Name: Clark Millman ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 9:24 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Wichita,Kansas

Message: What's the old saying..."Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it!" The owners of the mall will never get a good anchor tenant and the mall will fail again as expected. JB had the best suggestion yet. Bury the mall and start over. If the owners just want out they should bulldoze the mall and the Hawthorne planning commission could explore zoning options for the best interests of the community and just sell it.

Name: Anita Bell ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 4:40 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Harmon
Class: 1969
City & State: Fair Oaks, Ca

Message: Okay...some of these past posts have been pretty funny. But when it comes to the topic of songs - My Prayer, Stuck in the Middle, and Summer Place are all great songs. As far as any memories associated with a song?... The L-O-N-G version of Light My Fire - and that's all I'm gonna say.

Name: John Guerra ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 4:02 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1960
City & State: anaheim, ca

Message: mr rout, sorry about being one day late, i hope you had a great 40th annivessary sunday.

Name: Bob Jensen ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 3:32 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Los Angeles

Message: All of this talk about the Hawthorne Mall reminds me of what happened in Sherman Oaks in the 1990’s. It just so happens that I went to a movie last night at the Sherman Oaks Galleria Mall for the first time in almost 30 years and though I would mention what became of the original mall. The mall became famous in the early 1980s as being the center of the Valley Girl culture and a well-known teenage hangout. In January 1994, the Galleria closed for 11 days due to the Northridge Earthquake, and the mall never fully recovered from the economic impact. Towards the late 1990s, many businesses began closing due to lack of consumer interest in the Galleria, until only a single store, a gift shop, was left remaining in 1999. The mall was suffering drastically due to having only one main anchor and was being outgrossed by the smaller, but busier, Westfield Fashion Square (formerly Sherman Oaks Fashion Square), located about two miles away. The mall finally closed in 1999 for a major renovation and reopened in 2002 as an open-air center that was completely different from its previous state. The vast majority of the remaining mall was turned into offices. Warner Brothers set up offices here and can be seen in what was once one of the mall entrances. Additionally, IMDb, several mortgage companies and financial services providers are headquartered within the mall. Additional tenants include several major restaurant chains. In 2007 the Pacific Galleria 16 Theaters changed into an ArcLight Cinema, as the Pacific Theaters own the ArcLight brand.

Name: Bob And Karen Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 2:48 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1960
City & State: Hawthorne,Ca
No E-mail
Message: The turnout at Saturday's Mall Meeting was pretty good. It was on the top of the parking structure. It was organized by the North Hawthorne Homeowner's Association along with help from Councilman Alex Vargas. The meeting was organized as follows: First a tour. Interesting. The store fronts were all gone. Everything was gutted but a few remmants such as the 70's tile and a Montgomery Wards sign was still there. (The Mall has been used extensively for movie shoots over the past few years, such as Fast and Furious and a couple of Tom Cruise movies) Next, we all got to participate in generating ideas. There were about 7 or so table groups. Each table group was responsible for brainstorming ideas and illustrating them on a pre-prepared diagram. Each group then presented their ideas to all. There were a lot of ideas thrown out and most everyone wanted the mall "opened" up with lots of green space in front. Everthing from restaurant, movie theatres, entertainment centers, office space, hotels, lots and lots of mixed use ideas. No housing. The meeting wrapped up with the developer, mall owner and city officials thanking everyone and noting that all our ideas would be looked at. They will then present a plan to the city council. NO timeline was given but it can probably be assumed it will take a very long time for anything to come of it. It is a million square feet to be developed. Remember... it's all about making money for the owner and developer but at least they have heard the community. For those of you who have Hawthorne City cable , the meeting will be aired in the very near future. Oh, lastly, for those of you who might like to know- the old Montgomey Wards store was developed several years ago and houses the executive offices of The LA County Welfare offices. It is not open to the public so before anyone says anything, absolutely no claimants are allowed anywhere near it. There you have it. We'll see what, if anything happens.

Name: George Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 12:58 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Spinnaker Cove, Ca

Message: Hey, John Boy; Boy, it sure helps when you place a new battery in your wireless keyboard once & a while. Hey, Keith, you got your wish. The mall has water, only problem is it's dripping from broken pipes & moldy walls. Kinda hard to slip & slide on a drip, but I bet if they could find enough mold, It would be plenty slippery.Jorge

Name: Jim Peppers ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 11:17 am - HHS Time
Class: 1961
City & State: Athens, Greece

Message: I don’t remember anything as classic as Stuck in the Middle, but I do remember lots of heavy breathing that went along with Summer Place. And Fingers – No Neck, you guys have hit the humor button for sure, and I like it! It’s way too hot here, hope it’s nicer there. Great feedback lately, Jim Peppers

Name: Laura Wang ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jul 26, 2010, 11:09 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Geele
Class: 1976
City & State: PV, CA

Message: There was a good turnout at the mall meeting Saturday and it appears the folks in charge are going to turn the mall into. . . a mall. Imagine that. They did ask for other ideas, but the plan up on the board was a mall with shops, and the owner needs financing and the ability to make money on his investment. So look for something to happen within five to ten years. Maybe ;-). The tour inside was interesting. The place has been looted for the past 20 years and is very reminiscent of planet of the apes. I expected Charleton Heston to bound out of the depths of the dark, dripping water, mold-covered recesses.

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 9:17 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas

Message: Not to change the subject but talk to Vegas (in the middle of the desert) about conventions and San Dimas about waterparks. Actually just make the entire property convention and meeting space.

Name: Larry And Loretta Cuiper ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 9:10 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Morelli
Class: 1962
City & State: Hawthorne, Ca

Message: I read what Bonnie Cozby had to say about the Mall, and I think you have a great idea. If planned right it could bring the Mall to life again with Art School, Culinary School, Museum and Restaurant. It would be a good thing. I'm sure we have talented HHS Grads, who could use their talent and come up with some wonderful architectural designs. I don't believe I have ever heard anyone come up with this idea. I was unable to attend the meeting on Saturday, what was the out come, did they have any different ideas that they would look into? Does anyone have more information, and are they planning another meeting? they have talked and talked about what they should do so many things and nothing does happen. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to hear what is their next step. ALWAYS A COUG

Name: Alan Ibarra ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 6:30 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: denver co

Message: I remember Joey Fingers....he used to hang around with No-Neck Louie and the Gambino brothers.

Name: Sharon Branigan ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 5:32 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
City & State: San Clemente, CA

Message: Joey Fingers and his dog Sailor of Hawthorne, CA were on Animal Planet's Pet Star last night. He says that's really his name. I don't remember any Fingers. Do you?

Name: Alan Ibarra ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 5:30 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: denver co

Message: Not to change the subject (talk to Lawndale about water parks, talk to LAX about conventions) but just had an HHS flashback. Sittin' here in summer hot Denver, sippin' on a Fat Tire (the beer of choice in these parts) and listenin' to Kool 105 oldies when outta the speakers....Stealers Wheel's "Stuck In The Middle". It threw me back to a time when Ted Hastings, Cheryl Stromberg, Carol Soprano and I were sitting in Ted's blue Econoline van, listenin' to 93 KHJ and every time that song came on (which was a lot) Cheryl would jump into the middle of the front two seats just so she could sing "clowns to the left of me (pointing at Ted) jokers to the right (pointing to me), here I am....." I bet she still does that! Anyone else have an "unusual" HHS memory associated with a song?

Name: Michael M Kratz ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 10:46 am - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Vegas

Message: Give the land to SPACE X for a dollar, I read somewhere they were just awarded the largest ever commercial space launch contract. Maybe they can turn it into something, sounds like they might need to hire more people and need office space? It be better then then just sitting there, no one has any monies, but SPACE X does.

Name: Steve Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 10:39 am - HHS Time
Class: 1966
City & State: Laguna Woods, CA

Message: Turn the mall into a practice range for the USAF "smart bombs".

Name: Bonnie Lou Cozby ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 8:05 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Simmons
Class: 1971
City & State: Ocean Park, WA

Message: Regarding the mall...what about an arts center? With all the wanna be actors and writers in CA, a performance art theater and teaching facility would be possible (yes, there are theaters everywhere but this could concentrate on young to old/community opportunities). With the studios up the road on Rosecrans, the TV/film factor could be addressed. A South Bay museum (PV to El Segundo and all between including aerospace) could be interesting with a fun Beach Boys section of course. Visual art studio space to rent, pottery kilns, classroom and exhibition space are always needed. Dance, music, writing and art history are all areas that could bring interest. Structure issues permitting, the roof could be opened up over the area that encompassed the old mall walkways to create a center plaza (echoes of the old palm tree plaza), that would link the various art sections inside a secure perimeter. Open air art and performance festivals could take place there. Bring in a culinary school with restaurant and a wine appreciation school with a tasting room and you have a complete entertainment package. Non-profits using grants (which are out there) could be approached as tenants along with for-profit interests. Hawthorne would have to provide a well thought out, classy and secure venue and act as landlord. This could be a benefit to the community...kids are getting very short education in the arts through school anymore and a possible economy producer for the area. Just a thought...put Hawthorne on the map as an education/arts destination spot.

Name: John Crotty ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jul 25, 2010, 7:23 am - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: hermosa beach, CA

Message: JB....You nailed it! Perfect solution...You are the MAN!!! And Jorge...I get it!!!!

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Jul 24, 2010, 8:45 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas

Message: A waterpark would be great during the hot months and have it be some sort of amusement during the colder months. The convention area alone would easily pay for it with money left over. Hawthorne is centrally located and could easily generate conventioners. There needs to be soemthing there to bring in outside money not money from the locals. Plus it would help so many other business's in the area especially hotels and restuarants.

Name: John Crotty ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Jul 24, 2010, 5:49 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1969
No E-mail
Message: A water park? The maintainance alone will bankrupt the city, if it isn't already hurtin'. They only open and operate for a few months a year anyway!!!...I know!!! Put another freeway through the city...doesn't matter how long it takes or where it goes....

Name: Bill Ennis ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Jul 24, 2010, 3:46 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1966
City & State: Monterey Bay

Message: I just got caught up on this whole page of feedback.. so: Alan Ibarra, Oh Canter's on Fairfax...I can still taste their pickles, yum. Jerry Miles, yep 1957 and 10 cents for the pool. My Mom had them babysit me many-a-time. We just lived three houses down from what is now the football field. All: the Hawthorne Mall, was not all this worried about when they were planning that place? I remember all kinds of bad press before construction? Sherry, my favorite wife, Danny Fix's car that got picked up at turned in the parking spot may not have been an MG, I believe it said "Alpine" on the back side. But I did not turn it... honest...and Steve Fraser, Howdy. Long time.

Name: George Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Jul 24, 2010, 12:43 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Snnaker Cve, ca

Message: Hey,Mike Katz Boy; That won't happen, because Willie can't swim.Jorge

Name: Michael M Kratz ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Jul 24, 2010, 11:24 am - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Vegas

Message: Turn the old Hawthorne Mall into a water park!

Name: Bob Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Jul 23, 2010, 6:51 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1960
City & State: Hawthorne,Ca
No E-mail
Message: Hey Steve, good to hear from you. Sounds like you're doing ok. Do you remember our 50th with the Burger King Crowns? LOL. Maybe someday we might venture back that away. I did live in Kansas when I was 1-2 years old. Regarding the Hawthorne Mall- I, too, have positive thoughts about it. My mom lived across the street and it was very convenient when we needed something. As for crime, well, I can remember Hawthorne City Councilman Dave York being shot in the stomach and Mayor Ainsworth's grandson murdering a woman- but these were at the Galleria. Anyway, hope to see some of you at the parking structure tomorrow at 10 am.