www.SDNEWS.com Volume 24, Number 33
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
Warfare center places Point on global stage Peninsula’s interface buoys Navy mission BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) in Point Loma gave Peninsula residents a peek this week into what it does. Officials from the Navy lab, which is dedicated to development of warfare technology for government and private entities, held its annual public forum at the Hervey/Point Loma Public Library on Aug. 31. “Our community is a global community. But what we do globally
wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have the support of the community that we have locally,” said SSC Pacific commanding officer Capt. Mark Kohlheim. “The command couldn’t succeed without local community support.” At the 2 1/2-hour session, community members learned about SSC Pacific, what it works on and about educational outreach efforts in the community. A question-andanswer session followed. “We have to have a dialogue SEE NAVY, Page 4
An illuminating experience Visitors to Cabrillo National Monument were treated to something a little special during the National Park Service Founders Day on Aug. 25. The event, which celebrates the birthday of the Cabrillo monument and the Park Service as a whole, allows visitors to climb the ladder of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and see the actual lamp up close, as well as to venture out on the catwalk outside to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking panorama of the COURTESY PHOTOS BY JIM GRANT ocean and entire city. Cabrillo National Monument turns 100 in the year 2013.
Filner confident wastewater waiver will still be granted
OB bodysurfer, 47, still finding passion in fitness, competition BY DON BALCH | THE BEACON
Rich Loughridge loves the ocean. The Ocean Beach resident can look to the sea from his hilltop home and frequently takes the short trip down to the 24-hour swimming zone near the Avalanche jetty to hit the waves. Although he enjoys surfboarding, Loughridge said he has a real passion for bodysurfing. “It’s the purest form of wave riding,” Loughridge said. “It’s a great workout for your whole
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center engineer Robin Laird, center, demonstrates scientific principles to elementary school children participating in a COURTESY PHOTO U.S. NAVY FIRST Robotics Team sponsored by SSC Pacific.
BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
body.” Loughridge, 47, who works in the cable TV management business, put his bodysurfing skills to the test recently in the Chubascos Body Surfing Contest held at Huntington Beach and won the Senior Men’s 40 & Up Division. Then he surprised himself by taking out the Grand Champion trophy after claiming victory over a heat of other division win- Rich Loughridge of Ocean Beach ners. He received an artistic recently captured the Grand Champisculpture of a bodysurfer riding onship trophy at the Chubascos Body Surfing Contest in Huntington Beach. SEE BODYSURFER, Page 7
DON BALCH | THE BEACON
Rep. Bob Filner said he is optimistic that the California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) Aug. 13 decision to deny the city a secondarytreatment waiver for the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant will be overturned within two months. Filner said he is optimistic even though he has yet to receive a response to his letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asking the governor to overturn the commission’s decision. “If we don’t hear from the gover-
nor, I’ll follow up on it and we’ll introduce legislation and try to pass that within a few weeks,” Filner said. “We expect within a month we should be able to get back on track on this stuff.” Filner said that in addition to his own letter to the governor, the city is simultaneously appealing the decision to the U.S. Department of Commerce. If neither of those pursuits work, Filner said he will craft the legislation. “We’re going along those three tracks and we’re working on all of SEE WAIVER Page 7
What is a Secular Bear Market? Chip Messenger
A secular bear market is a long period in which stocks and the economy make little progress.
Investment Representative • CA Insurance Lic. #Oc84814 4835 Voltaire St. Ocean Beach, CA 92107 chip.messenger@lpl.com
619.573.4738 office 866.686.8143 toll free 619.573.4758 fax
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