Why We Need Civic Beauty



Miscanthus, sunflowers and annuals imbue an old part of town with fairytale qualities



We're going to get all these sidewalks cleaned up so people can walk down them, because they're going to be coming back.”

~Robert Rogers

 Times of turmoil are when we most need beauty.  A walk around San Marino last week was just what the doctor should have ordered if I called her):- 

Amaranthus, sunflowers and annuals enjoying the summer

The big news around town is the grandchildren of Congressman Gary and Cathy Miller were found in Mexico and returned to California. For those who think this ends the sad saga- found in the encyclopedia under "bitter custody disputes"- unfortunately the salacious accusations against the children's father, Brian Miller did not skip a beat.

Sandra Dibble of the San Diego Union-Tribune did one of the better jobs in describing the charges against Jennifer Lopez Dejongh in “depriving custody in violation of a court order"

simple sidewalk planting with zinnias and poppies

 Not much irritates the journalist in me more than mis-stated facts- and there are so many mistaken "facts" picked up from one paper and spread to another that I cry for my profession.  We want to do well, but sometimes schedules and budgets being what they are, we fall short.

Jude Lopez Sr, the father of the Jennifer - a woman who factually packed up the children, taking them across International borders  with her new husband to avoid compliance with a temporary custody arrangement that she was signatory to- has the microphone.

It is rather topsy-turvy that his interviews include portions where he is expounds as though he is also spokesperson for the Miller family. Beyond his rehashing the accusations against the man his daughter chose to father 3 children with- he is then allowed to conjecture as to why the Congressman and his wife were involved for any reason other than love.  I wish there was a way to explain to my former friends that in this, the press is not their friend.

What Mr. Lopez is the perfect person to explain what his family was thinking when -

One week after Jennifer fled with the children, Elizabeth, the daughter of Congressman Gary and Cathy Miller, and aunt to the children, died at age 33. The following day, the Lopez family picketed Calvary Chapel of Golden Springs- the home church of the Millers.

In hindsight- Would they have allowed the congregation to mourn Elizabeth in peace?

Common plants providing uncommon beauty

The lovely setting that provided emotional peace last week is found in front of  



Mission Nursery
2510 Mission Street, San Marino, CA 91108-1636
(626) 799-1689