The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presented San Diego’s Waterfront Through the Eyes of a Child Featuring Jim Bregante August 15th

We learned so much as we stepped back in time with Jim Bregante’s historical presentation of San Diego’s Waterfront and Little Italy. We took a historical journey along the waterfront and Little Italy, from the 1930’s to present, narrated by Jim Bregante, a native San Diegan. An experienced speaker, Jim is a Docent for the San Diego Maritime Museum, a member of the San Diego History Center and the Italian Historical Society of San Diego. Jim shared his experience of growing up in Little Italy, near all the vibrant waterfront life, via a PowerPoint presentation with pictures from historical and family archives…. Depicting his family’s start in the fishing industry, his experiences on the waterfront as a youth and life in Little Italy; Jim’s memories were shared and treasured to our group.

Wow what a program July 18th, 2013…and an what amazing lady that Carol Sing is! Inspiring and funny video clips filled the night.
In the tradition of Florence Chadwick, champion swimmer Carol Sing spent her formative years in Ocean
Beach. Living blocks from the beach gave her a love for the ocean, having a positive lifelong role in her life.
Since the 1960’s, Carol spent the next 25 years raising her family at Mt. Helix. However, her mom and twobrothers still lived in O.B. She continued her swim skills by coaching, lifeguarding and teaching water exercise classes.
Later, struggling with an empty nest and the death of her mom, Carol went back to the solace of the ocean. Great joy came into her life by swimming with La Jolla Cove Swim Club. She also started on her long distance journey to channel swimming, which in 1999 enabled her at age 57 to become the oldest women in the world to swim the English Channel. An amazing achievement when you hear the tale!

The Ocean Beach Historical Society had a record number of new members sign up at the 2013 OB Street Fair, many of the young people. It was great to see all the interest in our history. Thanks to all that helped at the OBHS Booth and those that put on the event.

The OBHS Presented: WONDERLAND 100 Year Celebration!
JUNE 20, 2013 Featuring  Author Jonnie Wilson—When Wonderland opened on July 4, 1913, it drew a crowd of35,000 people to Ocean Beach, then a community of only 300 residents. Although this early amusement park— the first to be built in the city of San Diego—only lasted for three years, its brief existence was pivotal to the development of O. B. Wonderland’s many attractions, included the largest roller coaster on the West Coast at the time, some unusual—even bizarre—things that happened at the park between 1913 and 1916, and the connection between this fabled resort and D. C. Collier, the real estate developer many call “the true father of Ocean Beach.” Jonnie Wilson is on the OBHS board and an author and Co-author of the “Ocean Beach” book.

The 19th Annual OB EXPOSED! was a photo perfect night! Photographic Impressions of Ocean Beach & Point Loma filled the Masonic Center on Fri., May 17th.

Congratulations to OB EXPOSED! 2013 WINNERS: Best in Show: Don Johnson – O.B. Phil #1, Color: Ray Hitchcock – Sunset Splash, Black & White: Don Johnson – O.B. Phil #1, Special Effects: Fran Del Santo – Electric- A Young Woman Writing in Her Journal Vintage: McElwee/Peace, Vince Adami – Looking North of OB from Cliff Area (1917), People’s Choice (voted by show attendees): Jane Swanson – Dog Explores Cave at Sunset Cliffs

Thanks to Donors (all those Great Refreshments): Point Loma Masonic Lodge; C.J.’s Catering & Speciality Baking; European Cake Gallery; Newbreak Coffee at the Beach, OB Business Center; OB People’s Co-op; OB QuikStop; Olive Tree Market Place; Pepe’s and Shades. Also, Thank You to the OB Business Center, Judges Joe Ewing & Steve Rowell, volunteers, and participants that help make this a fabulous event. 

Start clicking those photos for next years as we celebrate the 20th OB EXPOSED!

Ocean Beach Historical Society helps preserve local history through programs, postcards, the Sea Scrolls, articles, local events, and history conferences. OBHS partners with historical groups and organizations. OBHS Archives collection includes historical photos, articles, and other items. Our OBHS You Tube site has historical talks, filmed events, videos, presentations, and more. LINK: Ocean Beach Historical Society You Tube®Channel
The Beach News paper Archives: Link for Beach News
The Peninsula News paper Archive: Link for Peninsula News

The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presents: Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist Featuring Author Diana Lindsay Thurs., April 18, 2013 at 7PM at P.L. United Methodist Church. Placed against the backdrop of the immense Anza-Borrego desert in Southern California, Ricardo Breceda’s “Sky Art” is the perfect blend of stunning craftsmanship and placement in the open desert landscape. He has taken a primitive welding art form of Mexico to new provocative heights. Over 125 metallic sculptures are scattered over three non-contiguous square miles of Borrego Valley. Diana Lindsay: Biographer and historian is well known for her many publications about the Anza-Borrego region of Southern CA. She is also an award-winning photographer. Join us Thurs., April 18th at 7PM, (books will be available)!

The Ocean Beach Historical Society March 23, 2013 Annual WISTERIA GARDEN PARTY Fundraiser on was fabulous! Attendees spent the afternoon in the  garden of a early 1900’s home, under the largest wisteria canopy in O.B. Guests enjoy tasty treats while listening to live music.  Special guest “Mayor Bob Filner” awarded the OBHS a Proclamation for the event and the historical site of the party. The event included a LIVE AUCTION and OPPORTUNITY DRAWING with great prizes donated by local businesses and friends of the OBHS. Members of the Clarke family attended… Their family was the original owners who built the Wisteria House (After the Clarks, it was owned by the Titlows). Thanks To All That Made The Wisteria Garden Party A Success:
Volunteers, OBHS Board, Food Donors, Mayor Filner, Billy & Rag Swingers Band and the Opportunity Drawing Donors.

The OBHS is happy to announce that O.B.’s Noah Tafolla and WONDERLAND are back on TV!
“Get ready…. because my television show, Wonderland has a NEW home and a NEW time!  Monday – Friday @ 12 noon and AGAIN @ 9:00 pm on U-T TV, which is Cox Channel 114!!  Tune in or set your DVR and come with me as I explore San Diego’s incredible neighborhoods and meet the people that make our town so cool.”
— Noah