Friends of Columbia State Historic Park Monitoring State Budget Proposal
The Friends of Columbia State Historic Park are closely monitoring the immediate future of Columbia as an open State Park as well as preparing for this Saturday’s annual Big Band Street Street Dance.
Jim O’Neil with “Friends of Columbia State Historic Park” was Wednesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day.”
Friends of Columbia State Historic Park is a 501 (c)(3) Tax Exempt non-profit Public Benefit Corporation.
Their primary mission is to promote and support the preservation, educational and interpretive activities of Columbia State Historic Park through the raising and managing of funds, and to financially assist the State in carrying out those activities.
On July 15th, 1945, Governor Earl Warren visited Columbia and signed the legislation dedicating the town of Columbia as a part of the State Park System. On that day, thousands of visitors crowded the streets of Columbia to take part in the historic celebration.
In honor of Columbia’s 62nd birthday, Columbia State Historic Park is planning a variety of activities and events to remember the day including a vintage car show beginning at 5:30 and culminates with a big band street dance that starts at 8pm. This is a free event and vintage clothing of the 1940’s is encouraged. World War II Vets and the military will be honored.
Columbia’s many historic stores and restaurants remain open even after Forever Resorts left a number of venues closed last month.
O’Neil said that Friends of Columbia State Park is currently working with the State and numerous local organizations regarding Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal to shut down the majority of California’s State Parks (including Columbia) for possibly as long as two years after this Labor Day.
The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47am.
Written by mark@mlode.com
