by Timothy Rutt
Eliot Middle School will hold a dedication ceremony and first planting for its new school garden on Wednesday, in tribute to a former teacher who died two years ago.
The garden, a collaboration with the Environmental Media Association (EMA), was funded with a contribution from Sony Pictures and actress Cameron Diaz, an EMA member. PUSD facilities supervisor Shirly Barrett coordinated and managed the construction, with help from Eliot teachers, students, staff, and parents, as well as volunteers from community partner, the Pasadena area Starbucks.
The garden will be dedicated to former Eliot history teacher Stephen Scott Buck, who passed away in June 2010.
Actor Mehcad Brooks (True Blood) from EMA will join the students as they plant fruit trees and the first of nine raised bed planters along Calavaras Street. LA Conservation Corps is bringing trees and other plantings as well as a crew.
The ceremony and plantings will take place between 11 AM and noon on Wed., Feb. 15 at the school, 2184 N. Lake Ave.
