IT'S NANCY'S BIRTHDAY -- and Mariachi Night at the Amigo Spot.  Feel free to stop by and snag some Carrot Cake.  These are NOT your padre's mariachis.  Be prepared for "Black Magic Woman" and a litte Pink Floyd -- plus the traditional favorites.  

Susan Wilkerson McCasland '71 says she's stuck in southwestern Ohio, where there are ZERO good Mexican restaurants.  Lately she's been dreaming about Pat Brillo's, the favorite family restaurant of her youth.  "Who WAS Pat Brillo and what became of his restaurants," she asks.  I don't know, but I recall eating at a Pat Brillo's near the downtown library.  Nancy says she applied for a job at Pat Brillo's on 43rd and University, but they wanted her to work six 6-hour days.  "Hold on," I replied, "MY favorite Mexican restaurant -- Julio's -- was at 43rd and University."  Turns out the late Julio Arreola worked for Pat Brillo and later bought him out.  Click HERE to read an informative obituary of Sr. Arreola.  Click HERE to learn about the man who drug Susan to southwestern Ohio.

LOST AND FOUND -- Dianna Hill Hodges '63 is looking for her classmates Cynthia Williams Murray and Alice Krauss Workman.  Don Scott is now on the '72 Email Page, thanks to Nancy Wendland Pomeroy '74

The Class of '62 Reunion Committee had its final meeting, at Mike Rossman's Terra Restaurant.  Under the capable leadership of Beverly Swaim Wickstrom, the group realized a profit of $3,800, $500 of which will be donated to the Crawford Foundation.  The rest will apparently be spent on annual parties.  Nice!!  Lynn Routt Swanson receives kudos for the best Memory Book ever -- 60 pages of color photos and biographies.  There may be a few left.  The cost is $20.00 Contact Lynn at swansong@cox.net

Gary Cliser, who may be the John Fry of the San Gabriel Valley, has sent me a link to HIS web site.  I suspect you'll enjoy it as much as I did.  Click HERE to visit Southern California in the 1950s.

Here's a photo of the Rolando Park contingent at the Class of 1963's 20th Year Reunion.  Glenna Morrow Jacket, who donated the photo, is standing second from the right.  I think that's Mike Crawford kneeling, third from the right.  I wonder who the guy in the middle is, daring enough to sport no facial hair.  Click HERE to check out the enlarged version.

Barbara Lamb '63 was December Girl of the Month AND Homecoming Queen in the Golden Anniversary Pacer of November 21, 1962.  Miniature Golf was 25¢ a game at The Swing Club, 4302 El Cajon Blvd.  That's where I hung out.  Click HERE to read all about it!!

I received a flurry of emails earlier in the week alluding to the passing of George Brown '60.  So far I haven't gotten any details.

Ken Savary '61 passed away November 2nd.  A native San Diegan, Ken is survived by his high school sweetheart Sandy Siegler '62.  Click HERE to sign the on-line guest book.

WEATHER PERMITTING, Nancy and I are going to travel east to Alpine for breakfast with Stephanie Rose Petersen at her favorite place -- Janet's Montana Cafe.

NOOOOOOO!!  Just when I was imagining television without political commercials, I thought I heard the jingle bells of the Christmas season.  Turns out the light at the end of the tunnel was the headlight of an oncoming train.

Some 1970 Classmates gathered at the home of Patty Crohn Patterson on October 14th.  Standing are Bonnie Miner Kau, Helen Bruce Ireland, Barbara Alvarez, Jane Debolt Blackwell, Kris Pruski Wood, Denise Daniels Casinelli, Rene Hansel Riley-Clay and Patty Crohn Patterson.  Kneeling are "the twins" -- Belinda Solberg Bales and Melinda Solberg Bachstein.  Says Kris Wood, "We had fun catching up on each others lives and playing "dress up" with Silpada sterling silver jewelry (I'm a rep) and "Jockey for Her" clothing (Jane Blackwell is a rep).

Sharon Cramer Sceper '68 predicted I'd get lots of mail about the Proctor Valley Monster -- but I didn't. I DID get a lot of emails about whether or not Driver's Ed was still being offered at Crawford in 1971.  Sharon said she learned to drive in a simulator, another person got to practice correcting a skid in the rain at Jack Murphy Stadium, and someone else said they got to drive to the beach -- and saw the white deer in Mission Valley by the Presidio.  I'll publish all of the responses in the December 12-page newsletter.

The Golden Anniversary Pacer, from November 8, 1962, is awash in familiar names.  Mrs. Frances Brownell was named Channel 10's Teacher of the Week, Gary Stewart's hot rod was Heap of the Week, and Dave Duncan was Athlete of the Month.  Ruth Marie Leatherman and Jerry Dwayne Lovelady were the featured Senior Sketches, plus Joe Keeyes and Jerry Smithson got their pictures on the front page.  Click HERE to get the details.

Nancy and her daughters have been at the Grand Canyon this week, with side trips to Flagstaff, Jerome and Sedona.  I expect they'll get up at the crack of noon today to begin their trip home.

Fox 5's Krysti Wolski contacted me Tuesday evening.  She wanted to interview me about the great storm that hit Pacific Beach sometime in the misty past.  I told her she was probably talked about the freak storm that knocked a third of Crystal Pier into the sea in January 1983.  I told her I was heading out to dinner and would be unavailable for an interview.  I suggested she call Crystal Pier and talk to Jim Bostian.  Apparently Jim was unavailable also, 'cause Krysti and her camera man showed up on my doorstep after I got home.  I can't stay up past 10, so I don't know if the piece made the news.  I was still depressed to learn that neither Krysti nor her camera man had even been born in 1983.

Sharon Cramer Sceper's father was a postman in Linda Vista, Janice Ricca Hom's husband was a mailman on Wheatstone, and Barbara Bright Wilder has just MOVED to Wheatstone, but no one apparently recalls the "Ghost of Wheatstone Canyon" hoax mentioned last week by Richard Bouman.  Sarah Leddick recalls another ghost, however -- the Proctor Valley Killer!!

I think it was a month ago that Bernadine Berlin Temple '62 sent a snapshot of herself and world-renowned bassist Nathan East '73 taken in Barcelona, Spain.  Nathan's back in San Diego long enough for two performances with Fourplay (7:30 and 9:30) tonight at Anthology in Little Italy.   Nathan is second from right in the above group photo.  Click HERE to read George Varga's article about Nathan in the San Diego U-T.

Click HERE to examine the October 26, 1962 football program donated by Sarina Klein Nordmarken '63

The November 5, 1971 Pacer, donated by Velinda Clanton Peterson '72, has an ad for the California Driving School.  Was Driver Education no longer offered at Crawford in 1971?  Click HERE to read the paper.

A number of you have asked about Mom.  Nancy and I -- and Nancy's 45-year old autistic daughter Lisa -- visited Mom last Saturday at the residential Alzheimer's facility where she resides.  She actually seemed a little better.  She was eating her dinner and seemed happy to see Nancy.  Me not so much.  As they say -- good days and bad days.

A got such a chuckle out of the Halloween card sent to me by Stephanie Rose Petersen '74, I thought I would share it.  Great minds think alike -- or maybe it's off-color minds. 

Richard Bouman '59 shares the following:  "About 50 years ago or a little more on Halloween night a disc jockey on one of the popular radio stations at the time -- KCBQ, I think -- was talking about "The Ghost of Wheatstone Canyon”.  He said a lady lost her two sons during World War II and every Halloween night at midnight she would come out and look for them because they had lived in the canyon before the war.  He said it was off of Wheatstone St.  A buddy and I were out cruising and decided to go check it out.  Well, so did about 100 other people including some Crawford alumni.  If I remember right it was out Kearny Mesa/ Linda Vista way where the old Navy housing was.  The houses had been torn down but the streets and sidewalks were still there.  So my question is does anyone else remember this or is my old brain playing tricks on me?" 

(I've shared a page from MapQuest that indicates Wheatstone Street is at the northwest corner of Linda Vista, overlooking Tecolote Golf Course.  It may have been 1957 that a Miramar pilot bailed out and landed nearby on the Clairemont side of Tecolote -- JF)

Some years ago Yearbook Advisor sent me a CD of the 1959 Centaur.  I couldn't get it to work on my computer.  I was searching for something else and came across the CD.  Guess what?  It works great on my computer and would probably work great on a CD player if I had one.  Kelcie says they're available for $35 from the following years:  1959-1967, 1969, 1971-1972, 1974-1975, 1982 and 1985.  Click HERE to email Kelcie.

The Golden Anniversary Pacer is from October 25, 1962, featuring Donna Musil '63 as Girl of the Month.  I have not idea why, but I scrambled information from three featured ads.  If you can tear yourself away from Farmville, you might try to reassemble them:  Nicolosi’s Pizza House • JU-2-4340 • 7252 Broadway, Lemon Grove • Par Tee Miniature Golf • AT-2-5919 • 4009 El Cajon Blvd • HO-9-9901 • Lido’s Italian Food • 6255 University Avenue.  Oh -- click HERE to read the paper.

Here's the dope on First Thursday.  I might not make it, since my chauffeur is taking her daughters to the Grand Canyon or a week.

Nancy and I were headed up I-5 earlier this week and we spotted the dome of the nearly-finished Central Library.  "What the heck is that thing?" she asked.  "That's where I hope to be this time next year," I responded.  "It's a mausoleum?" she replied.  "Don't get any ideas," I muttered.

Scott Shaw '68, one of the Colts who founded the original Comic-Con, returns to San Diego this weekend for the San Diego Comic Fest, being held at the Town and Country Convention Center.  He would love to have you stop by and say hello.  Actually, you better get a move on.  He and Greg Bear will be part of a panel appearing in the Garden Salon 1 Room at 1:30 today (Friday).  You can also call him on his cell phone -- 818-642-1967.  (Don't do it between 1:30 and 2:30 on Friday you nimrod!)

Coach Walt Harvey is surrounded by members of his 1961 CIF Champion football team:  Ron Newport, Ron Fox, Duane Farrar, Bill Montejano, Bruce Parker, Tom Whelan, Bill Rainey and Hal Posthumus.  Click HERE to see all 100 photos from the Class of '62 50th Reunion.

Click HERE to browse through the 6-page edition of the Pacer from October 22, 1971

Paul Guzik '71 died of a massive brain hemorrhage on October 5th.  He was born Paul Christopher Koulogeorgiou on March 1, 1953 in Sparta, Greece.  He is survived by his wife Patti Theodorelos '67.  Click HERE to read his obituary and/or sign the guest book.

IT'S PITCH-BLACK IN PB and it sounds like it's still raining out there.  Might be a good day to stay in the house since there are no pressing appointments.

Boy am I pooped, but not as much as the folks who did the real work at the Class of '62 50th Reunion last weekend.  Nancy dragged me kicking and screaming to get our picture taken Saturday at the Bali Hai.  Who was the photographer's assistant but Lesha Klein Sand '67? (You knew her as Lorraine in grade school and Lori at Horace Mann)  Her sister is Sarina Klein Nordmarken '63, her brother is Ron Klein '66 and her ex-son-in-law is Lorenzo Llamas.  Go to Google -- you'll figure it out.

FINALLY -- a "feel-good" story about Crawford High School!  You'll love yesterday's U-T article about this year's Homecoming King.  Click HERE to check it out.

Dave Nichols '61 is a regular at Portland's Rogue Ales bar, so when classmate Bob Richardson hit town George Sorenson '69 made it a threesome.  Click HERE to see more.

Hey, there's a big article on Setsuo Tajima in the Golden Anniversary Pacer of October 11, 1962.  The Senior Sketches feature Louise Neil and George Fogelman, whose birthday was last Sunday.  This is a six-page edition.  Click HERE to read all about it.

Click HERE to check out the KGB Boss 30 top hits for October 25, 1965.  

Last week's Fry Day email should have contained the October 8, 1971 Pacer donated by Velinda Clanton Peterson '72, but I was overwhelmed with early October activities.  Click HERE to check it out.

IT'S STILL DARK IN PACIFIC BEACH and I'm recovering from my birthday yesterday.  A huge crowd gathered on the deck of the USS Nimitz to help me celebrate.  Did you hear the 17-gun salute?  Actually they were there for the Change of Command Ceremony where VADM Dave Buss replaced VADM Al Myers as Commander, Naval Air Forces.  Nancy and I were assigned a personal assistant, one LT Joshua Freeze, who made sure our every whim was catered to.  A lot of folks were laboring under the illusion I must be someone important.  I think it was the Blue Angels shirt Nancy bought me at the last air show.

Stephanie Petersen put me and my pal Tom LaShell on the marquee last night for First Thursday.  Tom was also born on October 4th and -- once again - was a year older than me.

Look what Judy Leonard Kanne '60 spotted this week in Bryson City, North Carolina.  She's taking the Great Smoky Train ride.

Crawford graduates Bernadine Berlin Temple '62 and Nathan East '73 pose for a snapshot in Barcelona, Span before boarding the Dave Koz and Friends jazz cruise.  Bernadine named one of her sons Miles, which should give you some idea how she feels about jazz.  Nathan is a jazz artist known world wide.  Click HERE to read his biography.

The Bob Mardon page now has videos.  I don't have the exact details, but one appears to depict leaving the house for the '64 Prom and the other is entitled '64 Graduation Antics.  You'll recognize the motley crew above -- Bob Mardon, flanked by Mark and Mike Nesbit.  Click HERE to go the Bob Mardon Page.

Gretchen Pruden Taylor '60 forwards an article from the U-T about Dennis Mackrel, who may be Class of '81.  He's now the leader of the Count Basie Orchestra, which appeared at Anthology last month.  Click HERE if you'd like to read all about it.

History teacher Ray Wagner, who opened Crawford in 1957 and remained for 27 years, passed away September 24th.  He worked as the Archivist at the San Diego Air & Space Museum after he left teaching.  The museum will induct him into its Hall of Fame on November 17th.  Services for Ray will be private.  Click HERE if you'd like to sign the guest book.

Anne Boyd Lewis '66 died September 13th after a 13-year battle with cancer.  I've shared some of what her husband wrote about her many accomplishments.  Go to the Class of '66 Obituary Page.

I EXPECT IT'S GONNA be a beautiful day in Pacific Beach.  Hopefully Nancy and I can sneak into Green Flash for breakfast on our way to the Midway Post Office.  We're going to mail the newsletter renewals for the Class of '63.  Did you know there are two '63 grads living on Mercer Island, Washington?  I wonder if they know each other.

It seemed as if I was getting email corrections almost before I sent out last week's Fry Day missive.  Interesting that folks noticed that I had put Barbara Jensen in the Class of '61, but didn't spot the fact that I had her funeral in a hospital instead of a church.

I can't stop laughing at the latest "adventure" of my pal Jeff Dalrymple.  He got himself a coupon that promised $20 worth of food at D. Z. Akins for only $10.   He then invited his friend Peter Johnson to motor in from Lakeside for lunch a week ago Monday.  They made sure they ordered at least $20 worth of food, only to learn that the coupon was not valid on September 17th.  "Why isn't it good on September 17th," he asked the cashier.  "Jewish New Year."  If you visit the Amigo Spot on Saturday night you can ask him for a rim shot.  He's the drummer for Live Jazz.

Do you remember your locker combination?  Mine was 38-24-36.  Oh, wait -- that might have been the answer to a different question.  That topic came up at Starbucks yesterday,  Also, we wondered high the numbers went on a Master combination lock.  Guess we know that now.

Don't you just LOVE Nancy Miljas' artwork?  Anyway, the First Thursday party for October 4th is just around the corner.  6 PM, Amigo Spot, King's Inn, Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley.

The Boys Scouts of America invites you to honor Ash Hayes at the 2012 Friends of Scouting Distinguished Citizen's Award Dinner, 6 PM Friday, October 5, 2012 at the Red Barn, 1950 Sycamore Drive, San Marcos.  The cost is $100 per person or $175 per couple.  Click HERE to email an RSVP to Linda Bailey.

Crawford Foundation member Susan Marshall Gordon '64 shares the news that the Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, October 12th at 3 PM on the football field.  DO YOU HAVE A CONVERTIBLE you can drive for the Homecoming Queen and Princesses?

Here's a Bruce Brown ad from the Golden Anniversary Pacer of September 27, 1962.  I wonder if this is the movie I saw in the Hoover High auditorium.  I remember Bruce Brown bringing his movie projector and narrating the film.  Click HERE to read the rest of the Pacer.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S gonna be a beautiful day in San Diego.  Nancy and I visited Mom yesterday at the Renown Alzheimer's facility on Tommy Drive.  She seemed a little better than last week, but I'm pretty sure she no longer recognizes me.  Fry Day promises visits to the post office, bank and library and maybe a nice drive somewhere.

It always seemed like the hottest day of the year took place during the first week of school.  Of course, that was when school started in the middle of September.  Last weekend's scorcher sent me on a Google search for the hottest day ever in San Diego.  I ended up on my own web site.  Click HERE to read once again the memories of folks who survived The Hottest Day Ever in San Diego.

Don Anderson '64 would love it if you popped over the bridge this weekend and watched him raced his '64 Bobsy-Porsche (that's the two of them above) at the Coronado Speed Festival.

Wow!!  The Coasters and The Contrasts on one great weekend at the Cinnamon Cinder.  Click HERE to check out the great photos I found on Jan Tonnesen's Flickr page and read some of the comments.  Did you know the Cinnamon Cinder had been a bowling alley.

Dave Sleet '61 asks on a regular basis if I've come across anything on his old band The Cascades.  I keep thinking I should be asking HIM for stuff.  I found this ad from the Red Coat Inn on Jan Tonnesen's Flickr page and added it to the University Lanes page of my web site.  Click HERE to take a look.

Last year we took a look at the collection of Pacers from 1970-1971 donated by Velinda Clanton Peterson '72.  This year we'll look at the 1971-1972 series.  The first issue was already on the web site, donated by Ken Burton, so we'll start with that one.  Click HERE and enjoy.

Rod Petersen '61 passed away "a year ago" according to his daughter.  I've posted some of what she shared on the '61 Obituary Page.

Barbara Jensen '62 died September 9th of heart failure.  Services are being held at 1:30 PM TODAY at Faith Presbyterian Church, 5075 Campanile Drive.