March 2017

FOVM President Louise Torio was named one of four outstanding “Women of the Year” by California State Senator Ben Hueso (40th District CA) for her two decades of work supporting the Villa Montezuma Museum and the Sherman Heights Historic District. Thank your, Senator Hueso, for this lovely recognition.

April 2016

The Friends of the Villa Montezuma were recognized with two awards this month. At the Annual Meeting the City of Chula Vista recognized our 40 plus years of commitment, dedication, and support for this important regional historic resource. And on April 12, 2016, the City of San Diego City Council proclaimed it “Friends of the Villa Montezuma Day” for our achievements with this City-owned treasurer. We thank Council member Alvarez for this honor.

June 2015

Thank you to our elected officials at the local, County, State, and Federal levels who were part of the “soft” reopening in June 2015 and who honored the Friends of the Villa Montezuma with proclamations. Without the support of Council Member David Alvarez, County Supervisor Greg Cox, State Assembly Representative Lorenz Gonzalez, State Senator Ben Hueso, and our rep in the House of Representatives, Juan Vargas, the FOVM would not be where we are today. It takes a village ... and insightful elected officials who see the importance of our historic museums, especially to our inner city neighborhoods. Thank you.

November 2010

On November 30, 2010, the Chair of the FOVM, Louise T

orio,

was recognized by the San Diego City Council for outstanding achievement for over 15 years of work on behalf of the Villa Montezuma Museum and the Sherman Heights Historic District. November 30 was declared to be “Louise Torio Day” within the City of San Diego. Thanks go to former District 8 Councilman and Council President Ben Hueso, who surprised Louise with this wonderful day. At right is Louise with former District 8 Council representative Raquel Marquez-Maden after the ceremony.

May 2010

The City of San Diego Historical Resources Board honored the FOVM with the Preservation Advancement Award, given to those who advance the cause of historic preservation through on-going work or a significant single project, effort, or accomplishment. As one Historical Resources Board member told us, the FOVM made the impossible happen by not giving up and getting so many City parties to come to the table. Thanks to the FOVM’s efforts, the Villa is currently under restoration.

Above: Some of the many FOVM supporters after the award ceremony at City Hall. The poster explains the many-year effort leading up to the funding and the coalition of City forces working together with the FOVM.

April 2010

The San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers recognized the dedication and countless hours of pro bono work for the Villa Montezuma by engineer and FOVM Advisory Board member Phil Kern of Bureau Veritas. Below are some of our volunteer engineers.  From left: FOVM Chair Louise Torio; Bethany Garrettson of Bureau Veritas; Phil Kern, P.E.; and

Ryan Boley of David Evans Associates.

March 2010

At the 45th Annual Conference, the Congress of History of

San Diego and Imperial Counties recognized the FOVM’s work with an Award of Merit for major contributions to the preservation and development of the history of this region.

February 2010

In his annual State of the District address, City of San Diego

City Council President Ben Hueso honored those who achieved great things in the past year for Council District 8. He honored Louise Torio and the FOVM for “exceptional commitment to preserving the Villa Montezuma, a Sherman Heights treasure.”

Below, the FOVM members in attendance, from left: James Justus; Liliana Garcia-Rivera; Pita Ruiz; Council President

Ben Hueso; Todd McKerrow; Louise Torio; and Jerry Guzman.