All LAVGC meetings, events and activities except allowed activities shown in the Calendar Events section to the left are CANCELLED until further notice following Alameda County Health Care Services guidance on Mar 12, 2020.

Allowed Calendar Events will follow ACHCS and CDC Guidance. Click to see ACHCS Guidance.

Regular Monthly Meeting on Zoom
Thursday, Nov 12, 2020 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm on Zoom

Community Focused Garden Design

Speaker: Kate Frey - author of "The Bee Friendly Garden"

Kate's presentation will begin after a short business meeting.

Barbara Stott, Program Committee, states: I have known Kate for many years and Kate is the first person to have enticed me to even think about gardening in a way that is appropriate for where I live and for the greater good of the natural world. Being from England, my first love will always be lush English style borders but Kate has taught me I can have my cake (another love) and eat it. Kate’s book on “The Bee Friendly Garden” was the inspiration I needed to think differently about the way I garden and as she so aptly says on the cover of her book, “Design an abundant, flower-filled yard that nurtures bees and supports biodiversity”. Of course, I have a garden, not a yard. In 2003, Kate designed a garden for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in England and Kate won a Silver Gilt medal. I saw it so I can tell you that it was a stunningly beautiful garden and apparently the Queen agreed with me. Kate went on to win Gold Medals in 2005 and 2007.

So please join us on zoom to meet Kate and learn about: “Locally-focused gardens that strive to contribute to the community (humans, wildlife, and larger landscape). Site specific, filled with flowers, pollinators and artistry; they are places of delight. They contain and encompass the many aspects of landscapes such as appearance and functionality. But what are these community-based principles and practices? How do we create these gardens?”

You will see many examples of these kinds of gardens and accompanying sustainable, ecological principles in an inspirational slideshow.

Any questions about the meeting, please contact Barbara Stott.

We look forward to you joining us for our next Zoom meeting. We will be sending a notice prior to the meeting, but you also have the information in our recent newsletter.

LAVGC is inviting Members to our Monthly Meeting on Zoom

Topic: LAVGC Monthly Meeting
Time: Nov 12, 2020, 07:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Members only will receive an email close to the meeting with meeting join details.

If you are not a member and would like to join the meeting, please complete the New Member Application Form.

Members can join the meeting starting at 6:45. When you join the meeting, you will be in the "waiting room" until the host lets you into the meeting. When you are let into the meeting, your microphone will be muted. Please use the "chat" feature if you need to ask a question.

See LAVGC Zoom Instructions for tips for those new to Zoom. See LAVGC Zoom Participation Tips for tips for participating in Zoom meetings.

Members having difficulty connecting to the meeting or have technical questions, please email Zoom Masters Nile Runge, Beth Clark or Graham Stott. See the LAVGC Yearbook for their individual contact information.

Business Meeting

Before the speaker begins at our meeting, we will have a short business meeting to hear committee reports and cover other matters as necessary.

Visitors Are Welcome!

Please join us at the monthly meeting or contact us at the Membership link below. Please take a moment to fill out the New Member Application Form for Membership Year July, 2020 through June, 2021. New members joining after Jan. 31 of the Membership Year will owe one-half of the regular dues. New members joining at or after the April Spring Plant Sale will pay dues for the following Membership Year and be complimented for the remainder of the existing Membership Year (May/June).

For more information about membership or dues, please email Wanda Finn.

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LAVGC Yearbook

We will not be creating a LAVGC 2020-2021 Yearbook. The LAVGC 2019-2020 Yearbook will continue to be used for 2020-2021. A PDF of the LAVGC 2019-2020 Yearbook and a PDF of the LAVGC Roster are available to view and print in the Members Only section.

**** NEW **** LAVGC Roster

Beginning November, 2020, we will be providing a complete list of all current LAVGC members and their contact information. The Roster includes information for all members and includes membership changes, such as, addition of new members and changes to current member contact information, since the Yearbook was published. The Roster is in Yearbook format so it can be printed and inserted in your physical Yearbook. The Yearbook Addendum has been replaced by the LAVGC Roster.

Members Only section

Check out the Members Only section. Click on the 'Members Only' menu selection on any page, enter the Id and password. The Members Only section contains the club Yearbook, speaker video links, club forms, newsletter archives, meeting minutes and more. Members may email Jeri Stark, President to obtain the Id and password.

Thanks, thanks and more thanks

Thanks to all who participate in the club workshops, work parties and providing meeting refreshments. > > More

Garden Club Want Ads **** Updated November, 2020 ****

...garden related wants, needs, offers, for sale

This column is for any garden related items that you have that you want to get rid of - either selling or giving away, just to get them out of your place and it's too long to wait for the Plant Sale. You can also list needs or even if you need help in the garden and wish to hire someone for a few hours a week. Or if you'd like to hire out to help someone in their garden a few hours a week. Let's share with other gardeners in the club!! Click to see Garden Club Want Ads.

Talks on Video

If you missed our meeting speakers' informative talk, you can see the video of the talk on the club website Members Only section. Most of our recent club meeting talks are on view there. Select videos are also available to the public. See LAVGC Speakers: past and future.

California Garden Clubs, Inc membership cards

Jeri received 2020-2021 membership cards to distribute to LAVGC members since we are also members of the California Garden Club’s Inc. The challenge is with distribution since we are not meeting in person except for work parties, it would cost $60 to $70 dollars to send out these cards individually. If you have found the card beneficial in previous years, Jeri Stark would be happy to send you one if you send her a request LAVGC President. At the California Garden Clubs web site she found that Alden Lane gives a 10% discount, East Bay Nursery in Berkeley gives a 10% discount. Many other stores and public gardens may grant a discount if you show your card.

New Garden: Call for volunteers & resources

There is a new edible garden in Pleasanton, alongside St Clare’s Church off Hopyard Road. The purpose of the garden is to grow food for the local food bank. Initially, 800 sq ft will be cultivated for produce and a small orchard will be planted. A pollinator garden will surround the productive beds. You do not need to be a member of the church to support the garden. There is a lot of work to do and we are hoping for sufficient volunteers from LAVGC and St. Clare’s, to divide into parties of about 6 people.

If you would like to be part of it please contact any of the people listed below and indicate your day of the week preferences: Anne Vincent, Bruce Daggy and Karen Abbruscato. See the LAVGC Yearbook for their contact information. Karen may also be contacted at vp_organization@lavgc.org

Some ideas for getting out and about

Some ideas for getting out and about with social distancing in place

These gardens and nurseries also have web sites. Check their sites or call for additional requirements and to confirm operating schedule.

• Pleasanton Farmers Market is now open with distancing in place-Saturdays.
• Livermore Farmers Market is now open on Thursday evenings.
• Western Garden, Alden Lane, and Armstrong nurseries are open with social distancing and masks. Call for times and days.
• Fioli is open. Call for time and days.
• Ruth Bancroft Gardens is open with regular days and times. Call for more information.