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Where Is Downtown Wildomar? You Help Decide!
The Wildomar City Council and Wildomar Planning Commission will hold an open house and joint study session Jan. 23 to review development and design concepts for two potential “downtown” areas.
The open house will be held from 5-6 p.m. to allow the public to view and provide feedback on downtown concepts. Then at 6 p.m the public study session begins.
Both meetings take place at City Hall located at 23873 Clinton Keith Rd., Suite 201.
During the Jan. 23 events, concepts will be presented for two potential core downtown areas: an “Old Town” area around the intersection of Palomar and Central streets, and an area dubbed “West Wildomar,” between Mission Trail and Corydon.
The “Old Town” area includes properties along Palomar and Central, mostly between Wildomar Cemetery and Wildomar Elementary School, according to Matthew C. Bassi, planning director for the city.
“Ideas for this area would seek to enhance its role as a historic community core while introducing new uses for residents and visitors. Development ideas for the area include a town hall or other civic/public uses, small-scale commercial uses, two-story mixed-use buildings, and an equestrian center by the cemetery property that could also be used for community events and markets. Equestrian trails would connect to surrounding areas and nearby trails,” Bassi said.
“West Wildomar” is the name given to the triangle of land formed by Mission Trail and Corydon by Skylark Airport, north of the Wildomar Library and adjacent residential neighborhoods, according to Bassi.
“Capitalizing on the nearby tourist/visitor attractions, ideas for this area include a gateway design feature, new retail uses, a civic center, and light industrial uses. DeJong’s Dairy contributes to the historic/rural character of this area. A trail along the drainage in the southern part of this triangle would connect to nearby trails, and light industrial uses near this drainage would complement similar uses around the airport,” Bassi continued.
In addition to these concepts for land uses, new streets and trails, the city’s consultant team will be developing illustrations that can be used to guide the design of buildings, landscaping, street furniture, and signs; preliminary work for these illustrations will be shared at the open house, according to Bassi.
Based on feedback received during the upcoming Jan. 23 open house and study session, as well as feedback from the Sept. 22, 2012 Community Visioning Session, the city’s project team will refine the concepts and illustrations and will present final proposals during open session of an upcoming regularly scheduled City Council meeting. According to Bassi, the March 13, 2013 meeting is the tentative date.
The Wildomar Old Town Vision planning process is funded by a grant from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Compass Blueprint Demonstration Projects, according to the website wildomaroldtown.info that has been established to help keep residents informed about the initiative.
“The intent is to create a vision for a historic area in Wildomar along Old Highway 395 and guide its growth to become a focal point for the community,” the website states.
However, by completing a design concept the city will have laid the groundwork for future downtown development.
“It will build upon the Strategic Visioning Plan that was created through a community forum in 2008 when the city incorporated. It is also an opportunity to coordinate Wildomar’s aspirations for Highway 395 with the current Highway 395 Corridor Study, which is a separate process involving Wildomar and its neighbor cities,” the wildomaroldtown.info website states.
The Highway 395 Corridor Study is a comprehensive transportation and land use plan for the shared 16-mile, north-south corridor that runs parallel to Interstate 15 through the cities of Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar and Lake Elsinore.
The 395 study is a joint effort among the four cities; additionally, the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) is providing administrative leadership and coordination. Caltrans is providing the primary source of funds for the study through the Community Based Transportation Planning Grant Program. Each of the four cities also contributed matching funds.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is providing funds to support community outreach activities for the study through the Compass Blueprint grant program.
Click here for the latest on the Highway 395 Corridor Study.
For more information about the Wildomar Old Town Vision project, visit www.wildomaroldtown.info.
Garden Club awards more than $7000 in grants – Hudson Hub
The Hudson Garden Club awarded $7,850 in grants in December to seven projects that further the mission of the club which is dedicated to spreading the love of gardening, the beautification of public property and the support of education in horticulture and related fields.
Since 2000, the club has awarded $101,552 in grants through its grants committee process which is separate from and in addition to the monies distributed each year for city trees, parks and scholarships.
The following programs or projects were awarded grants as recommended by its grant committee and affirmed by the Hudson Garden Club Board:
• Hudson Middle School 4KIDS/Student Council to beautify HMS courtyard that has been forgotten in recent years and to put into place a team that will take care of it and maintain it on a yearly basis.
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health/Hudson High School to acquire supplemental herbaceous, bioengineering and woody plant material, all based on survivability from the previous season and selected according to planting zone needs for the Hudson High School Campus Tinkers Creek Stream Restoration Design-Build Project overseen by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park to fund scholarships to support 13 children from low-income, Akron-area families to attend All the Rivers Run residential environmental education experience in CVNP.
• Equus Excellence (4H Club) for partial funding to assist Equine 4H Clubs who are responsible for maintaining the grounds of the horse arenas and barn area at Summit County Fair Grounds. Funds to be used to rebuild flower beds, giving club members and families an opportunity to work hands on with an experienced landscaping expert and understand the process.
• East Woods School to fund the purchase of herb and vegetable seeds and plants in the spring of 2013 for its Growing Gardeners program and to fund the purchase of plants and mulch to create a butterfly garden in another section of the outdoor classroom gardens at East Woods that will be planted the spring of 2013. The goals for both programs are to bring garden experiences to as many students as possible by giving students experience from start to finish on how to plan, plant, care and harvest gardens they will find gardening a rewarding lifelong pursuit.
• Destination Hudson (a fund of Hudson Community Foundation) for partial funding to water the 15 large planters and hanging baskets along Main Street which provide visitors with their first impression of Hudson.
• Sue L’Hommedieu to purchase replacement plants, fertilizer, deer repellent in order to maintain the sustainable planting at the traffic circle at Hudson Street and Aurora Road until January 2014.
College Park neighbors clash over vegetable garden code
Orlando officials on Tuesday discussed changing the city’s landscaping code to address front yard vegetable gardens after a College Park couple’s controversial garden sparked national outrage.
Orlando’s Municipal Planning Board presented its recommendations, which include:
• Limiting the area in front of a home where vegetables can be planted to 25 percent.
• Plants cannot be taller than four feet, (i.e. tomato plants in the front yard).
• Planter boxes would have to be three feet from the sidewalk.
[PICS: Patriot garden sparks controversy | READ: City Agenda | MPB recommendations]
Jason Helvenston, of College Park, says the proposed restrictions will make it impossible for his garden to grow.
“(The proposed rules are) basically made by a bunch of people who don’t grow vegetable gardens,” he said.
One by one, residents voiced their concerns during the public comment period of the meeting.
“The restrictions of 25 percent — when it’s my yard, I own it, I pay taxes on my yard — are ridiculous. They are infringing on my constitutional rights as an American,” an Orlando resident said.
Some, however, support the staff’s recommendations.
Gretchen Rivera owns the home next to the Helvenstons and filed the original complaint about the garden.
She’s concerned about property values and safety in the neighborhood.
“I passed by last night, and it looks like somebody who wants to have a crime, they can hide between the tomatoes or anything else and that’s not good,” she said.
In November, Local 6 broke the story about the controversial garden after the city told the Helvenstons their 25-by-25-foot front yard vegetable garden was not in compliance with the city’s code.
The city was originally going to fine the couple $500 per day if they didn’t comply with the old laws, but that’s been placed on hold.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Garden club announces 2013 school grant program
MANISTEE — The Spirit of the Woods Garden Club, MGC, announces their 2013 School Nature Grant for schools located within Manistee County. This annual grant helps fund horticultural, conservational, environmental, and nature study projects. Grants eligible for funding include school gardens and landscaping, community beautification, recycling projects, nature studies or other environmental programs. The project […]
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Posted by MNA Staff
on Jan 15 2013. Filed under Local News.
Medford Garden Club to host "Demetra, of Gardens" on Feb. 7 – Wickedlocal
The Garden Club meets at the Medford Public Library, 111 High St., in the Magoun Room at 7 p.m.: Feb. 7: “Demetra, of Gardens”
Ever wonder why your garden doesn’t quite fit the space it is in? Why your house might not seem as grounded as others in your neighborhood? Or why your garden leaves you feeling it just isn’t quite “right?”
Scale is often what is missing in home gardens. “Demetra, of Gardens” by Demetra, will focus in her comments and slides on simple design strategies that will grow your garden from good to great!
Bring your questions, as there will be plenty of time to explore specific garden design issues as well as general questions.
To join the Garden Club, contact Sarah Cummer at sbcummer@msn.com
Warren County Garden Club designs and installs holiday deocrations at the …
The decorators, all dressed in pink, (shown here) were led by Karen Artigliere, center, of Washington Township. Additional members include, Denise Coleman of Washington Township, Barbara Typinski of Oxford, Patti-Sue Rolak of Washington Township, Toni Trovato of Great Meadows, and Anne Smith and Sharon App, both of Washington Township.
Warren Garden Club was again asked to design and install holiday decorations in the library at Drumthwacket, the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey in Princeton. All the rooms were themed to match ‘Songs of the Season.’
Specifically, the library was to be transformed into a ‘Winter Wonderland.’ The team worked hard to make the elegant, dark paneled room come alive with a mixture of real and snowy artificial greenery, real birch tree branches, ornaments, pinecones and lights.
One could even see a cardinal or two perched in a nest within the magical display. This year two urns were placed on either side of the doorway. The highlight of the beautifully decorated urns were the large frosted mercury ball ornaments that gave the appearance of gazing balls.
Spring into action at Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show
OKLA. CITY —
Oklahomans can leave the ordinary behind and get inspired to beautify their spaces this Friday through Sunday by attending the Oklahoma City Home Garden Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. With experts and vendors in landscaping, remodeling, cooking and design, the show offers an attraction for people with a variety of home improvement interests.
The Oklahoma City Home Garden Show will feature more than 500 local and national exhibitors, giving attendees access to ideas and styles for the spring season. Thirty-five Edmond-based vendors will be part of that group, including home builders, Realtors, various home exterior experts and financing companies.
Admission is $11, and children under 12 are free. For a $2 discount, tickets can be purchased online at www.OklahomaCityHomeShow.com or at the customer service desk at Buy for Less stores. Show hours are noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Visitors to the show will find numerous speakers, events and experts to visit with about projects and questions. Some of the highlights of the event include:
• Ahmed Hassan of HGTV DIY Network’s “Yard Crashers” will share his landscape expertise and give advice about going green, gardening on a budget and how to increase home value with landscaping.
• “Treasure Island” Garden by TLC Landscape Design is a garden featuring a 20-foot sunken pirate ship surrounded by a sea of colorful flowers. Other types of foliage that are hardy in Oklahoma weather will be a main component of the exhibit design as well as an outdoor living area.
• “Old Mexico” Landscape is designed by local experts from Tony’s Tree Plantation and will present a themed landscape display featuring a design with fountains, stone columns, authentic Mexican imports such as pottery and metalwork, stone fire pits and exotic plants and flowers.
• People from across the state submitted their best beef recipes for the Oklahoma Beef Cook-Off hosted by the Oklahoma Beef Council and CattleWomen Association. The finalists and grand prize winning recipes will be announced at the Oklahoma City Home Garden show followed by a sampling and a cooking demonstration. Attendees will learn some of Oklahoma’s best beef appetizer recipes and how to buy and prepare beef on a budget. The finalists and grand prize winning recipe will be announced at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Carriage Hall building. The Best of Beef Grand Prize winner will receive $2,000. The winning recipes will be available to the public online at www.oklabeef.org after they are announced at the show.
• An interactive feature allows guests to view and buy products made in Oklahoma. Attendees can learn interesting facts about people, places, events, food and traditions native to the state.
To thank the military for their service and sacrifice, the Oklahoma City Home Garden Show will offer free admission on Friday to anyone currently in the military, fire department or police force. A valid service ID must be presented at the show office in the east entrance of the Cox Pavilion to receive complimentary admission on Friday.
FOR MORE information about the event, visit www.OklahomaCityHomeShow.com or call 800-466-7469, ext. 120.
The Woodlands announces 11th Annual Spring Home and Garden Show
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Experts and exhibitors at the 11th annual Spring Home and Garden Show at The Woodlands will share new ideas and products that can both beautify and add value to your home.
The show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3 at the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel Convention Center at1601 Lake Robbins Drive.
Tony Wood, president of Texwood Shows, Inc. and producer of the event, said this year’s show will have a lot to offer.
“Sometimes a small improvement to a home or yard can make all the difference, and spring is the perfect time of year to spruce things up.”
Wood welcomes Massarelli’s Fountains, to the show for the first time. “They are a top-of-the-line producer of fountains and fine stone garden statuary, with each piece handmade by master craftsmen. Each piece is an original.”
Locals can find Massarelli’s one-of-a-kind products at Spring Home Outdoor, who will feature a 88″ Massarelli fountain with a 8′ fiberglass pool in their booth. They also carry other landscaping water features, such as disappearing fountains, Talavera and other pottery, benches and urns; along with potted arrangements to complement any decor from The Potted Shop.
Wood said attendees can get creative ideas to transform a backyard into an oasis at the feature landscape exhibit by Stewart Land Designs. “Also, the Belgard Hardscapes Mobile Display is one of our new show features and literally is a semi truck filled with ideas to create your own picture-perfect patio,” said Wood.
Brandon Lynch, a certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, will be featuring the Easy Living by Design booth. “Brandon is with Keechi Creek Builders and will share products and ideas on how to update a home to make it more accessible to meet an owner’s changing needs – a trend as baby boomers age,” Wood said. Discover new products such as walk-in tubs and control centers to adjust lighting and make life more comfortable.
Visitors can stop by the Whirlpool Cooking Stage for live cooking demos and quick and easy recipes from a Whirlpool culinary instructor. Also get an update on the latest convection and easy clean ovens and cook tops, all in one, from Whirlpool Corporation.
“And for a special treat, get a sneak peek of the works of Rick Loudermilk, the featured artist of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival 2013,” said Wood.
“We are proud of our lineup of expert speakers. They are enthusiastic, experienced and have what it takes to get you started on the right track with your home improvement projects.”
Aspiring green thumbs can meet Kathy Huber, the Houston Chronicle’s gardening editor and listen to Randy Lemmon, popular host of AM 740 KTRH’s GardenLine, who will broadcast live from the show on Saturday until 1 p.m.
John Ferguson, author and organic gardening expert, will share his knowledge on how to use natural materials to create a greener garden.
Ellen Delap, professional home organizer, will offer tips to help you organize your home and life, while certified color consultant Catherine Falgoust will share the latest in color trends.
LaVerne Williams, AIA, LEED certified architect, will give advice for creating a more energy efficient and sustainable home. Mary Scalli, a home staging professional, will share secrets for making homes sell quickly, and John Johnston, president of Designer Kitchens, will provide insight into the latest developments and trends in kitchen design.
“This year’s show is truly a fun event for the entire family – with lots of new ideas to take back home and plenty opportunities to shop,” Wood said.
Dane County has a big vision for Sugar River land purchase
Anyone who has paddled the Sugar River just above Paoli or biked down nearby Range Trail can imagine the possibilities for the adjacent land, soon to be in public ownership.
Dane County officials announced Monday a proposal to preserve nearly three miles of frontage along the Sugar River south of Verona, land currently owned by the Bruce Co. The $3.1 million deal — subject to County Board approval — includes the county buying 340 acres and purchasing development rights on another 126 acres. It may well be the most significant public land acquisition in county history.
“I think public access to the water is the big thing,” said County Executive Joe Parisi in an interview. “The eco-tourism opportunities are there, too.”
The 2.5-mile section of river that flows through the land was once degraded by farming runoff but is now known for its trout fishing. The Sugar was removed from the National Impaired Waters list in 2004.
Initial ideas for the site include developing it into a county park with riverfront camping facilities.
Parisi notes the land has significant archaeological resources and the county will look to coordinate volunteer efforts in the future to assess the significance of the land. The county also hopes to work with other groups like the Natural Heritage Land Trust or Trout Unlimited to secure additional funding.
For the Bruce Co., whose landscaping business was hit hard by the downturn in new home construction, the sale also is beneficial. The company had originally planned to develop a golf course and homes on the land, which stretches from the intersection of Highway 69 and Sunset Lane south to Paoli and east to Range Trail.
But when the real estate market went south, the company put the property up for sale. There were several bites from developers until Dane County stepped in and discussions got serious.
“This has been a great thing for both the Bruce Co. and the county,” says Bliss Nicholson, president of the 60-year-old Middleton-based firm. “It preserves this land so we can all have a park to play in.”
The Bruce Co. will maintain the right to harvest existing nursery stock planted there.
One sharp-penciled member of the County Board, conservative Dennis O’Loughlin of DeForest, says the acquisition seems like a good idea.
“We could use a park down in that part of the county,” says O’Loughlin. “I plan to support it.”
While county land purchases under former County Executive Kathleen Falk had sparked opposition among some conservatives and local talk radio hosts, Parisi says this deal can stand the toughest scrutiny.
“If you look at this in the context of the sprawl that has taken place in Verona, while it may have slowed down, it’s going to come back. Being able to protect something like this for generations to come is a tremendous opportunity,” says Parisi, who is not facing opposition in the spring election.
The county’s largest-ever purchase overall was approximately 1,000 acres in Mazomanie at the Walking Iron Wildlife Area in 2008. That transaction cost approximately $4.3 million. This will be the second-largest amount of acreage purchased.
The Bruce Co. has taken its lumps in the recession and had to reduce its workforce by 20 full-time employees last year. With this land sale the company will still own 700 acres on which to plant and harvest trees or shrubs for its business.
Nicholson says the firm will continue to operate as usual and the sale will have no impact on the company’s viability or staffing going forward.
“I’m a trout fisherman and know the property well,” he says. “I guess I’ll have to give up a little of the privacy but in this case, that’s OK.”