By TR Robertson
Last Saturday, a warm summer evening did not stop one hundred and eleven attendees, to the Alta Vista Botanical Garden Secret Garden Gala, from having an enjoyable time in celebration of the Gardens 25th Anniversary. The City of Vista purchased the 16.3-acre hillside for $1.8 million in 1990, adding the property to the existing site of Brengle Terrace. In 1999, the city designated 14 acres of the property to be used as a public garden. Along with this, the city signed a 99-year lease and donated $50,000 toward the project. In May of 1999, the nonprofit Vista Botanical Garden Foundation was established headed by Dr. M.E. Darian with members Rocco Valluzzi, Larry and JoAnn Hoekstra and Joe Lantz. The Garden officially opened in the early 2000’s with a new group and board, under the direction of Jim Porter, head of the Vista Parks and Recreation Department. Under his and the boards direction, the Garden established a mission statement and a vision for what the Gardens should contain and eventually look like. Since this time, and with new leadership, the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens has become an award-winning destination for thousands of visitors, a place with tremendous diversity in the look of the Garden and the activities offered for those visiting and has become a
“place of sanctuary of tranquility and natural splendor”.
The 25th Anniversary Gala was a chance to honor those that have continued the efforts to both maintain and add to everything offered and to raise funds for ongoing projects and expenditures Alta Vista Botanical Gardens needs. Those attending were treated to a Welcome Cocktail Reception in the Ivy Bodin Rose Garden featuring Mead from Wild West Mead Company (www.wildwestmeadcompany.com ) owners Michael and Keith Weidemann; wine from Burtech Family Vineyard of Vista (www.burtechfamilyvineyard.com ) – (also served at dinner) and specialty cocktails from 117 West Spirits (www.117westspirits.com ). Following this, attendees went to the Ceremonial Lawn not only to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner, but to take part in a Live Auction, Presentations, a short video highlighting Alta Vista Botanical Gardens and Dancing to the musical sounds of The Night Owls (www.info@nightowlsband.com ).
Mike Hogan led a fun filled auction raising an estimated $15,700 to help Alta Vista Botanical Gardens in a variety of ways, such as the monthly water payments and refurbishing the irrigation system. Some of the auction items included a Gourmet Catered Picnic at the Gardens, a Private Vineyard Estate Tour at Burtech, Padres tickets behind Homeplate, a one-day rental of the Gardens, Private Padel California lessons and equipment, an outdoor firepit complete with stools and charcuterie boards, a Passaporto Gondola Cruise through the Coronado Cays and a Floral Arrangement Class at The Sassy Fleur for 10. These as well as individual monetary donations were used to bring in financial resources Alta Vista Botanical Gardens will put to good use. Assisting selling Opportunity Tickets were Miss Teen Bonsall Bri Boe and Miss Bonsall Briana Hernandez.
The 25th Anniversary Gala Committee responsible for putting together this event included Chairperson Rusti Dixon Alta Vista Botanical Garden General Manager, Co-Chair and Project Manager Ron Holloway President Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, Press and Publicity Nancy Jones, Auction Items Annie Donner, Website and Graphics Erik Dixon, Financials Tutu Sainz and Press and Logistics Naomi Stein Vice President Alta Vista Botanical Gardens.
There were a number of Table Sponsors – Allen Brothers Mortuary, Alta Vista Botanical Gardens Yoga, Amigos de Lions Club Vista, Cosmic Solar, Bart Dixon’s Bobcat Services, Dixon Properties, Nancy & Don Jones, Ron Holloway, Naomi and Bill Stein and West Coast Arborists. Also contributing to the 25th Anniversary were Underwriters Liz and Rick Umbenhauer and United Plant Growers and Contributors Roman Anissi, Asset Preservation Strategies, Inc., EDCO, Misty & Brian Fisher, John & Kathleen Jenkins, Scout and Cellar Clean Crafted Wines – Jodi Blakley. Friends of the Gardens included Bread n’ Cheese, Bekker’s Catering, Best Pizza n’ Brew, Chick-fil-A, Embroidery Image, Fortuna’s Restaurant, Handel’s, Jimbo’s, Lamp Post Pizza, Joe Putnam Creative, Quality Lock & Security Service, Vista Garden Club, Wild West Mean Co., and 117 West Spirits.
A tremendous amount of energy and time goes into putting on any event and the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens 25th Anniversary Gala success shows the commitment all of the organizers and volunteers have in making any event held at Alta Vista Gardens an event to remember. Each month there are events, classes, and volunteer opportunities for members of the community to become involved with or attend. Go to their web site at www.altavistabotanicalgardens.org for more information and to take a look at the calendar events now scheduled. The Gardens are no longer a “Hidden Gem” in Vista. They are an Outstanding Gem in the City of Vista and in all of North County.
