May Day Mare Island Schedule 2011

May Day on Mare Island Springtime Tours and Tea
Dear May Day on Mare Island and Daffodil Tea Guest:
We had such a wonderful response from the public to
outings and tours offered on Mare Island during our winter
Flyway Festival, that we’ve decided to do something similar for
the spring–this time
with tours and
guided hikes,
carriage rides and of
course, our annual
Daffodil Tea.
May Day on Mare
Island Springtime
Tours and Tea
offers a Sunday of
Photo: John Klycinski
self-guided and
guided tours at various locations throughout the island. May
Day on Mare Island is similar to what many downtowns, farms
communities and historic neighborhoods do by hosting events
and tours to promote public enjoyment of their district or region.
So, this year in addition to attending the Daffodil Tea, you may
visit various Mare Island attractions. Of course there will be free
public access for picnics, walks, bicycling and fishing
throughout the Island, as always.
Sound fun?! We are sure it will be and hope that you will help
us pass the word along and invite friends and family for the day.
Daffodil Tea Tips:
There will not be a Chapel program as in years past,
however, St. Peter’s Chapel will be open for tours
10:00am-3:00pm. In the place of the Chapel program, we plan a
wonderful musical performance in the garden during the teas.
✦
What do you wear? Emily Post, in her 1922 book, Etiquette,
wrote, “A ‘tea,’ even though it be formal, is nevertheless friendly
and inviting. One does not go in ‘church’ clothes nor with
ceremonious manner; but in an informal and every-day spirit, to
see one’s friends and be seen by them.” Since we are offering
several other tours on Mare Island the same day as the Tea, you
may want to plan to bring a change of clothes or comfy shoes
for tours and walks. We have no dress code; just wear what you
like and what works for you.
✦
What happens if it rains? The Tea is
served indoors, and though it is planned in
May, we can’t be assured that it will be
sunny and warm, so, if rain is forecasted,
plan to bring an umbrella and lightweight
coat for the short stroll from parking to
Quarters C, our Tea mansion.
✦
What food will be served? The fare
could be considered a “light lunch”.
✦
Photo: Brian Collett
With all my wishes for a great spring and we can hardly wait to
see you at the Daffodil Tea. And, by the way, if you wish to
volunteer for the Tea, please do let me know.
Myrna Hayes, President
on behalf of my fellow board members
Mare Island Heritage Trust
10:00am-3:00pm
Friday, April 29
Pre-registration required ($60 per person; call 800-472-9942)
Bombs, Birds, Lighthouses, Ships, Wetlands and Wine
Explore the Historic Mare Island Naval Shipyard and Napa
River with Dolphin Charters
A cruise along the Napa River, once California’s third busiest
commercial river, is like a voyage into the past. Begin at the historic
Vallejo and Mare Island Naval Shipyard waterfront and continue into a
different world, one of vineyards, backwater homes, and some of the
Bay Area’s largest contiguous wetlands.
Join Captain Ronn Patterson, an experienced naturalist who guides
tours to Alaska, Baja and the Bay Delta, Myrna Hayes and Brian Collett,
Mare Island Heritage Trust, and Dr. Tom Snyder, The Society for the
History of Navy Medicine as you learn the history of Mare Island and the
Napa River and take in abundant bird life.
We’ll begin our cruise at the confluence of the Carquinez and Mare
Island Straits as they flow into San Pablo Bay – a great vantage point
from which to view the “original” island and learn about its “second
nature”. View osprey and herons nesting on light poles and cranes at
the peak of nesting season. The least known of the Island’s features: at
the mouth of
the Napa River lies the
Navy’s oldest
west coast Naval
Ammunition
Depot founded in 1857,
and its
earliest naval cemetery in
the Pacific,
established a year later;
along with
the former ordnance
workers
houses set on the bluff
above the
river, they make up the
Naval Ammunition Depot National Register Historic District, part of a
new park–the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve.
See the Navy’s first hospital in the West and learn about the Marine
Corps first training camp in the West
founded in 1862. View the berth where
one of WWII’s most famous
submarines, the USS Wahoo was
launched and the submarine base
where boats that served in the Pacific in
WWII were repaired and retrofitted
along with the Navy’s early air station.
We’ll continue close to the quay wall to
view the historic naval shipyard’s
working waterfront where two ships
from the Mothball Fleet are now being
dismantled.
As we journey up the scenic Napa
River, we may catch a glimpse of a pair
of peregrine falcons perched or in flight
Photos above: National Archives,
near their nest as the boat passes under
Pacific Region, San Francisco
the Highway 37 bridge. A variety of hawk species are common and it is
possible to see golden and bald eagles. Just up-river we pass White
Slough designated as a Globally Important Bird Area, and alongside the
Sonoma/Napa marshes, one of the largest inter-tidal marsh restoration
projects in the United States. As we near Bull and Edgerly Islands we’ll
see reminders of the era of duck hunting clubs, orchards, cattle
ranches, boatworks and industrial operations that depended on the
Napa River. Bring your lunch, binoculars and cameras.
May Day on Mare Island and Daffodil Tea
Mare Island Heritage Trust
816 Branciforte Street
Vallejo, CA 94590
May Day on Mare Island Springtime Tours and Tea
Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 29–May 1, 2011
How to get to Mare Island? There is no direct
BUS OR FERRY SERVICE to the Tea, however,
combined with a taxi trip of a couple miles each
way, you could reach the Tea by public transit
using the BARTLink bus from the El Cerrito Del
Norte BART station in the East Bay or by Ferry
from San Francisco. For public transit details call
707-249-9633 and ask for transit information.
AUTO ACCESS TO MARE ISLAND TEA PARKING
From I-80: exit on Tennessee St. Continue
west to the entrance to Mare Island. Proceed
straight ahead to Walnut Ave. Turn left. Continue
to Captain’s Row. Park on left just before 8th St. or
along 8th St. or park across from the Chapel
beyond Captain’s Row. Catch a carriage ride or
walk to Quarters C.
From Napa and Sonoma: Travel south on
Highway 29 to Tennessee St., turn right and follow
directions above.
From Marin and Sonoma: Travel east on
Highway 37 toward Vallejo. Just before crossing
the Napa River bridge, take the Mare Island exit.
Turn right into the north gate of Mare Island and
continue on Walnut Ave. Follow directions above.
From Contra Costa County: Cross the
Benicia-Martinez Bridge on I-680. Take I-780
west toward Benicia and Vallejo. Continue on
I-780 for approximately 7 miles. Continue on the
extension of I-780, Curtola Parkway and Mare
Island Way, 2.5 miles traveling along the Vallejo
waterfront. Turn left at Tennessee St. and follow
directions above.
All events are open to the public and free of
charge–unless otherwise noted. Some
activities require pre-registration.
Thanks to the City of Vallejo, the U.S. Navy,
Weston Solutions and Lennar Mare Island
for use of the facilities on Mare Island.
Make a Reservation for Tea
To reserve a seat for the
11th Annual Daffodil Tea
Sunday May 1, 2011
Reserve by mail:
Complete the reservation
form and return it with your
check or money order to
816 Branciforte St. Vallejo,
CA 94590. Make check
Photo: donnio
payable to: Mare Island
Heritage Trust. Tickets will be mailed until April 26.
Tickets will be reserved for you at will-call after April
26. Note: Ticket cost is not tax-deductible. Mare
Island Heritage Trust is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
nonprofit corporation.
Reserve with a credit card: Call the Vallejo
Convention and Visitors Bureau, 707-642-3653
through April 26. There is a $1 per ticket fee for
credit card use. Tickets will be mailed until April 26
and available at will-call after April 26.
Purchasing tickets in person: Tickets may be
purchased with cash, check or credit card in person
at the Vallejo CVB, 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo,
94590 (Vallejo Ferry Terminal) The Vallejo CVB is
open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm Saturday and
Sunday 8:30am-1pm.
____ I/we wish to attend the Daffodil Tea
____ Adults: $35
_____ Children 6-12 yrs $15 _____ Children 0-5 yrs Free
Make checks payable to: MARE ISLAND HERITAGE TRUST
Total amount enclosed: ____________
Name: _____________________________________
Mailing Address: _______________________________
City: _____________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: _____________
Phone: _______________________ Email address: __________________________
[if you would like to receive Daffodil Tea updates and confirmations and a twice
monthly e-newsletter about programs, events and outings on Mare Island]
(If you are part of a group, provide full group name, contact name and phone no.)
Group Name: _________________________________________________________
Contact: __________________________ Phone: ____________________________
LET US KNOW YOUR SEATING PREFERENCE
DAFFODIL TEA
QUARTERS C
1085 WALNUT AVE.
MARE ISLAND, VALLEJO, CA
SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2011
____ First seating: 12 Noon Tea
____ Second Seating: 3pm Afternoon Tea
____ Need wheelchair or limited access
seating (total number of individuals in group
needing accommodation)
For information call:
707-557-9816
707-249-9633 cell
Visit our website
Daffodilteamareisland.org
For tickets call: 707-642-3653
May Day on Mare Island Springtime Tours and Tea
Saturday, April 30 and Sunday May 1, 2011
9:00am-1:00pm
Saturday, April 30
Join the celebration of the Vallejo People’s Garden Grand
Opening Breakfast and Gardening Festival. Free breakfast,
gardening workshops, music, and the official garden dedication.
The Garden is located at 1055 Azuar Drive, at the intersection of
East Poplar Avenue and Oscar Streets.
See more information about the Vallejo People’s Garden Sunday
10:30am description.
Railroad Ave. Go left on Railroad Ave. Continue beyond gate to
Palmer’s Hut. Park on left along fence. From Marin or Napa take the
Mare Island exit off of Hwy 37 and
follow Walnut Ave. south to stop
sign at “G” St. Turn left. Turn right
at the 2nd right at Nimitz Ave.
Follow directions above.
9:00am-10:30am Tour of
Historic Mare Island Naval
Hospital Complex Grounds
Repeats1:30-3pm
8:00am-8:00pm San Pablo Bay
Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk
Also Naturalist-led birdwatching walk:
See 3:00pm description
Explore the wetland habitats of Mare
Island on a self-guided 2-mile loop bird
and wildlife viewing trail to San Pablo
Bay, adjacent to endangered species
habitat opened in December 2010 for
wildlife viewing only. That means no
dogs on or off leash or bikes, please. All
ages. Bring binoculars and cameras.
Photo: Brian Collett
Trailhead at parking lot, 750 Dump Rd.
the west end of A St at Azuar Dr.
Join Dr. Tom Snyder, Captain,
Medical Corps, USN, ret., CoFounder and Executive Director,
The Society for the History of Navy
Medicine for a fascinating and oft
asked about history of the Navy’s
oldest hospital in the Pacific,
closed in 1957 and now part of the
campus of Touro University. Meet at Library on Touro University
campus, 1545 Azuar Dr. near corner of 14th St. and Azuar Dr. Park
along Azuar Dr.
10:00am-11:30am Naturalist-led Wildflower and
9:00am-3:00pm Come Aboard the former USS LCS 102 Mighty Birdwatching Walk Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
Join Brian Collett, Preserve Naturalist for an off-trail hunt for
Midget Restored WWII Landing Craft Support Gunboat
Mare Island is home to the last remaining of its kind of the 130
boats built for this purpose during WWII. While not built at Mare
Island, it certainly is a fitting berth for the LCS 102. Tours are free, but
donations are greatly appreciated for this floating museum.
Directions: From Vallejo: cross
the Wichels Causeway from
Tennessee St. and Mare Island
Way. Turn left on Nimitz Ave.
Turn left on A St. to Berth 6.
From Napa and Sonoma
Counties: Travel on Hwy 29
southbound to Tennessee St.
Turn right. Continue on
Tennessee St. to Mare Island
Way. Follow directions above.
From Contra Costa County:
Photo: Brian Collett
Cross Benicia Martinez Bridge
onto I-780. Exit I-80 eastbound
towards Sacramento. Exit Tennessee St./Mare Island. Continue
westbound on Tennessee St. Follow directions above. From Marin
and Sonoma Counties: Travel on Hwy 37 towards Vallejo. Take the
Mare Island exit. Turn right; continue on Walnut Ave. to G St. Turn left
two blocks. Turn right on Nimitz Ave. Follow directions above.
9:00am – 8:00pm Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
Self-guided Walk
Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.3 mile
paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop
scenic vista and beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery.
The Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Directions: From the Mare Island Causeway entrance take the
first left on Nimitz Ave. and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to
wildflowers in the Preserve at the peak of spring wildflower blooming
season. This is the 3rd season we have explored the Preserve in
search of its wild secrets after being off-limits for more than 150
years to the public. This walk is medium difficulty because it is crosscountry and there are steep and possibly wet areas. No restroom
facilities. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat, dress in layers for all possible
weather conditions, bring water and snacks. Meet at Palmer’s Hut at
the Preserve entrance south end of Railroad Ave. Leader: Brian
Collett, 530-220-3121.
Directions: See 9:00am directions to the Preserve
10:00am-2:00pm History of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery Tour
Join Cemetery Docent Peggy O’Drain at the Mare Island Naval
Cemetery, the Navy’s oldest cemetery in the Pacific founded in 1858.
Peggy is researching
for a book about
its history and those
buried there, She
will focus her tour on
“Section A” of the
cemetery where Anna
Key Turner, a
daughter of Francis
Scott Key, author
of our national anthem,
is buried with her
husband, some of their
children and other
early residents of Mare
Island, many of
whom were not Navy
officers.
See 9:00am directions
Artist: Jeff DeSalles
For additional May Day on Mare Island, Daffodil Tea and
Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Trust information
call: 707-557-9816 or 707-249-9633
www.MareIslandPreserve.org
May Day on Mare Island Springtime Tours and Tea
Sunday May 1, 2011 cont’d.
10:00am - 3:00pm Tour of St. Peter’s Chapel
St. Peter’s Chapel, the oldest Navy chapel built in
1900, is home to the
most Tiffany glass on a
single site in the West.
Directions: Park
across from the Chapel
located at the south
end of Walnut Ave
beyond Captain’s Row
mansions (right turn at
Wedding of John and Cheryl Wellner end of Captain’s Row
onto alley, then left turn and left turn again, onto Walnut Ave.
northbound to parking lot). Entrance donation fee: $3 per person.
12noon-1:30pm 11th Annual
Daffodil Tea
Pre-registration highly recommended
Repeats Sunday 3:00pm-4:30pm
The Daffodil Tea is a much anticipated
joyful springtime event on Mare Island
featuring fresh fare, our signature
Daffodil Tea blend, live music, a
boutique and silent auction, charming
Photo: Brian Collett decor and fresh spring bouquets. Tea
is served by reservation at two
seatings in an historic “Captain’s Row” turn-of-the–19th century
mansion. Cost: $35 per person, young people ages 6-12,
is located in Building 46. Entrance across from Alden Park at 8th St.
and Railroad Ave. Entrance donation fee: $3 per person.
$15, age 5 and under, free. For tickets and information call:
707-642-3653, 707-557-9816 or 707-249-9633 or visit:
Daffodilteamareisland.org
10:30am-11:30am Vallejo People’s Garden and Global
Center for Success Tour
1:30pm-3:00pm Vallejo People’s Garden and Global
Center for Success Tour
10:00am - 4:00pm Tour the Mare Island Museum The Museum
Repeats 1:30pm See also 9am Saturday, April 30 description above
of Grand-opening Breakfast and Garden Festival
Join a tour of the Vallejo People’s Garden, a partnership
between the Global Center for Success, the U.S. Forest Service
office on Mare Island, and community residents. Global Center for
Success serves Vallejo’s homeless by providing job and life skills
training services. An agency of the USDA, the Forest Service
encourages its employees to volunteer their time and skills in
building community gardens. The Garden is at 1055 Azuar Drive, at
the intersection of East Poplar Avenue and Oscar Streets.
11:30am–3:30pm Free Horse and Carriage Rides along
Captain’s Row
Join Tom and Connie Hodgson and their pair of Haflinger
horses for a carriage ride along Captain’s Row and Alden Park.
Fancy Ferriage by Horse and Carriage
makes their home in Martinez. What a treat
that they have come across the Strait to
spend the day with us again this year. The
rides are free, but the drivers and horses
sure deserve a tip from you, if you will!
12noon-5pm Open Studios at The
Coal Shed Studios
The Coal Shed Studios is a group of 13
artists whose studios are located in one of
the historic coal storage sheds along the
Napa River/Mare Island Strait. Not regularly
open, take this chance to stop by to visit
Photo: donnio
and check out art works. Located on the waterfront–entrance 4th St.
and Nimitz Ave.
Want to make a contribution to support May Day on Mare
Island and other public access programs on Mare Island?
Please make your check payable to: Mare Island Heritage Trust
816 Branciforte St. Vallejo, CA 94590
or to make a contribution by credit card visit:
www.mareislandpreserve.org Click on the DONATE button.
Repeats 10:30am
See 10:30am description and directions
1:30pm-3:00pm Tour of Historic Mare Island Naval
Hospital Complex Grounds
Repeats 9am-10:30pm
See 9am description and directions
3:00pm-4:30pm 11th Annual Daffodil
Pre-registration highly recommended
Tea
Repeats Sunday 12noon-1:30pm
See 12noon description
3:00pm-5:00pm Naturalist-led Mare Island San Pablo Bay
Wetlands Trail Birdwatching Walk with Brian Collett,
Founding Board Member, Mare Island Heritage Trust Explore the western edge of Mare Island adjacent to the San
Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge on more than 2 miles of new
trails that border endangered salt marsh harvest mouse habitat with
views of San Pablo Bay, Mt. Tamalpais and Sonoma Mountain.
Seasonal wetlands with lots of ducks, egrets and other birds.
See 8:00am for directions. Leader Brian Collett 530-220-3121
May Day on Mare Island Host
Mare Island Heritage Trust
May Day on Mare Island
May Day Major Sponsor
participating organizations
($1,000 - $1,999)
Lennar Mare Island In-kind
✦ Fancy Ferriage by Horse and
Carriage
✦Harbor View Tea Society
May Day Supporters
✦Mare Island Heritage Trust
($250 to $999)
Vallejo Convention and
✦Mare Island Historic Park
Visitors Bureau In-kind
Ferriage by Horse and Carriage in-kind Foundation
✦The Coal Shed Studios
Harbor View Tea Society in-kind
✦The Society for the History of
May Day Friends
Navy Medicine
($25 to $249)
✦Vallejo People’s Garden and
The Society for the History of Navy
Medicine
Global Center for Success
Vallejo People’s Garden and Global
✦ WWII Landing Craft Gunboat
Center for Success
(LCS-102)