So many great events, so little time. Earth Day was really only the beginning of the events to attend this year. There are things happening all the time, so I wanted to share some of them with you.
As you know Urban gardening and community gardens are bigger than ever this year. The call for a Victory garden at the White House was even taken up by our first lady, Michelle Obama. For those of you in Cleveland, there are ample opportunities to learn and interact this year! Thanks to Julie Lindstrom for this list:
Saturday, June 13th from 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Weed Identification and Management Workshop Instructor: Dr. John Cardina from The Ohio State University
Location: Building Healthy Communities Garden East 35th and Cedar Ave in Cleveland
RSVP to 216.429.8200 ext. 220
Thursday, June 18th from 6:00-8:00 pm
Cooking in the Garden with the Greenhouse Tavern-Paul Revere Community Garden 10334 Gay Avenue in Cleveland
Learn new ways to cook fresh produce from your garden and bring a dish or beverage to share with other gardeners at this workshop/potluck!
RSVP to 216.428.8200 ext. 220
Saturday, June 20th from 1:00 -3:00 pm
Rain Garden and Run-off Best Management Practice Workshop Instructor: Jean Loria
Gather ’round Farm 3919 Lorain Ave. in Cleveland $5-10 sliding scale
For more information contact gatherroundfarm@yahoo.com
Saturday, June 27th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pest and Diseases in the Garden Instructor: Dr. Jim Chatfield of The Ohio State University
Shaffer Miles Community Garden Miles Ave at East 120th in Cleveland
RSVP to 216.429.8200 ext 220
Sustainable Cleveland 2019
Cleveland is moving forward and maintaining its commitment to sustainability. Mayor Jackson has a firm committment to Cleveland being a leader in the sustainability movement. In August, there will be a 3 day summit of community leaders, business owners, and citizens who are going to help develop a plan for moving forward.
With an increasing emphasis on developing green technologies, minimizing impact on the environment and the need for all people to participate in economic success, the green economy will be one of the important growth sectors of the future. Cleveland’s Office of Sustainability, several local organizations and regional companies have set the stage for Cleveland to become a leader in the emerging green economy. Now is the time to take these efforts to the next level.
Thanks to whomever put me on the list, as I received an invitation to participate. But do not fret, if you didn’t get your own. You can apply to participate as well. The dates are August 12-14. But be sure you can attend the entire summit as it is going to be an interactive presentation. If you can’t make it, don’t worry. I will try and blog about the entire summit, complete with all my own commentary….When it is all over, Cleveland leaders hope to be armed with all the information they need to implement an agenda for a new, prosperous decade.
If you are in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, plan on attending one of several important meetings that are coming up this month. On Saturday, June 20th, there will be a block grant meeting at the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization to look at ways for innovative vacant land re-use projects. Give the Eco Village Coordinator Lillah Zautner a call for more information (216) 961-4242. There is also a rail revitalization meeting at St. Coleman’s Church on June 24th at 6pm. If you do not live in the Detroit Shoreway, contact your local Development Corp to ask when the meeting is for your neighborhood. There likely is one! These meetings are about how to use the rail system to revitalize our local neighborhoods. This is an important goal, so find out where your meeting is attend! Don’t forget about your local farmers markets this year! Gordon square Farmer’s Market is opening soon…
I am happy to find out that Cleveland is not the only city with ideas on going green. I stumbled upon this festival in Youngstown called the Grey to Green Festival. It is the second of annual events and will be held on Saturday September 12, 2009 in Wick Park on Youngstown’s North Side. Youngstown is working to transform the city from an area that has suffered (like much of NE Ohio) to a thriving green hot spot. They are taking the necessary steps to embrace the challenges of the future and reinvent themselves in a way that make sense for them. Youngstown serves as a model for other rust-belt cities that must recreate and reinvent themselves after years of decline. Part of the city’s plan is a revitalization of this important park. On September 12, there will be a host of local and regional agencies, environmentally oriented businesses, and community organizations. Throughout the park, there will be workshops, displays, demonstrations, entertainment, food, and “green” merchandise vendors. The Festival itself will be put together with an emphasis on sustainable practices – minimal energy and resource consumption, maximum recycling and waste reduction.
The city in a radical move began bulldozing abandoned buildings, tearing up blighted streets and converting entire blocks into open green spaces several years ago. With help from community groups dedicated to reforestation and urban gardening, the abandoned neighborhoods are being returned to a more-natural state, ultimately permitting the city to cut services to less-populated areas and instead concentrate on development where people want to move. The goals of the 2010 plan are “to create a safe, clean, enjoyable, sustainable, attractive city.” The beauty of the vision here is that they are looking to a future that is right for Youngstown. They are not trying to use concepts of Cleveland or take on initiatives that are drafted for Pittsburgh, but developing their own. This is an important lesson for many US cities. We have to figure out our own unique strengths and build on them. We are planning on attending this festival and may even have a little table. I encourage all Clevelanders to join me and support our neighbors in their efforts to green their future. To find out more, contact Debra Weaver [debraweaver2000@hotmail.com].
Tags: Cleveland, Events, gardening, Go Green, Green Policies
Thanks for covering the green stuff happening here in Youngstown! Gray to Green was great last year, though wet. We should have an even better turnout this year with tons of arts and green vendors to help live more sustainably.
I have been reading a lot about what Youngstown is doing to reinvent itself. You should be proud of your town!