It is no small task to get just one small project off the
ground. In some cases, we must get permission from property
owners or various
agencies such as the state and the City of San Diego. We also
consult with the Urban Forester, neighboring businesses and
residents.
For each new project there must be a source of water and irrigation
- this is usually our greatest obstacle. Once the site is prepared,
sturdy and hearty low maintenance plants are selected; then,
a work party armed with planting mix, fertilizer, shovels,
and smiles
installs our plants. A recent example is the area at the top
of the concrete wall on Nimitz Boulevard. Several families
- children
too - arrived at 9:00
on a Saturday morning and in two hours 60 plants were installed.
It is our hope that we will soon see morning glories, trumpet
vines, and acacia cascading down that unsightly concrete wall!
It takes money and sweat equity to create and maintain our
projects. Money comes from member dues and from the Annual
Dinner and Silent
Auction. The Beautification Committee’s 2007-2008 budget
is over $30,000, mostly allocated to tree trimming, fertilizing
and irrigation. Sweat equity comes from the “Mean
Green Team.” These
hardy folks charge out the door every Friday to plant and weed
and mulch and prune. You might want to give them a hand.
The Mean Green Team welcomes reinforcements. Many members
of the Beautification Committee along with various service
clubs, individuals,
families, or businesses have accepted the responsibility to “oversee” one
of the PLA projects. They tend the plants, do cleanup, and
give the necessary TLC to keep each planting area in tip-top
condition.
This is a long-term commitment and an example of true community
spirit! More Green Team

Mean Green Team December 2007 removing graffiti from a utility
box scheduled for artist decoration
Here
are a couple of examples of this kind of cooperation. On a
sunny morning in August, 2004, more than 60 students donated
youthful energy to a joint PLA-PLNU community service project
at the Nimitz Triangle site. Members of PLA’s Mean Green
Team provided guidance as student repaired irrigation basins
around palm trees and spread mountains of mulch. The crew was
part of the Point Loma Nazarene University “Lead Week” with
nearly 300 university staff, faculty and students volunteering
throughout San Diego County.
People for Trees provided big time support
to the Nimitz Triangle project by lending us 25 shovels, 22
rakes, 3 hoes, a wheelbarrow,
orange safety cones and a water cooler so that our volunteers
could be optimally functional. We thank them for saving us
the expense of renting or purchasing those items.
If you want to lend a hand to our Beatification team, please sign
up through our Volunteer page. The more help we have, the more
we can do.
Thanks
to Karen Davis, Beautification Committee chairperson, for her
dedication. Kudos to all who work together to make Point Loma
beautiful: David Brown, Jodie Bruhn, Karen Davis, Angela Ecker,
Robert Jackson, Dee Kettenburg, Klonie Kunzel, Jean Leighton,
Bob Sherman, Ann Silliman, Bob Simpson, Ardetta Steiner, Hugh
Story, Ed Streicher, Celeste Trepte, and Jess Walker. What a team!
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BUS BENCHES FOR THE VILLAGE
Point Loma Association has a new project in the works. Beginning
in 2003, we announced our goal to replace all of the bus
benches in the Village.
The brown plastic benches, installed citywide
several years ago, provoked many complaints to PLA. We are
raising money
to replace them with a distinctive design to complement future
landscaping improvements along Rosecrans and Scott streets.
After looking at numerous designs, the PLA Board selected
an attractive wooden and metal bench, made by the Plainwell
Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
PLA has completed Phase One of the Bus Bench (and matching
trashcan) Project in the village, thanks to generous donations
from: Robert and Ginger Wallace, Peter Peckham Family, Bruce
Cook, Martha Phillips, San Diego National Bank, Mack and
Donis Lovett/Mike Sherwin, Wayne Raffesberger Family, and
Con Pane. We extend special thanks to the County of San Diego,
Supervisor Greg Cox, for designated grants totaling $26,000.
Thanks also to The Corky McMillin Companies for helping to
support the cost of installation. We have installed 17 benches
and 11 trashcans on Rosecrans between Nimitz and Talbot.
Total cost of the project was $30,059.
For the first time, Point Loma has its own signature benches.
PLA also contacted The Corky McMillin Companies, and they
agreed to install the same bench along Rosecrans fronting
Liberty Station. Now, from Lytton/Barnett all the way to
Talbot, every bench is the same style, a bench unique in
the city. In Phase Two, we plan to install the same bench
along Canon and Scott streets, creating a pedestrian-friendly
ambience.
We continue to offer PLA members an opportunity
to beautify the Village by sponsoring a bus bench or trash
receptacle.
Each will have a custom brass plaque indicating the donor’s
name. You may also consider honoring someone else, perhaps
a friend or family member. The cost is $1,500 for the bench
and $750 for the trash receptacle. To donate a bus bench,
or to request information, please call Wayne Raffesberger,
222-7369.
The benches are just the initial step in the PLA’s overall
plan to enhance the Village, announced at the annual dinner
meeting in 2001. Urban Planner and Landscape Architect Steve
Estrada, of Estrada Land Planning, is advising the Association
on the plan, which proposes new landscaped medians, new decorative
pavers and tiles in medians, crosswalks and sidewalks, and “pop-out” curbs
for a friendlier pedestrian environment.
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FLOWERS IN THE
VILLAGE
Nine basins filled with flowers brighten
Rosecrans and Canon streets in front of Shelter Island
Drug Store and San Diego National Bank. This project,
planned
by the Beautification Committee, was funded jointly by PLA, Celeste Trepte,
San Diego National Bank, and Mike Martin. Mike's Occidental Landscaping
constructed the basins and planted the flowers. Three
original tree basins were installed
in February, as a pilot project. The results had such eye-catching appeal
that the project has been expanded.
The
flower basin concept originated with our vision person,
Hugh Story. Celeste promoted the idea and moved it
toward reality. Our thanks to Hugh, Celeste, Mike and
Raymond Simas for contributions toward a more colorful
Village. Additional flower basins will be created as
funding permits. To sponsor a basin or to make a donation,
please contact Karen Davis at 222-3055.
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BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS
In each season of the year, the PLA Beautification Committee
honors our Point Loma neighbors for attractive landscaping.
Homeowner
and businesses alike are congratulated for extra effort to
keep our community looking good. The Committee welcomes your
recommendations
and we will gladly visit a site that you suggest. Give your
nominations to Ron Brooks,619-224-9912 or brooks1@cox.net
Download the
Nomination Form
Some past Beautification awards are below: