Community Pool and Patio Furniture Update
With July here, it’s a fun time to enjoy our two swimming pools. However, the patio furniture at both pool locations has experienced significant wear and tear over the years, and it’s time for an upgrade.
The Community Association has formally requested that park ownership replace the furniture at both pool areas. We’re hopeful that new and comfortable furnishings will be provided soon to enhance everyone’s summer experience.
In the meantime, your patience and understanding are appreciated while we continue working toward this improvement. Hope you have a Jubilant July!
On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, took off from Lae Airfield in New Guinea after refueling with their intended destination of Howland Island, a small strip of land in the central Pacific Ocean. This was the last time they were seen alive as they lost radio contact with the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Itasca, anchored off the coast of Howland Island, and disappeared enroute.
Their adventure began on June 1, 1937, as they took off from Oakland, CA on an eastbound flight around the world. It was Earhart’s second attempt to become the first pilot to ever circumnavigate the globe. She and Noonan flew a twinengine Lockheed 10E Electctra. They flew to Miami, then down to South America, across the Atlantic to Africa, then east to India and Southeast Asia. They reached Lae on June 29 having flown 22,000 miles with only another 7,000 more miles to go before reaching Oakland.
This marked the beginning of one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century, as the search for her missing plane has never ended, and public interest remains strong to this day. There are numerous theories, including conspiracy, as to what exactly happened to the pair but to this day, there has been no firm answer to what happened that day.
▪ The last messages that Itasca received on July 2 was that the plane was low on gas; contact was lost and the Itasca set out on search of the plane, and were joined by the Navy battleship Colorado, which carried three observation seaplanes.
▪ On July 12, the aircraft carrier Lexington, carrying 63 aircraft, assumed control of the effort; the search lasted for 16 days at a cost of more than $4 million, and covered an area of the Pacific roughly the size of Texas; general consensus was that Earhart crashed into the ocean and the plane sank, killing both Earhart and Noonan.
▪ After the official search ended on July 18, 1937, Earhart’s husband, George P. Putnam, began financing additional search efforts and started following tips from naval experts. He even turned to psychics in an attempt to find his wife.
In October, Putnam acknowledged that finding Earhart and Noonan alive was gone, and in January 1939, Earhart was declared legally dead by the Superior Court of Los Angeles.
▪ Several expeditions over the past 15 years have attempted to locate the plane’s wreckage; high-tech sonar and deep-sea robots have failed to yield clues about the Electra’s crash site.
▪ The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) assumes that the plane veered off-course and landed instead some 350 miles to the southwest on Gardner Island, now called Nikumaroro, in the Republic of Kiribati. At the time, the island was uninhabited.
▪ TIGHAR believes that Earhart and Noonan may have survived for days (or even weeks) on the island before dying. Since 1988, TIGHAR expeditions to Nikumaroro have turned up artifacts and anecdotal evidence to support this hypothesis, including a piece of Plexiglas that may have come from the Electra’s window, a woman’s shoe dating back to the 1930s, improvised tools, a woman’s cosmetics jar, as well as bones. TIGHAR has also found evidence of several campfires, and they continue to investigate Nikumaroro.
▪ Other theories put forward include that they were captured by Japanese military or secretly returned to the U.S. to live clandestine lives.
▪ Two marine technology companies are currently engaged in a race to find Earhart’s plane. Nauticos surveyed the ocean floor in three separate expeditions in 2002, 2006, and 2017 but have come up empty-handed. Deep Sea Vision has scanned 5,2000 square miles of the ocean floor—costing $11 million. In January 2024, the company released images from its cuttingedge Hugin 6000 underwater drone that seem to show the fuselage of an aircraft sitting on the seafloor at about 16,000 feet below the surface and less than 100 miles from Howland Island.
For now, the mystery remains until a physical investigation of the wreckage takes place.
Construction of Disneyland began on July 16, 1954, with 2.500 workers and at a cost of $17 million (about $183 million today) to complete. Just one year and one day later, on Sunday, July 17, 1955, the Happiest Place on Earth opened its gates to 28,000 people many who were not invited to the “International Press Preview.” At least half purchased counterfeit tickets or
snuck into the Park by climbing over a fence. This first day was televised nationwide and hosted by three of Walt Disney’s friends: Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, and Ronald Reagan.
Traffic on the two-lane Harbor Boulevard was heavy, delaying famous figures scheduled to show up every two hours. The temperature that day was 101oF and to make things worse, there was a local plumbers strike. Disney was given the choice of having working drinking fountains or running toilets. Choosing the latter, guests were forced to drink Pepsi, which the public thought was a ploy to sell soda. Vendors ran out of food. The asphalt on Main Street was poured that morning and was so soft, women’s high-heeled shoes sank into it. Disney and his executives referred to July 17 as “Black Sunday.”
The parks official public opening was July 18, 1955. Crowds gathered in line at 2 a.m. The first person to buy a ticket to enter the park was David MacPhearson with ticket #2, as Roy Disney arranged to pre-purchase ticket #1 from Curtis Lineberry, the manager of admissions. A picture of Walt with two children, Christine Vess Watkins (age 5) and Michael Schwartner (age 7) inaccurately identifies them as the first two guests but both received lifetime passes to Disneyland that day.
Sit back, keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, as we travel through time through “the Happiest Place on Earth.”
Disneyland opened with just 18 attractions, versus the nearly 70 rides, shows, and exhibits of today. Admission was just $1 for adults ($0.50 for children) but didn’t include the cost of the attractions. Today, single admission tickets range from $103 to $206 (based on 2024 prices).
During the first couple of years, outside vendors rented space on Main Street including Cole of California Swimsuit (1956–1957), Fine Tobacco (1955–1990), and Town Square Reality (1955–1960). The most off-brand vendor was the Hollywood-Maxwell’s Brassiere Company (1955–1956) whose host was “The Wizard of Bras,” a mechanical figure who gave a recorded lecture on underwear. The shop only lasted six months.
Attraction tickets varied by price in 1955 with an A–C rating, where “A” rides were the simplest, priced at 10¢ and “C” was the most popular. After three months, the park began to offer “value books” which contained several tickets of each letter. The next year, Disney downgraded “C” rides to a new “D” category. In 1959, “E” tickets were included and considered the best of the best, at a price of 85¢. By 1982, the ticket system was eliminated.
In November 1955, Disney raised a circus tent called Mickey Mouse Club Circus. Disney loved circuses and thought that having a few of the TV Mouseketeers, it would surely be a hit. The tent, which was outside the park, charged an additional fee. Guests showed little interest in seeing circus acts that they could see at similar shows near their homes. The circus left the town in January 1956.
It is estimated that over 90 million “ears” have been sold at Disneyland since 1955. Many are embroidered with names or phrases. Guests are not allowed to use profanity, names of famous people, sports teams, personal businesses, or corporations. There was one guest who had “Vincent” placed on his “ears” and later tore one off.
There are 14 attractions still operational since Disneylands opening, including: The Disneyland Bands, King Arthur Carousel, Peter Pan’s Flight, Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Canal Boats of the World (aka Storybook Land Canal Boats), Casey Jr. Circus Train, Snow White and Her Adventures (aka Snow White’s Enchanted Wish), Autopia, Disneyland Railroad, Horse-Drawn Streetcars, Main Street Cinema, Jungle Cruise, and Mark Twain’s Riverboat.
Alice in Wonderland was going to originally be a walk-through adventure and was supposed to open with the park but it opened three years later as a dark ride. For the first 25 years, it featured a unique scene dubbed “The UpsideDown Room” where the ride vehicle would travel on the “ceiling” while guests looked up to the floor (even though the movie has no such scene). The ride was remodeled in 1983 and the room was removed.
The Enchanged Tiki Room was originally meant to be a themed restaurant. The project got as far as building the main dining room with working restrooms before the plan changed. Today, it’s the only attraction within the park with public restrooms.
When Disneyland was built, there were no street addresses, so Walt was allowed to select the number—he chose “1313” Harbor Boulevard (now 1313 Disneyland Dr.) Nobody knows for sure why he picked that number, but it is thought that the 13th letter of the alphabet is “M” making 1313 short for Mickey Mouse. The Munsters also have this address but on Mockingbird Lane.
Stick around to celebrate Disney’s 80th birthday as the park plans on digging up a time capsule that was buried on July 17, 1995, in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the park’s 40th anniversary.
July 13 / Step back in time at the Boots and Bustles: A Victorian Experience at the Heritage Museum of Orange County (3101 West Harvard St., Santa Ana), and immerse yourself in the life of the pioneers and old west. The faire includes living period piece displays, performers, Victorian and Old Western style vendors, food and libations, and much more. This event is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
July 18–August 17 / Who doesn’t love the OC County Fair (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa) with all of the mouthwatering food, heart-pounding carnival rides, adorable farm animals, and spectacular competitions. The fair is open Wednesday through Sunday and advance tickets are required. Head over to www.ocfair.com for the scoop on tickets and all the things to see and do.
Things To Do In SoCal
July 19 & 20 / Love Long Beach Festival (Shoreline Aquatic Park, 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach), is a two-day festival featuring DJs and live music, yoga, meditation, sound healing, arts and crafts, food trucks, vendors, and much more. This family-friendly event is celebrating their 10th anniversary and is so much more than just a music festival. Check out their complete lineup of music, art, food, and vendors, as well as purchasing tickets at www.lovelongbeachfestival.com.
July 25–27 / If you’re into BBQ and music, then the Mission Viejo BBQ Music Fest (Oso Viejo Community Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo) is the place you're going to want to go. This three-day BBQ extravaganza features live entertainment, a smokin’ food court (including non-BBQ items), dance lessons, cantinas, local artisans, carnival games, and rides. Taste the fiery chicken, pulled pork, tri-tip, pork ribs, sausages…and sides that makes BBQ so popular. Admission varies by day and there is free as well as paid preferred parking available. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.mybbqmusicfest.com.
August 1
August 2
August 2 & 3
August 3–November 22
August 9 & 10
August 9–17
August 16 & 17
August 24
August 24
August 24
September 7
October 26
August 30 & 31
September 5–7
September 7—
November 9
Foodie Fest in Huntington Beach
Uptown Jazz Festival in Long Beach
The FITExpo in Anaheim
Wiener National Dachshund Races in Huntington Beach
Long Beach Jazz Festival
Pretzel Fest at Old World in Huntington Beach
OC Yoga Festival in Huntington Beach
Taste of Huntington Beach
Plum Festival in Huntington Beach
Surfin’ Sundays Concert Series at Huntington Beach Pier
Civil War Days in Huntington Beach
Lobsterfest in Fountain Valley
Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach
Out & About In
July 4 / Huntington Beach is the place to be for the 4th of July! After 121 years, they will once again be having one of the biggest parties west of the Mississippi! This event attracts over 500,000 attendees and for those of you with friends and family outside of CA, they can watch it on the ABC7 LA app! Here’s just a few things going on this day:
▪ The annual Surf City Run will be taking place along the historic route of Main Street and PCH. What’s a better way to start off the holiday weekend by running along the parade route, seeing the iconic pier, and the majestic Pacific Ocean before finishing in Worthy Park. There are various runs starting at 7 a.m. which you can sign up for at www.runsignup.com.
▪ The Kiwanis Club of HB will once again be hosing their pancake breakfast at Lake Park (1035 11th Street). Where can you go for breakfast for $10 (adults; $7 for children) and get pancakes, sausage, and a drink with all the proceeds going to children in need. They start flipping the jacks early so get your tickets at www.kiwanishb.org.
▪ Let’s not forget the Main Street Parade! The parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs 2.5 miles starting on PCH, going past the HB Pier, and then heading north on Main Street. If you don’t feel like schlepping your lawn chairs down to Main Street, bleacher viewing can be purchased, in advance, for $26.73 (www.psqproductions.ticketspice.com).
▪ And who doesn’t love fireworks over the ocean! Head to the beach and watch the spectacular starting at 9 p.m. If you should want a front row to the excitement, tickets to sit on the pier or PCH are available at www.psqproductions.ticketspice.com or just watch them from your front (or back) porch for free!
July 6, 13, 20, & 27 / At this months Summer Series Concerts at the Thomas Ridley Huntington Central Park Concert Bandstand (7111 Talbert) enjoy the sounds of The Tone Brothers Band (July 6), Susie Hansen’s Latin Jazz Band (July 13), Orange County Concert Band (July 20), and The Skinny Ties (July 27). It’s fun for the entire family! Concerts begin at 5 p.m. and are FREE!
July 12–27 / Head over to Old World’s Annual Bier Fest—Sip, Savor, Repeat (7561 Center Avenue)! Raise your stein and enjoy an array of specialty and authentic German beers while dancing to live entertainment. Enjoy bands from all genres including country, 90s, funk, rock, and the Beatles. Tickets and tables are available online at www.oldworldhb.com. All ages are invited (children under 21 must be accompanied by an adult).
July 11 / Grab the family and head down to Huntington Beach’s Foodie Fest (Goldenwest College, 15744 Goldenwest St.) to experience a diverse selection of cuisines presented by local food trucks. This event is FREE to attend but you are asked to RSVP which can easily be done at www.weekendnightmarket.com. The event runs from 5–9 p.m.
July 13 / Don’t forget to check out Surfin’ Sundays at the HB Pier. This familyfriendly, fun, FREE event runs from 12–6 p.m. Check out the Surfin’ Sundays Concert Series on FB for the complete venue lineup.
July 17 / HBCOA (Huntington Beach Council on Aging) welcomes Legends of Rock for their second concert of the season on the Senior Center Lawn (18041 Goldenwest St.). The event is 5–7 p.m. and tickets are $20 but if you’re a member of HBCOA, your membership card will give you a $5 discount. More information and tickets can be found at www.hbcoa.org.
July 26–August 3 / Huntington Beach is hosting the Lexus US Open of Surfing the world’s largest surf competition and attracts top athletes from around the globe in surfing. Besides surfing and the X Games Vert Pro, Sublime will be performing at an exclusive ticketed event. This FREE surfing event will be south of the Pier, and complete information including the event schedule, can be viewed at www.surfcityusa.com.
Puzzles and Word Games you can
