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Photos from the April 2015 Greening Grant Plantings

Photos from the April 2015 Greening Grant Plantings

Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood held two simultaneous Greening Grant plantings on April 4, 2015.

One took place on the traffic median near 3114 N Maple, where trees had already been installed as part of the 2014 Greening Grant plantings. The year volunteers planted yucca and horizontal juniper bushes as ground cover, leaving enough room for the sidewalk to be laid later this year.

The other planting took place on the eastern side of Garfield Elementary. Spokane Urban Forestry had actually installed the trees a few days prior, so volunteers carried out some light dirt and sod removal followed by mulching.

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Residents interested in the free trees that the City of Spokane is giving away over the weekend of April 17 and 18 as part of the Residential Tree Program were able to claim up to two vouchers at either of these events.

If you missed the plantings, there’s still another chance to claim your vouchers at the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council meeting on Wednesday, April 8 at the Corbin Senior Center (827 W Cleveland). It starts at 6pm.

E-G “Greening Grant” Tree Plantings (Apr 4)

E-G “Greening Grant” Tree Plantings (Apr 4)

It’s time for our neighborhood to plant the trees and landscaping awarded by our successful 2014 Greening Grant applications. Devotees of Emerson-Garfield news and beautification efforts will recall that this is a rescheduling of the planting event that was cancelled last autumn on account of an early freeze.

This neighborhood-wide event will take place on Saturday, April 4 from 9am to 1pm.

Please note that there are two simultaneous locations on either side of the neighborhood! Volunteers are needed for both. Anyone who wants to help beautify Emerson-Garfield is welcome to participate.

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The first planting is on the east side of Garfield Elementary (222 W Knox) next to the playground. This is part of a larger “guerrilla” tree planting up and down the length of Atlantic and one block of Stevens — dubbed “guerrilla” because the original plan was to have volunteers plant a tree for anyone who wanted it right there on the spot. But Spokane Urban Forestry doesn’t work that way. Which is probably for the best, since the trees should be planted with professional care to ensure their longevity.

Roughly 15 volunteers will be needed here to plant the trees in the ground and distribute mulch. It will be light physical labor for all ages and abilities. Feel free to bring tools like a wheelbarrow, shovel or rake.

Social media fans can RSVP for the Garfield planting on Facebook or Nextdoor.

The second planting is on the west side of Emerson-Garfield at the median strip near 3114 N Maple. Approximately 15 volunteers will be needed to move ten yards of soil to the holes, then plant yuccas and horizontal junipers around the existing trees and along the soon-to-be-installed sidewalks. As above, feel free to bring basic garden tools to help the effort.

You can RSVP for the N Maple planting on Facebook or Nextdoor.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to wield a shovel or stay the full five hours to contribute. Bringing some cookies and drinks for the volunteers is as greatly appreciated as helping to put trees in the ground.

Questions? Leave a comment on social media, get in touch with the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council, or contact Alicia Powell at apowell@spokanecity.org or (509) 625-6780.

STA Prop 1 Open House (Mar 26)

STA Prop 1 Open House (Mar 26)

The Spokane Transit Authority is holding an all-area open house at the STA Plaza (701 W Riverside) from 4 to 6pm on Thursday, March 26 to inform interested members of the public about Proposition 1, a measure that will appear on the April 28 ballot.

Prop 1 is a proposal to increase local sales tax by 3/10 of 1% — the equivalent of three cents on a $10 retail purchase — for public transit. The ballot measure contains a ten-year sunset clause and would expire at the end of 2025. If approved, the funds would be used to maintain existing service levels, as well as provide more and better transit throughout the region.

You can read more about Prop 1 in this digital booklet.

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STA staff will be on hand at the open house to discuss and answer questions about the ballot measure in person.

To learn more about specific projects throughout the Spokane region, visit STA Moving Forward. If you have general questions about Prop 1 that are unanswered by the digital booklet linked above, please contact Brandon Rapez-Betty, Sr. Communications Specialist at the STA, at BRapez-Betty@spokanetransit.com or (509) 344-1879.

STA representatives are already scheduled to speak about Prop 1 at the next meeting of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council on Wednesday, April 8.

Upcoming Events and Sales at Petunia’s Marketplace

Upcoming Events and Sales at Petunia’s Marketplace

petunias_marketplace_spokane_waPetunia’s Marketplace (2010 N Madison) — a favorite neighborhood business and cornerstone vendor at the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market — announced at the February meeting of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council that the shop would be starting a seed lending library.

A seed lending library operates on the same basic principle as a book library. That is, you check out the types of available seed that you would like to plant, and you return some of that same type of seed in the autumn. And, like a book library, you can check out those seeds at no cost. It’s a great way to experiment with new plants and enhance your garden without spending a lot of money on new seeds. Plus, as the library resources grow, you can find the right kind of seeds that will work best for your particular garden plot.

But the seed library isn’t all that Petunia’s is doing. In the coming months, the shop will be holding several special sales and gardening events.

This Saturday (March 21), Petunia’s will host a class called, “What to plant to feed the bees from spring to frost,” taught by an experienced apiarist. Given that bees are so crucial to pollination, the right type of sustaining, attractive plants can make the difference between a garden that flourishes and one that withers. It runs from 9–11am. Cost is $10.

On Saturday, April 11, you can learn how to successfully transplant your delicate starts from their pots to your garden soil. Again, that class will run from 9–11am and cost $10.

Local master gardener Steve Nokes will teach a basic course titled “Vegetables 101” on Wednesday, April 22 from 6:30–7:30pm. That also costs $10. It’s great for beginners as well as longtime gardeners looking for tips.

There will be a (free) Master Gardener Plant Sale & Garden Fair on Saturday, April 25. That runs from 9am–2pm and will see participation from the Master Gardener Program at the WSU Extension.

And on Saturday, May 2, it’s the opening day of Petunia’s greenhouse. That will coincide with the shop’s Chocolate & Flower Festival, which runs from 9am–4pm.

These classes could fill up fast! To request more info or to reserve a spot, contact Stacy or Bev on (509) 328-4257 or reach out via Petunia’s Facebook page.

Spokane Police Advisory Committee Public Meeting (Mar 19)

Spokane Police Advisory Committee Public Meeting (Mar 19)

The Spokane Police Advisory Committee (PAC) is holding a quarterly meeting on Thursday, March 19 that is open to the public. It will start at 5:30pm and be held in the Newton Room of the West Central Community Center (1603 N Belt).

This meeting offers one more way that the public can engage with the Spokane Police Department. Representatives from the SPD will answer citizens’ questions and provide updates on current issues and ongoing initiatives.

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The PAC is a collection of community representatives who serve as an advisory group to the Office of the Chief of Police regarding community needs and concerns, as well as community responses to proposed police programs and priorities.

The PAC is looking for additional community leaders to join this committee. If you are interested, please send a request for an application to anapolitano@spokanepolice.org or call (509) 625-4063.