By Laura Renolds
Crown Online
 

    Since1971, Austin Conover  has  worked at Los Angeles Valley  College giving tours and meeting with news journalists from the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Daily News  showing off the early days of the San Fernando Valley at the college museum. 
   For 14 years, he was communications officer at the college. So many interesting visitors kept him occupied, Conover said. He has been sharing history as a volunteer since he retired in the mid-1980s 
   Conover, father the of two sons and five granddaughters who turns 86 years in May, has been a columnist for the Hollywood Citizen News. He wrote his column called Roaming Around, for 32 years. 
  As a journalist he traveled to Russia in the 1950s with his wife who spoke Russian and helped  him overcome some language barriers. 
    Historical treasures are found in the museum, said Conover. Some items are from the early days of the San Fernando Valley such as clothes worn during the early pioneer days, farm worker tools, pictures, maps. Conover is interested in encouraging new students to further their education. For him, he said, This is a campaign to get new students as well the community interested in the museum. This inspires me. 
   Los Angeles Valley College was established in 1949 with its first director Dr. Vierling Kersey. Later the title of director was changed to president. 
   A time capsule will be placed on campus before the year 2000 to be opened in later years by staff members about the past events at Valley, said Conover.