Book: Dream Home by Catherine Armsden

I don't usually go to book readings. Not for lack of interest, just a timing thing really. However last night I had the absolute pleasure of going to an intimate reading by Catherine Armsden. She is an architect turned writer and she read from her book Dream Home. The book touches on things like nostalgia and memory associated with buildings and architecture. Subjects that I love! I look forward to reading the book! See here for more information.

Spencer Leineweber

The latest Preservation Architect newsletter had an article on the passing of Spencer Leineweber in July. She was one of my field school professors at the University of Hawaii during the summer of 1998. She helped solidify my pursuit of historic preservation and taught me skills I still use today. More about her here.

Hand drafting

Heading to the San Francisco Department of Building inspection today. Last night I added some hand drafted revisions rather than reprint pages. It was quite enjoyable as I don't often hand draft these days. 

26th anniversary of 1989 Loma Prieta

There was an earthquake registering 6.9 on this day, October 17th, 26 years ago in 1989. I was a preteen in Palo Alto having a private music lesson when the shaking started. It was quite terrifying but soon stopped. No one I knew was hurt and there was not much damage nearby. I remember images of the bridge and freeways but I think I was most concerned with the fact that we only had one day off from school and my father who worked in a research lab had a whole week! Despite the fact that it has been so long since the last "big" earthquake I am still very conscientious of the dangers of living and working in so unpredictable an area. Be sure to check your earthquake kits and emergency plans regularly!

Event: ICRI Symposium

The International Concrete Repair Institute is having a Symposium on September 25th. See more info here.

Book: The Second Empress

Just finished reading The Second Empress by Michelle Moran. Her books are historical fiction written from the perspective of fascinating women. I've now read most of them. This one was about Napoleon's second wife. Fun quick read though sometimes a bit gruesome. Glad I wasn't living in France during the Napoleonic wars!

Event Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 12:00-1:30pm

... a studio tour of Patrick J. Ruane, one of San Francisco’s premier plastering firms. Founded in 1940 by brothers Patrick and Malachy Ruane, the company currently employs a work force of artisans and craftsmen that use time honored techniques of the past to retain and restore historic buildings. Ruane is currently working on the reconstruction and restoration of the decorative plaster ceiling and walls at the San Francisco Mining Exchange Building, located at 350 Bush Street. The tour will include a discussion of the reconstruction process and include a demonstration of the casting process. See more info.