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Free Photo Calendar
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Bobbie Mifflin
(The Taffy Lady)
1929 - 2006
She was an icon to many
who grew up in Balboa. |
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Time Capsule
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THE
DOLL HOUSE |
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From TalesOfBalboa the Book
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Just after the end of World War II, The Doll House opened
at 415 E. Balboa Boulevard. The Doll House was noted as one of Balboa's favorite spots for
a good time, and was popular with the Hollywood set, such as Jerry Colona. Peggy Lee, who
worked at the old Fun Zone, got her start at The Doll House. The noise level was so high
she couldn't sing over it so she sang under it, forcing the crowd to listen to her. It is
said this is how she developed her style. With its red and white old barn exterior and red
and white checked tablecloths, The Doll House is remembered by locals as a fun place where
the music would pour out onto the streets every night. Owned by Jane Manchester and
operated with the help of some loyal Philippine workers and hostesses (not waitresses),
there were several Doll Houses, others being located in Palm Springs and Laguna Beach. The
specialties of the house were "Those Potatoes" and the hostesses. That's right,
the hostesses made an easy $500.00 a week keeping the customers happy. Or as Jim Laster
says, "I should know. My second wife was one of them." The Doll House was torn
down in the late 1960's and apartments were built on the site.
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Click To Share Your Memories
I'm 31 now and grew up spending a few weeks on Balboa almost
every summer. I remember the duck with the hat on its head
which was really a growth that looked like a hat. Does anyone
remember the Italian pizza place on Marine Ave. called Meonies,
it had saw-dust on the floor. I also remember playing great 3
on 3 games of basketball on the court near the Ferry. I also
remember a boat that was shaped like a house near Collins
Island, it was called "Dumb Boat." It was always fun to skate
board and bike ride over the fresh painted "No Bike Riding"
signs on the boardwalk. I remember a nice old lady that lived
on the Canal, her name was Ms. Ubanks and she had a cat and
rubber bands on her door handle that she put on their after
removing it from her mail. I loved seeing the red harbor
patrol boat speeding with its siren. The best part of the fun
zone back then was being on the News when they were cracking
down on the "No Cruising" law. I think we were standing right
in front of Bubbles, which was a bar for the divorced or
separated on the Peninsula side. The best arcade games in the
fun zone, which were way past their time, were "Bubble Hockey
and "Berzerk." And let's not forget every summers parting gift
that would keep my mind on Balboa throughout the school year,
the Balboa Beach Company book covers which they gave out free
during the sale. And I'll always remember being at Magic
Mountain with my blue Balboa Beach Company T-shirt and the
cutest brunette waiting in line at the Log Jammer wearing a
green Balboa Beach Company shirt. I had so many of those
T-shirts, today I'm washing my car with them. And I think we
were all pretty scared of "Danger, End of Storm Drain" signs
on the bay. Fishing and catching nothing off the Public Piers.
Putting Jelly Fish in the same bucket with the crabs that
would live off the piers. Feeding the ducks bread. Renting the
way too slow motor boats. Getting pulled over by harbor patrol
for a motor raft that was too fast, with no license. Dad's
Donuts and Balboa Bars.
marsin3d@yahoo.com
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Stop organized crime, fire the politician of your choice. |
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Business Phone Directory
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Take a Ride on the
Balboa Island Ferry |
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2nd Wednesday of the Month
Book Club Luncheon 1PM
675-2373
Newport Landing Restaurant
Saturdays 3:30 PM
-7:00 PM
Kyng Arthur: Authentic Reggae
"Cabo Cantina" 100 Main St
949-675-7760
Sunday November 12,
3 PM
Sunday Musical
Central Library
Friday, November 17
8PM
Fashion Island Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony
Friday December 13
- 17
Christmas Boat Parade
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Click To Share Your Thoughts
Hey Jim, hows it going?
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know, my
aunt, Barbara Mifflin has passed away recently. She was
the taffy lady in Balboa for many, many years. Originally
she had the taffy windows on the boardwalk in front of the
old Fun Zone. She had the hamburger stand there for awhile
also. She later relocated her taffy store to Palm street
down closer to the municipal parking lot. I believe you
have written about her in your book, or quoted some of her
stories about life in Balboa in the good ole
days....anyway, you may want to mention it. She was kind
of an icon to many who grew up in the area. I wish I had
a picture of her in her infamous red bandana, but alas I
do not. Her son Dennis may have, he can be reached through
the Mifflins Taffy web page. She was a special person for
many reasons, but one that comes to mind....she gave a lot
of kids there first jobs throughout the years, in her
taffy shop and hamburger stand. She enjoyed that. She was
a bit of an eccentric, and those who really knew her, know
just what I mean, and she will be missed
Barbara Courneya a.k.a. Dever
bdever59@yahoo.com
Hi, I really enjoy your website. I spent so many young
summers in Balboa from the mid- fifties as a kid to the
present day. Do you know of anywhere I could get a print
or copy of a photo or painting of how the fun zone used to
look back in the fifties to the sixties? I saw a water
color painting in Long Beach 20 years ago but I was too
broke to purchase it. It showed the view from the ferry
crossing looking down the sidewalk towards the pavilion.
Please e-mail if you have any ideas. If not, then thanks
for your time anyway. Daryl
Daryl Yancey
darylyancey@yahoo.com
Hello,
I thinking about buying the book. What I need to know is
there anything - articles, pictures, etc. regarding Dave
Myers and the Surftones in this book??
Thanks for your help!!
Barbara
crazyleslie@earthlink.net
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From London's
Times
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Pop Quiz
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