Mayor Sanders speaks @ the OB Library

Mayor Jerry Sanders held a press conference today outside the Ocean Beach branch of the San Diego library to announce his decision to cut City employee salaries in favor of keeping libraries and other public services open.

"When I rode in the parade last December the community of Ocean Beach shouted 'Save our Library!'" said Sanders. "Well, I heard you loud and clear....of all the difficult decisions to make this one was easy."

Community members cheered at Sander's announcement, and many vowed their support in the upcoming the battle over the City's budget.

"It's not over yet", said Councilman Kevin Faulconer in his speech following the mayor's, "but it's a good day for Ocean Beach."

OB Brings a New Event to town!

This year the OB MainStreet added a new event to its annual lineup: the Ocean Beach Rock the Globe Music Festival!

Each year the OB MainStreet Association hosts a slew of fun community events to draw visitors and shoppers to our small town.

Rock the Globe, a live music festival at the foot of Newport Ave. will take place Saturday, April 18th from approx. 9am to 9pm.

Rock the Globe will feature not only live music, but also earth-conscious food and craft vendors, a family-friendly area, and an affordable beer garden.

Call 619.224.4906, email info@oceanbeachsandiego.com, or visit http://oceanbeachsandiego.com/index.shtml for more information.

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.