Red Fox eatery near reopening but without its beloved player
When the Red Fox Steakhouse reopens, entertainer
David Shaw will be missing. The versatile clarinetist, saxophonist and horn player had looked forward to returning to the mic three days a week when the legendary bar on El Cajon Boulevard was back in business.
The Red Fox began in 1959 in The Layfayette Hotel, a former Hollywood celebrity getaway with a pool designed by “Tarzan” actor and Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller.
But the nightclub’s lease expired, and early last year the retro bistro temporarily closed to move to a new location across the street. Its dark wood paneling, ornate fireplace mantle and other fixtures were removed and used to re-create its vintage interior there.
Shaw’s daughter, Ashley Burt, reports that her dad passed away from cancer March 17. “He was so eager to get back to work with his music partner Joe Cromwell and be reunited with his fans,” she says.
Shaw had played at the bar for 25 years beginning with his longtime music partner, popular pianist
Shirley Allen, who died of lung cancer in 2005. Before moving to the Red Fox in 1995, the duo performed at Chula Vista’s Colony House.
“Hearing Dave and Shirley play together was one of my favorite nights out,” recalls customer Rebecca Grohowski, who met her husband many years ago on a blind date at the Red Fox. “It was a perfect first date at the beginning of a wonderful relationship.”
The reopening of the popular bar has been delayed by the pandemic, but teaser photos of its new sign, signature door and interiors have been posted periodically on its Facebook page.
Operator James Demos, son of founder John Demos, 90, explains that when they
learned of Shaw’s advancing cancer, they tried to open early so the musician could perform in the new setting, but they ran into pandemicrelated delays and were unable to do so.
“We will probably be ready to go by the end of May or early June,” James says. He adds that they may wait until June 15, when the state plans to scrap the tier system and fully reopen.
Shaw definitely would have played a role in the new location, Demos confirms. “A lot of people knew him and liked him. He was so personable.”
“My dad was excited for this move and to see the new piano bar,” Burt says. She plans to be at the grand opening in his place.
“I will remember the great times I shared with him, watching him bring smiles to many people.”
Horse on the mend:
There’s a happy ending to the plight of a stray horse hit by a car about 10:30 p.m. March 29 on San Pasqual Valley Road southeast of Escondido.
The quarter horse suffered a severe facial cut to the bone and a fracture above its left eye, likely caused by its head hitting the windshield. But the
mare was able to walk, and the driver, reported to be unharmed, stayed with the animal until officials arrived.
The mare was described as “incredibly sweet” by San Diego Humane Society Sgt. Kat Tarnowski, who was on the scene that fateful night. It is recuperating after treatment at a Bonsall equine hospital.
The horse appeared well cared for, but there was no indication of where it came from or who the owner was, so the Humane Society put out a public plea.
One of its officers ended up solving the enigma after contacting residents at a horse property in the area who confirmed their horse had escaped when the gate wasn’t properly latched, and they were looking for it.
However, in light of the veterinary bill (surgery was $1,700) and cost of continuing care, the family opted to relinquish possession. The mare, named Chiquita, is doing well and is expected to recover, then be placed for adoption.
So, a happy ending is in the cards. Two staff members already have expressed interest in adopting the mare, reports Humane Society spokeswoman Nina Thompson.
Renegade horse reports are rare, Thompson says, numbering about three or four a year. But calls of other livestock on the loose, such as goats and pigs, come in at least once a month.
Chivalry is alive: When Francis Alipranti spotted an elderly man standing by his car with its emergency flashers blinking on an I-5 ramp in La Jolla, he immediately pulled over to offer help.
The stranded motorist, 91-year-old Harry Zimmerman, had a flat tire but had forgotten his cellphone and couldn’t call for assistance. He was trying to flag someone down on the busy road.
“I didn’t want anything bad to happen,” said Alipranti, a UC San Diego chemistry major who has a road rescue history. He once drove home to get water for a motorist whose engine was overheating. Another time, he picked up a homeless man on a rainy day and even let him sleep in his car that night.
Alipranti first tried to change Zimmerman’s tire but couldn’t remove the lug nuts with the available tools.
“He not only lent Harry his cellphone to contact our Geico Insurance to get someone to change the tire, said Zimmerman’s wife, Fran,” he waited with him for an hour until the mechanic came.” After the tire was changed, Alipranti then led Zimmerman to a gas station to add air to his spare tire.
The student refused a reward and continued on his way, arriving at his Catholic church just as the service was ending but rationalizing that he missed Mass for a worthy cause.
The Zimmermans are extremely grateful. “We think people like him make the world a better place,” Fran says.