2016 | Ocean Beach San Diego CA| Timeline Event

2016

2016 promised to be an El Nino year, and January proved it with torrential rains and major flooding throughout the low-lying areas of Ocean Beach the first week of January -- including the OBMA office on Bacon Street. The office was closed for repairs for over 3 weeks as constructions crews performed the necessary work and replaced the entire office floor, as well as some of the drywall.  

Despite the flooding, the OBMA held our Annual Marketing Breakfast, part of the Business Development Series, in January. OB Warehouse hosted us again, and we partnered with Brown Marketing Strategies to present an informative seminar on brand equity. In February, the BDS continued with an excellent Financial Workshop presented by Edward Jones.

2016 marked the 50th anniversary of the OB Pier, which opened to the public July 2-4, 1966. OBMA kicked off the year-long celebration with new entryway and business district banners highlighting the pier's birthday.

In early February, the Board welcomed Kyle Jaworski, Raglan Public House, to the team.

Our Board of Directors and staff attended the California Main Street Alliance conference in Oceanside, California, in late February.

Mother's Saloon hosted a fun and lively Sundowner in March.

A new OBMA committee, the North OB Committee, was formed to tackle issues specific to the commercial area in north OB. It was approved by the Board of Directors at their April 2016 meeting.

The May Sundowner was held at Culture Brewing Co. with food by The Joint. A great time was had by all!

The Sea Gods sculpture at the OB Pier parking lot was removed, refurbished by the San Diego Arts and Culture Commission, and returned in June.

The 37th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off was held on Saturday, June 25, 2016. We had great music, terrific weather, and a wonderful crowd to enjoy our "Year of the Pier"-themed event.

The OBMA celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the OB Pier with a community-submitted art show at local gallery and boutique Teeter featuring artwork depicting or inspired by the pier. The opening reception in late June included a local chef showcase with food contributed by Raglan Public House, BBQ House, Four Seasons Foods Catering, Mother's Saloon, OB Noodle House Bar 1502, Beach Sweets, and The Cravory and beverages from Mike Hess Brewing and Gianni Buonomo Vintners. Attendees were serenaded by Mark Langford of Rock and Roll San Diego and John Tafolla, whose band The Insites played at the OB Pier's opening celebration in July 1966. On the actual anniversary of the opening (July 2), OBMA invited the community to take a stroll on our beautiful pier and enjoy the incredible views, as well as a number of special activities. The Ocean Beach Community Foundation unveiled a new interpretive sign on the pier in a brief ceremony with remarks by California Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins and Conrad Wear from City Councilperson Lorie Zapf's office. OBMA President Barbara Iacometti, Details SalonSpa, accepted special proclamations and commendations from our representatives at the ceremony. Visitors to the pier that day received free postcards (we handed out over 2,000) and had them marked with our custom-designed Special Pictorial Cancellation at the temporary OB Pier 50th Anniversary postal station set up by the United States Postal Service. OBMA sold our commemorative merchandise, shared our historical display exploring the pier's rich history, and provided a life-sized backdrop of the pier opening in 1966 along with fun photo props. Leonard Teyssier, the contractor who built the pier, and Chuck Bahde, who served on Peninsulans, Inc., which commissioned the pier, were on hand to meet community members and answer questions. They even signed autographs!

The July Sundowner was hosted by Hostelling International Point Loma. Members enjoyed a lovely evening cookout and tour of the facilities.

The August Sundowner was hosted by Shades and Ocean Dental Care. It was a wonderful send-off for Shades, which closed its doors in September after 13 years as an OB community cornerstone.

The Ocean Beach Library celebrated its centennial on September 10, 2016, with a party called "A Century of Books by the Beach." OBMA was proud to participate in and contribute financially to the event as well as fund a promotional mailing and refurbish the urns at the library's entrance.

The September Sundowner was hosted by OB Brewery. Attendees were treated to delicious food and a wonderful view of the sunset.

In October, another successful OB Oktoberfest was held at the OB Pier parking lot and Veterans Plaza areas. Over 10,000 attendees enjoyed musical performances, contests, vendors, food, and fun. The Ocean Beach Town Council held their annual OBie awards; OBMA 1st Vice President Julie Klein won OB Citizen of the Year, and OBMA Board Member Dave Martin was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The October Sundowner was hosted by the Chameleon Hair Lounge & Boutique along with G-Man Custom Woodworking, OB People's Organic Food Market, Mike Hess Brewing, and Anya Feldman, LMT. Many guests came in Halloween Costumes, and a great time was had by all!

The 2016 holiday season in Ocean Beach was the most festive a fun yet. A record number of merchants participated in the popular annual holiday Storefront Decorating Contest, and the OB Town Council put on a wonderful holiday parade with the theme The Year of the Pier with Holiday Cheer. Brown Marketing Strategies hosted a fabulous holiday Sundowner in December.

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