PHIL'S DINER READY FOR A NEW PAD

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Only two weeks away from its big move, historic Phil's Diner spends its last days waiting for transfer to its new foundation pad at the entrance to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood.

 Gary Fredburg, Vice President of The Museum follows Casey Hallenbeck to the front of historic Phil's Diner. Casey is restoring the grand old diner to its rightful status as the last of the great stand alone diners in California. (click on image to enlarge)

 Casey Hallenbeck (left) and Gary Fredburg lay plans for The Museum to spread the word about the restoration of Phil's Diner. Gary arranged for the diner to display the autographed album cover of "Phil's Diner" by the great Phil Everly (onetime member of the famous Everly Brothers singing duo).

 New and old, Phil's Diner will have a state of the art preparation facility to serve customers in the historic dining space. Gary Fredburg stands on part of the foundation pad where the Diner will stand.

Phil's Diner will be moved just beyond the saw horses in the foreground of this photo. These pictures were taken for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2010.

THANKS TO CASEY & MELISSA HALLENBECK FROM THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY

If we could give a special award for vision and personal courage, it would be to Melissa and Casey Hallenbeck for their determination to save and resurrect California's oldest historic diner in North Hollywood. Here Casey and Melissa are shown at a November 24th reception by the USC Credit Union honoring their plans.
To add some fun to the occasion, Gary Fredburg, Secretary of the Museum's Board of Directors, secured this vintage recording by Phil Everly called "Phil's Diner." The original Phil's Diner is seen in the background of the album cover. After finding the album, Gary had it autographed for Casey and Melissa by Phil Everly. The Grand Opening of Phil's Diner is scheduled for April 10th.

Note: Folks who join us this Saturday at 10 am at the Amelia Earhart statue in North Hollywood Park, we get to see where Phil's Diner will come to life in April.

A great Museum of history and culture is growing in the San Fernando Valley.

FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT PHIL'S DINER

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Several of you have asked The Museum about Phil's Diner, and how to track its progress.
Here's Casey Hallenbeck's great new website:

http://www.philsdinernoho.com/id29.html


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

PHILADELPHIA ARTIST MAKES PHIL'S DINER MODEL

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Phil Juska has just completed a terrific model of the San Fernando Valley’s treasure, Phil’s Diner. The model is 1:24 scale, 1/2 inch per foot. It's 15 inches long and 6 inches deep. The body and roof come off for viewing.


Marilyn Monroe plays the role of counter-girl. She serves coffee to the ultimate biker, Marlon Brando




Valley hero Casey Hallenbeck reads a "trade" while playing the role of chief cook and bottle washer at Phil's Diner



Here’s what the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania model maker has to say about his effort:
“I've finally finished my model of Phil's Diner in No. Hollywood. I'm sending along some pictures in a few emails. The waitress behind the counter is Marilyn Monroe, who grew up about 10 minutes from Phil's. I read online that Marlon Brando used to eat there, so I put him at the counter as his character from The Wild One, complete with his classic motorcycle cap and his gang's "skull and crossed pistons" logo on his leather jacket.”

“Since an episode of The X Files was filmed there, I put Scully and Mulder at one of the tables and the "Smoking Man" lurking in the kitchen window.

The cook at the end of the counter, reading Variety, by the way, is the current owner, Casey Hallenbeck. Everything in the model (except for the overhead lights, the coffee mugs and the food) is made from scratch. The sign lights up and the front and side pocket doors actually work.
Thought you'd enjoy seeing it.”
Phil Juska Philadelphia PA


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

WE NEED A VICTORY! SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF PHIL'S DINER TODAY.

I don't know about you, but my morale could really use a victory about now. Last year the oldest house in Van Nuys went the way of a wrecking ball, the Valley Music Center was demolished for multi-use construction that never got beyond destroying an important Valley landmark, the moving of the historic Weddington House from a development sight into North Hollywood Park appears to be stalled indefinitely........ etc. etc.
Now is the time to win one for future generations, and for ourselves. Casey Hallenbeck has been working to preserve and bring back to life the "oldest dining car" in California. The plans are ready and awaiting the city's approval. Then the hurdle of getting the loans to restore historic Phil's Diner in the No Ho Arts District are next.
Let's step forward to get Phil's Diner back into our lives!

Want to add your voice to the preservation and restoration of Phil's Diner?
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's telephone is 1 (818) 347-9665.

PHIL'S DINER UNDER RESTORATION IN THE NO HO BY CASEY HALLENBECK

2009 - The Year of Valley History

- Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht July 2009 (click on image to enlarge) Model of Restored Diner - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht July 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Phil's Diner Awaiting Restoration - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht July 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Casey Hallenbeck Restores Phil's Diner - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht July 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Here’s some good news for those in the Museum Community who have been asking questions about the whereabouts of Phil’s Diner, the oldest railroad style diner lest in California. First, the heroic old eatery has not been “quietly destroyed” as has been rumored. And, second, the cherished diner is awaiting a full restoration in a secured and well protected area just in front of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on Lakershim Boulevard just north of Magnolia.
Owner Casey Hallenbeck, better known for his exciting film sets, including such works as The Firm and Conspiracy Theory, has enlisted The Museum of the San Fernando Valley to discover vintage images and photographs capturing the bygone era of Valley agriculture.
Check this blog’s postings from time to time as we relate progress to open Phil’s Diner in the heart of the NoHo Arts District.

If you can share images of early San Fernando Valley agriculture, please contact your Museum soon.
Telephone: 1 (818) 347-9665
E-mail: msfv@gmail.com

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