Random patriotic thoughts and explosive observations…

*Getting ready for Manteca’s July 4th – the day when adult idiots and unsupervised kids play with fire . . .

*It has been two months and we still don’t know the real reason why former Manteca Unified Superintendent Jason Messer resigned with no future employment. Meanwhile, cryptic messages continue to flood my email and phone as to the real reason — a possible cover-up by the MUSD Board of Trustees. Hiding behind the cloak of “it’s a confidential personnel matter” does not apply if laws were broken, my friends . . .

*MacKenzie Freed, daughter of 1979 Manteca High graduate Fred Baker Freed, was crowned Miss California this past weekend in Fresno. On to Atlantic City for the Miss America crown . . .

*So glad my lovely bride and I purchased a 4-wheel drive Chevrolet truck from my life-long Manteca friend Jeff Steves at Oakdale’s Steves Chevrolet. I get to practice switching to 4-wheel drive “on the fly” when heading down Airport Road between Lathrop and Woodward or Lathrop Road between Airport and Highway 99. Hang on, kids . . .

*When my bride is away hiking 500 miles (yes, 500 miles) on the Camino de Santiago, I find time to read non-fiction. “Robin” is terribly sad; “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey’s Jonathon Cain is a must read for any Journey fan during the Steve Perry era; “Shattered Air,” about hikers killed atop Half Dome, scared the heck out of me; and, “The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West” is a romantic return to times gone by and going away . . .

*Mork’s greeting was Na Nu, Na Nu. I am known as Na Nu (“grandfather”) to my grandchild thanks to my Sicilian DNA . . .

*Foster’s Freeze, located on West Yosemite, continues to thrive. Memories of a burger, fries, and shake following baseball victories as a youth. Worth a visit, folks . . .

*Speaking of burgers, how about five burgers for a buck at Hob Nob on East Yosemite back in the day. Today you can support another habit: the former burger joint for years has been selling tobacco products. Oh, how Manteca, “The Family City,” has evolved . . .

*Sharks reported swimming along the Santa Cruz beach. You will need a bigger boat . . .

*Love the concept of the Tideway trail; however, not a big fan of “squatters” and their notorious aggressive canine breeds. Unsure our Tidewater citizens have the strength to hold back a potential attack, especially on innocent children trying to use the city’s library . . .

*Do we still require dogs to be vaccinated and licensed in the City of Manteca? According to the City’s website: “Manteca city ordinance 6.08.080 requires all dogs over the age of four months to be vaccinated against rabies and to have a valid license.” Fines are pretty steep. Bet those fines would help with roads. . .

*Remember Ed’s Patio?

*East Union junior Tyler Griggs brings back memories of Manteca’s Kevin Wentworth junior golf years. Griggs is tearing it up all over the nation. Not bad for a Manteca kid who already has earned a scholarship to UCLA. Kid comes from good stock, too. His uncle Frank Triglia, a 1980 Manteca High graduate, was the now defunct Manteca News high school athlete of the year in 1980 . . .

*What happened to bicycle licenses? Bet those fines would help with roads . . .

uWhen did Union Road, between Lathrop and French Camp Road, become the source of drag racing time trials? A few deaths earlier this year, the Del Webb Woodbridge northern entrance damaged due to speeding, and (fill in next tragedy here). Come on, people now . . .

*How about the death trap at Lathrop and Cottage. Still no three-way stop. I have confidence our County Supervisors are on top of it due to the constant nudging of our City Council. Meanwhile, you will not find me driving over there . . .

*Sure would like to see Keith Jackson and other visionaries run for Manteca Unified School District Board of Trustees, Area 5. I bet Jackson would have voiced opposition of wasting taxpayer dollars on a search firm. One of those search firm’s multi-thousand dollar bid came from our San Joaquin County Office of Education, a political service-based organization already in place to support MUSD . . .

*Meanwhile, Manteca’s photo opportunistic Mayor and City Council continue to make deals by bringing in more commerce and distribution centers without first preparing the infrastructure. Brilliant thinking, kids . . .

*Vote . . .

*Driving past East Union High School after the previous school year ended, I noticed kids practicing for high school football. Yes, high school football. The official first day for high school football is Monday, July 23. Let kids have a summer, coaches . . .

*Remember Fundy’s?

*MLB MVP: Bryce Harper or Mike Trout? Discuss . . .

*What happened to the summer days swimming at the Manteca High pool? The original Wendy Peppercorn worked there, we youngsters will argue . . .

*I reached out to Manteca Mayor Steve DeBrum on Monday, June 20. I am still waiting for a response. Mayor: My family votes . . .

*Another school Bond? Are you kidding me, MUSD? Going out for a bond in 2014 was bad enough. Advocates played on our emotions back then and we bit the hook. It is clear this effort is due to fiscal mismanagement. How could the MUSD Board of Trustees allow us to get to this place? How about looking at staffing at the top-heavy management level, first . . .

*Ever compare roads and infrastructure of Ripon and Lathrop with Manteca’s? Spoiler alert: No comparison . . . 

*Keith Jackson, MUSD Area 5. Has a nice ring to it . . .

*Don’t you love the perpetual “yard sales” on West Yosemite between the train tracks and Walnut? That stretch of roadway used to be our “welcome to Manteca.” Hello Code Enforcement? Bet those fines would help with roads . . .

*Happy Independence Day, my friends. Now, take cover . . .