Thanks to landslide workers

Construction crew treated to turkey buffet lunch by grateful residents of Bluebird Canyon.A construction crew hard at work repairing landslide-damaged Bluebird Canyon was treated to a thank-you lunch from neighbors the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Dressed in hard hats, grubby work clothes and safety vests, the 28 workers halted activity for an hour and marched into the driveway of Susan Sinclair’s Wykoff Way home for their meal.

Tables were set with fine silverware and cloths. Squashes, flowers and a balloon served as decorations.

Traditional Thanksgiving turkey, sweet-potato pie, gravy and deserts were efficiently consumed by a crew making the most of its break.

“I usually find a shady spot and sit down with a bologna sandwich. That’s my life,” said Richard Huntington, a heavy machinery operator on the site. No one ever gave us a lunch like this at home.”

Foreman John Reyes was more than satisfied.

“You can’t have it better than this,” Reyes said.

A total of 30 neighbors volunteered their time and food to make for the occasion, said event organizer Carolyn Bent.

“I think we are all very thankful for all of their hard work,” said Bent.

Working seven days a week with 12-hour shifts, the crew has been preparing the site for rebuilding in the wake of the slide that wrecked 20 homes, said John Schiller, general manager for the workers.

“They have the lights on at night to get the work done before the rainy season,” said neighbor and volunteer Claudia Crawford.

Despite constant noise from the site, and having a street shut down after construction trucks caved it in, the volunteers held respect for the workers.

“You get used to the drone,” said Sinclair.

The crew was also treated to bags filled with toys donated by Playmates, a Costa Mesa-based company and employer of Sinclair’s husband, John.

When the hourlong break came to an end, the workers finished up the remains of their plates and filed out with full bellies and bags in hand.

Schiller voiced a word of thanks to the volunteers: “We really appreciate this. We appreciate your patience and understanding with this job.”

It is estimated by Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider that the current work in Bluebird Canyon will be completed before the holidays.

Property owners on Bluebird will be able to begin rebuilding January 1, and hillside restoration for the other damaged areas is scheduled to begin in April, said Pearson-Schneider.20051202iqfgg9knMARK DUSTIN / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Bluebird Canyon resident Claudia Crawford, right, puts a piece of cake on the plate of construction worker Jesus Zarate during Wednesday afternoon’s Thanksgiving lunch.