Thurs., July 20, 2017 in O.B.- The Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: Watch Your Step! The Sidewalks of Ocean Beach & Point Loma– By Eric DuVall,
Little did we know Sidewalks were so fascinating!
Eric DuVall explained his 45 year fascination with the sidewalks of Ocean Beach and Point Loma. This is a path upon which entire streets appear and disappear, and where the passage of time and the physical history of our community are literally written in concrete. No, really! Would anyone have thought that something so ubiquitous and ordinary, something so obviously hard, if not always cold, as common sidewalks, could be even remotely interesting? Or that the very sidewalk beneath your feet might be steeped in mystery and controversy? Well it sure is.
Eric’s occasional Facebook Feature, Sidewalk Sunday, proved – against all odds – to be popular. And our presentation on the 50th Anniversary of the Ocean Beach Pier showed the world that people will turn out to hear a man talk about concrete. In this case our presenter was not an expert on the subject, but merely an observer. An observer of something that doesn’t move, something that is the same this morning as it was thirty, fifty, or even one hundred years ago. Or is it?
Thanks Eric for a interesting and entertaining program.

Abbie Alford of Channel 8 News visited the Ocean Beach Historical Society June, 15, 2017 Program featuring Claudia Jack who shared her passion for collecting signs and preserving our history. Take a look at this wonderful and fun blast to O.B.’s past! ( link to video ).

OBHS presented: O.B. Signs Remembered, June 15, 2017 By presenter Claudia Jack who has an extensive Ocean Beach sign collection of the community’s  most memorable and funny signs we laughed at over the years. She saved many signs that were on the way to being trashed or destroyed. Claudia also talked briefly on the  importance of community volunteerism. This flash of the past was a riot as words and images triggered your memories of O.B.’s unique and colorful history.

©Photo by Mike McCarthy
MAY 19, 2017 OB EXPOSED! was a wonderful event as hundreds of attendees enjoyed seeing photographs of OB and PL while having refreshments provided by local establishments. Winning photos are hanging at the OB Business Center, 4876 Santa Monica Ave. Those that did not donate may pick up photos May 23-June 23 at OB Business Center.

OB EXPOSED! WINNERS: Special Subject Prize –“25 year anniversary of the OB farmers market”:
Having a Dog-gone Time at the Farmers Market!, Kathy Blavatt
People’s Choice: Coastal Blooms, Ted Putnam
Best In Show: The Colorful Alley’s & Trolls of Ocean Beach, Scott Therkalsen
Best Black & White: Center of My Universe, Melinda Therkalsen
Best Color: OB Love, Ed Hopkins
Best Vintage (Historic): Hotel Newport, Vince Adame
Best Child’s Under age 16 : Going  Up, John Burrel  
Best Special Effects: OB Sci-Fi, Ryan Knowl
OB Exposed! THANK YOU:
Food Donors:
Dee’s Newbreak Coffee Co. & Café, European Cake Gallery, Fran Del Santo, Gaslione Brothers, Newbreak Coffee Co. & Café (Beach), OB Quik Stop Liquor & Deli, Ocean Beach Peoples’ Organic Food Market, Olive Tree Market Place, Pepe’s
Food Table & Centerpieces: Stephanie Greenwald, Dedi Ridenhour & Susan James.
Opportunity Drawing Donors:
Bean Me Up Coffee, Dee’s  Newbreak Coffee Co. (Sunset Cliffs), Details Salon & Spa, Floral Fantasia, Lazy Hummingbird, Nelson Photo, Newbreak Coffee Co. & Café (Beach), OB Business Center, OB Mainstreet Association, Often Wander at Noon, Point Loma Masonic Center, Raglan Public House.
A “Special Thanks” to: Fran Del Santo & Joe Ewing for their photos as sales donations.
Judges: Cliff Beck, Joe Ewing, & Steve Rowell.

OBHS Presented and inspiring and intragetic program by Fran Del Santo, April 20, 2017-  “O.B. Thru The Eyes of a Photographer” .  Fran is an OB Street Photographer who wears many hats that include: photographer, sign interpreter, motorcyclist, teacher, community supporter, and more.  Fran is well known in OB for her amazing street photography.
Due to Fran winning so many awards at the OBHS’s Annual OB Exposed! Photo Exhibit and Contest, she has been booted-up to the Professional Category where she exhibits her work. In this capacity she helps other contestants who need advise or mentoring. In 2016, she inspired seven participants to enter OB Exposed! And two of them took first place in separate categories for their wonderful photos.
Even though Fran’s husband John is no longer with us she carries on their personal motto: “If you love Ocean Beach give back to the community.” In this spirit Fran donates all of her entries to the Ocean Beach Historical Society in appreciation of their hard work for the community. Thank you Fran for your lovely photographs, energy and love for OB.

SUN., MARCH 19, 2017 was a day to remember at 4761 Niagara Ave. We celebrated Spring at the Ocean Beach Historical Society Wisteria Garden Party as we thanked our members and also pay tribute to Carol Hart Bowers, Co-founder of the OBHS.
Guest enjoyed spending the afternoon in the garden of a historic O.B. Wisteria Cottage under the largest wisteria canopy in O.B., lovely after all the rain! Enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres & desserts while listening to live music including songs from the 1920s by local Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters band. We enjoy a beautiful afternoon of O.B. history, culture and fun. Many dressed in historic, garden party, purple attire, or O.B. casual attire.

On March 3 and 4, 2017  The Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties Presented: San Diego & the Great War 1914-1919,  52nd Annual History 2-day Conference 2017—Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the United States Entry into World War 1. The start of our modern world can be traced to the outcomes from World War I. Discover what role our region played in ending the conflict. “Cease fire” was in 1918. Local impacts lasted to 1919, and beyond. Conference Co-sponsor: The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park. The conference was fantastic in this wonderful venue. Ocean Beach Historical Society’s former 14 year President Pat James, and Archivist and  Congress of History board member Barbara bush won awards at the conference for their historic work thru the years.

 

OBHS presented POINT LOMA BOOK, BY ERIC DUVALL, KITTY MCDANIEL & AUTHORS FROM LA PLAYA TRAIL ASSOCIATION, FEB. 16th, Point Loma is one of San Diego’s most historic neighborhoods. The newly released book by Arcadia Publishing is packed full of lovely historical photos and information about our spectacular peninsula community. The OBHS had a program on this fabulous Point Loma book. From Ballast Point and La Playa, where the first Europeans stepped ashore on California, to the Theosophical Community Lomaland, on the crest of the Point, Point Loma explores the community’s unique neighborhoods, people, businesses, public institutions, and military bases. Newly elected OBHS President Eric DuVall and newly elected OBHS Board Member Kitty McDaniel, along with other collaborating authors from La Playa Trail Association will presented wonderful images and stories from the book. The book has been very well received in its first weeks of publication.

Jan.19th. OBHS Presented a wonderful program by the high energized Maggie Espinosa- Traveler Journalist & Author, Maggie Espinosa embarked on an 800-mile walk to visit California’s 21 missions from San Diego to Sonoma along the El Camino Real. What ensued was the journey of a lifetime to become the 11th person to complete this sojourn.
Maggie Espinosa is a Travel Journalist. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and NATJA Silver & Bronze Award Winner. She was also the San Diego San Diego Press Club president during 2013 & 2014. Maggie is author of Author of On a Mission and The Privileged Pooch.
More about Maggie Espinosa at: http://www.travelwithmaggie.com

SEE YOU IN 2017 at our OBHS Programs & Events.
News: Pat James is stepping down as the Ocean Beach Historical Society President, though he will be Vice President. Eric DuVall has been elected as the  the new 2017 President. Former V.P. Derek Sander is no longer on the OBHS board. All other previous board members were re-elected and Kitty McDaniel was elected to the board.Congratulation to all.