OB Rag

Public Service Announcement

With the new year just a few days away, here are new traffic safety-related laws that will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

The laws include:

— SB 1472 expands the criteria for “gross negligence” to include drivers involved in sideshow activity, exhibition of speed or speeding over 100 mph resulting in a fatality.

— AB 2147 prohibits police officers from stopping pedestrians for certain pedestrian-specific violations such as crossing the road outside of a crosswalk, unless there is an immediate danger of a crash.

A water advisory issued by San Diego County health officials on Wednesday to avoid contact with ocean water due to recent rain that could have carried bacteria into the ocean and bays is still in effect.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality issued an advisory that warns surfers, swimmers and other water users that “rain brings urban runoff which can cause bacteria levels to rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers and lagoon outlets. Swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided during rain and for 72 hours following the rain event.”

by Joaquin Antique

After being closed for repairs for much of the past two years, the pissoir in the restroom below the Cabrillo lighthouse has finally been repaired and is now accepting deposits.

Known to savvy world travelers for providing one of the finest views from any toilet in the USA,

Ocean energy could take its place alongside solar and wind in helping to decarbonize the power grid

By Brooke Staggs / Orange County Register / December 27, 2022

If you’ve ever gone surfing or felt seasick or simply watched as the ocean crashed onto shore, you know the power that waves hold. The potentially world-changing question is, can that power be harnessed in a cost-effective way to produce clean, reliable electricity?

Solar and wind dominate discussions about renewable energy.

Union Bank has sold its Ocean Beach branch at 1858 Cable Street and four others, most in San Diego County. The OB branch was built in 1964, and has 5,379 square feet.

Included presumably in the sale is the large parking lot on the property. There is also an OB mural from a past Street Fair on its north side, but there is no word at this point about its fate.

The total package was $19.25 million; the buyers have not been identified.

Here are the entries in the OB Rag photo contest of King and very low tides (in no particular order).

No. 1 above —Santa Cruz Beach, Point Loma; 12/23/22 8:00am

Here is a recent entry into the Rag’s King Tide Photo Contest. The view is of South Sunset Cliffs. And it reminds us that along with King Tides, there are extremely low tides as well.

Today, Tuesday, Dec. 27, is the last day of the contest.

by Ernie McCray

So much is said of Peace and Good-Will
during this time of year
and wouldn’t it be wonderful
if we adhered
to such
in our
everyday lives?

This is the latest entry, taken Dec. 21. The OB Rag is sponsoring a photo contest of the King Tides expected to show up at our coasts beginning Wed., Dec. 21 until Tuesday, Dec. 27.

A generous member of our staff, Kathy Blavatt, has donated $100 specifically for the photo contest. $100 will go to the winning photo with second and third place finishers getting a copy of Kathy’s books, either the one on OB or the one on Sunset Cliffs Park.

Before we end the Year of 2022, we must emphatically note that President Joe Biden signed the historic Respect for Marriage Act into law on December 13, — a little more than 10 years after he first announced his support for marriage equality as former President Barack Obama’s vice president in 2012,

Preface by Judi Curry:  In this age of antisemitism, hatred of others and lack of compassion my 25 year old granddaughter – Alice – had an experience that prompted her to write an essay about her experience with a Neo-Nazi. 

By Alice

Something I’ve heard many people say is that “Love is Love” and I think it’s a really beautiful message. It would be much more persuasive to the people who need to hear it if it wasn’t said as an accusation. That’s something I’ve noticed over the last few years.

There are so many beautiful messages out there that preach love and acceptance, but they’re often preached in such angry hateful ways.

Voting is now open for the OBTC Holiday Decoration Contest!

Step 1: Visit all locations
Step 2: Get filled with holiday joy
Step 3: Vote for your favorites

Ballot and map located here.

Voting closes midnight December 25. Larger list and map inside.