RADIO KWIK BURBANK CALIFORNIA

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

KWIK ink blotter between 1947 and 1951 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

Radio KWIK 1490 was licenced by the Federal Communication Commission on the 8^th of May, 1947. The station operated on 250 watts of power day and night. But, after two years KWIK was in trouble for “technical violations.”

By 1951, the station which operated from 20 West Burbank Boulevard, couldn’t be saved even by its spiffy blotter advertisements. It lost its license in May of that year, and the “Voice of the San Fernando Valley” went off the air.

GREIG SMITH's LAST DAYS IN OFFICE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

One of the hardest working committees within The Museum, chaired by Scott Sterling of Northridge, is our "Narrating Lives, Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley". Mr. Scott's committee has overseen over two dozen precious video and audio histories of women and men whose lives represent major elements of Valley history. With a limited budget and an all volunteer staff, the committee is faced regularly with interview nominations people whose lives truly deserve to be recorded. Fortunately, the committee makes important decisions that often "capture" an historical moment, as well as stories that tell of the Valley over the years.

One such historical moment came recently when The Museum had the opportunity to interview Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith in his last weeks in office. Councilman Smith's interview is now part of the history of the San Fernando Valley, his former Northridge/Porter Ranch constituency and Los Angeles history as well.

 12th Los Angeles City Council District's outgoing Councilman, Greig Smith during his final week in office. Photo for the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2011. (click on image to enlarge.)

Greig Smith's insider's view of Los Angeles City politics. Many great stories for us today, and for future generations.

MARC WANAMAKER'S NEW BOOK "SAN FERNANDO VALLEY"

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

I'm a fan of Marc Wanamaker. Not only is he a treasure house about the history of motion pictures, but he gives great talks, and is a super writer to boot. I received my copy of Marc's latest work, San Fernando Valley in the mail yesterday afternoon. I began to browse through it, and couldn't put it down.
This terrific book is destined to be on every Valley-lover's shelf.

 

San Fernando Valley by Marc Wanamaker 2011

GREAT PHOTO OF DAVID KEESEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Often a great photograph will show up after an important community event that deserves to be seen. Here is a great picture of North Hollywood community activist David Keesey who spearheaded the recent cleanup effort along Vineland Boulevard.

NORTHRIDGE FARMS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Northridge100

According to a May 13, 1985 article in the Los Angeles Times about the Falk Ranch, Northridge Farms came into existence when the Barbara Stanwyk / Zeppo Marx combine lost interest in horse breeding and "... sold out, lock, stock and barrelt, to J.H. Ryan, prominent sportsman and breeding enthusiast. Ryan changed the name to Northridge Farms, which became one of the state's leadingh breeding centers, boarding as many as 300 horses."

 

Lawrence K. Ho took this photograph of the entrance to Northrdige Farms before its sale to developers in 1961. (click on image to enlarge)  News clipping courtesy of Steve Falk 2011.

Once the entrance to Northridge Farms was where this 1985 photograph of Mahall Street and Reseda Boulevard was taken.  (click on image to enlarge)

BIFF ELLIOT - TV's DETECTIVE MIKE HAMMER

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

 One of the most inspiring interviews completed by The Museum's "Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley",  features the film and television actor Biff Elliot. I interviewed Biff in his home in Studio City.
Biff, who was born in 1923, became a motion picture celebrity from his 1953 role in the film, I The Jury. He later starred as the detective Mike Hammer on television. In 1977 he married Connie Elliot, a member of the Board of Directors of historic Campo de Cahuenga.

 Biff Elliot, television's detective Mike Hammer.

 Biff Elliot with California State University senior Nickolas Baird, videographer for Narrating Lives - Oral Histories in the San Fernando Valley.

Connie Elliot, community activist and wife of Biff Elliot.

SAN FERNANDO FIRE DEPARTMENT 1930

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

The City of San Fernando is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. The following image was taken of the City;s Fire Department in 1930.  (click on image to enlarge)

THE FALK RANCH

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Elizabeth M. Falk, was once the owner of the Falk Ranch in Granada Hills, California. She loved animals and her generosity was great. A foundation, in her name, continues to support the care of abused and abandoned animals long after her death.

 The Falk Ranch in Granada Hills was once world famous for the breeding of fine race horses.

The entrance to the  Falk Ranch was located at 16750 Lassen Street in Granda Hills. Harry and Elizabeth Falk were the owners, and Glen Kettlewell was manager.

FRA JUNIPERO SERRA OFM

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Miquel Serra y Ferrer, founder of the California Mission System, was born in Majorca Spain in 1713. He took the religious name Junipero, in honor of Saint Juniper an early follower of Saint Francis Assisi.  Fra Junipero Serra became a missionary of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), the Franciscans. He served his church in Spain, Mexico and eventually in Baja and Alta California. From his headquarters in the Mission San Carlos, his oversaw the Catholic Missions of California, including the Mission San Fernando Rey de España in Mission Hills. He died in 1784. 

Statue of Blessed Junipero Serra in the gardens of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Encino, California. The first parish church of Saint Charles Borromeo in North Hollywood (now the parish hall) was modeled on the Mission Church of San Carlos when Fra Junipero Serra is buried.  (photo by Gerald Fecht for the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011)

BETTY GRABLE AND HARRY JAMES - BABY J. RANCH

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

In the 1940s, two of America's most famous entertainment personalities were Betty Grable and her big band leader husband Harry James.  The celebrity couple owned property called Baby J Ranch on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills.

 Baby J. Ranch in Woodland Hills, California - Elizabeth M. Falk Collection  (click on image to enlarge) 

Breeding record  of mares owned by Mr. and Mrs. Harry James, bred on the Falk Ranch in 1961. (click on image to enlarge)  Collection of Elizabeth Falk 2011.

ELIZABETH FALK'S REPUBLICAN POLITICAL MEMORABILIA

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

This weekend, my lifelong friend Steve Falk brought by my home a box of memorabilia that belonged to his mother, the owner of the Falk Ranch in Granada Hills. Elizabeth Falk was a financial supporter of Republican Party politicians. Here are a few of the photographs in her collection.

 US Senator Barry Goldwater and his son Barry Goldwater Jr.  Elizabeth Falk collection. (click on image to enlarge)

 Nancy and Ronald Reagan during the 1960 Presidential Campaign. Elizabeth Falk collection. (click on image to enlarge)

 Betty and Gerald Ford -  Elizabeth Falk collection. (click on image to enlarge)

 U.S. Senator Orin Hatch - Elizabeth Falk collection. (click on image to enlarge)

SURF THEME "EXCHANGE" PARTY PIERCE COLLEGE MAY 1963

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

In the 1960s fraternities and sororities often themed their parties. These photographs from May 1963 feature a "surfers" theme exchange party with the Chi Chi Chi fraternity and the Kappa sorority at Los Angeles Pierce College. 

 Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Surfers themed party - May 1963  - (click on image to enlarge) Photograph number 2875

 Photograph number 2872

 Photograph number 2873

 Photograph number 2874

Photograph number 2876

THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY'S STAR BOB HOPE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

One of the greatest entertainers in San Fernando Valley history was the great Bob Hope. This beloved comedian brought his USO shows to American and Allied service personnel around the world. Hope, who lived in Toluca Lake and worked out of the Valley, was a mega-star of stage, radio, television and motion pictures. He is buried at the edge of the Mission San Fernando in Mission Hills.

 comedians Betty Hutton and Bob Hope in the 1943 spoof on life in the military entitled "Let's Face It."  A Paramount Picture. Still photo - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011. (click on image to enlarge) - Photograph 2862

 In his "song and dance" costume, Bob Hope points to his name on a dressing room door. Photo, gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  Photo 2863

Cartoonists had a field day with Bob Hope's nose. Refer to photo number 2864.

LADY BUG

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Great or small, California is filled with wondrous treasures. Here photographer Linda Moore captures nature's rich contrasts.  (click on the lady bug to enlarge)

DODSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM TO BE DEMOLISHED

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

The little historical museum at Los Angeles Valley College, created by Dr. James L. Dodson (professor of history and comparative religion) is about to vanish into history itself.  The last of the original bungalows brought from Van Nuys High School to Valley College will be demolished any day now. Promises have been made that the museum's priceless San Fernando Valley history collection will be moved into the new campus library.

WARNER BROTHERS AND BETTE DAVIS - AN URBAN LEGEND?

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

As The Museum's Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History grows, it is apparent that just the history of Warner Brothers in Burbank is a giant undertaking. And speaking of undertaking, I wonder if there is any truth to the old story that the great Bette Davis from Toluca Lake, bought her plot in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills so that she could look down on her old bosses at Warner Brothers below?

Historic postcard of Warner Brothers Studios - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge._

THE MUSEUM'S IMMEDIATE OFFICE/WORK SPACE PRIORITY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has grown much during this year. Our income is up, our walking and bus tours have grown, and our Oral Histories project is a huge success. Our interns from CSUN and Los Angeles Valley College are doing a bang up job, and three new committees are underway as I write this. Plans are underway to support Movie Nights in Northridge and Porter Ranch, Night Out projects in North Hollywood and in the North valley...... holy cow!

The time has come when The Museum needs to call upon the greater San Fernando Valley to help us find and support a work space. We need an office, work room and place to train docents, supervise interns and hold regular committee meetings. Naturally, we are hoping for an angel to offer us a space for that magical dollar a year rent, but angel or not - it's time for an headquarters, work and storage area.

Please consider joining The Museum today. Indicate on your check or Pay Pal donation that your contribution is for a museum space.  As soon as we move into the area, you'll have a chance to join us regularly to get one of the many Museum jobs get done.

Illustration clipping from a Saturday Evening Post Magazine.  Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE         1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM’S BLOG

http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MUSEUM’S E-MAIL

gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

CONGRATULATIONS TO NORTH HOLLYWOOD

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011       

Congratulations David Keesey and his Community Beautification Team

Here's a great U-Tube overview of last Saturday's great cleanup in North Hollywood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VGuuW9oPLw&feature=share

Vineland Walkway Clean up   “I was lucky enough to get invited to play for a community clean up event in NOHO. I played at the event and also did a some documenting of how it all went. ... “

:http://www.facebook.com/n/?permalink.php&story_fbid=118222418265163&id=1046805840&mid=468b9eeG3e64fd50G26e0678G3a&bcode=KujpmRWY&n_m=gfecht%40sbcglobal.net

Tons of street trash and shrubbery trimmings were hauled away after this great crew of volunteers were finished. Later they were treated to lunch, soft drinks and a great neighborhood band.

Volunteers from Christ Chapel, the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council and The Museum of the San Fernando Valley assisted to make the cleanup day a great success.

 Youthful volunteers arrive to don their green shirts and to clean up their community. I asked them who planned to be our future mayor and our city council member?

VAN NUYS CAR SHOW AND FESTIVAL

Kenny Ortega announces a facebook event page for the "First Annual Van Nuys Car Show & Festival",  scheduled for Saturday September 17,2011.     
We are also seeking volunteers from the community to take part in this family friendly event for charity.   Kenny Ortega-Executive Producer 818 385-5799
kennyortega@roadrunner.com

MARY GARCIA LEADS MIDTOWN NORTH HOLLYWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

When Mary Garcia was a sophomore at Los Angeles Valley College, she would have been surprised to learn that she would someday be the President of the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Mary grew up in North Hollywood and cares to this day about her town's quality and well being. 

Here she volunteers for a work day on behalf of the Council's Community Beautification Committee. 

HIGH RISES PREDICTED FOR DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY       

Los Angeles Birthday Image 217

This cartoon was published in the now defunct Herald Express newspaper in Los Angeles on the birthday of Los Angeles September 4, 1958. It predicts a high rise building "tomorrow" in the city. 53 years has passed since its publication. What do you think? Did the cartoonist's prediction come true? (click on image to enlarge)  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht 2011.

1942 A MISSOURI BOY FIRST ENCOUNTERS THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Photographs often tell more than viewers realize.

Family snapshots often tell more history than meets a casual glance. Here are three photographs that were among my brother James Fecht's effects, when he died last year. In three short years he went from a high school altar boy to a United States Marine in combat in the South Pacific. 

Altar servers at Saint Brendan Catholic Church in Mexico, Missouri - 1940.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo 2853 - l to r: James Fecht, Joe Enslen, Jim Torrance, Don McLaughlin and Bob Phillips.

 In 1941, James Fecht was a recent high school graduate. anxious to make his mark in the world. This photograph was taken in Mexico, Missouri shortly before the outbreak of World War II. His hands were still swollen from an amateur boxing match earlier in the week. He boxed as a Marine recruit at Camp Pendleton the next year.  (photo 2854)

1942 on Elmer Avenue in North Hollywood, California.  (photo 2855) 

On his first leave after boot camp, Jim Fecht and his Marine buddy Webb McKelvey went to Los Angeles, where Webb introduced Jim to his cousin Joye Barnes from North Hollywood. Jim met Joye and several of her friends from Corvallis High School in Studio City, at the USO Cantina in Hollywood. Jim was dazzled. After the war, Jim and Joye were married and made the San Fernando Valley their home.

MUSEUM FORMS SPORTS HERITAGE COMMITTEE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Board member of The Museum, Gary Fredburg and Valley sports enthusiast Wayne Quigley are exploring the creation of a permanent San Fernando Valley Sports Heritage Committee. Quigley, who is being inducted into the Los Angeles Valley College Sports Hall of Fame next week, and Fredburg will be establishing the committee to acquire sports history and memorabilia, considering an all-Valley Sports recognition program and working toward on-going exhibits of athletics in the greater San Fernando Valley.

The 1908 City of San Fernando Baseball Team. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Sports History Archive from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

Interested in being part of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Sports Heritage effort?  Contact Museum president Jerry Fecht:    gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MUSEUM

Here’s how to contact your Museum:

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE         1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM’S BLOG

http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MUSEUM’S ORAL HISTORIES     

narratinglives@gmail.com

MUSEUM’S E-MAIL

gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

HERE COME THE MARINES!

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

I guess being envious is a useful thing when it comes for me getting things done for our Museum. Aside from geographic locator programs, there is a facial recognition program available out there in cyberspace as well.  Here's a priceless photograph taken of rough and ready Marines, sometime between World War I and the Second World War. Wouldn't it be great to use facial recognition to find our who these heroes were.

I used photo processing to figure out that they were members of the United States Marine Corps. Maybe one of you clever people can figure out what unit would have worn a star with an Indian chief in it?

US Marines - date unknown - Photograph gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011  (click on image to enlarge)  Refer to photo 2852

GLEN CAPRI MOTEL IN GLENDALE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

"15 minutes to Dodger Stadium"

Glen Capri Motel

6700 San Fernando Road (Business 99 and 6)

Glendale 1, California   CI-trus 4-8434

Restaurant adjacent

Glen Capri Motel postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011. (click on image to enlarge.)

A deluxe 32 unit motel with heated pool at THRIFTY RATES. Rooms are equipped with phone, T.V, Thermo heat, Frigidaire air conditioners, tile showers and baths.

Courtesy coffee every a.m,

MODERN KITCHENETTES at weekly rates - Families invited.

Centerally located on Business Routes US 99 and 6. Three blocks east of the golden State and Ventura Freeways, just minutes from Los Angeles, Hollywood, Rose Bowl, Santa Anita Race Track, Forest Lawn, NBC and Disney Studios, Lockheed Air Terminal and only 10 minutes from GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO, when completed.
Major Credit Cards Accepted.

VENTURA BOULEVARD PUZZLE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY     2011

I've been hearing about a geographic / topographical program invented for the military that will identify locations of photographs. It is another one of those things that makes me dream of the time when The Museum will have such equipment readily available to us ... sigh. Well, in the meanwhile, The Museum Community will do its best to continue searching for San Fernando Valley - related objects of historical and cultural value. Like the motel commercial that says "we'll keep the lights on for you," The Museum will carefully preserve and share images such as this photograph given to The Museum by Gary Fredburg this week, entitled Ventura Boulevard. 

The San Fernando Valley isn't the only place in California with a Ventura Boulvard. This old time photograph might show a very early image of the Conejo Grade in Camarillo or perhaps the early days of the Boulevard climbing Chalk Hill in Woodland Hills. While we are "keeping the lights on," let's hope one of you folks might have a similar image or know the location.  (refer to photograph 2848)

THE REAL GREEN HORNET

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

The Green Hornet  - Veterans Memorial Book - City of Burbank - Memorial Day 2011 - Gift to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 

This image, among many in this moving tribute to our Service men and women, is of the 852^nd Bomber Squadron of the United States Army Air Corps. The bomber, called Green Hornet - B-24-J (serial number 44-40286), the craft was shot down about 10 miles west of the Rhine River on March 24, 1945.

Among the crew of the Green Hornet, was Staff Sergeant Delbert Ben Carr of Burbank, California. Sergeant Carr was buried in Plot 1, Row 19, Grave 10 in the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.

Those who died were:

Andy T. Wilson - Pilot
Edward L. Patterson
Charles F. Goodacre
Charles B. Sutcliffe
Martin J. Cuff
Delbert B. Carr,  Right Waist Gunner.
Charles O. McKinney
Kenneth M. Mann
Harold C. Gardner

The City of Burbank’s Veterans Commemorative Committee has just published a powerful tribute to the men and women of this San Fernando Valley city who have given their lives in the service of the United States of America. Interested parties should contact the Burbank Park Recreation and Community Services Department to purchase the book.