As a professional floral designer for more than 30 years and a teacher of floral design, flowers are my world. I think flowers are for celebrating life! As a society and as individuals, we mark life's most important occasions,accomplishments and tributes by giving flowers.

Last year I started a small nonprofit called Heliotrope for Hospice. Derived from the Greek words "helio" for sun and "tropos" to turn, "heliotropic" flowers can move, turning or curving (as a sunflower head) toward sunlight. As the earth spins and revolves around the

sun, the subtle movements of nature mark the passage of time, a powerful symbol of life. I believe every day of life is precious for people in hospice care, and my goal is to provide a floral gift to them, to celebrate each day.

Flowers are incredibly resilient. After they are too old to sell, or have served their purpose in a wedding or other event, with a little TLC these blooms can last another week! Through donations from floral shops, event companies and grocery stores, we pick up, recondition and repurpose the flowers into small arrangements. Each week we deliver these gifts of beauty to patients at San Diego Hospice inpatient care centers and to people in hospice care at home throughout San Diego County.

In 1999, when my father was in hospice care, I visited him each day. I didn't know it then, but the seed of Heliotrope for Hospice was planted. I started to make small bouquets for other patients in care, transforming large memorial arrangements that were donated to the hospice lobby, placing the flowers into personal vases for each bedside. Those blossoms would touch each person, giving a sense of calm and focus -- when time slows down, when we all need a gift of beauty.

For more information on how Heliotrope for Hospice happens, beautiful pictures, and inspiration, please check out the website/blog at heliotropeforhospice.org.

Roses repurposed from other arrangements await delivery to patients as part of the Heliotrope for Hospice, a nonprofit group founded by OH instructor Diane Citrowske.

Zeek Magallanes

I am so excited to be able to sit as president of the Cuyamaca College Botanical Society this year. Why? I get to work with some of the most talented students in our department every day. This semester has been a blast so far! Let's take a quick look back and glimpse what's next.

We had a great turnout for our student barbeque, with whole classes taking the time to come out, have a bite to eat and chat. Those are the types of informal events that really create a sense of community in the department. Students were eager to talk to us about the club, getting involved and making horticulture apart of their life. What was even more awesome was that we were able to accommodate our vegetarian students as well. Students also talked to professors and got to know them on a more personal level. Good food, good friends, good times.

The Aggie Open Golf Tournament was a great success. Thank you to all of the CCBS officers for all your hard work leading up to and including the event. Thanks also go to all the volunteers at the event. You made it happen!

We will be having another great event for all the students, and I hope you won't miss out. Every year we hold a holiday party, where we get together for a buffet style dinner and play fun games to celebrate all the hard work done during the semester. Keep your eyes on the CCBS bulletin boards for more information.