Some Community Outreach Projects of 2009-2010

Power of Art
Succulent Corner

October 17-19, 2009 was our first time at the Power of Art, sponsored by the Redondo Beach Art Group and while we didn’t know exactly what we were getting into, the “stretch” and the new experiences were great.

Our imaginative and well-executed “Flowers imitate art” vignettes were new to the art festival. And many people said our little “green” corner was their favorite and most creative of the event!

Thanks to our RGC “artistes” for their back-breaking work and creativity: Pati, Mary, Toni, Judy, George, Irma, Lola, Geneva, Anne, Claudeene, Bobbie, Cavin, Ruth, Alberta (Gary), Wendy (Chris), Shelley (Mike), and Karen (Keith). Special thanks to Cathie Goldberg!

We are working on our design for the August 13-15, 2010 show at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

El Retiro Library
Succulent Baskets

About 20 people attended and enjoyed this RGC community outreach – creating a myriad of beautiful, colorful baskets. This is a return engagement for our enthusiastic Chair, Pati Johnson, who is already planning another project!

El Retiro's checkout desk is the home of our weekly flower arrangemts.

Our new low water landscaping for El Retiro has been in for about a year now

Designs for Dining
Songbirds of the World

Songbirds of the World was our table theme at the March Designs for Dining at St. Francis Episcopal Church. Although there were so many beautifully decorated tables, many said they enjoyed our table the best!

We used Adele Rockwood’s Wedgewood Songbird plates as the impetus for our table design.

We also used special Herend miniature -porcelain and bamboo gold flatware shared by Cavin Shorter.

Beautiful and unusual woven flower arrangements were done by flower arranger extraordinaire Toni Sargent.

Thanks to all the RGC help: including Marybeth Muir, Toni Sargent, Gay Hargrave, Barbara Ott, Alberta Brice, Mary Varieur, Wendy Tsuji, Phyllis Valentin, Geneva Martin, Pam Barrett, June Stevens & Ginny Schneider.

Reopening of Walteria Library
New landscaping
Work Party

Walteria Library landscaping was refurbished courtesy of RGC and a donation from Torrance Friends of the Library.

Reopening on Mar. 4 included a gorgeous flower arrangement by Lynne Stern.

Pictured from left: Geneva Martin, Phil (the Walteria Librarian), Sherwin Rubin, Toni Sargent, Keith Lent and Wendy Tsuji.

Helpers not pictured: Marilyn Rubin, Gloria Balcom, Pati Johnson and Karen Lent. Thanks to Pati J for her generous donation to this project.

Annual Plant Sale
Benefiting College Scholarship

Our annual plant sale in April raised over $1000. Enough to provide a $1000 Riviera Garden Club college scholarship to a Torrance South High School or Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC) graduate majoring in horticulture or environmental studies.

Special Landscape of the Month
“Guerilla Gardener” unmasked

Like the Lamp Post that was a major landmark in the country of Narnia (from the book by C.S. Lewis), the Hollywood Riviera Lamp Post stands alone. It welcomes visitors at the five-way intersection of Via Monte d’Oro, Camino de las Colinas and Camino del Campo (just off of PV Blvd. and Catalina Ave.).
For many years, it was tended by Morgan Moore. But, with no water source the lamp Post shared its small space with a few scrawny hawthorn bushes and an occasional garage sale sign.
Today, it is a showplace of bougainvillea and white flowers, mostly potted chrysanthemums. Cymbidium orchids in Spanish Moss grace the pole.
The small space was uniquely orchestrated by a nearby neighbor who previously held the title of “Guerilla Gardener.” The Riviera Homeowners Assn. and the Riviera Garden Club are proud to unmask the previously unknown gardener. His name is Cavin Shorter. Cavin is a local resident who grew up and went to school in our area. He is a property manager and is VERY community oriented. Hurray! Thank you, Cavin, for adding a touch of whimsy and beauty – and making it fun to drive by.