Airplane Is Prize in El Cerrito Club's Contest (65 Years Ago)

Exactly 65 years ago today, on Nov. 7, 1946, the front page of the weekly El Cerrito Journal carried the news of an airplane giveaway whose contest rules would be dropped from the air by the El Cerrito Flyers Club. Here are some of the actual headlines from that day's front page, followed by our brief summaries of the articles:

Cerrito Flyers to Award Vultee Plane

The El Cerrito Flyers Club are sponsoring a contest with the prize being a Vultee Valiant plane, worth $7,000. Leaflets with contest instructions are to be dropped from the air on Saturday, Nov. 16, with the plane to be awarded on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. The heads of the club, local businessman Chuck Harden and Frank Scott, hope "to further the knowledge of aircraft in our community." 

George Miller, Jr.

George Miller, Jr. was "swept into office" in the Tuesday election, making him Contra Costa County's representative in the state assembly. (Miller was the father of current U.S. Representative George Miller, who was one year old at the time and who now also represents part of Contra Costa County, though in a different legislative body.)

Pumpkin Costume Takes Top Honors

A "most original pumpkin" worn by Michael Murphy took top prize in the Hallowe'en festivities and parade of more than 500 school-age kids at Fairmount School. The "puzzled judges" had a hard time picking winners. Taking second and third place honors were "an authentic Indian dress" worn by Judith Cabral and "an equally authentic Mexican costume" donned by Kathleen Villa.

Commissioners Report on City Business

In response to a Civil Service Commission report on poor physical condition of El Cerrito fire and police personnel, Commissioner Albert J. Dietrich told the City Council that regular drills were being held at the fire department and that police were holding weekly target practice. He added that an annual physical exam may not prove efficacious in many cases, particularly for those who've worked for the city many years and enjoy civil service status.

Click for other vignettes of El Cerrito history. You can find some back issues of the El Cerrito Journal, including those of 65 years ago, at the Shadi Historical Room at City Hall, open to the public on the third Thursday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m.