic for It Not Only Bans the Poor from Camping on Public Land, It Also Bans the Rich from Camping on Public Land

Late last night, a slim majority of the San Diego City Council approved a controversial homeless camping ban — that was amended with some changes.

After hundreds of people testified over four hours either in Chambers or online — most of whom opposed the proposed ordinance — and after another 6 hours or so of staff presentations and debate, Council members Marni von Wilpert, Joe LaCava, Stephen Whitburn – the author of the proposal, Jen Campbell, and Raul Campillo passed the ordinance. Council members Sean Elo-Rivera, Monica Montgomery Steppe, Kent Lee and Vivian Moreno voted against it.

By Michael J. Pallamary, PLS

We have an opportunity to make the OB Pier a world-class destination that will attract locals and visitors alike!

The design I have proposed will divide the pier into two primary segments. This concept will create two unique areas, one for fishing and the other for folks to sit and enjoy the ambiance of the water and Ocean Beach.

All too often, the pier can get busy when children and older adults comingle with fishing activities. People often visit the pier because they enjoy the views of the beach and shoreline and

Local Native Americans are about to complete the longest indigenous prayer run in U.S. history. “Run with the Sun” is the brainchild of Lakeside resident Bobby Wallace, a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, in hopes of protecting waters across America.

The effort is supported by the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas tribes in San Diego’s East County as well as participants from other tribes across the United States. The run began June 12, 2022, in Maine, with runners collecting water vials from tribal members nationwide. … On June 14, they arrived in San Diego …

Rally to Support the Rule of Law at 5:30 Pm

At County Administration Building — 1600 Pacific highway

The Ocean Beach Historical Society invites you to join them for the program, “A Retrospective: Ocean Beach’s Extraordinary Artist Charles Faust,” presented by Kathy Blavatt, on Thurs., June 15, 2023, 7 pm– Water’s Edge Faith Community, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., in Ocean Beach.

Charles Faust was a modern-day Renaissance man. He was among the echelons of Ocean Beach’s most famous artists.

By Mat Wahlstrom

Today, June 13, the City Council will vote to make appearing unhoused in public illegal. Euphemistically called a ‘unauthorized camping ban,” its purpose is to pretend to solve a problem by making it invisible.

Despite winning election largely by campaigning to solve the homeless crisis that undid the political prospects of his predecessor, Todd Gloria has doubled down on Kevin Faulconer’s policy of all stick and no carrot. Cynically or not, yesterday even Faulconer called out this latest effort

By Geoff Page

Considering what has lately appeared to be a total lack of community interest in the Ocean Beach Planning Board, seeing the large crowd in attendance Wednesday, June 7, was heartening. When the community really wants to express itself, the OBPB is still the place to be heard.

The agenda for the board’s regular monthly meeting at the OB Rec Center contained two hot topics that brought out the crowd. But, the bombshell revelation that night did not involve either of the two items.

It is official! The Ocean Beach Pier will reopen in July — this July 2023. Date uncertain. See this video by Charles Landon of a portion of Saturday’s pier workshop at Liberty Station.

By Katie Hyson / KPBS / June 5, 2023

Black people are more than four times as likely as white people to be stopped for biking and walking infractions in San Diego, according to data from the San Diego Police Department. In some neighborhoods such as Pacific Beach and Del Mar Heights, Black residents are 10 times more likely to be stopped.

Yelp has determined that the best rooftop restaurant and bar in the entire state of California is OB’s own The Holding Company. Congrats are due.

As San Diego Mayor Gloria called for the City Council to pass an ordinance on June 13th restricting homeless encampments throughout the city, recent counts of the county and downtown’s unhoused population show record highs.

A count conducted in January found a record high 10,264 homeless people throughout San Diego County, including 5,171 living outdoors or in vehicles. The results of the Jan. 26 count represent a 22 percent increase from last year’s count of 8,427 homeless people.