Parkster - Azalea Park Neighborhood Association

January 2015
NEXT MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 6:30 PM AT AZALEA COMMUNITY PARK REC CENTER
BEWARE
IRRESPONSIBLE
DOG OWNERS
amazing people who understand the impact of such a
surprise expense and continued on. Our neighbors
and furry family are important to each of us. This being
said, when living in such a diverse neighborhood as
ours, there will always be folks who don't understand
the importance of maintaining a secure site for their
pets, regular visits to the veterinarian (including shots),
spaying/neutering, and the overall care beyond
providing food and shelter. It is time again to help
educate each other in these best practices so we can
ALL feel safe on our streets.
From the dialog shared, came some really great tips:
by Dennis Wood
In recent weeks, the topic of roaming and vicious dogs have come to
the forefront, especially in our community. When many of us read
the recent accounting of a dog attack at Myrtle and 41st on
December 7th, there was a flurry of dialog on NextDoor, where
many suggestions came to light.
The initial post is here: "Both my wife and dog are currently in
surgery following an attack by a loose Pit Bull. They were walking on
Myrtle Street near the Joyner Elementary School. My dog has a
deep puncture wound plus a few other cuts. My wife has a severe
cut to the tip of her nose and finger. The Police and Animal Control
showed up to hopefully find the owners of the pit bull. Thank you to
all the neighbors who came to help. Please watch out and make
sure your pets are in SECURE yards. If you see any loose large
dogs call animal control immediately. Back to the hospital...
1) Program the number for Animal Control into your phone: (619)
767-2675. Use this to report loose, aggressive dogs, and other
animal-related issues. There is an option to speak with an
emergency operator for dog bites, injured animals, etc., otherwise,
their non-emergency office hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 AM
to 5:00 PM. Be sure when reporting issues you ask for the incident
number. If a photograph of loose animals has been taken, be sure
to offer it to Animal Control for their records. If it's an ongoing
problem, you may wish to share this incident number with
neighbors, which will help Animal Control handle cases more
effectively.
2) It's a good idea to carry something which may deflect an
approaching animal, should they not retreat when using voice or the
stomp of feet. In the case above, another neighbor used a bottle of
drinking water to surprise the dog into releasing the victims. Many
folks like to carry a walking stick, and if we have our own dogs on
leash, that may be used to create enough space to get you and your
pet out of imminent danger. Pepper spray canisters are another
Update: Everyone is home now. The surgeries went well. Thanks option. Be sure to know your rights and responsibilities when
for all the kind words. We are still waiting to hear back from the deploying this method against human or animal.
police and/or animal control. We are fairly sure the dog that
3) Carry a fully charged phone when possible. Know your
attacked them was picked up by animal control."
neighborhood and be aware of your location, noting street names
While the physical injuries sustained by our neighbor and her dog on your walks. Because cell phones don't have the ability to identify
will heal, the emotional and financial struggles can be ongoing. In your location, it's critical to be able to give an intersection, house
Azalea Park fashion, one neighbor immediately started a FundMe number, or landmark. Have a neighbor or two on speed dial. Many
account to help with medical and veterinary costs. The couple has residents of Azalea Park know how to understand where you might
been gracious in trying to decline this offer, but there are many
continued on page 2
Page 2
continued from page 1
be, and can call the police to give them detailed directions. With so
many families at work during the day, it's not always possible to find
someone home for help.
January 2015 TheParkster
BIRD OF THE MONTH
4) Get to know your neighbors and pets, when possible. The more
we know faces and whiskers, the better our chances for better pet
security.
In dealing with our own neighbor-with-Rottweilers issue, Animal
Control Officer, Denise, has been amazing. I've photographed
these free-range dogs at our property, and while they were raised to
be "friendly", now that the boys who raised them have flown the
coop, the remaining residents in the home have no interest in
keeping them secured. As they are aging, these "sweet" Rotties are
now challenging me near our own home. With a toddler in our
family, we cannot take any chances that our neighbors will suddenly
become responsible. After a Thanksgiving incident where the male
(neither dog was spayed or neutered and are not licensed)
challenged me while I was holding our son, I've begun the process
of having Animal Control educate the owners. She assured me our
names will be kept confidential, and the photographs will only be
used in the event of a public-nuisance case, but not during
conversation with the owners. She was emphatic that we all call
about loose dogs and provide as much information as possible.
She assured me that they will pick up dogs who are loose, but
initially try education first. Our hope is that the dogs we help secure
now will gradually diminish the risk of attacks. We live in a
wonderfully walkable neighborhood and only wish to protect our
families. Many thanks to those who contribute to our NextDoor
posts and share with Linda when trying to reunite pets with their
owners. Your information and her blasts have helped numerous
families find their furry family. Let's have a safe 2015! Happy new
year!
Northern Mockingbird
(mimus polyglottos)
by Kathy Hudson
You love them or you hate them. Mockingbirds are capable of
learning and performing as many as 200 distinct songs. And they
perform nearly continuously with seasonal increases in the late
summer and early spring.
8 to 10 inches long with a distinct pair of white feathers bracketing
the long straight tail and large white patches visible on the wings in
flight, mockingbirds breed and eat well among people and pets in an
urban environment. They are omnivores and will chow down on pet
food, or produce and bird seed as well as small animals, insects and
garbage. Their breeding range includes all of the United States and
most of Mexico as well as the Caribbean Islands. For a small mostly
grey bird this bird demands and gets a lot of attention. If you have
had the situation arise where a mocking bird has fallen in
passionate love with the beautiful bird in your car mirror or window
you know why this little bird has such an enormous reputation. Until
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 made it against the law to own
native US birds, mockingbirds were common pets especially in the
northeastern United States.
CHOLLAS CREEK WALK
Saturday, January 31st 9am-11:30am
5200 Chollas Pkwy N (Chollas Pkwy N at Boyce; West of the
Community Garden near 54th St and Lea)
Come take a walk on the wild side with us and check out the
street/path options for our section of Chollas Creek. We will meet
at 5200 Chollas Pkwy North and Boyce (near the pipe crossing).
Learn about local plants, geology, and wildlife. Check out the draft
enhancement plan for the future. The Great White Egret (it's a bird)
has recently been in the area and might even show for the day.
Please RSVP through NextDoor.Com or to
Larraine Marshall at 619-583-7644.
5 Steps to Buying a Home
If buying a home is your New Year’s Resolution,
let CHW help you through the process!
Step 1: Become an Informed Buyer
Our HUD-certiﬁed Homebuyer class can help you prepare for the home buying process,
from loan application to escrow, and qualify for certain loan products. If you’re still getting
your credit and personal ﬁnances in order, take a CHW Financial Fitness class or meet
one-on-one with one of our coaches to help get you ready to buy a home!
à Sign up today at: chworks.org/sign-up-for-classes
Step 2: Get Pre-Approved for a Loan
Before you begin your home search, it is recommended to contact one or more lenders to
get pre-approved for a loan. In today’s market, your offer may not be considered by the
seller without including a pre-approval letter. They will let you know the maximum
monthly payment you can afford.
à Contact CHW Lending to learn more about our specialty loan programs at 619282-6647 option #3 or visit chworks.org/lending
Step 3: Work with a REALTOR®
From helping you ﬁnd homes that are available, meet your needs, and stay within your
price range, to helping you understand contracts and disclosure documents, working with
an experienced REALTOR® can save you time and money and make your experience
enjoyable. As a buyer, you pay absolutely nothing for these great services!
à Talk to a CHW REALTOR® at 619-858-3521 or visit chwrealty.org
Step 4: Decide What You Need and What You Want in a Home
Setting realistic expectations based on your price point and distinguishing between
“needs” and “wants” is one of the most important (and difﬁcult) steps in the home buying
process! A professional REALTOR® can help you set realistic goals because they know
the real estate market and understand the trends, what is currently available, and what
you will be able to buy.
Step 5: Start Home Shopping
Your REALTOR® will help you ﬁnd properties that meet your needs and make offers on
the homes you like and that you can afford. Once in escrow, your REALTOR® will help
you every step of the way until you are handed over the keys to your new home!
Community HousingWorks is a nonproﬁt that helps people and communities move up in the
world through opportunities to own, rent and achieve.
chworks.org | 888.884.4CHW
CalBRE: #01791343 | NMLS: #329152
Page 4
January 2015 TheParkster
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Tagetes lemmonii---Mexican Marigold
by Jim Martin
EVENT
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Jan 3, 9 am-12 pm - Swan Canyon - Volunteers can
take part in a slope restoration event at Swan Canyon in City
Heights. This restoration area calls for 70 native plants, with
challenging steep terrain. Meet at the canyon overlook at
Chamoune Ave extension, south of Quince, in City Heights.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LyXk8
Saturday, Jan 10, 9 am-12 pm - Manzanita Canyon Volunteers can take part in a restoration area clean-up/brush
removal and planting event. This restoration area has invasive
plants and cut brush to remove, along with trash and debris. We'll
be transporting it by hand and by truck to a nearby dumpster and
planting 158 native plants. Meet at the vacant canyon entrance
at the corner of Redwood and Central Ave. in City Heights. Map:
https://goo.gl/maps/xmtrc
Saturdays Jan 17, 7-10am - Azalea Water Conservation
Garden Meet at Azalea Community Park, 2596 Violet Street, in
City Heights. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/XIumc
Saturday Jan 17, 1-4 pm - Olivia (aka 47th Street) Canyon Volunteers can take part in a huge planting event in the south end
of the canyon. The work site is some distance from the parking
area, we'll hike about 1/4 mile through the canyon, with a
challenging entry. Volunteers here will take part in planting 633
plants, a lofty goal. Meet at the corner of 46th St and Myrtle Ave,
in City Heights. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Ihh82
Saturday Jan 24, 9-12 pm - Hollywood Canyon - Volunteers
can take part in a restoration event at the canyon trail head at the
corner of Olive and Columbine in City Heights. We will be clearing
trash, debris and invasive plants and carrying them to a nearby
dumpster, installing erosion control wattles on a slope and
planting native plants. Map : https://goo.gl/maps/erTZZ
Saturday Jan 31, 9-12pm – Hollywood Canyon - Volunteers
can take part in a continuing restoration event at the canyon trail
head at the corner of Olive and Columbine in City Heights. We
will again be clearing trash, debris and invasive plants and
carrying them to a nearby dumpster, installing erosion control
wattles on a slope and planting native plants. Map:
https://goo.gl/maps/erTZZ
Luckily for those of us fortunate to live here in San Diego, some
plants choose to put on a show during the cooler months of the year.
When other plants may be shutting down and losing their leaves for
the winter months some like the Tagetes lemmonii come to life.
Commonly sold in nurseries as the Mexican marigold or Copper
Canyon Daisy, this flowering shrub waits all summer long before it
decides to burst into bloom with its golden, daisy-like flowers. The
Mexican marigold is native to southern Arizona and northern fringes
of Mexico where it grew in high-elevation canyons at 4,000-8,000
feet. Part of the Asteraceae family (the Sunflowers) this large shrub
is ideal for a colorful low-water garden in our region. It can grow in
either sun or shade but like most flowering plants will do better when
given more sunlight. The regular species does get large at 4-6' tall
by 6-8' wide but there are some new dwarf varieties on the market
which will only get about half that size. The foliage is dark green and
very delicate looking with a strong fragrance when rubbed smells
like a mixture of marigolds, lemons and mint. It is one of those plants
in my garden that the smell takes me back to my childhood in
Indiana where our large vegetable garden was surrounded by
marigolds. If you have a large open area in a sunny corner of your Community Service Certiﬁcates are available for volunteers. Wear
yard where you want a splash of color in the winter give the Mexican long pants, sturdy shoes, a hat and sun protection. Volunteers
under 18 will need a waiver signed by a parent. Waivers and more
marigold a try.
information can be found at sdcanyonlands.org.
Jim Martin is a resident of Azalea Park and owner of Earth For more information about other opportunities to get involved in
Architecture Designs, which specializes in creating water- improving City Heights Canyons, please contact Linda Pennington
conscious landscape designs.
at: [email protected] or 619-972-4921.
www.eartharchitecturedesigns.com
Like us on San Diego Canyonlands Facebook Page!
January 2015 TheParkster
Page 5
Kid’s Story Time
Friday, January 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 10:00am
Friends of the City Heights Library Book Sale
Saturday, January 3 rd at 10:30am
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez
Wednesday, January 7th at 3:00pm-5:00pm
A ﬁeld representative will be available to provide you
with information about how Assemblywoman Lorena
Gonzalez can assist you.
Kid’s Craft Time
Wed., January 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Kids’ Craft Time with Cody
Saturday, January 17th at 9:30am
Come and have a fun time being creative with Cody!
Families For Literacy
Wed, January 21st at 6:00pm
Thurs, January 22 at 10:00am
Learn how to be your child’s ﬁrst teacher.
For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers of
preschool aged children
Town Council Arts Commission
Tuesday, January 27 th 6:30pm-7:45pm
Meeting to develop guidelines for public art in the
City Heights Community
Do Your Homework @ the Library
Monday & Thursday 3:30pm-5:30pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 3:30pm-7:00pm
Saturday 11:00am-2:00pm
No homework help between Dec 20 to Jan 3rd
Closed:
Thursday, January 1 st – New Year’s Day
Monday, January 19 th - Martin Luther King, Jr.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE.
Programs subject to change.
Become a Facebook fan of the City Heights Weingart Library
http://tinyurl.com/cityheightslibrary
SAN D I E G O
This material is made available in alternative formats upon request
PUBLIC LIBRARY
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Page 6
January 2015 TheParkster
PLANTING THE CANYONS AZALEA PARK CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS
AT “MIRACLE ON POPLAR STREET”
by Felicia Shaw
The Azalea Park neighbors helped celebrate the holiday season at
the First Annual “Miracle on Poplar Street Celebration of Lights,”
Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 5-7 pm on Poplar Street at
Jamies Way. Many thanks to members of the Pop Street Project
Leadership Team – Vicki Leon, Mike Hancock, Felicia Shaw, Evie
Kosower, Linda Pennington, Jim Martin, Ricardo Moran and
honorary members, JP Schuiteman and Mark Pennington for
making it all happen.
by Freddy Arthur
Field Supervisor - San Diego Canyonlands
San Diego Canyonlands is well underway with the planting portion
of City Heights Canyons Urban Greening project. Each weekend
between now and April, SDCL will be hosting planting events that
the community is invited and encouraged to take part in. A calendar
is available on our website www.sdcanyonlands.org, in the
Parkster, or by email [email protected].
The event came to life with strings of holiday lights that decorated
the entrance to Pepper Canyon. Special thanks to the Silva family,
who live next door to Pepper Canyon, for allowing us to tap into their
electrical power for the event. It made all the difference!
The program for the evening included refreshments and live music
performed by a local band with Azalea Park neighbor Bonnie Sabb
on vocals. Neighbors also helped with the decorations by making
luminarias to light a path through the canyon.
The highlight of the evening was the home decorations
competition. Neighbors walked the block and voted on the house
As you hike the canyons this winter you'll see clusters of 18” blue that had the best decorations. The owners of the home at 4219
cylinders pegged into the soil with bamboo stakes. Inside each of Poplar Street won the big prize which was a $25 gift certificate to
these cylinders is a freshly planted native plant. The cylinders City Farmers Nursery. Congratulations!
protect the baby plants from hungry animals, drying winds and
rushing water. What they are still vulnerable to is human action. Felicia Shaw, who helped organize the event, said that funding for
Please tell your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews that if the event was provided by a grant from The San Diego Foundation.
they find these blue cylinders in the canyon not to touch! Instead, She hopes that the Miracle on Poplar Street attracts even more
take a peek inside to see the future of a greener, healthier canyon participation next year and becomes a treasured annual
looking back up at you!
celebration.
January 2015 TheParkster
Page 7
BOY SCOUT LEADS BEAUTIFICATION EFFORT
landscape the parkways along Poplar
Street. A leader on the Pop Street
committee, Jim Martin of Earth Architecture
Designs (eartharchitecturedesigns.com),
provided the design free of charge and
helped lead the installation. “This is exactly
the type of energy that the Pop Street
Project wants to activate: residents, nonprofits, and businesses beautifying through
landscape design creates a healthier, safer,
and more connected community. Earth
Architecture Designs was very happy to
help the church and Justin on this project.”
by Ricardo Moran
On Saturday, December 06 members of the St. George Church
(4175 Poplar Street), members of Boy Scout Troop #362 and Jim
Martin of Earth Architecture Designs came together to landscape
the last two church beds in front of St. George. Inspired by Jim
Martin's landscape design of the church beds and parkways, Boy
Scout Justin Lombard decided that beautifying the church beds
would make a great project to earn his Eagle Scout badge.
Justin approached Jim about assistance with the development and
design of the landscape. His project which is a lengthy process and
ultimately requires approval from Boy Scout headquarters in Texas
must meet certain standards. According to some of the scouts
present at the installation, projects are on average 50 hours in
length and a scout must demonstrate project management skills
that include writing a plan; tracking volunteer hours; working with a
local non-profit; working with experts in the field; and leading a team
to see the plan to fruition. Justin states, “The project's goal must
result in a tangible benefit to the community. And a scout must
demonstrate leadership and ownership over the entire process.”
Justin spent most of the morning overseeing the troop and
encouraging them to keep on task.
Take a stroll past the church parkways and
beds. You will find them filled with waterconscious plants. Jim states, “Many people
think that because plants are waterconscious that they can't be beautiful, but in reality you can have a
very soothing and lush feel in your garden.” If you are interested in
water conscious plants or California natives, Farmer Bill over at City
Farmer's Nursery off of Home Avenue and Euclid has a great
assortment of natives and water-conscious plants. Consider a
small landscape project to help beautify your home and make
Azalea Park the best neighborhood in all of San Diego.
For more information on the Pop Street Project, please visit
popstproject.org
Volunteer and Help Give a Voice to the Homeless!
W
: Friday, January 23, 2015
Please sign up to volunteer for the annual Regional Task Force On
the Homeless “count” on January 23. San Diego Canyonlands,
Ocean Discovery Institute, SDPD and Councilmember Marti
Emerald staffers will be counting the homeless population in the City
Heights Canyons, special start time at 5:30AM. Please contact me
if you want to join us in the canyons – Linda Pennington, 619-9724921, [email protected]. If you can help in other City
Heights areas, please contact Megan Black at 858-292-7627, ext.
22 or email her at [email protected] .
Justin's work also presented a great opportunity for the newly
formed Pop Street Project. The Pop Street Project Data from We All Count will be used to apply for Federal funding to
assist San Diego to ﬁnd sustainable and effective solutions for
(popstproject.org) is a multi-year effort to revitalize Poplar Street
addressing homelessness.
into an arts & eco district in an effort to attract artists and familyfriendly businesses to the neighborhood. One aspect is to
Page 8
January 2015 TheParkster
Azalea Park Neighborhood Association
Meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6:30PM at the
Azalea Rec Center, 2596 Violet Street
Next Meeting January 13th
Azalea Rec Council
Meets every 3rd Thursday at 6:30PM at the
Azalea Rec Center, 2596 Violet Street
Next Meeting January 15th
City Heights Area Planning Committee
Meets every 1st Monday at 6:30PM at the
Metro Career Center, 3901 University Ave.
Next Meeting February 2nd
HERRON S AUTO BODY & PAINT
INSURANCE
COLLISION
PAINTING
40 YEARS SAME LOCATION
SEE US LAST FOR YOUR ESTIMATE
4796 HOME AVENUE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92105
PH. (619) 281-4801
www.herronsautobody.com
[email protected]
City Heights Town Council
Meets every 1st Tuesday at 6:30PM
at the Mid-City Substation, 4310 Landis St.
Next Meeting February 3rd
Police Problem Solving Meeting
Meets every 1st Wednesday at 6:00PM to 7:00PM
at the Mid-City Substation, 4310 Landis St.
Next Meeting February 4th
Carolyn A. Biggs-Harris
Calling all artists!
January 27, 630pm Weingart Library upstairs conference room
Phone: 619-337-8033
Fax: 619-337-8034
The City Heights Town Council and City Heights Area Planning
Committee are excited to announce the formation of the City
Heights Historical and Arts Commission (CHHAC).
CHHAC will be meeting on the last Tuesday of every month in
2015 to develop an arts master plan for the neighborhoods.
Come with your opinions and input and what art and historical
preservation you'd like to see in City Heights.
7227 Broadway, STE 201
Lemon Grove, CA 91945-1504
[email protected]
www.cbhconsultants.com
Sandra J Brooks
Enrolled Agent
Income Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping,
agency representation
Voice: 619-507-6786
Fax: 619-550-1374
[email protected]
www.sjbea.com
Licensed to practice before the
Internal Revenue Service
Integrity is the core of my business
Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm
Closed Mondays
Many thanks to Jay Levine at PIP Printing for the
excellent job they do in printing TheParkster and
the wonderful discount he gives us.
4555 El Cajon Boulevard - (619) 528-8000
To Submit an article, please E-mail to
[email protected] or phone (619) 563-4014
AZALEA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
EDITOR: Linda Pennington
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.azaleapark.org