Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

Home Front for March 16:

GREAT TOMATOES ... Nancy Garrison, UC Cooperative Extension past farm advisor and past master gardener program coordinator, will offer "Growing Great Tomatoes" from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, at 687 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Garrison, who has done more than 25 years of tomato research, will talk about the most flavorful varieties, trellising methods, soil preparation, things to avoid and how to protect against frost. Cost is $31. Information: 650-493-6072 or www.commongroundinpaloalto.org

CRAFT SWAP ... and demos will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, at Opal'z, 719 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto. There's no admission charge; simply bring leftover art, craft, office supplies, books, tools to swap with fabrics, cards, stickers, papers, baubles, etc. Demonstrations will include paper beads, lip balm, packaging and T-shirt crafts. Please note that the location is upstairs and not wheelchair accessible and there are perfumes and other aromas present at Opal'z. Information: www.transitionpaloalto.org/projects/craft-swap or email Rani at bacraftswap@gamil.com.

RHODIES FROM CHINA ... Steve Hootman, director of the Rhododendron Species Foundation, will talk about his latest rhododendron species discoveries from southern China at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, for the De Anza Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. The group meets in Room 12 of the Hillview Community Center, 87 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Information: www.rhodygarden.org or www.deanza-ars.com

YEAR ROUND VEGGIES ... Master Gardeners will offer a free workshop on "Veggies Year Round: Creating a Spring Vegetable Garden" from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Tips will be offered on preparing wet soil, direct seeding and transplanting. Information: Master Gardeners at 408-282-3105, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or mastergardeners.org

NEW QUARTER, NEW SKILLS ... Palo Alto Adult School is offering a variety of ways to hone one's home skills, including "Floral Design with Ikebana" (Thanh Kosen Nguyen, 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, March 20-May 29; Greendell P2, $70); "How to Manage Your Kitchen or Bath Remodel" (Mollyanne Sherman, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, March 20-May 1, Palo Alto High School Room 1701, $75 plus a $30 materials fee); "Gardening in Spring" (Sherri Bohan, 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, March 21-June 6, Cubberley A-2, $50); "Garden Design for Homeowners" (Cristine Mortensen, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 20-May 1, Palo Alto High School Room 1707, $84); "Upholstering: Basic Techniques" (Marjorie DuBois, Ann Laveroni, Kathleen Koenig, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays, March 20-May 29 or March 22-May 31, Palo Alto High School Upholstering Room 904, $195 each section); as well as a variety of woodworking classes. Information: 650-329-3752 or www.paadultschool.org