In March she announced there would be a new fruit and vegetable garden in Capitol Park, which is adjacent to the State Capitol. Famed chef and food activist Alice Waters is helping to plan the water-conserving garden, and installation is expected in May.
Today the gossips in Sacramento's watering holes are chattering about the unexpected involvement of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with the garden project. The former actor has a history of media-savvy public appearances. Rumor has it he will be staging a dramatic press event for the garden's ground-breaking.
Whisperers in the state capitol say that Schwarzenegger is going to take the green movement one step further. Eschewing gasoline-powered roto-tillers, he is planning to demonstrate his physical prowess by harnessing himself to a wooden plow and personally tilling the soil for the garden.
Pundits think this athletic feat could change Arnold's nickname from the Governator to the Gardenator.
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18 comments:
Well, this is one rumor I'd love to see. With their state budget in the toilet, I'm wondering how they can justify the funds for such an endeavor. I know it's only a drop in the ocean but tell that to a family struggling to put food on the table.
Who would have thought that gardening would once again be fashionable? Next thing we'll see Oprah starting a series by bringing in a garden celebrity to advise us weekly like Dr. Oz does with medical stuff.
Grace, I hope the planting is within the existing budget of the Parks Dept. Oprah's first gardening guest? I'm betting on her BFF Maria Shriver. They are, admittedly, very sweet together. I expect Green the Grounds gets some air time that way.
You raise an interesting point--who WILL be the regular gardening guru there? Any ideas out there in blogland?
I nominate Grace for the Oprah slot--we can tell by her picture that she's telegenic. She's a bona fide garden journalist and an uber popular blogger (that "uber" was thrown in just to get Arnold's vote).
Giggle. The Gardenator indeed. Now, what amuses me most about this story is the photo you chose of the happy horticultural couple. He looks happy...she looks rather like someone peed in her peonies.
I would pay a quarter to see the Gardenator hitch a plow to till the soil. Good one!
So it is fashionable now to garden? Let's hope the next occupants in the White House, Governor's mansions, and City planners keep the gardens going. Remember the first Earth Day?? I do, then it all fell to the wayside.
Jodi, I know--Maria does not have her usual, great smile. Since I do not actually follow them around with a camera (where ARE my priorities?) my photo choices are limited. They were at a conference and I surmise that he was speaking on a serious topic.
Janet, Yes, plants are not Republicans or Democrats (some wit is going to come along and say they are Green).
I agree with Jodi, Maria's a little scary in this shot. Almost if she is looking right at a certain blogger and saying "write a post dissing me or the Gardenator and you can kiss your hopes of becoming 'Official Daffodil Planter of California' good-bye."
Susan, Another dream dies. And I guess I won't be able to go on Oprah with Grace either?
All very clever! Like most trends, I suppose gardening will fizzle a bit among the politicians eventually. But maybe the hype will help nurseries and the hort business through the economic slowdown!
Hmm, unfortunately the term Gardenator doesn't conjur up images of an organic gardener for me, quite the opposite. Gardenator: "Bring on the big guns, no wimpy beneficials and soaps, where's my DDT!" Maria: "Um Arnie, that stuff is illegal now and don't you dare squish THAT bug, it's a good one". Gardenator: "Good bug? There's GOOD bugs?".....
Well, that explains the look on Maria's face! She just caught the Gardenator squishing a ladybug!
The big snag with stories like this is I can never tell which ones are the jokes... but why would it cost more money to cultivate the gardens productively, if.. - maybe I'm just being naive though.
VW, Let's hope that people have so much fun gardening that it never goes out of style!
Michelle, Perhaps he found out it was a "girly-bug"?
EB, My news stories are always spoofs to some extent. That's why they're all "scoops".
This is great news! I love it and can't wait to see the Photos from the event! Thanks for sharing this with us, DP!
Maria doesn't look at all happy.
This conjures up an interesting image, Arnie pulling the plough! D'you think they'll give him a nose bag?
Rob
Pam, It would be a photo to cherish!
Rob, I think this could be the start of a new career for him, nosebag and all. We have the Draft Horse Classic coming up at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in September and he could be the surprise entry.
Well, if Arnold DOES make a show of eschewing gas-powered garden equipment, THAT would be news!
And about green is neither blue nor red. As you can see from the states listed on www.greenthegrounds.org, the Republican governors are actually greener than the Dems!
Welcome Susan! Go green governors! The Sacramento garden will officially open next week. News today that Maria Shriver has been working on this project for years and is not riding the White House coat tails.
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