Beachcombing

We were saddened with the recent passing of Vin Scully, which reminded us of what a great person he was.

Back in the 1970s as director of communications for Hyatt Medical Enterprises, a subsidiary of Hyatt Hotels, I hired a writer and recent graduate of Cal State Northridge named Ross Goldberg. Ross wasn’t fond of the thought of working with hospitals because of all that blood and stuff, but he was an ardent fan of the L.A. Dodgers, which suffered fewer injuries than seen in hospital emergency rooms.

Fast forward a few years when Ross married Debbie. My wife and I attended their reception in Los Angeles that had a card prominently displayed on the reception table. It was hand-written from Vin Scully, congratulating the couple on their marriage.

The card was an example of why the man was loved by so many people. It was never about him and it was always about being kind to others in a very personal way.

Another great person of note on the local scene passed away on July 30, a week after falling at his Belmont Heights home. Terry Geiling, 83, was a community leader and strong supporter of military families through his efforts on behalf of Fisher House Southern California and as CEO for Gold Star Manor from 2009 to 2020, where he oversaw the $55 million renovation of 348 apartments.

Recently he was instrumental in founding a Fisher House for housing military and veteran families at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach, as well as similar facilities in San Diego and at Camp Pendleton.

In a Press-Telegram story, Alfredo Velasco, president of the Rotary Club of Long Beach, called Geiling, “a Long Beach tour de force. He was an amazing human being who couldn’t say no when helping other people.”

Geiling served as Rotary president in 2006-07.

He was a 1960 graduate of the University of Illinois on a Naval ROTC scholarship. His first assignment brought him to the former Long Beach Naval Station before attending submarine officer’s training school in Connecticut and commanding a submarine during eight years of active duty.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, Nancy, Geiling is survived by a son, Chuck, a daughter, Sara, and three grandchildren.

Here’s a Facebook posting that we liked, from Ronnie Lucero, the National Chairman Republican National Hispanic Assembly:

Dear Brittney Griner,

Still think America shouldn’t play the National Anthem at games now?

Sorry you’re stuck in a Russian jail for bringing drugs into their country. I’m not fighting to bring you home that’s for sure. But I do wish you luck.

Maybe reach out to President Trump; he’s the only man that can help you. We all laughed when we heard you wrote Biden. Oh, how did that vote for Joe Biden work out for you?

Oh, one last thing, congratulations on 140 days with no drugs.

Signed, 75% of America

George sent us the following reminder of what you call more than one of any species:

• Herd of cows
• Flock of chickens
• School of fish
• Gaggle of geese.
• However, less widely known is:
• A pride of lions
• A murder of crows as well as their cousins, the rooks and ravens
• An exaltation of doves
• And, presumably because they look so wise, a parliament of owls.

Now consider a group of baboons. Baboons are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates. And what is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons? Believe it or not ... a CONGRESS!

That pretty much explains the things that come out of Washington. They can’t ban assault weapons and they reward illegal immigration. The foolishness continues.

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