San Diego Free Press

Grassroots News & Progressive Views

You are here: Home / Archives for Judi Curry

It’s Up to Wrestling to Keep Me Alive

by

When I was younger, I said that I didn’t want to die until my grandchildren graduated from high school. Of course when I said that I didn’t know that I would have 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Then, after so many of them graduated, I had to modify my statement to say that I didn’t want to die until my grandchildren graduated from college.

Now I find that I have to modify that statement again, because the twins – Landon and Logan – have filed for graduation from Cal St. Fullerton; Cody, my second grandson is a Junior at ASU, and the others are quickly catching up to them. So my latest “death wish” is that I do not die until I see Colin, my 14 year old grandson do two things: Win a wrestling scholarship to attend Stanford; and win a medal at Nationals. I also want to be at his graduation from Stanford. I figure he can achieve those goals in 10 years, and at 84 I could still have a positive life, be reasonably healthy, and continue my quest to find a companion.   [Read more…]

Sex in San Diego: A Fine Farewell to Dating Websites

by

As my subscriptions to five online dating sites comes to a close, I look back at some of the situations I have found myself in and can’t help but laugh hysterically. On the other hand, some of the time I found myself sad and depressed because things did not turn out the way I had hoped they would. Sounds like I might be bordering on bipolarism.

Some of the people that I have met have been wonderful and I consider them friends. Of course, I wasn’t looking for friends when I joined the sites; I was – and still am – looking for a companion, a lover, a best friend. I am thrilled that Joe, a man I frequently went out with has found a potential companion for life. I will always think of him as a friend and have also “friended” his new squeeze. Jim, I know I can always count on you if I need help; you have been there each and every time I have asked for some thing.

I have been amazed at the number of men that are married and are looking for a one-nighter. I know their wives don’t understand them, or their wives don’t like sex anymore, or their wives are having an affair and these men just want to “get back at them.” On the same hand, I am amazed at the number of men who are interested in having a mistress. One man told me that I would have to quit all the sites I am on if I were to be his mistress because he didn’t want me “screwing anyone else.” Huh? It’s OK for him to screw around on his wife but I, a single woman, cannot screw around on him. Yeah!   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: Chicken Pie Shop

by

“Chicken Pie Shop”
2633 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-295-0156

My friend Jim and I were on our way to review a Mexican restaurant that I had been asked to review and were surprised to find that it was closed due to the Easter Holiday.  Since we were on El Cajon Blvd I thought that he might enjoy going to the “Chicken Pie Shop” which was a favorite of mine years ago. It is interesting to note that they were celebrating their 75th birthday, having opened their doors in 1938.

We parked in the lot behind the restaurant and walked around to the entrance of the shop.  It was busy, but not overly so, and Beth, our waitress beckoned us to the back of the restaurant where we had our choice of a booth or a table. We took the booth.

The menu has not changed since I began going there in 1965.  They have many different types of “pot pies” but Jim and I both selected the  “Pie Dinner “ which included, mashed potatoes, corn for the vegetable, Cole slaw, roll, butter and dessert for $7.50.  For 50 cents more we each had a bowl of soup – split pea – although our choices included chicken and vegetable. The soup was served hot, and was tasty. A little more garlic or spice would have made it perfect.   [Read more…]

Health Department Shutting Down Taco Tuesdays Citywide

by

In a bold move, it has come to my attention that the Health Department will be shutting down all restaurants in the San Diego area that cater to “Taco Tuesday” feasts. In investigating this phenomena that has taken over eating Mexican food on Tuesdays, there have been many complaints from other ethnic restaurants that their sales are lagging because they are not participants and they cannot afford to employ their staff on Tuesdays. Therefore, with only a one day notice, all “Taco Tuesday” establishments will need to close tomorrow and every Tuesday thereafter.   [Read more…]

A Walking Tour of Coronado That Doesn’t Include the Hotel Del?

by

A few weeks ago, I received a telephone call from a member of one of my support groups telling me of a tour called “SoCal Food Tour.” She wondered if it would be something that I would be interested in, as well as other members of our group. Although not knowing much about it, I thought it might be fun and told her to sign me up.   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: North Park’s Olympic Café

by

Even though my birthday was two weeks ago, I am still celebrating that special day. This time Nancy and Stewart took me out for breakfast and what a wonderful experience we all had. We went to the “Olympic Café” on the corner of University and Texas Street. There is a nice size parking lot; easy access, particularly from Texas street, and a delightful restaurant.

We were met by “Rose” and she told us we could sit anywhere we wished. When we arrived there about 9:00am we were the only ones in the restaurant, but people kept coming in and eating while we were there.   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: North Park’s Paesano

by

Paesano 
3647  30th St.,
San Diego, CA 92104
619-291-4090

Several weeks ago two of the greatest people in San Diego asked if we could go out to celebrate my birthday. (Some people just never let you forget you are getting older.) I said” yes”, and even though it was  two weeks ago, we went out to celebrate today.  And, since the San Diego Free Press is celebrating North Park this month, we decided to eat at a restaurant none of us had ever been to before.

We chose “Paesano” and we were not unhappy with our choice.   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: Carnitas’ Snack Shack

by

Carnitas’ Snack Shack
2632 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 294-7675

The San Diego Free Press is highlighting North Park during the month of March.  When I have mentioned to people that I am going to review several restaurants in the area, almost to a person I have been asked if I have been to the “Carnitas’ Snack Shack.” I hadn’t been there but I knew that I would certainly get there before the month was out.

As it turned out, my daughter went with me to my doctor’s appointment today and we had talked about eating at the Snack Shack if we had time.  The place doesn’t open until 12:00pm – stays open until midnight, and it fit right into our schedule.  And when we got there at 12:01pm there were already 24 people in line ahead of us.  (The first time I tried to eat there the line was so long that I didn’t stay.)

There was not a whole lot of talking between those of us in line; everyone was bent on getting their orders in so that they could find a table in the back.  I don’t know how many the back seats – which, by the way is outdoors replete with heating lamps and/or fans – but I would think it is close to 25-30 people. Some of the tables were “community tables”; some were tables for 2-4 people; some were in the sun; some were under an awning.   [Read more…]

Transient Ischemic Attack … ‘I Had a What?’

by

Monday morning dawned bright and early and I looked forward to going to my physical therapy appointment at 7:00am. I love driving over Pt. Loma Avenue early in the morning to see the sun coming up over the mountains. This day was no exception.

My therapist, Eddy, worked me especially hard this morning because, after having breast cancer surgery 18 years ago, within the past 6 months I have developed a severe case of lymphedema.  There does not seem to be a cure, and we are trying to get the lymph fluid to flow out of the elephantine arm that used to be my left arm. It doesn’t hurt – just restrictive at times.

Following my therapy I had an appointment to see my Primary Care Physician for a routine check up and all was normal.  I left her office; did some shopping at Ralph’s, and walked in the door about 11:00am. One of my former students – Corrine – was coming in the front door as I was walking in the back door. She had an armload of tomato plants with her that she was going to plant in the backyard. When I said “Good Morning” to her I thought something might be wrong. With me. It sounded funny to my ears.   [Read more…]

La Jolla’s Anti-Semitic Past Still Reflected in Community Christmas Parade

by

What is the difference between a “Holiday Parade” and a “Christmas Parade?” Not much, actually. But the fact that La Jolla continues to call their December parade a “Christmas Parade” bothers some residents of this snobby, exclusive city.

Many years ago – 1965 – to be exact, my husband and I decided to take a trip to La Jolla. We knew we would be moving to the San Diego area shortly, because my father-in-law was quite ill and lived in Chula Vista. We decided to make a vacation of it, and driving down from Berkeley where we were going to school we stopped off at a hotel in La Jolla. I was wearing a beautiful Jewish star given to me on my 18th birthday by my ex-husband. My current husband – Bob – was not Jewish, but the star was so pretty that I wore it frequently.

As was usually the case, I got out of the car and went to the registration desk. The clerk looked at me and said, “I’m sorry. We do not cater to your kind.” What in the hell was he talking about? He didn’t cater to my kind? What kind was I? I said, “I beg your pardon. I don’t understand.” He said, under his breath, “you Jews just don’t want to understand.” And that was my first introduction to Antisemitism – in a nice hotel in the middle of La Jolla.   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: Origano

by

Origano
3650 5th Ave., Suite 103 
San Diego, CA 
619-295-9590

Headed out today to do a review of “Carnitas Snack Shack” in North Park with a new acquaintance but the line was so long that we decided to go somewhere else and I will do the review on a weekday, not a Sunday.

Phil knew of a few places near where he lives – Balboa Park area – so we took a drive to the Hillcrest area looking for a place to eat.  Several of the places he wanted to try were closed, and we settled at “Origano”. The inside was very crowded – and very noisy – so we elected to eat outside instead.

The menu started out with Breakfast specials; salads and soups; lunch specials; pizza’s; Panini; pasta; small plates and large plates.  Additionally there was a list of daily specials on the table. The special for Sunday was “bottomless Mimosa’s” for $10.  The special soup du jour was Pasta e Fagioli   [Read more…]

Screwed Again – And Not By Any Man –This Time by Dollar Rent A Car

by

Several days ago my granddaughter had to make a fast trip to Arizona to see her ailing father. She is leaving for Australia in a few days to be with her children and wanted to see Jimmy before she left. Unfortunately she does not have a credit card and “DOLLAR RENT A CAR” would not accept her debit card as payment for the one-way rental.  She called her mother and asked if she would sign the rental agreement but her mother – my daughter Michele – was suffering the ill effects of a nasty case of Shingles and could not get out of bed.

Guess who was next on Kyla’s list.  Grandma.

Although reluctant to do so, I felt sorry for her and didn’t want to have the guilt if something happened to Jimmy and she did not get to say “good-bye” so I agreed to do so.   [Read more…]

©2010-2017 SanDiegoFreePress.org

Code is Poetry