JUNE 2008

6-26-08: Photos from the June 19th meeting can be seen here.

The Alhambra Preservation Group will celebrate its fifth anniversary at this June general membership meeting by hosting an evening tea in the front garden of the 1886 Victorian located at Elgin and Stoneman Streets — and behind the Renaissance Theaters. Light refreshments including birthday cake and tea will be served. The Alhambra Preservation Group’s president, Oscar Amaro, will give a presentation entitled Early Alhambra’s Main Street on noteworthy businesses in Alhambra at the turn of the last century. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their own stories and memories.

The home selected for the June 19 meeting is one of Alhambra’s first residences and was home to Samuel and Emma Crow, proprietors of Crow & Drake’s, Alhambra’s first grocery store. Celebrating its 122nd birthday this year, future plans for this quaint Victorian include renovating it into a tearoom for future generations to enjoy.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact the Alhambra Preservation Group at (626) 755-3467.

MAY 2008

APG President Oscar Amaro attended the Los Angeles Heritage Alliance's May 31st meeting held at the famed Heritage Square Museum. The topic was increasing the communication and collaboration between heritage/preservation organizations throughout the Southern California region. Guest speaker was Zack Behrens, editor of the highly successful Los Angeles News Blog who gave an overview of the myriad of free/low-cost online marketing tools that can be used for outreach purposes.

In addition to the Alhambra Preservation Group, other organizations included the Lanterman House, Los Angeles del Pueblo, the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Old Mill (El Molino Viejo) Foundation, the Santa Monica Conservancy, and the Society of Architectural Historians. Photos from the meeting can be viewed here.

APRIL 2008

Our next general meeting, which will take place Thursday April 17th is titled, "Is Your Home Historic?"

Spanish Mediterranean. Craftsman. Tudor. French Fantasy Chateau. All these are home architectural styles – and all of them can be found throughout Alhambra. With the trend – and value -- in architecturally interesting, handcrafted homes on the rise, the Alhambra Preservation Group is pleased to focus its April 17 program on the city’s prolific home architecture and clarify the meaning of having an historic residence.

APG VP Chris Olson and Board Member Gregg Miller will explain and showcase the architectural details that define the 20th century Spanish Mediterranean style homes which are abundant in Alhambra. The speakers will also touch on the Craftsman, English Tudor and French Chateau home styles.

The confusion surrounding what makes a home “historic” will be cleared up as they will explain in simple terms when a home is – and when a home is not -- historic. The benefits that homeowners can derive from having a historic home will also be discussed.

A question and answer session will follow both presentations. If you need directions and address information, please email APG.

We hope you can join us.

MARCH 2008

On March 31st, the City of Alhambra will hold a public meeting for the purpose of garnering input from the community on the proposed Design Guidelines for R-1 Neighborhoods. Also present will be Mark Broder of the consultant firm Downtown Solutions, who will field any questions residents may have. APG members are strongly encouraged to attend.

FEBRUARY 2008

JANUARY 2008

APG members Oscar Amaro and Michael Lawrence will give a presentation on the activities and future plans for the group at the Alhambra Historical Society meeting Wednesday January 23. 2008 at 7:30 PM. Location is at the Masonic Hall on Woodward between Garfield Avenue and 1st Street.

DECEMBER 2007

The Alhambra Preservation Group's Board of Directors met for a Christmas social at the Olson/Selje home to discuss APG's plans and goals for 2008.

Happy New Year!

NOVEMBER 2007

Several members of the APG attended the City of Alhambra Planning Commission November 19th meeting arguing against the proposed demolition of a 1922 kit home to make way for two "big-box" homes. More here.

OCTOBER 2007

APG's Thursday October 18th, 2007 general meeting took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Evans, 816 E. Alhambra Road with guest speaker author and restoration expert Jane Powell, who also had copies of her popular — and extremely informative books for sale. Photos from the evening can be seen here.

The Alhambra Preservation Group, now an official 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, is launching its Inaugural Fall Membership Drive. Please donate what you can via Paypal's secure web site, or by downloading a membership form and returning it along with your tax-deductible donation check to:

AUGUST 2007

Please join us at our general meeting for a presentation on "The Storied History of Story Park" Thursday August 16, 2007 at 7:00 PM to be held at the Joslyn Center, 210 N. Chapel Street. You can download a flyer or click here for more information..

JULY 2007

On June 8th, APG sent out a notice to the membership informing them of a Pasadena Star News article stating the City of Alhambra's intent on building 175 condos on the Story Park property. Residents within proximity to the park also learned of it only in the paper -- not by the City -- and were incensed. A community meeting was called held on July 16th and was attended by over 100 concerned residents in vehement opposition to the City's plans.

	On July 30th, the Alhambra City Council held a special meeting at the Joslyn Center and nearly 200 residents showed up to hear the City's decision to reverse their plans on the development. Story Park will not be developed into yet another condo project. Photos and community comments from the meeting can be viewed here.

JUNE 2007

A special treat for APG members; the next general APG meeting will feature a FREE tour of the famed Pasadena Playhouse on Saturday June 23rd, 11:00am to noon at 39 S. El Molino (that's just south of Colorado Blvd.). Tour highlights will include a docent describing the history and architecture, access to the balcony (which will soon be remodeled by the famed Frank Gehry) and the backstage and Green Room areas, as well as the library and archives.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 20th 2007 by calling (626) 755-3467 or emailing the APG. We will meet at the Playhouse.

APRIL 2007

On Monday April 16, the City of Alhambra's Council, Planning Commission and Design Review Board will have a joint meeting with the consulting firm Downtown Solutions on the status of Alhambra's Neighborhood Design Guidelines for R-1 Neighborhoods. We are asking that all Alhambrans, as well as APG members attend in lieu of our usual general meeting.

In other news, the target date of the Historic Resources Survey update which was scheduled for April 28th has been postponed until Fall.

MARCH 2007

APG members Chris O., Eleanor C., and Joyce A., attend and report on the City of Alhambra's Design Review Board meetings. These reports, along with photographs of the homes up for review can now be read here.

Also, APG members Eleanor Carter and Oscar Amaro were recently appointed by newly-elected Councilman Luis Ayala to the City's Planning Commission and Art and Cultural Commission, respectively.

FEBRUARY 2007

The Alhambra Preservation Group will resume their bi-monthly meeting schedule on Thursday February 15th at the home of J. Birney, 821 N. Bushnell Avenue. Our featured guest will be newly-elected 5th District Councilman Luis Ayala. We hope to see many of you there!

JANUARY 2007

1-29-07 — O. Amaro gave a presentation to the City of Alhambra at the joint session City Council, Design Review Board, and Planning Commission meeting held Monday January 29th at the Joselyn Center. The City's consultant Downtown Solutions, who will be responsible for the preparation of the neighborhood design guidelines for R-1 neighborhoods, were also present.

Mr. Amaro, representing the Alhambra Preservation Group, spoke of the timely need for these design guidelines by showing photos of both inapproporiate additions and remodeling in Alhambra, as well as home owners who have carefully blended new construction with not only the existing structure, but are also compatible with the neighborhood.

Another issue of great concern to Alhambrans is the city's rapidly diminishing greenspace due to over-development. Mr Amaro's presentation featured satellite imagery taken of Alhambra, as well as surrounding cities that clearly show abundant tree canopies in neighboring South Pasadena, San Marino and San Gabriel, while Alhambra -- literally beginning at the city's borders -- is shown as a grey barren landscape.

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