Dana Point, Don Dobmeier & Huntington Beach

This 1936 image is a bit lacking in resolution, but how often do you find a vintage shot of Capistrano Beach that shows not only Dana Point, the highway, and the railroad tracks, but also an identifiable business? The building at the bottom of the bluffs is the Palisades Cafe. At first, I thought this might be the same building as today's Olamendi's Mexican Restaurant -- a favorite of both the late President Nixon and the very-much-current Hedy Henderson. However, another view of the cafe, posted on the Pomona Public Library website, convinces me it's a different building at a slightly different location. Still, looking at the photo makes me want to stop for enchiladas.

Good news today! After being off the O. C. Historical Commission for a few weeks (for the first time in 33 years,) Don Dobmeier has been promptly reappointed. Supervisor and O.C. Historical Society member John Moorlach was the one to set things right. (After Don settles in and gets to know a few people, I'm sure he'll make a great Commissioner.)

The Huntington Beach City Council recently appointed Jerry Person as City Historian and Joel Watkins to the new and previously unannounced positon of City Archivist. Both were appointed for 4-year terms. As I understand it, Jerry -- who has been active in local history for many years -- will be the public interface guy. Meanwhile, Joel -- a computer guy for the City and a graduate from the CSUF History program -- will take on the major task of digitizing the City's historic documents, as well as the large collection of photos amassed by previous City Historians Bud Higgens and Alicia Wentworth. I look forward to working with both new appointees in the near future. (Yes, I've got a couple H.B.-related projects up my sleeve.)