OB Rag

By Frank Gormlie

On occasion, we publish a ‘what’s happening around Newport Ave’ type of news summary, providing an update on the comings and goings of merchants on OB’s main commercial street and within the blocks surrounding it.

Here, then is our latest – and we note that at least 4 new restaurants are either about to open on Newport or will be opening in the near future – and all of them expect to serve alcohol.

* Where Is CVS?
* Newport Pizza’s Brewery & Restaurant
* New Police Trailer
* BBQ House Expansion On Hold Till After Summer
* The Salt Water Takes Over for Surf n Sea
“* Trunk Show” Coming at Gilmore Family Jewelers
* OB Hookah Lounge Open at Night
* Sal’s Greek and Middle-Eastern Restaurant
* Italian Ice Coming
* Swanky Sugar Spa is Sure Swanky

COME INSIDE FOR THE STORIES …

By Matthew Wood

You might have heard about the new crosswalk that opened next to Ocean Beach Elementary School on Santa Monica Avenue. We’ve certainly talked about it enough.

Now that the crosswalk is finally in place and the street is open again, you would think that all is safe with the school and the only looming threat for the kids are this week’s spelling quiz and forgetting their backpack.

But that’s not the case, as I learned firsthand.

In talking to the two volunteer crossing guards – Wayne Simard and Joseph “Moondoggie” Pina – they said it’s still pretty crazy in the morning rush and that people still don’t always stop for the kids.

By Judi Curry

I have been hosting foreign language students for the past 20 years. My first student was in April of 1992 and to date I have had 401 students living with me for a variety of weeks, months and/or years. Each of these students has come to the United States with a substantial sum of money, and all of the students have needed to open up checking/ATM accounts at a bank in the area.

Because these students do not have social security numbers, they have to open up checking accounts and not savings accounts. This doesn’t make much difference to them, because all they want to do is to have access to the ATM machines so they have a supply of money available at all times.

Because we live in Ocean Beach and Chase Bank is only a mile away, I suggested to Marco, my student from Switzerland, that he open an account there. The fact that there is a Chase Bank across from his school also makes the account easily accessible, either from school or home.

The Obama Administration continues to rollback oppressive sentences for those with non-violent drug convictions

By Cliff Weathers / AlterNet

An unnamed White House official has told Yahoo! News that President Barack Obama is preparing to grant clemency to “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of people who have been imprisoned for non-violent drug violations.

This news comes a few months after the administration’s announcement that it has encouraged defense attorneys to suggest inmates who should be considered for early release from prison. This indicates that the Obama administration will continue in its efforts to curtail severe penalties in low-level drug cases.

OB Elementary School Crosswalk Finally Opens!

The long-sought-after crosswalk for school kids on Santa Monica Avenue is finally installed. It took over a week of construction – and several years of organizing – but OB Elementary School has the mid-block addition.

Rumors of CVS Pharmacy Pull Out Are False

The OB Rag has heard rumors that CVS Pharmacy had changed its corporate mind and was pulling out of the former Apple Tree Market. But they are not true. As of March 26, CVS rep Steve Laub contacted the OB Town Council and had this to say: …

Brighton Cottages Sold

Seven cottages containing eight residential units in Ocean Beach at 5065-5071-1/2 Brighton Ave., San Diego 92107, have been sold for $1.6 million, cash. …

And much more. ….

By Daniel Gutiérrez / San Diego Free Press

La Jolla, California — On Tuesday, April 15th, UAW Local 2865, representing graduate student-workers across the University of California system, reached a tentative agreement with UC management regarding the procurement of all-gendered bathrooms and lactation stations.

UC management succumbed to the necessities demanded by UAW Local 2865, acknowledging that both all-gendered bathrooms and lactation stations are a labor right to graduate student-workers. The historic achievement was reached after the union went on strike for two days early this month, in which nearly two dozen students were arrested and many others intimidated.

By Laura Barrett / Huffington Post / April 21, 2014

San Diego’s sunny beaches and beautiful college campuses can be deceptive. The city’s soaring housing costs force university students and low-income families to sleep on couches and to depend on free meals. Many, too, end up living out of cars. The waiting list for Section 8 housing is 10 years long, and as a result, families are being forced to move out of state.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a renter in San Diego’s Metropolitan Statistical Area would need to earn $26.58 an hour to afford a fair market two bedroom apartment, yet, the average renter’s wage is just $17.28. Despite this, the City of San Diego is trying to take away federal money that provides a source of relief.

Ed Harris, the newly appointed City Councilmember for District 2, will be attending the OB Town Council meeting this Wednesday, April 23rd. Harris was appointed to the seat by the City Council from an initial field of twenty applicants – many from OB and Point Loma. Harris will formally introduce himself to the community at this event and is expected to say a few words about his priorities for the next 8 months, until at which time, the newly-elected Councilperson will take over the seat.

Come celebrate

The Green Store’s 25th Anniversary

Saturday, April 26th, 1 pm to 6 pm

Music, Speakers, Refreshments, Silent auction
& Raffle Prizes from Local Businesses

4843 B Voltaire Street

Opening 25 years ago on Earth Day 1989 folks who began The Green Store embarked on a journey to try and “save the world and O.B”, working with groups such as the Ocean Beach Greens, Rainforest Action Network, Earth First, Greenpeace, The Save OB Coalition and Ocean Beach Grassroots Organization among others.

By Zach Affolter / Special to the OB Rag

A group of 80-100 protesters stood just outside SeaWorld California on Easter, April 20, lining the edges of the sidewalk from the lights directing the cars to a distance stretching farther than a SeaWorld tank could ever hope to reach. The bushes just outside the chain-link fences of the park were littered with plastic bags and discarded trash. A few protesters looked at the filth in disgust.

A few others, just joining the group, walked over with a red light glaring above them to grab a sign, hoping the words would awaken passersby. As the light changed to green, cars whizzed on by, obeying the command.

strong>Clean Streets Initiative – OB to Rally OB Volunteers to Join SurfRider Clean-up at OB Pier

By Johnny Caito

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26th. I Love a Clean San Diego is holding its 12th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup at sites throughout the county.

The Cleaner Streets Initiative-Ocean Beach (CSI-OB) is recruiting volunteers for the OB Pier site, hosted by the Surfrider Foundation. The Cleaner Streets Initiative-OB group is dedicated to community beautification in OB, with the mission of keeping OB a beautiful place.

Bob Dylan once sang that “the times they are a changing,” which today still rings true in OB. Yes, it’s true that OB is changing, and with change comes more crowds, busier streets, and unfortunately, more litter. These changes also bring a greater need for community activism.

By Cara Wilson-Granat

This is the second in a series of ten in which we meet one of the San Diego 10 orcas and hear from an advocate who continues to be one of the voices of these imprisoned voiceless, never stopping until the whole world listens.

Prisoner #2: Kasatka

Age: About 36

Captured off the coast of Iceland, on October 26, 1978, Kasatka was just one year old when torn from her pod. Kasatka, whose name comes from the generic Russian derivative of the word “orca,” is 17.7 feet (5.4m) long and weighs 5,950 pounds (2,700 kg.)

Each of Kasatka’s children is captive born. She gave birth to four offspring: Takara, Nakai, Kalia, and Makani. Nakai, born on September 1, 2001, is the first orca to be born as a result of artificial insemination. While his mother, Kasatka, lived in California, his father, Tilikum, was in Florida. Tilikum is featured in the documentary, “Blackfish.” More on Nakai later in this series.