Livermore-Amador Valley Garden Club (LAVGC) is a non-profit educational service organization affiliated with California Garden Clubs, Inc.
serving the Tri-Valley Area: Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Sunol.
LAVGC Vision:
Gardening for fun and purpose while working together to share knowledge and promote environmental responsibility.
LAVGC Mission:
Encourage interest in all phases of home gardening;
Promote better horticultural practices;
Promote civic beauty;
Promote conservation of natural resources.
LAVGC Brochure.
LAVGC offers special interest groups and workshops on a variety of related subjects.
Different special interest groups
include Edible Gardening, Floral Design, Garden Tours and Seed Sharing.
Members take tours to see outstanding gardens, nurseries and to attend horticultural events. Members also perform community service locally and nationally.
LAVGC meets the second Thursday of September through June at Alisal Elementary School in Pleasanton.
LAVGC Speakers: past and future
Regular Monthly Meeting and Yearend Potluck
Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
LOCATION CHANGE: Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Avenue, Livermore
Our Santa Barbara Road Trip - Linda Jensen, speaker
Potluck starts at 6:30 PM
LAVGC member Linda Jensen will provide a photo journey of last year's very popular tour. Twenty three members traveled from Pleasanton to Hearst Castle, to Cambria, to Lotus Land and Santa Barbara. The photos were taken by several club members who participated in this most interesting trip, squeezing in many stops to view flowers, vistas and gardens in the three fun-filled days.
Prior to the program, we will have our "end of the year "potluck. Please bring a finger food dish to share. Utensils and plates will be provided.
We will also be installing our executive officers for the coming year.
Visitors Are Welcome!
Please join us at the monthly meeting or contact us at the Contacts link above. Please take a moment to fill out the
Membership Application and Renewal Form for Fiscal Year July 2018 through June 2019. Membership dues for February 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019 are half the regular dues.
For more information about membership or dues, please email Dean Burnett.
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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 the Co-Presidents 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.
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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.
TIME TO PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES for LAVGC 2018/2019 Program Year
Our membership year is from July 1st to June 30th. Dues are $25.00 per year for an individual or $35.00 for two members at the same address.
Please fill out the Membership Application and Renewal Form. If you haven't already paid your dues, you may pay them at the June 14 meeting or mail your check, made payable to LAVGC, and send to: LAVGC (Livermore Amador Valley Garden Club), Dean Burnett, LAVGC Membership Chairman. See the LAVGC Yearbook for Dean's home address.
If you are not sure if you have or have not paid your dues, give Dean a call or email him and he'll let you know: See the LAVGC Yearbook for Dean's contact information.
Your completed application insures that we have your most current and correct information in our annual Yearbook.
For more information about membership or dues, please email or call Dean Burnett. See the LAVGC Yearbook for Dean's contact information.
LAVGC Officers for 2018/2019
The election of officers was voted on at the May meeting. The following slate was elected:
- Co-presidents: Lois Barber, Dolores Bengtson
- VP Meetings and Organization: Debra Caldwell
- VP Community Service: Jeri Stark
- VP Special Interests: Mary Davis
- Treasurer: Norma Foss
- Recording Secretary: Beth Clark
- Corresponding Secretary: Nora Kvale
Participation Needed for Coming Program Year - Please Step Forward!
Your 2018/2019 Co-Presidents are absolutely delighted so many members are continuing to serve on committees either as a chairperson or as a member. We are listing the following vacancies and hope members will step forward to serve. Please contact Lois Barber or Dolores Bengtson or the committee directly if interested in participating. See the Contacts page for committee contacts.
Program, Meetings and Organization Committee needs a number of committee members to help select programs for next year and assume follow ups with one or two speakers. If you do not want to be a committee member, but are willing to attend a few meetings to help select the program for 18/19 and assure program diversity, we have a spot for you -"program advisor".
Tours, Special Interest Committee invites members to join that committee, with the goal of having representation of diverse interests.
Members Spring Garden Tour Special Interest Committee, This event allows members a peek into other beautiful gardens both to enjoy and inspire. Members are needed to assist the leadership and work with those willing to show their garden.
Arbor Day, Community Service Committee encourages a member or members with an interest in educating our youth about the value of trees to join the committee as a member or someone interested in committee leadership in the future.
Please know existing members will mentor anyone stepping forward. New members, this is a great way to get to know others in the Club. No skill of beforehand knowledge is required, just a willingness to join in!
Alameda County Fair Volunteer Opportunities
The Fair is June 15th - July 8th and there are volunteer opportunities in all areas of the fair. If you want to work in the professional gardens during the daytime please contact Karen Abbruscato or Kristen Dean (ACF volunteer contact). Our club makes $4 - $5 / hour for your volunteer time, and its lots of fun. As a volunteer, you get a T-shirt, hat, water bottle, parking & ticket entrance for each day you volunteer plus another ticket to the fair for another day when you're not working.
Signups are now open and you can use your same log-in from last year at www.myvolunteerpage.com. Karen can help retrieve your username if needed.
For signup help or more information, please contact Karen Abbruscato, ACF volunteer coordinator. See the LAVGC Yearbook for Karen's contact information.
2019 Plant Sale Prep
It is not too early to begin propagating plants for the 2019 Plant Sale next April. Many plants, such as lavender, rosemary, and the various sages and many other plants of a "shrubby" nature that are propagated from stem cuttings need time to strike roots and grow to a sizable and salable plant. This year, Lee Giroux has graciously agreed to host plant propagation workshops at her home near Livermore. We are planning a workshop on propagating cuttings to be held the last week in July. More details will be made available at the June meeting.
For any questions, please contact Bill Tallon or Dan McCright the Plant Sale Chairmen. See the LAVGC Yearbook for their additional contact information.
Soil Knife/Soil Knife and Sheath Combo Order
The soil knife order is expected to arrive in plenty of time to be distributed at the June meeting. Those who placed an order will be pleased to know you will be receiving a bit of a refund as a special offer was available when the order was placed. Knives (and modest refund) will be available at the June meeting. Please make arrangements to have someone pick your order up if you cannot attend. Any order left after the June meeting will be available for pick-up at the home of Dolores Bengtson.
For more information, contact Dolores Bengtson. See the LAVGC Yearbook for Dolores's contact information.
LAVGC Joint Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 6:45 PM. Livermore Library, Meeting Room B.
The joint Old and New Board meeting is at the Livermore Library Meeting Room B. The primary purpose of the meeting is to transfer information between the old and new board and to conduct Club business.
A meeting announcement was posted on the web site with all committee members notified by email. Should this announcement reach you prior to the meeting and you wish to attend, you are most welcome. Should members wish to attend, please contact Dolores Bengtson so adequate seating can be assured.
If a member wishes to have a copy of the meeting minutes, please email Dolores Bengtson and she will forward meeting minutes to you as soon as they are available.
LAVGC Annual Tomato Tasting - our 21st year!
Saturday, August 25 2-5 pm. Rustic barn at Eden Garden in Livermore (CrossWinds Church)
The LAVGC Tomato Tasting will be held Saturday, August 25th from 2-5 pm in the rustic barn at Eden Garden in Livermore (CrossWinds Church). This fun activity is a chance to taste many varieties of tomatoes and enter your tomatoes and tomato based dishes in a friendly competition. It is a great opportunity to socialize with your fellow club members. And, you will be able to see the many changes that have recently been made at Eden Garden. The weather is typically hot at the end of August, but remember, we need the heat to produce delicious tomatoes. We'll do our best to take advantage of the shade and hope for cooling breezes.
Event Guidelines
- Any tomato is eligible for entry, from your garden, your neighbor's garden, the farmer's market or the grocery store.
- Categories are cherry, slicer, or paste tomatoes, homemade savory tomato dishes and sweet tomato dishes. We will provide plates, labels and toothpicks.
- For the tomato competition please bring enough for at least 25 or more tastings and an extra tomato for display if possible.
- For the tomato dish competition please bring enough tastings for at least 25, a serving utensil and a copy of the recipe to share.
- Everyone gets to vote and prizes awarded for the favorites!
If you have any questions please email Gayle Pawloski or Michelle Tallon at
tomatotasting@lavgc.org. See the LAVGC Yearbook for their additional contact information. A reminder email with directions to Eden Garden will be sent 2 weeks prior to the event. Please come join us!
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