Conservatory of Flowers
Conservatory Chronicles 5
Issue #17                                                                                                     January, 2009
In This Issue
Conservatory Partners
Visit Us
Train Troubles?
Celebrate Lunar New Year
The Perfect Gift for Your Valentine
Join our mailing list 
Special Exhibits Schedule
Golden Gate Express Banner
Click here to enjoy a blog by recent visitor, Diana. She photographed the model buildings in the garden railway and contrasted them with photos of the actual landmark buildings.

Visit Us
Reflections
Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm (last entry is at 4:30pm)
The Conservatory is closed Mondays.
NEW - the Conservatory will now be open on holiday Mondays!
The Conservatory is open all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Please note that on Sundays and all major holidays, Golden Gate Park closes many of its roads to all vehicle traffic
Information line:
415-666-7001
Admission:
$5.00 for Adults
$3.00 for Youth 12-17, Seniors 65 & over, and Students with ID
$1.50 for Children 5 - 11
FREE for Children 4 and under
The Conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
Accessibility:
The Conservatory Of Flowers is wheelchair accessible for both motorized and non motorized chairs. Handicap permit parking is located at the east side of the building and also on John F. Kennedy Drive in front of the Conservatory. Strollers are not allowed in the Conservatory.

Train Troubles???
Little Train
 
The Train Master of the Golden Gate Express,   Ed Levinson, will be available in the Special Exhibits Gallery to answer your questions about G gauge trains, HO and Lionel too! Bring your train, any gauge, to the Conservatory of Flowers and Ed will help solve your problems.
Ed is available for complimentary consultation from 10am - 12noon on January 24, 31, Feb 7, March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4 and 11.

 
Dear ,

A Fine Sign for 2009
 
Even though many days of our past few holiday weeks have been foggy, one thing is very clear to me...the future of the Conservatory of Flowers can only be one of bright promise and healthy growth through the expanded support and active involvement of a broader spectrum of our community.  With that in mind, we have been optimistically reaching out to various segments of the community with many new and attractive membership and partnership programs. 
One of the exciting debut initiatives is the Conservatory Partners program.  It is designed with the business community in mind, offering valuable benefits that area cat and Brent 2businesses receive in appreciation of their financial or in-kind support.  Two of our early respondents to the Conservatory Partners appeal were The Urban Farm Store and Goodscapes,
both Bay Area companies with definite 'green' and 'horticultural focus' built into their business purpose.
                               


Cat Gratz of Urban Farmer and Brent


We are encouraged by their "founding partner" symbolic form of support.  Proceeds from the Conservatory Partners
program are being devoted to the many structural and horticultural needs and special projects at the Conservatory in the coming years. 
Peter and BrentOne of these projects is the essential re-building of the aged and antiquated shade house located just northwest 
of the Conservatory.






Peter Good and Brent

A wonderful spark of momentum for that particular improvement project was the granting of $15,000 from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust.
As supporters of the Conservatory of Flowers, each of you may be instrumental in assisting us in strategically broadening our support through the addition of new members, volunteers, exhibition sponsors, business partners or annual fund contributors.   One of the easiest ways of contributing to the Conservatory is one that really does not cost you a cent...well, not literally.  I took a few minutes the other day to enroll in a wonderful program known as Escrip.  By designating the Conservatory of Flowers as my chosen charitable cause, I find a small but important proceed from many of my restaurant or retail purchases get earmarked and subsequently sent to the Conservatory as a financial contribution.  Several of the great eating establishments in my neighborhood as well as stores such as Macy's participate and forward contributions to the Conservatory as a result of some of my purchases...please consider this quiet but significant way of supporting the Conservatory by enrolling...it really is an easy way to give. 
We welcome suggestions, ideas, introductions and active involvement in growing the support base and family of members to help assure a bright and colorful future for the Conservatory of Flowers.  May 2009 be one filled with positive growth in support and involvement at all levels.  If you have any questions or interest, please feel free to contact me directly at  or Jane Scurich, Director of Development, at 415-831-2093 or [email protected].  Thanks for your continued support...you are very appreciated!  Happy New Year!!! 
 


Brent Dennis
Conservatory Director
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Conservatory 
January 24 through February 8
 
"Legend has it that in ancient China, Nian ("Nyehn") was a man-devouring predator beast that could infiltrate houses silently.     The Chinese soon learned that Nian was sensitive to  loud noises and the color red, and they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of color red domestically. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations." Lunar New Years festivities unify Chinese populations worldwide in celebration of this popular holiday. Each Lunar New Year falls on a different day of the week. New clothing is worn to signify the New Year and the color red is used in all decorations. In Addition, red packets are given to the youth by the elders and those who are married.
Not only are activities important in the celebration of the Lunar New Year but also certain fruits and plants. The Mandarin Mandarinorange and Pomelo are certainly tasty Lunar treats. Mandarin oranges shapes and colors symbolize the sun. They are connected with the yang principle which represents the positive elements in nature. Oranges are considered auspicious fruits and essential symbols for the New Year. However, the green Pomelo, which becomes yellow when ripe, is used by the Chinese as a household decoration.
At the Conservatory, the Mandarin and Pomelo are available for visitors to see, as well as the Quince, Narcissus, and Kumquat plants. These New Year plants vary in usage. The quince is used for household decorations and it is a primary belief in Chinese households that without flowers there will not be any formation of fruit. The Narcissus, known to the Chinese as the water fairy flower, is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Lastly the Kumquat is a pun for gold and for good fortune. Candied kumquats are one of the necessary preserves for the New Year.
                              - Emelia Romain
 
 
Rose are Red
      Violets are Blue
But a Jungle of Orchids
      Really Says I Love You
 Anthurium by Steve Wright
Celebrate your love all year long with the gift of a Jungle Pass - unlimited free admission to the Conservatory of Flowers for two adults and two children.
Click here  to order a Jungle Pass today. 
    








Photo by Steve Wright