There are many wonderful reasons for making your own condiments and sauces: You have control over what goes in them; the ingredients are fresher; they taste better; and, in many cases, they cost less. See how easy it is to make mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, almond milk, barbecue sauce and salad dressings. Everyone will participate in making one of these, so bring an apron. 
Thursday, June 15, 10am - 12pm, $20. Instructors: Denise Koroslev and friends.
​To register: www.sustainablecoco.org

Everyone had a great time at Heritage Day yesterday! Despite the toasty temperatures, visitors came to the ranch to "meet" Grandma Rodgers, enacted by Pleasant Hill Historical Society President Dana Matthews, who talked about the Rodgers' family's experience as immigrants from Ireland and what they would have brought over on steamships; play old fashioned games (oak gall relay races, hoops, horseshoes, ball 'n cups); make pioneer crafts (whirligigs, flags. tic-tac-toe sets with bean game pieces, and lavender sachets); pump water from our "well"; do laundry the old-fashioned way, with washboards and tubs; churn and sample their own homemade butter; relax on the porch and drink homemade lemonade; admire Evie Michon's table of beautiful objects made from wheat weavings as they learned that the ranch used to be a wheat farm in the 1800s, and tour the urban farm with Farmer John and Marian. Board Member Christian even kicked off our brick pathway fundraiser (more details to come)! Mayor Michael Harris, Park and Rec's Zac Shess, and City Councilmember Tim Flaherty stopped by, along with all our other important guests, friends, and neighbors.  A huge thank you to the many fabulous volunteers who made this Heritage Day possible: Dana, Evie, Kathleen, Eileen, Brenda, Josh, Jocelyn, Victoria, Habiba, Lynn, Shayla, Maria, Adares, Abhinav, Tommy, Sue, Aloma, and Christian! This event would not have been possible without you!
~~~Board Members Alison and Denise                                                                             Photos by Alison Clary                                                                       

Bay Area News Group correspondent Janice DeJesus interviewed Dana Matthews, former board member of RRHC and current president of the Pleasant Hill Historical Society, about her upcoming stint as Mary Ann Rodgers for Heritage Day on May 20, a FREE, family-friendly event with old fashioned games and activities. To read the entire article, please go to this link: www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/05/10/clothed-in-history-bringing-old-rodgers-ranch-to-life/

​We also got some nice coverage on Heritage Day in Faith Barnidge's Good Neighbors column today. Please note, there is no charge for Heritage Day and there are no shuttles from Northgate High School. Just come directly to the ranch for this free event! See you there next Saturday, May 20!

Dana Matthews will portray Grandma Rodgers on Heritage Day. Photo by Janice DeJesus

An abundance of material items can smother us in many ways, keeping us from focusing on what really matters. Simplicity brings balance to our life, freedom from distraction and joy to self. Marian Woodard and Denise Koroslev will present fun, practical ways to organize, declutter, and get our home in shape, while resisting the urge to bring in more stuff. Kimberly Lam and Anne Baker will show sustainable ways to recycle these discarded items, giving them a new life so they don't end up in our landfill. May 18, 10am - 12pm. To register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-in-harmony-living-with-less-stuff-tickets-29316791312