Entries Being Sought for Best-Kept Homes Contest

Mesa Pride wants entries for its annual best-kept homes contest.

Founded in 1987, Mesa Pride is a volunteer civic organization that aims to enhance the standard of living for residents and maintain the city’s economic vitality.

Categories for the ninth Neighborhood Pride Awards are best single-family house, best neighborhood block and best apartment or condominium project. Entries are broken down by geographic area: the north, east and west sides of the city.

The group also sponsors essay and drawing contests for schoolchildren, conducts monthly programs on various topics and lobbies elected officials and other leaders.

Special recognition is given to commercial developments. Triangle Square and Mesa North Shopping Center are among previous winners.

Criteria for judging the residential categories include overall appearance, general upkeep and landscaping.

Winners will receive hand-painted commemorative plaques and gifts from merchants.

The entry deadline is 5 p.m. next Thursday. Judging will take place Aug. 1-15. Awards will be presented in September at the Costa Mesa Country Club.

Those who wish to enter should send their names and addresses to Neighborhood Pride Awards, P.O. Box 3949, Costa Mesa 92628-3949. Contestants must indicate which category they are entering.

Information: (714) 548-7001.