|
SOHO President's Monthly Message
November 2016
By Jaye MacAskill
 SOHO President Jaye MacAskill and President Barack Obama at his recent UCSD visit. |
I'm sure many of you are as surprised as I am that November is already upon us and 2016 is coming to a rapid close! Where does the time go? Looking back over this past year, I'm impressed and humbled by all the fine work that SOHO has accomplished in furthering the organization's mission to preserve, promote, and support the architectural, cultural and historical links and landmarks of our region. Through education, advocacy and stewardship, SOHO continues to be one of the most active and influential historic preservation non-profits in the country. Indeed, it has been another great year!
Reflecting on all that I am personally thankful for during this month of thanksgiving, SOHO ranks high on my list. As someone who has always cared about old buildings and historic places, it gives me a great sense of relief knowing that an organization like SOHO exists to protect these precious and irreplaceable resources that I, as so many others, hold dear to my heart. Frankly, knowing that SOHO is always "on the job" helps me sleep at night! I am thankful that SOHO is blessed with so many intelligent, competent, and overall wonderful staff members who manage to keep this whole massive operation running while vigilantly trying to protect the vast historical treasures of our region. However, without generous donors, most or none of what the organization does would be possible. So, to all of you who support SOHO monetarily throughout the year: you are also on my "thank you" list. With SOHO's annual End of Year Campaign now upon us, please remember how important your generosity is and know that it does not go unappreciated!
So, where did 2016 go? If you are a regular reader of Our Heritage News, SOHO's monthly eNewsletter, you are probably well apprised of many of the organization's recent activities and can recall that one major focus of 2016 was celebrating the life and work of architect Irving J. Gill. Our staff and volunteers barely had a chance to catch their breath between SOHO's yearlong 2015 Balboa Park centennial celebration and this year for what could arguably be considered the biggest party ever thrown in honor of Gill's legacy in San Diego. I hope you will get a chance to experience some of the fun in discovering and re-discovering one of San Diego's most influential architects by visiting the current exhibition at the Marston House called Irving Gill: Progress & Poetry in Architecture, purchasing a copy of the stunning accompanying catalog, and attending one or more Gill-themed lectures and tours.
This eNewsletter highlights SOHO's stewardship role over some of the most significant historic buildings in the region, including the Whaley House, the Santa Ysabel Store and Hoover Barn, and the Warner-Carrillo Ranch House. Tangible proof of the power of member donations, SOHO is proud to report the completion of several major restoration projects on these sites that will help to ensure their preservation for the long-term benefit and enjoyment of all San Diegans.
Also included in this month's eNewsletter is the 2016 Most Endangered List, which indicates SOHO may have at least a few costly preservation battles looming on the horizon. The fights to save Balboa Park, the California Theatre and Caliente Racetrack mural, and the historic commercial core of Hillcrest could end up costing SOHO a tremendous amount of money in legal fees. If you feel strongly about any of these causes, please donate to SOHO's End of Year Campaign or Legal Fund so that we can challenge these threats as aggressively as possible. If I may be so bold as to make a slight addition to the well-known slogan of the National Trust: "This place matters … and so does your support!"
|
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
|
