So. Calif. RoundUp...Need your input and ideas !

For reasons unknown, the traditional So. Calif. RoundUp that we've been used to attending, doesn't appear to be happening this year. Regretably, we are unable to discern the reason(s) and can not speculate on such.

That said, a few of us are toying with the idea of having one anyway, but we need a place to hold it. The general feeling is that sometime in October would be good.

We considered reserving a section of a public park, but that would involve having to charge those attending, a fee to defray the cost of permit fees, reservation fees, deposit, etc. Obviously, we don't want to have to charge "admission".

At this time, we are essentially asking if anyone is interested in having a RU... and if so, if you can suggest a venue or possibly even "host". The responses will dictate the size of the location needed, so now is the time to voice your ideas.

The sooner we get a feel for how many are interested, we can get this rolling.
We are very open to any and all suggestions and anyone interested in helping pull this off is more than welcome to join in.

Once we get some feedback from members, we can formulate a game plan and forge ahead with organizing, delegating, etc.

Hope to hear from you all soon !

edited for punctuation.

This message was edited Aug 9, 2009 9:12 PM

You know I'll be there for sure. Count me in. I will continue to look for a place for us to have it held too.

Donna

Me three! Hoping for a venue that is centrally located between L.A. and San Diego, not far from freeways, so more folks can/will attend.

Kathleen

Hi guys! I've been gone for a while (due to running and other family stuff) but I am back. How have you all been?

I recently became involved in a community garden project in Santa Ana. It is still in its early stage so there are lots to be done and lots that can be done. The location of the Santa Ana People's Garden is on the grounds of a church, near I-5 and Main Street. We are still trying to get the word out so that people can join and get a plot. Anyway, I am thinking that this could be a good location for a Round Up. I would have to pitch the idea to the powers-that-be but I can't imagine it being a problem. We could probably borrow some tables and chairs from the church. There's a long stretch of grass area that's shaded by trees. There are plenty of parking and bathrooms. We could plan it so that the RU coincides with one of The Garden's general work days, 1st or 3rd Saturdays of the month, so that the other gardeners can see what a great community and resource Dave's Garden members are.

Whatda y'all think? How about coming by and taking a look? I'd love to show you around.

Here's a picture of how it looked 2 months ago. These 2 small plots are completely covered in vegetation now. We have picked lots of eggplants, cukes, tomatoes, and squash from them in the last 3 weeks.

I am in and will do all that I can to help out. I am also checking out locations in my area.

This message was edited Aug 10, 2009 11:19 PM

Hey, Quyen. Cool photo. Great that you're back! We miss you. Knowing that you're prone to disappear as quickly as you appear, I want to wish you a happy birthday now, even though it's still three days away.

JasperDale..........................I'm new to DG, yet I'm so there for a round-up.....................Whats a round up?
Sylvia Kinnee
Hemet, Ca

Good spirit, Sylvia...you don't know what in the world it is, but you'll be there...lol...

That's ok Sylvia...when I was new here, I didn't know what a Round Up was, either:

It's when members get together at someone's place or a designated spot to meet each other, talk gardening, trade plants, EAT, (pot-luck style ) and generally just hang out and have fun....then eat some more !

Mike;
I'll look for a venue as well, but if it comes to it I don't mind paying an "admission" if we need to. I know I can't speak for everyone, but a small fee seems like a fair thing to consider.

Sounds like Quyen's suggestion is worth checking out. It would be very appropriate and spread the word, too. Trees and grass sound good. Several of us have access to some tables and we can bring chairs, too.

I have 2 tables that seat about 6-8 people each. My chairs aren't very compact though.

Weege has a good idea about a park also......already has seating, etc. I have tables, etc., but it's a bother to drag them along...

Somehow I missed Quyen's suggestion. As to bringing tables and chairs....we probably wouldn't need many tables. If we have enough for food to be placed on, I don't mind eating from a plate in my lap. I've got 3 or 4 square tables that I could bring, along with a dozen or so chairs. These are nice heavy duty wooden folding tables about 4' X 4' and 4 chairs for each table. I'm only bringing Lisa with me and we can bring enough tables for a dozen or more. I may be able to scrounge up another table or two as a matter of fact.

Scroll back up to where the photo is for Quyen's post, DP, or click here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=6933466

I'll go anywhere!

I like that the park in Corona has tables,seating, covered, restrooms. We all seem to have tables, etc. to bring, but nice not to have to.

Leaves room for more plants!

Good point, Sherry. We have a trailer, but DH would just as soon not drag it all over creation in traffic.

Weegy, can you post the details here about the Corona park so other people can comment? What is the lead time for reservations?

I will get all of that, still waiting for an e-mail from them. If I don't hear from them by tomorrow, I will call and get the info.
I can tell you that there is electric, bathrooms and plenty of tables and the area is covered.

Have we decided on a date? As of now, it looks like we'll be having a wedding shower for my oldest daughter either the last weekend in September or first weekend of October. That's the only things I have going for that time.

Welcome dillansnana, I like your spirit!
While I hesitate to offer, because I understand that the last several RU's have been held near where I live, and I too would like to see a RU more centrally located. I would be willing to offer if a better, more centrally located venue CAN NOT be found.
DH and I have several (like a dozen) picnic tables, and even though the pumpkin patch would be open, we could always close off the section around Grandmother Oak for our RU. We've had meetings under her branches before. Holds a lot of people. We also have quite a few chairs of the fold up and take with you kind, portapotties, trash, water and a bbq available. We even have some power available. I'll have to go on a walk in the morning and take a photo of the area for you to see. The only down side is that we might not be able to have the meeting under Grandmother if she is turned into The Haunted Oak, so we could always move over to Grandfather oak. I'll get photos of that area too. We got a lot of room. DH can move the picnic tables. He loves his forklift! LOL!
It would be great to have it on the third Saturday of the month. As I am going to be on vacation for the first weekend of October.
For those of you who are newbies, or weren't paying attention (DP?), DH and I were lucky enough to inherit his families' homestead. We live on 47 acres, part of which we use to grow Monterrey Pines for the Choose and Cut Christmas Tree market. We also have a pumpkin patch in October, although I am no longer able to grow the pumpkins myself. (We do buy them from a local farmer). We also have the bee barn here, although there won't be much activity going on in there. DH could probably be talked into a tour of how we extract the honey from the beeswax. If it does rain (yeah right!), we could have the meeting inside the bee barn.
There is a lot of history here, and there is nothing I like better than showing off my homefarm. We are very blessed that we also live with several California Live Oaks. They give us lots of shade. Lots of bird habitat too. It's something to think about, and hopefully it'd be a potluck like the mini RU. Oh, Kanita and her lemon bars! Yummy!
Thing is, it seems unfair to have one this far south, I'll never get to meet Jman, or Jasperdale! I'd also like to find out more about the Santa Ana People's Garden. From what I saw in the photo, it is quite impressive, and it's not too far away either. As someone smarter and wiser than me said, "let's find a venue that is centrally located if possible." If we can't then we can always have a RU here, if that is what the consensus is.
That's my $1.50 (inflation!).
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

SW, thrilled with the offer, but don't think anyone wants this to be a lot of work for you. BTW, I've heard it mentioned that JD has driven this far before for food....

What work? It's already set up. We've been doing this kind of thing for years. Just don't expect grass. LOL! : )
Would still prefer a more central location. Any more ideas out there?
What kind of food does JD like? How about Jman?
WIB!
SW

FYI:
Link to map of Santa Ana People's Garden and a blurb about it.

http://events.ocregister.com/santa-ana-ca/venues/show/1135930-santa-ana-peoples-garden

And here's a link to a few more pictures. I will take more pics of the shade areas and the church grounds so you'll have a better idea.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=99349&id=662107648&l=18538dee15

Hi Zuzu! Thought you moved to Florida! How are your roses and cats? Does "what's his name" still have his own room? Thanks for the b-day wish.


This message was edited Aug 12, 2009 12:11 AM

Dear singingwolf and everyone else.................. Your place sounds perfect to me , love to meet you and see your "spread". However wherever and whenever I'm there, should say we're there. My DH is so much into gardening also. Long as I have at least 2 weeks notice ( I'm still an old working lady till Feb,2010,) Hallelujah!
So look forward to the "big event"!
Sylvia Kinnee, Hemet, CA

I agree with Sylvia. I really don't care where it is. And SW, I "sometimes" do pay attention. (There usually has to be a plant or food involved though) LOL If there's anything I can do to make it work better, I'm willing to do whatever I'm capable of. (the ultimate 'yes' man, as in "Yes I can help.")

The last weekend is not particularly good for me because I'm usually dressed in costume handing out sugar to the neighborhood kiddies. My kind of holiday, I get to pretend to be someone else and spoil children with high octane goodies and never have to face the repercussions. (grin)

I'll stay on the thread to keep up with updates. If there's anything I can do don't hesitate to call on me.
Randy

DP, you know I was just teasing you! ; )
I know you pay attention, even if you can't always be in touch on a daily basis. The last weekend in Oct. is not good for us either. I know we'll be doing something under the Oak that weekend. Good fun stuff.
I'd still like to see something about the Corona Venue, and any others that come to mind.
Sylvia, you aren't that far away. Your enthusiasm is refreshing. : )
Quyen, please let me call you Q for a nickname! (Feeds my Star Trek thing!) I am so very impressed with what you've been able to accomplish the area you have. I know that Ms. Obama is very much in favor of what you are doing in Santa Ana.
I especially loved seeing the young gardener in the wheelbarrow. That is how my kids started out. Right next to the pumpkins. Got them out of the ant piles, then they discovered how to climb trees! I noted that you are using cardboard on the paths between the raised planters, good planning that.
Have you talked to the Elders at the Native American Indian Community Center, there in Santa Ana about your project? I think you might find people there who would love to participate in what you are doing.
We have a high school group called the Interact Club,out here that works closely with our Community Cupboard, (we live in near a senior community and it's hard to make ends meet on SSI). They collect extra fruit from the backyards of some seniors to share with others who wouldn't necessarily have access to it otherwise. In some cases the elders can't harvest the fruit themselves, and it would go to waste without the generous help of these kids. They are an off shoot of the Rotary Club. Which is a community service organization.
Just some thoughts to share. I'd like very much if you'd keep us updated on the SACG.
Sorry, if I went off topic. Got to go get photos still. Promised Spirit dog we'd go out when it cools down a bit.
WIB,
SW

SW; I knew you were teasing. I was just teasing back. We're cool. I'm just looking around at where we may be able to have this round up. I have a couple of ideas, but until I check them out, I won't speculate.
Randy

Happy Birthday, Quyen!

The "Peoples' Garden" would be a very interesting place to have the R-U; better than a public park; something gardeners would like to see and no charge. I will already be there the first week-end in October but have promised to go with my daughters and DGD to a women's church retreat.

If you had it in November or Sept I might be able to come, but make it a date that is for the good of the group. I'll have all winter to get together with everyone if I don't make this one.

Arlene

Hi everyone,

We possibly have a date and somewhere to hold this RU. We are waiting on a few particulars and when that comes through, I will post all the particulars, ok?

Donna

Goody!
WIB!
SW

Singing Wolf: thank you for your kind words and info. I was thinking of doing something similar on my own because there are a couple of community centers in my area that have food assistance programs but they never have any fresh produce...just pantry stuff and day-old bread. Could you give me more specific contact info on the Native American Community Center in Santa Ana? I tried Googling it but couldn't find anything. Thank you.

Arlene: Thank you for the birthday wish. Would love to see you again when you're here.

Donna: I hope it's not the first weekend of October. I'll be out of town for a wedding. Will be glad to help with whatever you need otherwise.

BTW, here's the latest pic of my little garden plot.

Q (the trekkie in me loves that!)
I'll have to call my Auntie to get their #. They probably aren't on google even though the Native American Indian Hall of Fame is there. Did I get that right. I'll probably be seeing Auntie over the weekend, and will find out one way or the other.
You can call your local Rotary Club or Kiwanis Club (our paper lists all the local Community Service Clubs, when and where they meet and usually have a contact #), they all sponsor high school level clubs, and the kids get to learn community service is about helping others. : )
Q, did I miss your birthday? Well Hope it was a Happy Bday, and that the rest of your year just keeps getting better. : )
WIB!
SW

Hi there Quyen, sure nice to see you back on DG again....we missed you. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your community gardens. I hope your first year bounty is tasty.

I haven't had confirmation from Louise yet on the date we set, but I will give you a hint....go to the wedding, you won't miss a thing here. lol

Looking forward to seeing you again.
Donna

SW, Quyen's birthday is tomorrow.

Glad I didn't miss it then. Rather be early than late. ; - )
Thanks for the heads up, SoCal!
WIB!
SW

I would love to come for the RU, especially if my '5 star hotel reservation' is still holding. lol
I hope my partner in crime, Marie, will come too.

We sure hope you guys can make it...I'd better dig out one of those geraniums I promised Marie....

What kind of geranium ? Inquiring minds, want to know. lol