November Column
Dear Amazing Community!
Wishing you a beautiful and safe holiday! Please remember to adhere to county health and safety regulations during your Thanksgiving celebrations.
Cliff Drive Island Project/The Jon Gathercole Heroes Island
I am overwhelmed with your outpouring of support to “Help OMNI Green Cliff Drive Island.” In just two months, since our official launch to raise $35,000 it’s done. Yes, you read that correctly – we have achieved our goal of $35,000 and it is all because of you – my amazing community - Thank you, thank you, thank you!
When it first appeared in The Mesa Paper in August that OMNI and Mesa Architects had succeeded in getting all the required permits after two years, the donations rained in – literally. And we raised over $8,000 that first month. Then the Mesa Business Association kindly offered to match funds up to $2,500 in October. From there, neighbor Claude Raffin saw Mesa Architect John Kelley’s column saying that the highest donor can name the Island, so Claude donated $15,000 to honor his long time partner Jon Gathercole. Mike Richardson stepped up as always supporting our Mesa community with a total of $3,000. And all along, OMNI is still receiving checks from many of you.
However, we were still short our goal about $6,200. $6,200 does not seem like a lot when compared to $35,000, but when you’re a grassroots organization that amount can take a long time to fund raise. Our Treasurer, Dennis Johns, sent out an email asking for October donations, and I received a call from relatively new neighbors, Mindy and David Tennen (2 years on the Mesa), asking about the Island. They said how much they enjoy our community and would like to help. So I told them about our Mesa Gateway and the Island…..and that prior to CoVid 19, the future self-sustaining garden was going to be in honor of one of our Mesa heroes, Alice Andres-Calleja. However, since CoVid 19, there are so many additional Mesa heroes who we would like to also pay tribute to for helping us through these unprecedented times - – firefighters, grocery store, CVS, Rite Aid, restaurant essential workers and all those who risked their health and came to work every day so neighbors could have the necessities of life at a time when “sheltering in place” orders were intact. They said that giving back to the community is important to them and wrote OMNI a check for $6,200 that day to complete our $35,000 goal.
To show our gratitude to ALL the Mesa essential workers and to Claude Raffin for being the highest donor, I am proud to announce that we will be breaking ground the end of November for “The Jon Gathercole Heroes Island” to be ready for the holidays (fingers crossed).
Please note we are still welcoming donations of any amount. So don’t worry if you haven’t gotten around to it yet. This is an ongoing project because we need to pay for the maintenance of the island. Also, if you donate $1,000 or more, your name will be on the plaque in perpetuity in the Island.
Cliff Drive Island Project Donor List
Your donation will be published in The Mesa Paper, and those who contribute $1,000 or more will have your name on a beautiful plaque in the Island:
Claude Raffin – $15,000
Mindy and David Tennen - $6,200
Mesa Business Association - $2,500
Mike Richardson - $1,500
Montecito Bank & Trust - $500
Wally Ronchietto - $200
Kevin Young - $100
Kathryn Pfeifer - $100
Susan and Bill Ferguson $100
Barbara Gural $100
Kate - $51
Carol Schwyzer - $50
UPDATE: Thousand Steps Beach Repair Project
Parks and Recreation Commission heard a presentation on the proposed repairs to Thousand Steps at their regular meeting Wednesday, October 28, and the Planning Commission will consider the recommendation for a Consolidated Coastal Development Permit at their meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 1 pm. Both of these meetings are key steps in securing the permits to complete project construction.
The link to the Parks and Recreation Commission Staff report is here: https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/SBdocuments/Advisory_Groups/Park_and_Recreation_Commissions/Current/03_Staff_Reports/2020-10-28_October%2028%202020%20Item%2008%20-%20Thousand%20Steps%20Repair%20Project.pdf
It is Item 08 on the agenda. It is likely that the Commission will hear this item between 4:45- and 5 pm.
The meeting is conducted virtually. To view the meeting and make public comments, please see the agenda:
Art Renaissance on the Mesa: Traffic Box Utility Art
The artist who will be showcasing their artwork on the next traffic utility box on Cliff Drive and Mesa Lane will be Carissa Luminess. This traffic utility box is on the way to Mesa Lane Steps Beach and Douglas Preserve. A busy spot for many to enjoy OMNI’s Art Renaissance on the Mesa. We look forward to showcasing all our local artists on a future traffic utility box – there are many to cover.
To Contribute: www.gofundme.com/f/cliff-drive-traffic-box-art
Art by: Carissa Luminess
OMNI Virtual Village Hall Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended OMNI’s Virtual Village Hall Meeting. If you missed it, you can view either on our facebook page: OMNI - Our Mesa Neighborhood; website: www.ourmesaneighborhoodinc.org/, or I will be emailing the link for you to view. It was an interesting and educational Village Hall with speakers: Josh Kane – President, Mesa Business Association; Mike Jordan – SB City Councilmember; and Dr Utpal Goswami – President, Santa Barbara City College.
With much gratitude for your support in helping to make the Mesa a great neighborhood to live, study, work, or just hang out. Our Mesa neighborhood welcomes all!
Stay Strong! Teri
Dr Teri Jory
President, Our Mesa Neighborhood Inc (OMNI)
Website: www.ourmesaneighborhoodinc.org/
Facebook: OMNI - Our Mesa Neighborhood
Contact Info: OurMesaNeighborhoodInc@gmail.com
(805) 586-0606