Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2012 12:00 am

Hiring consultant to study housing trends may be a good idea

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It is oftentimes said jokingly that an expert is someone from at least 50 miles away with a briefcase. But it’s no joke that Liberty needs help in determining which direction to go to see its residential numbers increase and why this city is not seeing the kind of housing starts that surrounding cities are experiencing.

Kansas City issued 128 permits in the Liberty school district through June. Kearney issued 31 permits through August, and Liberty issued 20 permits for the same time period.

Because of such numbers, some city councilmen think the city should consider hiring a consultant to help compile and analyze information on the state of residential construction in Liberty. We think that might be a good idea to explore, and it might also be a good idea to consider bringing in a consultant from outside the Kansas City metropolitan area. The downside would be that an out-of-town consultant might not have as much knowledge about the local market. The upside could be that an outsider could bring a fresh new perspective and might not have preconceived notions or political trepidations.

While many people realize that Liberty has plenty of land on which to develop, it simply does not have building lots with infrastructure ready to go, and this has been the case for a number of years, even before the housing bubble burst. Even in good times, Liberty had few developers and those that were here held large tracts of land. When hard times came, building activity came to a screeching halt, leaving only infill lots scattered in older subdivisions throughout town.

To stimulate housing construction, Liberty has been offering an 80 percent discount for construction permits for houses to be built on existing infill lots. We have no problem with giving home builders an extra incentive to fill those lots in existing subdivisions or near the Liberty Square. According to city officials, there are about 106 infill lots, but not all are desirable to build a house on.

But what happens when these infill lots are all taken? What steps does the city need to take to turn around this situation? Maybe a mayoral-appointed task force on housing could work with a consultant to come up with some innovative ideas. The school district also needs to participate in any discussions. This type of teamwork has worked with other task forces and consultants. Right now, for example, a community center task force is working with a consultant. A downtown task force is working with another consultant.

Let’s face it, the city’s major competitor for residential and commercial development lies just across Interstate 35 to the west in Kansas City. And the reason Kansas City is going gangbusters is because of the widespread use of tax-increment financing in the Shoal Creek Valley, dating back nearly 20 years. TIF has built beautiful boulevards and allowed water and sewer lines, and landscaping to be installed — all with tax money.

With such cash cows as Walmart and Target contributing half their sales taxes generated to pay for even more infrastructure, Liberty will continue limping along unless it takes some bold steps and comes up with a winning game plan.

Liberty does have a lot going for it — excellent quality of life, top-notch school system, hospital, college, highway system, major road improvements under way, new jobs on the way and a city government willing to take action to make things better. Go for it.

© 2012 LibertyTribune.com . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Saturday, September 22, 2012 12:00 am.

IMAGINE opening your back door to a lush, green landscape filled with happy children playing games or senior citizens practising tai chi or enjoying the outdoors in their free time. While most can only dream about such luxury, residents of Section 12 in Petaling Jaya will be the first in the city to have a linear park to enjoy.

A linear park is one that is long compared to the usual parks that are wide and will come with amenities for residents to enjoy. Countries such as Australia, the United States and even Canada have long adopted this idea.

In Malaysia, Penang’s Taman Jajar has also made a name for itself among the locals and is a noted tourist destination for those who enjoy a quiet walk.

The idea to build a park on the empty stretch of land in Section 12 stemmed from residents’ lament that they were tired of seeing such big plots of land empty.

The linear park will be built between houses on Jalan 12/14 and Jalan 12/12 stretching from an existing playground beside Jalan 12/13 and Jalan Utara.

Exchange of ideas: Section 12 residents discussing the plans with MBPJ landscape department technician Mohd Rubil during a briefing recently.

The land is overgrown with grass and is home to rodents and snakes as well.

Section 12 Residents Association chairman Datuk A. Narayanan said the land was a mess with overgrowth and a possible hazard for residents if not tended to properly.

“We felt it could be developed into a park that can be used by the residents. Most of them here are senior citizens and it would be good if they can have a place to exercise in the evenings,” he said.

Next to the land is a large monsoon drain that was widened in 2008 after numerous floodings that brought water into the residents’ sewage system.

The project took about six months to complete and the result is an effective flood mitigation programme for residents.

Narayanan said they hoped that installing park benches, proper walking paths and lights would deter unsavoury characters from roaming in the area at night.

“The park is a central location for Section 12 residents and will provide an important avenue for residents to come together and build ties,” he added.

Section 12 Residents’ Associa-tion deputy president R. Raja-soorian said many residents had adopted the plot of land and planted trees and plants but did not maintain the place.

To be put to good use: This area in Section 12, Petaling Jaya, will be turned into a linear park.

“They do not have time to take care of the greenery and the dried leaves end up in the monsoon drain, clogging and creating more problems.

“By allowing MBPJ to build the linear park, we will have a better landscape and a place equipped with all the necessary amenities for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

Narayanan said the residents who had come up with the idea had engaged an architect to draw a plan that was submitted to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

In their proposal, they included jogging and walking paths, cycling path, playground with equipment, herbs, vegetables and fruit garden, exercise area, barbecue and picnic areas complete with gazebos, meditation pavilions, tea garden and multi-purpose courts for badminton and sepak takraw.

The project was approved with a layout plan drawn up by MBPJ’s landscape department.

All laid-out: An artist’s impression of the linear park.

MBPJ councillor Richard Yeoh said it took longer to take off because the council needed to get the necessary approvals for the linear park to be built, especially since it involved reserve land owned by other government agencies.

“It is a great project for all local authorities to adopt. This place has not changed since the area was first developed 60 years ago,” he said.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohammad Roslan Sakiman said he was happy when the residents first suggested the project to MBPJ.

“Residents can adopt the park and help care for it as well and it complements our green initiatives in Petaling Jaya,” said Roslan, who has implemented several green initiatives in the city.

The first phase of the project will take off this week and is expected to be completed on Nov 30 while the entire stretch of 800m may take up to seven years.

For the first phase, work will begin near Jalan 12/12, comprising a 9m-by-3m plot of land. There will be a walkway with seats complete with a badminton court and flood lights to ensure the place is bright and safe.

A budget of RM100,000 has been allocated for this purpose and the rest will be dispersed in stages to complete the other stretches.

The landscaping of the area is estimated to cost RM20,000 and MBPJ officers will try to retain as much of the current landscape as possible.

In the long run, they are planning to add bridges along the park to connect to both sides of the monsoon drain for the public’s convenience.

Yeoh said they may even look at getting sponsors from private developers or companies to help fund some of the expansion plans they have for the project.

He said even the residents could pool their resources to put up fencing for safety reasons along the monsoon drain.

Narayanan and his committee members have no problems with the duration of the project and are grateful that their ideas have been included.

When asked if the residents in the area have been informed of the impending project, Rajasoorian said most were aware.

“We will highlight the project in our newsletter and rely on word of mouth to spread the news. This is a project for everybody’s benefit so I doubt they would object to it,” he said.

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Certifications can set a company apart from the competition and give clients confidence in their investment with a landscaping firm. Industry professionalism is a priority at Sunrise Landscape + Design, where president and CEO Joe Markell encourages continued education.

Markell is part of the PLANET’s Trailblazer program and participates in Leader’s Edge, a peer mentorship group. Sunrise is active in national and local associations. “We learn a lot from the industry about how to be efficient and what other companies are doing,” he says.

These associations provide a venue for sharing ideas, and a resource for earning important industry accreditations, Markell says. Sunrise holds Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) and Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) designations from PLANET. The company is certified to install concrete pavers from the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI) and segmented retaining walls. Sunrise is a Certified Horticulturalist by the Virginia Nursery Landscape Association, and is even certified in first aid and CPR by the American Heart Association.

“Certifications help separate us from other companies, and there is a lot of competition in our area,” Markell says. “The more you can show your competence through these accreditations, the better. It says a lot about our commitment to customers.”

The certifications give Sunrise an edge when competing against other companies for jobs, Markell believes. Plus, it attracts the right type of client to the business. “We have found [that certification] brings the client who is looking for that professionalism and excellence,” he says.

               

 

By RANDOLPH B. ROBINSON

Peabody Industrial Development Corporation

The Peabody Industrial Development Corporation was organized essentially by “main street” supporters and filed for incorporation on April 8, 1966, with the State of Kansas to promote economic development in the city of Peabody.

Several programs were promoted and supported by the corporation in the days and weeks that followed. There was limited success to engage organizations to utilize the Eyestone building in new manufacturing endeavors (after Paramount Products ceased operations) and it was, for a short period of time, occupied by a company manufacturing cabs (Moridge/Full Vision) for farm tractors.

Efforts were made with several prospects for both financing and technical support, but none proved long-lived or able to sufficiently organize. Peabody Industrial Development Corporation ceased operations at some point in the early 1970s.

PIDC and its efforts subsequently became mostly inactive except for some less formalized efforts by business leaders to bring industry to the community. These efforts have had limited success and there currently is no known organized effort being made that parallel the ideas originated by PIDC.

When Peabody Industrial Development Corporation was organized there were a total of 100 shares purchased by 31 Peabody citizens, most of whom were businessmen. The majority of these stockholders are no longer living.

The reason for this notice is to apprise the community and the remainder of living former stockholders about the plan to finally dissolve the long held bank account of PIDC.

Since the ideas originally formulated for the use of these funds has been diminished to zero, it has been decided to forward the funds to the Prairie Lawn Cemetery board to be used for the new wrought iron perimeter fence project and for landscaping projects being planned. The funds will go for a worthy project and will honor those who had a vision for Peabody’s continued business vitality and vibrant hometown atmosphere.

The funds left in the now inactive account at Peabody State Bank amount to $3,712.96. They are to be transferred to the board of Prairie Lawn immediately with the proviso they be used for the current fence project financing and a record made for recognition of the stockholders and the ideas they promoted for the benefit of the Peabody Community.

The listed stockholders names are provided here for recognition and history to remember:

Calvin and Virginia Apollo, W. E. Avery, Brock and Sheryl Baker, Ross Baker, George Becker, Ernest and Mettie Beeton, Vernon Ray and Lucille Beeton, John and Joan Berns, Harry Brown, John and Cleo DeForest, Stanley and Jeanetta Farr, Carroll Harder, Harry and Helen Hanneman, George and Irene Higgins, Fred and Esther Highfill, Harry and Mildred Homan, William Krause, Gaylord and Jean Maples, Ross and Margaret Mathias, Thomas and Jan Pierce, Douglas Porter, Randolph and Betty Robinson, Vernon and Laura Slocombe, Virgil Smith, Thomas Snavely, Arthur and Wilma Stallwitz, C.H. and Irene Stovall, Don Thornton, John Topham, L.C. and Betty Walker, Q. W. Whisler, and Jerry and Carol Whisler.

Armed with a wealth of ideas for creating a more walkable, campus-like environment, the Museum Park Super Neighborhood is asking community members which options they like best.

Ideas include widening and beautifying north/south streets in the neighborhood, placing art in street medians, installing roundabouts centered by fountains, creating pocket parks and using benches for street signs.

The design ideas can be found by going to http://ricedesignalliance.org and clicking “Charrette Brings Museum Park Neighborhood to Life.” Suggestions may be sent to beautification@museumparkna.org.

The suggestions are the result of the Rice Design Alliance’s 2012 charrette, an intensive design competition that challenged participants – mostly architects – to create a master plan for the super neighborhood’s community, which encompasses much of the Houston Museum District and Hermann Park.

The charrette, hosted by RDA’s young professionals group rdAGENTS, addresses a different project or community need every year.

Ten teams participated in the 2012 event, “People, Places, Promenades: Unifying Museum Park Super Neighborhood,” held Aug. 4 at Rice University’s School of Architecture.

“We were absolutely thrilled with how many people decided to attend,” said Kathleen O’Reilly, vice president of the super neighborhood, which is bounded by Hermann Park, Main Street, Texas 288 and U.S. 59.

The entity turned to the RDA to help it develop a strategy to create a more cohesive setting with safe, easy access for pedestrians, signage to guide people to destinations and a decrease in traffic congestion.

“There were so many ideas to extend the Hermann Park campus throughout the neighborhood, unifying the residential areas, the 17 museums and cultural centers, as well as the churches, schools and health-care facilities,” O’Reilly said. “There were some incredible ideas on those design boards.”

The winning team selected by the RDA, Team No. 8, included Neda Izadi of Milton Architects; Laura Beth Mertz, Intexure Architects; Ray Mora, Energy Architecture; Bayardo Selva, cre8 Architects; and Will Denman, who has since moved out of state. But ideas from all the groups are on the table for consideration.

Team 8’s plan

Team No. 8’s plan, “EnLIVEn,” suggests widening the north/south streets in the neighborhood and enhancing them with green spaces, bike lanes, bright intersections, boutique eateries and public parking.

“Our proposal is to use the north/south axis streets that connect the neighborhood to (Hermann Park) as ways to make the area aLIVE to the city,” the plan reads. “The east/west axis streets will focus on the people that LIVE in the neighborhood.”

The east/west streets would feature community gardens, green spaces, small eateries, meeting places and access to everyday amenities. The plan recommends more retail development on Almeda Road – where a grocery store is suggested – and Fannin Street.

The plan also calls for wheelchair-accessible sidewalks on all of the streets.

To further enhance pedestrian safety, the team suggested more streetlights and a color-coded signage system that identifies residential, transportation and commercial areas for drivers.

Another possibility would be raised road surfaces at four-way stops, similar to speed bumps, to protect pedestrians by slowing traffic.

To improve parking, the plan calls for eliminating traffic lanes on some streets and replacing them with on-street parking.

Receiving the judges’ vote for the best team plan was a pleasant surprise, Mertz said.

“It was completely unexpected,” she said. “There were so many great submissions. It was very close.

“We’re just hoping these ideas will be taken to heart by the city and the neighborhood.”

Market under U.S. 59?

O’Reilly said she’s pleased with Team No. 8’s proposals, and many of the other teams’ suggestions, including the creation of a marketplace under U.S. 59 at Caroline.

“As it is now, it’s a dead zone, and it could be so lively,” O’Reilly said.

Additional suggestions from the charrette teams included using roundabouts with center fountains to calm traffic; offering street signs in the form of benches and providing architectural plazas with landscaping and shaded seating and community gardens that use captured rainwater.

Also proposed was creation of pocket parks and water parks at the dead ends created where streets meet the Metropolitan Transit Authority light rail line. Other ideas: placing art in the medians of the widened roadways, burying utilities to minimize clutter and allow architectural lighting to stand out and adding a uniquely designed parking garage that would become a neighborhood landmark.

“The ideas for art in the median are really fun and whimsical,” O’Reilly said. “It would make people happy just to walk by them.”

Like ‘Project Runway’

The competition was intense, Mertz said.

The members had eight hours to get their ideas together.

“It was like being on ‘Project Runway’ and trying to make a design in one day,” Mertz said. “Trying to develop a plan for the city neighborhood in eight hours can be a little intimidating.”

The super neighborhood hosted a public meeting Sept. 19 to show community members the charrette design boards and get their comments. On Sept. 24, the group will host an invitation-only reception at the Asia Society Texas Center, where community members and leaders will have another opportunity to review charrette proposals and weigh in on the super neighborhood’s future.

The super neighborhood would present the master plan to the city for proposed funding.

“The events this month are preliminary efforts to get opinions and ideas from the community so we can refine our focus as we actually head into the (master plan) design,” O’Reilly said. “The more feedback we have, the better the outcome.”

Flori Meeks is a freelance writer and can be reached at flori@swbell.net.

A couple months ago, Kay Ries’ back yard was nothing much to shout about.

“We had a grass lawn, a little concrete patio and a swing set,” said Reis, a resident of Orland Park.

Now, she looks out the window and sees paradise. The clue that she’s upgraded to something truly unique? How about the palm tree that has all her neighbors buzzing?

“We started with the idea of putting in an in-ground pool,” Ries said. “My husband always wanted one. The job just kept getting bigger and bigger. We wanted to get it done right so that we will be able to enjoy it for years. I think my favorite part was when Mark put in a little palm tree. Then, the yard became our little paradise.”

Mark is Mark McClure, residential sales director for Beary Landscaping, an industry leader that has been tackling jobs in the south and southwest suburbs for more than 25 years. He directed his team to plant the palm tree at the request of Ries’ husband, John, owner and operator of Alsip-based Mid-American Tool Inc. and also a franchise salesman for the Canadian-based Tilted Kilt restaurant chain.

“When the neighbors drive by, they’re always texting, ‘Oh, what a great palm tree,’ ” Kay Ries said. “Will it survive the winter? Probably not. We’ll probably have to replace it.

“But my husband wanted it, so he got it. He promised he’d work harder to pay for it. He works so hard already. It’s definitely an extra. I’ve taken to how nice it looks and how it completes the whole tropical look that we have going on out there. And Mark said he’ll help us out and install a new one every year if that’s what we want to do.”

McClure and Beary Landscaping worked with the Ries’ every step of the way on their backyard landscape makeover project, one that started in mid-June and was completed in late August. The list of new features runs the gamut from a custom fireplace with a recessed opening to house a flat-screen TV to an outdoor bar with a granite countertop and a quilted paver patio.

None of the features can top the palm tree that rises above all the brick and mortar and serves as the finishing touch, much like a cherry perched atop an ice cream sundae.

“Palms have been a big thing with people doing outdoor pools lately,” McClure said. “Palm trees have a made a new surge here in popularity. It’s difficult to get them to survive over winter. It is more of an annual plant.

“You have to budget that in just like you plant annual flowers around your house.”

McClure said typical tickets for Beary landscape jobs run from $5,000 to $70,000—or more, all depending on the size and scope of the project.

“We provide a wide range of different services,” he said. “We do everything from full-landscape maintenance, where we’ll actually maintain properties. We will do spring re-mulches on homes, complete new construction, where we do everything from the landscape designs to the sod, to the sprinklers, the brick pavers, the landscape lighting—everything all-inclusive.

“And, then, we will do a lot of this market, the backyard, outdoor environment market, which has really taken off. A lot of homeowners have decided to stay in their homes and really invest in their outdoor environment and enjoy that environment. And that’s what this new era of landscaping is all about.

“Those projects—depending on the features you put in to a backyard project with pools, fireplaces and pergolas—you can have $50,000 or $60,000 or $70,000 into it. Backyard patios, with a real nice custom patio, could be as simple as $5,000 to $10,000 to do.”

The Ries project evolved after McClure and his team started working with the homeowners. He pitched several ideas, one a tug-on-the-heartstrings notion that struck a chord with both John and Kay. They couldn’t resist.

“Right outside their back door on their old, existing concrete patio, they had a section of concrete where their kids at a young age put their handprints into the concrete,” McClure said. “We were removing that concrete patio. I came up with the idea—I said, ‘Guys, why don’t we cut this section of concrete out in an arch and we’ll put that right in as the hearth of the new fireplace?’

“So, it’s actually built in. We cut it out, cleaned it up so you can see all the handprints now. And we put that custom piece of their back yard and their history right into the fireplace. It is now the now permanent feature in their back yard.”

Kay said the Ries’ are thrilled with the finished project. Her boys, Justin, 13, and Zachary and Colin, twins, age 11, were swimming in August.

“We do love to entertain,” she said. “Now, we have the entertaining house.”

And a palm tree to start conversations, too.

Master Gardener board member Marilynn Elliott offers garden art ideas at two area venues in the coming weeks.

 

She speaks at the Green Thumb Brown Bag series at noon Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. She will repeat the program for the Class Act at Woodcock at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2711 Woodcock Road, Sequim.

 

Elliott discusses budget, design, selection and placement of artwork, including seasonal displays.

Recently honored with the Master Gardeners Golden Trowel Award for lifetime achievement, she has experience with landscaping, container gardening and creating garden rooms as well as 1,500 hours of volunteer work at plant clinics and educational programs.

 

Call 417-2279 with questions.

 

 

 

Published: Monday, September 17, 2012

Click photo to enlarge

There’s no lack of ideas for sustainable gardening in Monterey County. But if you’re able to make a visit to Santa Cruz next Saturday, there are some gardens worth looking at and stealing ideas from.

The 15th annual Monterey Bay Master Gardeners Tour on

Sept. 22 is being held on the other side of the bay from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the theme “Gardens of the 99% — Inspiring Gardens Within Your Reach.”

“The gardens pretty much all feature sustainability,” said tour co-chair Denise Weatherwax, who notes that three of the nine sites on the self-guided tour feature water catchment systems, and several also feature low-water-use plantings and strategies. All the gardens are pretty much do-it-yourself projects — “It may have taken them 10, 20 or 30 years to get them to the state they’re in now,” said Weatherwax.

For instance, one man dug his own 20,000-gallon catchment basin that provides water for his garden throughout the year; another has a “water-neutral” system that uses both rainwater harvesting and graywater to keep the garden growing.

Most of the gardens employ creative ways of reusing items as well, such as paths made from recycled concrete, and garden accents made from salvaged materials. Also featured are homemade water features, backyard chicken and dove raising, composting using traditional and worm methods, succulents and drought-tolerant landscaping.

The central location for the tour is the Homeless Garden Project farm on Shaffer

Road on the west side of Santa Cruz. This is one of two public places on the tour, the other being the renovated gardens at Santa Cruz City Hall.

Here, the Master Gardeners will hold their plant sale, host an information booth where visitors can ask gardening questions. Also for sale will be items by local artists and artisans, a used book and “second-chance” sale and items from The Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise.

All the gardens are located within a few miles of each other to minimize the tour’s carbon footprint. The Monterey Bay Master Gardeners’ membership is both in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, and so each year the tour is rotated to a different location within the MBMG region. This year, it’s Santa Cruz’s turn.

The Master Gardeners’ mission is education, and so there will be lectures at some of the gardens on such topics as deer-resistant landscaping, solar power, soil fertility and rainwater harvesting. Photos, detailed descriptions of the gardens, a map and lecture schedule are available at the MBMG website, mbmg.org.

Each site also will have plant lists or garden maps available, so those interested will know exactly what’s growing there, and docents will also be on hand to answer any questions that might arise.

Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance or $25 on the day of the tour. You can buy them at mbmg.org/events/masters-garden-tour or at garden centers in Monterey County, including Cypress Garden Nursery and Drought Resistant Nursery in Monterey, Griggs Nursery and Valley Hill Nursery in Carmel Valley, Bokay Nursery and McShane’s Nursery Landscape Supply in Salinas, Miss Trawick’s Garden Shop in Pacific Grove, and Seaside Garden Center.

Proceeds go to MBMG education programs; for information, call 763-8007.

Do you have questions or comments about sustainable living in Monterey County? Send them to Kathryn McKenzie at pardonmygarden@att.net. Follow Living Green on Twitter for daily tips, twitter.com/livinggreen2.

Lindsey Butner, a Forsyth County Extension agent, will discuss growing small fruits in the landscape at 7 p.m. Monday at the Rural Hall Library, 7125 Broad St. Topics will include soil preparation, pruning and harvesting. The lecture is free but registration is required.

For information and to register, call (336) 703-2850 or email gordonkl@forsyth.cc.

Get ideas on how to amp up curb appeal

A lecture on landscaping for curb appeal will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Clemmons Library, 2554 Clemmons Road. The discussion will include ideas and ways to achieve curb appeal without an abrupt change in the landscape. The lecture is free but registration is required.

For information and to register, call (336) 703-2850 or email gordonkl@forsyth.cc.

Organic gardener to speak Thursday

Lee Newlin, an organic gardener and owner of Peaceful River Farm in Chapel Hill, will speak at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, 205 S. Main St.

Newlin will discuss organic gardening and offer tips on cooking techniques that maximize the health benefits of organic vegetables. Following her presentation, the audience will be treated to wine and dinner. Admission is $40.

For information, call (336) 996-7888 or see www.cienerbotanicalgarden.org.

Forsyth plant sale set for Sept. 21-22

The annual Forsyth County master gardener plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 and from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 22 at the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Office, 1450 Fairchild Road. This year’s sale will offer a wider variety of plants. Sale proceeds benefit master-gardener projects and outreach programs for adults and children in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

For information, call (336) 703-2852 or kathy_hepler@ncsu.edu.

Rain-garden workshop planned

Wendi Hartup, a Forsyth County Extension agent, will lead a rain-garden workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1416 Bolton St.

Rain gardens are shallow depressions and serve as landscape features that can effectively collect and treat storm water while reducing flooding. Participants should dress accordingly for the weather. The cost is $15 and includes lunch. Registration is required.

For information and to register, call (336) 703-2850 or email gordonkl@forsyth.cc.

Home, garden event set for Sept 23

A “Home and Garden Day” will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, 205 S. Main St.

Volunteers from Home Depot will teach children ages 6 and older how to build apple baskets, make an apple birdfeeder and plant a seedling. Parents can attend seminars on how to work with bulbs and tips on maintaining a fall lawn. Food vendors will be on-site.

For information and to register children for the events, call Toni Hays (336) 996-7888, or see www.cienerbotanicalgarden.org.