Welcome to this week's GANG News post!
Details of the past week's efforts, how to volunteer, and the current wishlist follow. Enjoy!
GANG Group Volunteer Hour 8.27.09
Volunteers checked the general condition of plants; harvested cucumbers, greens, tomatoes, and ground cherries; and sprayed the plants with seaweed (plant food).
Outside the Hour
On 8/22, the workshop "Drought and Stress-Proofing Your Home and Garden" took place. Visit this link, to see details and photos of the day.
On 8/25, Jane and Ann planted leaf lettuce and kale, for fall harvest.
Why & How to Volunteer
We invite all neighbors to join us at the GANG. By volunteering you can earn shares of the gardens bounty; shares earned are based on volunteer hours. There is a weekly group volunteer hour Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm, but you are welcome to volunteer anytime. There is volunteer log we use to track volunteer hours and what work was done during your time. The volunteer log (white binder) is located on Ann's porch, 134 N. Overhill.
GANG Wishlist
* volunteers to help plan and implement the garden for future seasons
* help with weeding the beds; be careful not to distrub the small areas where the hay has been pulled back, these are the areas with new plants; put pulled weeds in the pile against the fence
* plastic blind slats (we will cut them up and use them to label plants in the beds)
* picnic table - materials for, and/or labor to create
* water plants for the pond
* ornamental plants for the areas around the pond and the front area of the garden
* compost and other mulch materials
* buckets
Thursday, August 27, 2009
GANG News 8.27.09
Monday, August 24, 2009
Update on the Use Variance Petition
The Use Variance Petition submitted by Tom C. and Ann K. has been withdrawn. If you have any questions, you may contact Tom at 812-219-6734.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Green Acres Real Estate Update - 8.23.09
Follow this link to the see the latest listing of homes for sale in Green Acres.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
GANG - Workshop #6
This workshop was a full-day class on permaculture. We learned, and learned, and then learned some more. Keith's extensive slideshow led the day, along with discussions amongst the participants and specific questions relating to each persons own unique microclimate. After lunch, we took a tour of some Green Acres homes to talk about permaculture applications for various yards. It is amazing how easy it can be once you become attuned to the specific needs and abilities of your home and landscape. Check out Ann's blog for more details and pictures.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
GANG News 8.20.09
Welcome to this week's GANG News post!
Details of the past week's efforts, how to volunteer, and the current wishlist follow. Enjoy!
GANG Group Volunteer Hour 8.20.09
Volunteers checked the general condition of plants; harvested cucumbers, greens, tomatoes, and ground cherries; and planted several seedlings for fall harvest. During the hour, several new neighbors stopped by to learn more about the garden and how to get involved. Keep spreading the word about the garden to your neighbors, it is for all of us to work in and enjoy from.
Outside the Hour
GANG Workshop, "Drought- and Stress-proofing Your Home and Garden," is next Saturday, 8/22/09. You can find more info, including how to sign up, at this link.
Why & How to Volunteer
We invite all neighbors to join us at the GANG. By volunteering you can earn shares of the gardens bounty; shares earned are based on volunteer hours. There is a weekly group volunteer hour Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm, but you are welcome to volunteer anytime. There is volunteer log we use to track volunteer hours and what work was done during your time. The volunteer log (white binder) is located on Ann's porch, 134 N. Overhill.
GANG Wishlist
* volunteers to help plan and implement the garden for future seasons
* help with weeding the beds; be careful not to distrub the small areas where the hay has been pulled back, these are the areas with new plants; put pulled weeds in the pile against the fence
* plastic blind slats (we will cut them up and use them to label plants in the beds)
* picnic table - materials for, and/or labor to create
* water plants for the pond
* ornamental plants for the areas around the pond and the front area of the garden
* compost and other mulch materials
* buckets
Thursday, August 13, 2009
GANG News 8.13.09
Welcome to this week's GANG News post!
Details of the past week's efforts, how to volunteer, and the current wishlist follow. Enjoy!
GANG Group Volunteer Hour 8.13.09
Volunteers checked the general condition of plants; harvested cucumbers, greens, tomatoes, and ground cherries; watered the beds, created little poles for the pole beans to climb; and worked on weeding. During the hour, we were treated by a visit from neighbors with their child and friends of theirs and their children. It was great to see neighbors being ambassadors to the garden and to see the children playing about the garden, observing and learning about what is going on.
Outside the Hour
GANG Workshop, "Drought- and Stress-proofing Your Home and Garden," is next Saturday, 8/22/09. You can find more info, including how to sign up, at this link.
Why & How to Volunteer
We invite all neighbors to join us at the GANG. By volunteering you can earn shares of the gardens bounty; shares earned are based on volunteer hours. There is a weekly group volunteer hour Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm, but you are welcome to volunteer anytime. There is volunteer log we use to track volunteer hours and what work was done during your time. The volunteer log (white binder) is located on Ann's porch, 134 N. Overhill.
GANG Wishlist
* volunteers to help plan and implement the garden for future seasons
* help with weeding the beds; be careful not to distrub the small areas where the hay has been pulled back, these are the areas with new plants; put pulled weeds in the pile against the fence
* plastic blind slats (we will cut them up and use them to label plants in the beds)
* picnic table - materials for, and/or labor to create
* water plants for the pond
* ornamental plants for the areas around the pond and the front area of the garden
* compost and other mulch materials
* buckets
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
August GANA Potluck and Meeting
Date: Tuesday, August 11
Time: Potluck begins at 6:30pm with meeting to follow
Location: Kindly hosted by Ann K., 134 N. Overhill
Topics: Use Variance petition, bypass expansion, neighborhood fun
Neighbors Present: Megan Assaf, Jelene Campbell, Tom Capshew, Valerie Cox, John & Jessica Gaus, Ann Kreilkamp, Yusuf Nur, Kevin Polk, Jane Spearman, Kimberly Wagner
Gues: Rachel Johnson, City of Bloomington Planning Office
Use Variance Petition
The meeting began with a tour of 2601 E Dekist, the site of the proposed Center for Healing and Community (CHC). The garden fence and the CHC require variance approval. Tom gave an overview of the process. Follow this link to the blog post containing a message from Tom and links to the variance petition and proposed floor plan. Rachel is helping Tom and Ann on their petition and explained the process from Planning's point of view. There are several potential issues in granting this variance, including the need (expense) of putting in a sidewalk and the fact that the variance would be in perpetuity. If you would like to write a letter of support, please send it to Rachel Johnson (johnsor@bloomington.in.gov); Rachel will include letters of support in the variance packet given to the Planning Commission. The Planning hearing is August 31, so get your letters to Rachel at least 3 days prior.
Bypass
Jane reminded everyone of the bypass email list and Facebook group; follow this link for the blog post with info on how to join and also, info on the blog that was put together after this meeting. We are to understand currently that INDOT is waiting on feedback from the City and IU regarding concerns with the bypass design. INDOT does not want to meet with the public until these changes have been incorporated (or rejected) so as to not meet about a plan that may not be the actual, final plan.
John got copies of portions (it is a 200+ page doc) of the plan, as it currently stands, that are most relevant to our neighborhood; these plans were passed around the meeting. John and Jessica would like to host the September meeting at their house. They live on the dead end of Dekist and would like other neighbors to experience the sound level of the bypass when school is in full swing.
Ice Cream Social
Everyone agreed that we would like to have an ice cream social. GANA has had one the past few years, and even though we didn't win the Edy's contest, we would still like to do this. Jelene and her band would be willing to play and so Jelene will get back with some dates that will work and we will select a date from there.
Newsletter
Jane would like to create a newsletter for distribution. The idea would be send it to the email list and more importantly, to canvas the neighborhood to let new neighbors know what is going on and how to get involved. Jane will explore the City's assistance for newsletters and Kevin said some funds for advertising that were part of the Small & Simple Grant we received. Tom offered assistance in creating the newsletter. If you have anything you want to see in the newsletter, let us know.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 8, kindly hosted by John and Jessica Gaus, 2638 E Dekist; potluck begins at 6:30pm with meeting to follow.
Respectfully submitted by me!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Use Variance Petition for GANG and CHC
Tom Capshew, a soon-to-be Green Acres neighbor, together with Ann Kreilkamp, as owner, have filed a Petition for Use Variance with the City of Bloomington to allow for the use of the yard at 2601 E. Dekist St. to be used as the Green Acres Neighborhood Garden (GANG) and the house at the same address to be used as a Center for Healing and Community (CHC). The Petition will be heard by the Plan Commission on August 31 and the Board of Zoning Appeals on September 24, 2009. If you have specific questions or concerns, you are welcome to call Tom Capshew at 812.219.6734.
Link to the petition: http://docs.google.com/View?id=d3k9sk9_52fzhpzxfs
Link to floor plans: http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=d3k9sk9_53dhsn6hgq
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Bypass Email List, Blog, and Facebook Group
Get involved with the coalition of neighborhoods and concerned citizens as we join together to oppose the bypass, especially as it is currently planned. Ask questions, share ideas for action, and find out ways to join together to make our voices heard.
To join the email list, send a message to bypass+subscribe@b-top.org
To read the blog, follow this link http://b-top.org/blog/
To join the Facebook group "Bloomington Residents Opposed to the Bypass Project", follow this link http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=109141005676.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
GANG News 8.6.09
Welcome to this week's GANG News post!
Details of the past week's efforts, how to volunteer, and the current wishlist follow. Enjoy!
GANG Group Volunteer Hour 7.30.09
Tri-pods were created out of bamboo poles and used to tie up burgeoning tomato plants. Beds were weeded, seedlings and recent plantings were checked for progress, watermelons formation was observed, plants were watered and merriment was had by all. Volunteers took home a variety of plants - flowers to display indoors (from some broken plants), greens, ground cherries,tomatoes, and herbs among others.
Why & How to Volunteer
We invite all neighbors to join us at the GANG. By volunteering you can earn shares of the gardens bounty; shares earned are based on volunteer hours. There is a weekly group volunteer hour Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm, but you are welcome to volunteer anytime. There is volunteer log we use to track volunteer hours and what work was done during your time. The volunteer log (white binder) is located on Ann's porch, 134 N. Overhill.
GANG Wishlist
* ideas for compost bin creation and location, as well as materials to create the bins
* ideas for the future of the garden - what we can do for it and what it can do for us and the community
* help with weeding the beds; be careful not to distrub the small areas where the hay has been pulled back, these are the areas with new plants; put pulled weeds in the pile against the fence
* plastic blind slats (we will cut them up and use them to label plants in the beds)
* picnic table - materials for, and/or labor to create
* water plants for the pond
* ornamental plants for the areas around the pond and the front area of the garden
* compost and other mulch materials
* buckets
Send an email to greenacresneighborhood@gmail.com for more info and to share ideas & materials.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Green Acres Real Estate Update - 8.2.09
Follow this link to see the homes currently for sale in Green Acres Neighborhood.
