EDITORS NOTE
Viewer Email & Memories are published as soon as they are received.
Keep checking back for new
messages.
Jim- I love your site....WOW-lot's of great
info! I do not think you are missing a thing! I appreciate your
support of local business's and have a request: would it be
possible to change the photo of Island Marine Fuel on your site. It
stills shows the Ol' "76" Ball which has been gone for almost 6
years now. We are an official "Valvtect Marine Fuel" Marina which
pumps only "Premium Valvtect Marine Diesel Fuel and Gasolines".
Also we have a web site:
www.Islandmarinefuel.com Thanks in advance Jim and
thanks again for your support!
David Beek
davidbeek@earthlink.net
Jim: I am a mate with the Oasis Sailing Club,
and I use the Tide website for each time that I sail. Yesterday,
when I checked the site, it was down. The wind site went down about
six months ago and never did come back. Is the Tide website fated
for the same demise? Please let me know as I use it a lot. Thanks a
lot. Out sailing today.
Later,
Linda Ignatius
lignatius@ca.rr.com
I was thinking about Newport Beach when I was in
high school and Mearle's Drive-in and googled, got this site. Ran
across a name I have not thought of in years, Dick Stahler and if
he is the same guy I knew he grew up on the peninsula, B Street and
his dad was a dentist. We were also pals with Jack Stoneback who
lived across the street from me on Seville? Me and wife and
daughter live in Grass Valley, Calif. in the Sierra Foothills, 60
miles north of Sacramento. Traded surf boards and Hobie Cats for
Mustangs (wild horses), donkeys and mules on 5 acres.
Always thought I would miss the ocean view, how great September in
Newport was when the tourists went home, Blackie's, the Snug (Snug
Harbor) etc.
Passed thru Newport in April last year on the way to Hotel Del and
cruised the pier and the peninsula. Not much different then in 1959
/ 1960's when Skip Crane and I sailed around the bay in a Rhodes 33
his dad let us use for cleaning docks, etc. at South Coast Boat
Company by the Crab Cooker. If any of you guys remember me feel
free to contact me. I had a 54 chevy, white with a small block
vette motor and running gear, cruised Mearle's all the time.
Tim Gore
ctgore@msn.ccom
Hi, Jim, it's Annabelle.
I'm the blind young woman who once went sailing on the M.V. Phoenix
when it was on Catalina Island. Now, when I click on that link to
hear the whistle, I hear nothing! Same thing goes with those other
sound links. Is there a possibility that you could at least send
the Phoenix whistle to me in an MP3 attachment via Email? I would
kindly appreciate it.
Annabelle Morison
foristnights@comcast.net
This is the most wonderful place to visit (your
Tales of Balboa). As a child, I lived in Balboa on Miramar Drive
from 1941-1946. My father was in the army and my mother worked for
Southern County Gas Company. Although it was a difficult time
(WWII) for adults, for the children it was a marvelous fun place to
live. I remember swimming out about half way in the bay to a boat
called Four Winds which was kept there. I also knew a little girl
named Donna Fournier and wondered if she is a relative of your. I
was able to visit about five years ago and it was like "coming
home" even though I have spent the rest of my life in Northern
California.
jancastro36@yahoo.com
Hi Jim,
I was on Balboa the other day and did not see your store. Are you
still located there? I remember when you moved out of the fun zone
area.....
Thanks, I'd love to come down and look at your work again. I just
found your card!
Jon B. Patton
jon.patton@pacificnewport.com
hi, wanted to know about parking at the peer. is
it metered or do you pay as you enter and how much. also what time
does the peer open and close. it has been many years since i was
down there, just want to be prepared.
thanks pat
patrick mcconnell
dadixie@msn.com
Hey Jim,
It was very nice meeting another Fine Arts professional
photographer in action at the start of the 2009 Newport to Ensenada
race just the other day. I appreciate the exchange of business
cards which allowed me to log onto this sight and enjoy your
wonderful photo gallery. You have a great artistic style that I
hope the Locals at Balboa appreciate. I got my one shot of the Race
start that I was looking for. You can see it at my Website:
www.ILovePacificPiers.com
I think a lot of your admirers may also enjoy my website, also. I
would have liked to have chatted more at the Race, but it was work
for me. I'll give you a call when I'm in Town for a leisurely
visit. Thanks!
Larry Brambles, Agoura Hills
PacificPiers@aol.com
Hi There!
I'm new to the area. Wondering if anyone knows who I can contact
about bringing a weekly Farmer's Market to the Peninsula.
Thank you!
bkrparis@yahoo.com
Dear Jim:
Thanks so much for your portal to Balboa. I lived on the peninsula
from 1993 to 1996. A place on I Street and Balboa Blvd, and another
on Bay Street. Got to taste both flavors - the ocean front, and the
bay side.
I had grown up on the east coast, but took a marketing job in Santa
Ana. Young single lad I was. I flew into John Wayne for my
interview, and was offered the job on the spot. The president of
the company asked where I was thinking of living. I wasn't familiar
with NB, so I said I wasn't sure. He recommended getting a studio
apartment in a place called Balboa. Said I'd love it. He was so
right. I actually ended up getting a three bedroom house with a
couple of other guys who had been advertising for a room mate in
the Pilot. We had great fun. Professional by day and cocktails on
the beach at night. I think they enjoyed showing the newbie around.
Used to love coming home after a long day. My wife and I went on
our first date on Balboa. It was a blind date. She came over to my
place. We hung out and tanned on the beach, BBQ'ed, went to Studio
for an Adios. Got married three years later.
Oh, how times change. We moved inland to buy a house and start a
family in Temecula. Which is a nice place, but it surely ain't
Balboa. Couple of years ago we had to move to West Lafayette,
Indiana for family reasons. From palm trees to corn... It's OK
here. MISS MY BALBOA!! Maybe one day we'll move back. Would so love
to buy a place on the peninsula and live ocean life. Become a local
again. Unfortunately, I cannot afford a house on the Peninsula. So,
I thank you for the Portal. I write this after looking at the 6:38
AM web cam images. A tear of longing running down my cheek. Enjoy
Balboa for me. I will always feel Balboa is my true home.
Jon Light
ifpm@comcast.net
Jim,
i have enjoyed visiting your pages often, as i have friends that
are frequently in the area, and it keeps me abreast with what is
going on there.
I have watched your web cams from time to time and have even
downloaded some archived pictures. Question, is there anyplace to
get pictures older than 24 hours? I missed some that I wanted on
Sunday, i was not home and wanted ones of the pavillion from about
15:45 to about 17:00. Is there any place to find them? or do you
know of someone that may have downloaded them and would be willing
to share them?
thanks Jim,
I kinda of figured that was the truth of it. i didn't find out
untill late Monday that I wanted pictures from arround 4-5PM. I do
have several up untill 3:45. Oh well, my patients gave out. I also
had most of Saturdays, but have deleted them too. Thanks again and
keep up the good work. BTW any chance that the Arcade camera will
come back? Sorry if you have already answered that, i didn't look
too deep into comments
Tom Scriven
tscriven@kvoa.com
loving the site!!!
Shelia Aubrey
Hi Jim,
I run a printing company at the base of the Balboa Pier above the
Cannery VIllage real estate building (no production on site). As a
new guy in town I have NO CLUE where anything is, and I was looking
into creating a business directory/map of Balboa peninsula/island
businesses that could be left in stores for people to easily
navigate the area. It sounds like you've been around the area for
a long time. Have you seen anything like this before? Do you have
any kind of business listing or arial map of the area that I could
use as a starting point for my design? I would really appreciate
the help in this, I'd like to do it more as a way to get to know
other businesses locally but also I really need to figure out where
to eat!!! haha.
Zack Gaskins
Zack@Vividcolor.com
Hey Jim,
What happened to the Main Street camera it was my favorite?
Steve Dull
nitro.dull@verizon.net
Hi, this is a long shot...
Wondering if you know the folks who operate the live cameras
viewing the pavilion?
I have included a link so you will know which camera sets I am
referencing.
http://www.croul.com/newportharbor/gallery.html
Love the angle, was hoping to convince the folks to sharpen the
image by adjusting focus?
If you know how I can find them or contact that would be great.
Thank you,
Wayne Powell
wpowell7@cox.net
Hi Jim:
Thanks for the webcam on Balboa Island Ferry. I''ll watch it every
evening (i.e. your morning). Coming back to Newport Beach for a
month at the end of April for the third time.
Harri Oittinen Kuopio
Hi, Jim:
Any hope of restoring the old or installing a new camera on the
Pavillion so we can see the true center of Balboa once again?
Loved being able to see part of the sign of my dad's Balboa
Pharmacy, Balboa Inn and sometimes glimpsing Catalina in the
background.
I check out your site every day to give me a feeling of still being
anchored to my home town.
Regards,
Tita (Vincent) Yost
gramcrakr@comcast.net
Lived and worked in the Newport Beach area off
and on for many years but moved away for good in 1984. Was a good
buddy of Art Larson and did a lot of sailing with him on his black
hulled schooner the "Wanderlure' Heard that Art died in 1994 but
would love to know about his final years in Balboa.
Bill Wagner
Jim. Thanks for your reply regarding Art Larson.I could relate
many
tales regarding Art as he was a one of a kind character. I did not
know you had a book. Where and how can I purchase a copy?
BillCWagner@gmail.com
Hi Jim-
I wrote to you a few years back about my short time living in
Balboa- on the Penninsula- during 1967-68. I was one of the girls
working at Dale and Irene's ice cream stand making frozen bananas
in my bikini at age 14 and swimming across the bay on my breaks
(illegal then and now!). I wondered if anyone remembered Daisy- the
woman who would ride her bike around during that time- wore a straw
hat with flowers around it- lots of make-up- almost the local
version of Mini Pearls without the price tag? Also, the owner of
the gas station not sure of his name- who was married to a
beautiful woman-and the locals called them Beauty and the Beast? I
wondered what year Bal Week came to an end- I had heard it was
1969. Those were the days of music on the sand played by visiting
and idealistic college kids who were filled with a vision of peace
instead of war- and I am not sure- but I believe that was also the
summer of love, wasn't it?
Yes, thank you- it was George who owned the gas station- my
brother, Richard, actually worked for George for about six months
until getting sick (heart condition)- and sadly, passed away a
couple of months later.
The times were very exciting- I remember so much about the area- so
many good memories from that time- such a special place. It is
difficult to describe what it was like to those not having spent
that particular period of time there. In part, it was the 60's and
too, it was my age at the time, It was also the area itself. Where
else would you find teenagers who know how to sail a 30 foot boat,
for example? Where else might you be able to work selling
hamburgers at the end of a pier as I did when the Phoenix family
held leases on it during that time? I don't think there could be a
better place for teenagers to be- but not sure what it is like now.
Parts of the Fun Zone seems the same (I live in Newport Heights
now), but there are so many bits that have really changed. I
appreciate the arcade- and took my children and now my grandsons
there. I love that one can still spend that huge roll of tickets
and get some weird little trinket- but it's all part of the magic.
I love the look in my youngest grandson's eyes when his roll won't
fit in his pocket any more- he is so proud of his achievements!
Such simple pleasure (though expensive for his Nana!).
Anyway, it is good to have a place to talk about it again.
Thanks for remembering me!~
Elizabeth Gellatly
egellatl@earthlink.net
Hi Jim!
Ted and I are enjoying using your wonderful pelican photo on my
Balboa Island Fudge label!
I am going to publish an online newsletter about Balboa Island
soon, and am hoping it will be okay with you if I use the copy
ability on my computer and feature some of your small photos in the
article--with credit to you, of course. Please say yes.
All the best!
Diana von Welanetz Wentworth
Diana@dianawentworth.com
Jim:
Were there any other Glass Bottom Boats in Balboa other than the
Phoenix? If so do you know their names? This isn't a quiz. I don't
know. :)
Stephen
scs@shacomm.com
I have many fond memories of Balboa. My aunt and
uncle lived there in the 70's. They used to have Christmas parties
every year. I remember the wonderfully decorated boats sailing by
and that really got me in the Christmas spirit. Sailing around the
harbor in their small sail boat was a blast. Eventually they moved
away but the memories remained. Several years ago I met a woman
who lives in Balboa and dated her for a time. It was not a match
made in heaven but my time with her allowed me to rediscover the
area. I have lived in California all my life (Pasadena foothills)
and feel that Balboa is one of the best spots there is. Perhaps I
will live there some day. I really appreciate your site as it
gives me a chance to experience that fantastic little corner of our
state. Thank you!
Eric
I love your site, especially the webcams, but when I click on the
calendar to print it, it still shows the photo for January, and
says JANUARY at the top. Can you please fix this?
Anonymous
Hello,
My husband and I spent many Sunday mornings listening to jazz and
having brunch and "Adios Mother's" at a lovely cafe/bar on Balboa
Island in the late 1970s. Sometimes we would park our car and
roller skate around the island.
Does anyone remember the name of the cafe/bar? It's driving us
nuts. Good memories...
Thank you,
Laura López
Laura.LOPEZ@cepal.org
The name of the bar you are thinking of is The Studio Cafe.
Miss that place every day
Marco Torre
marco@compu-tor.org
My daughter, Sarah, lives in Newport Beach and I live in Helena,
Alabama (a suburb of Birmingham). I miss her and being able to
look at your site makes me feel a little closer. Thank you so
much!
Kathleen Leemhuis
kathleen3452@bellsouth.net
Hi Jim,
I have two questions:
Do you have any old pictures of Glen Caldwell who use to play the
piano at the bar back in the '80s? And.. Do you know what happened
to that old piano that was in the pub?
Thank you
Wayne Caldwell
mail4wayne@Verizon.net
DID YOU KNOW THERE WAS A TV SHOW CALLED THE BAILEYS OF BALBOA? IT
PREMIERED IN 1966 AND ONLY LASTED ONE SEASON.
ROCKY HANRAHAN
ROBERT01887@YAHOO.COM
Hi Jim! Another question....remember when you gave us a copy of
the DVD Dirty Feet? I was talking with someone tonight who would
like to be able to buy one for her aunt who is actually in the
audience on the film! Do you know of where she might be able to
obtain one?
Phyllis
pscheffler@city.newport-beach.ca.us
I'm so glad to have found this site. A huge Thank You to Jim for
doing such a wonderful job!
I check this site out almost every day. I grew up in Costa Mesa
and from the time I was allowed to ride my bike to the beach on my
own... I did. (In those days you could let your kids spend the
whole day away from you without much of a thought!)
I, like many of you that have posted, moved away from the area some
years ago. I have loved the adventures of my life, the places I've
lived, friends I've made along the way, and the family that
surrounds me. But I'm always drawn back to the beach, Balboa,
Newport and Little Corona. I can't explain it very well, this
longing inside to walk on the shore, feel the sunsets, smell the
salt air, and feel the freedom that watching the horizon and
hearing the pounding of the surf sets deep in my soul.
The past few years I've had the wonderful experience of taking my
kids and husband to the waves and teaching them to body surf, and
showing them the wonders in the tide pools of Little Corona,
snorkeling, cook outs in the fire pits etc. Fortunately, they love
it and are willing to go along with my obsession! When I married
and we took our first trip to Balboa, my new husband had trouble
just laying on a towel, relaxing, feeling the heat of the sun and
the cool breeze of the ocean sneak over you. He kept saying, "Is
this all you do? What else do you want to see? How long will we be
here?" So I began to teach him the art of the beach life. "Well, no
this isn't all of it......" We can jump in the waves and play and
then lie back on the towels to warm up again. Isn't it cool how you
can still feel the ocean's heartbeat when you lay back on the
towels? Watch the birds, especially the sand pipers, and watch for
the seals and the dolphins swimming in the surf. Let's walk on the
beach, or the board walk, go out to the end of the pier and eat,
always with a keen eye on what the fishermen are bringing up. Go
below the Newport Pier and see through the clear water beneath it,
stealing a secret kiss while we are there. Rent a boat, (cause my
family's one is long since gone) and view the homes in the bay,
pointing out all the famous that you remember. The essentials are
to ride the ferry, eat Balboa Bars, bring something home that
say's, Balboa or Newport, CA, and take as many pictures as can fit
on a 2 G card. The most important thing to do, though, is stay all
day and then feel the sunset calm your thoughts and fill you with a
quietness that only it's beauty can give you. Breath deeply.
Well, I'm happy to say that they all get it now. We spent this
Christmas visiting family and although my brother took us out on
his boat for an afternoon, we didn't get much time at the beach.
(not enough for me that is) I was grumpy on the way back home, not
getting my needed fix, when my kids piped up from the back
seat...... We have to come back soon, cause we didn't get our
personal family time at the beach!...... We didn't get to ride the
ferry or eat the Balboa Bars.... or see the sunset........or, or,
or........... Oh, Yeah, I'm raising them right!
Barbara Mardock (Schmok)
casunset@acsol.net
Dear Mr. Fournier
I emailed you a long time ago, that I may have these pictures of
Ricky's Court somewhere. I am sorry it took so long to get them to
you. I was there the day they tore it down. It was the end of an
era. You probably get a hundred emails and letters a month so I
will remind you... I lived in Balboa when I was growing up until I
moved to the NW in 1981. My Aunt was Bobby Mifflin, 'The taffy
lady', and I have family in the area even now. I worked in the fun
zone when ray and Frank Olson (along with Mr. Kennedy) ran it. I
must have heard the recording of the Balboa Bay tour boat
announcement ten thousand times when I was working at the Arcade. I
would love to hear that again. It started out, "In just a few
minutes now....." I hated it then, and miss it now. I worked at
Hidi's coffee shop when it was next to the post office. Hidi taught
me how to cook and I worked there from 1978-1980 along with
Marcella Portis and Debbie Day. I still remember how to make
the salsa that many people swear they saw move while it sat in out
on the tables in canning jars. The health dept would never let you
get away with that these days. I have been in the restaurant
business ever since. I currently own a small restaurant in the
quaint little marina community of Westport WA. and it reminds me a
great deal of the old Balboa. Back then the locals hung out was
Mutt Lynches', by the ferry, and the place to get a nice dinner was
Dillman's, or, of course the Pavilion .If you were up past two
o'clock, closing the bars, you often found yourself at the Newport
Pier eating breakfast at Charlie's Chili. So many good memories
tied up in Balboa. It's funny how many of us hold on to this town
so tightly. There is truly something special about the place. I
have look for many of the people I used to know over the years. I
check out your web site hoping to see an email from some old lost
friend. I have found some. I know contacts for some: Vicky Solem,
Pelone (Robert Owen), Gary Glover, Art Dever, Tim Reiter, Paula
Schoepe (Paula's fine foods) Mike Lancelot (Pizza Pete's). I am
still looking for contact information for Sean Green, Jesse bailey,
John Horn, Tom Menderez, Marcella Portis, Rappit Mike ( I can't
remember his last name, but he was the manager at Mutt's before it
burned down) Deppie Day, Goomba Jerry and Giovanni and Dean Mund.
It has been so long I was prepared to give up, until recently, when
I found Gary Glover after 28 years. Anyway, hope you enjoy the pics.....I
threw in a couple of Corny. He was a really neat individual, in
spite of himself. Keep up the good work. I look forward to every
month's issue.
Barbara Courneya aka Dever aka Fuller
bdever59@yahoo.com
Hi Jim. I saw your beautiful photos on the wall by the Pavillion
yesterday. The nice people in Davy's Locker told me how to reach
you. I went to high school with a really nice guy who shares your
name and wondered if it might be you or someone in your family.
Did anyone in your family named Jim graduate from Temple City High
School (near Arcadia) in the early 60's ?? If so, would you tell
him hello from Linda "Woody" Whyte - class of '63 . If it isn't
you or a family member may I say anyway how beautiful your work
is. We all hung out around Balboa growing up from the late 50's
till now - and I can see the love in your work. Have a great
Holiday, from a new fan
Linda (Whyte) Tindell
TheRanchWife@aol.com
We Miss Your Fabulous Gallery :( & You :)!Happy Merry Christmas &
Amazing New Year 2009 :):):)!!!
pinki
ponkiajka@yahoo.com
Hi Jim,
I enjoy your site. From 1969 to 1985 I was the UPS driver on the
balboa Peninsula. When I worked down there the stores included,
Henlines, Balboa Market, Gunderson Drugs, Dees Beauty shop, Bank Of
America, Yee Wee Beastie Pet Shop, Balboa Liquor (Cornys favorite
place) the Phone Company, Dillmans, The Handmaiden, Winchells
Donuts, Bamboo Rattan Gift Shop, The Balboa Theater, and Balboa
Cleaners on East Balboa Blvd, those are ones I remember best. On
Main street was the Studio Cafe, A Montessori school (where the Inn
is now), Heidis Cafe, the Post Office, Donaldsons Dept. store, Blue
Sails Stationers, Her Corner, on the corner of Main and East Bay
Ave. was a Jeweler, Balboa Bakery, bay Dept store and of course the
Pavillion with Davey's Locker. Over on Edgewater was Arts Landing
and the Fun Zone, and Hills Boat Service. I spent 16 wonderful
years on the Peninsula and made so many friends. It wasn't like a
place to work it was like seeing family everyday. I loved seeing
Carl and Julie at Molly Browns and their wonderful Labs Molly and
Jackson Brown. I left to become a tractor trailer driver for UPS, I
injured my ankle and the constant abuse delivering packages was
taking its toal. Leaving my route and my friends behind was
possibly the hardest thing I have ever done. In 2006 I retired fom
UPS after 38 years but we still visit the Peninsula several times a
year. We wandered into a shop last year while at the Boat Parade
and ran into Jane Campbell she reopened her shop on Palm Street it
used to be on Balboa Blvd (Local Color) Jane and her brother Joe
(of Rubys Diner fame) were really great folks and it was wonderful
to see Jane again. We don't really see to many people I used to
know after all these years, most of the business owners and their
business' are there no more. Anyhow thanks for the site it is most
enjoyable.
Steve Dull
nitro.dull@verizon.net
|
