9/20/12— After an interview with Carrico that appeared on the front page of the UT the OBHS had a packed house attending The OBHS program: The Country Boy, Madame X, and the Japanese Spy—Author  Richard  L. Carrico about  a ring of Japanese agents and spies enlisted the help of U.S. Navy personnel to conduct espionage for the Japanese government that spanned for 1934 to 1936.  The centers of the spy activities were Washington D. C.; San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.  The events and persons involved in the espionage included Japanese students at Stanford and UCLA, Japanese bankers including Yoko Ono’s father, a noted medical doctor, a Navy officer and an ex-Navy enlisted man.  Those who ultimately broke and prosecuted the spy network included a incredible cryptographer Madame X, two alert Navy Captains, attorneys in Los Angeles, and the Office of Naval Intelligence.  The investigations spanned from Tijuana to San Pedro, Palo Alto to Washington D. C.  Mr. Carrico’s presentation will focus on the main characters and events from the historical novel that he is currently working on and will include quotes from court testimony, contemporary photographs, and an overview to what became of the various players in this intriguing historical drama. Richard L. Carrico, Dept. of American Indian Studies, SDSU

 Aug. 16th, 2012 OBHS  presented: Angels at 7 o’ clock San Diego’s Pioneer Female Aviators By California State Parks Historian Alexander D. Bevil ,  San Diego has played an important role in American aviation history. Indeed, some of the earliest attempts at controlled flight have occurring here. While most historians recognize the pioneering work of Montgomery, Curtis, Ryan, and Lindberg, most ignored the role women played in San Diego’s aviation history. Alex’s focus was on the untold story of San Diego’s female aviators within the broader context of the history of women’s aviation. Faced with gender bias, ridicule, and sometimes even outright sabotage, these “First Ladies of Flight,” whether they realized it or not, were pioneer feminists. All possessed a single-mined determination to fly, often paying the ultimate price for their efforts. Ironically, Alex’s presentation was held less than two miles from the forgotten crash site of one of these brave women, whose crashed aircraft was described coldly as “a pile of lumber.”

 July 19, 2012 the OBHS presented: REMEMBERING Loverne Brown— O. B. Poet, Activist, Beloved Friend, OB Poets (pictured below) and Friends from the past gathered together to celebrate what would have been LoVerne Brown’s 100 Year Birthday. The event included LoVerne’s favorite foods: rootbeer floats, cashews, cake, cupcakes and lots of wonderful poetry and humor! LoVern led a somewhat nomadic life prior to coming to Ocean Beach in 1950. During her half-century in O. B., LoVerne was active in the community in many ways. She was co-founder of the Ocean Beach Community School in 1976 (as well as the school’s poetry teacher); a longtime member and officer of the O. B. Friends of the Library and the O. B. – Point Loma chapter of the National League of American Penwomen; founder of the Ocean Beach Poetry Circle, which for years published the annual anthology “Zip Code 92107”; and a founding member of the Ocean Beach Historical Society. She was known for her generous spirit, her inclusive nature, and her unconditional love for her fellow human beings. She was active on the political scene and supported numerous social justice causes, especially those that benefited the homeless and victims of abuse. This O.B. women had incredible life and inspired many friends and poets who will always remember her and her work.

• June 21th, 2012 was an amazing night for surf history as the The Ocean Beach Historical Society and the California Surf Museum presented OB’s Notable Women Surfers
  P.L. United Methodist Church, , 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.
  The Ocean Beach Historical Society and the California Surf Museum teamed up to present an entertaining overview of some of OB’s notable women surfers. Jane Schmauss, Historian at the surf museum, and local artist/surfer/historian Cher Pendarvis celebrated the growth of women’s surfing in the area, beginning with Faye Baird Fraser, considered to be San Diego’s first boardwoman, on to the Vahine Kai Surf Club, and other stand-out individuals. Boards, bathing suits. A group photo of these champion and top local surfing women rounded out the evening’s presentation. (Below)

The May 2012, 18th Annual OB EXPOSED! Photographic Impressions of Ocean Beach & Point Loma featuring Wonderland Documentarian Noah Tafolla was a Blast! 101 photo ENTRIES!
OB EXPOSED! 2012 WINNERS: Best in Show:  Ray Hitchcock – Moonrise over OB Pier, People’s Choice:  Kristoffer Newson – TheLeap Vintage:  Mark Hudson – Cub Scouts Day at the Beach, Special Effects:  Cleveland Storrs – Abbott Market, Black & White:  Clifford Beck – Memories of Rough Seas, Color:  Ralph Guest – Reflections on the Cliffs, 

Hundreds attended the show and feasted on great food from donated by local businesses and friends. Thanks to Donors: Point Loma Masonic Lodge, C.J.’s Catering & Speciality Baking, Chef Lauren Ritchey, European Cake Gallery, Newbreak Coffee at the Beach, OB Business Center, OB People’s Co-op, OB QuikStop, Olive Tree Market Place, Pepe’s, Shades and Whale Tail Tortilla Chips. Thanks to Judges Joe Ewing and Steve Rowell. Extra Thanks to the OB Business Center who were was wonderful in helping collect photos… even the OB time (late entries).

Program Manager of the
San Diego River Park Foundation— A Tour of The Historic San Diego River by Richard Dhu
Thurs.,  April. 19th, at 7 PM
at the P.L. United Methodist Church, , 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.
Richard Dhu, Program Manager at the San Diego River Park Foundation is a 20 year O.B. resident and homeowner (Brighton and Abbott) and San Diego Native.
The San Diego River Park Foundation is dedicated to the restoration of the San Diego River, which completes its 52-mile journey to the Pacific at Dog Beach in O.B.; and creation of the San Diego River Park System and river trail from Julian to O.B.
The San Diego River Park Foundation promotes community involvement and stewardship of the river and watershed. Our specific projects in O.B. are management of the Native Plant Garden/Reserve at Collier Park and the coastal dune and wetland habitat at Dog Beach.

The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presented: THE Annual WISTERIA TEA PARTY
Sun.,  March 25th, at 4761 Niagara Ave., 92107 (OB)
Forecast rain didn’t stop over 100 OBHS members from a afternoon of partying. The Wisteria Tea Party was held at the Titlow house in memory of Ned.
In the yard of a early 1900’s home, we celebrated under the largest Wisteria canopy in OB, where guests will enjoy tasty delectables while listening to live music by VIOLINIST ALICIA PREVIN and CELLIST MARK SANDER, SINGER ANTONIO JOHNSON, SINGER/ACCORDIONIST BILL CORWIN,  VIOLINIST GINA and husband KENNY JAMES ON mandolin. OBHS surprised Ron May with the OBHS 2012 Historian Award for his many years promoting history and preservation. The opportunity drawing was a great success with wonderful prizes donated by local businesses and friends of OBHS.

Feb. 16th, 2012, The OB Historical Society Presented: Author Diana Lindsay on the MARSHAL SOUTH and the GHOST MOUNTAIN EXPERIMENT, For 17 years, from 1930 to 1947, poet, artist, and author Marshal South and his wife Tanya lived on Ghost Mountain—a remote, waterless mountaintop that is today within California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. They began their homesteading adventure when the Great Depression left them few options to survive. They turned to nature and began an experiment in natural living that included raising a family under the most primitive conditions.

We welcomed back Photographer Joe Ewing at the Jan. 19, 2011. The previous year we were blown-away by Joe’s incredible OB photos. He impressed us again in 2011. Joe captured the beauty and essence of beaches, pets and community.

“Surf Paradise” was the theme for the 2011 OB Holiday Parade. The OB Historical Society entry had a Special Guest and Treat….OB Cartoonist Mike Dormer (with Mop on his head) and his legendary “HOT CURL” sculpture (on loan from the Surf Museum in Oceanside) in the back of Todd Partridge’s red and white classic 1965 Chevy Truck!  Leading the group was Bert Bade in his Red Mini, with his “family of elves”. Two sets of twins were with the OBHS group. Thanks to all those who helped and joined us in the parade.