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

$45 Million Wave Pool Coming to San Diego — Only 3 Miles from Beach in Oceanside

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:54:46 +0200

After years of lawsuits, delays, and archeological surprises, Oceanside’s Ocean Kamp surf lagoon is finally under construction near real ocean waves.

By Dashel Pierson / SURFER / Apr 7, 2026 Key Points

The $45 million Oceanside wave pool project is finally moving forward after years of delays.
The 92-acre mixed-use development will include a 3.5-acre customizable surf lagoon as centerpiece.
Developers aim to open before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; no official date yet.
News about Oceanside’s inbound wave pool is, well, nothing new.

The San Diego, CA project has been in the works for years, in fact, but there’s been a number of setbacks that have left the manmade surf park – located near the coast, and one of the Golden State’s popular, although sleepy, surf towns – in something like limbo. But now, it appears the $45 million project is moving finally moving forward. Previously, some four years ago, the Ocean Kamp project had been announced and everything seemed to be moving forward. But then, it stalled. The project got embroiled in a number of hurdles – including lawsuits, city approvals, and the discovery of Native American artifacts on the site. And so, the bureaucratic hoops, as they say, were set. Construction on the project is currently underway, and according to the video above, the narrator describes: “A massive surf lagoon is coming to Oceanside, San Diego, and they’re targeting to have it finished by the [Los Angeles] 2028 Olympics…the centerpiece of this project is a $45 million surf lagoon. It’s going to have a 3.5-acre wave pool, which produces perfect, customizable waves all year round.”

11 Years Ago, the City Promised Skyline a New Fire Station — All They Got Was a Firetruck Under a Tent

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:38:40 +0200

Firefighters Live in a Trailer

by Mariana Martínez Barba / Voice of San Diego / April 16, 2026 In 2015, construction workers plowed through an abandoned gas station in southeastern San Diego to make way for a new, temporary fire station. The site, which would house a fire engine and an ambulance, was opening to improve emergency response times in the area after our reporting revealed people died of gunshot wounds and overdoses because emergency responders came too late. Then-Mayor Kevin Faulconer applauded the city’s efforts at a press conference outside the soon-to-be station in 2015. He made a bold promise: “In two to three years, we will begin building a permanent fire station right here on this very spot.” That never happened. Instead, Fire Station 51 is still a temporary fire station. The fire truck sits under a large tent and firefighters’ living quarters are a mobile trailer. George Duardo, president of the San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145, has worked more than 100 shifts as a firefighter at Fire Station 51. He said it does not meet the standards of a “modern fire station.”

San Diego Unified to Offer Free After-School Care at All Elementary and Middle Schools

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:22:06 +0200

By Katie Anastas / KPBS / April 15, 2026 The San Diego Unified School District will offer free after-school child care for all elementary and middle school students starting next school year. The district’s PrimeTime program is already at all 144 elementary and middle schools in the district, but space has been limited. At the start of the 2025-26 school year, about 7,000 students were on the waitlist. The demand has grown over the last several years, said Tobie Pace, the district’s senior director of extended learning opportunities. “Working families in San Diego County need quality, safe places for their kids to go,” she said.

The Vatican Can Elude Trump Threats by Awarding Him ‘the Order of the Golden Spur’ (Yes, It’s a Real Thing)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:41:55 +0200

By Steve Rodriguez Up until last week, even critics of President Donald Trump found it hard to accept that his war rhetoric could get much more extreme, or his threats against both enemies and traditional allies more outrageous. However, recent news about the Pentagon’s interaction with the Vatican, along with Trump comments made in the past few days that are highly critical of Pope Leo XIV, have proven such concepts wrong. Fortunately for the Vatican, I contend the Pope, a critic of Trump’s actions and words related to the Iranian War, does possess a unique advantage he can employ to escape our president’s wrath. According to reports in the Free Press, the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. was summoned in January to the Pentagon, where he was advised the Vatican needs to play ball with the Trump administration’s efforts in the area of national security. Pentagon officials supposedly asserted the U.S. has the military power to “do whatever it wants” and that “the Church had better take its side.” while making references to “the period in the 1300’s when the French Crown leveraged its military power to dominate the Avignon Papacy.” The threat sounds right out of The Sopranos, something akin to a thug character threatening …“Nice Sistine Chapel you got there, padre. Be a real shame if it should be damaged in a bombing.”

3 Point Loma High Students Sweep District-Wide Video Contest on School Safety

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:29:20 +0200

by Dave Schwab / Times of San Diego / April 14, 2026 Three Point Loma High School students have swept first through third places in a districtwide public service announcement contest about school safety — and earned $2,500 for their efforts. First place and $1,200 in prize money went to Seraphina Bush for her video titled “Life is Worth Too Much,” offering an anti-suicide message. Her work is especially poignant, given that a PLHS student tragically ended her life on campus in 2024 while a school football game was happening nearby. ... Second place, along with its $800 in prize money, went to Natalia Ritterman for “PSA.SSSS.” Third place and $500 in contest winnings were claimed by London Kwasizur for his video “Ebike.” All three students are in the class of theatre instructor Anthony Palmiotto.

A Deep, Deep Dive Into the Old Point Loma Lighthouse

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:12:50 +0200

by Daniel Zeller / CNM VIP Voice / December 2013 Introduction Much has been written about the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and this paper brings together from multiple sources a single summary of information that will be useful to Cabrillo National Monument staff, volunteers, and guests. Interpretation Period We interpret the lighthouse as being set in the year 1887, and we do this for two main reasons. First, the lighthouse was painted white in 1887, and if we were to accurately interpret the lighthouse prior to that year, we would have to strip the white protective paint from the house and revert to the natural color of the sandstone blocks, exposing them to the elements and erosion. Obviously, this is not an option. Second, by interpreting later in the life of the lighthouse, we have more history to look at than if we interpreted at the beginning of the lighthouse’s life. The flag that we fly on the flagpole outside of the lighthouse has 38 stars representing the 38 states in the United States in 1887. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse Site Selection Chief Topographer, U.S. Coast Survey, A.M. Harrison recommended the location of the Point Loma Lighthouse near the end of Point Loma 422 feet above sea level during his survey in 1851.

Coastal Commission Approves Drone Trial for Sea World — Yet Critics Still Wary of Its Treatment of Dolphins and Whales

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:56:42 +0200

By Jennifer Van Grove / San Diego Union-Tribune / April 16, 2026 SeaWorld San Diego will soon light up the night sky over Mission Bay in a whole new way as it embarks on a yearlong test of a more eco-friendly alternative to its frequent fireworks displays. On Wednesday April 15, the California Coastal Commission approved a coastal development permit for a one-year pilot program — the first of its kind in the state — that allows the San Diego theme park to conduct up to 110, 15-minute drone shows, each using as many as 1,000 illuminated autonomous aircraft. The permit, which defines the boundaries for the drone show and allows the aerial vehicles to fly up to 660 feet in the sky, also requires the theme park to monitor its first two shows and a portion of the rest to document noise impacts, light levels and bird strikes.

Sunset Cliffs Continue to Erode — Bluff Section Broke Off April 14th

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:16 +0200

By Alex Cheney / CBS8 / April 15, 2026 A section of the bluff near the Arch atset Cliffs broke off yesterday morning [April 14], prompting warnings from geologists and local safety experts about the dangers of cliff diving in the area. The collapse occurred near a popular spot where people frequently jump from an arch that extends from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Warning signs posted in the area alert visitors to potential fines and possible arrests for jumping. Natural geological processes caused the collapse, according to a geology professor at SDSU. "This is not an unexpected event here at all," said Dr. Pat Abbott. The rocks surrounding the cliff are 75 million years old and fracture as the earth moves and waves crash against the cliffside. "And those natural fractures mother nature's fractures occasionally then gravity will pull one of those blocks off and it'll hit the ground. And you can even see the fracture edges on that bluff it looks like it was cut during construction it's so perfectly cut," said Dr. Pat Abbott.

Water Quality Advisories Still in Effect at Dog Beach and Various Sites Around Mission Bay

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:52:36 +0200

There are still water quality advisories in effect at Dog Beach in OB all the way to 300 feet south of the River outlet, according to the County of San Diego Beach Water Quality website. This has been in effect since April 2th under the catch-all advisory: "Bacteria levels exceed health standards. Avoid water contact in the advisory area." This is the statement on the Water Quality Board website:

Advisories are issued to warn beach users as follows: - A Bacterial Exceedance Advisory is issued when ocean or bay water sample results exceed State health standards due to high bacteria levels. - A Precautionary Advisory is issued when DEHQ determines there is a potential for elevated bacteria due to dredging, lagoon opening or other sources in the vicinity of coastal areas.

Raise Your Voice (or Keyboard) to Get San Diego City Council to Reform Downtown Parking Meter Rates — Thursday, April 16

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:25:47 +0200

The City continues to charge $10 per hour at downtown parking meters during Padres' games and other "special events". Padres' fans are definitely not the only ones subject to this outrageous fee, which starts two hours before the event, and continues for four hours from the event's start time, for a total of six hours. The area subject to this $60 per event fee extends well beyond any logical boundaries, all the way north to Broadway, and east to 17th Street and the I-5. Worse, it's a devastatingly regressive tax, because it penalizes renters who don't have off-street parking, and can only park at meters. It hurts downtown's restaurants and small businesses, who lose customers who can't or won't pay $10 an hour to buy groceries, mail a package, or eat a meal.

More Spotlights on the District 2 Candidates: OB Planning Board Video and Interviews by ‘Explore Clairemont’

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:14:09 +0200

Here's more on the District 2 candidates -- first in a video of the April 7 Ocean Beach Planning Board meeting where 3 candidates were questioned, and second, in interviews of 3 candidates by the editor of Explore Clairemont, an online platform.

OB Planning Board video

-- here. Only three were present as per plan by the OBPB. They will interview others at the next board meeting. [Video is not the best, but audio and captions work well.]

Interviews of Bailey, Rickey and Crosby by Explore Clairemont publisher Tanja Kropf

Belmont Park Readies for Summer Crowds with New Attractions and Rehab of Giant Dipper

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:54:39 +0200

Belmont Park in Mission Beach is unveiling a multimillion-dollar revamp just in time for the busy summer season, featuring upgrades to its historic Giant Dipper roller coaster and new attractions for visitors. The nearly century-old amusement park expects about 150,000 visitors during peak summer months as families return to enjoy the updated rides, beachfront views and classic attractions. One of the park’s most iconic features, the Giant Dipper, recently underwent a $1.6 million rehabilitation project focused on improving the ride experience. “So the Giant Dipper, which just turned 100 years old last year, it's going into a 101st birthday in July, just went under a six-week rehab this past February,” said Sarah Abelsohn, marketing director for Belmont Park. The work primarily focused on smoothing out the wooden track to enhance comfort for riders while preserving the coaster’s historic charm. In addition to the coaster upgrades, Belmont Park has introduced new attractions, including a free-access play structure near Shipwreck Cove designed for younger visitors and families.

Mayor Gloria Proposes the Worst Budget for San Diego Since Jerry Sanders

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:33:28 +0200

By David Garrick / San Diego Union-Tribune / April 15, 2026 San Diego would sharply reduce funding for local arts organizations, city libraries, recreation centers and many other programs in a proposed budget for the new fiscal year Mayor Todd Gloria will release Wednesday. The proposed $2.2 billion spending plan would close a projected $146 million deficit with $26 million from worker furloughs, $44 million in new revenue and $76 million in service cuts that would come with about 130 layoffs. The budget, which will be debated and adjusted by the mayor and the City Council between now and June, also merges three city departments into others and eliminates entirely the Office of Child and Youth Success. Other cuts include homeless services, facilities maintenance, zoning enforcement, park rangers, restroom closures in some parks and elimination of a team that adds bike lanes across the city. The cuts are required because of recent employee pay raises, including 23% hikes over three years awarded to most workers in 2023, and relatively sluggish growth in city revenue. Hotel tax revenue is projected to decrease 3% when it usually goes up about 6% per year, sales tax revenue is expected to rise 2% instead of its usual 4% and property tax revenue is projected to rise 4% instead of its usual 6%.

A New Savior Making People Better

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:18:53 +0200

By Joni Halpern We have a new savior. We saw his picture on the holy card of Truth Social. He wasn’t exactly like the old Jesus, but the new look was brighter overall. The new savior’s hair was shiny blond and precisely coiffed, as if he had emerged from a salon only minutes before ministering to the crowd of sick people and worshipers. His white cassock looked as if it were a discard from a “Call the Midwife” scene, just before the wet, bloody baby is hauled into the world, spoiling the bleached white garment of the imperturbable midwife. The red shawl that draped over the new savior’s shoulders was only shades darker than the ruddy red complexion of his face. In this picture, the new savior’s eyes were nothing like those in the portrait that presently adorns the walls of federal buildings. None of that glowering, sinister presence that dares his supplicants to ask for mercy. The image of the new savior does contain some anomalies, of course: fighter jets and warriors riding the rays of the sun above a battle flag; the Statute of Liberty stuffed into a small space between the worshipful face of a soldier gazing at the new savior; an adoring nurse looking upward at the new savior’s right hand, which lies upon the forehead of a presumably sick fellow slumbering on a pillow, his head emitting rays of blinding light due to his contact with the new savior; the palm of the new savior’s left hand holding a concentrated source of light, and finally, a couple of other contented admirers whose faces and prayerful hands suggest they have finally contacted the Real Thing.

The Campaign to Restore the Cape May Lifeguard Chair — After Someone Took a Hatchet to It

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:04:57 +0200

On the beach at the end of Cape May in the sand has stood what locals call "The Lifeguard Chair" -- a neighborhood treasure that has been maintained and repaired by people who live on those sandy blocks. However, lately - after locals spend hours and money on repairing the chair after it had been swept out to the water during a storm -- someone with a hatchet walked up to it at night and destroyed it. People were heartbroken ... but they haven't given up. They've established a gofundme to raise dough to rebuilt the chair "one again." Here's their statement:

The Cape May community is coming together to repair 'The Lifeguard Chair,' a beloved fixture on the beach in front of our neighborhood for nearly two decades. This chair has been a gathering spot, a symbol of our shared love for the ocean, and a project that many neighbors have poured their time and resources into over the years. After a recent storm destroyed the chair, a group of us spent countless hours and hundreds of dollars rebuilding it, determined to keep this tradition alive for everyone who enjoys our beach.

New Owner of The Black Finally Revealed — Plans Grand Opening in Late April

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:38:37 +0200

The new owner of The Black has been finally revealed! He's Peter Yaldo, a local businessman from Chula Vista, but with strong family ties to Ocean Beach. His uncle is the landlord of the building where The Black rents and that's where he met up with Kurt Dornbusch, the now former owner. Dornbusch did still had a lease obligation on the space. Yaldo assumed Dornbusch’s lease and acquired The Black. Yaldo had a "soft opening" on April 6th and plans a grand opening later in the month. Here's the details from Steve Anderson's great piece at Times of San Diego

In early February, The Black announced it was closing its doors for good.

Owner Kurt Dornbusch announced his retirement after 45 years at the helm, ending The Black’s 57-year run as a defining countercultural landmark on Newport Avenue.

What’s Going On at Foot of Narragansett?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:26:09 +0200

Rag intrepid reporter Geoff Page checked out what was going on at the foot of Narragansett. The Rag was prompted by a reader who requested we investigate the scene, and "request immediate clarification regarding the apparent staging and anticipated installation of fencing at the western terminus of Narragansett Avenue in Ocean Beach, near the coastal open space and shoreline access points adjacent to the pier area." Instead of a written report, Geoff offered these photos.

A (Brief) Reader Rant: ‘My April Property Tax Bill Increased by Over $500 Due to the Added Trash Fee’

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:07:28 +0200

Letter to City of San Diego & Mayor Todd Gloria By Shannon Greenlee

My April property tax bill increased by over $500 due to the added trash fee — and that’s only one of two annual payments.

If I refuse to pay the portion related to the trash fee increase (more than $1,000 total), I face penalties and even the risk of losing my home.

Fun and Games With Richard Bailey, Candidate for District 2: New PAC and a Political Parody

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:53:48 +0200

Today, we're having fun and games with Richard Bailey, a candidate for District 2 of the San Diego City Council. First, a new PAC for Bailey has just been announced. This is serious stuff. But it's also a game. Steven Richter, a semi-retired tax attorney, is the principal officer for ‘SD Policy over Politics’, the new PAC. Here's Arturo Castañares' write up about the new PAC, published April 13. Castañares is the editor at large of La Prensa.

A longtime Point Loma resident has launched a new political action committee (PAC) to support a candidate in the upcoming election for San Diego City Council, according to documents filed with the California Secretary of State last week.

Mandy Havlik: ‘Why I’m Running: Your Neighbor at City Hall’

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:15:02 +0200

By Mandy Havlik, Candidate for San Diego City Council District 2 I didn’t decide to run for City Council sitting behind a desk or at a political event. I decided to run after years of standing and advocating with neighbors asking, why is this still not fixed? After watching people I care about feeling ignored by a system that’s supposed to serve them. And one of those moments that really stayed with me happened at my kids’ school. As a new parent and the elementary school garden coordinator at Ocean Beach Elementary, I started noticing traffic safety issues along Santa Monica and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Cars moving too fast. Lack of signage. No designated pick and drop off area. Kids walking and biking through an area that didn’t feel designed to protect them and keep them safe. It wasn’t something difficult. It was about protecting my kids and other children in the neighborhood. So I did what I’ve always done, I spoke up. I went to the school administration, thinking this would be something we could work on together. Protecting children shouldn’t be complicated or controversial. But instead of support, I was met with hesitation. Questions about liability. Deflection. A sense that this wasn’t really the school’s responsibility, that it belonged somewhere else.