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NEWSLETTER: July 2015

In this issue:

Rotary Children's Playgarden
Education Wrap Up
Visitor Center
Volunteer Corner
Legacy Giving

Rotary PlayGarden

After six weeks of operation and over 35,000 visitors, we closed the PlayGarden on July 7th to give it a thorough cleaning. GRPC staff was assisted by board President Terry Austen, his wife Carol, LDS volunteers, the County Office of Education's WorkAbility program, and our partners at HOPE Services. A Slice of New York treated the crew to a lunch of pizza and cannoli.

If you are interested in booking the picnic area (six tables) or amphitheater for a birthday party or other celebration, you can do so here: www.grpg.org/rpg/picnic

If you'd like to volunteer at the PlayGarden, we could use some help on the weekends. Just coming by an hour a week would be a huge help - contact volunteer @ grpg.org if available.

Follow Rotary Play Garden on Facebook for updates or announcements.

Education Wrap Up

The school year flew by; we served 4,780 students in our science-based environmental education field trips, after school and summer Boys & Girls Club programs, special needs field trips and scout/community programs! Over 70% of our field trips were made available for free to Title One schools thanks to the generous support of the following foundations: KLA-Tencor, Michael Lee Environmental, Lennox, David and Lucile Packard, and Leo M. Shortino Family.

The fun and learning continues - four Boys & Girls Club sites are sending their members for a week of day camp this month. Adventures include geocaching, bike rides, science adventures, and much more.

Visitor Center

Our lobby got an upgrade as we celebrate the return of beavers to Guadalupe River with an interpretive panel. The display features the various ways that beavers help an ecosystem. Many thanks to the Lennox Foundation for funding the panel and to our wonderful volunteers who installed it!

Volunteer Corner

Volunteers from Armanino help deadhead roses in the Heritage Rose Garden.

A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past May:

Armanino
Creekside School
Earthquakes
Hands on Bay Area
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
NICE
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Piedmont Hills High School Interact Club
Santa Clara University
Southwest Airlines

And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference. We logged more than 1,300 volunteer hours in May.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunties

Rose Garden Workdays
Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30am. More info.

Historic Orchard Volunteer Work Day
Sat. July 11, 8:30-11:30am. FULL!
Sat, August 8, 8:30-11:30am. Sign up.

Evening Rose Deadheading
Tues. June 10, 5:30-7:30 pm. FULL!

 

Meet Volunteer Sean O'Connor
Sean O'Connor is one of our regular weekly front desk volunteers. Sean initially wanted to help take care of our educational trout, but his desire to take on new hobbies while giving back has kept him here for a year now. With Sean comes his loveable companion, Jessie the Border Collie, who also loves to volunteer her time at the front desk, welcoming all those who enter. Sean's sense of humor makes him a joy to have in the office. When he's not busy volunteering with us, you can find Sean playing cards, teaching Jessie new tricks, or spending time with his wife. Thank you for your time Sean!

So many ways to give:
Adopt A Rose, General Donations,
Rotary Children's Playgarden,
The Donor Walkway, Memberships,
Endowment, Critter Donations

Upcoming Events

Homeschool Programs

Summer break.

Twilight Yoga in the Park

8 Week Summer Series
Thursdays, July 9th - August 27th
6:15pm to 7:15pm
18 years or older (14-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult)
$40/members, $60/non-members
$10/drop-in

With summer's warmer weather and longer evenings , we look forward to Twilight Yoga in the Park. Join fitness instructor Kristin Strellis for a gentle yoga class designed to improve your flexibility, balance, and relaxation. All necessary equipment is provided. All you need to bring is yourself, dressed in comfortable clothing, and any stress or worries that have accumulated throughout the week to release outdoors in the beautiful Guadalupe Park. This Yoga class will be held outside and inspiration from nature will surround us. Reserve your space in this gentle healthy living class.

More info.

Birding for Beginners and Beyond

Saturday, July 11th
9:00am to 12:00pm
Ages 16 and Up
$10/members, $15/non-members

Guadalupe River is a wildlife corridor, connecting resident birds to many different ecosystems throughout the South Bay, and also serving as a winter or summer refuge for migrating species. Learn how to identify the many interesting species that call the Guadalupe River home on an outdoor birding excursion led by naturalist Greg Kerekes.

Greg will teach participants how to identify bird species by sound and sight, using binoculars, keys, guidebooks, and birding techniques. No prior birding experience is necessary, but experienced birders are welcome to attend and refresh their knowledge and help fledgling learners. Make sure to bring proper clothing, sturdy walking shoes, a sack lunch, and some binoculars if they are available.

More info.

Greywater Basics: Reusing Household Water in your Landscape

Saturday, July 25th
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ages 18 and Up $10/members, $15/non-members

Join us and certified greywater installer Alan Hackler to learn how to safely and easily reuse your laundry, sink or shower water in your home garden. In this three-hour workshop, Alan will cover local codes and regulations, greywater safe soaps, and the simple plumbing modifications needed to redirect your household water into your backyard garden. The second half of the workshop will be hands-on, and participants will have the chance to work with the parts and tools necessary to install a simple greywater system. In addition to being a certified greywater installer, Alan Hackler is a talented landscape designer and the owner of Bay Maples landscaping.

More info.

Legacy Giving

Retirement accounts, which are subject to income tax, are good vehicles for charitable gifts. Charities aren't subject to income tax so your gift goes farther.

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