Foothills Sentry August 2020

Foothills Sentry Page 9 August 2020 VOTE GLADSON FOR ORANGE MAYOR It’s time for change! PAID FOR BY GLADSON FOR MAYOR 2020 FPPC ID #1427756 www.gladsonformayor.com By Guy Ball Volunteers have been taking advantage of the forced COVID shutdown by pushing ahead on the complete revitalization of the Tustin Area Museum in Old Town Tustin earlier than planned. This local museum has hosted thousands of adults and area students, often through classroom visits, to see how life in Tustin “was” in the “early days.” Back in mid-1979, the fledgling Tustin Area Historical Society opened its museum downtown in the historic Knights of Pythias Building on El Camino Real and, with the exception of some minor collection changes and additions, the layout stayed the same for the last 40 years. Several months ago, members cleared out the entire museum to refinish the original hardwood floor, repaint the walls, and re- place all the lighting with brighter LED fixtures. A rear office wall was moved four feet to allow for even more exhibit room. Mean- while, new glass cabinets and moveable walls were purchased to improve the exhibit space and allow for future flexibility. One thing that has not changed, is the display of Tustin’s first fire engine, which was created years ago from a donated 1912 Buick touring car. The beautifully re- stored vehicle includes a hand- cranked siren -- particularly en- joyed by the school kids. While some exhibits are still being finalized, the museum will have new areas for local sports heroes, Tustin’s military heritage, and city history. This is in addition to displays featuring early business and agri- cultural tools and devices, as well Tustin Area Museum gets a major facelift as an area showing what life was like in early Tustin and North Tu- stin homes. Thanks to a generous donation by a member, a new electronic re- search center was added that will allow visitors to view back issues of the original “Tustin News” community paper, as well as im- ages from the society’s collection that aren’t on display, due to space limitations. The wide collection of local and county history books is available for research as well. Technology upgrades now al- low for three new wall monitors to be used for video presentations, displays, and special events. The museum gift shop has been ex- panded, and more emphasis will be focused on the front window display for passers-by. The Tustin Area Museum is located at 395 El Camino Real at Main St. Visit TustinHistory.com or the Tustin Area Museum Face- book page for grand reopening information and hours. A vintage fire truck is a centerpiece of the Tustin Area Museum. The museum displays early business equipment and a telephone switchboard. Jeff McCabe, owner of One Way Painting in Orange, found 27 guns under the bed of a cli- ent whose house he was painting. The guns belonged to the client’s husband, long deceased, and she not only didn’t want them, she was afraid to touch them. McCabe offered to help her get rid of them, and California Gun Services was born. “A lot of peo- ple have guns that they no longer want, but they don’t know what to do with them,” he says. Approved by the federal Alco- hol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of Justice and local police departments, Gun Services representatives are authorized to acquire unwanted guns on the spot. They pay $50 per gun, in the form of a Visa gift card, no matter what condition or how many guns are being turned over. Unsafe, nonfunctioning or il- legal firearms are destroyed or handed over to the appropriate authorities. Guns with historical or mon- etary value are sold at auction, or transferred to a licensed dealer outside California. Gun Services does not accept assault rifles, machine guns or de- structive devices, but can advise owners how to legally dispose of them. “Our goal is to provide a safe and legal way to limit the number of cheap, dangerous or unwanted guns in our community, while protecting those with historical value,” McCabe notes. “We be- lieve in the right to bear arms, but with that right comes respon- sibility. It is important for people to recognize when it is unsafe to have a firearm in their home.” California Gun Services plans to hold buy back programs in the foothill communities over the next few months. Gun buy back program takes on unwanted firearms Before After Mike Band (left) and Jeff McCabe of California Gun Services buy back firearms from an owner seeking to dispose of them legally.