OB Rag — Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

Chemicals in Artificial Sweetener Splenda Damage Human DNA

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:33:27 +0200

By Delaney Eyermann / WRAL / Jun. 1, 2023 A new study discovered that a chemical found in sucralose, which is sold under the trade name Splenda, damages DNA. Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found sucralose-6-acetate, the chemical that forms when we digest Splenda, is “genotoxic,” meaning it breaks up DNA.

Making Amanda’s Dream for a Better Us Is Up to Us

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:16:57 +0200

by Ernie McCray Amanda Gorman gifted us with “The Hill We Climb” at an inaugural celebration, a poem inspiring hope which hangs on weakly by a thread in our nation, a poem a parent had removed from a school because in her narrowed way of looking at things

San Diego Planning Commission Chair: ‘SB 10 is fatally flawed’ — Decision Put Off Until August

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:05:35 +0200

After a 5-hour hearing Thursday, June 1, on Mayor Todd Gloria’s Housing Action Plan which would incorporate the implementation of Senate Bill 10, the San Diego Planning Commission decided they needed more time to evaluate the proposal and voted to take it up again on August 3rd. Senate Bill 10 was the prominent source for debate in council chambers during public comment. The most significant criticism of the bill by far was that it becomes irreversible once the City opts in. CBS8 reported:

About 70 people filled council chambers in addition to a few dozen who called in over the phone, and while the majority spoke out against SB 10, a handful of supporters showed up too.

Fight Intensifies for San Diego’s Future and Against Gloria’s Housing Policies

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:03:03 +0200

There is a fight going on for the future of San Diego and against the housing policies of Mayor Gloria. And right now, it is intensifying. You can see it in the almost daily letters to the editor at the U-T where angry residents complain about how their neighborhoods are under attack. We saw it in early May when 600 to 800 people rallied against Senate Bill 10 and Gloria's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans -- from University City to the College area, from Clairemont to Hillcrest and from North Park to Normal Heights. We saw it at a contentious City Council subcommittee meeting where only one vote sent Gloria's plans to the full council. We saw it when the Committee of Community Planners came out against the policies. And today, we are witnessing the fight move to the San Diego Housing Commission where community groups are raising the alert as the Commission considers Gloria's Housing Action Plan 2.0. One group, for instance, Save Our Heritage Organization, fears that San Diego’s implementation of Senate Bill 10 will bring negative changes to the exemption of historic sites and historic districts. What's this all about? Gloria has proposed a swath of housing policies that ostensibly aim to boost housing construction. One of them would have San Diego become the only city to implement Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), a controversial bill that became state law last year.

Our Land of OZ at the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:46:51 +0200

By Kathy Blavatt Did you know Sunset Cliffs Natural Park has its version of a Yellow Brick Road? It is a sight to behold. Instead of the land of Oz's Yellow Brick Road, the park's walkways are dirt pathways that meander the cliffs and the hillsides. The Sunset Cliffs Natural Park paths are devoid of fields of OZ’s poppies, but instead paths are lined with countless yellow daisies that blanket the landscape. The cliffside pathways lead to magical views.

Breakfast Republic Sued by Employees for Failure to Pay Wages, Overtime, Tips and Provide Meal Periods

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:06:33 +0200

Breakfast Republic -- the well-known eatery -- is being sued by its employees for a swath of violations of California labor law. According to the class action lawsuit, Breakfast Republic's eight corporate entities, including its Ocean Beach site at 4839 Newport, allegedly violated California Labor by failing to:

(1) pay minimum wages; (2) pay overtime wages; (3) provide required meal and rest periods;

‘The OB Pier Is Rising’ — A Video by Charles Landon

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:42:51 +0200

Enjoy this brand new video of "The OB Pier Is Rising" by Charles Landon.

A Small Miracle — Part II: Video of Portuguese Festa in Point Loma

Wed, 31 May 2023 20:29:43 +0200

A Small Miracle: International Film Crew Meets Portuguese Festa in Point Loma Part II: Video By Colleen O'Connor Here is the Portuguese Festa Video, edited by Danny Cheng--the small miracle. No need to sign on. Just click on link and wait a few seconds.

OB Elementary Will Be Launch Site for Luminosity’s July 4th Drone Light Show

Wed, 31 May 2023 20:18:56 +0200

Ocean Beach Elementary School has been selected as the venue for the upcoming Fourth of July Drone Light Show. The Luminosity Steering Committee, in collaboration with the City of San Diego, is finalizing details to launch 300 drones from the school premises for the performance. Initially, Dog Beach was the intended launch site. However, because of nearby sensitive habitats, the location required permits, studies, and applications from multiple government agencies, which caused the group to pivot to OB Elementary for this year.

“To ensure the show takes place in 2023, we had to swiftly change our plans and choose an alternate site,” said Mike James, co-chair of Luminosity. “In many ways, this location is even better as it is more centrally situated.”

Circulate San Diego’s Undue Influence at City Hall and Lobbying for Legislation Violate Non-Profit Rules

Wed, 31 May 2023 20:07:30 +0200

By Geoff Page This piece is an examination of a “non-profit” organization named Circulate San Diego, referred to as CSD here. It claims to be a nonprofit, public benefit corporation doing good for the community by advocating for “active transportation” and walkable neighborhoods. Research into CSD’s affairs clearly shows a very close association with the San Diego development industry, which is gleefully in lock step with the YIMBY urbanists because they advocate building with no restrictions. CSD is also in lockstep with the current crop of politicians in city hall and it exercises an outsized influence in the affairs of this city. The problem is that CSD’s operations appear to potentially violate IRS rules governing a tax-exempt organization and California rules for a nonprofit corporation. CSD looks like it's a political instrument dedicated to helping the development industry and the political career of its CEO, Colin Parent, who is currently running for a seat in the California assembly.

Tina Turner: Simply the Best

Wed, 31 May 2023 18:59:47 +0200

by Ernie McCray Tina Turner. Gone. I first saw her on stage around 1957 or ’58, and it was love at first sight. Couldn’t help myself, if I tried with all my might. Not with the way she and the Ikettes moved and grooved

Action Alert: San Diego Residents Urged to Contact Planning Commission by Thursday, June 1

Tue, 30 May 2023 20:43:32 +0200

From Neighbors for a Better San Diego - May 30, 2023 The Mayor's Planning Department continues its push with the Housing Action Plan (HAP) 2.0, which includes the SB 10 opt-in. The next opportunity to push back against San Diego’s proposed SB 10 implementation is the Planning Commission meeting this Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 9 AM.

Coronado Residents Protest Sewage and Contaminated Water

Tue, 30 May 2023 19:44:21 +0200

By Megan Kitt / The Coronado Times / May 29, 2023 This year, Memorial Day kicked off a “summer of misery” – at least that’s how Laura Wilkinson Sinton, who is fed up with beach closures related to ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis, describes it. “What do we want? Stop the poop!” chanted more than 50 people at a protest on Saturday. “When do we want it? Now!” The protest was organized by Wilkinson Sinton and Marely Ramirez, who pulled it together in just three days after researching the extent of the sewage problem.

One Love Story Giving Rise to Another

Tue, 30 May 2023 19:20:20 +0200

by Ernie McCray I was moving my old bones to the music of San Diego’s Hoover High School Mariachi Band which put me in a deeply responsive mood for what was next that afternoon, a premiere of “A Chicano Love Story,” a documentary featuring Linda and Carlos LeGerrette, two of Cesar Chavez’s most valued right-hand woman and man.

A Small Miracle: International Film Crew Meets Portuguese Festa in Point Loma

Tue, 30 May 2023 19:10:07 +0200

By Colleen O'Connor Want some positive news with a great cast of characters? It was all there in full, glorious color Sunday, May 29, with wonderful moments, and two distinct cultures sharing the sights and sounds of Point Loma’s Festa De Spiritus Sanctus and on full display during the parade route on Avenida del Portugal to St. Agnes Church in Point Loma A 700-year old tradition that commemorates Portugal’s Queen St. Isable, who (during a famine) promised the Holy Spirit to give her crown to the Church, “if sent a miracle, so my people will be relieved of their hunger.”

OB Slumlord ‘Transitioning’ Into Short-Term Rental Business

Fri, 26 May 2023 21:40:53 +0200

Michael Mills has a reputation in Ocean Beach among our renter population. He owns over 300 rental units exclusively within OB, and is purchasing more. These are all multi-family structures ranging from 2 to 37 units. He is a convicted slumlord, and was forced by the court to turn over management of his rentals to a 3rd party. (For more background on Michael Mills, see this Rag article from 2016.) Here's a quote:

Mills owns a lot of property in Ocean Beach – many rental units. And he has a long history buying up properties, raising rents, and maintaining sub-standard living conditions.

Disappointing Turnout for OB Town Council’s Pier Update — No Word on Pier’s Repair or Re-opening

Fri, 26 May 2023 21:07:07 +0200

By Geoff Page The event noticed here in the OB Rag on Tuesday, May 23rd, titled the “OB Pier Update & Discussion” came off as advertised. It was sponsored by the Ocean Beach Town Council and held at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library. As noted in The Rag “(and there’s plenty of parking),” was accurate, but plenty went unoccupied. The advance notice for this gathering was, unfortunately, not well done as evidenced by the attendance. There were 12 people at the live event and three more attending virtually. While the OBTC’s effort was well-intentioned, the result was a missed opportunity, not a total loss, but underwhelming. The OBTC has a Facebook page and the meeting video is posted there. It is not clear why the OBTC relies on Facebook when it has its own website. Many people do not use Facebook, posting to the OBTC website would make it easier to access. Hopefully, many more people will view the video. To access the Facebook page go here and click on the Facebook icon on the bottom left corner of the home page. The event consisted of a presentation by James Nagelvoort, City of San Diego, and a question-and-answer period. Nagelvoort is the Director of a group within the Capital Improvements Program titled Strategic Capital Projects Department.

Transforming NTC Building 178 Into a Performing Arts Center – A Photo Gallery

Thu, 25 May 2023 23:18:01 +0200

From Peninsula Newsletter / May 25, 2023

Battle Over Northeast Mission Bay: Recent Backlash to City’s Plans Is Against Initial Backlash by Environmentalists

Thu, 25 May 2023 22:50:19 +0200

There's been a battle going on over the future of northeast Mission Bay for at least the last 7 years, but just recently in what the U-T described as "a powerful backlash this spring from tennis players, golfers, boating clubs, campers and supporters of youth sports," this new push-back appears to be on the late side. Folks in this backlash claim that "the city’s plan to replace some recreational areas with hundreds of acres of climate-friendly marshland threatens vital local institutions that have been part of San Diego’s civic fiber for more than 50 years. Those institutions include Campland by the Bay, the Mission Bay Golf Course, the Pacific Beach Tennis Club, Bob McEvoy Youth Fields and the Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club,"

Due to City’s Neglect, Local Planning Boards in Point Loma and Ocean Beach Faltering Before Our Eyes

Wed, 24 May 2023 20:50:49 +0200

It's a sad but predictable truth, that the local planning boards of Point Loma -- Ocean Beach, Peninsula and Midway -- are faltering before our very eyes. And it's all due to the city of San Diego's neglect. Take the following as prima facie evidence of this maddening trend. Ocean Beach Planning Board The OB Board has been struggling this past year in maintaining enough members to serve. At their May 3 monthly meeting, "there were only eight of ten board members attending for a board this is supposed to have 16 members," as Rag reporter Geoff Page observed. Getting OBceans to turn out for their annual elections has also been a challenge over the last several years, not discounting the pandemic. And despite a potentially controversial or contentious issue of planned roundabouts on Bacon Street on the agenda, Page reported, "There was only one person in the audience during the board meeting besides this writer and the District 2 representative."