The Ocean Beach Historical Society will host a program detailing the history and activism of The Green Store in San Diego and in OB as the store celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The free program takes place Feb. 20 at the Point Loma United Methodist Church, located at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., at 7 p.m. Colleen Dietzel, co-founder of The Green Store, will recount the two-and-a-half-decade journey to save Ocean Beach and the world. Colleen and Kip Krueger opened the Green Store on Voltaire Street on Earth Day, April 22, 1989. Starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with famed environmentalist David Brower, a long journey began with ways to inform the public on how to save the environment and promote world peace. Along with the movement to help establish the Green Party, The Green Store in Ocean Beach went on to focus on social justice and promote local independent mom-and-pop businesses. The Ocean Beach Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting the unique history of Ocean Beach and the Peninsula area. The organization preserves the history of the area by maintaining a collection of old photos, maps, books, newspapers and other historical documents. All of the artifacts are stored in the Historical Society Archives Room, which is located in a rented space of the Point Loma United Methodist Church. The Ocean Beach Historical Society also publishes a bimonthly newsletter titled “Sea Scrolls — Notes from the Ocean Beach Historical Society.”
Pat James serves as president of the organization and works with his wife, Susan, as well as Stephanie Greenwald as editors of the newsletter. Kathy Blavatt, who is dedicated to the history of Ocean Beach, serves as the creative director for the organization. Donations to the historical society are welcomed, along with old photographs or other artifacts of the area. All documents can be copied and returned. Preservation work by the society does require support and supplies. All donations are tax deductible.
The OB Historical Society welcomes new members. Those wishing to join receive newsletters and announcements for $15 per year. Life memberships are also available, along with other plans.
For more information about the historical society, its programs and ways you can help, visit www.obhistory.wordpress.com.