www.BeachandBayPress.com | Thursday, February 3, 2011 N E W S U P D AT E S Mannequins line up along Garnet Avenue. JULIE HOISINGTON | Beach & Bay Press
Mannequins on parade Pacific Beach boutiques along the 900 block of Garnet Avenue have demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit lately. At opening time each morning, the trendy stores place their mannequins modeling the stores’ apparel along the sidewalk, giving the appearance that the mannequins are on parade. Among the boutiques participating in the morning ritual are Avril, Madison boutique, Forward Footwear and Mint.
Pipe replacement project continues The replacement of about eight miles of water pipes in Pacific Beach will have portions of the streets tied up through 2013, according to a project description from the city’s Capital Projects and Engineering Department. The estimated $10.4 million project that recently took over Construction crews dig up the parts of Garnet Avenue will streets along Garnet Avenue. occur in phases over the next JULIE HOISINGTON | Beach & Bay Press three years, stopping construction during Memorial Day and other holidays. The decades-old cast iron pipes, caked with sediment, will be replaced by 8-inch and 12-inch plastic PVC pipes. “Highlines” set up to deliver water to homes along the curb could interrupt water flow to homes if damaged or disturbed. “We advise residents and drivers in the areas of the highlines to be mindful and be careful when driving over them to avoid damage to the highline and avoid damage to the vehicles’ tires,” said Ana Maria Rojas, public information officer for the Engineering and Capital Projects Department.
Super Buddy
Bank says, ‘Sock It To Me’
Buddy Jr. makes a leaping catch during last December’s Pacific Beach Holiday Parade along Garnet Avenue. The talented Pacific Beach canine is best known Photo by Ralf Wilkowski for his roles in the long string of Air Bud movies, as well as his spectacular ball-playing skills showcased on popular TV shows.
Owner fondly recalls the journey to stardom for PB’s top dog BY KEVIN DI CICCO As Buddy Jr. and I, my photographer and great friend, Ralf Wilkowski, and the Mission Bay High School cheerleaders waited our turn to march down Garnet Avenue for the Pacific Beach Holiday Parade last December, I thought to myself how far we have traveled since that spring day back in 1990. Tucked away in our tiny backyard behind the Spice Rack restaurant (where Ralphs sits today), and after months and months of practice, my dog Buddy, a golden retriever, made history by sinking a regulation basketball through a regulation 10-foot rim. We had set a goal for ourselves to prove what was thought be impossible, but our day had come and a star was born. Very quickly, I marketed Buddy’s talent. Within weeks, we became finalists on “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” winning second place.
Months later, the “Late Show with David Letterman” was calling. We appeared on “Stupid Pet Tricks,” and much to the delight of the host, when Buddy sank the second shot on national television, Letterman brought Buddy back for an encore where Buddy sank the first shot. Then the NBA came calling. When Buddy performed a halftime show on Christmas Day 1991 at the L.A. Forum in a Lakers vs. Clippers rivalry, Buddy had a better shooting percentage than three of the starting players on the Clippers team. Now, Buddy was a sports figure to be reckoned with in the NBA. He soon became known as “Air Bud,” a take-off of Air Jordan. But it was perhaps Buddy’s third national television appearance that solidified his presence in the industry. We were invited back to
Home Bank of California and The Pacific Beach Women’s Club have aligned in the creation of the “Sock It To Me” Sock Drive for the homeless children of San Diego. More than 1,000 pairs of socks have been collected and delivered to the Stand Up for Kids Center this winter, with the major contribution from Home Bank of California, celebrating 30 years in Pacific Beach. Home Bank of California is offering a free checking account to everyone who drops off a pair of gently-used or new socks throughout the month of February. Home Bank of California is a collection point for socks and is located at 875 Garnet Ave. Look for the next issue of Beach & Bay Press Feb. 17
See more online at:
SEE BUDDY, Page 15
WHAT’S INSIDE: Boardwalk Beat, Page 3 | Local event guide, Page 4 | Film awards, Page 5 | Town Hall, Page 6 | Retail Therapy, Page 7 | In the Schools, Page 9 | Business, Page 10 | Sports, Page 13