July 14, 2017

47 years ago on this date I was in Paris with my pals Tom and Steve for the Bastille Day Parade.  It's a good lead-in to the fact that, a week earlier, we were in Pamplona, Spain for the "Running of the Bulls".  In both instances all I saw was peoples' backs and -- in Pamplona -- a cloud of dust.

Speaking of the "Running of the Bulls", have you seen the Geico commercial for "The Running of the Bulldogs"?  Click HERE to take a look.  Be prepared to fall on the floor laughing.

I thought I'd fallen asleep in the Barcalounger again and was dreaming.  The television commercial said something along the lines of "tired of having to push buttons to change channels on your remote?"  Apparently Cox voice remote lets you bypass those pesky buttons and just shout at the TV. Could be a 2 for 1 -- since I shout at the TV on a regular basis.   Remember when YOU were the remote?  When your folks made you get up and change the channel -- and sometimes stay there if you were improving the picture by grounding the set.  And there weren't any buttons either.  It could take two little hands to chunk-chunk-chunk to the desired channel.  Luckily there weren't very many choices.

Will Ernie Dronenburg EVER retire?  The County Assessor -- and '61 Colt -- was quoted in Tuesday's U-T article on who had the highest property tax bill in San Diego.  The answer:  Qualcomm.  Click HERE to get the details.

Bill Davis and his wife had a lovely time at the Herb Alpert Summer Pops concert last week on the Embarcadero, especially after keyboardist Bill Cantos gave a shout-out to his Crawford classmates from 1980.  Click HERE to check out Bill's web site.

I LOVE this color aerial of Belmont Park circa 1960.  It popped up again on Facebook and I'm sharing it again.  Click HERE to see it enlarged on Facebook.

It's been awhile since Bliss tickled my funny bone, but this cartoon from yesterday got me to smile.

July 7, 2017

I love this photo of lower Broadway posted on Facebook and thought maybe I'd used it before.  It appears to be circa 1960.  There's an Edsel going east and a VW headed west.  I blew up the marquee on the Tower Theater thinking the name of the movie would help determine the year.  It didn't, but I'm still thinking about what it said -- "You Won't Believe Your Eyes.  June Wilkinson. 43-20-36."

I'm not sure if Danielle Remer went to Crawford, but she DID attend Euclid Elementary and took this picture at the 100th Birthday Party this past Wednesday.  I believe she posted on Facebook that this was a portion of what remained of the older part of the school.

Ernie Cowan '62, "The Bird Man of Escondido", wrote a nice article in this week's U-T entitled "Sit Back and Enjoy the Show".  He's encouraging you to take an hour out of each day and soak up your surroundings.  Click HERE to read the article.

Details are still sketchy but Jeff Lee '66 died while mountain biking in Rancho Penasquitos on Tuesday.  As a member of the band "Oh Ridge", he put smiles on the faces of thousands of fans.  He entertained at a couple of the First Thursday meetings at The Amigo Spot and managed to reword one stanza of Margaritaville that caught my attention.

Wasted away again in Margaritaville,

Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.

Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,

Now I think it’s all John Fry’s fault.

June 30, 2017

Don Christofferson sends word that Euclid Elementary will celebrate its 100th Year on Wednesday, July 5th at 9:15 AM.   I tried to find a link or someone to talk to without success.  Luz in the office said someone would call back, but that didn't happen.  I did a little historical research.  The earliest newspaper reference I found was from 1928.   Take pictures if you attend.  Oh, the invite warned that parking would be scarce.  Click HERE to look at some Euclid Elementary class pictures.

Some ladies from the Class of '64 (and an interloper) got together for lunch at the Marie Callendar's in Escondido on May 24th.  (Seated) Patti Wallis, Barbara Long, Teri Hunter, Eileen Reichert. (Standing) Lola Sather, Irene Delleman, Carlene Smelko, BJ Stebbins, Char Krebsbach, Cathy Seidman, Charlene Stebbins ‘59

The North American Soccer League is coming to San Diego and one of the owners is Bob Watkins.  I suspect that's the Bob Watkins from Crawford's Class of 1961.  Click HERE to read more.  Click HERE to read the article in the Union-Tribune.

Does anyone know ANYONE who can help me learn Dreamweaver?  Last month's system upgrade left me unable to edit my web site.  I built it with GoLive 6, which was purchased by Dreamweaver. A month of reading the book and trying various tutorials has turned me into a twitching mess.  A Google search for "Dreamweaver tutors near you" connected me with a plumber in El Segundo.  (I'm in Pacific Beach).

June 23, 2017

Could you feel it when Summer arrived at 9:48 PM last Tuesday?  I thought I did, but it turned out I'd fallen asleep in my La-Z-Boy and was awakened by my snoring.

Jeez!!  A whole bunch of people wanted the 6" x 9" zip lock bags.  I gave them to Athletic Director Kelcie Butcher, who will use them for the "C" that goes on a Letterman's Jacket.  Hey, are there Letterladies' Jackets?

Who knew there was a College Grove Facebook Page?  I can't tell if this is a photo or an artist's rendering, but it shows  a Woolworth's at College Grove in the 1960s.

I enjoyed Barbara  Crooker's poem, Patty's Charcoal Drive-In, as part of Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac this past Tuesday.   Click HERE to read it for yourself, or listen to Garrison's dulcet tones.

Patty's Charcoal Drive-In took me back to Oscar's Drive-In at Menlo and El Cajon.  Click HERE to take a look at their menu.

Roy Sanks '64 passed away on June 14th in El Cajon after a brief battle with cancer -- Clarke Stillwagen

June 16, 2017

American Airlines is apparently rethinking its plans to make the space between seats even narrower.  The Los Angeles Times article in Wednesday's paper was illustrated with this photo by Frank Duenzl.  My first thought was that is was taken in Dubai, or some such locale, then I noticed the San Diego County Administration Building.  Things have certainly changed downtown.

50,000 seats for today's UCSD Commencement Address -- and additional speech -- by the Dalai Lama were snapped up in minutes Wednesday.  Takes me back to the surprise announcement in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy would speak at San Diego State's graduation.  Seniors who decided they WOULD take part after all were lined up late at night at Peterson Gym to get their caps and gowns.  Click HERE to look at some pictures.

Walt Tendler '74 took this picture at the County Fair.  It shows the Top 20 Seniors at Crawford High.  "If this doesn't show diversity," says Walt, "I'm not sure what does."

Does anyone have a use for 6 x 9 ziplock plastic bags?  I have a thousand of them that I no longer have a use for.  (The photo above shows one of the bags full of Sharpies.)

Seems a perfect time to trot out one of my favorite photos, of athletes and coaches, from the 1967 Centaur.  Click HERE for a larger view and you can make out the Red Coat Inn in the background.

Nancy and I cruised by 5967 Trojan last week and it looks like that's where this photo was taken. Nancy grew up a block away, on West Overlook Drive.

Alice James McCapes ’59, of Hemet, CA, died January 4, 2017.  She is survived by her husband Arthur and a whole lot of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Alice was very involved with her community. She was a senior officer in the TOPS weight loss support group where she helped countless individuals and was highly decorated. She was also active in the American Legion, post 53, with her husband, Arthur. Alice never let a moment go to waste. She was a swim instructor, Cub Scout leader, supported Little League, and was a dedicated and very hard-working dance mom. She was a very gifted crafter, and excelled in anything she attempted. She was, also, a master seamstress and loved making jewelry.  

Darrel Skinner ’62 passed away of a massive heart attack on May 11th, 2017.  He was a resident of Kimberling City, MO.  He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Jun 8, 1944.   He arrived in Washington State in 1957.  A petition for naturalization was made in San Diego when he was 15.  He married Elizabeth Murphy in 1965. “I guess it's that time in our lives,” says wife Betty.  “Just wanted to let you know.”

Vicky McVay Scherer ’64 passed away peacefully on May 30, 2017.  Born in Australia, she grew up in San Diego and is survived by Sisters Sydney '65, Judy '66 and Georgia '70

June 9, 2017

What were YOU doing 50 years ago this week?  The Beatles' Sgt Peppers album went on sale on June 2, 1967.

I was in Annapolis, MD for the graduation from the Naval Academy of my pal Ken Ptack (Hoover '60) on June 7th.  The next day I was best man at his marriage to Joanne Buscher (that's her in the pink).   They'll be celebrating 35 years of wedded bliss this week.  (I KNOW -- they've been married for 50)

We've come to the end of the student newspapers edited by Pat Edwards.  Click HERE to read his 10-page finale -- the Graduation Issue of June 7, 1967.

Greg May asked for help last week in identifying the location of this photo by the late Bill Reid.   A number of folks said it was 5967 Trojan, but I'm not sure.  An alert reader used the headline on the newspaper to determine that the photo was taken on October 13, 1954.

Pat Bell says her husband Jerry Bell '60 passed away April 25, 2017.  "Jerry enjoyed your newsletters," added Pat.

June 2, 2017

George Glover '73 thought you'd get a kick out of this advertisement.  Too late now.

Check it out!!  Looks like the fair is about to open!  My friend Anna sent me some selfies she took Tuesday in Del Mar and asked me which was my favorite.  Wanna know how old she is?   I forget -- but one of her children graduated from college last week.

Kinda looks like Mayberry RFD doesn't it?  Actually it's a photo Nancy took last week at Old Poway Park.  If you've never been you should go visit.

Paul Russell '71 got some nice ink last Saturday in the Union-Tribune.   Click HERE to read about his Christian Community Theater and Christian Youth Theater.

I'm not exactly sure what the occasion was, but Gary Juleen '64 got his picture taken with Adam "Batman" West and Burt "Robin" Ward last month.   I thought I'd include a shot of what they all looked like in the '60s.

Here are a couple of photos that popped up on the Vintage San Diego Facebook page this week. Remember Mission Valley's Center Theater?  Looks like its official opening was February 17, 1965. We don't know who the fellow in the photo below is, but it's sure fun to look at the automobiles. Except for a new paint job, the County Administration Building hasn't changed, except I think it was City Hall then.

May 26, 2017

It's Memorial Day Weekend again and time to think about those who defended our country.  It's also an opportunity to visit the Colts Who Died In Vietnam page.  

Ron, from B and R Computers, has begun to rescue some of my vital Filemaker data.  Class of '59 newsletter subscribers WILL be getting their June renewal notices. Thank you, Cherilyn Larson Charfauros '71 for the referral.

An article in last week's U-T talked about when the Crawford baseball program, in its heyday, sent five catchers to the Major Leagues.  The current team won its first game last week when the the opposing nine forfeited.  Click HERE to read the article -- and get the names of those five Colt big leaguers.  Click HERE to check out the GoFundMe page for the current program.  Click HERE to buy Joe Naiman's book on Amazon.

The May 25, 1967 Golden Anniversary Pacer includes a two-page del Potrillo literary supplement.   I recognize the by-lines of authors Steve Ko and Mike Van Horne.  Click HERE to read the whole issue.

LETTERS

Bret Boone was born in El Cajon and went to Eldorado High School in Placentia. His brother Aaron, also a big league player, was born in La Mesa and went to Villa Park High School in Villa Park.

Tom Tift ’75

I was at the Little Padres Park dedication at Morley Field on Feb 9, 2000.  It's called Ted Williams Field.  Ted Williams was wheeled onto the field by Bob Breitbard and others for the dedication.  There was a photo op with Ted standing at the plate with a bat.  Then Ted spoke about the Padres and new Padre Bret Boone, who was there:  " I played with Bret's grandfather and have seen Bret play. He's going to be a great addition to the team, with a long career" etc

Hope Bret wrote that down!  A little kid came up to Ted and got an autograph -- very rare.  

Good Luck Jake.

Lou Galper '71

Bob Boone’s sister was one year ahead of me through school, from Montezuma Grammar School on up, and the other Boone kids were in my sisters’ grades.  Grandpa Ray went to school with my Mom at Hoover, and their Mom (Pat Boone) taught my sister to swim through her backyard swimming lessons!  I also believe Pat Boone was in Ester Williams movies as a swimmer at one time!  Grandpa Ray was a baseball scout.  Celebrities in our midst!  

Debra Rogers Park ’72

Kids that grew up on the South side of San Diego may remember the Klingman Dairy between 47th and Euclid, and Fairmont.  A rather exclusive neighborhood.  When I was a kid I got up at 4 AM for a paper route that included both sides of Ridgeview Drive, crossed Euclid, and went all the way to the boundary of Marshall  Elementary School.  Gee -- is that a character builder?  Screw you Richard Morse for having the afternoon paper route.
William Frost ’66

May 19, 2017

I'm not sure where Bret Boone went to high school, but his grandpa Ray went to Hoover and his dad Bob is a Colt from '65.  Turns out Bret's son Jake is a standout at Torrey Pines and will most likely enter the pros.  Click HERE to read the article in the May 15th Union-Tribune.  (I hope you have better luck than I did.  The ads come at you from all directions)

Rosemary Erickson’s family came to San Diego long enough for her to attend Horace Mann for one year and Crawford for two.  Then it was back to the family farm in South Dakota.  Rosemary eventually returned for an MA at San Diego State, spending “half” her life here.  She’s written a book about her father, which you can order on Amazon.  She must have moved back to South Dakota because she's having a book signing in Sioux Falls on June 11.  You can read all about Rosemary on her Athena Research web site.

This Vintage San Diego color shot looks west from Arizona and University.  I'm sharing it for folks who remember Hudson Gasoline.  Also, the sandwich board says "Gas War" and the price apparently is 9/10 of one cent.

Dan Burton '66 sends word of the passing of his classmate Bob "Zooks" Zykwa on May 11th at the VA Hospital in La Jolla from diabetes complications.  Nancy Watson complains to this day of being picked last in everything due to her surname.  And it got worse when she became Nancy Watson Wingo.  Bob was listed last in the '66 Centaur -- and I'll bet a whole lot of other roll calls.