Ending the old year with holiday lights and festivities is really a great way to begin the new year.

The Community Council did that with the lights over the bridge and at the tree at Triangle. Our neighbors tell us how much the lights brighten the darkness at the onset of winter as they travel to and from the Navajo communities.

The Holiday Festival at Lewis Middle School was again a great success.

Under the direction of Music Director Josh Prout the band led us in traditional holiday songs. We were reminded of the meanings of the season with readings by Jonah Charney, Bailey Smith, and Landon Vu. My personal favorite of the evening was the Marvin Elementary School choral renditions of “Sweet Dreams” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” under the direction of Sharon Johnson. The affair ended with drawings for Barnes and Noble gift cards.

The day after the Festival the community gathered at the Waring/Zion Triangle for the 22nd annual Holiday Tree lighting.

The ceremony began with comments by Councilmember Raul Campillo whose attendance at our community functions and concern for the neighborhood is deeply appreciated. The tree and the background lights were turned on by Outstanding Students (pictured above) Ximena Flores (Marvin Elementary) and Niko Mareno (Foster Elementary). We closed the event with holiday songs led by a clarinet duet from Lewis Middle School.

We had the joy of tree and lights at the Triangle for only a few nights.

A couple of days before Christmas Day the tree and lights were stolen. If it was because the thieves could not afford decorations for their home, it was only necessary for them to let us know – we would have provided for their lack. But let us be honest, the reason for the loss our holiday cheer was most likely a mean mind and evil spirit.

On Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 the same folks who brought us the Fourth of July festivities held the Third Annual Holiday Block Party.

The Reindeer Dash Parade was led by Engine 31.

It began at Marvin Elementary and wound its way through the neighborhood to Elgin and Forbes. More than 300 participants celebrated the season with a hot dog barbecue, popcorn, arts & crafts, a giant inflatable slide, face paint, and even a visit from Santa.

For all the festivity, the highlight of the event was the Toys for Tots collection of gifts for those in need. Our thanks to the organizers and contributors for reminding us that even in these fraught times we can do so much for one another.

A little over a year ago Gary Blume installed his first Total Altruism Project (T.A.P.) at the Allied Gardens Community Park.

This project, and those that have followed, include installed grabbers with tethered nets for patrons to remove and dispose of trash. T.A.P. has been installed in the Lake Murray Community Park & Little League Fields, the Princess Del Cerro Community Park, and the San Carlos Recreation Center. The project is welcomed by City Ground Maintenance Workers, multiple Girl Scout Troops, the San Carlos Little League, preschools and daycares, Mesa College’s Bio 200 class, and even by the City of San Diego (in the form of a City of San Diego Proclamation recognizing the project).

In addition to a means for help in keeping the parks clean it is being used as a tool to teach good environmental practices. The pristine fields and overflowing trash are proof of the value of T.A.P. The Allied Gardens/Community Council endorses this project and hopes to see its expansion to all public areas.

Because of increased personal and family issues the president, secretary, and treasurer of the Community Council are leaving their long tenures in those roles. This follows the losses of our website management and the leadership of Friends of Navajo Canyon in 2023.

Can you, will you, help us keep this organization going?