Professor Eric Frost of San Diego State University, a long-time resident of Del Cerro, spoke at our March 22 town hall meeting.
Frost is a student of the Alvarado Creek watershed and for many years has been involved with the issues of this important part of our neighborhoods. His presentation included a close look at the many uses, and many abuses, made of Adobe Falls and the desecration of this important natural community asset.
He then turned the focus of his presentation to the flow of water through the watershed.
The flooding in Grantville at Mission Gorge Road occurs not because of too much water in heavy rains, but because the water flows too fast. This excess speed results from the removal of so many trees and natural obstacles to the stream, and because development in the area forces the water into bottlenecks such as drainage tunnels. Much of the water is wasted when it flows to the sea rather than being saved to benefit the area through infiltration into the soil.
The rehabilitation of any watershed is a complex legal and environmental undertaking, here all the more complex because of the diversity of ownership and control of the watershed by CalTrans, SDSU, the city, SDG&E, and private parties.
But the residents of the area can, and should, join to become involved in solving the problems and saving the resources. Frost would be happy to make presentations for your organizations. Contact us through our website with your requests to get in touch with him and to join this essential endeavor.
The Allied Community Gardens has a big event coming up Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Garden at 5106 Zion Avenue behind the Ascension Lutheran Church.
Their annual Mother’s Day plant sale will include vegetable starts, succulents, Mother’s Day cactus, a silent auction, an opportunity drawing, garden art, unique hand-painted rocks, work by a professional artist, and more. Benjamin Library will hold children’s story readings and will assist the kids in crafts. Garden docents will conduct tours of the organic garden and will be available to answer your questions about their work. And to top it all off, grab a lunch at a Kansas City BBQ truck and a Kona Ice cooler. Bring bags, park along 51st Street, and have a great time.
The San Diego Gas & Electric sustainable tree program is the most accessible means for us to participate in the city’s climate initiative. All at no cost other than water and occasional fertilizer. With minimal physical effort we can be part of this work. Choose a tree, get on the list, and eventually they will deliver and plant it. Use the link that will take you to the SDG&E website page to explain the program, help you choose the tree best suited to your home, and to get on the list for installation. Visit: tinyurl.com/2p8vjdtp.
Our Tuesday, May 24 town hall meeting will offer a presentation by Diane Mosely and Amy Tobia of Represent San Diego.
Represent San Diego is a non-partisan group working to protect democracy by protecting voting access and representation. The organization is shining light on money in politics and is demanding accountability from politicians. The national organization, called Represent Us, works on voter registration, mail-in voting, anti-gerrymandering, ranked choice voting, campaign finance and transparency, and ethics accountability.
Join our board and bring your neighbors the benefit of your ideas and energy. Join our mailing list by using the “contact us” page at aggccouncil.org to give us your email address, bring us your ideas for community council tasks, and to nominate yourself to join the board to work on those matters. There is so very much we can do together.
Shain Haug is president of AGGCC
Photo credit: Pixabay
