Newsletter April 2007

APRIL MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2007

WHERE: Casa del Herrero

**NOTE** Due to BINDING LIMITS set by CONDITIONAL USE RESTRICTIONS...ONLY 22 CRFG Chapter (2007 paid-up) members are permitted to attend the Saturday, April 21 tour of Casa del Herrero in Montecito.

Below is a list of paid-up Chapter members that made reservations. They are the ONLY people who be allowed to attend the April event.

1. Mike Bartsch 2. Sheila Bartsch 3. Norman Beard 4. Bob Fisher 5. Betty Gaw 6. Sin Hock Gaw 7. Elaine Grinnell 8. Elaine Jacobson 9. Larry Jacobson 10. Allen King 11. Cynthia King

12. Danny Laub 13. Jon Lipsitz 14. Erin Marshall 15. Shannon Marshall 16. Sheila Marshall 17. Barry Rossington 18. Jerry Sortomme 19. Bernie Storch 20. Miyako Storch 21. Katherine Warner 22. (still available)

Approved attendees above MUST email Jerry Sortomme <jerrysortomme@hotmail.com>, or call 805/644-2777 for time, address, directions and parking information. Contact Jerry if you want to be on a waiting list, should an opening occur.

Anyone who needs to bow out of this April 27 event contact Jerry so the slot can be filled by a paid member on a waiting list.

NOTE** two individuals signed-up for the April meeting at the February meeting in Ojai (Pete Dibble and Laura Creasey) who are not currently on the 2007 membership roster, nor on the old 2006 roster. .Since they could not be contacted, they needed to be dropped from the Casa del Herrero attendance list. If any one knows how to contact either of these people, let Jerry know.

******MEMBERSHIP

The 2007 membership list, as of March 27, is printed below. If your name does not appear on the list, according to our records you have not paid your dues. Anyone whose name is NOT on the list will be DROPPED from the membership at the end of this month. If you have paid and your name does not appear on this list, contact the Roland (969-4167). If your name is not spelled correctly, contact Laura 687-4553 laurainsb@gmail.com.

You may renew your local membership by sending $10 to the treasurer - Roland Messori, Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Annual dues for our parent organization is $30. The form for renewing can be found on-line at cfrg.org or on the last page of the CRFG bimonthly FRUIT GARDENER magazine. Membership to both state & local in 2007 is necessary for organization insurance coverage reasons.

******LOOKING AHEAD

Our May 19 meeting to the Faulkner Farm in Santa Paula is open to all members, their family members, guests and interested individuals. Cooperative Extension Agent Ben Faber will be our host. We will be touring the preserved urban farm and viewing the NEW deciduous fruit orchard and other established plantings and exhibits --.a perfect family event.

******NOTES ON THE ARROYO HONDO PRESERVE MEETING by Sheila Bartsch

We started our meeting in front of the old adobe, nestled in the citrus orchard at the beginning of the canyon. Jerry’s wife made delicious cookies shared by all. We met our docent, Al Thompson and the Preserve’s manager, John Warner. They both were very informative and knowledgeable about the preserve’s history, plant and animal life. Jerry added much information along the way. The mission of the preserve is to protect and improve the area. There is much evidence of both as we looked in amazement at the 100 year old lemon tree in the orchard.

We hiked up the canyon to Look Out Point and along the way we passed a pear tree planted in 1820. Both the lemon and the 1820 Padre pear tree were probably originally from Spain. Their provenance is sketchy but thought to arrive in Santa Barbara through the smuggling trade. Arroyo Hondo’s flowery history includes a stage coach stopping between Santa Barbara and Lompoc. Many items were smuggled on the stage coach and traded here to avoid taxes by the Spanish.

We meandered across the river several times, enjoying Native California plants along the way. The chaparral and riparian landscapes collide providing many micro-niche climates where a variety of plants thrive. A few of the plants we encountered were hummingbird sage, milk thistle, elderberry, bush flower and nightshade. The Chumash Indians used many of these plants for medicinal cures. The blooming Ceanothus in shades of blue and white were spectacular. We were in awe when we caught site of the 100 year old Mission (Listan Prieto) grapevine with a 5 inch diameter climbing high to the top of the tree canopy. Although there weren’t any grapes to harvest, the vine was still eking out an existence. Debra Hall, viticulturist and owner of Gypsy Canyon Winery in Lompoc was part of our group. She restored three acres of 100 year old ‘Mission’ grapevines from which she makes an authentic dessert wine which she calls Angelica.

Near the end of our loop hike we saw a beautiful yellow swallowtail butterfly perched on a blooming Clematis. It was a terrific day and a real treasure to have the opportunity to spend the day in the Arroyo Hondo Preserve.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,523.29.

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send Address Changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above).

))))))))))))((((((((((((

CRFG V/SB Chapter Membership

As of March 27, 2007

Anderson, Jack
Barker, Molly
Bartsch, Michael & Sheila
Beard, Norman
Berman, Robert
Chrostowski, Marshall
Clark, Jane
Clayton, Marilyn
Cleveland, David
Cline, Richard
Elandt, Kenneth,
Fisher, Bob
Gaw, Betty
Green Francis.
Gregory, Nickey
Grinnell, Elaine
Guerrero, Raul,
Homze, Sharon
Keim, Judith,
King, Allen
Kirk, Doug
Kocher, Carl & Marilyn
Laub, Danny
Lipsitz, Jon
Marshall, Elaine
Matthews, WalteMeierhoefer, Heide
Meister, Jules
Messori, Roland
Michel, Kristy
Nanna, Laura
Nishimura/Warren
Noell, Vernon’
O’Gara, Mike Parks, Jean
Pinkerton, Arlene
Robbins, Gabrielle
Rodrigue, Jacob
Rossington, Bary
Russel, Edgar
Schroeder, Alan, R
Schumacher, Gerhardt
Sortomme, Jerry
Stevens, Michael,
Storch, Bernard
Valdivia, Edgar
Van Dyke, Bruce
Vieth, Bob
Walcher, Mary
Warner, KE

Arroyo Hondo Preserve

Old adobe



















'Mission' grapevine, over 100 years old, reaches for the canopy.

Newsletter; March 2007

MARCH MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2007, 10-Noon

WHERE: Arroyo Hondo Preserve (Land Trust for Santa Barbara County)

WHAT: The Arroyo Hondo Preserve, is a 782-acre coastal canyon preserve located up the coast from Santa Barbara. It is called the "Jewel of the Gaviota Coast" and “Little Yosemite”. This old ranch was a colorful part of early California history and now has both, preserved agricultural and natural sites and environs to enjoy. Nestled into the headquarters facility are groves of edible orchard trees, grapevines and a garden-like setting. The famous 'Padre' pear tree (circa 1800, planted in Spanish mission times) still grows and produces fruit to this day. "Mission" grapevines and olives grow further back in the canyon.

Al Thompson will be leading our group. He was the horticulture historian at Mission La Purisima (Lompoc) until just recently, and is now a docent/guide at the Preserve. Our Chapter will tour the horticulture grounds but our members are invited to enjoy the whole Preserve after the meeting, until 4:00. You can stay for your own picnic lunch and hike on your own after the meeting. The preserve closes at 4:00 pm. Bring water, sunscreen, and wear sturdy walking shoes.

John Warner is the Preserve Manager and can be contacted at 805/567-1115.

DIRECTIONS: Arroyo Hondo Preserve, On HWY 101 between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Beach. (14900 Calle Real Gaviota, California 93117 567-1115 <arroyohondo@sblandtrust.org>)

From Santa Barbara: Take Hwy. 101 north (23 miles past La Cumbre Rd. Overpass)...Approximately 4.5 miles past Refugio State Beach on Hwy. 101, be on the look-out for a beige concrete bunker-style building on the right (Tajiguas Landfill). The preserve is exactly 1/2 mile farther. Immediately after CalTrans Call Box #101-412, make a sharp RIGHT turn from the highway into the Preserve. The gate will be open. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge and park by the BARN.

From Buellton: Take Hwy. 101 south, approximately 6 miles past Gaviota State Park and 1/4 mile after the Vista Point Rest Area. Make a U-turn at the Tajiguas Landfill into the northbound lanes of Hwy. 101, and proceed north. Immediately after CalTrans Call Box #101-412, make a sharp RIGHT turn from the highway into the Preserve. The gate will be open. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge and park by the BARN.

******MANY THANKS

...to Gordon Kennedy for hosting the February 17 meeting at Riverbear Mulberry Farm, Miners Oaks in Ojai. The morning meeting was an interesting tour of the many White and Black Mulberry grove trees and a wide variety of other edible trees and perennial crops. The taste testing of winter citrus selections and carob pods was an unexpected treat.

******CALENDAR

April 21 Casa del Herrero. Our April meeting is a "SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE" situation. Our Chapter has been invited to visit the historic, turn-of-the-cenrury estate landscape and edible gardens of Casa del Herrero, Montecito. ***DUE TO A CONDITIONAL USE RESTRICTION*** there is an absolute limit of 22 people and only 15 cars. At this posting... 19 of 22 slots are already reserved. Members who attend must be in "good standing" and have their 2007 $10 Chapter dues paid-up. (See Membership below) To reserve a remaining slot (first-come basis) needs to call Chapter co-president, Jerry Sortomme 805/644-2777. Once the 22 limit is reached, that is the maximum allowed.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,392.69

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send Address Changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above).