The Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC) needs up to $70,000 to install two pelican statues on La Jolla Boulevard and is turning to the community for donations.

BRCC has filed a right-of-way permit application with the City of San Diego for the monument project, which already cleared the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and the Public Art Committee. Higher-than-expected material and permitting costs pushed the fundraising target to at least $50,000, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The plan calls for two natural rocks topped with 3-foot pelican sculptures in white, brown and yellow, placed in boulevard medians near pedestrian crossings south of the Colima Street roundabout and north of the Camino de la Costa roundabout. A $25,000 grant from Vanguard Charitable, given in memory of the late Pat Bender, will fund the sculptures. A plaque honoring Bender will be placed at the site.

BRCC Vice President Christine McVay, the project lead, said at the council's Tuesday, Sept. 1 meeting that the project has "momentum" and "a great engineering team working with us on the permitting," but needs a fundraising push to reach the finish line.

BRCC President Joe Parker told attendees the council is "reaching out to the community" to complete the project. The board is waiting on the city's response to the permit application.

BirdStock returns Sept. 19

The fifth annual BirdStock Music Festival takes over the 5500–5700 blocks of La Jolla Boulevard on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The street festival is free.

Five stages of live music, more than 70 artisan vendors, an OktoBIRDfest beer garden and kids' activities fill the lineup. New for 2026: BMX and skateboarding shows on a half pipe, sponsored by Wayfarer Bread, and a VIP viewing deck with tequila tastings, sponsored by Dos Azul.

Co-chair Arianna Opsvig told the Sept. 1 BRCC meeting that BirdStock is fully paid for, with all proceeds going to Bird Rock Elementary and the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy. Last year's festival drew thousands and raised about $15,000 for Bird Rock Elementary alone, lajolla.ca reported.

In an Aug. 31 preview, Opsvig said the addition of the conservancy means "anyone who accesses the coast will be able to benefit from BirdStock moving forward."

Volunteers are still needed for setup, breakdown, stage support, the kids' zone, vendor assistance and the beer garden. Sign up at birdstockmusicfestival.com/volunteers-1. After BirdStock wraps, live music continues at Beaumont's.

Coming up

• Saturday, Sept. 19 — BirdStock Music Festival, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., La Jolla Boulevard in Bird Rock. Free.
• Tuesday, Oct. 6 — Bird Rock Community Council meeting, 6 p.m. Location to be posted at birdrockcc.org.