September 20, 2019

You're invited to the Crawford High Whole Site Modernization groundbreaking on Wednesday, September 25th, from 8:45 to 9:30 AM.  Speakers will include Superintendent Cindy Marten, Board President Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Chief Facilities Planning and Construction Officer Lee Dulgeroff and new Crawford High Principal Froylan Villanueva. The cheer team will also kick-off the groundbreaking. 

I've scanned and posted the Senior Awards Assembly Program from June 15, 1970.  I think this is the last of the goodies sent to me by Ed Schoenberg a while back.  Click HERE to find out who the big winners were.

Tom Isom is at it again on Facebook.  Here's an 1899 photo of San Diego Harbor printed from a glass negative.  Small world.  Tom, it turns out, is married to Vivien Messick Isom '63.  Tom grew up in Lakeside, but was a lunchtime supervisor at Crawford during the 1966-1967 school year.  Click HERE if you'd like to see an enlarged version of the photo.

I hope you have a 2020 calendar.  Barbara Alvarez wants you to save the date for next year's 50 Year Reunion.  The information is above.   I've also posted it on the Reunions Page.

Frank Alfano ’67, a native San Diegan, died at the age of 70 on September 5, 2019.  Frank was a shortstop at Crawford, leading his team to three consecutive CIF baseball finals.  He was drafted by the New York Mets out of high school but opted for a baseball scholarship at USC, where he was the star of the school’s 1970 and 1971 NCAA champion baseball teams. He went on to play for the Minnesota Twins organization in the Midwest and Carolina leagues. Upon his return to San Diego, he was employed by HomeFed Bank as an Assistant Vice President Administrative/Purchasing Director. He left the financial industry in 1981 to “fight real fires” with the City of San Diego Fire Department and retired as Fire Captain in mid-2007.  For over twenty-three years, Frank was also a high school sports official in San Diego County, officiating baseball, football and track events. He also umpired NCAA and NAIA college baseball games throughout Southern California. He was inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame in 2015.  Frank always made his family and friends a priority and was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed camping, fly fishing, and hiking. His favorite annual road trip was the Moose Lake “Bellinger Bros’ Man Camp” in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Montana.  Frank is survived by, among others, his wife of over 37 years Jane Cruz Alfano and brother, Tony Alfano ’69.

Dan Daniels ’67 passed away July 19, 2019.  Dan was born in Roseburg, Oregon and, at the age of five, moved to Imperial Beach with his Mom and Sister. After attending Crawford he went to Grossmont College, San Diego State, then was in the California National Guard from 1970-1976.   Dan met his wife Kathy on August 2, 1975 and they married on February 9, 1980.  They lived in Rancho Bernardo from 1980 to the present.   In 2008 Dan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Kathy took care of him until a week before his passing.

September 13, 2019

Dave Duncan '63 has now lost two family members to brain cancer.  His wife Jeanine died in 2013.  Son Chris (above) passed away last Friday.   Click HERE to read an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  

Ed Schoenberg has sent me his student handbook from 1968.  It only took me about 20 hours to scan, reformat, and post all 52 pages.  Click HERE to peruse the results of my efforts.  There will be a quiz.

"La La La La" and "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" were Numbers 2 and 3 of the September 19, 1964 KDEO Top 40.  Obviously the Golden Age of Rock and Roll.  Click HERE to check it out.

One of the most stunning historical views of Mission Valley popped up on Facebook last week.  Two, actually.  Click HERE to see them enlarged.

September 6, 2019

Butch Higgins '65 puts together seasonal golf tournaments and this one, a “Back to the Future” gathering, was played at Colina Del Sol, a pitch and putt that most of us played as kids.  Alums from the ‘50s to the ‘70s competed,  including my son Matt (Santana ’93).  Steve Kapchinske '65 won the seasonal trophy on a points basis.  The field included a who’s who of notable San Diegans.  It might be fun to see if your readers can identify them. We're all a little long in the tooth, so it will be tough sledding -- Dan Burton '66 

(Click HERE to check out a whole lot of photos taken by Dale Olson '65.  He posted them via Google photo, which may allow you to make comments -- or name names.  I'm pretty sure Bob Boone is left of center, in a red shirt with a horizontal blue stripe)  

I shoulda posted this last week.  It's the football program from the San Diego-Los Angeles high school game played at Aztec Bowl on August 26, 1959.  Click HERE to check it out.

Turns out, before there was Cinnamon Cinder at 7578 El Cajon Blvd, there was Comanche Bowl.  This is the best I could do for a photo.

Turns out The Contrasts, who followed the coasters on this particular weekend, was a band largely made up of Colts.  That's them below playing a benefit at the Scottish Rite Temple:  Bill Keller on sax, James “Skinny” Bolan on guitar and lead singer, Donny Arnold on drums, Jan Tonnesen on lead guitar, and Kenny Jiampa on bass. I've put all of the Cinnamon Cinder stuff on a web page.  Click HERE to peruse.

August 30, 2019

School has started in the San Diego Unified School District.  You better get over to the Financial Office and pick up your book covers.  Click HERE for more information.

Pictured at the recent Class of '69 reunion were folks who attended Henry Clay Elementary.  (L-R)  Don Pernicano, Paul Miller, Mark Weissmann, Corinne Simpson, Mike Hardin, Chris Scheibel, and Karen Simpson. We were part of Henry Clay’s first class that went all the way through from Kindergarten through sixth grade. Barbara Spielberger, Charlie Richman, and Frank Passiglia also attended the reunion but missed the picture -- Karen Simpson Seidman

This photo of Cinnamon Cinder, 7578 El Cajon Blvd,  popped up on Facebook last week. Did you ever go there?  Me neither.  Did you know it was a chain, owned by LA disc jockey Bob Eubanks?  Me neither.  Click HERE to read all about it.  Below is a current Google Street View of Helix Environmental Planning, which today occupies the site at the northeast corner of El Cajon and Comanche.  I strongly suspect the old building was dozed to make way for this new building.

Cinnamon Cinder made me think about Land of Oden and Bifrost Bridge.  I didn't get out a lot in my youth, if you're wondering how I could think these two things belong together.  Anyway, click HERE to revisit my Bifrost Bridge page.

Jim Vinkemulder ’59 passed away on August 3, 2019.  After graduation Jim moved to La Puente, CA, where he met and married Carla Nelson in 1961 and had two daughters.  He became part owner of Steve Hurd Motorcycles in Montebello and part owner of Whittier Kawasaki also.  When the shops were sold,  Jim had various other jobs throughout his life, the last eighteen years with Azusa Pipe and Tube Bending where he retired from.  Jim's family became dune buggy enthusiasts and hit the desert every chance they could. Jim and Carla became grandparents in the early 1990s with a granddaughter and grandson of whom he was so proud. Jim will be truly missed by all who knew him.

August 23, 2019

Once upon a time there were 10 Pernicano brothers and they each owned a pizza parlor.  Crawford students may recall the one on 55th and El Cajon.  Three of the pizza restaurants remain, but the one in Pacific Beach -- the last to be run by an original brother -- will close on September 15th.  I've been a regular customer for 40 years and was in the house on Friday last when Channel 10 stuck a microphone in my face.  Click HERE if you want to see what Channel 10 shared with its viewers.

The first color photos I've seen of Westgate Park appeared yesterday on Facebook, thanks to the mysterious Pea Hicks.  It included several shots of an Easter Service.  In one of the shots, through the trees, you can spot the Super Chief diner on Friar's Road (it was a Santa Fe train replica like the Haynes Streamliner on El Cajon Blvd).  You may need to have Facebook to access these views.  Cross your fingers and click HERE.

The Rolando Park contingent posed for a photo at last weekend's Crawford Class of '69 50th Anniversary Reunion.  From left to right: Steve Fontana, Bonnie Werth, Alan Burrows, Dave Wion, Laurie Peters, Joan Thatcher, Kelly Collier, Gene Krieser, Dick Park, Anne Bracket and Tim Levas

Ed Schoenberg '70 has sent along a care package, which includes what I assume is the 1966 Graduation Issue of the Horace Mann Cougar Times.   Click HERE to peruse all six pages.

August 16, 2019

Turns out the November 3rd car show is part of the Class of '59's 60th Reunion Weekend and it's a benefit for the Crawford Alumni Association, which may not be the same as the Crawford Foundation.

The November car show seems like as good of an excuse as any to revisit the Cars We Drove to School web page.  That's Ron Morse '64 above, on Prom Night with his 1962 Fiat.  Click HERE to check it out.

Don't know what year this was, but if I was working I was probably getting 88¢ an hour.  Click HERE to check out the Aunt Emma's page on my web site.

Margaret Bemis Dennison ’59 passed away a year ago, on August 14, 2018, and I’m just finding out.. After graduation Margaret traveled the country as a  professional dancer in Broadway productions, including Music Man with Forest Tucker and an appearance on the Steve Allen Variety Show. Margaret was also featured in many local performances at Starlight and Coronado Playhouse. After her dancing career she became a legal secretary, then an office manager, and a consultant for First National Oil Company.  She married Thomas Dennison in 1963 and the two raised three sons, enjoyed traveling and ballroom dancing. Her faith was an important part of her life and provided support during her lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

I just found the Facebook Messenger notice Greg Skoglund '67 sent a month ago noting the passing of his sister Dorothy Skoglund Ferguson '61 on June 13, 2019.  She passed away at home in Lake Charles, LA after a lengthy illness.

August 9, 2019

Nancy recently dined at a newly-opened pizza restaurant in Escondido.  It's called Shakey's.  It occupies a space in Civic Center Plaza where the Sizzler Steak House stood until recently.  I'm starting to think Escondido might exist in a Parallel Universe. 

I think I've got this figured out.  A car show on November 3rd at Pal Joey's in Allied Gardens, will be part of the Class of 1959's big 60th Anniversary Reunion Weekend.  You do not have to be a Crawford Original to enter your car.  The cost is $25 (they really should charge a lot more) and the money goes to the Crawford Foundation.  Let me know if you're interested and I'll put you in touch with the right people.

Nancy and I cruised her old neighborhood (West Overlook) last Monday and drove down Trojan to see how the Horace Mann addition was coming along.  Looks like it might be nearly done.  We forgot to double back and see how the Crawford was doing.

Whew -- that was close!  Remember how I scanned the "Witches" program a couple of weeks back and got ready to post it on the web only to realize it was already there.  Turns out both of these had been sent to me before by Ed Schoenberg '70 -- and "Rebel Without A Cause" is also already posted.  Click HERE to check it out.  Turns out the actor who played the "retarded high school boy" was the one who went on to fame and fortune -- Stephen Bishop.

I took a leisurely drive northbound on Euclid, courtesy of the San Diego City Digital Archives, and went right by the Rancho Drive-In.  Charles Bronson and Telly Savalas are starring in The Family, which came out in 1970, so I guess we know what year this is.  Click HERE to make the trip yourself.

You may need to type "Euclid" into the Search Bar

If you click on the sprocket icon you can adjust the speed of the video

Sadly, I’m letting you know that one of my very best friends, Craig Ulak ’63, passed away on July 28th, 2019.  During my Senior Year at Crawford I got to know Craig via my friendship with Bruce Griffith.   I have known Bruce since the 6th grade at Euclid Elementary.  Craig, Bruce and I have been best friends since then.  Craig grew up on 49th Street just a few houses down from his then best buddy, Ken Burns, who was in my graduating class.  Lynn Elliott also lived nearby. Craig had a younger sister, Joanne.  Craig and I shared an apartment after I graduated from SDSU.  Craig’s mother, Dorothy, introduced me to my future wife Margie, in 1968.  Craig moved to Las Vegas, worked in the casinos as a pit boss, and got his degree from UNLV.  One of Craig’s co-workers introduced him to his cousin, Carol, who was visiting from New Jersey.  After a long-distance courtship, they married, and moved to New Jersey.  One winter was enough for Craig, and they came back to San Diego.  They bought a house on Estrella Avenue, just one street over, and a couple blocks down from his childhood home on 49th Street.  Craig and Carol had three boys, Ryan, Evan, and Jason.  In 1991, they purchased a home in Encinitas, and have maintained that same residence.  Ryan now resides in Denver, and Evan and Jason live in the San Diego area.  A few years ago, Craig was diagnosed with heart and breathing issues, and he was on medications. About a week before Craig’s death, he was hospitalized for a series of tests related to his breathing and heart issues. Shortly before his death Craig’s condition weakened significantly.  Because Craig’s grandmother lived into her 90s, his dad into his 80s, Bruce and I always thought he would outlive the both of us -- but, you never know!  Craig will be sorely missed by his many, many friends. He was a wonderful husband, dad, and a very good friend -- Larry Guske ’62

Lance Onnen '64 passed away July 30, 2019 according to his sister Diane Onnen Parent '68.  "He was looking forward to seeing all of his classmates at the 55th Reunion," she noted.

August 2, 2019

Here's the Mighty 690 Top 40 list from July 29, 1957 -- 62 years ago.  Click HERE for an enlarged version that still might not be readable.

Gary Juleen '64 sent me this surfing poster because he knows I'm a PB history fan.  I thought you might enjoy it also.  The Pacific Beach Post Office replaced the Roxy Theater in 1981.  How the time flies.

Pictured above are 5 of my 7 brothers -- Mark ’73, Tony ’76, Michael ’77. John ’79 and Joey ’81 -- in front of the Montello family Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser.  My parents were both employees of SDUSD, she as a teacher until she got pregnant with my oldest sibling, my dad as a principal for 36 years!  We are a family of 10 kids -- 7 boys and 3 girls -- ALL Crawford students and Grads! We attended Crawford from about ‘66 through ‘82!  Quite a Crawford legacy! We ALL went to Andrew Jackson, Horace Mann and Crawford -- Becky Montello Larsen ’75

(Below) Becky is flanked by brothers Tony and Michael in 1974.  According to Becky you could take surfing at Crawford instead of PE.  

July 26, 2019

Did you hear about the breast feeding kerfuffle aboard a KLM airliner a couple of weeks ago?  The woman apparently didn't want to cover up while feeding her infant.   Reminded me of the fellow sitting next to a lady who asked if he was offended by her breast feeding her little boy, explaining how it equalized the pressure in his ears and kept him from crying.  "You go right ahead," said the man, adding "and all these years I've been chewing gum."

If you attended the Campus Lab School at San Diego State -- and graduated from Crawford in 1969 -- you’re invited to an informal lunch in Old Town on the day of the Crawford reunion at Bali Hai.  Contact Karen Dilworth kcpdmp@cox.net or George Sorensen george.sorensen@me.com if you’re interested in attending.

You can run but you can't hide.  Frank Klepach (left) finally located his '64 classmate Jerry Pierce after five years of searching and got together with him for breakfast in Rancho San Diego.

I'm not much of a bird watcher, but I sure enjoy Ernie Cowan's writing.  Click HERE to read his latest column about a shore bird known as a Willet.

Ed Schoenberg '70 sent me a couple of programs from his acting days at Crawford.  I spent the better part of Wednesday scanning The Witches program only to discover that it was already on my website -- with extra goodies!!  Click HERE to check it out.

Here's a post card of the Campus Chuck Wagon, sent to me by Dave and Linda Roberts Ponsford.  Click HERE to see it enlarged.  The eatery was around from 1958, when it took over the Algier's Restaurant site at 6205 El Cajon to around 1978 when it was replaced by Carlos' Fine Foods.

Faculty Member Warren Marlay passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on July 13, 2019.  Born in Chicago, he was a teacher for 30 years at Mission Bay and Crawford. He was a co-founder of Sunset Pool Company.  During WWII Warren served in the Navy and was based at Pearl Harbor Submarine Base in Hawaii.  Warren is survived by his wife of 68 years, Adeline; two sons, Warren and Gregory, and daughter Rebecca.   Click HERE if you'd like to sign the on-line Memory Book.

Ginny Sanderson Dahlen '60 contacted me Thursday with the sad news that her classmate, friend and fellow Song Leader Dottie Johnson Vargas had passed away of cancer.  Services are Tuesday.  If you need to know more, email Ginny at fitginy20@hotmail.com

Also on Thursday I spotted a Facebook posting by Ed Pease, who let folks know that Larry Greenwood '64 died on June 29th.