From the GH Farm Blog ("From the backyard farm to the kitchen"):
Click here to read the full post and view the photos.

I've been wanting to post this for the South Park Old House Fair that we went to check out. It was our second year that we went and a definite favorite neighborhood event of ours.

There are booths of vendors, realtors, consultants, and preservation experts all there to answer your questions about restoring old houses. The best part? You can purchase tickets (like we always do) to tour five private homes. Sometimes there are awesome historical and restored homes, other times you get a funky, interesting mix. Mostly, we get good ideas for restoring our own home and sometimes, we learn what not to do.

By Martina Schimitschek, special to the Union-Tribune, Thursday, June 17, 2010 - "Night & Day"
(Click here to see the story online.)

When Edith Whatley moved into her South Park Craftsman home with her husband, Walter, in 1927, no lights twinkled to the east at night — it was just the darkness of vacant land.

“When you think about it,” Ray Shaw said, “Lindbergh probably flew over this house.”

This connection to the past is part of what makes the two-story Craftsman so special to Ray and Barbara Shaw.

They are only the second owners of the house.

“I’m really proud of that,” Ray Shaw said. The couple bought the house from Whatley nearly 20 years ago when she was in her 90s. “She would sit and tell me about the house,” Shaw said.

Shaw, a landscape designer, transformed the front lawn into a cottage garden that would have made his grandmother proud. The couple also made changes to the interior such as updating the kitchen, expanding the master bedroom and adding a second bathroom and a studio.

And among the many photographs the Shaws display throughout their home is a 1942 photo of Edith and Walter Whatley shortly before he left for the Pacific during World War II.

The Shaws’ home will be one of five houses on the historic home tour at the Old House Fair in South Park on Saturday. The tour will also include a 1908 Prairie-style home built by Irving Gill, a remodeled Craftsman and a Spanish bungalow.

The fest is both a resource and a celebration for those who like living with their own little piece of history. It was started 12 years ago by a group of South Park neighbors to promote the area and to help people repair their old homes, said Maureen Ceccarelli, the fair coordinator.

About 70 vendors will be on hand who can “help people restore, refurbish and renew homes,” Ceccarelli said. Save Our Heritage Organisation will be running an “Ask the Experts” booth with architects and historians available to answer questions.

“It’s about helping you find someone who can do the right job to keep the integrity of the house,” Ceccarelli said.

Eric Hanson will conduct a sidewalk tour explaining the history of the South Park walkways, and Patty Fares will lead an Urban Safari tour. Trolley tours offering glimpses of historic homes throughout the greater Golden Hill area are scheduled throughout the day.

The fair will also provide a free bike corral at 30th and Beech streets, . food and music. For children: , chalk-drawing, mask-making, bubble-blowing and planting.

It’s all part of bringing the past together with the present.

About.com's San Diego feature by Inigo Figuracion:

"...Homes like these lend invaluable character to South Park, but their age obviously requires lots of care to restore them to their original glory. The South Park Old House Fair is an annual event that celebrates and honors the heritage of these old homes and it helps to educate other homeowners to find the resources to refurbish and restore their own homes. The 12th annual event takes place on Saturday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m." 

Click the link here to read more.

Larry Himmel reports on KFMB-Channel 8 on June 14, 2010:
To see the video, go to the Channel 8 website and click on the video link.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - South Park has the distinction of being authentic without being ostentatious, a neighborhood both trendy and traditional. Throughout its metamorphosis, it has retained its integrity. Take the house Walter Kamfonik bought in 1991.

"Within a couple of seconds I said, 'You know what, I've got to have this house,'" he said.

It was built in 1907 by famous San Diego architect Irving Gill.

"The house went through an almost 90 percent rehabilitation," Walter said.

The rehabbed living room and dining room both feature original fireplaces. The flooring is a mixed bag of original hardwood and antique hoops.

"This wood came out of a mini-gym in Balboa Park," Walter said.

Walter's done an amazing job of bringing his outside in. His backyard is an extension of his cozy and elegant living quarters. His home will be one of five on the South Park Old House Fair tour this weekend. Local Maureen Ceccarelli says the old house fair gives folks a chance to experience the South Park vibe.

"They get that feel of what South Park's really about, our neighborhood, our landmarks, our history," she said.

Lesley Kilpatrick and Tom McClean's completely redesigned two-story craftsman is on the tour.

"It's basically craftsman style with a little prairie style mixed in," Tom said.

Natural materials of wood, stone, brick, slate and wood give the house an earthy feel.

"One of our favorite areas is the stair tower. Tom's idea was to build a stair tower and tuck a library underneath for me," Leslie said.

Living in South Park is a love story. You can come share the love this weekend at the South Park Old House Fair.