Recognizing San Francisco Day School

The San Francisco Day School has been an outstanding partner in the Panhandle Park volunteer effort this year. Saturday's program was the sixth consecutive work day in which families from the Day School took part, alongside other volunteers from the neighborhood. Now, as they're about to take their summer break, I want to take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone from SFDS. Your consistency, your enthusiasm, your hard work and your helpful spirits have made a big difference since you began in November 2010. Families have shown up when their specific grade is organized, and have also begun to come back as repeat volunteers.

Parent leader (and great park steward) Fif G. says that SFDS is ready to take a summer break, so SFDS families aren't participating in an organized manner this summer, though the monthly work days are continuing and everyone is welcome to come out and join volunteers from the community. SFDS plans to return to action in September 2011.

Be a star, on your bike

The Wiggle is name of the local bike route that leads cyclists between Mint Hill and the Panhandle. I'm helping spread the word about a special video shoot, happening one day only: next Sunday. Here's the details: 

The Wiggle PSA Video Shoot - Sunday May 22 @ 2pm

Join the party on Sunday May 22, 2:00pm at Duboce Park (corner of Duboce and Steiner) to film a video for THE WIGGLE! We’ll start by filming a group shot at Duboce Park, then we’ll turn to the streets to capture what it's like to ride The Wiggle with all of your closest friends.

What:  The Wiggle PSA video shootWhen:  Sunday, May 22nd @ 2pmWhere:  Meet at Duboce Park (corner of Duboce and Steiner)Who:  Any and all bicyclists! More Info:  DoTheWiggle.com or RSVP to our Facebook event

We want all kinds of bikes to represent: cruisers, fixies, road bikes, party machines, double-deckers, triple-deckers, Trikeasauruses, pedicabs and whatever else you’ve got. Just ride on over, and bring as many friends as you can muster. Of course, this being a San Francisco bike party, if you want to dress in your bicycle best, we won’t stop you!

Do the Wiggle!

May work day wrap-up

Neighbors worked together with park staff in the Panhandle this morning. In the shade of a group of pittosporum near Oak and Clayton, we spread compost fines to enrich the soil and protect the roots. We also spread soil around two of the redwoods near Fell and Clayton, and in that area we tracked some bumble bees to a nearby hole in the ground. Bumble bees make their nests underground, and we wondered how many bees might be down there. Wikipedia says a mature nest might have 50 bumble bees. 

Meanwhile, Fif and Nancy got to work cutting back the sod encroaching on the cross-over path. By the end of the work, we were amazed at just how much path we had brought back. 

 

When we finished our work and walked back to the playground, we found a bunch of new plants in the ground. The Kevin Collins Children's Garden provided dozens of colorful, decorative plants to fill the new bed at the southeast corner of the playground.   

What season is it, anyway?