June 23, 2008 |
| We're curious, where are you and what are you up to? |
We had had some requests for this blog page and we would like to invite one and all to add a biography/comment below. Tell us what has happened to you during the last 30 years...the good, the bad and the ugly...
Due to the length of this blog, I have archived some of your entries in an effort to shorten this page. Many classmates are using Facebook as a medium of connection also. Simply joing our "Los Altos High 78" group.
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After attending Foothill Jr. College and completing the Horticulture Program, I started my own landscape business in 1981. I lived in a small apartment in downtown Los Altos from 1986 thru 1996. I moved to Belmont in March of 1996. I married in 1999 and in 2002 my wife and I realized a dream and moved to New Mexico. We now live on a small ranch with plenty of open space. I worked as an Irrigation Technician for a Albuquerque nursery for three years, before working part time installing automatic watering systems in horse barns. When not working I spend most of my time riding my Paint Horses. At this time, I do not know if I will be in attendance for the reunion, but hope to connect with a few former classmates.
I am not where I thought I would be 30 years ago, as I have never married and have no children, but I am thrilled with how my life has turned out thus far. Ihave realized a childhood dream with my master's degree in MFT and current career.
Hope more people log on to the site and check-in.
Take care all,
Diana
Since my wife and I won’t be able to attend (we’re expecting a baby in October!) I’ll take a moment and attempt to fill in this 30 year blank. After graduation I attended Foothill for a year before leaving on an LDS mission toArgentina Laguna Beach New York City Elk Ridge , UT
Judy and I have two beautiful daughters, one a junior at Berkeley and the other a freshman at SF State. Judy and I are extremely proud of both of them, and dealing with empty nest syndrome.
What have I been doing since we graduated? Mine is the story of an academic. I headed off to Santa Clara University for a bachelors degree in biology (culminating in 1982).
I worked for a biotech company in the Bay Area for several year, before heading to Madison, WI, for my graduate degree, and the to The Johns Hopkins for a postdoctoral stint.
i was on the faculty in Texas and am now a Professor at UC Davis. Its nice to be back to California. My profession involves basic studies of molecular-genetic mechanisms, but I have a large focus on science in the developing world -- hence, my trip to India in Oct-Nov with my wife Judy, and my absence from the reunion.
In addition to my strong general interest in seeing how my classmates from high school have fared, I am particularly interested in seeing Chris Fredrickson and Jim Wasson. I am also curious to meet Paul Segre again.
Ok, that all for now. I'd be pleased to hear from any of you that are inclined to respond.
Have a great reunion,
Doug
Well, I am glad Sherry found me to let me know about the re-union. I still live in the Bay Area (Skylonda) so it won't be too hard for me to go. I am embarrassed now about some of the stupid things I did in HS, but we must move on.
The Good: After roaming around a few years after HS I finally settled down and completed an apprenticeship at NASA and became a machinist. I have been working at SLAC for over 20 years. I've been running the machine shops there for about 13 years. I am married, my husband works in museums, setting up shows. We have 2 boys ages 13 and 17. They love to sail so we spend most of our free time drivng kids and towing boats around to different regattas all over California and beyond.
The Bad and Ugly: I am now a member of Weight Watchers with about 25 pounds to go.
I too would like to hear from anyone who is inclined to respond.
Cheers, Denise Mueller Larsen
Reading all these memoirs brings back quite a few of my own memories, some good and others filled with teen angst.
I of course recognize many of the poster's names, played sports with a few, but never had contact with most of them based on the crowds we ran with in HS. I didn't play sports, go to dances or much else at the time. Watching my own boys in HS now I see how different they approach it based on their own personalities. One is very similar to me and the other is Mr. social sports guy. In hindsight I have some regrets that I didn't participate more, but I think it all happens for a reason. Anyway, since I moved out of the Bay Area in '79, I've missed all the previous reunions and will likely miss this one as well.
Fortunately time does temper the bad memories and I reflect more on the good times and luck of having a few good friends at LAHS and getting to meet some genuninely sincere people back then that helped shaped my life. You were definitely one of the latter. I think the last time I saw you was at a gathering at Scott Chestnut's house in '78.
For those that may be curious, in a nutshell (ok maybe not), I was not ready for primetime after graduation so I spent a year at Foothill. Friend's stories (real or inflated) of college life put me over the edge and on impulse I wound up enrolling at San Diego State in '79. I figured it was far away, warm weather, and they actually accepted me. The other key point was that I knew at least one cute girl from LAHS that went there (Julie Simpson '77, no idea where she wound up) so how bad could it be? I failed to realize that the enrollement was about 35,000. Talk about a needle in a haystack. Somehow I graduated with a BA in geography in '83. I worked at our school's Mission Bay Aquatic Center through college and few years' after. I spent time (actually paid) as the only crewmember sailing for a wealthy San Diegan on his large sailboat at the San Diego Yacht Club for five years. A pretty fun time during all the America's Cup activities down there. He was great guy to sail with and really became my surrogate grandpa (he was about 90) since I never really knew mine, and taught me a lot about life and how to live it to the fullest.
Then it was on to the real world of public sector municipal (city) planning. I met my future wife at the aquatic center (she rowed for USD), we got married in '89, had two boys (now 15 and 17), worked on planning the San Diego Trolley light rail system and endured the 1.5-hr each way daily commute. That lasted all of 6 years until we packed up and escaped to Oregon in '94. I was the county transportation planner in Bend for 13 years then changed jobs to become the planning manager for our local parks and recreation district for the last two years. We had a daughter in '96 (12) and have been in Bend, OR enjoying all things outdoors related ever since.
We've travelled (at times in the Griswold style) all around the western US, some midwest, Florida and Hawaii. No Eurpoe yet, but that's a goal. My mom just passed away last Spring and dad (85) is still living in the house I grew up in. Some spoke of prices, they paid $15,000 for it in '54. Sure glad he kept it. We swing through from time to time on our way to visit friends and relatives in the San Diego area.
I could go into a lot more detail but will spare you. BTW, Denise, we've all gained a few pounds, I know I have 40 more than at graduation. However, as I recall, you seemed to have your weight in all the right places. :-) Also, I want my Sunbeam back if you still have it. Take care and keep in touch.
Steve
I married Kevin Donohoe in 1998...we blended our families - my 2, his 3, and celebrated 10 years of marriage on August 8, 2008...It's been an exciting 10 years...a lot of work, but completely worth it. My daughter, Melissa, is studying abroad in Italy through Cal Poly, SLO, for 4 months...Our son, Brandon, is starting at Cal Poly as a FReshman next week...we have 2 others in Junior college, and a son starting high school...life is very busy; however we are about to experience the "empty nest" experience! We own a thriving business in Monterey, CA...I still work in Physical Therapy...life is Good...Can't wait to see you and others in November! Love, Sue Anne
I have read the other blogs and they make me smile. I did not know many of you very well, but it has been fun seeing the changes over the years.
For me life after school has been the best time of my life. I enjoyed going to the 20th, I think it was – in Santa Cruz, and am sad that I will not be able to be at the 30th.
We have plans for a trip to the Bahamas, a late graduation gift for one son, and an early graduation/birthday gift for another son. But that is just for #5 & #6.
Happily married to a wonderful man for 23 years. We have 9 children, all single births, much to my dismay, but happy to have them all. 5 boys and 4 girls, from 28, 27, 26, 21, 18, 17, 13, 9, and 5 yrs old. I have decided that I am finished, though my loving spouse would like another, but I told him he can carry and birth any more. I am done :) We also have 5 wonderful grandchildren, 3 girls and 2 boys.
We started out our life in the bay area, then moved to Auburn, missed the bay area and moved back, hated the traffic and moved north to Petaluma, then that got too crowded and moved north to Santa Rosa. In 2000 we decided that was too crowded and moved to a little town of only 5k, north again, to Willits. Let alone the house prices were much better and with the size of the house we needed to buy, it was a good move for us.
Our oldest lives in Simi Valley and she works for Disney. Second lives in Sacramento and he restores old cars, and loves motorcycling and dirt bikes. Third is moving to Kentucky to persue his culinary career. 4th is a tech at the local casino, and still trying to decide if he is returning to school or heading to the military. I of course am hoping for more schooling. 5th just graduated last year and he is looking forward to the Bahama trip before heading off to college. Unless he decides to continue being a mountain man, but that is another long story. 6th is a Senior in High School and has already done more then I ever dreamed of in his early years, including a trip to Germany, and into so many different sports it is sometimes hard to keep track of what he is doing. 7th is in preteen age and can be a sweet girl one moment and a complete psycho the next. 8th is in 4th and we are considering home schooling as she is turning out to be a stunner. 9th just started Kindergarten and it is pre empty nesting for us. Not having any at home during the day.
In my early years after college I mostly managed offices between children. As a hobby I started chatting on line with other parents, and it became a full time job. I have been an on line moderator for the last 13 years. This has allowed me to be a full time worker, and a stay at home mom, so I have had the best of both worlds. My husband has been with 3A from the time he was 17. He enjoys his work most days, though it keeps him away from home for long periods of time. He is hoping to retire from that work after the new year and find something to keep him busy closer to home.
I was looking forward to going to the 30th reunion, but this trip has been in the works for a while now and it is doubtful we will be changing our plans.
I look forward to the next reunion, and hope you all have more wonderful years.
Cynthia
B)Doing time in the Federal Penitentiary, however over the years it's been too close for comfort on both!
That said I, will be looking forward to seeing all in attendance at the reunion.
Loose ends:
Masters Degree (USC) 1982-Judicial and Criminal Administration
Married 1990
Divorced 2006
Daughter age 10-6th Grade (Aislynn Elizabeth)
Legislative Analyst for non-profit envromental groups focused on preserving what little remains of California's
environmentally healthy waterways. Boils down to making sure that too many straws aren't pulling from the same glass.
Bad News-My sisters unexpected death in 1986 makes family gatherings seem awkward even after more than 20 years. She and I were extremely close and she passed away before I could make it home at the end of her life.
More Bad News-Many of you knew my Dad and his socially gregarious hospitality, which was quite often accompanied by copious quantities of your favorite libation. After he attended a baseball game at Sunken Diamond on March 30th he returned home and suffered a massive stroke. While he survived the stroke and has good physical mobility he is suffering from near complete verbal aphasia and apraxia (Ask Dr.Fong and Dr.Orsak for a description) It's been a big adjustment for everyone in my family including Mom, who until the stroke was the physically frailer of the two. If anyone is so inclined(Bocky)
Dad still enjoys getting cards and letters.
Good News-Many of you who were not on a sports team with me or who didn't know me back in First Grade at Santa Rita probably did not know that I have been an insulin dependent diabetic since 1966. In and of itself that fact puts me in somewhat exclusive territory as only approximately 3200 of us have lasted longer than 40 years and many of those have suffered with some pretty awful consequences of living with a chronic disease for a long period. Fortunately, I have avoided any serious complications and everything still works pretty well-Even without pharmaceutical assistance!
God knows if I'd have known I was going to hang in this long I might have been a littler gentler to the old bodt as my daughter likes to say "Daddy, when you wake up and get out of bed you sound like Rice Krispies. SNAP,CRACKLE,POP"
Enough about moi. Would love to have someone tell me what ever happened to Cindy Truman-Haven't seen her in 25 years and could use a laugh. Also seeking 411 on Bruce Fernandez as I lost track of him completely soon after graduation.
Time to get back to work so I'll end this rambling for now.
Hope to see all of you in November at our reunion and A BIG THANK YOU to Sherry for taking on this often thankless reunion planning effort for the benefit of ALL OF US!
JDT
After LAHS was off to UC Santa Cruz which I found absolutely wonderful. Completed degrees in US History,Politics and did the "college tours"(road trips) on a regular basis.
Legitimate income came during this time thru work as a bartender and bouncer at the old 42nd Street in Palo Alto and working events security at Stanford. Got to see the 49ers Super Bowl victory in the fog at the old Stanford Stadium while working the game.
Off book income came from a variety of sources and will end that conversation here-PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY
After a summer in Alaska fishing and guiding for a friend of my Dad's (Anlger's Paradise) in the Katmai National Forest
I applied and received a federal grant for a Master's Degree in Public Administration along with a quarter abroad at the London School of Econpmics-Internship tied to Master's Thesis (De-Institutionalization of Juvenile Status Offenders And It's Impact On the Criminal Justice System in Los Angeles County) led to a 9 yr hitch with LA County working in a variety of areas within the criminal justice field (courts,jails,data analysis, alternative sentencing programs etc)
After a 2.5 hr 22 mile commute on one evening I walked in and gave my two week notice along with a promise to myself to get out of SoCal ASAP. God must have been looking out for me because 11 days later the Rodney King riots broke out after the jury acquitted the officers charged. I regularly commuted down Main and Western to avoid the freeways and the intersection where the trucker was beaten to death was right where I would have been on my way home. Nothing like being the cue ball on the pool table!
Also survived the 1989 Sylmar earthquake while walking thru the County Courthouse on Temple Street. Until 1997 that was the biggest shaker I'd ever experienced and watching massive marble and granite columns swaying in the hallway in which you were located was a "unique" experience to say the least.
Following a return to Nor Cal fell into the early phase of the wireless business and worked in major accounts for Cellular One for 9 years making 4 times more money than I'd earned in the public sector. After AT&T acquird "my company" I decided it was time to get out while I still had a soul.
Did some consulting work and fell back into working on issues related to the public good. This was partly motivated by a strong desire to work somewhat regular hours and have more time with my daughter while she was home and not at school/daycare/play dates et al...
Faailed to note a brief hiatus abroad to Australia following a failed engagement to an ex-homecoming queen from Cubberly High School. Australia was as far away as I could get and still understand most of what was being spoken. I worked for the American Embassy in Canberra for awhile to extend my visa and traveled extensively. Americans were still something of a novelty down-under in the pre-"Crocodile Dundee" movie days and I took full advantage of that fact. I was truly in "Hog Heaven" as the beaches were topless, the people were friendly and everyone seemed to love beer as much as i did at that time-What more could a young man abroad ask for?
After recovering from my "broken heart" my return to US happened much too quickly for my liking, but it was toime to get on with my life...
More on that later...
Laura
First mistake--Cubberly girl. What were you thinking? LAHS girls were and still are the hottest. Quite a career path for you. I am impressed. Although you didn't ask I am a Realtor (since 1988). In spite of the market--still loving it. I went from San Diego to Northern Virginia (Pentagon area) to Japan to Virginia Beach and back to Northern Virginia. My husband retired from the Navy (20 years) and is now employed as a defense contractor (what ever that means). No kids, pets or anything else. We travel a lot and just hang out. Post your photo so I'll recognize you!
Congratulations on the adoption of Emma. If everyone had to go through all the review steps and preparation that adoptive parents do I think we'd see a lot fewer juvenile related problems and issues.
Was sorry to hear about your parents passing as it leaves a void and they didn't get to spoil Emma.
My sister's and I went through the sale of our family home and moving Dad and Mom to a smaller condo off El Monte they purchased in 1969. Your comment on the purchase price your folks paid rang true but I can top thet. Mom and Dad paid $2700.00 in 1947 after the war which was still a stretch on a co-pilots pay back then. Still came as a shock to everyone when the purchaser was a 33yr old husband and a 26 yr old wife(pregnant and escorting a toddler) and they paid cash! Dad thought it might be drug money but I had to explain to him it was even worse, tech IPO wealth. The sum received left my depression era parents wondering what was going on in the world. Is this what the "Greatest Generation" was leaving behind? Sort of left them stupefied for a few weeks.
Hope to see you at the reunion and bring the photo album as I'd love to see Emma's picture.
Until Then-
Take Care,
Stay Well,
James D.Taylor
I'm sitting here laughing hysterically. I got a call from Paul Bosch today and he told me to check out your stories on the reunion web site. I have been your best friend for 40+ years and have talked to your parents regularly over the years. Why is it I have never heard about some of these amazing accomplishments in your life?
I love you and always will, but you are still Tay-Tay. Bosch was laughing so hard he said he was peeing his pants. Why?
P.S. you'll probably be hearing more because Bosch was calling everybody.
Forever your friend, Mark
Dude. It's great to hear from you and get a response. Pretty scary when you see life since high school outlined in print.
I'm planning on seeing you at this reunion as it will be the first one that I actually get to enjoy.
Didn't realize how photogenic you and Brad were in high school until I checked out the photo postings-What a grin!
Can we expect to see Mr.Bosch in attendance. Don't think he will get the "farthest traveled" attendee award if he can make it from Florida again-Ross Blaufarb is humping in all the way from Thailand!
Make sure Rondo makes the event and I'll buy you both a round on arrival!
As beat up and thrashed as life has left us it's good to know you're still hanging in there and it's fun to look back at a time when we were young and had dreams beyond being alive the next morning! Ah youth, it's too bad it's wasted on the young!
Still crazy after all these years...
Always,
TAY
PS-Feel free to add some of the more interesting DUI details(PCH 360's at Gladstones/Stuck to the floor in my own blood in LA County Jail etc) to my narrative OR SOME OF MY FONDER MEMORIES OF HIGH SCHOOL-tHE FAMOUS "S-CURVES MUSTANG 360" or the trips down Pine Lane in Arnie's station wagon at high speed thrown into reverse! Damn, those were "the good ol'days"
The only "amazing accomplishment" is that I'm still alive to talk about it!
Tay
I thought I should point you toward the Photo Albums for a pic from 6th Grade camp which might make you laugh some more.
My husband went to Santa Barbara while I was at SLO so I was down there 3 out of the 4 weekends in the month. Most of his dorm mates thought I went to school at UCSB. I missed most of the Poly parties for UCSB parties. Halloween in Isla Vista was wild and dangerous.
Anyways hope to see you at the reunion. I would love to catch up with you then.
Gaby
Never knew you were at Cal Poly, would have been great to reminisce, we had a lot of fun at the cabin... So glad to hear you're doing well. I enjoyed the college trips, the east coast schools are so different, very currier & ives. I think it's great you're looking early for your daughter because unfortunately our kids have soooo much competition. Luckily, both of mine were able to get in their 1st choice schools (been working on their resumes since the 4th grade). Just got back from parent's weekend at Trinity, watched an awesome football game (tied with seconds left, won in overtime due to a blocked PAT), hard to believe the kids are both in college. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the reunion, it would be fun to see everyone and catch up on the last (oh my GOD) thirty years. I'm looking for pics from grad nite to add to the photo album. I used to have so many from Santa Rita, Egan & LAHS but mom has no idea where they are. So many great memories and great friends. Did you ever go on the sewer tour in SLO?
Kristen
What a great website! I seem to remember being rather shy in high school. That changed when I left for college. I spent 4 years at USC and graduated with a degree in the management of computers and information systems in 1982. At USC, I was the captain of the rowing team and met my future husband, Bill. After USC, I spent some time at UCLA getting a paralegal certificate. I went to work for a law firm in downtown L.A. and got married. When we thought about buying a house, we decided to move to Carlsbad. In San Diego, I worked as a paralegal, and then taught law and computing at the University of San Diego for 9 years. I wrote a few text books for paralegals that I think are now available on ebay for about $1.99. :] Upon my retirement from USD, I thought I would put my feet up and just take care of my two daughters age 12 and 9. However, I was pregnant 6 months later and gave birth to another daughter [3 years post-vasectomy].
I am now divorced and my girls are 21, 18, and 8. The oldest, Katie, is developmentally disabled and attends classes at the local junior college. The middle child, Kim, is a freshman at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The youngest, Kelly, is in third grade. It is great to hear what happened to everyone. I never came back to Los Altos after college, because my parents and brothers moved to Connecticut. They couldn't stand the cold, however, and moved back to California in 1996. They kept our Santa Cruz house and now live there in the summer when Palm Desert gets too hot.
Thanks to whoever posted all the Santa Rita school pictures. Memories. . . :)
Hey Kristen McD-B;
it were me what posted all der Santa Rita pickers. I am still finding them under the carpet, so check back once in awhile!
Mark W, Mr. Liewer's Class of '72 :)
Greetings from a fellow scrub. Last discussion with you had you living/working in the Chico area as I recall but after my car got broken into the night of the 20yr reunion I lost the card you'd given me-Gotta admit I grin when I see the Santa Rita class photos. I'd forgotten what a crush I had on Judy Jackson in 4th grade before she left me for parts unknown!
Also wanted to find out if I'm the only one who can't help but smile every time I hear Shaun Halverson's voice on the PG&E tv and radio adds. Nice to know someone among us is doing well! You go, girl!!(Hope to see you!)
Ran into Steve Schick,Fred Grolle and Mark Dolby during the LAHS 50 yr anniversary gathering on Main Street and had some fun reminiscing(sp?)about the good old days at Santa Rita and Egan when you could still find a few apricot trees around town. I'm hoping they make it just to hear their memories of good old Los Altos
Looking forward to catching up in November-
Until then...
GO SCRUBS!
JDT
don't forget we are also fellow Banana Slugs (UCSC for those who don't know) although if I remember correctly I stumbled across you at graduation, in '82! Or '83??
Either way it was a cool surprise and great to see your Mom again after all those years from neighborhood/Santa Rita sports and kids parties.
Yes, I was in Chico for a few years, "retired," a little too ambitious as it turned out; back at work in L.A. now.
Don't know the PG&E ad, but I see Michele Gile on the news all the time and I always wave hi, but she just keeps talking!
Now, about Judy Jackson, you should email Vicky, maybe she'll tell you about Judy... :)
<img src="http://18-75.iicinternet.com/homeburner/LAHS/JudyJeanJackson.jpg">
Maybe you're the one Judy remembers "looking longingly..." Ha! I hope so!
Anyway, I'll give it away that Vicky and Judy both live in Santa Barbara, married, kids, and have stayed friends the whole time!
Glad to hear Mark, Fred and Steve are still out and about; I think we should all meet at the nearest field and toss the football around... I miss that.
- Mark W., (down the street from you and Rosssssss..... and the best entrance to Adobe Creek).
sorry, I'll try again:
Hhhhheeeeerrrrrreeeesss JUDY!
Like Jim, Judy was an early crush, the first my own age (before that was of course 3rd Grade teacher Mrs. Gustafson!)... I remember telling Judy during a 4Square game she had "pizzaz"... Somehow that memory, my folks saving the class pix, and somehow knowing her middle name made a 3-J name, and her disappearing, all made her an enduring mystery. A few weeks ago I saw Vicky signed in and thinking but not being sure that they were friends back then, I emailed the pic of her, without comment to see what she would say. It amazed me that they were friends still, and in California all this time! Because my 6th Grade friend Dan Willingham moved to New Jersey, I always "sent" those who disappeared to New Jersey. So I told Vicky the pizazz story... she passes that along to Judy, who responded she thinks she remembers me "looking longingly" at her in class. That made me laugh! I'm sure I was wearing the stupid long sleeve gold color turtleneck shirt (which every time I wore, a bee stung me). Hearing that Jim also liked Judy... I thought he'd like to know, and my caffeine-fried brain blurted it out in a jumble. Sincerely hope I didn't offend anyone.
Besides, Vicky now rules! :-)
Nice to hear from you. I am still out there. There are probably only a handful of us that remember your name before you became the 4th Mark of our class at Santa Rita.
Hey Steve!
Yes; one of several things I never got the chance to forgive my parents for...
And do I remember correctly you building a big space ship back then? Any pictures?
I always figured you would work for NASA...
So what HAVE you been up to since Los Altos?
Mark, still needing to reinvent himself, at 48.
And Hey, put your name on the sign in list so you can hear from us! :)
Good goin' with the dot com era, Steve; last I checked I can't afford a vacant lot in Los Altos (it was a million). I still dredge out my Scotty impersonation now and then, but over the years it's morphed into a pirate. "Arr, Cap'n, could you beam us a little mustard for the warp drive, arrr..." etc.
I hope you are keeping an eye on Santa Rita for us, one time I drove through there was a fence around everything, like they were going to bulldoze and put in condos...
- Mark, in the neighboring country of Southern California
Your comment on Ed Winslow has me wondering what he ever got involved with after high school. He was definitely ahead of the curve on a variety of social issues and that always impressed me greatly. I'd appreciate any info anyone has on him so I could try and get in touch if possible.
Speaking of people who were way ahead of their time your little brother was damn smart-I know he got crap from some folks for being so bright, but they're all on welfare or in jail now, and I'd like to know if he got any tech patents or is a professor somewhere.
JDT
Nancy Davis sent me this website and it has been kind of fun remembering names and trying to remember faces of those who are writing. I remember James Taylor as being the brain of the class in grade school and knowing he would do well in the world. I always wondered what happened to you Kristen McD as you always were so quiet and you had that really great house on the creek at the end of Van Buren. I'm glad you are well. Cindy Burgess was one of my earliest friends and I remember making the best mud pies in her back yard. I also remember having a substitute in kindergarten and I got her to cut school and go to our neighbors house before the flag went up--I guess it was a sign of things to come as I cut a lot of classes in high school. I was not much of a participant in high school but had a lot of fun and no regrets. Annette Wreaks, Paul Bates, Edward Winslow, Nancy Davis, Janis Beatty, Cindy Neville, and LeeAnn Vosti are names I remember from our neighborhood.
I have lived in Idaho since I left home at 17, been married for damn near 30 years, have a daughter who teaches at a private school in Los Gatos; worked a thousand different jobs and still don't know what I'm gonna be when I grow up. Life is good and I really can't grasp that thirty years has gone by. Have fun at the reunion and I might make it to our 50th.
Kerry Long Kresge
I just put a picture from 6th Grade Camp in the Photo Album that has 3 of the Santa Ritans you mentioned (Retards... I dunno... just not p.c. anymore :) So in case you want to spread the word.
It's a picture of Dave Roszkos grabbing Mark Frazier in a big embarrassing hug and everyone's laughing. Were you there, or did you cut school AND camp?
Anyone know where Dave went off to? I know Bob (and my other old sports buddy and friend Richard Byrd) are running Wells Fargo these days...
Ed and Paul and Mark Dolby and Bob Schaeffer and Dave Sampson and Bob R. ... and others... we all used play football at Santa Rita during the summer... or was it basketball in the winter (with Kent Peters, Brian Fitzpatrick and other "big kids.").
I remember lots of 3 on 3 football behind "lunch hill" too (see other photo in album)...
- Mark W.
PS: Kerry, I always thought you looked "60's cool" with your red hair and bandana headband. I also remember Janice Beatty throwing a couple of us around as kids, then I hit her near the eye with a rock! Then wondering to myself, "what the hell did I do that for!?" (crazy as children... that's probably how I ended up in Ophthalmology as an angiography technician: curse of the rock!) And winning huge all-day suckers with Annette Wreaks as 4-Square / "Sock-Out" champions! Ahh, the wild days of youth.
no, I'm quite definite it was Janice, on the Santa Rita playground, possibly after school, but near the south side of the playground in front of the jungle gym/tanbark zone. I'm sure she was throwing us boys around first, so it was kind of self-defense/retribution.
And Dave Sampson's big dog was Suzie. Once watched Danny burn a big tick off her, in awe. I think there was a Paco and maybe a Chico, chihuahua's also. Dave?
- Sociopathic Rock Thrower, Mark
[Tell Janice My God I'm so Sorry... but I was 11. :-)
Perhaps a blanket apology and forgiveness to all of Los Altans for standard cruelties of youth, up to the end of summer '78? We could burn a yearbook and make a chant over it.]
Wassup dude! Can we anticipate you making it out for the 30yr gathering of the tribe? Hopefully you've remained out of the line of hurricanes this season.(That's assuming you're still residing in Florida and enjoying all the "Girls Gone Wild" antics during annual spring break revelry.)
Before Dad had his stroke Otis,Brad and I were going to attend a ZZ Top show-the plan was to get t-shirts printed up identifying the event as the 2008 "NO VIAGRA NEEDED TOUR" Hopefully that will still be the case the next time they hit Cali, as our tour was cancelled upon receipt of info on Dad's condition.
Damn, getting old sucks sometimes but I plan on going out grinning and trying to live up to Neil Young's advice about it being "Better to burn out than it is to rust"
Hope all is well for you and yours as it has been way to long since last we spoke and even longer since I'd caught up with you in person.
I'm taking a trip over to the Bay Area to escort Dad to a neuro-rehab meeting it's taken months to arrange and will be "off the grid" for the next five or six days but will respond to any and all input I get upon my return. Until then, keep on keepin' on.
JDT
P.S.-If you need a grin in my absence, check in with Ziffel and ask him about "THE PEA AND THE FLEA"-Nuff said
P.P.S.-Does anyone know any info about Lynn Perry?
All efforts to reach her for previous reunions were unsuccessful and I'd be interested to know if she's doing well- She was a real sweetheart, and I hope she's OK and would love to see her at the reunion if she can make it.
As for me - I went to Foothill for 1 year and De Anza for two and then tranfered to Cal Poly and loved it there. I magored in Liberal studies and graduated in 84. A week after graduation I was in Sue Anne's wedding and a week later she was in mine. I have been married to my high school sweet heart for 24 1/2 years. We met working together in high school. He went to Homestead.
We have 2 kids a son and a daughter. Our son turns 19 tomorrow and he joined the Marines 1 month before he turned 18 so we had to sign for him It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I have to say I am the proudest mom ever. He has turned into a wonderful young man. Not that he was ever a bad kid he just wanted direction and he hated high school. He is now in Okinawa Japan doing what he learned at his M.O.S. (military occupation specialty) He is one 0f only 144 in all of the marines doing Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment specialist. He is extremeley bright and wanted to go into combat but the Marines said NO they need him in the back ground fixing things.
Our daughter is 16 and a junior in high school and plays varsity volleyball. She wants to attend a college that has a great volleyball team. She is also taking a class in sports medicine. Our high school has a wonderful sports med. program and the teacher has been there for 18 years. She also is a great swimmer and for the last 3 years been a junior coach at our local swim team.
I never went into teaching after graduating. I didn't get my teaching credential and right after we got married we went to Norman, Okla. where my husband got his masters in Geology. I did work in a pre school there and it totaly changed my perspective on teaching.
Does anyone know where Murray Einerson is? He works in the same field as my husband. I would also like to see Mitch Korff whom I have known since kindergarten. We actually passed emails a few months ago thru Classmates.com. I told him he needed to come. Also David Sobon. I know his parents opened a winery in Plymoth, Ca years ago. I believe he runs it now. I've known him since kindergarten as well.
I can't wait to see every one in a few weeks.
see you then
Gaby
I see Dave once in awhile over here in the Sac-Town region.
He's in the Elk Grove phonebook and still having fun with life.
Would someone please explain to me about what the hey went on the back of the band bus? For those of us who were trying to prepare for games it all sounds kind of mysterious-How's about cluing us in as I have visions of Jeff Spicolli in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" stumbling out of the van in the school parking lot-Did Chuck Taber know what you boy's and girl's were up to ?
JDT
I also ran into Betsy Foster about 10 years ago does she still live in Alamo?
Gaby
I remember running in to you at Taco Bell right after getting my haircut. Don't you just love living in the East Bay. Walnut Creek has the best shopping and restaraunts. I don't ever plan on moving.
I saw that you will be at the reunion. See you there.
Gaby
You forgot to mention your years in the CIA along with the time you spent with NASA.
From an admirer
JDT
Good to see that you are still alive and well. You were the very first friend I met when i moved to Los Altos from Chicago in 1975. You were the one who introduced me and craig copeland (who moved into los altos the same time as myself) to the los altos party scene (not vegcove) and I remember we used to work out with those plastic weights doing weight lifting at your house and then we would go run the streets for football season and then the kegger partys at night. You remember my sister Beth and Denise Williams who were seniors when we were sophmores. They are still friends and doing well. Beth gives her regards to you. Nutshell: foothill college (2years) played football. Cal poly san luis obispo (landscape architecture) played football on the 1980-81 division II-A championship team against Eastern Illinois. Stayed in SLO town until 1985. Played rugby after football for cal poly. Went to Cal Poly Pomona for Masters degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Design, graduated, got married in 1988, had my son in 1989, divorced in 1993, entered the real estate mortgage industry in so california in 1992, worked as a loan agent for 9 years, started my own mortgage company in 2000, opened my escrow company in 2003, my son blake who is 19 years old graduatd Mater Dei High School with scholarship to stanford and chapman university for football and academics. Injured his back in off season before college, gave up stanford and is now at chapman university as English Literature major. Since the real estate implosion in so cal, i have changed my mortgage company into a loan modification company and debt settlement company which settles credit card debt for pennies on the dollar and gets peoples mortgage loans modified into low fixed rates without refinancing. Jim Taylor...you the man
david lemieux
Must have passed you in the architecture building many times. Watched you play football without realizing it. You must know good friend of mine who played rugby for Cal Poly SLO, Steve Sommer. Must have watched you play rugby with him as well. You ever party at the Theta Chi house? If so, I would have seen you there as well. Very small world.
Kristen
what a small world. Im sure we probably walked by each other both in architecture and on the field. Isnt it funny that I too did not stay in architecture for more than 8 years before doing what i really love....people. And yes I knew Steve Sommers. We did many road trips on the rugby team to so cal, santa barbara, los angeles and other places all crammed in the back of a camper listening to the "doors" it was a good time. simple, fun, and wild. I wonder if our days in our later years will be that fun again. It has its rewards now, but alot more responsibilities. Good to hear from you
Good for you! I have been a Realtor since 1988 and love to see that people like you are stepping up to the plate to help normalize the issues. I applaude you.
Hasnt it been interesting these last 20 years. I have been in the mortgage industry for 18 years. And yes, I helping to dig people out of those horrible option arm neg-am loans that is literally killing peoples incomes and actually causing alot of people to walk or lose their homes to forclosure. Alot of greed in our industry and now i feel like a counselor when get hundreds of calls a week with stories of people losing everything to this upside down market. It is definately rewarding and I hope i can change some of the situations alot of people are in. How are you doing in this market in real estate? david
I pledged phi kappa psi at cal poly so i probably partied with you. Last week of pledge week, there were a number of us who walked out of the fraternity because of major hypocracies and stuff I didnt like. They tried getting me back but the fraternity scene I decided not to do. Maybe i missed you after the bail out.
No I went to SDSU. Went to my fair share of parties at USC & UCLA but never Cal Poly.
As for the real estate business. Interesting! I live in the DC area and have a steady stream of GOV/MIL buyers. They have money. Very hard to work with people that don't have money. Quite a change. I have bailed out a couple of forclosure/short sale people. Made me feel good but really made me think "how did you get here". Oh well.
Cal Poly was a lot of fun, beautiful place to go to school. Where did you live? Bet you know Steve's old roommate, Brian, he was in landscape. Always spell Steve's last name wrong :( you'd think I'd get it right after all these years. Amazing that our kids are having those experiences now, wow, when did we get this old? :)
Kristen
TKE house, off the wall parties.......I lived on campus 1 year, off campus at Islander for 1 (met Steve then), Valencia for 2 then Rosewood (?) for 1. I probably ran by your house every day, hated running up foothill blvd. Didn't run the canyon, built structures for poly royal up there. Difficult to imagine anything else in the canyon. Haven't seen SLO town in 25 years. Life was so uncomplicated then. Loved Morro Bay & Los Osos in the fog...... used to go for rides with steve in the 924...makes me smile :)
Kristen
Loved to eat in Morro Bay, the coast here looks just like it (minus the big rock)..... Trying to remember the ice cream place we liked so well in Arroyo Grande. Really liked Tortilla Flats on the river and the place up on the hill overlooking Pismo Beach, McLintock's....
Kristen
Good to hear from you aand I to remember working out the summer you arrived from Naperville! Seem to recall it as record heat as we worked out on the patio doing multi-reps and trying to "get bigger"-God knows, now I wonder why I was in such a hurry to have that happen. When you were at Cal Poly was Phil Manoukian still playing for the Mustangs football program?
Sounds as if life has had it's twists and turns for a lot of us but it sounds as if you are doing well. Please pass on a big "howdy" to sister Beth for me as she was always kind to me which was appreciated as it came from an upperclassmen. Last I saw you, you were in the old "LUCKY's Chinese Food" on State Street with your folks but that was way back when-Are they still residing in Los Altos?
Still haave fond memories of your touchdown against Awalt our junior year-truly a "beautiful thing" and lodged in my memory forever.
If your son played at Mater Dei he must have been a baller as they make De LaSalle look like pee-wee league.
Bring some photos as something tells me he looks a lot like his old man...
JDT
HMMM I had a Capri at SDSU for a time. I think we called it a Blow-up Buggy.
I've got to work the evening of the 8th... but I get off at 11:30 (23:00) so if there are still a few of you hanging out at a pub somewhere I'll surely pop by for a visit.
I'm at GoodSam Hospital (San Jose/Los Gatos) for now. In my year in the ICU I worked with quite a few stroke victims. We have an awesome stroke/neuro team. I also had a teenager who was "non-compliant" in checking his blood sugars and came in pretty darn sick...
Now hey, for the large number of classmates who've found this site and registered, there sure is a low number of bloggers.... hmmm.
I'll follow later with some teenage angst poetry. Anyone else dare to pull out those 70's journals/diaries? Oh wait, maybe I was the only one who spent a little time in Gary Bacon's class...
Still in touch with a couple of people from the class of '77: Vicki Murray and Kenny Elvin. And see around town the likes of Sue Stark and Peggy Hennessee. Also some "old timers": Todd Gisler and Craig Murray (of "the Garden"). I know the location of a few who have NOT signed up so I'm thinking maybe they WANT to remain hidden... or lost.
Write on dudes and dudettes,
seaborn
Thanks for update on your location. The stroke program at your hospital is first rate but the distance for the 87 year old parents is just too far and we have Dad involved in the Stanford program along with the group therapy program thru Foothill that is at the old Cubberley High School.
When you deal with "non-compliance" and those up to age 25 who are dealing with Type ! diagnosis I am not a good poster boy for doing it the right way. When diagnosed in 1965 I was too young to be fully cognizant but at that time most Type ! patients were considered "lucky" if they made it to mid-thirties. This was well before glucometers and when"disposable syringes" were considered cutting edge technology! When you add all that to the "teen angst" that you spoke of it can get absolutely overwhelming. My approach for a long time was to live fast and hard as I didn't think I'd be around all that long-Thankfully sports gave me a "somewhat" suitable outlet for anger but I drank like a fish and used any substance that could be swallowed,inhaled or eaten as long as it had an organic base! NOt exactly what you you would call compliant behavior as it was done in mass quantity. (THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL ME ONLY SERVES TO MAKE ME STRONGER-I have that tattoo'd on my left shoulder)-Like i said if I'd have known I'd make it this long way back when I'd have been a lot better to myself way back when. Who knows? Maybe there is something to the old mind/body conundrum and being flat out pissed off and stubborn as hell might have pulled me thru where others fell by the wayside, but in the long run it does take it's toll and you can share that with your next non-compliant diabetic who arrives in the ER for me!
Drop dime on my mobile at (916) 715-0000 and I'll buy you a beer when you get off work-My guess is some of us will still be trying to learn Bocce ball at around that time.
JDT
Jim,
is someone taking care of your eyesight? I don't want you to get too much of this.
I did some angiography for a retina surgeon in Sacramento a while back, but couldn't truly recommend him. However, there's a doctor Keyser (I think that's her name) in San Rafael who seemed good with people. I know when I tell you she's a great looking blonde you will make an appointment before I finish this sent...
Jim?
PS: here's some of my "music" you may find entertaining...
hope to see you there.
Gaby
You best be there so we can continue the long running debate over which of us should have been committed first!
Hope this finds you well-Are you still in Tele-Com in any way?
Gotta run, but will respond to any and all.
PS-Do you remember Jan Levy from our sacking of Europe after LAHS grad? Ran into her awhile back and got some stories to tell on that meeting.
Still Crazy,
TAY
Rumor has it they will have a metal detector at the door of our reunion so make sure you bring the ceramic scissors-
How's that for a flashback to LUAU 78 at the Los Altos Hills Golf & Country Club?
Gotta run-
JDT
Ah, hell...Skip the scissors and give her a "Brazilian Wax" for me!
Anyways just thought I'd ask.
Gaby
Mr. Larkin and I see each other fairly often. We argue like Arabs & Jews over politics but eventually he'll see things my way. His e-mail: vinnyraylarkin@yahoo.com Tell him his butt best be in attendance at the 30 year cuz some of us ain't too sure about being around for the next one!
His dad is still hangin' in there and pretty damn sharp to boot!
JDT
Loved Mrs. Church, took two of her classes, unfortunately can't remember who else was in the class, so sad. Dominic, had him in science class....think of him when I see a Hang Ten t-shirts.....I loved the Santa Rita pictures you posted, happen to have the 6th grade pic of Mr. Elliot's class? Amazing I can still remember who's who in the class pics you've posted :) many smiles
Kristen
isn't it funny to see the teenagers we knew again as 10 year olds! Now we're almost... 50!? No, that doesn't make any sense. I'm 23.
Since I was in Mr. Liewer's class, I don't have Mr. Eliot's, but bizarrely I think I still have a cassette tape my brother had of some kind of parent teacher presentation with Mr. Eliot teaching his students about poetry... and I thought he was such a jock as our football coach! :)
I've been slowly digitizing everything I've pack-ratted over the years (and inherited) I may get to that cassette, and I'll post it, somewhere, I promise. Brought back strong memories for me. Like flicking paperclips and paper wads across the class with our macho flag football flags (I think Bob Roszkos started that mayhem).
Tanbark. Limbo days. Autographing everyone's "Dad's big shirt"... Kindergarten nap blankets...
Must stop drinking Monster Energy drinks.
As I just said to Sherry, the pictures are so much fun to look at, I wish others would add more to the albums. I am adding the few I have in my possession this weekend, one great Poloroid from grad nite with nothing but faces, any body else save theirs? Unfortunately, most of mine were at my mom's and they've disappeared..... Mr. Elliott makes me think of terrariums. Thanks again for the pics :) would love to see more. Hope everyone will play the picture game at the reunion.
Kristen
Terrariums! That is so funny!
I'm also wondering if anyone still has a copy of "The Big Picture" of the senior class out on the field, which I just remembered included a front row of Coors T-Shirts, and Steve Alexander in the center in the back.
Anyone heard from Steve? He and me and John Poerio used to go bowling!
And it would be great to see more pix of what people have been up to since LAHS.... there seems to be no "Album" for that, but maybe people could upload their pix to photobucket.com and put in a link...?
OK, who the hell remembers 30 years ago! I can't hardly remember what happened last week! SO, no good, bad, and the ugly out of me. I will keep it reallll simple. Left LAH, off to Foothill for 2 years, then to SD State. Left prior to degree to start my first company! That was the start of my life as an"entrepreuneur". Stayed in the horse business up until the early 80's, then got serious! Currently own my own frozen dessert company currently being sold at Draegers, Whole Foods, Lunardi's, Costco, and many more!!! Had not seen anyone from LAH, except recently my long, lost friend James Taylor! I can't wait to see all the long, lost faces of our great class!!! OH, have two children, Max is 10, and Hannah is almost 15. Yeah, I guess the gray hair and wrinkles are on their way soon!!
Another SDSU survivor admits to being there. Guess I missed you down there as well as Laura Gangemi. How's Randy these days? He and I used to ride our motorcycles together all over the hills back as sophomores. I pretty much lost touch with him after that.
Steve
You live in Danville? What is your frozen dessert label? I would love to try some.
See you in a couple of weeks
Gaby
I wonder if Cindy Watson has kept her Elton John LPs, if Laura Gangemi Baranek remembers that I had a crush on her in the 5th grade, and I still can't quite forgive Kris McDonald for attending USC, but alas I digress.
Life has been good to me. Studied Geophysics at Stanford, worked in Alaska and then New Orleans for big oil for a couple years before getting Harvard MBA. Traded oil futures in NY and then moved back to CA (SF/Oakland) in 1989. Married in 1991 and still together with two boys, 13 and 10. Now CFO of a software company in Sunnyvale. Looking forward to seeing everybody at reunion. David Kaplan
You had a crush on me?? Was that when I was "going" with Eric Schnorr (can't remember how to spell that)? I don't think Eric & I ever kissed but I still have the funny clown pendant that he gave me. 5th grade memories bring me to Mrs Finch, can't remember the music teachers name and learning that you can make crayons look really cool by rubbing them with a tissue after you put them on your hand drawn map! Looking forward to seeing you.
Laura
Yes, excellent memory...though Mrs. Finch was our 6th grade teacher but all the rest is accurate. See you at reunion! Best, David
Laura
I think it was Elizabeth Pruitt, if my memory of Purissima is correct. I did run into Andrea Correl the other day. She is an equestrian trainer in Portola Valley and my daughter had been training (with another trainer) in the same barn for 5 years and I had never bumped into her. I still keep in touch with Keith Silver (our youngest daughers are good friends and they both go to Los Altos High School together). It is good to hear from you and Dave Kaplan.
Good to see your name on the Blog instead of all the Santa Rita geeks. Elizabeth Pruitt is correct. Any idea where she is or where Ben is. I would love to remember why he called me out!
Laura
Hey, my first memory of California was lunchtime at Santa Rita (Miss Morris's a.k.a. Mrs. White's 5th grade class) and all these kids were hunched over playing resins ... anybody else remember that?
Also, remember Jim Taylor blasting "Back in the USSR" over the loudspeakers at lunch. California kicked Illinois butt right there and then.
Ok, back to obscurity.
Fred Grolle, still alive at 49
Love your pics from then & now, you definately have a sense of humor. I, like you, think fondly of the "Santa Retards" moniker, although I know it is no longer PC as Mark has pointed out :( I am looking forward to many more pictures hopefully posted by others as it is so nice to look back at the fun we all had growing up.
Kristen
I wondered when and if the Portoilets nickname would surface in the blog. I guess there are just more of us Santa Retards online :)
Kristen
It's funny I've forgotten about lots of people I knew in college, even when I run into them by chance, but I remember almost everything about Santa Rita, as though it were yesterday. It's good to hear from you. Mrs. EyeBalls would be less unhappy to know that we've connected.
Steve
Joined the Santa Rita crowd late in the game (6th grade) but it was a great group of friends. It still amazes me how I can look at the pics from even the earliest years and recognize everyone. So sorry I won't be at the reunion, it would be fun to see everyone although I wouldn't recognize anyone but Joanne < and she went to Portola :( >
Kristen
JDT
So sweet.
Laura
Good to see your post and hope to see you at the 30yr as it was great catching up briefly with you and Steve and Mark at the 50th LAHS Anniversary party.
What little remains of my memory had you living in the Sonora region but I might be mistaken.
All the Santa Rita postings/memories got me thinking about Mrs.Anderson and her caffeine addiction and Steve Schick bringing in a Juan Valdez poster for her.
Earlier someone asked about Dave Roszkos and I still remember when Mr.Elliott grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the floor and carried him that way to the office-Something about that leaves me to believe that he probably had it coming and then some.
Mr.Liewer's 5th grade class and his replay of the boring history professor he had in college-"In the French & Indian War, there were some French, and there were some Indians."
Kerry Long-good to see your post and brief update. I always remembered you and Cindy Neville along with Suzanne Zechter, before she moved, as being better athletes than most of the boy's in grade school but not rubbing it in on us too bad.
Last memory I gotta insert was when we got to be on Channel 2 news when Mark Dwight discovered a Wooly Mammoth tusk. That was pretty cool stuff in the 4th(?)grade for sure.
Over & Out,
JDT
I forgot all about the Juan Valdez. I remember we used to do stuff like that. I mostly made fun of Mr. Liewer and was forced to "drop and do 50" push-ups. I remember the incident of Mr. Elliott's "airlift" on Dave's neck. Yikes. Probably scarred him for life.
Fred talk about you playing Back in the USSR, but whenever I hear anything from Neil Young's Harvest album with "Heart of Gold" I think of you and that low-fi PA system on the Santa Rita hardtop.
Steve
Long time, no see! Great to see you and David K. (hi, Nalpak) holding up the Bullis/Purissima banner! I, too was beginning to wonder if everyone at LAHS went to Santa Rita.
Elizabeth Pruitt went to Castilleja, and through various mutual Castilleja friends I occasionally saw her and/or her sisters at plays and wedding receptions way back when, but I haven't heard anything about them in a long time. Theoretically, I might be able to track her down, but given how little time I have been able to put in to tracking down our LAHS classmates, I'm not likely to get around to it.
I still remember Mrs. Finch very fondly...what an amazing teacher! Remember the squiggly animals she used to throw at inattentive students; and the yardsticks she used to break in her temper; and the time we all tried to surprise her for her birthday, and she came storming down from the office, as we shook in our boots; and the countries we all made up; and her no-test policy; and the Cranberry Award and trial (good old Paul Otto--Plotto--the most frequent award-winner, of course!); and how we all loved her?!? What a crazy year that sixth-grade year was!
I'm looking forward to seeing folks at the reunion, and to getting more people signed up on the site eventually...maybe by Christmas card time I'll get around to it....
Sue
You still a big Giants Fan? Last game I went to was when I was still living in Belmont --Game 5 of the 2002 WS! Cannot believe the Giants blew it in Anaheim! Oh well, still the Giants!
Won't be at the reunion, but just wanted to let you know I am still a Giants fan!
--Paul N.
Can't wait to see eveyone....
Let's see - High school was a blast for me - being a band geek (drill team) made for lots of things to do. Left LAHS and went to SDSU for 4.5 years and graduated with business degree with information systems. moved back up to the bay area and have been around ever since - but kept moving closer to the beach. I had a great time in SDSU, kept in touch with lots of folks and had visits from some (Kristen and Sherry). Met my future husband, Ed, thru mutual friends. I was a programmer for 20+ years - worked at ESL, Unitied Technologies and Amdahl (from '89 to 2003). Now I work for the Bursar's dept at UCSC and live in Scotts Valley, still messing around software applications. Married my husband in 2004 and we just celebrated our 24th anniversary in September. Daughter Melanie arrived in 1990 and she is now a freshman at SJSU. Daughter Alicia came along in 1994 and she is a freshman at Scotts Valley high. Love them to death and enjoy them a lot - we've had lots of fun traveling (san diego, hawaii, oregon, washington (got to see Cindy B. up there!) florida, nevada) I can't believe how much time has gone by. We've had 3 dogs (just got the third), a tortoise, 1 hamster, a cat and several mice as pets over the years.
My dad passed away in 1996, but my mom is still kicking around in Mt. View (they moved from Los Altos while I was in college).
I'll have to fly solo at the reunion - my husband is having shoulder surgery on the 5th, so he will be out of commission. Can't wait to see everyone at the reunion.
- Joanne
Kristen - just saw the picture you used as your 'then'! aaack! I think I have that same one. For those of you trying to remember who everyone is, Kristen is on the left, I'm on the right in that picture! I think I officially have more pictures on this website than I EVER did in the yearbook! (yes, I was one of the invisible people :)
I'm betting that the one from grad nite (#40) in the classmates photo album is from you too. We sure had some fun! Was just thinking about your b-day party at the Madonna Inn this summer when we went to SLO and Morro Bay - Joanne
Joanne,
Nice to finally have you ante in.... figured most would know who was who in the pic, but nice of you to clarify :) The group pic is mine from grad nite as well as #39 & #41. I believe you are part of the triangle on the lawn, possibly the top, it's tough to see, I think Gaby is just below you on the left, I think I'm middle of the bottom between to carole & shirley..... I also posted the pic of Lisa, sad to know she's listed in the In Memoriam section. Wish I had more to pictures to share, bet you have some really good ones you could add. Make sure to play the picture game at the reunion, one pic will look very familiar :) wish I could fly in for a visit, maybe I'll make the next one.
Always, Kristen
The black tie party, what can I say, prom dresses, a bathtub full of champagne bottles, and steve, brian & john in black bow ties and boxer shorts, too much fun....... and so little responsibility :) we definately knew how to play.....
Always, Kristen
OK, these conversations are just too good. Does anyone else think we need to start a Facebook group (e.g.: LAHS 1978) so we can keep the conversation going? Or is Facebook just too hip for most of us old farts? I am one of several of us are on there and I bet someone has the expertise to get that going (I'm looking at you, John Cowan!)
Thanks to Mark Williams's amazing ability to keep stuff, I am able to stare, horrified, at my gangly legs sticking out of cut off shorts as Ross, Jeff Smith (class of 79) and I played some horrible cover of an endless Grateful Dead jam in the pictures Mark uploaded. Ross now lives in Bangkok, so I don't think he's coming to the reunion.
I'm in L.A., ... ok, Hollywood... raising my great boy (age 9), working as Director of Medical/Scientific Communications for the American Cancer Society. It's about as close as I was willing to come to medicine (my Dad's job). Between LAHS and now I played in a dark 80s band from Palo Alto (Quiet Room), went to San Francisco State, worked at KGO-TV as a medical producer, moved to Los Angeles, worked at Dateline NBC, and did some charity work in Sierra Leone (West Africa).
Other than that, looking forward to seeing everyone on the 8th!! Feel free to find me on Facebook in the interim!
David (OK, I guess you guys can call me Dave).
I guess "O.J." isn't p.c. anymore either!
I'd just like to say I would love to see pix of EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in the greater bay area, if someone I once new (or saw in the hall...) went there.
And Dave, I just bought a Grateful Dead DVD to revisit an animation sequence I remembered as being extraordinary... only to find I no longer think much of it, or the music. I guess without the certain "enhancements..."
But you guys were great, if I remember correctly, at Tracy Gelbach's that day.
(High praise from a lame late bloomer musician hobbyist and former Mini-Play enthusiast...)
And here was I thinking you were at CBS!
- Mark from the playground
Beyond or in addition to Facebook, let's see more family / personal (or professional) WEBSITES linked here... we all grew up blocks from the famous garage where Apple Computer started... this should be Easy!
I keep seeing your name pop up in the comments but haven't seen your name on the YES i"m coming to the reunion list. So are you coming or not?
Hope to see you there
Gaby
I was going through my yearbooks from '77&78. I noticed an entry to Jim Plunkett from OJ. Was that you? I was perplexed!
Laura
VERY kind of you to notice and to ask!
- not likely to make it... have a condo in Toluca Lake about to go into Escrow this week, after being on the market 2 1/2 years(!), ... want to grab what equity I have left in it, then keep an eye on the "supply" (Realtors on the blog will help us time the market, Yes?)
Really enjoying emailing with some of you, however, and may have to figure a way... (and so much Escrowing can be done by FAX nowadays)
And does anyone know is this blog/website up permanently?
Laura G;
no it wasn't me. Dave WAS the "O.J." as in "O.J. Sampson" ... but we don't want to associate the man to that anymore: let's just call him David :)
My nick in gradeschool and P.E. was "Willie" (also from the last name, duh, and from my impressive outfielder ability :)
As for the odd yearbook signing, I might be able to top it: Bill Ticineto signed my yearbook:
"Frank, it was swell to have you in autoshop, give me a call" (i was never in autoshop; never been called Frank)
(and then scribbled pages and pages later: "Frank, I hate you guts, anoumous" (yes, that's how it was spelled).
I still laugh when I think about it!
And the guy has been one of my best friends ever since.
He and his amazing wife Jill are in Connecticut now, but used to be here in L.A.
I miss them both.
Anyone else have funny Yearbook signings/mysteries??
Per our 1st e-mail from sherry:
Might have to get the 6th Grade daughter to assist on Facebook for me. She learned long ago that she has an LP Dad in an IPOD world. Hell, if I could I'd still be writing with a well chewed Hammacher-Schlemmer #2 pencil! SCANTRON sheets, anyone?
I'm sorry you and I did not get to spend anytime in conversation at reunion but hopefully I can catch you in person during one of Ross Blaufarbs intermittent journeys back to the states-Think it would be a total crack up to have the recall of you and Ross to fill in the blank spots.
Still remember your bird and it repeating "Horatio" and some "naughty words" when we were in 3rd and 4th grade-Thought it was totally cool when it would wolf whistle! Also still have scar on right index finger from pulling a pocket knife (That I wasn't supposed to be carrying!) out of the fence in your front yard that we throwing it into to. Went deep enough to knick the artery and gushed like a stuck pig. was able to keep it wrapped in gauze and kleenex long enough for bleeding to slow and was able to keep it hidden from both our folks as we had promised until it began to heal. Kind of makes you anxious to have a 9 year old son doesn't it? OH well...
Gotta run (OK, stroll.)
Stay In Touch..
JDT
After high school, I attended Foothill then Santa Clara University. 3 weeks after I graduated from Santa Clara (1982) I married Gregg (homestead 1978), a wonderful man I met during high school at First Baptist Los Altos. We moved to Sacramento for a year, but moved back to the Silicon Valley before our first son, Chris, was born in late 1983. We added a son, Kyle to our family in 1985, a daughter Stephanie in 1988 and one more son in 1990. We have continued to live in the area, currently residing within ear shot of the Homestead marching band's practice field. My life really has been great. Wonderful kids, wonderful husband, what can I say. This summer we celebrated our 26th year of marriage. I've been very blessed. My children are all out of the house now which has been quite an adjustment for me since I have been a stay at home mom for 25 years now. My oldest son graduated from Chico State and now lives there with his wife designing web pages. My second oldest lives in Cupertino with his wife, will graduate in December from SJSU and has been hired by a large accounting firm. My beautiful daughter lives in SLO and attends Cal Poly. My youngest just left in September to attend Cal Poly Pomona. He is an avid bike rider. We are so proud of each of our kids, love them tremendously and have had so much pleasure raising them. Gregg and I were a little leary about being empty nesters, but as Sherry stated...we are beginning to relish it.
There really has been very little bad in my life, other than the loss of both of my parents. My dad passed away in 1995, my mom in 2007. I miss them both tremendously. My extended family (brothers and sister) all live outside the great state of California now, which has been another big thing for me to adjust to.
For a variety of reasons I won't be able to make it to the reunion, but hope people keep adding to the blog. It is so nice to read about what everyone is doing.
Nice to hear how you're doing! I guess it's silly to have to read a blog to catch up on your life, since, after all, I only walk past your house multiple times every day...but if you have any free time due to that empty nest, stop by and say hi!
Sue
Sue, what a beautiful family you have! It looks like you've acheived equal amounts of quantity and quality. It would be great to hear some details.
Diane, it sounds like you've been blessed with a great family as well. I remember going to a dance with you- and being lame and insecure (which describes all four years of my tenure at LAH)- but you were kind and gracious. While I'm probably still lame and insecure, my recollections of LAH are filled with the kindness of so many friends who were much cooler than I- and that's what made it bearable. Thank you!
How nice to hear from you. I remember hanging out with you in high school (as well as the Sutton brothers, Steve Moore and Bruce Miller) I never though of you as being lame and insecure. I just always thought of you as polite and fun to be around. It sounds like you have a wonderful family. I agree with you about blogging. My husband and I email each other almost every day. Great way to touch base quickly during the day. Plus when we are really in a lazy mode we have been know to IM each other so as to avoid going up and down the stairs, a bad habit we learned from our teenage kids.
Now that life is slowing down a little I will try to stop by on one of my morning walks. Never sure when you are home schooling though and I don't want to interrupt. I recently had hoped to talk with you at the Bahl memorial, but I ended up having to leave early. You too should feel free to stop by some day when you are walking by my house. I am seldom doing something that can't wait.
Diann
Sorry to hear you won't ne in attendance but hopefully I'll get to see before the next reunion.
One of my darkest memories of High School involved your kindness and my ignorance. We shared one of the few history classes I ever hated or found utterly irrelevant. World History W/Tom Bosman's our Senior Year. He required us to
maps in specified colors of the old Austro-Hungarian empire.
This would have been acceptable if there was any relevant conversation outlining what those maps signified in lead up to the First World War but that would have been expecting far too much from our esteemed educators. It was much more important that we all used the right colors in shading in our maps! I found this approach to teaching history utterly pedantic and sophomoric and had kind of blown off the coloring book assignment for the entire quarter as it was utterly irrelevant until Dear Mr.Boz announced at the end of the quarter that 33% of our grade would be based on the coloring books which I had blown off the entire class-That's when panic hit and I asked for your assistance as you, unlike me, had been exceptionally diligent in keeping your map coloring book up to snuff despite the fact that I believe you felt it as irrelevant as I did. You were kind enough to allow me to borrow your map folder and I was going to hastily scribble something to satisfy Mr.Bosman's and return your folder the next day to be handed in. Somehow, the fact that the folders were to actually be handed in the following day escaped my consciousness along with the fact that I was in possesion of your folder also. I opted to blow off a class I absolutely abhorred and in the process caused you to be on the receiving end of a major chastising by the aforementioned Mr.Bosman's. When Shelley Stokes caught me in between classes and advised me of what was transpiring my heart absolutely sank for the position my thoughtlessness had placed you in. I rushed to Mr. Bosman's class to find you in tears and him continuing to berate you for having put your trust in "someone like Mr.Taylor" I'd never considered clocking an elder "educator" before ,but I was damn close to going over the table and feeding him his teeth, as I told him I did not care one iota what he did to me but he should in no way have held you responsible/liable for my actions that prevented you from having your "map book" for him to collect during class-The feeling I had when I realized my actions had caused you such distress and potentially damaged your academic standing still haunt me to this day and I remain eternally sorry for my cavalier approach to regarding your kindness so deeply insufficiently. By the time I left Mr.Bosman's, his tone was somewhat less snarky toward you and I did not give a flying fig what his opinion of me was ,as I knew it could be no worse than the opinion I held of him and his academic prowess or obvious lack thereof.
All said, I can still only hope that after all these years you have forgiven me for a completely thoughtless action and the pain it caused you that day, as you were only trying to assist me and being extremely kind in doing so.
Please accept my apology and know how terrible I felt for causing you such distress.
Respectfully,
James D.Taylor
PS-Remind me to tell you the story of my first visit to Chef Chu's in 1968/9 when they didn't have tables yet the next time I see you!
send me a .jpg of my abstract! As for music, I've found a couple places to upload free, like MySpace, and a couple others I forget. But I've found it more fun to create my own html pages and upload them to a $7/month unlimited storage server at iicinternet.com (I don't know if they still offer it, it seems to be domain hosting oriented).
here's where I have some of the least sucky (to my ear) of my music:
http://18-75.iicinternet.com/homeburner/hb2/homeburner.html
now it's your turn! :)
- Mark, amateur guitarist/drummer/keyboardist with a 4-Track, for all the finest tape hiss one could ask for...
Some sucky Los Altan's MUSIC.
Unfortunately I will not be at the reunion due to my daughter's HS championship soccer game happening that same night. But glad to hear the Blog will be kept for the next 10 years. Great way to stay in touch! Love to hear from some of the old Band members! Those were fond memories traveling to competitions!
I think of you and chef chu's a lot - my husband and I went on our first date there - and then went to see The Empire Strikes Back!
Boy do I remember those competitions. It was Selma that was the raisen capital. I think my mom was one of the chaperones. I remember marching down Main St in Disneyland and it was the opening of the Space Mountain ride and the lines being 2 hours long. And the competitions in San Diego and Cupertino and Pleasanton and... Too many to remember them all. We also did the Raiders Half time show the first year I was on the Flag team my freshman year- I was all but 20 feet from Joe Namoth (they played the N.Y. Jets that weekend). But those uniforms were the dorkiest of all. The wigs we had to get and mathing our hair color and all the bobbie pins and tons of cans of Hair spray. The blisters we got from marching in high heel boots was not a fond memory.
Anyways hope to see you on Saturday
Gaby
I mentioned to Joanne that every time I see a show invoving a marching band, I check the lines.... Watching a movie like Drumline and really understanding the many hours of hard work involved and the precision always bring back the memories of watching the field competitions and the parades. You all did such a great job. Curiously marching bands are not a big thing here in New England. Lots of fond memories :)
Kristen
Oh well----
Gaby
Dave Kaplan, do you remember playing Tevya in the play "Fiddler On The Roof?" in junior high? You played a perfect part...that was a fun play, but our teacher (can't remember his name) was quite an abusive chap!
Looking forward to seeing all of you!
Sue Anne (Tallakson) Donohoe
happy to see some updates since last check in. Good to see Tom Finnigan making it. The last time I caught up with him was when he had the "coolest job in the world" working for Russ Solomon behind the counter at the old Tower Records head shop! Also happy to see the "funkiest white guy" I ever knew, David Curtis in attendance(Go Scrubs!)
Can anyone provide an update on Sherry Baugh for me? I know she was married and living the bucolic Mormon life but beyond that I have nothing. Here are a few more I'd like an update on-Kurt Lipanovich-Where'd he go after FBI? Randy Marks? Larry Healy? Chris Spork-saw him briefly at 20 yr reunion and then he vanished into neo-con world. How's about Debbie Hoogs? Loyce Mitchell? There's a lot more I want to hear about or wonder, "What ever happened too"?
Hopefully, before I bite the big one, someone can provide me with 411 on these and others.
Any and all info is greatly appreciated even if you are unable to convince them to attend the 30 Year LAHS "Survival-Fest"
Merci Beaucoup,
(Jim Marshall's French Class!)
JDT
Many fond memories of Monsieur Marshall, the only way I could pass a language class...... great guy.
Kristen
You guys were lucky - I had Mr. Paoletti - the Italian Men's soccer coach. Interesting trying to get the accent right - and he really didn't want to be teaching. Only made it thru French II - then I bailed! Even managed to work my way around the language classes at SDSU. I learned how to say "je ne sais pais" and "je ne comprend pas" really well - and it counted as answering in french. anyone remember the french teacher at Egan? It has helped me in one regard - never had to/have to help either of my girls with their spanish homework! - Joanne
I didn't take french but spanish instead. The spanish teacher(forgot her name) I think it was Ms. Carmen --anyways --she always wrote on the chalkboard with a ruler or yardstick so her letters were always perfect. I took German in high school since I already spoke it fluently . Got a D in it because the teacher was from Prussia and my accent wasn't right. I had to got to German School every Saturday from 9-12 during grade school and Jr. High years and still managed to get a D.
I hope to see you there this weekend!! Are you staying at one of the hotels locally?
Gaby
Our French teacher at Egan was Mrs.Hartvickson. That name is stuck in my horny little 7th grade boy brain ,as she was a pom-pom dolly at Stanford and drove a Porsche 911. Between she and Senorita Remley, I think languages were my favorite class at Egan!
Do you remember Mr.Cummings and getting assigned 500 or 1000 word essays on obtuse subjects like "tree frog mating rituals" as punishment?
How about RA's in P.E. or in Mr.Jacques class?
Those really were the good old days,oui?
I'm Outta Here-
JDT
You beat me to it :) I think every 7th & 8th grade boy at Egan looked forward to language class, given the rather "hot" female language teachers. Us girls typically liked Mr. Gonella, but definately preferred the guys from LAHS who were monitoring our lunch time outside. I think Joanne & I had Mr. Cumming's class together, he always liked the girls better than the boys so we usually escaped those essays. Something else that doesn't seem to exist anymore (like marching bands).... shop and home ec classes
Kristen
My kids had a P.E. teacher very similar to Mrs. Hunter her name was Mrs. Ferguson and she reminded me of her in her mannerisms and voice. I wonder if all P.E. teachers are like that? I take that back Mrs. Lodge and Mrs. Johnson were great P.E. teachers
Gaby
Hey, Greg Albright...You convinced Sherry to start the 1st blog a while back...haven't seen anything from you though! IT'S YOUR TURN!!!
Hey, does anyone know if Shelly Spurlock and/or Brenda Kooyer is coming? It would sure be fun to see them both...also, it will be a blast to see Cindy Truman again!
Jim Taylor, are you okay? You keep eluding to possibly not being around for the next reunion...
Keep healthy, everyone! See you Saturday!
Sue Anne
I just called Brenda (finally!). She isn't signed up for the reunion, but I urged her to register on the site, so hopefully she will do that soon and you can contact her that way; otherwise, you can contact me and I can give you her contact information if you'd like to reconnect!
Sue
I remember Scott Lockridge very well. We went to Sadie Hawkins together and went on a couple of date shortly before he entered the hospital for the last time. I kept the flowers he gave me for years. I still remember that the church was packed. He was such a kind and gentle guy.
Laura
First off let me say how wonderful it was seeing you at the FBCLA reunion.
I too cling to the same verse. A couple of years ago I literally posted it on my mirrors and refrigerators. It really helps get you through rough times when you know that God is in control.
If you and your husband are ever up in the bay area and need to use up some time, feel free to give Gregg and I a call (or email). We would both love to catch up with you.
Nice to see your name and read your update. It brought back many fine memories. Remember when we ran for President and VP? It sounds like you are doing very well now and well deserved. I wanted to ask you how your parents Jack and Susan are doing? i was hoping to have more time. will write again.
Cheers & best wishes,
Jeff Bialy
I found some more of my pictures - including class photos from Portola, and the last day of school at Egan. I was organized back then and even wrote everyone's name on the back- let me know if you are trying to figure out who someone is. They are in the classmates photo album. Enjoy! - Joanne
You and Mark both get the gold stars for having and posting the early years pics :)
Kristen
it's fun to read this blog -- all these memories come back. a little about what I've been up to--
went off to UCSB for undergrad, took a quarter off to travel in Australia, Fiji Islands and Papua New Guinea. Then spent a year living in Oxford, England. Came back, waitressed at Frankie Johnnie & Luigi where I served many of my LAHS classmates including Annette Wreaks! then went to University of Toronto where I did a Masters in Medieval Studies, then to UC Davis where I did my PhD in Comparative Literature. I taught there for years, *almost* got married, but backed out (one of the smartest things I've ever done) so am now single again which actually is kinda fun. After I broke up with my "partner" I believe is the term now, not boyfriend, I decided to make a change & went on the academic job market. I scored a great job as a professor of World Literature at Ferris State University in Big Rapids MI. I only just started here in September 08. I love my job. At UC Davis I was in a rut; here the teaching & publishing requirements are easier & I am out kayaking and hiking all time. It's beautiful here. Come visit me! And if anyone's ever in Chicago, let me know, I'll come see you! Chicago is a great town. Look forward to seeing you at the reunion. There's one person I really want to see and that's T.J. Lawler. He went off to be a cowboy in Quincy, CA, and I can't wait to see him again. He used to let me drive his truck around Los Altos. The cops could always pull us over, thinking it was T.J. out raising hell again. They all knew his truck.. All right people, write this down:<< rebelleb@yahoo.com>> see you soon! Rebecca (Becky, but I never liked that name)
:)
That's what happens when you blog in a hurry.
Sherry, Thanks for all your hard work on making this such a successfull event.
Take Care all,
Diana
Thank you again Sherry for an evening of great memories.
Gaby
I also wanted to express my heartfelt thanks to you for putting on a tremendous event. My voice is still hoarse from all the conversations and my jaw still hurts from all the laughs those conversations provided.
I have to agree with Cindy that I could have used another 24 hrs at least to catch up with all in attendance I didn't get to talk to (Or talk to long enough) Hopefully next time-God willing!
Also have to say that it appears that quite a few of the ladies from the Class of 78 seemed to have been able to reverse the aging process much to my tattered and beaten bodies shame! Kudos ladies! As I mentioned to Heather Blum (Sorry Mrs.R) all of you were lovely in high school, but some of you have morphed into absolute stunners! Impressive to say the least!
Hope to see some more postings and some additional photos as I remember lots of different folks shooting photos and it would be great to have them posted.
Again to Sherry on behalf of all of the LAHS Class of 1978 Knights, our sincere thanks and appreciation to you for a job well done.
Respectfully,
James D.Taylor
PS "Royal" Blue and Gold always beat drab White and Blue (UGH!)
Regards, Fred Grolle
Be well and thanks again for a fabulous evening - until next time....
Sandy
I totally agree that we should do a 3 DAYER!!!!! Wouldn't that be fun??? Maybe Tahoe, or the BEACH!!
I would love to help organize that one.
Amy :)
If the choice for the next reunion is Tahoe, I would be more than happy to help. Living in Reno does have its advantages.
Just wanted to say that it was great to see you all, and I forgot that I am in my late 40's! What fun was that??? Hope you all had a great time visiting old friends, and let's not wait another 30 years to get together.
OH, Thank you GABBY for being the DD!!
Sincerely,
Amy Phillips (Leppo)
www.3sensesgourmet.com
925-413-7901 Direct
cheers mates!
Rebecca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otGjnSwGvd0
remember Jim Guyette's band that played at the 5th reunion? Jim's since played bass with Bonnie Raitt and the late great John Lee Hooker.
more art "happening" can be found here with my Russian collaborators.
http://arthealing.org/fin_sol.mp4
http://www.houstonpress.com/2000-12-28/news/prisoners-of-love/
Many years ago, we visited TJ on the ranch in the Red Bluff area and my husband, Bob, stayed to do some fishing with TJ as host. To this day Bob still talks about the out-of-this-world steak TJ cooked for him and a friend over an open fire.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,
Sandy and Bob Brown