John Sinclair, Activist Immortalized in John Lennon Song, Dies at 82

April 3, 2024 by Source

Associated Press – Politico / April 2, 2024

John Sinclair, a poet, music producer and counterculture figure whose lengthy prison sentence after a series of small-time pot busts inspired a John Lennon song and a star-studded 1971 concert to free him, has died. He was 82. Sinclair died Tuesday morning at Detroit Receiving Hospital of congestive heart failure following an illness, his publicist Matt Lee said.

Sinclair drew a 9 1/2-to-10-year prison sentence in 1969 from Detroit Recorder’s Court Judge Robert Colombo for giving two joints to undercover officers. He served 29 months but was released a few days after Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger and others performed in front of 15,000 attendees at the University of Michigan’s Crisler Arena.

“They gave him 10 for two/What else can Judge Colombo do/We gotta set him free,” Lennon sang in “John Sinclair,” a song the ex-Beatle wrote that immortalized its subject.

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‘Complete Communities’ Is Not a Cure for San Diego’s Affordable Housing Crisis

April 3, 2024 by Source

by Danna Givot / Times of San Diego / April 2, 2024

The Building Industry Association touts the Complete Communities Now program as ramping up production of more affordable homes, but this deserves a closer look. Complete Communities is not a cure-all for San Diego’s housing problems.

[Please see original for important links]

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SDSU Stalls on Requests for Sports Arena Documents

April 3, 2024 by Source

By Arturo Castañares / La Prensa San Diego / March 30, 2024

San Diego State University has arbitrarily delayed disclosing documents requested by La Prensa San Diego beyond the timeline allowed by California law.

The requested documents are related to discussions in 2022 between SDSU officials and a Denver-based development company to build a new sports and entertainment arena as part of SDSU West in Mission Valley.

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‘The OB Planning Board Is There for You, Ocean Beach’

April 2, 2024 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The Ocean Beach Planning Board is feeling a little like Rodney Dangerfield, “get no respect,” or like Ol’ Lonely, the Maytag repair man no one ever called because the machines never broke down. Choose your own character, the theme being a group that deserves attention but is not getting it.

The OBPB held an election last month and hardly anyone showed. The board is supposed to consist of 12 people, according to the board’s by-laws. The election resulted in a total of nine sitting members, not 12. This reflects a continued sad lack of interest. The Rag had an account of the 2023 election and things have not improved.

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April 2024 Events from the Ocean Beach Green Center

April 2, 2024 by Source

Ongoing events

Every Saturday at 10:30 am. Climate Mobilization Coalition Meetings April 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th.  Keep up-to-date on climate issues and Climate Action events. To register email Jon Findley at  jon@climatemobsd.org.  More info: https://www.facebook.com/SDClimateMobilization/

Every Saturday 12 pm – 1 pm Peace Vigil for Palestine: Advocate for Peace and Justice in Gaza and Everywhere Join CODEPINK SD, San Diego Veterans for Peace, and Palestine Pals every Saturday at 12:00 pm on the plaza corner of Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W. Point Loma Blvd., entry to Ocean Beach, San Diego. Wear pink and bring a peace-related poster if you have one! Contact: Nathanael · nathandw@riseup.net

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Reader Rant: Ocean Beach Public Restrooms Are a Disgraceful Reflection on the City

April 2, 2024 by Source

By Judy Miller

On Friday, I was at Ocean Beach. Sunny day, gentle breeze, new grass on the lawn, crowds of happy visitors spending money during spring vacation.

Then I had to use the restroom. The public restrooms at the O.B. lifeguard station are so run-down that I was embarrassed for my city, just looking at them.

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Does America Now Have a Record Number of Bees?

April 2, 2024 by Source

by Andrew Van Dam / Washington Post / March 29, 2024 

Where in the unholy heck did all these bees come from?!

After almost two decades of relentless colony collapse coverage and years of grieving suspiciously clean windshields, we were stunned to run the numbers on the new Census of Agriculture (otherwise known as that wonderful time every five years where the government counts all the llamas): America’s honeybee population has rocketed to an all-time high.

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San Diego Should Return to Tarring to Fix Our Streets

April 2, 2024 by Source

By Mark Doering / SD U-T Op-Ed / April 1, 2024 

While in plain sight, the root cause for why potholes are forming rapidly is not visible to most. I am a native San Diegan and licensed engineer who for years has seen our city streets deteriorate from what they once were — beautiful and smooth — to what they are now, potholed and dangerous. The cause of the deterioration of our streets is very apparent if you know what to look for and know a little of San Diego’s road maintenance history.

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Future Design of OB Pier to Be Unveiled at Community Workshop — Saturday, April 6

April 1, 2024 by Frank Gormlie

The City of San Diego is set to show the public what a replacement design for the OB Pier may look like, and is prepping for the unveiling of a final, preferred design concept at a community workshop on Saturday, April 6.

Three potential design concepts for a replacement pier were presented in September of 2023, and the city has been collecting feedback from San Diegans ever since on what they want to see in the new pier. And now city officials are saying the preferred design is an amalgamation of the three concepts, using the public input received to combine preferred features from each design.

The session will be held 2 to 5 p.m. April 6 at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road.

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It’s César Chávez Day in California — Here’s His Life History

April 1, 2024 by Source

In San Diego, City, county and local offices will be closed today, Monday for César Chávez Day along with courts, public health clinics, family resource centers, libraries and animal shelters. County parks, campgrounds, and neighborhood day-use parks will largely remain open, though county officials said certain facilities will be closed Monday.

There will be mail delivery because César Chávez Day is a federal commemorative holiday, first proclaimed by then-President Barack Obama in 2014, and not a federal holiday.

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Claudia Jack – the Unofficial Mayor of Ocean Beach – Has Passed – RIP Sister

April 1, 2024 by Frank Gormlie

Over the weekend we heard that Claudia Jack, the unofficial mayor of Ocean Beach, has passed on. Hodad’s gave us the word:

Ocean Beach doesn’t toss the word LEGEND around too easily. Same with LOCAL. So when we tell you that OB lost a true local Legend today, it is with the upmost respect. Claudia Jack… Never enough Thank You’s for all of the energy you pumped into this community. Rest in Peace Claudia Peters Jack.

Here is a tribute I wrote about her a few years ago:

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At 6,000 Feet Mount Laguna Is Having a White Easter

March 31, 2024 by Staff

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Fun Fact: Paul McCartney Is 81, Same Age as Joe Biden

March 29, 2024 by Staff

Paul McCartney, 81, shows off new beard and white hair after ditching dye for natural look. Anybody want him to retire?

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Ceasefire in Gaza Vigil in Ocean Beach — Saturday, March 30

March 29, 2024 by Staff

Please join the ceasefire in Gaza vigil / rally, Saturday, March 30th from Noon to 1 PM at the Ocean Beach portal.

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‘Order Your Trump Bible Now and See What He’ll Include’

March 29, 2024 by Source

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Fences Around Veteran’s Park in Ocean Beach Are Removed

March 29, 2024 by Source

By Geoff Page

The fences came down two days ago – on Tuesday. The long, luxurious grass inside the fence has been trimmed like a long-haired hippie entering the military. A couple of vendors are back. And the public once again has access to what is usually referred to as Veteran’s Park, on Abbott Street between Newport Ave. and Santa Monica Ave.

This particular piece of land was quite a mess before this work was done, as can be seen by the “before” picture taken from Google Maps. The site was mostly sand with some bits of grass. The deterioration of the area was the result of overuse, especially by vendors. Performers and the ocean added to it as well.

Checking in with Denny Knox, Executive Director of the Ocean Beach Main Street Association, for information about the restoration, it was learned that the project was the work of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

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Today’s the 45th Anniversary of 3-Mile Island – the Worst Nuclear Power Plant Accident in US History

March 28, 2024 by Staff

Forty-five years ago today — March 28th — Central Pennsylvania suffered a historic tragedy when one of the nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island experienced a partial meltdown.

The accident, which occurred at the Generating Station along the Susquehanna River on March 28, 1979, went down in history as the most serious nuclear power plant accident in United States history.

According to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, researchers were able to determine that the meltdown had “negligible effects on the physical health of individuals or the environment” — but that’s not to say there weren’t any lasting impacts.

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Trumpist Amy Reichert Resurfaces Opposing ‘Ban’ on Businesses Using Public Beaches

March 28, 2024 by Frank Gormlie

When the Rag ran a story on how the City of San Diego was beginning to enforce a prohibition on businesses using public beaches and certain parks for their own private benefit, the response by our readers was one of satisfaction; people were glad that the public beaches would remain for the, uh, public.

So, earlier this week, a small handful of businesses gathered at La Jolla Shores to rally against what they’re calling a “ban” on public events and services held on city beaches.

And leading the rally and effort at pushback was none other than San Diego’s own Trumpist Amy Reichert, recent candidate for office (she was trounced) and head of Restore San Diego,

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Local Fishermen Fined for Poaching

March 28, 2024 by Source

By Phil Diehl / San Diego Union-Tribune / March 27, 2024

State Department of Fish and Wildlife officials have fined a network of San Diego fishermen a total of $145,000 for poaching bluefin tuna, yellowtail and mahi mahi.

A six-month investigation showed more than 5,500 pounds of fish were bought from recreational fishermen and sold in commercial markets, according to a recent news release from the department.

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‘Bee Friendly’ and Celebrate the Joys of Spring

March 28, 2024 by Source

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Stranger Tries to Kidnap 8-Year Old Off Newport Avenue; Bar Security Guards and Passersby Rush to Prevent It

March 28, 2024 by Frank Gormlie

On Friday night March 22 on Newport Avenue in OB, a stranger tried to kidnap an 8-year-old boy who was playing on the sidewalk in front of his father who was finishing up dinner. The father, Adrian Villanueva, rushed over to try to prevent the stranger from carrying out this dastardly deed.

Others came to Villanueva’s help, grabbed the boy back and restrained the stranger, who was later identified as Christopher Higginbotham. Security video captured the moment.

Villanueva and his family were enjoying dinner at the deli they just had opened. Bystanders rushed to help as well as did security guards from Pac Shores and The Harp.

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OB Woman’s Club Annual Hat Contest — Thursday, April 4 — at Dirty Birds Restaurant

March 28, 2024 by Frank Gormlie

The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club is holding their fourth annual hat contest scheduled for Thursday, April 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. , at Dirty Birds restaurant, located 1929 Cable St.

This competition is free and open to everyone who has a favorite hat – or who wants to craft a new one.

This year’s “hat-egories” are:

  • Best Party Hat,
  • Most Ridiculous,
  • Most OBcean and
  • Ode to Mae, a nod to the club’s garden tradition.
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Ocean Beach Town Council Still Struggling Through Scandal – There’s Been Yet Another Resignation From the Board

March 27, 2024 by Frank Gormlie

The OB Town Council is still struggling through the scandal which has mired the long-time community organization in the muck left after the former president, Cory Bruins, was forced to resign. Yet, another resignation from the Board of Directors demonstrates this all too well.

Board member Mandy Havlik announced her resignation over the past weekend, the Rag has learned. This leaves the Board with only 7 members – usually it has 15.

Their website is still down – although their facebook page is still up and running.

They are holding a public meeting tonight, Wednesday, March 27, but it doesn’t appear they are using the moniker of the OB Town Council.

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Local Escondido Doctor a Plaintiff in Current Supreme Court Case – Wants to Limit Women’s Access to Abortion Drug Mifepristone

March 27, 2024 by Source

Escondido physician Dr. George Delgado, is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit before the US Supreme Court right now. And clearly, he wants to limit women’s access to the abortion drug Mifepristone. He believes forcing women to live by his religion is more important than women’s rights.

Delgado directs medical operations at Culture of Life Family Services, a Catholic organization providing “pro-life medical care and pregnancy clinic services.” Delgado has already made headlines with his “Abortion Pill Reversal” program — a

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‘Dune: Part Two’ Improves Upon Its Predecessor

March 27, 2024 by Source

By Steve Anderson / LomaBeat.com / March 27, 2024

*Contains spoilers for the first film

Very rarely do sequels improve upon their predecessor. There are the obvious standouts in this category, “The Empire Strikes Back,” “The Godfather Part II” and “The Dark Knight,” to name a few. It’s safe to say that “Dune: Part Two” can be included in this list.

Director Denis Villeneuve introduced us to the Dune universe in 2021

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Gloria Joins Infamous List of Damaged Mayors – Dick Murphy and Roger Hedgecock

March 27, 2024 by Source

By Arturo Castañares / La Prensa / March 25, 2024

It’s now apparent that a majority of San Diego voters are shopping for a new Mayor after Todd Gloria fell to less than 50% in last week’s primary election.

The incumbent Mayor seeking re-election now joins a list of damaged mayors who failed to garner more than half of the vote in a primary and limped into a head-to-head matchup where voters seemed willing to make a change at the top to push the City into a new direction.

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‘West 22nd’ Is Surf Rock’s Latest New Band … Outta Texas

March 27, 2024 by Source

By Nick Hancock / LomaBeat.com / March 27, 2024

There’s a distinct sound and style when it comes to surf rock. Now I’m a self-proclaimed R&B, rap and soul guru, but I feel confident enough to say I’ve identified what it takes to be a successful surf rock band even if I’ve only been listening to the genre for a short period.

You need to sound grungy enough that people will think you record out of your garage, but smooth enough that it still sounds professionally done. The lyrics need to be about getting into trouble, exchanging smiles with pretty, tan girls and skipping all of life’s responsibilities for a good day at the beach.

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Midway Rising Developer Gave $650,000 to Campaign to Remove Height Limit in Sports Arena Area

March 27, 2024 by Source

By Alberto Garcia / La Prensa / March 26, 2024

The same developer who gave over $100,000 to elect Todd Gloria in 2020 before being selected to rebuild the Sports Arena site later contributed $650,000 more to remove the 30-foot building height limit around the Midway area, raising questions about the timing of his selection by the Mayor and City Council.

Brad Termini and his wife donated $100,000 to a campaign committee supporting Todd Gloria’s 2020 campaign for Mayor, and Termini and other relatives also gave another $6,900 directly to Gloria’s personal campaign before he won the November 2020 election.

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2 Local Peninsula Stores Among the ‘Lucky’ Ones in Selling Winning Lotto Tickets

March 27, 2024 by Staff

With another drawing Tuesday for the ever-growing $1.12 billion Mega Millions jackpot, San Diegans who are feeling the lottery fever are hoping for a little bit of luck — some turning to specific stores with a track record of winning.

There are only a handful of stores out of the thousands of lotto retailers across California that regularly sell winning tickets, including ones to claim the largest prizes. The California Lottery has a special designation for these retailers, aptly — if not obviously — called “lucky stores.”

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OB Town Council Meets Tonight — Wed., March 27 — at Point Loma Library

March 27, 2024 by Staff

The Ocean Beach Town Council meets tonight, Wednesday, March 27 at 7 PM, and the meeting will be  held at the Point Loma Hervey Branch Library, at 3701 Voltaire Street.

When they sent out notices of the meeting, the OBTC called it a “Neighborhood Round Table” — and curiously, the name “OB Town Council” was nowhere to be seen in the email notification. Nowhere, not even above their mailing address.

Yet, coming off two months of stress and scandal, the leaders say, “We are excited to host a March Neighborhood Round Table discussion!”

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