It was a watershed year in the Peninsula in 2022 with no shortage of challenges. Residents and merchants grappled with vexing issues including homelessness, an aging OB Pier, and what to do about short-term rental and sidewalk vending ordinances, while the popular farmers market celebrated its 30th anniversary.

JANUARY

New District 2

In 2022, the City’s nine council districts including District 2 representing the Peninsula were redrawn according to the population by an independent redistricting commission. The commission placed Mission Beach, Clairemont, Ocean Beach, Midway, and Point Loma all in newly configured District 2. The changed boundaries for districts took effect in December 2022.

Jensen’s Anniversary

The 14,000-square-foot Jensen’s Foods in Point Loma marked its fifth anniversary in the retail space previously housing Fresh & Easy at 955 Catalina Blvd. Fresh & Easy went bankrupt in 2015 and Jensen’s eyed this location thinking it would be perfect.

Rincon Tasting Room

Rincon Reservation Road Brewery’s first off-reservation tasting room showcasing tribal art and culture debuted on Newport Avenue on Jan. 16. The remodeled retail space features a main bar and tasting room with views of Newport Avenue along with a backroom. Much planning, construction, and care have gone into creating the newly renovated space previously inhabited by Belching Beaver.

All-CIF Honorees

Point Loma High School earned post-season honors in fall sports highlighted by two girls and one boy named to All-CIF teams. Each of the girls was also crowned “Athlete of the Year” in their sport. Senior Sophie Compton was selected first team All-CIF and the top cross country runner in the Western League, while golfer Taylor Riley was also first team All-CIF and the top Western League athlete. Junior Manuel Correia made the second team All-CIF boys cross country roster.

Food Donation

Point Loma High School senior and gardening student Fania Villarreal grew organic vegetables at Ocean Beach Community Garden Club and donated the produce to help Loaves and Fishes food pantry in OB. Since 1977, Ocean Beach Emergency Food Inc, also known as Loaves & Fishes Pantry, has been meeting a growing need to provide food for hungry people in the OB and Peninsula areas.

OB Pier Repairs

Ocean Beach Pier was closed for several weeks undergoing emergency repairs to fix damage caused by storm conditions in January 2021, said City spokesperson Tyler Becker. “Those repairs included the implementation of pile jackets to allow for proper load transfer on two damaged piles on the pier’s west end, as well as assembling scaffolding in preparation for repairs.”

Overnight Parking Closures

In October 2021, City officials supported closing some Mission Bay parking lots overnight preventing public access to curb crime. In 2022, the City went further in advocating expanding those closures from La Jolla to Ocean Beach at nearly a dozen coastal parks and parking areas overnight. The idea was to help reduce gang activity, late-night parties, illegal bonfires, and unauthorized camping.

Shoeshine Willie Dies

Ocean Beach lost an iconic resident, business owner, Marine veteran, and former Raiders pro football player known as “Shoeshine” Willie Washington who died Jan. 22. Washington operated his shoeshine shack on Newport Avenue for more than 40 years. He had been on “leave” from his business due to COVID.

En a Pickle

Pickleball proponents Mike Shinzaki and Stefan Boyland formed Pickleball SD and were on a mission with an ambitious plan to turn the tennis club at Robb Field into a premium pickleball facility.

FEBRUARY

Homeless Encampment

On the morning of Feb. 3, members of a large homeless encampment at Sports Arena Boulevard and Rosecrans in Midway scrambled to clear their personal belongings out before Alpha Project crews swept through feeding trash, bicycles, furniture, and countless other articles to be crushed in the maw of a garbage truck. All happened under the scrutiny of a dozen or more police officers furnishing security. Dispossessed encampment denizens looked on as work crews largely dismantled their makeshift tent city encampment, which nearly 200 inhabitants had been calling home. Later that afternoon, a return visit to the camp found it largely denuded, remarkably cleaner, and noticeably and significantly downsized.

Problematic Homelessness

In an exclusive interview with the Peninsula Beacon, Mayor Todd Gloria referred to homelessness, encampments, and the issues they raise as “the most vexing and seemingly intractable problem City government has to deal with today. What do you do?” Gloria asked, answering, “Housing. But it takes time and involves a lot of other issues – financing, zoning, community support, etc. It’s an extremely complex problem.” Regarding cleaning up homeless encampments like the one in Midway, Gloria said: “We’re going to continue our outreach and law enforcement work. We did, and will continue to, take noticed action to clean out what’s dangerous and unhealthy.”

COVID Crisis

Police officers assigned to specialized units in OB were asked to help answer radio calls because too many cops on the beat were in isolation or quarantine due to COVID protocols. More than 100 members of the police force at the time remained on COVID leave.

Stairs Repairs

Progress was made on long-awaited repairs to the storm-damaged Bermuda Avenue stairs in Ocean Beach. “The Bermuda Avenue beach access stairs project has completed the design phase and has been advertised for construction,” said City spokesperson Tyler Becker. “This project will be going to construction as soon as the award process is complete and the contract is signed, expected to begin this spring.”

Street Vending Vetted

Local reaction was mixed on the draft street vending ordinance crafted by Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell’s office. Though some considered it a fair compromise, others felt it did not go far enough, while allowing vendors an unfair advantage over more traditional merchants.

Clean Outs Challenged

An attorney challenged the City and Mayor Todd Gloria’s policy of periodically cleaning out homeless encampments, like one in Midway District at Sports Arena Boulevard and Rosecrans that was cleared out on Feb. 3. The camp cleanup was justified by the mayor’s office, which said the intent was to “allow City Environmental Services staff to go through the area and clear it of waste and debris that poses a threat to public health and safety.” The City added the action was aimed at “immediately remediating health hazards in the context of a sustained, long-term effort to persuade unhoused residents to move off the streets into a shelter.” San Diego social justice attorney Coleen M. Cusack represented several people living in the cleared-out Midway encampment, who opted to collectively organize to protest being displaced.

Changing Of The Guard

Nina and Roy McClish assumed ownership of Wine Pub and Coffee Hub Cafe in Point Loma, taking over from previous owner Sandy Hanshaw. “My wife and I met here on our first date, which was a blind date,” joked Roy McClish.

MARCH

Lifeguards Rescue

With the help of Engine 22, San Diego lifeguards pulled a man and a woman from the water in the cove area at Pappy’s Point on March 2. Lifeguards responded to Sunset Cliffs and found a man and a woman in the water just before 9 p.m. They told lifeguards they were left to swim to shore after being brought to the area on a personal watercraft from Mexico. They were transported to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest with minor injuries.

Street Vending Ordinance

On March 1, the City Council voted 8-1 in favor of an ordinance to regulate sidewalk vending and establish penalties for non-compliance. “We have an ordinance that brings the City into compliance with SB 946 that went into effect in 2019 and brings vendors into the formal economy,” said Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell, who authored the ordinance.

St. Paddy’s Party

Ocean Beach-based restaurants and vendors launched their inaugural St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party event at the OB Pier parking lot on March 19. The all-day event featured live music from local bands and DJs, green beer and cocktails, St. Patrick’s Day-themed games and contests, and the first-ever “Guac Off.”

Meeting Gray Whales

A Point Loman recounted having witnessed gray whales during their annual migration to spawn in the lagoons of Baja California Sur, Mexico, characterizing the experience as life-changing. “It was going beyond just a wild experience, it was a special nature connection for me meeting up in the wild with large mammals in the water,” said Barbara Booth Keiller, Ph.D. “In a lot of ways, it expands your view of the world.”

APRIL

Parking Lots, Restrooms

Growing occupation of the parking lots and restrooms of Robb Field and Dog Beach in Ocean Beach by vehicle dwellers and the unsheltered has revived public debate over whether – and where – vehicle habitation should be allowed in the City. or property. Regarding the use of beach-area parking lots and restrooms, Ashley Bailey from the City said: “In general, City of San Diego parks, restrooms, and parking lots are open to being used by anyone during the hours posted at that facility, regardless of housing status. If individuals feel threatened, or that there is illegal activity occurring, they should contact the San Diego Police Department.”

Photographer Honored

Point Loman Kim Belverud was honored by the National Association of Professional Child Photographers with the prestigious title of Photographer of the Year for 2021. She is the owner and creative artist behind Kim Belverud Photography, LLC, specializing in lifestyle family, couples, and maternity photography.

Long-Term Lease

A new long-term lease was signed for The Orchard Apartments, senior housing at 4040 Hancock St. in the Midway District, and tenants in the sprawling, 563-apartment complex were informed by management that security was going to be beefed up and that major renovations were to include a new clubhouse.

Volley Over Pickleball

On April 5, Pickleball and tennis enthusiasts crossed rackets in a turf battle over a proposal to convert Robb Field tennis courts in Ocean Beach into 36 pickleball courts. Both sides, about equally represented, packed Santa Clara Recreation Center volleying back and forth during Mission Bay Park Committee’s monthly meeting. Pickleball supporters contended there is a lack of places to play locally for the rapidly growing sport. Peninsula Tennis Club players, who use Robb Field courts, turned out in large numbers with colorful signs and costumes to argue it is unfair, and inadvisable, to remove existing tennis court space.

Most Scenic Ballpark

Carroll B. Land Stadium on the Point Loma Nazarene University campus was named “America’s Most Scenic Ballpark” by Major League Baseball. PLNU was highlighted by MLB.com with a “Look inside America’s most scenic ballpark” (mlb.com/news/). Nestled on the seaside cliffs of Point Loma, no other collegiate baseball park can match the picturesque views and comfortable setting of the school’s oceanside field of dreams.

Cafe History Exhibit

Jennings House Café owner Cathy Gallagher partnered with La Playa Trail Association in hosting a Point Loma photo exhibition. On the café walls, among others, were images of the Portuguese fishing industry, which the majority of early Portuguese immigrants earned their incomes from.

Housing Versus Open Space

A Point Loma ad hoc group opposing an affordable housing development proposed in Famosa Canyon sued the San Diego Housing Commission to obtain pertinent information about the controversial project.

MAY

Palm Tree Removal

Some Peninsulans were outraged that several tall palm trees on eastern Newport Avenue were abruptly removed by the City on the claim that their height impeded incoming aircraft and San Diego International Airport’s operations. “They (City) came out with the cops to cut down the trees at 7:15 a.m. when you couldn’t even call the City or County or anyone,” said Tracy Van De Walker who spearheaded opposition to the City’s plans to remove the palms.

Village Lights Dedicated

A Point Loma Association-sponsored project to improve lighting in the community’s downtown, “Village Lights,” a canopy of lights hung between Talbot, Canon, and Rosecrans streets was dedicated with a free family-friendly community celebration titled “Light Up the Night” on May 9.

Old Town Hub

Plans to develop a Central Mobility Hub in the NAVWAR Old Tow n Complex were shelved in favor of two other alternatives. “SANDAG continues to collaborate closely with the Navy on possibly including a future transit stop at the Navy’s Old Town Campus, but have agreed to stop exploring the site for the Central Mobility Hub,” said SANDAG.

OB Farmers Market

The 30th anniversary of the Ocean Beach Farmers Market on Newport Avenue was celebrated in 2022. “Our Farmers Market has been very successful,” said Denny Knox, executive director for Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, which founded the weekly event and has developed its potential over time. “We have a great turnout and loyal vendors who’ve been doing this market for years. It’s really helped put Ocean Beach on the map.”

Sidewalk Vending Approved

District 2 Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell’s Sidewalk Vendor Ordinance was officially approved by the City Council on May 17. All sidewalk vendors and pushcart operators will have until mid-June to purchase a $38 annual permit and comply with the ordinance’s provisions. The new ordinance requires vendors to be 15 feet apart from one another, 50 feet from major transit stops, and 100 feet from any sidewalk or street closures. The new regulations will impose restrictions on vendors in high-traffic areas like boardwalks, beach-facing sidewalks, and parks between Memorial and Labor days. Some specific areas targeted are Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Presidio Park, Belmont Park, and shoreline parks in the communities of Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla during the summer months.

JUNE

Sports Arena Finalists

San Diego City Council unanimously chose three finalists – Midway Rising, HomeTownSD, and Midway Village+ – out of a field of five to redevelop the 48-acre former Sports Arena site to be anchored by affordable housing in the Midway District.

OB Pier Fireworks

For the third year in a row, what had previously been the “annual” Fourth of July fireworks celebration off the Ocean Beach Pier was extinguished. And the prospect of the event returning was uncertain at best. The news proved to be a prelude to a communitywide search to find alternatives to fireworks in celebrating the summer holiday.

Cabrillo Under The Stars

The annual Cabrillo Under The Stars tasting event on a starlit Saturday was a big success. “We raised around $38,000,” said Emily M. Moore, executive director of the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation. “This year, Cabrillo National Monument Foundation is raising funds for a new trail at Cabrillo National Monument.”

Festa do Espirito Santo

Celebration of the traditional 112th Festa do Espirito Santo returned to normal in 2022. In 2021, for the first time in its century-plus history, the Point Loma Portuguese community’s signature annual event was not sponsored by a family, but by UPSES Inc. That ended in 2022. “Our family was originally chosen and was preparing for the 2020 Festa when sadly the COVID pandemic shut us down,” said Deborah Dutra who, along with her husband Brian, were 2022 Festa presidents.

Midway Homeless Shelter

Construction began for a new low-barrier shelter at 3851 Rosecrans St. in the Midway neighborhood to serve up to 150 unsheltered individuals. The County and City of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission, and the Lucky Duck Foundation partnered to open it.

PLHS Modernization

A new three-story Library/Innovation Center building was among the new site modernization phases dedicated to the Point Loma High School campus. The library, with several large conference rooms and student study areas, and 20 new classrooms on the two top floors, was the focus of the June 6 event held in the spacious new quad area of the 97-year-old campus. Also celebrated was the renovation of the 200 and 300 buildings on campus and upgrades to Pete Ross Stadium, which include practice fields for athletics, band, and NJROTC students plus new stands and facilities for visiting fans.

Anti-Gun Violence

Gun violence and mass shootings, including in Uvalde, Texas where an 18-year-old was accused of shooting and killing 19 elementary school students, prompted Point Loma High School students to spearhead a June 9 student activist march from the Hall of Justice to Waterfront Park downtown. “We need to make sure everyone knows it is their responsibility to be involved. No matter who you are, no matter what you believe in: You need to be involved in this fight because it is literally children fighting for their lives,” said Zoë Geller-Alford, a Point Loma High School junior involved in the march.

JULY

Summer Concerts

Back live from a two-year COVID hiatus, the Point Loma Summer Concerts Series was presented by Willis Allen Real Estate returning on consecutive Fridays from July 15 to Aug. 12. Thousands of fans took in in performances from a wide variety of cover and tribute bands, with opening sets on the Junior Stage performed by groups of local students.

Chili Cook-off Returns

The annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. “It was great to see families enjoying the Seaside Family Fun Zone in its new location in Saratoga Park,” said OBMA. “We received great feedback from attendees that they loved the live music on the three stages.” The chili cook-off was a success and raised funds for the Friends of OB program, which supports keeping Ocean Beach clean, safe, and beautiful.

Therapeutic Painting

Ten years after being shot in the head and neck and left in a coma as an innocent bystander in a gun violence incident, Will Barton, a Point Loma High School alum, has found expression and some sense of renewal and healing through painting. He uses his mouth to compensate for partial arm paralysis.

Breweries Team Up

Sapporo U.S.A. and Stone Brewing agreed for Sapporo to acquire Stone Brewing for around $165 million. The east-meets-west acquisition brought together a fusion of cultures creating growth potential for both brands. Sapporo gains significant, high-quality brewing capacity on both U.S. coasts. Stone gains the resources of the largest Asian beer brand in America and its commitment to preserving Stone’s legacy, culture, and innovative approach to craft brewing.

Market Anniversary

Uniqueness is what Olive Tree Marketplace owner Chris Stavros attributed his success to after 35 years of operating his upscale grocery store and deli in Ocean Beach. “We call it a quirky and unique selection because that is exactly what it is,” said the shopkeeper of his inventory.

Fitness Expansion

EōS Fitness in the Midway District was busy during the pandemic replacing its locker rooms and putting in two new pools and a dry sauna as well as emerging with an expansionist outlook. The facility has a basketball court, as well as a movie theater with subdued lighting where members can watch recently released films while doing cardio workouts.

Shakespeare Workshop

Ten acting students with varying backgrounds and experiences gathered on July 23 at Liberty Station for a workshop in the round to learn acting or hone their skills in studying and performing Shakespeare. The six-week outdoor class called “Summer Shakes 22” was offered by ActLiveNow/Point Loma Playhouse.

OB Pier Jump

Dozens of parents and members of the public joined San Diego Junior Lifeguards and the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego for the first session of the annual Pier Jump on Monday, July 11. The event also acts as a fundraiser for the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego.

AUGUST

Expiring Pier

“The City is moving forward with a Capital Improvement Project to replace the Ocean Beach Pier,” said James Nagelvoort, director for the Strategic Capital Projects Department. “The pier has reached the end of its useful life. As part of the effort to replace the pier, an Ocean Beach Pier Replacement Task Force has been organized to advise the City on the preferred project scope and program for a new Ocean Beach Pier.”

New Departure Path

The Federal Aviation Administration implemented a new San Diego International Airport departure procedure intended to lessen noise impacts to areas in the flight path, by having planes fly further out over the ocean before turning back south of Point Loma. The new ZZOOO3 departure procedure was implemented by the FAA based on a recommendation made first by the Airport Noise Advisory Committee subcommittee.

CAP Updated

San Diego City Council voted 8-0 Aug. 2 to support an update of the City’s Climate Action Plan. The update formalized the City’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2035. It also reinforced the City’s standing as a statewide and national climate leader.

Sports Arena Finalist

In August, Mayor Todd Gloria officially recommended the Midway Rising project as the top finalist to redevelop the former Sports Arena site in the Midway District. “I am confident Midway Rising will deliver on my vision of creating thousands of new affordable and middle-income homes, good-paying local jobs, and a new world-class arena and entertainment district,” Gloria said.

Fireworks Alternative

OB began to figure out how to replace fireworks from the aging OB Pier, which can no longer handle them, at the first Luminosity Festival community meeting held Aug. 25 at Newbreak Church. The latest high-tech trend involves drone shows.

Barons Remodeled

Barons completed a full redesign and renovation of the first of its nine existing stores at 4001 W. Point Loma Blvd. The newly renovated store boasts a fresh salad bar, hot soup counter, olive bar, hot food bar, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar.

Mural Restoration

Twenty-two years ago, Claudia Hardin and friends painted a whimsical mural to benefit children at Cabrillo Elementary School on Talbot Street in Point Loma. This year, she restored it. “The original wall mural was painted during the 1999-2000 Christmas break,” said Hardin.

SEPTEMBER

Height Limit Challenged

Opponents of removing the 30 feet height limit in Midway District filed a new lawsuit claiming the City failed to comply with updating an environmental impact report before the measure could be voted on. The lawsuit, filed by Save Our Access, responds to a second height-negating measure placed on the Nov. 8 ballot, which asked for a re-vote on lifting the current Midway 30-feet height limit. The challenge ultimately narrowly failed.

Bike Hub Fundraiser

Fundraising has officially begun by proponents of a bold plan to transform an abandoned Liberty Station building into a regional bicycling hub. The proposed Bike Center, otherwise known as the Liberty Bike Commons, is on dedicated City parklands in Building 191.

Beach Fire Restrictions

Community planners support a proposal to ban wood bonfires on City beaches including Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, and Ocean Beach. District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava’s proposal confining beach fires to City-provided fire rings and portable propane-fueled devices is meant to resolve conflicting language, improve public safety, and provide clarity for beachgoers and public safety officials alike.

OCTOBER

Homeless Outreach

The City Council spent hours on Sept. 19 hearing from national experts and the public on best practices in dealing with the homeless crisis, before voting for a new contract enabling outreach teams to help homeless struggling with mental illness out on the streets.

Oktoberfest Anniversary

Promoted as the wildest event of its type in San Diego, Ocean Beach Oktoberfest featuring German brews, brats, fun games, and offbeat events turned 20 this year having returned the weekend of Oct. 7-8.

Krueger Memorial

More than 100 people attended an Oct. 1 celebration of life for Ocean Beach legend Kip Krueger, who was renowned for his prolific sign-making and social activism. Krueger was widely known, besides his sign painting, for co-founding The Green Store, which in 2015, changed its name to Ocean Beach Green Center.

Paddle For Clean Water

About 300 people turned out for Surfrider Foundation San Diego County’s 30th annual Paddle for Clean Water on Oct. 2 at Ocean Beach Pier. The event included a host of activities, starting with breakfast for paddlers and beach yoga, to promote clean water and protest ocean pollution.

Fishing Alliance

Point Loma commercial fishing businesses and tenants at Driscoll’s Wharf launched a new Point Loma Commercial Fishing Alliance at an Oct. 13 press conference at the wharf. At the event, speakers included Tom Driscoll, Tommy Gomes of the “Fishmonger” Netflix series, and a partner in TunaVille Market & Grocery, as well as Mitch Conniff of Mitch’s Seafood, along with Jimmy Silveira of Chula Seafood.

Fishing As Therapy

The fourth annual free veteran’s fishing day sponsored by Point Loma Rotary Club for recovering vets from Veterans Village of San Diego turned into a fishing frenzy with contented anglers returning with big smiles along with their limits of fish. The military vets, from various branches of the service, were working through a live-in drug and alcohol recovery program at VVSD.

NOVEMBER

Sunset Cliffs Improvements

Design was underway on a project to provide drainage improvements in Sunset Cliffs Natural Park’s Hillside Section. The 50-acre Hillside Section is part of the 68-acre resource-based park bordering the western edge of Point Loma. The park’s Hillside Section is a designated multiple species conservation area linking to the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve beginning at the Navy property. Hillside drainage improvements will entail the evaluation of the drainage within the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and the implementation of a complete drainage system.

Styrofoam Ban

San Diego City Council voted 7-1 on Nov. 15 to ban polystyrene foam food containers, utensils, coolers, and toys, while granting hardship exclusions for small businesses potentially negatively impacted by the new ordinance.

Newport Avenue Mall

There was a changing of the guard at the Newport Avenue mall in Ocean Beach, with mostly newer tenants banding together to collectively promote and market themselves. The popular indoor mall at 4967 Newport Ave. is now home to The Philosopher’s Stone, Brew Wave Coffee, Seth’s Chop Shop, OB Mindful Goods, San Diego Holistic Healing/Reiki by Rylee, and Ocean Beach Business Center on the ground floor, along with Anamaya Vintage Store upstairs.

DECEMBER

OB Pier Lawsuit

The end may be near for OB Pier, but how to rectify its 56-year-old deteriorating structure could be further delayed as a lawsuit sought to block the replacement of the pier, alleging it is being done without proper environmental review. “This case concerns the City’s attempt to sidestep the California Environmental Quality Act in approving an $8 million project involving horizontal drilling and boring, sand excavation, and other changes to the environment around the Ocean Beach Pier, disguised as merely a ‘study’ to facilitate rebuilding the pier,” stated the lawsuit filed Nov. 15.

New Performing Arts Center at Liberty Station

A partnership between nonprofits NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre was announced to renovate historic Naval Building 178 at Arts District Liberty Station for adaptive reuse, transforming it into The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center. Expected to take two years to complete, the estimated $38.9 million project will break ground in spring 2023 with an opening planned for late 2024.

I Never Leave OB

A skateboard enthusiast came up with a stocking stuffer of a different sort for Christmas this year in Ocean Beach: The “I Never Leave OB” skateboard deck and hardware come in black and white and were available at OB Hardware, 4871 Newport Ave. The unorthodox gift came just in time for the holidays, thanks to Josh Utley of RMOB Revoked Skateboards & Co.