“Life begins the day you start your garden” - Club Motto
GARDEN CLUB OFFICERS 2019
President - Marlene Kinney
Vice President - Elaine Billeter
Secretary - Linda Shubin
Treasurer - Vicki Sexton
Membership - Carolyn
Whitmore and Linda Cruz
Programs - Robin Willis
Parliamentarian - Judy Bates
Club meetings are on the 2nd
Wednesday of the month at Diamond
Terrace Retirement Living
Community, 6401 Center Street,
Clayton, CA
www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org/
(925) 276-2299
CVGC JUNE 12, 2019 MEETING
Although our mild Bay Area climate
allows us to grow just about anything,
there are still ways we can increase
our chances of success in the
garden. Dustin Strobel from Sloat
Nursery will give us some tips about
what to plant and when to plant it.
VOLUME 22 ISSUE 5
IN THIS ISSUE PAGE
President’s Message 2
Mt. Diablo Wildflower Hike 2
Blue Star and Veterans Memorial 3
Clayton Gardens Tour 3
Art & Wine Festival 3
CVGC Plant Sale 4
Hoop House Project 5
Membership 5
Ruth Bancroft Gardens Visitor Center 5
Orchard Nursery Field Trip 6
Seed Packing Work Party 6
Garden for Wildlife 6
4th of July Parade 7
Calendar of Events June/July 8
CGCI Award Manual Revised 11
Goodbye to Robin Willis 12
CVGC Officer & Chair Contact Info. 12
Nancy Niemeyer, Editor
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 1
MEETING SPEAKERS & TREATS
June 12: Dustin Strobel will talk about what and
when to plant. Treats - Robin Willis.
Drinks - Deb McKenzie.
July 10: Nicole Hackett will talk about what’s new
in the garden. Treats - Peggy Arundell.
Drinks - Stacey DeGuzman.
Do you have suggestions/ideas? Please put them
in the suggestion box available at our meetings.
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 2
CVCG President’s Message June 2019
I’d like to give everyone another friendly reminder regarding Internet security. The problem of Hackers, Spoofers, and Phishers isn’t going away anytime soon. Hackers break into websites, email accounts, and computer systems and take information without the owner realizing it. Spoofers disguise their emails to seem to be from a known, trusted source in order to trick you into responding. (This just happened to CVGC and we were lucky to have stopped it before it cost us money.) Phishing messages ask for personal information, beg for money, or offer deals too good to be true. To protect yourself, you need to be vigilant in keeping your security software up to date. Most importantly, never click on any link or open any attachment in a suspicious email. When in doubt, contact the sender to see if the email is legitimate. CVGC just had another successful Fundraiser Plant Sale. Thank you to all who helped. It is the details that make any event successful. We have a couple of events coming up in July. Nicole Hackett, Chair of the 4th of July Parade, and her assistant Fran Veal are already working on the details to help make our parade entry fun and successful. Rory Richmond and Patty Remoy are organizing a CVGC Penny Pines information booth at the Clayton BBQ Cook Off on July 13, 2019. The booth will help support Penny Pines by providing information and certificate application forms for the public to buy for themselves or to give as gifts. The following positions are still open. Club
Representative to Diablo Foothills District,
Diablo Valley Middle School, and Publicity
Chair. Please let me know if you are interested
in one of these open positions.
MT. DIABLO WILDFLOWER HIKE
On April 23, Dorothy Bradt led a small group of
members on a hike at
Mt. Diablo State Park.
It was fine weather
and a great year for
wildflowers, especially
the Mt Diablo Fairy
Lanterns.
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 3
BLUE STAR AND VETERANS MEMORIALS - submitted by Marlene Kinney
Diane Selmer and I, on behalf of CVGC, cleaned the Veterans Memorial on Main Street.
Nicole Hackett and R&M Pool, Patio, and Gardens donated and placed flowers at the
Flagged Memorial just before the celebration on Memorial Day. Diane and I also planted
flowers at the Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker in the Grove. These memorials honor the
veterans who served our country and gave their lives so that we could live free. We maintain
it in their honor and can not think of a more heartfelt thing to do to celebrate them.
CLAYTON GARDENS TOUR - submitted by Linda Cruz
On May 3 and 4, the Clayton Historical Society held their 27th
annual Clayton Gardens Tour. CVGC member, Cindy Pike had
her garden featured as one of the five on the tour this year. We
would like to thank the many CVGC members who volunteered
their time on the Gardens Tour Committee, as Tour coordinators
and docents, and doing other work. Their efforts helped make
the 2019 Clayton Gardens Tour a successful event.
ART & WINE FESTIVAL
On April 27 and 28, CVGC volunteers poured wine at our booth in front of the Clayton Museum during the Art & Wine Festival. There was good food, lively entertainment, great vendors, and of course, many varieties of wine and beer to try.
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 4
CVGC PLANT SALE - submitted by co-Chair Linda Cruz
We had another successful CVGC Plant Sale on
Saturday May 11. This year the Plant Sale opened
one hour later and closed an hour earlier. This gave
us more time to set up before the crowds swarmed
us. The start of the sale was very busy and close to
half our inventory was gone within the first hour and
a half. We don’t know how much we earned yet but
our Treasurer reported she had over $5600 to put in
the bank with more expected to come in.
The color bowls for Mother’s Day were very popular
and sold out completely. (Thank you to Nicole
Hackett and R&M Pool, Patio, and Gardens who
gave us a big discount on flowering plants and to
Dustin Strobel from Sloat’s Garden Center for
donating a 25 lb. bag of Sure Start fertilizer.) Many of
our hand made items also sold out early: Doug
Hegemier’s and Jesse Cruz’s decorated Bat Boxes,
Judy Disbrow’s adorable birdhouses, and Chris
Callaghan’s walking sticks. Other items such as the
painted rocks, seed bombs, gently used items, and
sachets also sold well.
We have so many volunteers to thank for making
sure the sale ran smoothly. The Friday crew made
countless trips transporting, unloading, and
organizing plants at Endeavor Hall. The Saturday
early morning set-up crew got us ready on time.
During the sale, our volunteers were busy providing
plant expertise and helping as needed. Barry and
Marcia Hart’s poster signs showed the way to the
sale and Marlene Kinney helped direct customers
from our Farmers Market
information booth. After
the sale, the clean-up crew
ferried unsold plants back
to the Hoop House and
tidied up. We would also
like to give a special thank
you to Rory Richmond,
Diane Selmer, and Jesse
Cruz for the food and drink
that kept us all going.
RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN VISITOR CENTER
On Wednesday June 26 will be the grand opening of the new
Coit Family Visitor and Education Center at the Ruth Bancroft
Garden in Walnut Creek. This free event starts at 5:30 p.m. with
refreshments and music. The ribbon cutting ceremony begins at
6 p.m. with new building tours afterwards. For more information,
go to: www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/ribboncutting/
MEMBERSHIP - submitted by co-Chair Linda Cruz
We just learned that we have a new member, Catherine Zee, whose
son gave her a membership to CVGC for Mother’s Day.
Please everyone check your 2019 Membership Directory to make
sure your information is correct. If you see any problems, please let
Linda Cruz or Carolyn Whitmore know. An update sheet for your
Directory will be available at the June 12th CVGC meeting.
HOOP HOUSE PROJECT - submitted by co-Chair Linda Cruz
Now that our 2019 Plant Sale is finished, we want to start planning and propagating for the
2020 sale. If we start the plants this summer, it will allow them to produce good roots to
survive the winter and be ready to bloom well in the spring. Anyone who would like to help
propagate is welcome. There will be a 2020 Plant Sale Committee sign-
up sheet at the June 12th CVGC meeting. We will have a meeting
sometime this summer so remember that we would love to have your
ideas and suggestions.
This summer, we will also need volunteers to water so we can keep the
Hoop House plants alive. If you would like to help with watering, please
let Fran Veal know. Fran will take over the scheduling when Robin
leaves at the end of June. Toni will handle watering of the succulents.
The Reclaimed Water station at Central San opened late due to all the
rain we received this year so we couldn’t get water to fill the
Hoop House tanks. Luckily, we ran out of water only once
and Doug Hegemier had to get water from the Cruz house
to refill the tanks.
The dove who is nesting in the Shade House hatched her
two babies which have now fledged. Mama has since laid
two more eggs.
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 5
ORCHARD NURSERY FIELD TRIP - submitted by Programs Officer Robin Willis
There will be a field trip on Wednesday, June 12 at 11 a.m. to Orchard
Nursery in Lafayette to hear a talk, offered specially just for CVGC, on
Houseplants 101 (everything you need to know about selecting and
caring for houseplants). If you would like to go, please contact Robin
Willis as soon as possible as we may have to cancel if there isn’t enough
participation. There were only a few signups at May’s CVGC meeting
and it would be rude if we didn’t give Orchard Nursery a good turnout.
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 6
SEED PACKING WORK PARTY - submitted by Chair Nicole Hackett
Everyone is invited to R&M Pool, Patio and Gardens on Wednesday June 26th at 5:30 p.m.
to fill tiny plastic bags with California Poppy seeds. Each year CVGC participates in the
Clayton 4th of July Parade with a float accompanied by members and friends. Along the
Parade route, we pass out the poppy seed packets to the crowd.
Please bring your tiniest measuring spoon (a dash or
1/8 tsp.) to the seed packing party. We will pack over
1000 bags of seeds and affix CVGC labels to
them. After our work is finished, we will enjoy pizza
and cold drinks. Please RSVP to me at
[email protected] An attendance count is
important so we don’t over or under order the pizza.
GARDEN FOR WILDLIFE
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has a Certified Wildlife Habitat program to help
recognize home gardeners who provide a haven for wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds,
and amphibians. Every habitat garden helps replenish resources for wildlife both locally and
along migratory corridors and can make a lasting difference.
You can get certified online at NWF’s website for $20. Applicants are
asked to confirm that they provide food, water, cover, places to raise
young, and sustainable practices. With certification, you receive a
one-year membership in the NWF, a subscription to National Wildlife
magazine, 10% off NWF merchandise, a subscription to Garden for
Wildlife e-newsletter, and an option to purchase a garden sign
designating your garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Until June
30, you can receive 20% off your total when you certify and
purchase the garden sign. For more information, go to:
www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certify
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 7
WANTED:
Clayton Valley Garden Club Members, Spouses, Family, and
Friends to MARCH WITH US in this year’s 4th of July Parade!
Help us be the biggest group in the Parade and hand out a record
number of poppy seed packets to the huge crowd expected!
Meet Thursday morning between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. at the staging area on Center
Street (we’re usually somewhere in the middle). Look for fellow club members wearing
red CVGC aprons and the white R&M pickup truck with Clayton Valley Garden Club signs
and red, white, and blue decorations all over it with a garden growing out of the truck
bed.
Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen, bring some water, and something to hold your
poppy seed packets (a basket is good). This year we will have seed passers and
marchers. Nicole Hackett, 4th of July Parade Chair, will give instructions on the day of
the parade. You can call her cell at (925) 890-1523 if you can’t find us on Center Street on
4th of July morning.
WE HOPE TO SEE LOTS OF YOU THERE!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JUNE/JULY
*** Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon CVGC Hoop House Project work
parties at Gloria Utley’s property in Clayton.
Saturdays from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. at Main St. in Clayton: Clayton Farmers’ Market. For
more information, go to: www.pcfma.org/
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive in Walnut
Creek: Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market. For more information, go to:
www.cafarmersmkts.com/diablo-valley-farmers-market
June 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, at the Environmental Center in Pittsburg:
Shawna Anderson will give a workshop on gardening in containers and small spaces.
The workshop costs $15. For more information and to register, go to:
sustainablecoco.ning.com/events/get-a-grip-on-drip-installation-workshop-1
June 1 at 10 a.m., Saturday, at Sloat Nursery in Concord: Dustin Strobel will give a
workshop on how to make a graduation party container garden. The workshop is $40
for Sloat Rewards Members (membership is free) and $50 for nonmembers. For more
information and to register, go to: www.sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/seminars-
events/
June 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, in Walnut Creek: Environmental educator Judy
Adler will give a workshop on how to attract native birds, bees and butterflies to your
garden. The tour costs $40. For more information and to register, go to:
www.bringingbackthenatives.net/workshops
June 2 at 10 a.m., Sunday, at Sloat Nursery in Concord: Dustin Strobel will give a class
on how to grow berries. The class is free for Sloat Rewards Members (membership is
free) and $10 for nonmembers. For more information and to register, go to:
www.sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/seminars-events/
June 3-7, Monday through Friday, in Van Nuys: California Garden Clubs, Inc. 2019
convention. For more information, go to: californiagardenclubs.com/nextmeeting
June 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive in
Walnut Creek: Steven Griffin will give a free talk on irrigation. For more information,
go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
June 8 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Tom Bressan will give a
free class on choosing and installing an irrigation system. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
(continued on next page)
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 8
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JUNE/JULY
(continued)
June 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, at the Contra Costa Water District Offices in
Concord: The Contra Costa Water District will present a free workshop on how
replace your lawn with a water-wise landscape. For more information and to register,
go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/lose-the-lawn-get-a-garden-workshop-tickets-
55545144021
June 8 at 10 a.m., Saturday, at Sloat Nursery in Concord: Dustin Strobel will give a
workshop for kids on how to make a terrarium garden. The workshop is $30 for Sloat
Rewards Members (membership is free) and $40 for nonmembers. For more
information and to register, go to: www.sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/seminars-
events/
June 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive
in Walnut Creek: Helen Erickson will give a free talk on how to espalier trees. For
more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
***June 12 at 11 a.m., Wednesday, at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette: Field trip to hear a
talk on caring for houseplants. See page 6.
***June 12 from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, in Clayton: CGVC meeting. See page 1.
June 13 from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette: DIY kids
succulent garden workshop. The workshop costs $25. For more information and to
register, go to: www.orchardnursery.com/events/
June 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at the Tilden Botanical Garden Visitor Center
in Berkeley: Charlotte Torgovitsky will give a class on gardening for butterflies. The
class costs $35 for Regional Parks Foundation members and $40 for nonmembers.
For more information and to register, go to: www.nativeplants.org/events-and-classes/
classes-field-trips-workshops/
June 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive
in Walnut Creek: Joie Spinelli will give a free talk on composting. For more
information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
June 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, at the Gardens at Heather Farms in
Walnut Creek: Bernard Trainor will give a workshop on garden design. The
workshop costs $50 for members of the Gardens at Heather Farms and for members
of the Garden Conservancy and $60 for nonmembers. For more information and to
register, go to: www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days/open-days-schedule/digging-
deeper-elemental-nature-the-california-landscapes-of-ground-studio
(continued on next page)
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 9
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JUNE/JULY
(continued)
June 22 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Ellyn Shea will give a
free class on improving your garden soil. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
June 26 from 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek: Grand
opening of the new visitor center. See page 5.
***June 26 at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, at R&M Pool, Patio, and Gardens in Clayton: Seed
packing party. See page 6.
June 27 from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette: Anna will give a
free workshop on orchid repotting. For more information and to register, go to:
www.orchardnursery.com/events/
***July 4, Thursday, downtown in Clayton: 4th of July parade. See page 7.
July 6 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Susan Ashley will give a
free class on plant propagation. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
July 8 - 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday, at Sloat Nursery in Concord:
Kids Week Celebration Planting Clinic. Kids can plant up their very own pot with
succulents, flowers, or ferns with the help of the nursery staff. There will also be a
scavenger hunt through the nursery. The clinic is $5 for Sloat Rewards Members
(membership is free) and $10 for nonmembers. For more information and to register,
go to: www.sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/seminars-events/
July 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive
in Walnut Creek: Helen Erickson will give a free talk on how to prune fruit trees to
keep them small. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
***July 10 from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, in Clayton: CGVC meeting. See page 1.
July 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, on Main Street in Clayton: Tenth Annual Clayton
BBQ Cook-Off. For more information, go to: claytoncbca.org/event/clayton-bbq-cook-
off/
July 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, at the Contra Costa Water District Offices in
Concord: The Contra Costa Water District will present a free workshop on how
replace your lawn with a water-wise landscape. For more information and to register,
go to: www.ccwater.com/Calendar.aspx?
EID=1160&month=7&year=2019&day=21&calType=0
(continued on next page)
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 10
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 11
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JUNE/JULY
(continued)
July 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive
in Walnut Creek: Rhonda Beatty-Gallo will give a free talk on dehydrating fruits and
vegetables. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
July 18 from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette: Staff will give a
free workshop on caring for houseplants. For more information and to register, go to:
www.orchardnursery.com/events/
July 20 at 10 a.m., Saturday, at Sloat Nursery in Concord: Dustin Strobel will give a
workshop on how to make a succulent container garden. The workshop is $10 for
Sloat Rewards Members (membership is free) and $20 for nonmembers. For more
information and to register, go to: www.sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/seminars-
events/
July 20 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Ernesto Sandoval will
give a free class on growing succulents. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
July 24 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive
in Walnut Creek: Steven Griffin will give a free talk on how to control vertebrate
pests in your garden. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
CGCI AWARD MANUAL REVISED
There have been new revisions made to the CGCI (California Garden Clubs Inc.) Awards
Manual to two awards that can be entered by individuals.
#25 - Operation Wildflower: no longer includes Section D (photographs of California native
wildflowers). It still has A - For environmental preservation and enhancement of roadsides
and rest areas using wildflowers and native plants. B - For establishing wildflower gardens,
memorial gardens, or the restoration of historic gardens with emphasis on native plants. C -
Establishing outdoor classrooms, wildflower trails, educational walks with emphasis on
educating children and public about wildflowers and native plants.
#51 - Publications Awards Section 1: has been rewritten and is now for a published article
by a garden club member during the awards year on one of three topics: promoting the
objectives of NGC, Pacific Region or CGCI; flower design; or horticulture.
There are also seven other CGCI awards that individuals can apply for directly. #6 (Memorial
Planting), #20 (Backyard Habitat), #22 (Green Recipe), #23 (Home Garden), #27 (Unique
Backyard Enhancement), #40 and #41 (Photography). For more information, go to:
californiagardenclubs.com/sites/default/files/Awards/2017%20NEW%20Awards%
20manual.pdf
CVGC Newsletter June 2019 12
CVGC OFFICER AND CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION
Bates, Judy (Parliamentarian, Awards Chair): [email protected]
Billeter, Elaine (Vice President): [email protected]
Callaghan, Chris (Mt. Diablo Elementary School co-Chair): [email protected]
Carvalho, Debra (Clayton Community Library co-Chair): [email protected]
Cline King, Laney (Mt. Diablo Elementary School co-Chair): [email protected]
Cruz, Linda (Membership co-Officer, Hoop House co-Chair, Plant Sale co-Chair):
[email protected]), (925) 672-0503
Hackett, Nicole (Fourth of July Parade Chair): [email protected]
Hegemier, Toni (Plant Sale co-Chair, Hoop House co-Chair): [email protected]
Kaplan, Carin (Hospitality Chair): [email protected]
Karp, Linda (Blossoms for Barbara Chair): [email protected]
Kinney, Marlene (President): [email protected]
Lane, Steve (Clayton Historical Society Museum Educational Garden Chair):
Meriam, Ted (Clayton Valley Charter High School Chair): [email protected]
Niemeyer, Nancy (Newsletter Editor): [email protected]
Remoy, Patty (Penny Pines Chair, Olympic High School co-Chair): [email protected]
Richmond, Rory (CBCA Liaison, Plant Sale co-Chair): [email protected]
Rubiales, Jan (Olympic High School co-Chair): [email protected]
Selmer, Diane (Clayton Community Library co-Chair): [email protected]
Sexton, Vicki (Treasurer): [email protected]
Shubin, Linda (Secretary): [email protected]
Whitmore, Carolyn (Membership co-Officer): [email protected]
Willis, Robin (Programs, Webmaster): [email protected]
Club Rep to the Diablo Foothills District, Diablo View Middle School, and Publicity: Open
GOODBYE TO ROBIN WILLIS - submitted by Linda Cruz
Robin Willis will be leaving California at the end of June.
Although, she has only been a member since 2015, Robin has
been a tremendous asset to CVGC. She got our new website
up and running, organized the Hoop House watering schedule,
served as CVGC Secretary and Program Chair, and worked on
CVGC’s bylaws and Procedures Guidance Manual. Robin has
also regularly volunteered to work on the plant sale, the 4th of
July Parade, the Hoop House, pouring wine at our booths, and
many other programs and events. Her surprise farewell party at
La Veranda on May 29 was well attended. We will miss her.
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