QUARTERLY MEETING

May 13, 2014 | SWA Group, Sausalito

Chair: Larkin Owens
Recorder: Janet Gracyk and Larkin Owens
Attendees: Cathy Garrett, Janet Gracyk, Larkin Owens, Dane Pollok, and Fred Rachman

The meeting was held at SWA Group's office in Sausalito. Cinda Gilliland hosted us. Zachary Davis presented an overview of the history of the firm and showed us images of some recent projects. Nicole Horn also treated us to a tour of the office.

Minutes:

1. HALS Heroes Photography -- Oakland Museum

   Photographer Dane Pollok presented his large-format, black and white photographs of the Oakland Museum for our approval. Eight photos were prepared to HALS standards. Dane did an excellent job of capturing the character of the museum's interplay of structure and planting. He reported on the challenges of doing HALS photography for the first time, and mentioned the expense. He offered to prepare a summary of his experience, and an accounting, since this is the first HALS Heroes photography project and we are all learning from the experience. Dane was enthusiastic about doing more HALS photography in the future. We agreed that Dane should prepare labeling for the photographs and send them on to Washington, DC.

2. SHPO Subcommittee March Meeting

   Cathy Garrett and Janet Gracyk reported that a little progress has been made, with a tentative understanding of roles and responsibilities, and preliminary research into language definitions. Establishing a regular meeting schedule has been challenging, and efforts will be renewed.

3. Volunteers for China Camp Project Completion

   Larkin Owens reported on behalf of Ellen Johnck and Jennifer de Graaf that we have enlisted the help of Julia Reitan to complete the China Camp project. The report is roughly 75% complete, while the drawings are at least 50% complete. No progress has been made since the last meeting. Larkin will send a call for volunteers to the HALS group to solicit further help in completing this project.

4. Progress on New Berkeley Stairways Project

   Larkin Owens reported for Fredrica Drotos that fundraising efforts for restoration of the Orchard Lane / Panoramic Hill Stairways in Berkeley are just beginning and there may be insufficient funds to perform full HALS documentation. We discussed possible options for the neighborhood group to complete documentation at smaller increments, including starting by preparing a short format report, photographs for a HALS Heroes stipend, or possibly a single-sheet drawing that could qualify for the Holland Prize. UC Extension or other academic institutions might also be used to leverage help.

5. 2014 HALS Challenge Reminder -- Landscapes of the New Deal

   Larkin Owens reported for Chris Pattillo that a few members have signed up to complete short format reports for the National Park Service HALS Challenge. She reminds people that there is still time to sign up for a project. Members are encouraged to visit halsca.org/challenge.htm for more information and to coordinate with Chris Pattillo, so as not to duplicate efforts.

6. 10-year HALS Northern California Chapter Anniversary Celebration 10/11/2014

   Larkin Owens reported that we are starting to think about how to celebrate this milestone in our organization. Larkin will be soliciting suggestions for a suitable potluck venue, and the autumn date of Saturday, October 11, 2014 has been set.

7. Announcements and Upcoming Events
   1. Janet mentioned a new website by historian Dot Brovarney, created to record recollections of Alan Chadwick: talkingchadwick.org.
   2. The next HALS meeting will be our annual August gathering at Oakland's Lake Chalet at 4:00pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2014.
   3. The November HALS meeting has been set for Tuesday, November 18, 2014.