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Happy Birthday Grace!

05/25/21 10:22 PM

#1234

Grace Tanaka (Danziger)

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Michelle! And to Ed for the one he sent to my profile message center. I've been so bad about reading and posting in the forum for quite some time, I'm surprised anyone remembered.

I've loved reading the remembrances, like Kenny's about parenting and Bob's about his ancestors - wow, how terrific to know all that family history. My parents hardly ever talked about our forebears...but of course, my brother and I were not very good about eliciting conversations in our family.

I can't really recall whether the classes I had were Honors or AP. I'm guessing Honors because classwork didn't come easy for me and I don't recall any AP tests. The way y'all remember in detail all this stuff from high school absolutely amazes me!

So, I told Ed I had an odd birthday weekend. I may as well regale you all, since I post so seldom. My Facebook birthday is actually the day prior to my real birthday - something someone once told me about not putting PII in a public medium. (And now I've gone and done it.) My Dear Husband Marc apologetically came to me a few months ago and said, I know it's YOUR birthday, but my high school class is having one of its 50th (yes 50th) reunions in Northern CA and one in Southern CA, so do you mind us driving north on May 22nd? He softened the blow by saying we'd spend hours talking in the car, we'd stop for a lovely birthday lunch in Paso Robles halfway up, etc.

The weekend arrives, and a presentation he has to make to a client group on Monday 5/24 has to be redone with his team because he hates it. Suddenly, we're using Southwest miles to fly up and back to Oakland instead of driving so he can work part of Sat and Sun. No lovely vineyard lunch. No hours of meandering conversation. No birthday dinner at the end. Oh well.

However, the gathering of his h.s. buddies turns out to be very nice, we reconnected with some folks, including a baker whose shop is in Alameda, where our son and his family live! The baker brought lots of his wares as parting gifts. On our way back to Oakland airport, we were invited to a birthday breakfast at our son's, our daugter-in-law who is a mighty cook made french toast from the Challah loaf, and we got to spend a couple hours with 2 of our 3 grandkids. Heaven!

We got home and Marc had to work some more. A neighbor friend found out my dinner got canceled, so invited me over for dinner and drinks. Little did I know that she and Marc had secretly planned that he would get there with a few more friends in tow at dessert time, with a yummy cake! Again, total surprise. The planned birthday weekend was entirely changed, yet entirely lovely.

05/26/21 12:38 PM

#1235

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE! So sorry I missed the day!

Sounds like your husband is a real keeper! You and I are very lucky people! Lisa and I are already planning for our 30th anniversary in 2022. Leave town. Go someplace nice. Involve family. But spend time to ourselves, too.

Hey all... IT'S RACE WEEKEND IN INDIANAPOLIS!

I know, you're all asking "Which race?" Well, in Indianapolis there is only one... it's "The Race".
No one here calls it the "Indianapolis 500." It's "The Race" (note the caps... they're important). Just like no one here calls it the "Indianapolis Motor Speedway." It's just "The Track."

140,000 race-hungry fans will descend on Indianapolis beginning Friday, or so. You may think that's a lot. But, in a non-covid year we typically swell to 300,000 fans at The Track for The Race. And, this year the temps are predicted to be pretty reasonable so that would usually mean 350,000 fans. So, this year is actually a very down year. They have 240,000 reserved seats. It's the largest sporting event in the world.

For those of you who have never been, you have NO IDEA of what a crowd of 350,000 beer-swilling, fried chicken-eating people looks like! Or smells like, if it's one of those 90+ degree days! I've been going for about 30 years and that's nothing. There are people here who have handed their tickets down for generations. It's all based on seniority and 30 years is just middle-of-the-pack.

Started taking my son when he was about 6 years old. Part of the tradition. My wife grew up as a kid when The Race took all afternoon. Now, if it goes well, it's only 2-1/2 to 3 hours.

But, it's still an all-day event. We show up a few hours ahead of time and have to walk a couple miles to our seats. And, that's all just INSIDE the facility. It's that huge. It actually has its own climatic zones. I've been there when it's sunny in Turn 2 but they postpone because it's raining in Turn 3!

They also have all the pre-Race festivities I like to get there for. Gates open at 6am for The Race starting at 12:30pm. Marching bands, dignitaries, songs, the Princesses, the drivers on parade, military jet flyover, "GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES". You don't want to miss any of that.

A few years back my daughter was selected one of the Princesses. A BIG honor around here. She did appearances and lots of stuff all spring. Went to the Ball. Rode in the Parade (learned the famous "princess wave" if you ever see how beauty queens wave at the crowd). Wore the gowns. Still has the tiara and sash.
Ol' Dad thoroughly embarrased her at The Race, during the Princess Parade. I had made up a bunch of big signs. Even had a couple Fatheads made with her face. Handed them out among the crowd and organized all of Sections 21 and 22 into a GIANT CHEERING SECTION. So, when she came around the turn, sitting on the back of a pace car, waving at the crowd, 10,000 people erupted into cheers and started waving signs and her pictures! Even the announcer noticed it. "Wow... that Princess has quite a cheering section in Turn 4!" Hey... that's what proud dads do!

The Race is also an event for weeks beforehand. An entire tent/RV city sets up outside The Track. People who camp out and party for a couple weeks. Watching practices, drinking beer and tossing cornhole. Probably thousands of people. Bigger than many small towns in Indiana.

I spent 5 years as a uniformed Race Official, working at The Track for the entire month of May. Helped write the software that times and scores The Race. As well as designing the database and software they use for registration and tracking all the entries, drivers and cars. It was tremendous fun! Got credentials that let me go anywhere in the track. One year I spent as "Tech Support" on Arie Luyendyke's race team. Got to sit next to Mario Andretti on the casting table at Methodist Hospital. He hit the wall at 200mph... I dropped a PC on my foot. Both Race injuries... right? My cast was purple. His was red.

I think part of the reason my wife married me was, as one of our early dates, I tooks her for hot laps around The Track. We were testing the timing and scoring software. Strapped radio transmitters to the bottom of our cars and ran a pre-designed "mock race." Although we were supposed to have a 70mph speed limit, when you're drivng on The Track, who can stick to a speed limit? Got my ol' car up to about 100mph..two feet away from the wall. Pretty scary but tons o' fun! I drove and Lisa was "copilot". Manned the radio and read the script. At the end of the mock race, the script called for all the cars to pit for gas except us. We were supposed to keep going. Then, Lisa turns the page and the script says "You run out of gas and coast to a stop in Turn 4." NO!!! WE WERE GOING TO WIN THE RACE!!! But, they made us follow the script. So, Lisa and I got out of the car and pushed it across the finish line! Then she married me.

I took a day of racing class one year. Driving a Formula Ford around a real track at real speeds. Open cockpit, open wheel racing. Double-clutching and doing 127mph just a foot from the wall and 4 inches off the ground, heading through hairpin turns and chicanes. The legal release they make you sign was about 10 pages long!

Anyway... because of covid I'm not going to The Race this year. Just don't feel comfortable sitting in a crowd with 140,000 people quite yet. But, our home is all decorated with our flags, banners and paraphrenalia. And we'll be out eating fried chicken and listening to The Race on the radio... the way God intended it to be! And, we'll be back in our seats with the 350,000 NEXT YEAR!
Y'all watch it on TV... ok?

05/27/21 10:52 AM

#1236

Robert....wow. Who knew you were such a race fan? Thanks for all the details. My story can't even come close but we did Indy once long long long ago and at that time....500,000 people they said. Well, NEVER AGAIN we said. Off the bucket list it went!!! Once was enough.

As a kid though, I am not sure if they still do this or if it was just something my father, who had some high end buddies there from some business dealings, was able to get us into, onto, but we walked the track for what seemed like miles but I know it was probably a quarter mile. We, my two sisters and I, were told to look for any foreign objects on the track. It was the day before the race if I recall. And I really don't. Maybe a few days, who knows. I suspect this was something they told us to do just to make us feel special. There were other kids there too. Man, this could have been 1970? I was still 10 I think and the enormity of it all was mind boggling. It was cool to feel that important. And it was hot as hell on that track.

Anyway, your story jarred some cool spider webbed memories for me. Thanks man. BTW, I met my wife at U of I Champaign as a freshman. My 'race car' was a '68 Newport!!! And no walls two feet away. Soon after graduation, we married. Still together. So many years later we don't even use a number anymore. We did a civil ceremony first ( long story ) and then a church ceremony. May 30th! I guess I better order flowers......three days away. LOL. Oh man....now I am dragging tons of memories out.........

Have a great long weekend all. And remember the reason we celebrate Memorial Day. Thanks again Robert for your wonderful sharing. This forum serves so many purposes. And we can add jarring memories to it.

05/27/21 11:37 AM

#1237

Timmy Wong

Robert, my family and I have been to The Track!! Here's a shot of us crossing the bricks!!

05/28/21 10:14 AM

#1238

Gregory Calvimontes

As a kid I went to Indy from about age 8 until I was 22. My dad was a huge fan. I enjoyed it, but became a road course fan of IMSA and F1. I also started doing endurance racing about 8 years ago. I race BMW's on tracks like Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, etc. Hope to race at Indy next year.

05/29/21 10:11 AM

#1239

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

I just received the latest issue of our Lane Tech Alumni newsletter and from that issue, I see that our class of 76 is the most totally awesome, kick a$$, supportive class for our school. How do we stand out? Look at page 10 and you will see that our class had the most givers of any class. And I know that our awesome 76 class has participated in and donated to other alumni causes and events. I also know that a number of us have done things "behind the scenes" to support our school, even if our names were not mentioned. I am so very proud to be a 76'er and I thank you all for all you do for Lane. Ed said it best when anytime we "toot the Lane horn", the school benefits. Well done you "bicentennials". I am loving all of these posts from you all. Happy (frigid from my neck of the woods) Memorial Day weekend!

P.S. - This writer was not paid for this "Gratuitous Promotion of the Class of 76"

05/30/21 01:28 PM

#1240

Jeffery Mazur

Sitting and watching the start of the 500 , reading the memories of other alumni and recalling memories myself it's awesome . I was 10 months old at my first 500 in 1959 and my daughter my oldest was six months old at her first 500 . As a family we've attended more times than I care to count. Once indy cars and Indianapolis are in your blood they never leave. We've attended many different races Mid Ohio , Michigan , Milwaukee, Iowa , road America, Joliet also when they raced right here in Chicago! A couple of years ago had the pleasure to drive in in the car at Joliet it was awesome. Two fearful to be in a ride along I chose the drive option, went through the drivers meetings met my spotter and all the plans and had the time of my life. Topped 156 mph on a high banked oval. Incredible! Grew up in a family of racing and it was awesome. My wedding gift to my wife and myself was tickets to Indy from my aunt Pat. Enjoy the race made the drivers and fan stay healthy and safe!

05/30/21 01:47 PM

#1241

Kenny you are right... Bicentennials rule! And this was just for the year-end appeal. Many of our classmates have supported the student food pantry, coat drive, our recent match challenge, and the scholarship program, (we'll have exact numbers by Friday but it looks like we will award over $180,000 to 30+ Lane seniors this June!) Sorry this spread from the newsletter may be fuzzy as it's a jpg taken from a pdf. Message me if you want to learn more. No other CPS High School boasts an Alumni Assn like Lane's, and no other alumni association has members like those from the Class of '76!

06/01/21 11:51 AM

#1242

Jeff & Greg,

A buddy and I used to do Sound Control at SCCA races around Central Indiana/ There are lots of great small tracks around here. He also used to race SCCA Open Class where you could race whatever you've got. He had a great picture of him going around a turn on two wheels... in his Toyota Minivan! And, it's not easy to get a minivan off the ground!

When I lived out east I spent time watching races at Limerock. here in the Midwest I'm sad they don't do IndyCar at Miwaukee any more. I loved watching them on the Miracle Mile. One mile, high banked oval. As opposed to the Super Speeedway here in Indy.

There are also a ton of small tracks here in Central Indiana. Midgets, Sprints, Go-karts. Tons of great racing. Old raqce tracks, sitting in broken down wooden bleachers. Had a friend that used to race midgets on the figure-8 dirt track. Now THERE'S taking your life in your hands!

Well, the Indy 500 is over and it was a GREAT race. Now, back to another year of waiting for the NEXT Indy 500!

06/04/21 11:03 AM

#1243

John Simmers

I have to say that I’m particularly envious of the Indy 500 stories and speedway-memories (Timmy -- your family drove the bricks!). As a lifelong racing fan -- and a racer for some years, I've yet to attend “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” (or “The Race”) at the “Mecca of Racing”. But, it at-least remains on a list of things that I'll do (also -- attending the NHRA US Nationals in Indy).

In August 1994, I did attend the inaugural “Brickyard 400” at Indy. But, that almost didn’t happen. I had repeatedly failed to find affordable tickets in lead-up to it. On the day before, by chance – through a happenstance conversation I had with a friend (who owned a Chevy-Dealership), he gave me his gratis-pair of Chevy VIP tickets -- which he'd no intention to use.

I remember that raceday to have felt like a giant swoop of luck, timing and non-stop activity (all for the best). I had invited a Kansas-City based friend to the race and he arrived on the first-flight into O’Hare – that morning. I left my place in Wisconsin, picked up my Kansas-City-friend at O'Hare (right on the way), we drove to Indy, found and rented a space to park (on a local resident's lawn), walked well over a mile -- to the speedway, walked about the same again -- to our seats (inside turn-one), watched the race, made the trek back to the car, and, straight-away, drove back to Wisconsin, arriving just in time for me to work -- as a pit-crew member, on a 410 Winged Sprint Car Team, at a race held that night.

While the adventure of that day is now almost some 27-years in the past -- it remains vivid to me, and I smile about it. Well -- OK, admittedly, it is 'vivid' -- but just to the point of my actually remembering who won the Indy-race that day. You see, I truly don't remember who did (and, I don't care to know either -- for some reason, it really amuses me that I can't recall).

06/07/21 05:18 PM

#1244

John,

I was at the Inaugural Brickyard 400, too. The first tickets were dished out by lottery and I hit the jackpot! Paid full price but got seats in the 3rd row, behind the pits, right at the Start/Finish line. Jeff Gordon won that first year and everyone sitting around my brother and I was named "Gordon"!

I loved the seats behind the pits. Lots of action there. In IndyCar, a car pulls into the pits and they turn a screw 1/4 turn. In NASCAR, a car pulls into the pits and they start whanging on body parts with big mallets!

Had to let them go a few years later when I couldn't get anyone to go with me. The year before was nearly 100 degrees and, after that, no way my brother would come back. The Indy Motor Speedway in August was brutal!

I also went to the F1 race at Indy a couple times. Interesting. But, not my cup of tea. The fans weren't really much fun.

A couple times they held AIR RACES at the Motor Speedway and that was REALLY COOL! Planes flying real low over the crowd between inflatable pylons.

I skipped the couple times they've run motorcycle races there.

I also enjoy the Midget/Sprint/etc. races at all the other tracks around Central Indiana. Dirt track Figure 8 racing is loads of fun!

06/11/21 07:25 PM

#1245

John Simmers

Is today the 45th anniversary of our graduation?
If so, it feels special.
Not exactly sure why.
Probably, lot's of things.

06/13/21 11:31 AM

#1246

John Bliss

45 years is a lifetime.

06/14/21 12:25 PM

#1247

45 years seems right now that you mention it. But strange too. No way back then we would be thinking 45 years ahead and asking......will I be working, family, contemplating retirement or any number of questions. At the same time, 45 years really hits you hard in the face. That's a long time. We are on the cusp of entering our senior years. I raise a glass to that.

06/18/21 02:10 PM

#1248

Janet Peterson (Ingraffia)

Heading out of town here and wanted to wish a safe and joyous Fathers Day to all the dads out there. My youngest son just turned 16 yesterday........and while I know many of you also had kids later in life, and some long ago and are grand parents too, let me say raising a teen today is no easy feat. And clearly way WAY different then a teen back in the 70's !!!!! That could be a topic for a bajillion posts ! Kenny?

Happy Fathers Day to all the pops out there. Plenty to be proud of and thankful for. Amen.

06/19/21 06:28 AM

#1249

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and all the moms who are both mom and dad. I was very lucky to have such a wonderful, strong, hard-working father as a role model. I miss him everyday, but his presence is everywhere.

I hope you all enjoy your day, however you decide to celebrate!

06/19/21 11:01 AM

#1250

Timmy Wong

Happy Father's Day, everybody. I feel blessed to still be able to celebrate with my dad. We took him out last weekend and we're spending time with my son in Indianapolis this weekend. Hope you all enjoy the weekend 🙂

07/03/21 06:32 PM

#1251

May all the Bicentennials have a safe and happy 4th of July!

07/04/21 04:53 PM

#1252

Thanks Michelle.......it may have more significance if we , like say, graduated on some significant anniversary of our nations founding. But still an important day! Be safe all and enjoy. ( sick humor attempt )

I am up in Alaska now and celebrating this holiday in a very different yet fun way. Alaska is truly a gem of a place to be and while a state in this wonderful union and republic, they celebrate in unique ways because of where they are, their history and their relative 'youthful' status of statehood. Their summer solstice events eclipse July 4th activitiues. Mardi gra of the north. My daughter turned me on to AK and now we make annual trips. And like the lower 48, no two places, cities, or regions of AK are alike. And when you are going for a walk, and a momma moose and her two calves are 100 feet from you in a stare down......you realize what a different place it is. Or you fly onto a glacier and possilby walk/hike where no human being may have ever walked....priceless. Okay....checked email, sent some pics and wanted to say hello to you all......signing off.

07/09/21 10:42 PM

#1253

Maja Wiesinger (Ramirez)

As many of you know, we've lost three (big) doggos in less than three years. Now we're hoping someone here knows a breeder of Scotties, or Westies. Please let me know. Thanks.

07/11/21 12:21 PM

#1254

Hey something is happening at Heros after over three years of stagnancy. One of those NBRHD Ghost Kitchen food trucks has been parked next to the bulding for a couple weeks and this weekend the Heros building was open and activity going on inside. Hope it's something good!

07/17/21 10:59 PM

#1255

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

Ed was right, I do have a follow up to my “Full Circle Phenomenon” (FCP) observation I made earlier. This one I am calling the “I'm An Old Fogey, And I Now Realize It" (IAOF, AINRI) <------ LOVE those acronyms.

Remember when we used to make fun of our parents and grandparents when we were Laneites on their old and behind the time ways and customs? Well, thine circle dost cometh back around on us. Here are a few examples of how I now see how I am becoming a “dinosaur". I am hoping you fellow “Raptors, T-rex'es, Brontosauruseseseses, etc (insert your favorite dinosaur here) can also relate.

So, several weeks ago, my daughter and my “little dude" (my almost 6 months old grandson) came up to visit me for a weekend as I finally had a couple of nights off (unfortunately, I am working 3^rd shift right now and have been heaps busy at work). So on Saturday, my daughter and “little dude" (why do I call him “little dude"? “Cause that’s what little dudes do" <--- famous movie quote) went to visit our Kenosha harbor market by the downtown/lakefront area. The great thing is that I live close enough to just walk there and we were able to have “little dude" in the stroller. One thing about our harbor market is that it has gotten so popular, they have expanded it and have a second one just a few blocks from the original one.

So as my daughter and I (I was the stroller pusher) got to the harbor market, she was already in food tasting mode (and was wanting some fresh veggies, crafts, etc. to take back with her). She wanted to try the jerk chicken, the tamale, the egg roll, the cheese curds, etc. I was feeling a bit bummed because I used up some cash for the tip the night before when we had dinner and I did not get a chance to go to the ATM for more cash. So I am telling her to pace herself because there is a lot of harbor market still left and I am limited in cash. But she said “no worries" as she takes out her debit card and charges her purchases as some vendors even have apps on their phones that can take credit/debit card purchases. Now, I kinda knew that the vendors could do that, but I never got into the habit of charging amounts of under $10.00 on a credit/debit card. That's why I carry cash, plus some vendors are cash only. But my daughter is swiping amounts of $3.00, $5,00, and several more amounts under $10.00, like it's not a big deal. I am not used to that, even though I know of people doing fast food drive throughs and using their card for a meal under $10.00, which (heaven forbid), I would NEVER do. Geee….. maybe I could have brought my trusty old checkbook to the harbor market and write checks of $3.00, $5.00, etc. But that would also make me cringe. Plus, I am sure those vendors would give me one of those "Are you sh***ing me?" looks for using checks to pay.

Just the other day, I went to my favorite bookstore to buy a book and it was around 12 dollars and I was ready to use my credit card for the purchase, but then the cashier mentioned that I had a 5 dollar reward credit and my total was around 7 dollars. So I paid cash instead as I was still hesitant about charging under 10 dollars on a credit/debit card. Does that make me an old fogey?

I do pay bills and also do banking, etc. on line, and also use zelle and quick pay and other payment apps, but I still will mail off a check here and there.

Speaking of checkbooks, I recently mailed in a payment (via check) for a bill and I found out that I was 10 cents short (I misread the payment amount - DUH). So now I still owe them 10 cents. So, now I am really screwed. Do I go on-line and charge the 10 cents on my credit card? (cringe). Do I mail them a check for 10 cents? (double cringe). Do I send a dime in the mail? YES! “Because that's what dinosaurs do!” <---- addendum to famous earlier movie quote.

I hope that I am not the only one that feels like an old prehistoric reptile when it comes to this.

So, the next time I go out of town, would I still need to order some of those “American Express Travelers Checks”? How many of our kids and/or grandkids would know about those?

07/21/21 06:25 PM

#1256

Sir Ken of the Pre Cambian era........ YOU ARE NOT ALONE brother. Last week, for the first time ever, I used a debit card and only because I had a refund owed me from Frontier and they issue cards, not checks. So I used that card and felt so hip........ my 26 year old daughter simply rolled her eyes.

BTW, have never used an ATM! I carry cash that I get from a teller at the bank!!!!! I feel, like Norm from Cheers as they all know me by name when I walk in.

I don't use Zelle and am still pretty dark ages on paying bills....opting to pay by phone tied to a checking acount. But slowly advancing I am. I still write checks now and then especially when paying real estate taxes here in illinois, Wisconain and Florida. I always prefer that cancelled check. All of these cashless convieniences come with risk and having been a victom of ID theft, both my wife and I, we tend to be guarded.

Kenny......you are not alone. It made me smile to know I too.....AM NOT ALONE. SSITDOO....still surviving in the days of ol' Blissfully!

Regards from the Mesozoic era,

07/22/21 11:34 AM

#1257