Culver City Observer -

At its January 28th annual meeting, Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) unanimously elected Deborah Gregory to its Board of Directors and to the recently open officer-level position of Board Secretary.

An interior designer, teacher, mentor, and BCR volunteer, Deborah brings to the board a passion for creek, community, and nature. Living in the Del Rey neighborhood west of Culver City with her architect husband Brian Reiff and family, Deborah regularly runs along the Ballona Creek Trail, has a basic knowledge of native plants, and enjoys sketching, bicycling, hiking, kayaking--and pelicans!

When Deborah saw the BCR E-News announcement about the position opening, she contacted BCR Outreach Coordinator Sandrine Cassidy Schmitt about her interest. After a creek walk together, Sandrine called BCR President Jim Lamm with the good news. Both were delighted! A few days later, the BCR Board enthusiastically agreed. "Deborah's a very engaging, energetic, and hands-on person", says Jim. "I really think she'll help us make good things happen! In fact, she epitomizes our goal of connecting creek and community!"

One place where Deborah has connected is at the Ballona Creek bike path entrance at Centinela and Milton in Del Rey. It's where the concrete creek bottom meets the soft-bottom tidal estuary---a special place of art, creekside vegetation, fish, waterbirds, people, and shaded seating. It's also where BCR hosts frequent creek cleanups. For details and a flier about the February 8th cleanup and to sign up for BCR's E-News, go online to http://www.ballonacreek.org.