“This used to be a beautiful place,” says Jonnie. “A family part of town. Nice people lived here. That all changed with the Vietnam War, 1975. People from war places started coming in, big-time.”
February 23, 1995
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Stories by Bill Manson
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University Avenue: From Washington Street to La Mesa Boulevard
A love letter to San Diego Transit
CHRIST! “8:45,” says the radio. Still shaving. It’ll be halfway up the Silver Strand already. Don’t rush, don’t rush. You’ll cut yourself. “Can you find my wallet!” I yell. I’m running round hauling trousers on. …
December 15, 1994
San Ysidro's Little Landers
When the great flu epidemic hits, with their best lands compromised, somehow the spirit of the Little Landers disappears. Even the energetic William Smythe leaves his beloved village after the death of his wife.
October 6, 1994
A water war heats up on Palomar Mountain
“This mountain is an anomaly. A piece of Northern California sticking up out of the California desert floor. Water is the basis for all our wildlife up here. We live here.”
October 6, 1994
Palestinians in San Diego
"Only two to three hundred Palestinians can travel to Jerusalem in any one month— out of 20,000. That’s like if you lived in Mira Mesa and weren’t allowed to travel to Clairemont. It’s impossible!"
August 18, 1994
Idyllic Spanish Village shaken by mystery stabbing
The sign on the gate tells you all about it. Annual plot fees, $10. Six months’ water charge, $6 per plot. Safe chemicals to use: beer for snails, wood shavings, mint-water soap, garlic-onion soap for …
August 4, 1994
San Diego paramedics - excitement and controversy
"American is being held to a higher standard than Hartson. Hartson was required to arrive at the scene within ten minutes of dispatch 90 percent of the time; American must arrive on scene 93 percent of the time."
June 2, 1994
Far From the Enormous Past: Under the Khmer Rouge We Were the Water Buffalo
If there is any center to Cambodian life in San Diego, it is the two temples. People more pro-King Sihanouk go to the one on 52nd Street. The rest go to “the old temple” on 47th.
March 31, 1994
The Wo Hing goes down in Glorietta Bay
“First I put up a sign. ‘This Boat Not Abandoned.’ I had to; things had already happened. I’d heard someone look at the mast and say, ‘That’d make a nice flagpole.’ Next day it had been sawed off! “
February 24, 1994