They work on San Diego's smog

UCSD's science bent, National University brash about money, shipfitter hurt at NASSCO, how SD Transit will survive, is Mira Mesa wretched?

Author

By Mark Orwoll, Larry Keller, Gordon Smith

Publish Date

April 24, 2022

San Diego frequently has an onshore breeze that sweeps the smog inland. This is great, unless you happen to live in Alpine. (Robert Burroughs)

San Diego starting to deal with its smog

The natural broom sweeps the smog into the natural dustpan of Alpine. On days when the smog is particularly bad, you can drive east on Interstate 8 beyond Alpine and watch yourself climb right up out of the inversion layer. Suddenly, the air is clear; mountains on both sides of the highway now stand out.

By Gordon Smith, Aug. 28, 1980 Read full article

Richard Atkinson: “Sixty percent of the nation’s research is done in the universities. The Soviets don’t do it this way, but I think it’s more efficient." (Jim Coit)

The downsides of San Diego's mostly science school

She told me that UCSD is a socially fragmented school, “without a tie to bring students together. It’s not a friendly university. Seventy-five percent of the students live off campus, and there’s no housing close in. There’s no commercial district nearby, either. You can’t walk to La Jolla!"

National University's different idea of scholarship

Too often, says Chigos, students at traditional universities waste their time on frivolous pranks such as dropping watermelons from buildings or staging bicycle races in the mud — activities better suited to elementary school children, in his view. National University, he declares, offers a “no-nonsense” education “for big people who have been around in the world."

By Larry Keller and Linda Rocheleau, Jan. 15, 1981 Read full article

Gene Nooner saw the 200-pound steel hatch slam full force against his face and skull. (Jim Coit)

From one accident at NASSCO to another

Nooner was standing in the stairwell. Nooner’s partner stood below him on the ladderlike stairs, ready to hand up any necessary tools. Unknown to the two men intent on the hatch hinges, the constant pounding of the nearby chipper was causing the two locking pins in the support stanchions to straighten out.

By Mark Orwoll, March 20, 1980 Read full article

Lee Hultgren: "the most significant act for transit in San Diego,” is when the law extended sales tax to gasoline. (Robert Burroughs)

End of subsidies for San Diego buses

The next two years will see major additions to San Diego’s transit system. Freeways will be expanded to include "High Occupancy Vehicle lanes” on Interstate 8 between Jackson and El Cajon Boulevard, and along Interstate 15. The Santa Fe train depot will be restored and will be a major center for buses.

By Gordon Smith, April 24, 1980 Read full article

Mira Mesa’s problem is not just that there isn’t much for its kids to do.... (Robert Burroughs)

San Diego's most wretched neighborhood

Pardee Construction Company, the single largest developer of homes there — gained notoriety as early as 1970, one year after construction began. when Time magazine ran a photo of a typical Mira Mesa street of Pardee homes to illustrate a story entitled “Housing: The Swing Back to Ticky Tacky.”

By Larry Keller, June 12, 1980 Read full article