SMC March 2011 Newsletter Web Final.Indd
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NEWS March 2011 • Vol 9 No 1 Protection for Marquez Cemetery Expanded Unfortunately, the landmark application included only the area of the cemetery located within the 1926 adobe wall commissioned by Santa Monica Land and Water at the time of the subdivision of the Roman Marquez portion of the rancho. A small four foot easement There’s Something was granted across the land lying between the cemetery wall and San Lorenzo Street (which for Everyone was named after the wooden statue of San California’s historic preservation community Lorenzo placed in a niche in the adobe wall). is coming to your doorstep! Th e California Cemetery wall with San Lorenzo Statue, 1937. Courtesy In later years, a confi rming recognition of this Preservation Conference (May 15 to 18) is a Ernest Marquez Collection easement involved signifi cant litigation. unique opportunity to participate in activities Th e historic rancho-era Pascual Marquez family Last April, the land in front of the cemetery that are educational and entertaining, and to cemetery in Santa Monica Canyon will be wall was sold. When the new owners began meet new friends who share your interests. more visible to the public in the future, thanks construction of a house on that land, surviving Th e program is loaded with special to recent decisions made by the City of Los members of the Marquez family asked the City tours, educational workshops, and events Angeles. Ten years ago, LA granted Historical of Los Angeles to expand the boundaries of the exploring preservation and its essential role Cultural Landmark status to the cemetery on landmark. in sustainability, economic development San Lorenzo Street, just off of Channel Road. continued on page 2 and community character. You can select individual events that appeal to you most, or Shotgun House Design Approvals Granted immerse yourself by registering for the whole conference. If you volunteer to help out at the • The sign outside the house will be reduced conference, you get an inside look as well as by 25%, while keeping its original style some free benefi ts. and proportions, in response to a concern The free plenary session on Monday by the Architectural Review Board. morning features the new President of the • We will add additional landscaping along National Trust for Historic Preservation, the west end of the building and the Stephanie Meeks. Th e program takes place south side of the trash enclosure to soften at historic Barnum Hall (at Santa Monica the appearance. High School) and includes the winning entries Overall, every Commissioner and Board to the 2011 Youth Film Competition (see by Mario Fonda-Bonardi and Sherrill Kushner information on p7). member indicated wholehearted support for our Plans for the relocation and rehabilitation of the project. Next steps include an application to the Three-Minute Success Stories (Monday Shotgun House continue to move forward after California Coastal Commission for its approval night) is traditionally one of the most popular another milestone was recently reached. The which should be the last discretionary approval events of the conference, presenting compelling Landmarks Commission and the Architectural necessary before applying for a City building preservation stories with drama, humor and a Review Board, meeting jointly, approved our permit. The last two steps are estimated to take touch of vaudeville. Th e stage at the historic project with the following conditions: six to nine months. Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club will provide • The house will ultimately be painted a Given this recent progress, we will be stepping an ideal venue. creamy white rather than a “pure” white, up our fundraising efforts in the next 18 months. Special tours created for the conference will which the Landmarks Commission be- You’ll be hearing more about this and how you showcase the historic, architectural and cultural lieved was too modern. can participate! treasures of Santa Monica and the region. You can explore Modernist architecture in the City and Santa Monica Canyon; tour the Adamson House in Malibu and learn about Malibu tile; explore fi lm locations in the Santa Monica Annual Preservation Awards pages 4-5 continued on page 2 www.smconservancy.org The Conservancy Message from the President Carol Lemlein Board of Directors As you read this issue, I think you will agree that preservation in Santa Our board comes from neighborhoods Monica is off to a great start for 2011. throughout the city and includes: Nevertheless, much important preservation work happens behind the scenes, and it’s not always easy to give people the credit they deserve. Carol Lemlein, President In particular, Mario Fonda-Bonardi and Ken Kutcher have contributed John Zinner, Vice-President countless hours helping the Shotgun House make its way through the Tom Cleys, Treasurer many rigorous approval processes required before construction can commence. Susan McCarthy, Secretary Another excellent example can be found in outgoing Board member Sarah Bernard NancyNancy O’Neill.O’Neill. NancyNancy has providedprovided generousgenerous fi nancial supporsupportt fforor CConservancyonservancy acactivitiestivities and hhasas Ken Breisch always been there when we needed her, whether it was at a check-in desk or putting her professional Bruce Cameron skills to work on a research project. We will miss her company on the Board, but are delighted that Mike Deasy she will remain an active volunteer. Th ank you, Nancy! Michael W. Folonis, FAIA I’d also like to thank former Board member Joel Brand for his continued leadership of our Mario Fonda-Bonardi Communications Committee and his valuable support of our website and email system. With Joel’s help, we’ve established a more identifi able image for the Conservancy with the new logo and tagline Nina Fresco and fi nally completed the transition to a new email system driven directly from our membership David Kaplan database – enhancing our visibility in the community and our ability to keep you informed. Sherrill Kushner Finally, I’d like to welcome our newest Board member, Cristyne Lawson. You may not be acquainted Cristyne Lawson with her yet, but Susan Cloke’s profi le on the opposite page provides an excellent introduction. Ruthann Lehrer As always, your membership, your contributions and your active participation are what continue to Barbara Whitney strengthen the Santa Monica Conservancy’s ability to fulfi ll its mission. We thank you - and hope that you will consider increasing that commitment in whatever ways you can. Doris Sosin, Emeritus Membership Dues Individual Membership $35 “Preservation” continued from page 1 Household Membership $45 Mountains; or discover Santa Monica’s beach never again have a chance to hear so much culture. And many more! Th e tours will take accumulated knowledge and experience right Low Income Membership $15 place on Sunday May 15 and on Wednesday here in Santa Monica! Sustaining Membership $100 May 18. Headquarters for the Conference, the Fair- Supporting Membership $250 Workshop sessions will be held Monday mont Miramar Hotel, is a great place to hang To support the Conservancy at higher afternoon May 16 and all day Tuesday and out, with exhibitors showcasing preservation- levels, or with a business membership, Wednesday, May 17 and 18, providing a wide related products, a bookstore, and a silent auc- call (310) 496-3146. range of educational opportunities developed tion. around the theme of “Preservation on the Conference details and forms for registration Edge”. Wednesday’s session will focus on the and volunteering are available at the Califor- The News Sta� complexity of planning and creating the An- nia Preservation Foundation website: nenberg Community Beach House. You may www.californiapreservation.org. Alice Allen Margaret Bach Sherrill Kushner Ruthann Lehrer “Marquez” continued from page 1 cemetery wall with its niche containing the Nancy O’Neill Dick Orton With support from the Cultural Heritage statue of San Lorenzo. “Th ey will remain Kay Pattison Barbara Whitney Commission, Los Angeles City Councilman visible forever to the public from the street” Bill Rosendahl, members of the Marquez/Reyes said Ernesto Marquez, great great-grandson of Rancho descendants’ family, local and state Francisco Marquez and Ysidro Reyes, who were How to Contact historic societies, and friends and neighbors, jointly granted the 1839 Mexican Land Grant The Santa Monica an agreement was reached with land owners Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. Conservancy Fred Marcus and Davida Rochlin. Marcus and Ernesto Marquez said, “Th e extended Rochlin would sell the northern portion of Marquez/Reyes family is overwhelmed with Phone: (310) 496-3146, leave a message. their lot for less than market value and donate gratitude for all of our friends, cemetery Website: www.smconservancy.org the balance of the value of the land to the non- neighbors, and supporters who sent letters E-mail: [email protected] profi t La Senora Research Institute; cemetery and good wishes, and who made the trek to Mail: Santa Monica Conservancy supporters are now planning their fundraising downtown LA to testify on our behalf. Please P.O.Box 653 eff orts. know that the Marquez/Reyes family has grown Santa Monica, CA 90406 Supporters envision replacing the current by the hundreds in the space of a year [because] wooden fence with a more appropriate iron all of you are now family and part of the history fence that will allow the public to see the of the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica.” Pageage 2 Page 3 Volunteer Profile: Santa Monica Native Daughter Cristyne Lawson by Susan Cloke We welcome our new Conservancy Cristyne Lawson’s mother, Bernice Stout Lawson, grew up in Santa Board Member, Cristyne Lawson, the Monica and was a musician. Her father, Hilliard Lawson, was the recently retired Dean of the School of first black Santa Monica City Council member.