NATIONAL CITY: Instead of destroying 40 mature Chinese elm trees, a developer clearing a site for a condominium project has opted to save them.
The trees were dug up this week by Constellation Property Group from the site of a 61-condo project, called Centro, that is about to get under way at 12th Street and A Avenue.
Ten trees were planted Wednesday by Escondido-based Big Trees of California at Kimball Park, at 12th and D Avenue, and five were taken to El Toyon Park, between Interstate 805 and Euclid Avenue.
The donation was estimated at $56,577, which included the value of the trees and the cost of transportation, digging and planting. The rest of the trees that can be saved will be replanted at the developer's other sites in National City and San Diego.
Patricia Beard, National City redevelopment manager, said buying mature trees is extremely expensive. She said the trees are pretty and provide a lot of shade.
Forum at library to discuss Proposition E
CHULA VISTA: The Northwest Civic Association will host an educational forum Monday on Proposition E, a height-limits initiative on the June ballot.
The forum will be at 6 p.m. in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library auditorium.
Proposition E would limit building heights on Third Avenue between E and G to 45 feet. It would require voter approval for any project with building heights above 84 feet, except for specific areas designated as “high rise” in the general plan. Exceptions would include all property west of Interstate 5, the trolley transit areas and a planned Eastern Urban Center.For more information, go to northwestchulavista.org.
Program lets artists put work on display
CHULA VISTA: Are you an artist looking for some recognition? Let your talents show in the National Arts Program at Chula Vista.
This program is open to all ages and skill levels, and the exhibits are judged in amateur, intermediate, professional and youth classifications by professional artists.
Sponsored by the National Arts Program Foundation and the city of Chula Vista, this is a free opportunity to have your art displayed and judged with a chance to compete for cash prizes and continuing-education grants. The program is open to city of Chula Vista employees, relatives of an employee or residents of Chula Vista or the South Bay community.
Annual National Arts Program applications are due Friday and are available at all Chula Vista libraries or at chulavistalibrary.com.
Recycling event features can crush
CHULA VISTA: Liberty Elementary, in partnership with the California Department of Conservation and Ed Begley Jr., who is the host of HGTV's “Living with Ed,” will host the California Can Crush, a drive designed to educate participants about beverage container recycling, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today at Liberty Elementary School, 2175 Proctor Valley Road, Chula Vista.
The event will feature “can crushes,” where students, teachers, parents and friends stomp on collected aluminum cans in an effort to get the community excited about recycling bottles and cans. For more information, call (310) 628-6097.
Participants sought for Ms. South County
SOUTH COUNTY: The Ms. South County Educational Ambassadorship Program, which represents Chula Vista, Bonita, San Ysidro and Imperial Beach, is seeking participants for this year's pageant. The program awards five $1,000 scholarships to the top contestants from each city, as well as the overall winner, who will be named Ms. South County.
Contestants must be 18 to 25 years old, a senior in high school or enrolled in college and have at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Winners are announced at a gala in August. For more information, call (619) 475-3589.
