July 21, 2011
From a reader: Not surprising you didn’t post this article to your web site. It doesn’t help your cause. http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/data-drive/article_11d044a6-b33e-11e0-b0ea-001cc4c03286.html It mentions the East Village in downtown SD as an area where alcohol related crime has increased significantly. Didn’t I hear at a PB Planning Committee meeting that downtown SD has a CUP in effect? ...
Alcohol Licensees, Business District, Commentary, Crime and Safety, CUP/DAO
July 18, 2011
Here’s a video of a few nights in July 2011. This past Saturday morning, when a DUI driver could’ve easily killed or seriously injured pedestrians on Garnet Ave., another DUI driver rear-ends a vehicle at Grand Ave. at Ingraham. Click here to see additional brief films we created to illustrate the PB atmosphere. We must ...
June 25, 2011
An armed man who showed up at a neighbor’s house in Pacific Beach early Saturday to complain about a loud party was stabbed by one of the revelers, police said. The 28-year-old unidentified stabbing victim was taken to a hospital about 1:30 a.m. The man’s injuries are not considered life-threatening, San Diego police said. After ...
June 15, 2011
Dear Shore Club, You’re spamming our community with your posters promoting Shore Club’s 2nd annual Oyster Event being held downtown this year at the Embarcadero. Not only is this illegal (I believe potentially yielding you a $100 per sign fine regardless of who distributes them) it’s unethical as you promote yourself ad nauseam as a ...
March 21, 2011
Recently, Channel 10 News featured a story where a small portion of video I shot over 6 months in 2010 was used to illustrate typical problems in PB’s business district. Some bar and ‘restaurant’ owners representing the Discover PB Hospitality Task Force were asked what they thought. They dismissed these incidents as sensationalistic and implied ...
March 18, 2011
Check out what PB looked like last night on St. Patrick’s Day. We appreciate the police presence in PB last night and because of them, and perhaps some of the bars and restaurants temporarily behaving, things seemed slightly less crazy than last year. There were a large number of drunk people staggering around and I’m ...
January 29, 2011
It is just before noon on a Saturday morning and many of the collegic inhabitants of Pacific Beach are just now wiping the sleep from their eyes, emitting tequila-scented yawns, and regretting that last shot at Dirty Birds at 2AM. More than a handful will roll over in bed and attempt to induce the concentration ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Commentary
November 25, 2010
Early this Thanksgiving morning police were chasing a car who’s driver wouldn’t stop, turning off their headlights at times to avoid being caught. The driver eventually lost control, jumped a curb, drove off a cliff—flipping the car onto its roof. The driver and passenger then fled on foot–one quickly caught nearby. View Thanksgiving Day crash ...
October 16, 2010
In Frommer’s San Diego 2010 a review on Tower 23 includes: “…the PB party atmosphere still pervades. Don’t be surprised if the folks at the table next to you start playing a drinking game.” Seems our reputation is widely known… now in one of the most well known international travel books people use to plan ...
October 16, 2010
Here’s a video posted by a group that had it’s 4th annual scavenger hunt in Pacific Beach with as they report over 200 people. There are a number of activities and by all accounts it looks like they have many drinking games over the course of the event… supported by the people serving the alcohol ...
October 16, 2010
Here’s a video of a visitor to the Pacific Beach BeachFest held this past weekend. I’m wondering how many similar losers we will attract if they allow a beer garden next year too? It’s unknown if this guy was in the beer garden this year but, we’re keenly aware that we will attract such people ...
October 8, 2010
To help put beach alcohol-issues today in perspective of our recent history here’s a summary of events from 1990-2007 that were featured in the San Diego Union Tribune. All of these stories are on this website so please use our calendar drop-down in the right column to select the stated month to find the actual ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Beach Ordinance, The Problems
September 26, 2010
Here’s a video found on YouTube.com of some people drinking in their car (while the driver is using her phone). Does PB attract these people from around the region? Here’s links to other videos from the same group… Day Drinkers Part 1 Day Drinkers Part 2 Day Drinkers Part 3
September 26, 2010
Found this post on YouTube.com today of a guy passed out in someone else’s bathroom – clutching a pair of scissors from the residents home. Here’s how the person posting the video described the situation: “I woke up in the middle of the night to use my bathroom. To my surprise there was someone already ...
August 16, 2010
The San Diego Parks and Recreation Department has again reviewed Kate O. Sessions Park as it relates to allowing alcohol consumption there. Neighbors have complained of many problems including public urination (in front of their kids), drunkenness, partiers trashing the place, using city water without authorization (for their slippery slides?) and a number of other ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Drunk in Public, Kate Sessions Park, Local Laws
August 15, 2010
If you missed the car show this weekend in Pacific Beach you missed seeing many amazingly beautiful autos from the 1920′s through today. I would love to support this event in the future but, am concerned by what transpired to get this show approved.
July 31, 2010
PacificBeacher (an independent blogger) was on the scene at Kate Sessions Park this 4th of July weekend. Among the highlights? -The fire department giving jello wrestlers a hand by using their hose to spray some H20 into the ring. -One of the female wrestlers stumbling out of the ring and openly pulling jello from her ...
Drunk in Public, Holidays, Kate Sessions Park
July 16, 2010
One of the last Floatopia events will take place July 17, 2010. Our hope is that no one is seriously injured. Revelers use a loophole in the 2008 San Diego beach alcohol ordinance to continue their excessive drinking – caring little for the Sail Bay residents, families visiting the only family-friendly park in the area ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Commentary, Floatopia
July 6, 2010
Update: Well, it’s been almost 7 months now and most if not all of the nearly 70 streetlights reported back in December 2009 are still not repaired. After another survey tonight we found an additional 39 burned out lights. We weren’t able to add these new lights to the map right away but, you get ...
Business District, Commentary, Infrastructure Issues
July 4, 2010
According to San Diego police Lt. James Filley, all public parking lots from Ocean Beach to Torrey Pines are currently full. By Staff, City News Service Sunday, July 4, 2010 If you weren’t parked at a San Diego city beach by 10 a.m. to enjoy 4th of July activities, you are too late. According to ...
Holidays, Parking
July 1, 2010
KPBS did an interview to discuss the alcohol issues in Pacific Beach with Scott Chipman from the PB Planning Group, Andra Brown from the San Diego Police, Jennifer Hill from the ABC and Eric Ligenfelder from the Tavern, a local bar.
Alcohol Culture in PB, Commentary, CUP/DAO, Solutions
June 17, 2010
Reporting on the PB Town Council meeting last night: There were obviously many (i.e. estimated 25 minimum) new ‘members’ (in the strictest sense of the word) attending what looked like their first PB Town Council meeting. Coincidentally, where the issue of the Shore Club was on the agenda, many of these new ‘members’ said they ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Alcohol Licensees, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Bars and Restaurants, Business District, Commentary, CUP/DAO, Liquor Stores
June 15, 2010
Well, it appears the Pacific Beach Town Council, well past its 50th year in existence, is at it again. I served on this Board for years and am bothered about recent blocks of membership enrollments. Word has it that, earlier this year, the allowed nearly 40 applications for membership to be bought by one entity ...
Alcohol Licensees, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Bars and Restaurants, Business District, Commentary
June 14, 2010
The Pacific Beach Planning Group (PBPG) held a public forum tonight where the Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC) could present evidence of a system that appears to be broken. Here are the three presentations. Also, see below for the video of the entire 1.5 hour meeting so you can understand more and stay involved. Here ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Alcoholic Beverage Control, CUP/DAO, Solutions, The Problems
May 31, 2010
SAN DIEGO — An estimated 800,000 peopled headed to San Diego-area beaches during the three-day Memorial Day weekend, and the impact of local and tourist dollars has been felt by local businesses. On Monday, several Pacific Beach businesses put up the welcome signs for locals and tourists heading to the beach on a sunny day. ...
Business District, Good News on PB Beaches, Holidays
May 31, 2010
Kate Sessions Park Is One Of 20 SD Parks Where Alcohol Is Permitted SAN DIEGO — Considered one of the post popular places to drink alcohol on a holiday in San Diego County, a proposed alcohol ban could end the parties at Kate Sessions Neighborhood Park.The park was once again a popular destination this Memorial ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Kate Sessions Park
April 26, 2010
In response to the Beach & Bay Press April 15 article, “Winning Formula”: It may be a winning formula for the bar owner, but it is a losing formula for the community. We don’t need any more establishments catering to the excessive drinking crowd. Pacific Beach has 15 licensed bars plus dozens of licensed restaurants ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Business District, Crime and Safety
April 24, 2010
Chaos befell the April 21st Pacific Beach Town Council meeting when 35-year Pacific Beach resident Scott Chipman raised the issue of the Shore Club alcohol license/deck expansion, an issue Chipman felt was a land use issue that should be addressed by the Pacific Beach Planning Board. “Who’s running the meeting, the membership or the board? ...
Alcohol Licensees, Bars and Restaurants, Business District, The Problems
April 13, 2010
Here’s a video of small group going to several bars over the afternoon and evening.
Alcohol Culture in PB
April 2, 2010
Letters to the Editor San Diego Union Tribune A recent commentary (“Floatopia and the beach booze ban,” March 25) described an isolated incident of spring break partyers (sic) taking advantage of a loophole. The author took the opportunity to take this legal issue and somehow connected it to the local business environment of Pacific Beach. ...
Business District, Commentary
March 14, 2010
Here’s a letter I sent to our city and state leaders as well as many colleagues: Executive Summary: Visit www.pbSpirits.com, join newsletter, leave feedback on posts, invite others Dear Friends and colleagues, I wanted to invite you to visit a new website created to illustrate and document the levels of alcohol issues in Pacific Beach. ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Commentary, Drunk Drivers
March 8, 2010
Pacific Beach DUI checkpoints shown in red yield far more drunk drivers than most San Diego areas. Click the image for an enlarged image or click here for a PDF. Checkpoints are often seen as high-visibility reminders and not necessarily the most effective enforcement opportunity, i.e. compared to saturation patrols. However, in my limited-knowledge opinion ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Business District, Commentary, Drunk Drivers, Local Laws
March 7, 2010
Roger Lee, General Manager and family member that owns PB Bar and Grill, Tremors and Johnny V in Pacific Beach, when asked about the alcohol beach ban was quoted as saying: “I understand and appreciate the ban,” he says, “because I have seen firsthand how out of control these beach parties can be. I also ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Bars and Restaurants, Business District, Commentary, Drunk Drivers
March 6, 2010
In Memory Of Those Murdered or Critically Injured by Drunk Drivers in Pacific Beach This website was created to honor the memory of the many people who have been killed or critically injured by drunks, especially drunk drivers, who were drinking in Pacific Beach the day of their crime. Enough is enough. As a community ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Binge Drinking, Business District, Commentary, Crime and Safety, Drunk Drivers, Local Laws, The Problems
March 6, 2010
Just in time for summer, beachgoers will have a new place to enjoy a rooftop drink at sunset. The Beachwood, a three-story bar and restaurant, is set to open at the Promenade in Pacific Beach in May. “The foundation is going to be our food and our staff,” said general manager Justin Lopez. “You can ...
Alcohol Licensees, Bars and Restaurants, Business District
March 3, 2010
The Special Events Committee, comprised of representatives from the Pacific Beach Town Council, PB Planning committee and Discover PB the local Business Improvement District met this evening to review and make recommendations to the city about, a special event called Cuervo (Tequila) Games. Many members from the community, including myself, attended to hear the pitch ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Commentary, Special Events
February 28, 2010
We provide many statistics in our Key Facts page found in our top navigation area. One latest analysis looks at 2007-2009 Federal Index crimes. These are crime numbers every major city in America sends the FBI for compilation. A major development in our beach communities is the elimination of all legal alcohol use in the ...
Business District, Commentary, Crime and Safety
February 25, 2010
The Pacific Beach Special Events Committee called a special meeting on March 3 at 6pm (see link and click here for a post related to this meeting). The one item on the agenda? Cuervo Games. Turns out Cuervo Tequila is hosting an X-games type event in cities all over the US, starting in Orlando in ...
Tags: cuervo, culture, games, PBSECAlcohol Culture in PB, Commentary, Special Events
December 29, 2009
Many important intersections in PB are in need of streetlight repair or replacement. The following is a map of these streetlights. This map will also be sent over to the San Diego City Streets Division so they can make the necessary repairs. Here’s the list in a spreadsheet format. We’ll report back when they are ...
Business District, Commentary, Infrastructure Issues
December 27, 2009
Welcome to the pbSpirits.com blog. This blog focuses on alcohol-related issues in Pacific Beach, California. We look forward to helping continue the dialog about our significant alcohol-related issues so that we can together develop solutions.
Alcohol Culture in PB, Commentary, Drunk Drivers
November 19, 2009
The annual Pacific Beach Holiday Parade, which had been scheduled for Dec. 13, has been canceled due to a lack of funding. “It’s highly dependent on sponsorships, and all year long sponsorships have been down,” said Sara Berns of Discover Pacific Beach, the nonprofit that organizes the event. “People are just sad about it.” Discover ...
Holidays
November 14, 2009
What began as a friendly drunken tussle ended with a Marine being stabbed early yesterday, San Diego police said. The incident began about 2 a.m. when two Marines who had been drinking at a bar began to “play” fight at Cass Street and Grand Avenue in Pacific Beach because one was trying to stop the ...
Tags: marineAlcohol Culture in PB, Crime and Safety
September 6, 2009
At Fanuel Street Park in Pacific Beach holiday weekend revelers found a way around the ban on alcohol at city beaches by taking part in Floatopia on Mission Bay in 2009. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / Union-Tribune) SAN DIEGO — No longer allowed to drink alcohol on San Diego beaches, Aubrey Taylor and her friends moved ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Floatopia
October 4, 2008
A Pacific Beach man who killed a man with a single punch to the head and claimed self-defense was acquitted yesterday of second-degree murder. Sam Bonsu also was acquitted in San Diego Superior Court of a voluntary manslaughter charge for the death of Nathaniel “Nat” Ward, 25, last May. After deliberating since Wednesday, the jury ...
Alcohol Culture in PB, Assault, Crime and Safety
July 9, 2008
By Sebastian Ruiz Councilman Kevin Faulconer and San Diego Police Department officials joined local bar and nightclub owners outside of Bub’s Dive Bar to unveil a new ID scanner system that would increase security at the bars in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. The scanner lets security staff keep track of people who might become ...
Bars and Restaurants, Business District
May 3, 2008
Two men suffered gunshot wounds as they apparently struggled over a weapon at a house party early yesterday, police said. The fight between a resident and a guest broke out sometime before 2 a.m. at the home on Diamond Street, San Diego police said. Multiple shots were fired during the struggle. Officers were notified of ...
Assault, House Parties
April 2, 2008
Well, the first event, the StayClassy “Charity Jam” was reviewed on and voted upon by the Special Events Committee. Their recommendation? To tell the city not to approve the event. The city’s response? To go against the committee’s recommendation and approve the event. The PBTC’s voice was not ‘officially’ heard but, my belief is that ...
Tags: pacific beach, pub-crawl, Special Events, stayclassy.orgSpecial Events
March 19, 2008
These are my concerns regarding the future of the PB Special Events Committee. My opinions are based on my recollections as to the history of the group’s formation and are subject to correction if needed. I share my concerns as to the entire process of approving special events, as well as which events are appropriate, ...
Tags: Special EventsSpecial Events
