January 2026

Bay Breeze

In This Issue

From the President

Jackie Marsey, Paradise Garden and Landscape, Inc.

As we welcome a new year, I am honored to serve as President of the CLCA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. Stepping into this role is a little intimidating, maybe even a lot intimidating. Following Beth is no easy task. She was an exceptional leader who guided this chapter with passion, dedication, and grace, and I hope to continue the strong foundation she built.

My connection to CLCA began in 2013 as a Foothill College student representative. At the time, I never imagined the impact this organization would have on my career. Over the years, CLCA has provided education, mentorship, friendships, and opportunities that helped shape who I am today. Giving back to an organization that has given me so much makes this role especially meaningful.

Reflecting on 2025, I am incredibly proud of what our chapter accomplished. Thanks to the dedication of our board, committees, sponsors, and members, we hosted engaging meet and greet events, brought back the Achievement Awards, and even squeezed in an educational dinner. Our success continues to be driven by the people who show up, roll up their sleeves, and support one another.

Looking ahead to 2026, there is much to be excited about. On January 22nd, we will gather at Big Al’s in Milpitas for our Kick Off and Installation Meeting. This is a great opportunity to meet the 2026 Board, reconnect with fellow members, and launch the year together. I hope you will join us.

Giving back remains a core priority, and we are looking forward to our community project at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. This is a chance to do some good, work together, and maybe enjoy a little zoo time along the way. Please contact me for details and ways to get involved.

We also have an exciting lineup of events planned, including Tailgate Talks, Contractor Speed Dating, the Achievement Awards, a San Jose Giants game, golf of course, and brewery meet and greet events. Whether you are looking to learn something new, make connections, or simply enjoy time with great people, there is something for everyone.

If you have ever considered getting more involved, this is the year. We need volunteers, committee members, sponsors, and engaged members to help bring these events to life. Many hands make light work and even more fun.

Thank you for being part of this incredible organization and for trusting me with this role. I am grateful for the journey that began in 2013 and excited for what we will accomplish together in 2026.

I want to hear from you. Your ideas are important and always welcome. I can be reached at jackie@paradiselg.com or 408-691-9358.

Here is to a healthy, joyous, and prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you at an event soon.

Auxiliary Report

Happy New Year! I hope you rang in the New Year with joy and fun times with family and friends. Time to make resolutions and goals for the coming year, looking forward to a year filled with new friends and lots of adventures.

The Christmas Party on Sunday, December 14 at Mezza Luna Restaurant in Half Moon Bay was fun and festive. Thank you to Vicky Parrott for organizing the event, and Charlene Ott and Alice Domine for the table decorations. We had 42 people in attendance, a nice turn out for the middle of the holiday season. Thank you everyone who purchased additional raffle tickets. The Auxiliary raised $390 for LEAF scholarships (Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation), benefitting students in horticulture programs throughout California and the future of the green industry. The Amarylis centerpieces were raffled off to eight lucky winners. Our big winners of the afternoon were Ernst and Brigitte Lehmann, Ernst winning the raffle basket by Vicky Parrott and Brigitte winning the $200 gift certificate to La Foret, a French restaurant in San Jose. Congratulations to all of the winners. Thank you again everyone for attending our last chapter event of 2025.

The Auxiliary will be holding our first meeting of the year on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, time and place still to be determined. A Paperless Post invitation will go out as we start the new year. Hope to see new faces at our meeting, as we start planning for 2026, but most importantly have fun and enjoy each other’s company. Thank you to the Auxiliary executive board (Girvin Peters, Rick Camin and Vicky Parrott) for continuing on in 2026. Congratulations and welcome to Jackie Marsey as 2026 Chapter President.

It takes a lot of people to keep the Chapter running smoothly. The Auxiliary plays a vital role in the functioning of the Chapter. Our goals are simple: promoting education and friendship and supporting CLCA at both the state and local level. I hope you will think about joining us this year and help us make the chapter events the best ever. We welcome any and all who want to become a member. We would love to have your creative ideas and energy in the group. I encourage everyone to find out more about the Auxiliary and how you can participate in 2026. Don’t hesitate to contact me in whichever form you are comfortable with. Have a fabulous January.

Lesley Peters
Garden Designer
650-444-4580
gpland@sbcglobal.net

Upcoming Events

SFBA Chapter New Year Kick Off / Installation Dinner Meeting

Thursday, January 22nd

4:30pm – Installation of 2026 Board Members
5:00pm-8:30 – Buffet Dinner, Bowling, Networking & Fun

Big Ale’s
Milpitas

Meet the 2026 Chapter Board of Directors and kick off the New Year with networking, bowling and a buffet dinner with your CLCA SFBA friends!

Prizes:
Best overall Individual Score
Best overall Team Score
Most Spares
Most Strikes

Cost (includes 3 hours of bowling, shoes and buffet dinner):
$50 per/player by December 17th
$60 per/player – after December 17th
Life Members & Students- 1/2 the cost above
Teams of 4 or 5 in the same registration $50 per/player

Partners for Success ticket included for Diamond, Platinum & Gold levels of sponsorship.

REGISTER HERE

CLCA SFBA Chapter Project Announcement

Backyard Habitat at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

Get ready to dig in and make a difference! CLCA SFBA is excited to announce our upcoming chapter project, Backyard Habitat at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. This special project will take place over two volunteer days—one in February and one in March (dates coming soon!).

Located in San Jose; Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a unique blend of zoo, park, and play space dedicated to conservation, education, and inspiring visitors of all ages to connect with nature. Our chapter will be supporting habitat-focused improvements that enhance these spaces for both wildlife and the community.

This hands-on volunteer experience is a great opportunity to give back while spending time with fellow CLCA members who share a passion for landscapes that matter. From planting to problem-solving, you’ll help bring vibrant outdoor spaces to life in a meaningful and lasting way.

How You Can Help

We’re building our volunteer team now and would love to have you join us! Opportunities include:

Irrigation installation
Plant installation
Event-day coordination and team support

Whether you’re in the field getting your hands dirty or helping keep the day running smoothly, there’s a role for everyone.

Ready to Volunteer?

If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to:

Jackie Marsey
jackie@paradiselg.com
408-691-9358

Thank you for continuing to show up for our chapter and for creating the landscapes and habitats that enrich our communities. We can’t wait to see you at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo for a project that’s sure to be impactful, rewarding, and a whole lot of fun!

Partner Spotlight

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