May 2004

Welcome to Roadside Peek News. This section will feature a news peek of what's happening out on the road. While not pretending to be comprehensive, we hope you'll visit this section from time to time to keep up on just a sample of issues that are roadside related. Don't forget to check out the Roadside Peek main page for the day's update.

News from: Current | June '04 | May '04 | April '04 | Jan-Mar '04 | 2003 | 2002 | Main

Pasadena, CA - New art exhibit in town with paintings from Roadside Peek contributor Tony Craig.

If you're in the Pasadena area, pay a visit to the Urban Landscape exhibit featuring paintings by Tony Craig. Exhibit will run from June 5 to July 5, 2004.

See www.tonycraig.net for more details.

Don't forget the current petition sponsored by our preservation friends.

The Parasol Petition

See other recent news at Roadside News.

Palo Alto, CA - Historic Quest Committee gains landmark nominations of two Eichler tracks to the National Register.

The Historic Quest Committee has received unanimous approval from the State Commission for their landmark multiple property nominations of two Joseph Eichler tracts to the National Register:

Greenmeadow: Palo Alto. Consists of 243 homes built in the tract’s first two phases, 1954-55. The 1960’s addition is not yet eligible for listing. Greenmeadow features its own community center and swimming pool. Boundaries are Charleston Road, Alma Street and Ferne Avenue.

Greenmeadow Community Center
Palo Alto, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

Green Gables: Palo Alto. Includes the tract’s 62 original homes built in 1950 [excludes the 1954 addition]. Boundaries are Embarcadero Road, Greer Road and Wildwood Lane.

Historic Quest used National Register Criterion C for evaluation. This standard requires that the structure(s) retain most of the physical features representing a particular architecturally significant style. Subdivisions are considered potential historic districts requiring that the majority of homes in such districts retain a high degree of historic integrity and convey a strong sense of past time and place.

Eichler Swim and Tennis Club at Greenmeadow
Palo Alto, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

National Register designation of these remarkably well preserved subdivisions is a tribute to Joseph Eichler’s significant achievements within the field of residential architecture and the mid-century modern movement in America. It is our hope that this work will help lay the groundwork for future Eichler designations throughout California.

Photos and text courtesy Adriene Biondo

Don't forget the current petition sponsored by our preservation friends.

The Parasol Petition

See other recent news at Roadside News.

Long Beach, CA - Sad news from the Java Lanes front line. Another Southern California treasure to soon fall.

In early April, we were alerted that the fabulous Java Lanes in Long Beach was threatened. Developers were itching to put condos up at the site and the neighborhood appeared to be happy to see this treasure go.

Despite the efforts of preservation supporters, the last partner has signed off on the sale and Java Lanes is now doomed. Not much in the way of mid-century bowling alleys, let along tiki themed ones, are left in Southern California. The other that comes to mind, Covina Bowl, recently had its coffee shop converted by Brunswick and lost much of its original charm.

Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for update.

See other recent news at Roadside News.

Sacramento, CA - An Update on the Tower Theatre.

Last week, we brought up an alert regarding the Tower Theatre in Sacramento which curiously had a large sign posted at the theatre site stating "Save the Tower Theatre from City Hall."

Well, apparently this issue is in reference to Mayor Heather Fargo's plan to put an artsy theatre on the K Street Mall (a historical commercial strip in downtown that has seen better times, although it is getting better). Tower's worried the competition might be too much for it.

Many thanks to Chris Sampang for Tower update.

More photos to be added soon, hopefully to sections other than lost treasures.

Again, don't forget the current petitions sponsored by our preservation friends.

The Parasol Petition
Java Lanes Petition