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DPA Design
Who other than Deneen Powell Atelier, Inc. (DPA), an award-winning landscape architectural firm, could be responsible for turning an office space into such an attractive location on El Cajon Boulevard? In a few months DPA took a vacant
storefront and brought it to life. Over fifteen years ago partners Jeri Deneen and Jon Powell joined forces and have developed a unique approach to landscape architecture with a strong emphasis on art. They've developed many renowned
projects in San Diego such as the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, monkey and elephant exhibits at the San Diego Zoo, and the Hamilton Children's Garden and Tree House at San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas, as well as
similar projects nationwide.
Jeri's background is in art and graphic design. Her ability to immerse design elements such as sculpture, interpretive signs, and subliminal elements in their work, offer each project a strong sense of place that is both fun and
educational. Her projects contain many layers, which she hopes gives people a reason to come back again and again.
One of her favorite projects has been Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego Zoo. The project mandated an emphasis on conservation and history and DPA worked closely with the Zoo staff to creatively design for the visitor's experience. The
concept for the project was to create an interpretive display of similar mammals such as the long extinct Columbian Mammoth in relation to Asian elephants, whose existence is currently being threatened. DPA designed extraordinary
interactive artistic displays including rock art depicting animals of the Pleistocene. There's even a tar pit with a display of bones - the proof of the existence of numerous extinct animals of the Pleistocene.
DPA Design is also well regarded for their functional approach to water conservation gardens. DPA has developed a unique way of sectioning off their gardens into topic areas–design, maintenance and irrigation. Their projects, such as the
location at Cuyamaca College, are stunning, but most importantly, in-terms of conservation, they work!
El Cajon Boulevard is a major thoroughfare in San Diego, which makes it easy to overlook the tremendous individual businesses in the district. DPA Design, with their fantastic approach to creating parks and gardens, is a reminder of the
impact Boulevard businesses have, both locally and nationally.
Lunar New Year "TET" Festival on the Boulevard
Little Saigon Foundation of San Diego (LSF), a newly formed community organization in City Heights, announces its first annual Lunar New Year "TET" Celebration. The event will be held in the heart of the City Heights which has one of the
most densely concentrated Vietnamese-owned business districts in the region. The celebration will take place on the first day of the Lunar calendar, which falls on Sunday, February 14, 2010, coinciding with Valentine's Day this year. The
time of the event is from 11am to 3pm, with the first hour featuring street performances of lion dance on El Cajon Boulevard (from Euclid Ave. to Highland Ave.). At noon, residents and visitors will be treated to an explosive presentation
of over 10,000 firecrackers in Hoover High School's parking lot (4474 El Cajon Boulevard) followed by the blessing of good fortunes from local businesses owners and community leaders. District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria and other city
officials will also be exchanging blessings of good fortune with the community. The well-wishing is to be followed by cultural performances in the traditions of Vietnamese, Chinese and other Asian cultures.
"We are living in a dark time, with a failing economy at home and troubles abroad," says Frank Vuong, LSF President. "In order to conquer fear and despair, we must give people positive causes to celebrate and reasons to hope". The Little
Saigon Foundation aims to uplift the spirit by honoring the hard work of residents through the celebration of their cultural holidays. We also strive to increase the residents' sense of civic responsibility by recognizing and proclaiming
their ethnic identity through the branding of their community as ‘Little Saigon.' The name ‘Little Saigon' symbolizes the strength and endurance of Vietnamese immigrants all over the world and is also reflective of the characteristics of
the residents in City Heights."
The Little Saigon Foundation is working closely with the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, Price Charities, LISC, local businesses and residents to revitalize the economy of City Heights. The organization also works with
Hoover High School to provide volunteer and internship opportunities to develop new young leaders who can give back to their community.
Little Saigon Foundation aims to revitalize the City Heights community through a comprehensive approach that includes ethnic holiday celebrations, cultural tourism, cultural art displays, business improvement, and civic engagement of local
youths and residents through advocacy of census participation as well as voter registration.
Ethnic Cuisine helps Bridge Cultural Divide
By Maureen Magee, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
As a child, Fadumo Aweys sold traditional sambusas at her family's restaurant in Somalia. As an adult in San Diego, she makes the meat-and-mint-filled dumplings to feed her children and remind them of their African culture.
Aweys and her daughter, Muna Abdirahman, were among several students last week who shared their favorite ethnic dishes and the stories behind them with students at Crawford High School as part of a community diversity project.
Sambusas, chile verde, coconut bread and Vietnamese sandwiches were the inspiration for essays, the subjects of science experiments, the source of mathematical analysis and muses for student artists. Funded with a two-year, $30,000 grant
from State Farm Insurance, the cross-cultural effort is designed to entice East African, Mexican and Vietnamese residents of City Heights, El Cerrito and surrounding communities to get to know each other and promote cultural understanding
in the community.
"Diversity is an asset for this community, but it's also a major challenge," said Kerry Sheldon of San Diego LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), a community advocacy nonprofit that is leading the school-based effort. "Food and
the stories behind it is a great way to get people together."
Click
here to read the rest of the article.
Yelp About the Boulevard
Petrushka
2312 El Cajon Blvd
Yelper: Petrushka is an Eastern European restaurant that just opened a couple of doors down from Pomegranate (one of my favorite restaurants in SD.) The two restaurants are owned by the same people, but they are both unique in their
own ways. I'd say Petrushka is more casual and down to earth, with comforting, delicious food and a great beer and wine selection. The staff treats you like family, and whether you're in a big group, on a date, or just by yourself, you'll
leave with happiness in your heart!
Click
here for more yelp reviews.
Featured Art on the Boulevard
With a generous grant from County Supervisor Ron Roberts, the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association administered the creation of a Historic Highway 80 mural on the eastern facade of the Bekin building, located at 3727 El
Cajon Boulevard. The mural work, which started on December 1st, 2009, was completed in just over a week. It is a stunning collaborative work of art by artists Werc Alvarez and Geraldine Lozano. Werc has contributed immensely to the
Boulevard Arts District, including the mural on the San Diego Stage and Lighting building last summer as well as several utility boxes.
Thematically, the mural is a visual representation of Historic Highway 80, an ever evolving thoroughfare, which was the first transcontinental highway from the Tybee Island of Georgia to San Diego. The mural design includes a staggering of
Ford Model Ts, which represent the long history of the route overlapped by a colorful artistic rendering, representing the emergence of art and revitalization on the Boulevard. The Historic Highway 80 shield and the Boulevard Sign sit
alongside one another, signifying that El Cajon Boulevard and Highway 80 are one in the same.
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