Sylmar a Community With Many Attractions

* For an area that usually gets no more than a dot on most Valley maps, your “Sylmar Portrait” (Nov. 26) was a delightful surprise. But there are even more good things worthy of community pride that the article did not mention.

As an example, two of the largest and most pleasant parks in the Valley--Veterans Memorial and El Cariso--are in Sylmar. The Merle Norman Cosmetics Museum is in Sylmar. A group active in cultural affairs, the North East Valley Arts Council, arranges dances and musical programs at Mission College. It also hosts every opening reception for artists at Century Gallery.

We feel the gallery deserves much wider appreciation for its location overlooking the Valley, for its well-designed exhibit space and a chance to see a new show almost every month. Well-deserved credit should go to Lee Musgrave, who, as director / curator, always manages to assemble the right mix of creative energy to mount interesting exhibits. Oh yes; the gallery also is a good spot to watch hang gliders!

MEL and EUDICE F. MENKIN

Arleta