Stormi Martel’s voice thunders across the table. “Rick never came home for dinner. Not once! He always stayed at the station to work on the newscast and make it better. This is the thanks he gets.” The other three couples at the long center table at Cafe Monte Carlo in Pismo Beach murmur in agreement.Continue reading “Singing the News”
Author Archives: Dave Congalton
Poly Canyon
A few hundred inspired souls spent Sunday morning scrambling up the narrow paths to the top of Bishop Peak. I opted for a more solitary journey with Topper. Our destination: Poly Canyon. For people in the university community, Poly Canyon is old news, as much a Cal Poly fixture as Kennedy Library or Mustang Stadium.Continue reading “Poly Canyon”
Afternoon Delight
For Kathy… Winston Churchill managed to do it regularly, without shedding any blood, sweat, or tears. Napoleon and Stonewall Jackson never battled the urge. Brahms found the concept as comforting as a lullaby. And then there’s Ronald Reagan, who, as president, came to personify the very ideal. These famous men share a common passion withContinue reading “Afternoon Delight”
Walking Topper: The Trail to Paris
Molly May enjoys walking almost as much as Topper. On any given day, the 25-year-old Cal Poly graduate can be found hiking along the trails that blanket Cerro San Luis, the mountain directly overlooking Highway 101 and the city of San Luis Obispo. Molly has walked the mountain regularly for the past eight years, theContinue reading “Walking Topper: The Trail to Paris”
Someone to Watch Over Me
Bruce doesn’t smoke. Doesn’t drink. Doesn’t swear. Never has. Never will. He married his high school sweetheart. They’re still together. They’ll always be together. He was a high school track star. Made some great football plays, too. Corn is his idea of a vegetable.. Cheese only on his pizza, please. His musical tastes run MantovaniContinue reading “Someone to Watch Over Me”
The House of Yesterday
By Jack Smith Editor’s Note: Today’s guest essay was written by Morro Bay writer Jack Smith. Enjoy. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it seems a million years ago that my dad moved our family to Morro Bay after retiring from a twenty year Air Force career. I will always be grateful to myContinue reading “The House of Yesterday”
Rick and Bob
On the eve of my first day of high school, my father gave me some advice that altered my life. We were living in suburban Chicago and I was at that age where, when Dad spoke, I listened. “Join the debating team,” my dad suggested. “I tried to tell that to your brothers, but theyContinue reading “Rick and Bob”
Our Man in Blue
His name was Daniel Fraembs. He was fatally shot last Saturday night, a single bullet right through the eye, Gang-related the police theorize. An 18-year-old suspect has already been taken into custody. Another senseless, numbing act of urban violence. Police officer Daniel Fraembs was killed down in Pomona, the first member of law enforcement toContinue reading “Our Man in Blue”
Have Truck, Will Travel
Feeling lonely? Trying to make new friends? Want to get out of the house more? Forget those classified ads. Skip the local bar scene. Go ahead–drop out of Loser Anonymous. Buy a new pickup truck. Trust me–you’re never, ever, be alone again. Brothers and Sisters, I offer a seven-year testimonial. That’s how long I’ve ownedContinue reading “Have Truck, Will Travel”
Dear David…
I have been spending a lot of time lately working at home in my study. (OK, OK — the study is actually just the spare bedroom with a piece of wood across two filing cabinets for a desk, piles of unorganized papers everywhere, and the litter box in the closet. Even Hemingway had to startContinue reading “Dear David…”
Dave Congalton Stories 