To many of La Jolla's 60s beach crowd probably don’t know of Bill Pfanner, but to the early 70s WindanSea wall crowd, he was well-known for his, athletic ability, beach life, partying and just an all-around good person. A true friend to many. He had no enemies. He was one of those Jack Of All Trades ... master at making a few bucks, whichever way he could. Painting, … [Read more...] about Bill Pfanner – Athletic Ability, Beach Partying and Friend
Meda People
La Jolla’s WindanSea – Surfers, Flexy Flyer, Nazis Riding Storm Drains
Back in the early 1960s, everyone in California knew there was something different about the La Jolla's WindanSea crowd and surfers like Curren, Mike Diffenderfer (RIP) Tiny Brain Thomas, Billy Graham, and Butch Van Artsdalen (RIP)." Pat Curren and Mike Diffenderfer were known to hang at the Birds Rock's Sip and Surf and Red Mountain Inn and Tiny Brain Thomas was a bartender … [Read more...] about La Jolla’s WindanSea – Surfers, Flexy Flyer, Nazis Riding Storm Drains
Lobster Fisherman Donnie Tomlinson with Bergstrom, Eber, Tito, Percy, Jack at West End
Now if this is not a great photo of lobster fisherman extraordinaire Donnie Tomlinson towering in this classic pose taken at the West End bar that borders (or no mans land) La Jolla and Pacific Beach - many moons ago (around 1995). Donnie's got the look of, "Don't screw with me or my buddies!" And Eber, he is just having a hard time seeing. And Jack, it looks like he is … [Read more...] about Lobster Fisherman Donnie Tomlinson with Bergstrom, Eber, Tito, Percy, Jack at West End
Robert “Bob” Rakestraw – Mac Meda’s Co-Founder
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 … [Read more...] about Robert “Bob” Rakestraw – Mac Meda’s Co-Founder
Tim Ginder’s Bachelor Party – La Jolla, Bird Rock – Sip n Surf
It was 4am at the infamous Sip n Surf bar in La Jolla's Bird Rock. And of all things, Dean Burriston ... cough, cough ... was in charge :-). Yeah, in charge of what? Well Sandy, the owner at the time, gave him the responsibility to watch the bank ... They broke all the chairs, all the stools, all the tables, and all the potted hanging plants. They even turned the … [Read more...] about Tim Ginder’s Bachelor Party – La Jolla, Bird Rock – Sip n Surf
Laughing Gas Kills Two in La Jolla
In 1969, La Jolla was still a sleepy beach town and pretty much unknown to the country, let alone the world. There was a 5 & 10 store, Safeway market (that everyone worked at), small hardware store, a few shoe stores, and Walker Scotts was the upper end of clothing. The average home sold for $39,000. There were no MacMansions, but small, almost cottage like homes. … [Read more...] about Laughing Gas Kills Two in La Jolla
Butch Van Artsdalen – Legendary Surfer – WindanSea Lot
Recently I attended a memorial service for Harry Phillips, the former owner of Flowers by Adelaide in La Jolla. I was having a conversation with some of the former delivery boys who worked for Harry over the years. Randy Miller, Harry's nephew, told a Windansea Tale. Legendary surfer Butch Van Artsdalen was holding court at the Windansea lot and Randy was with Charlie … [Read more...] about Butch Van Artsdalen – Legendary Surfer – WindanSea Lot
Four Escape Death – 200 Foot Plunge off La Jolla Cave Street
Mac Meda people have always cheated death and quite frankly, some we are surprised that they have lived as long as they have. No doubt, this post is probably one of the luckiest ones. Back in February 1968, Richard Krug's friend, Larry Cornellius, asked to borrow his brand new pickup. Richard hesitated, then gave him the keys. Hours later wondering where his truck was, … [Read more...] about Four Escape Death – 200 Foot Plunge off La Jolla Cave Street
