And we have POWER

Mr. Heller's class has been working diligently on the solar panel cart for the last few weeks. Once the cart was done by the CCA students, MHS students and Solar extraordinaire Aureliano Davila, put the final touches on the cart. This past week was spent hooking up the solar system, the students decided to test it out by plugging in a fan and ...... we power ladies and gentlemen!

Overnight at Pie Ranch May 13-14

Mr. D'Aquisto's Garden Advisory Group arrived at Pie Ranch for their BIG overnight!
Weather: Fair
The Ranch: Off the hook!
Mood: Fantastic!
Sunscreen recommended for the beach.

On Day 1 the group reorganized itself into smaller teams with work details:
Farm work (planting and weeding)
Cooking
Pie Baking
Kitchen Crew

And Football, of course.

Looks like everyone was having a great time!

And can you name this vegetable in the last photo?

Final Daze at Mission High

There was a focused frenzy of creative activity during the final weeks of the CCA ENGAGE program at Mission High. A hugh amount was accomplished, taking the site to a state where it can function as a temporary garden until it is professionally landscaped. Mission High students and their teachers moved into 5th gear. Thanks to Mark D'Aquisto, Matt Heller, Josh Stevenson (MHS), Maryann (Pie Ranch), Jay and Elsa (ESLI).
Church Street is sporting a colorful community mural.
CCA mural team: Jake, Jeronimo, Borum, Helen, Cristiani, Yu Ling, Kai
The Solar Cart jumped into its first phase of existence. (Matt, Daniel, Marc, Leads)
The builders completed the following:
2 curved slat benches and planter (Maryam and Min, Leads)
2 planters with a hammock in between (Rebecca and Duncan, Leads)
4 Seat-Planters + Arbors (Jeff and Sally, Leads)
A circular planer bed + cascade + pond + 3benches
(Thanks: Chris, Dylan, Matt E and Will)

Congratulations to EVERYONE!

The Mural: April 29.

This was CCA's last "official' day at MHS, although some of the crew may be able to return.

 Commitment was running high and the results are eye-popping!

And More Color!

Garden Taking Shape

Some of the garden structures built by CCA and MHS students are beginning to find their place on the site. More on the way!
Jeff  and Danny consider the alternatives.

Ladies & Gentlemen... We have COLOR

With a slow start due to lovely April showers, MHS & CCA students move forward on their mural by adding color this week. Passbyers and MHS Administration are all ecstatic to see the beautiful mural in progress. Mission High students working on the mural have been putting in double time now that they get to play with paint, some have even stayed 2-3 hours afterschool to help out!

Curved bench

CCA students and Mission High students builds curved benches, planter boxes, and community support!

The Problem is the Solution

Student artists realize that after the grid went up on the wall there was a slight challenge... peeling paint !!!

So, what do we do? We seek the advice of local master muralist in the Mission community, Professor Sean Nash. After checking in with Mr. Josh Stevenson (leader teacher of the Mural at Mission High) we decide to take the advices of Professor Sean Nash and Professor Lauren Elder to sand down and then peel off the paint even if it means redoing the grid.

MHS Partners: Stretch and Explore

Mr. D'Aquisto's Gardening group is busy reconfiguring existing planter boxes.







Mr. Pugao's Video group is planning a documentary of the garden projects.