The hum of bees is easy to miss until you see them up close. A few Sundays ago at El Paseo, we watched a bee demonstration and learned about the essential role bees play in pollination and helping our food grow. We learned that worker bees keep the colony alive by building, cleaning, and protecting the hive. We heard the buzzing, watched them move through the observation hive, and the whole garden began to feel different. Flowers became places of work and the pollinators flying around us became essential in keeping El Paseo thriving.
That sense of connection to the garden and to one another grew throughout July. As a neighbor-run space, El Paseo depends on dedicated volunteers who return every Sunday to weed, build sheds, and set up the tents that give us relief from the hot sun during Community Days. Because of their care, neighbors are finding a garden full of ripening bell peppers, garlic, arugula, and mixed greens.
Now it is August, and tomatoes that were green the week before are beginning to turn red. Our raised beds are growing fuller, with leaves and stems reaching over the edges. Join us this coming Sunday at El Paseo, we’d love to have you.
Start here: Visit the U-Pick Farmstand for eggplants, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Fresh this week: Garlic, arugula, and quail eggs.
Try this: Stop by PaviCo’s booth to meet carnivorous plants—and possibly a friendly reptile or spider.
Keep an eye out for: Yoga in the garden for adults and little ones.
Notice: Big blooming flowers.
Community Days this August
Sunday the 9th | Design Your Own Green Space & Herbalism Workshop
Join us for a creative day at “Design Your Own Green Space” in Pilsen! Collaborate with community members to create collages and dioramas envisioning a just climate future. Free and family-friendly, with light refreshments provided. Supplies like moss, cardboard, magazines, and more will be available. Let’s get creative together! Registration is required.
¡Únete a nosotros para una jornada creativa en el evento “Diseña tu propio espacio verde” en Pilsen! Colabora con miembros de la comunidad para crear collages y dioramas que imaginen un futuro climático justo. Es una actividad gratuita y apta para toda la familia; se ofrecerán refrigerios ligeros.
Habrá materiales disponibles, como musgo, cartón, revistas y más. ¡Demos rienda suelta a nuestra creatividad juntos! Se requiere registro.
Join Kari of Fuego Libre to learn about Spiritual Herbalism & Limpias with special guest Cristina Puzio, founder of Papalotzin. She will invite us to explore spiritual herbalism and curanderismo through the ancestral practice of limpias. After the workshop, take a walk through the garden or visit the U-Pick Farmstand to see what’s in season. Registration is required.
Acompaña a Kari de Fuego Libre para aprender sobre la herbolaria espiritual y limpias junto a su invitada especial Cristina Puzio, la fundadora de Papalotzin. Cristina nos invitará a explorar la herbolaria espiritual y el curanderismo a través de la práctica ancestral de las limpias. Después del taller, recorre el jardín o visita el puesto U-Pick para conocer lo que está en temporada. Se requiere registro.
Sunday, August 16th | Community Yoga Flow
Join Jessica Lainez for a 45-minute vinyasa, all-levels yoga flow promptly at 11 am. This event is BYO-mat, towel, or blocks. The option to practice yoga without a mat or towel is welcome. Registration is required.
August Theme: Balanced Chakra Yoga Flow. An intentional sequence designed to balance all of the chakras through asanas, breath, and chanting. By aligning and clearing the body’s seven main energy centers (or chakras)—which govern physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being—the practice seeks to restore inner harmony and relieve stress.
Acompaña a Jessica Lainez para una clase de yoga vinyasa de 45 minutos, abierta a todos los niveles. La clase comenzará puntualmente a las 11 a. m. Trae tu propio tapete, toalla o bloques. También puedes practicar sin tapete ni toalla. Se requiere registro.
Tema de agosto: Yoga para equilibrar los chakras. Esta secuencia está diseñada para equilibrar los chakras mediante posturas, ejercicios de respiración y cantos. Al armonizar los siete principales centros de energía del cuerpo, relacionados con el bienestar físico, emocional y espiritual, la práctica busca restaurar el equilibrio interior y aliviar el estrés.
Sunday, August 23rd | Xochikalli Community Danza & Family garden activity
Join our residency partners, Kalpulli Xinachtli Xochikalli, as we come together in movement, music, and community through danza. Whether you are a longtime dancer, musician or joining us for the first time, you are welcome. Bring your good heart, and if you have them, your rattles or other danza pre-Hispanic instruments. You may also bring an offering for the altar. All are welcome. Sliding Scale donations on RSVP go to facilitators, Xochikalli community, or offering for the altar. Tlasohkamati! Registration is required.
Acompaña a nuestros colaboradores residentes, Kalpulli Xinachtli Xochikalli, para compartir un espacio de movimiento, música y comunidad a través de la danza. Todas las personas son bienvenidas, ya sea que lleves años practicando danza, seas músico o sea tu primera vez. Ven con el corazón abierto y, si tienes, trae tus sonajas u otros instrumentos de danza prehispánica. También puedes traer una ofrenda para el altar. Las donaciones de escala móvil que se hagan al registrarse serán destinadas a quienes facilitan la actividad, a la comunidad de Xochikalli o como ofrenda para el altar. ¡Tlasohkamati! Se requiere registro.
Join Claire from Luna Luz Wellness for a mindful earth-art making session. Using natural and recycled materials, you’re invited to make your own sun catcher, DIY bee hotel, or bird feeder to take home. During this activity, Claire will guide you in connecting to your senses and cultivating mindfulness. This is a family friendly event. Come ready to get crafty! Registration is required.
Acompaña a Claire de Luna Luz Wellness en una actividad de arte inspirada en la naturaleza. Con materiales naturales y reciclados, podrás crear un atrapa-sol, un pequeño refugio para abejas o un comedero para pájaros para llevar a casa. Durante la actividad, Claire te guiará para conectar con tus sentidos y estar presente en el momento. Esta actividad es para toda la familia. Se requiere registro.
Sunday, August 30th | Community Yoga Flow and Storytime Yoga
Join Jessica Lainez for a 45-minute vinyasa flow all-levels yoga flow promptly at 11 a. m. This event is BYO-mat, towel, or blocks. The option to practice yoga without a mat or towel is welcome. Registration is required.
August Theme: Balanced Chakra Yoga Flow. An intentional sequence designed to balance all of the chakras through asanas, breath, and chanting. By aligning and clearing the body’s seven main energy centers (or chakras)—which govern physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being—the practice seeks to restore inner harmony and relieve stress.
Acompaña a Jessica Lainez para una clase de yoga vinyasa de 45 minutos, abierta a todos los niveles. La clase comenzará puntualmente a las 11 a. m. Trae tu propio tapete, toalla o bloques. También puedes practicar sin tapete ni toalla. Se requiere registro.
Tema de agosto: Yoga para equilibrar los chakras. Esta secuencia está diseñada para equilibrar los chakras mediante posturas, ejercicios de respiración y cantos. Al armonizar los siete principales centros de energía del cuerpo, relacionados con el bienestar físico, emocional y espiritual, la práctica busca restaurar el equilibrio interior y aliviar el estrés.
Join Janeth Barrera for Storytime Yoga. This is for young children and their caretakers or parents. Registration is required.
Acompaña a Janeth Barrera en una sesión de yoga con cuentos para niñas y niños pequeños y quienes los cuidan. Se requiere registro.
Whether you join us for danza, yoga, or nature-based art, we hope to create an opportunity for you to slow down in the garden and connect with neighbors. There are plenty of ways to join from participating in Sunday Stewardship Days, to learning how herbs can support your body, to wandering the garden noticing flowers and pollinators. Stop by our community market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We recommend the lychee matcha from Three Roots Coffee and arepas from Yvolina’s Tamales.
We’ll be back next month with another Community Days update.
See you in the garden.
El Paseo Community Garden 