Ruth Hardy Park Neighborhood Organization

RUTH HARDY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION
palm springs, california

Forum

This forum is an unmoderated discussion on any aspect of the Ruth Hardy Park Neighborhood Organization.
It is provided as a resource for members of the community as well as those who desire to learn more about it.
Rational and thoughtful posts on a wide range of issues are welcome.
The Advisors reserve the right to remove inappropriate posts.

Jim Franklin (September 26, 2009, 12:08 pm PST)
-November Mixer-

We will be have a wine and cheese mixer on Sunday November 1, 2009 at 1097 Pasatiempo. We will be
discussing the annual meeting set for Dece. 5 and a possible name change to "Movie Colony East."

Bill Markley (January 7, 2009, 11:42 am PST)
-Organization Name-

I wonder how we can put this issue to rest. We voted and the Ruth Hardy Park name won out. Those who are opposed to the name will always be opposed. If we can't find some name that everyone likes, let the vote stand.

Michael (January 7, 2009, 6:43 am PST)
-New Name for neighborhood Organization-

I think the MUSIC COLONY would be a better suited name for the neiborhood Organization. After all many music luminaries had homes in our neighborhood.

Doug A (September 3, 2008, 8:22 am PST)
-Porno Movie Colony - HELL NO!-

What the heck. Changing the name to the PORNO MOVIE COLONY - HELL NO !

Susan (August 26, 2008, 5:17 pm PST)
-palm tree trimming-

Does anyone have a name & number of a palm tree trimmer they can share with me. I have 3 Washingtonian Palms that need trimming. Thanks Susan at redleef@verizon.net

Jim Franklin (August 5, 2008, 6:19 pm PST)
-Foreclosure Ordinance-

The City Council passed the amendment to the Vacant Building Ordinance last Wednesday. This will now cover foreclosed properties and will go into effect in September. If you know of properties in your area that are vacant and neglected please let us know so we can follow up with the City.

The City can now fine the owners starting at $1,000 and going to $5,000 per month for having a neglected property.

Jim Franklin (July 28, 2008, 5:13 pm PST)
-Foreclosure Ordinance-

The City Council will be voting on the foreclosure ordinance this Wednesday evening. This ordinance will require lenders or their agents to register the properties with the city and to inspect them weekly. Failure to maintain the properties will generate an initial fine of $1,000, up to $5,000 a month.

If you know of properties in your area, please let us know so that we can get on the case with the responsible party.

Jim Franklin

Jim Franklin (June 17, 2008, 1:44 pm PST)
-Numbered Signs-

Yes, there is a program that goes with those, like a freeway milage marker. I will get a copy of the brochure and send it to Bill to be on the website. If I remember I will get it this Friday.

Jim

Bill Markley (June 17, 2008, 12:46 pm PST)
-numbered signs-

Paul,
I remember when these were put up (not that long ago, a couple years ago), and they were markers that you (someone?/tourists?) could use to find their way around town and to indicate local attractions. However, I have been searching everywhere and can find no reference to them.

Paul H. (June 14, 2008, 3:25 pm PST)
-PS Curious Trivium Question-

Anyone know? We've asked so many people including cops and city reps, and no one seems to know the answer and most have never even noticed they were there. What do those number signs on the street light posts all along on 111 at every intersection represent/mean/ purpose? They are not mile markers because the intersections are at very different distances, the signs have only a progressive number on them, and the image of mountians and sky in their background. Thanks for the trivium relief.

Paul V. (June 10, 2008, 2:54 pm PST)
-name change-

Personal issues of Ms. Hardy aside, the fact remains that the park is claimed by the Movie Colony. Their web site is just a click away, check their boundaries. Perhaps that the park is across the street from our perimeter is enough. It would only be fair to address those who's homes WERE in the Movie Colony and are no longer. There is some resentment concerning that one issue. Some of us wonder how this became Ruth Hardy Park and when the name change happened. Maps printed as late as 2001 claim a different name. My thought is that there were areas within larger areas, all with individual names. Somehow the whole area became RHP, even if RHP is not within our boundaries. Curious.

Tom Fitzgerald (June 8, 2008, 11:42 am PST)
-Name Change-

I have just read Jade Nelsons commment and I heartily second the motion and as a little note I received in the mail stated "if it ain't broken don't fix it." I voted in the balloting for a resounding NO vote.

Jade Nelson (June 7, 2008, 1:13 pm PST)
-No Name Change please!-

I have heard from sources who either knew her or knew of her firsthand that Ruth Hardy was a congenial, sweet, bright woman who was a great hostess. Yes, she was also strong, tough and opinionated wih a can-do reliable attitude. Remind you of any women in the press lately??? How about Hillary, Martha, Oprah...? Not to mention the women who made this town...Palm Springs was essentially founded and created by strong pioneering women that played a hugely instrumental part such as Nellie Coffman, Pearl McCallum McManus, Zaddie Bunker, Mrs. Humphrey Birge, Francis Stevens, Katherine Finchy, Ethel Strebe, and yes, Ruth Hardy.
I am so tired of sexism in this country as of late and it's high time that we ackowledged the women who made Palm Springs what it is regardless of their personal lives and what others may have thought of them.
I was raised in the neighborhood and still live here gladly. It has always been one of the safest, friendliest and cleanest areas in town and a name change isn't going to accomplish much if anything. As citizens and residents of the neighborhood we should be doing our part to show pride in and celebrate the good name of Ruth Hardy and everything great she did for this community.
Thanks for listening.

Paul (June 3, 2008, 5:38 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy-

my goodness...who knew, never heard any of this. We can go from prim puritanical proper Ms. Hardy to sleaze porn....kinda sad. If that's a subject then there might be some concern about reputation of the park it self...Perhaps we could hear what it might be if it wasn't Ruth Hardy Park or Movie Colony East? My only concern is the vote will go for change but it will end up completely different and perhaps not favorable. Miss Hardy would not be pleased.
Regardless it's a great place to live.

Kyle (June 3, 2008, 12:44 pm PST)
-RPH NAME. No Change-

As a real estate investor I don't want to own in The PORN Movie Colonies or The PORN Movie Colonies East either. And it's only fair and responsible to warn everyone that might be considering a name change, to let them know that could happen. Some might be OK with that, but I'm not!

Bill W. (June 3, 2008, 12:34 pm PST)
-name change- Movie Colony? Why?-

All the celebrities have long, Long, LONG since packed their bags and moved away and faded into the dark corners of history. And for a long time now skin flicks are the only movies still filmed around here. I’d hate for us to seem like some tragic washed-up bit-part has-been actor that’s desperate for a come back. I hope we’re not so shallow and pathetic that we need to create some phony empty “Prestige”. Excluding porn, name one movie from our neighborhood that anyone NOT old enough to collect Social Security has ever even heard of, and the same goes for celebrities. Beverly Hills has always had, and likely always will have, big, medium, and small time celebrities living there as well as big time movies being filmed there too. We’re not Beverly Hills, or even close to it. So please, let’s not try to sound arrogant and put on phony heirs for the sake of some sad ego. Besides, the Movie Colony already suffers from “The Porn Movie Colony” jokes. And when people ask what movies were filmed there, some wise-cracker always seems to joke that it’s porn, or say they’re the kind of movies you’ve got to stick a quarter in the slot to watch. Do we really want to inherit that as our identity? Once it starts, there is no getting away from it.

Megan C. (June 3, 2008, 11:24 am PST)
-assoc. name: PORN Movie Colony or PORN Movie Colony East-

PLEASE NO! A couple of years ago I sold my home in the “PORN” Movie Colony area, primarily to get away from all the seemingly constant off-color jokes and insults. It’s a couple of years later and I’m still getting comments like, “I liked it better when you lived in the PORN Movie Colony.” or “PORN is the only kind of movies made there anymore.” It’s not funny anymore - - as if it ever was. Please don’t make me move again. I like Ruth Hardy Park. But I can’t go through anymore of that. I’m desperately trying to escape it.

Ike U. (June 3, 2008, 11:22 am PST)
-Name Change - Comparing RHP to Beverly Hills?-

Yeah, that seems like a fair comparison. Just like Beverly Hills we have too many Hillbillies. Jed, wash the critters in the cement pond, and yer truk is leakin’ earl, so park it on the brown grass, but careful of the weeds, they make the yard look natural.

Paul V. (June 2, 2008, 6:26 pm PST)
-name change-

ok, I'll add a cent or two to the discussion. Park reminds me of mobile homes or trailer parks. Ramon Park, Park View Estates, Safari Park, Canyon Park. Sorry.
It would be great to learn how and when this area got it's name. I'll echo a previous post: "Regarding the name: MOVIE COLONY EAST. As a real estate investor and broker, it is my opinion that aligning a neighborhood to a prestigious area increases property values." My own slant is that we have a huge history of movie/TV people, especially people who worked behind the scene and it would be nice to honor them.
Also, I admit to being a little peeved when we bought it was the Movie Colony and when we sell it's Ruth Hardy Park. Some Realtors refer to Ruth Hardy Park as an area of small homes on small lots which is not really true, especially with new construction in other areas being on tiny lots.
Ruth Hardy did some great things for Palm Springs and we love our home and neighborhood.

Paul H. (June 2, 2008, 5:30 pm PST)
-RE: the next there posts ended up in reverse order-

The next three posts ended up in reverse order. Sorry. Silly me.

Paul H. (June 2, 2008, 5:22 pm PST)
-RE: Possible Area/Neighborhood Name Change-

Regarding Ruth Hardy herself - Good and bad personalities are more honestly, and best, kept in era and cultural context. Just as we all hope about ourselves, as things we do today may be looked upon quite unfavorably in future times. In fact many of us, I would guess, can see in our own life times things we've done in the past that at the time were seen as acceptable and "normal" and completely automatic without a thought, or were even expected of us. Yet today we would find it unthinkable to do or say, as we and our society continues to change, and grows and learns. Today we may think we’ve acted ok, but give it time and the future will be calling all of us crazy or wacko or something for some reason or another. Everyone has now or is making skeletons of some sort, and the others are suffering selective amnesia. Let’s just hope the future remembers to keep all of us in time and cultural context too… and let’s hope they are kind.

It’s not about the good and bad of former area custodian Ruth Hardy… it’s about us… the current area custodians… and there will future area custodians too. It’s about pride of place for all area custodians, past, present, and future. Let’s be practical, let’s be wise.

Keep the name… especially “Park”.

Just my simple minded two cents - - and with the devaluation of the dollar, it’s worth less every day.

Peace, love, and clever Jell-O molds,
Paul H.

Paul H. (June 2, 2008, 5:21 pm PST)
-RE: Possibel Area/Neighborhood Name Change-

Keeping “Park” in our neighborhood name can only be a good thing… for numerous reasons. Especially for marketing [property values], and especially for those folks and visitors less familiar with Palm Springs, yet may want to buy here. “Park” sounds ESPECAILLY GOOD! That mental image alone creates value in people's minds. Just as when people travel [and we are a vacation destination] and they pick up those free real estate magazines and they read "Park", you know that sounds good to them and it creates a positive mental image. That word alone is putting money in our pockets and maintaining higher desirability and stability, than without "Park" in our neighborhood name.

Changing to “Tamarisk” something may not be wise either, since Tamarisk trees are being removed because they are the water hogs of the desert, and why the Railroad is replacing and eliminating them too. Besides, what does Tamarisk tell a stranger to the area? Certainly not the same as "Park" does.

When people give directions to the neighborhood, they almost always start by saying,
How do I get to your place?
"Do you know where Ruth Hardy Park is located?"
Of course!
Great! That's our neighborhood, just take a left at...

continued...

Paul H. (June 2, 2008, 5:20 pm PST)
-RE: Possible Area/Neighborhood Name Change-

Somewhat recently Canadians tried renaming one of it's territories "Bob", and it almost happened, just fell shy a few votes… DARN! That would have been fun. I SOOO wanted to book a trip to “Bob”. So, I don't think changing the name to "Bob" stands much of a chance here either... but maybe? It could make for some funny conversations.
Where do you live?
In the middle of "Bob". How 'bout you?
Hugh? What did you just say?!?!?!?

The Movie Colony people are very friendly and like us, but would probably prefer to keep their current boundaries unchanged, rather than negotiate a merger, despite the fact that many celebs, did, and still do, have homes in the Ruth Hardy Park area too. The same desire is likely true for the Colony El Mirador Estates people as well.

The park is at the dead center of our area/neighborhood. Ask any local Realtor to show you a map from the Palm Springs Board of Realtors. We’re area 37, which is a box with the Movie Colony (area 35) cut out of one smaller corner, and a small box deep inside us for the Colony El Mirador Estates (area 33). By the way that map also shows that the park IS completely in area 37 - Ruth Hardy Park, and not the Movie Colony. If there are any local Realtors with that map available, please scan and share it here on this site or provide a link. Thanks

The park name will not be changing.

continued...

dean grafos (May 28, 2008, 9:09 am PST)
-name and power lines-

Please read Meg's comment regarding powerlines. I also live on Pasatiempo and witnessed the fire that destroyed her house. The power lines are dangerous, unsightly and only exist in a few areas of Palm Springs. They should be removed and I am willing to contribute my share.

Regarding the name: MOVIE COLONY EAST. As a real estate investor and broker, it is my opinion that aligning a neighborhood to a prestigious area increases property values. An example: Beverly Hills Adjacent is used for the community which touches Beverly Hills. It has done wonders for the property values. Let's do the same!

Gerry J (May 20, 2008, 2:12 pm PST)
-New Neighbor Safety Question-

We recently purchased a small home in the Ruth Hardy Park neighborhood boundary. Since we are new, we thought we would ask all of you a question.

How safe is this neighborhood in general? What should we look out for?

I would also like to ask if anyone has any reliable connections to a qualified, plumber, electrician, painter, landscaper, etc. Since we would like to do renovations on our house and need people to call we can trust.
Please email me at
steveston@gmail.com if you can help out.

Thanks in advance.

Gerry J (May 20, 2008, 12:53 pm PST)
-Name Change-

Since this area was once part of Movie Colony and people used to pay dues to it. Why not just change it back to Movie Colony or join the Movie Colony Neighborhood Assoc.?

I don't think that would be too complicated.

Patty (May 19, 2008, 8:54 am PST)
-Neighborhood Name Change-

It seems to me that our neigborhood is named for the PARK, not the person, and even though the park is not within our boundaries, it borders it and describes where the neighborhood is located within Palm Springs. I just moved to Tamarisk Rd. a year and a half ago, but I've wanted to live in the Ruth Hardy Park neighborhood since before I moved to Palm Springs over seven years ago. What I'm saying is that I knew where the neighborhood was even before I lived in Palm Springs, based on its name. And the park is still going to be named after Ruth Hardy even if the neighborhood changes its name.

Bill Markley (May 13, 2008, 5:46 pm PST)
-name change-

The vote at June's social is just to see if people want to change the name. If the majority want a change, we'll have six months to gather potential new names and then vote in December's General Membership meeting. Check out our synopsis of the issues

Paul (May 13, 2008, 3:34 pm PST)
-name change-

will we be notified about what the choices are for a name change before June, if there is one? Love a clue on how or if this is going to happen and what others thoughts are.

Jim Franklin (April 25, 2008, 10:47 am PST)
-Neighborhood Watch-

I don't think the issue was that nobody was interested, I'm interested, but that the class was 8 weeks long and how much could there be to it that required 3 hours a week for 8 weeks.
The discussion was about reducing the amount of time to be trained.

Joy Meredith (April 24, 2008, 7:36 pm PST)
-Neighborhood Watch-

At the Police Advisory Board meeting last week an ONI representative said that no one is interested in a Neighborhood Watch or Neighborhood Watch class. I know that I am very interested and was wondering if others in RHPNO are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch group. Thank you. Joy Meredith

Meg B (April 21, 2008, 9:46 pm PST)
-Underground Utilities-

I noticed some comments about undergrounding utilities and just wanted to mention that I had gotten a petition signed by most of my neighbors a few years ago on Pasatiempo, Olive and Marshall Roads to try to require the developer of the new homes on Tachevah to keep his promise to underground the surrounding utilities, however, the city (by a vote of 3 to 2) let them get out of it. The only requirement the city left in effect was that anyone who bought one of the new homes would have to agree to contribute to the undergrounding of the surrounding utilities if such an event came up. I certainly would agree to undergrounding the utilities since after the city ignored my petition and the other neighbors at the city council meeting, the lines on my block were pulled down by a truck and started a fire in my house and I only just got back in last fall!

Bill Markley (April 17, 2008, 11:20 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy Park area-

This map was sent to me by Bill Post (he's the Secretary of the Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee board). It's from a larger map that's also hanging in City Hall near the large conference room, called "Close-up of the Village of Palm Springs."

I highlighted what I think is now the Ruth Hardy Park Neighborhood Organization area.

View map.

Bill Post (April 16, 2008, 10:37 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy Park-

Hi,

Current day Ruth Hardy Park consisted of Desert Acres, Winter Haven Manor, Desert Sands, La Rambla and P. T. Steven Acres. I like La Rambla Neighborhood Organization.

The map I use is also in City Hall near the large conference room. "Close-up of the Village of Palm Springs."

My understanding was Ruth Hardy was the first female Council member. I know nothing of her politics however you've piqued my interest. Current day Ruth Hardy Park ( the park not the norg ) was an olive grove. It was named Tamarisk Park in Ruth Hardy's day.

Bill Markley (April 16, 2008, 7:23 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy-

Hey all,
Check out the history section of the Ingleside Inn as Paul Van Nies suggests
( http://www.inglesideinn.com/default.aspx?pg=history&rp=history).

"History of the Ingleside Inn – Palm Spring [sic]

....the property was then sold to Ruth Hardy, a lady from Indiana, who changed the face of the town and of the Inn itself. She transformed the estate into a 20-room hotel, and it was a very special one indeed. You did not call for a reservation, you had to be invited, and if Mrs. Hardy did not consider that you measured up to her standards, you were simply told there was "no room at the Inn".

She proceeded to operate the Inn as a private club, closing six months of the year. She personally supervised every facet of the operation. The small restaurant was for hotel guests only and if you were invited by one of the guests, you had to have Mrs. Hardy's approval...
...The Inn hosted the "Who's Who" of show business, finance and politics. Guests included Howard Hughes, Salvador Dali, Norman Vincent Peale, Spencer Tracy, Mrs. L.M. Giannini from the Bank of America family, etc., etc.

Ruth Hardy became an important figure in Palm Springs. She was a City Councilwoman, responsible for having the trees on Palm Canyon Drive lit, and subsequently a park in town was named after her. The Ingleside Inn enjoyed a reputation as the favorite gathering place for the rich and famous.

In 1965, Ruth Hardy passed on and the Inn was sold...."

Paul Van Nies (April 12, 2008, 5:33 pm PST)
-RHPNO-

' rumors and innuendo does not serve any purpose but to cause what seems to be a bit of hysteria.' ...sorry but it's not rumor or innuendo, it's right there in the history books. Ask Mel Haber or read the history of the Ingleside Inn.

More important we don't have the park in our neighborhood.

Paul Van Nies (April 12, 2008, 5:26 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy-

No other neighborhood is named after a person. No other park is named after a person. When we tell people we live in Ruth Hardy Park they think we mean the Movie Colony...the area that surrounds the park. Ms Hardy did discriminate against Jewish people and "movie people", while perhaps legal in those times it was well known to many to avoid her. That and several other reasons are why El Mirador Inn and the Racquet Club got started. How long has this area, all of it, been called Ruth Hardy Park? When we bought our area was called Movie Colony, seemed like at the end of escrow it changed. (Bill Markley ~ the listing agent and previous owner of your home called it the Movie Colony, I know 'cause I almost bought it.)I don't think the focus should be that Ms Hardy was a anti-Semitic, not to add to the 'hysteria' but more that we don't live in the park or around it. My point being how long has this been Ruth Hardy Park? Just until this past year I would see listing flyer's on homes that said it was the M.C. even I knew it had changed. Nonetheless we all love our 'hood!

Sean R. Warren (April 11, 2008, 9:35 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy Name Change-

I would like to comment on the "Ruth Hardy" issue. When and "if" Ms. Hardy did not allow people of color to stay in her hotel, she was perfectly withing her rights to do so. The whole country had signs in windows "whites only". Sad, hurtful, mean... but true....it is our country's "history". Thankfully, thinks are better now, not perfect, but better.
Since none of us actually knew Ruth Hardy, to play into these rumors and innuendo does not serve any purpose but to cause what seems to be a bit of hysteria.
Most Presidents of this country until Lincoln owned slaves. Now that is racist.
Should we change the name of all those elementary schools?
What about Columbus who oversaw the rape, murder and eventual elimination of thousands of native Americans? Do we still want that long weekend in October?
While President Reagen ignored the HIV/AIDS epidemic, millions of men, women and children died yet we name airports, schools and playgrounds after him!
Do you see how this could go on and on....
I am a proud resident of the Ruth Hardy Park area and will encourage and support NOT changing the name. Thanks for reading!

Oz Kraus (April 11, 2008, 5:19 pm PST)
-New Name-

Ruth and I have no objection to the present name though a shorter name might be worth considering.

Dee Dee Barton (April 11, 2008, 10:46 am PST)
-Name Change-

I love the name of our neighborhood! It means something to me - great neighborhood, central to town, the best schools. If the name were changed it would be impossible to effectively reeducate residents and realtors about the change. It would end up being referred to as "The Old Ruth Hardy Park Neighborhood". Yelch.

Paul Van Nies (April 10, 2008, 9:43 pm PST)
-Movie Colony East!-

Movie Colony East fits the history of our neighborhood. While producers, directors and move stars lived here it was also home to many movie and TV workers. Camera, set design, all sorts of Hollywood industry people made this area home. Our neighborhood doesn't even include Ruth Hardy Park. While she did a lot for Palm Springs it's well known she was Anti-Semitic and Racist. When I tell people we live in Ruth Hardy Park they don't understand where it is. Movie Colony East suits where we are best. Didn't this area used to be called the Movie Colony? We have neighbors that remember it being the Movie Colony and paid dues to be members.

Nancy Stuart (April 5, 2008, 9:07 pm PST)
-Name Change-

Ditto- Movie Colony East. Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas are examples of defined neighborhoods using similar names. We are historically more about the Movie Colony than Ruth Hardy. This was quite the concern at our cocktail party among the residents in attendance. I believe we need to speak to this concern.
Nancy

Joy Meredith (April 5, 2008, 9:03 am PST)
-RHPNO-

How about Movie Colony East? This way we don't lose our identity.

I spent several hours with Jeri at the Historical Society. There is not much available about Ruth Hardy. Mostly I have heard from those that lived here then that she was a bigot and did not allow Jewish or Black people stay at her hotel. It may have been 'acceptable' back then but that is not a trait we do accept any longer.

Jade Nelson (April 4, 2008, 5:33 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy-

As a native and life-long resident who has lived in the neighborhood for the last 20+ years and as the vice chair of the city's Historic Site Board, I feel compelled to join this discussion. I have put in a request to the historical society for a real background on Mrs. Hardy. Meanwhile, I'd like to suggest if anyone thinks it is worth the hassle to change the name of the neighborhood from what is formally recognized by the city and county, may I suggest Winter Haven which was the name of one of our tracts built in the 50's. Also, it is worth noting that in the context of the time and place during which Ruth Hardy was alive she may have not been considered a bigot then. Nevertheless, she was an upstanding citizen and civic leader. Thanks for listening. I will share more info as it comes through the pipeline.

Bill Markley (April 4, 2008, 1:01 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy Park name-

Unfortunately, the El Mirador Neighborhood Organization already exists.

Paul Zapala (April 3, 2008, 9:31 pm PST)
-Ruth Hardy Park name-

I wanted to add my opinion to Bill's comments about Ruth Hardy as our neighborhood name.

I am also a bit uncomfortable that Ruth Hardy was know as such a bigot, and that we have taken that name for our neighborhood. I would support opening up this topic at our next advisors meeting, not only because of Ruth Hardy's reputation, but also because the park is not in our neighborhood.

I suggest we dig deep into our history and find another significant historical fact to rename our neighborhood. Working with the City and with the Board of Realtors would also generate us plenty of publicity (and hopefully new members). Since we were on the El Mirador Golf Course, we could be the El Mirador Neighborhood Organization (I would not advocate the Italian Internment Neighborhood Organization!).

BTW - Jim did ALL the work to make the party a success.. THANKS JIM!!!!

Bill Markley (April 3, 2008, 7:09 pm PST)
-Cocktail Party - March 29th-

Well I think our March 29th party should be classified as a big success, thanks especially to Jim and Paul. The most common estimate for attendance was around 60.
The food was great, the bartender was superb :-), and the company couldn't have been better.

Lots of people had great stories about the history and former residents of our area. I didn't even know about the golf course, or that Ruth Hardy Park was used as an Italian Internment Camp during WWII. I hope we will be able to get these in writing and put them on the website. So, all of you, please submit any tidbits you know about the area.

One concern that came up from a number of people was the name of our organization. Apparently, Ms. Ruth Hardy was blatantly racist and anti-Semitic, something we didn't know when we first formed the organization. One person was reluctant to join an organization that was named after her, while another said that this was living in the past. Even though we are named after the park and not specifically to honor Ms Hardy (I know, a thin distinction at best), the park is not even in our area's borders. Also, to complicate things further, Ruth Hardy Park is the name of real estate section for our area.

Personally, I think this is an issue worth discussing, even though I am not sold on the idea that a name change is necessary. I am not proud to be associated with a bigot, and at least I think we ought to consider other names for our organization. Should we also consider pursuing the City to change the name of the park, and the Real Estate Board to change the name of the real estate section?

Or should we accept the past as the past, see Ruth Hardy for all that she was (prominent citizen, inn owner and first woman on the city council, as well as a bigot), accept that we are named after the park and not the person, and focus on more pertinent and timely issues.

I would love to hear other's opinions on this issue.

Michael von Wittenau (March 25, 2008, 12:16 pm PST)
-Historical Map-

I agree that a historical bike/walking map of our neighborhood featuring points of interest, architecture and celebrities homes would be a great idea. There are several homes that were owned by film and music luminaries such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. It is great that a neighborhood organization has been formed. It seemed that we were the unwanted step child of the Movie Colony before!

Michael Kennedy (March 19, 2008, 11:51 am PST)
-South Africa Trip, August 2008-

I've just completed the itinerary for a trip to South Africa in August 2008. If anyone might be interested in going with us, please let me know. The group is limited to 16 people and we still have a few open spots.

This promises to be a spectacular trip including Cape Town, Kruger Park and Victoria Falls. See the attached complete itinerary for details.

Thanks.

A. Thibault (March 12, 2008, 7:23 pm PST)
-Website Suggestions-

A couple of suggestions for the website itself.

It would really be nice to have an interactive map with a description and history of our neighborhood including points of interest, architecture, celebrities ect; and a brief bio of Mrs. Ruth Hardy herself.

And perhaps a poll to see if people are interested in burying power lines to increase the beauty and value of our area? (see the Deepwell link)

Susan Rothblatt (March 4, 2008, 4:47 pm PST)
-street paving-

Just north of Tamarisk on De Anza needs paving and a curb or gutter. It becomes a swamp with tall grasses and reeds growing in it.

M. Joan Martin (February 21, 2008, 2:31 pm PST)
-Jim and Veralee's lost dog.-

Jim and Veralee, So glad you found Willie and that he is on the mend. I found a dog up on Via Escuela that same weekend Willie's posters were all around, called the name on her collar, no answer, took her to my open house (I'm a Realtor...who isn't?), finally owner called, came to pick her up and brought his sister and brother-in-law with him. They fell in love with the house, rented it, moved in 1st Feb. Dog owner gave me a bottle of Dom Perignon, Dog went home to her family, Young couple are in love with house, I own house (rental) young couple are paying my mortg. All is well. Dogs RULE. Sincerely M. Joan Martin

M. Joan Martin (February 21, 2008, 2:16 pm PST)
-Street/Road Paving-

Jim, Thank you for email. When I first rec. notice and was invited to join the Ruth Hardy Park Neighborhood Org, I responded immediatedly and spoke with Jim Franklin about the need to get something done about pools being emptied onto the streets and their destruction of the surface of Tamarisk Rd. ESPECIALLY the section from DeAnza to Calle Marcus...a very short distance... Every pool that is emptied NORTH of Tamarisk, East of Arguilla and West of Calle Marcus flows down to Tamarisk, North side and crosses Tamarisk between DeAnza and Calle Marcus and flows down Calle Marcus. This one block is pot holed, constantly flooded, stinks when the weather is warm/hot and CONSTANTLY washes away my landscaping. I live right there at 1550 Tamarisk. I had Nadine from code division at Palm Springs City Hall send yet another notice to engineering to do SOMETHING besides coming out popping in a shovelful of blacktop that gets washed away a day or too later. The surface of the street needs to be leveled (or manipulated somehow, engineering is not my strong suit) so the water does not pool/accumulate. I'd appreciate any help or support our collective voice could give. Sincerely M. Joan Martin

Jade Nelson (February 21, 2008, 1:31 pm PST)
-Road Re-paving-

I'd like to vote for Arquilla Road, especially the section between Tachevah and Tamarisk. Also, there is a mosquito breeding potential area in the ditch area at the northwest corner of Paseo De Anza and Tamarisk (street needs gutter). I look forward to meeting all of you eventually. Martin Lowery and I live at the northwest corner of Alejo and Arquilla, so if you see us in the front yard when you're out walking or driving by, please say hi! - Jade

Ann Leiboh (January 25, 2008, 11:20 am PST)
-dog walking, etc.-

I was walking this morning and had another idea. It goes along with the "dog walking" idea but would be for others too. Many people walk or run for exercise, it would be great if we had "distance/mile" markers in the area. I think you have a meeting tomorrow or pretty soon so I thought I would just throw the idea out for you to discuss.

Jim and Veralee Bassler (January 24, 2008, 2:35 pm PST)
-missing dog-

Willy was found, hunkered down in the yard of an empty house, injured from a car accident, trembling with fear and cold, on Plaza Amigo, off Alejo.

He is now doing well.

I thank you for posting his disappearance, and so many of our Ruth Hardy neighbors who kept their eyes open and called us with clues to our dog's whereabouts.

Willy and his saviors

Paul Van Nies (January 24, 2008, 11:30 am PST)
-RHPNO historical committee-

Wouldn’t be great if we had a map or walking tour of our neighborhood with architect designed homes or the personal residences of architects along with our long movie history. Maybe we could include notable Desert characters too. I bet we have lots of stories to share. If there's a committee being formed I’d like to be part of it. btw: great web site!

Ann Leiboh (January 22, 2008, 2:18 pm PST)
-Dog Walking Group-

I often walk my dog in the area and meet many other dog walkers, which led me to a couple of ideas. One idea is to have a dog walking group for people to walk their dogs together. It is fun to meet people and "chat" while walking and it is fun for the dogs to have other dogs to be with. It could be a set path so people could join in at anytime, set times during the days or a couple of times a week, or see what suggestions come up. We could put "feelers" out to see if there is any interest.

The other idea is to have some sort of "bag drop" at different locations throughout the area. When walking I often have to walk towards the park just in order to use the garbage can there. I thought if we had an attractive container with a plastic liner, people could drop their bags and then on trash days, the property owner could just put that in their trash and reline the container. We could mark these with some sort of symbol that our neighborhood residents would recognize and/or just let everyone know of the locations scattered throughout the neighborhood. I dont' know if it's possible to make an arrangement with the waste company, but it might be worth looking into, so that no property owner would be responsible.

Veralee and Jim Bassler (January 12, 2008, 1:53 pm PST)
-missing dog-

Our dog Willy has been missing since yesterday.
Willy is a short-haried tricolor husky-shephard mix male with a log tail that curves up. He medium sized and has a gentle nature.
If you see or find Willy, please call us at 760 809-1479.

Bill Markley (December 19, 2007, 9:21 am PST)
-pictures-

If you have any great pictures of our neighborhood that you want to share on the website, please email them to bmarkley@ruthhardypark.org, and we can put them in the picture gallery.

Bill Markley (December 17, 2007, 10:57 am PST)
-Garden Walk-

The City's Neighborhood Involvement Committee is planning a Garden walk (tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 12th), and each neighborhood is requested to enter two gardens to put on the tour. If your garden, or a garden you know, might be appropriate for such a tour, please let the Advisors know.