Phil Jones

Phil Jones

From “Cookin’ on the Coast”

“Recipes of Laguna Beach Lifeguards”

By Pam Strayer and Stephanie Cunningham

1988

Phil was a Laguna guard from 1955 to 1968. He still is active in the Association and continues his friendships with many of the “old guard” as well as newer members.

He often shared the duty with Brayty Norton and Chad Burton, and he happily remembers an incident that caused him to laugh “harder than I ever laughed in my life.” Brayty had been sent out in the motorboat to patrol the section of coast north of Main Beach, beyond the sight of the two other guards, Chad and Phil, who were on duty at the Main Beach Tower. Brayty was gone for a very long time, so long that Phil and Chad were beginning to fear that something had happened to him. But he finally came back and had no story to tell. They gave it no more thought.

The next day Tom Pletts and Pete Verity, who were known as the “Trash Pickers” because they had a summer job cleaning up Heisler Park, dropped by to say they’d seen Brayty jump off the boat the previous day for a quick swim, but he’d forgotten to idle the engine. The boat kept right on going, but luckily it went around in circles. Brayty had a heck of a time getting it back. Pet and Tom observed all this from a cliff at Heisler, roaring with laughter, as the boat nudged Brayty aside time after time.

Poor Brayty. He’s never been able to forget this little lapse with a good friend like Phil to

help him remember.

Salsa Felipe

Ingredients:

6 ripe tomatoes, quartered

¼ c. chopped cilantro

1 small clove garlic

½ white onion, chopped

¼ c. chopped chives

1 t. oil (olive or Wesson)

1 T. red wine vinegar

2 Jalapeno peppers, chopped and seeded

Place all the ingredients in a food processor. Chop to desired consistency.

Salt and pepper to your own taste. Serve with tortilla chips.

Serves 6 – 8. You’ll love it for dipping!