SanFernando, California was my home in the early 1950’s. My parents had moved there from North Hollywood, after several failed attempts at a life in the states of Utah and Iowa. They purchased a new home in 1952 on North Orange Grove Avenue when I was only four years old. This was one of many tract homes built among old orange groves for the burgeoning population that would soon become known as commuters. Thus, in the fragrant orange blossoms, began my San Fernando experience.

The town of San Fernando is named for a saint and somewhat unbelievably many people in the 1950’s and 1960’s did not know that the San Fernando Valley was named for the town and not the other way around. My father constantly explained this to his out-of-state relatives and informed them as to where our home was exactly. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, most…