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THE
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New! GAA NEEDS YOU!In the May 2005 Galileo Observer, I asked alumni to volunteer to serve on the GAA Board of Directors and its committees. Because no one replied to my request, I'm appealing to you again. If you ever attended Galileo, you're alumni. You're welcome regardless of age, race, color, creed, gender, grade point average, activities in school, or life after graduation. To be a representative organization, GAA needs participation on its Board and committees from the classes of the 1960's through 2000's. A more diverse makeup will ensure the survival of GAA and ongoing alumni support of Galileo. Currently, there is one open Board position. In addition, five positions are up for re-election. If you'd like to be nominated for the Board of Directors, know of someone interested, or have any questions about what is involved, please contact Officer or Director by email or write to Galileo Alumni Association, 1150 Francisco St., San Francisco, CA 94109. Better yet, join us at our next meeting on September 8 at 6:30 PM in Room 210 at Galileo. Names of interested alumni will be given to the nominating committee for action. Nominees for the upcoming election will be accepted through October. All members present at the November GAA meeting will vote on the ballot. The next election of Officers will take place in November 2006. The slate will be chosen from Board members at the time. Please consider helping your high school alma mater as a GAA Board or committee member. It requires a little time and energy, but it's worth it. Staff and student body truly appreciate our support. Jim Dresser |
The Song & Yell Contest is Coming Up
(and Galileo needs volunteers for judges)
Do you wish to judge the 61st Homecoming Song and Yell Contest? The date is Friday, October 14, 2005. The reception begins at 10:15 AM, and the event ends about 12:30 PM. If interested, we need your name, year graduated, whether you were an officer in any student government or club, participated in any sport, and your current career. We include this information in our program and introduction.
Also, please email Eugene Wing, Associated Student Body Advisor, your address so that the Corresponding Secretary can mail you an invitation in September. Because of its great success, we need to limit the number of judges to 12.
Eugene Wing, ASB Advisor
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Mel does it again!
The recent Galileo Alumni Golf Dinner held at the Sharp Park golf course was a huge success. Although only about half of the usual number attended and the golf tournament was canceled -- most were on vacation -- everyone present enjoyed good food, prizes, and each other's company. As usual Mel Chiarenza, ably assisted by Diane Wall Cowart, did a great job organizing the annual event. Mel says that next year, the dinner and golf day will be held in October so that more alumni and friends can attend. If you haven't attended this event, you don't know what you're missing. Everyone, and I mean, everyone, gets a prize, most get numerous prizes. This year's big winner was Monica Parenti Kirkland who took home over a dozen prizes in the raffle.
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It all started when Bill Dito (1950) met Dick Fregulia, Vince Gomez' (1952) piano-playing partner, at the Galileo Sports Hall of Fame Dinner. The two exchanged words about their mutual love of jazz, popular music, and especially the piano, including the music of Harry Warren. It happens that Fregulia's favorite composer is Warren, who was really Italian. So Bill immediately started planning a visit to the Washington Square Bar & Grill in North Beach where the duo plays every Thursday night (Vince every other Thursday). One thing led to another, and soon Bill had 28 people on his list. So on a recent Thursday night a group of 25 Galileo alumni gathered at the Washbag to hear Vince and Dick play. The festivities began at 6:30 and the entire bar seating section was reserved for our group. Dinner and drinks were served, and Owner-Chef Guy Ferri greeted the group. Enjoying the music and food were Kay Michelis, Nina and Frank Clima, Barbara and Joe Scafidi, Cordy Surdyka, Ernestine and John Zuffo, Beverly and Michael Twomey, Don DiBasilio, Georgia and Joe Clima, Pola and Joe Martino, Melba Streizzulo, Giovanna Di Tano (Jowanna Woeber), Will Marchetti, Lucille Bussalacchi, Monica Parenti Kirkland, Mel Chiarenza, Harry Holsworth, Bill Dito, and myself. John Zuffo led the group in a spirited chorus of "It Had To Be You" as others at the bar joined in. An interesting sidelight of the evening was the presence of Brennan Newsom, uncle of Mayor Gavin, who told me that Jerry Tamelier (1951) was his mentor.
Nobody picks up pennies anymore. I remember when finding a penny in the street was a lucky event. A penny would buy a licorice whip. We'd put a penny in our loafers. Today a penny has little value. Even parking meters won't take them. Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned".
Jim Dresser, President of GAA, hosted a barbecue on July 30th at his and Jan's home in San Carlos for the Board of Directors and their spouses. Jim had the front of the house decorated with purple and orange balloons. We had drinks by the pool and prawns the size of lobster tails as well as tender grilled steaks. The strawberry trifle prepared by Jackie Valdez was excellent. A good, relaxing time was had by all in the warm Peninsula air. Incidentally, no GAA funds were used for the get together.
The Times They are A-Changin': As the price of a gallon of gasoline hits the $3.00 mark, we fantasize about the early 50s when gas cost 19 cents a gallon in Berkeley. I earned $26.51 a week working part time, which paid for my college textbooks and then some. . .
There was a time when in movies, the bad guys always got caught and were punished. No so today.
The Changing Face of San Francisco: Have you looked at the Embarcadero lately? From Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 all the way around to the Ferry Building, South of Market and SBC Park and beyond to Mission Bay, there have been numerous recent changes and the end is not in sight. Along the way you'll find Bistro Boudin, The Waterfront, Sinbad's, the Ferry Plaza Market, Boulevard, Hotel Vitale and Americano, Palomino, Gordon Biersch, La Suite, Red's Java House, that boat restaurant (did it ever open?), MoMo's and Jim Kelly's. Most of this development has enhanced the waterfront of San Francisco. As Attorney Mel Belli said he would like to see a string of lights along the Embarcadero, he was right and I wrote him so.
This year's Fourth of July celebration was fog-free, and therefore we were able to see the fireworks. I went down to the Marina to watch them and met a Balboa graduate who came out of his home to watch. Earlier in the day, LaToya London of American Idol fame sang at Aquatic Park as well as three cast member of Les Miserables.
OBSERVations: There are 39 steps in 3 flights of 13 leading from the Muni/B.A.R.T. level to the street. The Hitchcockian number is repeated elsewhere as well.
The ripe juicy sweet plum is delicious. When it lies in the sun too long or is dehydrated, it becomes a dried up, shriveled prune . . . like some people I know.
The pushy used car salesperson has been reincarnated in the form of a cell phone salesperson.
What's worse? A dog that needs a bath, a person that needs a bath, or a car that needs a bath?
A life thought: Be what you are, not what you're not.
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A Memento of the Reunion
Richard Lee (Class of 1958) has captured the highlights of the Reno reunion on a DVD. Pictures were taken by several classmates and were given to Rich who put them together on the DVD. It is available for purchase for $20 (includes protective envelope & postage). $5 from each sale will go to the Galileo Alumni Association.
To obtain the DVD, please contact Rich Lee at richlee@worldnet.att.net, Nina Clima at PalmiraClima@aol.com, or Jennie Wong Lee at 640 -- 27th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121.
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Hank the Great
Phil Pallette's book, "The Game Changer", about Galileo and Stanford basketball great Angelo "Hank" Luisetti, is on sale online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com for $22.90 plus shipping. You can get it at a discount at the following website: www.hankluisettibook.com. There it is $17.50 plus shipping, which is about $5.
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Francisco Junior High School
50 YEAR REUNION
"GOLDEN MOMENTS TO REMEMBER"
| Date: Saturday
- November 19, 2005 |
It's a GOLDEN
opportunity to see each other, exchange tall and short stories, check our
new hairlines, hemlines, and beltlines, and reminisce about the good old days.
Mark the date and
come join the fun!
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Class of 1972's Baseball Event at SCB Park
Hello Classmates:
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. Enjoy "Indian Summer" with your fellow classmates and their families by coming to our Class of 1972's baseball event at SBC Park, Sunday, September 18th.
There are only a few tickets left so hurry and order your tickets NOW.
For a registration form and mailing information, please go to our website at www.galileoclass72.org.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Reunion Committee
Galileo Class of 1972
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San Francisco Native Jamboree
We're ramping up for the San Francisco Native Jamboree on September 16th, 2005. The excitement is building and we are hearing from so many enthusiastic people about this event.
If you're planning on attending and want to get the pre-August 15th pricing of 55.00, make sure to register before August 15th.
We will also be having a raffle drawing for amazing prizes including stays at the Hilton and two other hotels, dinner at Harris Restaurant, $100.00 Gump's gift certificate, massage, haircuts, baskets full of pastries, See's candies, golf lessons at the Golden Gate Golf Club and many more. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase the night of the event and all the proceeds from the raffle will go to the SF Conservation Corps.
For more information on how to register or to register on line go to www.sfnativejamboree.com
Hope to see you on the 16th!
Best,
Debra Mugnani Monroe
C.E.O.
Linda Molinari Mansouria
C.F.O.
San Francisco Generations Inc.
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GALILEO YEARBOOKS OF THE 1920s
FOR SALE ON EBAY
Galileo yearbooks for the years 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927 are available on ebay at $24.99 each. If interested, please visit http://stores.ebay.com/Card-Sage and type in Galileo High.
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Stages of Aerobic Fitness
Sitting is better than lying down.
Standing is better than sitting.
Walking is better than standing.
Running is better than walking.
Where are you on this scale?
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LETTERS
. . . thank you for doing the Observer. I'm sending in my membership for the Galileo Alumni. I'm with the 50's group ('59) and hope some of the young ones will begin to participate too. My memories of days at Galileo are so positive. ---Katherine (Lee) Gong (1959), angelfirekg@yahoo.com.
I am enjoying the Newsletter. Keep up the good work. A note for the 50's group. Jim Harper and Grace Espana, both Galileo in 1952, will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 14th. Stay well! --- Jim Harper
Ed. Note: Congratulations, Jim and Grace. Happy 50th!
Dear Galileo Loyals, This is a reply to a letter I received
from Rosemarie Campana Dufresne (Class of '54) who wanted to know if I
went to Patrick Henry Grammar School and if I lived "on Potrero Hill".
Memories are made of this. George J. Poppin--Retired Teacher—Galileo
From:
GPoppin@aol.com Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 14:45:36 EDT
Subject: The Real "Russian Hill"
To: Ree_duff@comcast.net
Hi Rosemarie, Yes, I am a product of the real "Russian
Hill"... Potrero Hill. I went to Daniel Webster Junior High School
and still remember their school anthem. It was Commerce High after that
and then to Santa Clara University on a football scholarship. We lived
on De Haro Street right on top of "the hill"
across the street from the Neighborhood House on Southern Heights Avenue.
My two younger sisters, Hazel and Dorothy, went to Patrick Henry as
did my nephew John, now an attorney, and his sister Myrna. "The Hill"
was something else...the Italians and Slavonians lived there as did
the Irish as well as a scattering of other immigrant families. Nothing
like that anymore....hell, they sell the Wall Street Journal on corner
newsstands. I remember when newspaper hustlers would shout fake
headlines at night as they climbed the hills of Potrero Hill. Those
were the days of the Loskutoffs, Susoeffs, Poppins, Popoffs, Corboffs
and you name it. The younger generation has grown up and left
"the hill". We live on Seventeenth Avenue near St. Cecilia's Church
(our parish). Many of the youth have departed from the Russian
Molokan Church located on Carolina Street. Your letter to me brought
back so many pleasant memories of the good old days. I am 87 years
of age, married, four children, eight grandchildren and seven great great
grandchildren. Thanks for the wonderful memories...drop me a
line. Thanks. --- George John Poppin
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Correction: In the July issue, we inadvertently wrote that Bettie Grinnell was Galileo's Assistant Principal. She is Assistant to the Principal.
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GALILEO
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Financial Statement
July 1, 2005 -- July 31, 2005
| BALANCE FORWARD | $7,833.59 |
|
INCOME |
||
Membership donations (New members) |
$320.00 |
|
Membership donations (Renewals) |
$175.00 |
|
TOTAL INCOME |
$495.00 |
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EXPENSES |
- |
|
Website (Vaughn Spurlin) |
$125.00 |
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TOTAL EXPENSES |
$125.00 |
|
BALANCE |
$8,203.59 |
Submitted by:
Joe Scafidi
Treasurer, GAA
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NOTE: Bios of the three recipients of the Joan Lucchesi Ertola Scholarship Award will appear in the September issue of The Observer.
Obituary: Ellen ( McDonald) Mateo (Class of 1953-54)
passed away on June 30, 2005. She resided in Folsom, California.
She is survived by five children, fifteen grandchildren, one great grandchild
and her husband of 50 years, Sylvester Mateo.
(Additional information on these and other events at www.galileoalumni.org.)
September 8 -- GAA Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Room 210, Galileo
September 16 -- North Beach/Marina Athletes & Friends Honoree Dinner, SFIAC
September 16 -- San Francisco Native Jamboree
September 18 -- Class of 1972 Baseball Event, SBC Park
October 14 -- Annual Song & Yell Contest, Galileo Field
April 27, 2006 (tentative date) -- Galileo Sports Hall of Fame Dinner
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For articles and stories on alumni, events, whereabouts of graduates for this newsletter. No mastery of English required, just your willingness to communicate and participate. Contact the Editor.
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If
you would like to promote your Galileo event on the GAA website
http://www.galileoalumni.org/,
please send information to
galileoobserver@aol.com
and/or webmaster@galileoalumni.org.
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Galileo alumni, family, friends, students, faculty . . . anybody and everybody, The Observer is for you. If you haven't already done so, send in the email addresses of anyone you know who would like to receive a FREE emailed newsletter every month or so. We'd like to reach as wide a range of readers as possible. Send the email addresses to: webmaster@galileoalumni.org.
BACK ISSUES OF THE GALILEO OBSERVER CAN BE VIEWED AT WWW.GALILEOALUMNI.ORG.
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IMPORTANT
For all EDITORIALLY-RELATED comments or suggestions, please address your emails to galileoobserver@aol.com.
For all TECHNICAL problems (non-receipt of newsletter, etc.), address your emails to webmaster@galileoalumni.org.
Thank you.
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The Galileo Observer invites your letters, memories, inquiries and suggestions. All submissions are subject to editing. Send them by email to: galileoobserver@aol.com, or by postal mail to: Galileo Observer, care of Galileo Alumni Association, 1150 Francisco Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.
President:
Jim Dresser (1951)
Vice
President: Bernard Valdez (1949)
Secretary: Janet
Sullivan Neilsen (1953)
Treasurer: Joe Scafidi
(1950)
Directors
Mel
Chiarenza (1953)
Frank Clima (1951)
Nina Pattini Clima (1950)
Diane Wall Cowart
(1965)
Sisvan Der Harootunian
(1951)
Monica Parenti Kirkland
(1953)
Kay Lazzari Michelis (1953)
Fred Setting (1950)
Cordy Porter Surdyka
(1953)
Committee
Chairpersons
Membership: Diane Wall Cowart
(1965)
Communications (Newsletter):
Sisvan Der Harootunian (1951)
Public Relations: Cordy
Porter Surdyka (1953)
Database: Mel Chiarenza (1953)
By-laws: Monica Parenti Kirkland
(1953)
Sports Hall of Fame: Ron Ertola (1949)
webmaster@galileoalumni.org:
Vaughn Spurlin (1960)
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION, VISIT THE GALILEO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WEBSITE, WWW.GALILEOALUMNI.ORG.
| The Galileo Observer is a monthly publication of the Galileo Alumni Association, 1150 Francisco Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Views expressed are strictly those of the Association and in no way reflect those of the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, its students or faculty. James Dresser, President; Sisvan Der Harootunian, Editor; Vaughn Spurlin, Production Manager/Website Director. Copyright 2005, Galileo Alumni Association. |
Last updated
4September2005
© 2002-2005 Galileo Academy of Science and Technology Alumni Association of
San Francisco. No part of this publication can be reprinted or reproduced
in any form without the permission of The Galileo Observer and/or The Galileo
Alumni Association.