Meet Your Tablemates: Amy Ukena
Meet Your Tablemates: Amy Ukena

IN THE COMMUNITY

Meet Amy Ukena! Amy shares her excitement for what TGT will bring to El Sobrante and her love of the success of The Planting Justice El Sobrante Farmer's Market taking place every Sunday from 10AM-2PM. Special thanks to Pastor Melinda for conducting the interview and Jacob Day for editing.

Click HERE to watch the complete interview!

Join us for our next Work + Fun Day!

When: Saturday, September 28th from 12-3 PM

Where: 5166 Sobrante Ave, El Sobrante 94803

Sat. September 28th will be our next Community Work + Fun Days @ 5166 Sobrante Ave, 12- 3p. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing and bring work gloves and favorite gardening tools. And please bring a good quality mask so we can all stay safe from COVID and construction dust.

Help us share the Good word by following us on Facebook and Instagram

Visit the Planting Justice El Sobrante Farmer’s Market Every Sunday to hear great local musicians like Amy! Open every Sunday from 10 AM - 2 PM!

Jacob DayComment
The Good Table At Home: Italian Tomato Pie

by Rev. Melinda McLain

From the Kitchen:

When our gardens are wild with tomatoes, we’re always on the hunt for new recipes. This recipe for an Italian Tomato Pie was inspired by the seasonal menu for "all things tomatoes" that Pastor Melinda used to enjoy at Kerbey Lane, a restaurant in Austin, Texas.

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INGREDIENTS
9” pie crust, store-bought or made with your favorite recipe
4 medium heirloom tomatoes
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp Italian herb mix (oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup chopped Swiss chard
1/2 cup cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyere would all be good)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the over to 450 degrees.

  2. Peel and slice about 4 medium heirloom tomatoes and place in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup tapioca flour (to thicken juice), Italian herbs, salt, and pepper and mix gently.

  3. Press pie crust into pan (use pre-made, or your own recipe). Layer chard first on the bottom (note: this is important to avoid a soggy bottom), then tomato mixture, then some grated cheese, then chard, then tomatoes until pie crust is nearly full.

  4. Top with bread crumbs mixed with fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese. Put in 450 degree oven for 10 minutes, reduce temp to 375 and bake for 45 minutes or until crust is brown and filling is bubbly. Cool and serve. Even better cold the next day! Enjoy!

Looking for some fresh locally sourced ingredients to take this recipe to the next level? Visit the Planting Justice El Sobrante Farmer’s Market open every Sunday from 10 AM - 2 PM!

Repost from September 7, 2021. The recipe is so good we just had to share it again!

The Good Table At HomeMelinda McLainRecipeComment
In The Community: El Sobrante Makes History with It's First-Ever Pride Celebration!
In The Community: El Sobrante Makes History with It's First-Ever Pride Celebration!

In The Community:

El Sobrante, CA – Get ready to make history and celebrate love, unity, and diversity at the very first LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in El Sobrante, California! As a small but vibrant community just 20.5 miles from San Francisco, El Sobrante is stepping into the spotlight on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at La Moine Park affectionately known as “Cheese Park.”

For over five decades, San Francisco has been a beacon of Pride, and now, El Sobrante is proudly joining the ranks of communities across the Bay Area to create a space where everyone can celebrate who they are and who they love. This historic event will be a day to remember, filled with music, laughter, and the joy of community.

What to Expect:

·      A Celebration for All Ages: With food trucks, local vendors, and community booths, there's something for everyone. Kids will love the two playgrounds and a charming petting zoo, while adults can enjoy a lively lineup of entertainment.

·      World-Class Entertainment: Dance the day away to the beats of the world-famous DJ Page Hodel, who will be spinning hits from yesterday and today. Plus, enjoy drag queen bingo, inspiring speeches from local leaders, and surprise musical guests!

·      A Community United: This event is brought to life by a diverse coalition of local business owners, religious leaders, nonprofit organizers, and elected officials, all united in their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Special thanks to Nicole Donn, President of the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce, and event chairs Clayton and Michael Price-Brown, pioneers in local LGBTQ+ history.

“For years, we’ve chanted ‘We are everywhere’ at big city Pride celebrations, and now, we’re bringing that spirit to El Sobrante,” says Rev. Dr. Melinda V. McLain, an openly lesbian pastor at The Good Table United Church of Christ, another proud sponsor of the event. “This is our time to shine, to come together, and to show that love has no boundaries—even in semi-rural places like El Sobrante.”

Don’t miss out on being part of this groundbreaking moment in our community’s history! Sponsorship opportunities and booth sign-ups are available until September 1, 2024. For more information, please contact us at elsobrantepride@gmail.com.

Join us on September 22nd to celebrate love, pride, and the power of community!

Jacob DayComment
Recipe: Savor Summer with a Homegrown Garden Salad!

In the Garden & Kitchen:

If you're fortunate enough to have a garden or frequent your local farmers' market, you’re probably enjoying a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This season offers the perfect opportunity to create a refreshing and wholesome garden salad that highlights the best of what’s in season.

Why This Salad Rocks:

Seasonal Freshness: This recipe showcases the crisp and sweet flavors of summer vegetables and fruits. Using seasonal produce ensures peak flavor and nutritional benefits.

Garden-to-Table: If you’re harvesting from your own garden, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of eating what you’ve grown. If not, local farmers' markets in the East Bay are brimming with these fresh ingredients.

Healthful and Delicious: This salad is a fantastic way to get your daily dose of vegetables and fruits. It’s also customizable—feel free to swap in your favorite summer veggies or add other herbs you enjoy.

Ingredients:

·      1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

·      1 cucumber, diced

·      1 bell pepper (any color), diced

·      1 cup fresh corn kernels (from about 1-2 ears of corn)

·      1 cup snap peas, trimmed and sliced

·      1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

·      1 cup mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, and baby kale)

·      1 avocado, diced

·      1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

·      1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

·      1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

 

For the Dressing:

·      1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

·      2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

·      1 tablespoon honey

·      1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

·      Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1.   Prepare the Vegetables: Start by prepping your vegetables. If you’re using fresh corn, cook the ears in boiling water for about 5 minutes, then cool them under cold running water. Once cooled, cut the kernels off the cob. Slice the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and trim and slice the snap peas. Thinly slice the red onion.

2.   Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, corn, snap peas, and red onion. Gently toss to mix the ingredients.

3.   Add Greens and Herbs: Add the mixed greens, avocado, basil, and mint to the bowl. If you’re using feta cheese, sprinkle it over the top. Give everything a gentle toss to combine.

4.   Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5.   Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.

6.   Serve and Enjoy: Serve your garden salad immediately as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish at dinner. This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, fish, or can be enjoyed on its own.

Embrace the summer season with this simple yet delicious garden salad. It’s a perfect reflection of East Bay’s bountiful harvest and a refreshing addition to any meal. Enjoy the flavors of summer while they’re at their best!

Missing ingredients for this recipe? Visit the Planting Justice El Sobrante Farmer’s Market Open every Sunday from 10 AM - 2 PM!

Jacob DayComment
In The Garden: Growing Dahlias in the East Bay
In The Garden: Growing Dahlias in the East Bay

In The Garden:

Growing Dahlias in the East Bay

With their vibrant hues and intricate petal formations, Dahlias stand as a testament to nature's artistic prowess. These flowers, beloved by gardeners for centuries, grace gardens and bring joy with their dazzling variety of colors and shapes. Dahlias are renowned for their stunning blooms, which come in almost every color imaginable, from deep reds and purples to delicate pinks and whites. Their petals range from tightly packed spheres to spiky, star-like forms, catering to a wide range of aesthetic preferences. Whether you prefer compact pompons or large, dinner plate-sized flowers, there's a Dahlia variety to suit every garden.

Growing Dahlias in Your Home Garden

The East Bay's Mediterranean climate provides an ideal environment for Dahlias, offering warm, dry summers and mild winters. Here’s how you can grow Dahlias successfully:

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Dahlias thrive in full sun, so select a spot in your garden or on your balcony that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Ensure the area has well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

  2. Preparing the Soil: Before planting, enrich the soil with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and provide nutrients. Dahlias prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (around 6.5-7.0).

  3. Planting Dahlias: In the East Bay, Dahlias can be planted from late winter to early spring after the last frost has passed. Dig a hole about 6-8 inches deep and place the tuber (or plant from a pot) with the growing tip facing upwards. Space multiple plants about 1-3 feet apart, depending on the variety's eventual size.

  4. Watering and Care: Water Dahlias deeply but infrequently, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.

  5. Supporting Dahlias: Tall Dahlia varieties may require staking to support their stems and prevent them from toppling over in strong winds or heavy rain. Use bamboo stakes or other supports and tie the stems gently with soft twine.

  6. Overwintering: In the East Bay's mild climate, Dahlias can often survive winter outdoors if provided with a layer of mulch to protect the tubers from frost. Alternatively, lift the tubers after the first frost, allow them to dry for a few days, and store them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season.

Choosing Dahlias for Your Garden

When selecting Dahlia varieties for your East Bay garden, consider factors such as bloom size, color, and plant height. Some popular varieties include:

  • ‘Cafe au Lait’: Known for its large, creamy blooms with hints of blush pink.

  • ‘Bishop of Llandaff’: Features deep red flowers set against dark foliage.

  • ‘Thomas Edison’: Boasts striking purple blooms that are perfect for adding bold color.

Whether you're aiming to create a cutting garden, a focal point in your landscape, or simply want to brighten up your balcony, Dahlias offer a versatile and rewarding choice. Their vibrant colors and diverse forms ensure they'll captivate and enchant throughout the growing season.

Growing Dahlias in the East Bay allows gardeners to harness the region's favorable climate to cultivate these botanical treasures. With careful attention to planting and care, Dahlias can flourish, bringing bursts of color and joy to gardens and balconies alike. Embrace the beauty and diversity of Dahlias in your own outdoor space, and experience the satisfaction of nurturing these stunning flowers from tuber to bloom. Happy gardening!

Jacob Daygarden, flower gardening tips, growing dahliasComment
In The Community: PJ Farmer's Market & The Shed

In The Community:

Starting this Sunday, July 14th, the Planting Justice El Sobrante Farmer's Market will open at 10am and close at 2p. We hope this is more convenient for our neighbors and supporters. We've got some cute new flyers too, to help you spread the word! So whether you want some farm-picked organic fruit and veggies, an amazing lunch out, or to just sit and listen to some great live music, we invite you to become a regular at this weekly market. It's also a perfect place to hang out with neighbors and make new friends!

You can also check out the offerings at The Shed and perhaps sign up for a class. They often have a booth and/or have The Shed open during the Farmer's Market each Sunday.  For those of you who haven't been to the market recently, there are always new vendors to check out plus a variety of music groups playing everything from classical jazz to bluegrass.

Class registration for The Shed is open!  

Classes are project-based and we have more slots available for folks who want to run either a single two-hour session or a longer-term course.  

Visit our site to sign up for classes. https://theshedelsobrante.org/classes

Sundays at The Shed:
Join us at the Kids' Art Table

The Shed has a very popular Kids' Art Table 
(on bowling alley wood!) where kids can draw on a
giant roll of paper while parents shop and
participate in other creative activities.

Jacob DayComment
Be Firewise!
Be Firewise!

In The Community:

 Is the current heatwave bumming you out or making you nervous? Sadly, no one can control when Karl the SF fog will roll through the Golden Gate to cool things down, but we can all become firewise and prepare for wildfires in our area. Check out this essential information and be ready.

The NFPA National Firewise USA® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the fire resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. Any community that meets a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retains an “In Good Standing Status” may identify itself as being a Firewise site.

“Across our district, numerous communities face heightened wildfire danger due to terrain, vegetation and local evacuation route conditions,” said Lewis T. Broschard III, Fire Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “Firewise is a perfect compliment to our many safety initiatives and a powerful tool helping neighbors work together along with our Fire Prevention Bureau to better protect themselves and their communities.”

“Resident involvement is key in protecting our communities from the threat of wildfire and the Firewise program is great for helping neighbors work together to increase their community’s safety,” said Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Chris Bachman, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “We Are pleased that interest in the program is high across the District and hope to see significant improvements in fire hardiness as more communities work to achieve Firewise status.”

Becoming a Firewise recognized neighborhood is a 3 step process. 
1. Organize It  –  2. Plan It  –  3. Do It

To learn more about becoming a Firewise recognized neighborhood, copy and paste this url, into your web browser: https://www.nfpa.org/en/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa/become-a-firewise-usa-site

If you have any questions regarding the Firewise process, please email: public-eduation@cccfpd.org and we will be happy to assist you.

Jacob DayComment