It’s time to look back to see the paths the “Pointers” chose in getting there. Here’s a month-by-month review of events as reported in The Peninsula Beacon in 2014: JANUARY A host of new laws – everything from vehicles being required to stay at least three feet clear of bicyclists to paid family leave of absence – took effect. The Point Loma Optimist Club launched a community-outreach drive. Phil’s BBQ in Point Loma closed six weeks for a $1 million renovation. Peninsula planners narrowly opted not to appeal the controversial Peeling hillside subdivision project. Loma Portal neighbors Elaine Fotinos Burrell and Karla Lapic spearheaded research and development of a new book, “Reading Between the Lampposts: The Literary Giants of Loma Portal,” about author-named streets in their area. The Midway Post Office complex went back on the auction block. Midway planners continued with the update of their community plan, the blueprint for commercial and residential development. FEBRUARY Point Loman and former District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer defeated Council colleague David Alvarez to become San Diego’s new mayor. Local planners gave thumbs up on Feb. 5 to a new $13,000 project at OB Elementary School, creating a raised, concrete crosswalk with curb cuts. The OB Historical Society saluted The Green Store for its community activism as the store celebrated its 25th anniversary. Point Loma High School’s Cinema Arts Program did a public-service announcement protesting SeaWorld’s treatment of orcas as depicted in the documentary “Blackfish.” The announcement renewed pressure on the marine park to change its business model and reconsider keeping killer whales in captivity. SeaWorld defended its practices in a Guest View. Birders of every feather flocked together at the San Diego Bird Festival Feb. 27 to March 2 at Marina Village on Mission Bay. Peninsula planners balked at plans by the Navy to realign a section of its jet-fuel pipeline to Miramar along Rosecrans Street. MARCH On March 15, Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego’s only national park, celebrated its centennial with dinner and dancing after a walk in the lighthouse at sunset. Point Loma High School girls seized their first CIF championship in 23 years. Claudia Jack of OB was honored as Irish Woman of the Year. Shelley Zimmerman became the first female police chief for all of San Diego. City Council passed new rules allowing mobile food trucks but required them to be at least 300 feet from residences. With the “Blackfish” backlash, a state bill that would have banned using orcas with trainers in commercial shows was unsuccessfully introduced. Midway entrepreneurs began meeting to re-establish a new Business Improvement District (BID). Midway planners also shared frustration with police over illegal vehicle encampments. APRIL Veteran San Diego lifeguard and ex-Marine Ed Harris was tapped to finish mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer’s District 2 term. Ocean Beach Community Development Corporation held a public meeting to discuss conceptual plans to construct Saratoga park improvements at the foot of the avenue. Plans for a new Point Loma pool in Liberty Station paddled ahead in fits and starts but eventually was stalled by contract issues. A Creek-to-Bay cleanup by I love A Clean San Diego drew 6,000-plus “helpers” on April 26. More than a dozen prospective medical marijuana dispensaries lined up for review by planners in the Midway District, one of the few spots in the city where they will be allowed under new City Council-approved rules. Ocean Beach-opoly, created by Ocean Beach MainStreet Association BID as a fundraiser, scored big with merchants and customers. The Point Loma Association completed the first phase of its Nimitz Grand Entryway project improving medians with drought-resistant plants in early April. MAY OB Kite Festival, sponsored by Kiwanis, marked its 66th year. Naval Base Point Loma commander Scott Adams defended the Navy’s plans to relocate a section of its 17.3-mile pipeline to Rosecrans Street, describing it as an “operational imperative.” Peninsula planners heard about a new bikeshare program coming to Liberty Station. Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) rolled out its new and improved website. Memorial Day services were held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, the Point Loma Optimist Club planted flags communitywide and Cabrillo National Monument opened to celebrate the military holiday. JUNE OB’s new community plan got a thumbs-up from local residents and later got the go-ahead from the City Council. On May 29, local residents and public officials gathered at Robb Field Skate Park in OB to honor professional skateboarder Tony Hawk for his philanthropy. The Point Loma Association held its annual Town Hall meeting at the United Portuguese S.E.S Hall May 21 to elect officers and hear updates on the Unified Port of San Diego, a planned Navy fuel pipeline relocation and San Diego International Airport’s north-side redevelopment. Point Loma High School alum and former major league baseball star pitcher David “Boomer” Wells was officially appointed head coach of his alma mater’s baseball team. Ocean Beach Town Council launched “Mallow Out,” a publicity campaign to discourage the annual Fourth of July “Marshmallow War” tradition that had gotten out of hand, leaving the community a sticky mess after the holiday. JULY Major upgrades to a trio of athletic fields at Dana (now David Wells Field) Middle, Point Loma High and Correia Middle schools were officially launched. The annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-off Festival delighted crowds with food, fun and an array of arts and crafts booths. The Mallow Out campaign worked, as authorities reported the annual marshmallow battle following the Fourth of July fireworks was indeed much mellower than in years past. Social service providers and police held a community meeting July 10 to detail efforts to curb homelessness, an increasing problem throughout the Peninsula. The Loma Club (formerly Sail Ho Golf Club) at NTC got a new name and rebranded itself. Apparently bowing to public pressure, the city reversed itself in allowing under-21 participants in the 61st annual Over-The-Line (OTL) tournament, with City Attorney Jan Goldsmith noting the weekend beach tournament “is a San Diego tradition that the city welcomes.” Supporters rekindled efforts to start community fundraising to expand OB’s small branch library on Santa Monica Avenue. Point Loma Nazarene University declared itself an active member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Hodad’s hamburgers in OB marked its 45th anniversary. AUGUST Roseville residents in Point Loma began ramping up a campaign against high-density development in their neighborhood. As the drought dragged on, the city pushed for — and got — tougher restrictions on watering. The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority was awarded for its Green Build terminal-expansion project. Peninsula planners received an update on Point Loma Village, a mixed-use condo project at Roserans and Byron streets. PETA animal-rights activist protested SeaWorld’s orca shows by putting up a 20-foot-long banner at the airport discouraging incoming Comic-Con attendees from going to the popular marine park while they were in town. A giant abandoned remodel on Plum Street in Point Loma drew the ire of residents, planners and city officials. More than 500 guests swarmed the Cabrillo Lighthouse Aug. 25 to explore the lighthouse during free admission day as part of the National Park Service’s 98th birthday celebration. SEPTEMBER The annual Cabrillo Festival on Ballast Point in Point Loma Sept. 28 commemorated the European explorer’s first step in the New World in 1542 claiming the spot for Spain. An idea for a new pocket park on Canon Street was floated at the Peninsula Community Planning Group’s meeting. Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island held a blowout to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The Point Loma Association hosted a community workshop Sept. 17 to allow local residents to weigh in on prospective Nimitz Boulevard improvements. OCTOBER The iconic Ocean Beach Youth Hostel changed ownership but not its mission as one of the pre-eminent hostels in San Diego. The Peninsula YMCA, sole bidder on a request for proposals to build a new public pool in Liberty Station, was rejected in its initial bid to build/operate a new facility. City Council voted Oct. 20 to go to “drought alert” status, requiring mandatory water-use restrictions at the end of the month in response to the severe statewide drought. Kiwanis Club of OB held its 9th annual Howl-o-Ween canine carnival pet costume contest Oct. 26 at Dusty Rhodes Park. OB’s 10th annual Oktoberfest, held Oct. 10-11, drew more than 7,000 guests. NOVEMBER U.S. Rep Scott Peters narrowly outlasted contender Carl DeMaio in the race for his 52nd Congressional District seat. Ocean Beach Community Development Corporation began a revamp of Veterans Plaza by launching a community fundraiser. New Naval Base Point Loma commander Capt. Howard Warner assumed the helm and shared his vision and mission in a Beacon interview.