Mercer Island events for March and April

Hello fellow Islanders. Sustainability is alive and well on Mercer Island! He is a list of activities that may be of interest to you.

TIMI movie night!
Transition Initiative Mercer Island (TIMI) invites you to its Third Community
Film & Discussion Event with discussion designed to create a healthy and resilient vision for our community. This month’s film is entitled “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.” The evening will also include an overview of the
Transition Initiative Process and ask for input about next best steps.

Time and Location:
TUESDAY, March 29TH, 2011
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
MI Public Library - Large Room

Leap for Green is coming!
The fourth annual Leap For Green Fair is on Saturday April 16th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Community Center at Mercer View!  It is FREE and open to the public and is targeted at kids of ALL ages (that means you!).   This is Mercer Island’s very own Earth Day Event sponsored by IslandVision, the City of Mercer Island and Blue Sky Cleaners

There will be great music from Patrick and Friends, NEW Guatemalan Dancers in costume, a reptile man, Hula Hooping with Hoop to the Beat, Recycled Art projects to do, Face Painting, Goats and Chickens to visit with and the Farmers Market will be on hand to serve delicious food from Patty Pan Grill, Anita's Crepes, Whidbey Island Ice Cream, Got Soup and much more!! 

This year we have lots to celebrate: 
The Mercer Island School District is now a King County Certified Green District
The Green Business program is ramping up to launch!
The Green Ribbon Commission is launching a community wide “22 Ways – it’s easy being green” program
Transition Initiative Mercer Island (TIMI) is getting its start

This is a YOU-Powered event and you can win a prize if you power yourself (walk, bike, scooter or take the bus) to the event.  Please bring non-perishable foods to donate to the Mercer Island Food Pantry!  Come and be part of the movement.

Are you available to VOLUNTEER for this event?  We need help with set up and break down, “runners” during the event and helping at the IslandVision table.  Please contact Lucia Pirzio-Biroli at lucia@studioectypos.com

Remember - Leap for Green is all about  Environment, Economy and Equity – the triple bottom line of sustainability

See you on the 16th!!

Earth Hour
What began in 2007 as a campaign to get Sydneysiders to turn their lights off, has grown to become one of the world’s biggest climate change initiatives. On March 26th, 2011 at 8:30 PM (local time) people around the world will turn their lights for one hour – Earth Hour. Join more than 1 billion people who, together, can reinvigorate our fight against human-induced climate change.

Earth Hour 2011 is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community, a call to stand up, to take responsibility and to get involved in working towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to The Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world will turn off their lights and join together in creating the vital conversation about the future of our precious planet.

Earth Hour is a message of hope and action. Everyone can make a difference.
Join us for Earth Hour 2011! Turn off your lights at 8.30 PM Saturday, March, 26th! For more information visit http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church Takes the MI Carbon Challenge
Emmanuel Episcopal Church says Yes to taking the MI Green Ribbon Commission Carbon Challenge, "22Ways - It's Easy Being Green ...a challenge that is easy, informative, and coaches participants in how to become energy "fit" by working through 22 energy reduction action items.  Emmanuel sees creation care as part of their Christian duty.  Rector Hunt Priest has invited Emmanuel households to make the Carbon Challenge part of their spiritual discipline for Lent and Easter.

IslandVisioner Wins King County Award
IslandVision’s own Nancy Weil has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Earth Heroes at School Award. The Earth Heroes at School Program celebrates King County students, teachers, staff, and volunteers who implement projects at their school or beyond to protect our environment. For more information on the Earth Heroes at School Program, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/education/earth-heroes.asp. The award will be presented by King County Executive Dow Constantine at a recognition ceremony on April 14th.

Compiled by Dr. Jonathan Harrington
IslandVision Board

Upcoming events on Mercer Island!

Hello fellow Islanders. It may be chilly outside, but things are really heating up on the sustainability front.

·         IslandVision has a new Facebook page! We invite you to look us up at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Island-Vision/150088098365545
·         Leap for Green is fast approaching! The big event is on Saturday April 16th at the Mercer Island Community Center. We have some amazing things planned this year. We hope you can join us.
·         It is never too late to start thinking about our beloved Mercer Island Farmer’s Market. Opening day is Sunday June 12th. This year, the market day has been extended an additional hour. Vendors will be open for business at 10 AM. For more info, visit http://www.mifarmersmarket.org/welcome/
·         This coming Monday, February 28th an innovative new Island sustainability group called Transition Initiative Mercer Island (TIMI) is sponsoring a free community event moderated by Callie Ridolfi. Please join TIMI for their second in a series of films with discussion designed to help us create a healthier and more resilient community. This month, TIMI will feature David Brancaccio’s award winning film entitled “Fixing the Future” which highlights many Northwest innovations. Snacks and popcorn will be provided.

Place:
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
4400 86th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA

Time: 6:30-9:00 PM (film starts at 7:00 PM)


To learn more about IslandVision and our mission to encourage and support sustainable practices on Mercer Island, please visit our website at www.islandvision.org.
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Learn all about your fruit trees with City Fruit!

City Fruit will have a booth at our LEAP FOR GREEN FAIR this year on Mercer Island 

 

Leap for Green will be at the Community Center on Mercer Island on Saturday April 16th... mark your calendars!

It's February and time to oil up your pruners and dust off your garden boots.  

Fruit tree tips:   

• #1 -  Time to prune!  Don't take off a lot of wood, but tidy up your fruit trees and prune with fruit in mind.  
• #2 - Buy and plant. Now's the time to find bare root fruit trees in your local nursery. 
• #3 - Take a class and learn more.  See below.

Oldest apple tree: Last weekend I visited the oldest apple tree in the northwest, planted in 1826 by the Hudson Bay Company settlers at Fort Vancouver beside the Columbia River.  185 years old.  It puts things in perspective.   

City Fruit Events and Classes
City People-City Fruit:  City People's Garden Store in Madison Park sells bare root fruit trees (and other fruits and vegetables).  City Fruit and City People's are excited to co-sponsor some free fruit tree classes in the garden store this February.  Class size is limited, so register by contacting City People's at:  erincpgs@gmail.com or 206-324-0737.
Feb 19:  How to Plant Fruit Trees - 11 am - noon.  Taught by Jana Dilley, certified arborist and staff of City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment.
Feb 19:  Best Fruits for Northwest Gardens -  12 - 12:30 pm.  Taught by Gail Savina, director, City Fruit
Feb 26:  Fruit Tree Pruning Basics  - 2 - 3:15 pm.  Taught by Ingela Wanerstrand, owner Green Darner Garden Design.

The following City Fruit classes cost $15 for members/$20 non-members.  Register by following the link or sending a check to City Fruit, PO Box 28577, Seattle 98118.

Feb 12, 10 am - noon   Fruit Tree Pruning: Demo and Mentoring.  This is a chance to prune fruit trees in a West Seattle home orchard under the guidance of John Reardon, a home orchardist and former vice president of the Seattle Tree Fruit Society.  Register by mail or contact City Fruit at info@cityfruit.org . Registrants will be informed of the location.

March 12, 10 am - noon.  Grafting New Fruit onto Existing Fruit Trees.   Learn how to do a whip graft, cleft graft, bud graft and pleach. Greg Giuliani grew up on a Snoqualmie Valley Farm with a 1930's orchard.  He learned to graft in order to re-create heritage fruit varieties.

Mason Bees: We turned people away from Dave Hunter's popular mason bee class on Jan 29 and are considering holding another class.  If you are interested, email info@cityfruit.org .

Other events and classes: 
Feb 5   Winter Vineyard Care. Snohomish County Extension, Silvana.  www.snohomish.wsu.edu/ag/workshops/viticulture2011.pdf
Feb 12  Plant Amnesty Prune-A-Thon.  Sky Nursery.  Free pruning demonstrations all day. www.plantamnesty.org or 206-783-9813
Feb 12  Grafting Techniques, Lynnwood. With Greg Giuliani, Gil Schreiber and Bill Davis.  Seattle Tree Fruit Society. Feb 26  Pruning work party with coach/mentor, Holy Cross Orchard in Bellevue.  jkftahiti@comcast.net  425-401-9337
Feb 26  Dormant Fruit Tree Pruning, Sultan. With Gary Moulton. WSU Snohomish County Extension.  Register at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/136751
Mar 5    Plant Amnesty's Fruit Tree Pruning Field Day,  Danny Woo Community Garden, Seattle. Lectures and pruning demos. www.plantamnesty.org or 206-783-9813.
Mar 5    Alleycat Acres Ride Hard! Grow Forth!  60-mile bike ride to benefit the urban farming collective.  To help: http://bit.ly/aaride
Mar 19  Field Trip to Home Orchard Society's Fruit Propation Fair - the largest scion exchange on the West Coast. Seattle Tree Fruit Society. Call Lori at 206-715-4149 or lorineb@mindspring.com

Want more?  Check out the Seattle Tree Fruit Society calendar .

Seattle Youth Garden Works is looking to hire a Farm Coordinator.  Email sygw@seattletilth.org .

Orchard Stewards in Seattle Parks:  More than 30 community stewards caring for fruit trees at five Seattle Parks have embarked on a series of workshops to learn about fruit tree care.  The first workshop, Fruit Tree Biology, was held last week, and we move on to Fruit Tree Pruning the end of February.

Thanks to everyone who joined or renewed membership with City Fruit in January!  It was a record month for us, membership-wise, and we are thrilled. Your memberships go directly to support this year's fruit harvest.  Benefits to you -- beside the satisfaction of supporting a good cause -- include a free City Fruit class, reduced fees on all classes -- and now we are tax deductible.  For those of you who haven't joined us yet, use the attached membership form or go to www.cityfruit.org .

That's it for February.  Time to get outside.  And remember to follow us at our Blog (http://cityfruit.org/blog/) on Twitter (http://twitter.com/cityfruit ) and on Facebook.

Gail

Transition Initiative Mercer Island

Hello fellow IslandVisioners! Happy New Year! I am pleased to have this opportunity to inform you about two great events that are coming up in the near future. Our Fourth Annual Leap for Green extravaganza is scheduled for April 16^th, 2011 at the Community Center. This year, we are offering sustainability minded members of our community an opportunity materially support our efforts by becoming an official event sponsor. We offer three levels of sponsorship that fit almost any budget.

A new and exciting organization, Transition Initiative Mercer Island, invites you to a free community event moderated by our dear friend and IslandVision co-founder Callie Ridolfi. Please join us for our first in a series of films with discussion designed to allow us to create a healthy and resilient vision for our community. We will be screening the award willing film, The End of Suburbia, which will be followed by facilitated open discussion about the film and how it relates to our Island. Light snacks will be provided. The screening is scheduled for Monday, January 24^th, 2011 6:30-9:00 PM at the Mercer Island Library.

We hope you can join us!

Finally, in case you didn’t know, IslandVision is now on Facebook! You can find us at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Island-Vision/150088098365545

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Jonathan Harrington

IslandVision Board

Leap for Green | Master Gardeners Booth

The Leap for Green Fair has the privilege of having a Master Gardeners Booth at the fair this year!  Gordon Polson, one of the most active master gardeners on Mercer Island will be there to help you with any gardening questions you have.  Here is a quick interview with Gordon and he can't wait to see you at the fair and talk all things gardening.  Thank you Gordon!!

Who are you and how are you involved in Leap for Green?

I am a retired (almost) English Engineer who should have been a gardener, although I love Engineering too.
 My involvement in Leap for Green is as a Master Gardener.
 During the growing season I help to staff the regular Master Gardeners clinics at Rite Aid and at the Farmers Market, where we offer advice on topical subjects related to all the different & many phases of gardening.



Tell us about the Master Gardeners Program: 
  The Master Gardeners program was conceived in Washington State in the early 1970s by  Dr David Gibby (an Extension Agent in the Seattle-Tacoma area) out of desperation, because he often arrived at work to find 100 messages from home gardeners adding to his already heavy workload.
 A program began to be discussed by Dr Gibby and other WSU Extension faculty to recruit volunteers who would receive extensive training from Extension specialists. In return these volunteers would help Extension services provide gardening information to the public.
The concept was tested using Extension agents to answer various questions. The name "Master Gardener" was selected for the new program and recruiting began when a two page article in the September 1972 issue  of Sunset Magazine introduced the concept to the Puget Sound area.
Skeptics wondered if enough volunteers could be found to donate their time, but the response was tremendous, with 300 people applying for the first class. From this group 120 were selected to receive 55 hours of training.
In January 1973 the first Master Gardener training classes began in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Later the same year another 50 volunteers were trained in Spokane.
Originally this program was only intended to serve the larger urban counties, but it also proved attractive to smaller counties as well and almost all of Washington counties were served. Other States showed interest and by 1976 Master Gardener programs had appeared in Colorado, Oregon, Montana, New York, Illinois and Rhode Island.
So successful has the program become, that more than 7000 citizens were helped that first year. and in the years since it's inception the Master Gardener model has spread to all 50 States, four Canadian Provinces and many countries elsewhere in the world.

Why did you decide to become a master gardener?
It seemed like a logical progression for some body interested in gardening, as I had been since the age of eight.
My father had an allotment, which is what Pea Patches are named in England, where they have been provided for some couple of hundred years.
He would stick me on the cross bar of his bike at weekends and we would ride the three or four miles to the allotment, trying to avoid making eye contact with bobbies along the way. Here I where I was allowed a bonfire and was given my own piece of the land to do with as I wanted. Then when my Dad was sent to India in 1941 I took over the growing of fruit and vegetables for my Mum and sister and me. I have been gardening ever since.


What is it about the Seattle area that makes it so great for gardeners?
Ah that is easy. The climate and growing conditions here are almost identical to Surrey where I am from - only better. In addition it means that I didn't have to throw away my existing gardening books and go out to buy all new. Of course that hasn't stopped me from buying more though!

If I could put two plants in my garden that are easy and beautiful what would you suggest?
Oh good Lord - only two? But lets compromise a bit here - Clematis without a doubt would be one and they are available in many different colors and types, with some sweetly scented too, so there should be plenty of choice. I absolutely love them and would never be without.
Picking just one more is painful, but I think a Japanese Maple would have to hold a premiere place. They also have different colors, habits and forms, but all are beautiful and quite easy of culture. They will also fit effortlessly into most landscapes and enhance the whole.

Any simple suggestions for Mercer Island Gardeners to improve the habitat of their backyard??
Due to the type of soil we have here, courtesy of the last ice age, there is a tendency for it to be sometimes deficient in one or two elements. Also the occasional showers that we sometimes experience tend to further wash out soluble elements and beat down the soil surface and compact everything.
If gardeners would have their soil analyzed, the resulting report would tell them what sort of condition their ground was in and recommend treatment to bring it into good heart. This analysis can be done quite locally at no cost and if anybody cares to contact me I can provide the details. This can also be obtained from any of our clinics! Another simple thing that can be done which will improve any soil regardless of it's present condition, is to spread compost on the surface. Left alone, worms will drag it down to where they and billions of soil organisms will break it down into forms usable by plants.

Leap for Green fair will be Saturday April 16th at the Mercer Island Community Center so mark your calendars!

Leap for Green: Visit this booth!

This year at the Leap for Green Fair you can visit this booth and be a part of the exciting community of Mercer Island Habitat.  Please go and visit Rita Moore at the booth they will have at Leap for Green this year.   

Leap for Green will be at the Community Center on Mercer Island on Saturday April 16th... mark your calendars!

Here is more information on how you can create a certified wildlife habitat and make a difference right in your own backyard:

Mercer Island Habitat mission is to make all residents on Mercer Island aware of the critical role they play in providing life support habitat for our birds, butterflies, Douglas squirrels, flying squirrels, salamanders and other creatures.

The number of native birds and other native critters on Mercer Island is directly proportional to the amount of native habitat we supply.  Our parks cannot provide enough habitat.  Every yard should have a natural area filled with native plants, shrubs and trees.  As many native plants as possible should be used in landscaping.  Lawns should be reduced and replaced with native vegetation.  Invasive plants such as English ivy should be removed from people's property, especially from the trees.

The bottom of the food web for most of our critters is insects.  Our native insects cannot utilize or utilize very well, non-native plants.  Remember 98% of insects are beneficial.  They keep those that aren't in check.  They supply food for most of our birds.  Even humming birds need insects while feeding their your.  Insects are their source of protein.  Humming birds catch mosquitoes by opening their bills very wide to catch the mosquitoes.

Residents can help us certify Mercer Island as wildlife habitat by certifying heir yards with the National Wildlife Federation.  People can certify their yards at The National Wildlife Federation Website.

Consider certification as a start in improving the habitat in your yard.  Most properties on Mercer Island already meet the certification requirements of providing food, shelter, a place to raise their young, green gardening practices and water.  Water is usually the absent piece but it can easily be met by putting the saucer, from a large garden pot, on the ground and filling it with water.  Bird feeders are good, especially if you want to watch the birds but seed, fruit, berries from our native plants are even more important.

Consider certification just the start of making your property habitat for our native birds and animals.  Schools, churches, businesses can also certify their property through the same process.

We already have about 100 properties certified, including over 25 of our parks.  We need only about 50 more.  If your property is already certified, consider encouraging and helping your neighbors to certify theirs.  It would be a good, easy project for PTAs to take on for their schools.