SEPT. 18, 2014 the OBHS Presented THE BATTLE OF  SAN PASQUAL  DECEMBER 1846: LOOKING THROUGH THE  HAZE OF GUNSMOKE, Featuring Richard L. Carrico, Dept. of American Indian Studies SDSU
Ever wonder what really happened at the Battle of San Pasqual on Dec.6-7, 1846? Who really won the battle between Andres Pico and the Through researcg and humor Carrico lead us through  the battle of the Californios and General Kearny and the American forces. He spoke about Kearny’s questionable objectives and how many men Kearny lead to death and injuries in the ill-fated skirmish. Carrico spoke about the role of the Kumeyaay at the village of San Pasqual and  the mysterious Indian Andre who accompanied Kit Carson to seek reinforcements. He to us how can you visit the site of the battle and learn more.
In the context of the overall events and battles of the Mexican War, the Battle of San Pasqual that occurred on Dec. 6-7, 1846 in San Diego County played a relatively minor role. In the history of California, however, and especially the history of southern California, the battle is of importance because of the military and political leaders involved (both Californio and American), the involvement of local Native American people (primarily Kumeyaay/Ipai and Luiseño), the fact that the sites of the engagements can still be visited, and the placement of the battle in the subtext of California’s cultural history and that history’s diversity.

Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: “OCEAN BEACH” A NEWLY RELEASED BOOK By the Ocean Beach Historical Society & Arcadia Publishing on AUGUST 21, 2014, to a packed crowd the  at PLUM Church in O.B.
The long awaited “OCEAN BEACH” book premiered presenters Co-Authors Kathy Blavatt & Jonnie Wilson. The book  contains O.B.’s wonderful history, new information and shows some never before published historical photos. Steve Rowell spoke about his photos in the book and Dedi Ridenhour did a brief section on Sunset Cliffs. The OBHS board members and archivists that worked on the book were also introduced. These included  Barbara Busch, Stephanie Greenwald, Jane Gawronski and Susan James. A book signing and reception  followed having guest a chance to talk with the authors. Many books and 1887 Map Posters were sold.  We thank all those who donated to this fantastic book “OCEAN BEACH”. Books available  for $21.99 plus tax: at OBHS events and local venders, Book Star P.L. and Morena Costco.

Quote: I bought 2 great job! —Gregg C., owner of a historic home in the OB book.

July 29, 2014, is NOW  a historic date in the history of Ocean Beach—The San Diego City Council approved a long-awaited update to the Ocean Beach Community Plan, which addresses issues like zoning and neighborhood character for our unique beach town.

The update plan, 12-years in the making, was given a unanimous go-ahead 

to  preserve O.B. as one of the last small beach towns in S. CA. Residents who spoke approved of O.B.’s smaller scale and railed against the kind of vacation rental development seen along M.B. amd P.B.’s boardwalk. Retaining the historical cottages was also a key point.

The Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: “WWII Comes to O.B.”, featuring Dedi Ridenouer on July 17, 2014— We were transported back to the frightening start of WWII in O.B. by hearing an Ocean Beach native tell of hearing “War is Declared!”,
seeing armed soldiers patrolling Sunset Cliffs Blvd. (her front yard), about a hair-raising 45 mile trip in blackout, martial law, and air raids. We heard the actual unpublished words of a Navy doctor’s wife contemporaneous journal describe the anxiety, bravery and courage of our local OBceans as they faced possible invasion by  Japan in the first weeks of the war. Gust heard about O.B. Elementary School’s air raid drills, finding k-rations washed up on shore, and how growing up in a war affected these children later. Dedi shared a recently found document she discovered while digging for material for the new Ocean Beach historic book. This family treasure is a 72-year-old historical piece Dedi’s own mother wrote. She shared this interesting program to a packed crowded.

The OB Historical Society Presented 105th Anniversary of Collier’s Parklands! Featured John Noble,  Kathy Blavatt and others—June 19, 2014. The OBHS celebrated an important historical gift to our peninsula. In 1909, D.C. Collier’s dream of a park for the future children of his beloved community was on it’s way to being established. A sixty acres tract on pueblo lot 206 was dedicated parkland, upon which Collier promised to plant thousand of trees without cost to the city. He’d also connect a road to the two main boulevards. 105 years later parks on the property include: Collier Park, the Point Loma Native Reserve (Garden), The Ocean Beach Community Garden and Cleater Park (ballfields). Other parts of the property are no longer public parkland.
We learned about the parks’ turbulent past, including areas that lost protection as designated parkland. Also about the home for unwed mothers that sat on the parklands’ site for decades. At the Celebrate the Collier Parkland’s 105th Anniversary the Point Loma Garden Club, donated to the O.B. Archives, a wonderful collection  about the history of establishing the Point Loma Native Preserve. Frank Gomile of the OB Rag spoke on the riots and did a wonderful brief history on Collier. The OB Rag did a story on the OBHS program and a follow-up on the parks and history at: http://obrag.org/?p=84643>

It was a hot night on May 16, 2014, but many people showed up for a lot of fun and some great photos at OB EXPOSED! at the Masonic Center. Feature MC Wonderland Series Documentarian Noah Tafolla was a hoot (See more of him on TV coming up soon on Channel 4).The photos of Ocean Beach or Point Loma this year included many color entries. We had a spectacular year for Sunsets, and our photographer caught the best of them. “People’s Choice” was a golder sunset frame shot from inside a cave at the cliffs. The photograpgher said, “The color was so great that evening no tweaking had to be done on the photo”. “Best Vintage” photo entry by Jonnie Wilson, wearing  her “Cat Glasses” in front the pier with her family, in the mid-sixties, brought back memories for many of that nostalgic time.

Congratulations to OB Exposed! 2014 Winners: BEST IN SHOW- Julie Peters-Haymes, BEST COLOR- Jaclyn Shepard, BEST BLACK & WHITE – Fran Del Santo, BEST VINTAGE- Jonnie Wilson, PEOPLE’S CHOICE- Krista M. Rayl, BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS- Michael Contos, BEST CHILD UNDER 16- Scott Williams
Special thank to the OB Business Center at 4876 Santa Monica for collecting and helping with the photos. Winners will soon be exhibited there/Humming Bird. Entrants who didn’t donate will be able to collect them there after May 20th. If not collected by Mid-June they will go into the OBHS archives. Thanks to all those that entered photos, the businesses that donated food and the volunteers and OBHS Board Members. Start your clicking shots for next year’s OB Exposed!

April 17, 2014 the OB Historical Society Presented: The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club Turns 90!  We Celebrated the club’s fabulous History in O.B.
The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club Interim President Melyssa (Mel) Roark and Board Member Mercy Baron, presented the club’s history and plans for the future.
The OBWC was formed in 1924, by a group of women from the founding families of OB. They are the oldest civic group in Ocean Beach. Over the years, the club met in several of O.B.’s past landmark buildings, before settling in the current clubhouse on Bacon Street. Many gals, and some guys, celebrated the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club 90th Anniversary and learned about the extraordinary women who did so much for OB.

MARCH 22, 2014, we celebrated Spring and the Ocean Beach Historical Society’s Annual Wisteria Garden Party & Fundraiser. The garden of a historical cottage under the largest wisteria canopy in O.B. was a great backdrop as locals enjoyed tasty treats while listening to rag time music by Billie Lee and his band. The event included a live auction and drawing for great prizes donated by local businesses and friends of the OBHS. Colorfully clad party goers joked with OB clown Dreamin Mimi, hearing former 1948 PAC Shores owner Evelyn Church tell stories, and looking at historical O.B. photos. All together a great party.

On Feb. 20, 2014, we learned “the Green Community Spirit”  is alive and well in O.B. as a packed house showed up to celebrated and honor Colleen Dietzel, co-founder of The Green Store. She presented 25 years of The Green Store’s history and activism in O.B. and San Diego.
On Earth Day April 22, 1989, Colleen and Kip opened The Green Store on Voltaire St. Starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with famed environmentalist David Brower. They embarked on a journey to try and “save the world and O.B.,” working with groups such as the Ocean Beach Greens, Rainforest Action Network, Greenpeace, the Save O.B. Coalition and Ocean Beach Grassroots Organization among others. Historically, The Green Store/Ocean Beach Green Center has lead the way as an “Eco-Center of Ocean Beach working for the Environment, Peace and Social Justice.” Thanks to Colleen, Kip & The Green Store friends for their commitment to: • Bringing environmental issues to the forefront • Promote Mom & Pop Businesses • Advancing Social Justice • Educating people about health, farming, water and other issues • Getting residents to take part and have a voice in community issues • Working towards peace • Forming bonds with people that want a better world
• Bringing people together that love O.B.!!!