Congratulations to the 2007 Outstanding Historic Preservation Award Winners!

The first winner is Fermin Valencia for Restoration of the Pepito and Joanne’s Dance Studio. Pepito and Joanne were long-time friends of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and were in fact “co-conspirators” in getting the first episode of “I Love Lucy” on the air. Lucy and Desi were unable to pay their dear friend Pepito for his acting role in the pilot episode, and was given the original film as payment.  This “lost episode” was later found in this very house, and was made available for public view.  After Pepito and Joanne died, the home passed to a non-profit agency, who were unable to restore it or use it for their own purposes because of its decrepid condition.  Fermin has fully restored the home, both inside and out, along with the structure’s wonderfully intricate Queen Anne style details. It was a tremendous job, and he was up to it – all the while completing law school.

Another award winner is the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society for its newly refurbished website. The Webmaster, Guy Ball, is responsible for not only the classic and interesting look of the site, but for its extensive content.  The website contains articles relating Santa Ana’s colorful history, vintage photos of Santa Ana of the past, as well as a childrens’ section to help teach them about our fascinating city.  The website both educates and entertains, and is truly an asset to this community.  The Historic Resources Commission also believes that the Webmaster, Guy Ball is also a great asset to this community, and this Merit Award is a way we can show that.

The final award is equally shared among Joe Duffy, Truth and Advertising, Ron Nestor, Nestor & Gaffney Architecture, and Rosenow Spevacekfor not only their part in the rehabilitation of the Phillips Block Building on the northwest corner of Broadway and Fourth Streets, but for their continued support of the historic downtown and of doing business in downtown. These businesses and people have shown other companies that Santa Ana is a vibrant, artistic, and exciting place to be. We value the work they have done, the work they continue to do, and for giving us back the only intact corner in Santa Ana’s National Register District.