Before The Memories Met The Demolition Crew

 

Prior to the demolition of the old English Village, RiverScene Magazine was permitted to go into the buildings that had been abandoned. The structure awaited its demise when the photo shoot took place.

It was pitch dark inside the old movie theater; a flashlight was used to light the way.

It was far from the bright vibrant Village buildings of the 1980s and 1990s.

In addition to the theater, during that time, the Village hosted businesses such as the Golden Unicorn, a T-shirt shop, and a shooting gallery.

View looking towards the front door of the theater. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
View looking towards the front door of the theater. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

After the theater closed, Dallas Finch, of Kokomo’s, opened a teen club called “Trance” from 1999 to 2001. The club had laser tag for the kids. In 1985, “Terror at London Bridge,” starring David Hasselhoff, was filmed in and around that building.

As RiverScene Magazine cameras flashed inside the dark theater, the room was lit up to reveal how it might have looked years ago. An orange light was burning in a chandelier. The light had never been replaced, but strangely it had kept burning through the years.

Jan Kassies was also there and watched the old movie theater and shooting gallery as it demolished. He said there was a small group of people that gathered to watch.

“I would say 90 percent of the people watching said ‘it’s about time — it was such an eyesore.’”

Kassies is Director of Visitor Services of the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitors Center. He moved to Lake Havasu in 2003.

 

A view inside of the English Village theater two months before it was torn down. Nathan Adler/RiverScene
A view inside of the English Village theater two months before it was torn down. Nathan Adler/RiverScene

“When I moved here, there were trees and grass in the Village, but the Village was already in disrepair,” Kassies said.“In 2004 the irrigation broke and the owner didn’t fix it, so the grass and trees died. The property was sold to another company, and they started charging for parking. The fountain wasn’t working, and in 2010, Rotary and other volunteers went in and cleaned up the area and got part of the fountain working, but the shops were already closed. In 2010, the owners went bankrupt and Virtual Realty Enterprises (VRE) purchased it and immediately began cleaning it up. They fixed the fountain and planted grass.”Kassies said VRE wanted to reopen the English Village buildings, but the buildings were too dilapidated and full of mold. “It looked spooky,” Kassies said.

“To be honest, the buildings taken down are only a small part of the English Village,” Kassies explained. The English Village is also “the Visitor Center, the fountain, and the beautiful gates.

A view of a section of the English Village before it was torn down. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
A view of a section of the English Village before it was torn down. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“Even though the English Village is part of a lot of residents’ memories, it was necessary to take it down. The buildings could not be rehabilitated, and “the fronts were only a façade,” Kassies said.

“I think it’s great that we’ll now have a beautiful hotel and restaurants that will draw people to the Village. I understand that people want it to be like it was in the 1980s, but it’s just not possible.”

Kassies said the hotel will provide at least 60 jobs, and “we’ll have life down here.

“When I go back to the town in Holland that I was born in, it doesn’t look the same as I remember, but it happens everywhere. It’s progress.”

A view of the lobby inside the English Village movie theater two months before it was torn down. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
A view of the lobby inside the English Village movie theater two months before it was torn down. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Kassies said he doesn’t think VRE will ever take down the remaining building that houses the Visitor Center because it’s part of the English Village. He thinks if anything, they may just make small changes.

“Whatever happens, these people (VRE) have an eye for Havasu.”

“Memories won’t fade away,” Kassies believes, “but we move on to something new. And younger people will make different memories.”

Readers are invited to look at the photo gallery by RiverScene Magazine to see what the English Village buildings looked like before they were torn down.

Photo Gallery By Nathan Adler:


Photo Gallery By Jillian Danielson:

The following two photos are images of the chandeliers so the light can be seen with the camera flash on. The second photo is the camera flash turned off so the small orange glow can be seen through the darkness. This one light remained on in the theater until the buildings were torn down.

One single light in a chandelier has remained lit in the theater since the closed down. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
One single light in a chandelier has remained lit in the theater since the closed down. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
A small orange light remains on through the darkness from a chandelier hanging in the English Village theater. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
A small orange light remains on through the darkness from a chandelier hanging in the English Village theater. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

 

 

The post Before The Memories Met The Demolition Crew appeared first on River Scene Magazine.

Topock Fire Update

 

3:30 p.m. Update:

Fire officials report that the fire burning near Topock has consumed 1,200 acres, 50 acres on the California side of the river, and there is zero containment at this time.

Firefighters stage outside of the Topock Fire. Rick Powell/RiverScene
Firefighters stage outside of the Topock Fire. Rick Powell/RiverScene

Firefighters currently working the fire are from the San Bernardino Fire Department, Mohave Valley Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management and Arizona Game and Fish.

The biggest concern at this time, according to fire officials, is embers and wind.

According to the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, the winds have turned northwest. These winds will continue until midnight, then decrease. Smoke could still hang around in Lake Havasu City through Thursday morning.

There has been some damage at Pirate’s Cove Resort, but firemen are protecting it from further damage.

Arizona is calling it the Topock Fire and California is calling it the Pirate Fire.

Firefighters work to protect structure at Pirate Cove. photo courtesy San Bernardino County Fire
Firefighters work to protect structure at Pirate Cove. photo courtesy San Bernardino County Fire
The Topock/Pirate Fire burns Wednesday morning. Rick Powell/RiverScene
The Topock/Pirate Fire burns Wednesday morning. Rick Powell/RiverScene
A helicopter drops fire suppression on the Topock/Pirate Fire Wednesday morning. Rick Powell/RiverScene
A helicopter drops fire suppression on the Topock/Pirate Fire Wednesday morning. Rick Powell/RiverScene
Smoke from the Topock/Pirate Fire rises into the air Wednesday morning. Rick Powell/RiverScene
Smoke from the Topock/Pirate Fire rises into the air Wednesday morning. Rick Powell/RiverScene
Submitted photo Jean Kuhn
Submitted photo Jean Kuhn
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Submitted photo

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A Clean Sweep – Divers Clean Up Copper Canyon

SCUBA Lake Havasu City
Here’s a quiz: what do a waterlogged iPhone, a rubber mat and a shopping cart have in common? As far as Lake Havasu is concerned, they represent a clean sweep.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Lake Havasu Divers Association and Scuba Training & Technology, is hosting the Copper Canyon Underwater Clean-up, an effort to clear manmade debris from Copper Canyon. The date is Tuesday, May 31, 2016, from 6:15 a.m. to noon, departing from Lake Havasu Marina. At least three dozen divers and other volunteers, accompanied by pontoon boats, will scour the bottom of the canyon for whatever doesn’t belong there.

Last year’s clean-up netted nine 55-gal. trash bags worth of bottles, cans and assorted flotsam and jetsam, including left and right shoes, but rarely a complete pair.

Joel Silverstein, the association’s vice president, tells us, “If more people respected the environment, we wouldn’t have to host these underwater clean-ups, but that’s the reality.”
He continues, “On the positive side, our clean-up under the London Bridge and in Bridgewater Channel yields less and less garbage each year. I think the message is getting out there – plus peer pressure comes into play that it’s not cool anymore to toss beer cans overboard.” (Editor’s note: Coors Light beat out Bud Light during a recent clean-up).

The group leaves May 31 from Lake Havasu Marina, and celebrates their booty afterwards with a BBQ. Copper Canyon will be closed to other boaters and divers at that time.

Divers and non-divers alike are welcome to volunteer by contacting Capt. Kathy Weydig
at kathy@trimixdiver.com, or 928-855-9400.

The post A Clean Sweep – Divers Clean Up Copper Canyon appeared first on Lake Havasu City Tourism and Community Blog.

Boat-In Dining Includes Skateboard Pizza Deliveries

Pizza delivery to Bridgewater Channel In Lake Havasu City, AZ.
There are drive-in pharmacies, drive-in movie theaters, and even drive-through supermarkets. When it comes to dining, why should Lake Havasu be any different?

Want to spend as much time on the water as you can? Consider what we so cleverly call a “boat-in” restaurant. Whether you want breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a great gourmet coffee, there’s a boat-in restaurant to fulfill your craving.

But if you’re feeling extra indulgent, Papa Leone’s, family owned for 25 years and overlooking the London Bridge at 304 English Village, will deliver your order by skateboard.

Cody Hull, an employee at the store, says there’s no minimum order and deliveries will be fast – and horizontal – not slung vertically over some skater dude’s shoulder turning your pepperonis and tomatoes into mush.

“We hire kids who know how to ride a skateboard,” Cody tells us. “Boaters absolutely get a kick out of it. It also helps with tips when a boater sees their pizza rolling up. It’s a lot faster than walking.”

No hoverboard deliveries are planned for the future, although considering how many have burst into flames, maybe that’s one way to order your pizza piping hot.

The post Boat-In Dining Includes Skateboard Pizza Deliveries appeared first on Lake Havasu City Tourism and Community Blog.

Boat Registration in Lake Havasu City Coming Soon

Boating near the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
For decades, if boaters purchased a boat in or near Lake Havasu City, they were required to travel an hour each way to Kingman (Ariz.) to register. The alternative was to wait weeks to apply by mail. Those days are coming to an end, thanks to efforts by the Lake Havasu Marine Association and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Ty Gray, the department’s deputy director, announced recently the department would work with the Lake Havasu Marine Association to offer boating permits in Lake Havasu City. The proposed pilot project would bring Game and Fish agents to Lake Havasu several times per month to accommodate the city’s boaters, according to Today’s News-Herald, the local paper.

To Lake Havasu Marine Association President Jim Salscheider, it’s the culmination of eight years of input from the Lake Havasu community.

“This is a big deal,” Salscheider said. “In my eight years with the Marine Association, I’ve been hearing relentlessly about people having to travel 60 miles to landlocked Kingman for new registrations. Seeing Game and Fish reaching out and trying to accommodate us is not how bureaucracies usually work. But in this case, they listened and boaters certainly have something to cheer about now that the registration process is going to become more convenient,” adds Salscheider.

The timing and location for local registrations are not yet confirmed, so stay tuned.

The post Boat Registration in Lake Havasu City Coming Soon appeared first on Lake Havasu City Tourism and Community Blog.

Park Moabi Threatened By Fire

San Bernardino County Fire Department has confirmed a fire started at Park Moabi at 5 a.m. this morning. The fire is near the same area that devastated the Topock area last year.

SBC Fire reported it was a vegetation fire with a medium rate of spread threatening Park Moabi and that units were on scene. An engine and two water trucks are in place.

Submitted photo Wanda Mello-Mcdow
Submitted photo Wanda Mello-Mcdow

A more recent report advised that 20 acres were burning on the Arizona side, and three acres on the California side and strike teams were dispatched. Mohave County Fire Department is working on the Arizona side. At this time, no structures have burned on the California side, but structures are threatened at Park Moabi. Evacuations are in progress. Air rescue, hand crews and a dozer have been dispatched.

The most recent reports state that Park Moabi has been evacuated and an emergency evacuation center has been established at the Park and Recreation Center at 1111 Bailey Ave., in Needles. The fire has consumed 15 acres with 20 mph winds. Pirate’s Cove is also threatened.

A RiverScene Magazine photographer has been sent to the area of the fire. Watch for updates here.

There is a road closure at Park Moabi and I-40 as of 10 a.m. according to the San Bernardino FD.

Submitted photo Susan Stocker
Submitted photo Susan Stocker
Submitted photo Mindy Montoya
Submitted photo Mindy Montoya

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Hospice Hosts 007 Themed Fundraiser

Hospice Happening hosted a 007 Casino Royale themed fundraiser Saturday night. Approximately 190 people showed up in their casino best to enjoy a night of dinner, dancing, and fun.

The post Hospice Hosts 007 Themed Fundraiser appeared first on River Scene Magazine.

Young Marines Hold Recruit Encampment

The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.

Rick Powell/RiverScene
Rick Powell/RiverScene

 

The Lake Havasu City Young Marines recently held an Encampment for recruits. The Encampment is a requirement for the recruits to graduate to Young Marines and was held at Windsor 4. The recruits were there from Friday after school until Sunday at noon. During the Encampment, the recruits have campfires and sleep in tents. There were 18 recruits and 28 Young Marines that attended the Encampment.

Young Marine Sgt. McIntyre explained that “some of the things we’ve done this weekend are physical fitness training, knife safety, hiking, and basic teamwork and leadership skills.”

“The Young Marines has definitely straightened out my life and put me to the better side of things,” said YM Sgt. McIntyre.

 

 

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Another Orange Ball Comes Down

Another Havasu landmark has been taken down.

The Northside “Orange Ball” was torn down Saturday morning. The building on North Palo Verde was originally built in 1988 and housed one of the three original McCulloch real estate offices. Since 1988 residents have referred to the Orange Balls for giving driving directions to visitors.

Submitted photo Brian Baumkirchner
Submitted photo Brian Baumkirchner

Brian and Juls Baumkirchner are the current owners of the business. They built the first two Human Beans, and customers asked if they could build a third one.

So a third “Human Bean” is being built on the location, which will be identical to the one recently built on the location of the Southside Orange Ball on South McCulloch and Maricopa.

Because the existing building on North Palo Verde was not conducive to a new Human Bean, the building had to be torn down.

“We are excited to turn an old, tired building into another beautiful building like Southside’s,” Brian Baumkirchner said. “First thing you see when you get into town on either side of town will be an attractive building that represents our community well. We employee 19-20 people currently and with the third store we will have 30 baristas. We plan on opening the end of July.”

The Orange Balls are as much a landmark to Havasu residents as the London Bridge, and Brian said by preserving the balls on the property of the Human Beans, “we are keeping the tower and orange ball nostalgia going.”

Submitted photo Brian Baumkirchner
Submitted photo Brian Baumkirchner

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