A Little This and That

 “Just Thinking"

I really had a hard time getting my thoughts together this week. I started and stopped multiple times, nothing flowed. This is the first “Just Thinking” since Thanksgiving, so thoughts of family, friends, loved ones lost and new adventures kept coming to mind, yet no traction. With all that being said, I changed directions this week and am doing a compilation of thoughts, observations and questions. Let’s see how it goes.

Well, it’s Christmas time, you can’t be a City Boomer without thinking about the roof rides at “The Big E’, but I wrote about them last year, so I won’t rehash. Realistically the only time that we would go to the Emporium downtown was at Christmas, most of the time we would go to Stonestown. Not the Stonestown Galleria that we all know today, this was an open-air mall that was built in the 50’s with palm trees and generous overhangs, designed to shield shoppers from Bay Area weather. This was one of Northern California’s first regional shopping centers, the Emporium, Walgreens, F.W. Woolworth’s, The Red Chimney restaurant, Butler Brothers, bakery and grocery, and a small movie theater.

I’ve been trying for a while to incorporate the Golden Gate Park’s Bison Paddock into a story, but there is not really a standalone story there. I remember Mom taking us to look at the herd, or Dad driving by on his way to Beach Chalet saying “hey look at the Buffalo”, thoughts back to drinking beers with buddies by the enclosure in High School or showing them off to dates in later days. I did, however, find some interesting things about the bison when I investigated them. The first fact I may have picked up on in Yellowstone, we have bison, buffalos are in Asia and Africa. They have been in the park since 1891, to help conserve a nearly extinct species. Over the decades over 500 calves have been born in Golden Gate Park. The herd was originally a mixed-gendered, it has been only females since 2011 for a much calmer dynamic. Today there are about 10 female bison, cared for by SF Zoo staff while Parks & Rec maintenance the facility.

On this day in 1848, President James K. Polk confirmed the discovery of gold in California in an address to Congress, sparking the California Gold Rush in 1849. Thank goodness or what would the 49ers be called.

On December 5th, 1945. Five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 takeoff from the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-hour training mission. After having completed their objective, they headed for home, they never returned. Disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle, that still freaks me out.

Seeing Roger Craig at the Niners game Monday night brought back some great memories; 3 time Super Bowl Champion, Offensive player of the year in 1988, 4-time Pro Bowler and the leagues first double threat back with over 1000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving and being a major component of the 49er’s dynasty.

But one of my other thoughts was how in the late 80’s we had two Roger Craigs in the City, our pre-to-four mention All Pro Running back Roger Craig and the Giants manager, The Humm Baby himself Roger Craig.

Speaking of Baseball, I still hate the Dodgers and Dusty Baker will always be a Dodger. 2002, game 6 of the world series, it’s the 7th inning with the Giants leading the Angels 5-0. Baker pulled starting pitcher Russ Ortiz after giving up two hits. As Ortiz walked off the mound, Baker handed him the game ball, which appeared to be a victory celebration. This incited the Angels, who came back to win that game 6-5 and force a game 7, which they won and we had to wait another 8 years for our first SF World Series.

A quick Warrior question, The San Francisco Warriors, moved to Oakland and became the Golden State Warriors, even though there are 3 other NBA teams in California, they move back to San Francisco and are still the Golden State Warriors.

Let me know what you think.


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