This year the 44th Annual SARA National Convention brought us together in the “City of Angels.” Despite the unseasonably cool weather and gray skies, our spirits remained high.

On Thursday, we went to “Angels Walk.” This walking tour through downtown Los Angeles gave us a view of Bunker Hill and the historic district of the city. The trip included a visit to the Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, Angels Flight and the recently completed Ronald Reagan Building. We also witnessed that “architecture” is alive and well in Los Angeles with two significant buildings under construction: The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and the Disney Concert Hall.

On Friday, we took a bus tour along the streets of Los Angeles. We started the trip from our hotel in Marina del Rey and then traveled through Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. We then continued into West Hollywood, visited Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, and then went to Silverlake where Dion Neutra, son of the late Richard Neutra, was kind and gracious to allow us a tour of his wonderful home. After a brief stop in Griffith Park for lunch, we took a guided tour of Warner Bros. Studios and got a behind-the-scenes look at movie and television productions.

Later in the evening, Michael Griffith and Richard Holden presided over the Professional Design Awards Program. Prior to the festivities, Michael Macaluso presented a new SARA award, the “Unseen Hand Revealed,” to the family of the late Jonas Mulokas. His son Ray, an architect in the Los Angeles area, accepted the award along with his family. Jonas Mulokas was a gifted architect whose practice specialized on ecclesiastic work throughout the country. This award was created by the New York Council of SARA and is for “The discovery or rediscovery of under recognized work, by those who have left a passionate contribution to our built environment regardless of aesthetic preference or social standing.” We are happy to acknowledge Jonas Mulokas as the first recipient of this prestigious and well-deserved award.

On Saturday morning, seminars were presented by Loewen Windows; Ed Niles, a local architect from Malibu; and Corrpro Companies, a firm specializing in cathodic / corrosion protection. In the afternoon, Tom Cestarte, Co-Chairperson of the Student Design Awards Program, presented a slide show displaying a variety of projects submitted by architecture students across the country. This year’s first place winner, Vicki Anderson of Miami University, was on hand to discuss her project and to accept her award.

During the President’s Awards Banquet on Saturday night, Vincent Bertolini recognized Past National Presidents Samuel Hart and Harry Botesch. It was a delight to see both Sam and Harry reminisce with fellow SARA members. Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Society’s highest honor, the Gold Medal, to Richard Holden. Also Past National President Richard Bonsignore installed the Officers and Directors for next year. The 2001 Executive Board will be comprised of President Michael J. Macaluso, FARA; President-Elect Richard C. Holden, FARA; Vice President Celso R. Gilberti, ARA; Treasurer Adriana Garcia, FARA; Recorder Michael M. Nikaido, ARA; Regent-At-Large Don Zivkovic, ARA; Archivist Norman E. Minster, FARA and Directors Jaime C. Salles, FARA; Gerald R. Gross, FARA; Sheldon R. Goldstine, ARA; Arthur Dyson, FARA; Robert J. Firneis, FARA; Francisco J. Urrutia, FARA; Wayne H. Dahlberg, FARA; Michael F. Griffith, FARA; and Thomas A. Cestarte, ARA.

We thank Michael Jones, Convention Chairperson, for his hard work and effort in making this event a success. We also thank the many sponsors whose contributions made it possible for us to once again meet new friends, renew old aquaintenances and to celebrate the spirit of SARA in the new millennium. Plans are already underway for another fun and exciting convention next October in Cleveland, Ohio. We look forward to seeing you there!

Michael M. Nikaido, ARA