Chris Treadway: Historical groups delve into area's past
Longtime readers know this column has a fondness for local history, and this installment is another indulgence.
The year's first El Cerrito Historical Society meeting, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, will review accomplishments in 2011 and discuss what's to come in the next 12 months.
The society held well-received programs and tours in 2010 and mounted campaigns on behalf of historic sites such as the Rodini house and the Contra Costa Florist building.
Society member Tom Panas has already told the City Council he plans to nominate the florist building, the Rodini home and two other sites -- the former Chung Mei Home for Chinese boys (now Windrush School) and the Portola Middle School building designed by noted Bay Area architect John Carl Warnecke -- to the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources.
This weekend's meeting at the Open House Senior Center, 6500 Stockton Ave., is free and open to all, and will include a slide show of the year past and what's to come, as well as discussion of possible program topics for this year.