Suspected ‘Big Boy Bandit’ arrested in OB Police and FBI Bank Robbery Task Force members arrested 54-year-old Ocean Beach resident Stephen Colburn on Monday on suspicion of robbing 17 banks over a four-year period. The most recent robbery occurred in November. Colburn was arrested near his home along the 4900 block of Santa Monica Avenue, according to FBI public information officer Darrell Foxworth. Since 2004, Colburn allegedly robbed multiple banks across the city. Employees at a Mission Valley bank provided a license plate number and vehicle description after observing Colburn acting suspiciously, according to FBI officials. The information led to Colburn’s arrest. Foxworth could not give a description of the alleged “Big Boy Bandit” but said he was “sure it had to do with his looks.” Residents with information about the alleged string of robberies between 2004 and 2008 are asked to call the FBI at (858) 565-1255 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS. OBMA directory info deadline nears Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) officials are reminding local merchants and professionals of the fast-approaching deadline to submit information for the 2009-10 Local Business Directory. The directory will be going to print in a matter of days and OBMA officials are setting a deadline of 4 p.m. on Thursdy, Feb. 5 to submit information, according to Denny Knox, exective director of OBMA. “This publication is probably the most sussessful marketing tool we have ever had,” said Knox. Information may be phoned in to OBMA immediately at (619) 224-4906 or e-mailed to [email protected]. The OBMA business office is located at 1868 Bacon St., Suite A. For more information visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com. Scholarships available to local students The Cabrillo Civic Clubs of California are currently seeking applications from students in the Point Loma and Ocean Beach areas for 150 scholarships to those of Portuguese descent. The scholarships, which will be awarded for $500 each, will be granted in June, according to past state president Izzy Skidmore. The applications for the scholarships are being made available in city and county high schools this month, Skidmore said. The application deadline is March 15. To qualify, students must be graduating high school seniors of Portuguese descent who have maintained a 3.5 GPA or better and have been involved in school and community service. The completed application and supporting documentation must be sent to State Scholarship Chairperson Alda Lawrence, 12823 Kent Ave., Hanford, CA, 93230. For more information, call local scholarship chairperson Mary Jane Warren at (619) 890-9685. Applications may also be obtained online at the Cabrillo Civic Clubs’ website at www.cabrillocivicclubs.org. People’s Market set to open gallery exhibit The Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market — San Diego’s only customer-owned grocery store — is poised to launch its first gallery exhibition of 2009 beginning Friday, Jan. 30. The show, which will feature local artists Bhavna Mehta, Jana Sanchez and Greg Shed, will run through June 1. An artists’ reception is slated for Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with music, food and, of course, art on display. The public is welcome and there is no charge for the event. The market is located at 4765 Voltaire St. and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (619) 224-1387, or visit www.obpeoplesfood.coop. The market specializes in organic produce and groceries, bulk foods and herbs, cruelty-free body care and a full-service vegetarian deli.