“Trees 1,000 Foundation! We love our new tree. UC beautification” was the comment by Cami Eiskamp, after her family received a newly planted jacaranda tree. In early November, the Trees 1,000 Foundation planted over two dozen trees on University City homes. The concept for Trees 1,000 is to give away free trees on private property. The property owners agree to water and maintain the trees, which are planted by Davey Urban Foresters. Trees are planted in November and January. 

The nonprofit foundation was created by Janay Kruger two years ago. Kruger was leaving her post as the University City Planning Group president, and during her tenure witnessed the destruction of trees due to construction of public projects. In the past five years, the University City community lost over 1,000 trees. The goal is to replace the same number of trees. So far Trees 1,000 has planted almost 300 trees. The hope is that the concept will catch on and Trees 1,000 can help other communities plant trees. Trees 1,000 was recently honored with the “Best Urban Forestry Project” award presented by the California Urban Forests Council. To help support the cause, go to Trees1000.org.

AVIATION OVERVIEW 

Wednesday, Jan. 29, is the date of an Aviation Overview 2020 information session at the University Community Library, located at 4155 Governor Drive. Proposed topics include the FAA’s NextGen redesign of airspace, the expansion of San Diego International Airport, the advocacy of Quiet Skies La Jolla and Citizens Advocating Safe Aviation, the pending release of an updated MCAS Miramar air installation compatible use zone (AICUZ), and the home-basing of the single-engine F-35 aircraft at MCAS Miramar. Organizers will provide references and resources for each of the topics presented. If you have a topic of interest to suggest, please contact Diane Ahern by email at aherndiane@gmail.com. 

'MAMMA MIA!’

Coming in mid-January, JCompany Youth Theatre presents “Mamma Mia!” “Mamma Mia!” tells the delightful story of Donna, an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of her two closest, longtime friends. Meanwhile, daughter Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in the hopes of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day.

Directed by Joey Landwehr at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the JCC in La Jolla, many actors are local youths between the ages of 12 and 18. The comfortable, 500-seat theater is conveniently located at The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive. “Mamma Mia!” runs Jan. 10-26, with showtimes Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at noon and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office or online at jcompanysd.org. Promo code “TAKEACHANCE2020” can be used for $3 off regularly priced tickets. School shows are available for class field trips on Jan. 10 and 17 with advanced reservations. Don’t miss “Mamma Mia!” brimming with all the ABBA hits you know and love: “Take A Chance On Me,” “Dancing Queen,” “Super Trooper,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and many, many more. This show will have you dancing in the aisles! 

FIRE SAFE

The Fire Safe Council of University City South has submitted papers to become an official Fire Safe Council under the umbrella of the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County. The volunteer organization will work on educating the community about fire prevention, safety, and evacuation procedures, as well as organizing projects surrounding those issues. The FSCUCS is now working on priorities for the first year. If you would like to get involved, contact jemmasamala@gmail.com. More info and resources can be found at: firesafesdcounty.org and readysandiego.org. The next general meeting will be on Jan. 28, 6 p.m. at the UC Library, 4155 Governor Drive.

SING-A-LONG

The Friends of the UC Library presents a Sing-a-Long Night to the music from the ‘50s to the ‘70s, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, starting at 6 p.m. Lyrics will be on the screen and everyone will be one big chorus with no solos. Come join the fun. The UC library is located at 4155 Governor Drive.

BLOOD DRIVE

The next regularly scheduled UCUC Blood Drive is Saturday, Jan. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, at the Sprouts Marketplace parking lot, at the corner of Governor Drive and Regents Road. To register in advance, go to mysdbb.org. The additional blood drives for 2020 are scheduled for Saturdays: March 7, May 2, July 11, Sept. 12, and Nov. 14.