Point Loma-OB Happenings: Ride the Point, City Council president, OB Food & Toy Drive, writers symposium

Point Loma bicycle ride raises $60,000 for UCSD cancer center

Ride the Point, a 62-mile bicycling event sponsored by the Point Loma Rotary Club, drew 762 participants Nov. 13 and raised more than $60,000 to benefit UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, organizers said.

The event began at Liberty Station, with riders coming from throughout California, as well as from several other states, Baja California, Italy and Germany.

Elo-Rivera replaces District 2’s Campbell as S.D. City Council president

San Diego City Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera was chosen council president by his colleagues Dec. 6 after they voted 5-4 against giving Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell, whose District 2 includes Point Loma and Ocean Beach, a second one-year term in the post.

Elo-Rivera, who joined the council in December 2020, and Campbell are both Democrats.

“I think I am ready for the role,” said Elo-Rivera, noting that he has held executive positions with nonprofits and leadership positions on many boards. “I am ready to lead us into 2022.”

On the council, Elo-Rivera, 39, has taken leadership roles on reforming city “granny flat” regulations and a possible repeal of a law giving free trash pickup to single-family homes.

Elo-Rivera was elected president 8-1, with Campbell casting the lone vote against. — The San Diego Union-Tribune

OB Food & Toy Drive continues through Dec. 18

The Ocean Beach Town Council presents the annual OB Food & Toy Drive through Saturday, Dec. 18.

The goal is to provide food and presents to more than 150 local families and senior citizens.

New unwrapped toys can be donated at Pruett Realty, 1845 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.; Diane Sullivan Realty, 1021 Rosecrans St.; Newbreak Church, 2069 Ebers St.; Water’s Edge Faith Community, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.; Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, 3555 Rosecrans St.; Ocean Beach Business Center, 4876 Santa Monica Ave.; and Matt Kalla Insurance, 4148 Voltaire St.

Monetary donations can be made at obtowncouncil.org/food-and-toy-drive.

Writer’s Symposium by the Sea is set for February

Point Loma Nazarene University’s 27th annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea is scheduled for Feb. 22-25 on the main campus at 3900 Lomaland Drive.

Writers Cornel West, David Brooks and Nadia Bolz-Weber are set to appear in person with Dean Nelson, founder and host of the symposium and founder and director of the PLNU journalism program.

Bolz-Weber, whose appearance is scheduled for Feb. 22, is an ordained Lutheran pastor, founder of House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver and author of three bestselling memoirs: “Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint,” “Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People” and “Shameless: A Sexual Reformation.”

Brooks (Feb. 23) is a columnist for The New York Times and has been a regular commentator on PBS’ “Newshour,” NPR’s “All Things Considered” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” His books include “Bobos in Paradise,” “The Social Animal,” “The Road to Character” and “The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life.”

West (Feb. 25) is best known for his books “Race Matters” and “Democracy Matters” and his memoir, “Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud.” He is a professor emeritus at Princeton University and previously was professor of the practice of public philosophy at Harvard. He also has taught at Yale and the University of Paris.

The second annual Driftwood Film Festival will take place Feb. 24. PLNU students will submit original short films to be reviewed and selected for screening at the event.

Tickets to the symposium are available at pointloma.edu/events/27th-annual-writers-symposium-sea.

— Compiled by Point Loma-OB Monthly staff