The Seedling Newsletter: February 2024

Hello Claire,

Greetings Olivewood community,

We are excited to kick off February by celebrating American Heart Month. This annual observance aims to raise awareness about heart health and encourage individuals to make positive lifestyle choices for a healthier heart.

At Olivewood, we believe that a healthy heart starts with a healthy lifestyle. Through our various programs and initiatives, we strive to empower individuals and families of all ages to take simple steps to improve your cardiovascular well-being. Here are some ways to get involved this month.

• Heart-healthy cooking classes – join us for interactive cooking classes where our talented staff will guide you through preparing delicious heart-healthy meals. Check out some of our recipes, sign up for our Valentine’s Day class or an upcoming chefcitos!

• Get in the Garden – Discover the connection between gardening and heart health. Attend workshops, like the upcoming Garden Garden Explorers, visit our produce stand on Thursdays or stop by an open garden to learn more.

• Fitness Activities - Engage in physical fitness routines to get your heart pumping. Recently our KItchenistas have started their Walking for Salud program. You can do something similar in your neighborhood.

• Follow us on social media or visit our website to see upcoming programs, activities, tips and recipes. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your meals or taking a 30-minute walk as a family is a great way to kick off this month.

We look forward to seeing you in the garden soon.

In Gratitude,

Jen Nation

Executive Director

Donate your time, talent or treasure!

Celebrate Black History Month!

February is Black History Month, a month celebrating and recognizing the important contributions, histories, and culture of the Black community. Spend this month (and all year) learning, celebrating, honoring, and supporting our Black community. Here are some ideas!

Donate and volunteer with Black-led and serving nonprofits such as Project New Village, Urban Collaborative Project, and United Women of East Africa.
Support Black-owned businesses such as Cafe X, The Mental Bar, and Addis Restaurant.
Learn about the history and support Black creatives such as watching the Origin film by Ava DuVernay, reading Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown, or listening to How to Citizen with Baratunde Thurston.
Celebrate at local Black History Month events such as Black Com!x Day, Martin Luther King Jr Community Choir SD Performance, and Black History Celeberation & Author Talk.

Support Our Capital Campaign-Cultivating the Future!

Your involvement isn't just a contribution; it's a commitment to positive change within our shared community. Here are a few ways our collective support will continue to impact our community:

Our commercial kitchen will be an incubator for more culinary educational programs
Our larger greenhouse will allow to grow more food for our programs and classes for greater sustainability
More accessible pathways so that all community members can enjoy the gardens

Thanks to a generous lead gift and $1M match from Alumbra Innovations Foundation and Builders Initiative, your gift today will be DOUBLED!

Support the Campaign!

Welcome Chef Sandra!

with Cultura con Sabor

We are thrilled to present our Valentine’s Day Dinner chef, Sandra Orozco! Sandra is from Purepero Michoacán, Mexico. She is the Chef of Cultura con Sabor in Rainbow, California. Cultura con Sabor is a project that she created together with her husband, featuring cultural workshops and educating participants in traditional Mexican cuisine. The concept is farm to the table because most of the ingredients used are grown on the ranch. Her mission is to preserve flavors, methods, customs, and traditions through cooking (and eating). This will be an intimate, one-of-a-kind dinner - two seatings: 4 & 6:30 pm, sign up today!

Valetines Day Dinner

Upcoming Events

Garden Explorers

The 5 Senses!

Saturday, January 13th,

9:30-11:30 AM

Garden Explorers will be using their 5 senses to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste things growing in the garden! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity for your Garden Explorers (grades K-6) to spend some time exploring and engaging in our outdoor classroom.

Paradise Creek Community Garden Workshop

Saturday, February 10th,

10 - 11 AM

Join us at Paradise Creek Community Garden on Saturday, February 10th from 10-11 am for a special workshop on vermicomposting! Learn hands on with your family!

No registration required.

Open Gardens

Saturday, February 17th,

10 AM to 12:30 PM

Join us for our monthly Olivewood Open Garden & Public Tour on Saturday, February 17th, 10 am- 12:30 pm.

Tours begin at 10:15 AM & 11:15 AM, and guests can enjoy the garden and are invited to learn more about our programs.

No registration required.

Vision Zero & Active Transportation Pop-up

Friday, February 23rd,

10 AM to 12 PM

Interested in sharing input on how to improve our transportation system for pedestrians and biciclysts, and to reduce fatalities on our roadways? Join us for a pop-up event in partnership with SANDAG to share input. Light appetizers provided.

No registration required.

We are Hiring! Join the Olivewood Family

Volunteer Coordinator Position

Full-Time

The Volunteer Coordinator recruits, trains, places, stewards, and recognizes over 300 volunteers and interns annually for various programs. This role also includes programmatic tasks and community outreach. An active commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion is required for this community-oriented role.

Join our Monthly Giving Program!

Want to support other awesome organizations in our ecosystem?

Check out some of our partners:

A Reason to Survive

Environmental Health Coalition

Institute for Public Strategies

Mundo Gardens

Ocean Connectors

Project New Village

San Diego Food System Alliance

South Bay Sustainable Communities

Beet Tartar with Balsamic Orange Vinaigrette

Felling adventurous? Check out our carrot top pesto recipe to use the whole plant as a topping for your soup! The recipe is also available on our website.

More Recipes on our Website!

SDG&E

SDG&E has energy-saving tips to help you save on your bill during the cold weather.

1. Install a smart thermostat. Lower your thermostat when you are asleep or away from

home. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an

automatic setback or programmable thermostat. Enroll in SDG&E’s Smart Thermostat

Program and earn up to $95 in rewards. Learn more at sdge.com/thermostat. If you are

a CARE or FERA customer, you may qualify for a no-cost smart thermostat. Get details at sdge.com/residential.

2. Schedule an SDG&E appliance check: Book your no-cost appointment at

sdge.com/MyAccount or on SDG&E’s mobile app available in the App Store or Google Play.

3. Ensure vents are properly ventilated. Move furniture and drapes to allow for clear

circulation. Don’t keep vents closed to save energy because it can change the way the air is distributed and cause an imbalance to your HVAC system – making it work harder.