HAPPY NEW YEAR 1926- ORPHA KLINKER- THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

New Year 1926 - Greeting card by Orpha Klinker - Collection of Phyllis Hansen 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)
The great Orpha Klinker's New Year's Resolutions card was made 83 years ago, and is as Bright, Clever, and Meaningful today as it was in the early years of the 20th. century.
We think sharing Orpha's genius today is the perfect way to open 2009 as The Year of Valley History.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY



The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.
Call today to become part of the Museum Community - (818) 347-9665

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Swedish Holiday Star - Photo by Gerald Fecht - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Human beings are far more inclusive than the ugly conflicts between tribes and ethnic groups in the news would lead us to believe. Los Angeles is after all the home of the kosher burrito, and you can order a Hawaiian pineapple and Canadian bacon pizza throughout the city. Filipino-American kids in Panorama City know all about Big Macs and which family has a Netflix account. Some of my neighbors in Tarzana wished me a happy Yalda as we were stringing up our outside Yule lights. We have a Mexican Christmas tree with glorious tin ornaments and Swedish straw symbols. I don't know about you, but I can't think of a nicer place to live. Have a great holiday season, a terrific New Year and a cozy winter with your families and friends.
..... and, just for ducks, Here's hoping the Trojans are awesome in the Rose Bowl.



3009 - The Year of Valley History

THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SUN - A GREAT NEWS SOURCE

Coffee Mug in the Collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Here's betting that you, like most of the residents of the San Fernando Valley, won't be able to guess that the San Fernando Sun, is the Valley's oldest newspaper. And, it's an exciting publication at that!
Begun in 1904, the San Fernando Sun is published in both English and Spanish and pays close attention to the news in all parts of the Valley.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Board members, Elizabeth Morin and Dr. Jerry Fecht were able to visit with the Sun's publishers just before Christmas, and discovered that Martha Diaz and her husband Severyn Aszkenazy have deep roots in California culture and an important track record in community service, business development and historical preservation. You can expect to be reading more about The San Fernando Valley Sun on this blog throughout the coming year.


You can learn more about the San Fernando Sun by visiting its website at
http://www.sanfernandosun.com/sanfernsun/
The Sun's address is
601 South Brand Avenue
San Fernando, CA 91340
Telephone: (818) (818) 365-3111

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley actively collects and shares information and artifacts about Valley newspapers and magazines. Contact your Museum today: (818) 347-9665.

2009 - The Year of Valley History.

ON ITS WAY - 2009 - THE YEAR OF VALLEY HISTORY

Poppy Christmas Ornament - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Welcome to the blog site of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Your visit couldn't come at a better time. 2009 is the Year of Valley History, and you're invited to participate!
Make the New Year a time to give meaning to your life. Give your Museum a call today and ask how you can get involved in one of the most exciting projects ever.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
(818) 347-9665

1895 VALLEY SUPPLIES LOS ANGELES FOOR STORES

1895 Sixth and Broadway Los Angeles - Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Grary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

By 1895, San Fernando Valley farms regularly supplied Los Angeles grocery stores, such as this creamery on 6th and Broadway, with agricultural products. In some cases, such as the Weddington Brothers General Store in Lankershim (now North Hollywood), farmers (often women) would bring milk and butter to a regional store, where it would be processed for local consumption or shipped by railroad "downtown" for resale.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley collects artifacts and information about the Valley's agricultural tradition.


The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

KAREN WHITAKER - ALWAYS HERE FOR THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Cloth Dolly by Hildred Cushing-Murray.
During her tenure as Executive Director of Anchor Education Foundation, Karen Whitaker worked diligently to bring about The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Karen was instrumental in producing and filing for The Museum's California articles of incorporation. Much of The Museum's present vision, especially the "mobile" museum concept arose from Karen's thinking.
Thanks Karen, the Museum Community will always be in your debt.

STEVE SEDLIC GIVES WISE ADVICE TO THE MUSUEM COMMUNITY

Owl Ornament from the Fecht family's Holiday Bird Tree 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

The holidays give the Museum Community the opportunity to express our gratitude to the many women and men who have worked hard to make a great Museum of history and culture a reality for the greater San Fernando Valley. Among the most important of the young business leaders of the Valley who have stepped forward to help is Steve Sedlic.
Thanks Steve for your sound advice and recommendations. We hope to catch up with your foresight in 2009.

A SALUTE TO GRADY TALBOT - BOARD MEMBER OF THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Sculpture Panel - City of David - by Gerald Fecht (click on the image to enlarge it and share its visual impact.)

What does a retired lawyer and hero-pilot of the Vietnam War do in his spare time? Create a great Museum of history and culture, of course. The Museum Community is deeply honored by the continuing commitment and inspiration of Grady Ellis Talbot, since our incorporation.



City of David is a sculpture made from pieces of discarded wood and costume jewelry. It is part of Jerry Fecht's use of found objects and materials to create art.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WILL WORK TO PRESERVE PANORAMA CITY HISTORY AND CELEBRATE ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CULTURE.

Anthony W. Wilkinson - President of the Panorama City Neighborhood Council - 2008 - Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Congratulations to the Panorama City Neighborhood Council for its outstanding service to its community and the San Fernando Valley. Your Museum's president Jerry Fecht met with Tony Wilkinson this week for a long discussion on how The Museum of the San Fernando Valley can work with the Panorama City Neighborhood Council, and Panorama City leaders to insure that the heart of the Valley is really served as we develop The Museum.
In 2009, we will work to bring about a Filipino Cultural Festival, collect and preserve Panorama City history, and honor the lives of US Service Men and Women in the development of the Valley.

GRATITUDE TO ARTURO PEREZ FROM THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY

Detail - icon of Saint Michael Archangel by Gerald Fecht

Determined to create a vibrant Museum Community for the 21st century, the Board Members of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley send our thanks to Arturo Perez. Learning how to respond to the challenges of new technologies isn't easy for many of us, we are indebted to Arturo Perez for his patience, advice and direction.




This icon of Saint Michael Archangel (San Miguel) was done on wood with oil paint and gold leaf. St. Michael is believed by many to be the angel who leads the heavenly hosts in the great battle against the forces of ignorance and injustice.

OUR HERO AND BOARD MEMBER GARY FREDBURG

Founding member of the Museum Community, Gary Fredburg has worked tirelessly to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for the San Fernando Valley. He not only serves on the Museum's Board, but is a key leader in the building of our collections and historical accounts.
THANKS GARY for always being there for us!


Jerry Fecht's art studio was cold when he worked on this image of Qu'an Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Jerry thought it would be nice if the ancient spirit had a nice scarf to keep her warm.

PHYLLIS HANSEN SHINING STAR OF THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Icon of San Gabriel by Gerald Fecht -

A great and shining star in the preservation of California history and culture is our friend and colleague Phyllis Hansen. A Board Member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley and The Friends of Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Association, Phyllis Hansen's leadership is well on the way to making a permanent impact on her State, in the tradition of her kinswoman the great California artist Orpha Klinker.
We are Soooooooo lucky to have Phyllis working for The Museum and for the residents of greater Los Angeles!


The icon featured in this blog entry was made from a reserved Fresca can. It gives honor to the much honored Saint Gabriel Archangel, for whom our sister Mission is named. in Christian lore, San Gabriel is the Angel of the Nativity of Jesus.

THANKS CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

Special thanks from the Museum Community to the leaders and members of the Friends of Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Society for protecting Southern California's most important historical site. We salute Deuk Perrin and his courageous board for making sure that the integrity of the place where America's Manifest Destiny come to completion is not compromised.
THANKS CAMPO DE CAHUENGA!
Memorial Day 1929 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2008
Mrs. Armitage Forbes, founder of the Friends of Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Association, was also the woman who began the American custom of laying wreaths of flowers on the ocean in memory of those who died at sea defending our nation. Mrs. Forbes' vision of a California that cherishes its history continues in 2009 through the Memorial Association she helped to create.

Mrs. Armitage Forbes 1929 - Photo in the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008.

RICHARD HILTON LEADS WALK IT OFF TOUR

First Walk-It-Off Tour 2008 - Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. (click on image to enlarge)
Museum Board Member and Chair of The Museum's Special Tours Committee, Richard Hilton explains the one time presence of the Bonner Fruit Packing Company in the historic North Hollywood corridor.

MICHAEL STEVENS - EMERGING VALLEY LEADER

Faun Statue in the Gardens of the Tarzana Community Center 2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)
One of the most dependable and important contributors to the growth of our Museum Community is Michael Stevens. No one has worked harder to build the infrastructure of The Museum than Michael.
We all know that Michael's real reason for creating The Museum is for his adorable little girl Zoe! Thanks Michael for all your hard work, willingness to lead and encourage us all.

OUR VALLEY TREASURE WILLARD SIMMS

Giraffe Topiary in the Gardens of the Tarzana Community Center 2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

One of the most exciting things about working to bring about The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is encountering people like Willard Simms. A splendid playwright and artist. Willard Simms brings history alive for Los Angeles schoolchildren through plays, such as Mr. Mulholland and Our Thirsty City, and theater workshops in both public and private schools.
Thank you Willard Simms for your service on the Board of Directors of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley and for being the Chair of The Museum's Performing Arts Committee. You enrich all of our lives!

HOLIDAY THANKS TO LIANE SCHIRMER

Icon-Mosaic of Saint Nicholas - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Photo taken by Gerald Fecht for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley collects information about our area's extensive religious communities. Special thanks to Liane Schirmer who will be heading up The Museum's Religion Committee/Task Force in 2009.

HOLIDAY THANKS TO RANIA PALLAD

Raindeer topiary - Studio City 2007 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Despite the burdens of her occupation and family, Rania Pallad made the lives of all of us in the San Fernando Valley better in 2008. Rania helped her Museum to obtain its Federal 501c3 status, served the Museum Community as our Treasurer, and worked tirelessly to bring quality history-based theatre to our city's school children.
Thanks Rania, your friends and colleagues are very grateful for all your help since 2005.

A SMALL TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH MORIN

Cherub Angel in Studio City Fountain - 2007 p Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Special thanks to Elizabeth Morin from her colleagues in the Museum Community. Elizabeth's tireless dedication to youth and school children is deeply appreciated. Thanks Elizabeth for making sure that the San Fernando Valley's effort to create a great Museum of history and culture stays a priority.

THANKS TO FRED BERK

Universal Studios - Historic Postcard - Gift by Gary Fredburg to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

When we incorporated The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in 2005, one of our first acts was to create an annual budget to support the library of the historical museum at Los Angeles Valley College. Our goal was to systematically build that library to become a major resource of San Fernando Valley history and culture. Fred Berk was chosen as the official Librarian of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Within days after accepting the role as The Museum's Librarian, Fred Berk began a careful assessment of the college musuem's collection and the search for supportive materials.
In February of this year, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley became independent of the Valley College historical museum and set out on our quest to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for the whole of the Valley. Fred Berk has continued her service to The Museum and our goal of a significant Library.
On behalf of the entire Museum Community, THANKS FRED! Acquiring a space for your Library is a top priority!

The San Fernando Valley, in the Heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

THANKS TO TOLUCA LAKE'S RICHARD BOGY

Photo of the Toluca Lake Company on the office wall of Richard Bogy 2008 (click on image to enlarge)


The San Fernando Valley is a far better place because Richard Bogy lives among us. His tireless dedication to preservation of our Valley's historical and cultural heritage merits community-wide recognition.
Thanks Richard!



The San Fernando Valley, in the Heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

WARM HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Travaglini's Restaurant - Encino - Historic postcard donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Warm holiday greetings from the Board of Directors and Advisors of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
May 2009 bring you and yours prosperity and happiness.



The San Fernando Valley, in the Heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

MAJOR WORKS BY SCULPTOR HY FARBER NOW ON DISPLAY IN WOODLAND HILLS

Hy Farber Sculpture 1 (click on image to enlarge)
Hy Farber Sculpture 2 (click on image to enlarge)

Sherman Oaks sculptor, Hy Farber's heroic works are now on display at the 21st Century Plaza Sculpture Garden. Made of laminated wood, these sculptures are truly extraordinary. Thanks to Tazana-based curator Jeff Phillips major works of art can be enjoyed by the public or purchased for major collections.

CURATOR JEFF PHILLIPS BRINGS MAJOR SCULPTURES TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

World famous bronze/stone sculptor David Middlebrook's splendid works are on display now at the 21st Century Sculpture Garden in Woodland Hills. (click on image to enlarge)

"When is the best time to bring major works of art to the public and to expose America's greatest artists? That's a great deal like asking us, "When is the best time to lay the groundwork for a major regional Museum of art and culture?" Against nearly overwhelming odds, Tarzana-based art curator Jeff Phillips is hard at work.
Visit one of the San Fernando Valley's greatest art treasures soon, the outdoor sculpture garden in the 21st Century Plaza at 6803 Owensmouth Avenue in Woodland Hills.

"Nature Continues Its Course," The 21st Century Plaza Sculpture Garden. Los Angeles, California



The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Our Lady of Guadalupe in tiles- Encino, Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2007 (click on image to enlarge)

When I walked the length of Ventura Boulevard from Calabasas to the Cahuenga Pass last year, I was constantly surprised by the many religious symbols and images that I encountered. Perhaps the most popular were images of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The mystical Lady is depicted on tee shirts, license plates, decals and even in formal works of art. I took this photo of the Virgin Mother, Patroness of the Americas, in a small shopping alcove in Encino.
I thought that today, December 12th, the Lady's feast day, would be a good time to share her icon with you. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is some 500 years old. It arose from a vision by San Juan de Guadalupe just outside of Mexico City at the onset of winter. Like countless others, Juan was devastated by the conquest of his homeland by Spanish conquistadors. Nearly starving, Juan found himself at the base of a destroyed pyramid dedicated to the ancient Aztec mother goddess. There, he encountered an apparition of a young, brown-skinned woman, who told the peasant that she was the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin. She ordered him to remove his serape and gave him out-of-season roses to prove her appearance to Catholic bishop of Mexico City. The Lady told simple Juan, that he and others must build a church at the site to help make their lives holy and to demonstrate her presence where once the Aztec goddess had been worshipped.
If the church, now the major religious center of the western world, was built, she would offer herself as the Patroness of the Americas, protector of the poor, workers and Indians.
As the doorkeeper of the bishop's palace was about to dismiss the Indian, Juan asked him to look at the roses the Lady had given him. When he opened his cloak, the beloved image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was there. The serape still hangs in the Basilica of Guadalupe to this day.

The San Fernando Valley's Latino heritage is of special importance to your Museum.

RICHARD HILTON CHAIRS THE MUSEUM'S CULTURAL TOURS COMMITTEE

Van Nuys Grammar School 1912 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Fresh from leading the First Annual Walk It Off (post Thanksgiving historic walking tour of North Hollywood), Richard Hilton has taken on an even larger assignment. Hilton, an accomplished actor and historic preservationist, will chair The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Cultural Tours Committee.

Richard has already announced two new walking tours for early 2009. The first will be walking tour of the NoHo through the theater and arts district. Another tour for historic Van Nuys is planned. Community input is welcomed.


The San Fernando Valley, in the Heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

URGENT NOTICE - IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LAUSD ARCHIVES!

This is an a very important notice:

As part of our groundwork for establishing a significant regional museum of history and culture for the San Fernando Valley, members of the Museum Community have been systematically visiting and assessing historical archives of Southern California. In one such recent visit one of our Board Members discovered a significant threat to the precious archives of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The Archives of the School District include records of the city's earliest schools, rare book donations, art, valuable maps, manuscripts, and student and community profiles. The collections are vital to scholarly research concerning the development of the largest school system in California.
The LAUSD Archives are so important that The Museum's Board and Advisors have been planning a collective visit to the location, to identify books and artifacts vital to the history of San Fernando Valley schools. The archives are presently only accessible three days a week, and they may soon be closed permanently! The modest salary of the LAUSD archivist could be eliminated this coming week.
With the loss of the archivist, the history of the public schools of Los Angeles including the San Fernando Valley will be subjected to all of the tragedies of abandonment; pilferage, disorganization and decay. We must prevent this.
The leadership of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley fully recognizes the challenges of our profoundly damaged economy, but we must demand for future generations and ourselves the protection of our art and history. The true colors of a society are obvious when it refuses to relocate its culture to inconvenience or mere luxury.
Your Museum urges you to write City Council Persons and Media Contacts today.

Gerald R. Fecht Ph.D.
President The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Please address your concerns to:

Judy Elliott
judy.elliott@lausd.net

Leslie Fischer
leslie.fischer@LAUSD.net

Richard Burrows
richard.burrows@lausd.net

HOW THE VALLEY IS VIEWED OUTSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITIES

San Fernando Mission portrayed in the "Picture Bridge" at the Huntington Hotel in Pasadena - Historic postcard donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Fred Berk 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

How the San Fernando Valley is portrayed by people and institutions outside of our communities, is a major focus of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Images of the Valley play a vital role in matters such as tourism, in-tourism, investment, winning a fair-share of cultural support and educational grants, civic pride and much more.

Ask your out-of-state friends to share stories, photos or artifacts depicting the San Fernando Valley.




The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

MUSEUM BOARDS MEET THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING

Louise Street Viaduct - Glendale, California - Vintage postcard given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2008

Grand Central Terminal - Glendale, California - Vintage postcard given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2008

DON'T FORGET - THE MUSEUM'S BOARDS MEET THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING AT THE HOME OF JANNE AND JERRY FECHT
Call: 1 (818) 347-9665

THE PASSING OF BEVERLY GARLAND

Detail of Macelli Restaurant Mural - Studio City 2007 - photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

It is with great regret that the Museum Community learned today of the passing of Beverly Garland. Ms. Garland lived from 1926 to 2008. She was an outstanding performer and a much beloved citizens of the San Fernando Valley.

A CAUSE TO CONSIDER

(Click on image to enlarge)

Board Member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Phyllis Hansen wants us all to consider this great cause.

A NOTE TO THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY FROM SHEL WIESBACH

FYI . . . you may be aware . . . the Granada Hills Public Library
will be hosting a discussion led by CSUN's Dr. James Sefton on Gerry
Wills' intellectual biography "James Madison" on Thursday, January 22,
6:15 to 7:30.

Shel

IN-TOURISM WINS FOR EVERYONE

Andrew's North Hollywood Diner - 2008 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Jerry Fecht (click on image to enlarge)
Remember these "car hop" treasures - Check out Tiny Naylor's on the wall.

Andrew's North Hollywood Diner - 2008 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Jerry Fecht (click on image to enlarge)

Most cities and regions of the United States do a great job working to attract tourists. And, there is a huge amount of evidence that shows that museums (especially major exhibits) play a big role in bringing in visitor-dollars. Most "Convention and Visitors Bureaus" gain support for their programs through hotel and tourist attraction taxes.
Generally neglected is the extremely important value of "in-tourism", the encouragement of local residents to get out of their homes to visit historic and cultural activities and sites in their own home town.
Perhaps more important that the dollars spent by in-tourists at restaurants, galleries or clubs, is the "sense of place" generated by local tourists. After all, we've known for years the value of "word of mouth" encouragement. Your Museum's leadership believes that the more our own San Fernando Valley residents know about their history and culture the more they will want to tell the world about our treasures.