Make it a point to check out The Beacon booth! As long as you’re visiting the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival, come by and check out The Peninsula Beacon’s booth and say hello! This is the time of year we set up shop along Newport Avenue and host our very popular annual Amateur Photo Contest. Swing by and vote for your favorite. The top-three winning photos will be published in The Peninsula Beacon, so your vote counts! First prize this year is a $100 gift certificate to Nick’s at the Beach. All of the photos were taken in the Ocean Beach, Shelter Island, Point Loma, La Portal and Sports Arena/ Midway area by local residents. It’s also your chance to share thoughts and comments with the Beacon staff. “The OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival is one of those rare opportunities we have to really mingle with readers informally one-on-one in the heart of Ocean Beach,” said Beacon editor Kevin McKay. “We love the feedback. It’s really important to us in our effort to be a mirror of this community. Our whole mission is to focus on those stories and tidbits readers can’t get anywhere else. So, as you mosey on down Newport Avenue, drop by and tell us what you think!” Feel free to pick up a copy of this special street fair edition of The Beacon to help you navigate your way around the festival and find all those cool things that make this such a great event. And grab a copy of our annual Visitor Guide that gives you complete listings of community activities and attractions throughout the year. The booth number is 110, located in the 4900 block of Newport Avenue. Ocean Beach Skate Shop shows off new location The Ocean Beach Surf and Skate Shop will once again thrill the crowd with Skate Jam during the OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on June 26. The skate demonstration will take place in the store’s new parking lot at 4976 Newport Ave., next to Starbucks. Events will take place throughout the day, and include some brave individuals skating on a mini-ramp. “It’s about a 4-foot half-pipe,” said Lanette Jorgensen, the shop’s general manager. Street fairgoers are encouraged to check out the itinerary to see when the mini-ramp will be open to the public or watch the professionals in action. Professionals and amateurs alike will awe the crowd with their tricks, mad skills and courage. There will be a street course set up as well. Skating contests will take place and the categories will be divided by ages. There will also be a “best trick” competition. It’s not all about skating, though. Another popular activity at Skate Jam is attempting to stay on top of the Indo Board Balance Trainer. “It’s fun for people to try,” Jorgensen said. All ages and abilities are encouraged to try this balancing act. It consists of a board placed over a cylindrical base. The goal is to ride the board as long as you can without letting it touch the ground. It is great for the body core and balancing, Jorgensen added. The Ocean Beach Surf and Skate Shop uses Indo Boards in its surf camps and clinics. Skate Jam will also include a DJ playing music, along with raffles and vendors.
