COSTA MESA : West Side Cleanup Scheduled Saturday

The west side of the city will get a face lift Saturday as hundreds of residents armed with brooms, paintbrushes and trash bags take to the streets to clean up their neighborhoods.

Sponsored by the city, Neighbors for Neighbors will begin the cleanup at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Dozens of groups, including schoolchildren and church organizations, are expected to turn out to remove weeds, pick up trash and paint over graffiti. Following the cleanup, volunteers will be treated to refreshments and entertainment.

“We’ve gotten really good response from the community,” said Muriel Berman, redevelopment project manager. “I hope it sends a message to the community that the city does care about what is happening out there.”

The $10,000 to fund the program is coming from federal grants that are given to cities to help rehabilitate low-income areas. To prepare for the event, several dumpsters have already been placed around the west side. In addition, potholes in the James Street alley have been filled and trees have been trimmed.

There is no charge for using the dumpsters, and free towing of inoperable vehicles will be available by calling (714) 754-5049.

Volunteers will be meeting at 8 a.m. at a staging area on Wallace Avenue between 18th Street and Shalimar Drive.