A WHILE BACK I decided to do my part to reduce water consumption. I decided to cut back my automatic sprinklers by 20 percent. I stood out in the patio reading the instructions and scratching my head until tears came to my eyes and I started blowing spit bubbles. I hadn’t been that confused since 9th- grade algebra.
I never did figure it out. When my old childhood buddy Ken Ptack came to visit from Maryland, I decided to give him a chance. After all, he took calculus at the Naval Academy. He gave up, too ” then we both went down to Good Time Charlie’s for a beer.
Artistic Licenses: I’m guessing “SRF RLTR” sells real estate at the beach. Speaking of beach, “BCH BABE” was on a Florida “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” plate. Once upon a time I would have surmised that “IM INKED” was a pressman at the San Diego Union. Now I’m more inclined to think it involves tattoos.
25 Years Ago: The City Council balked at City Manager Ray Blair’s proposal to save $500,000 by eliminating the ladder-truck company at Station 21 in Pacific Beach. Councilman Bill Cleator said, “If there’s any area we can’t afford to gamble on, it’s Mission Beach. If we have a fire there, it’s going to be a doozy.”
50 Years Ago: A master plan for the development of Mission Bay was adopted by the City Council in a unanimous vote. In addition, the council voted to appoint Don Giddings as chairman of the Mission Bay Park Commission, replacing Lester Halcomb who had announced his resignation.
75 Years Ago: A “tea-dance” was held at the Army and Navy Academy following the school year’s final dress parade. As the last social function of the school year, it was deemed “especially gay.” Loretta Fulkerson and Lois Shaffer sang a group of numbers for the folks in attendance.
100 Years Ago: The Folsom Brothers announced a major real estate purchase from Mattie Hannahs, widow of investor George Hannahs. For $10,000 the brothers acquired most of lots 259 and 260 ” all the property west of Bayard between Grand and Thomas. Soon to be “graded and oiled,” it promised to become the “Front Door” to Pacific Beach.
John Fry may be reached at (858) 272-6655 or [email protected].