Free Blood Pressure Check

The Encinitas Community Center will be hosting free blood pressure checks. AMR will be providing free blood pressure screenings and heart health tips for Love Your Heart Week.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 16

Time: 9 a.m. to noon

Location: 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive

For more information, visit the Live Well San Diego website.

Senior Expo 2023 – Embracing Retirement

Thinking about retiring or recently retired? Join the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Encinitas, at their Senior Expo, Embracing Retirement! Discover local businesses and services for those retiring soon, those that are retired and family of aging individuals, all who need a little help navigating a new life chapter. Also enjoy complimentary refreshments, opportunity drawings, demos and more. Admission is free. 

Date: Saturday, Feb. 25

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Location: Encinitas Community & Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive 

For more information, visit the Encinitas Chamber website.

NCWA 4th Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest

San Dieguito Water District and other participating water agencies host an annual contest that provides an opportunity for fourth graders to learn about the value of water and exercise their creativity. Winning entries from each agency will be featured in the 2024 NCWA Calendar, recognized by the SDWD Board of Directors, featured in SDWD Newsletter and receive prizes. 

Fill out an entry using this link. Entries are due April 3.

Applications Being Accepted for 3D Art Exhibitions

The City of Encinitas Cultural Arts Division is seeking visual artists to feature in revolving, individual and group exhibitions of three-dimensional (3D) artworks to be displayed in the second half of 2023 in City art spaces. Emerging and professional artists aged 18 and older who live in Southern California are welcome to apply. Applications will be accepted via email through Monday, April 3 at 8 a.m. (Pacific time). All complete applications received by the deadline will be juried by the Visual Art Selection Committee of arts commissioners, visual art professionals and artists. Applicants selected to exhibit will be notified no later than May 31. Pictured: Artist Geeta Chiai exhibition “Dive In” at the Encinitas Community Center gallery.

For more details and to fill out a PDF application, visit the Artist Calls webpage.

Complimentary WaterSmart Landscape Workshop

Hosted by San Dieguito Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District and the City of Encinitas, this complimentary workshop will educate and provide resources to homeowners on simple, step-by-step approaches for creating attractive, WaterSmart landscapes. A state-certified landscape architect will walk participants through the process of analysis, plant selection, irrigation design, installation and maintenance. Limited to the first 50 registrants. 

Date: Monday, April 3

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

To register for the workshop, visit the following link.

WaterSmart Landscape Contest

San Dieguito Water District participates in this annual competition which rewards water-efficient landscapes created by customers of participating water agencies. Please share this information with anyone who should be recognized for their work in water conservation and neighborhood beautification. Winners will be recognized by our Board or Directors, featured in our newsletter and receive prizes. Entries due by May 13. 

For more information, visit the WaterSmart Landscape Contest website.

Downtown Ficus Tree Scheduled for Removal

In response to a request to investigate root damage of a Ficus tree at 687 2nd Street from the business owner at this location, the Public Works Department requested a tree observation report from West Coast Arborist in November 2022. The December 2022 report concluded that the Ficus tree has limited structural roots that support the tree. Furthermore, the tree’s root system has impacted the foundation of adjacent structures. Per report findings, the removal of these roots would substantially increase the likelihood of a tree failure hazard (such as the tree falling over from a storm event). These findings were confirmed with the City Arborist. 

The City Arborist recommends removal of the tree since mitigation options to reduce the associated risk are not viable should removal of the tree’s remaining roots occur. With the exception of three remaining roots, located approximately eight feet east of the tree, the tree has no remaining structural roots to a depth of four feet on the tree’s eastern side (building side), which is required to keep the tree’s stability. Some of the tree’s roots have been removed systematically over the last several years to mitigate and minimize structural damage to adjacent building(s). The remaining roots were previously left in place due to concerns related to the structural integrity of the tree. Between 2016 and 2020, a mixture of 30 and 18-inch-deep plastic root barriers and some root-inhibiting bio-barrier were introduced to redirect the roots away from the building, but this method was not successful. Due to ongoing damage to the building, direction was provided by the City to remove the remaining roots and eliminate the ongoing root impacts. Consequently, the tree will have no remaining roots to a depth of four feet on its eastern side, resulting in a high likelihood of failure. Due to the species, branching structure, and overall tree size, mitigation through pruning will not reduce the risk associated with removal of the roots. 

For awareness, this tree was presented as an informational item at the January 26 Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) meeting with no objections. The anticipated removal of the tree will be the week of February 20, which accounts for public noticing and contractor availability. Per notice requirements, when a tree is scheduled for removal, the City follows a 14-day notification process. All trees approved for removal will be posted at the tree site and on the City’s website. The City Arborist’s team will be taking notifications a step further by going door to door within the surrounding area of 2nd St. talking with the nearby businesses prior to the removal. In accordance with Chapter 7.5 Street Tree Concept Plan of the Encinitas Municipal code, the tree will be replaced within one week, with a 24- to 36- in box oak tree that is suitable for the location. 

Additional Information: 

The City of Encinitas has an extensive Urban Forest Management Program to maintain the wellness of public trees within Encinitas and is committed to preserving trees for the enjoyment and environmental health of everyone. The City has a dedicated City Arborist and an Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC), which is composed of members of the community with interest and expertise in urban forestry. These individuals are regularly consulted when matters of tree maintenance and related safety arise in the community. In particular, when trees become a threat to public safety, several measures are taken into consideration when determining how to handle trees that pose such an issue. Furthermore, the City has an Urban Forest Management Program Administrative Manual of Procedures which describes the criteria for determining if a tree warrants removal.