OVF gardener Matt Kendall from Phase IV Upper captured both first and second place prizes in the 3rd Annual OVF Tomato Tasting held on Sunday, August 8th.  Matt took first place with 16 votes for his Big Beef entry and second place with 6 votes for his Sungold entry. Matt won $45.00 in gift certificates ($25.00 for first place and $20.00 for second place.) Phase I Upper gardener Dean Cleverdon took home the third place prize ($15.00 gift certificate), also with a Sungold. OVF would like to thank all of the gardeners that entered one of the 45 tomatoes in this years competition. We also wish to extend a special thank you to the sponsor of our event Marina del Rey Garden Center for donating the gift certificate prizes once again for this event.

Get ready for the much-anticipated "Taste of Summer: The Third Annual OVF Tomato Tasting".  Growers of the top 3 tomatoes will be awarded ribbons and gift certificates.  Bring your taste buds and your best whole (uncut and without seasoning), tomatoes grown only in OVF soil to the picnic table area between 11 AM and 1 PM.  Early registration can be arranged if you cannot be present. Tasting will begin at 2 PM.  Both guests and members are invited to taste, although only members may enter tomatoes.  To volunteer to help with this event, earning community hours, please contact Education Chair Melody Girard.

OVF held it's annual election during the General Meeting on April 10th, 2010.

*Won election **Uncontested

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful turnout.

On July 22, 2009, the City of Los Angeles City Council amended Los Angeles Water Conversation Policy. Water used at community gardens is now classified as Process Water and is no longer subject to any day or time retrictions. We thank you for helping OVf abide by the policy during the time it was in effect and encourage all gardeners to continue to "Water Wisely."

OVF was extremely please to have Jane Galbraith from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power attend our June 13, 2009 General Meeting. Jane was not only helpful in explaining what the new water conservation rules are; but also offered a fantastic description of why we are facing such a difficult challenge in Los Angeles. Look for more of Jane's presentation in our next newsletter.

OVF held it's annual election during the General Meeting on April 11th, 2009.

*Won election **Uncontested

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful turnout.

OVF announces its' 5th annual Tomato-bration event to be held on April 4th, 2009 at 10 AM in the meeting area.

In August of 2008, the City of Los Angeles enacted a water conversation policy. Watering lawns, landscape or other vegetated area is prohibited between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM. As a permittee of the City of Los Angeles OVF must enforce these regulations. Gardeners watering their plots between the hours mentioned are subject to an OVF citation. Three such citations during the year will result in termination from the garden.

Food Network TV star Giada De Laurentiis spent the day at OVF filming a segment for her new show Giada at Home on Wedneday, February 11th. The show centers around Giada's envolvement with OxFam America, an organization committed to creating lasting solutions to global poverty, hunger, and social injustice. We'll post the air date here when we know it.