Steve Smith rides in the 2012 Million Dollar Challenge for the Challenged Athletes Foundation

Steve Smith made an incredible journey this October in the 2012 Million Dollar Challenge for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

'The 620 mile journey down the California Coastline from San Francisco to San Diego is a week filled with iconic scenery, epic mileage, and friendship. Every year, this journey delivers a life-changing experience for all participants. This event is unique in the world of cycling, it builds a community of riders with a deep and lasting appreciation for life- and for those who overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to live life to the fullest. Helping to raise $1 Million dollars to help challenged athletes is deeply satisfying. But it is the journey that will change your life forever.'

For Steve and the other participants the experience was exhilarating and inspiring.

In Steve's own words from Day 3:

"It was difficult for me - I can't imagine what the double below- the-knee amputee felt like. All these guys have the greatest outlook on life. They don't feel that anything is owed to them and have a 'never give up' attitude."

We are so proud of Steve for what he accomplished!

Beware the falling Bunya-bunya cone!

Araucaria bidwillii, Bunya-bunya pine or false monkey puzzle tree is native to rainforest areas near the coast in SE Queensland, Australia. The Bunya-bunya has gigantic cones and razor sharp needles, and can grow up to 120 ft. of more. Close relatives are the Norfolk Island palm (Araucaria heterophylla) and true monkey puzzle tree (A. araucana). The large, female fruiting cones of the Bunya-bunya are the size of a small watermelon and can weigh up to 15 lbs. or more. They generally mature in summer through to early autumn but they are not formed every year (approx.once every three years).

It was considered a sacred tree and an important food source to the Australian Aborigines.  The cones contain wedge shaped nuts that are similar in flavor to a chestnut.

This cone was collected on the ground by one of our Supervisors, Armando Diaz.  (not on a property we maintain!)  There is some real concern during fruiting season, as these extremely heavy cones can cause injury or damage to property.  
Author: Leslie C.   Photo credit, cones: Debra Moore

Day at the Races 2012

Marketing Director Gigi Golden-Smith and friend at CAI's Day at the Races on August 15, 2012. Read more about Gigi and the rest of the Steven Smith Landscape team on our website.

Landscaping tools transformed into art!

We got a request last month from our friends at Stone Brewing Company.  Chris Cochran, Community Relations Manager specifically asked for 'used shovels', NOT shiny new ones to be used at the groundbreaking ceremony for their new 59,815 sq ft Stone Packaging Hall in Escondido on August 2nd. We never realized that some of our old, broken-in, but still quite useful shovels would be such a hot commodity.  Or that their resident artist 'Chili' would see the potential in the mottled, patinated surface.  As you can see our old shovels were transformed into really cool commemorative art pieces.  After the ceremony two of the shovels were presented to Escondido Assistant City Manager Charles Grimm and Escondido Mayor Sam Abed. And we also received one which we proudly display at our Escondido headquarters.  You can read about the groundbreaking and see more photos of our shovels on the Stone Blog.

 Author: Leslie C.

One way to cool off........

A Red Tail Hawk beats the heat at one of our maintenance jobs.

Photo Credit: Nicole Smith

Plant of the Month: August 2012

Searching for a worthy plant to use for this month's blog post, I had only to step out onto our loading dock - to capture these bright yellow blooms. Lantana montevidensis is an evergreen vining shrub from the tropics.  The small flowers are arranged in clusters and range from white to yellow, orange to red, pink to rose, and in unlimited combinations. The genus Lantana has over 100 species, is very easy to grow, has low water requirements and is excellent for bank covering and to help control erosion. Use also for raised beds, planter boxes or hanging boxes. Attractive to birds and butterflies.

To see suggestions for drought resistant landscape plants, visit stevensmithlandscape.com
Author: Leslie C.

2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Our Marketing Director Gigi Smith is participating in the 2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day!  To support Gigi in her efforts, please visit her personal donation page.