August 29, 2014

 IT’S DARK, BUT STILL WARM at the beach — and gonna get a lot warmer.  Nancy and I might stop at Broken Yolk on Midway enroute to what’s left of the Midway Post Office. 

Sandy Robbins Knox ‘61 and -- from the Class of ‘69 -- Linda Dederman, Keith Froehlich and Greg Thomas have checked in and are now on their respective email pages.  In addition, Linda subscribed to the quarterly 12-page newsletter.  Thank you, Linda.

Someone sent me a photo of their Crawford auto taken at Colina del Sol and their current truck photographed at the same location.  I’ve forgotten who it was and erased the email thinking I’d downloaded the information  Please send it again.

n response to the troubles in Ferguson, MO the U-T ran a piece about five deadly encounters faced by San Police over the years.  One of them led to the death of Officer Denis Allen ‘60.  Click HERE to read the article.

Jeez, they look like twins!!  Kathy Keeyes Antus ‘68 and brother Joe Keeyes ‘63 pose for a photo at Joe’s residence in Chino Hills, CA.  Visiting from Fredericksburg, TX Kathy also visited brother Bob Keeyes ‘67 and sister-in-law Arlene Cymberg Keeyes ‘69 in San Diego.

f you live in Escondido you might want to oil up the walker and clank your way over to Orange Glen High School.  They will be hosting Crawford’s Football Team tonight at 7 PM.  Click HERE if you want to read the 2014 Prep Football preview that appeared in Wednesday’s U-T.

Yikes!!  Next Thursday is THE FIRST THURSDAY at the Amigo Spot, so there will be a contingent of Colts in the mix.  I’m thinking of forming a backup group for guitarist Paul Caston.  I’m going to call them the Castonettes.

August 22, 2014

I GUESS WE’RE HEADED TO WINTER.  It’s dark now when I go out to get the paper at 5:30.  Nancy and I ended up eating at the Coco’s on Balboa in Clairemont last Friday.  I’m not sure what false clue to submit this morning.  Albie’s Steak and Eggs, next door to the Waffle Spot, is a good fall-back position when we can’t get in to the Waffle Spot.  What did Yogi Berra say?  “Nobody goes there anymore.  It’s too popular”.

George and Jackie Creore Jackson have returned to San Diego after a 20 year absence, have subscribed to the quarterly newsletter and are now listed on the Class of ‘67 Email Page.  They hope to make the next First Thursday at the Amigo Spot.

Warwick’s Bookstore in La Jolla is hosting the “launch event” for the new book by Susan Vreeland '63 on Tuesday, August 26th, at 7:30.  I’m not certain what a launch event is, but you’ll need to make reservations.  Call 858-454-0347.

The much-anticipated 45th Anniversary of the Class of ‘69’s graduation is only hours away. Tomorrow at 5 PM at the Mission Valley Buffalo Wild Wings (formerly Seau’s Restaurant). Try to behave yourselves.

Ed Schoenberg ‘70 is downsizing.  He’s retired from the Otis College of Art and Design and accepted a position as a college counselor at Bellarmine College Preparatory School in San Jose.  He will be sending his Crawford memorabilia to me.  I will try to find a good home for it.  This week’s offerings include a 1966 Horace Mann Cougar and two copies of the program from The Boyfriend.  I’m not sure if that was the Senior Play or not. I had previously posted the program on the Memories Page of my Crawford High web site.  Click HERE to check it out.

Three people in this photo are NOT from the Class of ‘71 and one isn’t even from San Diego.  The attractive assemblage gathered recently at the Grant Grill to hear Archie and the Archtones.  That’s Archie with the sax.  He’s a 1980 Patrick Henry grad.  Click HERE to access an 9 x 12 version of this photo WITH a caption.  

Are you a BS'er?  If you graduated from Blessed Sacrament School in 1964 you’re invited to a reunion to be held September 26th and 27th.  For more information contact Susan Weetman or Tom Graciano 

August 15, 2014

THERE’S BEEN A WAIT AT THE WAFFLE SPOT for breakfast, so who knows where Nancy and I will dine.  Maybe it’s time for a drive to Pine Valley.

I’m not planning to attend the Class of ‘69 function at the Mission Valley Buffalo Wild Wings August 23rd.  If you are one of the folks who had hoped to chat with me, I’ll be at the Amigo Spot that night from 6-9, and from 5:30 to 9 on Thursday the 21st.  Feel free to cross over the I-8 (that's the Kumeyaay Highway on GPS) and visit.

Linda Burns Kehew checked in from Winterville, North Carolina and is now on the Class of ‘67 Email Page on my Crawford High web site.   She and husband Eric have lived in Botswana, Germany, Greece, the Philippines and Morocco.  I’ll include her complete letter in the September issue of the 12-page quarterly Alumni Newsletter.

One of these people is not from the Class of ‘63, gathered at the Amigo Spot to socialize with Zeller Waymire on his visit from Australia.  Click HERE to find out who the imposter is and check out some more photos of the event.

August 8, 2014

NANCY’S SWOLLEN KNEE returned to normal just in time for her to take to her bed with a cold and 104 degree fever.  That seems to have passed and now she’s barking like a seal with a bad cough.  Hopefully she’ll be well enough to venture down from Escondido for breakfast at the Waffle Spot.

Tom Lutz ’64 sends word that twin brother Bob will be honored as the Warren M. Christopher International Lawyer of the Year by the State Bar of California International Law Section on September 13th -- a week before their class reunion.  This award is presented annually by the International Law Section to a California lawyer for outstanding achievement within the field of public or private International Law.

Debbie Friedli Ruiz ‘65 shares a screen grab of her son Jett Ruiz pitching to Baltimore Oriole teammate Adam Jones in the 2014 All Star Home Run Derby on July 14th.

Did you graduate from Horace Mann in 1966?  You might be able to see yourself in this photo from Barbara Goetz Cook ‘69, especially if you go to the 8 x 10 enlargement.  She also shared snapshots from Rolando Park in 1963 as well as 6th Grade Camp.   As if that wasn’t enough there are six surfing photos from Windansea Beach circa 1969.

I wonder how thick the carpeting is at Charles Wax’s office on Waxie Drive?  I’m pretty sure the ‘68 grad is enough of a golf fan that he might practice putting while at work.  It would appear that he attended the Championship Tour stop last weekend in Minnesota and picked up some driving tips from the club pro.  Oh, wait — that’s Jack Nicklaus.

August 1, 2014

UESS WHO NANCY AND I MET last night at the Amigo Spot.  Barbara Zaitzow, that’s who.   She and her husband were fresh off the plane from North Carolina, in town for the Class of ‘74 reunion.  She was of the opinion that San Diego was a lot hotter and muggier than North Carolina.  Nancy and I should have got a room, ‘cause I suspect we’re headed back to the King’s Inn this morning for a late breakfast at the Waffle Spot.

Next Thursday is First Thursday at the Amigo Spot.  Members of the Class of ‘59 may or may not be in attendance to check it out as a venue for the 55th Anniversary of their Graduation.  Nancy and I will be there for the food (Oh, the irony — the Amigo Spot has one of the best burger and fries combos I know of) and to hear Paul Caston on the guitar.

Did you happen to watch the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame induction on MLB?  Tony LaRussa’s induction was preceded by a nice video talk from Dave Duncan ‘63.   Click HERE if you'd like to watch it.  Make sure you're sitting down -- Dave's grown a goatee.

Bob Mardon ‘64 is getting rid of his Horace Mann Cougars from 1959, 1960, and 1961 (I put up Bob Richardson's 1958 Cougar just to get your attention).  If you’d like them, contact him at 619-461-1677 or rgmardon@cox.net

Friends for over 50 years, and 1964 classmates, Janie Newberry Smith, Meri Pierce Knight and Laurie Koosed Ratner celebrate Meri’s birthday on July 18th at the home of Janis Irvine Ricards.  I’m pretty sure Janis prepared the meal — and took the photo.  Click HERE to find out what they’re eating and view a much larger photo.

Phillis Dudick ‘60 let me know last week that her sister, Mary Ellen Dudick Cagan ‘68 (above), passed away April 11, 2001.

July 25, 2014

IT MUST BE SUMMER VACATION.  I haven’t heard from anyone and have little to share.  Nancy spent much of Monday in the Emergency Room after stumbling and breaking the fall with her left knee. She says the swelling has gone down and she should be able to drive down from Escondido. I’m not sure how that’s gonna affect our Friday brunch.

If you’re a San Diegan you must have noticed the painted utility boxes all over town, some of them quite clever.  Nancy and I stopped to pick up some chicken pies at — you guessed it — the Chicken Pie Shop and she spotted THEIR utility box.   Looks like a Chicken With An Attitude to me.  You can check out some of the other utility boxes at Urban Art Trail and  Utility Box Art

The Class of ‘69 Colt 45 (Get it -- 45th Reunion?) is less than a month away and, despite the fact that I’ve posted the information on the Class of ‘69 Missing Page, the Class of ‘69 Email Page and the Reunion Page of my Crawford High web site, George Sorenson says a lot of folks are confused about things like the date, time and location.  George reminds you (“Shut up in the back or I’ll keep you after school!!”) that the event will take place on August 23rd at the Mission Valley Buffalo Wild Wings at 5 PM.  If you’re still confused call George in Oregon 818-472-8966 or email him at george.sorensen@me.com 

Frank and Patty Mendivil were in town from Scottsdale last weekend.   They are old friends and musical partners of Doug Kvandal ‘66, keyboard player for Live Jazz, which plays each Saturday night at the Amigo Spot.  Patty sang a few numbers with the band Saturday night and the next day at the upstairs 65th birthday party for Gail Schindler Fogelman ‘67.  I had a chance to chat with Patty and learned she was a Crawford Colt.  Turns out she is Patty Knudson ‘71 and was stunned and delighted to learn I knew her brother, the late Pete Knudson ‘61.  It’s a small world I guess.

I’ve got a lot of left over stamps, but none from 1958.   These came affixed to a Class of ‘61 newsletter renewal envelope.  Speaking of which, Barbara Cagley Thomas and Edward and Walter Pease, all from the Class of ‘64, are first-time subscribers to the 12-page quarterly publication.  Deanna Darlene Dean Vogel is no longer missing.  She’s living in Yakima, Washington and is now on the Class of ‘67 Email page.

July 18, 2014

I SUSPECT NANCY AND I will brunch at the Waffle Spot, then spend the rest of the day doing nothing.  I’m tired already.

Tom Cassie ‘62 forwards a “Remember the '50s” video with an East Coast slant (White Castle and Esso Gas).  It’s still fun to watch.  Click HERE to check it out.

Services for Merrill “Mac” McLaughlin will be held a week from today — July 25th — at 2 PM, Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, 455 Church Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.  Daughter Carol McLaughlin Bachman looks forward to meeting you.  Mac was an original member of the Crawford faculty, finally leaving in 1980.

Anybody want the June 12, 1969 10-page Graduation Issue of the Pacer?  Perhaps it could be raffled off at the August 23rd reunion.  Email ME if you're interested.

July 11, 2014

NANCY AND I ended up in Julian last Friday after breakfast.  The town was all gussied up for the annual 4th of July Parade, which was cancelled because of the nearby fire.  We may have BEEN the parade, although a large group of mariachis marching down the sidewalk was getting applause.

Apparently the folks from the Class of ‘72 are turning 60 this year.  I doubt many of them will dance the Tarantella and be serenaded with “That’s Amore”.  Giovanna DeSanti Medina (that’s her on the left) was the recipient of all that and has the pictures to prove it. Click HERE to see more hot babes — and a couple of guys who wormed their way into the party with a guitar and an accordion.

Gary Juleen ‘64 forwards a photo of Rolando Park Principal Dr. Hawks, a song (to the tune of “Two Sleepy People” about the 1958 6th grade graduation, all three 6th grade class photos and the names to go with them.  Click HERE to check out the BIG pictures.

July 4th, 2014

Enjoy your weekend!! Wear sunscreen!!

Debbie Nichols Poulos ‘63, poses with hubbie John in front of some of the 18 quilts she has on display at University Retirement Community, where they live in Davis, California.  The show continues through July 31st.  Debbie would love to have you stop by.  Call her at 530-747-6326 or email her at dnpoulos@urcad.org

David Keller ‘68 shares a TED talk given by his classmate Louie Schwartsberg last March in Vancouver BC.  Click HERE to watch this spectacular display of nature photography.  That’s not really what it is, but it’s as close as I can get.

I’m pretty sure Kris Pruski Wood ‘70 is the person who sent me a copy of the June 12, 1969 Pacer.  The package was sealed so well I nearly needed a jackhammer to open it.  There are still pieces of the envelope in the corners of my office, but not the return address label.  Anyhow, it’s the 10-page Graduation Issue and you can read all of it HERE.

The Jameson twins — Marilyn Schupp and Carolyn Alford '61 —  have forwarded news of the death, on February 22nd, of “Cowboy Bob” Urbach ‘62.  In his retirement, Bob opened “Hats by Bob” in Ramona.  Click HERE to sign the guest book.

June 27, 2014

OH, MAN, I KNEW IT! The mornings are already darker.  Well, maybe I’m overreacting.  I’m not sure where Nancy and I will brunch this morning. Possibly the new Broken Yolk on Midway, since we have to stop by what’s left of the Midway Post Office.  (Hint:  there’s NOTHING left, except the bulk mail facility, and that’s been moved north across the parking lot. Hold on — the post office building is still there, it’s just no longer open)

San Diegans in general and Padre fans in particular are mourning the death of the delightful Tony Gwynn.  Charles Wax ‘68 shares an autographed photo of himself between Tony AND Ted Williams — two of the greatest hitters ever.

Jerry Ellis ‘61 shares a recent photo taken in Australia.  From right to left that’s Jerry, daughter-in-law Samantha, and son Matt.  Jerry learned that it’s hard for a 70 year old to keep up with two 30-somethings.

There are two kinds of Blue Jays in San Diego’s back country.  Ernie Cowan ‘62, who took these photos, tells you all about them in an article in last Saturday’s U-T.  Click HERE to read the article.

Kiley Schlader thought I might be interested in some photos of her parents that she recently posted on Facebook.  Boy was she right!!  This shot, taken by her grandpa around 1963, shows her mom — Diana Morawitz Schlader Kruse ‘72 — taking a spin on a llama on the corner of 54th & El Cajon.  Heavenly Donuts, in the corner, is advertising Puff Nuts.  Her photos also include 1970 night shots of the Westward Ho and Aztec Motels, with her dad Joe hanging around suspiciously in a cowboy hat.  Click HERE to check them out.

June 20, 2014

Yippee!! Tomorrow’s the longest day of the year — the first day of summer.  Boooo!! It’s the  beginning of the long, slow slide into darkness.

Good news!!  Barry Penn sends this photo from Hawaii’s North Shore.  He claims it’s the (almost) final destination of all Colts.

I believe the big Mark 4 party is still on for this Sunday.  Apologies to Joan Antofte Augsburger whose last name I mispelled and and Mark Elson, whom I left out altogether.  Appropriately, he was the one in charge of publicity. Contact Alan Novidor if you’d like to attend.

Was there REALLY an airport at Alvarado Estates?  Joe Naiman’s article about Robert Hume’s appointment to the Fallbrook Airpark Advisory Committee has an answer.  Click HERE to read the article.

The newsletter subscription envelope sent to Joe Luna ‘59 was returned by the post office -- “deceased”.  All Mary Jane Rogers could learn about the local musician is that he died December 29, 2013.

Linda Zawacki ‘70 passed away June 7th in Winchester, VA.  Click HERE to read a complete obituary and sign the guest book.

June 13, 2014

Happy Friday the 13th.  It’s getting light outside here in Pacific Beach.  Nancy will be coming down from Escondido later and we’ll head to the Waffle Spot for a late breakfast.

The 8th Annual Mark 4 Classic Rock Gigathon will take place on Sunday, June 22, from 1-4 PM — and you’re invited.  Joan Antofte Augsberger (that’s her in pink), Rick Simons, Alan Novidor, Gary Orlansky and Phil Catalfo will be reprising the hits they first played in 1968. Email Alan Novidor if you’d like to attend.

Dennis Frieden ‘59 checked in from Julian.  I couldn’t resist sharing his business card.

Here’s the KCBQ Top 40 from June 3, 1958 — before Harry Martin became Happy Hare.  The top five included: All I Have To Do Is Dream, Purple People Eater, Witch Doctor, Return to Me and Secretly.  Ralph James and Jack Vincent it the mark on their picks to click — Yakety Yak and I Wonder Why.  Click HERE to check out a larger version.

I’m not sure when Mary Smith ‘62 left San Francisco, but she recently stopped in Parker, Colorado to visit Karola Braunagel Randolph and her husband Don. Mary, or rather her dog Tiffany, is keeping a blog along the way.  “I can’t get away with saying some of the things she reports,” says Mary. That’s Don holding Tiffany and Karola holding their dog Fritz.  Click HERE to look at some more photos as the pair make their way to Disney World.

Here’s the KCBQ Top 40 from June 3, 1958 — before Harry Martin became Happy Hare.  The top five included: All I Have To Do Is Dream, Purple People Eater, Witch Doctor, Return to Me and Secretly.  Ralph James and Jack Vincent it the mark on their picks to click — Yakety Yak and I Wonder Why.  Click HERE to check out a larger version.

The final Golden Anniversary issue of the 1963-1964 Pacer is the June 10th Graduation Issue — minus the first two pages.  Maybe you have a copy and can help make this issue complete.  Click HERE to read the 6 remaining pages. 

Gloria Dutra sends word of the belated passing, on June 2, 1998, of her aunt Frances Schneider Van Maren Trujillo ‘61 after a long battle with cancer.