Joe Weider dies at 93; bodybuilding pioneer and publisher

WOODLAND HILLS, CA - Joe Weider, a true pioneer in the field of bodybuilding who created a multimillion-dollar fitness publishing empire and mentored a young Arnold Schwarzenegger died on March 23^rd at the age of 93.

(photo credit: Los Angeles Times)

He was an entrepreneur and promoter with a rags-to-riches story. He revolutionized the sport worldwide  and created publications such as Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Men's Fitness and Shape.

"When you push yourself to the limit in the gym, you begin to get feelings of vigor and power and self-esteem," he told a visitor in 1989, as quoted in the New York Times. "Body builders don't walk on their powerful legs — they float. They actually feel a little sorry for the average person, struggling to feel worthwhile, wasting his vitality, watching his body deteriorate."

Schwarzenegger mourned the loss of a man he called a father figure. “Weider was the godfather of fitness who told all of us to ‘be somebody with a body,’ and that through hard work and training we could all be champions."

Read entire article by Rebecca Trounson, Los Angeles Times by clicking HERE

Al Martinez writes his last column, says goodbye

Woodland Hills, CA –Thanks to Al Martinez for all of his wit, wisdom, humor and writing ability over the years. His columns and stories will be missed.

In his own words:

It is because this is my last day as a columnist for the Daily News and perhaps the last day of the me that has written columns for three different newspapers over the last four decades. I have been a journalist since 1952 after a tour of duty with the Marines in Korea. I decided at the outset that feature or column writing would be my goal because they offered opportunities to display one's writing abilities. News stories, by the demands of form and content, were limiting. I wanted no restraints.

I'll miss it terribly and I'll miss you, but I'll be all right. Just a little lonely, that's all, without the me that used to be me.

To read his last column, please click HERE.

TARZANA FIRE STATION 93

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

Fire Station 93 -  Speaking for itself. (click on images to enlarge them)

"He Gave His Life In The Line Of Duty."

BIG READ MONTH DECLARED BY MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

Museum of the San Fernando Valley Board Members, Kristine Kelller (left) and Willard Simms greet the first Poet Laureate of Los Angeles Elizabeth Klein Healy at the kickoff of the city's month of the Big Read.
      Sponsored by the National Endowment of the Arts, the Big Read literacy program celebrates its fifth year with the nation-wide reading of The Thief and The Dogs by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz, a world famous author from Egypt.
      Kristine Keller, a graduate student of anthropology at California State University Northridge is the Chair of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Big Read Middle Eastern marketplace and cultural celebration to be held at the Rancho Cordillera del Norte on Sunday May 19th.
      Elizabeth Klein Healty, a resident of Sherman Oaks and a graduate of California State University Northridge, will serve two years as the distinguished first Poet Laureate of the city.
Willard Simms, an accomplished playwright and poet, is the chair of The Museum's Education and
Oral Histories Committees.

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN BEGINS FARMING IN THE VALLEY IN 1919

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

In the mid 1980s, prominent San Fernando Valley realtor, Jerry Berns wrote regularly on the History of the Valley for the Daily News. On August 19, 1984 Jerry wrote:

EGANS RECALL EARLY YEARS IN VALLEY

     "the response from our readers to this weekly column covering the history of the San Fernando Valley has been wonderful.Long time residents of the area have many varied stories that they are anxious to share. We certainly encourage this response and hope that stories such as this one will continue to intrigue readers and unravel other hidden memories. We enjoy hearing from all of you."

"One couple who recently offered to tell of their past experiences in the is Frankie and and Eddie Egan."

      "in the early 1900s, the San Fernando Valley presented itself as a long of economic promise. Its climate afforded a comfortable place to live and work. Like so many others, their ancestors settled in the Valley in the hopes of fulfilling their dreams and aspirations."

      "Eddie Egan's journey to the Southland started with his family back in Armenia where his grandfather's land produced pistachio nuts. When relatives in New York sent for the family, it was to be the beginning of the journey. The first stop was in Italy and then on to New York, a temporary lay-over they could reach other family members already living in Pasadena, circa 1913."

"Egan and his family settled in Los Angeles until they moved to Van Nuys around 1919. It was here that he attended Van Nuys Elementary School. Tjhe family purchased 15 acres of land on Sherman Way and Haskell Avenue. Today, the post office is located on the property."

 "On 15 acres of land on Sherman Way at Haskell Avenue in the early 1900s was the Egan Ranch.  Photographed just after World War I, which was planted with walnut trees, vegetables and fruit."
(click on image to enlarge it.) 

     "They (the Egans) were among the first land owners to plant walnut trees, which require 10 to 12 years to fully mature. The land on Sherman Way was a choice site and top dollar was paid for it. Sherman Way was already a divided roadway with trees growing up and down the street. The big red cars soon took commuters to work downtown."

      " The Egan Ranch was a truck farm. They raised eggplants, tomatoes, string beans, grapes, figs and pomegranates. The produce was loaded on a Model T. Ford and driven to town to the Grand Central Farmers Market, where it was sold. The route to the market followed Cahuenga Pass."

"Egan attended Van Nuys High School where he was a yell leader, cheering on the school teams. HJe got to school on horseback and later by bicycle. To earn extra money as a youngster, as a caddie to several movie stars of the time at the Hollywood Golf Course. Located at Ventura Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Avenue, the clubhouse was situated where Harvard School is today."

      "The Egan's are an example of one family family who came to Southern California bringing with them their old country heritage. They, along with so many other families of different national backgrounds, have helped make the San Fernando Valley a region rich in cultural heritage."

"Jerry Berns, president of Jerry Berns and Associates, has been a long time supporter of the renovation and restoration of historical properties."