TR Robertson — A number of Earth Day celebrations were going on around the county and the nation on Saturday and Alta Vista Botanical Garden joined in the celebration with a free event for those in attendance. Numerous vendors were set up along the Paved Road in the Gardens and many activities for children were staged in the Children’s Garden. Some vendors offered a variety of plants on sale along with advice for gardening and planting. Musical entertainment was offered that included Vic Moraga on guitar in the Children’s and Rancho Buena Vista High School Folklorico and Flute and Flow with Bert and Dorothy Barth in the Ceremonial Garden.

Earth Day was first observed in 1970, begun by Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson, as 20 million people in the U.S. participated nationwide in a movement designed to protest the rising concern of an impending environmental crisis due to the use of pesticides in agricultural practices for raising vegetables and fruits. The protest was first held on April 22, 1970. The movement would lead to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passing of the Clean Air, the Clean Water, and the Endangered Species Acts.

Photos by TR Robertson

For the Alta Vista Earth Day the Children’s Garden was the scene of lots of on hands activities. Featured were projects like Worms Discovery, Bubble Basket, All About Cotton, Rock Painting, and Earth Friendly Mosaics. A discussion of Sorting Trash and Using Less Plastic was also offered. Visitors wandered from Booth to Booth speaking with representatives, picking up literature and purchasing items being sold. Amigo de Vista Lions Club members were cooking hamburgers at their booth.

Listed below are some of the vendors and organizations in attendance along with contact information for the groups.

• Anshi Transdermal Rub – Relief for Body and Face –  www.anshiheals.com
• Vista Silver Star Foundation – enhancing the quality of senior citizen’s lifestyles – www.vistasilverstarfoundation.com
• Etha Natural Botanicals – Alleviates normal stress and temporary discomfort naturally – www.EthaNaturals.com
• California Rare Fruit Growers – Sharing information about the propagation and growing of common and rare edible plants. https://nsdcrfg.wordpress.org
• Color Street – Party Polish Nail Bar – www.colorstreet.com/partypolishnailbar
• Kied’s Recycled Skateboards – one-of-a-kind items made from skateboards – www.krboards.com
• HayCo Studio – Handcrafted artisan jewelry – www.etsy.com/shop/haycostudio
• Sunfire Hot Sauce – www.sunfirehotsauce.com
• Children’s Paradise – Preschool and infant centers – www.ChildrensParadise.com
• Mr. Climate T-shirt – Global warming talks – Roger Coppock – climateshirt@gmail.com
• Succulent Salon – Plants, gifts, and Décor – www.succulentsalon.com
• Amnesty International – Helping individuals facing human rights violations and individuals at risk around the world – www.amnestyusa.org and Like us on Facebook Amnesty471

Several upcoming events include:

Cinco De Mayo Festival sponsored by USA Multicultural Entertainment Group – Sunday May 8^th in Grape Day Park Escondido – contact AngelAguilar01@yahoo.com for vendor and performing information

Vista Garden Club Flower Show – Plant Sale and Garden Art Boutique – Shall We Dance? – Sat. & Sun. May 14 & 15 – Jim Porter Recreation Center – Brengle Terrace Park – www.vistagardenclub.org

Amigo de Vista Lions Club

Navy Federal Credit Union

Norwex Microfiber

These were a few of the group’s set-up at Alta Vista offering advice, demonstrations, sales items and more as visitors wandered through the garden area. Alta Vista Gardens commitment to Bringing People, Nature and Art was upheld in another successful event for the Botanical Garden.