5-29-12

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

BCMG VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY will be at Raymond Russell Park, Pavilion 1 ( 20644 IH-10 West) this SATURDAY, June 2nd. Bring your family and join us as we celebrate  volunteerism at Rodeo, TMG Conference, Children's Vegetable Garden and other events this year. We will be eating at 2pm so those volunteering at Basil Fest and Children's Garden clean up can eat. We will also recognize Class 55. BCMG will provide food and drinks (tea and water). Please RSVP to Carol Law at bcmg09@gmail.com  by May 29 so we can have a count for food.

June 2  (Saturday) ALL Hands on Deck!!!  Help is needed this Saturday to help put the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program to sleep for this  summer.  Please check in with Miss Gina upon arrival for “Special Project” assignments.  Please arrive as early as 7:00 am or whatever time you can help (It's starting to get hot). Should be finished by at least noon. Bring gloves an extra garden rake, a wheel barrow and any family helpers.    We will be pulling plants, spreading mulch, leveling beds, spreading compost, etc.  Also, a person or two is needed to cut out and wash out some empty 5 gallon food grade containers (need some sharp hand-pruners). Two pick-up trucks will be needed, to haul plant debris to the front of the garden.  The Garden is located in the very backside of the San Antonio Botanical Garden.  Enter off of North New Braunfels and the first North Street Pershing to the back of Old Austin Road or the first South Road Pinckney to Old Austin Road.   Contact David at:dhrodriguez@ag.tamu,edu, if you can help.

May 29 - Jun 3 (Saturday – Sunday NINE days)  5/26,27,28,6/2,3 -- 9AM to 1:30PM and 1:30PM to 6PM   5/29, 30, 31-- 5 PM to 9PM  6/1-- 1:30PM to 5PM and 5PM to 9PM: Greater San Antonio Builders Association Parade of Homes, The Dominion on IH 10 North/West.  Remember, FREE admission to the event and free parking.   I need to have a chairman to do the schedule and BCMG for the information table.   Contact Laura Rogers 210-317-5117 or laurasgarden45@sbcglobal.net.

May 30 (Wednesday) 8:30 to 11:30:  National Senior Health & Fitness Day at Woodlawn Lake.  Share gardening

information with 150 to 200 guests.  Since they will be doing a "Fitness Walk", these are active individuals.    Need Chair & 2/3 MG.   Contact Laura C. Rogers at 210-317-5117 or  laurasgarden45@sbcglobal.net.

May 31 & June 1 (Thursday & Friday) 9am-12pm:  Volunteers who enjoy sewing needed!  Help is needed to cut out patterns and sew insect collecting bags for an entomology camp held at the Extension office.  We have 3-4 sewing machines available, but if you have a favorite sewing machine, feel free to bring it.  If you have questions, please contact Molly at 467-6575 or mekeck@ag.tamu.edu.

Jun 2 (Saturday) 12:00 - 5:00 pm: BCMG Volunteer Appreciation Party.  Raymond Russell Park, Pavilion 1, 20644 IH-10 West.  Bring your family and join us as we celebrate the volunteerism at Rodeo, TMG Conference, Children's Vegetable Garden and other events this year.  We will be eating at 2:00 pm so those volunteering at Basil Fest and Children's Garden clean up can eat.  We will also recognize Class 55.  BCMG will provide food and drinks (tea and water).  Please RSVP to Carol Law at bcmg09@gmail.com by May 29 so we can have a count for food.

Volunteers needed at the AgriLife Extension Bexar County Office  reception deskat 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, S.A. 78230.  See the following days/times:

June mornings

 Jun 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th (Mondays) 8am-10:30am

Jun 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th (Tuesdays) 8am-10:30am

Jun 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th (Wednesdays) 8am-11am

Jun 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th (Thursdays)  8a-11am

 

June, July & August AM & PM (Fridays only)

June - 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th  9am-1pm & 1pm-5pm (except Jun 8th & 15th 1-5pm)

July - 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th  9am- 1pm & 1pm-5pm (except Jul 20th & 27th 1pm-5pm)

August - 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st  9am-1pm & 1pm-5pm (except Aug 17th & 24th 1pm-5pm)

Note: partial hours are acceptable, as every hour helps! This is an opportunity to earn some volunteer hours plus meet staff and others who work with extension. You’ll work the front desk, answering the phones, transfer calls, greet and direct office visitors to the proper agent.  To sign up, or for more information, contact Aurelia Hovell, Ag- Program Tech at (210) 467-6575, or email Aurelia.Hovell@ag.tamu.edu .

Jun 6 (Wednesday) 2:00 - 6:30pm: Rackspace Green Day at 5000 Walzem Road.  Share Water Conservation with employees and neighborhood residents. Need Chair and 2 or 3 MG.   Contact Laura C. Rogers at 210-317-5117 or laurasgarden45@sbcglobal.net .

June 8,9,10 (Fri - Sunday) Texas Folklife Festival at  the Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, San Antonio.  Park and Ride available.   Shifts: Friday 5pm - 9 pm, Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; 4:00 pm - 9:00pm; Sunday 12:00 noon - 3:30 pm, 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Join us in the shade under the big oak trees. Volunteers needed to provide gardening information and help with children's activities. You will receive a wristband good for all 3 days. Co-chairs: Barbara Lutz and Joe and Susan Noonan. Contact: Susan Noonan at 286-8891 or susan.noonan@gmail.com. 

Jun 9 (Saturday) 10:30 am – 12 noon: ‘Earth-Kind Citrus Seminar’ at Fanick’s Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Road, San Antonio.  David will need one volunteer to help with the sign-up sheet and passing out handouts.  To volunteer, contact Angel Torres at 467-6575.

LEARNING  OPPORTUNITIES (CEU & INFO)

From David: See this link for information about the Childrens’ Garden and the city’s new compost program: http://www.mysanantonio.com/living_green_sa/article/Areas-digging-organic-waste-pilot-program-3591151.php#photo-2988012

also from David, see the attached article about the katydid invasion!

Jun1 (Friday) 6:30pm social, 7:00 meeting:  Native Texas Orchid talk by Dotty Woodson for San Antonio Orchid Society at Lions Field Center, 2809 Broadway, San Antonio. Master Gardeners invited.  

Jun 2 (Saturday) 9am to 1pm:  Basil Fest at the Farmers Market @ Pearl, 200 East Grayson Street San Antonio, TX 78215.  Sponsored by Herb Market Association    Class on Growing Basil, Cooking Demo "Beyond Pesto"    and the  "Thirst Quencher Challenge with Basil.”  JMG will be there helping kids plant a basil.  For more information, go to www.sanantonioherbmarket.org or call Laura Rogers, 210-317-5117.  

Jun 2 (Saturday) 10am:  Canning and Preserving the Harvest at the Antique Rose Emporium, 7561 East Evans Road, presented by Martha Joyce of the Comal  Agrilife Extension.  Now that you are harvesting, Martha will show you how to keep the fresh taste of your gardening bounty with this can-do program.  FREE

Jun 9 (Saturday) 10:30 am – 12 noon: ‘Earth-Kind Citrus Seminar’ at Fanick’s Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Road, San Antonio. Come visit with Horticulturist David Rodriguez with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, to learn the basics of selecting and growing citrus trees on your patio or in the landscape.  Cost: Free, but Donations to the Children Vegetable Garden Program is welcomed.  For more information, contact Angel Torres at 210 467-6575.  MG’s will be awarded 1.5 CEU’s for attending.

Jun 9 (Saturday) 10 am – noon Care of Agaves, Yuccas and Succulents at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place.  Are you considering adding the drama of agaves, yuccas, or other succulents to your garden, but feel lost about their care? Use this workshop to find the best choices for our area. Learn how to care for these plants, and find out how many outstanding choices there are for San Antonio gardens. Fee: $35. To register, visit http://www.sabot.org/?nd=adults.

Jun 16 (Saturday) 10 am – noon: Go Native! at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place.  The course will cover the importance of native plants in sustaining local wildlife such as birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, etc. It will also discuss some bullet-proof native plants for sun and shade for the home landscape. With these plants you can have a colorful landscape, support wildlife, and save time and money. What a deal! Fee: $20. To register, visit http://www.sabot.org/?nd=adults.

Jun 19-20 (Tuesday & Wednesday) What is Citrus Greening Disease by our very own MG Frank Gibbons, Ph.D., Molly Keck, and David Rodriguez from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Extension Office, Suite 208.  Registration fee is $12 payable in advance by mail to Angel Torres, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230 (210) 467-6575.  See attached flier.

Jun 22-23 (Friday & Saturday) 8:30am-5:30pm:  Master Gardener FireWise Landscape Specialist Training  in Kerrville.  Hill Country Master Gardeners are sponsoring specialist training for Firewise Landscape.  The registration cost is $180.  For more details and the registration form, see the attached document.

Jun 23 (Saturday) 9 am – noon Children’s Play Gardens at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Place.  Please bring the kids out for a fun workshop that will educate the parents about designing and planting an exploratory, play garden for the whole family to enjoy, while the children engage in planting seeds and making nature crafts.  Today's children are spending more time inside when they could be playing in an exciting, safe garden that will not only connect them with plants and wildlife but introduce them to a little piece of Mother Nature.  Topics include the essential components of a play garden and basic gardening techniques.  Plant varieties that attract butterfly and hummingbirds, song birds and those that have other interesting characteristics, as well as, herbs and vegetables will be discussed.  The workshop will also include discussion about creating a safe outdoor haven, beneficial insects and pesticide-free gardening.  Fee: $30 (includes one adult and one child). To register, visit http://www.sabot.org/?nd=adults.

Jun 29 & 30 (Friday & Saturday) Master Gardener FireWise Landscape Specialist Training in LaGrange, TX.  See attached for more information and registration.

Jul 19 & 20 (Thursday & Friday) Master Gardener Rainwater Specialist Training at Colorado County Extension Office, Columbus Texas.  See attached for info and registration.  

Sept 10 & 11 (Saturday & Sunday) Landscape Design Study Course 1 in College Station, TX.  See attached for more information.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES (Youth Gardening)

ANYTIME: We are looking for dedicated Master Gardeners interested in joining the Youth Task Force. The Youth Task Force will meet once every 1-2 months in order to plan and work on upcoming events in the Youth Gardens Program. Our biggest upcoming projects are the Adopt-A-School program, and the Youth Speakers Bureau. If you are interested in receiving information about Youth Gardens programs and events please contact Natalie Cervantes (210.467.6575).

Volunteer Calendar for Youth Gardens is at: http://www.bexaryouthgardens.com/volunteercalendar.html