We will be working in the garden on July 2nd to complete a few projects.  Details to follow soon.

Due to expected rain and wind, I am canceling the garden work day scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday, October 24th).   I hope to reschedule the work for the following Sunday (Halloween) - if the weather cooperates.  I will send out another call for volunteers later in the week via email.  Thank you to all who volunteered to work on Sunday - and thanks for your patience with the rains.

Cheers,
- Chris Donohoe
cell: 239-7911

The Life Lab is organizing a Construction Day on Sunday October 24th from 12:30-6 pm to build Phase 2 of the School garden.  We are looking for about 20-25 people to assist with the work (all or part of afternoon), which will transform the terrace between 8th grade and Mission street into a new garden.  The proposed work will include:  weeding and grading the site, hauling away pine needles, installing pipes for drip irrigation, constructing 8+ large wooden raised garden boxes, and pickup and delivery of topsoil.  Other tasks may be added as the plan is finalized, and some work may be scheduled before the 24th to speed construction.  We will need folks with pickup trucks to haul away pine needles and haul in topsoil.

If you are interested in assisting with this project, contact Chris Donohoe at lifelab@holycsc.org or 239-7911 (cell).   We will contact interested people about 2 weeks before the work day to begin compiling a list of workers and resources.

The first meeting of the Life Lab group is at 7 pm on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in the 5th grade classroom (please note new date!).  The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the new class coordinators and parent volunteers, to discuss ideas and plans for the year (including the Phase II garden expansion), and provide information about the resources that are available for those planning and conducting garden activities.  Come join us - the other volunteers are your greatest resource!  Please send an RSVP or questions to us at lifelab@holycsc.org or contact Megan Grenier, Chris Donohoe, or Laura LeRoy.

The fall semester is off to a fast start - several classes will have their first garden lessons this week. The Life Lab class coordinators will meet on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7 pm in the 5th grade classroom.  This a chance to meet the new coordinators, discuss class needs, plans and available resources (supplies, tools, etc.) for your fall activities.

Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 10:30-1:30 pm.  The Life Lab Science Program at UC Santa Cruz is celebrating its 30th anniversary by sponsoring an Open House of school gardens in the Santa Cruz Area - and the Holy Cross Life Lab is joining the celebration. Come take a tour of the Holy Cross garden, view student garden art, try your hand at making lavender bath salts, and sample some tasty "garden snacks." For more information, see the flyer (link coming soon).

The Sale will be held on Friday, May 8th - KISS Day - from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in the school courtyard.  We will be selling garden items & artwork grown or created by the students - all to benefit the Life Lab Program.  Items for sale will include vegetable starts, fresh herbs, flowers, succulents, seed packages, stationery, bookmarks, lavender butter cookies, and much more.  See the Flyer for pictures of some of the items for sale.   Hope to see you there.

Ten designs have been selected as finalists in the LL sign competition.  The students will vote for their favorite design on Monday and Tuesday (Jan 26-27) with the winner to be announced on Wednesday.  Slideshows for the designs can be found at Sign Contest

The next Life Lab meeting will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 7 pm in the 5th grade classroom.  At the meeting we will discuss activities for the winter and begin planning for the coming spring.   We'd also like to discuss ways to make working in the garden easier, and begin brainstorming for next year.   If you have a topic you'd like to discuss at the meeting, please send it to lifelab@holycsc.org.