Board Meeting
San Diego, California
January 16, 17, 2009
The San Diego weather couldn’t have been more perfect for Barry Milowitz, Sam Moscato and John Scheshareg to play golf at Torrey Pines on Friday. The rest of us thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon walking tour of the Historic Gaslamp District led by John Maple. Since the Bristol Hotel was in the heart of downtown San Diego, we started out walking a short distance to the magnificent U.S. Grant Hotel built in 1910 stopping at the beautiful Horton Fountain for a group photo. The old SD Trust and Savings Building, now a Marriott Courtyard Hotel, fascinated us with its beautifully appointed lobby. We made our way past buildings under renovations and loft conversions to the recently restored Balboa Theatre. We were welcomed into the Theatre to tour behind the scenes; stage; dressing rooms and to see and witness the operation of indoor waterfalls located on the Proscenium sidewalls. After the five year, 26.5 million renovation by The City of San Diego’s Redevelopment Agency, the theatre is host to a wide array of performances for education and entertainment. Horton Plaza, an upscale outdoor shopping mall located next door to the Balboa Theatre was an especially nice way to end our afternoon tour.
A Wine and Cheese reception hosted by the San Diego Chapter and the California Council took place back at the Bristol prior to dinner. O.Vince Bertolini introduced two new members from his WWCOT office and President Griffith presented them with their membership certificates. We enjoyed meeting Anabel Martinez and Jeff Kadlowec and welcoming them to SARA. San Diego Chapter members, John Dickinson, Ken Hess, Gene Chapo and Fred Meyer also joined us for the evening.
Saturday’s board meeting in the City Scene Room at the Bristol allowed many local and national concerns regarding the profession; the society and individual practices to be discussed. Resolution on a number of SARA issues for 2009 and 2010 were resolved and SARA and its Board feel more challenging and exciting times is ahead. President Griffith shared his continual communications with the AIA and Marvin Malecha, President; NACA (National Association of Cuban Architects) through Philip Fontanills, President; NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) through Steve Lewis, President: NCARB through Gordy Mills, President and CORA (Congress of Residential Architects) through Duo Dickinson, Co-Founder. The board welcomed Octavio Santurio to his first board meeting as a new Director. The 2009 Minneapolis Conference is taking shape as CEU Seminars and tours are coming together. We have made the commitment to Philadelphia for our 2010 Conference co-chaired by Ron Knabb and John DiBenedetto with the Pennsylvania Council.
We look forward to your continual support, input and attendance and value your membership.
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