More Questions Than Answers

That pinup cover guy either hates himself or just his body (“It’s a Tough Crowd,” Cover Story, August 18). Will his neck tats get him a job once his few muscles turn to flab? And how does he fit into the murderous lead story?

Fred Conwell
via email

Sean Loeffler, whose photo appears on the front of the August 18 paper, is quoted early in the story. — Editor

Twisted, But Right

I don’t know who Twister is (“Comments from Reader website,” Letters, August 18), but that person knows what’s up. This culture’s greedy. I’ve been given food by refugees and homeless people.

Name Withheld by Request
Clairemont

Jerry’s Been My Sidekick

Jerry Schad’s excellent work has enriched my life enormously. My explorations in San Diego County over the last 30 years have been aided by invaluable help from his impressive efforts. Thank you.

I was born and raised in San Diego in 1949 — I think we’re both 49ers. I left for 13 years when I went to Northwestern outside Chicago and then moved to the Bay Area and Seattle, where I lived for more than eight years. I learned to hike while I lived in Seattle; my last job in that wonderful city was as copy chief for REI.

I returned to San Diego in 1980 to head a small newspaper my father (who was publisher then of the San Diego Daily Transcript) had bought in La Mesa. I believe I interviewed Jerry for the La Mesa Courier in those early years since he was a local resident of note, even then.

I immediately started using Jerry’s book, 101 Hikes in Southern California, then Afoot and Afield, when it came out in 1986. I have given away Jerry’s book to many friends and have certainly dog-eared my own copies, including the latest edition.

Now I write a weekly hiking column for the Union-Tribune, and I couldn’t do it without Jerry’s expertise. I still use his guidebook to guide me, and I cite his seminal work often in my column.

I am indebted to Jerry for helping me appreciate the wonders of nature ever more thoroughly in our own amazingly varied backyard that is San Diego County. I know I am not the only one. Jerry is much loved.

Priscilla Lister
Pacific Beach

Old Old-School Overlooked

I am disappointed that you did not write anything about the Peter Frampton concert on August 2. He’s fantastic. To me, he’s a legend. I mean, maybe not to you, but there are all these other people in this paper that I don’t even know of. The concert was fantastic, and I thought maybe you’d have a little article about him. The Union-Tribune didn’t — they did have one, but it was pretty s----- oops, sorry, it was pretty bad.

I like reading your stuff. Maybe you should get away from all the losing weight and fat people and all the other crap and write about people that have been around a while and are still doing good, even at 50-plus, like me.

Dawn Moats
via voice mail