February Meeting Updates

Kids + Passion = Energy; that’s how this month’s GT meeting began.

Mrs. Martha Fisher’s 3^rd grade class from Westerly Elementary School gave an awesome presentation on their rain barrel project to the Green Team. The class plans to raise awareness for storm water management by assembling and selling rain barrels this spring. This is a wonderful project that the class is undertaking—there was a lot of enthusiasm for the project by everyone there--the children, their parents, and GT members.

The Community Garden is preparing to open this spring—targeting early April to open, weather dependent. Fifty Nine plots are already assigned—a total of 130 are available. Bay community garden head Bob Shields is looking for people to chair and participate on the various sub committees. A new fence will be purchased. There are plans to hold a kickoff meeting for Community Garden participants in March. A new requirement for community garden service will be added this year.

On the waste management front... Council approved Automated Trash Pick-up with a vote of 7-0 in January. The ATP will include increased curbside recycling (of cardboard, mixed paper) and compost (yard waste in brown bags). The green team is in strong support of this initiative due to the potential to significantly increase the recycling within the city. The Green Team plans to support the ATP roll out by working with Republic to create labels for the inside, top of the containers. Bay will be the first west side community to have labels on the recycle containers—this should increase the recycle compliance. The Green Team will also publish various alternatives for using or donating your used trash can. We don’t want them going to the land fill!

Ideas include:

· Donate those in good shape to Habitat for Humanity (must be clean)

· Donate those that are blue in good shape to the Bay Schools

· Keep them for excess trash, that will be picked up monthly

· Repurpose them into compost containers. This is a great way to use a can that has holes, as holes are needed to aerate the compost. An informational link is also provided on our website for repurposing to a backyard digester in the January 2011 Meeting Update posting.

· If all else fails, recycle them. Chances are the metal or plastic can be recycled (probably not curbside)

Upcoming Events

· Wednesday, April 13, 7 PM Bay Community House—Compost Seminar with Kathy Rocco of the Solid Waste District

· Saturday, April 16, 9am to 5pm —Habitat for Humanity Pick Up at the BVPD parking lot

· Wednesday, April 27, 7 PM Bay Community House—Build a Rain Barrel with Amy Roskilly of the Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District.

· Saturday, May 21, 10:30 AM to 2 PM—Project Earth Water Way Clean Up

· Saturday, May 21, 9am to 5pm—Habitat for Humanity Pick Up at the BVPD parking lot

For a complete set of Minutes from the February 8^th meeting email us at bayvillagegreenteam.com. Join us at our next regular GT meeting on Tuesday, March 8^th, 6:30 PM, at the Bay Community House—New location to note.

Make a difference, get involved!

Winter, a Time to Rest

The beautiful winter season brings not only frigid weather but also a stark beauty that is absent during the rest of the year. The leafless trees remind us of a black and white picture that is quietly serene. It has a calming effect on you and it can easily put you into a winter trance. It is true that winter takes its toll on us physically and mentally. It tests our physical endurance. Whether we are battling the frigid winds or trying to be sure footed on a slippery walkway it challenges us. The time that it takes to put on all the extra layers of clothing is enough to wear us out before we even begin our outdoor adventure. The winter season also brings fewer hours of daylight which makes us crave the warmth of our homes and earlier bedtimes. While the weather is cold outside let us appreciate that as of now there is no yard work to be done. Let us relax, have some hot cocoa, sit back and save our energy. Soon the spring temperatures will bring raking, planting and plenty of outdoor work. All the seasons of the year have a unique appeal and each one is a work of art in its own way. Be patient with Mother Nature and remember under the heavy blanket of white snow, a wonderful surprise awaits us, the promise of spring.