Couple Live Life of Harmony Amid 6,000 Harmonicas

Marv Wolfe, 86, and his wife, Mickey, 75, make what they think is beautiful music together.

They both play a mean harmonica, and they also own a store that stocks about 6,000 of the little--and big--music makers.

Their Harmonica Store in Valley Village has about 350 different types of harmonicas, ranging from $10 to $1,500. The store also offers harmonica lessons, as well as a harmonica-accompanied wine-and-cheese party for two.

Marv Wolfe says his growing blowing passion struck him late in his life--almost 20 years into retirement. He had sold business machines and supplies for 40 years when he retired in 1974. Then he did all the things affluent retirees seem to do.

“I traveled, took cruises, bought a boat and motor home and took piano lessons,” says Wolfe, laughing. He adds that it was all fun until his wife of more than 50 years died in 1984.

Then in 1988, his sister-in-law invited him to come to dinner. Another dinner guest was a woman who was recently widowed after 50 years of marriage. Her name was Mickey.

Marv and Mickey were married at her son’s home in Agoura Hills in 1990. The couple set up housekeeping in his Van Nuys home.

The marriage took from the beginning, says the happy bridegroom, and they soon opened a business together. The Harmonica Store was soon to play a key role in both of their lives.

It all started one day when Marv wandered into a Sherman Oaks store looking for piano sheet music and happened upon a display case of harmonicas. Nostalgic memories of the ‘30s and ‘40s began playing in his head.

“I remembered the great music Borrah Minevitch and His Harmonica Rascals played in that era,” says Wolfe enthusiastically, “and wondered why the instrument had faded from the American scene.”

He researched the ways harmonicas are marketed in this country and says he was shocked to learn from harmonica makers that there were no stores strictly devoted to the instrument anywhere in the United States.

That, he decided, is a gross injustice to an instrument that is so much fun to play and easy to learn. He decided to become the “Music Man” of harmonicas.

The Wolfes found an old warehouse, and Mickey redesigned it for use as a harmonicas-only emporium. The couple opened the store’s doors about 19 months ago.

Since then, business has not been booming, but it is escalating gradually by word of mouth, according to the Wolfes.

Marv says he is one of his own best customers. “I’ve been playing now for almost two years, and I’m getting pretty good.”

His wife, a former violinist, had to wait awhile before learning to play the harmonica.

“I had braces on my teeth to correct a dental problem, so I’m just starting out,” she says.

Youths Who Know Life Can Be Hard Tell How to Make It Better

What makes the world better?

Love makes the world better.

Peace makes the world better.

Two caring and nice people make the world better.

Sharing makes the world better.

We make the world better.

These elegantly simple ideas were written by 14-year-old Aaron M., a resident at Pacific Lodge Boys’ Home in Woodland Hills in response to a request by members of the Woodland Hills Woman’s Club that residents share their ideas about building a better world for everybody.

In completing the exercise, the boys--many of whom are wards of the court referred to the home by the Los Angeles County Probation Department or Children’s Services--showed that they have gotten a handle on primary principles by which to live.

John L., 16, wrote about his hopes for an end to racism. Sean D., 14; Jose C., 16, and David F., 16, wrote about their wish that people would learn to respect one another as individuals.

Sean T., 16, and Shon B., 16, wrote about wanting people to respect other people’s property. Jon W., 14; Eric G., 16, and Erik S., 15, called for an end to gang violence.

In a thoughtful essay, Jason W., 14, talked about all the previously mentioned subjects and added that he was grateful for being allowed to come to the lodge, a safe haven where he can get his life together.

Ben J., 17, asked that government show more compassion for the homeless and wondered why the richest country in the world still has people who have no food to eat.

Chris S., 16, wanted people to try to get along better.

Shaun M., 15, wanted people to give love a chance.

No one came up with any ideas for implementation.

But then, it seems, neither have we.

Overheard:

“I’m making my stand against that trial taking over our lives by giving up drinking orange juice.”

Calabasas woman to friend in North Hollywood by phone , referring to the O.J. Simpson trial.

“I’ve got another way to ease the pain of television trial terrorism. I’m spiking mine.”

North Hollywood woman’s reply.