ANNOUNCEMENTS
CULINARY DOCENTS STILL NEEDED!
If have not volunteered recently, please pick a date, or dates, and sign up on VMS today.
Morning shifts are available 9am-Noon on Fridays thru Sundays throughout August. (16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31)
One more SUMMER NIGHTS at SABOT event will take place tomorrow night (Aug 15) and two Docent Volunteers are needed from 5:30-8:30pm.
Also, docents can schedule a shift for the Big Bug Exhibit, Sat, Aug 31 from Noon to 2pm.
Soon to be posted on VMS: September shifts will be 9am to Noon on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Please come and use your training, and at the same time strengthen our partnership with the San Antonio Botanical Garden. And, have some FUN, too!! Email Grace Emery if you have any questions. VMS Code 0100.
Culinary Docent Training is scheduled for this Sunday, Aug 18, from Noon to 2pm. Class will meet at the first door on the right passed the SABOT entrance kiosk. Email Grace Emery if you have questions and to sigh up!!
Notice from Membership Coordinator, Lisa Nixon:
In preparing the data on the VMS record to do the July report adjustments were made to several master gardeners accounts to give you full credit for attending the BCMG monthly meeting in July. Per Grace Emery, President, the CEUs allowed for the meeting was 1.5. If this was not the number that you had recorded on your VMS, your account was adjusted to give you full credit and no individual email notices were sent out. Thanks!
BCMG BOARD MEETING will take place 3 -5 pm on Thu, Aug 15, at 3355 Cherry Ridge 78230. All members are welcome to observe the meetings; however, in order to accommodate seating, email President Grace Emery that you will be attending.
The 2019 Fall Children’s Vegetable Garden Orientation will be held at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on THIS Sat, Aug 17 @ 10:45am. If you have a passion for gardening and wish to help educate youth, this orientation is for you! CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
One of the significant events that BCMG offers to the gardening community of San Antonio is the education presentation at our monthly meetings, providing information on a wide spectrum of horticulture topics. As Monthly Meeting Education Committee Chair, Bill Swantner has striven to find the best presentations possible, and now he needs some help!
We need four MGs to join the Committee! Help sort through a list of 40 presenters (plus 10-15 “possible” presenters, and more being suggested monthly). In addition, Bill has set a goal of arranging field trips twice each year: for 2019, we enjoyed “Gardening at the Zoo” in May and a trip is planned to Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard (more info soon). Other field trips might include SeaWorld horticulture practices (does anybody know somebody at SeaWorld?), Leach Teaching Gardens at TAMU, Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, and nursery in Medina, TX that specializes in native and well-adapted plants.
What is required? Dreamers…who can ask and find answers to the question: “What is out there for us to learn?” If you have the desire to make our monthly presentations THE premier source of horticulture education in San Antonio, the willingness to contact possible presenters & gather the arrangements information for the Communications Team, and the ability to help prioritize speaking possibilities, this is the committee for you!
FYI: Arrangements for speakers have been initiated through May 2020.
Email Bill Swanter or VP Lynn Cox, if you would like more information or to say, “Yes, I am a Dreamer!”
Sad News!
It is with regret we share the sad news that Master Gardener Judy Wells, Class 61, passed away on the evening of Friday, August 2. Her memorial service is set for 2pm on Wed, Aug 21, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 11 St. Luke’s Lane, San Antonio, TX 78209.
Judy served on the MG Hotline and at the Children’s Vegetable Garden (CVG) at SABOT and she helped author the CVG Blog.
Want to spark the gardening bug in a new generation of gardeners? The Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden may be the place for you. The garden serves homeschooled children ages 7-14. Volunteers are needed to educate children and parents on good garden practices and to assist with program set-up and garden maintenance.
The fall session at Hardberger will run Tuesdays, Sep 10 thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Volunteer Orientation will be held Tue, Sep 3 at 10am. CEU Code 001 (1 CEU per presentation hour)
Please email Kathy Breniman ([email protected]) if you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays, or if you would like to join our watering team.
BRING YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS and Serve as Chair/Co-Chairs for the 2020 RODEO
This position reports to Ruby Zavala & David Rodriguez, and also involves periodic updates to the BCMG Board of Directors. The time commitment is August 2019-January 2020 for monthly meetings with San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. (S.A.L.E.) at their location on AT&T Center Parkway, and meetings, as needed, with Ruby and David. By the February 2020 Rodeo, we should have a well-oiled machine.
– Direct all phases of the Rodeo from preplanning which starts in August to final post-Rodeo meeting at SALE in March.
– Coordinate existing committee chairs for Volunteer Coordination, Construction, Hospitality, Landscape Design, Plant Sales, Transportation, School Tours, Tree Give-Away, Watering, and Kids Activities.
This may seem formidable, but the existing chairs are experienced and excellent! We need a Chair/Co-Chairs to provide direction and coordination for this major and long event in a most efficient way.
Please email President Grace Emery (or call: 210-875-6919) if you are interested in volunteering as Rodeo Chair or Co-Chair.
BCMG Meeting is TOMORROW
Thursday, August 15th from 1-3pm
Our Guest Speaker, Gregg Eckhardt, SAWS Senior Analyst, will trace San Antonio’s path toward diversification and sustainability in water resource management. Details on our website.
Gregg Eckhardt is an environmental scientist with 30 years of experience in environmental modeling and analysis, water resource planning and development, state and federal permitting, and water treatment. He is known as The Nerd King of South Texas Water History. As Senior Analyst for the San Antonio Water System, he is involved in the planning, operations, and management of the city’s water supply and wastewater.
Bexar County Master Gardener (BCMG) Educational Seminars/General Meetings are held in the afternoons (seminars) and evenings (General Meetings) of the third Thursday every other month at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. For more information contact the BCMG President. 1 CEU; BCMG Code 002.
Mark Your Calendar for Sat, Sep 7, 8am-1pm and our fun, educational event @ the University of The Incarnate Word, Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center (ICC), 847 E. Hildebrand, 78212. Pre-registration is open for Break-out Workshops. Admission to Expo is free.
The featured speaker for September’s CULTIVATE! will be Chris Wiesinger, “The Bulb Hunter!” Check out his Blog here!
SIGN-UP for VOLUNTEER EVENTS using the Event Calendar in the VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – VMS. Find number of volunteers still needed, who has signed up, Project Code and even request an event reminder! REMEMBER: If you volunteer for any event and have a last minute change of plans, please contact the coordinator listed on VMS to let them know!
Volunteers for Youth Gardening Program
- Still need MGs each day to help put binders together with handouts, package seeds, and make name badges for Youth Garden Educator Training Supply Prep on Mon thru Fri, Aug 26 thru 30 at the AgriLife Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. Please email Ruby Zavalawith any questions. Sign up on VMS; Code: 1200.
- Fourteen more MG volunteers are needed to help with refreshments, registration, plant organizing outside, time keeper, etc. for the Fall Youth Garden Educator Training, Sat, Sep 14 at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Rd, 78209 from 7:30am-3pm. Email Ruby Zavalawith any questions. Sign up on VMS; Code: 1200.
MGs Who Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
CULINARY DOCENT VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED 9am-Noon on Fridays thru Sundays throughout August.
SUMMER NIGHTS at SABOT are underway and docent volunteers are needed for the 5:30-8:30pm shifts on Thursday nights through August 15th. Also, docents can schedule a shift for the Big Bug Exhibit, Sat, Aug 31 from Noon to 2pm.
VMS has all dates/times for sign-ups! VMS Code 0100.
Soon to be posted on VMS: September shifts will be 9am to Noon on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
See all the Details for Classes in the Bexar County area on the MG Calendar! Classes listed below may be of special interest to you:
AUGUST BCMG Monthly Meeting & Presentation: Hear Greg Eckhardt, Senior Analyst with San Antonio Water System talk with us about “The History of Water in San Antonio.” Mark your calendar for Thu, Aug 15, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code 002
2019 Fall Children’s Vegetable Garden Orientation: Held at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on Sat, Aug 17 @ 10:45am. CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
Fall Is For Planting with David Rodriguez is set for 11am to 12:30pm on Sat, Aug 24 at Rainbow Gardens, 2585 Thousand Oaks, 78232 and same time on Sat, Aug 31 at Rainbow Gardens, 8516 Bandera Rd, 78250.CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
The Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden Volunteer Orientation will be held Tue, Sep 4 at 10am. CEU Code 001 (up to 1.5 CEUs). The Fall session runs Tuesdays, Sep 10 thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30am. Email Kathy Breniman if you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays, or if you would like to join our watering team.
BROWN BAG – LUNCH & LEARN FOR September: Growing Kitchen Herbs will be presented by BCMG President Grace Emery.Join the lunch group on Friday, Sep 13 at Noon in the County Extension Office, Suite 208. 1 CEU, Code 001
CULTIVATE! Earth Friendly Gardening & Landscaping Exposition & Workshops: Sat, Sep 7, 8am-2pm at University of the Incarnate Word with free admission and $5 fee for each 1-hour workshop and featured speaker. Details on the BCMG website. CEU Code 001; 1 hr per presentation hour.
Landscape Design School – Series XXVI, Course III will be held at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Dr W in College Station on Mon & Tue, Sep 23 & 24 from 8am to 4pm each day. CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs. All four courses earn 48 CEUs and qualifies Master Gardeners for the designation of “Landscape Design Steward.” Note: courses can be taken in any order. Details and application online.
Earn one CEU of the minimum six CEUs required for Master Gardener re-certification by listening to at least one archived WOAI 1200 AM Lawn & Garden Show podcast. Or, earn one CEU (of minimum six required CEUs) by listening to a LIVE broadcast of the WOAI 1200 AM Lawn and Garden from 7-10am on a Saturday morning. You can only record one CEU per year using the radio broadcast option! VMS CEU Code 001
And remember, you can find all the TEXAS MASTER GARDENER
ADVANCED COURSES offered at the TMGA website. If you are interested in attending any courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Save the Date: JMG® – Sep 24-26, hosted by Denton County, Corinth
Rainwater Harvesting– Sep 26-28 hosted by Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Greenhouse Management – Oct 17-19, hosted by Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sampling of what is coming up:
Aug 14 – Texas Native Trails Working Workshop
Aug 15 – Phytonutrient Gardening
Aug 20 – Are Plants Like Animals? Can They Think and Feel?
Aug 22 – How Gardens Tell the Story of Water Thru Lens of Place
Aug 24 – Plant Adaptations to Heat and Drought
Aug 24 – Edible Landscapes – Rethinking the Vegetable Patch
Aug 24 – Best Trees for Your San Antonio Landscape
WaterSaver Coupons Are Back! SAWS customers can apply for up to four WaterSaver Coupons starting Aug 15 through Oct. 15. You many also be eligible for an Irrigation Design Rebate!
GVST’s Essentials of Gardening Classes: Noon to 2:30pm on Mon, Aug 19 at the SA Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, 78209. Donald Schaezler, PhD., P.E. CIH, Director will talk about “The Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary” and Jim Hinkel will discuss “Bonsais – – What are They? How Do You Care for Them?”
Support conservation, restoration, and education at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center.
SHARE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS:
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Fall 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. Program will include sixteen Saturdays from Sep 7 to Dec 14.
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Fall Session of the Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden which will run Tuesdays, Sep 10 thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Check out the Urban Wildlife Game Series sessions coming up for August and September!
Aug 20 (Tue): White Tailed Deer Mgt with Dr. Maureen Frank, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Sep 10 (Tue): Texas Game Fish with Dr. Todd Sink, Extension Fisheries Specialist
Sep 24 (Tue): Get Ready to Hunt with Dr. Maureen Frank, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Brews and Blooms: Craft Brew | Music | Food | Lawn Games!! Sat, Sep 14, from 6 – 10 pm at SABOT.
