San Diego character studies

John D'Acquisto, George Walker Smith, Joe Breedlove, SD chefs, Mike Stamm, the ultimate freeloader

Author

Publish Date

Nov. 25, 2018

George Walker Smith: “The reason I can work so freely has to do with the traditional role of black preachers.” (Vince Compagnone)

At twenty-six D'Acquisto has four years’ experience in one of the highest paid professions in the world. (Vince Compagnone)

Let's see that fastball again

“I'd be out on the mound during a game and I’d throw a pitch that would make me wince. Someone would come over to ask if everything was all right, and I’d just stand there and say. ‘Sure.’ “I finally told the management about it. and they thought I was joking. They thought it was all up in my head.”

By Gordon Smith, March 23, 1978 Read full article

“If I tell you white folks my plans, first thing I know, you’ll try to stop me.” (Vince Compagnone)

Give praise to the Lord and your problems to the Reverend

His views on education were similar to those of Booker T. Washington, the century’s first black leader, who favored improved, segregated education with an emphasis on vocational training. Smith's 1967 re-election platform included calls for “an intensive re-emphasis on occupational education.”

Jay J. and Me

Joe Breedlove no longer hovers attentively at Jay J. Armes’ side. He no longer guards the world’s most famous private detective, whose hands were blown off as a child, the legendary figure who claims he’s never had an unsolved case and who took $25,000 from San Diegans who wanted him to hunt down the murderer and molester of Aleta Sue Grosenbach.

By Jeannette DeWyze, May 4, 1978 Read full article

Pierre Lustrat: “When people first came here, they ordered escargot always the same way — with garlic and butter. Well, I thought up four or five ways to serve them...." (David Covey)

Chef salad

‘‘I can still smell the stock pot working, maybe sixty quarts of it. During the early Thirties, we had no refrigerator. We preserved food with salt and curing, and in the mine on one side of the mountain we kept things cold. Walking into that mine there were homemade sausages, smoked hams, fresh sauerkraut."

By Eleanor Widmer, Aug. 10, 1978 Read full article

Tom Bruce, Mark Spitz, Mike Stamm, 1972 Olympics

Old swimmers never sink

“We had guys who would break American records.” One of the standouts was Mark Spitz. “I was pretty intrigued by Spitz. As a freshman, though, I only saw him at workouts — he more or less associated with the older swimmers on the team. I got to know him a little better after the Olympic trials in 1972."

By Gordon Smith, Sept. 21, 1978 Read full article

A male figure, clad only in tennis shorts and Adidas, reached into the trunk, fished out some dark dress clothes, removed his shorts, and proceeded to don evening attire. (David Covey)

San Diego's ultimate freeloader

“Whaddya know! The Insurance Underwriters of America are in town this week. Dinner banquet in Mission Valley. Oughta be good for a steak and some good booze. I’m tired of cheap wine. Gives me a headache. Got a pen? I oughta make a note of this.”

By Sue Garson, Sept. 14, 1978 Read full article