This is a bittersweet drama about a burnt-out community who stumbles into summer every year following the dictates of a few bar establishments that choose to maximize profit ahead of community betterment. Yawn. But let's face it, lots of people love alcohol, and a few business models, let's say 10 in a 10-block community, centered on that concept is a natural. Patrons of all ages can enjoy a 'Rocket Fuel' and other whimsically named drinks from noon until 4 AM, as well as enjoy the bar decor which includes posters, signs, mugs as well as other dining accessories celebrating various beers, liquors and liquor concoctions. Oh yes, and sometimes there's food too, if you could only physically locate a table and chairs after 9:30 pm on a summer weekend night.

But for years, these alcohol-themed business models have been ducking their ethical responsibilities to taxpayers in favor of "increasing profit" (as empty and meaningless a phrase as I can think of) and usually a code phrase for: 
1) do whatever it takes to serve anyone who shows up until 4 AM 2) make as much as money as humanly possible, because if you don't, some other establishment will
3) compromise your host community's quality of life whenever possible by running them out of their own town during the height of their summer season too, usually between July 4th and Labor Day.

But if you want to enjoy all the wonderful things about a summer community, you have to be willing to accept its faults too, right? As they say, every rose has its thorn. But you the taxpayer says, "If I could just plow through that 120 decibel mayhem into town, sit down on a bench and actually hear what my friends are saying which I think is something about those $900,000 law enforcement related costs we graciously keep paying year after year, and, for what exactly? So that 10 alcohol-themed business models can stay in business? Have I been asleep?"

So, at the end of this summer, 2011, Ocean Beach will officially retire from its summer community status, but that's okay. In front of our very eyes it's transformed itself into a "Beer, Wine & Spirits Related Business Investment Community!" A magical place that will continue to be superbly run, year after year, by its reigning summer monarchy.

dining accessories celebrating various beers, liquors and liquor concoctions. Oh yes, and sometimes there's food too, if you could only physically locate a table and chairs after 9:30 p.m. on a summer weekend night.

But for years, these alcohol-themed business models have been ducking their ethical responsibilities to taxpayers in favor of "increasing profit," as empty and meaningless a phrase as I can think of, and usually a code phrase for: 
1) do whatever it takes to serve anyone who shows up until 4 AM; 2) make as much as money as humanly possible, because if you don't, some other establishment will; 
3) compromise your host community's quality of life whenever possible by running them out of their own town during the height of their summer season too, usually between July 4th and Labor Day.

But if you want to enjoy all the wonderful things about a summer community, you have to be willing to accept its faults too, right? As they say, every rose has its thorn. But you the taxpayer says, "If I could just plow through that 120 decibel mayhem into town, sit down on a bench and actually hear what my friends are saying, which I think is something about those $900,000 law enforcement related costs we graciously keep paying year after year, and, for what exactly? So that 10 alcohol-themed business models can stay in business? Have I been asleep?"

So, at the end of this summer, 2011, Ocean Beach will officially retire from its summer community status, but that's okay. In front of our very eyes it's transformed itself into a "Beer, Wine & Spirits Related Business Investment Community!" A magical place that will continue to be superbly run, year after year, by its reigning summer monarchy.

Leslie Tucker

Ocean Beach