Dr. Bruce C. Newlin

We recently traveld west to the Burbank/Glendale area for a couple days of rememberance for my "Uncle Bruce". He & they were special: cousins Heather and Amanda Newlin planned and executed a wonderful tribute to their extraordinary father. I was also happy to see a quorum of my cousins (all but, two made the trip). Here are some photos and my thoughts-n-words I shared during the day. Forever in our hearts, Uncle Bruce...

Dr. Bruce C. Newlin “A reading from the ‘Book of Bruce’: and the greatest amongst these is LOVE” (My last trip to SoCal I told him “Next time we’ll both wear our cowboy hats.” This is for you Bruce…) Good morning: I’m Phil, one of Bruce’s nephews, THANK YOU for being here, and allowing me to share some of my memories of a very special person. I’ll attempt to provide some family context (the historian & archaeologist in me). My mother, Margaret, was Bruce’s oldest sister. Though she had her own accomplishments, my Mom was always extremely PROUD of her younger brother Bruce, and from my earliest years I remember him as a role model extraordinaire, a true Renaissance Man.

“Bruce, Bruce, Oh Bruce, we loved you man…” I’ve been saying that a lot the past couple of weeks- followed by “We learned to be Cool from You…” (Jimmy B. – lyrics available)

Some Early Adventures: “Uncle Bruce,” though born in northern New Jersey, was destined NOT to be a “Jersey Boy”, but like many of his contemporaries migrated to California in the 1930’s. At almost age 5 (in ’39) he traveled across this land, going coast-to-coast with his older brother Larry, who was a freshly-minted 20 at the time. Needing to stop every 2-hours for radiator water and rest, the trip took 2-weeks. It probably wasn’t a Clampett or Joad family-esque trip, but when I think of the TV & movie depictions of that great migration, I picture Larry & Bruce headed west. He became a Californian. With his mother & family, he eventually lived in a small home on a one-block street called East Orange Grove: mid-block from GHS & Carr Park, and on his bedroom wall he had a beat generation mural - most people would have a poster or picture, but he had a larger than life mural painted by a friend. It was an oversized abstract of a right-handed pitcher with baseball in hand. If it still existed today it would be quite a collector’s item.

Bruce was an athlete, a sportsman, and a coach: drafted in his teens by the Yankees in the early 50’s, as a pitcher - think Whitey Ford & Mickey Mantle: it was a testament to his abilities. Due to a career ending off-season shoulder injury, while playing football on the beach, he moved on and upward in the ever-important field of education. It worked out! Bruce, “We learned to be Cool from You…”

The first time I attempted to catch Uncle Bruce, was when I was transitioning from Little League to Pony League. It was 1960, so he hadn’t thrown in a while: his fastball still had zip on it (strike one!), and his curve ball was like nothing I’d seen to that point: headed towards the batter’s head and then breaking over the plate (strike 2!). Plus he could throw a change-up and knuckleball (strike 3!). Bruce, still had it, and Bruce, “We learned to be Cool from You…”

My cousin Nancy recalls a time during the early 60’s also: “we were all at Grandma’s house in Glendale, my Dad (Larry) & Uncle Bruce wanted to play tennis at Glendale High. They told me to come with them to be their umpire! I said sure: as they started playing tennis, I yelled ‘OUT!’ They both said ‘that wasn’t out’. I said that’s it, I’m never going to be my Dad & my Uncles ref again‼” Nancy, as a college & USTA official for 10+ years, I know everyone sees it differently. Plus, they were probably calling the doubles lines – older people do that...

While working at John Thomas Dye school in Brentwood, Bruce took an overly shy introvert, that was being raised in an AKC dog show kennel, and blended him in with some of his students for Saturday athletics at UCLA and the L.A. Coliseum – something I still remember fondly. Bruce’s career in educating young people was remarkable: as I read his 7-page resume (available on-line) I thought: “yes siree, that’s my Uncle Bruce.”

Many Facets of Bruce: Leaving us peacefully on April 27th (Meme's & I state sanctioned wedding anniversary) I was blessed to have been able to caress his warm brow. Just look around here we see he was a Loving Husband & life-partner, a Father, Grandfather, (Son & Brother), & Uncle that will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by so many! Bruce was a Scholar, an Educator, Teacher (aka: Rabbi/Imam) he made a great Colleague & Co-worker. As a teammate & team builder, he was a Mentor and a Life-Coach: he was a role model for so many. As a Collaborator, he built lasting & working friendships: an example, being as a UCLA Bruin he shared 48-years with the “love of his life” Karin, life-long USC Trojan, true “California girl”. The term “love of his life” is often overused, but not in this case: their caring, intelligent and loving daughters (Heather & Amanda) are testament to that. Our thoughts and healing hearts are with them today and evermore… Bruce, “We learned to be Cool from You…”

Bruce was also a lifelong student of history and the human condition: he shared that passion with us. I, for one, was a history major in college, and it took me into the archaeology of China as a graduate student. Thank you Bruce! When I discovered that history & archeology could lead to a career with the National Park Service (NPS), I was again indebted to my “Uncle Bruce.” More than once during stress-filled adrenaline pumping times (think managing wildland fires or undercover operations) I thought of Bruce: Bruce, “I learned to be Cool from You.” (Well, I tried…)

Fast forwarding 1-2 decades this Ranger became a Special Agent with an interagency task force recovering and repatriating artifacts and special objects (art). My undercover name was Mike Newlin (I wonder where I got that family name). When I shared that with Uncle Bruce, he thought it appropriate. Once, as I looked out at the NPS SA’s that had assembled at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for our annual refresher, I noticed a sea of Hawaiian shirts and thought: “Uncle Bruce has really caught on here”. At two consecutive Intermountain Chief Ranger's Conferences, when I introduced myself to young Rangers accompying their Chiefs at the mixer I received a double lool with: "You're Phil Young, you're a legencd." After the first time I shared that with Uncle Bruce and he pointed out that "You're a legend in your own mind." An outstanding point. The 2nd time I said: "No, that'd be my Uncle Bruce..." When I was asked by our State Dept., via our NPS Washington Office, to present at an INTERPOL/UNESCO conference on Stolen Cultural Property in Mexico City, I was able to speak “to the world” about “returning the sacred”. I thanked many that day and one was my “Uncle Bruce!”

Bruce freely shared his memories: once when I was on fire assignment on the Wenatchee National Forest, because Bruce had regaled me with his days pitching for Wenatchee, I actually sought out and found a local fan that said he remembered him. Another time, while Bruce & Karin were visiting the Santa Fe area where I live with an educational management think tank group, Bruce recalled playing in the Texas League and flying into Los Alamos, New Mexico: thrilling because of geography/topography and meteorology (oh, those T-storms!).

“The Reason for the Season”* - 2023

Thoughts-n-prayers again go out to you & yours during this special time of year. As I write this on the 2nd day of Hanukkah, Winter Solstice is just around the corner (12/21/23 @ 8:37PM MST), followed closely by Christmas and other notable celebrations! May you enjoy them deeply. As for us 2023 has been another adventure in roller-coaster-ing: We’re still here, outside Santa Fe and intend to be for most of the next year. We had some short trips, w/ annual visit back to Pacific Bch./San Diego; Phil also made it to gettogether functions in Burbank (McCambridge Park Boys and the Nov. Senior Bulldog Luncheon - no, it had nothing to do with the old family kennel). http://travelranger87508.blogspot.com/2023/11/my-hometown.html and http://travelranger87508.blogspot.com/2023/11/goin-back-memories-from-home.html Phil also sojourned to Belize to join the UT-Austin (& Humboldt) Archaeological Field School. Some new friends, and you can read more about that here: http://travelranger87508.blogspot.com/2023/11/goin-back-memories-from-home.html

By far our biggest trip of the year was to be Bali & Raja Ampat (east Indonesia coral reefs), BUT less than 2-weeks before embarkation the biliary duct infections came back in a big way, slamming our plans to the realm of almost. The medical team counseled me to stay close to “western medical intervention” or else consequences could be very dire. Medical conditions continue to challenge me, but this is neither the time nor place for that. We continue on one-dayat- a-time, confidently hoping the next day is better…WORLDWIDE! Meme kept quite busy with my myriad of health & life issues (“I don’t know what I’d do without her”). She also continued rock-climbing and studying Spanish. She acquired a cold plunge unit: keeps the water ca. 38F. I’ve gotten in to my mid-thigh a couple of times, but the peripheral neuropathy in the feet goes into overdrive.

Justin continues working as an attorney for the State (NM) Public Defender: now with a Probation Violation unit. Good works & two-thumbs-up here! He keeps active with a stationery bicycle, doing yoga, and keeping up on movies. I still manage to get out for some SiteWatch steward work on BLM (no, the original one: Bureau of Land Management) and Santa Fe County Open Space lands. The La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs (BLM, outside town) were hit with some vile vandalism early in the year: the community was enraged. SiteWatch has a long history at the site, including with the removal of graffiti. A reward of $10k is till unclaimed = if you know who did it, it could be a very Merry Christmas for you.

Translucent obsidian (Maya site, present day Belize)

*-Historically that’d be the returning of light (in the northern hemispheres: Colonialism Lives! On)

Goin' Back - memories from home

This blog blurb features a song by The Byrds, from their Notorious Byrd Brothers LP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqHb7RFpoxU

OK, here is the initial stanza: “I think I'm goin' back to the things I learned so well in my youth, I think I'm returning to those days when I was young enough to know the truth…”

My weekend of reflections in hometown Burbank, earlier this month, started with the airport shuttle to the Hotel Burbank: I was joined by the same SWA flight crew that I had flown-in with. It was their fourth, and final one, for the day. It seemed quite appropriate for this journey of rediscovery. Lots of traffic: an initial impression that remained throughout the weekend was that Burbank has many more people than it once did. As we passed Buena Vista St. a glimpse of a young 5th grader flashed from the long ago: giving a St. Christopher medal to classmate Andrea Liptak (she had lived on BV), and of course an accompanying memory of rejection when she later said adieu: bummer before the summer.

This got me to thinking of the trails I’ve trod since high school highlighted by: service in the Navy, studying history & archaeology (working in those fields), a 25-year career as a National Park Ranger/Special Agent (including decades in advanced emergency incident management) that got to speak-to-the-world for the US at an INTERPOL/UNESCO conference in Mexico City, working as an archaeologist for the State of New Mexico (NM), receiving a state Heritage Preservation Award from NM, working at Petra Archaeological Park and Wadi Rum Protected Area (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) in Jordan, and earlier this year an invitation to participate as an alumni in a 5-university (led by UT Austin) archaeological field school at Maya sites in Belize. I’ve been told I’m welcome to return anytime I desire.

So, trippin’: After settling into my 2-room suite, I took a short ride via Uber to McCambridge Park for a walkabout and stroll back to the hotel. Having just gotten out of the hospital for Cholangitis (5th time) on Tuesday: yep, side effect from battles vs. PC (pancreatic cancer), I thought Uber was a prudent option (Meme at home concurred). The first thing I noticed was water polo practice and training in the pool: which I thought was very good. Next I went inside the gym, where I’d spent many an hour playing shoot-the-ball and whiffle ball. It seemed much smaller than I remembered, but I was much younger and everything was bigger then. My next observation was many more tennis courts than back-in-the-day. The courts were active. It warmed the heart of this 10+ year College/US Tennis Assoc. Official (USTA), retired. Every feature of the park seemed to be used by young people. So, many youngsters: I thought this is really good, and different from what I see in New Mexico (which is actually very old). Besides the youthful flavor of the park participants I noticed it was a much more diverse dynamic. Next verse: “Now there are no games To only pass the time No more electric trains, No more trees to climb But thinking young and growing older is no sin And I can play the game of life to win”

The Park was in use by late afternoon picnickers, a young ladies softball team on field #1, more basket-ballers on the outdoor courts, skateboarders, walkers-n-strollers like yours truly. I believe my Mom did commentary on ESPN for the Burbank Kennel Club when they had a dog show at McC Park once upon a time ago. On the southwest corner, is the Blue Star Highway Memorial. Since I was wearing my Southwest Area Incident Management Team poloshirt and a wide brimmed sombrero, I saluted. At field #2, the floodgate of memories opened: John Peterson’s (Pizza Pantry) two home runs over the tall fence in left-center against us (Aerol Red Devils); Bill Kuzma’s no-hitter (which I caught); a young fan encouraging me (I think it might have been Ken Ziskin’s sister Laura) to hit a home run – I struck-out trying to do just that (but, dated Ken & Laura’s cousin in college). Yep, time for another verse: “I can recall a time, when I wasn't ashamed to reach out to a friend and now I think I've got a lot more than just my toys to lend”

Walking back I ventured along Glenoaks Blvd., past the high school (BHS): I again noticed lots of late Friday afternoon activity. The baseball field where I had spent a few hours was in use: practice, practice, and practice: I thought, “this is very good and Go Bulldogs!” The track oval too, and the football field had a soccer (Futbol) scrimmage going: Dem Dawgs! Of course the gym where our basketball team provided many a thrill via their sweat equity is no more, but I could still see Don Ludwig (’64), Dean DeHart (’65), or Jerry Perkins (’65) getting the reb from a much taller opponent (Foothill League had several 7-footers) and passing it out to Jim Greenfield (’65) or John Gable (’65) for a nothing-but-net-swish… Yep, I’m goin’ back “Now there's more to do Than watch my sailboat glide But everyday can be my magic carpet ride A little bit of courage is all we lack So catch me if you can – I’m goin’ back.”

Strollin' along Third St. I overheard 3 ladies. In my residential days you’d about always hear English (or occasional Spanish, most often from students practicing a foreign language), or the ughs & grunts that sometimes came from me I can still hear my maternal grandmother telling me to “stand tall, shoulders back and enunciate your words.”). The 3 ladies were speaking an eastern European language I did not recognize. Could it have been Ukrainian? It was probably Armenian. It reminded me of when I issued a “code violation” to a Belarusian tennis player playing for U-Penn. He shouted out a F-bomb and tried to claim he was making an excited utterance that just sounded like the prohibited verbiage; he then added he’d been misunderstood for this before. USTA and college tennis rules prohibited it anyway. The Hotel Burbank is at San Fernando Rd & Angelina- well situated for walkabouts. It is also noisy, at least my suite was: facing I-5 and the railroad tracks I was reminded of my “Kennel Daze” when we lived so close to the RR-tracks and San Fernando Rd.

On Saturday morning strolls around the hotel’s neighborhood showed various individuals and groups enjoying the downtown area. Quieter than Friday evening, but it seemed the day had potential for “a good day”. At the southwest corner of Glenoaks & Angelina I stopped in my tracks when I saw the Foster’s Freeze was still there in all its heritage glory. The countless times we were rewarded with a cone from its magic machine, and the universally shared experience of a youngster losing their cone to gravity and the sidewalk, curb & gutter (in my case only to have Mom arrive from the counter with a replacement mitigating a meltdown). Yes, I’m Goin’ Back… “Now there's more to do Than watch my sailboat glide But everyday can be my magic carpet ride A little bit of courage is all we lack So catch me if you can – I’m goin’ back So catch me if you can I'm goin' back La la la”

Seeing the street sign for Verdugo flashed me back to the house I shared with the Freeman Bros. (Doug & Lee) and some couch surfers (Ed King comes to mind) post-Navy. The SAC (Strawberry Alarm Clock) was trying to hang-on. I did a live recording for them at a beach club (The Golden Bear), but by far the most memorable fact was their equipment, that we kept in our garage, had the name of the owners stenciled on the back: The Rolling Stones. How I loved experimenting with that. Lee encouraged me towards music, but SAC sounds weren’t my interest. My day job was Lineman for PacBell, but that wouldn’t keep me in the Southland. My Dad was devastated, as he had plans for me: later I learned my parents wanted me to work for PacBell go to USC at night, get heavily into debt and be forced to stay and be vested there (I’d leave those plans to my two younger sisters). Maybe due to Navy wanderlust, I was ready for a move and “Fort Worth, I Love You…” came knocking one night. Pat Thompson, a friend & fellow Aviation Electronics Tech. from WestPac (USS Oriskany) was enroute home to “Cowtown” (his twin brother Mike and younger sisters). Pat asked if I was up to rolling the dice Texas-way. I didn’t looked back, and loved being back in the swing… Time for some early Joe Walsh sounds (thanks for ALL you do for vets Joe): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo0vBdlWQs0

Saturday afternoon I joined in with the annual gathering of a group informally known as “The McCambridge Park Boys” at the VFW. Made up primarily of BHS athletes from the 60’s, that had played-in-the-park prior, it included folks from our crosstown rival John Burroughs and some ladies from their Class of ’67. Reminded by Mickey DePalo of our champion flag football team: Kids For Christ, the truly original recipe KFC), I recalled we had practiced & played there. The team included longtime compadre Stephen Meyer that went on to play at Glendale CC & “The U” (Utah) as a Ute.

Danny DeMonbrun (“Danny D”, or “Coach D” as he’s been called the past 51-years: just retired) was there and shared a photo of the Pioneer S&L Pirates from 1962. What a talented roster (back row l to r: Bankston, Kuzma, Coyle, Blackwell, Coach Brisky, DeMonbrun, XX, Meyer… Baldino & DePalo in front row + more). I was with the Burbank Bullets that year (see previous blog post), but would join then for ’63 & ’64. The biggest surprise was seeing Leigh Hilt (QB1, BHS ’64). I hadn’t seen him in 54-years. I mused of the last time I’d seen him: de-boarding a PSA flight at BUR, returning from Vietnam duty to check-in with my parents in Nov. of ’69, I saw him meeting a flight attendant (gorgeous I might add). He looked at me and said: “That was my wife, we were married 42-years, 10-months & 2-days.” I could tell there was quite a love story there. (Later, I told him I remember he had flowers or roses: he said I had a good memory.) That evening was USC’s homecoming game vs Washington Huskies (USC defense again wasn’t).

Sunday’s outing was visiting the graves of my parents at Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills, overlooking the intermittent Los Angeles River. Approaching the cemetery, you could see the Pickwick area equestrian areas where my sister Laura spent so much time with the California Rangers group. There was heavy traffic (OK, “a jam”) as vehicles exited the freeway and encountered wall-to-wall vendedores de las floras selling their flowers. My last visit there was on a Monday in August last year: I still recall thanking my Dad for so many “pearls of wisdom” over the years, like “If we’d waited until we were ready to be parents, you and your sisters would’ve never have been born”. Sundays are much busier, with remembrances and respects being paid & flowers being left. The deer have learned that and browse on the flowers on Mondays. After some minor name-tablet grooming and thanks I walked out to the front and hailed another Uber back to the Hotel. However, it wasn’t before thinking about the times spent watching street/drag races along the access road: we called it “River Road” back then. In the 60’s it was perfect for unauthorized racing: it was just over the river from Burbank jurisdiction and LAPD had to come from Hollywood, over or around the Hills to intervene. One Friday night I was cruisin’ with Spanky Cunningham (and others) in his milk truck, a good to-the-beachmobile too). I saw to VW’s up on the line getting ready to go off as I was thinking one looked like mine. As they zoomed past I recognized my ’60 bug and sister Chris as she quick shifted. Chris probably had a “Learner’s Permit” at the time. Then remembering the later tragic car accident Laura suffered with friends when they were hit head-on by one of two racers (a Ferrari, if memory serves). Laura barely survived, the driver of the Ferrari didn’t.

Monday was a long day: Ray Magee, a fellow ’65 Bulldog, collected me at the Hotel and took me to the Senior Bulldogs Luncheon at the Elks Club (Hollywood Way). There I was surrounded by so many cherished relationships. It was a day I’ll long remember and hold dear: John Coyle (and Cathy '67), Kirk Harris, Tom Veatch, George Colvin, Rita Cardenas, Pam & Jon Kirkwood of the famous ’64 life-is-a-beach crowd (miles of smiles), and so many, MANY more. Some of course also en absentia, but remembered: Trudie & Santa of course. I can't begin to articulate the depth of my THANKS-to-ALL. Afterwards Ray gave me a lift to the airport and after connecting via “Lost Wages” airport I arrived back in ABQ ca. 10PM and was able to get home and by midnight to bed (“with visions of Bulldogs dancing in my head”)… “Now there's more to do Than watch my sailboat glide But everyday can be my magic carpet ride A little bit of courage is all we lack So catch me if you can – I’m goin’ back So catch me if you can I'm goin' back La la la…”

My Hometown

01 SEP 23: My hometown (Burbank, CA) has a celebration going on today, 115th anniversary of the senior high school that saw fit to diploma me back in ’65. Congratulations to the many that have passed through their halls and sung “Hail Burbank High School…” Above photo is recent volunteer effort at McCambridge Park, which you'll hear more about below.

I’d like to take this opportunity to cruise down part of memory lane. Some CONTEXT: my experiences there were centered around our family’s kennel (Fremar) on north Lima Street, just off San Fernando Road, near Hollywood Way, Lockheed and the Hollywood-Burbank Airport. When people hear we had kennels in Burbank & Malibu (pictured), they think money. We certainly didn’t have it: centered in mid-middle class we were always working, but getting by OK. Usually short on extravagance (like the kids seeing a dentist every half-decade or so). For those of you not familiar with it, Burbank is wedged between Glendale (where our parents met in high school), Hollywood, North Hollywood, & Sun Valley (all part of L.A.). My Dad worked as an engineer for Pacific Bell Telephone during the day and with “the dogs” at night Mom managed the kennel: 25-dogs in Burbank and a hundred more than that in Malibu. The Malibu kennel was not ours: we managed it with an option-to-buy. After a couple of years commuting to his “day job” in Burbank, we made the tough decision to consolidate back to “the Valley”. My sisters (Chris & Laura) & I spent many a weekend at AKC Dog Shows, and we had some winners, especially with our Bedlington Terriers (one of which made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1960).

The Burbank kennel was in a one-block area. AKA “kennel row”, surrounded by many small factories and machine shops. Many of those industries have expanded to swallow the homes and kennels of the late 50’s and early 60’s. When we were residents the Vrooms had Doberman’s, the Fancy’s Miniature Schnauzers, the Martins'... etc. My first outside-the-kennel job was at Burbank Plumbing Supply, around the corner on San Fernando Rd., next to Kenny’s Plumbing & Joe’s Plumbing (things were concentrated).

03 NOV 23: Now, for the record, I can’t overstate how important sports were to me while growing up. Many memories of catching, throwing or shootin’-the-ball. If not in the yard or street, at either Bryce or McCambridge Park (usually the latter). My present sojourn this weekend out to the Southland is to remember and say hello & Ga’Day: one thing the pancreatic cancer journey has reminded me is that we don’t have that long a stay.” Embracing the day, on Saturday I hope to reconnect with the “McCambridge Park Boys” (an annual informal gathering of 1960’s athletes coordinated by Don Ludwig, ’64 basketball & all-around gentleman: photo is from ten years ago). BHS in my day was known athletically for excellence in Cross Country, Basketball and Swimming: we had some top-notch talents. I remember many a late night game of hoops under the coin-fed lights at McCambridge with Jim Cochran, John Kunert, and the Gary’s (Pinnel & Walter) + others I’m surly forgetting, Good times, no great times.

On Monday I plan to attend the monthly luncheon for Senior BHS Bulldogs, where I’ll see more fellows alums, classmates & teammates (John Coyle, Kirk Harris, Ray Magee, Danny DeMonbrun and so many others): we’ve lost some along the journey, which makes reconnecting increasingly important: Carpe diem! We’ve ALL helped each other through the years“…break on through to the other side…”

Now, for some “other thoughts”: I know apologies aren’t really necessary, but I’ll make them anyway: THANKS to the young ladies that shared some time with me on dates my/our senior year: classmates Phyllis Rehrig & Susan Long (Senior Prom date) + Donna Luce (Class of ’67) come to mind. You spent at least some time & mental energy with this shy & introverted kid-from-the-kennel, long before he’d discovered “Powder Milk Biscuits”. I was 17 and my personality hadn’t shown-up yet (I still might be waiting for that). Plus, there were other classmates I always longed to talk with, but it never found the words: one was Chris Powers (I can still hear a sigh when I hear the name). I remember her watching her brother Ken pitch for the Burbank Bullets baseball team, while I patrolled the “Hot Corner” at third base (we were 14 and I was tongue-tied). Another sister of a baseball teammate was Leigh Rugee (Class of ’67): Dave’s younger sibling. Another tip-of-the-sombrero goes to Janet Bauder that helped me through an extremely awkward phone call initiated by a fellow ’65-er & neighbor Dennis Bandy.

We’ve all moved on and done well, at least I hope we all have. THANKS for the many positive memories ALL… Phil

Here's a Tip (or two)...

It has been a month (yesterday, 01 Oct 2023) since we lost Jimmy, but thankfully he is still with us. His Margaritaville channel did a great 3-week tribute and continues to bring us his tunes. Known for many a sailing song, he was also a pilot with a CPL (Commercial Pilot License) & ratings for multi-engine land & sea aircraft (getting to do a flight with the Navy’s Blue Angels). I think he would’ve made one heckuva Park Ranger Pilot for NPS. When I think of his aerial tunes I think of: Somewhere Over China https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB15lm89RsE ; Jamaica Mistaica https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsKZewdhDtk ; Silver Wings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIw68ePV9TY ; Strange Bird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziG30rMYF6o ; Treetop Flyer (a Stephen Stills song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRI-cK5QDS0 ; Thanks again Jimmy: we know you loved the air & sea (“Mother, mother ocean…”)

Now, some thoughts about tipping: “… she would leave him the tip, the typically grand sum of one dollar, our nod to what we considered a ludicrous American practice.” The Sympathizer (by Viet Thanh Nguyen) The subject of tipping is usually a good hand grenade to mix-up (or explode) conversations. I just finished reading the above noted work, and was reminded that while traveling in foreign lands it is best to find out about, and follow, local customs: some places tipping is not the norm, or even considered rude.

As Meme & I have both had jobs (once-upon-a-time) where tips were an essential part of our income, we practice responsible tipping and reward good service. In addition, we still have relatives in the service industry that count on tips. A semi-recent LTE here said in essence: if you can’t afford to tip 20+% you shouldn’t be dinning out. I felt it conveyed a message not supported by the hospitality industry (and restaurant owners/managers) in that it said to many: “don’t go.” I thought it missed the point also about any association with service. A semi-recent personal experience highlights something to be alert for: A nice local (Santa Fe) café specializing in Mediterranean cuisine brought the check with a 20% “service charge” already added. They didn’t note that upfront or at that time. Then they had the tipping chart (18%, 20%, 25%, etc.) noting what a tip would be based on your total (that figure included your 20% service charge). I guess they heard from enough of us that they stopped that practice: the next time I went they no longer did that, but I noticed their tipping chart was based on final total (with tax) and started at 20%. They boldly recommended 25%, also showing a 30% calculation for consideration.

Many of us have been faced with an appropriate tip for take-out food orders. The numbers of which mushroomed during the pandemic. The NY Times did a fair job of addressing the perplexities of this, indicating that 10% is fair for grab-n-go from a sit-down place; fast food remaining at nada. There are proponents of simply adding a 20% service fee to all orders. I find that contrary to the notion that it should be earned. Everyone has had an experience that you just don’t want to positively reinforce and reward. Other services are getting into the action as well, and I can only wonder how long will it be before when you pickup your dry cleaning they put the pad up to your face to select the proper tip amount? (We may already be there). Coming in another month: “Equal Strain On All Parts”