Time To Garden! Part 1

Nothing says springtime like getting outside and tending a garden. Now is the perfect time to begin planning what you would like to plant this year, and where you want to grow it. Children love to garden too, so perhaps this is the year they can help out. I don't think a garden needs to be big to be rewarding. A large pot brimming with plants feels like a great accomplishment.

If you would like to start some vegetables, first think about what you and your family would enjoy eating. Do you like juicy tomatoes, colorful carrots, or flavorful herbs? Would you like some flowers to brighten up a dark corner, or bring indoors for a bouquet? Children love to pick carrots straight from the garden, or marvel at how large a sunflower can grow.

We are so lucky here in Petaluma to have such an amazing growing season. We also have some of the best gardeners around! Check out the Seed Bank for great seeds, and visit Cottage Gardens for some great plants, or advice on what to grow. If you don't have a balcony, patio, or dirt of your own, try gardening at one of our community gardens, like the one at McNear Park.

Sunset Magazine has a great online resource for starting a vegetable garden.

There really is no end to gardening advice, and it can range from the practical to the superstitious. Try not to let all the tips and tricks get in the way of getting started. The best advice will be what you learn through trial and sometimes error.  

Emergency Preparedness Kit

In the obviously devastating aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, I questioned my family’s preparedness should a disaster occur in Petaluma.  I thought I’d give a couple links to sites which help outline what you should have in an emergency kit.  I went to Target, Trader Joes and Grocery Outlet to get almost all my supplies.  For the same price or a bit more as buying a premade kit, you can get so many more of the items you need…

I also wanted to direct you to a fantastic local disaster preparedness network- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  There are free trainings frequently scheduled through the local CERT and the Fire Department to train ordinary citizens in how to be of assistance in a major disaster when all typical rescue services are overwhelmed or cannot get to you.  I took this class last March and gained so much out of it in terms of how to prepare my own house and family and furthermore how to be of assistance in my community.

There is another round of classes being offered in March – for FREE – and I highly recommend attending.  The person to contact is Bill Hammerman at 762-6593, email whammer@petalumanet.org

One of the better overall preparedness manuals with checklists of what to put in your kit, how to prepare your home, creating an emergency plan, etc. is at http://www.cert-la.com/EmergPrepBooklet.pdf.

This is the one I have printed out in my kit and used to get my house organize.

How to Build Your Own Emergency Kit (not exhaustive by any means!)

SFGate checklist- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/earthquakes/archive/ready.dtl

LA CERTS- http://www.cert-la.com/EmergPrepBooklet.pdf

Pre-made emergency kits (I’ve never used any of these so if other’s have better/other suggestions, please send them)

www.Beprepared.com

www.costco.com

www.redcross.org

Happy preparing!

Guest post by Tauni Swenson.  Tauni is a board member of the Petaluma Mothers’ Club.  She is also helping to coordinate this years’ KidFest, an exhibition of local resources sponsored by the PMC and hosted by Sonoma Family Life magazine.

February President's Note

I have always wanted to volunteer in the community that I lived in.  It’s something that I feel helps keep me connected and a part of my community.  I also really enjoy helping others and giving back.

When I lived in another county and before I had kids, I volunteered to coach a girls’ soccer team.  I was coaching girls ages 6 and 61/2.  The hardest part about coaching besides trying to get little ones to play soccer instead of picking grass and doing cartwheels was dealing with the scrutiny of parents who couldn’t believe I was volunteering when I didn’t have a kid on the team.

I’ve since had many other opportunities to volunteer and I must say that volunteering for the PMC has been my favorite.  It’s nice having a common bond with other mothers as well as having made friends to help me along in my parenting journey.  I love our events, mom’s nights out, socials, and getting this wonderful newsletter.  I’ve been involved in the PMC since before my 3 year old was born.  At that time I had no clue about becoming a mother (I’m still pretty clueless).  I received so much support from other women when I had to return to work after having a baby, I joined a great playgroup, got lots of tips on baby gear, gave away and received children’s items, etc.  Later I became an Event Coordinator and had a blast coordinating events with a great team of women, last year I served as VP, and this year as President.  I’m really enjoying myself so far, and I’m learning a lot in the process.  What is amazing to me is the dedication of so many members of our organization.  There are women I’ve met who are doing so much to volunteer not just with the PMC but other local organizations as well.  How inspiring!  How do they do it?

Although we have launched into 2010 and have a few months left in this term, we are always looking for mothers (and dads) who would like to get more involved with our club.  If you feel like you can do a little more this year, whether that be make a meal for a family who has just had a baby, or come to a board meeting to show support and say “hello,” I will be the first to welcome you and invite you to do so.  If you are interested in supporting other organizations locally, there are many that can use your support this year.  If I can be of any assistance connecting you, please let me know.  If you are doing your best with all you have on your plate right now, just keep on going, you’re doing great moms (& dads).

Happy Valentine’s Day & Happy Volunteering!

Have Fun spreading the love!

Veronica Blaustein

PMC President