GREAT NEW PLAY AT NoHo ARTS CENTER

PEST CONTROL ----- THE MUSICAL

The NoHo Arts Center 11136 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-508-7101

Previews begin: April 17
Show Runs: April 25 - June 8, 2008
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM Sunday at 3:00 PM

STARRING:
Darren Ritchie Beth Malone Joanna Glushak Dana Meller & Cleavant Derricks

Written by John Moores
Music by Vladamir Shainsky
Lyrics and Additional Music by Scott DeTurk and tea & tonik
Musical Direction by David Manning
DIRECTED & CHOREOGRAPHED BY JAMES J. MELLON

Tickets: $25 (Thursdays) $35 (Friday - Sunday) Student & Seniors always enjoy $5 Off!!

The multi award-winning Open At The Top Productions in association with Canum Entertainment presents "PEST CONTROL... The Musical." Inspired by the best selling novel by Bill Fitzhugh, Pest Control is the story of a New York City exterminator, Bob Dillon, who is misidentified by not only the underworld but also by the CIA as a notorious and elusive professional assassin! Pest Control will lead you on a wild chase, set to a rock musical score with a dash of early hip-hop!

PHYLLIS HANSEN LECTURE BIG SUCCESS

Orpha Klinker Photograph - "First Flight" - Collection of Phyllis Hansen - 2008
Phyllis Hansen Lecture - April 24, 2008 - Photo in Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

The photo above is one of the many priceless Orpha Klinker treasures shown during last evening's lecture by Phyllis Hansen. The lecture was sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Historical Society at the Andres Pico Adobe in Mission Hills.
CONGRATULATIONS PHYLLIS!

GUY WEDDINGTON McCREARY

Guy Weddington McCreary - Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - 2008

Valley activist-businessman Guy Weddington McCreary stands at the site of proposed re-location of the "Mother House of North Hollywood". A direct descendent of the Weddington family who founded the city of Lankershim/Toluca, Guy's ancestors donated lands for the North Hollywood Fire Department and Federal Post Office. He also sold what is now North Hollywood Park to our city for the token sum of $10.
Saving the historic Weddington House for the San Fernando Valley has been Guy McCleary's focus for the last year. He and his wife Diane have created the Weddington Heritage Trust to make sure that the gramd old house is kept in the great condition it deserves as the "Mother House" of our Valley.
Guy and Diane are both members of the Board of the Friends of Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association, and are advisors to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO TRADITIONS - THE ORNAMENT STORE?

Patriotic Tree - Janne and Jerry Fecht's Home - 2008
Traditions
For many years there was a great little grocery store on Topanga Canyon and Dumetz in Woodland Hills called Gary's. The Thomas Family who ran the store owned a little strip mall there. One of the shops became vacant and Gary encouraged his daughter to open a Christmas tree store. She did. There were a couple of years before the shop really caught on, and when it did Traditions Year-Round Holiday Store really took off.
Today Traditions does most of its business via the internet, but there are still plenty of loyal customers who stayed with the Thomas Family when it moved the operation to a big warehouse in Canoga Park.
My wife Janne and I have a little holiday tree that we decorate for various occasions. With all the hoop-la over the primaries, we thought it would be fun to have a Patriotic Tree. (Don't worry, you won't be getting political propaganda from us anytime soon.)

ORPHA KLINKER LECTURE BY PHYLLIS HANSEN TONIGHT

Rare Orpha Klinker Notebook - Collection of Phyllis Hansen

ORPHA KLINKER LECTURE
Thursday - April 24th.
Time: 7 PM (lecture begins at 7:30PM)
large crowd expected get there early for parking &
seating
Andres Pico Historic Abode
10940 Sepulveda Boulevard
Mission Hills, CA 91346
Very tricky access - go north on Sepulveda and turn
right onto Brand Avenue - it is One Way!
Go slowly and you will see immediately to the right
a Park Sign reading Andreas Pico Adobe - pull into
drive and park.
Presented by: The San Fernando Valley Historic Society
Telephone: (818) 365-7810

HUGE GENEALOGY JAMBOREE

Southern California Genealogy Jamboree
Friday through Sunday, June 27-29, 2008
Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center
2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank Early-Bird Deadline May 1, 2008

Geneology of the Virgin Mary - St. Charles Borromeo Church - North Hollywood - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - 2008

There's no time like the present to explore your family's past. And that's just what hundreds of family history researchers will be doing at the 39th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, June 27-29, 2008, at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Burbank.

According Jamboree Chairman Leo Myers, "Over the years, our conference has grown to be one of the largest genealogy events in the U.S. It's an entertaining and educational weekend; and we have people coming from across the US and even Europe to hear the lectures, participate in the activities, and visit the exhibitors."

Event co-chairman Paula Hinkel explained, "In addition to offering a wide variety of classes and speakers, we do our best to make this fun for family members from all generations." This year's event features a free Kids Genealogy Camp, a free introductory session for members of the general public, and a private guided tour of Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first German immigrants to Jamestowne Colony, Jamboree's ethnic focus will feature German, Eastern European and Jewish ancestry. Oom-pah-pah music will greet everyone during Friday evening's welcome reception; and St. Michael's Guild, the troupe of 16th century German mercenaries from the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, will be setting up camp Saturday morning.

Lectures will cover a wide variety of topics of interest to family researchers. Several sessions will address the use of DNA in identifying ancestors, while others will be concerned with black sheep and family secrets. Featured will be former diplomat Peter Landé's session on how to access over 55 million WWII-era Holocaust records that have been released to researchers for the first time in over 60 years. Sunday features a special track for Jewish research topics.

"You don't need to be a genealogist to attend this conference," Hinkel explained. "just be interested in exploring your family's history." With over 80 lectures, participants will be sure to find sessions that will be interesting and useful. Topics include military, church, immigration, census, vital records, and tips on finding records in many states as well as in Germany and Eastern Europe. Archival methods will be addressed to conserve family records. How-to sessions will be offered for several genealogy software packages, Internet sites, and electronic equipment and gadgets.

Special presentations will accompany Jamboree's breakfasts and dinners. Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak will present "The Search for the Real Annie Moore" at Friday Night's banquet. Smolenyak's research revealed the slave owner / slave relationships between the families of Rev. Al Sharpton and Strom Thurmond. Her account of the search for Annie Moore, the first arrival at Ellis Island, is truly heartwarming and inspiring.

Newsletter author and blogger Dick Eastman's will discuss the use of genealogical information to identify family issues during Saturday night's dinner presentation. Sunday's breakfast will feature "Presidential Pedigrees" by Christopher Child and Gary Boyd Roberts of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Child and Roberts made the news recently when the researchers announced the intertwined family relationships between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Angeline Jolie, and Barak Obama and Brad Pitt.

Nearly 60 exhibitors will be selling books, software and products to assist the family historian. Area genealogical societies, lineage societies and other organizations will be in attendance. Vendors will provide repair services for vintage photographs and decorative family pedigree charts.

Per-day and weekend prices are available. Discounts are offered for early registration (by May 1) and for members of the Southern California Genealogical Society.
Register online at www.scgsgenealogy or by phone at 818.843.7247.

Leo Myers and Paula Hinkel
Co-Chairs, 39th Annual Genealogy Jamboree
Southern California Genealogical Society
417 Irving Drive Burbank, CA 91504
818.843.7247
www.scgsgenealogy.com
www.genealogyjamboree.blogspot.com

PHYLLIS HANSEN LECTURES ON ORPHA KLINKER TOMORROW NIGHT

Orpha Klinker Cartoon
ORPHA KLINKER LECTURE
Thursday - April 24th.
Time: 7 PM (lecture begins at 7:30PM)
large crowd expected get there early for parking &
seating
Andres Pico Historic Abode
10940 Sepulveda Boulevard
Mission Hills, CA 91346
Very tricky access - go north on Sepulveda and turn
right onto Brand Avenue - it is One Way!
Go slowly and you will see immediately to the right
a Park Sign reading Andreas Pico Adobe - pull into
drive and park.
Presented by: The San Fernando Valley Historic Society
Telephone: (818) 365-7810

MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY PREPARES NoHo HISTORIC DISTRICT TOUR

Mosaic Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Saint Charles Borromeo Church - North Hollywood - 2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Members of the Museum Community have begun work on the mapping and creation of tours of the NoHo Historic District. Shel Weisbach and Richard Hilton are our expects on the physical tour. Arturo Perez and Steve Sedlic will work on the kiosk, virtual and internet educational aspects. Michael Stevens will focus on bringing civic and corporate sponsorship of the project.

You can help us with the big undertaking by: supplying historic and present day photographs of present day North Hollywood, giving us tips about historic sites, sending us contact persons.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Vintage Postcard - View of the San Fernando Valley from Mulholland Drive - Gift of Gary Fredburg - 2007 - Collection of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley
CONGRATULATIONS - to The San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Retired Teachers Association on their tribute by Dennis McCarthy in the Daily News (April 13). Energized by threats to their State Teachers Retirement program, teachers have become not only socially active, but politically as well.
Marge Dillis, president of the Valley Chapter states in the Daily News: "I think teachers, as a whole, have the least problem with retirement because they've been so active," said Dallis, who earned her stripes teaching sixth-grade at Sepulveda (now called Plummer) Elementary School for 25 years. Teachers have a very low tolerance for boredom, she says. They've got to stay busy putting their noses in other people's business - trying to help. It's in their blood."

You can contact the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Retired Teachers Association by emailing your name and address to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - to gfecht@sbcglobal.net
We'll pass it on to Marge Dallis.

The next meeting of the Retired Teachers is on Friday the 13th, at the Van Nuys Masonic Temple

14750 Sherman Way
 Van Nuys, CA 91405

"The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture."

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HELPS US SEE OUR WORLD DIFFERENTLY

Reseda Street Image - 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Photo by Gerald Fecht

A modern museum for the Valley must be guided by professionals who understand that the "informal" nature of experiences arise from a genuine shared public interest. The San Fernando Valley deserves a museum that functions as a dynamic platform arising from who we are, where we have been and what we can become.

PASSOVER IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Mosaic Symbol of the Hebrew Tribe of Dan - Eden Cemetery - 2008 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht

Mosaic Symbol of the Hebrew Tribe of Judah - Eden Cemetery - 2008 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht

Mosaic Symbol of the Hebrew Tribe of Levi - Eden Cemetery - 2008 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht

These precious mosaics in Eden Cemetery in Mission Hills are in bad need of repair. Tile fragments are missing in many of the panels representing the twelve tribes of ancient Israel. I wanted to have these images on the blog yesterday, but my wife Janne and I worked as crew for the AIDS Life Cycle's "Day on the Ride" and encountered a three lane car crash on the 405, and didn't get home until late.
Access to the art and architecture of the San Fernando Valley's Jewish community is necessarily restricted for security reasons. Your Museum will make a special effort this coming year to bring you via this blog, some of the art not readily accessible.
Happy Passover to our friends in the Jewish Community. And, remember, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley belongs to you!

AMELIA EARHART

Statue of Amelia Earhart - North Hollywood Park - Photo by Gerald Fecht - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - 2008
One great way to begin your exploration of the NoHo Historic District is a visit to the recast sculpture of the great Amelia Earhart by Ernest Shelton. Amelia lived with her husband George Putnam in North Hollywood, during the years of some of her greatest adventures. The leaders of North Hollywood, working with the Community Redevelopment Agency, City Councilman Tom LaBonge and other Valley activists saw to the restoration and recasting of this magnificent sculpture.

St. Paul's First Lutheran in the NoHo

Original Altar - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church in North Hollywood - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2008
This beautiful white altar is now on the right side of Saint Paul's First Lutheran Church.
The actual altar is the table at the center of the photograph. The mensa or table represents the table at which Jesus sat during his Last Supper (His last Seder meal with his apostles). The altar linens are in origin, the table cloth and napkins associated with the Passover Dinner held on the Thursday before Good Friday, when Jesus was killed.
The higher part of the structure was a western European reversal of the icon screen that would have blocked the altar table from the view of early congregations. On the backdrop are symbols common to all branches of Apostolic Christianity. Just above the altar table is a structure called in ancient times, the Ark. Lutherans have moved the scriptures on to the center of the table, symbolizing a key element in their Reformation, the printing of the Bible in the language of the people.
In front of the altar are two candle holders that represent the fulfillment of the laws of the ancient Hebrews in the teachings of Jesus.

GLENDALE CENTRE THEATRE PLAYBILL

Glendale Centre Theatre Playbill - date unknown - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg - 2008
From vintage playbills, such as this one for "Halfway to Heaven" we learn the names of the performers in the production. Ads, such as the back cover "After the Show - It's Bob's Home of the Big Boy" featuring all seven of the company's locations.

You can help your Museum pay our bills by contributing: old photographs, postcards, letters, military and sports souvenirs, and political buttons etc.

TINY'S PATIO NoHo HISTORIC DISTRICT

Tiny's Patio 2008 - NoHo Historic District - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Has a lead from Toluca Lake resident Richard Bogy located the famed "Tiny's Patio" in the NoHo Historic District?

During planning sessions by The Museum of the San Fernando Valley for a North Hollywood Heritage walking tour, Richard Bogy (advisor to the Museum) mentioned that the historic Tiny's Patio in NoHo is still standing. Following his description, Museum Board members feel they have located the site where world famous actor and film maker Alan Ladd opened his hamburger stand in the 1930s.
Stay tuned!

LET YOUR WALKS IN THE VALLEY TEACH AND ENTERTAIN YOU.

Street pole in North Hollywood - 2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
There are two exciting and overlapping cultural districts in the San Fernando Valley that offer visitors a great walking experience: The NoHo Arts District and the NoHo Historic District.
For the next few weeks this blog will feature stories about North Hollywood and rewards awaiting your walks.
While you are exploring the art galleries, the clubs and cafes of the NoHo, or checking out the numerous historical sites, keep your eyes open for art emerging from the city experience itself. Here's an image of the Buddha mixed with other handbills on a telephone pole.

PASTOR GARY PUFAHL SERVES SAINT PAUL'S IN NOHO HISTORIC DISTRICT

Pastor Gary Pufahl came to Saint Paul's First Lutheran Church in North Hollywood five years ago. It has been quite an adventure for him and his family to come from a Wisconsin community of a few thousand people to the San Fernando Valley with over a 1,800,000 residents.

SAINT PAUL'S FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE NOHO

The first Lutheran community in North Hollywood was begun in 1929, with the building of "the little white church", now memorialized in stained glass

A second white church served the Lutheran community in North Hollywood until the present sanctuary was dedicated in 1954, when it began service as a Christian school.

Modern St. Paul's in the NoHo Historic District is an important part of the NoHo Historic District.

St. Paul's First Lutheran in the NoHo Transfiguration Window

St. Paul's Lutheran Church - NoHo Historic District - 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Photo by Gerald Fecht

For years I been walking by the handsome St. Paul's First Lutheran Church in the NoHo Historic District, and looking at the stained glass windows from the outside. Today, at the invitation of Joyce Rizzo, the Church's secretary, my colleagues Gary Fredburg, Shel Weisbach and I got to see some of the San Fernando Valley's most important ecclesiastic art - inside. Being inside of the darkened sanctuary must be like being inside of a ruby tiara.
This spectacular triptych window of the Transfiguration of Jesus is simply awesome! With the bright afternoon sun behind, the window makes the story of Jesus being lifted up before his apostles, and greeted by the prophets Moses and Elijah come alive.

Walk the NoHo Historic District, and fall in love with the San Fernando Valley all over again.

Saint Paul's First Lutheran Church is located in the heart of the NoHo Historic District
5244 Tujunga Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91601
tel: (818) 761-1846

CELLA GALLERY IN THE NOHO ARTS DISTRICT

Cella Gallery - NoHo Arts District 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - photo by Gerald Fecht
To really see the arts in action, one needs to get out of the car and walk! If you walk the NoHo Arts District these days, look into Cello Gallery at 5229 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood; you are in for a huge treat....... a huge treat in a little space.
Recalling my Latin I lessons at Notre Dame High, the word "cella" means a storage room for valuables or little hide-away. If that is why Sahnnon Curie Holmes and her partner McKinzie Alexandernamed their narrow art space Cella, it makes sense.
The owners of Cella did their gallery preparation themselves. And, the space is crisp, inviting and filled with terrific art! While you enjoy your visit to Cella, take a look at how the space has been designed.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley invites you to walk the NoHo Historical District, and while you are there enjoy the fact that its our Valley's best new Arts District as well. Make sure to visit Cella.

PHYLLIS HANSEN LECTURES ON ORPHA KLINKER

Orpha Klinker presents portrait of L.A. Mayor Shaw. This painting hangs in the Mayors' Gallery at the top of Los Angeles City Hall.

PHYLLIS HANSEN SPEAKS on THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ORPHA KLINKER

April 24, 2008
Time: 7 PM (lecture begins at 7:30PM)
large crowd expected get there early for parking & seating
Andres Pico Historic Abode
10940 Sepulveda Boulevard Mission Hills, CA 91346
Very tricky access - go north on Sepulveda and turn
right onto Brand Avenue - it is One Way!
Go slowly and you will see immediately to the right
a Park Sign reading Andreas Pico Adobe - pull into drive and park.
Presented by: The San Fernando Valley Historic Society Telephone: (818) 365-7810

Phyllis Hansen, Klinker family member, will present Orpha Klinker's story and show examples of her artwork.
About Orpha Klinker - Artist and Historian
Renowned primarily in the art world for her paintings and etching work in the California plein air genre, Orpha Klinker (1891-1964) also left a substantial legacy of historical work. Her family fostered in her an appreciation for the past, also making her aware that she was witness to Southern California history in the making during the early days of the 20th century. She documented countless people and places through her art, recording the landmarks, the pioneers and early families, the trees and the old adobes. She worked on canvas, paper and even ceramic, preserving the stories and images for the future. Her extraordinary versatility, abilities and the vast scope of her work is unprecedented, as were her personal experiences at a time when women in general were not at the forefront of her fields.
About Phyllis Hansen -
Phyllis Hansen is a freelance writer in Los Angeles. She is on the Board of Directors of the Campo de Cahuenga (as was Orpha Klinker), and on the Board of Advisors to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Three of Orpha Klinker's historical portraits hang in Campo de Cahuenga.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL SIHILLING MUSEUM BUSINESS ADVISOR

Michael Sihilling is the Senior Business Advisor of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. He celebrates his birthday on April 12th.
This vintage postcard, given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht in 2008, features the Lookout Mountain Inn at the top of Laurel Canyon. The card was made from a photograph taken about 1915. To the extreme left is the town of Hollywood. It was built in 1906 by one of two Laurel Canyon developers who shared the name of Charles Mann. The Inn was designed by Alfred E. Priest, who was a popular architect of Los Angeles theaters.
The builders of the Lookout Mountain Inn envisioned that their structure would be the beginning of a resort community similar to the upstate retreats of New York. Unfortunately they didn't take into consideration Southern California's natural wildfires. Lookout Mountain Inn burned to the ground in 1923.
Note: The smoke-like swirls over Hollywood are caused by a cancelation mark, not a natural or unnatural wildfire.

TOLUCA LAKE HAS AN ANCIENT HISTORY

Toluca Lake, California - Vintage postcard in the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Gary Fredburg 2008

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SALUTES THE COMMUNITY OF TOLUCA LAKE
In a land of manmade lakes, Toluca Lake might sound like just another developmental invention, but it isn't!
For those unwise American pioneers who crossed the Great American Desert and survived aptly named Death Valley, the first significant source of water came when they entered the San Fernando Valley. Water is intrinsic to Valley history and it has been for thousands of years. Toluca Lake and the Los Angeles River are at the heart of the story.
Natural springs run in the San Fernando Valley year-round. Bell and Calabasas Creeks are a constant source of ground water and form the headwaters of the Los Angeles River in Canoga Park (just north of the High School). Other creeks flow all year long as well, one at Los Encinos Historical Monument continues to supply warm water to a small reservoir there.
But, Toluca Lake, formed from an ever flowing spring, has been part of Valley history since the Ice Age. On occasion, the little lake has become downright enormous! There is evidence that shows that on more than one occasion, the lake expanded as far as the Van Nuys City Hall. The Sepulveda Dam keeps this prospect from happening again - at least in the foreseeable future.

RICHARD HILTON'S VAN NUYS TOURS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S DAILY NEWS

Old Van Nuys Post Office - Photograph taken by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. This building is part of Richard Hilton's planned tours of Van Nuys.

Today's Daily News (April 8, 2008) carries an article entitled "Van Nuys Was Once A Man's Dream" by Michael Caylo-Barandi an information-studies graduate student at UCLA. The article tells some of how Isaac Newton Van Nuys came to California and developed the town of Van Nuys. It addresses the general deterioration of the community. Fortunately, Caylo-Barandi also writes of those in the San Fernando Valley who are " opting to reaffirm the significance of Van Nuys."
The author comments about the efforts of historic preservationists to add ten pre-1911 Van Nuys homes to the city's designated landmarks status. He also writes about The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Board Member, Richard Hilton"s upcoming walking tours of Van Nuys.
"The brainchild of this idea is history buff Richard Hilton. When the William Paul Whitsett house was scheduled for demolition to make way for condominiums, Hilton made some last-minute efforts to save it."
"We're losing our history, those touchstones of where we came from, how we got here and the lessons we need to know for the future," mourned Hilton. Community leaders support his walking tour."
Caylo-Barandi adds that "Soon, Hilton's tourists will re-imagine Van Nuys through a time warp."

VISITING THE VALLEY

Judy and Michele came to the Valley today to shop at California Nursery Specialists. They ran out of film as I passed by them. "I'll take your photograph and you will see yourself on the blog."
Cactus Path - Photo for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2008 by Gerald Fecht California Nursery Specialists - 19420 Saticoy Street, Reseda
The smallest plastic pots go for $2 each. This is the place that you need to bring a visitor to, right after you've had lunch at Fuentes on Vanowen in Reseda.

CITRUS SUNDAY ANOTHER HOME RUN!

Fire Fighter Brian Carr of Winnetka Fire Station #104 accepts bags of freshly picked citrus for the San Fernando Valley's great Citrus Sunday.

Citrus Sunday brings literally tons of fruit to needy families in the San Fernando Valley. Co-sponsored by Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith, the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Valley Interfaith Council, this fresh food drive is a brilliant and easy way for people all over the Valley to help out their needy neighbors. Pick fruit from the trees in your garden, wash the fruit and deliver it to a nearby fire station. Great idea!
Thanks to John Bwarie, friend to the Museum Community to alerting us to this great and easy to do project.

THANKS TO RANIA PALLAD AND KAREN WHITAKER

Harvard School - vintage postcard - collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - postmarked 1908 - gift of Gerald Fecht 2008

Special thanks to Rania Pallad and Karen Whitaker for their hard work getting our non-profit documents for the State of California this week.

Grenvill Emery opened the doors of Harvard School at the onset of the 20th century in Los Angeles, California. The school was in fact a military academy, which in 1911 won the sponsorship of the Episcopal Church. In 1937, the directors of the school secured a loan from Donald Douglas, owner of the Douglas Aviation Company to move the school to the San Fernando Valley.
Fortunately, the splendid Saint Savior's Chapel was moved from its Venice Boulevard location to North Hollywood, where it stands today as a cultural landmark of the City of Los Angeles.
The vintage postcard featured here was mailed 100 years ago, to Miss Bessie Milholland at 872 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California. The card's message reads: "7-31-08 Dear Bessie, I am in L.A. this aft (afternoon). Will be back for party.
(signature is as follows - good luck reading it)


The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

WILL NBC UNIVERSAL BE TRUE TO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY?

NBC Studios - Burbank, California - vintage postcard collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Burbank resident Gary Fredburg 2008
In the years since NBC located in the southwestern part of Burbank, the company has been a strong civic partner. Now that the expansion of NBC's headquarters to Universal City / Studio City, the question is: Will the company develop its corporate interests in a way that respects the historical integrity of Campo de Cahuenga (the San Fernando Valley's - and perhaps California's most important historic site?

MRS ARMITAGE FORBES - A HERO FOR THE AGES.

Mrs Armitage Forbes - Creator of California's El Camino Real bells.
Watch for the newsletters of Campo de Cahuenga to be published soon. (I'll give you heads-up on the blog.)
Soon there will be stories about the life and times of Mrs. Armitage Forbes, the amazing lady who marked all of California's missions and Spanish Era structures.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COLLECTS AND STUDIES CONTEMPORARY CULTURE

- Tarzana Carpets - Vintage Postcard in the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 -
Interested in a braided or oval carpet? Just call Tarzana Carpets at DIckens2-5119. McQueen's Tarzana Carpets also offered complete interior decorating services and draperies. The store was located at 18584 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana.

Not only does your Museum collect artifacts and records of contemporary history and popular culture, but we share them with other historical organizations as well. For example, when we add to our vintage postcard collection an item like Tarzana Carpets, we notify groups such as the Tarzana Historical Museum, so that folks will know where to find information about their communities, or to have the item available for some future exhibit. We also share jpg high resolution photographs for their files.
In the future, your Museum hopes to provide common storage, restoration, conservation and exhibition services to our sister historical institutions as well.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

ANOTHER DEDICATION PHOTO OF ANTONIO JOSE CARRILLO LOCATED

Photo shared with The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Alice Hart - April 2008
Leo Carillo unveils portrait of Antonio Carrillo
Caption:
Carrillo Picture Unveiled--Picture of Antonio Jose Carrillo, who
wrote down the Treaty of Cahuenga, is unveiled. Taking part, left to
right, Miss Orpha Klinker, artist; Leo Carrillo, taking cover off
picture of his great-great-uncle; Councilman Earle D. Baker, William
A. Allen, Campo de Cahuenga group president.
Creator/Contributor: Los Angeles Times (Firm) , Publisher
Date: January 17, 1955

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF THE CHIMES- SHERMAN OAKS

Carolyn Shreves was a dedicated member of the Congregational Church. Her husband's family had been devoted to the church from their arrival in America before the founding of Massachusetts. When Mrs. Shreves moved to the San Fernando Valley, she sought out others who were interested in creating a Congregational Church. This vintage postcard, given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg in 2008, features the original architectural drawing of the new church's sanctuary building. Joyfully, they called their new congregation, The Congregational Church of the Chimes.
On the church's website, its members state: " Our Pilgrim ancestors endured persecution in England and migrated to Holland and then to these shores in quest of freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. Basic human freedoms were built into their religious and political life. This spirit of freedom, which they founded in their Congregational Churches, has continued to be a cherished principle."
You can contact the San Fernando Valley's Congregational Church of the Chimes by email at: friends@churchofthechimes.org.
14115 Magnolia Boulevard - Sherman Oaks, California
Note: Your Museum's Library collects the histories of religious organization in the San Fernando Valley. We also have copies of The Mayflower Quarterly, that accounts for descendents of the early Pilgrims who now live in California.
"The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture."

LEO CARILLO UNVEILS PAINTING AT CAMPO DE CAHEUNGA

Photograph loaned to the Museum by Phyllis Hansen 2008

In 1955 one of America's favorite actors, Leo Carillo unveiled a portrait of his ancestor Don Antonio Jose Carrillo at Campo de Cahuenga. The portrait of the early "Californio", who wrote down the Treaty of Cahuenga, was done by the great California artist, Orpha Klinker here seen next to her painting.
Carillo's family history reads like a Who's Who of early California history. This photograph was taken by Mark Russek, likely during the famous Treaty Signing Re-enactment. Phyllis Hansen notes that it was likely taken in the winter due to the clothing choices.