JULY 19, 2018, The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presented A Program by Randy Dible Local Surf Photographer
What a treat to see as local surf photographer Randy Dible, who has been shooting ocean theme images for over three decades, showed his amazing photos.
Randy grew-up in Mission Beach in the 70s & 80s, and now resides on Ocean Beach. He frequently travels to Hawaii, Mexico and other exotic surf destinations. His images have been published in Surfer, Surfing, Surfer’s Journal, Ocean Magazine and other periodicals world wide.

Randy Dible photo “OB Jetty” available for sale at:

link to Randy Dible website.

 

CLAUDIA RETURNS! (Returned) JUNE 21, 2018 at Water’s Edge Faith Community at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., OB
SHE’S was BACK! Due to the popularity of her previous Ocean Beach Historical Society program Claudia Jack was back to talk about her O.B. tales going back to when she came to Ocean Beach in 1957. She showed her latest sign collection acquisitions. Claudia will ended her program with a fun new games and singing!

Thurs., May 17, 7 PM, The Ocean Beach Historical Society will present: Picture Perfect Three of O.B.’s Top Photographers, at Water’s Edge Faith Community at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., OB
The above photograph is not a police line-up… it is a photo of three of O.B.’s top photographers and OB Exposed! judges Cliff Beck, Steve Rowell, and Joe Ewing. These amazing photographers have helped preserve our local history, lifestyles and the beauty of our community. They will inspire you to want to click and catch those special O.B. moments.
Why NO OB Exposed! this year?
The Ocean Beach Historical Board is doing some revamping. The OBHS was feeling overwhelmed by having two major events only two-months apart (Wisteria Garden Party in March & OB Exposed! in May).

OBHS had a packed house at the Ocean Beach Historical Society Program April 19, for the BOOK  Premier Ocean Beach Where Land and Water Meet, By Kathy Blavatt, at Water’s Edge Faith Community.  The author talked about the making of the book with fun and interesting stories. She detailed the aspects of  why water defines Ocean Beach by its unique location where the Pacific Ocean meets the mouth of the San Diego River, alongside Mission Bay (False Bay), which connected to marsh tidal areas. She talked about the history and fabric of our unique ocean community, made up of an assortment of characters, and spirited generations of individuals, who have left their loving mark through their homes, gardens, businesses, stories, achievements, and community activities. All of this with beautiful rarely seen photos!
Upcoming Ocean Beach Where Land and Water Meet Events:
Thurs. June 14 , 7 PM  – Ocean Beach Green Center: New Book Event & Signing

 

Lovely time at the March 18th Ocean Beach Historical Society Wisteria Garden Party.
We spend the afternoon in the garden of the historic O.B. Wisteria Cottage under the largest wisteria canopy in Ocean Beach. Listen to live music including songs from the 1920s by local Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters. We had many happy winners of the  the opportunity drawing and an auction of Bill Riley’s wonderful surf sculpture. Thank you to all the donors of food and prizes, the band, and the volunteers who made this a wonderful event.

 

Believe It or Not  2018 Conference!  Happened on March 2 and 3, 2018 AT THE PORTUGUESE HISTORIC CENTER in PL: 2831 AVENIDA de Portugal, San Diego,  92106. Attendees were fortunate to have enjoyed a great conference!!! San Diego Authors sold and signed books. Speakers from around the region to share their unique neighborhood stories. Presenters includes OB Historical Society Board Members- Kathy Blavatt – From Our Local Beach to the English Channel: The Amazing Achievements of the World Champion Water Women of Ocean Beach, and Eric DuVal – It Happened at Lomaland: How the Remarkable Mr. Spalding Invented Baseball’s Mythological Beginnings. Historians shared interesting, odd, funny, beautiful, or weird stories about their particular location. For more visit the COH website: www.CongressOfHistory.org

Who is this gal? Feb. 15, 2018, the OB Historical Society program “Unique and Funny O.B. Stories”, By Kitty McDanial, Dedi Ridenour, & Jonnie Wilson, at Water’s Edge Faith Community
It was a nostalgic trip back in time with a trio of O. B. historians. Jonnie and Kitty (the comic cut-up!) regaled the audience with stories of strange things that went on at Wonderland O.B.’e early amusement park and other early OB tales as they as introduce you to some important Obecians you’ve probably never heard of, and reveal political shenanigans that went on during the early days of our beach town. (News flash: Things weren’t any better back then!) Dedi, on the other hand, focused on her favorite topic—OB and the Cliffs during World War II. She was only a child during that era (albeit a precocious one), but research done as an adult—combined with her early memories—have made her a bonafide expert on this subject.

Great program by Karen Scanlon!- Jan. 18, 2018- San Diego’s Naval Disaster and the Zeal for Conviction
It was business as usual along San Diego’s waterfront in the early morning of July 21, 1905. But a boiler explosion aboard the patrol gunboat USS Bennington, at anchor in the stream of the bay, plundered the ordinary and remains one of the deadliest peacetime disasters in the history of the United States Navy.
Immediately, a Court of Inquiry convened in San Diego. In October, the Courts Martial of Bennington’s commanding and engineering officers took place at Mare Island Naval Yard. What caused the explosion that stole the lives of 66 men? The pursuit of conviction was intense.

Have a Joyous Holiday. See you in 2018.

Nov. 16, 2017 OBHS presented: O.B. Walkabout-Talkabout, Starring: Dean Hollenbeck, Produced By Kathy and Ray Blavatt, at St. Peter’s by the Sea Lutheran Church NOT at P.L.U.M.Church (due to renovations)
Ocean Beach is known for its characters, and Dean Hollenbeck is one of our most endearing. Dean loves to walk… and talk! He has made countless friends on his meandering walks in Ocean Beach and the peninsula.
At 89-years-old Dean somedays walks up to 16 miles… though it may take him the whole day depending on how many people he talks to. Ocean Beach Historical Society’s Kathy and Ray Blavatt filmed Dean on his O.B. adventures as he spoke with other interesting longtime OBceans, toured some of their homes, and discussed their tales and histories of living in Ocean Beach.
Featured film guests included: Flickie Dormer, Virginia Davis, Shoeshine Willie, Darlene the Garden Lady, and others. We learned why these residents came to O. B, fell in love with O.B., and still live in O.B.