Connecting Orange County's Past and Present ( KUCI 88.9fm in Irvine )
Floral Park in Santa Ana is one of Orange County's most historic residential neighborhoods. This week, residents Lou Pecora, Edwin Power and Ed Murashie talk about the place they call home.
Longtime preservationist, Jerry Nieblas, talks about the history and restoration project at the Blas Aguilar Adobe in San Juan Capistrano
Author Chris Epting discusses his book "Baseball in Orange County" and the history of the county's favorite pastime.
Ellen Bell discusses some of Orange County's most historic restaurants including Five Crowns in Newport Beach, Ramos House Cafe and El Adobe in San Juan Capistrano, the Harborside in the Balboa Pavillion, Mrs Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant in Buena Park, The Cellar in Fullerton and Watson's Soda Fountain in Orange.
Local authors Andrew Tonkovich and Lisa Alvarez have edited a new anthology, "Orange County: A Literary Field Guide," which takes readers on a literary tour of the county's past and present.
Orange County historian, Chris Jepsen, talks about the new exhibit, "Tiki in Orange County." at Chapman University.
The city of Brea is celebrating its 100th birthday this month. Linda Shay, Museum Curator at the Brea Historical Museum, tells of the history of this northern Orange County town and the celebrations that are planned for the year.
The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum has recently reopened after a $15 million renovation. Supervisory Archivist Jason Schultz takes us on a virtual tour of the new exhibit space.
Helena Modjeska was one of the most influential actresses of the mid 19th century. She was also a beloved resident of Orange County. Her former home, Arden, is a preserved historical site that takes visitors back to the days when this remarkable woman lived there. Volunteer Docent, Dorota Plazweski-Moneymaker takes us on a virtual tour of Arden and shares why she thinks it is important to donate our time and attention to local historic places.
Michael Rydzynski has been a DJ on KUCI since his first show in 1977. He shares his recollections of his early days on air, as well as the importance of keeping classical music alive.
Kevin Cabrera, Executive Director of the Heritage Museum of Orange County, talks about the unique, interactive experiences offered at the museum.
Ellen Bell discusses some of her favorite historic spots in South Orange County. Case Romantica, the Katie Wheeler Public Library, Balboa Island, Arden, and Los Rios Historic District.
Merle Baker, who served in the Air Force in the South Pacific, shares his memories from World War II
On the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Ellen Bell discusses how World War II forever changed Orange County.
Deanna Durigon and Renee Dallas, owners of the Old Towne Walking Food Tours, discuss how their tours share the history of Orange in a unique and yummy way!
Margie Wakeham and Armene Humber represent Families Forward, an Orange County non-profit group that serves local families in need. They discuss their current Adopt A Family Program.
Historian Phil Brigandi discusses O'Neill Regional Park, where some of Orange County's earliest historic events occurred.
This week we shine the City Spotlight in Balboa Island, the quaint residential island in the middle of Newport Harbor. Balboa Island Museum Director, Jennifer Keil shares this history of this popular OC destination.
OC Music and Pop Culture historican, Jim Washburn talks about Leo Fender and the new exhibit at the Fullerton Museum Center. He also discusses the history of the Martin Guitar Company, another legendary American music institution.
Local historian Stephanie George shares the history of Halloween and the Anaheim Halloween Parade, which has been going on since 1924.
Fullerton Museum Educator, Aimee Aul, shares the details of the Haunted Fullerton Walking Tour taking place during the month of October.
A discussion of 5 great places to visit and learn the history of North Orange County, including Fullerton, Santa Ana, Orange , Garden Grove, and Anaheim.
Ryan Foland, host of KUCI's "Get Notified" discusses the effect of social media on current history preservation.
Author and Historian Chris Epting talks about his book, "Teddy Roosevelt in California: The Whistle Stop Tour that Changed America."
This week's Vintage Orange City Spotlight is shining on the city of Dana Point. Longtime resident and former Mayor Carlos Olvera discusses the history of the harbor and the city's namesake, famed author Richard Henry Dana.
The second part of my discussion with Alan Hess, local architect and author, who discusses the history of Irvine's first Master Planned Village.
In 1965, The Irvine Company created the Village of University Park, the first development on what would later become the City of Irvine. Our guest this week is local resident Alan Hess who discusses the innovative design and planning concepts of University Park.
This week's city spotlight is on the community of Huntington Beach. Chris Jepsen, President of the Orange County Historical Society, share the history of his hometown.
The Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Board President and long-time resident shares the history of one of Orange County's most iconic art festivals.
The mammoth, wooden blimp hangars in Tustin are two of the most iconic structures in Orange County. This week, local author and historian Guy Ball discusses the history of the former Lighter Than Air Base that was established in 1942.
The Katie Wheeler Library is an exact replica of the former home of the Irvine Family, when the Irvine Ranch was a large scale agricultural operation. Senior Branch Manager Richard Serrato shares some of the history of this unique building and the stories of the family that once lived inside.
Writer and Local Pop Culture Expert, Jim Washburn, discusses the unique musical sounds that came out of Orange County in the 1950's and 60's.
Orange County historian and author, Phil Brigandi, discusses the humble beginnings of Knott's Berry Farm and its Ghost Town attraction, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this summer.
Irvine's Village of Woodbridge is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. Bob Figuera, long-time Director of the Woodbridge Village Association, talks about the early days of the planned community.
Irvine Family member William White III shares his stories of working with the cowboys on the Irvine Ranch
Long time resident and community volunteer, Josh McIntosh talks about the history of his hometown as well as the upcoming Strawberry Festival and 60th Anniversary Celebration
Irvine Historical Society members Gail Daniels and Mary Susa talk about the upcoming 40th Anniversary Celebration and ways community members can get involved.
Sarah Thompson, a member of the campus comedy group Improv Revolution, talk about the group's mission to share the poser of improv here at UCI. She also talks about the upcoming Coup de Comedy Festival, May 11 - 14.
Sharon Toji, a pioneer Irvine resident, talks about her days as one of the first families to move to University Park in 1966. She also talks about Irvine 50 Homecoming, a community celebration of those early days, scheduled for July 2016.
Bommer Canyon was once the cattle camp on the Irvine Ranch and was home to Irvine's own cowboys. Today, it is part of the city's preserved open spaces. Interpretive Specialist Brian Hughes describes the parks history as well as present programs available for the public to enjoy.
Author and former bat boy Rob Goldman shares his unique experience with the Angels baseball franchise, which dates back to Opening Day in 1961.
In the summer of 1953, more than 50,000 boy scouts from all over the country gathered on the Irvine Ranch for the Boy Scout Jamboree. Not only was this a momentous moment in the lives of those who attended, it also marked a changing point in the development of the Irvine area. Most of the infrastructure built for the Jamboree laid the groundwork for future communities in Newport Beach and in Irvine. This week, OC Historian and author Phil Brigandi discusses the Jamboree and its impact on Orange County.
This week Paul Spitzzeri, Assistant Director at the Homestead Museum, continues the discussion of the Barton Massacre of 1857.
The Barton Massacre of 1857 took place on what would later become the Irvine Ranch. This week, Paul Spitzzeri, Assistant Director of the Homestead Museum, discusses what precipitated the violence as well as its aftermath.
James Harvey Irvine inherited his father's ranch in 1892 and arguably had the most influence on the Irvine Ranch.
In 1769, Captain Gaspar de Portola of Spain led the first European expedition across what would later become Orange County. This week I discussed this historic trip with Chris Jepsen of the Orange County Archives.
In the master-planned Village of University Park, Adventure Playground was decidedly un-planned. It became a beloved neighborhood park soon after it first appeared in the early 1970's. When the park was in danger of disappearing in 2008, local community members formed Defend Adventure Playground, to raise awareness and preserve the park. This week's guests, Alex Hilenbrand and John Gerrard, tell how this group mobilized public sentiment and saved Adventure Playground for generations to come.
James Irvine (1827 - 1886) was the patriarch of the family that owned the Irvine Ranch for more than a century. This week Ellen Bell discusses the "rags to riches" story of this unique California pioneer.
L. Byron Culver discusses his relatives, Fred and Willard Culver, who were early pioneers on the Irvine Ranch.
Few others have had more influence over the creation and design of UCI than William Pereira, the architect who devised its master plan. This week's show will feature a conversation with architect and historian Alan Hess about Pereira's foreward-thinking vision for campus life at UCI and how it is still apparent today. Alan Hess is the author of nineteen books on Modern architecture and urbanism in the mid-twentieth century and is a local authority on William Pereira and his influence on the development of Irvine.