calendar

Saturday, April 8th

9 am- 5 pm [San Diego]
tour: '2006 Home Remodel'
various locations (_; San Diego)
info: 858-274-3345 [ASID-San Diego]; asidadmin@asidsandiego.org
detail: The tour is a showcase of the most innovative new design taking place in San Diego County. Highlights include homes whose layouts were changed to update tract homes for a growing family, to take advantage of panoramic views, and a complete remodel to expand both entertaining and private spaces, and update furnishings and colors for a timeless palette. More info on-line.

10 am- 4 pm [San Diego]
tour: 'Gardens on the Point'
various locations (_; Point Loma)
info: 619-222-5207 [PLGC];
detail: Eight gardens are on this year's tour, including one originally designed by the late Sinjen, a legendary local garden designer. Others range from a vegetable garden to a memorial park garden to gardens with lush, unusual plants and beautiful statuary. At one of the houses, there will be a plant sale, a bazaar where garden-appropriate products will be sold, and a chance to ask master gardeners questions. $15 in advance; $20 the day of the event.

10 am- 4 pm [San Diego]
tour: 'Encinitas Garden Festival'
various locations (_; Encinitas)
info: 760-753-8615
detail: Tour more than 20 gardens in the Leucadia neighborhood bordered by I-5 and Vulcan Avenue, Leucadia Boulevard and La Costa Avenue. Participants will ride double-decker buses from Cottonwood Creek Park (located at the corner of Encinitas Boulevard and Vulcan Avenue) to several stops in the tour neighborhood. There will be performances by the Patricia Rincon Dance Collective at various sites and a gardeners' marketplace at Cottonwood Creek Park with the latest in plants, tools and garden products. $20 for adults; children 10 and under, $7. More info on-line.

10 am- 4 pm [LA]
construction: 'Bird Sanctuary'
Bird Sanctuary (end of Davis Avenue; Next to Jackie Robinson baseball field; Veterans Administration; West LA)
info: 310-430 8466 [Rouben Mohiuddin]; rmohiuddin@la.aiuniv.edu
detail: Note: This is an 'alternative' work day (held only if volunteers express interest), so please be sure to call ahead of time. Join us in the finishing touches of a peaceful bird sanctuary adjacent the botanical gardens of the Veterans Administration (next to the LA National Cemetery and UCLA). Clean, modernist cages will house various nearly-extinct species of parrots, surrounding a 'courtyard of contemplation' that will contain a water feature and fluid concrete benches (see images on-line). You don't need to bring a hat or sun tan lotion, since the site is well sheltered under old eucalyptus trees. wear durable and comfortable clothes - you will get dirty!!! We will need help with exterior landscape (stucco exposed roll benches, fountain, softscape - landscaping), construction (service room, electrical and water systems), cages (cleaning + interior). Thank you for helping create an environment in which birds and garden will provide an environment of tremendous beauty and serenity, and offer significant therapeutic value to the veterans working at and visiting the facility. Directions: 405 Freeway to Wilshire Boulevard; Sepulveda Boulevard north; Constitution Avenue west; Davis Avenue north to parking lot at end of street; walk west on walkway adjacent sports field. If you would like to make a donation to the involved organizations ('Association for Parrot C.A.R.E.' and 'Friends of the Garden'; both 501(C)3 tax-exempt), please contact Serenity Park at 310-553-0048.