May  2004 / Vol 6 No 5

   

15th Street Surf Shop
673-5810
2W Market
673-2240
Abbondanza Italian Bistro

673-1930

American Bevel
723-2900
American Legion 
673-5070
Amy's Psychic Boutique
723-1177

Back to the Beach
723-4773
Balboa's
675-3017

Balboa Angling Club
673-6316
Balboa Bakery
673-2040
Balboa Beach
Coin Wash

675-8861
Balboa Beach Treats
723-5701
Balboa Bikes 'n'
Beach Stuff

723-1516
Balboa Boat Rentals
673-7200
Balboa Eyewear
723-0783
Balboa Fun Zone
673-0408
Balboa Gift Alley
673-6275
Balboa Gift House
673-5643
Balboa Inn
675-3412
Balboa Island Ferry
673-1070
Balboa Kitchen & Bath
675-8026
Balboa Pharmacy
673-5370
Balboa Pilates
675-5888
Balboa Saloon
673-9783
Balboa Sushi 21
723-5351
Balboa Thai Cafe
675-0161
Balboa Theater
673-0895
Balboa Village Market
673-8310
Bal Harbor Liquor
675-6864
Bay Arcade
673-0324
Bay Boat Rentals
675-2456
Bay Burger
675-0660
Bayside Sunglasses
283-5221
Beach Island
723-5271
Bibi Anna's
675-8146
B.J.'s Pizzeria
675-7560
Blue Sails
723-0339
Cabo Cantina

675-7760

Castaways
673-4205
Catalina Passenger Service
673-5245
Christ Church by the Sea Methodist
673-3805

City Hall
644-3309
Class of 47
675-5774
Cold Stone Creamery
673-5030
Davey's Locker
673-1434
Discovery Tours
673-2311
Easy-Ride Bike Rentals
887-5547
Electric Tattoo
675-1412
Fun n Sun
675-4353
Fun Photo Studio
673-3767

Fun Zone Boat Co
673-0240
Gina's Pizza
673-8516
Glamour Nails
723-2098
Global Mortgage Funding
673-4852
Great Mex
675-0808
Hair by Holly
933-0673
Harborside Restaurant
673-4633
Harbour House Coffee
566-9915
Hill's Boat Service
675-0740
Island Design
673-9118
Island Marine Fuel
673-1103
Island Petals
673-8257
Jazzz Hair Salon
675-1457
J.J.'s Haircutting
675-8406
Kathryn Aileen's
675-5351
Kids at Heart
677-3134
Kites Etc
673-0450
Knot Just Candy
673-1365
Kyle's Alterations
723-0871
Labels Resale Boutique
673-1200
Library
717-3800
Lifeguards
644-3049
Local Color
675-1001
Mack - San's Cafe
675-8659
Main St. Surf Shop
673-4412
Marina Water Sports
673-3372
Mifflin's Taffy
673-4827
Mithrush
675-5646
Mr. Balboa Barbershop
673-6244
Mrs. Fields Cookies
673-4844
Natalie's Beach Cafe
675-3315
Naturally Newport
723-5251
Natural Nails by Daisy
675-9498
Newport's Coffee Bar
723-9227

Newport Harbor Cruises
673-5245
Newport Jet Sports
723-5387
Newport Landing
   Fuel Dock
   673-7878
   Restaurant
   675-2373
   Sport Fishing
   675-0550
Newport Whale Watching
673-0240
New York Style Pizza
675-7808
Noize Music
675-7189
Notary Public
673-0675
Ocean Front Bar & Grill
675-7382
OM
675-3121
Our Lady of  Mount Carmel Catholic Church
673-3775
Pavilion Real Estate 675-8120
Pizza Pete
675-4771
Police (Business)
644-3717
Post Office
675-0720
Pretzel Factory
673-0539
Rif Raf Body Piercing
723-2099
Rock n Bungee
673-2159
Ruby's Diner
675-7829
Santan
675-2817
Seascape Air
673-7348
Shellback Yacht Cruises
632-3736
Shore House Cafe
673-7726
Shoreline
675-6876
Silver Star Castings
723-7827
Skinworks Tattoos
675-8905
Surfside Silver
723-5070
T's Toe Rings & Gifts
566-9947
TalesOfBalboa
673-0675
Taste of Napa
723-8466
Tikiboat
673-0240
Ultraviolet
673-2205
Wedding Boat
673-0240
Young & Restless
675-9529
 

Photo of the Month

Click To Enlarge

Click to visit TalesOfBalboa Photo Gallery

 

 

Wreck of the
Pamela Rose

Jim,
My name is Brent Jacobsen, and I am the lifeguard rescue boat supervisor that you have spoken to on the beach on a few occasions. Anyway, I was called out last Sunday morning, for a boat on the beach rescue. After we had the crew taken care of I managed to take a few shots that I thought you might enjoy seeing. I know you have featured the Pamela Rose on your site, as well as Lee. Up will be happy to know, he was the last one to leave the boat. Enjoy, and feel free to use them anyway you wish.
Brent Jacobsen

Click To Enlarge

Click To Enlarge

I somehow convinced Al [Nielson, owner of the old Bal-Boat Rental] that he needed to actually hire me. I was 12 at the time. Al had one of those check machines that would emboss the check with a hand crank. On payday we'd all stand there and watch Al cut the checks. I was so proud when he handed me my first real paycheck.
Al took a real chance hiring someone so young, even then I suppose it violated all kinds of labor laws. His greatest fears were realized when I slipped and broke a finger on one of the motor boats. I wasn't too concerned but it started swelling and turned blue. Al did the right thing and took me to the emergency room at Hoag. I could tell he was worried he'd get busted for hiring someone so young but I sure wasn't going to give him up on that. He took care of me and that's all that counted. My parents were very pragmatic. You slipped, you broke your finger, Al took care of you, end of story.
1956 to 1992 in Balboa. That is lots of time and lots of great memories. I worked for lots of people in Balboa, but some I wish I'd worked for;
Don, the banana guy.
The Hoagy guy.
Harold Hanniford (though that would have put me into direct competition with my father)
Vallely (though he didn't keep his boats as nice as did McNally and Al Nielsen)
Art Gronsky (not that I held him in high esteem, but I never worked at the Pavilion)
I also would have liked to work at the Hill's fuel dock. Those guys really seemed to have something pretty good going. What a kick-back job!
Enough for now, your site rocks,
Alan Sandvoal

Dear Jim:
Do you remember the name of the little red haired lady who used to run the dart booth at the fun zone cira 1957-1965? I remember her when I was a kid but I never knew her name. Thanks
Sincerely,
Mark Jackson

Hi, Jim--I don't know how you do it. Your web site just keeps getting better and better.
I'm just wondering if anyone remembers owner Al Anderson in the summer of 1960 expelling Frank Sinatra and his party from the Fun Zone for throwing a few lighted firecrackers at the park. The singer's yacht was anchored nearby. (I think it was called 'All the Way'; I'm not sure.) I was working the Over 12 game, and it appeared that Sinatra and his gang had consumed one too many Jack and Cokes or something similar. The following afternoon Sinatra showed up alone with what looked like a bottle of champagne and some roses and climbed the stairway to Al's second floor office. Al Anderson spent the rest of the day repeating, "The guy's all right. The guy's all right." There will never be another Al Anderson, and, of course, there will never be another Frank Sinatra.
--Jim Isadore, Florida

Jim,
Your Circa 1975 Picture of the Fun-Zone - The Hamburger stand in the background was operated by my Aunt around that time. The ferris wheel inside the Fun-Zone was ran by my Cousin Lee. My last name is Dever, I lived at 510 E. Ocean Front for 15 years...The sign on the house read Grandma Dever. For as long as I can remember people would stop in front of the house and go " Grandma Dever lives there...." By the way, the picture of the boy looks like a friend of mine. I just heard Heidi died. Boy could she make salsa. It would sit on the table in that jar and bubble...nobody seemed to mind. Does anybody remember the shirts that read " I'm not a tourist I live here" from the old Balboa hardware...my friends the Newtons owned it.
donedealio@excite.com

 

Feature Cartoon

From London's Times

Click to Enlarge
Click For More London's Times

Words Of Wisdom

 

It's scary when your body  starts making the same noises as your coffeemaker.

 

Balboa Events Calendar


2nd Wednesday of the Month
 Book Club Luncheon 2 PM
Bibi Anna's

675-8146

Saturdays at Sundown
June 12 thru August 28
Annual Flag Lowering Ceremony
Patriotic Music, Taps, Canon Salute.
Balboa Boat Rentals
By the Balboa Island Ferry Landing
Balboa Peninsula

Thursdays 6 pm to 8pm
July 1 - August 12
Concerts on the Peninsula

Peninsula Park Gazebo

Sunday July 4
Old Glory Character Boat Parade
 & Wooden Boat Festival

Got A Balboa Event For Publication?
 Click Here

Time Capsule

Balboa Fun ZoneClick To Enlarge
Circa 1948

If you look under the umbrella in the center rear of the photo you will see Dorothy Handy, as a young girl, renting paddle boards for Fun Zone owner Al Anderson. At the end of each day Dorothy would take 25 percent of the day's receipts, put them in an envelope and slip it under Anderson's door. Today Dorothy owns the Fun Zone Boat Co.
 

Jim, I hadn't checked your site in some time and when I looked tonight, what a nice surprise to see a message I'd sent to you some time ago prominately displayed on the home page. The message describes my time working in the Fun Zone at the goldfish game. I have extremely fond memories of that time, thanks for thinking my message is worthy to share with those who view your site.
Alan Sandoval
 

jim,
what camera system do you use for your web cams?  would you recommend them as far as ease of setup and reliability?  i want to put one by 15th st.  i will give you the link once it is up.  i would also like to find out what cameras walker is using for his cameras, but his site is down so i cant get the vendor link for the cameras. (if anyone know this please let me know)
thanks
swmusk@aol.com

Does anyone have any good photos of the the Fun Zone, early 70's. If so, I would love to see them.
fred duckett
please call 650 326 7040

hi Jim, thank you for putting me on the site. i didnt realize it till i saw it that i had the cap locks on. does it appear that i am yelling? also, you forgot to post my e-mail address under my name, is that fixable? the only people i keep in touch with are Carl & Julie, occationally Jim. thank you so much though, i check the site every other day. dont let those negative people in "your two cents" get you down. they have nothing better to do. personally, they just appear ignorant. talk to you soon, Kathleen p.s. I got married, thats why my maiden is in brackets. take care pal...
KATHLEEN (HANCOCK) ROBERTS

Hello Jim,
The message below was posted on your bulletin board after reading the story of another missing 'Steven' in your location. I am even more concerened about the well being of my long-time friend - Steven M. Bolduc. As recently as 4 weeks ago he was assisting me on a small personal matter and has now, apparently, disappeared. I am in France at the moment, and a mutual friend in Newport Beach has also tried to contact Steven, neither of us has been successful. Having no explanation for his disappearance, I wonder if you or some of your associates might know of his whereabouts or condition.

Original posting:
April 26, 2004
An old chum is trying to contact Steven M. Bolduc - does anyone know his whereabouts... photograph on page 10 of "Faces of Balboa" ? I have a phone number and email address for him, however am receiving no replies. I am concerned of his well- being. URGENT! If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Mr Bolduc, please contact his friend, Bill Murphy. artist@billmurphy.com
Thank you.
Contact Bill Murphy
0033 2 99 43 15 13
email: artist@billmurphy.com

Hello, I heard of you from Tina.
I am a OC resident in Tustin. My wife, daughter and I hang out in Balboa all the time...
Actually, I've been taking some pictures and movies down there. you can see some of it here.
http://homepage.mac.com/mjmshadow
/PhotoAlbum19.html
Thanks
Michael Misiuk

Hi Jim - we are the 2 english guys who came to see you 2 weeks ago. Great site! every one loved the pics we bought from you. How can we get more? Do you have a mail order set up?

Mike & Kev

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help! I'm a young man trapped inside this old geezer's body.
Editor And Chief
Cook & Bottle Washer
Jim FournierI'd really love to hear from you.
 


Click To Visit City of Newport Beach

Click To Visit Balboa Village Business Improvement District
 

15th Street Surf Shop
American Legion Balboa Boat Rentals Balboa Fun Zone
Balboa Island
Balboa Saloon
Balboa Technology
Bibi Anna's
Burr White Realty
Business Computer Support
Davey's Locker
Free Newport
Island Pilates Studio
Menagerie Entertainment
Marina Water Sports
Mifflin Taffy
Mr. Balboa Barber Shop
Newport Beach
Lifeguards

Pilates by the Sea Renee West
Sally Martin Realtor Shellback Yacht Cruises
Walk to the Beach
Wedding Boat