Earth Day at Quarryhill, Scotch broom abounds
Hobbling along the trail
Although I am sorely tempted, I promise not to dedicate this entire column to the flora of spring. However, I will soon get to that theme, and express a few unpopular views. But first, let’s catch up on who’s on the trail and what exciting events are available to you this spring.
On a recent evening stroll through Glen Ellen’s Sonoma Valley Regional Park, I was overtaken on the trail by two old friends, Cathy Wedell, a language arts teacher at Adele Harrison Middle School, and her college graduate son, Andrew Wedell, guiding two lively dogs down the trail.
It is my fashion to hobble along with my rainbow-colored “stick” (aka, a cane) and it’s not difficult to pass me. But, to my surprise and delight, as the two Wedells approached, they stopped for a quick catch-up visit. Turns out that Andrew is doing graduate work at San Francisco State University while living back at home with his parents. He says he doesn’t mind the commute, and Cathy claims she’s thrilled to have one of her three boys back home. I totally get that. All of her sons are now college graduates, pursuing various graduate degrees. Andrew already has his official Sonoma Valley substitute certificate and Cathy says he would be a great adjunct to her language arts classes.
Meanwhile, Cathy just completed a unit on Jack London with her eighth-grade students. Her enthusiasm for her students (and for her three sons) made for a lively, happy visit.
Earth Day in a big way
Heads up on a few great events coming up this month and next. The good folks at Quarryhill will soon be celebrating Earth Day in a big way. Families will find lots to do at the botanical gardens from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., on Saturday, April 25. Everything is free, and by everything, I do mean plenty of great activities. From arts and crafts, games and face painting for kids to tea tasting and art shows for the adults, the whole family will surely find something entertaining. For me, best of all, it is simply wandering the beautiful gardens with plants from all around the world.
Well, that, and their once-a-year plant sale. That begins one hour before the start of the Earth Day festivities and continues throughout the day. I can’t guarantee that your garden will be as beautiful as the one that Bill McNamara and his fine staff have curated over the decades, but it’s a chance to add some exotic beauties to your life. This one is a “don’t miss” for flower fans.
Ann Bauer sent me good news. She and Todd Evans (a fellow Bouverie docent) invite you to join friends and neighbors on April 29 for World Hunger Awareness Day. Eat out at one of the participating restaurants that have pledged to donate up to 20 percent of their proceeds that day to End World Hunger. Funds raised will go directly to One Acre Fund and Gardens For Health, International, in East Africa, who are battling hunger around the world. One-hundred percent of funds raised will pass through to these organizations. See participating restaurants and partner organizations on the End World Hunger website, endworldhunger2030.org.
Music at Happy Walls
Finally for great outings this spring, on May 10 a concert is planned as part of the “Composers Series,” presented by the Jack London State Historic Park. The concert takes place at 2 p.m. and continues until 4:30. If you pack a light lunch, you can dine in the park prior to the concert, and maybe even add a post-prandial, pre-concert stroll. The concert is held in the House of Happy Walls, Charmian’s tribute to her soul partner, mateman Jack. Tickets (which include parking) are $20, available in advance at the museum store, online at jacklondonpark.com or by calling 938-5216. Performance space entails a stairway (though not Charmian’s secret one). If you need more information about access, please call 938-5216.
Aliens taller than mustard
Back to our springtime flora and more. Maybe even a light rant. Here it is straight out: I love Scotch broom, the beautiful, bright yellow, non-native, invasive shrub that lines our valley roads and trails. Scotch broom is like a breath of fresh spring air after the short-lived daffodils fade.
Broom is a lively legume, scientifically known as Cytisus scoparius. Native to Europe, the hardy legume has happily found fresh soil throughout the Americas, and particularly in Northern California.
On a recent car trip to Eureka with my friend Judy Laursen, we passed through miles of golden broom, brightening the roadsides. Throughout the spring and summer the tall shrubs are covered in profuse golden yellow flowers. Later, their seedpods mature, blacken and dry. On hot summer days, they burst open with an audible crack, forcibly throwing the seed from the parent plant.
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