TROWELS FOR TROOPS GARDEN TOURS TO HELP KEEP MEMORIES ALIVE.Byline: Judy O'Rourke Staff Writer CANYON COUNTRY - In a local woman's hands, the concept of ``victory garden'' will take on a new meaning this summer. Christi Larsen, whose soldier-son was killed in Iraq, plans to establish a garden tour whose proceeds will benefit a support group for mothers of servicemen and -women. ``It's a wonderful memorial for her to keep her son's memory alive,'' said Tina Perez, who founded the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers, a nationwide nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. group. ``He did what he so loved and believed in and what so many of our children are doing, too.'' Army Pfc. Cole W. Larsen died in November 2004 in a vehicle accident. Christi Larsen was overwhelmed o·ver·whelm tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms 1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline. 2. a. by the caring response of community members - many of whom were strangers - after Cole's death, and she sought a meaningful way to say thanks. Inspired by a South Bay woman, who channeled her talent for gardening into hosting annual charity garden tours to help battered bat·ter 1 v. bat·tered, bat·ter·ing, bat·ters v.tr. 1. To hit heavily and repeatedly with violent blows. 2. To subject to repeated beatings or physical abuse. 3. women, Larsen borrowed the tool like an old rake. ``I got hooked,'' Larsen said of the six years she spent prowling prowl v. prowled, prowl·ing, prowls v.tr. To roam through stealthily, as in search of prey or plunder: prowled the alleys of the city after dark. v.intr. around unusual gardens and learning from their tenders. ``A garden is always a work in progress. I call it a passion in progress.'' She plans to hold the event during the first or second weekend in June. Fliers would detail the gardens' contents, their locations, gardeners' anecdotes and information about Blue Star Mothers. Tickets would not be sold in advance; visitors could drop voluntary donations at collection boxes amid the greenery. Larsen is a member of the support group. A flag bearing a gold star is visible to passers-by from Cole's bedroom window. The gold star means a service member has been killed in action or died in service. Perez said the local chapter sends 30-pound-plus care packages to the troops, filled with basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs and baseball gloves, cooling collars, stationery, goodies good·y 1 Informal interj. Used to express delight. n. also good·ie pl. good·ies Something attractive or delectable, especially something sweet to eat. and health and beauty products. The group networks with chapters across the country to ``get things done,'' Perez said. ``Every son and daughter is our son and daughter,'' she said. Larsen has enlisted a couple of friends from Sand Canyon in her mission. One woman tends a cottage garden Cottage gardens are English in origin and are typically profusely planted, and random and carefree in form. Their creation or revival in the 1870s followed a fashion for wild gardens and naturalistic plantings, as a relief from mid-century bedding-out schemes using massed colours , backed by a little house that resembles a gardening retreat. The other one recently bought a home on 2 1/2 acres dotted with a fruit orchard, hundreds of rose bushes and a wisteria-covered pergola pergola Garden walk or terrace typically formed by two rows of columns or posts roofed with an open framework of beams and cross rafters over which plants are trained. Its purpose is to provide a foundation on which climbing plants can be viewed and to give shade. . ``Gardening is my hobby, but when she mentioned the charity work (I was on board),'' said the homeowner, Ada Kwan. Kwan's house, which played a role in the comedy ``Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead This article has multiple issues: * It does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by citing reliable sources. * It contains a trivia section. ,'' was also featured in a holiday home tour. Larsen hopes to attract gardeners with plots of all sizes, including balcony container gardens Container gardening is the practice of growing plants exclusively in containers or "pots", instead of planting them in the ground. In some cases, this method of growing is used for ornamental purposes. . She invites people with rose and vegetable gardens and specialty plantings to dig in to cover by digging; as, to dig in manure s>. To entrench oneself so as to give stronger resistance; - used of warfare or negotiating situations. See also: Dig Dig . Larsen is renovating her own yard, which will be a stop on the tour. ``Life begins in the garden,'' she said. For information, contact Larsen at (661) 252-3584 or clarsen649(at)earthlink.net. Judy O'Rourke, (661) 257-5255 judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Christi Larsen of Canyon Country is planning to establish a garden tour in June in which proceeds would go to Blue Star Mothers. (2 -- color) Christi Larsen of Canyon Country says, ``A garden is always a work in progress. I call it a passion in progress.'' (3) Canyon Country's Christi Larsen is renovating her own yard, which will be a stop on the garden tour. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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