Friends of Fire Station 62: April 2012

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The News We've All Been Waiting For

First, the birth announcement. Due to the efforts of the Fire Station Ad Hoc Committee of the Mar Vista Community Council, official non-profit status in the state of California has been granted to the Friends of Historic Fire Station 62. Although everyone who has attended meetings has made some contribution to make this happen, the committee's Co-Chair, Rachel Swanger, deserves special recognition for spending countless hours in pulling together the by-laws and seeing us through the 501(c)3 process. Swanger sent out this message:

The Friends of Historic Fire Station 62 is now officially registered as a non-profit, public benefit corporation in the State of California. Moreover, we are in the process of applying for federal non-profit status [so-called 501(c)3]. This status allows us to begin to raise funds for the refurbishment of the station and to begin to plan programming for use of Historic Fire Station 62 as a Community Center.

The Friends of Historic Fire Station 62 may now fundraise. No sooner has the organization been hatched, than the first fundraising event is being launched! Please, come out Wednesday, April 25, to Whole Foods at National Blvd. and Barrington in West LA (upper Mar Vista, really) to shop because 5 CENTS ON EVERY DOLLAR spent that day is going to go toward bringing the fire station back to life!

This is a win-win-WIN situation any way you slice it. You win because you can fund us on Wednesday without having to donate a dime out of pocket. Whole Foods wins because, if you're not familiar with the store, the company can introduce you to their fantastic, healthful alternative to what the supers offer. And we all win because, with the proceeds, we'll be able to take the first step toward having a wonderful community center in our midst!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase — We're on the Route!

Please stop by Historic Fire Station 62 on Saturday, April 21, to pick up your map to the 4th Annual Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase. We'll be on hand from 10 am to 4 pm, ready to direct you on the tour, but ALSO to give you the latest news on FS62! If you come by, you'll receive a preview of some very special news I'll be posting on this blog in the next few days.

Through the magic of Photoshop, Agnes Anderson has created a vision of what our front patch of lawn can look like with just the right love and attention. Go here to see her stunning image of our fire station and to learn more about the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase.

Friends of Historic Fire Station 62, Mar Vista, California

Here you will find news of the ongoing efforts by the Friends of Historic Fire Station 62 to transform the vacated fire station located on the northwest corner of Centinela and Windward in Mar Vista into a community center.

We envision Historic Fire Station 62 as becoming a multi-purpose community center where community members of all ages can come to learn about green technologies such as solar power and water conservation, for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) training, for scout meetings, to learn new skills and participate in exercise classes, to appreciate art and music and gain an understanding of the history of Mar Vista, and serve as a meeting place for the Mar Vista Community Council and other community organizations.

Drive by some time. Then, donate some time and resources to the project.

For more information about how to join in our activities, email us at the address given below or snail mail us at:

Friends of Historic Fire Station 62

PO Box 662013

Los Angeles, CA 90066

Phone: (424) 250-0562

Notice About the Groups Serving Historic Fire Station 62

Now that the organization Friends of Historic Fire Station 62 has been birthed by the Mar Vista Community Council Old Fire Station 62 Ad Hoc Committee, the task of converting the station into a community center has been assumed by the Friends. To learn more about the Friends, click on the Who We Are link above and visit this website often for the latest developments.

The MVCC Old Fire Station 62 Ad Hoc Committee is set to function now as as the liaison between the Friends and the community at large via the MVCC. The Ad Hoc Committee no longer meets monthly but rather interfaces with the community at large through our table at the Mar Vista Farmers Market on first Sundays. You'll find us at the Mar Vista Community Council booth.