take the kids Archives - until suburbia!

Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden in Woodland

Plant a Community, Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden

March 10, 2023Silvia

After all these extreme weather events it is finally time to plant your garden. If you don’t have a garden of your own you can ask for a community garden plot. The Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden in Woodland is managed by the Health and Human Services department. The 32 plots are tended by residents, but they also offer classes that are open to the public. The garden was established in 2013 with the goal to increase access to fresh produce for the community.

It was great to see the different plots, some still with the winter vegetables, like chard and cabbage. The many benches promise an interaction on warmer days. Next to the garden area is a small orchard with about 10 different trees. Also the solar farm adjacent to it is harvesting hopes.

To apply for a 10 x 10 plot you can contact the Garden Coordinator: David Linebarger at david.linebarger@yolocounty.org. There is no fee for plot rental, just a commitment for giving 12 hours/year of maintenance service to the garden. With this amazing offer it is no surprise that the plots are usually taken. But turnover does happen.

The Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden is located in the back of the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Bauer building in Woodland, 137 N Cottonwood St. If you are interested in classes check their facebook page for upcoming events: https://www.facebook.com/YoloCountyHHSA

Are you a member of a community garden?

Experience Yolo Snow

March 3, 2023Silvia

Last weekend was the Almond Festival in Capay Valley. A 108 year old tradition celebrating the beautiful sight of almond trees in bloom. I heard that the bloom is usually best experienced a week before the festival, around mid February. But maybe because of the unusual weather patterns we had, blossoms held off for a while. They are in full bloom now and it is a spectacular sight!

Going up Rd 16 you will go by small towns that offer various activities, local delicacies, arts and music. We went all the way to Rumsey and enjoyed getting to know the local farmers, were impressed with the art show, and will be back next year for their famous oven fired pizza. We had already decided to stop on our way back in Guinda for BBQ oysters offered by the volunteer fire department. At the Grange Hall, crafts were available and we savored our almond vanilla ice cream.

After we enjoyed the festivities I wanted to stop at an almond orchard and take a few pictures of the Yolo snow and the trees. This turned out to be more involved than we bargained for. Our car got stuck in the mud and it took us a long time to push it out on the road.

The Almond Festival of Capay Valley is always the last weekend in February.

Have you ever experienced Yolo snow?

A small pink tractor is parked next to some antique tractors

Count the Tractors at California AG Museum, Woodland

February 17, 2023Silvia

It is no surprise that Woodland has a museum for agriculture. Surrounded by fields and orchards, agriculture is ever present. But I did not expect to learn about the many different kinds of tractors.

The California AG Museum has over 100 tractors. All shapes and forms, from horse drawn, to steam, to fuel powered. The machines stem from a collection from Fred Heidrick Sr. and his brother Joe. Previously the Heidrick Ag History Center, it expanded in 2015 to the California Agriculture Museum.

The tractor’s history is fascinating. Beginning in the late nineteenth century tractors had metal wheels. It evolved with spikes then large rubber tires, and even tank-like tracks. One tractor built to tow artillery, the Hold “120” HP, was almost to France when World War I ended. Today, this is thought of as the only one of its kind. But with more than 100 antique tractors everyone can find their unique fascinating piece of farm equipment. Maybe it’s the white and red painted caterpillar? Clown-like made up for the county fair it stands out from its yellow family members in the rows ahead.

On our visit there was a huge party going on. The kids all got their own little tractors to zip around the museum. It definitely added to the fun!

Admission to the California AG Museum is $10 for adults, students, seniors and veterans $8, kids 6-12 $5, kids under 6 free. It is located in 1958 Hays Lane, in Woodland, CA. Opening hours are Wednesday – Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.

Do you have a favorite piece of farm equipment?

Enjoy the Avant Garden, Benicia

February 10, 2023Silvia

You might know by now that I love gardens. When I was wandering and discovering Benicia I really enjoyed finding the Avant Garden on First Street in downtown Benicia. What a great name for a community garden!

It turns out, and not surprisingly for Benicia, it also has a cool history. The first community garden in Benicia was established in 1999 on East 2nd Street on a lot owned by the Heritage Presbyterian Church. Named after its founder the late Dr. Ed Swenson, the Swenson Community Garden teaches organic farming practices. In 2003 Swenson founded the Benicia Community Garden (BCG) which is now a county wide organization and known today as Sustainable Solano. Swenson believed that community gardens can produce a “second harvest” of social, economic and ecological benefits. Way beyond gardening, Sustainable Solano hosts free classes on local foods, has a community share plot to share produce for people in need, and teaches sustainable urban agriculture methods.

This Avant Garden is open to the public to enjoy, take classes, and hang out. To apply for one of the 43 plots you have to sign up on the BCG waiting list. A plot is $85 annually and covers maintenance and the water bills.

What is your favorite community garden?

Entrance to the Benicia Historical Museum

Learn Fun Facts About Benicia

January 27, 2023February 9, 2023Silvia

There is always something to learn if you visit a local history museum. Benicia’s Historical Museum held a few more surprises and the city has an amazing list of ‘firsts’.

The first thing that you will notice when entering the beautiful sandstone building is the abundance of camel figurines. In fact the museum is housed in the camel barn. As we learned from the museum’s education director, who led us into the building, this building itself was never used for the camels. Nonetheless, the first and only camel corps, from 1856 to 1866, when the US army ran a camel experiment, were housed nearby. These animals were perfectly suited for the rough climate of the West, but due to political quarrels were auctioned off in Benicia.

And that is just the beginning of fun facts. Benicia’s firsts include the first town to disclose the discovery of gold (1848), first hotel in Solano County (1849), the first public school and the first public hospital in California (1849), the first Masonic hall in CA (1849) and the first girls’ school in California (1852). Notable Benician’s include the first American heavyweight boxing champion, John Heenan (1860) and Jack London, who lived in the town from 1892 to 1895.

The museum exhibits also acknowledge the Patwin, Solano county indigenous people’s history, the shipyards, and the military arsenal which was used to supply several US wars, e.g. the Civil War. A new Gold Rush exhibit is the latest addition to the educational experience.

The Benicia Historical Museum is located at 2060 Camel Rd, in Benicia. Opening hours for a self-guided tour are Wednesday to Fridays 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday to Sundays 1 to 4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 children, and free for active military.

Events at the museum

On March 24th, 2023 you can join the museum for the first annual trivia night. A $30 per person fun 1920s theme party. Or enjoy a band and bar at First Fridays At The Museum, every first Friday of the month, admission varies.

What is your favorite Benician fun fact?

Admire Butterfly Art at the Bohart Museum, Davis

January 6, 2023Silvia

I have to admit I’m not a big fan of insects; only butterflies make me smile. The Bohart Museum of Entomology on the UC Davis campus must have known the appeal of butterflies because it uses the California dogface butterfly as its logo. This museum holds the 7th largest collection of insects in North America and the 3rd largest university collection. If you are a fan of creepy critters I saw them advertise an insect zoo. I profess I did not pursue it.

On my visit I was most enchanted with the butterfly artwork. In the Spiral Galaxy of Butterflies Francisco Basso and Brittany L. Kohler arranged tropical butterflies in a swirl and floral patterns. These butterflies are from a donation that did not include collection data and therefore can’t be used for research purposes. As a fun scavenger fact, they also added a fly. Can you find it?

While the first artwork by Basso and Kohler has multiple species, the second, Birdwing Butterfly, is composed of 112 birdwing butterflies into a nymphalid. These were also donated without collection data.

For your instagramable moment you can pose as a butterfly between two adjacent pillars with painted wings or ride on a sculpture of a Tardigrade at the entrance to the museum.

The Bohart Museum of Entomology is located at 455 Crocker Lane in Davis. Opening hours are Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am – noon and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Admission is free. Or you can tour them virtually here.

Are you an insect fan?

Visit the Secret Redwood Grove, Jack Hume Grove, Vacaville

December 30, 2022Silvia

If you are looking for inspiration for a short hike near Vacaville to start the New Year, I can recommend the Jack Hume Grove as a very attractive destination. A part of Lagoon Valley Park, the Jack Hume Grove, is surprisingly quiet and calm. We walked by some disc golfers to reach the grove. The road that goes by it is being newly paved.

The grove is a tribute to Jack Hume, a conservative philanthropist and co-founder of Basic American Foods. He was best known as the world’s largest producer of dried onion and garlic.

The grove itself is not large but conveys the calmness one feels among redwoods. A few nicely constructed walkways give you a bit of an elevation change. The augmented waterwise plants on the rim of the grove and the dried up stream are interesting additions.

Overall this is more of a picnic destination than a workout place. Unless you decide to venture out of the grove and enjoy the mountainous paths or spend some time along the lagoon.

Lagoon Valley Park is located at 1 Peña Adobe Rd, Vacaville, near the I-80 exit of Peña Adobe Rd. Parking is $5 per day with options for a 6 month or year pass. You can use the Park Mobile app or use one of two pay stations, which accept exact cash or credit card payment.

There is currently construction on the way to improve the park. Please check the city’s website for updates.

If you are interested in seeing larger redwoods I highly recommend the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton.

Where will you hike on your First Day Hikes?

Purchase Plants at Cactus Jungle, Berkeley

December 9, 2022Silvia

If you are planning to go see the Berkeley Potters Guild please consider stopping by Cactus Jungle afterwards. They have a great selection of not only cactus, but succulents, carnivorous plants, airplants, and perennials. Plus interesting pots and other plant related gift items, like living ornaments.

It was fun to discover Micah, the red foot tortoise. She is not for sale, but feels right at home. If you have little kids they might enjoy learning about Micah. I was told the Marin Cactus Jungle has baby tortoises!

Cactus Jungle in Berkeley is located one block from the Berkeley Potters Guild at 1509 4th Street. They are open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. From December 25th to Jan 2nd they are on their Winter Break.

Have you gathered all your gifts yet?

For another experience while plant shopping I suggest going to Shelldance Orchid Gardens in Pacifica.

*I’m not affiliated with Cactus Jungle (or anyone else).

Entrance to the UC Bicycle Hall of Fame, Davis

Commemorate Bike Riders, U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, Davis

November 19, 2022November 19, 2022Silvia

Since Davis is the bike capital of the US it makes sense that they host the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

The non profit charges $5 admission. If you believe that this is just for bike enthusiasts that religiously follow all the main races you might be as surprised as I was to find out it is not.

On the lower level is an exhibit on the history of bikes. I loved the inventiveness of the bike; from the tall wheels with little wheels in the back to the modern race bike, people tried all sorts of ways to upgrade their wheels. The photographs of child messengers by Lewis Hines became the face of the child labor reform movement.

The upper level hosts the Hall of Fame. You won’t find America’s most known cyclist, Lance Armstrong. Due to his admittance of drug use he won’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The cyclists they are highlighting have fascinating stories, like Mayor Taylor, the world’s first black superstar, or five-time national champion Nancy Burghart.

The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame is only open Wednesdays from 4 pm – 6 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm. It is right next to the Farmers Market, so a perfect combination on a Saturday while exploring Davis.

Do you have a favorite cyclist?

The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame is located on 303 3rd St in downtown Davis. Hours are Wednesday from 4 pm – 6 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm. General admission is $5, seniors and students pay $3.

Inside the Manetti Shrem Museum at UC Davis

Traverse the Manetti Shrem Museum, Davis

November 11, 2022Silvia

Even before you enter the Manetti Shrem Museum on the UC Davis campus the building itself gives out an artistic vibe. The metal roof hanging over the entrance with its lined patches is an homage to the surrounding agriculture fields. This stunning building is one of the top 25 Best Museum Buildings of the Past 100 Years by ARTnews.

Currently there are three exhibits at the Manetti Shrem Museum. Young, Gifted, and Black will be on view until December 19th, 2022. The other two, Roy De Forest: Habitats for Travelers and Loie Hollowell: Tick Tock Belly Clock, are open until May, 2023.

The free art experience comes with few instructions that are quite standard museum goer rules: Stay an arms distance away from the art and don’t touch anything. If you have questions you can ask anyone wearing a colorful lab coat.

I have to admit some of Loie Hollowell’s pieces made it tempting to break the do-not-touch-role. Big 3-D shaped bellies made me remember the feel of a pregnant belly and the connection with the life growing within you.

My favorite piece,Wimer Wilson’s Pres, was from Young, Gifted, and Black. An enlarged flyer stapled on a piece of plywood with over 10.000 staples, truly spectacular, as the shimmer of the metal draws new life into the persons hidden underneath.

Parking

A word of advice, I should have looked up the Manetti Shrem Museum before taking off. I ended up paying $15 for a day pass on the UC Davis campus. When I got out of the car I saw the sign for hourly parking for museum visitors, too late, I had already paid using the ParkMobile app.

You can purchase hourly parking for C Zone lots from the gray permit dispensers located at the entrances of the museum’s Visitor Parking Lot 1 and at the Gateway Garage parking structure. Rates are: $1.75 for 1 hour, $2.75 for the second hour, $3.75 for the third hour.

Have you been able to admire the Manetti Shrem Museum?