TODAY IS THE BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY and Jerry's too

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES
The sacred colors of Buddhism - flag at Wat Thai - photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010
Elephants a Major Buddhist Symbol - Wat Thai - photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010
The Buddha in Meditation - Wat Thai - photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010
The Buddha Afire - Wat Thai - photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010

A Fat Buddha Wat Thai - photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010
I always try to spend a little time with the Buddha on his birthday. Today I went to Wat Thai in North Hollywood, a place of special serenity. Monks and lay people were busy setting up Spring festival structures for this coming weekend.
Drive north on Coldwater Canyon (where the Hollywood Freeway' Roscoe Boulevard offramp meet) 8225 Coldwater open everyday from 7 am until 8 pm.
ps - It's my birthday too. Jerry

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AND CONSERVATION ISSUES

2010 -- THE YEAR OF VALLEY HISTORY
The Final Hours of Historic Whitsett House - Photo by Andy Hurvitz (Here In Van Nuys)
Generally history is lost by accident, neglect or misunderstanding. Unfortunately sometimes historical treasures are destroyed from the sad motive of just making-a-quick-buck. Your Museum Community respects many needs for change, sometimes at the expense of losing a building or site for unalterable reasons, but when historic structures or artifacts are at stake serious deliberation is needed.
Not every thing that is old has historic value. In some cases, the best interests of the public require that a dangerous building be removed. On the other hand, some structures are one of a kind examples of architecture or have major historical importance and simply must be preserved!
For the aforementioned reasons, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has a Board-level Conservation Committee. This committee maintains an emergency contact list to immediately notify individuals and organizations who have a stake in historic preservation. We closely monitor the activities of the Los Angeles Conservancy and other organizations whose focus is on vital issues in preservation.

If you wish to add your name and contact information to The Museum's Conservation list, please contact us today: 1 (818) 347-9665

JEWISH WAR VETERANS IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

One of the most important young artists living and working in the San Fernando Valley is Andy Hurvitz. Those of us who have been watching the HBO series "Pacific" will be especially moved by Andy's photographs of a Seder dinner held by the Jewish War Veterans, Post 603. Capturing the present and making bridges to the past is an essential part of being human. Thank you Andy.
Visit Andy Hurvitz's blog Here In Van Nuys, it's terrific! http://hereinvannuys.com

Here's the link to photos of the Jewish War Veterans by Andy.
http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/2010/04/jewish-war-veterans-in-san-fernando.html

GIL' S MUFFLER SHOP PART OF NORTHRIDGE HISTORY

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES NORTHRIDGE100

Future home of Gil’s Muffler Shop 1954 – Photo donated to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gil Schirmester 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil Schirmester (81) in front of old photo's in his shop.
Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil and Dale Schirmester - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)

Gil's Muffler Shop sign - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
A note from Art Jacobs about Gil’s Muffler Shop:
“Gil’s Muffler shop has been specializing in exhaust systems for the past 55 years. Its owner, Gil Schirmester moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1946. He opened up shop in 1953 in Reseda, California until he moved in 1955, to his current Northridge location at 18437 Roscoe Boulevard.
Gil who is 81 and retired remembers when he opened the Roscoe location. He said, “Northridge Hospital wasn’t across the street, just bean and tomato fields.” His son Dale, started working for his dad in 1977 and currently operates the family business. In fact, many Schirmester family memories are captured through old photo’s hanging on the walls.
Dale also recalls Northridge’s early agriculture days. He used to ride his bike through orange groves, which is now the location of the Northridge Fashion Center.
Thanks Gil and Dale for allowing us into your shop and reflecting on the Good Ole Days,” Art Jacobs

A note from Jerry
Because, until now, there was no Museum of history and culture for the whole San Fernando Valley, much of our history is lost every day. Our endangered history is, for the most part tucked away in storage units, in garages, and if we are lucky on the walls of our businesses and schools. The Museum Community believes that small businesses like Gil's Muffler Shop in Northridge ultimately constitute a lion's share of Valley history. We will use this blog, and our new website, to relate the important role of small business and encourage the public to understand and share this history with us.

GIL SCHIMESTER'S PRICELESS CARS 1949

2010 -- THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES -- NORTHRIDGE100
Gil Schimester 1939 Fords - donated to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Dale Schimester 2010 (refer to photo 1515) (click on image to enlarge)
In our effort to discover historical photographs of Northridge, Porter Ranch and historic Zelzah for its 100th anniversary, our contributor Art Jacobs encouraged long time Northridge merchant, Dale Schimester to share this priceless photograph taken in front of the auditorium of Canoga Park High School in 1949. Dale is standing next to his two restored 1939 Ford automobiles

Jerry's note: Because most Vally residents have lived, gone to school and worked in many of our communities, their photographs reveal stories about places other than where they might work today. This great image of Dale Schimester is a part to many puzzles: life in the post WWII Valley, the Valley's "car culture", and what it was like to be a student at Canoga Park High School in 1949.
Share you part in San Fernando Valley history today. Call 1 (818) 347-9665