That horrible section of I-5 that feels like a series of boat ramps hooked together (and which runs through our fair city) is undergoing a major resurfacing and according to the Department of Transformation, it should be done sometime this spring.

The grinding work (figuratively and literally) is supposed to make the highway last another twenty years, and though much of the damage is caused by heavy trucks, new HOV lanes should ease congestion.

The really neat vintage car show at The Commons on August 26th was a big hit with tons of cool old rides, and one of them belonged to my pal, Crazy Jack.

If you didn't see his forest green 1970 Barracuda, perhaps you heard it, because he put some sort of "hemi" engine in it and the thing rattles windows when it goes down the street.

So much for good gas mileage, but at least it's some respite from the kids and their "boom cars."

Jack told me that he only has "'bout twenty thousand bucks" into his prize, and I asked him if he'd ever sell it.

"I dunno...maybe...I guess everybody has a price." he says.

And speaking of price, have you seen the price of fresh salmon these days?

Safeway is getting $8.00 a pound for sockeye, and this really riles my pal Ricky The Fisherman.

Ricky has a boat and a strong desire to catch his own, and lucky for me, I got invited. Ricky said it was because he loves me, but I know it was because I don't mind chipping in for gas.

Rick is a great guy, would do anything for me, trouble is...I'm pretty sure he lies about his fishing prowess.

On our outing, we caught a couple of 5-pound blackmouth just off Redondo and even though they were just barely legal, I barbecued them with relish. (Well, not actual relish, more of a teriyaki glaze.)

The next day, Ricky told me that he took another pal out fishing and caught a 12-pound king and 8 and 9-pound blackmouth.

Sure he did. And I'm the King of Prussia.

But even with the price of the gas, you can't beat fresh salmon that you catch yourself.

I told Ricky he should start a charter service since he's so good at finding the fish.

He said brightly, "Hey..that's a good idea...and after I get done stocking the boat, prepping the downriggers, cutting the bait and cleaning up the mess I might make a dollar or two!"

I guess Ricky's just in it for the fun. He did offer this tip though: "Hit Three Tree Point before 7:00 a.m., use a Purple Haze squid and a Cut Herring (whatever that means..I'll bet it's just code for "Safeway has Sockeye for $8.00 bucks a pound!").