CEO Message As the Garden closes the book on our 2017 fiscal year and begins the cycle anew, it is a great time to reflect on our accomplishments. This has been an incredible year of infrastructure building that will yield bountifully in the years to come. We are proud to welcome two new Board of Trustees members — Mark Waronek, an active community leader who serves both as a Deputy to Supervisor Janice Hahn and as the Mayor of Lomita and Mitch Dion a philanthropist, Long Beach Rotary Club Member and steadfast supporter of the Garden. We’ve onboarded two new executive team members – Stacey Dunn, Chief Operations Officer, who brings with her an impressive portfolio of experience from USC, UCLA and Georgetown, and Danielle Lacharite Brown, Chief Development Officer, who has experienced first-hand what transformation is possible as a former vice-president at the Natural History Museum. We’ve also welcomed Director of Education Desiree Ocampo and Director of Membership Kristy Day. The breadth of experience that comes with these new staff members will ensure an exceptional visit for everyone who comes to the Garden. We are closing in on the completion of our Rose Garden renovation. This long-awaited update to the core of our space will result in what is soon to be the most stunning rose garden in Los Angeles. The Creek Overlook project is also complete, with a beautiful switchback trail, and a Garden map that describes the history or our property. Watch for information on opening ceremonies for these refreshed spaces in the weeks to come.
A Glass Act in the Garden
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Adrienne L. Nakashima, CEO Our visitors, members and donors are integral to the livelihood of South Coast Botanic Garden. For this reason, visitor experience improvements have been top on our list. No doubt, you have seen the things we’ve done to help focus on creating the most positive experience possible. Picnicking is now welcome daily, tram services have expanded, new entry signage is more informative and welcoming, membership benefits have been enhanced and rich programming that encourages multi-generational engagement has been launched — we’ve only just begun! Our work this past fiscal year was all in service to our mission to serve as an excellent example of land reclamation and sustainability and to reimagine SCBG as a worldclass destination for horticultural experiences. Thank you for your intrepid support as we sow the seeds for our future.
No matter what the crops have yielded, the Garden is always abounding with glass pumpkins in early October. Visit this delightful one-day autumn exhibition and sale of glass pumpkins and gourds and marvel at the splendor of hand-blown glass from Bay Area artists, Michelle Walker and Bobby Bowes.
Upgrade your membership to the Sustainer level ($300) and join us for a VIP Artists Reception. Call 310-544-1948 for further information. Walker & Bowes Glass Pumpkin Patch VIP Artists Reception October 6, 5:30 - 7pm Member Preview Party October 6, 7 - 9pm Public Exhibit and Sale October 7, 10am - 4pm
Our Table of Thanks There is a lot for us to be thankful for at the Garden, our beautiful collections, the terrific new Rose Garden in progress and our generous members of our new giving club – the Garden Circle. The Garden Circle was announced this past June as a new way to support the Garden while cultivating a community of likeminded donors who will gather socially. Members can select their level of involvement, with options ranging from $1,000 annually to $25,000. Gatherings will always include thoughtful and exclusive programming that will enhance one’s knowledge on subjects related to wildlife, horticulture, landscape art and environmental stewardship. For the coming year the group can expect to take a field trip together, enjoy a kick-off dinner, take a private golf cart tour, taste whiskey over lively conversation and visit the homes of fellow donors. Our inaugural event of the Garden Circle will take place on September 15 with an intimate Farm to Table Dinner. Guests will begin the evening with cocktails on the Amphitheater Meadow with casual lawn games and a sneak preview tour of the Rose Garden construction site. After, they will retire to a long openair table on the Lower Meadow to break bread together amid the peaceful sounds of leaves fluttering and crickets chirping. A delicious farm-inspired dinner menu is being crafted by Thank Goodness it’s Sofia catering.
We are pleased to acknowledge our charter members, those who were the very first to join the Garden Circle, including: Karen and Dean Billman Danielle and Charlie Brown Pat and Frank Brown Joyce and Jack Crump Mitch Dion Stacey and Dennis Dunn Stephanie V. Enright Jan and James Gardner Claudia and Bill Gerstner Kathy and Brian Johnson Janine Micucci and Denny Beaubien Adrienne and Wesley Nakashima
Audra Platz and Brent Enright Merredith and John Rea Pamela Reis Janet Richardson Jim Scharffenberger Marian Scharffenberger Marcia and Mike Schoettle Connie and Brad Spencer Laurel Woodley and Shirley Schwanzara Suzy and Steve Zimmerman
If you are considering the Garden Circle, now is the best time to join so you can be a charter member. Members at $5,000 and higher will receive recognition on our new Annual Donor Wall. Contact Kristy Day at 310-544-1948 for further details.
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A Creature
Lurks at the Garden
Danielle Lacharite Brown
Halloween-time can conjure images of old-school horror flicks with teenagers running through the woods from sinister creatures. Only those with a calculating plan are likely to escape the baddies. Here at the Garden, we don’t need a Netflix account to experience a similar horror show first hand – as we plot to outsmart our own woodland monster – the Shot Hole Borer. The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer and a close relative, the Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer, have been causing us goosebumps in recent years. The tiny beetle drills into host trees and spreads a fungal pathogen that serves as food for the beetle’s larvae, while impeding nutrient absorption in the tree. This beetle feeding its young will very likely mean an epidemic in the signature forests and urban tree canopies of Los Angeles, with a predicted loss in the tens of thousands. Scientists at University of California, Riverside have been studying and tracking the beetle’s progress and have identified more than 140 potential host tree species. The beetle populations have
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been prolific in Southern California, spreading significantly since they were discovered in 2003. Likely introduced via shipments of goods coming into the local ports from Southeast Asia, the first major impact of these parasites was seen in Long Beach with a major die-off of Box Elder street trees. Unfortunately, with our diverse collections from around the globe, the South Coast Botanic Garden’s arboretum is also susceptible to the Shot Hole Borer. The good news for the Garden in this scary story is that the species diversity found in our collection also means that many of our specimens will be spared from the impending devastation. In fact, our canopy is more likely to weather the destruction than the single-species forests found in Los Angeles and its environs. Garden Superintendent, Tanya Finney, says “While we will certainly lose some trees, many of our glorious trees will thankfully remain immune. This makes the Garden a great laboratory for the study of insect pests, since those survivor trees could be recommended for future plantings around the city and will provide clues for future pest management tactics.” As for outsmarting the baddies – South Coast Botanic Garden horticultural staff has been monitoring the collections closely for invasive species with the help of the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner. Together, we are working to identify pests and monitor the collections. “We have our eye on several species of Coral Trees as well as Oaks, Sycamores, Liquidambar and Willows, all of which are host species to the beetle-fungal pathogens,” says Finney. Beyond monitoring, the Garden also puts up a strong defense while adhering to the principles of Integrated Pest Management, an ecological approach to protecting collections that deploys beneficial insects, chemical-free treatments and selective removal. While there is no natural predator or easy cure for the Shot Hole Borer, management will likely require the removal of infested trees and the proper disposal of the wood to help stop the spread of both beetle and fungus.
South GHOST Botanic Garden There is plenty that goes bump amid our hallowed trails. We invite you to enjoy the Halloween season with a trip to the South Coast Botanic Garden, where it is just BOO-tiful in the fall!
The Great Pumpkin Hunt October 1-31 Walker & Bowes Glass Pumpkin Patch
VIP ARTISTS RECEPTION (Sustainer Members) October 6, 5:30 - 7pm Member Preview Party October 6, 7 - 9pm Public Exhibit and Sale October 7, 10am - 4pm
Kids Club: Crawlies, Crows and Scarecrows and Costume Parade Sunday, October 29 southcoastbotanicgarden.org | 4
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Fall in the Garden
SEPTEMBER in the
Garden
Photo by: Jeff Staton
Palos Verdes Symphonic Band Labor Day Concert Across the Pond — Music From the British Isles
Monday, September 4 Picnic: 4:30pm Concert: 5 – 7pm $10 per person at door; children 12 and under free Try on your best British accent and join us on the meadow for a delightful evening of music with the PV Symphonic Band. Selections will include Gustav Holst and Kenneth Alford along with pop music favorites from My Fair Lady and the Beatles. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted though a cash bar will be available. The Gift Shop will be open through intermission. Picnics, blankets and beach chairs encouraged. Food will be available for purchase.
Oriental Impressionistic Watercolor
Tai Chi in the Garden
Make and Take Workshop: Fairy Garden
Plein Air Painting in the Garden
Fridays, September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27 9am – noon $85 Members / $95 Non-members Instructor Hisako Asano will share her approach to a world of delicate watercolor painting. Create paintings of nature that capture this soft-colored art form, learn to blend colors and how to manipulate 3-D values with a single stroke. Registration required. Limited class size on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Saturdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11 8 – 9am $100 Members / $125 Non-members One Class: $12 Members / $15 Non-members Learn this beautiful ancient Chinese practice. With graceful meditative movements that help maintain physical health, well-being and spiritual essence, it is perfect for any age and any fitness level. Tai Chi is a great way to release tension, increase balance and improve relaxation. Registration required.
Yoga in the Garden
Session 1: Wednesdays, September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15 Session 2: Saturdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11 9:30 – 10:30am $100 Members / $125 Non-members One Class: $12 Members / $15 Non-members Suitable for all levels. This Hatha yoga class is based on physical postures (asanas), deep breathing, mindfulness and listening to the body. An alignmentoriented practice that emphasizes the forms and actions within yoga postures, core strength, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration and breath control. Registration required.
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Saturday, September 9 Noon – 1:30pm $25 Members / $30 Non-members Flap your fairy wings and sprinkle some magic dust to join us for a wonderful day in the Gift Shop where you will make your very own garden fairy habitat. All materials will be provided, including a pot, soil, plants, top dressing and an enchanted ornamental inclusion to help dress up your habitat. Upgraded pots and décor will also be offered. Walk-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged.
Sunday, September 10 11am – 4pm Free with Garden admission In the traditions of Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt and William Wendt, you are invited to put paint to paper surrounded by our colorful Garden. Nearby, you can watch professional artists capture the beauty on canvas in the plein air style of painting. Borrowed from the French, plein air describes the act of painting outdoors and interpreting what the eye actually sees at the time of the painting. This is a self-guided activity, no artistic experience is required.
What's in Bloom Coral Tree Jacaranda Bottle Brush Dahlia Kids Club: Rock, Paper, Masterpieces!
Sunday, September 10 1 – 4pm Free with Garden admission Join us for an artistic game of row-shambo at this month’s Kids Club, where families will explore the intersection of nature and art together. Grab a paint brush, paint a rock and set your imagination free as you hide them in the Garden for future visitors to find. Capture the beauty of the Garden alongside master plein air artists with your own pastel painting and help create a group masterpiece using your very own nature paint brush. Details at SouthCoastBotanicGarden.org/KidsClub RSVP encouraged.
Ikebana Floral Design
Tuesdays, September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 17, 24, 31, November 7 12:30 – 2:30pm $120 Members / $133 Non-members Materials Fee: $40 beginners / $80 advanced Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of floral arranging. Instructor Yumiko Kikkawa will guide you to see beyond the decorative and help you merge the indoors and outdoors through the mechanics of manipulation and the observation of materials for their best usage. Registration required. Limited class size on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
Farm to Table Dinner
Friday, September 15 6pm FREE with Garden Circle Membership Join us at our long table for the inaugural Garden Circle Farm to Table Dinner. Guests will enjoy cocktails and lawn games with a sneak preview tour of the Rose Garden and a delicious dinner served al fresco on the Lower Meadow. RSVP required.
Tool Sharpening Service
Audubon Bird Walk
Sunday, September 10 8 – 11am Free with Garden admission The Garden is the perfect spot to watch our feathered friends. Bring your binoculars and join our local experts for an early morning stroll through our trails.
Saturday, September 16 10 – 10:30am Member-only access 10:30am – Noon Open to the public Members receive 10% discount Bring in your gardening tools, kitchen knives, scissors, machetes and pocket knives to keep them in tip-top shape. Gary’s Knife Sharpening Service will sharpen them while you enjoy a visit in the Garden. Fees to sharpen will be based on the type and size of tool, averaging $3-$10.
South Bay Orchid Society Fall Show and Sale
Saturday, September 16 Sale 9am – 5pm (Showroom opens at 11am on Saturday) Sunday, September 17 9am – 4pm Free with Garden admission Experienced orchid vendors and Orchid Society Members will be on hand to sell and showcase their outstanding plants with artistic exhibits and displays. ‘Orchids-R-Easy’ demonstrations/classes will be held throughout the duration of the show. An hourly raffle will be held on each day. For complete show information visit southbayorchidsociety.com/Show/index.html
Landscape Pastel Painting En Plein Air
Saturday, September 23 9am – 12:30pm $70 Members / $78 Non-members Learn to paint landscapes from award-winning artist, Joe Mancuso. He will demonstrate his painting techniques using soft pastels in a friendly and relaxed outdoor Garden atmosphere. Registration required. Limited class size on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Music On the Meadow: Corelli Ensemble
Sunday, September 24 3 – 4:30pm Free with Garden admission Join the Corelli Ensemble on the Upper Meadow for an enjoyable afternoon of Baroque music. The concert will feature the trumpet and will showcase the music of Corelli, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Telemann.
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Fall in the Garden
OCTOBERi n
Member Preview Party Walker & Bowes Glass Pumpkin Patch Friday, October 6 7 – 9pm Free with membership Enjoy light snacks, cash beer and wine bar and DJ music while you preview the beautiful glass pumpkin patch.
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the Garden
Public Exhibit and Sale Walker & Bowes Glass Pumpkin Patch The Great Pumpkin Hunt
October 1 – 31 Free with Garden admission Take a walk through our hiking trails and search for hidden jack-o-lanterns along the way. Solve a riddle and mark your finds and you will receive a special prize in the Gift Shop.
VIP Artists Reception Walker & Bowes Glass Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 6 5:30 – 7pm FREE for Sustainer Members and up Sustainer members and higher are invited to join us for a preview sale and artist’s reception with the delightful glass pumpkin sculptures. Complimentary appetizers and beer and wine will be served. Join at the Sustainer level ($300) or higher to participate.
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Saturday, October 7 10am – 4pm Free with Garden admission The Walker & Bowes Glass studio in San Jose, California will again present their signature glass pumpkin patch at the South Coast Botanic Garden. View and purchase one-of-a-kind artworks.
Fall Plant Boutique
Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8 The Propagation Volunteers have been cultivating their crops all year long to fill the Cornish Courtyard with hearty and beautiful plants for you to take home. Stop by and purchase your fall plantings and help to support the Garden.
Audubon Bird Walk
Sunday, October 8 8 – 11am Free with Garden admission Drop by for a healthy morning walk with our resident ornithologist to see which species are visiting the Garden in the fall. Be sure to bring binoculars and be prepared for a healthy hike.
Grow! Edible Gardening
Saturdays, October 14, 21, November 4, 11 9am – noon $65 Members / $72 Non-members Abandon that produce delivery service and try your hand at growing your own fresh, organic produce at home! Master Gardener Liza Go will teach you how to create an edible garden. You’ll learn to locate your home’s best location for a garden, how to create good soil out of your current plot, the whats, the whens and the hows to grow, the ins and outs of proper propagation and integrated pest management. Registration required. Limited class size on a first-come, firstserve basis.
What's in Bloom Sunflower Canna Lily Iris, Fuchsia Rose
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Wednesday, October 18 4 – 7pm The South Coast Botanic Garden wishes to celebrate and recognize its dedicated and hard-working volunteers with a special dinner. The event is by invitation only and is free for all Garden volunteers. RSVP directly to Darlene Lackey at dlackey@parks.lacounty.gov or (310) 544-6818.
Make and Take Workshop: Card Making
Saturday, October 21 Noon – 1:30pm $15 Members / $18 Non-members If you’ve seen the remarkable handcrafted cards in our Gift Shop, you know that our volunteer manufacturers put the greeting card stores to shame! The cards are embossed, sewn and even pop-up. In this hands-on workshop you will learn to make three cards using a variety of techniques. Walk-ins are welcome but registration is preferred.
Members Garden Walk: History of the Garden
Thursday, October 26 5 – 7pm Free with Membership Learn about the beginnings of the Garden from mine to landfill to lush Botanic Garden. Visit the original entrance, where the first planting took place, and see the above ground pipes that collect methane gas. Reservations are required.
25th Annual Model Train Show
Saturday, October 28 10am – 5pm Sunday, October 29 10am – 4pm Free with Garden admission This annual Model Train Show is sponsored by the Los Angeles Division of the National Model Railroad Association. Come see remarkable moving miniatures by the region’s most acclaimed enthusiasts. “How To” clinics will be held throughout the day. Bring your model locomotives if you would like assistance.
Kids Club: Crawlies, Crows and Scarecrows
Sunday, October 29 1 – 4pm Free with Garden admission This Halloween season there is nothing to fear. Put on your costumes and learn about the crows and ravens that call the Garden home, relax with a story, make your own scarecrow and try your skill at our spider web obstacle course. At 3:30pm we will host a Costume Parade around Palm Circle. The Gift Shop will be sponsoring a complimentary trick or treat stop. Afterwards, join us for a family-friendly musical presentation on the Meadow with the Flutesonic band (see description below). Details at SouthCoastBotanicGarden.org/KidsClub RSVP encouraged.
Music on the Meadow: The Mostly Mozart Music Festival
Sunday, October 29 4 – 5pm Free with Garden admission Pack a picnic and enjoy a casual, familyfriendly performance by the Flutesonic Orchestra, Los Angeles’ premier flute ensemble. Co-presented with the Center for Learning Unlimited (CLU), this concert will feature some of Mozart’s most exciting compositions, selected for the enjoyment of children, including those with special needs. Don your Halloween costume and join us for a parade at 3:30pm in advance of the program. southcoastbotanicgarden.org | 8
South Coast Botanic Garden
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Fall in the Garden
NOVEMBER in the
Audubon Bird Walk
Sunday, November 12 8 – 11am Free with Garden admission Stroll through the Garden with the bird experts to learn who calls our habitat home. Binoculars and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Corelli Ensemble: Children’s Concert
Make and Take Workshop: Terrarium
Saturday, November 18 Noon – 1:30pm $35 Members / $45 Non-members Drop in and join us in the Gift Shop to make your own terrarium. We will offer the glass container, soil, plants, a decorative piece and top rock. Walk-ins are welcome but registration is preferred.
Kids Club: Thanks-Digging
Sunday, November 19 1 – 4pm Free with Garden admission This Thanksgiving season, families can dig their way into the past with Kids Club. Learn about the Garden’s transformation from an underwater wonder, to an open pit mine, to a trash dump and into a beautiful botanic garden. Hunt for marine fossils in a simulated dig pit, build your own landfill model, get dirty with soil testing and start your own flower seedling. Details at SouthCoastBotanicGarden.org/KidsClub RSVP encouraged. 9 | southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Garden
Sunday, November 19 3 – 4pm Free with Garden admission Listen and learn about the music of six baroque composers with unforgettable stories and wacky situational events that are sure to entertain the whole family.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Tuesday, November 22 6:30 – 8:30pm $75 Members / $85 Non-members Join Flower Duet floral instructors to create a long Thanksgiving centerpiece out of fresh flowers and greenery. You will learn how to integrate seasonal vegetables and nuts to make it just right for your holiday table. Registration required. Limited class size.
What's in Bloom Prickly Pear (showy fruit) Floss Silk Tree Salvia, Buckwheat
Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Sale
Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25 In support of Small Business Saturday and Black Friday, the Gift Shop will be offering 20% off plus a free gift with purchase of $25 or more.
SAVE THE DATE
Silent Night, Silent Disco
Saturday, December 9 6 – 9pm Early-bird tickets $20 Members / $22 Non-members VIP $40 Members / $44 Non-members Tickets after October 31 $30 Members / $33 Non-members VIP $49 Members / $54 Non-members Get in the holiday spirit and bust a move in the Garden as our popular “Silent Disco” event returns for its second year. Don ye now a set of headphones and tune in to one of three DJ sets that are sure to get you rockin’ around the Christmas tree – with classic 80’s hits, hip hop beats and club favorites. Dress in your best ugly sweaters and winter wonderland gear and we’ll provide the music, headsets, flashlight trail tours, glow sticks and cash bar! VIP’s have access to the pre-party lounge with complimentary food and drinks. 21 and over only. Registration and ID required.
Holiday Wreaths
Sunday, December 10 3 – 5pm $75 Members / $85 Non-members Join Flower Duet to create your own holiday wreath using fresh evergreens and added fresh flowers, succulents and other California-themed natural botanical elements. Registration required. Limited class size on first-come, firstserve basis.
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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 234 TORRANCE, CA
SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN FOUNDATION 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
GARDEN HOURS
9:00am to 5:00pm The Garden is open to the public 364 days a year, closed on Christmas Day
GIFT SHOP HOURS 10:00am to 5:00pm
PHOTO SUBMISSIONS
We are currently accepting photos for the Winter 2018 edition of the newsletter. Submissions are due by October 1. All photos should be sent to marketing@southcoastbotanicgarden.org. By submitting your photos, you agree to give SCBGF permission to use the photos in publications and other marketing materials.
CONTACT US (310) 544-1948
feedback@southcoastbotanicgarden.org www.facebook.com/scbgarden COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Zimmerman