Hey Kids! is a weekly feature looking at what’s coming up for families and kids of all ages.
When I was a kid and heard the term “urban landscape”, I thought it was a joke, a metaphor, had another meaning. And I certainly didn’t think it was meant positively. The words conjured up gray, grime, cracks in cement, sinkholes.
For my son, growing up on the edge of the Mission, I like to think the phrase will be less cynical, and maybe merely descriptive; perhaps even an understatement. Not just because of all the little city gardens (or little city gardens), or the fruit trees or the fennel….
Rather, the colors of the Mission: the coral of overgrown geraniums against hot pink stucco; the purple houses at 23rd and Folsom; flowing orange nasturtiums poking through fences; the aqua, the turquoise, the sky blue. And the shapes: from the brick mansion on Garfield Square, to La Cocina’s modernist home, to the rounded adobe of Mission Dolores. The buildings themselves often seem like creatures or plants, ready to give birth to a new, more, exotic fruit. Forget cherimoyas, let’s eat the murals.
Coral, green, sky blue
This spring I’ve been teaching my son to make his own landscape: outside, we’ve planted some basil; inside, he’s decorating his bedroom with his own paintings. And in the moment: we’ve made a point to stop and admire a different mural on each trip to Humphrey Slocombe.
Decorating the Urban Landscape
Take a tour of our ever-evolving urban landscape with SF City Guides (again!, but this weekend the topic is so perfect): Murals and the Multi-Ethnic Mission
Saturday, May 15, 11 a.m. All Ages. Free. Meet at Precita and Harrison, behind Flynn Elementary School
What color is your Mission?
On Saturday, learn more about Precita Eyes, hear some music, and create a piece of ”landscape” yourself at the Precita Valley Art Festival.
Saturday, May 15, 1-5. All Ages. Precita Park.
Paint your own
If creating really is a way of seeing, then what better way to help our kids understand our neighborhood than an art class? Precita Eyes classes are a great weekday option; on the weekend, stop by Pixie Hall Studios for open hours.
Precita Eyes: Drop-in Classes Monday-Thursdays, time dependant on age group. 348 Precita Ave
Pixie Hall Studios: Drop In hours Saturday, 10:00-11:30. Ages 2-6. $15.00 per child. 649 Diamond Street @23rd.
Getting a little more literal
If you don’t have your own urban farm, garden, or window box going just yet, Alemany Farm workdays are a great way to give back, get a little dirt under your nails, and expose kids to a whole other side of life.
Sunday, May 16, 12-5 pm. All Ages. 992 Ellsworth Street.
http://www.alemanyfarm.org/get-involved/ for more information and what to bring.
Fruit of the Streets
Ever wondered what was covering your car? Why your baby wanted to eat the stones on the ground? In our neighborhood, chances are it’s early plums—or a loquat– on your car, and your kid is really after a cherry. Contribute your tree- or find something to eat with the Neighborhood Fruit Map. (but please eat it right there or you’ll be violating the light brown apple moth quarantine).
Why mom, Why?
On Monday, find out why (the real, actual, not metaphorical) plants grow the way they do with the latest installment of the Science Café: Mendel, Evolution, and Your Hairy Knuckles.
Monday, 5/17, 7-9 pm. All ages. Atlas Café, 3049 20th @ Alabama.
Not for kids now…
If you’re interested in teaching your kids something more about literal environment, OAEC School Garden Teacher Training starts in June. The five day intensive/hands on training can be applied to academic credit through Sonoma State University.
June 14- 18. Adults Only. $500.00. Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Occidental CA
http://www.oaec.org/school-garden/school-garden-teacher-training-june for more information.
My house is a dull blue. I’m thinking of letting Jasper have at the front window sill with a few magic markers. Maybe purple? For now I’m going to settle for a new Zwartkopf Aeonium from Paxton’s Gate (no, not edible!).
