Our ESS Shasta watching me
throwing out the 1st tennis ball at
grand opening of the Sergeant Baron
von Willard Memorial Dog Playground
aka the San Clemente dog park. 9/'05
throwing out the 1st tennis ball at
grand opening of the Sergeant Baron
von Willard Memorial Dog Playground
aka the San Clemente dog park. 9/'05
I know this is boring!! But seems to be traditional
(mandatory?) so here goes: I grew up with
woodworking. With a big family and large house in
the San Francisco Bay Area, my father kept busy
enlarging, changing and repairing our place. The
coolest tool I ever saw as a kid was the Shopsmith. It’
s that lots-of-tools-in-one machine. I thought it
was just the greatest the way you could change it
from table saw to drill press, to lathe and other
tools. I had lots of fun using it.
In college I continued my unofficial study of
woodworking. I got a job helping a pro renovate and
remodel homes, including some owned by members
of Jefferson Airship band. Now there was a job where
money really was no object!
(mandatory?) so here goes: I grew up with
woodworking. With a big family and large house in
the San Francisco Bay Area, my father kept busy
enlarging, changing and repairing our place. The
coolest tool I ever saw as a kid was the Shopsmith. It’
s that lots-of-tools-in-one machine. I thought it
was just the greatest the way you could change it
from table saw to drill press, to lathe and other
tools. I had lots of fun using it.
In college I continued my unofficial study of
woodworking. I got a job helping a pro renovate and
remodel homes, including some owned by members
of Jefferson Airship band. Now there was a job where
money really was no object!
After graduation I got into selling and never did try to be a professional woodworker. I did make some of my own
furniture. Usually out of necessity when I couldn’t find, or afford what I wanted. I also bought and renovated some
fixer up type houses.
I got into this in a somewhat – I think – unusual way. I moved to San Clemente from the Bay Area some years ago
when I fill in love with Penny, who lived in OC. One Sunday afternoon in December, I took our 2 Springer Spaniels –
Shasta and Bolo - to our local park. The ‘No Dogs Allowed’ sign there had been ignored by all for years. But this day
was different. The dog catcher pulled up and gave me a ticket for having dogs in the park. I was outraged; both at the
price of the fine - $211.00 – and the fact the city had changed the rules from non enforcement to enforcement over
night. To make a long story short, I fought and beat the ticket; and with some friends and neighbors got up a petition
to change the ‘no dogs in parks’ law (at the time dogs were not allowed in any San Clemente park – even on leash!);
and got on a Park & Rec committee to recommend changes. One recommendation was for the City to build a dog
park. It’s been some years since my ticket (and crusade). The City has built a dog park (like most, one of the most
used parks in our town), and changed the laws so at least we can take leashed dogs to 3 city parks (still working on
getting more and a beach!). And I started a nonprofit corp. – The San Clemente Dog Lovers – which raised over
$20,000 for improvements to our park. A while back we considered our ‘job done’ and disbanded.
So I kid folks that they really shouldn’t get me mad. Last time I got really mad – with the city of San Clemente - it
cost them $275,000 to build me a dog park!
As this was happening, I bought my first scroll saw. It was the most fun I’ve ever had woodworking! I made some of
my dog crafts for friends and to donate for our nonprofit fund raising. People really liked them. They have won me
some awards at out Orange County Fair. So my craft business is a natural out growth of my love of dogs, and most
other animals, and love of woodworking. Hope you enjoy my little guys, and my photography.
furniture. Usually out of necessity when I couldn’t find, or afford what I wanted. I also bought and renovated some
fixer up type houses.
I got into this in a somewhat – I think – unusual way. I moved to San Clemente from the Bay Area some years ago
when I fill in love with Penny, who lived in OC. One Sunday afternoon in December, I took our 2 Springer Spaniels –
Shasta and Bolo - to our local park. The ‘No Dogs Allowed’ sign there had been ignored by all for years. But this day
was different. The dog catcher pulled up and gave me a ticket for having dogs in the park. I was outraged; both at the
price of the fine - $211.00 – and the fact the city had changed the rules from non enforcement to enforcement over
night. To make a long story short, I fought and beat the ticket; and with some friends and neighbors got up a petition
to change the ‘no dogs in parks’ law (at the time dogs were not allowed in any San Clemente park – even on leash!);
and got on a Park & Rec committee to recommend changes. One recommendation was for the City to build a dog
park. It’s been some years since my ticket (and crusade). The City has built a dog park (like most, one of the most
used parks in our town), and changed the laws so at least we can take leashed dogs to 3 city parks (still working on
getting more and a beach!). And I started a nonprofit corp. – The San Clemente Dog Lovers – which raised over
$20,000 for improvements to our park. A while back we considered our ‘job done’ and disbanded.
So I kid folks that they really shouldn’t get me mad. Last time I got really mad – with the city of San Clemente - it
cost them $275,000 to build me a dog park!
As this was happening, I bought my first scroll saw. It was the most fun I’ve ever had woodworking! I made some of
my dog crafts for friends and to donate for our nonprofit fund raising. People really liked them. They have won me
some awards at out Orange County Fair. So my craft business is a natural out growth of my love of dogs, and most
other animals, and love of woodworking. Hope you enjoy my little guys, and my photography.
“An old dog that has served you long and well is like an old painting.
The patina of age softens and beautifies, and like a master’s work,
can never be replaced by exactly the same thing, ever again.”
Barbara Bush
The patina of age softens and beautifies, and like a master’s work,
can never be replaced by exactly the same thing, ever again.”
Barbara Bush
“If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not
necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may
be something wrong with you life.” R Caras
necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may
be something wrong with you life.” R Caras
WOODEN CATS