KIWANIS CLUB MEETING IN SAN FERNANDO ELKS TEMPLE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

Today, I was the guest speaker on behalf of The Museum Community at the San Fernando (city) Kiwanis Club. The food was homemade and terrific, and the hospitality warm and friendly. I discussed how great museums, like the Olympic Games demonstrate a region or city's power, and the ability to accomplish great things.

The Elks Temple of San Fernando was established in 1927, and built this structure in 1931. The historic facility is located at 804 Pico Street in San Fernando.

 The Kiwanis Club of San Fernando prepares for its weekly meeting in the Elks Temple facility.

Detail of large wall tapestry in the Elks Temple in San Fernando. The great American character actor Andy Divine was once the 16th Exalted Ruler of the San Fernando Elks.

1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games memorabilia among the treasures of the San Fernando Elks Temple. In the center is one of the relay torches that carried the flame across America.

Ceramic souvenirs bearing symbols of the Elks Lodge.

 

Entrance Hall of the San Fernando Elks Temple.

THREE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY      2011                           230 Images of Los Angeles (223-222-221)

With the increased arrival of artifacts, books and photographs for The Museum's archives, the need for a workspace is more and more apparent. Today, for example many new treasures arrived from The Museum's commitment to the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Van Nuys. Volunteers are champing to get started on many important Museum Community projects, and a physical workspace for them has become paramount in importance.
Liane Schirmer, Chair of the Museum's Committee to help out with the 230th Birthday of Los Angeles, regularly reminds me that we promised 230 images of the City on this blogsite before the all city celebration in September.
Here are three snapshots that I took of the 1984 Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. They are part of The Museum's Olympic Games collection.

 A crowd heads toward the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum through Exposition Park in 1984.

 Just as their religious ancestors did in ancient Greek and Roman sporting events, these Christians sought converts among visitors to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. No, that is not a flying saucer over the trees, but the Goodyear blimp.  (click on images to enlarge)

From our seats in the Memorial Coliseum, we saw the flags of the United States and Finland raised after a wonderful track and field event.

A SMALL TRIBUTE TO THE LIVES OF CATHERINE ANN AND LUVERNE OLSON

Sixty one years ago Catherine Olson and her husband LuVerne moved to Tarzana, California. She and her husband were remarkable people, not because they won important prizes or amassed an impressive fortune. Catherine’s and LuVerne’s real importance came from the steady and positive influences they made on the lives of those of us who shared their San Fernando Valley.

Catherine Olson died in Tarzana just as the year 2010 was coming to an end. Her final days came not far from the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, where she worked for many years. Over the years, Catherine attended to the needs of her three children, and made time to volunteer for their school’s PTA and many other activities. Catherine donated her time for the Encino-Tarzana Library, the American Red Cross and the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. She especially cared about the Special Olympics and was a volunteer for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

LuVerne and Catherine were original parishioners for Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church in Encino. It was in this church that many of us first learned about LuVerne’s relentless efforts to glean fields and to help feed the poor and homeless in our city. Catherine and LuVerne Olson’s lives enriched us all. The January meeting of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will be dedicated to their generous spirits and memory. 

 Medallion gift to Catherine Olson for her volunteer services to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010 from her daughter Mary Olson-Friedman in Catherine's memory.

ERNIE BANKS - 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Item by item, The Museum's collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the two Los Angeles based Olympic Games continues to grow. Here the great American athlete Ernie Banks poses with his wife Bernie, Jeanne Valvo (the chairperson for the silent auction) and Jerry and T.J. Berns, stop for a publicity photo during one of the many events surrounding the 1984 Games. (click on image to enlarge)
Photograph donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in October of 2010 by Jerry Berns of Woodland Hills. 

If you or a friend has memorabilia from the Olympic Games, especially items related to the San Fernando Valley, please consider donating them to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.  1 - (818) 347-9665

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

1932 Olympic Games Poster - reproduced as a postcard for 1984 Games - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht 2010.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley actively collects artifacts and information about the Olympic Games of 1932 and 1984, held in Los Angeles. We also seek and archive information about the training and achievements of Olympians of the San Fernando Valley.

Support your Museum's Olympics Collections:

Museum of the San Fernando Valley 1 (818) 347-9665
21031 Ventura Boulevard Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

OLYMPIC TORCH IN NORTHRIDGE 1984

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures Northridge100
The Olympic Torch Run - 1984 - Photo gift to the Northridge100 celebration from Art Jacobs - The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - (click on image to enlarge)
Olympic torch runners approach the corner of Roscoe Boulevard and Melvin Avenue in Northridge, California. The Olympic torch was lighted at Olympica in Greece, and relayed across the entire United States before its arrival in Los Angeles County.
The Olympic Torch Run - 1984 - Photo gift to the Northridge100 celebration from Art Jacobs - The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - (click on image to enlarge) Huge crowds gathered throughout the city as the Olympic torch was carried to its final destination in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Torches became community souvenirs, one of which is in the lobby at the Airtel Hotel by the Van Nuys Airport.
The Olympic Torch Run - 1984 - Detail of Photo gift to the Northridge100 celebration from Art Jacobs - The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - (click on image to enlarge)

The Olympic Torch Run - 1984 - Photo gift to the Northridge100 celebration from Art Jacobs - The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - (click on image to enlarge)

Do you know the names of these two runners? Give your Museum a call at 1 (818) 347-9665, or include their names in the comment section of this posting.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has a significant collection of 1984 Olympic Games memorabilia. We add items and images on a regular basis. These great photos from Art Jacobs are a great addition to the Olympics Experience in the Valley.