In This Issue
Auxiliary Report
Boo! Happy Halloween! Time to be scary, get scared or play tricks on someone. Hopefully no one will be playing tricks on you! Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas are right around the corner…although decorations have been in the stores for two months.
The Chapter Picnic on September 8 at Cuesta Park in Mountain View was a terrific event. We had 58 people in attendance, a new post COVID pandemic record. Thank you to our picnic committee (Chair Rick and Marina Camin, Alice Domine, Vicky Parrott, Cindy Singletary, Girvin and Lesley Peters, and Charlene Ott) for putting together this fun and festive day. Huge thank you to Marina Camin for doing the cooking. Excellent food as always. A full report of all of the winners (dessert, chili and horseshoes) is elsewhere in this newsletter but I will say our judges had their work cut out for them (chili and dessert) and the horseshoe tournament had some familiar names, especially in the winner’s circle, but a new winning team received the trophy!
Our last Auxiliary meeting of the year is Wednesday, October 30 at 6 p.m. at Pompeii Ristorante in downtown Los Altos. This meeting is hosted by Chapter Co-Presidents, Barry and Mary Cohen, which means that the chapter pays for our dinner! All are welcome to attend. A Paperless Post invitation has already gone out. If you would like to join us, please email me at the address below and I will send you the invitation along with a membership application. I look forward to seeing everyone there.
There are still a lot of activities through the end of the year. October’s meeting is on artificial intelligence with the guys from Bobyard (Michael Ding, Ethan Nordin and Matthew Waliman). November is installation of officers, the state convention in Newport Beach and Thanksgiving. December is the Christmas Holiday Party, Hanukkah and Christmas. The year will close with a bang, I’m sure. I probably say that every year.
Have a great October. Enjoy the cooling weather, changing colors and Halloween candy! Hope to see you soon.
Lesley Peters
Garden Designer
650-444-4580
gpland@sbcglobal.net
Annual Chapter Picnic
Annual Chapter Picnic – A Day Of Family Fun!
I always look forward to our annual Chapter Picnic as it is by far one of my favorite CLCA events. It is a great day to catch up with fellow members and share stories of what everyone did over the summer and meet new members. I went to “Burning Man” for the first time, so I had a story or two to share. We had 60 attendees this year held on a gorgeous sunny day to enjoy the traditional BBQ, Chilli and Cookie Contest, Scavenger Hunt and hotly contested Horseshoe Competition for the rights to engrave your team’s name on the perpetual horseshoe trophy.
Unfortunately, the two-time defending champions Ed and Jonathan Ott didn’t attend, so it left the competition wide open for new champions. The huge favorite was Brian and Kurt Domine, who won the title four times in a row before Ed and Jonathan dethroned them. Brian and Kurt crushed the competition heading into the finals, but they were met by Joe and Alex Domine for the trophy and family bragging rights. Amazingly, Joe and Alex cruised through the finals to make no doubt who were the deserving champions. This was Joe’s second championship as he won one year with Camille, his father, and this year with his son Alex. Congratulations to Joe and Alex, our 2024 Horseshoe Champions!
Below are the judges and big winners of the annual chili and cookie contest.
Chili judges: Laura Villalpando, Greenwaste, Nick Sanchez, Davey Tree and Matthew Waliman, Bobyard
Chili entries: Jackie Marsey, Dominic Bryan, Alice Domine, Michelle Ott and Cindy Singletary
Winner: Jackie Marsey
Second place: Cindy Singletary
Cookie judges: Julie Orr, Scooter Wren and Rick Camin
Entries: Alice Domine, Ethan Nordin, Bobyard, Zoe Domine with help from Mom Sarah, Beth Valdez and Tobin and Briar Bayless with help from Mom Sabrina
First place: Ethan Nordin, Bobyard, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Second place: Tobin and Briar Bayless, Everything But The Kitchen Sink cookies
The Chapter Picnic is a big production, but a great committee team pulls together every year to make it happen. I am so grateful to the following people for their huge help this year.
Vicky Parrott – prizes. Charlene Ott – name tags, salad, beer and wine donation. Alice Domine – Scavenger Hunt and games. BBQ chef – Marina Camin, Kitchen help – Al and Beth Valdez – Set up – Girvin Peters.
Last but never least, Lesley Peters, our Chapter Auxiliary President who always keeps me in line with her amazing organization skills and leadership.
Looking forward to seeing everyone next year!
Rick Camin
2024 Chapter Picnic Chairperson
Ethan Nordin, Girvin Peters, Michael Ding
Marina Camin
Ethan Nordin, Girvin Peters, Michael Ding
Zoe Clara & Veda Domine Veda, Tobin and Briar Bayless
Ernst Lehmann, Camille Domine
Jackie Marsey, Vicky Parrott, Lesley Peters
Julie Orr, Mathew Waliman, Michael Ding, Ethan Nordin, Beth Valdez
Ethan Nardin, Vicky Parrott
Lesley Peters, Tobin Bayless, Briar Bayless and Veda Domine
Joseph Domine, Alex Domine, Rick Camin, Brian Domine and Kurt Domine
Awards of Excellence
The Awards Program is Back for 2025!
Upcoming Events
Connect, Collaborate & Cheers
with the 2025 CLCA SFBA Board!
October 23rd @ 4:30pm-6pm
Fieldwork Brewing
3030 South Delaware St.
San Mateo
Join us for a casual evening of networking, idea-sharing, and great company over a refreshing drink!
What to Expect
- Meet the 2025 CLCA SFBA Board
- Share your ideas for future events and chapter initiatives
- Connect with fellow members and industry professionals
- Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with great brews and great conversations
Get Involved & Make an Impact
Now is the perfect time to:
- Contribute fresh ideas
- Explore opportunities to participate and lead
- Shape the future of CLCA SFBA
- Expand your network and strengthen our community
Whether you’re a long-time member or brand new, your voice matters. Let’s come together to talk about the future of our chapter — focusing on growth, collaboration, and success.
RSVP Encouraged, Not Required
We’d love to know you’re coming, but walk-ins are always welcome!
RSVP today to help us plan and be part of the conversation.
Partner Spotlight
The Month’s Partner Spotlight is Pacific Nurseries
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Learn how they assessed their situation, conceived an inspiring solution, and overcame unique project challenges to create a beautiful landscape.
If you want to avoid mistakes and improve the outcome of your project, check out the CASE STUDIES.
Contact Pacific Nurseries
Diamond Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Emerald Partners
Sapphire Partners
Achievement Award A La Carte
2024 Board of Directors
Immediate Past President – Juan Carlos Esparza
President – Barry & Mary Cohen
Vice President – Beth Valdez
Treasurer – Scooter Wren
Secretary – Jackie Marsey
Associate Liaison – Marin Villalpando
Auxiliary President – Lesley Peters
Auxiliary Vice President – Girvin Peters
Auxiliary Treasurer – Rick Camin
Auxiliary Secretary – Vicky Parrott