The Ocean Beach Town Council Awarded the Ocean Beach Historical Society $500
from the Christmas Tree Fund. Thank you Ocean Beach Tree Committee
The OBHS was Awarded a San Diego County Community Project Grant
The grant will further the work of OBHS, by helping preserve the archives, and educating the community on the local history of OB through our website, events, and printed materials. Thank You to San Diego County.

Once upon a time in a land called O.B.
(where the beach and ocean meet) there was a garden that Daniel Wallace and Judith May called Wonder-full-land.
Wallace and May dreamed, planted and played there for 12 years sharing heart energy and harmony.
What began in 1997 with one lonely pansy grew into a storybook land protected by 12 arches of once living trees built by Wallace and tiny gardens planted by May.
170 critters resided there too, created from treasures dragged home from the alleys of O.B. and the imagination  of Wallace and May.
In 2003 Wallace and May wished to share their heart energy, harmony and garden they called Wonder-full-land with the community.
Wallace placed 57 pieces of twine in a basket and attached it to the Entrancing Arch over the front gate with an invitation to tie a wish.
Would anyone respond? Would anyone tie a wish? Wallace and May excitedly waited to see. The response to their invitation was beyond anything they had wished for.
People from the community of O.B., from many states and several countries tied wishes and toured the garden Wallace and May call Wonder-full-land.
As of May, 2008, over 15,000 wishes have been entwined upon “The Wishing Arch”.
It is with deep gratitude that Wallace and May’s wish to share their heart energy and harmony has come true.
In July 2008 Wallace and May will be leaving O.B.to begin another dream. To live and travel in their RV.
The many critters, arches and plants that once filled Wonder-full-land have been
adopted by many local gardeners.
“The Wishing Arch” will continue to reside at 1862 Ebers Street in O.B., to be lovingly tended by Obecians Gloria and Kathy. Carl of O.B. Paint and Hardware will graciously donate twine.
Wallace and May may be leaving O.B physically, however in their hearts “The Wishing Arch” and Wonder-full-land and the many memories of the Ocean Beach community will live forever.
We WISH Dan & Judith Much Happiness

MAY 15, 2008 was the 13th Annual OB Exposed Photo Contest and Exhibit of Photographic Impressions of Ocean Beach & Point Loma. The event was the rage of OB. Lots of great photos and fabulous food (thanks to local establishments for donating the goodies).The Winning Photos will can be seen at the OB Libray over the month. Congratulations winners, and thanks to all that participated and volunteered.OB Exposed!
Here are the OB Exposed! Winners:
Best Vintage: Steve Rowell (Long Branch Ave – Memorial Day)
Best Child: Gianna Gallo (Tropical OB Sunset)
Best Color: George Barnes (OB Pier Sunset w/ Fisherman)
Best Special Effects: Rebecca Saffran
(Self Portrait of Feet hanging over the Cliffs)
Best Black and White: Rebecca Saffran (Couple with their dog on Newport)
People’s Choice: Duane Anderson (Lucia Paz – Beach Ghetto Goddess)
Best in Show: George Barnes (OB Pier Mist

YUMMY, YUMMY YUMMY!
HOSANNAS to all the local OB food and beverage companies who donated so lavishly to our 13th OB Exposed. Thank You:
Darla & Ed Bebrin, Proprietors—Pepe’s (Pizza)
Carol J. Rivers, Proprietor— C.J.’s Catering & Specialty Baking (Cookies)
Nancy Casady, General Manager— O.B. Peaples’ Food Co-op (Sodas)
Ken Coley, Proprietor— San Diego Catering Company (H’orderves & Desserts)
Chef Steve Ruszic, Proprietor— European Cake Gallery (Pastries)
Chris Stavros, Proprietor— Olive Tree Marketplace (Individual Bottles of Water)

Dear friends of Historic Preservation,
On Friday April 18, 2008 the Historic Resources Board will conducted a workshop on the 12th floor of the City Admin. Building to take public testimony about the Mayor Sander’s proposal to end most historic preservation in San Diego, including Mills Act contracts. This workshop was important to historic preservation.
The Neighborhood Historic Preservation Coalition met to discuss the status and future of historic preservation. The Coalition comprises community and historic preservation groups throughout San Diego including SOHO, Bankers Hill/Park West Community Association, Heart of Kensington, Hillcrest History Guild, La Jolla Historical Society, Mission Hills Heritage, University Heights Historical Society; and interested parties.
They spoke in support of these key items:
1 – Keep the Mills Act program as it is now. It works well and should be left to continue working well.
2 – Increase the Historic Resources staff to cope with the backlog of historic designation nominations on hand and other demands on the staff.
3 – Supervise Mills Act contracts to encourage historic property owners keep their properties in good shape.  This may enable some sensible modifications to Mills Act contracts or enforcing contracts appropriately when properties are not being maintained properly.
Historic preservation was in the balance and the Coalition urged preservationists to help keep it operating in San Diego’s behalf.

The Mayor proposal with tweaks by City Council was voted in adding a 5-year Mills Act fee and and the firing of the last Historical Certified Resource Staffer in Development Serves.

Louie William’s “Hidden Garden” is the topic of the April 17th Meeting at 7 p.m. at PL Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd in OB.
Encinitas has “Quails Garden” and Ocean Beach has the “Hidden Garden.” Louie, a San Diego native, has created this wonderful fairytale garden at his 1930’s homes on Niagara.
He has graciously allowed the public to tour these special yards.
Louie, now retired, has an interesting background that includes being a Marine. But his former professions of being an antique dealer and working at a nursery have inspired the beautiful displays in his garden.
Louie has some clever ways of creating dry creek-beds that look like they have water in them and are perfect for our drought climate.

On March 16th some OBHS Board Members were guests of the House of Spain for the celebration of “Battle of San Diego Bay.”
The Fuerte Guijarros Museum Foundation & Naval Base Point Loma presented the event.
Master of ceremonies Pedro Catala (President of Casa de Espana) presided over the affair with Captain Mark D. Patton (Commanding Officer Naval Base Point Loma), Ronald May (Chair Fort Guijarros Museum), Michael Aguirre (San Diego City Attorney) & Maria Angeles Olson (Honorary Consul of Spain).
On March 17th, 1803 Captain William Shaler & Captain Richard Cleveland sailed into San Diego Harbor on the American brig “Leila Byrd” to buy sea otter pelts.
The Spanish Commander forbade such trading, but the Americans persisted.
Some crewmen were captured at the beach. Later, they were escaped.
Fort Guijarros fired its nine pound cannons to prevent the American escape.
The Leila Byrd crew mounted six three pound swivel guns on the rail & fired two broadside at the fort.
A hat was waved & both parties ceased firing, bringing the battle to a peaceful ending that lead to a celebration.
The ceremony, the OBHS board members attended, featured “ A taste of Spain” with food, drink, Spanish dancing and a lecture on the history of the battle.

Priscilla was former member of Ocean Beach Historical Society & a big part of our community, she will be missed. Read her obituary in San Diego Union

Feb. 21st. the OBHS Meeting featured presenter Charles Roberts who lectured on green strategies for historic home renovation and the challenges of remodeling and/or adding to a historic structure.
Charles Roberts is a local architect who focuses on sustainable architecture and efficient space planning. He was recently featured on the KPBS radio show “These Days” on green design and was interviewed for an article in the online newspaper “Voice of San Diego”. Charles was also a former chair of the Ocean Beach Planning Board. He remodeled his historically designated home on Sunset Cliffs Blvd and Long Branch St. in accordance with the Mills Act provisions and incorporates many green design elements. He and his wife also renovated another historically designated craftsman home in Ocean Beach, restoring the exterior to its original design and modernizing the interior spaces and amenities of the home with sensitivity to the period architecture.
Roberts background includes: a Bachelors of Architecture ’88 from UC Berkeley, a Masters of Architecture, Masters Community and Regional Planning ’99, University of Oregon
Roberts is featured in the historically related publications: “Observations in Micronesia an architectural review” at: and “Kapingamarangi Canoe Building Project“