BOY AM I SORRY I didn’t make the grand re-opening celebration down at Seaforth where, according to the Beach & Bay Press, a “wench” pulled wake boarders through a man-made water course. I’ll REALLY be steamed if she was a “saucy” wench.
AN ICY DREAD WASHED OVER ME when I passed Valero last week and noticed that no prices were listed. Every single square was blank. Had gasoline become the new lobster? Was it now “market price?” Would I have to go inside and “ask the server” before I placed my petrol order?
MY BUDDY HOWARD ROZELLE, who helped me found the historical society in 1979, passed away July 4, 1991. His widow Florence vacated their home of 65 years last September to move closer to her son in Modesto. The final chapter was written a couple of weeks back when the distinctive pink house on Fanuel and Chalcedony received a coat of light-blue paint.
Artistic Licenses: Beach & Bay Press editor Larry Harmon spotted “C MONKY” on the frontage road near SeaWorld. I saw “LVSFISN” turning left at Seaforth. “HAPPY RX” sounds like Vicodin to me.
25 Years Ago: The breakup of Ma Bell allowed customers to purchase phones from other firms and spawned a myriad of new choices. “Touch-Tone or Rotary?” was the title of an article in the Evening Tribune’s Scene Section on July 6, 1983.
50 Years Ago: Safeway Stores opened their 33rd market on July 1, 1958 at Morena Blvd and Clairemont Drive. “The half-million-dollar plant includes more than 20,000 square feet of floor space and nearly a half city block of parking area,” noted the Evening Tribune. Folks who don’t go back that far may recall the site as Kiel’s, before they moved up the hill.
75 Years Ago: “Members of Girl Scout Troop No.1 honored Miss Chessman, who has served as their lieutenant during the past year, by giving a linen shower for her,” reported the Evening Tribune. “Helen Chessman, assisted by her mother, also entertained in honor of her sister.
100 Years Ago: Four train carloads of passengers descended upon La Jolla for the Fourth of July, where “Save for the omnipresent and ubiquitous small boy with his bunch of firecrackers, the day passed off quietly.” The day “ended splendidly” at the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. O. Morhardt “at their beautiful residence on the cliff at the east end of the town,” where refreshments were served at the conclusion of the fireworks display.
(The entire article, plus a couple of photos, are included in the July issue of the PBHS newsletter. If you’d like a copy contact me at one of the numbers below.)
John Fry may be reached at (858) 272-6655 or [email protected].