The world according to Fitz… Happy Mexican Independence Day to
all of our Hispanic friends and readers in Hollister and San Benito
County.
Be sure to check out the parade in downtown Hollister and the
festivities at Sacred Heart Church, both on Sunday.
The world according to Fitz… Happy Mexican Independence Day to all of our Hispanic friends and readers in Hollister and San Benito County.
Be sure to check out the parade in downtown Hollister and the festivities at Sacred Heart Church, both on Sunday.
There is also a mixer at the Vault at 5:30 p.m. today, sponsored by the San Benito Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a group that does a lot of terrific things for our community, especially providing a number of scholarships to area students.
I grew up next to the historic Hispanic area of South Chicago and went to high school with a lot of Mexican-American kids, several of whom are still good friends over the years.
One of my best friends, Ramon Arredondo, has lived in San Clemente for the past 20 years, but still maintains his Chicago roots as a diehard White Sox, Bears and Bulls fan.
My first full-time sportswriting job was with the Albuquerque Journal. Living and working in New Mexico for two years was a lot of fun and fostered that much more admiration and respect for the Hispanic people.
My mentor and great friend in Albuquerque, Frank Maestas, is a local hero there and one of the warmest and funniest men I have ever known.
He helped me out as a young journalist and as a kid living away from the Midwest for the first time in so many ways.
OUR ALL-STAR LINEUP: We have another new staff member joining our award-winning Free Lance newsroom team this coming week.
Please join me in welcoming our new photo editor Chris Pfuhl.
Chris is a terrific talent and a real nice guy with more than 10 years under his belt as a professional photojournalist.
Chris worked for the Associated Press in Boston and covered the deadly war in Sarajevo, along with photographing many other major events in Europe and throughout the United States in his colorful career.
Watch for outstanding pictures to start appearing on a regular basis in the Free Lance as we continue to improve our daily newspaper editorial staff.
And a special thanks to our summer photo intern Victor Maccharoli, who is back in school in Santa Barbara after doing a great job for us, and photo stringer Nick Lovejoy, who filled in for the past few weeks for us.
FOOTBALL TALK: Despite having a banged-up foot, I attended the 49ers-Bears season opener at Candlestick Park last Sunday and my ears are still ringing from the San Francisco fans who really let me and a bunch of other Chicago fans have it during the 49-7 rout.
Gilroy native and 49ers star quarterback Jeff Garcia was sensational against the hapless Bears. If that dude has a bad back, we all should.
Hey, too bad that Hollister native Cade McNown didn’t make it with the Bears as their quarterback a few years back. Cade was a sensational college player at UCLA, though.
My former high school, Mt. Carmel, a Catholic League powerhouse in Chicago, got a nice plug during last Monday Night Football since Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Buccaneers defensive lineman Simeon Rice both played there.
To help take my mind off of the Bears, I have to mention my favorite college team, Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish made a huge comeback to beat Washington State last Saturday in their season opener.
The winning field goal in overtime was sailing wide right and amazingly hooked back left to just make it through the uprights.
My Dad, who died a year and a half ago, was a huge Notre Dame fan. I have no doubt that he sent down a puff of wind from heaven to help his team pull it out.
And good luck to our Haybalers this weekend. They did a good job against powerhouse Valley Christian last Friday despite the 16-0 defeat. Watch for them to get in the victory column against Wilcox in Santa Clara this weekend.
