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The Flower Pot Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE November 2013

Volume XL, Issue 9

Inside This Issue Page 1…President’s Message Page 2…Horticulture, Tours & Book - worms Page 3…Community Outreach, Project Produce & Workshops Page 4…Calendar Page 5…Did You Know?..Birthdays, Connections, Programs Page 6…Winter Event Page 7…..Our Sponsors

I really enjoyed meeting all our new members. I know that a lot of them were not able to attend in September. That is usually a very busy vacationing time. It is very encouraging to see so many new faces and a lot of them were volunteering with set up and clean up. Our club is only successful with your volunteerism and support of all our committees. Special thanks to SusanTerzuoli and Verna Kershaw our Social Committee Co-Chairs and their entire committee. Their autumn décor along with their attention to hosting details made for a very successful social program. Thanks for all your “hard” work ladies. Thanks to Rose Towery and Sharon Cohune for the beautiful autumn floral arrangements. I am sure the winners enjoyed their arrangements. What an inspiring and informative program Kristen provided. We are so fortunate to have her in our club. She always amazes me with her knowledge of flowers and plants. I always learn something new. Her program in-spired me to think about my garden to provide flowers throughout the entire year. I am in the process of replant-ing our flower beds in our new home and will put Kristen’s suggestions to good use. I look forward to seeing color all year long. Hope those of you who purchased the beautiful plants she brought enjoy them. Please remember to note your calendars for dates of our upcoming tours, workshops and the Bookworms group. Our committee chairs are trying to plan events that will appeal to everyone. Thanks to our Sponsor Reps for obtaining some wonderful plants from our Sponsors’ nurseries. If you were fortu-nate to win one, please remember to send them a thank you note. Their support is very important to our club. Also remember to use your discount card to those nurseries that give our club a discount. As Kristen has told us these nurseries really need our support. Novembers’ meeting will be a very special one. I have had the privilege to see Najat Nicolos’ floral arranging seminar. She is very talented and has a great personality. She will be making holiday arrangements and you may be lucky and win one. See you on Thursday, November 14

th starting at 9:15 AM for social time with meeting starting at 9:45AM.

Sharon Williams

2 November, 2013

“You know, people come here and I put

flowers in their hand, and the response is

tremendous. Like nothing else. Whiskey-that

is fine. Candies are alright. But flowers?

That’s something different, I gotta tell you.”

Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart

Bookworms will meet on Wednesday,

November 13th at the home of Joyce

Michalczyk at 10:00 a.m.(32 Leeds Court

East in Danville) The book selection is

“Flower Confidential” by Amy Stewart. Mem-

ber Kathy Younse will share a few views

since she is “in the business”. Brunch will be

served. Sign up with Page Krause

(PTKrause70@gmail.com) There are a few

spaces available)

Happy Reading!

November Tour

Tuesday Nov 19th—9:00 AM

We will meet in front of Bagel Street Cafe in Alamo Plaza at 9 a.m. to carpool to Benzinger Winery in Glen Ellen. We will take a tram tour of their Biodynamic vineyard and visit their fer-mentation room, crush pad and explore their barrel caves.

The tour includes a tasting of their award winning wines. The cost is $20. If you are willing to drive please indicate that in your RSVP. Driv-ers will be reimbursed by the passengers, $10-$11.00 We will have lunch at the Wolf House

Restaurant at the Jack London Lodge in Glen

Ellen.

This year the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a

rainy winter. This is a very good reason why we

should be preparing our gardens for next

spring. I am not just talking about getting your

bulbs in the ground, but about getting your gar-

den ready now so that the rain can do its work.

It turns out that EBMUD provides alkaline

water for our drinking, and our gardens. It is not

that they make this water more alkaline, but

rather water in California is alkaline naturally,

and the water companies leave it that way be-

cause it causes less corrosion in the water sys-

tem. Besides studies show that our own bodies

run acidic in general and the alkaline water is

good for us to drink.

Plants can handle this level of alkalinity, but

they really like a more acid, actually neutral PH

to thrive. You may have noticed that once you

turn your sprinklers off and let the garden be

watered by the rain, the garden just looks so

much healthier. In fact I am so crazy that when

we had that big rain in September I was putting

all my house plants out for a drink of the good

stuff. They loved it!

As gardeners in this California Mediterranean

climate we should be taking advantage of the

good times i.e. the rain, by planting now. So

prepare your soil with compost and mulch, and

plant like a fiend, because you will be greatly

rewarded next spring.

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November, , 2013

On Thursday, November 7th, we will separate bulbs at the Old Tassajara

Schoolhouse on Finley Road in Danville. We will meet at the Old Schoolhouse and

work from 11am-1pm. You will need to bring your own bag lunch, drink, garden

gloves, shovels, trowels, buckets and kneeling pads. Prepare to get dirty and dress

accordingly. After we work we will eat lunch at the picnic tables. RSVP: sandraolin-

ger@sbcglobal.net or 828-1103.

Hope to see you on the 7th, Sandra Olinger

WORKSHOPS - Karen Fox Our next workshop is early December to get us ready for the holiday season. We will be deco-rating plain handle bags with fresh evergreens, sheet music and handmade gift tags from recycled holiday cards. Workshop is limited to 8 members and will be Thursday, December 5th, 9:30am at the home of Karen Fox (2515 Holly Oak Drive). Your $5 materials fee confirms your reservation. Those interested, please see sign-up sheet at the November 14th General Meeting. Looking ahead to the new year, we will visit the Gardens at Heather Farms on Wednesday, January 22nd from 10 to Noon for a propagation workshop with Patrice Hanlon, Garden Manager. Fee for supplies and instruction is $20/person. Please see sign-up sheet at the November 14th meeting.

Once again, I am reminding everyone about Project Pro-duce. I'm afraid I was not very articulate at the last meeting when asked to elaborate on the Contra Costa Food Bank. The food we donate goes directly to many local charities. A few of these programs include "Food for Children", "Farm 2 Kids", "School Pantry", WIC, and "Senior Food Program". In addition to these programs, countless local churches, and soup kitchens provide food to the needy throughout the entire community.

I want to thank you again for all your continuing support and donations! In October, DAGC contributed 34 lbs of fresh produce, and 41 lbs of non-perishables! Any and all fall "harvests" are welcome, as well as any extra food item you might pick up at the store.

Thank you, Janet Howes.!

4 November, 2013

Dates & Times Events Details

Tuesdays

9 am – noon

Plant Sale

Markham Arboretum

Great prices on all containers, 4” to gallon-size.

Nov 1 and 2

2 – 5 pm Fri

9am – 1 pm Sat

Plant Sale

DVC (at the edge of parking lot 9,

just beyond the warehouse)

The DVC Horticulture Department is selling thousands of

perennials and shrubs, natives, vegetables, annuals, and

herbs. Proceeds benefit the horticulture program.

Nov 2

10 am

Class: Houseplants

Navlet’s Garden Center

Our greenhouse gurus will teach you how to use containers

and houseplants to decorate. You’ll receive tips and tricks to

keep them thriving.

Nov 2

2 pm

Class: Winterize Your Garden

Navlet’s Garden Center

What needs to be done in your garden after Daylight Savings

Time has ended? This class covers ant controls, saving flower

and vegetable seeds, frost protection, dormant spray, fertiliz-

ing, controlling next year’s unwanted vegetation now, and

planting seasonal color.

Nov 2

1 pm – 3 pm

Class: Maples for Fall Color &

General Care & Culture

Alden Lane Nursery, Livermore

Maple expert Barry Hoffer conducts this informative class.

Call ahead to reserve a seat at (925) 447-0280. Cost: $10 and

bring a friend free.

Nov 7

11 am – 1 pm

DAGC Community Outreach

Old Tassajara Schoolhouse

Finley Road, Danville

Volunteers will meet at the schoolhouse to divide and replant

bulbs. Wear gardening clothes. Bring shovels, trowels, large

buckets (if you have them), gloves, and kneeling pads. Bring a

bag lunch and a drink to enjoy at the picnic table afterward.

Contact Sandra Olinger at 828-1103 or sandraolin-

ger@sbcglobal.net.

Nov 9

5:30 pm

Benefit Dinner for Ruth Ban-

croft Garden

Round Hill Country Club,

Alamo

Come enjoy old friends, meet new friends, and help celebrate

our extraordinary Garden and Community! This is a night to

experience a dinner with a taste of the desert. Funds raised

will help to maintain and improve the Garden. Tickets: $150

each. Contact: Kristin Yanker-Hansen.

Nov 13

10 am

Bookworms

Home of Joyce Michalczyk

Members will discuss “Flower Confidential” by Amy Stewart.

Brunch will be served. Contact: Joyce joymm@comcast.net or

Page PTKrause70@gmail.com.

Nov 14

9:15 am

DAGC General Meeting

Alamo Women’s Club

Najat Nicolo, acclaimed floral designer, will set the mood for

the upcoming holidays with some beautiful seasonal arrange-

ments. Don’t miss a chance to purchase opportunity tickets for

her creations. Bring a friend.

Nov 19

9 am

Meet at Bagel St

Café, Alamo

DAGC Tour: Benzinger Winery

Glen Ellen

We will take a tram tour of the biodynamic vineyard and visit

the fermentation room and crush pad and explore the barrel

caves. The tour cost of $20 includes a tasting of Benzinger’s

award-winning wines. Passengers will reimburse drivers $10-

$11. Lunch at Wolf House. Contact: Vicki Freeberrg @

vfree111@gmail.com or 280-9847.

Nov 21

9:30 am

DAGC Board Meeting

Home of Joyce Michalczyk

RSVP to Joyce at joymm@comcast.net.

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November,2013

Connections Although we are all avid gardeners at DAGC, we

also have other interests and hobbies. Wouldn’t it be

interesting to see who else enjoys some of the activi-

ties you do? We are proposing a new way to connect

with club members via these categories on an informal

group basis:

Playing social bridge (all levels)

Playing Scrabble

Photography

Painting (oils, watercolors etc)

Knitting

Cooking

Contact me to let me know what takes your fancy

and I will put like-minded members in touch with

each other. Any other suggestions also welcome.

Linda Scotting

lindascotting@sbcglobal.net

Nov. Flower: Chrysanthemum Birthstone: Golden Topaz

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

NOVEMBER PROGRAM DAGC In November we are certainly contemplating the coming holidays with dinners and parties! To inspire us for these events, our pro-gram speaker is Najat Nicolo, a talented floral designer. Najat has been designing, teaching and exhibiting (such as Bouquets to Arts) in the bay area for several years. Not only do her designs inspire us, but her sparkling personality entertains us. This meeting/program is a great opportunity to share with your friends--so bring a guest.( fee is $5.00 per guest) And don't forget, you will also have the opportunity to buy tickets and win one of her gorgeous arrangements. See you November 14! Rebecca Byrom We will have 2 separate ticket sales at the meeting. One for our own wonderful monthly arrangement and another for Najats’

beautiful arrangements which she will be making.

Bernadette Allen

Sheila Campbell

Nancy Combs

Dee Dee Cross

Laura Ferree

Charlene Geiger

Rita Gregory

D'Arcy James

Jo Jamieson

Sharon Mabey

Joanne Nelson

Barbara Norkus

Sandra Olinger

Carol Ann Porter

Holly Sauer

Sara Wood

Thank you to Catherine Accardi, Judy De-hont,Gurpreet Gill, Ann Hampel, Barbara Odell, Barbara Perry, Susan Polk, Peggy Watkins, Kathy Younse and Suzanne Ziarnik for providing the sweet and savory treats for the October meeting. Verna Kernsaw has provided the popular ice tea for the September Brunch and the October meetings. She has revealed that it is Tazo Re-fresh Mint. A special thank you to Linda Scotting for the “hand carved” and lighted pumpkin that sat on the President's table. It was a whimsical re-minder of the season. Verna Kershaw and Susan Terzuoli

November DAGC Lunch Out @ 12:15

Members wishing to go to lunch at

Bridges following the November DAGC

meeting, please email Catherine Accardi

at caacat@comcast.net.

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Danville-Alamo Garden Club Holiday Luncheon “Visions of Sugar Plums”

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Location: Diablo Country Club 12:00 p.m. No Host Cocktails

1700 Clubhouse Road 12:30 p.m. Lunch

Diablo, CA

Questions: Julie Millias 743-0870 Joann Blackburn 820-0489

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Menu Selection

Rosemary Roasted Pork Loin, or Grilled Atlantic Salmon Center cut pork loin marinated with rosemary fresh grilled Atlantic salmon filet

and garlic, served with creamy soft polenta with roasted butternut squash risotto

and mushroom marsala sauce and champagne beurre blanc

or

Vegetarian Pasta Porcini and Truffle Ravioli

served with roasted vegetable medley and Parmesan cream sauce

Includes salad, dessert, coffee/tea Cost: $35

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mail Reservation to: Joann Blackburn

118 Sherburne Court

Danville, CA 94526

Make check payable to DAGC. Deadline for reservations December 3rd

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Name: ____________________________________ Phone: ______________________

Meal Selection: ______________________________________________________________

Guest’s Name: _______________________________________________________________

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Our

SPONSORS

Alamo Ace Hardware

3211 Danville Blvd. Alamo

925-837-2420

Armstrong Garden Centers

7360 San Ramon Road, Dublin

925-551-0231

Diablo Valley College

Horticulture Department

321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill

Markham Arboretum

1202 La Vista Avenue, Concord

925-681-2968

Navlet’s

800 Camino Ramon, Danville

925-837-9144

Orchard Nursery & Florist

4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

925-284-4474

Regan Nursery

3268 Decoto Road, Fremont

510-797-3222

Sloat Garden Center

828 Diablo Road, Danville

925-743-0288

New SPONSOR Mt Diablo Nursery & Garden

3295 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

925 283-3830

M

Y

www.dagc.us

November 2013

Remember, our commercial sponsors donate the door

prizes, and they support us with speakers for our general

meetings.

Please support them!

Sheila Truschke-Editor

Danville-Alamo Garden Club

P.O. Box 920

Danville, Ca. 94526

Sat840@aol.com