OBHS had a great program by Author Richard Carrico, on Sept 20, 2018- Warner Springs: A Cultural Landscape and Land of Broken Dreams, The story of Warner Springs and the surrounding area is a microcosm of the history of southern California. Situated at the foot of Hot Springs Mountain, the  highest peak in San Diego County, the sprawling valleys and hills have been the scene of massacres, insurrections, murder, alleged curses on the land, exploitation of native people, and land development focused on the sulphurous hot springs.
Richard Carrico, a well-known local author and lecturer will take the audience on a virtual tour through thousands of years of history within the area now known as Warner Springs. The cast of characters include Spanish priests, Antonio Garra an indigenous rebel leader and patriot, John J. Warner, Colonel Ed Fletcher, Charles Henshaw, John Wayne, Loretta Young, Bing Crosby, and many more.
We learned about places of intense cultural significance to local tribes, mythical rocks, forced religious conversions, confiscation of native lands, development of the hot springs, and the rich history of the modern Warner Springs Ranch Resort.

Nice article- Richard Carrico in Ocean Beach and His Story of Warner Springs Ranch:
obrag.org/2018/09/richard-carrico

Surfing is alive and well in OB when a pact house (church) turned out for FISH! The Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: Joseph Ryan – Freeway Project presents the Documentary FISH, AUG 16, at Water’s Edge Faith Community
FISH is a look at the origin and impact of the Fish Surfboard design and how it would influence surf culture 40 years later.”
Presenter: Cher Pendarvis, Surfer, Artist, Author and Local surfer
Cher introduced the film: The Fish surfboard design was innovated in Ocean Beach – Point Loma by Steve Lis in 1967. Local surfers who are passionate about the Fish surfboard design are interviewed and surfing in the film, including Steve Lis, Skip Frye, Jeff Ching, Stanley Pleskunas, Bird Huffman, Cher Pendarvis, Mitchell Peligrin, Trevor Neilsen, Cory Edging and others. Appearances by surf greats Mark Richards, David Rastovich and others.

 

An attempt to have recently closed Nati’s Mexican Restaurant building at 1852-1866 Bacon St. in Ocean Beach declared historical failed by a 7-2 vote on June 28 at the City’s Historical Resources Board. The preservation effort was spearheaded by Obecans and Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO). La Jolla attorney and HRB board member Courtney Coyle’s made a motion in favor of historically designating the Nati’s property: The motion was defeated. sdnews.com For more on Nati’s, see this.

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.