Beat the paywall

          Good evening, 919 Gang. Last night I said members outside the area might not be able to read Roger Showley's article on the new San Diego library because of the U-T paywall. I had forgotten this tip.

          MICHELE DAVIS writes:

          Please remember that you can read the U-T even if you do not subscribe if you simply browse it in "Privacy" mode. This does not install "cookies" on the site so you are not prevented from reading the content. I do this with the LA Times every time I read it. If I look at the UT and want to read something, I will use this method as well.

          If you use Internet Explorer, simply hold down the ctrl-shift and "P" key at the same time. If you use Firefox, click on the upper left hand corner Firefox logo and you will get a drop-down menu, click on where it says "Private". I believe it is the second option.

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          PRESTON TUREGANO writes:

          Strange U-T San Diego Sunday. Travel returned as a separate, stand-alone section, yet the movie show time page was inside it. I suppose one travels to get to any movie theater. Still, it was good to see something return that some years ago an editor helped kill because he didn't travel and thought people didn't have to be told where to spend their disposable income. The 16-page Arts & Entertainment "Fall Arts Preview" section (where Travel had been hidden for the past few years) was a mess of packaging. A giant ad showing conjoined twin women dominated its center fold to advertise La Jolla Playhouse's production of "Side Show" opening in November. You had to look hard for the copy that explained it. Books started on E-6 and resumed at the bottom of E-10 and the top of E11 because most of E-11 consisted of movie ads and a SD Symphony ad. Elsewhere in the Sunday paper, on one of the obits pages there was a really old color mug shot of a man who died at age 94 but must have been in his 30s or 40s when the picture was taken. Which brings me to my often stated wishes and instructions for my obit; a mug shot of Brad Pitt, circa age 30. "Damn, that Preston was good looking!"

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          ELIZABETH GABRIEL writes:

          Cleaning out files this afternoon. Lookie what I found: the first one speaks for itself. Not sure of the year for the second one, but that was the year Preston dressed as a mummy and carried around a wire hanger: Mummy Dearest.

Preston and Elizabeth in each photo

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          KENT FREELAND writes:

          Jack, you asked what happened to the old rule that it's not murder until a jury says so.

          TV news gave that up long ago and has gone even further: I often hear that a subject "was arrested for robbery" or "arrested for murder." That throws out the rule about innocent until proven guilty. I was taught that the correct phrase is "arrested and CHARGED with ..."

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          GLENN GRANT writes:

          Re reading glasses: I do the same as Anita Palmer. I keep a pair in my car, office drawer, laptop case, all over the place. But I recently got a neck strap and wear a pair most of the time so I don’t misplace them as often. Looking like the old man I’m becoming but I don’t care. Walmart and Target have good prices on packs of three or four. They all break eventually, so just stock up. I clean them regularly because they tend to smudge. Have been using Smitty’s Glass Wax for a while, and it really helps. Just got another bottle at the Adams Avenue Street Fair over the weekend but you can buy it online. I’ve been wearing readers over my contact lenses for years with no problem. My ophthalmologist and optometrist agree they’re fine for most people vs. prescription lenses.

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          SUZANNE MACK writes:

          Some of the best and worst Christmas gifts have been coming to mind. Best for me was a record player and two LP's when I was 9. The Kingston Trio Live and another by Harry Belafonte. I must have played those albums until I wore them out. Worst was a crocheted purple cardigan sweater when I was 12. It was lovingly hand made by my grandmother. Ungrateful child that I was I thought it the ugliest thing I'd ever seen. Keep the ideas and memories coming. I 'll have to begin shopping soon.

          There must be something about fall that gets me in a good mood. Upcoming holidays, cooler weather whatever it is, I love it! Today I'm even cleaning out closets and organizing the kitchen cabinets. I have my Halloween costume figured out and have decorated the house with ghosts, black cats and pumpkins. I'm sending this little gem off to an office party on the 31st of October. Who was the guy (photog or art department?) at the Tribune who would do the wonderful carved pumpkins? They looked like lanterns and were true works of art.

          REBER: I confess, Mary and I haven't exchanged Christmas or birthday gifts in many, many years. I always say I don't buy for her because she has me, and who could ask for more. Nobody buys that. Truth is if we want something we buy it; we don't wait for a holiday. Besides, shopping for grandkids is a lot more fun. But many years ago, when our gift exchange was dormant, inspiration caused me to stop at a donut shop. I bought her ONE giant glazed donut. No present I have ever given her was received with so much excitement.

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          REBER: After Betty Peach-Tschirgi invited people to send her postcards, I thought unusual cards or cards from remote locations might be neat. I also asked Betty for her address. Send them to:

Betty Peach Tschirgi

1401 Gresham St.

San Diego, CA 92109

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          REBER: As September winds to a close, let's wish Happy Birthday (Sept. 30) to Ann Jarmusch.

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          GENE CIECHANOWSKI forwards:

          Giving without expecting.

http://biggeekdad.com/2013/09/giving-without-expectin

          GENE CIECHANOWSKI forwards:

          Rescue of Roger Locher

http://biggeekdad.com/2012/09/rescue-of-roger-locher/

          GENE CIECHANOWSKI forwards:

          KOHAR with Stars of Armenia

http://biggeekdad.com/2013/09/kohar-stars-armenia/

Jack Justus Reber

P.O. Box 2239

Ramona, CA 92065

U.S.A.

A library -- at last

          Good evening, 919 Gang. For those out of the area, San Diego has finally replaced its downtown library. I suspect the U-T paywall will keep you from reading it, but just in case ...

          GINA LUBRANO writes:

          Here is the story about the library opening that Roger Showley posted on UT San Diego.

http://tinyurl.com/kxe4dt8

919er Roger Showley at the new San Diego library

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          PAT ROGALLA writes:

          OK Suzanne Mack thanks for your happy suggestion Sept. 23.  I do have a special Christmas gift story.  It begins with the three Wise men bearing gifts….woops!  I think you have heard that one.  Different author….  O’ well, hear my jingle bells in September.

          I was 9 years old when I saw the three of them …. A pretty ballet dancer, a whimsical clown and a Santa Claus.  I wrote the wonderful date in my diary – Thursday, Christmas Eve 1936. I knew when I lined the three puppets on the pillow beside me, they were magical. And they came from a secret!

          My mother didn’t use the noisy sewing machine, she handstitched through late night  hours, as I lie sleeping.  The pretty ballet dancer had long yellow braids and a pink tutu.  The clown wore a whimsical grin and a snappy yellow and blue costume.  Santa Claus sported a long, flowing white beard.  All this had a worth to me I could never dream.

          Through many years I brought them back on Christmas Eve and Easter for every member of my family to see and to hear their new stories.  The three learned to fly!  The clown did not just jump, he learned to summersault. Santa Claus had a beard I could braid! A trusted M.C. joined the three and narrated larger acts, new actors and animal shows.

          I wrote many plays.  We, (husband Ed, daughters Ann and Laurel) all went big time with a theater and gift shop at Green Lake, Seattle.  A “bud” from my reporter years on the San Diego Union-Trib newspaper sent a batch of my one act plays to Samuel French and presto….we had an agent!

          Some years “The Three” didn’t show up.  The theatre remained in a trunk in the garage, in the basement, in an upstairs bedroom.  I never forgot.  I always knew where. 

          A “very best gift” does not lose joy.  It shines from just a nudge.  Yesterday I opened a dusty trunk in my garage loft.  The ballet dancer is obviously resting.  The clown still has his great grin but his shoes are missing.  Santa Claus has a faded red suit and his beard needs to be combed.

          I  added two pairs of shiny black tap shoes….mine.

          I close

          REBER: Good work, Pat. I hope others will write about unusual or memorable gifts. As well as ideas for the person "who has everything."

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          FRANK GREEN writes:

          Re: Seymour Hersh’s suggestion that most editors should be fired and replaced with upstarts.

          The trouble with that plan is that reporters would soon be repeating the phrase, “Meet the new editor, same as the old editor.”

          Here’s Noam Chomsky, from “Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media” (Pantheon; 1988), on why editorial regimes are typically replicated:

          “Most biased choices in the media arise from the pre-selection of right-thinking people, internalized preconceptions, and the adaptation of personnel to the constraints of ownership, organization, market, and political power. Censorship is largely self-censorship, by reporters and commentators who adjust to the realities of source and media organizational requirements, and by people at higher levels within media organizations who are chosen to implement, and have usually internalized, the constraints imposed by proprietary and other market and governmental centers of power.”

          Imagine what would happen to a charging new U-T editor who wanted to do some muckraking on the proposed rape of the coastline by developers, or a piece on the dreadful economics involved in building still another taxpayer-funded sports complex.

          A program note: Everyone should get “Sunshine Daydream” (Rhino), the 3-CD/DVD box from the Grateful Dead featuring the band’s 1972 benefit concert recorded in the heavenly confines of the Veneta, Oregon creamery owned by relatives of Ken Kesey. Tapes of the concert have long been circulated by Deadheads, many who consider the three hour-plus concert to be the best live Dead show of the era. As I write, our Labrador puppy Jasper is dancing in front of the booming wall speakers to the sublimely trippy sounds of “Dark Star.”

          REBER: Hersh suggested hiring editors who would look their bosses in the eye and say, "I don't care what you say." I would like to work for such an editor. Certainly he/she would want reporters who also would say "I don't care what you say." For instance, the editor might say, "Reber, you're doing the weather story for tomorrow." I, being this new breed of reporter, would look the editor in the eye and say, "I don't care what you say. I'm off to Paris to evaluate can-can dancing as an art form. Over the next six months, I'll give you updates on my progress along with each weekly expense account.'

          Hersh is writing a book, and he's obviously doing a bit of advance publicity for his book.

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          ANITA PALMER writes:

          RE David Ogul's query regarding dimestore readers, I'll repeat what my optician said.

          The lenses are shaped for the average eye. If your face is of an average size, etc., then likely there will be no eye strain. But if not, you'll be forcing your eye muscles to work hard to focus, and that could have long-term effects. (She wouldn't elaborate.)

          I have half a dozen pair planted everywhere I might need close reading, and have felt no negative results. Other than the constant reminder of my aging body...

          JANET LOWE writes:

          My eye doctor told me to buy drug store glasses for reading. He said prescription ones were no better and a waste of money. I'm not sure that applies to all eyes, but apparently they won't hurt you.

          BOB ELLEDGE writes:

          Tel Divad Ogal nut tu wory abut geting reeding glases at CSV. I'v bin buying thim their fur meny yeers with witout eny hermfall afects.

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          FRED DICKEY writes:

          Note to Jim Goldsborough re his disdain at a brutal bull fight: Bull fighting hasn’t changed, Jim, you have.

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          KENT FREELAND writes:

          A breathless News 8 reporter gave a teaser headline tonight (Fri.):

          "A murder results in one man's death."

          Well, I guess it makes sense, but it's a strange way to say it. Can't think of a murder that WOULDN'T result in a death. Turns out what he meant was that a beating resulted in a death--or murder.

          REBER: And what happened to the old journalism rule that a death isn't a murder until a jury says it is?

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          DAVID FARMER writes:

          Betty Peach-Tschirgi urges the young to travel at every opportunity, lest they find themselves unable to do so when they get older. A longtime friend of mine offers similar advice, but with an addendum: "Travel and have as much sex as you can while you're young." I believe he means one should pursue those activities singly and in combination. (I just realized that "singly and in combination" as used here are capable of more than one interpretation.)

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          REBER: We close tonight with the happiest of birthday (Sept. 30) wishes for Logan McKechnie.

Jack Justus Reber

P.O. Box 2239

Ramona, CA 92065

U.S.A.

Betty says travel

          Good evening, 919 Gang. Spent the whole day fixing an underground water leak. Sometimes retirement feels a lot like work.

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          BETTY PEACH-TSCHIRGI writes:

          One of the many disadvantages of being almost blind is I did not get to see the photo of Betty Walker and Jerry Schultz that was printed earlier this week. She and I traveled together part of the time on a trip to Europe about 45 years ago, on my first trip to Europe, although it was Betty's third or fourth jaunt. It was Globe Guilder's Charter flights from San Diego to London. We had a week in London then she left for Scotland to see relatives. I went alone to Belgium, Germany (East & West), Switzerland and Austria and met up with BW in Rome traveling by various means, mostly train. In Rome we ran into other travelers from the charter flight and formed our own group of sightseers for that marvelous city. I don't remember how we met with Neal and Judith Morgan on their wedding trip, but we rode with them in their new car from Paris to Amsterdam where we caught the flight back to the United States. It was a great trip all crammed into six weeks. Since that time until I became too blind to travel I have been as many places as I could manage one way or another.

          Now approaching my 98th birthday, I offer this advice to everybody younger and with vision: Travel at every opportunity. It makes life much more interesting even if you lose your vision later because you can still travel in your mind every time you hear a newscast or a symphony or listen to a lecture or anything you can enjoy without vision. This advice is given freely but, you might send me picture postcards which some of my readers will read to me in the many hours of the week that these nice young women translate from scribble to poetic scroll. Thank you for your ears!

          REBER: Betty, I wish I had a trip to some exotic locale planned, just so I could send you an unusual postcard. But first you have to tell us your mailing address.

          ROSEMARY ENG writes:

          Betty Walker still has those "smiling eyes."

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          JIM GOLDSBOROUGH writes:

          I've seen a few bullfights in my life -- Mexico City, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia -- but the one I saw Sunday in San Miguel de Allende has finally cured me -- or maybe I've just outgrown Death in the Afternoon (though not Hemingway). Beauty, pageantry, tradition, courage, these are the things I have seen redeem the innate brutality of bullfights. And there is the argument that it is a better death than a sledgehammer. Toros bravos and all that. What I saw yesterday was simple animal torture. I won't go into details, but it was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Something else I had never seen before: families came with children, who loved it, clapping their little hands and cheering as they ate their popcorn and waited for the poor animal to fall. Four bulls and I could only stay for one. Simply dreadful. Corridas are now banned in parts of Spain and Mexico. No resemblance to what it once was. Still fighting I understand in Tijuana though I've never been.

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          SUZANNE MACK writes:

          I hadn't thought of the PSA crash in a while. However, the day before the 35th anniversary I was leaving my daughter's house and happened to look up and see a jet making the loop towards Lindbergh. There was something about the color of the sky and the attitude of the plane that put me in mind of the PSA plane photo. I was scanning the sky around it for wayward small planes. The morning news did a piece on the crash and showed footage from that day as well as how the neighborhood looks today. Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw worked it into their morning radio show. Did I miss something or did the U-T give it short shrift? I saw the sidebar with three short e-mail recollections and referring people to an online memory sharing site.

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          DAVID OGUL writes:

          As I slowly (but more rapidly than I'd like) descend into pronounced visual impairment brought on by middle age during a time when medical care in America is rapidly degenerating, I reluctantly turned to CVS to buy some very affordable -- though butt ugly -- reading glasses. My question: Will these things make my vision even worse, or are they an affordable alternative that normal folk (first time you've heard me refer to myself that way) can turn to? By the way, it was only after I bought the glasses and could once again read clearly that I saw they were made in China.

          These glasses are just for reading. Strangely, I can suddenly see clearly things that are far away.

          REBER: Maybe someone has some knowledge about drug-store glasses. I'll only comment that when you advance past middle age you should have your eyes checked for the problems we oldsters deal with.

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          REBER: Tonight it's Greg Gross who wears the birthday hat (Sept. 28). Now there's a guy who could send Betty Peach-Tshirgi postcards from unusual destinations.

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          ZAK WOODRUFF forwards:

          Here's an article I enjoyed:

          Seymour Hersh explains how to fix journalism, saying press should "fire 90% of editors and promote ones you can't control."

http://tinyurl.com/lw6x2sv

          Choice quote:

          Asked what the solution is Hersh warms to his theme that most editors are pusillanimous and should be fired.

          "I'll tell you the solution, get rid of 90% of the editors that now exist and start promoting editors that you can't control," he says. I saw it in the New York Times, I see people who get promoted are the ones on the desk who are more amenable to the publisher and what the senior editors want and the trouble makers don't get promoted. Start promoting better people who look you in the eye and say 'I don't care what you say.'"

          REBER: If anyone wants to comment on this, stick to journalism and leave out Bush and Obama.

          JAMIE RENO forwards:

          Can Twitter Cure Cancer? The Real Story of Social Media's Impact on Cancer Patients

http://tinyurl.com/l9kjsmy

Jack Justus Reber

P.O. Box 2239

Ramona, CA 92065

U.S.A.