Onions & Orchids

by Peter Bond

Dear readers: This writer does search for individuals and businesses worthy of inclusion in this column, but he relies mostly on input from others. So please e-mail your ideas for Onions & Orchids to bpbond\@aol.com.

Orchids to Dimond District artist Rita Sklar for her creative work and her success in bringing art into the neighborhoods.

Orchids to the residents of our many mini-neighborhoods Brookdale Avenue, California Street, Silverwood, Dunsmuir, Picardy Drive, to name a few, whose front gardens make walks in our area a pleasure.

Orchids to the High Street neighbors who continue to maintain and improve the median boulevard on High Street.

Orchids to the parents and caregivers who use Avenue Terrace Playground on Jordan Street for their continuing anonymous donations of toys and play equipment for all the little ones who use this playground.

Onions to Laurel Commercial Development Group, Burlingame, owners of the property where Auto Zone and Hollywood Video are located for their failure to provide lights and a secure gate to the alley next to the Auto Zone. This alley contains the electrical boxes for the establishments and is a good place for hoodlums to hide. There have been two shootings in this area in the last few months, and securing this area is a necessity.