Getting to work on the OB09 Street Fair ...

It may seem early but we have so much work to do. The 30th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair, June 27th, 2009, is going to be huge this year. Absolutely huge.

Worthy of many months of planning, this event will be THE thing to do this summer in San Diego, so be sure to get your 2009 calendars now and mark them for Saturday, June 27th.

Much of our early work is dedicated to finding volunteers and sponsors for the event.

So far, we would like to thank the Ocean Beach Community Foundation for its constant support throughout the years, along with our volunteers already involved.

We would also like to thank Teddy Wigler and Beach Music Mafia for their tireless dedication to making sure only the best music appears on our 5 stages.

As I said, OB09 is going to be HUGE. If you wish to be part of something huge, volunteer with us...sponsor us...we'd love to have you =)

A shot from our first meeting...the wheels begin to turn...

OB Going Global by Staying Local...

Logo design by Charles Schiele Creative


Holidays are about cheer, togetherness, and avoiding big malls.

That’s right. With $.60 of every $1 spent at your local stores remaining in your community (according to the SBA), your holiday cheer will go much further if you shop local and avoid the big malls.

By shopping local this holiday season – and all year round – you’ll do more than find that special gift for that special someone. With all that Ocean Beach has to offer, shopping local is a win-win for everyone.

So next time you find yourself headed to your car to a big chain store, remind yourself of these key reasons to keep your car right where it is and head to your local Main Street:

· Shopping local keeps dollars in our local economy. As stated earlier, keeping 60 percent of your spending money in your local community makes a world of difference. According to the SBA, only $.20 of each dollar spent at a chain store gets re-circulated into the community, while only $.06 of each dollar spent a ‘Big Box’ retailer gets re-circulated.

· Shopping local fosters what makes our community unique. Why give the same gifts and decorate your home the same as everyone else in the country? Go different!

· Shopping local creates local jobs. Local businesses create better paying jobs than the big stores. Plus, employees save on gas and emissions by not having to drive to work.

· Shopping local helps the environment. Not only do we save on transportation, but also products at local businesses are safe and well made because our neighbors are passionate about what they sell and stand by their products and services.

· Shopping local nurtures our community. We all know each other (or should). Studies show that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of big chain stores.

· Shopping local conserves tax dollars. Shopping in your local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify the community. Avoid the malls and online shopping and conserve energy and transport. Help build a park rather than fill a pothole.

· Shopping local creates more choice. Local business owners listen to their customers and sell based on your needs and wants. They also carry a wider variety of unique products to meet the specific needs of the local market.

· Shopping local takes advantage of local expertise. We are all friends and neighbors and have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. Local business owners are passionate about what they do, so why not take advantage?

· Shopping local invests in entrepreneurship. Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is all about. As President-Elect Obama stated in his Election Night speech, “How can Wall Street strive while Main Street struggles?” It won’t.

And finally,

· Shopping local makes our community a destination. The more we attract guests, visitors, and new neighbors, the more our community can thrive. Ocean Beach is world-known for its uniqueness – in large part because of our local businesses.

With all that Ocean Beach has to offer, you can meet all your needs right here. So leave your car in the driveway this holiday season and come shop and celebrate with your friends and neighbors. By avoiding the big malls, you’ll do more to spread the holiday cheer.

Proud to be an Obecian

I love OB, and I especially love OB on the 4^th of July.

But I have to confess something: I wasn’t there this year.

It was my birthday, and somehow along my usual birthday wanderings I ended up on a boat in the San Diego bay instead of getting pelted with marshmallows by the pier.

The shows were amazing. About 5 communities synchronized their displays, and I saw all of them sitting at the front (bow?) of the boat: Downtown, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Point Loma, and Midway.

The shows were incredible—in their pre-packaged-guaranteed-to-thrill kind of way.

But then I turned towards the back of the boat (starboard?) and saw something else:

I saw smiley faces, and stars, and peace signs, and so many cool things I didn’t see in the other 5 across the bay. Not synchronized. Not in tune with anyone else (except the Sophie station)—just amazing—as is.

I was so proud.

The OB show ended just as the others did. As I sat in the middle of the bay I visualized the first marshmallow getting lobbed across a fire pit, then another one. In my head I saw the madness erupt and promised myself I would be there next year.

I’m not sorry I wasn’t there this year because I got to see OB represent itself:

Our fireworks are a lot like us: not synchronized, not in tune with anyone else—just amazing—as is.

a new taste in town

If you need a break from the Newport Ave. crowds during the June 28^th Street Fair (or any time during the hectic summer) head south to Point Loma Beach Café, where new owners are working hard to present new flavors to Ocean Beach.

Adriana and Tim Wright moved from Austin, Texas to OB a little over a year ago, and brought their food influences with them. On their menu you’ll find Adriana’s breakfast tacos, a carne asada sandwich, homemade pancho verde salsa, an array of smoothies, and much more.

Although prominent, you’ll find more than Texan and Mexican influences in their food: according to Nathan Dinsdale, of San Diego City Beat, the Melt sandwich “is a beautiful, beautiful thing.” In the April 23^rd Annual Food Issue, Dinsdale stated “It’s an ideal beach picnic sandwich for people too lazy to make their own.”

Point Loma Beach Café, 1424 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., is open seven days a week from 8am to 4pm, and can be reached at 619.758.1776. The Web site is currently under construction, so they encourage everyone to stop by or call ahead for a “quick pick-up”.

“Not a lot of people know about us, but we hope to change that,” said Adriana. With a new taste in town, it’s only a matter of time before they do.

street fair

hi everyone,
this blog is so brand new and we have so much to talk about! i hope you all know (and have marked your calendars) about our Annual Street Fair and Chili Cookoff next Saturday, June 28th from 10am to 8pm.
Bands will play on 5 different stages, 2 beer gardens will be present, the traditional mural, and so much more will be happening next Saturday...you must come check it out!!
For more info please visit http://obstreetfair.com/ =)