FEBRUARY, 2009, NEWSLETTER
and Minutes of
January 29, 2009 Board of Directors & Members’
Meeting
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 26, 2009, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM: AT THE OFFICES OF CHC &
PRESIDIO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, Bldg. T-3, Funston Street (Cross Street
Lincoln Blvd.) PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO.
The building is located on Funston Street, directly across the Street
from the YMCA. Street parking available, however, there is a new “permit”
system and you must pay for parking until 6:00 PM. Free parking
is available at the Officers’ Club parking lot nearby with a short
walk to Funston & Lincoln. Guests and prospective new members
are welcome. Please bring refreshments for our reception following
the meeting.
President’s Message - Bill Applegate:
The Grass Valley trip so meticulously
planned by John Hodges for April 24-26 promises to be the event of the
decade for the CHC. The CHC membership response has been overwhelming…and
by now it is nearly sold out. The more I learn about Grass Valley, the
more I look forward this exciting adventure. As John so aptly puts it…it
allows a glimpse into our proud California heritage, especially the
Gold Country heritage which is so closely tied to CHC’s inception
fifty years ago this year. And with gold making such a strong comeback
today, that heritage once again becomes even more relevant and current.
At $1000 an ounce one might think a side trip for some recreational
gold panning might pay for the weekend….something to hope for?
While nuggets up to 3 ounces have been found panning....the odds aren't
that great.. back in the area's mines’ operational days it took one
short ton of ore to produce just .43 ounces of gold! The real fun part
of course will be the great and wonderful company we will all be in
as we share a truly Californian experience that transcends time and
space. Thank you again John!
Chair of the Board Remarks - John Hodges:
The Grass Valley field trip scheduled for April 24-26 has 33 folks signed up and 25 of those are prepaid. With that wonderful participation we are firming up all our planned events including two lunches and our celebration dinner on Saturday night at the Owl Grill and Saloon (circa 1883).
Many of you are staying at
the Holbrooke Hotel (circa 1862) and for those folks and our other readers
who are not going on this trip you will find attached a brief sketch
of this California State Landmark.
As we will be spending most of our time in Grass Valley, I am also including a two page write up on this great little town which once rivaled San Francisco in population and money in 1862.
Lastly find attached an overview of the North Star Historic Conservancy. We will be visiting the North Star House (circa 1905). It is one of the earliest designs of Julia Morgan who is considered by many to be the foremost female architect of the 20th century. The Conservancy has been submitted as a candidate for 2009 recognition by CHC.
This trip will be fun and it is important for CHC to refresh our thinking about the many eras and styles as this trip will provide a glimpse into our proud heritage.. We will learn about Grass Valley's role in the Gold Rush, the history of hard rock mining and the story of the development of the Sierra Nevada foothills from dusty tent cities to the great towns they are today.
Look forward to seeing you all this Thursday.
Minutes of the January 29,
2009 Board of Directors and Members’
Meeting. The meeting
came to order at 4:00 PM at the San Francisco home of Board Members
Ted and Dorothy Kitt. President Bill Applegate presiding.
Directors present: Bill & Conchita Applegate, Marsha Calegari,
Janet & Tom Conover, Sharon Gadberry, Winchell Hayward, John Hodges,
Allie Huberty, Redmond Kernan, Dorothy Kitt, Herb Konkoff, Christopher
Layton, Jules Levaggi, Yusuf Uraiqat, Betty Ann Prien, Dianne Rowe,
Claire Skall, Stephen Steczynski, Susan Walima, Gary Widman. Minutes
of the 11/08 Board of Directors Meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report
- Yusuf Uraiqat: The December 10, 2008 Holiday Dinner showed a profit
of approximately $460. This was largely due to a very successful
silent auction. Bank balances were read and are on record at CHC
offices.
Presidio Update -
Gary Widman & Redmond Kernan: The public Presidio Trust Meeting
on 12/9/08 was cancelled. One “new preferred alternative design”
is in the works for the Fisher Museum. The Presidio Historical
Association is opposed to the new design. The Trust will present
a Supplementary Environmental Impact Report and Section 106 documents
regarding the Main Post update in February. After the new documents
are issued, there will be a 45-day comment period. Gary suggested
that CHC write the President nominating Redmond Kernan to the Trust
Board. A motion by Betsy Dohrman to nominate Redmond Kernan to
the Trust Board was seconded and unanimously approved. John Hodges
volunteered to help draft the letter.
Grass Valley/Nevada City
trip April 25-26 - John Hodges: John suggested attendees arrive
on Friday evening, April 24th in order to check into their
hotels and be prepared to start at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 25th.
It is also suggested that hotel reservations be made immediately as
there will be a vintage car show in town that weekend. Among other
things, on Saturday we will have a tour and luncheon at the Empire Mine
State Historic Park. On Saturday evening we will dine at the historic
Owl Grill & Saloon (circa 1857). On Sunday, we will tour the
Northstar Mine and a tour of heritage homes, including a Julia Morgan
home Please advise Dianne Rowe of your hotel accommodations and
when you will arrive. If you need hotel suggestions, call Dianne
at (415) 699-0780 as she has a complete list of hotels, and what they
charge, in Grass Valley.
Awards Nominations
- Christopher Layton: The following awards have been suggested thus
far: (1) Cavallo Point/Fort Baker, Sausalito, which was visited during
the July, 2008 CHC meeting; (2) Engine Co. No. 2, 460 Bush Street, San
Francisco, visited during the October, 2008 CHC meeting; (3) Culinary
Institute of America, Napa, approved in 2007; Julia Morgan home in Grass
Valley, nominated by John Hodges and will be visited in April; Woodside
Store, nominated by Tony Aguirre. Janet Conover advised that she
visited the Warnor’s Theater in Fresno (nominated by Dianne
Rowe) and that it should be put over until next year. Reed Robbins
nominated the Pasadena City Hall and is in the process of preparing
the paper work. Alan Nicholson suggested the Fox Theatre in Oakland.
Another suggestion was the Bay Model in Sausalito, although it is circa
1950's. NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AWARD NOMINATIONS
IS THE END OF MARCH. THE DEADLINE FOR FINALIZING THE AWARDS TO
BE PRESENTED IS THE END OF APRIL.
The Awards dinner is set for
June 25th. This will be our 50th Anniversary.
We need a committee of volunteers to suggest how we should celebrate
and promote our anniversary. A Steering Committee was set up at
a previous meeting and they are delegated to work on this project.
It was suggested that the annual Holiday Party is a better venue for
this celebration as the Awards Dinner has a full agenda. Mention
of it, as well as promotion, should be made at both dinners.
Mt. Tamalpais Interpretive
Association Project - Arlene Halligan: Arlene has been working
for 15 years on the concept of opening a museum at the top of Mt. Tamalpais
where the Crookedest Railroad ended its climb up the Mountain to the
Mountain Inn. In order to get there, people would take a ferry
to Sausalito, board an electric train to Mill Valley and then board
the train that took them up the mountain. Along with the museum
building, which they hope will open late 2009, there will be interpretive
panels and a rail road car replica. Arlene will keep us
updated on their progress of opening the museum.
Old Business:
Gold Bear - Insurance: Tony Aguirre: Several insurance
companies have been approached and research for the best rates is ongoing.
Bank Contact - Yusuf Uraiqat: Keith Weisbeck is the Service Manger
at the Wells Fargo Branch and is in contact with his legal department
to finalize what the bank needs in order to get access to the box.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15
PM and a reception followed. Minutes recorded by Dianne Rowe.
CALENDAR OF FUTURE MEETINGS
& EVENTS (Please mark your calendar):
March 6: 11:00 AM: The
Crookedest Railroad in the World by author/historian Fred Runner.
The Livermore Pavilion at the Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross (415)
258-9595. $5.00 donation requested. Reception follows.
March 26: CHC Board of Directors and
Membership Meeting. Location pending.
April 25-26: CHC Trip to Grass Valley/Nevada
City.
May 28: CHC Board of Directors and
Membership Meeting. Location pending.
June 25: Annual Awards Dinner.
