Help Green E-G with a “Guerrilla” Planting

Help Green E-G with a “Guerrilla” Planting

The Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council is currently applying for two ambitious Greening Neighborhoods grants.

One project will use native shrubs and permaculture to complete the area on N. Maple that was planted with nine trees back in April.

The other project will be a “guerrilla” planting that will put street trees in front of homes at 2000–2500 N. Atlantic and 2400–2500 N. Stevens. It’s called “guerrilla” because a band of neighborhood volunteers will conduct the planting themselves over the course of a day or two. They’ll be overseen by a certified arborist.

However, to ensure the grant is successful, we need permission from the owners of the properties that fall within those areas. This means we can either knock on your door in person, or you can get in touch with us (quickly, please!) and say that you’d love to have a street tree in front of your home that will buffer wind and noise, beautify the neighborhood, shade your home from the sun’s heat, and, yes, even help calm traffic.

To see what’s planned in terms of location and scope, click on the aerial maps above. These indicate what planting strips will allow for trees, the number of trees (61 in total), and the proposed tree class (i.e., I, II or III) as specified on the Approved Street Tree List on the Spokane Urban Forestry web page. Residents will be able to determine the choice of trees.

Even if you don’t live at one of those properties, you can still get involved. We welcome volunteer door-knockers who will help us get residents’ permission as well as volunteers who will help us plant the trees on the day. Just contact us to say you’d like to help.

This application is due September 15, so please don’t delay.

Corbin Senior Activity Center Fundraising Auction (Sep 27)

Corbin Senior Activity Center Fundraising Auction (Sep 27)

The Corbin Senior Activity Center (827 W Cleveland) is holding its twelfth and largest annual fundraiser on Saturday, September 27. This year it takes on a Greek theme. Doors open at 3pm, and a Mediterranean-style dinner with appetizers follows at 4:30pm.

Donations and reservations are still being actively solicited. You or your business can donate items to the silent or live auctions, or you can purchase reservations for individuals ($30), tables of eight ($215), and tables of ten ($275). This money helps the center keep its doors open and continue to provide essential community services in the face of ongoing budget cuts.

The Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council would like to show its support for the center by reserving an 8- or 10-person table. If you would like to take out a seat or two at that table, please get in touch.

Corbin Auction 2014: Athenian Night

Additionally, a mere $24 will get anyone over the age of 18 an annual membership to the Corbin Senior Activity Center. Membership entitles you to use of their facilities and significant discounts with businesses all along N. Monroe.

For more information on annual membership, the upcoming auction, or If you’re interested in being a board member for the center (a three-year term will start in January, 2015), please call Christa Richardson at (509) 327-1584 (x10) or e-mail info@corbinseniorcenter.org.

Recap of 2014 Summer Potluck at Emerson Park

Recap of 2014 Summer Potluck at Emerson Park

What follows is a condensed version of the minutes from the short meeting of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council that followed the annual Summer Potluck on August 13, 2014 in Emerson Park.

The next generation of Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood planners
The next generation of Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood planners (courtesy Bri Musser)

Prior to the meeting, during the barbeque, some neighbors brainstormed with Joe Cannon, a restoration ecologist from the Lands Council, about what trees would be ideal to plant throughout the neighborhood as part of the current Greening Neighborhoods grants.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm, and a quorum of 18 voting members was present, along with 10 guests. The June minutes were approved without any changes.  There were no additions or changes to the agenda, and there were no guest speakers.

The Greening Neighborhood grants were discussed first. There are three projects in the works, each of which is a volunteer project. These projects include the east side of Mansfield near Washington, Cora east of Monroe, and a continuation of the previous planting project on N. Maple.

A draft of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Project Hope Spokane and the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council was presented in order to identify the roles and responsibilities of each party regarding the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market. It was requested that the EGNC arrive with feedback and be prepared to vote on the MoU at the next meeting. The market saw $3,200 in total sales on Friday, August 8, and there is now a permanent street sign on Monroe.

Safe Routes to School is looking for interviewers for Garfield and Audubon Elementary who will help determine priorities for things like sidewalks and crosswalks. There is an interview outline you can follow — but keep in mind that the deadline for interviews is the end of August. Get in touch if you’re interested.

The traffic circles on Montgomery/Madison and Montgomery/Cedar are out to bid, and they will be installed by the end of autumn. The funding is done with Photo Red dollars, not tax dollars. Emerson-Garfield will also get sidewalks on Adams and Madison, filling in gaps.

For Corbin Senior Activity Center, there is still no arrival date for the van that they ordered in the spring, and they are hoping for September. The center’s biggest fundraiser, the annual auction, will be held there on Saturday, September 27. This year it’s called “Athenian Nights.” They would appreciate donations and attendance, as the fundraiser helps keep their doors open. So please donate!

Also, a mere $24 will get anyone over the age of 18 an annual membership to the Corbin Senior Activity Center. Membership entitles you to use of their facilities (like the Wii) and discounts to businesses all along N. Monroe.

The CSAC also installed cameras throughout the building in order to improve safety and discourage vandalism. The money for the cameras came from a donation by a former board member. There is still a separate cost for the installation.

If you are interested in being a board member for the CSAC, a three-year term will be starting in January, 2015. You can find out more information by calling Christa at (509) 327-1584 (x10).

Megan Kennedy led a toast (of sparkling cider) in celebration of the Neighborhood Plan, which is now complete. The City Council unanimously adopted the plan by resolution on July 28.

Eline Helm reported on Concerts in the Park. The feedback has been very positive; Sarah Brown and her husband clearly did a wonderful job. There were approximately 100 people in attendance, and $55 in donations was gathered in the collection during the event. Donors from the previous year gave larger amounts this year.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

Korean Food Sale TODAY (Aug 16)

Korean Food Sale TODAY (Aug 16)

Spokane Hope Christian Reformed Church (스포켄 소망교회) located at 806 W Knox is holding their Korean food sale today (SaturdayAugust 16) from 11am to 3pm. Apologies for the late notice!

Since last month Spokane Hope CRC has been holding their food sale sale every Friday concurrent with the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market so hungry shoppers can grab some freshly prepared, authentic Korean food to eat there or take away. But once a month they also do a Saturday sale with a larger menu that includes gimbap and bibim bap (see the image below).

Korean Food Sale (August 2014)There’s also a special offer running today: When you order four meals, you receive your fifth one free. Plus you can place your to-go orders via e-mail.

There’s even an added incentive for returning visitors. They now offer punch cards where your sixth order is free (please note, however, that it can’t be combined with the “order four, get five” offer above).

If you like the food, then be sure to find out more about their fellowship! Their bilingual worship service starts at 12:30pm on Sundays and, not surprisingly, is followed by a meal and socialization.

E-G Summer Potluck in Emerson Park (Aug 13)

E-G Summer Potluck in Emerson Park (Aug 13)

The annual Emerson-Garfield Summer Potluck will take place in Emerson Park this Wednesday, August 13 starting at 6pm.

The neighborhood potlucks are open to everyone who lives, works or plays in Emerson-Garfield, so feel free to come for the first (or fifteenth) time and invite other people on your block. These potlucks are a great way to meet your neighbors and members of the community in the relaxed surroundings of our neighborhood parks.

Vintage potluck

Don’t forget to bring a dish to share! It can be anything — a salad, a bowl of fruit, a bag of snack chips, or your world-famous enchiladas. There will be a limited amount of free hot dogs grilled by our resident BBQ maven as a bonus.

The August meeting of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council will follow the potluck at 7pm. You can download the minutes from the June meeting (pending approval) for review as well as the August agenda.