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Issue 75
January 2014

The Conservatory Chronicles

A monthly newsletter for our growing community.

A fleet of vehicles stationed out front during
Conservatory Maintenance Week, January 13-17.

It's Maintenance Week here at the Conservatory. We're closed to the public through tomorrow (Friday) of this week, but come by on Saturday, January 18 and you might notice some new windows, touched-up paint, or even fresher air from our newly replaced vents. Who doesn't love a makeover??

Special events coming soon...

Dangerous Beauty Gala

On Thursday, April 10, the Conservatory presents our sixth annual Gala, Dangerous Beauty. VIP Tickets on sale now! General Admission coming SOON.

Valentine-Making Workshop

Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate while creating handmade paper pressed from Conservatory plants on Tuesday, February 11

Arbor Day Drawing Contest

Sponsored by our Education Department. Kids can enter to win a Family Membership! Deadline is March 12

Orchids and All That Jazz

Part of the proceeds from the Pacific Orchid Exposition's Thursday, February 20 Gala benefit the Conservatory

We hope to see lots of you in 2014! And as always, we thank you for your support of the Conservatory of Flowers.

Eric Andersen, Director

Our most alluring and "dangerous" Gala yet!

VIP tickets are HERE. *General Admission tickets are coming SOON.

"Will you walk into my parlour? said the spider to the fly..." -Mary Howitt

On April 10, indulge your senses with exotic food and cocktails, live music and dancing, and a VIP sneak preview of our murky and mysterious new carnivorous plants exhibit, CHOMP! They Came From the Swamp on the night before it opens to the public.

Check out our Pinterest page for fun and inspiring outfit ideas, and to get a feel for the overall theme of the party...

Proceeds from the Dangerous Beauty gala benefit the Conservatory's youth education program, which offers free guided tours to San Francisco school children.

Don't miss this dazzling, sexy and delightful evening at the Conservatory of Flowers!

Make Valentines Using Handmade Paper Pressed from Conservatory Plants!

Tuesday, February 11, 1:00-3:30pm

Purchase tickets HERE. ($40 General Admission, $30 COF Members)

Handmade Paper created by Rhiannon Alpers

Share the love this Valentine's Day by

making something homemade! This fun and easy hands-on class is a great way to create special valentines for your friends and loved ones.

Learn the basics of papermaking from artist and expert Rhiannon Alpers, and watch as pre-cooked plant cuttings taken from right here at the Conservatory are pressed into beautiful, fibrous sheets of paper. Participants will leave this workshop with 6 handmade sheets of paper. We'll also discuss what fibers work best for papermaking, and present lots of ideas for making your own paper at home.

Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, learn a new craft, and make a one-of-a-kind Valentine for your special someone!

Tropical Trees Are Terrific! An Arbor Day Drawing Contest

Arbor Day celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. In California, Arbor Day is observed from March 7th-14th.

The Conservatory of Flowers encourages parents and teachers to observe Arbor Day by teaching elementary school students about the importance of rainforest trees, and by encouraging them to participate in our Arbor Day drawing contest, Tropical Trees Are Terrific!

The contest winner will receive a Family Membership to the Conservatory of Flowers, and the winning artwork will be published in the Conservatory's March enewsletter.

Submit your drawings by Wednesday, March 12. Click HERE for more information and submission instructions.

Orchids and all that Jazz: A Great Party and a Generous Contribution to the Conservatory!

Purchase tickets HERE, and please enter "CF" in the promo code field.

On Thursday, February 20, put on your finest and head to Fort Mason's flower-filled Festival Pavilion for the Pacific Orchid Exposition's 2014 Gala: Orchids and All That Jazz.

A generous portion of each Gala ticket sold will be donated to the Conservatory of Flowers.

As always, our horticulturalists will have a fun and creative booth at POE, bursting with rare and beautiful orchids.

Don't miss this fun and "jazzy" evening!

Join Today. Conservatory Membership is beautiful!

What's in Bloom? Verschaffeltia splendida

Verschaffeltia splendida

Location in the Conservatory:

Lowlands Gallery

Verschaffeltia splendida, also known as Seychelles stilt palm, is found only on three islands in the Seychelles, where it is threatened by habitat loss. It grows in the canopy or "under story" in moist rainforests, on steep hillsides and ledges.

The stilt root system is thought to have evolved to stabilize the palm on sleep slopes and in strong winds. The spikes on the trunk of the younger palm protect it from hungry animals.

Check our What's in Bloom page to see what else is blooming!

Visit Us!

http://conservatoryofflowers.org

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4:30pm (last entry is at 4:00pm)

Please note that on Sundays and holidays,
Golden Gate Park closes many of its roads to all vehicle traffic.

Admission: $8.00 for Adults; $5.00 for Youth; 12-17, Seniors age 65 & over, and College Students with ID; $2.00 for Children 5-11; Free for Children 4 and under

Discounts available to SF City and County residents with proof of residency.

The Conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
RPD logo

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 JFK Drive in front of the Conservatory.

Strollers are not allowed in the Conservatory.

Information line: 415-831-2090