SERVICES FOR HOLLY HAJJAR LORAH were held last week at Saint James by the Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla. I learned of her passing shortly after sending out the September issue of the Pacific Beach Historical Society newsletter and getting a nice call from John “Doc” Wilding. I’m going to tie this all together I hope. I was digging through my files last month when I came across a July 23, 1984 article I had clipped from The Tribune, which had decided to snazzy up its old Evening Tribune moniker. I decided to replicate the article, titled “New fight looms over plans to extend Pacific Beach Park,” in the PBHS newsletter. It wasn’t about Kate Sessions Park or even Fanuel Street Park. The “park” in question had been developed when Ocean Boulevard — between Diamond and Crystal Pier — had been closed to automobile traffic and landscaped as a promenade. I was pretty active in the Pacific Beach Town Council in those days and the Ocean Boulevard Redevelopment Plan was one of our success stories. Or, at least I thought so. Doc Wildling loaned me his files from that fight, which reminded me that the park hadn’t come without controversy. The late Gerry Seymour, it seems to me, was one of the first to float the idea of a promenade along the ocean and was savaged for his thoughts. Doc Wilding continued the good fight. HOLLY LORAH’S FATHER. BILL HAJJAR, had developed the See the Sea Condos just south of Crystal Pier. Folks who promoted the public walkway were accused of being in Bill’s pocket, since the condo owners would benefit if the promenade was extended, as proposed, to Grand Avenue. I’ve included the before and after photos in the newsletter. DO YOU REMEMBER the Firehouse Deli and its successor Firehouse Beach Café? Holly’s husband, Rick Lorah, was the proprietor, and covered the walls with historic photos of Pacific Beach. Remember Organ Power Pizza, which was developed on the site of the old Victory Lanes Bowling Alley? Bill and Rick and Holly turned it into Steamer’s, which is today the site of the Typhoon Saloon. Holly, as I recall, was in charge of the interior design of Steamer’s. Contact me if you’d like a copy of the September newsletter. GUESS I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE who needs a new optical prescription. My pal Vince Barrord was excited to read that Jimmy Buffet was coming to Valley View Casino. A closer perusal determined the fact that Valley View Casino HAS a buffet. Dining at the Butcher Shop in Kearny Mesa recently took me by one of my worst misreadings — and the realization that I was no longer a young man. I thought the giant pink letters along the freeway said, NURSES – NURSES – NURSES!! Makes no sense, of course. I think it was advertising a strip club. Do I have to spell it out for you? It was actually NUDES – NUDES – NUDES!! MIKE CRAWFORD has added pork ribs to his Friday night fare at Good Time Charlie’s and I’m in heaven. Hint: Bring a friend or be prepared to take some home. — John Fry may be reached at (858) 272-6655 or [email protected]