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Dominic Tivoli operated a small shoe
repair shop on Palm Street next door to the old Red
Carpet. |
By Tim Carmody
Dominic Tivoli 1900-1986 Dom was a very good
friend of mine. He was born in Italy in 1900 and that was quite
the time in Italy (see the film "1900"). He grew up in a family
that loved to argue politics over the dinner table. He considered
himself a socialist and would take that point of view. He was also
very catholic in a traditional sense. He wanted honesty in
business. Dom came to Chester Penn. in 1922. He was sponsored by
his uncle who was in the "blacka hands" as Dom would say. He soon
tired of being told what to do and abruptly left Penn. for Calif.
He settled in L.A. and went to work for a shoe company making
custom shoes. He'd been a shoe maker since he was 8 years old in
Italy. Once again he tired of being told what to do and went into
his own business repairing shoes and making his famous sandals.
That lasted until the 60's sometime until his landlord sold the
building. He knew Balboa because he had friends there. The Vairos,
Josephine and Ralph lived on the peninsula point. Dom jumped on a
chance to rent a shop on Palm Ave. He moved all his equipment from
L.A. and was in business. I first saw Dom one morning as I walked
by his shop. A customer of his ran out with Dom right behind him
shaking his shoe at him and cussing at him in Italian. We
exchanged morning greetings and he invited into the back room of
his shop where he made Italian coffee. Express he called it. After
a tiny little cup of that syrupy stuff it felt like I was the
express. That was the start of a wonderful friendship. I love to
argue politics too and at that time considered myself a bohemian.
Dom would sometimes jump up from his chair and start yelling at me
if we didn't agree. I just kept my seat and kept stimulating the
conversation.
This went on for years. Early mornings, before
he would opened, he would be working and that was the time we'd
get together. I really enjoyed our little talks and we were soon
friends. Dom loved to cook, so being a bachelor father, my son and
I would go to his house for dinner. He would serve up a great
lasagna. He and Josephine would compete in the kitchen. I'd always
invite Dom and Josephine to my gallery openings at 303 Palm Ave
and they would be the life of the party. They were in their late
70's and 80's.Josephine would get up and dance with Dom egging her
on. Dom had a successful business with lots of loyal customers. He
was very good at what he did and loved working. He refused to give
up and retire even when once again his landlord sold the building.
Dom was 84. He moved his shop to the other end of the peninsula,
across from city hall, and was back in business. At about this
time he started to slow down. He decided to sell the business to
an immigrant couple because he trusted any body who was an
immigrant like himself. Six months after he sold the shop, my
wonderful friend died. He would always say, "I know I'm going to
die,, just not right now." Dom and I loved to laugh and we had the
best of times.
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Balboa Village Market Gets New Meat
Cases |
You know you live in a small town when new
meat cases at the market are the big news. As promised by the Balboa Village Market's new
owners, the new meat cases were installed last month. The
cost? Over $15,000. More
improvements are coming.
Before
After
The Old Cases For Sale
Studio Cafe manager, Steve Welton, says the new
name for the establishment will be, "Cabo Cantina."
Click
For More London's Times
Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth. Deal with it.
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Balboa Photo
of the Month |
Visit Balboa
Photo Gallery
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Hidi Helwig
Hidi's Coffee Shop |
"This ain't no Christian Science
Reading Room."
Goodbye to an old friend to so many.
Passed away on December 28, 2003
at the age of 78.
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2nd Wednesday of the Month
Book Club Luncheon 2 PM
Bibi
Anna's
675-8146
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The California Gray Whale makes the most
spectacular and longest mass migration of any marine mammal. Gray
Whales Migrate Annually along the west coast of North America from
the summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea to the winter grounds
of the Baja California lagoons and back again along the Orange
County coast during the months of December, January, February,
March, and early April. Balboa's Sport Fishing boats offer Whale
Watching Cruses so that children and adults may thrill at the
sight of these magnificent mammals as they pass along the coast.
For further information contact:
Davey's Locker
Newport LandingSport Fishing
Newport Whale Watching
Shellback Yacht Cruises
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BMOA Christmas Dinner Cruise |
A great time was had by everyone aboard the
Catalina Flyer as these quick snaps will show.
  
        
  
  
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Balboa Pavilion 1928
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Hi Jim,
Really enjoy "Tales of Balboa". I spent every summer of my
life in Newport Beach and Balboa as did my parents and
grandparents and now am a permanent resident. The 4th of
July has seen many changes but the best is the local
neighborhood parades which still continue. I was sorry to
see the latest article about the East Bay parade. My
neighborhood has a wonderful parade between Island,
Coronado, Bay Ave. and the bay. Colorful bikes, trikes,
razors, strollers, floats and EV's. Who knows next year we
may even have a "pet" category. Everything is topped off
with games barbecued hot dogs and lots of comeraderie. Our
"guests" always include the Fire Dept. crew from Station
1. The day is always topped off watching the back bay
fireworks. Thank goodness it returned after a one year
hiatus. I do miss the fireworks off the Balboa Pier
though. That was always spectacular and a favorite of
everyone. Do you think the merchants will ever revive that
old tradition?
Bev Purdum Dear Mr. Fournier:
I have had a splendid time visiting your excellent Web
Site< Tales of Balboa >, it was WONDERFUL,CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I was left speechless, and expressing myself of this
experience goes beyond words as to describe how splendid
it is to stroll through the many interesting and beautiful
views of the areas. It was like a fairy tale. All the
events, the interesting information's of the area, all and
everything is excellent. I also want to thank you for the
beautiful photo you so kindly took of my husband Julio and
I, and your gentility in gifting the photo to us. We are
very grateful to you.
I hope to visit you all, with Julio soon.
Biby Brito.
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