Happy New Year From Smitty and Mike!

We thank everyone out there that supports Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site! We have an exciting line-up of shows for 2013, and your support will help make this our best season yet. Help us get the word out about the podcast of choice for Baby Boomers (and beyond).  We'll be talking to you again soon, right here on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network.      Smitty, Mike, and the Galaxy Gang.

TV Station Sign-Ons (Program 99)

On Program 99, we remember the days when TV stations would shut down late at night, and then start broadcasting again very early the next morning.  This was known as the Sign-On and Sign-Off.  Something that is very rarely seen today in the era of all-night infomercials and overnight news programs.  The Galaxy Gang recall their memories of getting up early in the morning to see the station transmitting a test pattern, such as the ones we show here, and then listening to the National Anthem, and perhaps a devotional film, prior to beginning the day's programs.  The test patterns were designed to be able to allow station engineers to align their transmitting equipment, and owners of TV sets at home to align their sets.

Test patterns such as these began to be phased out as color television became the standard.  For color TV adjustments, a color bar pattern was created to help technicians determine if a color set was reproducing an accurate picture. 

Although we don't see these interesting patterns on our TVs any more, it's fun to look back and remember those days.  Join us on program 99 for our recollections of these early TV memories!

Neil Armstrong 1930-2012

We are saddened at the passing of Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the surface of the moon.  Heroes are sometimes difficult to find, but in Neil Armstrong, we all had a hero from the days when America had set its sights on landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.  The days of the Apollo Space Program were an exciting time to be alive and to be an American.  The nation fulfilled the promise to the late president John F. Kennedy when he stated in 1961 that the United States had all of the available resources and manpower to land a man on the moon and safely return him home by the end of the 1960s.  Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the two men who first set foot on a heavenly body other than this earth, have gone down in history.  Now that we have lost Mr. Armstrong, he has become legendary, and will be remembered for generations to come.  The staff of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site salutes the memory of Neil Armstrong, and recall his "One Giant Leap for Mankind" he took on July 20, 1969.

Early Color Television (Program 91)

In program 91, we talk about the history of Early Color Television.  The many technical developments along the way to creating a viable color system as well as the programming that was featured in those early days.  On the program we mention RCA's first production color TV set.  Here it is pictured above, the RCA Victor CT-100.  It made it's appearance in 1954, and featured a 15" screen.  The color on this set was very vivid, and almost had a Technicolor likeness to it.  This set originally cost around $1,000, several times the price of a conventional Black and White set.  Today it is a very desirable collector's item.  To see more early color sets, please go to our Facebook page and look at the Early TV Set Gallery.

Galaxy Guys Wrap Up "Tribute to KCBQ"

Co-Producers Mike Bragg and Gilbert Smith of Galaxy Nostalgia Network are proud to announce the premier of their joint venture video that profiles the history of San Diego AM Radio Top 40 powerhouse KCBQ. Although the station no longer plays music format, the memories live on. In August 2010, a monument was dedicated to the station and staff. Here's the KCBQ story, and the dedication of the monument with remarks by many radio pros who worked there.

Galaxy Good Guys at San Diego Fair

A gorgeous day at the San Diego County Fair, during our 2 hour live broadcast on KOPA FM 91.3 (Pala Rez Radio). L to R: Mike Bragg, Mike Zuccaro, John Fox (Rez Radio) and Gilbert Smith.

Let's Go to the Fair!

Smitty, Mike B. and Mike Z. head to the San Diego County Fair to host a live two-hour radio broadcast as part of KOPA FM's special coverage of the big summer event in San Diego. We talk about memories of county and state fairs, circuses, and growing up in the 1960s. Podcast coming soon!

Here are Ricky and David Nelson, who, like the many other kids of the time, dreamed of running off to join the circus. We talk about the Nelsons' Mickey Dolenz (Circuis Boy) and other memories of a time long gone.

Memories of Hot Fun in The Summertime

It's already summertime, and the Galaxy Gang is producing some great podcast episodes that will take you back, waaay back to the greatest summer seasons of the Baby Boomer Generation. Stay tuned, right here at Galaxy Nostalgia Network!

Coming Soon: We talk about skateboarding and rollerskating!

Mike B. and George remember those L.A. Smog Alerts of the 1950s-1960s

Coming this Summer on Galaxy Moonbeam Nightsite!

The 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of Titanic (Program 82)

On program 82, we remember the 100th anniversary of the Sinking of Titanic. While not a baby-boomer topic itself, interest in Titanic and in this tragic incident has transcended generations. The fascination with this event has not waned in the past century, and baby-boomers certainly share in that interest.

Everyone knows the story of how Titanic was on it's maiden voyage and struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912. The drama of that night has been written about and documented in motion pictures and television programs. On our show, we review the events of that night, discussing some interesting contributors to that collision. We look back at some of the personalities on board, the eventual rescue, and how life moved on for those who survived.

We also look at the cultural side of Titanic, the motion pictures and books written about this event. All in all an interesting review of this tragic event. We pause to remember the vicitms of Titanic. Those who did not survive. After all, this is a human story, each indiviudal who perished was a life worthy of remembrance.

Baseball Memories (Program 79)

Baseball, the great American pastime! George Haloulakos helps us to remember the days gone by of baseball, particularly while he was growing up in the 60s. George and his father have written a fantastic treatise on baseball history during this time period. We remember two celebrated players of the past: Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax. We recall the excitement and wonder of going to baseball games back in the early 60s. The wonderful players who were professionals on the field, and true gentlemen with their many fans. This was a different time in the world of baseball, and we recall those days. Pictured above, the great Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax.

George Haloulakos writes:

This program was inspired by an article written by George and his father, Dr. V.E. Haloulakos, that is dedicated to the blessed memory of Don Drysdale - who taught a whole generation of us kids on how to play to win and forever remains a touchstone in my dad's journey to becoming an American citizen, and to Sandy Koufax - who put God before the World Series, team above self, and integrity above fame.

Maggie, the Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site Mascot.

We're pleased to introduce you to Maggie. She is the official mascot of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site. Maggie is owned by our very own George Haloulakos and his wife, Sharon.

Maggie herself writes: San Diego is known for being the most dog-friendly city in the USA, and Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site is such a dog-gone-good show! I faithfully listen to Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site. I know the voices of Mike B, Smitty, Mike Z, and of course my dad George. And I find them very soothing. Ricky Nelson is my favorite recording artist and I have my very own collection of Ricky Nelson CDs to help me relax and fall asleep.

George writes: I also included photographs of Maggie doing her Therapy Dog work at Le Bleu Chateau (the assisted living facility where my mother now resides in Burbank). The
owners and operators of the Le Bleu Chateau wrote the following about Maggie. It shows that her love and caring exemplify the values of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site: "We are very fortunate to have Caregiver Maggie on duty. Maggie does not have a specific role at Le Bleu, but she instinctively knows how to care. She is great at cheering up a room, reminds seniors they are
loved, and encourages mobility and flexibility by requesting that residents pet
her. Maggie has earned her title as our Therapy Dog".

We are pleased to have Maggie on board as part of the Galaxy Family.

Hey Baby Boomers, Remember These? (Program 77)

Lean all About those Air Raid sirens that Mike B's hometown of Los Angeles used to test on the last Friday of every month, at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Click Here

Electronic Mail-Order Parts Houses of the Past (Program 75)

On Podcast 75, we talk about some of the great electronic mail-order parts and supply houses of the past. Companies such as Allied, Lafayette, and Newark, issued regular catalogs filled with everything from single parts such as tubes and resistors, to entire Hi-Fi Systems, Televisions, and powerful Communications Receivers.

In the era of the 1940's and 1950's, the catalogs featured colorful covers with beautiful artwork. Allied in particular, had very attractive covers. Often, the topic of the covers was the promise of a better world through electronics, and in the later 50s, the conquest of space.

We have posted a number of these covers as examples of this beautiful artwork. Please go to the "Electronic Catalog Artwork" album on our Facebook page, and enjoy the artwork of an era gone by, when electronics offered so many promises for the future, and the enthusiasm for the conquest of space was at an all time high.

Galaxy's Mike Bragg Visits KOPA-FM's Holiday Party

Mike Bragg and Gilbert "Smitty" Smith donated some new headphones for the raffle held at KOPA-FM's great holiday party back in December. Pictured are Debbie Trujillo, Mike Bragg, Irma Bennett, and KOPA-FM Station Manager John Fox. Debbie and Irma were the winners of the headphone drawings. KOPA-FM airs Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site every Wednesday at 12:30 PM Pacific Time. (Photo courtesy of Susan Fox.)