Historic Home Tour in Oxnard: Sunday, Sept. 27

From the Oxnard Autumn Historic Home Tour...

For Immediate Release
Public Contact: Oxnard CVB, 805-385-7545 or 1-800-269-6273;
web: www.visitoxnard.com

Oxnard’s Historic & Cultural Side is Highlighted during the Annual Oxnard Autumn Historic Home Tour... New Trolley Tour Packages are Offered

Oxnard, Calif. – Oxnard is best known for its beautiful beaches, agricultural riches and varied museums. But, Oxnard also has a historic and cultural side that is highlighted every year during the Oxnard Autumn Historic Home Tour, scheduled Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Visitors can step back in time and visit the unique collection of early 20th century homes within the Henry T. Oxnard National Register Historic District. The event features docent-led tours of five distinctive homes, guest speakers, demonstrations, plus a Vendor Market Faire featuring antiques, collectibles, plants and art in a garden boutique environment. The “Topa Topa Flywheelers” will also display their vintage tractors along the tour route in addition to classic cars from local car clubs. And, this year a new, exciting element has been added – Trolley Tour Packages.

To participate in the Trolley Tour Package, individuals may either drive or take Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train (No. 763), which departs Los Angeles Union Station at 9:05 a.m. The train arrives into Oxnard’s Transportation Center at 10:40 a.m. where visitors will catch the trolley at 10:50 a.m. For those arriving by car, the trolley is available for pick-up at the California Welcome Center (CWC), 1000 Town Center Drive, Suite 135 in Oxnard at two departure times (10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.).

The Trolley Tour Package itinerary includes a two-hour stop at the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District where individuals can tour up to five historic homes and visit the Vendor Marketplace before boarding the trolley for the next stop. The second stop includes a visit to historic Heritage Square where individuals will enjoy a prepared lunch al fresco catered by La Dolce Vita Restaurant and wine tasting at Rancho Ventavo Cellars. Guests can learn about Oxnard’s history provided by a Heritage Square docent and stroll the beautiful gardens before boarding the trolley back to the designated departure points.

Homeowners, Barbara and Mary Kay Hartley who own a Victorian home at 235 South E Street, are participating in the Autumn Home Tours for the first time this year. “We are looking forward to being part of this historic event,” stated Barbara Hartley. “Our home is currently undergoing renovation with a goal of restoring it to its original design,” she added. The Hartley’s home was built between 1903 and 1906 and originally owned by Jacob Walter Rose, who worked in Oxnard’s Sugar Beet Factory, which was the foundation of Oxnard’s early beginnings.

Laurie Chacon, owner of 235 South E Street, is also a first-time participant on the Autumn Home Tour. She is part of a third generation family with her parents and grandparents also residing along “F” Street. With her father’s help, she is restoring her 1910 Craftsman home into its original design. “I grew up in this neighborhood and it’s fun to participate in such a great event that showcases Oxnard’s wonderful historic assets,” stated Chacon.

The cost for the Trolley Tour Package is $45 per person in advance, and $50 at the door (California Welcome Center departures only). The package includes the trolley, home tour and lunch – (Amtrak rate is not included – Amtrak reservations can be made by calling 1-800-872-7245 or online at www.amtrak.com).

Visitors can also tour the Historic District on their own. General admission for the home-only tour is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event. Tickets purchased on the day of the event can be obtained at the CWC or Carnegie Art Museum at 424 South “C” Street starting at 10 a.m. Advanced reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 805-988-0717 or 1-800-269-6273.

Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, open agricultural fields and explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. For overnight stays, a wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. A list of accommodations and Oxnard visitor information can be found on the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.visitoxnard.com

Free Tours of the Million Dollar and Morosco (Club 740) Theatres

From the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation...

Saturday, 9/26, - Free Tours of the Million Dollar and Morosco (Club 740) Theatres
Broadway Theatre History Review

Program begins at 11 am, Million Dollar Theatre (3rd & Broadway)
presented by the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation (www.lahtf.org) celebrates the first year of our popular All About… theatre docu-tours on Saturday, September 26, 11am, at the Million Dollar Theatre at 3rd & Broadway. Admission is free and the public is invited.

On the Big Screen, Theatre historian Ed Kelsey will present highlights from the PowerPoint theatre histories he created so artfully for our stops over the past 12 months at the Orpheum, Million Dollar, Los Angeles, Palace, Globe/Morosco, Rialto, Tower, Mayan and Belasco. Comprehensive projection booth-to-backstage-to-basement walking tours of the Globe/Morosco and Million Dollar will round out the event.

The All About Anniversary Tour provides an opportunity to re-visit two popular but seldom seen historic theatres and give newcomers who missed earlier All Abouts… a chance to “catch-up”. Future All About… tours are set for October 17 and November 21.

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and sustaining the operation of Southern California’s historic theatres. For additional information, visit our website at www.lahtf.org .

LA Valley College Museum Open House

From the LAVC Historical Museum...

Dear LAVC Friends,

Please join us for refreshments at the LAVC Historical Museum Open House on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 2 pm. Exhibits are also availble for viewing including the Voices of Valley Veterans (sponsored by the California Council for the Humanities), Thirsty Valley (sponsored by the Metroplitan Water District), and Mr. Whitsett's Office. Please RSVP to (818) 947-2373 or carpenb@lavc.edu.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Free Admission
Location: Bungalow 15 & 16 adjacent to Burbank Blvd.
(see attached link of Valley College Map)
Parking: Available on Lot H

Please RSVP to Bill Carpenter at (818) 947-2373 or email at carpenb@lavc.edu

Free Non-Profit Trainings

CAPACITY BUILDS L.A.
2009 Fall Series

The L.A. Community Development Department is offering free classes for non-profits in or serving the City of Los Angeles. From their site:

You are invited to participate in a FREE training series created to instruct individuals starting a non-profit, and to enhance the effectiveness of existing non-profits, including faith-based. The invitees to the series are those whose intent and services are to enhance the lives of poor and low to moderate income children, youth and families living in the City of Los Angeles.

Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Food/Refreshments provided.

They offer two tracks of topics, but you don't need to attend all of the classes. On Fridays, they office Specialty Topics from 9am to 12pm and on Thursdays, the offer Basic Series from 9am to 4:30pm.

Click on the above titles for the topic details, dates, locations, and registration information, or contact David Thompson at David.L.Thompson@lacity.org or 213-744-7140.

"The Sixties Turn Fifty" Kicks Off Sept. 30 with Free Panel Discussion

In 2010, buildings from the 1960s will start reaching the ripe old age of fifty -- an important milestone for their preservation. To celebrate, the Los Angeles Conservancy is launching a nine-month series of events and activities showcasing greater L.A.'s rich legacy of sixties architecture.

Help us kick off this exciting program with a free panel discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities of preserving 1960s architecture. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7)
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Building (1965)
111 N. Hope Street, downtown Los Angeles, 90012
Light reception to follow
Free; reservations required -- click here for details and reservations

If your nonprofit organization is holding any events featuring the 1960s between September 2009 and June 2010, please let us know! We'd be glad to help promote it as part of the "Sixties Turn Fifty" program. Send your information to Cindy Olnick at the Los Angeles Conservancy - colnick@laconservancy.org, (213) 623-2489.

Update on the L.A. City Cultural Heritage Ordinance

On September 10, 2009, the L.A. City Planning Commission voted on the proposed amendments to the City's Cultural Heritage Ordinance. (This is the ordinance that guides historic landmark designations and protections in the City of Los Angeles and was first adopted in 1962.)

Below is the email from Ken Bernstein, Manager of the Office of Historic Resources in the City of Los Angeles Planning Department, regarding what actually took place, the outcomes, and the next steps in this process.

****

September 10, 2009

Today, the City Planning Commission voted 7-1 to approve the staff recommendation on the proposed amendments to the Cultural Heritage Ordinance.

Most of the discussion focused on the review of interior spaces in Historic-Cultural Monuments. The Commission supported the staff recommendation, which emerged from meetings of a Working Group on Interiors, to go back to the status quo on interior review. Under this proposal, all interior permits would continue to be referred to the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Office of Historic Resources for review, as has occurred since 1962. As in the current ordinance, the CHC could not deny approval of interior work altogether: it could only object to the issuance of the permit for no more than 180 days, with a possible 180-day extension of the objection period upon approval of the City Council.

We felt that this compromise lessened any potential burden on property owners, while still protecting Monuments whose significant interiors are often inseparable from the building's overall architectural significance. The new ordinance would require that exterior work, additions, or new construction be subject to a "Certificate of Appropriateness" that could be denied. The ordinance version approved today also maintains our staff recommendation to enhance protections for historic properties by giving the Cultural Heritage Commission the power to deny demolition requests for
Monuments.

Next, the ordinance will go to the City Attorney for review and possible refinement. The City Planning Commission also voted to request that the City Attorney and Department of City Planning staff review and refine how the Cultural Heritage Ordinance provisions will interact with requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Because these reviews may take a few months, we anticipate that the ordinance may not proceed to the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee and City Council for final approval until early 2010.

Ken Bernstein

Funding for Museums from MetLife

MetLife Foundation is offering grants to art museums, and many heritage museums could fall into that category. Additionally, by establishing partnerships or collaborations with other art institutions, there may be an opportunity for funding. Take a look and see what you can do in the next month; the deadline is October 9, 2009.

from their site:

Museums are a vibrant force in our communities. They play an important role in helping people experience and understand our world and in educating individuals of all ages. Recognizing the important contributions and educational value of museums, MetLife Foundation has awarded grants totaling over $25 million in recent years to museums across the country.

MetLife Foundation created the Museum and Community Connections program in 2007 with the objective of strengthening communities, broadening programming and promoting museums as centers of education without boundaries. The program has awarded $2 million in grants during the 2007 and 2008 funding cycles.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
In 2009, under Museum and Community Connections, MetLife Foundation expects to award grants totaling $1 million. The purpose of the program is to encourage art museums to reach out to large numbers of people of all ages and backgrounds through imaginative programs and/or exhibits that help us understand and appreciate each other and our world.

This Weekend! Historic L.A. Scavenger Hunt

The Los Angeles Conservancy and Out of the Box Events team up this weekend for the first in a series of scavenger hunts exploring the historic areas of greater Los Angeles. Join us this Saturday, September 12 for The Secrets of San Pedro, to explore the history and stories behind this great community on the coast.

Participants will work in groups of two to six, with maps of the area and a list of clues to solve. Teams will walk around the neighborhood, collecting answers by the deadline. Each correct answer will earn points, with bonus points awarded for creativity and prizes for the winning team!

This is a great chance to get out in the community, learn more about one of our great historic neighborhoods, and benefit a good cause. We hope to see you there!

"The Secrets of San Pedro" Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, September 12
2 - 5 p.m.
$30 general public; $25 for L.A. Conservancy members
For reservations, call 323-799-1374

Happy hunting!

Pasadena Museum of History Fall Events

From the Pasadena Museum of History...

Calendar of Events: Fall 2009

470 W. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103; Free Parking.
Information/Reservations: 626.577.1660, ext. 10, or at www.pasadenahistory.org.


EXHIBITION

FAMILY STORIES: SHARING A COMMUNITY’S LEGACY
Six longtime Pasadena families share their personal, multi-generational chronicles in Pasadena Museum of History’s groundbreaking exhibition, Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy. The stories of the Duncan, Gertmenian, Lowe, Stevenson, Kawai, and Mejia families will help the Museum shed light on the experiences of our African-American, Armenian-American, Chinese-American, Euro-American, Japanese-American, and Latino communities, respectively.
Hours:12:00 - 5:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays through January 10, 2010 at Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena 91103.
Admission: $5 General, $4 Seniors & Students (with I.D.), free to Museum members and children under 12. For additional information, please visit www.pasadenahistory.org or call 626-577-1660, ext. 10.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

ONE OF A KIND HATS - SHOW & TELL
Sunday, September 20, 2 pm

The Museum’s Textile Arts Council presents the first of several fall programs highlighting textile traditions of the ethnic communities featured in our current exhibition Family Stories. Join Sonja Robinson and her daughter Meeka Robinson-Davis as they share the one-of-a-kind hats they have created for the play “Crowns” and for celebrity clients including Patti LaBelle, Tyra Banks, and Vivica Fox. Their designs have been featured in the L.A. Times and Elegant Bride.
Tickets: Textile Arts Council Members $5; Museum Members $10; Non-Members $15. Reservations suggested, 626-577-1660, ext. 10.

LECTURE AND BOOKSIGNING WITH VINCENZA SCARPACI
Thursday, September 24, 7:30 pm; Galleries open at 6:30 PM

Dr. Vincenza Scarpaci will guide us through her book The Journey of Italians in America, a photographic approach towards unraveling the history and legacy of Italians in America. Since the beginning of the new Republic, millions have immigrated to the United States, bringing with them a distinct set of beliefs, traditions, and customs. In conjunction with our exhibition Family Stories, the Museum is exploring the contributions of various groups to our unique American experience.
Tickets: Museum Members Free; Non-Members $5; Reservations suggested, 626-577-1660, ext. 10.

ARTNIGHT PASADENA
Friday, October 9, 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Be sure to make Pasadena Museum of History a stop during this free, City-wide, cultural open house featuring 14 different venues. Enjoy the Museum’s current exhibition, Family Stories: Sharing A Community’s Legacy plus a special performance by the a cappella gospel group Spiritual Voices. For information about other participating ArtNight locations, free shuttles, maps and directions, go to www.artnightpasadena.org.
Tickets: Free

A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY – FREE DAY
Sunday, October 11, 12:00 noon to 6:30 pm
Join us for this community gathering with special programs inspired by the exhibition Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy. Enjoy an on-going line up of live entertainment including internationally-known African-American tap dancer and singer Arthur Duncan; Mexican-American singer and guitarist Adriana Mejia with the Trio Tesorito; and the multi-ethnic theater troupe We Tell Stories. View the exhibition and pick up a free Family Preservation Packet with tips on how to research and preserve your own family history. Visit information tables to learn about other Southern California cultural institutions that explore ethnic diversity. From 5:00 to 6:30 pm, Pasadena Star-News editor, Larry Wilson, will moderate a panel/community discussion about the exhibition. Sponsored by the Paloheimo Foundation, the Ann Peppers Foundation, and the United States Census 2010.
Tickets: Free.

AN EVENING AT PASHGIAN BROTHERS
Thursday, October 15, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Beautiful hand made oriental carpets have graced the homes of Pasadena residents for over a hundred years. Many of the early local dealers were Armenian immigrants who brought to America the trading skills they had developed in ancient Armenia, situated at the crossroads of the Ottoman, Russian, and Persian empires. By 1903-4 brothers John and Moses Pashgian had established their rug business as the first in Pasadena. Join fellow textile lovers in their showroom for a discussion and showing of antique and modern oriental rugs. At 993 East Colorado Boulevard, east of Lake Avenue.
Tickets: Textile Arts Council Members $10, Museum Members $15, Non-Members $20; Reservations suggested, 626-577-1660, ext. 10. Purchase tickets for this event online at www.pasadenahistory.org.

PASADENA 1940-2008: LECTURE AND BOOKSIGNING WITH PATRICK CONYERS
Tuesday, October 20, 7:30 pm; Galleries open at 6:30
Author Patrick Conyers will speak about the making of modern Pasadena and show images from the book he co-authored with Cedar Phillips, Pasadena: 1940-2008. He will highlight some of the people and events that have shaped our community. Many changes came about because of the unique artistic, scientific, and entrepreneurial culture of the city. Tremendous technological innovations were made in Pasadena, first to aid the war effort and later to contribute to the country’s sprawling Military Industrial Complex. In addition to a general discussion of the narrative arc of Pasadena’s history since 1940, Conyers will delve more deeply into some of the notable technological advancements that have been launched from Pasadena.
Tickets: Members Free; Non-Members $5; Reservations suggested.

LUNCHEON/DISCUSSION WITH AUTHOR LISA SEE
Saturday, October 24, 12:00 noon
A family style Chinese meal at Fu-Shing Restaurant with author Lisa See. Following lunch, Lisa will discuss the obstacles and challenges her family (On Gold Mountain) and her characters (Shanghai Girls) have faced as 19th and 20th century Chinese immigrants to the United States. She will explore a variety of topics illustrating how identity may be affected by the processes of assimilation and acculturization. Copies of these two books will be available for purchase, but guests may bring any of her other works to be signed. At Fu Shing Restaurant, 2960 East Colorado Boulevard, east of San Gabriel Boulevard.
Tickets: Members $30; Non-Members $35; Reservations required, 626-577-1660, ext. 10. Purchase tickets online for this event at www.pasadenahistory.org.

Japanese Temari
Sunday, October 25, 2:00 pm
Temari’s evolution over 1,000 years has produced some of the finest and most fascinating forms of art stitchery. A child’s toy ball, wrapped with fabric strips and threads over a core of rattan or rice hulls, one of the humblest of home crafts, was probably disregarded and discarded after hours of happy play. Author/collector Diana Vandervoort will demonstrate temari’s incredible achievement of astounding precision with an elegantly simple application of proportional measuring and will share pieces from her personal collection.
Tickets: Textile Arts Council Members $5, Museum Members $10, Non-Members $15. Reservations suggested, 626-577-1660, ext. 10..

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MY LIFE: WRITING WORKSHOP WITH AUTHOR
NAOMI HIRAHARA
Saturday, October 31, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Are family members encouraging you to write stories about your life but you are unsure how to start? Come to this special three-hour writing workshop led by Naomi Hirahara, who is a Pasadena-based Edgar Award-winning mystery writer, biographer, and editor/publisher of several personal and organizational history books. Bring a pad of paper, pen, and photograph of a family member or former residence. There will be two writing exercises and sharing time with the other participants.
Tickets: Museum Members $20; Non-Members $25. Participation is limited. Pre-paid reservations required, 626-577-1660, ext 10. Purchase tickets online for this event at www.pasadenahistory.org.

FIESTA DE OTONO
Sunday, November 1, 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm
Celebrate Latino traditions with the whole family. Enjoy delicious food, lively music, and dance performances. Listen to guest singer and guitarist Adriana Mejia and the Trio Tesorito. Enjoy the crafts workshop and face painting for children. Join us for story-telling with special guests, City Council Member and Vice Mayor, Victor Gordo, and Assistant City Manager, Julie Gutierrez. View Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy, a Dia de los Muertos display, and a special exhibition on Mexican-American history exhibition organized by the Pasadena Mexican-American History Association. Try delicious food dishes from Cabrera’s, Margarita’s, and Ranchero Mexican restaurants. The Pasadena Mexican-American History Association has organized this as a benefit for PMH with special sponsors DeVry University and King’s Ranch Markets.
Tickets: Free admission; fees for food, beverages, and special workshops.

CALIFORNIA AND THE AUTOMOBILE: LECTURE AND BOOKSIGNING WITH KEVIN NELSON
Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 pm; Galleries open at 6:30
Author Kevin Nelson will discuss his latest book Wheels of Change: From Zero to 600 m.p.h.: The Amazing Story of California and the Automobile. With the aid of images from his book, Nelson traces the narrative of California’s car culture: from the early days of racing, the adventure and romance that Hollywood piled on, to the designers and innovations that Southern California car studios have developed.
Tickets: Museum Members Free; Non-Members $5; reservations suggested, 626-577-1660, ext. 10

TRADITIONAL OAXACAN AND OTHER MEXICAN INDIGENOUS CLOTHING
Sunday, November 22, 2:00 pm
Join Pasadena’s Folk Tree Gallery owner Rocky Behr as she discusses Mexican traditional clothing with examples from her personal collection. She says, "I think Oaxaca has the richest tradition of textiles in Mexico. My first trip there took place in the 80’s. I soon found myself wanting to learn more about the various techniques employed in dyeing and creating the wide variety of embroideries and weavings I saw. I read about the areas of the state where the unique types were made and worn. My collection also includes textiles from other areas of Mexico, among them huipils and blouses from Chiapas, shawls from Michoacan and San Luis Potosi, and embroidered blouses from Michoacan."
Tickets: Textile Arts Council Members $5; Museum Members $10; Non-Members $15. Reservations suggested, 626-577-1660, ext.10.

HOLIDAY MADness (Member Appreciation Days)
Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29
Receive reciprocal free admission and shopping discounts at 23 participating cultural venues from Los Angeles to San Diego as a member of any one of the organizations. Pasadena Museum of History is proud to partner with the following as a way to thank our members for their ongoing support: Autry National Center/ Museum of the American West, California Science Center, Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Chinese American Museum, Claremont Museum of Art, Craft and Folk Art Museum, Fowler Museum at UCLA, The Getty Center, The Getty Villa, Hammer Museum, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles Public Library Store, Museum of Contemporary Art, MOCA Pacific Design Center, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Orange County Museum of Art, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena Museum of California Art, San Diego Museum of Art, Santa Monica Museum of Art, Skirball Cultural Center, and Southwest Museum.
Information: Please contact the individual venues for hours and details of this special offer.

TOURS

Family Stories: Tastes, Tales and Tidbits
Fridays through November 30; Tours 12:15 pm; Lunch 1:30 pm
Docent-led one-hour tours of the Family Stories exhibition to explore one of the six featured communities. Each session will include a brief overview of the exhibition, an in-depth look at the local history of one featured community, a story sharing time with a family or community member, and a preservation tip related to family objects such as photographs, documents and letters, textiles and costumes. Visitors may complete the cultural immersion with an optional special lunch at a restaurant of the featured ethnicity.
Tour Schedule:
African-American Museum Exhibition Tour/Luncheon at Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles – September 25, November 6
Armenian-American Museum Exhibition Tour/Luncheon at Sahara Restaurant – Fridays, September 11, October 23
Chinese-American Museum Exhibition Tour/Luncheon at Fu-Shing Restaurant – Fridays, October 2, November 13
Euro-American Museum Exhibition Tour/Luncheon at The Raymond – Fridays, October 9, November 20
Japanese-American Museum Exhibition Tour/Luncheon at Japon Bistro – Friday, October 16
Latino Museum Exhibition Tour/Luncheon at El Portal – Fridays, September 18, October 30
Tickets for the tour are $4 for Museum Members and $8 for Non-Members. Reservations and pre-payment are required due to space limitations. The optional luncheon is $20, payable at the restaurant (cost includes a $4 tax-deductible contribution to the Family Stories exhibition). For additional information and reservations, please call 626.577.1660, ext. 15.

Las Angelitas: General Meeting featuring Nat Read

Las Angelitas Del Pueblo extends the following invitation to all L.A. heritage groups:

Las Angelitas Del Pueblo
Cordially Invites You to Actively Participate in our
Members to Actively Participate in Our

September 21, 2009
General Meeting and Potluck Luncheon

10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
After the business portion of the meeting, there will be a presentation by

Nat Read

The Topic Will Be Nat’s Book:

Don Benito Wilson – From Mountain Man To Mayor

The meeting will be held in The Hellman Quan Building
(Next To The Pico House) at El Pueblo (Olvera Street)

Park in Lot 2 next to The Plaza Church

Please RSVP to Ian D. Gass
By September 17, 2009, either at
Iandavidg@Att.Net or (626) 799-7913

Call To Action: Preservation Ordinance Could Exept Interiors!

From West Adams Heritage Association:

AN ACTION CALL FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATIONISTS -
A MESSAGE FROM WEST ADAMS HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

Planning Commission Hearing on Cultural Heritage Ordinance
Thursday, September 10, 8:30 a.m.

If you’ve ever wanted to do something truly meaningful for historic
preservation, now is the time to do it.

On Thursday, Sept. 10, Los Angeles’ Planning Commission will decide
whether to stop protecting the interiors of more than 900 of the city’s
most treasured historic structures. We need your voice – in writing and in
person – to urge the commission not to make such a horrible mistake.

For 47 years, L.A.’s Cultural Heritage Ordinance has made no distinction
between interiors and exteriors of Historic Cultural Monuments (HCM). Both
have been equally protected. Now a small group of downtown building owners
is dangerously close to ending that protection, promoting amendments that
would allow monument interiors throughout the city to be altered or gutted
with no consideration of their historic value.

After weeks of discussion with preservationist groups, some of these
owners continue to argue that ANY regulation of building interiors is a
violation of property rights. Their argument ignores longstanding
building, zoning and health regulations that limit the use of privately
owned interiors throughout the nation.

Incredibly, these owners say restrictions on interior spaces might be
acceptable for private homes, but not for “private” spaces in commercial
buildings! It’s hard to imagine such a lopsided, dual standard standing up
in court.

Ironically, we may be victims of our own success. At the commission’s last
meeting, in July, preservationists argued so passionately for residential
interiors that commission members may have thought that was all we cared
about. In fact, we believe the ordinance must continue to protect worthy
interiors of all monument buildings, not just residential ones.

Now we’re asking you to support WAHA and historic preservation with your
own appeal. The more personal you make it, the better. Here are some
things you might say:

* For 47 years, the city’s ordinance has applied to buildings in their
entirety, making no distinction between exteriors and interiors. We need
to continue that 100 percent protection.

* Some buildings are actually more significant on the inside than on the
outside. Preservation officials should continue to review all monument
interiors, so they can determine which elements merit preserving.

* Protection of interiors does not mean an automatic ban on alterations.
It simply allows experts to judge what should be preserved, and to
recommend changes that would cause the least harm.

* City officials have proven themselves more than reasonable in dealing
with historic interiors. In recent years, dozens of downtown commercial
buildings have been converted to apartments while appropriately preserving
their most historic features.

* The opponents of interior review represent a small minority of monument
owners – far fewer than the hundreds of owners represented by the West
Adams Heritage Association, Hollywood Heritage, Highland Park Heritage
Trust and other organizations that support interior preservation.

* There are approximately 880,000 land parcels in the City of Los Angeles,
and fewer than 1,000 of them are historic monuments. For those who can’t
tolerate the ordinance’s restrictions, there are 879,000 non-monuments to
invest in.

Please e-mail your comments to:

* Ken Bernstein, manager, Office of Historic Resources:
ken.bernstein@lacity.org
* AND the Planning Commission at cpc@lacity.org,
* AND a copy to WAHA at news@westadamsheritage.org.

In your comments, please reference “Proposed Amendments to the Cultural
Heritage Ordinance, CPC-2008-4918-CA.”

Now here’s an even bigger request. We need to get as many people as
possible to attend the Planning Commission meeting this Thursday, Sept.
10, to make their point in person. We don’t know what the speaking format
will be, but at the last meeting, speakers were limited to one minute
each. If you really don’t like speaking in public, just being there will
help.

The meeting will start at 8.30 a.m. in Room 1010, on the 10th Floor of
City Hall, but you might arrive a little earlier to sign the speaker’s
list. Also, you’ll need to go through security screening and show ID when
you enter the building.

The official address is 200 N. Spring St., but the entrance is at 200 N.
Main Street, one-half block north of Temple. Street parking is iffy, but
there is a large public parking lot 2 and a half blocks away, on the
southeast corner of Los Angeles and First streets. It’s $7 or $8 a day, so
you might want to carpool.

Please do what you can. This revised ordinance will be with us for many
years.

Thank you.

Jim Robinson, President
West Adams Heritage Association

P.S. Technically, if the Planning Commission does not retain landmark
designations and protections for HCMs' interiors, then the city needs to
prepare an Environmental Impact Report. Right now city officials hope to
push through an environmental clearance called a "Categorical Exemption,"
which basically says there would be no conceivable negative outcome of any
changes to the ordinance. Of course, we can all recognize that if the city
strips historic designation from Monument interiors and some of the
buildings are then gutted, that would be an "impact."

Pioneer Day in Chatsworth

Chatsworth, known as Los Angeles' last frontier town, plays host to Pioneer Day on October 4, 2009 from 11am to 4pm. This annual event is hosted by the Chatsworth Historical Society at the Minnie Palmer Homestead Acre nestled in the foothills of the Santa Susana Pass. The event features a chili cook-off for amateur chefs, exhibits and displays in the Chatsworth Museum and Homestead Cottage; panning for gold; blacksmithing; Indian artifacts; woodcarvers and rockchippers; "chores of yore"; food and entertainment; and lots more!

More details can be found here.

Free Tax Assistance Seminar for Non-Profits

State Controller John Chiang is hosting a free tax seminar for non-profits and exempt organizations on Friday, September 11, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Los Angeles.

Topics Include:
The New Form 990
Compliance for Existing Non Profit Organizations
Employment Taxes
Recent Developments in Charity Law
Sales and Use Tax for Non Profit Organizations.

This is a valuable resource you should take advantage of. All the details are at the State Controller's site, and you must RSVP.

Mission & Rancho Dance Instruction at Rancho Dominguez

From the Rancho Dominguez Adobe Museum:

SUNDAY, September 20, 2009: Early California Dance Workshop – Rancho Dominguez Adobe Museum

Mission & Rancho dance instruction in preparation for Fandango at Dominguez Battle Reenactment on Oct 10th, and in honor of 225th anniversary of 1784 First Spanish Land Grants. Free; donations accepted. Costumes admired but not required. Singles couples all ages welcome. 18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220.

Contact Museum Executive Director: Alison Bruesehoff at (310) 603-0088 or abruesehoff@dominguezrancho.com or dance instructor Irene.Ujda@gmail.com

Websites:
http://dominguezrancho.org/
www.yesteryearsdancers.com

225th Anniversary of LA-area Spanish Land Grants

From Yesteryear Dancers and Los Pobladores 200:

The 225th Anniversary Year of "1784 Spanish Land Grants" in the Southland starting October 2009 and beyond

We encourage any historical/heritage/cultural sites within the original 1784 First Spanish Land Grants in California to join in celebrating our mutual 225th anniversary year, and to include this milestone as an underlying banner announcement in their publicity for any upcoming events during the next 12 months.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_San_Pedro granted in 1784 to Juan Jose Dominguez: The original Spanish land grant included what today consists of the Pacific coast cities of Los Angeles harbor, San Pedro, the Palos Verdes peninsula, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach, and east to the Los Angeles River including; the cities of Lomita, Gardena, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson, Compton, and western portions of Long Beach and Paramount, and Dominguez Hills.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Los_Nietos granted in 1784 to Manuel Nietos: Today, parts of Long Beach, Lakewood, Downey, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Seal Beach, Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Artesia and Cerritos are located on what was once Rancho Los Nietos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_San_Rafael granted in 1784 to Jose Marie Verdugo: Today, the rancho includes the present day cities of Glendale, Eagle Rock, La Canada, Montrose, and Verdugo City "Los Pobladores 200" descendants of the 1781 Founding Families of El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles are enthused about participating as much as they are able, including providing advice about 18th c as well as 19th c history of the Southland, and Yesteryears Dancers are willing to help local docents with Colonial New Spain / Californio Mission era music & dance, if any site wishes to have a special commemoration, either for a new event or as part of an existing event.

Fall Harvest Progressive Dinner, Home Tour, and Wine Tasting in South Pasadena

From the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation:

Fall Harvest, Progressive Dinner, Home Tour, and Wine Tasting - Saturday Oct 10

The South Pasadena Preservation Foundation is offering this Fall’s popular home tour in two versions. On Saturday evening, October 10, ticket holders will be superbly wined and dined at each of five elegant homes in a well-manicured estate area of South Pasadena.

Featured properties will include architecturally significant homes representing a varied selection of historic styles: most notably, Craftsman and Period Revival. All homes on the tour are within easy walking distance of each other and ample street parking is available.

The $80 per person price includes home tours, with a separate dinner course at each location, but also provides the opportunity to sample a different premium wine with each course. All wines are selected from the increasingly popular Central California coast appellation of Paso Robles.

The Progressive Dinner Tour is limited to 60 diners in each of two tiers: the “Twilight Tour” will begin at 5:30 pm and the “Starlight Tour” will start at 7 pm. Each complete dinner tour should take approximately three and a half hours.

Tickets for the dinner tour are expected to go quickly. Paid reservations will be accepted in the order received, up to the maximum of 120. Then it will be “That’s all, folks!”

Sensational South Pas Estates Home Tour – Sunday, October 11

On the following day, Sunday, October 11, the homes will again be open for tour from 11 am to 3:30 pm (without the meal or wine), for $20 per person. Anyone ticketed for the Progressive Dinner is invited to come back on Sunday at no additional charge.

Tickets will be available by September 15, but reservations for the Saturday Progressive Dinner tours and the regular home tour on Sunday can be made immediately via www.sppreservation.org or by phone (626.799.9089).

HAIR-RAISING EVENT ON HALLOWE’EN NIGHT, SAT. OCT 31

HAIR-RAISING EVENT ON HALLOWE’EN NIGHT, SAT. OCT 31

There has long been speculation about whether the Andres Pico Adobe is haunted. Several people have indicated over the years that “occurrences” have happened within the walls of this historic site. It stands to reason that “something” might be in the atmosphere, after all, the Adobe is more than 175 years old; there’s bound to be a story or two these walls could tell….

On the evening of Saturday, October 31, the Board of Directors of the San Fernando Valley Historical Society will welcome back investigators of the American Paranormal Research Association (APRA) for a very special and exciting fundraising event. The APRA has spent four nights at our Andres Pico Adobe conducting scientific research sessions over a period of seven months. On this night, they will present background information about their scientific work, and share their findings about our Adobe. (You could be one of the first witnesses to Adobe phenomenon!). Afterward, the APRA members will lead breakaway sessions with small groups of participants and conduct further studies of the Adobe.

Due to the size of our facility, we are limiting the number of participants to 20 persons. There will be special (substantial) refreshments provided throughout the night, beginning at 7:30 P.M. and concluding at 3 A.M. The cost is $80 per person for an unforgettable evening. Reservations are being taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a unique, exclusive special event with proceeds going toward building a structure to shelter the old farm equipment on display outside the Andres Pico Adobe Museum.

Everything you will see and hear is 100% real. All evidence was reviewed and analyzed by a panel of professionals in various scientific and respected fields. Take what you will from the evidence presented, and draw your own conclusions whether ghoulies and ghosties haunt our Adobe!

Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: 7:30 P.M. until 3:00 A.M. (although you may leave at any time)
Cost: $80 per person (Advance reservations and payments due Sept. 30. There will be no refunds.)
Special refreshments and a unique experience will be provided.
TO RSVP and/or for more information, contact Tesa at sfvhs@verizon.net.

One of APRA’s prior cases:
The American Paranormal Research Association (APRA) surveyed the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach over a 4-day span during Winter 2007. They concentrated on the ship’s boiler rooms, first-class swimming pool, engine room, cargo hold, and former infirmary. Unexplainable activity immediately started to pick up within the first 30 minutes of investigation, and the group collected the first-ever hard evidence in photos and videos that proved the great ship was “haunted.” Perhaps they will do the same for the Adobe.

NoHo Historic Walking Tour: Sat. September 5

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is pleased to present another historic walking tour of North Hollywood “NoHo.”

NoHo Historic Walking Tour
Saturday, September 5th 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

[Click on the flyer for details.]

RSVP: 1-818-609-1665 or email at museumsfv@gmail.com

Please leave name, address and phone number

Cost: $10 per person suggested donation
Parking: Street and metered parking in area

Reservations for the tour are on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour meets at Amelia Earhart Statue; northwest corner of Tujunga St. & Magnolia Blvd.

Tour will be led by historian Richard Hilton, docent of the Los Angeles Conservancy and board member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.