After two straight months of doom and gloom starting with this article in the August News, we’re quite pleased to share good news. The Grand Crew’s 4th Sunday work day in the California Native garden last weekend had fifteen volunteers — the largest turnout since their Earth Day event in April thanks in large part to neighbors on Calmar and Balfour who showed up to pitch in for the first time. Large swatches of the garden were weeded and the plants that were destroyed by an unknown individual have been removed — leaving an abundance of space for replacements. Mary Jo Sutton is going plant shopping in the next couple of weeks — so the work day on October 22 from 9 to Noon will be extra special. Gloves, tools and kneeling pads are provided but please feel free to bring your own.

The other good news is that the clearing of the encampment under the freeway on September 28 will likely mean less litter and less damage to the park. Also on the bright side, Facilities Manager Martin Tovar has vowed to have the wood decking where Ethiopian Coffee is served repaired by November.  Unfortunately, there’s been no progress thus far regarding the fountain or the two irrigation issues that we’ve outlined previously.