FARMERS MARKET in the WEST END! June 12, 2010

West End Farmers Market is now accepting Vendor Applications for the 2010 Green Market Season!

This Community Collaboration will host the Open Air Market every 1st Friday from June 4th to October 1st from 3pm to 8pm outside of Space Atl Restaraunt 1310 White Street (behind Dunkin Donuts in the Historic West End)

Enjoy open mic performance, locally grown produce, art, hand crafted jewelry, and wholesome merchandise with a view of the BeltLine Park.

Please join us in encouraging sustainable communities and vendors looking for a new way to market reserve your SPACE NOW!

404-755-9441
sisloveu@bellsouth.net
www.spaceatlanta.com

SPACE Atlanta
1310 White Street
Atlanta Georgia 30310

2nd Annual West End’s Spring Egg Hunt! April 5, 2010

Eggs everywhere! This year there were about 800 eggs!

Great turn-out! I'd say!

Friendships!

It's nice when your teacher lives in the same neighborhood!

100% pure cuteness!

By any means necessary...he will get that egg!

We will not let the eggs go!

Won't let 'em go!

Look what I can do!

Family & Friends!

Take Action: Don’t Cut Park’s Budget! March 2, 2010

1. Email Mayor Reed at mayorreed@atlantaga.gov, subject line “Please Don’t Cut Parks!”
2. Copy the below letter and paste it into your email
3. Click Send
4. (optional) TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

For more information: http://www.parkpride.org/get-involved/advocacy

SAMPLE LETTER (copy and paste)…

WEST END FALL FEST-October 24th! October 12, 2009

Brown Middle on Urban Garden TOUR! October 8, 2009

Park Pride’s Community Garden Tour

OCTOBER 10, 2009 NOON-5:00Pm

How does your garden grow? Year-round of course!

Join Pride Pride’s 2009 Community Garden Tour featuring six gardens

around the City of Atlanta. The tour will provide tips and tools on how you

can prepare your garden for the Fall & Winter months.

Cost:  $10 for individuals

$15 for couples

Children 12 and under are FREE!

Visit http://parkpride.kintera.org/gardentour2009 for details!

INTERESTING FILM… September 24, 2009

“Take a Child Outside Week” August 19, 2009

Take a Child Outside Week

September 24—September 30, 2009

Take A Child Outside Week is a program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. By arming parents, teachers and other caregivers with resources on outdoor activities, our goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration.

Going outside:

• connects children to the natural world
• helps kids focus in school
• reduces chances of obesity

So take a child outside!

On this site you can:

• pledge to take a child outside and record your outdoor experiences
• get ideas for outdoor activities
• find participating organizations in your area

Come, be a part of this national movement!

Source: http://takeachildoutside.org/

UPDATE: FUNDRAISING FOR OUR PARK July 30, 2009

picture from mother earth news, craig elevitch

So here’s the UPDATE: I’m working to get our fundraising stuff in place now that we have a 501C3 fiscal agreement w/ Park Pride.

Base on our last meetings this is what we’re doing…

• FALL FEST-At our last meeting people were interested in a Fall Fest in the West End Park that can highlight and promote some of our urban farming initiatives but also provide activities for young children. We were thinking pumpkins, hay, etc. We talked about a seed swap, local urban farmers bring fresh veggies from their gardens, a map of gardens in the West End/SW Atl and more. If you’re interested in joining the planning committee (which promises to be much fun) please email me: yomara@9to5.org

• SIDEWALKS-one of the major repairs needed in our park is our sidewalks-especially our lovely brick sidewalk (north of the park) which currently makes it difficult for individuals w/ strollers or wheel chairs. Unfortunately, the city is in a major budget crisis and we don’t know how much help they’ll provide! I’m working to put pressure on the City in the meantime, we’re considering kicking off a ‘brick by brick’ fundraising campaign to cultivate private donors and get it FIXED! I’m researching how much it will be to have engraved bricks and once I know we’ll have an outline so neighbors can support by buying a brick!

• FUNDRAISING EVENTS-we’ve talked about doing a semi-formal at the park possibly on the basketball court w/ live music. We’re thinking Spring. We’re still exploring our options. If anyone is interested-please email me at yomara@9to5.org.

• GRANTS-I’m writing a couple of small grants to get rain barrels and start a small children’s garden/outdoor classroom. If funds are secured- we may need some of you handy neighbors to help with some of the projects.

The fall promises to be a busy season. Your INVOLVEMENT is MUY important!

• Next Friends of the West End Park meeting is on August 19, 2009, 10:30am, location TBA
• Next Clean-up is on August 15 at 10:30am (this time we’ve been promised mulch!)

Donations ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE and can be made to:

Friends of the West End Park

Mail to: Friends of the West End Park, 1080 OAK ST SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.

Thanks and I’ll keep you posted!

Rediscovering stamps… July 20, 2009

Remember as children, we’d get little stamp kits. Diego and I are making garden art + we pulled out some stamps I bought a while ago…we had so much fun!

hmm...maybe i'll try stamping fabric!

many native communities are struggling for water rights

living healthy

diego and i both stamped our 'grow' posters-because we're all always growing

: )

okay- i had to stop stamping random stuff and use my time wisely so i started organize my stuff-cute labels!

WEST END FRONT PORCHES July 19, 2009

What to do with your front porch? Here’s some local inspiration…

one of my favorite things about the west end is our front porches-love the swing!

children's creative/art space

so cute-love walking by!

cute stone path, hanging flower baskets + flag add color

close-up of seating area

porch swing

all 100% reused furniture, trash finds + handmade decorations!

pretty flowers line stairs (photo by Diego, 3 w/ his Fisher Price Digital)

flower boxes and ferns