Vallemar Station Closing -- July 16, 2026

The Ocean Shore Railroad has been gone since 1921, but Pacifica's Vallemar Station has housed many restaurants since then. The latest incarnation, since 1995, Ash's Vallemar Station, closed over the weekend. The food was often good, especially the fried chicken. In later days the service was spotty. I will miss the Ocean Shore photos and the dioramas.

I took the photo on 13-April-2013.

vallemarstation.com

vallemarstation.com

Several proposed closing dates came and went. 

Red Devils Return to Pacifica #19 -- July 3, 2026

Pacifica is one of the two cities on the San Francisco peninsula that allow the sale of fireworks. The booths arrived last weekend and opened yesterday afternoon or today.  This is the stand at Pedro Point.  I took the photo on 26-June-2016. 

Many Pacificans agree that selling fireworks is a bad idea: We have steep, brush-covered hillsides that pose a fire danger. People use the "safe and sane" fireworks to mask the unsafe and insane variety. Not to mention my cat hates the Fourth of July.  Not to mention we cursed with the effects of a terrible drought. 

Unfortunately, our charities claim that fireworks are the only thing they can sell that will generate enough money. That can't be true. What about drugs? Weapons? They're not thinking outside of the box.

Due to health issues, this post is a rerun of a post from 2016.

Pacifica Pier -- March 23, 2025

On 14-March-2025, I went for a walk by the Pacifica Pier. The waves were moderate. Wednesday, we had thunderstorms and violent rain. I was surprised that the power stayed on.

Good Shepherd Fun Run -- February 19, 2025

We were blessed on Valentine's Day to have clear skies at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica. In the afternoon we had the annual Fun Run. Grades K-4 ran or walked around the lower yard, and 6-8 ran around the upper yard. As each kid finished a lap, a parent checked off a box on the back of his or her shirt. 

Mister Softee was there to supply ice cream.

Catholic Schools Week, 2025 -- January 26, 2025

Today is the start of Catholic Schools Week.

I'm grateful that my parents put me in Catholic schools for 12 years. I'm also grateful to my teachers.

Good Shepherd School in Pacifica gave our daughter a great education and continues to do the same for many other children. My wife teaches there, and I feel proud to be a part-time member of the faculty. Our daughter teaches at a Catholic school in Daly City. 

Good Shepherd School is worth considering if you live in or near Pacifica:

http://goodshepherdschool.us/

The 11 o'clock mass at Good Shepherd Church was a school mass. The kids did well with the reading. The choir sounded good. After mass, there was an open house at the school. The technology lab was mostly occupied by science fair exhibits, but I had a slide show running on the big screen and a couple of laptops on a table. I talked to many families. Some have their kids in Ocean Shore School, which is going to close.

Red Devils Return to Pacifica #18 -- July 2, 2024

Pacifica is one of the two cities on the San Francisco peninsula that allow the sale of fireworks. The booths arrived last week. This is the stand at the Linda Mar shopping center. I took the photo today.

Many Pacificans agree that selling fireworks is a bad idea: We have steep, brush-covered hillsides that pose a fire danger. People use the "safe and sane" fireworks to mask the unsafe and insane variety. Not to mention my cat hates the Fourth of July.

Unfortunately, our charities claim that fireworks are the only thing they can sell that will generate enough money. That can't be true. What about drugs? Weapons? They're not thinking outside of the box.

Rainbow Over Pacifica -- March 24, 2024

Yesterday we went to the Palm Sunday vigil mass at Saint Peter's. We went to have dinner at the Hawaiian Barbeque in the Linda Mar Shopping Center. When we left, the owner was excitedly taking a photo of a beautiful rainbow. My photo does not do it justice.  

Stow Lake/Gaspar de Portolá -- January 29, 2024

 

The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department decided to change the name of Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park to Blue Heron Lake. William Stow was a Nineteenth Century politician who was exceptionally anti-Semitic. Growing up I spent a lot of time around Stow Lake. My grandparents liked to take us to the boathouse. I always wanted pink popcorn. Sometimes they would rent a boat to ride around the lake. When I got older, I frequently walked to the lake to climb Strawberry Hill and look at the remains of Huntington Falls and the Sweeney Observatory. 

After protests about his effect on Native Californians, Caltrans removed the statue of Gaspar de Portolá at the park and ride lot by the Community Center. I hope the monument at Sweeney Ridge is still there. 

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- November 30, 2023

cdc.gov

My wife and I have finally gotten our new COVID-19 boosters and our flu shots. I should ask my doctor if we need to get the RSV shot, too.

The Giants have been quiet. 

Congress managed to hold off a government shutdown until the new year.

The war between Israel and Hamas had a cease fire based on the exchange of prisoners. 

Ukraine is making progress with its counterattack. 
 

We finished the first trimester at Good Shepherd School and my students are doing well in technology and coding. 

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- October 30, 2023

cdc.gov

My wife and I have been beset by bad coughs, so we have not yet gotten our new COVID-19 boosters. We hope to get our flu shots at the same time.

The Giants signed Bob Melvin as their new manager. I remember when he played for the Giants. He was very good when he managed the Athletics. Working for a team that pays people in money rather than hot dogs should be even better. 

Bruce Bochy's Texas Rangers beat Dusty Baker's Houston Astros in the ALCS. Dusty Baker announced his retirement. Texas and Arizona played in the World Series. 

We went without a Speaker of the House for most of the month. The guy they chose voted against certifying the election and is a Trump cultist. 

We have been able to use the computer lab at Good Shepherd and it is working well. 

There are reports that Russian troops in Ukraine are performing acts of insubordination..

Feast of Saint Francis, 2023 -- October 4, 2023

www.brainyquote.com

Today is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance."

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/francis_of_assisi_392040

Today I was able to attend the blessing of the animals at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica. I have been in all week putting the computer lab back together. 

Mister Softee at Rockaway Beach -- September 30, 2023

Wednesday was a beautiful day in Pacifica. I went to Rockaway Beach. The tide was high and there was a slight cool wind. I took a walk and as I was nearing the bridge over the creek, I heard Mister Softee's music. When I came around, I found him parked in the circle by Nick's. I had a vanilla cone with a chocolate dip. It started melting immediately. @softeenorcal

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- September 30, 2023

cdc.gov

COVID-19 is on the rise again. A new vaccine is available. I have been wearing my mask more outside of the house.

The Ukrainian offensive is making progress. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the US to address the UN General Assembly. Many Republicans are taking Putin's side, calling for an end to aid.

The Giants struggled along to the end of the season. They remained in contention for a wildcard spot for a surprisingly long time. Manager Gabe Kaplan got fired with three games to go. 

They moved the tabernacle at Good Shepherd Church. I have been teaching at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, but they tore the floor out of the computer lab and redid it. When that was done, they redid the walkway outside. When all of that was done, the Scholastic Book Fair took over the room for a week. 

Red Devils Return to Pacifica #17 -- June 29, 2023

Pacifica is one of the two cities on the San Francisco peninsula that allow the sale of fireworks. The booths arrived last week. This is the stand at the Linda Mar shopping center. I took the photo today.

Many Pacificans agree that selling fireworks is a bad idea: We have steep, brush-covered hillsides that pose a fire danger. People use the "safe and sane" fireworks to mask the unsafe and insane variety. Not to mention my cat hates the Fourth of July.

Unfortunately, our charities claim that fireworks are the only thing they can sell that will generate enough money. That can't be true. What about drugs? Weapons? They're not thinking outside of the box.

End of the School Year -- June 9, 2023

Today was the last day of the school year at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica. I got invited to the faculty lunch at the Nick's, a Pacifica institution. People were happy and the food was good. I had fish and chips. 

I didn't get to start teaching until April, so we only had five sessions for each grade. This year I started teaching Fifth grade as well as K-4. There was a problem with the licensing for Code Avengers, so I improvised and found a good implementation of TurtleGraphics. The kids were very enthusiastic. 

Catholic Schools Week, 2023 -- January 29, 2023

Today is the start of Catholic Schools Week.

I'm grateful that my parents put me in Catholic schools for 12 years. I'm also grateful to my teachers.

Good Shepherd School in Pacifica gave our daughter a great education and continues to do the same for many other children. My wife teaches there, and I feel proud to be a part-time member of the faculty. Our daughter teaches at a Catholic school in Daly City. 

Good Shepherd School is worth considering if you live in or near Pacifica:
http://goodshepherdschool.us/

The 11 o'clock mass at Good Shepherd Church was a school mass. The kids did well with the reading. The choir sounded good. After mass, there was an open house at the school. I sat in the computer lab, didn't get many visitors. I think some families didn't come because the 49ers were playing in the NFC championship game. They lost. 

Feast of Saint Francis, 2022 -- October 4, 2022

Today is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.  

“Lord make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

"O divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive-
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And its in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.” 

Francesco Ribalta created "Francis of Assisi With Angel Music" around 1620.

Sunday we took Tigerlily to Saint Peter's church in Pacifica. Father Jerry Foley was blessing the animals. She didn't get upset because of the barking dogs. No exotic animals this time. 

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- September 30, 2022

nytimes.com

COVID-19 infections are down, but some people are still being hospitalized with complications.

I had two procedures this month looking for the cause and potential solution of my shortness of breath.

I was supposed to start teaching again at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, but first we have to fix my medical problem.

The Giants are out of it, but they have brought up some interesting players. The team might be able to make it to .500.

nonprofitjenni.com

Ukraine launched a counter-offensive and the Russian army is in disarray. Putin has called up the reserves and may institute conscription. Some people in Russia are protesting.

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- August 31, 2022

covid.cdc.gov

I see fewer people wearing masks, even in crowded places like baseball games. The general trends of cases, deaths, hospitalization seem to be going down. 

The Giants have gotten some of their injured players back, but are still performing unevenly.

I am getting ready to start teaching again at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica.

I am having trouble with shortness of breath. I'm seeing the doctor next week.

unsplash.com

It has been six months since Russia started its war against Ukraine. This must be deeply humiliating for Putin and his helpers. He is looking at using 100,000 mercenaries from North Korea. 

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- July 31, 2022

nytimes.com

The highly contagious BA 4 and BA 5 subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron variant are driving up infections and hospitalization. BART has resumed its mask requirement. 

The Giants, who have had many injuries, were swept in a road trip to Los Angeles and Arizona, but won the first home game against the Cubs. 

Church attendance may be picking up. 

The new pandemic is MonkeyPox. 

unsplash.com

Ukraine continues to fight the Russian invasion. The invasion helped Sweden and Finland decide to join NATO.