Mac Meda Destruction Company

La Jolla Girard Street House – Meda Clubhouse

According to sources, and please correct us if we are wrong, the people are, Dave Osborn w Mug just out of photo on left, The ‘Lad,” Joe Ortega, Jim Rathburn, Diane Molar, Darnez (Spelling? and RIP)and Grog (Nickname) - photo provided by David Osborn

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The stories of the La Jolla Girard Street house are infamous, the true life “Animal House,” that put together true life outrageous parties.

David Olson, formal owner of the the Red Mountain Inn, probably said it best, “I recall the first time I was invited to Macpherson’s Girard Street house, and it sort of like the Yankee’s calling you up from the minors, now you’re playing with the big boys & girls! His house was a place that could do anything and not worry about it as Rakestraw always did something that would be so outrageous that no one would remember what you did.”  Read more... (402 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Seal Bombs – Was It The Start Of Destruction?

Were Seal Bombs Rakestraws first start?

When Kip Ives (known to his friends as Pinky) started hanging out in the Kearney Mesa Butcher Shop, he meant Joe “Smoothie” De Silva. Smoothie was a fishing legend and icon in the Portuguese community and the owner of one of the top fishing seiners that fished out of  Samoa.  With the common interest of fishing, drinking and pretty women, they both became very good friends, so much so, from that day on Pinky was invited to a lot of the Portuguese events.  At Smoothie’s funeral, he was one of the pawl bearers.  Read more... (567 words, 2 images, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

Bastardization of Portuguese Merda, Became Meda

The cuss word Merda was used a lot to a Portuguese fishermen

Bob Rakestraw’s first real job was on a Scripps Research vessel.  His adopted parents had already seen an alcohol problem developing, so, since drinking was forbidden on these ships it seems the logical thing to do. The “dry out theory” so to say.

However,  the experience did give him the opportunity to seek other means, something that had more excitement and adventurous than cruising the sea, with a ship full of dorks, geeks, and scientists  studying the science, biology, taxonomy, morphology, behavior, and ecological relationships of some widget marine life that inhabits the ocean.

How boring and definitely not a Rakestraw thing!
 Read more... (510 words, 1 image, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Robert “Bob” Rakestraw – Mac Meda’s Co-Founder

Robert "Bob" Rakestraw soon to be the Meda in Mac Meda

Robert “Bob” Norris Rakestraw (or aka, the  Meda in Mac Meda) was born a Fergurson in Nova Scotia, Canada on December 8, 1940. He was adopted by famed Scripps Oceanography Dr. Norris and Hazel Rakestraw about eight years later.

Norris was the number two man at Scripps and a renowned expert on marine chemistry. He died in 1982 in Morongo Valley, where they retired.

In 1952,  Scripps Estates Associates (SEA) was the first subdivision in San Diego to ignore the local real estate covenants and sell property to people by lottery. Norris and Hazel both entered and Hazel got the first draw of the San Diego’s first Lottery.  So they bought the first lot (about 1.5 acres) for $2200, which was overlooking the Shores. According to a memorial, a Hazel Rakestraw died from Alzheimer’s Disease around 1984.  Read more... (935 words, 1 image, estimated 3:44 mins reading time)

Albert, The Silverback Gorilla, Mac Meda’s President

Look at this beastly stud, no wonder Albert is Mac Meda's President and Rackstraws hero!

Everyone knows Albert, the San Diego Zoo’s famous silverback gorilla. Albert is famous for three things.

1) He was responsible for starting the gorilla population at the San Diego Zoo, which drew world-wide attention and became the star attraction with his ability to put Viagra to shame.

2) He got a restaurant named in his honor at the San Diego Zoo.

3) He was the president of Mac Meda Destruction Company.

Besides the fact he was a total stud (screw the restaurant part),  he was Bob Rakstraw’s hero.   Bob was obsessed with Albert and spent every Monday afternoon at the gorilla house. Jack used to go with went him and all Bob did was stare at his hero and mimic his moves.  Read more... (545 words, 2 images, estimated 2:11 mins reading time)

La Jolla Outrageous Parties, Drinking Beer and Wild Women

Jack MacPherson (co-founder) , Albert (president) and Robert Rackstraw (co founder)

Occasionally, when reading surfing publications, there is a reference to the ‘Mac Meda Destruction Company’ of La Jolla, California.  The writer often makes a reference to outrageous parties, drinking beer, wild women, tearing things up, surfing, and generally having a really bitchen time.

The Mac Meda Destruction Company was started in the early 60’s by Jack Macpherson (Mac) and Bob Rakestraw (Meda).  Jack surfed.  Rakestraw didn’t.  Both lifted weights.  The two shared a house at 7436 Girard Street and the stories about the house and their friendship have become legendary.

“The party went on for 7 years, 24 hours a day.  The door was always open,” Macpherson remembers fondly.  Read more... (915 words, 4 images, estimated 3:40 mins reading time)