Christmas Time in the Valley

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Enjoy these festive scenes of familiar streets and local homes and businesses from holidays past.

Photograph caption dated December 15, 1964 reads “The jolly old gentleman made a brief appearance at the Child Welfare Program in the Hughes Market parking lot, 21431 Devonshire St. The project was held to collect funds and toys for children and the needy. American Legion Post and its auxiliary, Chatsworth, sponsored annual project.” Photo by Steve Young.

December 2, 1961 Actress Debbie Reynolds and her two children, Todd and Carrie, on the ‘Mysterious Island Float’ during Magnolia Park’s annual Christmas Parade. Photo by Jeff Goldwater.

More Halloween Magic

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Happy Halloween! Enjoy these newly digitized treats from the Valley Times.

“That’s Mike Caggiano of Burbank on top. He’s holding his Halloween creation in preparation for tonight’s invasion by goblins, spooks and other after-dark types. Across the Valley, thousands of children are readying their costumes, and adults are laying in a store of goodies. Police are getting ready, too. They’ve added 61 extra officers to patrol Valley parks for the evening.” October 31, 1963, photo by George Brich. Order #00120823

: “Black cat stalks Lankershim boulevard in heart of North Hollywood as reminder of Halloween activities going on throughout Valley this weekend and Monday night.” October 26, 1955. Order #00120797

: “Youngsters at Victory-Vanowen Playground, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood, have costumes ready for big Halloween festivities.” October 26, 1959. Order #00120798

: “Pumpkin Prance Is the theme of Temple Beth Torah Sisterhood’s Nov. 1 Halloween ball in Golden Valley Auditorium.” October 29, 1958. Order #00123788

: Neighborhood youngsters gather for a Halloween party at the Encino home of pianist, Roger Williams, at Royal Oak Road. 40 costumed children accompanied by their celebrity parents, bob for apples and bite into donuts hanging from the ceiling as crews from television and radio networks, as well as journalists from several newspapers cover the festivities. October 25, 1960, photo by Jon Woods. Order #00120799

: “San Fernando Valley youngsters feel that it’s not too soon to think about ghosts, goblins, trick or treating and jack o’lanterns, and they gathered in North Hollywood Park this week to try their hands at carving a pumpkin, with supervision, of course.” October 20, 1961, photo by John Woods. Order # 00120804

: “Members of the Ford Family decorate baby stroller in preparation for Halloween festivities at North Hollywood Playground.” October 12, 1961, photo by George Brich. Order #00120803

: Brenda Scott and Tony Dow, “The young actress and actor prepare for a spooky party at Brenda’s Northridge home.” October 24, 1962, photo by George Brich. Order #00120809

: “Judy Aldrich, 8, receives ‘treat’ from Donna Lewis. Members of the Sun Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club in background are Mmes. Edyth Young, Donald Hegarty, president; Hazel Madison and Gene Kubeny.” October 30, 1963, photo by Bob Martin. Order #00120820

: “A teen-age dance, featuring the Gay Lads, will highlight a Halloween carnival Thursday at the Northridge Recreation Center, 10058 Reseda Blvd. ” October 26, 1963, photo by George Brich. Order #00120991

: “St Joseph Hospital Guild members make decorations for ‘Halloween Hoedown.” October 1, 1964, Photo by Steve Young. Order #00116947

: “PTA-sponsored costume parade at Capistrano Avenue School, 8188 Capistrano Ave., Canoga Park. Mrs. Marg Vess, PTA secretary, helps with putting the stretch in the right places.” October 26, 1964, Photo by Steve Young Order #00120825

: “Black cats, witches and goblins will attend the annual costume ball sponsored by the San Fernando Florence Crittenton Circle Oct. 30 at the Castaway Restaurant in Burbank.” October 13, 1964, Photo by Gordon Dean. Order #00126117

Who Shall I be on Halloween Night?

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Here’s a charming series from October 25, 1962, shot by staff photographer Alan Hyde, showing Carol’s costume conundrum…..

“Big decisions most always cause wrinkled brows, but when a 6-year-old little girl must choose who she’ll be on Halloween night, the wrinkled brow is replaced by giggles, wrinkled noses and other antics resulting from trying on Halloween costumes. Like most youngsters will do this weekend, Carol Johnston, first grader at Sunny Brae Avenue Elementary School in Canoga Park, went shopping at Sears Valley Plaza with mommy and daddy Mr. and Mrs. James Johnston.” Order #00120810

: “It’s too big, Mommy.”

: “See? I’m a bunny.”

: “Lady Midnite?”

: “I don’t like these bones.”

: “Astronaut?”

: “Now she’s a monster…”

“Silvery white satin and tulle costume answers Carol Johnston’s ‘Who shall I be?’ question and magically turns her into a fairy princess. Her star-tipped wand carries the power to make wishes come true, especially on Halloween, a colorful and exciting time for youngsters.” Order #00120817

George Brich at Central Library

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Join us tomorrow for Photographer’s Eye: CarScapes by George Brich. The former Valley Times staff photographer will discuss his work exploring the intrigue of automobiles and their placement as objects of art in our environment.

George Brich in the early 1960s. Order #00115383

The Valley Times Featured in the Los Angeles Times

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We were thrilled today to see our own Throttle Queens featured on the front page of the Los Angeles Times for a full blown story on the Valley Times Collection! Reporter Hailey Branson-Potts spent a lot of time with us and came to love these photos just as much as we do and we appreciate her enthusiasm for the collection.

After reading the article, troche take a look at the 11,000 plus photos from the Valley Times that are available on the Los Angeles Public Library website!

Foohey Family Jokes

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The caption for this photo dated April 1, 1960 reads, “Well-done fillet of sole – Pop Foohey gets April Fools’ Day treatment from daughter Judy, 15, while Meg, 12, and Mom, Mrs. Joseph F. Foohey, admire well-done style of dinner. Foohey family, of 442 N. Huntington St., San Fernando, have old Irish name that’s most practical on this day.”

Order #00108617

Shamrock Season

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Photograph caption dated March 17, 1956 reads, “Mrs. Manley McCallum, of Tujunga, opens box of ‘Luck o’ the Irish’ shamrocks sent to her direct from auld sod of Dublin, Ireland, in time for St. Patrick’s Day. And they looked right in style. Mrs. McCallum came to United States from Ireland when she was 11.” Order #00109566

Enjoy the Valley festivities inspired by St Patrick’s Day

: Caption from 1947 -“Peggy Ryan, Universal-International film actress, will have a real St. Patrick’s Day this year with her marriage to actor Jimmy Cross scheduled to take place Monday at Miss Ryan’s Burbank home, 925 N. Tenth St. They are shown above at the marriage license bureau.” Order #00083041

: Caption dated February 24, 1954, “Leprechauns’ Season — You can’t see them, but the Irish pixies are listening in on plans for the Ebell of Los Angeles art and travel department St. Patrick’s program.” Order #00084443

: Members of Immaculate Heart Guild of Our Lady of Grace Altar and Rosary Society pose with decorations for their second annual St Patrick’s benefit ball, March 10, 1962. Photo by Gordon Dean. Order #00116850

Selma

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To honor the 50th anniversary of the Selma- to- Montgomery march and the events of “Bloody Sunday” on March 7, and 1965, treat when Alabama state troopers attacked unarmed protesters, troche here are images from the Valley Times coverage of Los Angeles demonstrations to show solidarity with the civil rights movement in the South.

On March 11, 1965, over 500 people protested in front of the Federal Building on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles to bring attention to the violence in Selma, AL. Many of the demonstrators were members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the Non- Violent Action Committee, and the United Civil Rights Committee, as well as students from USC, UCLA, and Valley State College. U.S. marshals arrested 98 protestors who blocked doorways and driveways, which had been the largest number of arrests to be made during LA civil rights demonstration. Despite the arrests, protests in support for the marchers in Selma continued throughout the week.

: Demonstrators block the Los Angeles Federal Building driveway on Spring Street preventing a car and mail truck from moving. Photo by Phil Hanna. Order #00113383

: Demonstrator carried away by federal marshals. Photo by Tom Kravitz. Order #00113384

: Protests continue on Spring Street sidewalk after arrests the day before, March 12, 1965. Photo by Gordon Dean. Order #00113384

: Demonstrations continue in front of the Federal Building for the fourth straight day despite of the heavy rain, March 13, 1965. Photo by Bob Martin. Order #00113385

: A portion of the more than 6,000 people who demonstrated in Downtown Los Angeles begin their march in Pershing Square, March 15, 1965. Order #00113387

: 400 Valley marchers began their 12-mile demonstration from Pacoima to Van Nuys, March 15, 1965. Photo by Steve Young. Order #00113386

: At Lockheed Terminal, Burbank, 292 people from Jewish, Protestant and Catholic faiths boarded three chartered planes to join civil rights marchers in Montgomery, AL, March 15, 1965. Photo by Tom Kravitz. Order #00113388

Civil Rights Groups

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During the civil right movement, organizations such as as the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) worked for social change through direct action campaigns. Below are images of these civil rights groups, active in the Valley, protesting racial discrimination.

: CORE members pass out pamphlets in Pacoima protesting the jailing of Freedom Riders. From left, Michael Haimovitz, 19, Stevie Lipney, 17, and Ernie Dillard, 23, July 24, 1961. Order #00111921

: Members of San Fernando Valley CORE picket Bullock’s Fashion Square Sherman Oaks, April 6, 1964. Order #00084539

: Members of the Non-Violent Action Committee protest racial discrimination at Van de Kamp’s, 6261 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Photo by Bob Martin, March 23, 1964. Order #00117608

: Civil rights leader, James Forman, head of the Student Non-Violent Co-ordinating Committee discusses group’s position at Valley State College (now CSUN) student meeting. Photo by Tom Kravitz, May 5, 1965. Order #00115982

Valley Valentines

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Photograph caption dated February 6, 1958 reads, “Personalities from the entertainment field will select the queen of ‘Sweetheart Swing’ at the Valentine ball of San Fernando Valley Council of Beta Sigma Phi. Finishing regal frame for Feb. 14 event in Satellite Room of Santa Monica’s Miramar Hotel are Mmes. Rodney Scholtes; Fred E. Davidson and Fred Kimble.” Order #00109232

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with hearts and glitter! When planning to raise awareness for a cause or to simply socialize, the many social and civic groups of the Valley created events with flair.

: Operation Glitter! Final touches added to gilded candles for ‘Hearts and Flowers’ ball sponsored by Junior Membership, Sierra-Cahuenga district CFWC to benefit Valley Mental Health Clinic, January 29, 1957. Order #00111655

: Trees are decorated for Sierra-Cahuenga District junior membership ‘Hearts and Flowers Ball’ in Valley Colonial House, February 6, 1958. Order #00111658

: Decor for ‘Hearts and Flowers Friendship Fantasy’ sponsored by Sierra-Cahuenga district, CFWC, January 26, 1961. Order #00111673

: Jeanie Myers, center, student body vice president at North Hollywood High School, and Tom Chasin, student body president, discuss Valentine Open House, being staged by North Hollywood merchants, February 9, 1955. Order #00113278

: Virginia Kudroff, of North Hollywood Junior Women’s Club, and Patti Sherman, a Rathbuns personal shopper, with cleanup gear symbolizing North Hollywood cleanup campaign for a glamorous Valentine’s Day window display at Rathbuns of North Hollywood, February 2, 1959. Order #00083652

: Mr. and Mrs. Wally Landen of Van Nuys, make decorations for Square Nots Valentine’s Day dance at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Playground, February 12, 1959. Order #00085453

: Mmes. Weerts Buss, Al Menick, David Yoder, Robert Daly and Gary Rigdon prepare for the Valentine Ball sponsored by Glendale City Council of Beta Sigma Phi. ‘Princesses’ from 19 chapters will vie for the honor of Queen, February 5, 1958. Order #00109225

: Burbank Bethels of Job’s Daughters Queens promote joint Valentine Dance held at Burbank Women’s Club, February 6, 1957. Order #00112917

: Members of the Central Auxiliary of the Assistance League make decorations for their ‘just for fun’ Valentine Dance, January 24, 1962. Photo by Gordon Dean. Order #00116182

Valley Times Collection

Making Valley History Available to Everyone

Christmas Time in the Valley

More Halloween Magic

Who Shall I be on Halloween Night?

George Brich at Central Library

The Valley Times Featured in the Los Angeles Times

Foohey Family Jokes

Shamrock Season

Selma

Civil Rights Groups

Valley Valentines