Vallejo People's Garden 

Our very own Ravi Shankar and Vilma Aquino on msn.com. Check it out: http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/topstories/the-city-that-gave-its-residents-dollar3-million/ar-BBdigTg

Slow Roasted Tomatoes Photo by Michael Mees When tomatoes are in season, it can be hard to eat them fast enough. This simple technique will improve their shelf life, and concentrate the best of their flavor. Ingredients: Tomatoes. Olive oil. Salt. Cut larger tomatoes into halves or quarters and place cut side up on a baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt. I use kosher salt because I like the large, airy flakes. Place them in the oven at 200°F and roast for 1-8 hours, depending on the size of the tomato. Cherry tomatoes only need an hour or two; big tomatoes can roast for a whole 8 hours. For those large tomatoes, you can even put them in the oven before you go to sleep, and turn off the oven when you wake up and go to work. The tomatoes shrivel to a gooey concentrate. Drizzle with olive oil and store in the refrigerator in a container for up to two weeks. Serve on bread, in salads and stews, or by just themselves. Add fresh basil leaves for a great flavor combination...

Gene in his garden. Photo by Mike Jory—Vallejo Times-Herald Grow vegetables. In Winter? Learn how with Master Gardener Gene Ekenstam Saturday September 20th 10am-noon @ Vallejo People's Garden Gene will share tips on how to grow food all winter long. The Vallejo People's Garden will provide  seeds and refreshments. RSVP to info@vallejopeoplesgarden.org

It's great to see kids interested in gardening and knowing they will take what they've learned about gardening in their formative years and apply them throughout their lives. The program Food to Grow On developed by Ms. Yakabe and Ms. Edwards from the Vallejo Charter School allow the kids to learn about soil, seed, plant growth, harvest, food production, and everything in between. At the garden, even the teachers got to learn something about tomatoes, which they in turn will teach their students and others. Here's a post from Organic Gardening Magazine on tomatoes:  bit.ly/OGTomatoTips