Thursday, August 28, 2008

Linbrook Bowl parties on!



During Labor Day Weekend, the famed Linbrook Bowl will celebrate their 50 year Anniversary with a parking lot party. The Anaheim Historical Society will recognize the site as a "Googie" style landmark on Saturday, August 30 at 12:30 pm. The Linbrook Bowl is unique in that it is still owned by the same family that built it. In most other cases, bowling alleys in Orange County are on leased land. As those 50 year leases inked in the post-war boom come up for renewal, the owners of the underlying land boot the bowling alley tenants to develop condos. That is how we lose bowling alleys that are otherwise successful. Thankfully, it looks like the Linbrook Bowl folks honor their heritage, and will be around for a while.

Linbrook Bowl was also one of the locations we recently visited with Huell Howser, and we will return to the scene of the crime for a no-host party in the Kopa Room lounge for the airing of California's Gold, Anaheim episode, on Sunday, September 14 at 7 pm.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Paying Respects to a Great Man in Anaheim

This message is long, but worth the read. It was an email, posted to the "Mother Colony" yahoo group, inviting the neighbors to attend the funeral of a great man. I will simply post it as written, and invite all of Anaheim to come pay their respects.

My name is Robert Nelson and I live in the 900 block of Alberta Street. Last week my father of eighty-eight years, Robert B. Nelson, passed away. For the past seven years, I cared for him while he suffered from the terrible disease of Alzheimer’s. The man who would tell his life stories to me as I grew up, needed me to tell him these same stories during these last few years. To me, my Father was a great man. He did have his faults, but the love he showed me and the virtues that he taught me over-shadowed anything that he may have lacked. My Father was a registered Democrat, but was a Republican at heart. He always believed in the “little guy.” He believed that if you want something, you need to work for it. But, if somebody else needed something, he would do whatever he could to help him out.One of the most special things about my Dad was that he was a Pearl Harbor Survivor. His job at Pearl was Radio-Man for the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Adm. Kimmel. On December 6, 1941, he was working the night shift. He would later tell me the stories of what he saw and heard in those early hours leading up to the attack. His watch had ended around 6 a.m., and as he was heading back to the barracks for some sleep, he stopped for reveille in front of the flag. Then, just like in the movies, the Japanese began their attack. “A day that will live in infamy.” Dad never talked about the horrible tragedies that he saw that day or all during the war. He would only talk about things that seemed important to him. He served on the USS Pennsylvania, USS West Virginia, and the USS Maryland, earning medals for battles in the Asiatic-Pacific area, and the Philippine Liberation. Often, during his service, my Father would volunteer. Most of the time, it was to go ashore and care for the wounded. The Battle for Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands was an exception. The Marines were suffering heavy casualties. The call came out for volunteers to go ashore and fight with the Marines. My Dad, the true patriot that he was, raised his hand and off he went. When the battle was over, and we were victorious, he felt it was best that he go back to being a radio-man. But by then, his ship had left. It took him an entire month, hopping from ship to ship, with only the clothes on his back, to reach his duty ship. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, he travelled extensively in his youth, attending more than fifteen different schools. Many of them were here in Orange County. He graduated from Santa Ana Junior College, before joining the US Navy in 1940. Following the war, my Dad studied chemistry at UC Berkeley, and later worked as a chemist and researcher for a variety of companies which manufactured everything from paint to vitamins. He retired as a clerk from the Los Angeles County Courts. An ever-curious mind, he was a prolific reader and writer. He loved learning languages and studying the Bible. I don’t think I can remember a time where he wasn’t taking some kind of college course. He developed a variety of inventions to help children read, and predict earthquakes. He even ran for Congress, but lost. He was a member of the American Legion for fifteen years at Post 75 and 72, serving in leadership positions at Post 75 until his health began to fail. He was married, and is survived by his wife Alice, sons, Robert, Bentley, and Charles, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. If you would like to help me pay respects to a man who served diligently during a time of war, so that we could continue our freedom, then please join us on Friday, August 29th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Church. Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the service. Tom Brokaw calls these people “The Greatest Generation.” I couldn’t agree more.Thank you,Robert Nelson

Friday, August 22, 2008

Disneyland Hotel Tour Update



We now have a confirmed date and time for the Disneyland Hotel tour with Don Ballard. Don will escort us for a FREE tour on Friday, August 29. Meet under the Sorcerer's Hat on the hotel grounds at 6 pm. We are trying to get a head count, so please RSVP to Cynthia_Ward@sbcglobal.net if you plan to join us.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

FREE Disneyland Hotel Tour with Don Ballard


Author and Disney historian Don Ballard is offering a FREE walking tour of the Disneyland Hotel while he is in the area. Dates and times are open, depending on when we can get the best crowd. If interested, get a hold of me directly, and I will forward the information to Don. He will be in town from August 26 through the 30th.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Huell Howser Air Date and Historic Landmark Tree



We have an air date for Huell Howser! The episode of California's Gold featuring a tour of historic Anaheim will air on September 12 at 10 pm and September 14 at 7 pm! Stay tuned for announcement of a "viewing party".......

Since the visit by Huell, there has been much discussion of nominating the Morten Bay Fig tree on West Street as a historic landmark. It looks like there may be support for doing that, watch for details as that develops.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Swingin' On the Promenade

Downtown Anaheim Swingin on the Promenade... Saturday, August 23, 6PM-10PMFree Swing Dance Lesson by OC SWING TEAM 6:15-6:45

THEN the Famous Royal Crown Revue will woo and wow you as you dance the night away on a huge dance floor under the stars! ROYAL CROWN REVUE, ­ the reigning kings of all that is sartorially and otherwise splendid in classic American music has pioneered a totally unique sound and style, serving as the blueprint for an entire generation of musicians and music lovers. This band exploded from the underground scene into bona fide cultural phenomenon. Admission/Parking FREE! Food Vendors, Beer/Wine/Cocktails, Classic Car Show + More!Located at Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street in Downtown Anaheim, 92805myspace.com/swinginonthepromenade714 956 3586

Monday, August 11, 2008

Wagner House Gets a Lift


The city-owned Wagner House, now used as the Anaheim Tennis Center, is getting the attention it so richly deserves. The City has contracted with 30th Street Architects to restore the historic structure located in Boysen Park. 30th Street is currently looking for anyone with memories of the home's interior during the Wagner family ownership.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Orange County Book Publishes in September!


Gustavo Arellano's newest book, "Orange County: A Personal History, I've been Taking Notes" will be available in September. He graciously slipped me an advance reader's excerpt, and I have to admit my plans for laundry-and-woodwork went right out the window as I got sucked into reading that left me wanting more. His combination of Orange County history, contemporary Orange County life experience and a smart ass wit only Gustavo can get away with will make this a best seller. Advance orders are available through booksellers. For an autographed copy, Gustavo will have a booth at the Vintage Marketplace of the Anaheim Historical Society's Historic Home Tour on October 11 and 12. Hopefully we can also schedule a speaking engagement for him here in Anaheim soon as well.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Hot Party




Today the folks at the Kingdom released their fifth series of Commemorative stamps, and because Disney never does anything half-way, they threw a party for the occasion. Not sure if my giddiness was due to the unbearable heat or simply my glee at being in close proximity to Marty Sklar, but a good time was had by all. And no, you cannot have my copy and they are not going on E-Bay. Thanks to Carrie for the invite and thanks to Jill for grabbing me a seat!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Huell Howser, Race for the Cure, ANA's Giant Rummage Sale


Yeah, it has been a while since updating the blog. Got busy doing things like escorting Huell Howser on a tour of historic Anaheim, you know, the everyday hobnobbing with the famous. Grin. Absolutely the time of my life, and yes, he really is as nice in person as on tv. I will post as soon as we have an air date. He was originally supposed to do a half segment on Anaheim, but when he got here he saw there so was much rich heritage that he called his producer and insisted we do a full hour's show! We are so blessed to live in a place this wonderful.
In the meantime, people like the Colony's Lisa Zaradich have been doing WAY more important work. After taking the Bar Exam in an earthquake (talk about pressure) she will get her Bar Exam results on the road. Starting November 21, she will be on a three day Walk for the Cure for Breast Cancer. The goal is to walk 60 miles in 3 days, while raising money for the cause. You can donate directly at http://08.the3day.org/goto/lisazaradich
And start stashing some cash for the Anaheim Neighborhood Association's Giant Rummage Sale on Saturday August 16, from 7 am to 1 pm. The sale will be at the elegant estate of Lew Aguillar and Michelle Lieberman at 319 N. Harbor Blvd (across the street from Pearson Park-yeah, the big place with the bell towers) They are seeking donations of salable items, or buyers for those items. If you have something to donate, contact them for drop off arrangments at 714-491-8353. For more info on ANA, see the website at anaheimneighborhoodassociation. com