WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY IN 2012

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY IN 2012

The restoration of historic Lankershim Station in North Hollywood is your Museum Community's wish for 2012.  Isn't it high time that the money set aside years ago be used to get this treasure of the San Fernando Valley opened again?

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge speaks of Lankershim Station as a natural "anchor" for the North Hollywood Historic District.  Tom thinks that a retired steam engine would create a real center of interest for the site. The Museum Community agrees.

Situated directly across from the NoHo Red Line and Orange Line stations, Lankershim Station is an ideal landmark for the eastern Valley. And... the property has room for the historic Weddington House as well. Let's get the Station restoration going in 2012!

VIEW FROM MT. HOLLYWOOD IN 1925

2010 - The Year of Valley Adventures
On the Peak of Mt. Hollywood 1925 - photo gift to The Museum by Gary Fredburg 2010 - refer to image 1403
While your Museum is still very much in our formation stage, we are careful to proceed with the archiving of incoming artifacts, such as photographs, and start an on-going process of alerting other museums, academic agencies and organizations of materials that might be of value in their mission. It is the goal of The Museum to encourage an inventory of all historic artifacts in the greater San Fernando Valley.
A shared inventory of records and artifacts will serve the presentation of exhibits, foster scholarship on San Fernando Valley topics, and help to identify lost or stolen objects. As your Museum grows, we shall take on more and more of these professional responsibilities.
Right now, with limited office space and just a few volunteers, this is hard work, and a labor of love.
This image inscribed "On the Peak of Mt. Hollywood" was among many photos and artifacts donated to The Museum by our Board Secretary Gary Fredburg. It is stamped "R. W. Whelan" It was scanned and copies sent to Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who is working diligently to save the land around the priceless old Hollywood sign and include the area into Griffith Park. A copy of the photograph was also sent to the Hollywood Heritage Museum.

RANDAL SIMMONS PARK DEDICATED IN THE WEST VALLEY

Councilman Tom LaBonge sent this story about the dedication of
Randal D. Simmons Park in Reseda.
Officer Simmons was a 20-year veteran of the LAPD’s elite SWAT team, and was killed in the line of duty in
February 2008. He was remembered by the assembled as a loving father,
husband, and friend. Councilmember LaBonge personally knew Officer Simmons to be an outstanding public servant and a pillar of the community. Photos from the event are online at:
http://www.tomlabonge.com/

CELEBRATING AT CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
Mexican Dancer performing at the historic re-enactment at Campo de Cahuenga - Nov. 2009 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Michael Stevens.

Make 2010 the year you get involved in preserving Valley history and culture. 1 (818) 347-9665

BICYCLES PLAY A BIG ROLE IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Bert Holiway - Photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Dave High - July 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

When your Museum received Los Angeles City Councilman, Tom LaBonge’s newsletter today, I thought it would be fun to introduce his comments with this photograph of Bert Holiway and his bicycle.
Your Museum is hoping that one of you bicycle fans out there will be able to help us identify the year that Bert Holiway posed for this photograph in Los Angeles. Refer to photograph HC-14
One thing is for sure, Bert isn't an AIDS Lifecycle rider, because he isn't wearing a helmet!

Now for Tom LaBonge’s message:
“This is a great time of year for riding bikes in the city and the Department of Transportation has installed 285 new bike racks in Los Angeles. Councilmember LaBonge worked to have some placed in the Fourth District, including in Larchmont, Studio City and Hollywood. If you're interested in more information: http://ladot.lacity.org/pdf/PDF163.pdf
You can subscribe to Tom’s on line newsletter through:
LaBonge.News@lacity.org

In the fall, Councilman LaBonge will once again be leading one of his famous bike rides through his district in the San Fernando Valley. We'll let you know when to get ready for it, via this blog.

Bicycles are a big part of San Fernando Valley history. Want to be a part of preserving and displaying bicycle history? Call your Museum today at: 1 (818) 347-0665

BIG TURNOUT FOR SHIRE SCULPTURE LIGHTING IN THE NOHO

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge presents sculptor Peter Shire with commendation at the lighting of his NoHo Arts District arch - 2009 - Photo in the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)
Board Members of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley chat at the lighting of Peter Shire's sculpture arch. In red shirt is Richard Hilton (Director of Museum Tours) and Gary Fredburg (Secretary of The Museum's Board)
Gerald Fecht (President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley) and Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge share the excitement of the NoHo Arts District's continuing success. Seated are Bruce Akerman (Economic Alliance and CRA) Alice Roth and Peter Shire
Crowd at the Shire Sculpture lighting.

150th ANNIVERSARY OF BUTTERFIELD STAGE - A HUGE VALLEY SUCCESS

Harris Stage Arrives at Campo de Cahuenga - Oct. 19 -2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Los Angeles City Council Members Wendy Gruell and Tom LaBonge open celebration of the Butterfield Stage - Photo by Gerald Fecht - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Stage Coach heads down El Camino Real 2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!
For the first time in generations, a great mule driven stage coach left El Campo de Cahuenga down El Camino Real (Ventura Boulevard) on Sunday October 19th, 2008. The event was a great success.