July 17, 2026

I've shared this Far Side cartoon before, but -- lately -- here in the Old Folks' Home I've been reflecting on the affliction known as a Learning Disability. 

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Mr Fancy Pants Wayne Zucker is apparently a member of Red Robin Royalty and just wanted to rub this in my face.  I'd probably be sated after five Steak Fries. I'd be in big trouble if they offered bottomless Deviled Eggs or See's Peanut Clusters.

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Speaking of Fancy Pants, I was very popular in Pacific Beach, as you can see in this certificate awarded to me my on my birthday at a Pacific Beach Town Council Meeting.  This was a few years AFTER I was voted Honorary Mayor.  I guess the winds shifted.

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Mike Stamm died June 24th in Costa Rica.  A member of the Class of 1970, Mike was an American backstroke swimmer and world record holder who represented the U.S. at the 1972 Munich Olympics where he won a gold and two silver medals. His Wikipedia entry is fascinating.

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This girl was in the 1970 Centaur twice.  Oh. wait -- it's Belinda AND Melinda Solberg, and they were right on top of Mike Stamm (if you know what I mean). You can thank me when you see me, Mike.

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When all else fails, let 'em peruse the menu of Oscar's, the Mel's Diner of my high school years.  I'm now thinking the drive-in, at Menlo and El Cajon, (downwind from Hoover High) might not have existed all that long.  I wonder if the Ankle-Biters -- Colts graduating in the '70s -- even know what I'm talking about.  Click HERE to take a look at the ad for the HOT DEEP DISH PIE that burned my lip so bad I looked like Mr. Jackson after the Student-Faculty Basketball Game.

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65 YEARS AGO

San Diego Union • July 22, 1961 -- My classmate Terry Walker's mother was a dance instructor, which put Terry in great demand at every Sock Hop and Prom.  I have to think it also helped make him a star in Track and Field.

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60 YEARS AGO

Evening Tribune • July 22, 1966 -- I'm not sure I taught with the folks pictured, but I remember Charlie Clapper and played poker with "Slats" Laracy.

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Evening Tribune • July 23, 1966

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55 YEARS AGO

San Diego Union • July 18, 1971

July 10, 2026

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My Don Jose's Restaurant page reappeared on the internet.  I snagged the old faded photo of Don Jose and spiffed it up with ChatGTP.  Click HERE to revisit the page and maybe try to recreate "Ruth's Salsa."

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Genie Fiorella took this photo of Cheryl Walker and Jo Ann Mellington at Euclid Elementary’s 6th Grade graduation in 1958.  I colorized it and kinda like the results. Cheryl's brother Terry graduated with me in '62 and -- yes -- Jo Ann's father was the custodian at Crawford.

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My pal Barbara Holewinski Leonard passed away July 1st in Henderson, Nevada. Her sister Pat shares a wonderful bio, which I've placed on the Class of '62 Obituary Page

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65 YEARS AGO

San Diego Union • July 15, 1961

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60 YEARS AGO

Evening Tribune • July 15, 1966

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55 YEARS AGO

Evening Tribune • July 12, 1971

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San Diego Union • July 14, 1971

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50 YEARS AGO

San Diego Union • July 11, 1976

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San Diego Union • July 15, 1976 -- I knew ALL of these people, except Elisa.  Tom Goodman put me on the Facilities Utilization Committee in charge of closing schools; Ralph Patrick was just a NICE man; my mother was a secretary for "Mr" Stegeman.  Dick Jackson was principal when I taught at Hale, but BEFORE that he was my math teacher at Crawford, where he came in one day with a Fat Lip given to him by Dick Clem in the Student-Faculty Basketball Game.  He made a big production of whipping out a Referral Notice for Dick before he cracked a smile.  Well, he TRIED to crack a smile. His lip wasn't exactly cooperating.

July 3, 2026

250th?  That can't be right.  We celebrated the 200th just last week, I think.  Oh, 1976.  Well, it SEEMS like last week.

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I don’t know who these people are or where the photo was taken, but they’re apparently former Andrew Jackson Little Leaguers and they’d like to hear from you. Email Sayne Maza

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Remember those great 1955 Christmas photos Bob Richardson shared a few years back?  I've run them through ChatGPT and spiffed them up a tad.  Sadly, some of the people are no longer with us.  I'm gonna keep them, along with the folks in my iPhone address book who are gone.  Sort of a memorial.  Oh, click HERE if you want to see how the robots did.

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San Diego Union • July 5, 1961 -- My late pal Wayne Brickey married and sired a brood.  I don't recall the number, but his mom told me (way back when), "That's a lot -- even for a Mormon."

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Evening Tribune • July 7, 1966 -- Dave, as mentioned more than once, was a Class of '63 member who went on to great success as a catcher and then a PITCHING coach.

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San Diego Union • July 4, 1971

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San Diego Union • July 3, 1976 -- Bob was a member of the Class of '65 and like Dave Duncan caught in the majors, coached in the majors, and may -- for all I know -- still be a scout in the majors.