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Viewer Email & Memories are published as soon as they are received.
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Jim,
 
Saw your article on Christian's Hut, I was told it was first built as a bar and sleeping qts. for the crew of the film Mutiny on the Bounty with Clark Gable in 1935.  Do you know the location on Balboa, was it on the island or peninsula, before it was moved to 3121 W PCH and when?
Ed Solter
edsolter3@hotmail.com

Does anyone remember Dan Wark, or the Wark family who resided on the Island?  Dan was born in 1947, and died in Vietnam in 1968, at the age  of 21, after only 3 months of service.  I went to Orange Coast Jr. College with Dan in 1966-1967 and we became best friends.  We restored my 1923 Ford Model T together, sitting on the beach, watching the bikini clad girls, and sanding on the wood spokes.
Does life get better than that?  Red headed, freckle faced Dan Wark.  What a good time we had, before that dark day... August 18, 1968.  Shot in the back of the head during an ambush, defending a rubber plantation.
There will always be more questions than answers.
We were young.  I wrote a verse for my Balboa girl friend, to music in 1967 for an album I produced entitled, "Something in the Night."
It said:  "Sometimes, I take you with me to the Cliffs of Newport Beach.  We stand and watch the lights of the Peninsula tease the waters of the Back Bay.
And sometimes, yellow balloons soar high from your fingertips, like smiling faces in the sky.
And sometimes, we stay at home, and like a child having found a new piece to a jig saw puzzle, I fall in love all over."
I was an announcer at KOCM FM 103.1 back then.  Playing Danny Davis trumpets while over looking the ocean out the studio windows from atop the cliffs created a romantic dimension in my life that only I am eternally greatful for.
Only this unique 1960's setting could touch this 20 year old heart so profoundly.  It could never be duplicated again.  Viva Balboa, and the great times we baby boomers had in this romantic age of Orange County.
William H. Belter
kruzerone@hotmail.com
 

Hello webmaster, would like to know if you offer ad space on your website. If so what is your yearly fee for a small text link.
Thanks
Richard
info@semadvisory.com

 Hi.. love the webcams.. Did you know that the one facing the merry go round refreshes every 20 seconds.. not every 10.. It counts down from 10 and then counts down again then refreshes.. .. Just a heads up..
thanks,
 Diane
 

Hi, Jim. We're coming down there this coming December for Christmas and we didn't want to miss the harbor light parade. Do they have the dates set  for that yet?
Thanks.
Brian Helsing
brian.helsing@yahoo.com

I am outraged that the city of Newport Beach would buy and tear down the Balboa Market. That building is a landmark in Balboa. If it was for some useful purpose that would be one thing but to turn it into a parking lot is horrible. It continues to show the greed of city officials. I can't ever remember being in Balboa when the Market wasn't there, it was there at least ten years before I was born. By the way what was the year of the photo taken of the Market in its heyday? Balboa is a charming community loved by many, why does the City feel the need to destroy that charm? It reminds me of the incident where the City came in by night and removed the trees from Main Street. They should be ashamed and the people responsible for this action concerning the Market should be removed from office. I am sure others feel the same way I do and we need to let the City know our outrage, I will make my call today.   
Steve
nitro.dull@verizon.net

I really enjoy your site. I cannot believe how many years have flown by -- it seems like I was watching the Flight of the Snowbirds (anyone remember that?) just last year. Has anyone visited the new and improved Harbor High? How is it? NHHS '76
Gordon Wagner
office@spaceways.net

Hi Jim,
Pam Kling in Denver here (Mark Ward's sister). just stopping by to say hi, and I hope you are doing well!. Am still in Denver, and still working hard with not enough time for play. happily single.  still think of Balboa...and wonder if you know a way to either forward this to Shelia...or give her my phone number? would love to track her down and catch up!
Pam Kling
pam.kling@gmail.com

going out there to be with Mark changed the course of my life bigtime.  spent the last 3 years hosipcing my step-mom and dad. they are both gone now.  time for me!...

i still see you with your hat, on your bike..and the beautiful flowers you had...i wonder what mischief you are up to now?...what crazy people live in the apartments now?...oh the stories you could tell!!!
take care, my friend,
Pam
 

Hi there,
Hey I just wanted to thank you guys again for getting the funzone webcam back up and running...
It's winter here in Windsor right now and checking you guys out is a breath of fresh (read: warm) air.  I'm moving to Newport beach this summer and I can't wait to stop in and see that firsthand instead of on the cam.
Thanks again!
John Mizerek
pinkyfloyd@gmail.com
 

at the expense of sounding a little selfish, could you please check on the Fun Zone webcam?  ;)
I'm planning on moving to Newport Beach this Spring and I check out your cams all the time!  The Fun Zone one has been down for about two days now....thanks!
John Mizerek
pinkyfloyd@gmail.com
 

Do you have picture I can buy of Snug Harbor Bar ?
tcromo@lasd.org

I too want to know what happened to Breeze (bartender at the Class of 47), and also what happened to Ron White, Ernie and Skipper, and Ron DeLuz and where they are now.  I lived most summers in Balboa from 1940 to 1961 and then again lived there from 1978-1984. 
Gail
09gwilson@comcast.net

I live in Newport beach as a kid, lived by the fun zone,, went to Newport beach elementary school in kindergarten in 1972 Mr.. Elliot's class, anybody in that class,, love you website,
Greg Graves
gboysgirls@yahoo.com

Hey Jim,
Its been a family tradition for many many years now to visit Newport Beach and stay out on the Peninsula.   In the past we have been renting a beach house from cannery rentals  and staying 219 East Balboa Blvd. We love  being able to walk on the boardwalk down to the ferry and Bay Arcade and out to the peir and Rubys. Anyway we called up this year and it is booked for August So I have been looking into finding a new place to stay but since I can only see photos of a beach house would look like I thought I would ask a local if you knew of some beach houses or beach house company's on beach side doesn't have to be beach front but something just off the beach and within walking distance to the fun zone.  In the past we have paid between $1,500 and $1,700 a week.  So if you know of any places you recommend that would be awesome. Thanks so Much for your time.
Love your website!  Keeps me updated all year long!
Jaci
jacidbedont@hotmail.com
 

I was just wondering if anyone kept a  schedule for the New (Old) Balboa Cinema. I think it was a bi-monthly schedule with great double and triple features changing every 2 to 3 days.  I would love to see one and recreate some of those double features for my family.   If someone has one and could post a .jpg somewhere I would love to see it.
Wonkadoo@yahoo.com

Hey there,  I am looking for a job on the ferry over the weekends or in the afternoons during the week. I'm not sure if your the right guy to talk to and if not would you be able to point me in the right direction? Thank you very much and hope to hear from you soon.
Dean Hayland
11HylandD@sagehillschool.org
 

Hi Jim,
Could have read it in the blab or just local gossip... but been hearing about a Polar Bear Plunge at the Balboa Pier...
Fact or Fiction... If so,  let us know what time... Can't think of a better way to start the 2010!
Cheers!
Carole
nwpcarole@aol.com
 

Is there going to be a polar bear plunge on New Year's Day at the Balboa Pier? If so what time? thanks
Anonymous

Dear Jim,
Merry Christmas to all the people at Balboa.
Greetings from Lima, Peru
Carlos Gálvez
skynet@terra.com.pe
 

Jim,
It is that time of year again, Christmas Boat Parade. Looks like you have had some major changes in webcam locations since this summer. 2 on the Fun Zone, lost the one in front of the Pavilion and the one in the Bay  Arcade has gone away. So just the 4 cameras now? only the Ferry crossing  cam to view the parade, and none to view the Pavilion  and the Flyer boarding area?
Tom Scriven
tiscriven@comcast.net
 

It was nice meeting you on the boat for the Tina's Holiday Cruise last weekend. Your gallery shots are wonderful and I really like your website. Hope to see you at another event!
~Marcia
mescobosa@fullerton.edu

Jim,
I came across your site while poking around on Google Earth. Tales of Balboa is a fun visit.
Attached are three photos that may interest you for your "Photo of the Month" section.
The Bumper Car image was shot at the fun zone in the early 70's, probably "73, as were all of these images.
Art's Landing. . , well is the old Art's Landing. The Boats in the Fog was shot somewhere close by, as I recall slightly to the south of the Fun Zone. Photo  Photo  Photo
I wish you much success with your site.
Sincerely,
Gordon
hispeed@cox.net

Hello there... your link for the question about the red nose reindeer is not hot. Yes, he has budding antlers.
I love your site....its wonderful and delightful....keep up the great work.
kitty
namaste11@ymail.com


Love this place during christmas time, bummer about the lights not being at Harborside anymore, say it isn't true!.  I am a 40 year CA Native born right at Hoag Hospital in fact.  Work for Balboa Bay Club Resort and have enjoyed the Christmas Boat Parade for years!  I love everything there is about Balboa and Balboa Island, never ever pass up a Balboa Bar!
aun1@hotmail.com

It is  really sad that the harbor side pavilion does not put there xmas lights up any more hum bug Mr scrooge
Anonymous

Your month of December web page is very well done : )
Kitty Fitzgerald
kfitzgerald@swirlingsilks.com

Does anyone else remember the Christmas Tree Bonfires down by the Newport pier on NewYears Eve?  The teenagers in the neighborhood would go from house to house collecting all the christmas trees they could.  They would pile them into a mountain of trees down by the pier and set the whole thing on fire.  The whole town came out to watch.  I was a kid in Newport in the 60's and 70's.  I remember being amazed by this. 
Sally
sally.clark@sbcglobal.net
 

Love your web site!  My family used to vacation on Balboa Island 1955 - 56.  We loved to go to the Jolly Roger and have tacos, ride the ferry to the fun zone and just enjoy that beautiful setting.  My love was sailing and racing the boats that I built while in high school.  My sister and I would get up in the morning and prepare to go sailing.  I would carry the sail and she would carry the rudder and we would walk down to where the boat was buoyed.  I would sail all day up and down the bay in awe of the beautiful yachts moored along bay.  I sailed all over the bay, even out the jetty into the ocean when I felt brave. Those times sailing in my 12 foot sail boat, and racing my B Utility racing boat in the back bay were the most exhilarating  times of my life.  Photo  Photo
Ron Marchetti
Sterling@mind.net
 

I was a waitress at The Tale of  The Whale in the early 80's. I really enjoyed the people that lived there at the time. Bill and Rita (Caouette) were especially good to the employees of the restaurant at that time. I remember Evelyn and her little candy shop, our favorite breakfast regular's; Helen, who would always leave a quarter, and Betty, who would always leave a dollar, a dollar was a lot at that time! My girlfriends and I loved to go dancing. I dated a few guys that lived in the area, Tim, who worked at Malarky's and that preppy store next to The Pavilion and Jeff, a cute blond surfer boy. I'd love to find some of these people and thank them for the lessons they taught me.
jacqueline_lagunahills@hotmail.com

I was wondering if the Tale of the Whale was still in business.  I used to love to eat there at night as it was lovely with all the lights outside.  I have not lived in Orange County since 1995 and have regretted it almost daily.
John
jmdennis@dslextreme.com

Hi Jim,
 Sorry I've been out of touch for so long. I lost my parents and have spent most of this decade in a very nasty divorce with my estranged attorney wife. I still find time to enjoy your e-mails and website. Thank you! I noticed the e-mail from Edward Hill inquiring about the "casino" sign and thought I should crawl out from under my pile and respond with a little history.
 The Casino was never actually a casino. It was just a bar. Originally the name was Workman's Casino and was owned by Dad Workman. The name was a carryover from a gambling joint he operated on the other side of Main St. (in the 100 block) in the 1920s. During Prohibition, his was one of the many places in town you could buy alcohol. You would ask for a carton of cigarettes, wink, and he would put a bottle in the box. By the time he moved into the Storey Building, Prohibition had been repealed and gambling had been clamped down on, so he went legitimate. He sold the bar to two guys whose names I can't remember. They may have been brothers. They never cared much for Mr. Workman (few people in town did) and promptly changed the name to Fisherman's Casino, as the sign still reads. The bar days are marked in old pictures by blacked out windows and stainless steel doors in what are now the open arches on the corner, as they were originally. The interior was highlighted by a semicircular bar against the back wall, which was a partition, marked now by a post in the middle of the Mithrush store. At one point they knocked two openings through the partition on either side of the bar and had a dining room in what would, years later, become Hidi's Cafe. When we did the seismic retrofit we pulled up layers of flooring and found the scars where the semicircular bar had been.
 The building was built by Fred Storey in 1930. Balboa Marine Hardware was where the kite store is now. Soto Nishikawa had Soto's Curio Shop on the corner across Main from where the post office is now. He was the first tenant in the space that would later be Hidi's, operating two businesses across from each other. He was very successful until WWII, when he was sent to an internment camp in the Arizona desert. He lost everything and died without a penny to his name after the war. The first tenant in the corner was the Balboa Sport Shop which sold bathing suits and sportswear. Upstairs in the middle unit was the town dentist, Harold Stahler. Above Soto's was the Raymond Beauty Shop. Also upstairs, over the corner, Roland Thompson (the City Attorney for Newport Beach) had his private practice office. In 1936 Judge Robert Gardner spent his first year as an attorney up there. He told me he only made ten dollars the whole year. At the far end of the upstairs, Fred Storey had his office. It doubled as a summer apartment for Rowland Hodgkinson (Hodge) who was the Police Chief. He stayed there when he rented his home out to make extra money.
 As a side note, few people realize as they're walking down Main Street, that Yucca Valley was born there. It was a venture of ten downtown businessmen. Among them were Fred Storey, Roland Thompson, Al Anderson (Balboa Fun Zone), Tommy Boucher (Harbor Master) and my grandfather, John Vogel. They drilled for water, slapped together some buildings, subdivided it and the rest is history.
I guess that's a bit of a long winded way to answer the Casino question.
Thanks again,
Dick Vogel
dickvogel@hotmail.com

I sit all day long in cubical land, surrounded by gray, brown, and icky dark green walls, illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights.  Even though it's winter the air conditioning is on all the time.  Your wonderful Balboa cams provide a glimpse of the world beyond.  Hopefully one day I will escape from cubical land and visit your wonderful city and travel across the river on the car ferry.  Maybe I'll even rent Booboo and take him for a walk.  From the millions of unknown cubical workers - thank you!
Nobody

just happened on this web site sorry to hear about breeze played many nights of cards with him and allways bugged @ work i used to work @ old studio cafe with bruce bradly kerley kyle joe jonsey and terry lots of good memories long time since ive been back also big chuck or down stairs donny would like to hear fom you joe p
joe p
jmpruz@yahoo.com

my parents came to Balboa in 1953 from Georgia my mother wanted to see the beach and fish off the pier. My father was in the Marines an went over seas. I attended school there and graduated from New Port Harbor High School there. My mother worked at the Hula Hut and I played on the beach out front and spent many happy hours at the Fun Zone as a teen I danced at the ballroom to the music of Dick Dale I met my husband there  .we moved away but good memories were made there .My parents divorced remarried and stayed on for many years .If anyone knows where Linda Hardy and Isabell Wright are. I'd love to here from them Isabell's parents owned the pet store
Betty Shea
cpt_pegleg@yahoo.com

Hello
 I am looking for Jeannie Jones, Her Dad Evan Jones ran the Ferry's in the 60's and 70's. She has a brother named Jimmy Jones. They lived at the end of Pearl St. I believe .I am trying to contact them. If you know how to contact them, Please give them my Email and name.....
Thanks   Beau Boise
reuben4beau@yahoo.com

What is with the image you have on your November calendar?  Its white?
Kathleen
kaf416@verizon.net

Jim,
Thanks for the website and webcams. I've had fun with my nephews in New York when I talk with them on the phone as they view me on the internet fun zone webcam.
I have a question about the building in front of the Main St. webcam that was active. It's the building on the corner where the Mirbeth store is located. When you look on the back of the building there is an old logo/sign of a Casino that is faded. We were trying to determine the name of the Casino, but some of the letters were to difficult to read. There is no history about this Casino online. Any history you have on this would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.
Edward Hill
cali_artist@yahoo.com
 

I cannot get the calendar to come up on any of my three computers
HELP
Former Newport Beach Girl, first job was as a barker for the Harbor Cruise at the Fun Zone!
Cindy Hulford
Las Vegas
cindy.hulford@gmail.com

In response to Bill's email about the Buster Keaton flick:
Today for a college film class I watched another one of Buster Keaton's movies, "The Cameraman," which also shows him boating around the bay with the Balboa Pavilion in the background. I was pretty surprised to see it and found my way here to mention it. Perhaps he or the production company was a fan of the area!
C. Morgan

My Mom used to live down in Balboa during the 70's. My parents were separated at the time and I lived in Northern California. I would always come down to visit her. My aunt also lived down there and met her husband, Robbie Robins. He was the bartender at Dillman's during the 70's. I remember going to visit and we would always go to Dillman's for dinner. I remember the daughter, Diane. I remember her having a daughter. I also remember "Uncle Herbert's Royal Caboose" I'm pretty sure that was the name. It was right across the street from Dillman's. They had the train that would go around at the top of the circular bar and if it stopped over you, you would get a free drink. My uncle is still around. They now live by Bullhead City, AZ. My fondest memory is when for Christmas one year he got me an autographed picture of John Wayne. He was my idol growing up and that was the best present I have ever gotten. He wrote "To Mike, my best. John Wayne 1978" It was his last Christmas. I was supposed to go and visit him, but he got ill and passed away. But I have always cherished that picture and even got to see him once while riding the Balboa Queen and passing by his house. He was standing outside and waved to all of us. Memories are awesome.
Michael Williams
mikew480@aol.com

Hello - do you know where I can find any oil paintings FOR SALE by artist Shirley Piha of Balboa? She passed away 3 years ago and lived in Balboa
Vicki
victory898@aol.com
 

The web cams are very cool.  Is the CdM Xmas walk on Monday or Sunday this year? (per your home page)
Jenecca
jenecca@cox.net
 

The two new updated web cams are awesome!!!  So clear.  Keep up the good work. 
Bob in Phoenix
Bob Borg
rborg@cox.net
 

This is great site.  Makes me relive my childhood.  I was born at Hoag Hospital  the first year it opened and lived at the end  of the peninsula until graduating from Newport Harbor High in 1971.  The memories of walking to town with the quarter to go to the Sat. matinee and making sure we hit Gundersons beforehand to get candy.  Having the beach and basically the town to yourself in the winter since most of the homes were summer beach houses.  Sneaking down to the Fun Zone, since we weren't suppose to go there.  Stopping in at the 5 and dime (I forget the name),  the dory fleet coming in at the Newport Pier.  The memories are really alive and Balboa was a wonderful place to grow up - the beach and the bay.
krohn@bresnan.net
 

Hi, I used to go to the "Prison of Socrates" to hear a folk singer there.  I can't recall his name for sure, but I do believe, after reading a couple of e-mails on your Balboa site, that it might well have been Tim Morgan.  If so, he did the best version of "Viva La Quinta Brigada" that I have ever heard. Would it be possible to contact him?  It looks like he has continued to record and I'm interested in seeing if he has and, if so, if I might be able to get some of those recordings. Appreciate any help you could give. By the way, my memories of Balboa are just wonderful.  And sipping coffee and listening to folk music at the "Prison of Socrates", simple pleasure that it was, highlights my memories.
Thanks,
Mike Suarez
mangotea@frontiernet.net

Hi Jim!  We have named the showcase rooms at the upcoming Folk Alliance Region - West conference in Irvine after OC folk clubs, including The Prison of Socrates. Do you happen to have a photo of this? I'd love to be able to use it on our signage and/or program book?
Steve Dulson
tinkersown@ca.rr.com
 

How can I get on the link exchange?
Renee
rgiraldy@msn.com

Wow - nice site.  I grew up on Balboa Island (moved to BI in 3rd grade @ Corona del Mar Elementary onto Lincoln Middle School and through high school in '79 from Corona Del Mar HS and a couple of years at O.C. Jr. College before I moved away!).  Worked at the Orange Julius on the peninsula down from the pier in high school for a bit (never could get a job on the ferry - but had friends who did - so I got to cross to work at OJ for free sometimes! :)  Spent many a found nickels, dimes and quarters at the fun zone!  Seemingly spent whole summers in the ocean at ... was it Big and Little Corona beaches (coast guard side of the jetty) (is that "cave" accessible - last time I was through there with my son years ago, it had bars across the entrances and we couldn't get through it).  Lots of fun memories...if I could only afford to live there now :(
KB

My great aunt and her husband, Bob Murphy, owned and ran the Rendezvous during the years of the big bands.  They also owned the Bamboo Room.  I am looking for any photos, memories, histories of both places.  Nothing was kept by my family. I was always told the Bob Murphy was the first (now i cannot remember the original title) Balboa Man of the Year.  Also, I am looking for information about using the Bamboo Room to aide in 'rum running' during prohibition . Anyone who knew him, my Aunt Jay, and memories and photos of the Rendezvous Ball Room and /or the Bamboo Room please contact me.
Paige Conrad Boles
pboles@yahoo.com

The old breakfast place in Cannery Village was called Snug Harbor. It was torn down around 2000 and I think the lot is still bare today. Nobody ever developed it. It was on the corner of Villa and Lafeyette or maybe on the corner of 29th and Lafeyette The Snug Tradition lives on at Malarky's - you'll see them post an ad for a "snug" breakfast on their ad board still.
Aaron Batley


Found a copy of Lord Love a Duck -- a movie made in 1966 with Tuesday Weld and Roddie McDowell and Joan Collins-- and my parents had just bought a house in 1966 on Balboa Peninsula. They filmed part of that film in the old fun zone and I remember hanging around that day watching them film a beach scene on the beach that used to be in front of the Ferris Wheel. In the extra scenes on the DVD they actually show the filming in Balboa on that day in the summer of 1966 and you can see the Ferry going by and the homes on Balboa Island as well. They pulled that old blue floating whale for a scene in the movie and anchored a Baglietto - -which was the Rolls Royce of Italian 70' luxury yachts in that era for some scenes in the movie as well. If anyone wants to see the old fun zone on film get a copy of this DVD. I bought mine from EBay-- and Amazon has it as well. I was 14 years old and remember that day like it was yesterday.
Jeffrey Kilpatrick
jeff@newportsecurities.com

Can anyone confirm the tale I heard involving John Wayne.  So the story goes, John Wayne was playing football at USC and during that time was hurt while surfing the Wedge.  It's said that this injury ended his ability to continue playing college football??? 
bcoombs@glendaleaz.com

Hey Jim,
Is there an October pumpkin event of some kind that is held each year, if so do you know when that event happens?
Steve Dull
nitro.dull@verizon.net


recipe for jolly roger special ice cream dish - circa mid fifties?
Sterling
lndtrice@yahoo.com

Does anyone remember the name of the local band that played weekly @ the Cannery for several years in the mid 70's?
Anonymous

I am looking for Neil Mancinelli. I am his Cousin and I have lost touch with him in the last couple of years. When I Googled him I got his picture here on this website. If anyone knows his whereabouts, I would really appreciate it. Besides the fact that I would just like ro reconnect, I have some medical question that I need anwsered and I need some info regarding his Mother, my Aunt.
Juliana Lozze
jtinseltown@aol.com

Hi I am a fan of your Weather Eye. When the program starts up in the background you have the "Thunder" sound. Now the sound plays thru the speakers even tho your site is not up and active probably because it is update itself. Have I got this right? Are there settings on that page to mute the sound? Your technical help will be appreciated.
Doug NB and BYC
surfindoug@pacbell.net

Jim -  we have temporarily mounted a 20' X 4' mural on a wall in our office.  It is by Rex Brandt and was commissioned in 1965 for the bank that is now Union Bank on Bayside and Jamboree.    The original mural was 80' X 4', painted in acrylic on dried plaster.  The part we have is signed by Rex Brandt.  It depicts the area of the Newport Pier and dory fleet.  The bank remodeled in 2006 and the part of the mural we have was to be demolished.  We saved it for a future donation to a public building.  The project has been submitted to the Newport Beach Arts Commission for review. It would fit well in a part of the New Civic Center being discussed.  As you may know, Rex is the most well-known painter of scenes in Newport Beach, from the Jetty, to the Pavilion, to the ferries, to the piers, to Promontory Point, and many other points of interest.    We thought perhaps your readers might have an interest.  We can provide more information if you need it. Jim Newkirk (NHHS, 1955), Diane Crain
newk@cox.net

In answer to some of the questions on the site: the blue plastic whales started at Newport Shores by the Newporter Inn. They were featured being towed down the Bay in "Lord Love a Duck". The best old movies showing a lot of Newport were Disney's "The Boatnicks" and "Love in a Goldfish Bowl". There have been many others, beginning with several silents starring Harold Lloyd. I looked at the picture of the dory boats, and I think it was more like 1960; the lifeguard headquarters are there, as is the little concrete walk. It looks just like it did when I was going to Newport Harbor High (1961-1965)
Bob Shaw
shaw_305@msn.com

Does anyone remember a kiddie beach that had huge colorful whales you could wade to and climb on? I seem to remember this from the late 60's or early 70's. Did I dream this or did it really exist?
mhermanrn@yahoo.com

Does anyone remember a great breakfast place down the street from the Cannery near El Ranchito? Been trying to remember its' name. Thanks
Mike Novak

The picture of the dory fleet is long after 1938...note the lifeguard headquarters building. That was built in the 60's or later. Also the pier looks to be concrete...don't know for sure, though. Into the 50's it was wood. Love the "Tales". Yvonne Millard Mickey
david.d.mickey@verizon.net

Well, we're back to the furnace of Phoenix after 15 wonderful days in Newport.  For years we have been regulars at the Wedge, and now my son and two of his buddies are old enough and good enough to braves the sets that the Wedge puts out.  Well, they were there in the water at the Wedge the day the Gentlemen died (Friday July 24th)...What a tragedy!  I have never seen waves like that before.  My wife and I were eating Ruby's at the end of the Balboa Pier that evening and a couple supports from the pier were torn off by the waves rolling in...it was a little unnerving being at the end of that pier watching pieces of it floating away in the water!
On another note, does anyone know if the Birdman is still around.  We usually see him every year, but the past two years he has not been around McFadden Square like he normally is?    
Brent Coombs
bcoombs@glendaleaz.com

I have been trying to reach Bob St. John, leaving voice mail messages, but have been unsuccessful.  He did work for me in January of this year, and I was extremely pleased and would like to use him again.  He had been referred to me by Keith at the Light Bulb Store on Newport Blvd where he was their customer and Bob hasn't been seen by them in the past several months.  Have you any information?
Evelyn Bodden
ejbodden@earthlink.net

Re: the picture of the man standing by the large fish. He is Joe Beek, not Joe Beak.
Thanks.
Stan Cochran
shc2615@pacbell.net

Hi Jim,
LOVE what you have done with this sight!!!!
So many memories...
I was wondering if you knew or still know a man by the name of Patrick Calliouette,,that' s as close to the spelling as I can get..he was a custom Jeweler and he had a little shop in the lobby ...I think..of the arcade..I lived in the Balboa Inn for a time...we were friends.
Any news would be welcome.
Thank you,
Orlando girl...Robin
rich2424@bellsouth.net

On Saturday 7/11/09 my family and I will return to Newport Beach for fifteen glorious days out of the Phoenix Sun.  This is my 36th year straight to visit Newport, and I love it more and more each year.  The tradition began when I was ten and has carried on through my marriage, and now my children who are twenty and sixteen.  I'm nearing the end of my career, and God willing, we may very well relocate somewhere a few mile from the water.  Thank you so much for your site, which gives my family and I our fix while we wait each year for our return to the home that we stay in on 27th near McFadden Square.  Charlies Chili, Newport 24 hr Donuts, Perry's Pizza, Mutt Lynch's, and the Fun Zone here we come!!  
Coombs Family
bcoombs@glendaleaz.com

I have been trying to find the schedule for the open air trolley's that have signs posted on the regular bus stops-- do you know the link to their website -- I have never been able to catch one of these trolleys when it is stopped so far--
Thanks
Jeff
jeff@newportsecurities.com

Back in the late forties and early fifties my aunt Nanabelle ran the little hotel, the Bay View, across from the arcade and the ferry landing.  In the evenings we, my little brother and I would sit on the veranda overlooking the boardwalk and listen to the sounds of the tourists walking by below.  At high tide the water would come all the way up to the walk way and the lights of the docks shining on the surface of inky black water made the water appear bottomless.  My little brother, only around 5 or 6 years old at the time was so engaging the boat rental guys on the dock directly in front of the hotel and to the left of the ferry would give him the keys to one of the old mahogany Chris Crafts and we would tool all around the bay as long as we wanted.
I always thought Christians Hut was the most romantic place in the world.  With its palm fronds and dusty delapitation it certainly conjured up visions of south sea islands and half naked native girls.  My recollection was Humphrey Bogart had carved his initials in the bar.
rudy
 

Hi Jim,
     I love your site, I come to it often to look at the webcams of the beach and the boardwalk.  I just had a quick question I know I have heard people say there movies that have been filmed down in the Balboa area and wanted to know if you knew what the names of any of them are?  If could let me know of any that would be great.  Thanks So Much!  :)
Jaci
jacidbedont@hotmail.com

Hi Jim,
My husband and I are working on a documentary-- the centerpiece being the '60s surf scene in Newport Beach.  We are trying to find photos from '50s '60s era of Balweek--parties, groups of people having a good time, the traffic and such.  Do you, by chance,  have any we could purchase?  (we could scan and return)
Thanks!
Ann Chatillon
annchat@sbcglobal.net

Hi Jim,
I have a real good question this time. A very good friend of mine tells me she saw railroad cars on the campus of Newport Harbor high when she was a kid. She graduated from high school in 1968 so no later than early 60s for the rr cars. Do you recall this at all?
We have an idea that one of the cars might be the one some well off fun loving guys took to Catalina on a barge so they could claim to have ridden the train to Catalina. Any possibility in that?
And one for me as I am running out of ideas and I may just have to write the ex-wife who knows all and sees all! Does anyone recall a restaurant in the Airport area that was designed to look like we were all dining in a New York tenement house alley with laundry hanging from clothes lines well above the diners? It sounds weird but I swear it existed. I can find no references to it at all.
I am still always looking for anything on the old Rendezvous as well. From the surf music days 1960-1966 only, not the grand old big band era.
I went to school with guys from Dave Myers and the Surftones and The Centurions…it was a fun time to be a high schooler! Thank so much,
Barry Kazmer CMHS 1965
bkazmer39@aim.com

Just read an article in Sunset about Balboa and so many memories came back to me.  I spent many Easter week vacations as a kid in Newport and on the Island.  I am now back in California; high desert and would love to stay a couple of night somewhere near the ferry.  Everything has really changed!!!!  Any ideas???  B&B maybe?  I am 62 now, and haven't been there since I was 17!  thanks!
Annie
Brqanne@aol.com

Jim
My name is Beau Boise, I live in Boise Idaho .I am looking for my cousins, Gennie and Jimmy Jones. They are the children of Evan Jones the ferry man. Evan was my grandmothers brother. Anyway I have not seen or heard from them sense there Mom died. If you could give Jeannie, Gennies my email or email me back an address I would appreciate it. Any INFO would be greatly welcomed.
Thanks
Beau Boise,421 So. Walnut St. Boise Idaho
reuben4beau@yahoo.com
 

what was the restaurant named that was where the shore house cafe is now? they used to serve exotic fare.
the good life in virginia
in2vintagecloths@ntelos.net

We are going to Balboa for father's Day.  We like to be on the graay area by "A" street.  Can we bring our puppy if we keep him off the sand?
Michelle
michelle@cutsfitnessoc.com

Hi Jim,   what has happened to the site?     I miss seeing my beautiful Balboa,    especially when it is 96 degrees and  83% humidity here in Tampa Bay.   Hope to see June issue soon.   
Ann
zanetta@juno.com

Hey Jim!  Last month you had an article on Shannon Wellborn and Bay Front Cafe.  Do you still have the article?  I would love a copy.
Jann Rowe
jann@clever-mktg.com

did breeze die?  how?
jeff coyle
jikml@yahoo.com

My husband Bill and I lived in Balboa in 1968-69 and I worked on Balboa Island at Dad's Donut's for Dad Anderson, the original owner (I think) who was from Sweden, a wonderful man to work for. He made delicious fruit cakes and donuts, and I stood up there in the window and sold hundreds of frozen bananas,which I can prove because I have a picture of me standing in that window and one of  Dad and I taken standing in that shop in 1968. I would dearly love to have a recipe for their frozen bananas. I would send them a picture of their shop in 1968 if they would send me a recipe for a frozen banana. I can tell you that John Wayne 'The Duke' loved Dad's donuts as he stopped by many times for donuts to take to the studio with him, and his wife Pilar did business at the shop next door at times. Also I rode my bicycle past Buddy Epsen's house twice a day going to and from work, as I rode the ferry back across to Balboa. I loved the Newport Beach area very much and have many happy memories of it.    
Barbara Wills
Cityslicker8956@yahoo.com

Are you still looking for pictures of Joe Beek?  He developed realestte in Northern California and my parents worked for him.  I have lots!
Anita
inliiibld@sbcglobal.net

This from Bruce Elliott (Ret US Marines) who used to live in Balboa.
I didn't know Kieth but maybe you folks did. I knew they moved from
Balboa to the desert.
 In case you run into anybody that knows Kieth Caroselli..
 he died of cancer on 5/6/09
 The Celebration of Life is this Saturday... 5 June @ PDCC @ 5PM
 18 July there will be a burial at sea... NBYC 11AM Bay & Jamboree
 fyi
 Kieth's wife name is Dawn..
 Kieth's sister's name is Lee

Jim, thanks for the article about Rich. We really appreciate it! I just wanted to let you know that the phone number for us at the bottom of the article is incorrect. To reach us, you would call 949 677 3134 Is it possible to change it?
 Thanks again,
Carrie
cbaranoski@att.net

Jim, I enjoyed your web page. I am the son of Frank Kiech who built and operated the Leading Lady out of the Balboa Pavilion. If you would like some photos of the boat, let me know. I have my dad's photo album of The Leading Lady. I live in Costa Mesa.
Jim Kiech
jjkiech@gmail.com

Thanks Jim
I often direct people to your site because they don't know the difference between the Island  and the Peninsula.  Yours is the best Peninsula information.
Carolyn Carr
www.balboa-island.com

Hi Jim:
Bonnie and I are relatively new residents on the Peninsula, owned for
5 years...full time residents since January 2008. Our daughters preceeded
us.
I am trying to find the starting time of the Balboa Parade this Sunday...
on www.talesofbalboa.com it seems unspecified.
If anyone should know...it would be you.
Don Gerber
flowblueman@aol.com

OMG! I just came across this website. Standing at my kitchen sink in Tucson, Arizona I had a thought of Balboa and when I lived there on the peninsula as a child in the '60's, pre-Beatles era. I lived and played over by the Morgan House. Next to the Morgan house lived a family with their grandfather who sat out in front watching the children play in the street. He gave us pennies that we took over to the Fun Zone Penny Arcades. A penny bought so much then.
I attended third and fourth grades at the Newport Elementary school on the beach. My third grade teacher, whose name I don't remember, was a tall slender thin lipped and heavy eye lidded French looking woman who wore her hair pulled back tight in a bun. Her favorite phrase when making a point was "it should behoove you". My fourth grade teacher was Mr. Katnip...not sure about the spelling, he would perform 'The Soupy Shuffle' in class from time to time.
I also remember a boyfriend, tall, tanned and cute, who befriended me when I needed a friend. I'm sorry to say I don't remember his name. He gave me a pair of cut-off jeans to wear because I didn't have much in the way of play clothes. I loved those cut-off's. Some mornings before catching the bus for school, we would run over to the bakery at the south end of the Fun Zone filling up on jelly filled donuts. His mother worked at the Balboa Market.
He and I would sit on top of the bait store roof at the end of Balboa pier watching the sun set. I can still feel the cool early evening breeze coming off the salty water brushing my face and how it felt to have his hand holding mine. Ah, young love.
I would love to hear about from others about the Morgan House, the Balboa Market, and my young boyfriend.
Thank you for your response. I did have fun recalling those old childhood memories....writing them even brought a few tears to my eyes.
I'm so glad I found your site. I will be a regular visitor.
Virginia
info@zebradezign.com

Do you have any pictures of Marine Avenue Businesses? We are making a postcard for the Marine Avenue Business Improvement District, but we need pictures of the Marine Avenue. Nancy Burroughs is making us a postcard but we need pictures. Can you help?
Kathy Wales
marthasbookstore@roadrunner.com

Hi Jim..
Lived and ran around Balboa Peninsula late 70's, early 80's. Saw your article which mentioned Ron White and Max Dillman. Happened to know them both. Just wondered what happened to other people that were there in that time frame. Some names that come to mind are "Tree Top", Breeze (bartender at Class of 47), Patti Culvyhous, Daryl (Ron White's roommate at one time). I know that Ron Ballard, Pat Riley and Jim Cherry are gone. Not looking to contact anyone. Just curious to see who's around. What happened to Dillman's? Micasa?
Thanks Jim. Appreciate the info, as gruesome as it is... but hey, age is getting to us all. Breeze was fairly young.. do you know what he died of? It's hard to be believe that anyone got fired from the NC..
Again, thanks.
Debbie Cherry
debcherry@msn.com