If there is one thing that we’ve loved about living in Beverly Hills, its the sense of community. There is a commitment from local residents to making this a better place to live. On a village wide level, we have events like the Halloween Hoot, Memorial Day Parade and Carnival, Movies in the Park and the Winter Family Fun Day that draw us together.
Community volunteers have also put a tremendous effort this year in to raising funds for local education by working with children on a project to set a Guinness Book Record for the longest lemonade stand. Dmitry, Katya and I will be at our stand in Beverly Park on Saturday, August 20th, and we hope to see you there. It’s not too late to get your own stand and participate in the fun.
Personally, I am taking great enjoyment in participating in the Beverly Hills Community Garden, which is in it’s first planting year. The founders have done an exceptional job of creating a wonderful asset for Beverly Hills. Thank you Matt Roman, and many others.
We see all generations out working together in the garden, sharing in the excitement of seeing something grow. Young children take great pleasure in discovering cucumbers hidden under leaves, and the squash, corn, melon and tomatoes soon to be ready for us all to enjoy. And when they get bored, they wander over to the nearby playground to hang out. The garden has a special plot where the veggies will be donated to the hungry, and we can all add to that from the excess bounty in our personal plots.
Members have worked together to build a fence, till plots, learn about drip irrigation and spread a formerly gigantic pile of compost. We’ve shared in fantastic educational events that have helped us all learn a thing or two about how to be better gardeners.
Since we began planting in June, there hasn’t been a time that I have gone to visit my heirloom tomatoes that I have been there alone. There are always a few other happy gardeners tending to their plot. I just love walking around and seeing what other people have growing and how we all have different approaches to vegetable gardening.
Personally, this is my most concerted attempt at using a method of composting called Comforter Compost, where I am actually composting right in the plot and attempting to build better soil right on site. My garden looks very different from the others with it’s layers of Starbucks coffee grounds, spent straw and last years leaves piled over cardboard and burlap. The tomato plants seem happy about their home though, and the earthworms I find under my layers look especially happy. Ever the gardening optimist, I think next year will be even better as my soil begins to get really built up with decayed organic matter. I will let you know how the tomatoes turn out!
PS. Thanks to the woman who was riding by on her bike with her son today and shouted out “Beautiful Garden!”. I love that this community is embracing this new shining star!
Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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April @ Park City Real Estate 07.05.11 at 11:50 pm
Awesome community! It’s good to live in a place like everybody is in harmonious relationship. Great Job!