– The stage is set for the Wayne County Builders Association Home and Garden Festival taking place this weekend. On Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., homeowners and builders will have a chance to tour booths dedicated to indoor and outdoor living.

“We expanded the outdoor living section this year,” said Laurie Lourie, Chief Executive Officer of the Wayne County Builders Association. That newly expanded section includes outdoor lampposts and landscaping ideas.

The festival is a chance for community members to learn from experts in various areas, including building, remodeling, landscaping, home decor and more.

The event lets people “come and see the latest in building products” in one convenient location, Lourie said. “We have everything you need to remodel your home.”

The show also offers two days of events for the whole family. On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be an electronic recycling available. Accepted items are old electronics, like televisions and computers. There is no fee to recycle an item, but donations are accepted.

Dessin Animal Shelter will be at the festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday hosting a pet adoption event for those looking for that perfect furry companion.

Saturday also brings with it the highly anticipated LEGO Building Contest for children ages 5-8 and 9-12. Preregistration is required for this fun test of design and construction skill.

Throughout the entire two-day festival, there will fresh herbs and hanging planters for sale and live wood carving demonstrations. Lourie said another exciting draw for the event is the addition of a builder tent sale.

Available for sale in the tents will be items that are “surplus from local builders and contractors.” Items will be “priced to sell,” she said. The items are new or gently used and range from doors and tiles to appliances.

If all of the walking around works up an appetite, there will be many menu items available from the Carousel Cafe. Breakfast at the cafe will be served from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with items like ham, egg and cheese sandwiches, danishes, yogurt, bagels and more. For lunch, which is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the menu boasts items like pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, chili, barbeque chicken and baked beans among the items.

There will also be the unveiling of six children’s playhouses for a Playhouse Raffle to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The playhouses were built by six area builders: Cassel Building Contractors, Inc., The Duck Harbor Group, Forest Homes of Lake Wallenpaupack, Haviland Building and Remodeling, J.R. Bea Construction and Wallenpaupack High School Building Construction Students. All proceeds raised from the event will benefit local children in a Make-A-Wish program.

The annual Home and Garden Festival runs on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the event is free.

The festival is held at the Ladore Camp and Conference Center, 287 Owego Turnpike in Waymart.

For more information, visit www.waynecountybuilders.com or call 1-570-226-4941.

 

Spring is the perfect time to get started on those outdoor projects you have been planning and to get your house in shape for summer. It is also a good time to look into new ways to save energy and reduce your environmental impact. While energy conservation is a year-round commitment, the warmer days of spring present a unique opportunity to make home improvements and lifestyle changes that will lower your utility costs.

1. Spring cleaning. While chasing those dust bunnies around, look for ways to make your home more energy efficient. Cleaning under and behind your refrigerator will improve operating efficiency, and dusting light bulbs will increase light output. When cleaning windows, check to make sure they are sealed properly.
2. Check your air conditioner. Clean or replace the system’s filter and adjust thermostat settings for warmer weather. Have your system cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Outdoors, trim back any plants or vines growing around the unit.
3. Change direction. As the temperature rises, reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. In summer, they should be set counterclockwise to create a downward airflow that will make rooms feel cooler.
4. Let it slide. If you have a sliding door, make sure the track is clean. Dirt buildup from foot traffic in winter and early spring can damage the door seal and create gaps where cool air can escape.
5. Stay cool with attic ventilation. Attic ventilation systems draw cool air up through the house, providing the same level of comfort as an air conditioner, but at a much lower cost.
6. Window treatments. If you are redecorating, consider installing insulated, thermal-backed drapes. When closed on south- and west-facing windows, they help block out the sun, keeping your home cooler on hot summer days.
7. Plant some shade. Arbor Day is coming, celebrate by planting a shade tree along the south- or west-facing side of your home. Trees will help to shield your home from the sun in summer, keeping you cool and reducing your energy bill. They are good for the environment as well. Call before you dig and consider the mature height of trees; do not select a location that will interfere with power lines when trees reach their full height.
8. Air dry laundry. Now that warm weather is here, why not install a clothesline and dry your laundry in the sun? Air drying saves on energy costs and it is gentler on your clothes, helping them last longer.
9. Shake a leg. Whenever possible, save energy and help the environment by walking or riding a bike. Public transportation and ride sharing are green options for getting to and from work.
10. Go green. Start a compost bin for recycling kitchen and yard waste. Install a rain barrel to conserve water for use in outdoor landscaping. The idea is to reduce, reuse and recycle whatever you can.

Cartooning program for tweens today

Illustrator Brian Kolm will offer a cartooning program for tweens, ages 10-14, at 4-5:30 p.m. today (April 26) at Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. He will teach attendees to draw fun and interesting characters such as magical mythological warriors. This class is limited to 20 tweens. To reserve a spot and for more information, call 745-1421.

“Southern Comfort”

Dancers will journey through memories of visiting Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Louisiana through an array of dance styles including jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop and ballet during Ohlone College Dance Department Production’s “Southern Comfort: A Sentimental Journey” at 8 p.m. April 27 at the Smith Center at Ohlone College, located at 43600 Mission Blvd. in Fremont. Tickets are $12-$15 each. Parking is $2 per vehicle. For more information or to buy tickets, call the box office at 659-6031 or visitÊsmithcenter.com.

“Street Eats”

Fremont Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Food Truck Mafia, will be hosting the first “Fremont Street Eats” of the season 4:30-9 p.m. today (April 26) in the parking lot of Mission Valley ROP, 5019 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont Street Eats will be repeated every Friday night through Oct. 25.ÊEvery Friday night at Fremont Street Eats, the event will feature two chamber members who want to wow the crowds with their products and services.Ê

Participating members will be allowed a 10-foot by 10-foot

exhibit space where they can sell, demonstrate, educate and entertain Fremont Street Eats guests, for free. For more information, contact KK Kaneshiro at 795-2244 or e-mail kkaneshiro@fremontbusiness.com to book your space now. Members will be booked on a first come, first served basis.Ê

“Five Palettes”

“Five Palettes,” an exhibit featuring the watercolors of five Bay Area artists, runs through April 27 at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery, 123 Washington Blvd. The artists are all members of the California Watercolor Association and have been accepted into numerous CWA member art shows, gathering weekly for six years to paint, critique, share techniques and experience the joy of working together.

Summer enrichment

Every year Ohlone for Kids offers a blend of academic and special interest classes to enrich children’s summer, keeping them active, learning and enjoying their experience. The courses, designed for students entering fourth through 11th grades, will include four sessions of classes June 24-Aug. 8. Classes will include LEGO robotics, video game design, PSAT and SAT prep, cooking, computer programming, movie making and more. Classes will be held at the Ohlone College Fremont and Newark campuses and at Newark Memorial High School. For more information, call 742-2304 or visit ohloneforkids.com.

Discover New Zealand

Experience the land of the hobbits at a New Zealand Culture Event 1:30-4:30 p.m. April 27 in Cole Hall at the First United Methodist Church, 2950 Washington Blvd. in Fremont. The Maori Mo Ake Tonu group will sing and dance and their leader will describe and explain the still thriving and colorful Maori traditions. This will include the fiercely compelling haka performed before every rugby match. The public is invited to share this experience with members of the Friendship Force of the San Francisco Bay Area and even join in the dancing. Members are preparing their homes for the visit of club members from Horowhenua, New Zealand in May and want to learn more about their culture in advance. Find out about the Bay Area club’s history of hosting members from more than 60 countries and also traveling as a group to develop lasting friendships around the world. For more information, call 793-0857.

World Tai Chi Day

Join world class Martial Arts Champion Sifu Yan Fei,Ê35th generation Shaolin Warrior Monk Sifu Yuan LongÊalong with more than 40 of his studentsÊandÊ2010 Tai Chi Master of the Year Sifu May ChenÊfor World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27 at the Ohlone College Newark Center, 39399 Cherry St. in Newark. During that time, attendees will be able to enjoy demonstrations along with a variety of 30-minute sessions in celebration of this global event. It is free and open to the public, but parking is $2 per vehicle, which will be enforced after 11 a.m. For a schedule of performances and sessions, visit ohlone.edu/go/globalwellness.

“Depression The Musical”

Brian Wetzel, an award-winning professional speaker and comedian, will perform his musical comedy “Depression The Musical” 7:30 p.m. April 27 at Fremont Congregational Church, located at 38255 Blacow Road in Fremont. Following Wetzel’s light-hearted but poignant and deeply personal look at a very important issue, the Rev. Barbara Meyer (community minister of Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Church whose ministry focuses on issues of mental health) will respond. Light refreshments afterwards will provide an opportunity to continue the conversation and talk with either Wetzel or Meyer. There is a suggested donation of $10-$15 each, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information, call 793-3970 or visit fremontucc.net/depression_musical.pdf or wetzelproductions.com.

Estate planning

Amir Atashi Rang of Atashi Rang Law Firm will present a series of free, estate planning seminars in the Fukaya Room of Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. Topics include:

-“Estate Planning Mistakes”: 2-4 p.m. April 27. Learn about the seven biggest mistakes in estate planning and how to successfully detect and avoid them. This will be a discussion of basic estate planning principles, including probate and common estate planning pitfalls most often encountered and how to maneuver around them. Atashi Rang Law Firm is a Bay Area estate and tax planning law firm.

The firm’s objective is comprehensive planning and specialized legal services in estate planning tax planning, probate and trust administration. This program is free and sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, The American Library Association, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and the Alameda County Library System. No reservations are required. For more information, call 745-1421.

Garden tours

The Alameda County Water District is partnering with the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Coalition as well as Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour to promote their garden tours this spring in Alameda County. Gardens featured during the tours contain California native plants that require less water, reduce the need for pesticides and attract a variety of wildlife.

Events coming up include:

-10th Annual Bay-Friendly Garden Tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 28: This self-guided tour of residential properties features a variety of gardens, created using similar gardening techniques. Registration is required as well as the purchase of a guidebook ($10) with garden descriptions and directions. Entrance tickets can be shared. Electronic guidebooks are available for $5.

For more information, visit bayfriendlycoalition.org or call 859-8026, extension 2.

-Ninth Annual Bringing Back the Natives Tour, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 5: An award-winning self-guided tour, Bringing Back the Natives will provide plenty of inspiration whether you are planning a garden or looking for new ideas to incorporate into your outdoor space. This tour features 40 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens. Native plant sales and talks are offered at select gardens. There is no fee for the tour but space is limited and registration is required. Register early to ensure your space. For more information, visit bringingbackthenatives.net or call 236-9558 (between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.).

For those customers ready to make a change, the district has a Water Efficient Landscape Program that offers a rebate for the removal of water-thirsty lawns.

For more information about the programs or to learn about rebates and incentives, visit acwd.org or call 668.6534.

Plant sale

Fremont Senior Center’s Garden Club will hold a plant sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, May 3 on site at 40086 Paseo Padre Parkway. For more information, contact Fran Masuda at 656-7417 or e-mail pama1938@att.net.

Water-efficient landscaping

The Alameda County Water District is partnering with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency to host its final free one-day class in May that will outline the basics of creating low-water use landscapes.

-“Water-Efficient Landscape Irrigation” 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 4 at LEAF Center Garden, 36501 Niles Blvd. Prepare your garden and irrigation system for the summer months by learning about water-conserving irrigation strategies. The class includes basic drip irrigation design and installation, how to choose the right irrigation components, watering techniques, and proper system maintenance for your landscaping.

Bilingual magician

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with bilingual magician Chiquy Boom 4 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. Attendees to the free program will learn a little Spanish and have a lot of fun. The event is sponsored by the Fremont Friends of the Library. For more information, call 745-1421.

Silent comedy

The Smith Center will present “College” the 1927 classic silent comedy starring Buster Keaton, famous for his deadpan expression as well as his amazing stunts and pratfalls 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the Smith Center at Ohlone College, located at 43600 Mission Blvd. in Fremont. It will be made all the more hilarious with live accompaniment by Jerry Nagano, house organist at the Stanford Theater in Palo Alto, playing the center’s own theater organ with all the bells and whistles (literally). Tickets are $15-$20 each. Parking is $2 per vehicle. For more information or to buy tickets, call 659-6031 or visitÊsmithcenter.com

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Wind orchestra

The Ohlone Wind Orchestra, directed by Tony Clements, will feature renowned French horn soloist Lydia Busler-Blais performing “Rhapsody for Horn, Winds and Percussion” by Jan Van der Roost 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at the Smith Center at Ohlone College, located at 43600 Mission Blvd. in Fremont. Other works will include Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy,” Roumanis’ “Super Big-Band Blues for Trombone and Fluegelhorm,” Schuman’s band classic “George Washington Bridge” and more.

Tickets are $10 each for seniors, students and youth (under 12) and $12 general admission before the performance. Tickets at the door will be $15, and parking is $2 per vehicle. For more information or to buy tickets, call 659-6031 or visitÊsmithcenter.com

Links to jobs

Link up with the Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., for free job help and training in the Fukaya Room 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, May 6. This class will teach attendees library and online resources you can use to effectively target your job search.ÊYou can attend individual classes or all of the sessions. Knowledge of the Internet will be helpful. Topics include:

-May 6: Salary search/support groups.

For more information, call 745-1440 or e-mailÊgrooshan@aclibrary.org.Ê

Job search workshops

The Tri-Cities One-Stop Career Center in Newark will present job search workshops with different focuses at three libraries, including Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., on the following days and times:

-“Successful Interviews Learn and practice interview skills” 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 8

-“Job search strategies Learn about the hidden job market and job search techniques” 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 12. For more information, call 745-1440.

Healthy kids

Get up, get active and get healthy. The Newark Joint Task Force on Youth Issues invites the community at large to attend the Healthy Kids Fitness Expo 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Silliman Sportsfield Park, 6800 Mowry Ave. in Newark. Attendees will be able to enjoy free interactive games, activities, demonstrations, a rock climbing wall, slack lines and inflatables. Booths by local organizations will be offering activities and products that promote active, healthy lifestyles for kids.

Meet the lenders

An interactive business seminar and resource fair is being held 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 in the Fukaya Meeting Room at Fremont Main Library, located at 2400 Stevenson Blvd. This event is a must for any business owner interested in securing debt or equity financing.ÊÊBe ready to participate in a panel discussion with lenders offering advice in today’s tough lending environment.ÊAttendees will learn how a wide range of banks and other lending organizations evaluate your loan application and the types of funding they can provide. They will also be given an overview of how to get “capital-ready” before you approach a lender to ensure a greater chance of success.Ê

Participants will learn:

-What the five Cs of credit are and how they apply to the participant

-How a wide range of lending organizations evaluate your loan application

-The types of funding different lending organizations can provide

-What types of information the lenders are looking for and why.

This seminar is free to all attendees, but advance reservations are required. Register online at acsbdc.org/ node/13414. Refreshments will be served at the event.

Opera San Jose

Spend an afternoon with Opera San Jose at the Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Attendees will join the resident artists from Opera San Jose as they perform arias and duets from the 2012-13 season, including Verdi’s powerful drama, Il Trovatore and Puccini’s two contrasting pieces, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Tickets will be handed out in Fukaya A Room starting at 1:30 p.m.

“School-Age Storytime”

The Kiwanis Club of Fremont will present “School-Age Storytime” 11-11:30 a.m. May 18, June 15 and July 20 at Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. At this time volunteer story readers from the local Kiwanis Club will read to kindergarten through fourth grade children. This is a free program and no registration is necessary. For more information, call 745-1421.

“Fibers and Flowers”

Fremont Art Association will present the art show “Fibers and Flowers” in conjunction with the Niles Wildflowers Exhibit May 18-26 at the gallery, 37697 Niles Blvd. All association members are welcome to exhibit following the theme of fiber arts and flowers. Those who work with yarn, fabric, paint, paper and ceramics are welcome to bring their work to the art gallery in Niles on May 16. The charge for entry to the show is a contribution to the cookies and punch reception which will kick off the exhibit 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, May 19 on site. Gallery hours will be 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is free, but a contribution is suggested. For more information, call the gallery at 792-0905 or visit fremontartassociation.org.

Dancing Earth, moon

Join Dr. Joyce Blueford and learn how the moon revolves around the Earth as the Math Science Nucleus will present “The Dancing Earth and Moon” 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 at Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. The program will include the story “Mugambi’s Moving Moon,” a short talk and participation in several hand-on activities. This free, one-hour program is intended for school age children and their families. For more information, call 745-1421.

Read-to-a-Dog

Volunteers from the Ohlone Humane Society will bring trained assisted therapy dogs to Fremont Main Library for children to read to the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dates are May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22. Children may get a free ticket for the sessions at 6:30 p.m. They can bring their own books or use one from the library. The library is at 2400 Stevenson Blvd. For more information, call 745-1401.

“Denim and Diamonds”

Get out your boots and put on the bling. Alameda County Blue Star Moms will dance up a storm and show support for our troops during “Denim and Diamonds” 1-7 p.m. June 22 at Swiss Park, 5911 Mowry Ave. in Newark. This patriotic event will feature live music, line dancing lessons, an ice cream and candy bar, barbecue dinner, refreshments, swag bag and photo booth. The event is free to all military and veterans and one guest, but they must register in advance. Other tickets are $40 each for those 12 and older or $5 for those ages 2-11. No ticket purchases can be made at the door. You must be on the list to enter. Proceeds from the event will bring awareness to our community and assist to further the organization’s “liberty canteen” program that assists local veterans who are low and fixed income or homeless with food, personal care items, clothing and more, and will also assist in other essential programs. Corporate sponsorships for the event are available, which will allow companies to not only give of themselves but also allow employees the opportunity to enjoy an evening out. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for this event. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 938-5695, e-mail fremontbsm@yahoo.com or visit facebook.com/AlamedaCountyBlueStarMoms.

Juneteenth

Palma Ceia Baptist Church will present a Juneteenth festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 15 on site at 28605 Ruus Road in Hayward. There will be food, children’s activities and local vendor booths to display and sell products. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, according to juneteenth.com. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Today it commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.

“Artists in the Garden”

The highly anticipated “Artists in the Garden” will return for another year 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at Regan Nursery, 4268 Decoto Road. This event, presented by the Fremont Art Association, is the perfect venue to showcase and sell your art. Artists must supply the tent if they are interested in the standard booth. Booth fees are $45 for association members and $60 for non-members. In addition, a 10 percent commission will apply to all sales. This fee is paid to the Fremont Art Association to support their “Art in the Community” efforts. This event is a juried show of fine art and crafts. Once the available space has been assigned, on a first-come, first-served basis, a wait list will be generated for requests above the spare limit. Art not accepted will be returned after the jury date. Send the following information as soon as possible, as space has sold out every year:

-Check for booth space, made payable to the Fremont Art Association

-Two legal size envelopes, with postage and your address written or stamped on them

-Three photos of your artwork (if you did not exhibit at Regan’s last year) or e-mail jpgs, at 300dpi, with your name and art medium to sarcher239@aol.com

-Include all of the following information within the envelope or e-mail: artist name, e-mail, phone number, medium for sale, price range and tent selection, and send to Simone Archer at sarcher239@aol.com or 36541 Cherry St., Newark, Calif. 94560. The Fremont Art Association was established in 1959 to foster, promote and encourage the production, cultivation and appreciation of art in the community.Ê Meetings are held at the gallery, 37697 Niles Blvd., which is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visitÊFremontArtAssociation.org.

For more breaking news and up-to-date information, follow us on our social media sites at facebook.com/FremontBulletin and twitter.com/FremontBulletin.

Were you lucky enough to get a tax refund this year? Perhaps you’ve considered spending it on home improvements, especially those outside your house. I mean, it’s always a good idea to work on your home’s curb appeal, just in case you have to sell your house.

As you consider different landscape design ideas, keep in mind hardscaping—that is landscaping using brick pavers, stones, and other outdoor patio designs. Hardscaping can really change the look of your home, for the better.

My husband and I discovered how great hardscaping can be last year when we invested in a major overhaul of our pool surround, backyard, and side yard. The latter required landscape walls that acted as a retaining wall as the side of our house is built into a hill. The real eye opener for us was how great our inground pool looked, just by replacing the concrete that once surrounded it and instead having a paver patio installed. (That’s our pool and patio pictured with this story.)

If you’ve looked into pavers, then you’re probably familiar with the company EP Henry. It is one of the leading manufacturers of concrete products. EP Henry recently identify trends for outdoor living spaces this year. Here are four landscape design ideas that seem to be topping the list for 2013.

1. Outdoor living rooms. A recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects indicated outdoor living spaces earned almost a 95 percent rating in popularity from respondents.
2. Multifunctional “kits.” Using a kit can help you transform an existing outdoor space into something else entirely. For example, you can using something called a “Solitaire Kit” to temporarily convert a fire pit into a fish pond or an aquatic garden. That way you can use the fire pit as a heating source in the cool early spring and fall months, and then it becomes a refreshing water feature in the summer months.
3. Outdoor kitchens. Adding to outdoor living spaces, certain amenities such as built-in grills, refrigerators, countertops, and concrete seating walls make for a versatile outdoor space that can be enjoyed day or night. While my home is not big enough to justify or allow for an outdoor kitchen, have that paver patio installed by the pool allowed us to create a new and easy-to-use grilling space that never existed before.
4. Sustainable products. Environmental concerns continue to be a strong driver with outdoor projects. Products such as permeable pavers help the environment by allowing rainwater to recharge the ground, reducing stormwater runoff. They can also be used to harvest rainwater for multiple purposes, such as watering gardens or replenishing ponds and fountains. I know that when we eventually have our driveway redone, I want to seriously consider having permeable pavers installed. Not only will they increase our home’s curb appeal, but also they will be good for the environment.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The idea struck Sallye Clark when dropped her dear friend Kathy King off at her house and King lamented the landscaping chores she’d neglected during a serious, enervating illness.

Although she enjoyed working in the yard, King didn’t have the stamina to landscape the house she and her husband, Jim, had purchased the previous year on a quiet South Hills street.

“I suggested we get a team together. It’ll be like back in the day when we’re all young and poor and got together and worked on a project. Kathy didn’t want to put people out,” said Clark, who first met Kathy at church about 25 years ago.

An upcoming vacation for the Kings provided the tenacious Clark with a narrow window of opportunity. She called friends, who called friends, including landscape architect Beth Loflin, and developed an ambitious action plan within a week.

When the Kings left the following week, the heavy equipment arrived along with crews of volunteers wielding shovels and rakes. As preparation for the garden installation, they jackhammered and removed a sidewalk, dug out a water well and excavated a courtyard area in preparation for a flagstone patio. Trucks arrived with loads of trees, shrubs, plants and mulch — lots of mulch.

Clark had consulted Jim King and the Kings’ daughter, Jane, about the project before they left for their trip, but Kathy had no idea about the transformation that was happening in her absence.

“Once Sallye gets an idea, you better just get out of the way. I was just taking orders at this point,” said Jim, who made whatever surreptitious preparations he could before they left.

The Kings had consulted with Loflin about a landscape plan in the past. She’d sketched some ideas, so she already had a good idea of what landscape concepts they liked. “We were going to go forward with the plan at some point, but it probably wouldn’t have done it all ourselves for three or four years. This came together in a couple of weeks,” said Jim King.

When the Kings returned home April 8, the extent of grounds’ metamorphosis surprised Jim — but it stunned Kathy, who was initially speechless, then tearful as she walked the property and took in the makeover.

“I was so totally overwhelmed as we drove up. It’s not so much the look, which was wonderful, but the idea that so many people came together and did this,” Kathy said.

Martha Hannah, another longtime friend who helped Clark marshal volunteers, said many more people wanted to help but were out of town for spring break. She thought they might have made financial contributions.

Kathy confirmed that people had contributed, but they don’t know who made donations. All they know is that when Jim went to Green’s Feed Seed to settle the bill for materials, he was told that the account had a balance of zero.

At first, the unassuming Kathy felt uncomfortable that so many people, some of whom she didn’t even know, had given so much for the impressive project. Hannah helped her gain perspective.

“I have a hard time accepting help. Then Martha told me that they had so much fun doing this. She told me that it was as much a blessing to them as it was to me,” Kathy said. “I learned that if I don’t accept help from others, it’s an ego issue.”

Volunteers poured in from the ranks of people who knew the Kings through Christ Church United Methodist, tennis and WVU tailgating parties. Colleagues joined in. She is a nurse anesthetist at Cabell Huntington Hospital, and he is an architect with the Higher Education Policy Commission.

Neither Hannah nor Clark was surprised at the enthusiastic response.

“To me, it’s a testament to the type of people Jim and Kathy are,” Hannah said.

In addition to friends who provided labor, George Washington High School instructor Col. Monty Warner brought several JROTC students to lend a hand. The students toiled in cold, rainy weather to break up the sidewalk and cut down existing trees and undergrowth. Clark, who previously taught English at GW, recruited Warner’s assistance for the project.

The students and volunteers tossed discarded materials into a bin loaned to the site by a friend who owns a waste management company.

In all, about 40 people worked on the project. Hannah, Loflin and Clark said they enjoyed the project so much, many people told them they didn’t want it to end.

“Everyone was smiling and laughing. It brought people together who had no other common thread,” said Loflin. Hannah added that she had the chance to meet Kathy’s friends she’d never met, but often heard her friend speak about.

Freely given labor and donated materials, equipment and services brought the cost of the renovation to about a fifth of its actual value, Loflin said.

Hannah offered some bricks leftover from an addition to her home for the project, and Loflin worked them into seating areas along the circular courtyard. Gardening friends added another personal touch.

“Some people divided plants from their own yards. This is really a garden of love,” Hannah said.

Star magnolia, dwarf nectarine and espaliered crabapple trees join low-care perennials and planters of brightly colored annuals to rim the patio’s peaceful seating area. Potted herbs are within easy reach to clip for culinary use. The area is softly lighted for evening relaxation.

“The patio is my favorite part of the project,” Kathy said. The Kings also enjoy sitting on their front porch. Their former neighbor Jane Hammett sorted through her extensive collection of fabrics and picked colorful fabrics she used to re-cover the cushions.

Newly planted and mulched beds hug the house’s foundation, while a stand-alone vegetable and fruit garden stands in the backyard, already planted with blueberry bushes and a peach tree. This garden will provide physical sustenance to bolster the sensory pleasure offered in the front yard.

“I think all of us hope that Kathy finds comfort, joy and relaxation as she undergoes further treatment,” Clark said. “Kathy is so giving and kind. I think this says that there are many more good people than bad in the world when they come together for something like this.”

Srinagar, Apr 24: What started amid hype as revival of lost glory by the ruling coalition the Lal Chowk Beautification has proved wastage of Rs two odd crores with state government finally discovering that the construction of the roadside park has chocked the heart of the City. It, however, took the concerned authorities some three years to realize the mistake, which for now is being rectified by razing the concrete landscape erected on the middle of the road.
 But while the state government took lot of time and wasted a whopping amount to realize the error in its beautification decision, the stakeholders including shopkeepers had foreseen the mess and expressed reservations at the start of the project way back in 2010.
 Though Greater Kashmir had highlighted the public hue and cry against the narrowing down of the historic Lal Chowk, no heed was paid to Aam Aadmis aspirations, while the authorities went ahead saying it was a prestigious project meticulously designed by the experts.

THE INNOVATIVE FIASCO
 In January 2010, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah granted Rs two crore to revive glory of the City centre while the concerned MLA Amira Kadal and the then MOS Tourism and Housing and Urban Development departments, Nasir Aslam Wani, finalized the beautification plan.
 As per the plan, a concrete park was to be constructed in the middle of the 100 odd feet road. But there erupted differences over commonsense. At a time when City craves for wide roads, narrowing down of the only wide stretch in the City centre was seen as ridiculous.
 There was an outcry against the development. But the minister in charge seemingly paid no heed to the public aspirations and subsequently handed over the project execution to the Tourism department.
 That time speaking on behalf of the government, the then District Development Commissioner, Meraj Ahmed Kakroo said the beautification plan had been developed by experts after thorough study.  Its a well considered plan by architects and engineers, Kakroo is on record to have said.

SHEIKHS DREAM STAKES
 Decades back the National Conference founder and the then Chief Minister Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah had aspired that the road stretch between the Lal Chowk and adjoining Budshah Chowk be widened to bring the twin hubs closer.
 In the present regime, with all the eight City MLAs belonging to the party, there was an 8/8 probability to fulfill his dream. Observers opined that the money granted by the Chief Minister for revival of lost glory of the City centre could serve as a token amount in making a step forward by procuring some of the structures coming in way of the proposed widening.
 But what the government did was exactly the opposite. Sheikhs vision got buried under the concrete park.

COMMONSENSE PROVED RIGHT
 As the park was constructed with metallic gazebos and benches on cemented landscaping, and the boundary wall of the Ghanta Ghat was expanded with stone foundation; Lal Chowk got more congested. And the traffic flow turned messier than ever before.
 While shopkeepers kept complaining that unlike the past shoppers avoided visiting the marketplace due to little or no space for parking, traffic regulation remained a tough affair.

THE OFFICIAL SHYNESS
 Realizing the problem, the authorities on Tuesday started demolition of the park carved out in steel and concrete. Using JCBs, shovels and tongs, portions of the landscaped park were uprooted in the morning hours. But to avoid embarrassment because of rollback in the much celebrated decision, sources said, the government top brass directed the officials to avoid commenting over the issue, though the park has been razed in full public gaze.
 The Tourism department, which undertook the construction feigned ignorance about the demolition. I have no ideas, will have to confirm it, said Talat Ahmed, Director Tourism. The Roads and Building department, however, admitted that they undertook the demolition. Basically we are trying to explore as to how the road network in the area can be widened because there were complaints from the area shopkeepers that the park was creating parking problems, said a senior RB official, requesting not to be named.

BACK TO SQUARE ONE
 Though the ruling National Conference often speaks of revival of lost glory of this historic City, its first such endeavor through construction of park on the middle of the main road looks ugly for now amid debris of the razed structure, though raised amid hype!

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 IST

As the weather warms (or pretends to), I’m starting to assemble my outdoor to do list. Last summer was our first with a yard of our own and I was decidedly ambitious about what I thought could be done, especially given the brown colour of my thumbs. As a result, I spent a lot of time weeding and cultivating the best way I know how, and an even more significant amount of time being annoyed with how everything looked.
So, I’m here to admit to you that I am going on a garden strike, or partial strike at least. I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t do any of it well, and in the end, my gardens and flower beds just make me sad and stressed when they’re in disrepair. Call me lazy … call me uninspired if you must, but I’m planning to do what I think is best, both for my curb appeal and my sanity.
Step #1: Two beds are going bye-bye. I need to practice a little more restraint and focus on smaller portions of the yard. Rather than big messes, I think these areas will be much more suited to grass.
Step #2: Figure out what all the plants are, then move or dispose of as necessary. I like some of what’s there already, so I plan to use those things elsewhere.
Step #3: Make everything prettier. This will start with some edging, some patio stones and bricks or decorative rocks … or whatever those things are called.
My main plan is to look at other people’s yards and copy their ideas. Sort of like Pinterest for landscaping.
What do you think? Please comment with your thoughts and ideas. I’ll be sure to post before and after photos as my lawn dream becomes a reality.
—
Be sure to pick up your copy of The Chronicle Herald Weekend this Saturday, which features Herald Homes. Starting this week, I’ll be sharing my experiences and interviews with experts in a new column called The More You Know, which will help to educate first-time homeowners like me on a bevy of house-related topics. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to your feedback at lbunin@herald.ca.

HURON Landscape architecture students at South Dakota State University are recommending that the city of Huron create more appealing walkways along Dakota Avenue with prairie boulevards, offer cultural understanding with a new center and place an emphasis on biking with specific on-road lanes.

Nine students presented their ideas at the Monday luncheon of the Huron Sertoma Club, four months after starting the project with an on-site visit.

They inventoried all of the green spaces the city offers with its parks, school playgrounds and special use areas like the state fairgrounds, and evaluated neighborhood sidewalks in terms of their appeal and safety.

The overall goal is to suggest ways the city can create a more attractive environment for residents and visitors.

Student recommendations are included in a report that is available at City Hall.

They said the main crosstown thoroughfare, Dakota Avenue, has a lack of plant life and an abundance of concrete. In some places there are no sidewalks, and those on foot must walk through parking lots.

The students are proposing prairie boulevards of plant life grown between the sidewalk and the avenue, using native flowers and buffalo grass. Benches and trash receptacles could also be added.

Huron is a prairie town and creating such an atmosphere along the citys busiest street would preserve that heritage, they said.

Establishing a cultural center would provide an opportunity for cultural learning and understanding.

It could be a place for classes for cultural integration and allow the Karen people to have a memorial for friends and family members left behind.

The students suggested acquisition of a large vacant building adjacent to the railroad tracks on Dakota Avenue, or upper level space in a downtown building.

Funding sources could be donations, a public-private partnership, a small temporary sales tax or grants from the National Trust Preservation fund.

But the students conceded that funding would be a major challenge and that the community needs to come together if it wants to move forward on their ideas.

For the city parks, they recommended sustainable landscaping for Riverside Park because of its presence in the flood plain. They suggested some kind of green buffer between Winter and Campbell parks, and have sustainable landscaping in the downtown area. The city should consider establishing new parks in the newly developing areas, such as near Wal-Mart and near Ravine Lake in northeast Huron.

They define active transportation as any mode of travel other than motorized vehicles. Huron already has five miles of trails and they recommended that effort continue with multi-use trails and bike lanes.

Having specific on-road bike lanes in the downtown area would mean the elimination of parallel parking, and that would be a hard sell for business owners, they agreed.

For the complete article see the 04-23-2013 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 04-23-2013 paper.

BETHLEHEM — Bethlehem officials are looking to make investments in the Delaware Avenue corridor to improve the street and attract a steady stream of customers to Bethlehem businesses from the City of Albany.

Supervisor John Clarkson held a third community meeting on Monday, April 15, at the Elsmere Fire Station for Elsmere and Delmar residents, and the streetscape upgrades were discussed. Officials focused on improvements they’d like to see come to fruition in the near future that were outlined in the Delaware Avenue Hamlet Enhancement Study.

“I’m very committed to providing for this investment,” said Clarkson to a group of about 30 people. “Interest rates are low, Delaware Avenue is the town’s main street and I think it makes very good sense to invest at this time.”

Suggestions made in the plan include upgrades to sidewalks and the addition of bicycle lanes, as well as decorative lighting and better landscaping along the road.

Town Director of Economic Development and Planning Mike Morelli said the town may soon be using some of the aesthetic suggestions in the study as guidelines for private proper ty owners. Officials would work with business owners to start slowly implementing the plan through code changes. Some ideas include requiring business signs to be more relative to their trade or instituting “hamlet” signs that overhang buildings. Officials would also like to see parking in the rear of buildings, entrances placed towards the front of buildings so they are more visible from the street and wider setbacks from the street to allow for outdoor cafes or courtyards.

The study also calls for the beautification of the railroad overpass to act as a gateway to the town. A partnership with the school district was suggested to have a mural painted by art students on one side of the overpass, with trees and a garden are placed on the other.

MONTREAL, April 23, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – To the delight of all lovers of
gardening and horticulture, the Space for Life presents the 16th
edition of the Great Gardening Weekend, held at the Montréal Botanical
Garden from May 24 to 26, 2013. Come stock up on ideas to create your perfect garden, drawing on the expert advice of young landscaping
professionals and the Botanical Garden’s own horticulturists. Enjoy the
festive, musical atmosphere while meeting producers of new, rare or
unusual plants as well as three artists whose paintings are inspired by
nature.

The Great Gardening Weekend: A beautifully arranged program
Imagine having the opportunity to meet over a hundred gardening and
landscaping specialists in the same day; speak to experts with
specialist knowledge of roses, bonsais and daylilies; buy magnificent
annuals and perennials while talking to their producers; discover
useful and original garden accessories—and don’t leave without at least
one of the 12,000 plants produced by the Botanical Garden’s
horticulturists.

The Great Gardening Weekend also features talks and demonstrations by
well-known personalities in the gardening world. And new this year, the
Friends of the Montréal Botanical Garden booth will offer tips for
growing and pruning vines in Québec.

The event will furthermore explore various themes, such as the beauty of
creating gardens that attract birds or butterflies, the joy of cooking
with seasonal vegetables and the art of gathering edible
mushrooms—fascinating topics sure to have you reaching for your
gardening tools!

And to top it all off…
The Great Gardening Weekend will culminate in the announcement of the
Winners of Horticultural Merit and the recipient of the Henry Teuscher
Award!

For more information (schedules, demonstrations, talks, tickets), visit espacepourlavie.ca/en

IMPORTANT
Like previous years, the Botanical Garden and Insectarium will not be participating in Museums Day, which coincides with the Great Gardening Weekend.

 

SOURCE: Espace pour la vie

For further information:

Karine Jalbert, Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 514 872-1453
Email: karinejalbert@ville.montreal.qc.ca 

François Ouellet, Marketing Representative
Telephone: 514 872-3232
Email: fouellet_2@ville.montreal.qc.ca