NEIL VOLK IS 40 YEARS OLD and a Pacific Beach native. He says he remembers me as a substitute teacher at Pacific Beach Junior High and apologizes “in advance” if he caused me any grief. Actually, it was probably Mission Bay High School — and the damage is done. Actually, Neil wanted to weigh in on the Newberry’s/PB Bowling Alley discussion. He didn’t think there could have been more than 24 lanes, but he thinks the place had been remodeled and downsized by the time he started to hang out there. His memories of Newberry’s go back to when his mom would allow him to pop a balloon for a discounted treat. Neil wonders if others recall Al the Pizza Cook at Mr. G’s who “sported a Speedo.” I assume Speedo was a haircut, not a bathing suit. Al’s response to the grief he got from Neil and his gang was “The gods must be crazy.” Actually, I think that was the name of a movie I saw next door at the Fine Arts Theater. OH, THAT TOMÁS — what a card! The proprietor of Pacific Tailors on Grand Avenue does outstanding work at a good price. Did I mention he was a comedian? He called to tell me my pants were ready and I asked how much it would be. He told me the amount, then added, “but the price doubles if you’re not here in five minutes.” You’re never quite sure when he’s joking because of the dry wit — and the heavy accent. MY PAL TOM LASHELL got his money’s worth a couple of weeks back when he decided to purchase Padres mini-season tickets. He opted to go with a Wednesday evening-Sunday afternoon package. The first game he attended was against the Saint Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, May 26. The Padres won 2-1 when Jerry Hairston hit a walk-off home run IN THE 13TH INNING. Three days later, on a sun-splashed Sunday, the Padres beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 after Nick Hundley hit a single to score Lance Zawadski IN THE 11TH INNING! Wednesday, June 2 was a day game in which the Mets led 1-0 until David Eckstein tied it in the ninth. Adrian Gonzalez won it with a walk-off grand slam IN THE 11TH INNING! That’s 35 innings for the price of 27 — AND ALL WINS!! — John Fry may be contacted at 272-6655 or [email protected].