A revamped College Area Community Council (CACC) has been formed, separate of the College Area Community Planning Board. 
The CACC is now a non-profit, California public benefit corporation. It is a membership organization open to all residents, businesses and non-profits in the College Area. Led by a 12-member board, the group’s mission is to conduct charitable and educational activities to preserve and improve the College Area and provide opportunities to build social connections. Seats on the board are set for representatives from each of six identified College Area neighborhoods, as well as representatives from the College Area Business District, SDSU administration and Associated Students, and three at-large directors. Visit the CACC website at: collegearea.org.
Alvarado Estates
By KAREN AUSTIN
Congratulations to Alvarado Estates, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. Alvarado Estates has had its history deeply rooted in the mid-century modernism of the College Area, since its beginnings in 1948. A group of 12 homeowners are now working to plan anniversary-related activities which will highlight our history and bring residents together. Planned events include historic home tours, talks by historians, a summertime movie night showcasing a period blockbuster along with a curated short-movie about AE, Halloween and fall festivities, a holiday cookie exchange, and more. The group is also creating a “living” archive that can be added to for generations to come. The AE Home History Project will collect information about each home, including noted architects and their fine AE examples of M-C Moderns, Prairie, Ranch-style and the rare Post and Beam. The group also aims to produce an anniversary coffee table book which will highlight neighborhood development, experiences and the influence of residents, past and present.
College View Estates
By JEAN HOEGER
College View Estates ended 2022 with the full return of our signature events throughout the year. Our annual College View Estates Association block party was held in June bringing nearly 200 families and friends together for conversation and activities such as a chili cook-off, dessert bake-off, bounce house, tot lot, water balloon toss, grill for hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as music and prizes. Our progressive dinner in October drew 80 neighbors providing the opportunity to socialize with each other as a large group for the appetizer and dessert course, while the main course was enjoyed in more intimate groups in neighbors’ homes. CVE neighbors set the mood for a spooky Halloween and festive December holidays by decorating their yards and houses, with a friendly holiday lights competition, culminating in a holiday gathering at the home of our CVEA president. Our first event of the new year was our once a month “First Friday” social gathering, which is informal and focuses on community and friendship, held at the home of a different neighbor each month.
Mesa Colony
By TROY MURPHREE
One of the things that makes Mesa Colony so unique are the diverse architectural styles of its homes. In short, we have houses that were built in the 1930’s, with the Craftsman flare, and those that were built circa WWII with the Spanish influence, and finally we have our mid-century modern homes. Each one of these homes is lovingly cared for and you can feel the appreciation for their history as you walk the neighborhood. The community is racially and culturally diverse, educated and interested in the future of the area and its residents. The pandemic has taken a toll on our community group, but we are starting to build back up and get active again. Fun events such as our traditional Mesa Colony yard sale will be on April 1 and our upcoming neighborhood potlucks are on our calendar. Monthly meetings and community dinners at local restaurants are also things we look forward to. We are so lucky to have the College-Rolando Library as our central hub for gatherings and monthly meetings on the 4th Monday from 6:30-8 p.m. It is the jewel in our Mesa Colony Crown. Email: Susan Grant at [email protected] and look for posts on Nextdoor and Facebook (Rolando/Mesa Colony/SDSU Neighborhood Activities and Information). https://www.facebook.com/groups/1112401182481412/.
Four of six College Area Community Council neighborhood representatives are pictured in the top photo: Karen Austin (Alvarado Estates), BJ Nystrom (El Cerrito), Troy Murphree (Mesa Colony), and Jim Jennings (College Area Triangle). Not pictured: Jean Hoeger (College View Estates).
Editor’s note: This is a new column that will highlight neighborhoods in the College Area. If interested in submitting news on the Baja Canyon area, contact: [email protected].
