The President announced that the Society had purchased a new batch of Arcadia Publishing's Images of America “ El Cerrito ” title. The books can be purchased for $22. Ruth Kibby, the Society's Treasurer, gave a report on the Society's finances. She reported that in the 2008-2009 year the Society had revenues of $3,156 and expenditures of $1,486. She also noted the combined total of the Society's restricted and unrestricted funds on deposit at Mechanics Bank was $13,933.

The President commented that we have had no communication from the city regarding the survey of historic resources and that unfortunately we had also heard nothing from the City regarding the Dorothy and Sundar Shadi History Room at City Hall. The President acknowledged a gift to the Society of a classic TEPCO “hall boy” pitcher. The president reported that the Creeks Committee was beginning to study the many creeks that are found in El Cerrito . Program Chairman David Weinstein reported on possible subjects for future meetings. He also commented on the Society's presence at the annual citywide Independence Day celebration.

Tom Panas reported that he and the President had discussed and agreed on a number of comments to submit on the Draft EIR for the Miraflores project in Richmond . This is the project to redevelop the old Oishi and Sakai (plus others) nursery properties. Tom noted that the responses are due by the end of July and that he planned to drop off the Society's response tomorrow (July 27) at Richmond City Hall . On a related subject, Tom noted that preparations were going well for the Society's upcoming photo exhibit documenting the historically significant Japanese presence in El Cerrito and Richmond .

The President reported that he and Tom had met with the developers of the Rodini site on Elm Street and that the Society has given the developers our comments on their current plan. The President commented that the Society had finally seen the Historic Resource Report that was prepared for the former Contra Costa Florist site and noted that we considered it completely inadequate. The Report's primary failing is that it attempts to address the significance of the site without understanding the historic context of the site. The President noted that the National Park Service and the State Historic Preservation Office had expressed the same sentiments when we provided them with a copy of the report.

After a break, Dave Weinstein introduced the program for the day: a panel of speakers to discuss life in the El Cerrito Italian-American Community in the early days. The topics touched on by the panelists included immigration, language, jobs, dairies, businesses, social life, the impact of World War II, winemaking, and more. The panelists were Ruby Farra, Fred Granzella, Gino Martinucci, and Theresa Parella, all of whom did a wonderful job. A number of persons in the audience also added comments about life in those days.