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I knew Don Bauder

I’m calling regarding the death of Don Bauder (“Farewell to a professional love”, Neighborhood News, July 4, 2024) who was a financial contributing editor for you guys for a long time, and he just died. It was in yesterday’s Union-Tribune newspaper. He was like my play father. I’m 70 years old; he was 88.

I am connected to some stories that you need to know about: J. David Dominelli – the biggest bank embezzlement in history of this country. And Nancy Hoover, who J. David dated in Del Mar; she was the mayor of Del Mar. But Don Bauder, he kept it real, and when I think about him I’m reminded of my past.

I was 18 years old and he was 36. And when he got ready to write that book about J. David Dominelli and Nancy Hoover, he told me to get my black ass in that Pinto and go down to the attorney’s office — it was on C Street, I remember — and pick up some documents. It was a pile that was so huge. He said, “Hurry up and get down there, move your ass!” He said, “Get down there and get those documents for me. I’m gonna write a book about this.”

Before I go any further, I want you to look it up: 40 years ago, I’m on the cover of the Reader, July 26, 1984. Thanks to Don, I was getting rid of racism in this town, having to do with nightclubs. That’s me, the number one model in this town — country. They did 12 pages on us; that’s coming up on 40 years ago. It’s called, “Come back when you’re white.”

Don Bauder did not get any mail, in retrospect, with much respect. I know that you guys are gonna do an article on him. But I want to include what a pure heart this man was. He was white and I was black.

I was 18 years old when I graduated from Lincoln High School in 1972. I used to baby-sit Marcus Allen, Marcus is a good friend of mine. The first time I saw Marcus it was 1960, he was in his crib. He went on to win the Heisman Trophy for USC. He’s in the Hall Of Fame, he was a Raider. He is one of the best running backs of all time.

Donell Smith

San Diego

Reader favorite

Kudos to the authors (whoever they may be) of Outdoors. It is my favorite article in the Reader!

Dennis Thompson

Scripps Ranch

Excitement and danger

I really enjoyed the Tales from the Rails parts one and two, (“Tales From The Rails”, Cover Story & Feature Story, June 27 & July 4). Jerry Olivas wrote with such a descriptive style I felt the excitement and the danger. The character of Rich was downright spooky! It would make a good screenplay. Great writing.

Erin Western

San Carlos

Praying for Reader author

I’m definitely praying for dear Albert Barlow, the author of (“Choose Your Own Adventure, Time to Get Busy”, Cover Story, July 4, 2024). God bless him and his entire family. I can’t even imagine the mental battles that would crop up in his situation.

I pray that through it all, in that weird way that happens, our Lord is glorified. And of course, I join him and everyone else that loves him, in prayer, for full healing and supernatural peace through the waiting. Filled with hope and assurance.

Sue Hardman

University City