Fillmore Civic Pride volunteers named Nellie Carrillo’s yard on Santa Clara Street as the May 2023 “Yard of the Month”. Pictured is Lupe Solis, Nellie’s caregiver, in the front yard as Nellie is 97 & wasn’t able to go out for the photo. Nellie also received a $50 gift card for Otto & Sons Nursery. Photo courtesy Linda Nunes.

Courtesy Linda Nunes

Civic Pride Volunteers awarded Nellie Carrillo at 318 Santa Clara St., the May 2023 “Yard of the Month” award.
Nellie is 97 years young! She moved to a home at the back of the property when she was eight years old. Then she and her brothers, Simon and Peter, built this home for their mother, pulling the permit in 1951, while they lived in the back house. It took them 10 years to build, with no mortgage — a cash build!

After her brothers married and moved away, Nellie moved into the home.
Her mother started the yard, but Nellie’s caregiver and gardener, Lupe Solis, has made the yard more beautiful and continues to care for it. Nellie has known Lupe for 34 years.

The yard has purple wisteria, draped over the front porch. Red geraniums bloom brightly in the corners with coral drops, calla lilies and begonias bordering the yard. A plumeria plant, a white rose bush and a gorgeous red/orange tree rose are at the front of the walled yard with a bird fountain in the middle.
Nellie was so pleased to receive the $50 gift card to Otto & Sons Nursery and promptly passed it on to Lupe, so her daughter could take her to the nursery.

Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for supporting this project since it began!