I recently got a call from an Alpiner who said “I heard that Revitalization is dead. Is that true?” I said “Revitalization is alive and kicking!” Look at the results, and you can be the judge.

Take a look at the June ‘06 Matrix of Revitalization Projects that are getting worked. Additionally, below is a sampling of Revitalization results over the last 24 months! Some were quick wins others are ongoing campaigns, and a couple are dead ends (for now). This is a really respectable showing for a two year old community driven improvement effort.

Some projects were started long before the Revitalization process began in summer 2004, but all were articulated as priorities in the two community vision events conducted to date (2005 “Vision of Alpine” event ; 2006 “Vitalize Alpine” event) and have benefited from the discipline created by the County matrix and the bi-annual check-ins with County Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

I have surely left out someone’s great accomplishment (or gotten some detail wrong), so please update me, and be sure to copy the Alpine Sun, East County Herald, and Supervisor Jacob’s office with new information or corrections.

Forward this note along to anyone who is interested in making great things happen in Alpine, and especially to those looking for a place to make a meaningful contribution to the improvement of our town.

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REVITALIZATION RESULTS: Summer 2004 through Fall 2006
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– ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL –
The decision to create a new high school in the Alpine area has been made by the Grossmont Union High School District. The site selection process is underway now. This is one of the most significant projects articulated by the revitalization Vision of Alpine event in 2005 and is making very solid headway. For more information or to participate in the high school project contact George Barnett.

– FARMERS MARKET –
A great deal of work has gone into forming a Farmers Market and finding a home for it. Some marketing days have happened, and more are planned. For more information or to be a vendor or supporter contact Nina Gould.

– ALPINE ARTISTS ASSOCIATION —
The Alpine Artists Association formed and has been active for over 18 months. They have had regular meetings, “art walks”, and a gallery show and wine reception at the Alpine Library Friends Bookstore. The second annual Alpine Art Festival on September 30th, 2006, at the Alpine Community Center, was very successful. There were more booths than in 2005. You can view the photos at the 2006 event this online photo gallery. Other Alpine Artists Association initiatives include a “Signature Urban Trail” with periodic art stops; a studio to studio driving tour to introduce visitors and locals to the web of working studios in the area; sidewalk art weekends; and “I Love a Clean Alpine” or Earth Day recycled art sculpture event. For more information about Alpine Artists Association activities contact Stephanie Wells.

– HEALING ARTS & GLOBAL MUSIC FESTIVAL –
Through rain and wind the first Healing Arts & Global Music Festival was held on 10/9/2006 in Alpine by stalwart vendors, musicians, and event goers from all over the western states. Read about the event, the vendors and sponsors, and view event photos at www.HAGFest.org. For more information contact Nina Gould.

– GREATER ALPINE FIRE SAFE COUNCIL (GAFSC) –
The GAFSC addresses wildfire safety and readiness for all the neighborhoods around Alpine that do not otherwise have a Fire Safe Council of their own. The GAFSC (501c3 non-profit corporation) formed this year has received seed funding and been approved for over $100,000 in grants. The monthly meetings are very well attended and good work is being done by the many active volunteers. Projects include: fire safety education in local schools; collaboration with the US Forest Service, Alpine Fire District, and the Sheriff’s Department; outreach and public education about fire prevention and readiness; creation of fire breaks; a chipping program; and other fire hazard mitigation projects. For more information contact Neville Connell, GAFSC president, or Wende Cornelius, executive director.

– ACTIVE & PASSIVE PARKS –
Real progress is being made on establishing parklands for the greater Alpine area. The county has conducted two studies on suitable park acreage on numerous sites around the area. Influencing the County to fund the studies, and then supporting them to follow through has been a major accomplishment. These are real milestones on the journey toward parks in Alpine. Additionally, under the direction of the US Forest Service improvements have been made to the Viejas Mountain trail on the west side of Viejas Mountain. For more information or to participate in parks projects contact George Barnett.

– ALPINE BLVD. CENTERLINE –
According to the County representative at the June 2006 Revitalization Steering Committee meeting hosted by Dianne Jacob, the surveying project to establish the centerline for Alpine Boulevard has been scheduled for 2007. This project will put to rest some ambiguities that have held property owners hostage for over 15 years. Additionally, the question about how many lanes wide Alpine Boulevard should be has been settled – two traffic lanes and a middle turning lane. This determination will allow Alpine to grow into a pedestrian friendly environment which leads to a more conducive environment for local business in the town center. For more information on this project contact Joe Sterling.

– INTERSTATE 8 OFF/ON-RAMP AT EAST VICTORIA –
For a long time the community has hoped for an off/on-ramp at I-8 and East Victoria to improve circulation along Alpine Boulevard. This project was presented to the County, CA Trans and the Federal Hwy. Department. The net result was that the topography around East Victoria on either side of I-8 is not suitable for an interchange. This settles a long standing question about the area. Getting a “no” is better than getting no answer at all. Now energy can be focused on improvements at Tavern Road and to the east. For more information on this project contact Joe Sterling.

– RELATIONS WITH VIEJAS TRIBAL GOVERNMENT & VIEJAS ENTERPRISES –
During the course of 2005 and 2006 representatives from the Viejas organizations have been engaged in Revitalization projects. Lisa Haws, Community Relations representative for the Viejas Tribal Government has participated in Revitalization events and has helped Revitalization Committee members engage with the Tribe. This relationship is particularly important to healthy economic development in Alpine, and specifically to initiatives benefiting from financial contributions made by the Viejas Tribal Government. Contact Lisa Haws for more information on Viejas relations in Alpine.

–PURCHASE OF WRIGHTS FIELD –
The Back Country Land Trust made a valiant effort to secure additional acres in Wrights Field. After a long and difficult process BCLT and the seller could not arrive at a mutually agreeable price, so no purchase was made. Not all efforts succeed, if they did it would be a signal that we we’re aiming high enough! The BCLT is working on other initiatives that are in line with the Vision of Alpine they helped articulate in 2005 and update in 2006. For more information on the BCLT contact Noelle Collins, executive director.

– HISTORIC SITES –
The Alpine Historical Society has made good progress on getting several buildings in Alpine designated as historic sites with bronze markers. Additionally, Hwy. 80 has been designated as an historic highway with markers along its entire length – which includes Alpine Boulevard. The signs will help market areas along the road. Known as “the Broadway of America,” Highway 80 spans 2,500 miles, from downtown San Diego to Tybee Island, Ga. It once was a major roadway through eight states. For more on the Alpine Historical Society projects contact Carol Morrison.

– BEAUTIFICATION OF ALPINE –
The Alpine Chamber of Commerce conducts “I Love a Clean Alpine” annually. Revitalization committee members have helped support this Chamber effort by rallying more volunteers and focusing efforts in areas outside the town center in Japatul Valley and Peutz Valley. Additionally, in Peutz Valley major logging of dead oak trees has produced a significant amount of wood to be used for building benches and other amenities. Plans for a bench-crafting event Nov. 19th are underway that will result in items not only for Peutz Valley but also for the Alpine town center. As part of the “string of pearls” mini-parks initiative, benches will be available for use along Alpine Boulevard’s north side, under the shade trees between Moose Creek Nursery and the bridge. This effort will improve pedestrian friendliness and highlight Alpine Creek, our historic watershed running through town on its way to El Capitan Reservoir. For more on this project contact Joe Sterling.

– ALPINE REVITALIZATION EVENTS –
So far, Alpine Revitalization has conducted two major community vision processes, one in 2005 and a second in 2006. They benefited by participation from 50 and 28 community groups respectively. Community groups in Alpine – there are over 150 – sent delegates to these events with the visions and priorities of their members. Participating groups in the last two years have combined membership of over 4500 Alpine residents – about 25% of the town population. The events are open to every individual and group in the area, are well advertised, and supported by professional facilitators. Tools are provided to help delegates develop their ideas, visions, and priorities with their members in advance of the events so they can be as productive and representative of community priorities as possible. For more information this project contact Joe Sterling. Additionally, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob hosts a “steering committee meeting” twice annually to give Revitalization committee members opportunity to be recognized by, make requests of ,and update the County. Major projects like the parks, high school, and roads need County action and funding so these meetings provide a way for Dianne Jacob to learn community priorities. For more information on the County’s support of Revitalization contact Sharon Ford.

– REVITALIZATION WEB SITE –
Visit www.4RCommunity.com for all the Revitalization documents, visions of Alpine, event proceedings to date. You can use the site to comment on any aspect of the Revitalization process, propose new projects, and report on progress. Content contributors are needed. For more information this project contact Joe Sterling.

There you have it. Is Revitalization alive? I’d say so.

So, what are the most important projects this year that will improve Alpine economically, socially, and environmentally? Look at the 2005 vision elements, the proposals from the 2006 “Vitalize Alpine” event including the updated vision, and the June 2006 matrix for clues.

As ever,
Joe Sterling.

www.SterlingInsights.com

Our new site, www.SDRegionalVision.com, is a compilation of all the visions, plans, and scenarios we can find about the future of the greater San Diego – Tijuana region. You will find the Alpine Revitalization effort representing some of the best thinking in east county.

What is it?
The site is making available for the first time, and in one place, the diverse visions and goals of groups from all over the region: government, non-profit, and commercial organizations. We are cataloguing the dreams and goals of as many regional stakeholders as possible from 1900 to date. These are the ideas that have made San Diego what is today, and give us some insight into what it could become in the next 100 years.

What is included and who is represented?
The site includes everything from land use and the environment to economic growth and social programs. You will find visions focused at the level of neighborhoods as well as at the level of the entire trans-border region. You will also find concise overviews from different San Diego area writers, architects, and historians, that give the thumbnail sketch of what area planners and visionaries have been dreaming about for the last 100 years.

Why is this important?
This dynamic and beautiful region in the southwest corner of the United States evolved and grew dramatically during the 20th century. As the 21st century gets underway, the San Diego region is being faced with many challenges and presented with tremendous opportunities. Finding common ground and aligning around shared visions will enable the regions residents, business owners, and governments to manage the challenges and maximize the opportunities to the benefit of everyone.

What can I do?
Visit this site to discover what 100 years of dreaming looks like and how it has shaped the region so far. If your community group, company, or local government has a vision you would like to see included, please contact us directly or contribute a comment at the site following the entry that gets your juices flowing.

What’s your vision for the San Diego region?
What is Alpine’s part in it?

For further updates from the County of San Diego including maps see http://www.sdcountyemergency.com

Here is an update from Neville Connell (neville.connell@cox.net), Greater Alpine Fire Safe Council:

The Horse Fire is still only 5% contained and has now burnt over 15000 acres as of 6am this morning. Currently, firefighters are defending Carveacre and are being helped by gentle westerly winds. They are also trying to prevent the fire from climbing out of Hauser Canyon into Potrero and Campo. It has also spread westwards from Barrett Lake along Lyons Valley since the map was drawn.

In Alpine we must hope that the fire does not jump west of Lyons Valley Road.
Neville Connell

Here are the facts as I have them:

For additional updates:
Alpine Fire District 619-445-2635
California Dept. of Forestry (CDF) 619-590-3160

For those interested in listening in on the radio transmissions from all the concerned agencies go to www.ScanDiego.com for a list of frequencies used in the area.

This is a great time to phone your neighbors to make sure they know about it. Use this opportunity to run down your fire response check lists. Check your readiness supplies.

There is nothing like a fire in a nearby area to motivate one to top off that water barrel and check those fire extinguishers!

If you have news or questions you can post them here as a COMMENT. For those who have a fire related need or something to offer, please leave a comment with the item in the subject line. Remember to leave your name and an email address so others can reach you.

Cheers,
Joe Sterling

- Greater Alpine Fire Safe Council
- Alpine Revitalization
- Friends of Peutz Valley

Go to www.lulu.com/content/263485 to preview the book and order electronic or print copies. A portion of the book procedes support increasing neighborhood readiness in rural Alpine, CA and low income areas. Please call us with your questions and comments.

Preparing for Pandemic Avian Flu – Family & Neighborhood Workbook for Emergency Readiness
by Joe Sterling , Rita Sterling
This 150-page workbook is for families and neighborhoods. It can improve confidence and readiness for a pandemic and other challenges. It answers 51 common questions about the avian flu and how to prepare. Based on government planning assumptions, the checklists help you affordably build 14 different “Readiness Kits”. Use this workbook to make better decisions and develop pride in your readiness. The May ‘06 edition also includes: Communicating about Avian Flu with friends & employers; the “Neighborhood Shock Absorber” for making your community ready; and, many useful links (news, science & advice). The authors have 15 years of professional experience guiding corporations and communities to plan, improve, and take leadership. Federal, state, and local authorities recognized them for leading recovery efforts after the 2003 San Diego wildfires. Editor: Marcia Bilbao, MD, physician and survival expert. For workshops and discounts on large orders: 619-659-1234.

One of the six “highest leverage ideas” to come from the “Vision of Alpine – Revitalization” event (February 2005) was to “Conduct a range of beautification programs for Alpine including but not limited to a focus on Alpine Creek”.

A team of Alpine volunteers is forming to work on grant funding and community action to begin this most important improvement project for the town center. Please give us your comments about this effort so we can keep the dialogue going. If you are interested in participating contact Joe Forlenza at 619-699-3782.

Restoring creeks like this one recovers more than the beauty and park like aspects of watershed ecology, there are other important side effects. Cleaning up the creek and monitoring it’s banks improves the management and natural treatment of storm-water run-off, which in Alpine’s case leads directly to El Capitan reservoir. By strengthening this natural watershed feature, Alpine planners strengthen the connections between the “blue ribbons and green webs” that are consistent with Alpine’s identity as a rural town closely connected to nature. The phrase “blue ribbons and green webs” comes from the Catalyst Strategies found in the sustainability plan for the City of Vancouver, Canada. This Vancouver sustainability plan was the winner in an international competition conducted in 2003. Though not well publicized, San Diego’s sustainability plan was the second place entry.

Most important for local businesses and general economic development, Alpine Creek can become an important pedestrian feature that keeps residents and visitors in town and out of their cars long enough to spend money at local businesses. By bringing Alpine Creek into focus with a creekside path along Alpine Boulevard and through the town center, the creek becomes a linear park that connects retail, restaurant, and visitor serving addresses from Janet’s Montana Café to the Mercantile and beyond. It is the string in the “string of pearls” pocket parks concept that has been gaining momentum in Alpine since 2004.

There are a number of great examples of the benefits of rehabilitating creeks and streams in urban and suburban settings. Various organizations have formed around this important element of urban and suburban revitalization. Here are a few reference points:

The Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council was formed to encourage the preservation, protection, and restoration of natural and urban streams. Our goal is to educate decision makers and the general public on the aesthetic, recreational and ecological values of natural streams located near our homes, places of employment, farms, or in commercial and industrial urban areas.

The Rocky Mountain Institute offers a set of tools and cases on water management. RMI supports a watershed-based approach to many water management issues. The watershed perspective is conducive to a holistic view of environmental problems and their solutions. The RMI report “Daylighting: New Life for Buried Streams” reviews the benefits, challenges, and costs of “daylighting”—exposing—formerly culverted or buried streams, and includes case studies of several dozen projects from around the U.S. and internationally (September 2000). Six of the studies are in California.

Creek Restoration Projects in San Diego County include:

San Mateo Creek and Devil Canyon Creek in Camp Pendleton. These two connected streams north of Oceanside, CA are home to the Southern Stealhead, a once plentiful but now endagered game fish related to the trout. According to SanDiegoTrout.org this project attracted funding through the efforts of State Senator Bill Morrow, Senate District 38 (this is the district in which the creeks are located). Morrow persuaded the State Assembly to include in A.B. 18 an appropriation of $800,000 to be allocated to and administered by the California Dept. of Fish and Game for this specific restoration. The use of these funds shall be applied to funding labor, materials, overhead, and personnel, to carry out the plan’s programs, and will be voted on statewide as an inclusion in Proposition 12 on the March 7, 2000 ballot.
You can read SanDiegoTrout.org’s rehabilitation plan for the creek here.

Sycamore Creek in Santee, CA. This is restoration project was proposed in 2002. An excerpt from the grant proposal follows:

“The Sycamore Creek restoration project proposes to restore natural flood protection and enhance wildlife habitat. The project will remove invasive species, remove solid waste and reduce sedimentation by stabilizing stream banks with native vegetation. It will also monitor water quality and the restoration efforts. Restoration will increase public appreciation for the value of riparian areas through interpretive signage and public participation.

The objectives are to reduce growing risk of flood and fire, eliminate Arundo’s negative impacts to valuable riparian and aquatic habitats, enhance water quality and supply, and restore more natural stream geomorphology. The San Diego River and the southern segment of Sycamore Creek are experiencing explosions of Arundo donax (Giant Reed) greatly increasing flood and fire hazards. Approximately 60% of the Santee segment of Sycamore Creek is heavily impacted with Arundo or other exotic species such as Pampassgrass. The State Water Resources Control Board has identified “pollutants of special concern” within Sycamore Creek as “eutrophication, phosphorous, trash and Arundo donax.” Control and eradication of Arundo within Sycamore Creek logically precedes efforts within the San Diego River downstream.”

For Alpine residents interested in adding more gold to the local ecology, social life, and business climate, the prospects are good in restoring Alpine Creek. As part of the Alpine Revitalization Effort this project may even find support at the County of San Diego and among sources of grant funding that encourage watershed restoration and improvement. There are certainly other projects in the area that have attracted funding. Alpine Creek could become a visible centerpiece to the Alpine Town Center.

Download the 2006 Group Leader Packet in MS Word or Acrobat PDF.

This year’s packet highlights accomplishments to date including a matrix of current projects and contact information of project leaders. You’ll see photos of last year’s participants in action. A directory of last year’s participating organizations and contact persons is included as well.

To update the vision and priority project lists for 2006, you’ll find a set of instructions for running your own “Vision of Alpine” mini-workshop. A delegate from your group can bring your results to the event to be included with those of all the other groups.

In addition to celebrating concrete results, and updating the vision and projects lists, this year’s theme is sustainable economic development and what that could mean for Alpine. Additionally, we’ll be looking at what can be done to make Alpine recession-proof and disaster-proof. It’s been said that into every life a little rain must fall. Having an umbrella is just plain smart!

Have fun with your Mini-Workshop! We’ll see you at the “Vitalize Alpine ” kick-off on Friday evening, March 17.

For information about using this packet with your group call:
Joe Forlenza 619-699-3782 or Paul Rohal 619-445-7333

To volunteer for the Support Team or donate food/beverages call:
Allegra Pajot 619-531-2110 or Carol Morrison 619-445-2544

WHEN: February 1, 2006 at 6:00 PM
WHERE: Sterling Insights, 1646 Peutz Valley Road.
WHAT: At this planning meeting we will:

About the 2006 “Vitalize Alpine” conference:
This year’s event will

We are working to line up speakers on SD/TJ regional economic conditions, sustainable economic development, and Alpine’s economic profile. If you have a referral to any experts on these topics these please let us know.

Contact:
Joe Forlenza (619) 699-3782 | josephacpa@aol.com
Chair, Community Development, Alpine Revitalization
or
Joe Sterling (619) 659-1234

The meeting will be at the Exit-Western Realty (2707 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine). Call Kelly at the Chamber office to make a reservation… 445-2722 Cost is only $10. The host, Exit-Western Realty, is providing $100 to a lucky winner. See you at the Chamber event.

The topic of the presentation will be the Alpine Revitalization process, now well into it’s second year.

The 2nd Annual “Vitalize Alpine” event is coming up in March that will celebrate the results to date, update the Alpine vision and projects, and emphasize sustainable economic development in Alpine. The event date and location are still being worked out, but will be announced soon.

Those interested in participating in the Vitalize Alpine event can email Joe Sterling or Joe Forlenza. Any who would like a behind the scenes experience of putting together and producing this sort of activity are welcome. The Event Sponsor Team has about 7 members so far and we need another 5 or 6.

Below is the Calendar for all of the 2006 Community Revitalization Meetings. It is recommended that you call me to confirm as the dates near. As usual I will send out reminder notices for each individual communities’ meeting.

Thanks,
Sharon

Sharon Ford, Housing Program analyst I
County of San Diego

Date in 2006 | Community | Time | Location | Address

January 20 | Alpine
2-4:00 | Crown Hills Club House |1821 Victoria Park Terrace

February 17 | Spring Valley
2-4:00 | SV Community Center | 8735 Jamacha Blvd.

March 17 | Ramona
2-4:00 | Ramona Community/Senior Center | 434 Aqua Lane

April 28 | Lakeside
9-11:00 | Lakeside Community Center | 9841 Vine Street

May 19 | Back Country
2:30-4:30 | Mountain Empire Community Center | 976 Sheridan Road

June 23 | Alpine
2-4:00 | Crown Hills Club House | 1821 Victoria Park Terrace

September 15 | Spring Valley
2-4:00 | SV Community Center | 8735 Jamacha Blvd.

October 20 | Ramona
2-4:00 | Ramona Community/Senior Center | 434 Aqua Lane

November 3 | Lakeside
9:30-11:30 | Lakeside Community Center | 9841 Vine Street

December 1 | Back Country
2:00-4:00 | Mountain Empire Community Center | 976 Sheridan Road

Sharon Ford, Housing Program analyst I
County of San Diego
Department of Housing and Community Development
MS: O-231
3989 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123-1815
Telephone: (858) 694-4825
Fax: (858) 694-4871
Confidential E-fax: (858) 514-6535
E-mail Address: sharon.ford@sdcounty.ca.gov

WHEN: January 4, 2006 at 6:00 PM
WHERE: Exit Realty, 2707 Alpine Blvd.
WHAT: Building on the successful first Revitalization event conducted in February of 2005, the theme for the 2005 event will be the role of Sustainable Economic Development in the Revitalization of Alpine.

This year’s event will:

At this planning meeting (January 4 at 6:00 PM) we want to form the Sponsor Team for the 2006 event. We’re looking for about 12 volunteers. We hope to include some of last year’s Sponsor Team and add at least 4 or 5 local business leaders and a few others who couldn’t play last time.

Sponsor Team members have several important roles that lead to a successful event:

Please pass this invitation along to those who you feel should receive it.
Thank you and be well and have a Blessed Holiday Season,

Joe Forlenza (619) 699-3782 | josephacpa@aol.com
Chair, Community Development
Alpine Revitalization

For those wishing to help support this site there are several ways to do so:

In my role as founding editor and moderator, I’ll do my best to keep the site crisp, up to date, and of greatest possible utility to our community. I welcome your comments and improvement ideas and your support in implementing them to enhance the site.

Cheers,
Joe Sterling
Sterlng Insights, Inc.
Alpine, CA
619-659-1234
Joe@SterlingInsights.com