Celebrating 15 years of Growth, Impact, & Community! | |
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Hello Claire,
Happy anniversary to Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center! This past weekend we celebrated our 15th year of programming with a hands-on event featuring activities from our inaugural youth field trip program. Guests enjoyed rotating through activities such as cooking veggie tacos, exploring pollinators with microscopes, and learning about recycling and composting. Special thanks to Marisa Quiroz, CEO of International Community Foundation, Dr Leighangela Brady, Superintendent of National School District and Pierce, a high school intern from Sweetwater High School for highlighting Olivewood’s impact on our youth, adults and families. We were honored to receive proclamations from the National City Mayor’s office and the office of Congressman Juan Vargas. Stay tuned for more ways to celebrate this milestone year throughout 2025.
Currently eleven Kitchenistas are participating in a ten-week program to become Cocineras Tradicionales, a certification through the Secretary of Culture and Art in Mexico, which honors cooks who model ancient knowledge, cooking techniques, and community practices. This group will be the first in the US with this designation – just in time for National Nutrition and Women’s History month. Look for an opportunity to bid on a traditional meal prepared by this distinguished group at our upcoming Seeding Soiree.
We are excited to celebrate this milestone year with each of you. Please join us for an open garden, adult or youth cooking class, or book a special event with us. Whatever your preference, you are welcome at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center.
With gratitude,
Jen
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Saturday, May 31, 5-9pm
Mark your calendars for the Seedling Soirée at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center as we celebrate 15 years of growth and community!
Join us for a Forage & Feast adventure with delicious garden-inspired dishes from local chefs, refreshing garden libations, and live music.
Enjoy a Seated Dessert & Program highlighting our impact, along with silent and live auctions featuring unique experiences and gifts, all while connecting with fellow Olivewood community.
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Celebrate National Nutrition Month with Healthy Habits! | |
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As we head into March, we’re excited to celebrate National Nutrition Month – a time to learn about making nutritious food choices and develop nourishing eating habits. This year’s theme is Food Connects Us. At Olivewood, we believe that food serves us in ways beyond nourishing our bodies by cultivating deep connections to ourselves, our cultures, our environment, and our loved ones. This month serves as a meaningful time to reflect on Olivewood’s purpose to support our community and foster a thriving environment. Through hands-on classes in the garden and the kitchen, we empower our community to make healthful choices that support lifelong well-being.
Rachel is a dietetic intern who recently graduated from San Diego State University with a master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences and is working towards becoming a registered dietitian.
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Talls & Smalls
A Nature Adventure!
Friday, March 7th,
11:00 AM -12:00 PM
Do you want your little one to form a love and curiosity around nature? Join us for this month’s Talls and Smalls adventure in the garden! Spend quality time exploring plants, animals and the environment with your little (ages 2-5). We can’t wait to see you! This class is funded in part, for a limited time, by First 5 San Diego.
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Family Garden Workshop!
Saturday, March 8th,
10:00 AM -11:00 AM
Join us and Mundo Gardens at Paradise Creek Community Garden for a FREE gardening workshop!
Bring your friends and family, ask questions, learn about gardening and plant something! See you there!
All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
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OH! San Diego Architecture Tour
Saturday, March 8, 10am 1 pm
National City, the second oldest city in San Diego County, is known for its charming Victorian architecture and diverse population. Visit us for a guided tour inside our historic Noyes house built in 1896!
Guided Tours Start @ 10:15AM
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National City Healthy Culturas Coalition!
Monday, March 10th, 5:30pm- 7pm
The National City Healthy Culturas Coalition in collaboration with Mundo Gardens is taking action to create a healthier, more equitable future for our community.
From advocating for flood victims and pushing for long-term infrastructure improvements to opposing a polluting fuel transfer station in the overburdened Westside, we are committed to standing up for food and environmental justice.
No registration required.
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March Cooking Class!
Saturday, March 15 at 3:30pm
Join us for a Vietnamese vegetarian cooking class with Guest Chef Dr. Kevin Young! Using fresh garden vegetables, we’ll create a vermicelli coconut curry soup and vibrant spring rolls.
Dr. Young, a licensed Acupuncturist and Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, blends food, health, and tradition. Inspired by his Buddhist roots, he transforms favorite dishes into vegetarian delights.
Don’t miss this unique fusion of culture, wellness, and flavor!
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Garden and House Tours!
Saturday, March 15, 10am- 12:30pm
Join us for our monthly Olivewood Open Garden & Public Tour on the third Saturday of every month: Saturday, March15th, 10 am-12:30 pm.
Tours start at 10:15 AM & 11:15 AM, and guests are free to enjoy the garden, learn more about our programs and tour the unique and historic Noyes House built in 1896!
No registration required.
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Spring Adventure Program!
Wednesday, March 20th
9:00 AM- 11:30AM
Join us for an all-day spring program at Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center. During this 5 hour Spring Adventure program, your child will participate in hands-on cooking and outdoor science activities in our kitchen and garden classrooms. Space is limited, sign up today!
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Pickleball Fundraiser!
Sunday, April 6
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego
Support clean energy resilience and have some fun on the court! Join Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center and Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation for a Pickleball Fundraiser supporting the installation of a solar, storage, and smart heat pump system at Olivewood that will save nearly $400,000—funds that will be reinvested into South Bay initiatives.
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Garden Explorers!
Saturday, April 12th
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Join us on April 12th at 9:30am for a day all about bugs! We will explore bugs in the gardens, learn about entomology, and create our own bugs. This month we are offering a special discount for National City residents, so sign up today online or with the link in our bio! Open to all children in grades K-6th. We can't wait to learn with you!
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Enjoy this easy recipe from Joe Pastry one of our beloved chefs! | |
SANDAG: Share your feedback with SANDAG on how we can improve people’s health and protect our environment! Complete this quick survey to share your feedback and priorities: https://engage.sandag.org/ClimatePrioritiesSurvey | |
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SDG&E: NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILL?
If you are having trouble paying your energy bill, you might be eligible for programs and
services that can provide immediate financial assistance and help you avoid interruptions to
your service. Flexible payment arrangements are also available to help you pay down past due
balances. Learn more at sdge.com/Payment-Arrangements.
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