* ... BRAUN: Hats off to Monsignor Michael Braun, who was recognized as a 2013 Distinguished Pastor by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Braun was among 12 pastors who were honored at a special ceremony in Houston last week. Our Lady of Perpetual Help school board President Elaine Jamison called Braun "the mortar and bricks that hold our foundation together and assure its future."
* ... DOWNTOWN: Another new tenant is joining the growing mix of businesses at the Shops at 1612 (formerly the Hay Building) on 19th Street in the heart of the arts district. Frosting Ink, which is currently behind the down U.S. Post Office, is moving to the Eye Street side of 1612. The shop owned by Sheila Heninger offers cupcakes, cookies, candy and various other sweet items. She hopes to be open by May.
* ... ON THE MOVE: More local kids moving up and away. Carl J. Nicita Jr., son of Carl and Beverly Nicita, has been named Deputy Director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services for the City (and County) of San Francisco. CJ, as he is known, was born in Bakersfield and graduated from Ridgeview High School in 2005. He obtained an associates degree from Santa Monica College and finished with a bachelor's degree in political science from San Francisco State University.
* ... BREAD: Ernie Cardoza gave me a call to answer the riddle over the old jingle for Golden Crust Bread. He recited it like it was yesterday: "Golden Crust Bread, Golden Crust Bread, there's no bread any finer than Golden Crust Bread. For fresher bread tomorrow, get Golden Crust today. You won't find a fresher bread no matter what you pay."
* ... MORE BREAD: Another reader, local accountant Fred Misono, had a slightly different version of the jingle but he also recalls school field trips to the local bakery. "Free samples of the fresh bread right out of the ovens and a miniature wrapped and labeled loaf to take home. Quite a treat and a treasure. Never got the chance to test it out with Uncle Harry, Zippy the Clown or sponsor Uncle Woody Bryant, owner of the Toy Circus. Thanks for the memories of a simpler time... bizarre how certain things stick in the old noggin."
* ... CIOPPINO: It was another successful Cioppino Feed this weekend put on by the West Rotary Foundation over at Garces Memorial High School. This is the West club's signature fund raising event and normally draws a sold out crowd, but this year a few dozen tickets went unsold. Among those I spotted were Jim and Nona Darling, John Pryor, Greg and Mary Bynum, John and Ginette Brock, John and Karen Wells, David Jensen, Rick Kreiser, Mike Rubiy, Tracy Walker-Kiser and Brian Kiser, David and Debby Cohn and so many others.
* ... NUN RUN: Make sure you check out the annual Nun Run this Saturday over at the Our Lady of Guadalupe School. It's the 17th annual fund raiser and will begin at 10 a.m. with the closing of East California Avenue, in both direction, between Union Avenue and Baker Street for an hour. There will be food, games, crafts and music and of course the popular People's Choice Chili Verde Cook Off. This is one fund raiser that is worth supporting.
