This circa 1920s postcard shows a spot identified as "The Sphinx, Balboa Beach." Does anyone know more about this, or its exact location?.
Despite public protest, the City of Santa Ana will tear down over a dozen historic homes between the Civic Center and the train station as part of its proposed "Station District" redevelopment project. It sure wouldn't be hard to pick several dozen buildings near the train station that should be bulldozed,... but these aren't the them. Some of these homes predate the County itself. Luckily, at least a couple of them are scheduled to be saved, but I hate to think what kinds of threats the preservationists had to make to get that concession.
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A fire broke out in the historic Williams Building at 112 E. Commonwealth Ave. in downtown Fullerton this morning, causing a lot of damage. See the Register's website for more information.
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Disneyland Nomenclature has a new article about the development of the term "Cast Members" to describe Disneyland employees. Niche interest stuff, to be sure, but I think at least a few of my readers are in that niche.
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Dr. Jutta Burger of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy will address the California Native Plant Society on the subject of "Preserving the natural treasures of the historic Irvine Ranch" on Nov. 19, 7-9pm, at the historic Duck Club, on Riparian Way in Irvine, CA. She will describe the habitats, their regional importance, the vision and approach to managing them, and current projects. Highlights will include observations from recent grassland and sensitive species surveys, choice photos from wildlife camera operations, and plans for removal of invasive plants and restoration of certain areas.
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Speaking of natural history, these past couple weeks have been sad ones for those fighting to save Orange County's natural treasures. Joel Pasco, noted veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator, and co-founder of the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach passed away on Oct. 24. (He was also the husband of Jean Pasco of the O.C. Archives.) And today I learned that environmental activist Dr. Jan Vandersloot, Director of the Ocean Outfall Group and the Bolsa Chica Land Trust (and my dermatologist during my pimply teenage years,) died yesterday. The State Coastal Commission adjourned in his memory.
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Both gentleman made great strides to ensure that our great-grandchildren will be able to appreciate the natural wonders that drew everyone to Southern California in the first place. The world needs more people like them.
