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Sierra Club
Palos Verdes – South Bay Group / Angeles Chapter
Since 1976
Supplement to the September 2010 Southern Sierran
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PV-SB Group Chair & Chapter Rep.
Kent Schwitkis*
310-540-5558
Vice Chair & Chapter Alternate Rep.
Phil Wheeler*
310-346-2619
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR
READERS
Rethinking Your Lawn?
How to Get Started
The Foggy View is going
Digital!
By Constance M. Vadheim (CSUDH),
with Barbara Sattler
Secretary
Barry Bonnickson *
310-519-0778
We want your input.
Treasurer
Stephen Bradford*
310-993-5501
Chapter Rep.
Hersh Kelley*
310-832-0013
Conservation Chair
Dave Wiggins*
The January 2011 edition of the Foggy View
will not be mailed with the Southern Sierran
(or otherwise). It will be available online at
our website:
310-372-7864
Political Chair
Al Sattler*
310-831-0032
Outings & Safety Chair
Keith Martin*
310-530-1268
Programs Chair and Social Chair
Joyce White*
310-383-5247
Foggy View Coordinator
Eva Cicoria*
310-648-9784
Special Projects
Linda Werk*
310-676-6171
Website Coordinator
Terry Bass
310-539-8227
Membership Chair
Bill Lavoie
310-378-8723
Publicity
Diane Wood
310-245-8965
Webmaster
Alan Takushi
310-483-6134
Foggy View Editor
Greg Hitchings
310-541-3902
* Indicates elected/voting officer
As water, funds, green-space and natural
habitats become scarce, you may be
rethinking your water-guzzling lawn. A
little planning and observation before
replacing your lawn will determine the
success of your new garden.
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/pvsb/foggy-view.html.
We are looking at ways to notify you by email
when the Foggy View becomes available
electronically and we should have those
details finalized by the time of publication of
the November edition of the Foggy View, so
look for that notice in November.
It is our intent to minimize paper publication
of the Foggy View and to enhance our
readers’ access to the Foggy View
electronically. A digital format newsletter has
several advantages over paper:
It is
environmentally friendly, fiscally prudent, and
offers an opportunity to improve content
delivery. The time between production and
delivery of the Foggy View in paper form has
been nearly 2 months; in digital form the
Foggy View will be available within days of
production. Thus, the information provided in
articles will be considerably timelier and the
information provided on hikes, outings, and
meetings will be more up to date.
(Foggy View, Page 6)
PV-SB Group, Sierra Club
PO Box 2464, PVP, CA 90274
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/pvsb
Planning
First, decide how much lawn you want to
keep. If you have children or pets, you
may want to retain some backyard lawn,
but reduce its size. A sod lawn is hard to
beat as a play area, but an under-utilized
lawn can often be converted to more
useful and enjoyable space.
A fun and important part of planning is to
imagine what you’d like to do in your
former lawn area. Do you want a place
to sit, entertain or meditate? A garden to
attract birds or butterflies? An area that
connects you with the surrounding (or
former) natural landscape?
The
possibilities are endless!
Do some
brainstorming with others in the
household to decide what you want to do
with your new “found space.” You can
refine your plan while you complete the
next, lawn-removal phase of re(Rethink, Page 7)
landscaping.
Turn Over a New Lawn this Fall
By Dennis Bosch
In the spring of 2007, Dennis Bosch, a PVSB member, converted one corner of his front yard from lawn to 5 native plants. Wanting to
convert the remainder of his front yard, but lacking the landscape design expertise, he engaged a local landscape architect, Natural
Landscapes, to plan the remainder of his 2,000 square foot garden and the results are pictured. The garden uses a drip irrigation
system and is a Certified Wildlife Habitat (nwf.org). It was on the California Native Plant Society–South Coast Chapter garden tour in
2008 and the Theodore Payne garden tour in 2009.
The first step toward a waterwise garden is admitting that your lawn has problems -- lots of problems, actually: weeds, bare
spots, thatch, high water bills. People are talking…about your lawn…about you….
Consider an alternative: a native plant, sustainable garden. Some of the benefits:
• Less - water, yard waste, maintenance hours, and pesticides
• More - wildlife friendly, supportive to local ecology, delightful fragrances, textures, colors and birdsongs.
There is a lot to learn about California native plants.
nation.
California has over 6,000 varieties, more than any other state in the
Where to start? Find information at native plant nurseries and their websites. (See resources, below.) The South Coast
Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is another great source. They have monthly meetings the first Monday of the
month at South Coast Botanical Garden. Their fall plant sale (October 2 this year) is a good place to find plants. Then, make
a plan. In every garden, the right environment (sun, soil, water, etc.) must be found or created for plants to thrive. It is easier
and advisable to select plants that suit the site rather than to modify the site to suit the plants.
(Turn Over, Page 7)
2
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES
Monday night - O: Conditioning Hike in
Rancho Palos Verdes. Slow moderate 2 hour,
4-6 mile hike: some streets, trails overlooking
the ocean, canyons and city lights; some steep
trails. Only one group, not for beginners. Arrive
early. Leave 6:30 PM every Mon at dead-end of
Crenshaw Blvd at Del Cerro Park (#2 Park
Place) in Rancho Palos Verdes. Wear lug sole
boots, bring red lens flashlight. Rain cancels.
Leaders: Bill Lavoie, Dave Hixson.
Management Committee Meeting. First Wednesday
of every month at 6:30 PM. Meeting open to all Sierra
Club members. Call secretary for meeting location.
Tuesday Night – O: San Pedro/PV
Conditioning Hike. Strenuous 2 hr, 5-8 mi
conditioning hikes on flat/hilly streets/trails to
explore fauna/terrain in San Pedro/PV. Not for
beginners. Arrive early. Leaves 6:30 PM every
Tue from 8th and Averill, San Pedro. Wear lug
sole boots, bring red lens flashlight. Rain
cancels. Leaders: Brooks Chadwick, Barry
Bonnickson, Tony Trull, Joyce White, Dorie
Chadwick, Carol Anne Mills-Schmidt, Jacques
Monier, Lise Allard.
Manhattan Beach Hike/Brunch - O. Easy 4-5 mi,
300' gain, 2 hr hike on streets, trails, ocean strand.
Restrooms available. Optional brunch at local
restaurant after hike. Meet 9:00 AM first Sun of month
Live Oak Park by police memorial (1901 N Valley Dr,
Manhattan Beach, under giant oak tree by tennis
courts). Bring water, walking shoes, sun hat. Rain
cancels. Ldrs: Jackie Childers, Lois Vile, Jerry Trager.
Moonlit Hike in Palos Verdes – O. Friday before or
on full moon. Meets at 7:30 PM. Easy to moderate
hike in Palos Verdes hills about 1.5 to 2 hrs. Go for
pizza afterwards. Coordinator: Hugh Pendleton. See
Activities Calendar starting on page 4 for details.
Palos Verdes Hike & Brunch – O. Moderate 4-5 mi,
1000' gain, 2 hr hike on some streets, trails
overlooking ocean, canyons: always hills, some steep.
Optional brunch after at Marmalade Cafe. Meet 9:00
AM every third Sun at dead-end of Crenshaw Blvd,
Rancho Palos Verdes (#2 Park Place). Bring water,
lug sole boots, sun hat. Rain cancels. Coordinator:
Greg Hitchings. Ldrs: Dave Hixson, Mary Beth Oubre,
Bill Lavoie, Jerry Trager, Lois Vile.
Tuesday Night – O: Beginners Conditioning
Hike. Moderate 1½ hr 4 mi hike on the greenbelt
and hilly streets of Hermosa Beach and
Manhattan Beach. Arrive early. Leave 7:00 PM
every Tue from the far end of the parking lot of
the Hermosa Valley School (1645 Valley Dr).
Bring red lens flashlight. Rain cancels. Ldrs:
Sharon Brossier, Alix Benson, Susan Johnson.
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES
Thursday Night – O: Conditioning Hike on
Palos Verdes Peninsula. Strenuous 2 hr, 5-8
mi conditioning hike on flat/hilly streets/trails that
emphasizes flora/terrain of PV. Normally up to 5
hikes: slow, slow moderate, moderate, fast
moderate, fast. Not for beginners. Arrive early.
Leave 6:30 PM every Thu from parking lot near
Rite Aid Drugs at Hawthorne & Silver Spur.
Wear lug sole boots, bring red lens flashlight.
Rain cancels. Ldrs: Linda Werk, Michael Coble,
Brooks Chadwick, Tony Trull, Joyce White,
Dave Hixson, Jacques Monier, Bill Lavoie, Judy
Shane, Dorie Chadwick, Jerry Trager, Lois Vile.
Oct 27 Wed: Quarterly Meeting: Antarctica. 7-9
pm Share vicariously Mary and Martin Hochman's 3week expedition on the expedition cruise ship “Clipper
Explorer,” traveling to the southern seas and one of
the most isolated and least visited regions on the
planet. You'll see spectacular scenery and fascinating
wildlife from the Falkland Islands, South Georgia
Island, and the Antarctic Peninsula area. The
community room of the Palos Verdes Library 701
Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates – across from
Deep Valley Drive. Contact Program Chair: Joyce
White (310) 383-5247. Refreshments served.
3
PV-SB GROUP ACTIVITIES
Sep 18 Sat O: Portuguese Canyon Hike.
Moderate 6 mi, 1400’ gain. Take Palos Verdes
Drive South to Forrestal Drive, north to gate. Meet
at gate at 8:00 AM. Forestall Quarry, Klondike
Cyn, and trails across Portuguese Cyn, Kelvin
Cyn, Tori’s, Jack’s Hat, Cinnamon, Narcissa,
Peppertree trails. Wear lug sole boots, bring a
snack & water. If you anticipate rain, wear rain
gear. Leaders: Barry Bonnickson & Linda Werk.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
In order to participate on one of the Sierra Club's outings, you will
need to sign a liability waiver. If you would like to read a copy of the
waiver prior to the outing, please see
http://sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms or call 415-977-5528.
In the interest of facilitating the logistics of some outings, it is
customary that participants make carpooling arrangements. The
Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and
assumes no liability for them. Carpooling ride sharing or anything
similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants.
Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute
approval by the State of California.
Symbols used in this publication:
flight,
backpack,
canine,
work,
educational,
bird watching,
bus trip,
flowers,
walk,
conservation,
slides,
skiing,
Sep 19 Sun O: Palos Verdes Hike/Brunch.
See Monthly Activities.
hiking,
moonlit hike,
lodge,
Sep 25 Sat O: Central Peninsula Hike.
Moderate 7 mi, 600’ gain, 2.5 hr. Meet at Rolling
Hills Estates City Hall, NW corner of Crenshaw &
Palos Verdes Drive North, at 8:00 AM.. Trails:
Moccasin, Howlett, Valmonte Canyon, Via
Palomino. Wear lug sole boots, bring snack &
water. If you anticipate rain, wear rain gear.
Leaders: Barry Bonnickson & Jerry Pupa.
trail
snow shoeing.
Bus/Air Trips -- see details in listings following
Sep 26-Oct 2 Sun-Sat: Hudson River Valley Touring and Hiking
Oct 9-12 Sat-Tue: Sedona Outing Bus Trip
Jan 15–17 Sat-Mon: Death Valley Day Hikes Bus Trip
Sep 4 Sat O: Portuguese Point Hike. Moderate 6 mi,
1000’ gain, 3 hours. Take Palos Verdes Drive South to
Forrestal Drive, north to gate. Meet at gate at 8:00 AM.
Klondike Cyn, across Portuguese Cyn, Portuguese Pt.,
Sea Cave, Inspiration Pt. Wear lug sole boots, bring a
snack & water. If you anticipate rain, wear rain gear.
Leaders: Barry Bonnickson & Jerry Pupa.
Sep 5 Sun O: Manhattan Beach Hike/Brunch.
See Monthly Activities.
Sep 11 Sat O: Short Trans-Peninsula Hike. Moderate
7 mi, 1300’ gain. Meet at Rolling Hills Estates City Hall,
NW corner of Crenshaw Blvd. & Palos Verdes Drive
North, at 8:00 AM. Carpool to south side; hike back to
starting point. Wear lug sole boots, bring snack & water.
If you anticipate rain, wear rain gear. Leaders: Barry
Bonnickson & Alix Benson.
Sep 17 Fri O: Moonlit Hike in Rolling Hills Estates.
Meet 7:30 pm at parking lot of Rolling Hills Estates city
hall, NW corner of Crenshaw Blvd and Palos Verdes N.
Wear sturdy shoes for kicking road apples on bridle
trails. Bring $$ for pizza afterwards. Ldr: Jackie
Childers, Asst:
Alix Benson, Emile Fiesler, Hugh
Pendleton
4
Sep 26-Oct 2 Sun-Sat (PV-SB & OCSS) O:
Hudson River Valley Touring and Hiking. 7
days/ 6 nights. Join us for visiting and hiking the
beautiful Hudson River Valley of New York State.
See FDR’s home and library, Eleanor Roosevelt’s
Val Kill, the Vanderbilt Estate, Staatsburgh State
Historic Site, and Hudson School Landscape
Painter Frederic Church’s Olana. Take a steep
hike, 1,000 feet gain in 1.75 miles, to a giant
ledge looking south over the Catskill and then a
short easy hike to the state’s highest waterfall
Kaaterskill. Walk the “Walkway over the Hudson”
1.25 mile one way, 220 feet up, a train trestle
converted to walking bridge that crosses the
Hudson River. Spend some time hiking on a
strenuous section of the Appalachian Trail, 4
miles 1,000 feet gain, within Bear Mountain State
Park. Wander the coach trails of the Roosevelt
Estates. $700 includes transportation, entrance
fees, tips, 6 night hotel (double occupancy),
continental breakfast, happy hours, and farewell
dinner.
Airfare not included.
For itinerary,
application, cancellation policy, send email or
sase to reservationists Scott Graham. Co-ldrs:
Karen Cassimatis and Alix Benson. Ldr: Sandy
[email protected]
Graham,
email
address 2891 Wyngate Rd, Orange, CA 92867
phone 714-282-5661
Oct 2 Sat O: George F. Canyon Hike. Moderate 6
mi, 1200’ gain. Meet 8:00 AM. Palos Verdes Drive
East 1/8 mile south of Palos Verdes Drive North at
trailhead. Georgette, Roadrunner, Cork Tree,
Parnelli’s, Bent Spr., Water Tank, Black Water, Jean
Mann, Georgeff, Lower Willow Spring., Martingale
Trails. Wear lug sole boots, bring a snack & water. If
you anticipate rain, wear rain gear. Leaders: Barry
Bonnickson & Judy Shane.
Oct 17 Sun O: Palos Verdes Hike/Brunch.
See Monthly Activities.
Oct 22 Fri O: Moonlit Hike in Palos Verdes
Estates. Leave from Neptune’s Fountain in center
of plaza: 7:30 pm. Malaga Cove Plaza, Via Almar
and PV Drive W. Marvelous vistas across whole
Santa Monica Bay. Go for pizza afterwards. Ldr:
Steve Bradford, Asst: Lyn & Roger Greenham
Oct 3 Sun O: Manhattan Beach Hike/Brunch.
See Monthly Activities.
Oct 22-23 Fri-Sat (With HPS & WTC) O: Palm
Springs Tram (8450’), San Jacinto Peak (10804’).
Strenuous hike under a full moon, starting near
midnight, 10 mi, 8300’ gain to tram with additional 10
mi rt, 2400’ gain to the peak. We’ll have two groups,
hopefully both SJ bound, one faster, the other
naturalizing along the way. Of course, any who wish
can head back down at the tram after a mere 8300’
gain. Bring money for tram ride and taxi back to cars.
Send email (preferable – [email protected]) or sase
with cond/exper and carpool info to Ldr: Barry
Holchin, 3949 Via Valmonte, Palos Verdes Estates,
90274-1153. Co-Ldrs: Wayne Vollaire, Tony Trull,
Kent Schwitkis, Joe Young, Ron Campbell
Oct 9 Sat O: Miraleste Trails Hike. Moderate 6 mi,
1000’ gain. Meet 8:00 AM. Meet at 8:00 AM in the
parking lot of Peck Park in San Pedro. The entrance to
the park is at the South East corner of Western
Avenue and West Crestwood Street. We will meet
about 100 yards into the first parking lot. Wear lug sole
boots, bring a snack & water. If you anticipate rain,
wear rain gear. Leaders: Barry Bonnickson & Steve
Bradford.
Oct 9-12 Sat-Tue O: Sedona Outing Bus Trip. Two
and a half days to hike the scenic trails and experience
the spiritual energy of the vortexes in Red Rock Country.
Choices of hikes available each day.
Leave Sat.
morning, return Tues evening. Stay all three nights in a
Best Western, centrally located in the shopping district
including access to jacuzzi ,swimming pool ,steam
room/sauna etc. Fee includes bus, driver gratuity, hotel,
3 social hours, complimentary full breakfast, bus
drinks/snacks & all admissions. $40 cancellation penalty,
balance refundable until Sep.9th, then only if trip full.
Send 2 large sase, H & W phone #, check for $482
payable to Sierra Club, to trip leader/reservationists:
Dave Hixson, 15120 Polly Ave., Lawndale, CA.90260.
Co-Leaders Donna Lauck, Richard Pardi.
Oct 23 Sat O: Monrovia Canyon Park Hike. Join
us on a moderate 8 mile, 1500 ft. gain hike up
Sawpit Canyon to Deer Park on the Ben Overturff
Trail. Meet at Monrovia Canyon Park entrance at 8
am ($5.00 parking fee). Bring snacks and water.
Lunch in Monrovia after the hike for those interested.
Directions: Leave Foothill Freeway (Interstate 210) at
Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia. Drive North on Myrtle 1.8
miles to Scenic Drive . Turn right and follow Scenic
Drive, with short jogs right, then left, curving north as
Scenic Drive becomes Canyon Blvd., to Monrovia
Canyon Park entrance station. Pay fee and park in
the parking area after the pay station. If you park in
the parking lot before the pay station, walk up the
road past the pay station and we will meet there.
Rain cancels. Ldr.: Linda Werk . Asst: Judy Shane.
Oct 16 Sat O: Central Peninsula Hike.
Slow
Moderate 7 mi, 900' gain, 2.5 hr. Meet at Rolling Hills
Estates City Hall, NW corner of Crenshaw and Palos
Verdes Drive North, at 8:00 AM. Trails: Palomino,
Pinto, Middle Ridge, Bent Springs, Water Tank,
Blackwater Cyn., Evan Shaw, Upper Si's, Hix, John's
Cyn, and Hammerschma trails. Wear lug sole boots.
Bring snack and water. Rain cancels. Leaders: Judy
Shane & Linda Werk.
Next Schedule Deadlines
Foggy View Nov-Dec – Sept. 17th
Angeles Chapter Schedule 316 – Nov 10th
Please submit all outings to Outings Chair Keith
Martin before these dates.
5
golf. You saw the Valley on Huell Howser’s PBS
program, now come and see it for yourself. We stay
at Furnace Creek Ranch in the heart of the valley, 2
people/2 beds per room. Leave Sat AM from
Redondo Beach then from Orange County, return
Mon eve. Cost $255 (check made out to Sierra
Club) includes bus, driver gratuity, lodging, social
hours daily, bus drinks/snacks. $30 cancellation
penalty, balance refundable until Dec 11, then only if
trip full. Contact Ldr, Richard Pardi, 23326 Mariano
Street, Woodland Hills, Ca. 91367 for details and to
sign up. Co-Leaders Donna Lauck, Dave Hixson,
and Cindy Pardi.
Oct 27 Wed: Quarterly Meeting: Antarctica. 7-9
pm Share vicariously Mary and Martin Hochman's 3week expedition on the expedition cruise ship
“Clipper Explorer,” traveling to the southern seas
and one of the most isolated and least visited
regions on the planet. You'll see spectacular
scenery and fascinating wildlife from the Falkland
Islands, South Georgia Island, and the Antarctic
Peninsula area. The community room of the Palos
Verdes Library 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills
Estates – across from Deep Valley Drive. Contact
Program Chair: Joyce White (310) 383-5247.
Refreshments served.
(Foggy View, from Page 1)
Electronic delivery of the January edition will serve as
a trial run for the Foggy View conversion to digital
format long term. At the time this newsletter goes to
press, a decision has not been made as to when the
Foggy View conversion to digital will become
permanent.
Oct 30 Sat O: Malaga Cove and Beyond.
Moderate 8 mi, 900' gain, 3.5 hr. Meet at Ernie
Howlett Park, entrance off Hawthorne Blvd between
Rolling Hills Road and PV Drive North, at 8:00 AM.
Wear lug sole boots, bring snack and water. Rain
cancels. Leaders: Jacques Monier & Dave Hixson.
In the coming months we will explore the pros and
cons of digital delivery options: Actual email delivery
of the Foggy View; email delivery of the Foggy View as
a pdf attachment; or listserv notice of the availability of
the Foggy View at the Sierra Club PVSB website. If
you have a preference, please let us know at
[email protected].
Nov 13-14 Sat-Sun (with HPS & WTC) I: Wright
(8508’), Pine (9648’), Dawson 9575’), Gobbler’s
Knob (6955’) and Deep Creek Hot Springs (5’
deep). Help us celebrate the 20th year of our semiannual Deep Creek HS hike/soak/swim with some
more peaks and a Sat. nite carcamp. Moderately
paced 6 mi, 2800’ gain to hike the first 3 peaks on
Sat., then potluck and camp at Guffey CG. Sunday
early start to hike Gobbler’s Knob, then drive to
DCHS Trailhead and hike along Deep Creek to the
hot springs (12 mi, 3500’ gain). Adventure Pass rqd.
Bring lunch, water, rain gear, lugs, carcamp items
(swim suit optional). No beginners. Plan on
spending full day Sunday - it's near Hesperia. Rain
cancels.
Send
email
(preferable
–
[email protected]) or sase, along with carpool info,
cond/exper to Ldr: Barry Holchin, 3949 Via
Valmonte, Palos Verdes Estates, 90274-1153. CoLdr: Wayne Vollaire.
We are also interested in hearing from you about what
you value in the Foggy View. Is it the outings
calendar? Is it the articles? Is it photos? If you no
longer receive a paper-format Foggy View, do you
think you’ll want to print out the Outings Calendar
when it becomes available? Do you think you might
want to print out Foggy View articles of interest from
time to time?
Please text talk to us at
[email protected].
While we hope to make the digital transition, both for
the January edition and longer term, as convenient
and seamless as possible, change is not always easy.
For some of our readers the transition will undoubtedly
be more challenging than for others. In order to be
considerate of our readership’s concerns, we ask that
you share your concerns with us. Drop us a note at
[email protected] as soon as possible after
receipt of this notice so that we may have time to
incorporate your input into our evaluation process.
Jan 15–17 Sat–Mon: O: Death Valley Day Hikes
Bus Trip. Orange County Pickup. Visit Death
Valley National Park at the best time of the year for
hiking. Our 17th annual trip will offer a choice of
hikes all three days into canyons, up buttes, and
across sand dunes. Or bring a book and read next
to the large warm spring fed swimming pool and
look over the majestic Panamint Mountains or visit
Scotty’s Castle, or take a horseback ride or play
An alternative to sending us an email with your
comments: Write to us at: P.O. Box 2464, Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA 90274.
Last, if you have expertise that relates to digital
newsletters and would be interested in helping with the
process, please let us know.
6
(Rethink, from Page 1)
The more you know about your garden site, the
better. Taking some time to do a little detective work
in your garden will pay off when it comes time to
choose plants and hardscape (the access paths and
other non-living parts of your garden) that will ensure
a successful garden.
•
•
•
•
•
Does the garden area get full sun all day, or only
in the morning or afternoon? If the area is under
trees (or on the north side of a structure) does it
get dappled/bright shade or is it really shady?
How much do you want to water the area—
rarely, monthly, weekly?
How well does the soil drain? If you don’t know,
conduct a quick percolation test (see
http://organicgardening.about.com/od/soil/a/easy
soiltests.htm ).
Are there strong winds or views to accentuate or
hide? Is privacy important?
How much maintenance are you willing to do
once the garden is mature?
Once you know what the garden conditions are and
what you want to accomplish with the space, you will
be ready to start selecting appropriate plants. Both
you and your plants will be happier if you group
compatible plants together according to their
sun/shade preferences and water needs/tolerances.
A great reference for learning about native plants in
garden settings is California Native Plants for the
Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart
O’Brien. The book not only details the sun/shade and
water preferences of many native plant species, it
includes descriptions of the plants’ ultimate size and
seasonal behavior (flowering, fruiting, dormancy,
etc.) as well as lots of photos.
You might also wish to take a look at some of the
local native plant gardens, such as those at Madrona
Marsh, in Torrance, and at the Point Vicente
Interpretive Center, in Rancho Palos Verdes. These
gardens can give you a good idea of how various
plants look at different times of the year.
Lawn Removal
Just turning off the sprinklers will not kill most lawns.
Solarization (essentially cooking the grass under
clear plastic) works best in hotter inland areas with
lots of summer sun. You’ll need 2 or 3 months of hot
sun to kill a lawn. Some grasses will be difficult to kill
by solarization even in the hottest conditions.
As an alternative, you can dig up and physically
remove the sod and roots. Physical removal can be
a tough job and disturbing the soil brings buried
7
weed seeds to the surface to sprout. So, if you
choose physical removal, either try to disturb the soil
as little as possible or combine digging with
solarization afterwards.
A third option, which can be used in conjunction with
the others, is chemical removal (use of herbicides
such as Round-up). There are good arguments
against using environmental chemicals, but
herbicides may be your best or only option for
removing grasses with stout runners. Round-up
actually has a short half-life, and remains in the soil
for only a few days. You can use it selectively and
not disturb the soil.
For more information on all lawn removal options
see:
http://www.californianativeplants.com/index.php/reso
urces/kill-your-lawn .
In subsequent issues of the Foggy View we’ll discuss
choosing, installing and maintaining new plants and
hardscape. We’ll also share some examples of what
others have done with their former lawns.
(Turn Over, from Page 2)
Choose plants that flower through the seasons.
Plant a themed landscape, such as a rock garden or
wildflower meadow. Fill your garden with plants that
display a riot of colors, have deliciously aromatic
leaves, or attract specific wildlife. Some plants you
might consider for color are California Poppy, Red
Summer Sage, Blue-Eyed Grass, and Red
Buckwheat; for fragrance, sages; for a bold
statement, Deer Grass; and to attract humming birds
and butterflies, Hot Lips or Viguiera.
Once the plants and irrigation are in, like all gardens,
even established native landscapes require some
routine maintenance to look their best.
Resources:
• Manhattan
Beach
Botanical
Garden:
http://www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.
org/
• South
Coast
Botanical
Garden:
http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org/hom
e.html
• Native Plants of the Palos Verdes Peninsula
that are suitable for
• Gardens:http://www.sccnps.org/local-plantssuitable-for-gardening
• Native plant classes at Madrona Marsh:
http://www.ci.torrance.ca.us/Parks/6640.htm
• Native plant classes at Theodore Payne:
http://www.theodorepayne.org/calendar.html/
GROUP LEADERS
Abalone Cove Grant Application:
To Build or Not to Build?
Current leaders active in the PV-SB Group
Name
Phone
Rating
Lise Allard
310-377-1892
O
Frank Atkin
310-378-5008
I
Terry Bass
310-539-8227
O
Bob Beach
310-375-0898
M
Alix Benson
310-379-8066
O
Richard Boardman
310-374-4371
M
Barry Bonnickson
310-519-0778
O
Dennis Bosch
310-328-3874
O
Stephen Bradford
310-993-5501
O
Sharon Brossier
310-376-1416
O
Jack Carmody
310-539-2259
O
Ursula Carmody
310-539-2259
O
Karen Cassimatis
562-492-6344
I
Brooks Chadwick
310-544-0600
O
Dorie Chadwick
310-544-0600
O
Arlene Chao
310-541-3902
O
Jackie Childers
310-518-4086
O
Maggie Coble
310-378-9743
O
Michael Coble
310-378-9743
O
Mike Dillenback
310-378-7495
I
Debra DuVall
310-214-1873
O
Emile Fiesler
901-339-9930
O
Sandy Graham
714-282-5661
O
Kevin Gray
310- 631 2337 O
Lyn Greenham
310-540-4662
O
Roger Greenham
310-540-4662
O
Greg Hitchings
310-541-3902
O
Dave Hixson
310-676-8848
O
Barry Holchin
310-378-3780
M
Susan Johnson
310-545-4235
O
Liz Kennedy
310-547-1320
O
Jonathan Lamborn
O
Sanam Lamborn
O
Donna Lauck
310-541-4416
O
Bill Lavoie
310-378-8723
O
Marilou Lieman
310-378-5086
O
Keith Martin
310-530-1268
M
Carol Anne Mills-Schmidt
310-519-0464
O
Jacques Monier
310-320-1249
O
Mary Beth Oubre
310-640-8386
O
Cindy Pardi
818-346-6257
O
Richard Pardi
818-346-6257
O
Hugh Pendleton
310-373-1603
O
Jerry Pupa
310-318-7101
O
Kent Schwitkis
310-540-5558
I
Judy Shane
310-379-1111
O
Sherry Silver
310-325-2988
O
Zoltan Stroll
310-378-8975
O
John Taber
310-831-4768
O
Jerry Trager
310-316-7843
O
Tony Trull
310-326-8874
O
John Vehrencamp
310-542-8460
O
Lois Vile
310-316-7843
O
Linda Werk
310-676-6171
O
Phil Wheeler
310-346-2619
I
Joyce White
310-383-5247
O
Catherine Whittington
310-532-2380
O
Diane Wood
(Provisional “I”) 310-245-8965
O
Linda Wooldridge
310-376-2542
O
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has filed a grant
application with the State of California for $7,000,000
to build a 5,900 square foot “nature education
facility” in Abalone Cove Shoreline Park.
The
proposal includes plans for classrooms, offices, a
web cam, indoor educational displays and interactive
exhibits, as well as modifications to a trail, the
parking lot, and landscaping. More information is
available at:
http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/Aba
loneCoveShoreline/grant.cfm.
A group, Save Our Shoreline (SOS), has formed to
oppose the facility on the basis that it is proposed for
the last stretch of open bluff top in the City, would
degrade the view and the natural experience of the
site, and would be wasteful government spending
because there are several other nature education
centers in the vicinity. While the group supports the
idea of a webcam to monitor the sensitive tide pools
and supports trail improvements and installation of
interpretive signage at the site, they believe these
improvements can be made without construction of a
large building.
The public will have opportunities to support or
oppose the proposal by writing to city staff at
[email protected],
by
signing
a
petition
at
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/abalonecove.html, or by speaking at public hearings on the
issue.
Did You Know?
The Sierra Club has a program called “Building Bridges to
the Outdoors” through which it partners with other
organizations to give kids experiences in nature.
California Air Resources Board analysis of the impact of
AB32 (which requires a reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020) forecasts net job growth,
energy savings and a rise in personal income.
See the PV-SB Website for All Activities
The PV-SB website (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/pvsb) is
updated with all activities far in advance of the
distribution and delivery of the Foggy View, so we
recommend utilizing this resource for the most up-to-date
information on all activities.
PV-SB
This publication is printed by Dunn
Bros. on recycled paper using soy ink.
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