Filoli is a good choice for the Antiques Roadshow. I'm impressed that 5000 people are expected, but fortunately their timed tickets mean that the 5000 won't be there all at the same time. My attention was caught by the statement that KQED will have 150 volunteers to help manage the day. Those volunteers reporting to Filoli are ironic because a number of years ago Filoli had more than 1500 volunteers who had substantial knowledge and skills in making Filoli successful. Now "volunteer" is literally a forbidden term no longer allowed there. Instead of 1500 people devoting themselves to Filoli currently, in a number of ways, a handful of people are occasionally invited to "participate" in the garden under the supervision of staff horticulturists. Sadly the invitation and plan ignores the years of horticultural knowledge among former "volunteers" and offers instead insulting plans of explaining mulch to these garden experts after they assist with the spring weeding. I find this very sad a continuation of the loss of years of institutional knowledge which has been rejected by present management.

Filoli is so excited to host the Antiques Roadshow. Like our recent accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, it is an honor to receive the national recognition Filoli has earned from our collective hard work over the last several years. The post from the "Walsh Road Reporter" referenced our new Service Learning Experiences that we are launching in early March. This new program provides a free educational experience on important horticulture topics combined with an opportunity to volunteer to support Filoli's greatest needs. The format allows us to reach both new and existing audiences, inviting them to learn more about broad topics, enjoy time together and meet new people, be immersed in the beauty of Filoli, and give back to this treasured community resource through service. We welcome all to Filoli to experience beauty, nature and shared stories this year!