LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE CALLS MUSEUM WALKING TOUR "WORTH THE TRIP"

"VALLEY HO

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is the at the idea stage. For now there's the Historic North Hollywood Tour. Meet at the statue of Amelia Earhart (a one-time Valley resident) at the the North Hollywood Recreation Center where historian Richard Hilton leads walkers on a two-and-a-half hour trip replete with tales of long-gone ranchers (Lankershim was a busy guy). 

The brochure alone - filled with archival photos taken by the Weddingtons, one of the region's most influential families - is worth the trip. - Bi-monthly. Saturdays at 10 am. $10 donation, reservations required/requested: www.TheMuseumSFV.org/events/tours. 

RSVP to events@TheMuseumSFV.org.

Best of LA     May 2013

"Do Walking Tours - Ramble around town - and through history - with your feet as your engine - by Kari Mozina.

"It may be an odd assertion to make about a city so closely associated with the automobile, but of the most revelatory was to experience LA is on foot. ... Clip on the pedometer, grab a water bottle, and lace up your sneakers to travel across the cityscape and back to another era."

Arts for LA - Great Day for Arts throughout Los Angeles

Nearly 500 advocates crowded City Hall on April 17, 2013, ArtsDay to hear the Los Angeles City Council celebrate the role of arts and culture in making our city vibrant. 

Thank you to all of the City of Los Angeles Council Members that offered such incredible praise for the arts in Los Angeles on the Council broadcast. 

Thanks to Danielle Brazell, Executive Director of Arts for LA and to Olga Garay-English, Executive Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles along with their staff members for their ongoing support of this event and for arts throughout the Los Angeles region.

In addition to Arts Day, Arts for LA has been busy working on AB 580, a state bill that would refund the California Arts Council at $75 million, an increase to the NEA and retaining the charitable tax contribution in tact at the Federal level.  

The Museum’s Roger Dolin and Carolyn Uhri attended the event along with some other members of the SFV Arts Council, Valley Arts Alliance and The Museum’s Public Art Initiative. Hey, Kevin Taylor of the Reseda Neighborhood Council was there too!

Arts for LA helps communities throughout Los Angeles County advocate for greater investment in the arts. Our mission is to foster a healthy environment in which arts and culture in the region may thrive and be accessible to all in Los Angeles. To achieve this important goal, Arts for LA:

• Advocates for increased support for artists and arts organizations
• Assists local school communities in developing and supporting arts education plans
• Fosters dialogue among policy makers, elected officials, and the public about important issues that affect the arts in their local communities and across the region
• Provides individuals with clear and direct ways to support the arts
• Connects a diversity of arts stakeholders into a network of informed and mobilized arts advocates

In each of these activities, we partner with artists, arts organizations, parents, neighborhood groups, elected/appointed officials, school districts, the business community, and other stakeholders to educate the public about the important role the arts play in Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit www.artsforla.org.
 

 

GRAND SOUK CULTURAL FESTIVAL

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY              2013

THE VAN NUYS IN MANY VALLEY MEMORIES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                                  2013

Many times you will hear about the "car culture" that permeated the San Fernando Valley in the late 1950s and early '60s. This postcard looking north on Van Nuys Boulevard at Victory was not an unusual view of the boulevard. On Saturday nights, cars like these were driven back and forth by teen age drivers and their impressed passengers. From Bob's Big Boy restaurant near Chandler street to the San Val Drive In Theater in the north, cars were a statement, and gasoline was somewhere around 20¢ a gallon.

"In the center of the world famous San Fernando Valley"  Postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013  (click on image to enlarge it) 

 

 

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

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Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

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THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

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AN ENCINO PUZZLE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

It took my son Damon and me a little while to figure out the location of this postcard image of the "Fabulous San Fernando Valley."  The is the building at the bottom center. Note the tower. The parking lot does not serve this building but the Galleria not seen. The white building is a Los Angeles Fire Department station facing Sepulveda Boulevard.

Postcard of Encino - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.
(click on image to enlarge it.)

EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

This is a photograph clipped from the now defunct Valley Times from June 1965. It features the Rev. Erling H. Wold opening the morning service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in North Hollywood.

FOUNDING IMAGES OF VAN NUYS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                          2013

Celebrating the arrival of the cherished "Red Car" of the Pacific Electric Railroad.  (click on images to enlarge them.) The first decade of the city of Van Nuys. Join Richard Hilton for his special Museum walking tour.

Van Nuys in 1911 - looking south on what is now Van Nuys Boulevard at Sylvan Street. Though there were few is any trees, the street was called Sylvan in the anticipation of an urban forest here in the future. Watch The Museum's website and this blog for the times for our next Van Nuys walking tour.

My Museum               My Story                My Museum                 My Story

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SANCTUARY OF ST. FERDINAND CHURCH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                 2013

Constructed under the jurisdiction of the Catholic religious Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Saint Ferdinand Church is a vital part one of the Valley's oldest cities.

Sanctuary of Saint Ferdinand Church in San Fernando. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.
Statues above the main altar are (l to r) San Fernando Rey de España, Saint Mary the Immaculate Conception and Saint Patrick Apostle of Ireland. Above the altar is an image of Jesus on the cross. (click on image to enlarge it.)

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                    2013

In its early days, the San Fernando Valley town of Chatsworth was called "Chatsworth Park," In this photograph you can see the tracks of a railroad spur that carried stone from the Santa Suzanna Hills to the Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, under construction. 

 

Chatsworth Park c. 1900 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

This image was likely taken from a small hill west of present-day Topanga Canyon Boulevard toward Lassen Street in Chatsworth.Above the trees is the Graves and Hill General Store.

Join The Museum of the San Fernando Valley today.

Donate tax-deductible memorabilia to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Scott Sterling President
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
1 (818) 347-9665

THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
gerald.fecht@TheMuseumSFV.org
info@TheMuseumSFV.org

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

www.museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

WILD BILL ELLIOTT AND TEX RITTER

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                    2013

In January 1942, Columbia Studios released to a war-frightened America the "formula" cowboy movie, The Lone Star Vigilantes. Two great San Fernando Valley actor-artists, Will Bill Elliott and Tex Ritter starred in this great old time oater.

Movie flyer - The Lone Star Vigilantes 1942 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

CAROLYN UHRI'S 48 HOURS

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 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2013

FORTY EIGHT HOURS

By Carolyn Uhri

4/17/13

Today I realized that it only takes forty-eight hours to make friends with someone.  I’m talking about a good, solid friendship.

It started with our “A Manifesto for Murals” event last night and ended with an opportunity to speak frankly with Councilman Englander in his City Hall office at today’s ArtsDay L.A.

Kent Twitchell, Judy Baca, Levi Ponce, Isabel Rojas-Williams and Felicia Filer…artists, activists, educators and art supporters.  Seeing these names written on paper is pretty powerful…to know that we had pulled together the best of the best was quite an achievement. But seeing them all together in one tiny room upstairs at The Madrid Theatre was absolutely mind blowing.  It was transcendent.

World famous muralist Judy Baca visits with the new Valley video artist and mural painter Levi Ponce. Both painters have childhoods in Pacoima in common.   (Photograph by Phyllis Hansen. Click on images to enlarge them.)

 

The great Kent Twitchell (left), Isabel Rojas-Williams leader of the Los Angeles Mural Conservancy and Judy Baca at The Museum's reception prior to their panel presentations. (Photo by Phyllis Hansen)

Maybe it was the close proximity at our intimate reception, or maybe it was simply the camaraderie in knowing that we were all there for the same thing…to support mural art.  The tone of the talk was uplifting, hopeful, passionate and even a little reverent.  Throw in some wine and healthy fare from Follow Your Heart (our sponsors) and the formula was definitely a winner.  Top it all off with a little jazz from Center Stage Opera and we had them hooked.  It was going to be a very good night.

Center Stage Opera star entertains and thrills guests at the Mural Manifesto reception.

(Photograph by Phyllis Hansen.)

Downstairs, the audience waited anxiously.  Scott Sterling set the mood with his gracious introductions and wit-filled banter.  The panel discussion itself was simply amazing.  Everyone who attended was riveted to what our panelists had to say.  Dr. Jerry became both teacher and moderator and even had the panelists nodding their heads in agreement.  I felt like I was back in college, soaking up all the knowledge.

Jerry Fecht, Ph.D. and immediate past president of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley moderated the Mural Manifesto panel.

After the discussion ended and questions from the audience had been answered, there was no doubt that they wanted more.  The crowds moved in to talk to our panelists, take photos and tidy up the loose ends of the evening

There was only one problem that night.  No one wanted to leave.  The lobby was full, spirits were high and we all walked out knowing we had made new and important friendships.

The next morning, I headed out on the Hollywood Freeway to attend ArtsDay L.A. 2013 at City Hall, sponsored by Arts For L.A. and Danielle Brazell.  I just barely made it into the council chambers on time.  It was standing room only.  I was in awe of the beautiful architecture of this room.  Tom LaBonge (District 4) was his usual jovial self and really got into the spirit of this celebration of the arts.  Councilmen Rosendahl, Huizar, Reyes, Buscaino, Koretz, Krekorian, Zine and Englander all gave wonderful speeches about what the arts mean to them.  This was all recorded by the City and I was able to relive it on TV later that evening (Channel 35).

Roger (Dolin) and I kept bumping into people we had met at the mural event, or others we had met at other functions.  We experienced this wave of friendship…this urge to want to work with these people we had just met and where we ended our short discussions with hugs.  I thought to myself, “How could it get any better than this?”

Roger and I then headed to the media presentation where we worked on specific exercises to help us focus on how to approach our councilman.  After that, we were treated to a lunch upstairs in the Tom Bradley Tower Room on the 26^th floor and a speech from Mayor Villaraigosa.

We headed down to Councilman Englander’s office and were able to speak one on one with him about the issues that concern us.  We shared this time with representatives from the Valley Performing Arts Center and Twisted Gypsy (a drumming group).  Mr. Englander gave us the low-down on the mural ordinance and how difficult it was to get to a final version.  We also talked about the Museum, SFV Arts Council and Valley Arts Alliance and how we could find a permanent location.   There was talk of creating an art based oversight committee which could report to him and he, in turn, would work with us on various projects within his district.  Another friendship forged.

Forty-eight hours to make great friends.  That’s all it takes when it concerns the arts.

LEE DAVIS MUSEUM BOARD MEMBER FROM STUDIO CITY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

LEE DAVIS

Community activist, businessman, and educator, Lee Davis chairs The Museum's Bylaws and Policies Committee. Lee and his wife Lisa Davis are strong supporters of the community of Studio City. 

VENTURA BLVD ON DAY 17

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                   2013

Today, I left Tarzana and began my trek through Encino.  Day 17 of my walk across the Valley on Ventura Boulevard. An Israeli and Persian Jewish neighborhood.

 In case you missed the address of this colorful building, it's 18018 Ventura Boulevard.

 The border between Tarzana and Encino.

 Encino - Tarzana Public Library - beautiful building - seldom open - windows are always dirty.

 I did an Internet search on this Drone poster, but couldn't find anything about it. Anybody know?

 Encino Creek adds water to the Los Angeles River, year round.

Add caption

 Looking north on White Oak Avenue toward the hills of Porter Ranch.

MURAL STAR RISES IN THE N.E. VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2013

Before moderating The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's special panel Mural Manifesto yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to check out again Levi Ponce's mile of murals in Pacoima. Levi, is a home grown talent. He holds bachelor's degree in art from California State University specializing in animation and a passion for the Valley.

At his own expense, Levi Ponce is creating a mile of murals in Pacoima.

It's well worth all of our time to drive east from where Van Nuys Boulevard heads toward San Fernando Road and Glen Oaks Boulevard, to see Levi's work first hand. It is one thing to see photographs like these, but very much another with the reality of traffic, street vendors and the smell of lunch time tacos in the air.

Levi Ponce at Mural Manifesto event at the historic Madrid Theatre, April 2013. (Photograph by Phyllis Hansen - member of The Museum Board.)  (click to enlarge image)

 Our Lady of the Valley by Levi Ponce 

Cheech Marin

"Born in East Valle"

Mural by Levi Ponce

 Everybody's favorite Frida Khalo mural by Levi Ponce - photo by Jerry Fecht

Pacoima's own actor Danny Trejo - Mural by Levi Ponce.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY FAIR 1975

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013



In 1975, the San Fernando Valley still took time each year to celebrate our agricultural roots and teach our children about our ties to the earth. Perhaps it is time for the Valley to bring our annual agricultural fair back.

 1975 Fair program - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

Members of the San Fernando Valley Historical Society pose in 19th century costume for the San Fernando Valley Fair. Seated is George Shepley who was in 1975, president of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association.

CHATSWORTH FARM 1928

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013

These images of 1928 Chatsworth were likely taken on the Schlepler ranch property. Photos are a gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2013.  (click on images to enlarge them)

 Note: farmhouse hidden in the trees to the right.

The 2013 Chatsworth's 10th Annual Day of the Horse celebration at Stoney Point Ranch

On Sunday, April 14th, the 2013 Chatsworth's 10th Annual Day of the Horse celebration at Stoney Point Ranch presented by the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council and sponsored by Councilman Mitchell Englander of CD12 was fun for the entire family.   

It was also a celebration of the City of Chatsworth's 125th birthday!  There were numerous equestrian and entertainment performances by Conejo Valley Riders, Ride with Pride, Valley Vaulters, Stoney Point Riders, Charityville Jail Western re-enactment Team, Chatsworth Park Elementary School Chorus, Jorge Valenzuela & Julia Mann & vendor from Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, Historical Society, Ride with Pride, Corral 54 Trail Trials and Jerry England, cowboy historian, amongst other booths.

The hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and soft drinks were all free provided by the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.  Children were able to create their own Stick Horses and all were winners in the contest. There was a parade of breeds that offered approximate a dozen horses. Visitors could walk around and view and talk to all of the horses in various stalls all with a beautiful backdrop of Stoney Point.