OB Rag

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.

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. There are no rules, except the photos submitted must be of this year’s King Tides from Dec. 21 through Dec. 27– we provide a tide chart inside —

From Peninsula Newsletter from PLA

For kids from one to ninety-two…

The weeks ahead offer plenty of get-outside-and-have-fun opportunities, weather permitting. Students on vacation, moms and dads shopping, grandpas and grandmas Zooming – kids of all ages coming together, sharing laughs, fresh air and exercise! What could be better?

By Colleen O’Connor

This holiday season’s gifts came early.

Two big reports and findings that allow anyone interested to delve into the evidence, consider the charges, the criminal referrals, and possible fixes to the vulnerabilities in our electoral system.  Then, make your own forensic decisions.

Fun and readily available. First, the January 6th Committee’s Executive summary on its findings of causes and culprits directing and participating in the assault on the Capital (over 100 pages) and soon to come, a digital download of all the supporting evidence (probably over 1,000 pages). Already available in paperback form

Ocean Beach Businesses Suffer Raft of Burglaries

Up to half a dozen OB businesses have suffered break-ins and burglaries of late. California Wild Ales, at the corner of Newport Ave and Cable, has had 4 burglaries or break-ins since they opened about 18 months ago, and the owners are asking for help from the community. The Joint and Blondstone also were victimized, as were others.

Paul Bolton Hospitalized

We are saddened to have to report that Paul Bolton — former co-owner of the well-known Electric Chair — is being hospitalized. He suffered a heart attack Dec. 19. Well wishes and prayers are being sent to Lynne Bolton and their family.

By Jack Hamlin / December 25, 2012

It is Christmas, 2012, and I sit in the sunlight of the early morning and welcome the day. For many years I have been alone on Christmas morning; my children, parents, sister and I celebrate Christmas on its eve. My children spend the day with her mother and later in the day, my parents, sister and I have dinner at my cousin’s home. As a result, the gift I receive Christmas morning is time. Time to sit and reflect, time to meditate, time to just be.

As a Catholic Christian of the Franciscan brand, and a student of Buddhism and the Tao, I spend much of my time thinking about the concept of compassion;

Here is some OB nostalgia. December 2012 — one decade ago exactly – in Ocean Beach. What was going on? What was happening back then? Here’s a look:

OB Planning Board Calls for Immediate Moratorium on City Granting Variances to West Point Loma Block, Dec. 11, 2012

Old Town, a Photo Survey, Dec. 12, 2012

Point Loma High Christmas Tree Vandalized, Dec. 12, 2012

Gay Student Group Denied Charter at Point Loma Nazarene University, Dec. 13, 2012

SDFD and SDPD responded to a House Fire on Cape May Ave in Ocean Beach. Engine 15 was just 1 minute away doing their daily exercise on the beach.

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol voted today, Monday, Dec. 19, to send to Justice Department prosecutors a recommendation that the former president Trump be charged with four crimes:

By Gary Wonacott

In 2018, a a few days before there was to be a vote on then Mayor Faulconer’s proposed short-term rental regulations, I met with then Councilmember Chris Ward.  In the meeting, I expressed concerns about the mayor’s proposed approach resulting in a huge wave of STRs in Mission Beach, but Councilmember Ward said that he was more concerned that there may not be a sufficient number of applications to pay for enforcement, and without enforcement, the program was doomed.

And here we are again. After being assured by Councilmember Jen Campbell and her staff going back to the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), we find that once again Councilmember Ward’s prediction has come true.  There are too few applications to ensure that the program can fund a strong enforcement plan.

Let’s Hear It for the Team

By Joni Halpern

There is a little team of five of us — two in San Diego, one in Palm Springs, and two in Washington State – who work hard all year long to keep a roof over the heads of one small local family headed by a single, disabled parent.  It’s a struggle, but our team has triumphed over homelessness that has threatened this low-income family for many years.

Occasionally over the years, our efforts have faltered, as in this year when rents have climbed so high, and everyone’s costs have  increased so much that our treasury for assistance has been rendered insufficient — temporarily at least.

With our friend now residing for a short time with relatives while she tries to find another place,