The America in Bloom program has been cleaning up in Lompoc. A group of 20 volunteers with the Tidiness Task Force chaired by Karin Metcalf recently cleaned weeds from tree wells and sidewalks in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of North H Street. They also tackled the area adjacent to the drive-in and a portion of Constellation Road in Vandenberg Village. When the dust had settled three pickup loads and a trailer load of weeds and trash were hauled to the landfill.

The Floral Display Task Force, chaired by Shirley Gettings in cooperation with Cindy McCall, the city/s Urban Forester, will be planting over 200 bougainvilleas along the Lompoc Airport fence facing H Street. The planting will take place from

9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12. Students from the Youth Leadership Lompoc Valley class and the Lompoc High School Horticulture classes will be assisting with the planting.

We would like to see a large turnout from the community to work with the students on this exciting program. Anyone interested can call me for additional information or show up at the entrance to the airport shortly before 9 a.m. The Floral Display group is also starting a recognition program for businesses and residences that have done an exceptional job of beautifying their property. To nominate a property for this recognition please call me.

Community Involvement Task Force Chair Frances Romero has started the ball rolling to get residents involved as BBlock CaptainsC to survey their immediate neighborhoods for properties that may need help in improving their appearance. She stated that it would be really great if we could get a competition going to see whose neighborhood looks the best. She is currently working on a brochure that can be handed out by BBlock CaptainsC with beautification suggestions.

Our Environmental Task Force, chaired by Barry Weaver, is planning a big grand opening celebration for the new bike/hike trail that runs along the river. The task force will organize another major cleanup of the area a week prior to the opening ceremony. It is anticipated that the trail opening will happen in early May. The last river cleanup produced two huge trash roll offs full of junk.

Jeanie Tyler has just stepped in to get the Heritage Task Force moving. Their activities will center around all of the historical programs that have gone on to shape the history of the valley.

America in Bloom is a nationwide beautification competition program. Communities enter the competition, allowing judges to rate them on several criteria. The judges then make suggestions for improvement, based on their findings. Lompoc is scheduled to enter the competition in 2009. Chair Romero noted that America in Bloom is a winning proposition even for those communities that do not win in the official competition.

BCommunities benefit from their improved appearance and beautification efforts as a result of preparing for the America in Bloom competition,C she said.

There are eight task forces active within the local program: Tidiness, Floral Display, Environmental Effort, Landscaped Areas, Turf and Groundcover, Community Involvement, Urban Forestry and Heritage.

To get involved, call the chamber at 736-4567.

Denny Anderson is president and CEO of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

March 25, 2008