A Clear Cut Success of a Volunteer Workday & UCSF Special Event

Scraggly Calindrinia cut back into
 shape now that they're done flowering.
Thanks Michael!

Saturday was a big day at the gardens, and for the gardens! As many of you know, we hosted our monthly volunteer workday, which is always a lot of fun and keeps the gardens looking spiffy. We were also invited to participate as a community group in the UCSF Medical Center kick-off celebration. Before we get into all the fun that was event, let me tell you about the workday.

Eliot and Josh
 all smiles with their pruners

Michael, Nate, Eliot and his friend Josh (on vacation!) did a transformative job cleaning up the gardens on Saturday. As a team we trimmed back the Agapanthus and Calindrinia along the perimeter, cut back the growth that was invading the pathways and pulled a fair number of weeds in the process too. All the pruning and clearing took nearly the entire workday, but we were keen to also pickup the mountain of trash that had accumulated at PRG! We ran down the hill and did a quick but thorough job fishing out all the debri that had

Jackie and Ryan get the booth ready

collected/been dumped at the park. Meanwhile, Anna and her crew was at the Triangle Garden getting it whipped into shape - I was so busy with my crew I didn't get a chance to chat with them - but way to go team!

After the workday was over, I quickly went home and regrouped for the big UCSF Medical Center kick-off celebration. Jackie, Rick, Alison, Ryan and my mom Debbie all lent a hand during the event, making it a big success. Unfortunately Annie and Matt were out of town, but they were able to pick up some stellar plants that looked great at the event and will make a nice addition to the gardens, so they were there in spirit!

"I wish cancer ended! Also be a doctor"

Thanks to a generous donation from the UCSF Medical Center, and the 'OK' from Sequoia Productions, we created a Wishing Tree for the event. The event had barely started and we had bunches of UCSF staff, kids, families even dogs coming up to check out the Wishing Tree. I had always hoped people would use the opportunity to write something thoughtful about what the hospital meant to them, and I was amazed by the emotion a few people poured out in their words to us volunteers, and in writing on the Wishing Tree. It was a very fun and fulfilling day to say the least, and we met a lot of great people. I've include a few photos here, and you can find more on my website.

Happy Hour at El Rio; it's for us!

Booze for Beautifulness?
Cocktails for Crocosmias?

What a good idea, go to a bar and have a drink, and money is donated to the gardens.





When: Friday April 5th
Where: El Rio   3158 Mission St @ Cesar Chavez
Time: Happy Hour 4-6pm

It's a great excuse to head out the neighborhood and grab a drink, hope to see you there!

Party, Wellness, Sunshine!

For everyone that made it out to the Wellness Block Party yesterday, all I have to say is IZZE and you'll remember all the fun. Adults wildly hula hooping, local businesses sharing information and an amazing variety of delicious treats.

Oh the treats! Gluten Free Grocery (who knew gluten free cookies could be so good!!!), Alter-Eco (amazing variety of chocolates for tasting) Plum Organics (baby and toddler fare) and other treats provided by us at PSG.

Then of course, there was the bright pink IZZE truck with two of the cutest white fluffy dogs ever, Mr. Peppermint and Snowball. They also were giving out a variety of free drinks, and generally making everyone exceedingly happy!

Besides food and drink, there were lots of other things to get excited about. UCSF brought an ambulance onsite and was giving out cute UCSF stuffed animals and giving tours of their unique vehicle. Rickshaw was there in style, as was Third Street Gym, Centered Body Pilates, Giggling Lotus, ACTCM and SF Natural Medicine.  If you weren't watching a yoga demo, getting your face painted or stuffed with treats, you were probably relaxing in the garden.

We were lucky to have two awesome photographers donating their services at the event; Joel of Hyperfocal Studios and Maile of Missmith! You can see a full gallery of all the photos taken at the event by clicking to visit gallery 1 and gallery 2.

This event couldn't have happened without this amazing team of volunteers:

Annie, Matt, Debbie, Paloma, Jim, Nate, Ryan, Susan, Miriam & her daughter, Heather, Joel, Leah, Shan, Matt, Elliot and Maile.

You all rock!

For those who couldn't make it please consider making a donation via the San Francisco Parks Alliance to the garden by clicking here. Please note "Pennsylvania Street Garden" in the comments section, so SFPA knows where the money should go.