See
Bodger Seed Company's
FLOWER FLAG
-- Photo by Bill Morson --

---

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tom, I think your best bet would be to contact Bodger Seed Company directly. (805) 736-5118; 1851 W. Olive Ave; Lompoc, CA. 93438

Flower Flag Photo Has National Impact
Dale Watson of Montgomery, Alabama writes,
As you are probably aware, an airborn shot of the American flag in the field at The Bodger Seed Company is making the rounds on the web. I'm writing from Alabama... Needless to say, such patriotism is heart-warming, and will probably end up in the national media, if it hasn't already. Please pass along my personal thanks and admiration for this display.

God bless The Bodger Seed Company and God bless America!
-- Dale Watson
Email Dale

More Flower Flag Photo...
Shirley Townsend writes,
I received a picture attachment to an email today 7/19/02 of the US flower flag in the flower fields of Lompoc. It is a BEAUTIFUL flower flag, really magnificent. Can you tell me anything about the flag? Whose idea it was to plant the flowers? Is there a large color print of it available?

My husband Bill and I visited very often in Lompoc because my folks Jewel and Bill Starrett lived there for many years in that neat house on Walnut Ave with the big red garage doors and house front. We loved the Lompoc Flower Festival and all the friendly folks and have come back to see all the gorgeous murals many times.
-- Shirley Townsend
Email Shirley

EDITOR'S NOTE: Shirley also writes that the arial photograph was apparently taken by Bill Morson (of the Lompoc Record). Bill, are you out there to either confirm or deny?

From Flower Flag Photographer, Bill Morson
I read the emails you posted regarding the Bodger Seeds floral flag photos that can be found on the net and your request to hear from me to either confirm or deny if they are mine. I DO have some photos of the flag on the net. They can be found by going to my website: www.picturelompoc.com

Or you can access them directly by going to:
http://picturelompoc.com/
floralflagpage2.html

Also, to set the record straight, I am the FORMER photographer for the Lompoc Record. I worked for the Record as a photographer for over seven years but haven't been with them for nearly a year now. I do freelance news and editorial photography, maintain a website about Lompoc as a hobby and also work full time for the Santa Barbara News-Press in another capacity.

Let's hope that Bodger Seeds will make the floral flag an annual tradition. It's a beautiful sight from the air.

Enjoy your website. Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Bill Morson
Email Bill

It's True!
Another website visitor writes,
I received an email with an attachment showing a very large flag of flowers: Here is a copy of the email. Is it true?

Email Copy:
Flower Flag -- Between Lompoc, CA. and the field where the flag is planted there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies and it's a very beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB.

The 2002 Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each Stripe is 30 feet wide.

This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stems each for a total of more than 2 million flowers. You can drive by this flag on V Street south of Ocean Ave. in Lompoc, CA.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's true!

Flower Flag...
Don from Phoenix has heard about the Lompoc Flower Flag as well,
I Live in Phoenix now but am wondering if anyone has any aerial pic of the Flower Flag that Bodger seed planted?
Don Davis

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hope that the above information helps, Don!

Historical Society Open House
The Lompoc Valley Historical Society is now open every fourth Sunday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Take advantage of the new weekend hours to visit this incredible collection of antiques, memorabilia, and Lompoc history, housed in the historic Fabing-McKay-Spanne House at 207 North L Street!
There is no charge, but donations are always appreciated.
-- Courtesy of Myra Manfrina

WANTED: Lompoc Coverlet
Hello!
Was wondering -- and HOPING -- that there's a 2002 coverlet to be available -- anyone know about this? These coverlets are wonderful!! Every year, since ('98?) there have been coverlets -- was wondering about 2002???? Please advise. Would like to purchase!!
-- Sherry
Email Sherry or Email Lompoc Online.

In what year did a snowstorm close Miguelito Canyon Road? Can you name four uses for diatomaceous earth? Is tri-tip, linguisa and chicken, toasted butter-and-garlic-coated bread and pinquito beans Lompoc's official, delicious meal?

Read Ron and Myra's latest article to find these answers. Plus, catch a glimpse of Sudden Ranch and Jalama Beach as viewed from Tranquillion Peak (the tallest point on the California coast), and more. After reading may we suggest that you print out the article and take it with you on your own driving tour back into time!
Read Miguelito Meanderings, Part Two....

 

Can you confirm any of this?

Ron Fink gives Ken this answer:
The homes being built on the southeast corner of Highway 1 and La Pruisima Road are known as the "La Pruisima Highlands". This project has been in the planning process for about 10 years. There were a variety of reasons for the long delay.

First the developer had to acquire the property, obtain the necessary environmental documents and then find investors to fund the project. There were also several stages to the permitting process that consumed a couple of years until all of the necessary approvals were obtained and the developer got the final "green light' to build.

Early in the grading process there was some minor rainfall and local environmental activists claimed that there was a "wetland" on the property. Even though the government approved environmental documents all indicated that there were no impacts the project was stopped for several days while environmental professionals determined that the "wetland" was really only a mud puddle.

I am not sure of the cost for these homes. Other homes of similar quality are selling for $300k plus, so it would seem logical that these would be in this range as well. Housing costs are driven by many factors including environmental mitigation, the amount of "open space" required and costly add ons (such as parks and "affordable units"). Local realtors should be able to answer the question of cost and availability.

Other projects of about the same size (125 plus homes) are in the planning stages. "Providence Landing" on the south side of Vandenberg Village, "Patriot Homes" near Central and Bailey (on the northwest side of Lompoc), an unnamed development near Olive and Bodger Road (on the southwest side of Lompoc), and a unnamed development near the northwest corner of Highway 1 and La Pruisima Road (across from Ken Adam Park).

I would advise the writer to pay close attention to the local newspapers to determine when these projects will be built. Often these stories are found within reports of Board of Supervisor, City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

The housing market in this area can be reffered to as a "sellers market" so buyers must be good detectives so they can find the best deals. Good luck on your hunt.
Email Kenor Email Lompoc Online.

LHS Alumni Association Website & All Sixties Reunion
Check out the new Lompoc High School Alumni Association Website where you can get all the information you'll need about this year's LHS All Sixties Reunion.

Bob Manfrina writes,
"It is the official Lompoc High School Alumni Association website...but all classes aren't updated yet...but will be in time. Right now the site is being used for the ALL SIXTIES REUNION to be held here in Lompoc this coming July 4 thru July 7. The Flyer is on the site along with a page to submit change of addresses etc."
Go to LHS Alumni Association Website

Environmental Information Services Newsletter
In the second newsletter from this newly formed local group you'll learn an environmentally friendly way to keep brown spots off your lawn where pets urinate, how to control cat litter box odor and a non-toxic drain deodorizer.
Go to Environmental Information Services Newsletter .

Local Lompoc Farmer Delivers Organic Produce to Your Doorstep!
M. C. Miller says he always looks forward to "delicious fresh vegetables, packed in a cool styrofoam chest," that arrive on his doorstep every week. Visit Bill Swingle's web site at http://www.impulse.net/~wswingle/organic.html to find out how you can enjoy this same luxury! Also visit Claudia's Square Foot Garden for more gardening info (and a live Garden Cam, when the sun is right!.)
Thanks to Bill and Claudia's Square Foot Garden for passing along this great information :-)

Lompoc History/Genealogy Update
About a year and a half ago, Myra Manfrina of the Lompoc Valley Historical Society kindly offered to try to answer history and genealogical e-mails from Lompoc Online website visitors. Here's a brief update from her:

Myra writes,
Thank you so very much for keeping on with Lompoconline. I get about 5 queries a week - some for just an obit, some for a lengthy genealogy, some just general information. But it sure keeps me busy. There a whole lot out there who read Lompoconline!! And very much enjoy it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to you for all that research, Myra!
Email Myra Manfrina