Allure of Pacific Beach makes it a global destination for visitors Every day I marvel at how great it is to live in Pacific Beach. I feel fortunate, as it really is one of the best places on this wonderful planet to live. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, as our seaside town is a global destination of every walk of life. Our little corner of the world is home to a great people from literally every country. It isn’t hard to see why. The abundant resources at our disposal, the stunning climate and the great people make PB an international welcome mat. I know this personally from people I speak with on a daily basis from countries all over the globe. These people bring with them diversity, culture and a quest to live a better life and bask where the sun warms the sky, our playground Pacific Beach. If you are fortunate to get to know these great people from foreign lands, it makes you richer for the experience. It makes you understand different cultures and different ways of life that enhance our own lives and it gives us a greater respect for this great land of ours and for the privilege to call PB home. Back in 1996, I had the great pleasure to meet one of these foreign thrillseekers, if you will, who caught wind of our little corner of the world all the way from Aachen, in the western part of Germany. Aachen borders Belgium and Holland in Europe. His name is Ralf Wilkowski, and after visiting a childhood friend here back in 1992, he was destined to call PB home. We’ve been like brothers ever since he became my next door neighbor. He has taught me volumes about German culture. When Ralf caught wind of the green-card lottery, he knew it was his ticket to PB and he was determined to be victorious. Sure enough, he kept his fingers crossed and when his numbers hit, he was en route to an action-packed, adventurous new way of life and a chance to live the American dream, start a family and live in the land of opportunity. But mostly, he was en route to live in our little corner of the world, Pacific Beach. Since 1994, Ralf has lived that American Dream. He runs a sign and graphic business (www.itwasnotme.com). He started a family, and his son, Justin, is an honor student, speaks three languages and is a member of the jazz band at Mission Bay High School. Ralf, like the many other people from all over the world make wonderful additions to the international thread of human life that makes up our wonderful, diverse and beautiful seaside town, our beloved Pacific Beach. — Kevin Di Cicco is the owner of Buddy the dog, who is best known for his roles in the long string of “Air Bud” movies and his ball-playing skills showcased on popular television shows. For booking inquiries, contact www.airbud.com.
