Ventura Boulevard: Memory Lane for Natives

"THE SPORTSMEN'S LODGE IS NOW CLOSED." About a month ago, settling in with my Saturday morning paper and a cup o'joe, I saw the fateful words on the cover of the Daily News. Okay, it wasn't exactly "The Day the Music Died" or anything, but I did feel a pang of melancholy, even some quasi grief for yet another Valley icon felled by progress and apathy. This was, among many landmarks, a tradition that we assumed would always be there, reliable and enduring.

Established 63 years ago, this Studio City restaurant/bar/banquet hall/hotel was graced by a peaceful lake, gliding swans and scenic gardens. Once complete with a fishing hole, The Lodge was frequented by the likes of Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, and a seamless flow of noted movie stars, celebrities, and politicians.

It's said that today's general demographic of our real estate community is primarily made up of those of us in our late forties, early fifties. So, if you actually did grow up around here back in the 1960's, you'd already know that The Sportsmen's Lodge happened to be the premier hot spot for every kid in the Valley who wanted to have a successful bar/bat mitzvah bash. Not to mention the weddings, anniversaries and reunions that eventually followed. Everybody's got a favorite story - usually about the time so-and-so fell into the lake at The Sportsmen's Lodge.

Speaking of those "kids," have you noticed the recent onslaught of Facebook "befriend-ings?" Blazing e-mails are gaining momentum at breakneck speed, illuminating computers all across America like a Manhattan skyline. Images of the past are now frequent and inadvertent, incredulously conjured up by this collective and, for some, compelling urge to connect. Along with the "remember when's" now come countless (though sometimes dusty) recollections of other noteworthy landmarks of yore, for instance...


The Valley Music Theater (on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills)

Theater in the round comes to the Valley! Entertainment provided by such diverse talents that included folk group Peter, Paul & Mary, Janet Blair as Peter Pan, Woody Allen (doing stand-up!), Johnny Mathis, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Doors, Lou Rawls, Tina Turner, Don Rickles, and eventually, my personal favorite for a while - the ever-popular group "Spirit". (...I got a l-i-i-i-ne on you, Baby!) At fourteen, I was hired as an usherette. Attire was a required white top, navy blue mini skirt and you had to bring your own flashlight. When you were done seating the general audience, your payment was getting to watch the show! One of my all-time favorite jobs.


The Queen's Arms (on Ventura Boulevard in Encino)

An elaborate palace of a restaurant - turrets, flags and coronets - maybe even a moat - I dunno, it's been a while. Very elegant, regal and sure, a little campy, too. Perfect venue when throwing a sweet sixteen party for those Valley "princesses." **Personally, I opted for Alice's Restaurant in Westwood, another long-gone mainstay.


The Piggly Wiggly Continental Supermarket (on Ventura Boulevard in Encino)

Gourmet international faire, an outdoor cafe, a tank of live lobsters (which, personally, always creeped me out). Strange, the whole package was ultimately considered tres chic for 1963 Encino housewives. Need I say more?


The Third Eye Bookstore (on Ventura Boulevard in Encino)

A local shop owned by the father of a schoolmate, this was a place to congregate, share ideas, buy incense, music, poetry books, (bought my first copy of Siddhartha there), turquoise jewelry, embroidered peasant blouses, attend free live Sunday concerts in the field next door and, most importantly, develop an appreciation of art, by way of the day-glo painted posters amply adorning the black light room.


Fabulous Jerry's Miniature Golf Course (on Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana)

Always fondly referred to as "Dirty Eddie's" (don't ask me why), a huge figure of a giant man stood watch over this odd combo of golf course, small arcade of pinball machines, trampolines and Fabulous Jerry's Home of the Famous 12 Cent Burger. I kid you not. Very popular with the preteens for a platonic dating experience.

And that's just a smattering. We were generously offered a preponderance of colorful establishments that shaped and honed our impressionable adolescence. The list goes on and on...

As an outside rep for this particular territory, the Valley is my "beat." Driving throughout the day amidst it all, my memory is often fondly nudged by these ever-present visions of the past. Our hearts, souls, our heritage, are all finely woven into this rich tapestry we know as The San Fernando Valley.