Our program this week was fun as we were informed and reminded of the history of The Santa Monica Pier by Jim Harris, Executive Director of The Santa Monica Pier Corporation. The Pier has many phases to its history.
Santa Monica Pier first opened to the public on September 9, 1909. It took sixteen months to construct the 1,600-foot-long concrete pier, which was then called the Santa Monica Municipal Pier. It was the first concrete pier on the West coast at this time. The Yacht Harbor period saw many boats in the harbor, including Charlie Chaplin’s yacht.
In the early 1970’s the Santa Monica City Council ordered the demolition of the pier. In response to that decision, Santa Monica residents joined together to fight for the survival of the Pier. They developed a “Save Our Pier Forever” campaign, which resulted in the City creating the Pier Restoration Corporation to provide Pier management and oversee restoration efforts. In 1975 the Hippodrome building, and carousel were designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
The Santa Monica Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009 and Pacific Park recognized its 20-year mark in 2016, together they now welcome millions of visitors to enjoy the incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica coastline, Catalina Island, Malibu, and Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Barker Hangar a premier event space in Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Air Center in the Santa Monica Airport, known as Barker Hangar, has been a family business since 1969. It is currently operated by Judi Barker. Go behind the scenes with Judi as she shares how she coordinates the multitude of vendors and helpers she uses to get her 25,000 square ft. venue ready to host concerts, trade shows, award ceremonies, private events, and more. We will also learn about Judi’s participation in local nonprofit organizations as well as her favorite sports and entertainment events outside of her work.
Speaker: Judi Barker, Owner & Operator
Rotarian Host Introducer: Diane Margolin
Zoom Host: Mitchel Kraus
Past President Dick Lawrence inducted three new members into our Club this week: Tanya Gilbert, Travel Advisor and Owner, Steve Springer, Educator Elementary – Carlthrop School, and Andrew Thomas, Real Estate Mall Management – CEO Downtown Santa Monica. Let’s offer our congratulations to them and please invite them to sit at your table for lunch and get to know each of them. Committee Chairs, please let them know about the opportunities of service through your committee.
We honored the Hilton Staff this week for their Service to the members of our Club at each meeting. Jose Alvarez, Martin Baeza – Banquet Captain, Jose Pocasangre, and Claudia Ortiz were present. We demonstrated our appreciation by presenting each with a certificate acknowledging, as a Living Tribute, a tree will be planted in our Nation’s Forests in their honor as a part of the United States National Forest Restoration.
