It’s Back to School in Clairemont
A history lesson on our local school names
How many are old enough to remember that Clairemont High School was originally supposed to be James Madison High School? Angry residents demanded the school be named...
CLAIREMONT MOTHER CONFESSES, “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN UNMARRIED BEAUTY.”
CLAIREMONT MOTHER CONFESSES, "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN UNMARRIED BEAUTY."
When 23-year-old Frances Cloyd was crowned Mrs. America in 1949, she confessed, "There is no such thing as an unmarried beauty. It's probably...
Quarantine in Clairemont (2020)
Clairemont has been under quarantine for two months. How are residents dealing with “the new normal?” The following comments and observations are from a broad, cross-section of people who call Squaremont home.
Longtime Clairemont resident Diane...
Heavenly Views from Clairemont
If you have a predilection for adventure and a full tank of gas, you should know the "Joyride Guru."
Jack Brandais is an old friend of mine. His "Weekend Driver" column has appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune for 17 years. He...
Buddhist Mother’s Day
In early June, while taking pictures of the southbound bike lane on Clairemont Drive for a previous column, a car pulled to the curb and parked. A woman carrying flowers stepped out of the...
Old Aches and Pains
by Bill Swank
My father was from the Southside of Chicago. His favorite baseball player was Luke Appling who frustrated the penurious Comiskey family by hitting foul balls into the stands. The team determined Appling...
Clairemont Family Day
By Bill Swank
In August 1956, Carole Gribbons McDowell was runner-up in the first Miss Clairemont contest held during the Flowers 'N Fun Fair at the Clairemont Community Center. When interviewed at the time for...
History Uncovered: Lindbergh-Schweitzer
Shortly before the winter break, a meeting of the Site Governance Team at Lindbergh-Schweitzer Elementary School was held on December 19, 2019.
Kristen Straeter, a preschool special education teacher, apologized for being late. She had...
Mysterious 8888 Balboa Avenue
It is known as "The Washington pizza index." The bigger the government crisis, the more after-hours Domino's pizza deliveries that are made to top-level government offices.
I was invited on a tour at 8888 Balboa...
Cruisin’ with the Bay Park Boys
By Bill Swank
An old-timer asked the millennial, "What's a fender?"
The kid answered, "A guitar."
The Bay Park Boys aren't a rock band, but they still rock. They rhapsodize about moons and spinners, flatheads and rocker...