Class of 81 from Birmingham living on Balboa going to Encino elementary moving to Woodland Hills moving back to Encino I lived all of this and loved every word you wrote
This is my Encino, perfectly laid out. I went to Hesby at the same time, walked past that McDonalds everyday on the way to school. I know every reference and this writer got it just right. Thanks for the memories, maybe I need to go watch "Licorice Pizza" now.
We first lived in Encino village then moved "south" of the boulevard on Hayvenhurst Av NOT drive (across from the Jackson 5)..I loved every word you wrote..Went to Rhoda Street then Lanai Road, Portola and Birmingham (class of 79, with two older brothers, Scott, Birmingham, Class of 77 and Jeff,, Class of I think 73??) I recently lost my life partner and it's the hardest time of my life but I thank you for bringing some wonderful moments into my mind...I will take every little bit of positivity where I can find it..you wrote a mitzvah...thanks Bryan..
I loved this so much. I’m a bit older than you, and grew up “Encino adjacent” in Sherman Oaks but had many similar experiences. I moved to the Valley at the age of 13 from a small town on Long Island. I entered 8th grade at Millikan JHS. It was quite a culture shock and it took me
till 10th grade to really get my valley “sea legs”. But I spent all my teenage years here and still live in the Valley 12 miles from where I grew up. The Valley in the 70’s was like a small town in the middle of a big city. The streets emptied out after dark, there was still a big orange grove on White Oak just north of Ventura, Northridge still had horses and cows and West Hills didn’t exist yet. But I’m still here! The “over the hill” folks can sneer at us all they want, but we grew up in small town middle America in the middle of a major metropolitan area. We were the lucky ones!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Brought back a lot of memories. Hesby St for K and then on to St. Cyril’s. I remember Jim, aka the Encino bum. Looking forward to more of your stories.
So rare these days, an absolutely accurate and perfect article! Kudos! For us it was bike riding down Reseda blvd for lunch at LA Fiesta, Pup n Taco, or the Armenian deli before hitting the baseball card shop. What an absolutely outstanding nostalgia piece.
Awesome stories! Grew up in Encino on the “North” side! I will ALWAYS remember the baseball fields, the wash and Balboa Park. Riding the RTD everywhere without a worry. One summer took the bus to Santa Monica Beach every day one summer. Ended up moving to Canoga Park aka Winnetka. Moved out of the Valley after finishing high school. All my family is still there and so are my memories. Thanks for a great article!
That was my life also. I went to Montclair College Prep during those days. What a great memory. Sadly Montclair College prep is no longer there, the batting cages are long gone, and you can’t ride your bike without a helmet.
As newlyweds, aged 22 and 20, we bought a condo on Lindley in 1974. So I was older moving into Encino. But everything you described could easily have been said about Sherman Oaks, where I grew up. I was impressed you had a metal lunch box. Loved the Farrell's reference. Great essay- thoroughly enjoyed.
Fun article, I got to enjoy the sixties in Newton Mass before moving to Encino in 1969…. Many memories in Encino and the SFV that I could fill several volumes…. VBS, Nestle, Portola, Birmingham’77
Thanks for the fun read, Brian. I lived on Hayvenhurst Drive in the 60s and early 70s, moving away in '74, and this brings back a lot of memories. I kept thinking you were going to mention the Fire Brigade, but I loved the mention of Farrells, where I worked, running around w/ the "Zoo." Are you by chance related to Stephen Behar, a close friend of my brother's.
Class of 81 from Birmingham living on Balboa going to Encino elementary moving to Woodland Hills moving back to Encino I lived all of this and loved every word you wrote
This is my Encino, perfectly laid out. I went to Hesby at the same time, walked past that McDonalds everyday on the way to school. I know every reference and this writer got it just right. Thanks for the memories, maybe I need to go watch "Licorice Pizza" now.
Hi Brian! Says it all here! Lesley Davis
We had the same Encino experience. It was a magical time. Encino in the 70’s
We first lived in Encino village then moved "south" of the boulevard on Hayvenhurst Av NOT drive (across from the Jackson 5)..I loved every word you wrote..Went to Rhoda Street then Lanai Road, Portola and Birmingham (class of 79, with two older brothers, Scott, Birmingham, Class of 77 and Jeff,, Class of I think 73??) I recently lost my life partner and it's the hardest time of my life but I thank you for bringing some wonderful moments into my mind...I will take every little bit of positivity where I can find it..you wrote a mitzvah...thanks Bryan..
I loved this so much. I’m a bit older than you, and grew up “Encino adjacent” in Sherman Oaks but had many similar experiences. I moved to the Valley at the age of 13 from a small town on Long Island. I entered 8th grade at Millikan JHS. It was quite a culture shock and it took me
till 10th grade to really get my valley “sea legs”. But I spent all my teenage years here and still live in the Valley 12 miles from where I grew up. The Valley in the 70’s was like a small town in the middle of a big city. The streets emptied out after dark, there was still a big orange grove on White Oak just north of Ventura, Northridge still had horses and cows and West Hills didn’t exist yet. But I’m still here! The “over the hill” folks can sneer at us all they want, but we grew up in small town middle America in the middle of a major metropolitan area. We were the lucky ones!
Thank you for this. Grew up on Louise south of the boulevard. The nostalgia is heavy on this one. Love it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Brought back a lot of memories. Hesby St for K and then on to St. Cyril’s. I remember Jim, aka the Encino bum. Looking forward to more of your stories.
Thank you for bringing back the memories that created enormous joy and defined us as a community of one.
So rare these days, an absolutely accurate and perfect article! Kudos! For us it was bike riding down Reseda blvd for lunch at LA Fiesta, Pup n Taco, or the Armenian deli before hitting the baseball card shop. What an absolutely outstanding nostalgia piece.
Awesome stories! Grew up in Encino on the “North” side! I will ALWAYS remember the baseball fields, the wash and Balboa Park. Riding the RTD everywhere without a worry. One summer took the bus to Santa Monica Beach every day one summer. Ended up moving to Canoga Park aka Winnetka. Moved out of the Valley after finishing high school. All my family is still there and so are my memories. Thanks for a great article!
That was my life also. I went to Montclair College Prep during those days. What a great memory. Sadly Montclair College prep is no longer there, the batting cages are long gone, and you can’t ride your bike without a helmet.
As newlyweds, aged 22 and 20, we bought a condo on Lindley in 1974. So I was older moving into Encino. But everything you described could easily have been said about Sherman Oaks, where I grew up. I was impressed you had a metal lunch box. Loved the Farrell's reference. Great essay- thoroughly enjoyed.
My first job was at that McDonalds. $2 an hour in 1974.
Fun article, I got to enjoy the sixties in Newton Mass before moving to Encino in 1969…. Many memories in Encino and the SFV that I could fill several volumes…. VBS, Nestle, Portola, Birmingham’77
Thanks for the fun read, Brian. I lived on Hayvenhurst Drive in the 60s and early 70s, moving away in '74, and this brings back a lot of memories. I kept thinking you were going to mention the Fire Brigade, but I loved the mention of Farrells, where I worked, running around w/ the "Zoo." Are you by chance related to Stephen Behar, a close friend of my brother's.
Well done. Born in Van Nuys, lived in west valley and went to high school in Encino. The bulk of your references bring back many memories. Thanks.
Grew up in Fullerton, CA, in the same era and felt every word of this. Except for the fact that I only knew one Jewish person.