The Surfing Madonna needs a savior. And it may be here as early as this week.
The fate of the mosaic under the Encinitas Boulevard train overpass is waiting on City Hall for now—testing the mosaic for its won't take place until early June—and supporters worry about damage from vandalism in the meantime. (Small chunks of the glass pebbles in the “Save the Ocean” part of the mosaic are currently missing.)
Dody Crawford, executive director of the , asked the City Council at its May 25 meeting to consider a request to put a temporary, protective cover over the mosaic, which would have been paid for by a Cardiff resident and installed by Encinitas Glass. But because of Brown Act open-meeting laws, the council couldn’t muster the necessary votes to put the item on that night’s agenda.
But while the Madonna is stranded in bureaucratic limbo, community organizations are gearing up to help preserve her and find her a new home. DEMA, Leucadia 101, Leucadia Town Council and Highway 101 coordinator Peder Norby are among those who have formed a committee to raise funds for the mosaic. The group’s name and website should be online this week, Crawford says, and people will be able to make tax-deductible donations. The group doesn’t have a target fundraising goal yet, as there are so many variables still up in the air.
“We don’t have a location (for the mosaic) yet; everyone wants it,” Crawford says. “Most people I’ve talked to would like to see it stay where it is, but I understand why the council made its decision. We want to make sure the new location is appropriate to the piece, that it’s totally visible to the community, and that it’s as close as possible to its current location.”
Crawford says she’s had many inquiries about contributions to the effort, and a couple of donations have already been made. KPRI has pledged its assistance in the fundraising drive as well, and Ron Bub, owner of Encinitas Glass, says he is happy to donate all labor costs if a protective covering ever needs to be installed.
“People want to preserve the mosaic, even if it has to be moved,” Crawford says.
Until the money is raised and decisions are made, the Madonna mosaic does have one guardian angel watching over her. A chunk of blue tile that was pictured missing in a May 25 story in The San Diego Union-Tribune was replaced two days later.
Better Homes and Gardens
Condos decorated by , Grounded, and the Community Resource Center Thirft Store are a highlight of the first Encinitas 101 Home & Patio Expo, which takes place June 11-12 at Pacific Station. The event, presented by the Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association, also includes displays from other businesses, live music and refreshments from Whole Foods Market. The expo is free and takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 760-943-1950, encinitas101.com.
Transit Authority
Learn more about SANDAG’s $196 billion 2050 Regional Transportation Plan—and offer your opinions—at a public workshop and hearing June 7. The draft of the plan encompasses such items as express lanes, land use, biking and walking, and more. The workshop, which takes place from 4 to 6 p.m., offers attendees the chance to view displays and ask questions; it will be followed by the public hearing. The session takes place at the , 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr. Envision2050sd.com.
