The Impact of the Pacific Electric Car on Southern California Development

Monday February 25, 7:00 pm

The sprawling pattern of urban development that we know today as Los Angeles was directly influenced by a web of urban rail routes developed by Henry Huntington and his Pacific Electric Railway, aka, “The Red Cars,” which began in 1901. This amazing railway originally provided reliable transportation across more than 1,000 miles of track. Postwar society's affair with the automobile led to the loss of an infrastructure that could have formed the basis for an enviable modern light-rail system, one that current society would be happy to utilize. Learn why this rail system was so pivotal in creating a major metropolis on Monday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. when the San Marino Historical Society presents Jeff Arnett’s lecture on this fascinating chapter on Los Angeles history.

JEFF ARNETT was born in Los Angeles in 1925 and since 1930 has resided in the Pasadena-San Marino area. He attended local schools and entered the U S Army Air Corps the day after graduation. After three years of service as a transport pilot in Burma and China during World War II, Jeff returned to graduate from USC. His business career took him from department stores to paper manufacturing, to investment management. He is currently a docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum and still a pilot, who also enjoys non-fiction reading on any subject.

Don’t miss this intriguing look at the development of Los Angeles and its once comprehensive transportation system.

Back From Combat

Thursday February 21, 7:00 pm

Charles "Norm" Stevens flew as a bombardier on a B-l7 in the 8th Air Force at Polebrook, England during the summer and fall of l944. His tour of duty consisted of 34 bombing missions over Germany, occupied France, Belgium and Holland. On Thursday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. he will discuss his latest book Back from Combat, which begins with his return to the U.S. from combat. With the war still raging, he had to decide what direction his military career would take. Would he become an instructor? Return to combat? Or receive training for other duties? Training during this period was full of its own perils with aging military aircraft and inexperienced inductees.

Charles Stevens grew up in Inglewood, California. At 18 he joined the Army Air Corps, serving during World War II from 1943 until 1946. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Following the war he graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He was a teacher in secondary schools for 32 years. He earned a master’s degree in English at California State College at Los Angeles, in English and American Literature. Besides Back from Combat, he has published, An Innocent at Polebrook: A Memoir of an 8th Air Force Bombardier and The Innocent Cadet: Becoming a WWII Bombardier. Copies of Mr. Steven’s books will be available for purchase.
You won’t want to miss this intriguing look at World War II and a fascinating career.

LA Opera Talk: The Flying Dutchman

SUNDAY, February 24th 2:00 p.m.
Wagner’s Flying Dutchman

The legend of the ghostly ship condemned to wander the oceans forever has fascinated opera lovers for hundreds of years. A raging storm has forced a Norwegian captain, Daland, to seek shelter for his ship and crew in a cove, which he realizes is only seven miles from his home port. An eerie black-masted ship comes into view and anchors in the cove, and a ghostly crew furls blood-red sails. The captain comes ashore and sings of his cruel fate. He is the Flying Dutchman. Once every seven years, the captain may land somewhere to search for a woman who will love him faithfully, even unto death.

Learn about the enthralling score which powers a thrilling journey into an unsettling, mythic world where a tormented spirit seeks true love as his redemption. Community Educator, BOB EMIRHANIAN will discuss the history of the Flying Dutchman legend, a look at Wagner the man, and a summary of the Flying Dutchman opera.
This introduction to opera at Crowell Public Library is free. After hearing excerpts from this production, you’ll undoubtedly be inspired to make a trip to the Los Angeles Music Center for a real opera experience.