Tel: (818) 347-9665 PST

TheMuseumSFV@gmail.com

www.TheMuseumSFV.org




Saturday, June 30, 2012

TOMMY GELINAS OF VALLEY RELICS WOWS MUSEUM AUDIENCE AT KICK-OFF EVENT OF "TASTE OF HISTORY" SERIES

I skipped an LA Dodgers game to come to the history program at the Westfield mall this last Thursday.  The Dodgers lost - The Museum won by a landslide!

The entire Dining Terrace area was filled with over 100 guests! The speaker was lots of fun and obviously much liked by his  audience.

The program included:
  • Juliet Mothershed from Westfield Fashion Square welcomed the Museum's 100 guests.
  • Jerry Fecht, President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley provide an introduction to The Museum.
  • Michel Stevens, Chair of Marketing and Development of The Museum, organized and acted as MC for the event and introduced other Museum board members that attended.
  • Burbank born Tommy Gelinas, founder and owner of Valley Relics (one of the largest private collections of San Fernando Valley memorabilia) was the featured speaker. He reminded his audience of the many once popular but now gone eateries of the Valley. He accompanied his talk with great slides of years gone by, including ones of what the Westfield Mall on Riverside Drive once looked.


 

Tommy Gelinas, Founder and Curator of Valley Relics, speaks to The Museum audience about San Fernando Valley cafes and historic restaurants.  Photo by Phyllis Hansen


Scott Sterling, board member and Gerald Fecht, President-Tommy Gelinas-Juliet Mothershed, Marketing Director of Westfield Fashion Square and Michel Stevens, board member at Taste of History event.


 The new Dining Terrace at the Westfield Fashion Square was entirely filled by Museum guests who came to hear the Valley celebrity speaker Tommy Gelinas. Photo by Phyllis Hansen. (click on image to enlarge it.)


Tommy and Michel Stevens arranged for so many door prizes that nearly everyone who came to the talk won one. Photograph by Phyllis Hansen.

 
Most of the audience stayed until the very end, when we all serenaded Tommy with "I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner..."

Please join us for the next Taste of History event on Thursday, July 26th as The Museum offer a program on the history of Campo de Cahuenga.


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

TARZAN TREASURE SLIPPED UNDER MUSEUM'S DOOR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

Imagine how much fun it is to see a book slipped under the door at The Museum's space in Westfield's Fashion Square Mall, and to discover that it is the gift from a visitor who saw our Edgar Rice Burroughs display.The book is dated from 1957, and may have come from a classroom at Van Nuys High School. The great Edgar Rice Burroughs is one of the most published authors in history. He lived and worked on his Tarzana Ranch, from which modern Tarzana gets its name.





STACY KEACH IN FILM FAT CITY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

Stacy Keach, who starred in John Huston's film "Fat City" is a graduate of Van Nuys High School in the heart of the San Fernando Valley.

Theater movie card. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2012 from Gary Fredburg.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

4th of JULY WITH HORACE HEIDT

A note from Valley treasure Horace Heidt II 
July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Dear Friends,
Plan your 4th of July Fireworks now. On July 4th, my band and I will be playing for two hours at the Warner Center Park in the Lou Bedlow Pavillion from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The concert will be immediately followed by Fireworks. Don't miss it. Go to Valleycultural.org for more info. Here's a toast to you on our Nation's birthday.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

When The Museum Community answers questions about our reason for creating a 
great Museum of History and Culture for the greater San Fernando Valley, our goal
of preserving and presenting Valley history for future generations always arises.

Jake, who just completed 2nd Grade at Encino Elementary School, talks about his ribbon winning science project that demonstrated energy within common fruits and vegetables.





Wednesday, June 20, 2012

"TASTE OF HISTORY" - MONTHLY SPEAKER SERIES AT THE WESTFIELD FASHION SQUARE


Presents 

"Taste of History"

in conjunction with 
Do any of these restaurants bring back fond memories?


Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor
Otto's Pink Pig 


If so, please join us on Thursday, June 28th at Westfield Fashion Square's NEW Dining Terrace area for the kick-off event with featured presenter and Valley afficionado Tommy Gelinas of Valley Relics!

  
Westfield Fashion Square
New Dining Terrance (2nd Floor)
Featured PresenterTommy Gelinas, Founder & Curator, Valley Relics will speak on history of restaurants and food of the San Fernando Valley   

Date: Thursday, June 28, 2012

Time:    6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Program
             7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Q&A & Socializing

Where: Westfield Fashion Square
             14006 Riverside Drive
             Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
             www.westfield.com/fashionsquare

Location of Event:  2nd Floor in NEW Dining Terrace - southwest location; not in main food court area, but in dining area opposite of food court

Cost:    FREE!   

RSVP: 1-818-347-9665 or email at events@theMuseumSFV.org
Please leave name, email address and phone number

Parking: Ample parking at Westfield Fashion Square  

Tommy Gelinas Bio:   
Valley Relics is a personal collection of rare photos, yearbooks, documents, postcards, toys, photo negatives, vintage signs, books, antiques and artifacts from the 1800s to present, from the San Fernando Valley. The collection is currently housed in North Hollywood, CA. Tommy Gelinas, founder and curator of Valley Relics. He is a valley native who was born in Burbank. Through dedication and perseverance, his collection is one of the largest and most diverse pertaining to San Fernando Valley history and culture.

Tommy is also an astute businessman and owner of The Print Lab. He is also one cool, hip guy and a wonderful storyteller.

Program Overview: History of restaurants and food in the San Fernando Valley. Tommy will be dishing up some delectable stories about many of the funky, quirky and traditional restaurants of the San Fernando Valley over the last 50 or so years.

Copper Penny
Bob's Big Boy


Your long-term memory will serve you well as restaurants and experiences at these restaurants will be instantly recalled which will place you back in time, most likely, a fond time during your upbringing. He will have you drooling about past dining experiences and have you laughing about the good times.     
  
WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES TOO!
We will capture (with your approval) one or two memorable experiences of you hanging out and eating at a restaurant in the valley. 
  
Artifacts such as menus, matchbooks, ashtrays, postcards, a screen presentation and a Q&A period will be offered.

Extras:  A few prizes will be raffled at end of program too! 

Please spread the word - this will be a special event!
  
Contacts:
For more information, please contact Michel Stevens, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley at (818) 347-9665 or michel.stevens@themuseumsfv.org;  www.TheMuseumSFV.org.
  
Westfield Fashion Square contact:  Juliet Mothershed, Director of Marketing; jmothershed@us.westfield.com; www.westfield.com/fashionsquare
  
Valley Relics - www.valleyrelics.net 

Friday, June 8, 2012

AN OLDTIME VIEW OF WARNER BROTHERS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Vintage postcard of Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg May 2012. (click on image to enlarge it).

Is this view from above present day Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills?

BRENT BRODY INITIATION AT PIERCE COLLEGE 1961

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

The student members of the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity at Los Angeles Pierce College took their oaths of lifelong loyalty so seriously that their youthful bond still holds much of the group together in 2012. For example, 13 alumni "brothers" just shared a "13th hour" lunch at the Red Robin restaurant this June in Calabasas.
While kneeling, Brent Brody of Pierce College swears his lifetime loyalty to the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity before the Beta Chapter President Donald Collins. Standing at the podium was Paul Martz, the Fraternity's Pledge Master. At Paul's left standing is LeRoy D. Hunt the organization's Master of Rituals and Traditions, Seating at the right is Donald B. Taggart Founder and first President of the Fraternity. To the left are Bob Marko and Larry Tunison. Spring 1961.
Brent Brody went on to co-found Brent's Deli in Northridge, California. He later establishing a second Brent's Deli in Honolulu, Hawaii. (click on image to enlarge)

Photo number 5092 - Phi Delta Psi Archives - The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

UNUSUAL POSTCARD OF VAN NUYS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Here's an unusual postcard image of the Van Nuys (City Hall) Constituency Center. It seems to me that the photograph was taken just before a rain, or shortly thereafter. Anyway, it's a fun view of the Valley.

Vintage postcard of the San Fernando Valley - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg May 2012. (click on image to enlarge it.)

HEROES OF SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY - DIANA AND GUY WEDDINGTON McCREARY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

Diana and Guy Weddington McCreary at North Hollywood High School's Class of 1955's 25th Reunion. Few San Fernando Valley residents have done more to preserve our history than these two people.  Images are courtesy of Richard E. Holmes 2012. Both are Board Members of the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association, and supporters of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.


PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECT - THE SHERIDAN

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

Postcard of the Sheridan Hotel in Industry Hills - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012  (click on image to enlarge it)

The beautiful snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains make a refreshing backdrop for the new Industry Hills Sheraton Hotel where major sports competitions are held.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

ARCHER'S MOTEL IN BURBANK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012


Phone Charleston 8-4487      -      33 modern, insulated motel rooms with vented heat. radios, television and coffee free to guests. 12 minutes from Hollywood - (click on image to enlarge it)
Vintage postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg May 2012.

MARTIN POLLARD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

Martin Pollard made a good living from his San Fernando Valley car dealerships, among which was his Casa de Cadillac in the 1950s. He also had a strong commitment to the culture and betterment of the Valley. Pollard was the first recipient of the now much coveted Fernando Award in 1959.

 Martin Pollard - Chairman of Valley Presbyterian Hospital 1958 - 1962

Martin Pollard Company - North Hollywood, California - 5450 Lankershim Boulevard - Vintage postcard gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg May 2012. (click on images to enlarge them.)

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

June 2, 2012
Northridge Family Festival

Los Angeles Council District 12, Councilman Mitchell Englander, the Kiwanis Club of Northridge, Northridge South Neighborhood Council, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley and the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks sponsored the Family Festival at Northridge Recreation Center.  It was a free, fun-filled family event! Attendees enjoyed music, food, art, live performances and Dreamworks movie "Puss in Boots."

The Museum and its Public Art Initiative along with a host of local artist volunteers led by Roger Dolin, Mural Environments, supported the event with an interactive with a number of arts and crafts activities for children. Free t-shirts could also be painted and taken away by newly crowned artists a city of boxes were created an painted, clay molding was offered as well as other arts and crafts projects.  A terrific time for all attendees!


Pictured above are members of The Museum's Public Art Initiative from LtoR Maryley Carrillo, Colleen, Shahin Atighe, Mary Alice Sears, Roger Dolin, (missing one of our artists' names), Kathy Cryer and Barbara Katz Bierman.



Future artists and their creations on t-shirts.


City of Los Angeles Councilman from District 12, Mitchell Englander and Michel Stevens, Chair, Marketing & Development, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.


Some of the many community minded booths offered at the Family Festival.

JANE RUSSELL AND BOB HOPE IN THE PALEFACE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

Valley film stars, Bob Hope and Jane Russell starred in the 1948 comedy The Paleface.  (vintage post card gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg, 2012)  click on image to enlarge it.

Monday, June 4, 2012

CONTACTING YOUR MUSUEM


MUSEUM EXPO SPACE
Westfield Fashion Square
Woodman and Riverside
Sherman Oaks
(Mall entrance next to See's Candy)





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 EXPO SPACE
Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks
bottom floor near the See's Candy Store

MUSEUM’S BLOG

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

THE PALOMINO WAS ONCE THE WEST'S BIGGEST COUNTRY AND WESTERN NIGHT CLUB

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Vice President of The Museum. Gary Fredburg shows off his latest Valley treasure at the Museum's May Board meeting. 
What began as a tough guy watering hole in North Hollywood became a world famous Country and Western nigh club in the mid-1950s. The Palomino regularly featured America's most important western music stars. It closed its doors at 6407 Lankershim in the NoHo in 1995.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

VALLEY LEATHERCRAFTSMAN RETIRES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2112

In just a few weeks, the great San Fernando Valley western artist Al Shelton will be closing his famous workshop and store in Sherman Oaks. The great Valley photographer Jeffrey Bloom shares with The Museum Community these priceless images of Mr. Shelton.

 Painter, sculptor, leather craftsman Al Shelton.  Photo by Jeffrey Bloom - (click on image to enlarge.)

 Al Shelton surrounded by his many honors. Photo by Jeffrey Bloom - (click on image to enlarge.)



GAIL GOODRICH VALLEY SPORTS HERO

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012



Gail Goodrich was the captain of the John H. Francis Polytechnic High School basketball team in the San Fernando Valley. Goodrich and Polytechnic team won  the 1961 Los Angeles City high school basketball championship. He went on to play for Encino's John Wooden at UCLA. He was a star athlete in college and later for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sportscard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg - May 2012.  (click on image to enlarge)
On November 20, 1996, the Lakers retired his #25 jersey. On December 18, 2004, UCLA did likewise. In high school he wore #12 and that number was retired by Poly High as well.

DELIBERATING MUSEUM'S PUBLIC ARTS PROJECT

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Board deliberates issues related to our Public Arts program during the May Board meeting at the Valley Economic Alliance building.  (click on image to enlarge)
l-r    Scott Sterling, Richard Hilton, Willard Simms and Kristine Keller.