Greetings. ’Tis the season for giving but I’d also like to do some thanking. In particular, I would like to thank the many people who support the efforts of the BRCC and the community at large.
As many of you know, the BRCC is a volunteer organization comprised of 11 board members and a number of “behind the scenes” volunteers. The BRCC’s primary function is to support the merchants and the community. Our fundraisers also focus on supporting Bird Rock Elementary, which needs our help. We don’t tax residents and merchants to raise operating capital. The BRCC is a private corporation funded by an annual $30 donation paid by its members. We have less than 600 members, despite a substantial population in Bird Rock. From time to time, we receive additional donations from merchants and the community. The remaining funding comes from a 6k Micro-Bid grant that we apply for every year on behalf of the merchants. We use that money to fund projects approved by the BID Council to support the business community. Simply put, your $30 donation does much to support the organization.
Of course, the majority of the “value add” comes from the many volunteers who dedicate their time supporting activities which are aimed at improving the quality of life here. Projects like Bird Rock Home Tour which supports the school, the Concierge Tour which supports the merchants, the Summer Picnic at Calumet Park, Birdstock, Halloween events and related security, and a host of Boulevard-related activities, all of which are conceived and staffed by locals. We also support grand openings when they occur, and actively seek out new operators to fill persistent vacancies in an effort to diversify what the Boulevard has to offer. We broadcast “shop locally” campaigns and rotate community meetings among the restaurants for better visibility. Taste of Bird Rock, for example, has traditionally highlighted the business community and also raises funds for the schools. We plan to bring Taste of Bird Rock or an event like it back next year, and planning is already underway.
We’re bullish on community spirit too. We provide merchant support for events which impact the Boulevard, like the Annual Fire Run and the Breast Cancer Walk, to name a couple. Last year, we brought Santa to the Boulevard for family pictures, and Studio M donated the proceeds to a local orphanage. We also enter a float in the La Jolla Christmas Parade every year. The float is built and funded by residents and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. It highlights the delight of children during the holidays and includes a BRCC motorcade. Last year, Bird Rock won “Best Overall” in the parade. In prior years, we’ve won “Most Original” and “Most Community Spirit”.
We also have a strong connection to the Bird Rock Artist’s Guild and community art in general. Jane Wheeler, for example, has given and continues to give substantial time devoted to beautifying the Boulevard with her art-infused ideas. Our successful sponsor-a-bench program, doggie bag and trash can deployments have helped beautify the community. Our merchants also display the artwork of our children attending local schools such as La Jolla Methodist pre-school and Bird Rock Elementary. Our students get involved with local spirit projects and they also contribute articles and photographs for the newsletter. Birdstock is also an opportunity for the community to socialize and showcase local artists and musicians. Photographer Pearl Preis, and others capture these many happy moments and Philomène Offen, our Historian, makes it possible for us to publicly trace the evolution of Bird Rock from its humble beginnings.
We also generate a great newsletter thanks to the efforts of our editor, Anne Telford. Anne does a lot to bring our monthly publication together. She works closely with our merchants and residents in providing quality content, and still finds time to mentor our publisher, a young journalism student. In addition to resident-generated columns and articles of interest, the newsletter is also delivered by your neighbors and is funded by local ads. We keep the circle close by giving special pricing to Boulevard merchants because we like to support our own, many of who not only work here, but live in the community.
Our board members and volunteers also sit on other La Jolla committees that monitor and approve major infrastructure projects and other matters affecting our community. We have members on Traffic & Transportation (“T&T”), the Planned District Ordinance (“PDO”), subcommittee of the La Jolla Community Planning Association (CPA), and La Jolla Town Council to name a few. We also regularly interface with local government and La Jolla community leaders in an effort to improve communication and foster support with results you can see in your own neighborhood. We have the reach of [a] few but the influence of many.
Neighborhood Watch also relies on direct community involvement. We are proud of our E-Blast system and the instant communication it provides in reporting events of interest to the community along with lost pets and property. Neighborhood Watch and the Safe Streets program helped our efforts to rid ourselves of the problems caused by Rancho Relaxo. Good communication is the key here—we are able to get the word out to you because YOU get the word out to us.
This time of year everyone has a “cog in the wheel” speech. Sure it sounds trite, but it’s true when it comes to identifying what makes a good community a great one. So once again, a big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers and caring merchants, educators and residents who put the “Rock” in Bird Rock. Happy Holidays from the BRCC!
