How My (Herb) Garden Grows

Rosemary Clooney’s Herbs

2951 Long Beach Blvd.

Long Beach, Calif. 90806

(213) 426-TYME

Plus Delivery Charge Brochure Available When singer Rosemary Clooney and her family set up the Betty Clooney Center, their goal was to allow brain-injured people to live as independently as possible. Named after Rosemary’s sister, who died of a brain aneurysm, the center was the first of its kind to offer vocational and recreational activities in a low-pressure atmosphere.

Many of the members work in the center’s English-style herb garden, tending more than 50 organic herbs, flowering vines, edible flowers, baby vegetables and fancy lettuce. The garden--originally started to help members learn job skills--has now become an outlet for organically grown produce. The produce is so popular that the center has even opened a country store to sell the garden’s bounty.

Most of us are not going to rush off to Long Beach to buy our produce, but the center’s beautifully arranged gift baskets are available by mail. I liked the Little Salad Basket, made of bark and bursting with everything you need to dress a salad: imported olive oil, fragrant herbal vinegar, fresh dried herbs, sundried tomatoes and a bouquet of garlic. At $25 (plus $5 for shipping), the basket is a good value--for a good cause.

Clooney gifts are available in prices ranging from $10 to $80, plus shipping.