The Ocean Beach Town Council (OBTC) continued its giving ways last week, donating thousands of dollars in grants to various Ocean Beach community groups during the OBTC’s regular board meeting March 26 at the Masonic Center.
The council also received updates on several projects and upcoming volunteer events. San Diego mayoral candidate Steve Francis also made an appearance during the meeting, answering questions from the community about his candidacy.
The OBTC donated about $6,000 in grants to several community groups, in increments ranging from $300 to $1,000.
“We had representatives from the different groups that were present to receive them,” said OBTC chair Jim Musgrove, “[and] any of the local community service groups are eligible.”
The council awards grants each year from surplus Ocean Beach Christmas Tree Festival proceeds. The festival provides food and toys to Ocean Beach families during the Christmas holiday season, according to board member Shaina Gross.
This year’s grant recipients included: Sunset Cliffs Surf Association, Ocean Beach Historical Society, Set Free Ocean Beach, Ocean Beach Soup Kitchen, Ocean Beach Community Foundation, Ocean Beach Elementary School, Ocean Beach Planning Board, Dollars for Scholars, Silver Gate Elementary School, Friends of Sunset Cliffs, Dusty Rhodes Park, and Ocean Beach Skate Park Skateboardship Program, according to a list compiled by the council.
In addition to handing out grants, the council heard updates from a representative from the Ocean Beach Community Development Corporation about the Ocean Beach Entryway Project, Musgrove said.
The OBCDC is seeking community funding to keep the project moving forward, Musgrove said. The Ocean Beach Entryway Project started in 1997 with the goal of creating an entryway to Ocean Beach that reflects the qualities unique to Ocean Beach.
For more information, visit www.obcdc.org.
The council also hosted a 20-minute forum where community members were given a chance to ask Francis questions about his candidacy.
In other matters:
“¢ A San Diego Surfrider representative asked the council to help spread the word about the Fourth of July clean-up efforts this year.
“¢ The OBTC plans to launch a membership drive in the coming months to increase community involvement with the council.
The OBTC meets every fourth Wednesday at the Masonic Center at 7 p.m. The council has several committees that organize events throughout the year, including the annual Tree Festival and the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off. The council also acts as a community liaison between residents and elected representatives.
For more information, call (619) 414-4400, or visit www.obtowncouncil.org.