FBA elects new officers, celebrates accomplishments via zoom

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Beautification Alliance elected new officers and celebrated a year's accomplishments at its December meeting via Zoom.

The FBA was established in 1997 to maintain and beautify Fallbrook by initiating and maintaining projects to enhance Fallbrook's outdoor spaces, in partnership with other community organizations.

Due to COVID-19 many group activities had to be suspended or postponed in 2020 but, in spite of limited gatherings, individuals working safely in family groups or solo, accomplished much.

Margaret Mead is often quoted "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." The FBA board, consisting of eight dedicated individuals, puts that idea to work each year.

Major Market and Albertson's grocery stores continued to provide a location for residents to drop off household batteries, and in spite of EDCO's suspension of the collection of hazardous waste, FBA members with the assistance of the grocers, were able to safely store and/or transport over 200 lbs. of this hazardous material to open recycling centers.

Community Wide Group Cleanups, the cornerstone of Fallbrook's Keeping Fallbrook Litter Free program, were modified for most of the year, but individuals and families were encouraged to clean up their own local streets, hiking trails and walking paths. With more people enjoying walking in their own neighborhoods, the efforts resulted in over 6,207 5-gallon buckets worth of litter being removed from Fallbrook streets, parks, walking trails and arroyos.

Seventy-six residents volunteered with the program with litter statistics tracked by area, time and amount collected, by Todd Jester, GIS coordinator for Fallbrook Public Utilities District. The almost real time data allows interested volunteers or community members to confirm at a glance the impact of the program.

FBA Directors continued their efforts to clean litter and cigarette butts along the Pico Promenade, encouraging those using the space to take advantage of the conveniently FBA installed cigarette butt disposal and recycling units and pet waste collection stations.

A small team of dedicated volunteers continued to tackle the ever-growing graffiti problem in Fallbrook, successfully removing over 1503 tags so far in 2020. Over 1,663 hours were spent scrubbing, blasting and painting away unsightly graffiti.

Although Mead was right about the power of a few, this small group of FBA volunteers could certainly use some help. Just three volunteers clean the majority of the graffiti in town, and more help is needed. Perhaps the saying "many hands make light work" would be a more appropriate response to this important initiative.

Other projects the FBA is engaged in include the maintenance of the Welcome Home Military Tribute, the maintenance of the South Mission Medians and Jackie Heyneman Park as well as the flower pots along Main Avenue in Fallbrook.

Competition for grant money was tight in 2020, and the FBA was not awarded any county or private grant money to offset the costs of these and other FBA programs. The FBA was pleased when notified that the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce has selected it as one of their four nonprofits to be on the receiving end of community donations through their Christmas of Giving program.

Donations to the FBA may be made at the Chamber during the month of December, or anytime at www.fallbrookbeautification.org.

Donations will be used for supplies and materials to continue the work described above.

Submitted by Fallbrook Beautification Alliance.