The Peninsula Beacon, December 21st, 2016 by San Diego Community Newspaper Group

BCN

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

San Diego Community Newspaper Group

Holiday spirit bends, but does not break in OB

The OB Christmas tree has leaned to the left since it was installed on the beach last month. After a weekend of wind and rain, the tree is drooping even more and may need some Christmas magic to make it through December. PHOTO BY THOMAS MELVILLE

Resolve of community helps ‘Doc’ get his wheels back BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON

Retired Point Loma surgeon Dr. Ryan found out just how much his community loves and appreciates him after the 90-year-old's tricycle was stolen – as friends, family and the OB community chipped in to buy him a new one. “It was me who noticed first, because when I'm here, I really enjoy seeing (Ryan) riding,” said Jan Brummett, visiting from Colorado in Ryan's oceanside neighborhood off Sunset Cliffs Boulevard near the corner of Osprey

‘[Obecians] immediately wanted to fund a new bicycle. They were outraged that someone stole a 90-year-old's tricycle.’ JAN BRUMMETT VISITOR ON SUNSET CLIFFS BOULEVARD

Street. “I saw him riding on Friday, and then Sunday he was walking. I asked him and he said, 'Somebody came and stole it out of my backyard,'” said Brummett. So Brummett posted notice in Facebook on the OB crime watch site. “They (Obecians) immedi-

ately wanted to fund a new bicycle,” said Brummett. “They were outraged that someone stole a 90year-old's tricycle.” Brummett said it took all of three hours on GoFundMe.com to raise the donations needed to buy Ryan a beautiful new blue tricycle

with a custom license plate, pinwheels and a basket on the back. It was all wrapped up with a big red bow for his tree that read: “For Doc Ryan. We care. Love from your OB community. Bike on!” Discussing her motivation, Brummett said she's been disturbed about “all the hate that's going on” following the November presidential election. “My mission now is to see that love trumps hate,” said Brummett, noting she belongs to a notSEE BIKE, Page 5

Doc Ryan on his new tricycle. His other tricycle was PHOTO BY DAVE SCHWAB stolen from his yard.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY · DECEMBER 21, 2016 THE PENINSULA BEACON

Climate Action Campaign issues report cards on SD cities’ climate plans Climate Action Campaign unveiled the inaugural edition of their Climate Plan Report Card earlier this month, which grades the climate action plans, or lack thereof, of all 19 San Diego municipalities in the region. Only the City of San Diego – who received national accolades when it adopted a binding 100 percent clean energy Climate Action Plan last year – earned a gold designation. Zero cities earned a silver grade, while Del Mar, San Marcos and Carlsbad all took home the bronze designation for their climate action plans. Read the full Climate Action Plan Report

Card at www.climateactioncampaign.org. “The City of San Diego continues to lead the way with its groundbreaking Climate Action Plan and is honored to be recognized as the new standard for other cities to follow,” said Cody Hooven, chief sustainability officer at the City of San Diego. “In the year since the plan was formally adopted, we’ve already begun to make significant investments that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner tomorrow for our neighborhoods.” Climate Action Campaign pub-

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lished the report card to serve as a tool for cities, advocates, and the public to understand the best practices for protecting families’ futures from climate change. By enhancing transparency and accountability, the report card seeks to incentivize local cities to take action through friendly competition and collaboration. “In the face of a new president threatening to dismantle federal progress on climate and clean energy, leadership from local governments is more important than ever,” said Nicole Capretz, executive director of Climate Action Campaign. “We hope our report card will

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inform the public about what their city is doing to slash carbon pollution and protect their kids’ future. There are 19 local governments in our region, yet only seven had gradable climate plans. Our goal is to spur even more cities to take action to safeguard our quality of life.” The first edition of the Climate Plan Report Card assigns points and gives grades based on the goals and strategies contained in each plan. As CAPs become a mainstay throughout our region, future editions of the report card will measure how effectively local governments are actually implementing their plans.

“Even if we stop emitting greenhouse gasses tomorrow, there will still be significant Sea Level Rise (SLR) affecting our region over the next several decades. It is imperative that we address and prepare for those changes in ways that preserve our quality of life and the very resources that draw us to San Diego, like our beaches and waves. The earlier we start planning, the more options there will be. The challenges are real and we hope that cities will address them proactively and responsibly though robust Climate Action Plans” said Julia Chunn, Surfrider San Diego.

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THE PENINSULA BEACON | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016 | PAGE 3

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2016 YEAR IN REVIEW Year of the Pier, plane routes, school stadium lights and dead parrots 4

WEDNESDAY · DECEMBER 21, 2016

THE PENINSULA BEACON

BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON

APRIL It was the year of the pier in 2016, and Obecians and Point Lomans alike had a lot to celebrate in the Peninsula. Newswise, it was a busy time all year long. The following is a month-bymonth account of what transpired on the news front throughout the Peninsula:

• The battle over a controversial lot split proposed on a Point Loma historic property proved to be far from over, as a grass-roots group supported the City Council's decision to appeal a judge's reversal of its previous vote denying the subdivision project. San Diego City Council voted 6-3 on Feb. 9, 2015 to deny the Point Loma Summit project. The project is a subdivision proposal that calls for JANUARY splitting the old Joseph Jessop Estate at • This year marked the 50th 414 La Crescentia Drive into four lots, anniversary of Ocean Beach Municincluding the Tudor-styled home built ipal Pier, and the community celein 1926 by Joseph and Mabel Jessop. brated year-long. Ocean Beach Main• Scattered reports continued of Street Association (OBMA), the beach wild parrots being shot to death by community's Business Improvement pellets by an unknown assailant in District (BID), had a “Pierbook” where Ocean Beach. Reward money being people shared their enduring memooffered for information leading to ries of the iconic structure. prosecution of the culprit(s) was also upped to $7,000. “July was the 50th anniversary of • Jon Linney was elected to lead the pier, which opened the weekend Peninsula Community Planning of July 2-4 in 1966,” said Isabel Clark, Board, which advises the city on OBMA's program director. “People PHOTO BY JIM GRANT important land-use matters. have gotten married on the pier, had Dylan Kelly paddleboards down Abbott Street in Ocean Beach after the heavy rains on Jan. 6. • In April, Midway Community their first kiss there or been parents sharing special moments with their ditions set for the property's owner to lished in The Beacon before SDPD and graphical landmark for millions of Planning Group approved an expanchildren or grandchildren there. It's tear it down, sell it — or go to jail. lifeguards closed the pier after a mas- visitors and neighbors for more than sion for an existing medical marijuajust a special, awesome place.” na dispensary and got an update from Though neighbors questioned the sive wave knocked down and injured 35 years. • SeaWorld San Diego announced it city officials on Sports Arena Boule• It came down to a question of home's sale price, $275,000 versus a young woman who was walking on will unveil a new attraction in 2017, vard leases. having a mom-and-pop, or a corpo- its previous sales price of $875,000 in the pier. rate shop? • Peninsula Community Planning Ocean Explorer, which will be com2005. Given that choice, most PeninsuJudge Rubin made it clear to prop- Board (PCPB) played to a packed bining multiple aquariums, rides and MAY lans preferred an independent grocer erty owner Francisco Mendiola's house when the community was digital technologies to engage park • There was a changing of the over a CVS Pharmacy at the former camp that “if indications of a sale to updated on the status of a controver- guests in an experience centered on guard at Point Loma Association's Fresh & Easy at 955 Catalina Blvd. a related party (of Mendiola) sur- sial issue, the so-called NextGen exploration and adventure. (PLA's) annual town hall forum and • Roseville in Point Loma, one of election May 24 at the Portuguese When some Point Lomans heard the faced, things would go south in a Metroplex plan, proposed by the Fednew tenants in the mall were likely to hurry.” eral Aviation Administration. That the city's oldest neighborhoods, will Hall at 2818 Avenida de Portugal. be a high-profile corporation — they Outgoing PLA president Robert • The San Diego County Regional proposal could have allowed devia- have a new pocket park thanks to a balked. Airport Authority held a ribbon-cut- tions from the LOWMA Waypoint March 8 unanimous vote by the San (Tripp) Jackson passed the gavel to An online petition drive followed on ting for the $316 million consolidat- navigational marker that for some 20 Diego City Council. Clark Anthony Burlingame (known The council action committed a as Clark Anthony). change.org. It began with just a single ed Rental Car Center Jan. 15 in antic- years has minimized plane flights over total of $840,000 from Peninsula signature, and garnered 1,218 sup- ipation of the Jan. 20 grand opening. the Peninsula. • A quiet street straddling Point • It turns out Sunset Cliffs was on developer impact fees for design and Loma and Ocean Beach planning porters in just a couple of weeks. • If you don't think heavy rains Neighbors got their wish as a Jensen's cause major problems in Ocean (a) crack. So much so that part of the construction of a new pocket park on areas became a battleground over a boutique grocery opened in Decem- Beach … Ocean Beach Main Street Ocean Beach landform, which devel- a two-thirds of an acre lot on Aveni- developer's plans to build two homes on a split lot some neighbors considber in time for Christmas. Association's (OBMA's) office on oped a sizable split beneath Point da de Portugal above Cañon Street. • Also in March, SeaWorld, the er to be undersized for the project. • It was a very good year for taking Bacon Street was completely flooded Loma Nazarene University, later in financial fortunes of which have been The city planning commission care of old issues, like the “perpetual by a January deluge and had to be the year came tumbling down. waning since the controversial docu- heard an appeal May 26 of the city remodel” half-finished mansion that closed for repairs. mentary “Blackfish” debuted, Development Services Department's MARCH had been under construction on • A wildlife rescue service, SoCal announced a “sea change” in its busi- approval of a Coastal Development Plum Street for more than seven FEBRUARY • Huge waves crashed onto the Parrot of Jamul, sought donations to ness philosophy. Permit to demolish a single-family years. SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby home at 2257 Froude St. and replace A judge was finally satisfied that Ocean Beach Pier due to wind and fund a $3,000 reward for informathe recent sale of a “perpetual remod- rain during a winter storm. Photog- tion leading to an arrest in the killing announced March 17 that the com- it with two new 1,814 square-foot pany will halt killer whale breeding, homes each over a 1,073 square-foot el” at 1676 Plum Street fulfilled con- rapher Jim Grant shot an image pub- of Ocean Beach parrots. Several parrots had been killed, pos- end its theatrical orca shows and dou- basement/two-car garage on two Free report reveals secrets sellers use to preserve their equity sibly by adolescents with a pellet gun, ble down on conservation and rescue legal lots. efforts. • Shrugging off the implied threat in the first quarter of the year. SAN DIEGO, If you've tried to once you understand the process. • The new Point Loma Lighthouse of a lawsuit, San Diego Unified School The animal-welfare group said it sell your home yourself, you Inside the report, you'll find 10 would pursue felony animal cruelty celebrated its 125th anniversary on District Board May 24 voted 5-0 in know that the minute you put inside tips to selling your home charges against anyone caught shoot- March 23 with Patricia Dudley favor of an environmental impact the "For Sale by Owner" sign up, by yourself which will help you Goulart and Joan Dudley Eayrs, the report for campus and athletic faciliing the exotic birds. the phone will start to ring off the sell for the best price in the short• Following heavy El Niño rains in daughters of the original lighthouse ties upgrades at Point Loma High hook. Unfortunately, most calls est amount of time. You'll find January and recent pounding surf, keeper James Elliot Dudley. The sisters School (PLHS), including a controaren't from prospective buyers, out what real estate agents don't yet another portion of Sunset Cliffs lived in the area for the first 19 and 20 versial proposal adding new stadium but rather from every real estate want you to know. yielded to nature, sending tons of years of their lives, as James Dudley lights. The school board's vote folagent in town who will start to To hear a brief recorded messandstone and debris hurtling to the was a lighthouse keeper for 24 years. lowed nearly two hours of public tessage about how to order your hound you for your listing. Nowadays, the daughters don’t timony for and against a multi-phase, beach below. No injuries were reportAfter all, with the proper infor- FREE copy of this report, call tolled after a portion of the famed bluffs have so many opportunities to visit master-planned modernization of mation, selling a home isn't easy. free 1-800-276-0763 and enter at 1303 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. gave way. their first home, because it is on gov- PLHS campus and its athletic faciliA new report entitled "Sell Your 1017. You can call any time. 24 • Point Loma had a new sign grac- ernment property. However, the light- ties. Founded in 1925, PLHS' stadiOwn Home" has been prepared hours a day, 7 days a week. Get ing the entryway into the communi- house still feels like coming back um was built in 1950. especially for home sellers like you. your free special report NOW to home to where they belong. ty from San Diego Airport. A grass-roots group of neighbors You'll find that selling your home learn how you really can sell your The North Harbor Drive gateway • Also in March, Midway Commu- surrounding the stadium had lobbied by yourself is entirely possible home yourself. sign was originally installed by the nity Planning Group’s longtime chair PLA in 1980, and has served as a geo- Melanie Nickel stepped down. SEE 2016, Page 14 Courtesy of Dennis DeSouza Coldwell Banker Lic. 01220680

NEWS Cole elected City Council president BY NEAL PUTNAM | THE BEACON

Fourth District Councilmember Myrtle Cole was elected City Council president Monday in a 6-3 vote, edging out Eighth District Councilmember David Alvarez. She becomes the city’s first female black president. The vote came after numerous speakers sought to persuade councilmembers to vote for Cole or Alvarez, who are both Democrats. The four Republicans on the Council voted for Cole along with First District Councilmember Barbara Bry and Cole herself. The motion was brought by Mark Kersey, who represents the Fifth District and was seconded by Bry, who noted it was her first vote after being sworn in earlier Monday. Voting against Cole were Alvarez, Third District Councilmember Christopher Ward, and Ninth District Councilmember Georgette Gomez.

BIKE CONTINUED FROM Page 1

so-secret Facebook site called “pantsuit nation.” There are almost four million members since the elections, people of all backgrounds, who are concerned that there is going to be hate, and they tell stories of overcoming that,” Brummett said. Brummett added she wears a safety pin denoting that “I'm a safe place, I'm approachable for people.” Doc “Papa” Ryan's wife, daughter and his grandson were present on an early December Sunday afternoon to give the retired surgeon, who's lived in Point Loma for 45 years, his new ride. It was especially important since Papa has mostly lost his eyesight, except for some peripheral vision. Doc Ryan almost couldn't believe his good fortune. “I am very touched and extremely grateful,” he said. “I just can't believe all this kindness. I want to thank everybody involved.” Ryan also asked everyone to pray for his son, John, whom he said was “extremely ill.” “I wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year,” said Ryan, who noted he rides his bike twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, along the three blocks between his home and St. Peter's Church. Ryan said he's turning 91 on April 3. He then invited everyone in attendance to be a part of that landmark celebration.

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WEDNESDAY · DECEMBER 21, 2016 THE PENINSULA BEACON

COMMUNITY Sunset View students care, help homeless 6

WEDNESDAY · DECEMBER 21, 2016

THE PENINSULA BEACON

Homeless encampment removed from neighborhood BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON

BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON

Sunset View Elementary School in Point Loma cares. So much so, that when fourthgrade teacher Kristen Dennis' 23student class studied about the homeless – learning just wasn't enough. “It was the whole class' idea to create 'Blessing Bags' to hand out to our local homeless,” said Dennis. “The kids just wanted to do more. They wanted to give back.” “We're giving bags to the homeless with little things like (food) bars and toothpaste, brushes and socks that we made in our Christmas party on Friday,” said student Langston Delding. “We're going to just walk and give them away in the area (OB),” said student Zoe Storm. Even Sunset’s fourth-grade class therapy dog Sadie joined the kids and their teacher, who convened around the left-leaning Ocean Beach Christmas tree planted firmly in the beach. This year, Sunset View Elementary started something new called Sunset View Elementary Cares. “The purpose was to empower students and have them feel the gift of giving,” said Dennis. “Each grade level is doing something different for the community.” Sunset View's fourth-grade class kicked off the program in October

In Pacific Beach, Dec. 8 was a red-letter day many in the beach community would like to see repeated: The city's successful eviction of a homeless encampment from a neighbor's backyard. After months of living next to a home at 2724 Hornblend St., where as many as 25 people lived without water, power or sewage, neighbors were elated to learn the City of San Diego, working through the judicial process, was able to put the property into receivership and vacated. The action was long overdue in

Sunset View Elementary students hand out Blessing Bags in OB.

with Soctober, wherein students collected socks for the homeless community. All students were encouraged to participate by doing a few chores around the house to earn some money to purchase the socks. “We ended up getting more than 700 pairs of socks that were donated to the Episcopal Church Center on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard,” said Dennis. The school's third grade is organizing this month's Sunset View Elementary Cares Winter Jacket Drive. They are collecting gently used jackets for an orphanage in Mexico. The students also wrote cards in Spanish

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PHOTO BY DAVE SCHWAB

to go with the jackets. “We have had class discussions on different ways we could help others, and how a small act of kindness can make a big difference,” said Dennis, noting parents donated the items that “kids put together, each in a couple dozen bags containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, water, protein bar and socks, along with a personal note of encouragement. Will donating to OB's homeless become a school or class tradition for Sunset View Elementary? “Maybe,” said instructor Dennis. “It's a great idea.”

the view of at least one neighbor. “It gradually got worse and worse as more people started showing up in the backyard,” said Mike Perry who, along with wife Lesa, lives in a condo next door. “People were setting up tents on the property, which had lots of bicycles and garbage.” It got so bad, living next door became almost intolerable, Perry said.“They kept breaking into our laundry room and stealing things,” he said, adding he caught a homeless woman once trying to steal a package off his front porch.”

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WEDNESDAY · DECEMBER 21, 2016 THE PENINSULA BEACON

Young Pointers to play up-tempo basketball BY SCOTT HOPKINS | THE BEACON

Point Loma Nazerene University assistant professor of kinesiology Josh Dexheimer.

Point Loma professor takes on CMT’s ‘Broken Skull Ranch’ BY BLAKE BUNCH | THE BEACON

It’s one thing to teach others about exercise health in the classroom, but completely another to put it to practice. Recently, Point Loma Nazerene University assistant professor of kinesiology, Josh Dexheimer, was featured on the CMT challenge, “Stone Cold’s Broken Skull Ranch.” Although Dexheimer was ultimately eliminated from the challenge, missing out on the $10,000 prize, he seems to have learned a great deal from his experience on the show. Dexheimer, who played four years of baseball at PLNU, has also coached middle school, high school and college athletes over the past six years. Suffice it to say, he has a strong background in athletics – covering both the physical and mental aspects it takes to compete. “I saw a Facebook post about the [Broken Skull] challenge, and figured it was right up my alley,” said Dexheimer. “I contacted the CMT representatives, and was surprised at how quickly they got back to me. After a Skype interview, I made it to the final eight applicants, which qualified me as a contestant for the show.” The show, hosted by the alwaysintimidating, beer-chugging hall of fame professional wrestler, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, is a hybrid between wrestling, a “tough mudder” course and reality show elimination series. While Dexheimer, 25, initially thought his age to be an advantage, he quickly discovered that the older competitors had the upper hand. “Initially, I’m thinking ‘these guys are in their 30s and 40s, so I have an advantage in my physical ability, endurance, etc.,” said Dexheimer. “Well, that age and experience was exactly what they needed to gain leverage during the wrestling aspect of the challenge. I was ultimately eliminated, but enjoyed the

experience thoroughly.” Entailing wrestling other competitors, then running a grueling, timed obstacle course, the Broken Skull Challenge is obviously not for the faint of heart. With a name like, “Skullbuster,” one can be most certain that competitors will have to endure some pain on the course. Regarding the show’s host, Dexheimer shares a surprising sentiment. “He was so easy to approach and knowledgeable,” he said. “For him to take you aside and address any issues you may have, or simply offer some advice – it was tremendous. He’s a really great guy, despite the public persona. He is a professional wrestler/reality TV host after all.” Speaking to the Peninsula Beacon after conducting end-of-semester finals, Dexheimer is understandably exhausted, but positive about the feedback he has received. Since the show airs on Saturdays, and his episode aired the previous week, he has played an integral role in the onslaught of press conducted by CMT. “They’re definitely pushing the show pretty hard,” said Dexheimer. “I’ve been doing more press for this than I could have ever imagined.” Dexheimer does not simply display the prowess necessary to compete on national television, but obviously the mental capacity and passion for exercise as well. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D in kinesiology, which itself is no minor feat. Despite being sent home from the competition, Dexheimer is in good spirits, and throws some selfdeprecating jabs at himself. “I guess I must have read too many books for this challenge,” he said. “Perhaps if I had placed more emphasis on working out than the mental aspect, I would’ve won that $10,000. Lord knows I still have some student loans I have to pay off.”

His players may be young and lack experience, but Point Loma High School's new basketball head coach is thrilled as he begins his first season at the reins of a varsity program. Josh Aros, 28, has waited for 10 years to coach Pointer players. This opportunity finally came about as he rose through the ranks of Pointer hoops, awaiting the day when he would take control. And that day officially arrived last Friday afternoon as Aros sent his squad onto the hardwood for their season opener, a game against Patrick Henry as part of the Sweetwater tournament in the South Bay. Aros became familiar with his returning players when he served as a varsity assistant last year on a team that finished 12-15 overall and 5-7 (fifth place) in the Central League. "This year, we'll have a young team with only two seniors," Aros said after dismissing his team after a pre-season practice session. "We'll play an up-tempo game," Aros said, "utilizing our athleticism, our length and speed to get up and down the court. We'll press a lot defensively, get in (our opponents') face. It will be a fast-paced game that fans should enjoy." "We're skilled with and without the ball," Aros said, "with our players ranging from 5-foot 9-inches tall to 6-foot 7-inches in height. Our goal will always be to win (Central) league," he said. "After that, we want to go as far as we can in the playoffs." Aros will be counting on leadership from his two seniors. The first, Darnell Johnson (6' 5" guard/point guard) is "one of the top shooting guards and ranked as the 15th best player in the county," Aros said. Colin Cretain (5' 10" guard/point guard) returns after missing last season with a broken arm. "I'm looking forward to both of them to be leaders on our young varsity team," said Aros.

New Point Loma High varsity basketball coach Josh Aros, right, goes over team plans with freshman player Yassine Gharram. Aros served 10 years as a freshman and junior varsity PHOTO BY SCOTT HOPKINS coach before being named to the varsity post.

"I'll also be looking for big things from Kyle Johnson (junior, 6' 4" forward/guard), Dakarai Allen (freshman, 6' 0" point guard/guard) and Yassine Gharram (freshman, 6' 2" point guard/guard). I hope they can contribute a lot," Aros added. "Grayson Kelle (junior, 6' 4" forward), Tyler Morris (freshman, 6' 5" forward) are others who I'm hoping will develop. Our team hasn't played a lot of basketball but will be learning on the job," Aros observed. Also returning are sophomores JL Skinner and Riley Wagstaff, along with juniors Kyle Grady and Matt Dorgan. New to the roster are juniors Bryce Morris, Carlos Amarrillaz and Jordan Flores. Aros is hoping both the student body and the community come out to see his team play and support them. In the early 1990s, a contingent of Pointer students created the "Dog Pound," a cheering section that captured the attention of school administrators with some boundary-pushing antics. "I hope the 'Dog Pound' comes out in full force with their appropriate cheers to support us," Aros said with a chuckle.

POINT LOMA’S SCHEDULE Jan. 10

Christian*