Meeting Notes 2008 (scroll down for previous meetings)
Sunday September 21, 2008
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Present, Anna, Asami, Ben, Beverly, Biff, Corinna, Gary, Jack, Jan, Jim, Larry, Maryanne, Muffy, Stacey, Pam. In garden before and after meeting, Ninette, Sarah. If you were at the meeting, but left off this list, please note it on listserv.
The Buzz: Discussed the moving of the hives to facilitate Peter's work on 368.
Discussion between Jan and the "Buzz People" to ensue. Hopefully, it will be resolved to the satisfaction of 368.
SOIL AND WORKDAY: 22 Yards of good soil which contains compost will be delivered the week of October 14th so we can have a Workday on the 19th..of October.
We may need help with this delivery.
We will supplement soil in common areas and plots.
We will scumble the tragic lawn areas and the `Pagan Mound' and add soil amendments in order to make healthy growing areas.
KEEP THIS DATE OPEN -------- OCTOBER 19th-----
Workdays can be lots of fun. They are a way to get to know your fellow gardeners in an active way, fulfill your promises, and feel a real sense of accomplishment.
OPEN HOURS: Green Thumb is requiring that we keep the garden open 20 hours per week as of next year.
Ideas: Breaking up the shifts into small components, perhaps 3 hours.
Weekly notification. Jan will explore the possibilities.
This will mean that each gardener will need to commit to 20 open garden hours. This time, of course, may be applied to your monthly commitment of 8 hours.
Also mentioned: Reminder Phone Calls and A Comprehensive Grid to track each member's participation.
PAGAN MOUND: Corinna has researched what kinds of thyme to plant, and we may plant them On the October 19th Workday.
Respectfully submitted, Pam.
Any additions or corrections?
REMINDER: The gate must be open whenever garden members are present. This means YOU! It is a Green Thumb requirement because this is not a private garden.
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SEPTEMBER 7, 2008
In attendance: Jim, Tim, Chris, Charlett, Dena, Louis, Sarah, Lesa, Mercedes, Anna, Maryanne, Asami, Larry, Jack, Corinna, Ben, Laura, Brigitte, Pam If you didn't sign in but were there, please respond to listserv.
Compost Bin Use: It's better not to bring compost at all if you don't cover it with leaves or newspaper. What we have right now is a writhing maggoty mess! So be sure to cover it,don't just dump it.
Shed * Tool Put-Away:
Digging tools such as shovels and hoes are on the far right, in back.
Beekeeping items are on the shelves to the far right.
Paper Plates, etc. are on the near right side
Art Supplies are on the middle shelves.
Scraping tools, cultivating forks, etc. are in back on the far left
Small tools, hand tools, fertilizer and seeds are on the shelves to the immediate left as you enter the shed.
PLEASE HELP US KEEP ORDER IN THE SHED.
Walkway- Ben did a lot of the basic work, we put in some pieces of the puzzle on the workday, and Jim laid in the gravel. It won't buckle in the same way without the cement. Looks great.
Leaf Net for Pond: Jim is going to look into getting a net to put over the pond to catch the autumn leaf fall.
Sandbox Containment: Jim suggests a ledge around sandbox, or something to stop the area around the sandbox from being turned even more into the East 8th Street
Sahara... Any ideas? Parents need to supervise kids so vast amounts of sand don't leave the area.
FALL EVENTS: Please think about what you can do to participate in the following events:
Sunday October 26th: Pumpkins and Scarecrows We'll carve pumpkins and dress scarecrows. Supports for scarecrows will be made prior to the event. We'll decorate bags for the Halloween giveaway, and Maryanne wants candy corn. Starting at 1 p.m. til the pumpkins and the light run out!
Friday, October 31st: Halloween: Dena & Lesa and Hannah will dispense the goodies, as usual. All are welcome to stop by: kids -- get a candy bag and everyone -- hang out! 5 – 7 pm.
Sunday, November 9th: Festival of Light (afternoon through dusk)
Food Potluck brought by garden members
Music to be arranged by Tim
Lantern Making
Dena will make a flyer for Halloween, and Pam will make a flyer for the Festival of Light.
CATS IN GARDEN: Please download and post the flyer that Dena & Louis made.
We desperately need to find homes for the growing feral cat population in the garden. If you know anyone who is looking for a cat or kitten, we've got `em!
There is a cat cage in the gazebo. If you snag a cat the ones that have already been neutered have one ear without a tip, so don't catch them. There is a name on the top of the cage. Put some food and water in the cage, and Call that person.
BAT BOXES: Sarah will talk to Jan about the bat boxes to discuss the seasonal aspects of installing them now or in the spring.
BEES: The bees were `hanging out on their porch' to keep cool. We are still sorting out what the physical support system for the hives will be.
WORKDAY: Corinna, (just back from vacation, read minutes of meeting, hightailed it over to the garden), Debra, Nasima, Lesa and Pam showed up for the garden. 7 Students from Lang College/The New School came. Weeds were pulled, sand and gravel were carried in, walkways were swept, and grapes were picked. The `pagan mound' was weeded and scumbled. Cale, Darby, Marta & Vinczent(sp.) deftly filled the sandbox on their own.
HERBS: Manu suggested planting herbs in bare patches on East Side of Garden.
It was tentatively decided that herbs could be planted along the border of the v-shape at the back of the `pagan mound.' We are considering both creeping thyme and clover for the area in the middle. Nothing too tall.Corinna will research what plants can tolerate being walked on.
GILBERT'S GATE: Jack, Ben, Jim, Larry, Tim worked on the busted gate in Gilbert's garden.
Jim made grape juice from the garden grapes, which was shared at the end of the meeting. Very tasty.
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MEETING August 17, 2008
In attendance: John, Maryanne, Nasima, Anna, Charlett, Patricia, Pam
I. Workday Tuesday August 23rd from 2:30 to 5:30.
A. Possible projects:
1. Refill sandbox
2. Chip Twigs near Compost
3. Fix Gate in Gilberts
4. Add gravel to walkway to bring it up to level.
As Maryanne pointed out, it is hard for many people to come on a weekday, but since that's when we have 15 (and more if we can use them) able-bodied college student volunteers..that's when we need to be there.
Pam volunteered to be there from 2:30 to 5:30.
Nasima can be there for an hour.
(N.B. Other members offered to attend via email, including Lesa).
II. John Phillips is hosting a party for State Senator Martin Connor in the Garden on the 23rd. It was suggested that there could be a problem with having an event in support of a politico in the garden.
John will call Green Thumb to ask, and Pam will email Tim, who had once quoted the rules about this kind of activity.
(N.B.Any type of political activity has always been prohibited in the Gardens. Please see the specific IRS rules regarding NO POLITICAL EVENTS IN A NON-PROFIT SPACE here. Thanks to Jan for providing this info. Pam also received clear word from Parks. NO SUCH EVENTS HAVE EVER BEEN HELD IN G.O./Gilberts! The proposed event has been moved to a private residence.)
The next meeting is September 7th.
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GREEN OASIS MEETING MINUTES: August 3, 2008
In attendance: Nasima, Masud, Quincy, Jim, Maryanne, Jack,
Louis, Dena, Pam.
Beehives: 1) Some of Nasima's rare Bengali plants were
destroyed when the hives were moved.
2) It was established that the new beekeepers need
to attend meetings and/or, now that they are on the listserv, notify
the membership of what they are planning to do and when they are
going to do it, so people can move plants, etc., if they need to
3) Has a date been set for the building of the bee
platform?
Compost:
1)It is now possible to use the compost at the bottom of the
older compost pile. The nice black compost should first be sieved,
and any pieces of non decayed matter should be tossed back.
2)Please do not toss any new matter for composting on the old
compost pile. It should all go on the green pile to the left.
3) So remove those potatoes, whoever left them there!
New School /Lang College Students Coming to Help on August
26th from 2:30 to 5:30. Possible projects:
1) Finishing walk area.
2) Compost Area
3) Sand Pile
4) Weeding
5) Shoring up and straightening the front fence of Gilbert's
6) Painting fence around herb garden
7) Fixing/creating the step up to the Gazebo (come on,some-
body, it's been busted for 3 years!)
WE NEED MEMBERS TO COMMIT TO COMING TO THIS WORKDAY, AND TO `HEAD UP'
CREWS .That's August 26th from 2:30 to 5:30.
All members need to attend at least 2 workdays! That's you, dear
Member. Have you attended 0ne yet? Now's your chance!
Don't forget to keep your Weekend Open Hours.
P.S. Remember to lock the gate when you leave.
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Green Oasis Meeting Sunday July 27th
In attendance: Anna, Ben, John, Larry, Maryanne, Nasima, Roland, Sarah, Pam
HONEY: Started out with 144. 100 remain 44 taken but not all signed out.
If you have taken your one jar of free honey before the book was put in the shed, please sign the book in the shed.Remember, folks, we're on the honor system here. If you happened to take more than one jar, please reimburse the garden. Cut off date to pick up your one jar of free honey is August 15th. Honey will be sold for $3.50 per jar after that. Proceeds will go to the garden.
Pam volunteered to try to design a label for the honey.
BAT BOXES: Sarah, Roland and Ben will put up the bat boxes. Date to be decided.
PLOTS: Please remember to weed the passageways between the plots. Plants growing near plots drain off nutrition from your plants. If you are fortunate enough to be assigned a plot, you must fulfill the requirements of being a plot holder. That means to at least periodic weeding and maintenance.
OPEN HOURS: No one showed up to keep open hours in the garden on 7-27. Apparently, it was assumed that the people who were signed up for a party would keep open hours. Party was canceled. Hours were taken over by two gardeners who were at the meeting. Please do not forget to find someone to take your hours if you cannot keep your date to be in the garden for open hours.
Next Meeting, August 3rd 2008 at 11AM.
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Minutes of Meeting Sunday, July 13, 2008
Can whoever has the sign-in sheet post the names of the meeting's
attendees?
BEES: Adam Johnson thanks the garden for allowing him and Keith Stone to put their hives in the garden.a. It was decided that a long bench about 18" off the ground would be built to accomodate all the hives, The "bee people" will be responsible for doing this. b. Jan harvested honey the weekend of the 19th. Honey will cost members $3.50 per jar. See recent posting re honey.
BAT HOUSES: galvanized metal stakes to be used for bat houses which are to be placed near 368, and to face south or east. Perhaps this will be done the 1st week in August. Sarah, Peter, and Jan on this project.
POND:
a. Jim wants to seal top perimeter of pond because it's still leaking.
b. Plans to take measures to try to diminish algae bloom by emptying pond part way and refilling it with fresh water.
c. At some time, pump will be moved to west end, or south side after small pond is filled n.
SOIL: Soil to be emended in "desert"areas. Jim will cordon off and `scratch up' the surface, then add minerals.
HELP IS ON THE WAY: On Tuesday, August 26th, from about 2:30 to 5:30, about 15 rosy cheeked new students from the Lang College of the New School will come to do whatever we need them to do. Members: please show up on this date to help out. For those of you who have not yet attended a work day, it's a doubly good opportunity--work gets get done, and the college kids get to know all sorts of people in their community.
PARTIES AND GARDEN MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES: The eternal discussion continued.
HAUL YOUR ASHES: If you use the barbeque, you must remove the ashes from the garden. If they are too hot, you must come back the next day and take them away.
Next meeting 7-27.
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SUNDAY JUNE 22
GENERAL MEETING
Attendance: Nasima, Tim, Asami, Rorland, Susie, Lesa, Ben, Manu, Sarah, Anna, Judy, Louis, Dena
This was a brief, freeform meeting, with only a few topics on the agenda.
It was agreed that a shady half-plot under the cedar tree will become part of the common area and will be used for shade plants.
Gravel and sand are slated for delivery during the week of July 7th; if anyone can arrange to place the order and be at the garden for delivery before then, please send an email to the list serve. Otherwise, Corinna will take care of it that week.
3) Watering and weeding must be high priorities during July and August. Many members will be away for part or most of the summer. A WEED-WORKDAY will be held this Saturday, June 28th from 11 am-2 pm. All interested weed pullers and common area maintainers are encouraged to attend; if you are new to the garden, please attend this workday and learn more about weeding and helping out.
Watering is best accomplished in early morning or early evening. Make sure that hoses are off when you are finished and conserve water when possible. The garden will be paying for water and electricity through a new arrangement with 368.
Note: At least four garden cats still need homes. Interested?
July meetings: The next meeting/workday/tye-dye extravaganza will be held on SUNDAY JULY 13th. Meeting at 11 a.m. and workday/tde will commence immediately afterward. Please note that JULY MEETINGS will be held July 13th and 27th. No meeting July 6th! Happy 4th of July!
In the meantime, please remember that the garden always needs your help – your eight hours per month of work commitment; if you are scheduled to keep the garden open during July and August, please keep your commitment or find someone to sub for you…
Please check out the link under "events" for a new garden video and feel free to send items for the website (updates/garden photos/artwork/news/links) to
desno05@earthlink.net.
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SUNDAY JUNE 1st
GENERAL MEETING
IN ATTENDANCE: Jan, Asami, Patricia, MaryAnne, Judith, Kayoko, Nassima, Ben, Laura, Tim, Lesa, Nara, Lawrence, Jennifer, Sarah, Anna, Pam, Ig, Louis, Dena
Kids’ meeting was not held this morning. Notes from first meeting were sent and are on website as well. There are tomatoes to plant in the kids’ garden (which was weeded during today’s workday). There is a GreenThumb workshop on water collection coming up on June 25th; watch for an email with details.
June 14th Summer Festival - Tim reports that several musicians have already said they will perform; Jan will be in charge of buying basic food; a sign-up sheet for pot luck was circulated.
So far, a few people have signed up to bring salads, hummus, fruit salad, snacks and dessert.
Please email or call Jan if you are interested in helping with the T-shirt tye-dye project. She will hold a run through once the dyes have arrived. Date TBD, but samples will be produced during the run through.
Ben will order gravel and sand from Home Depot. Delivery date TBD. This for sandbox and path repairs…
Planting in pots not permitted. Watch open containers as they fill with water…which attracts mosquitoes. Leave no “standing water” in open containers. Mosquitoes are a continuing problem for the garden; bat boxes to be put up soon; and other prevention measures to be put into place.
A small group of gardeners walked around the garden to discuss common area maintenance and tree pruning. In particular, a tree in the SW area of the garden is in need of pruning.
If anyone is interested in purchasing heirloom plants from Union Square Farmers’ Market, please contact Jan directly before Wed 6/4.
If anyone wants bamboo (for other community gardens, weekend homes, etc.), it’s up for grabs. Most of it is dying…so act fast.
Cat update: there are still numerous cats in the garden – they are in need of good homes; if anyone can help with the adoption process, please contact MaryAnne or Tim.
Lesa is working on scheduling a chamber music concert in the garden. Update soon.
Tim contacted someone in the DOS who assured him that the refuse will be collected (there is quite a bit of it after Sunday’s workday!) Ben and Tim in charge of purchasing wheelie bins for further cleanup efforts.
Leftover fencing from pond project will be used around new beehive area…
NEXT WORKDAY SUNDAY 6-7-08 starting at 11 a.m. There is plenty to do, please attend!
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SUNDAY MAY 18th
GENERAL MEETING
IN ATTENDANCE: Jan, Corinne, Charles, Kim, Susie, Asami, Nasima, Masud, Maryanne, Joanna, Tim, Katie, Ben, Laura, Sarah, Corinna, Nara, Lawrence, Tessa, Pam
KIDS' MEETING: Corinna's
notes on this meeting are linked here. It preceded the general meeting, and went quite successfully. We are going experiment with incorporating the kids' meeting into the first 15 minutes or so of the general meetings. We'll see how it goes.
BEES: The bees were moved today. They're slightly riled up but will calm down. If you have queries regarding the bees, ask Jan or Andrew the Apiarist who runs the Honey Stand at the Tompkins Square Green Market on Sundays.
RUBBLE (redux): Ben will head up a big rubble pick up and work day.
Quotes will be obtained on cost of hiring a rubble take away company with several mini-dumpstertrolley thingies. The idea is to schlep the rubble to the front of the garden. Then we will quickly arrange for pick-up. Before we make final plans to pay for removal, Tim will again try to contact sanitation to see if we might arrange for them to come, although this is becoming more difficult to do. Dianna has found that aa very good method to get sanitation to come is to offer the sanitation crew food and drink. Oh, Dianna, where are you?
SOIL: Green Thumb has promised us compost sometime in June. We will have to arrange forNo parking in front of the east gate so we can receive the delivery. We will get about a quarter truck load. We will not receive soil because Green Thumb has given out their allotment. This is another reason we need to attend the Green Thumb workshops. If we had complied with the come to the workshop - get what you need rule, we might have received a delivery.
We will use some of the soil from the now barren lawn area on the west of the east-most side of the garden to fill in the small fish pond. We will mix up a healthy brew of compost & soil, and try to grow something green there ----grass? Jan has ordered some buffalo grass, and will order more. Clover? What else will grow there? What is growing in Tompkins Square in the shade? It looks to be a variety of wild grass.
MANURE: Someone..Jim? Manu? Picked up horse manure from Varick Street!
SAND: Corinna suggested using the sandbox sand for a variety of garden projects, and to replace the sand in the sand box. with new sand. All agreed. Corinna will order more sand. Ben asked that gravelbe delivered at the same time.
SPRING FESTIVAL: The Spring Festival will take place on June 14th. We hope for music. Tim and Katie Bryant both said they would attempt to find musicians. Jan said that she would invite Lennie Alevante and his group to sing. Since the tie dye extravaganza went so well last year, we decided to do it again. We will purchase T-shirts. People who want to use out T-shirts will be asked to donate $5.00.We are asking for size requests. We will silk screen the Green Oasis Logo on them again – ourselves? Are there any volunteers? Pam has the screens. Pam will make a flyer, and everyone will bring food for our tasty potluck. The garden will furnish not dogs and hot dogs, buns, etc., and we will need someone to do the shopping.
COMPOST: Asami requested help with the compost. She says that it is extremely wet on the bottom, and needs turning. Jim said that horse manure and wood chips can be used to layer it. Kim says we need area to turn compost. Jan will try to locate composting instructions to laminate & post.
RATS: Joanna was in the garden when Green Thumb came. We seem to be rat free, and no poison was laid. Green Thumb has requested that we clean up rubble, contain the compost bins, and neaten up the southwest corner. Tim pointed out that the north east corner also seems to be out of control, and we will ask Jennifer to try to make inroads with the super of 390. He suggests that 390 have a garbage bin there, as does 368 on the west side f the garden.
MEMBERSHIP: Please keep in mind that membership requires a minimum of
8 hours of work per month
2 afternoons of keeping the garden open during gardening season
(open hours count toward your 8 hours.)
4 meetings per year, minimum
2 workdays minimum
Membership rules are in green notebook on table in gazebo or re-acquaint yourself with
RHUBARB: The rhubarb is a communal patch. Members may avail themselves of it in sparing amounts. Don't plunder it! Per Lesa, here's an educational site about harvesting rhubarb....
www.videojug.com/film/how-to-harvest-rhubarbELECTRICITY: Joanna is investigating the cost of running electricity in from the street, and putting a meter in the garden, all properly to code. She's talking to Harry the electrician, and Henry from Con Ed. Tim got 3 estimates from electricians who would run conduit from a meter in 368 The bids average out to between $3,000 and $4,000.This does not include trenching, which we would have to do. Jan says a trencher costs about $375.00 per day. We think we want ca. 60 amps.
WATER: We need to conserve water. Joanna suggests more heavy duty hoses, and mending the ones we have. She wants to use more nozzles. More nozzles on hoses cut down on the amount of water used.
Tim points out that water rates have gone up 77% since 2001. and 14.5% most recently. We are going to make a water metering arrangement with 368 and will probably have to be prepared to pay more than the $350 per year they have very generously been charging us for water & electric.
GARBAGE: Tim reminds us that this is an "If you bring it in, take it out" kind of place when it comes to garbage. So take your garbage with you, and leave it on the corner, not in the garbage cans of our Garden neighbors.
Are there any additions or corrections?
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MAY 4, 2008
Attendance: Kim, Pam, Jennifer, Joanna, Dianna, Sarah, Kayoko, Manu, John, Maryanne, Laura, Ben, Louis, Dena
Bees: Per suggestion to remove bees from elevated platform, a discussion was led by Andrew Cote, volunteer beekeeper. He explained several valid reasons to move the hives to ground level, including that the hives are currently too high to be a useful teaching tool, they are unsafe and will become more so as they “gain weight” (will be up to 300 pounds each) and that the bees need up to 5-6 feet to effectively take off. Honeybees sting are not allergic (as hornets or yellow jackets). He suggested fencing the area off and placing appropriate signage to prevent any problems. Residents of neighboring buildings will be consulted and a final decision is to follow, but a vote was taken and the hives will be moved if residents of 368 are in agreement; Joanna and Maryanne to follow up there.
Shed Door: Please keep shed door closed while working. Joanna will make a sign. (A cat was found inside the shed.)
Wildflower seeds giveaway: was today at Union Square. Maryanne will pick up seeds.
Email list update: Will take place later in May.
Sunday meeting time: Manu expressed the concern that the Sunday meetings prevent some members from attending. He suggested an alternative meeting time. Everyone agreed that one additional meeting per month might be a good idea, perhaps on a weekday evening, such as a Wednesday. As a “try out”, Manu will post a meeting date and time and all interested members may attend.
Kids meeting: A children’s meeting will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m., before the next general meeting. All children and their parents (as well as interested members) should attend. A discussion of kids work, rules and ideas will be held. Questions? Check with Sarah Broach.
Walkway Repair: A workday will be held on Saturday, May 17, beginning at 1 p.m. Ben will lead the repair work (south side of gazebo) but all interested volunteers should attend. An extended discussion about type of repair led to the main idea that the repairers will decide sometime in the near future. Some type of refreshments will be served!
Solar lights: Kim did some preliminary research; lanterns are $30 and up; solar light strings are also available for $20 per 10 lights. A decision was reached to purchase a few of these lanterns to test them out (there was some discussion as to how much light they actually produce.)
Cats: Please! If you or anyone you know would like to adopt a garden cat, there are five living in or near the garden. There was also a call for cat food donations, and extended discussion about whether or not these cats should be fed. Does cat food attract rats? Four of the cats have been neutered or spayed; they are healthy and friendly. Please contact Joanna or Maryanne if interested.
Green Thumb workshops: We are required to send one or more representatives to Green Thumb workshops in order to receive free supplies. All gardeners should receive their newsletters, but Joanna offered to send out reminders by email. If there is a workshop that interests you, please send an email to the garden so that others know you are going…
Summer Events: Is June 28 (Saturday) a good day for a summer festival? (It falls one week after the summer solstice.) Is there interest in holding a community event on that date?
Next Meeting: May 18th, 11 a.m. (Kid's Meeting 10 a.m.)
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APRIL 13 2008 "KEY" MEETING
Attendance: Ninette, Joe, Mercedes, Corinna, Ben, Kinberly, Sarah, Joanna, Melanie, Michael, Namita, Jan, Lawrence, Donna, Brigitte, Chris, Anil, Yukie, Asami, Ruth, Lesa, Sabine, Manu, Shima, Tessa, Ken, Tim, Gary, Susie, Jessica, Kate, Debra, Pam
The following items were discussed and plans were made for the next BIG CLEAN-UP & WORKDAY ON MAY 4TH:
Priorities: sort, clear and crush THE RUBBISH PILE & continue to re-do THE POND.
Other ongoing projects include fixing various furniture and repairing the paths.
No more 3-legged chairs please! Please do not bring broken furniture into the garden and take your garbage out with you. Large black bags seem to be left around too long...jan will look into ordering smaller bags (biodegradable starch or paper) folks can fill up quicker and haul out easier.
THE SHED in the children's area to be moved next to big shed once the ground has been leveled (possibly next month).
THE BEES Hive D has replaced their queen. The Beekeepers will come to the next meeting and are still considering moving the hives...there was a suggestion to build a simple pulley system...Jan will share the beekeepers' schedule with everyone and encourages all to get involved- "it's fantastic and incredible!" (We all had a chance to taste some honey later in the day right from the frame!!! and it was fantastic! keep those allergies at bay some say...)
STAGE AREA The Polish Community based Theatre Company, Dciezi wants to build a stage (18-24" elevation...) Jan is researching grants for funding this. it would be of recycled plastic lumber that doesn't rot or splinter. This is a long term 2008-2009 plan. Currently the area needs raking and clearing. Noah has begun this and used the rubble for leveling in the SW side. It was decided that we keep the area clear and open while preparing for new stage. We will smooth it, green it and keep it open to performers. Another area will be found for Noah to use. Reach out to Jan if you have suggestions and/or want to get involved.
GREEN THUMB SEEDS jan brought all organic seeds, veggies & flowers, mostly annuals. Help yourself. What's left will be in the Gazebo. THANKS JAN! please use some in the common areas.
ELECTRICITY We have decided on PHASE ONE: Tim will find an electrician to create a dedicated line to the garden. (Craigslist someone who could research a grant for it) ConEd will then approve and set up account (most likely). The meter will be in 368. We will also look into solar lights for the BBQ area. Kimberly will research this. Reach out to her if you have ideas or inspirations on solar fixtures (twostarsny@hotmail.com). Contact Tim if you can help with the electrician and funding (eksterb@hotmail.com)
WATER we will pay closer attention to our usage and consider a separate meter in the future...
SOIL see last week's minutes. nothing new today.
GRASS SEED in the shed. bought by Corinna, THANKS!
GAZEBO Lawrence will set-up a roofing repair time. Pam reminds of the Green Thumb "12x12 rule". She will contact them about our hosting a workshop here.
EVENTS Tim continues to be our Events' Coordinator (212-254-5456) Check with him for any non-member events or ANY events involving more than 15 people. Less than 10 persons member led event USE THE CALENDAR and respect others who have singed up before you...FOLLOW the GUIDELINES...use the bio-compostible plates and utensils and make a replacement donation. CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF.
CHILDREN We are a garden not a private playground. Parents, please guide your children accordingly. Leave it as you've found it. Leaving toys and structures all around the garden is not OK, not COOL. No jumping in plots or plot planks! Use the Paths, better yet, find Vincent and help him repair the paths!
CATS There are five feral cats available for adoption! All have been nuetered except for one Grey. Joanna has taken this on. THANKS Joanna. Please contact her if you can help: jnnamurphy@yahoo.com. They are beautiful and adoptable and could make a great companion for another cat or human...
NEW KEYS Open Garden Days were then signed up for, dues paid, keys distributed. If you are planning to join and missed this please come to the next meeting on MAY 4TH @ 11am. Plots have ben assigned. Contact Lesa if you want to be on the wait list lesa-westerman@yahoo.com
Consider a common area instead...
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APRIL 6 2008 PLANNING MEETING
Attendance: Maryanne, Ben, Laura, Debra, Jim, Donna, Tim, Asami, Corinna, Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Ken, Jan, Brigitte
FIRST GENERAL MEETING & WORKDAY NEXT SUNDAY 4/13 11am (RAIN OR SHINE) Postcards have gone out; thanks Pam! Apple Juice and muffins (Tim) and Coffee (Corianna) will be provided. Dues to be collected, garden rules and new keys distributed. (Jan & Pam) Work to include a BIG SPRING GARDEN CLEANING, POND WORK & PATH MAKINNG. Ben suggested that these projects continue through May.
PATHS Corinna, Vincent and Ben have begun repairing the paths, much more work to be done. Jan suggested using the mosaic stepping stones and river stones to avoid further breakage. MISSING: the metal concrete mixer/fire pit basin! (old wheelbarrow) Anyone seen it? Jan suggested purchasing a kick and roll style closed concrete mixer and kids can get involved in the process. Continue BRICKLAYING. It was suggested that we layer in newspaper to keep down the weeds (esp. on the west side).
Spring/ Summer WORKSHOPS Mosaic Stepping Stones (Two Sessions, to be decided, to use in our paths.) Wood Carving to be planned by Willie to follow Gilbert's tradition. Corinna suggested that we also use soap stone for younger children to carve.
Spring & Autumn Festivals begin planning to include Tie-Dye; Lanterns...Central to our Mission is to bring neighborhood kids in; continued conscious outreach. Does anyone know someone who might volunteer to teach a watercolor painging workshop for adults and interested children?
RUBBLE Jim suggests we separate out the junk and useful materials to be stored (fencing...) from the construction rubble which we can break up and use as filler for leveling the south end near the shed. "Public Garbage" can be taken to the corner little by little. We will consider calling Sanitation if necessary. Tim offered to bring in large garbage bags for this.
POND Jim is continuing the renovation, raising the perimeter... We need a more efficient electric delivery system that doesn't burn out the connections.
ELECTRICITY Currently, we have an extension cord from 368. This no longer meets our needs. Discussed options for sinking a direct line to the Gazebo then to pond and BBQ area. Do we do it ourselves; petition city funding? G.O. will pay for a meter in 368; need to hire an electrician who can oversee and approve our work. Tim will call Con Ed and arrange for an additional meter in 368.
WATER Could become an issue if it becomes metered or not depending on our usage. Currently we pay 368 approx. $350 per yr. for both water & electric.
The BEES are alive! Hive "D" looks good; might need another queen for hive "C". Weather needs to be over 55 degrees to check them. Beekeepers will be back @ 1pm on the 13th. There was discussion of wanting to move the hives to ground level. Members considered pros & cons of moving the hives and want to keep them where they are. We will consider more once we have heard proposals from the beekeepers. There is a new beekeeper heading the group. (Jan please tell me again who it is)
THE STAGE The Gaia Ring Project is finished. We will find other space for Noah to do this year's project. A new elevated stage is being considered in that area. Jan is researching building materials that don't need treatment and will age well. Matt (knows G.O. through the beekeepers ) and his theatre company is interested and will make a proposal to help build the stage and have a end celebration. Project could cost approx $2-3K. We could also consider community buildings grants. Jan will proceed with all this research.
WORK PROJECTS CALENDAR It was suggested that we create a flow chart of ongoing work projects.Will someone volunteer to do this?
PLANTINGS for Spring essential oils workshops demo. Jan, Pam, and Joanna will do a garden walk though and plan for planting lavender, lemon verbena etc. Jan is building a solar wax melter for bees' wax. Brigitte is also interested in this project and has done soap making.
SOILTEST Jim has the results. The soil is high in cadmium. The report gives recommendations for balancing the pH levels. This was not a test for toxicity.
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