by Jessica Miller (Emery Street) | This column provides tips on reducing waste while saving money.

There are many ways to reduce one’s waste and save money when you team up with a friend, and even more with a neighbor. Knowing your neighbors is personally and socially enriching, but if you find like-minded neighbors, that partnership will be enjoyable and profitable. Here are some ideas that have been inspired by my own neighbors.

1. Garbage removal: if you have managed to reduce your waste, you probably don’t have more than 1 or 2 trash bags to be hauled weekly. See if your neighbor wants to share your trash can and split the cost.
2. If you have a small household or don’t want to cook s lot in the summer, split the cost and produce from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership.
3. Rent big machines together and till your garden or wash your carpets the same day.
4. Ask your neighbors when you are looking for items that are usually discarded (such as cardboard boxes, wire hangers, rags, containers that can be turned into planters). A neighbor may have some, or will know someone who has.
5. Trade items (fruit and vegetables from the garden) and services (mowing, pet sitting, snow blowing, sewing, etc.).

Check out what your neighbor Erica Zerr has been up do. A message from Erica via email …

Hello Everyone:

Well, a contingent of neighborhood representatives and myself met with Todd Chwala and Phil Fieber this morning regarding herbicide use in Forest Hill Cemetery. The results were promising, with the city agreeing to treat two test plots in an alternative manner for a period of three years after which we will asses the success of the plots and consider treating the entire cemetery in that method.

I have attached a photo diagram [click the image above for a bigger version] of the space and the plan for each of those spaces.  One large space, which runs the entire length of Huebsch Blvd. and a portion of Emery will be treated with Carfentrazone (Quicksilver), which was recently approved for use in Canada.  It poses a very low risk to humans, animals and other non-target life-forms.  Here is a link to the approval decision from Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_decisions/rd2012-09/index-eng.php

The second test plot will be completely herbicide free, spot treated only with a chelated iron (Fiesta) for dandelions. Grass heights will be higher (3-4″) and the space will be fertilized with a slow release nitrogen fertilizer twice per year.  This plot will have signs put up around lit labeling it an alternative turf management test site.  We are quite excited about this space.

The remainder of the cemetery will be sprayed with MCPA, Quicksilver and dish soap.  The MCPA, where a phoenoxy herbicide, will be applied in extremely low concentrations compared to normal rates.

This seems like a really good starting place for us. I will be attending the East Hill Neighborhood Association meeting on April 19th and will be explain the situation and answer questions about the test plots.

Currently, all of these places are set to be treated on April 30th.  Please spread the word to your neighbors!

– Erica

Hi! It’s been a long time since we’ve sent one of these newsletters, and now there’s lots to talk about!

April 19: Semi-Annual Meeting

This is the big one! The Eastside Hill Neighborhood Association is holding its Semi-Annual Neighborhood wide meeting on Thursday, April 19 at 6:30pm at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (1310 Main St., basement). This will give the neighborhood the opportunity to review and discuss the events from this past year as well as plan for the future. Come out and meet your neighbors! After all, refreshments will be served.

When: Thursday, April 19, 6:30pm
Where: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church • 1310 Main St. • Eau Claire, WI (basement)

April 21: Boyd Park Spring Clean Up

In coordination with citywide citizen clean-up efforts, we will once again clean up Boyd Park and adjacent riverbank. Dress for the weather and bring gloves. The city will also drop off wood chips for the park’s flowerbed areas.

When: Saturday, April 28; 10am to noon
Where: Boyd Park Pavilion (off Main Street)
Open Spots: 5 (as of April 1)
Cost: $35 (cost covers materials)

Details: Payment must be made at least one week before the class. Attendance is required to receive your rain barrel. No tools are necessary, just come dressed to work outside. While we can help you assemble the barrel and suggest installation ideas, you will have to be responsible for placing the barrel on your property. Handouts will help provide information on proper barrel placement.

Want in? To sign up, visit the workshop page: http://eastsidehill.com/archives/2952

May 19: Annual Neighborhood Thrift Sale

It’s coming! The Eastside Hill’s neighborhood-wide thrift sale is coming up on Saturday, May 19. Sign up for inclusion on the official map will begin in April – watch the website (http://www.eastsidehill.com/) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/eastsidehill) for details. Questions? Email the organizers at sale@eastsidehill.com

Facebook

Check out the Eastside Hill Neighborhood Facebook page: www.facebook.com/eastsidehill

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Neighborhood website:
http://www.eastsidehill.com/

Helpful links:
• Eastside Hill Parks: http://eastsidehill.com/amenities/parks
• Your Neighborhood Plan: http://eastsidehill.com/about/neighborhood-plan
• Steering Committee Contact: http://eastsidehill.com/about/contact

ECPD Non-emergency Phone: (715) 839-4972

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Please feel EXTREMELY free to forward this email to anyone you know who might be interested!

Date and Time: Thursday, April 19, 6:30pm
Place: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church • 1310 Main St. •
Eau Claire, WI (basement)

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

Introduce Steering Committee Members

Guest Speaker- Eastside Hill Police Officer Nate Ollmann- brief discussion/questions

Guest Speaker- Ruth Cronje- pollinator project discussion/questions

May 19, 2012 Thrift sale update
Rain barrel seminar update- April 28, 2012
Margaret Street Beautification Updates
Forest Hill Cemetery Spraying- Erica Zerr

General meeting items (public attendees not interested may depart)

Approval of minutes
Treasurer’s Report
CDBG update
Set Next Meeting Date-May 15, 2012

Conclusion

Why harvest rainwater with rain barrels?

Workshop Sign Up

When: Saturday, April 28; 10am to noon
Where: Boyd Park Pavilion (off Main Street)
Open Spots: 0 (full up!)
Cost: $35 (cost covers materials)

Details:
Payment must be made at least one week before the class. Attendance is required to receive your rain barrel. No tools are necessary, just come dressed to work outside. Please arrive on time.

While we can help you assemble the barrel and suggest installation ideas, you will have to be responsible for placing the barrel on your property. Handouts will help provide information on proper barrel placement.

Want in? To sign up, fill out the form below.
(Once you do, we will email you soon with important payment details).

[contact-form]

Rain Barrel FAQs

How can I use the rainwater I harvest with rain barrels?
Rainwater stored in rain barrels has many uses. The rainwater can help to improve the health of your gardens, lawns, and trees. Some examples of uses for this collected rainwater are:

• Watering garden
• Watering lawn
• Washing car
• Clean outdoor/patio furniture
• Washing gardening containers and tools
• Watering indoor plants and potted deck plants

What is the rain barrel like?
The rain barrel that is being distributed is a food-grade, recycled rain barrel which holds about 50 gallons of water. It is white plastic which can be painted with proper preparation. The barrels and all necessary parts for collecting and distributing rain water will be included at the workshop. With the help of volunteers, you will be assembling the rain water collection system during the workshop.

Do I have to purchase downspout attachments?
The proper attachments are included with the rain barrel. You may need to shorten the downspout depending on your installation.

Do I have to purchase a rain barrel riser?
In order for the water to flow properly it should be elevated slightly from ground level. A few cinder blocks can easily handle this task.

by Jessica Miller (Emery Street) | This column provides tips on reducing waste while saving money.

Even small efforts to reduce household waste are a big step in the right direction. And it doesn’t get much smaller than worms. Yes, worms can help you compost by digesting your scrap food (excluding meats, dairy, and fat) and by producing super-concentrated fertilizer (a.k.a. worm poop). That is what vermicomposting is about.

My neighbor Erin and her family started vermicomposting about a year ago. They continue to compost in their yard as well because the worms can’t handle all the scraps of a family of four. But what they do take on turns into black gold for their plants and garden. Erin’s father, a vermicomposting enthusiast, got her started with one bin full of worms that now sits in their basement. They feed their little helpers kitchen scraps about twice a week. That’s as much maintenance as they usually need. If the bin is too dry, simply add water. If it’s too wet, drain it and use the extra liquid to fertilize house plants. After a few months  a thick layer of extra-strong compost is ready for harvest.

I really enjoyed learning about vermicomposting and seeing how it works firsthand. What surprised me the most was the lack of odor coming from the bins. I expected to smell fermented fruit and vegetables but that wasn’t the case. It looks fairly easy to set up and maintain. Erin said that they bought the worms from a local farm that later closed, so you may have to do a bit of searching to find your own. This Wisconsin site may be a good start.

by Jessica Miller (Emery Street) | This column provides tips on reducing waste while saving money.

Here is something you can do in 2012: use public transportation. It may feel complicated at first to understand routes and schedules, but don’t worry (you can ask the drivers if you need it) and hop on. It is very pleasant to be driven around town without stressing out about traffic and inconsiderate drivers, without having to look for a parking spot, and it gives you the perfect excuse to leave work or a boring party at a predetermined time.

I have taken public transportation in all kinds of cities and countries (Paris, Chicago, London, Stuttgart) but also Eau Claire, WI where I currently reside and have never had a problem. I also regularly take my bike on the bus, which is easy as pie. I just had a driver show me how it worked on my first day. I actually enjoy getting to know my bus drivers as well as other frequent passengers. Or you can watch a video tutorial if you prefer to be 100% ready before you get on or if you hate talking to people.

In our neighborhood I can catch three different bus lines (Route 1, Route 7/17, Route8/18), and even Route 5/15 if I go to the edge of the Eastside Hill). I can be downtown within 10 minutes. I can be at the mall within 20 minutes. And from downtown I can pretty much go anywhere I want. Half the busses leave the downtown transfer station at 15 after the hour, and the other half at 45 after the hour. Here is a complete map and list of schedules.

by Jessica Miller (Emery Street) | This column provides tips on reducing waste while saving money.

Most gift wrap cannot be recycled with paper, as it often contains shiny material or different types of paper mixed together. It really pains me to carefully wrap presents in paper just so it can be thrown away later. Instead, I now wrap my presents in recyclable paper such as brown bags, tissue paper, or newspaper. If I were a seamstress, I think I would also use discarded fabric. In addition I keep every gift bag that I receive to be reused later. With gift bags, I don’t even need to wrap presents at all, thus saving time. And instead of bows, I use actual ribbon, which is so much prettier and can be reused for much longer, even in your hair!

Matching Funds Meeting
Monday October 17, 2011
6:00-6:30

Present: Bob Carr, Jack Corey, Jessica Miller, Mark Ruddy, Joe Thielen, Maria Van Hoorn

Funds
Small grant: up to $1000
Large grant: up to $5000
Volunteer hours count for $10/hour. Included in those volunteer hours are meeting times to prepare the application.

Important considerations

1. We agree that it is important to preserve the identity of our neighborhood and what each area represents. If we are going to make an addition to a park, it should be along the lines of what it is currently used for. For example, the use of sleds shouldn?t be hindered at Seven Bumps Hill.

2. We agree that the project should be focused on something tangible, visible, and that the neighborhood can show and be proud of.

3. In selecting a project, we agree that the cost of maintenance should come into consideration so that we do not commit to a project that we can?t provide upkeep.

Narrowing down ideas: three projects to choose from

1. Boyd Park Prairie and Nature Center
The prairie needs to be cleaned up and landscaped a little bit better. Thanks to signs identifying key features (e.g., names of plants) and providing education facts (similar to signs at Beaver Creek), the community could learn about nature that is right at their doorstep. Money/sponsor/volunteer hours would go towards seeds, cleaning, signage, display case.

PROS: a nature center would attract families and provide an additional play and educational area for children all year long. CONS: perhaps difficult to maintain.

2. Brick Oven at Flynn
A community brick oven would bring the community together to bake bread, make pizzas, etc. Families can learn about traditional cooking from many different cultures with neighborhood events created around the oven. The Seven Bumps Hill location was considered but reservations were expressed due to the importance of leaving room for sleds, and to avoid having parties so close to the cemetery. Money/sponsor/volunteer hours would go towards material, labor, signage, event.

PROS: food appeals to everyone, the location is in the center of the neighborhood, the idea is unique in town and would set our neighborhood apart, the grant form encourages ties between public schools and their community. CONS: involvement from school is needed.

3. Disc Golf Course at Archery Park
A disc golf course could be set up at Archery Park, and an annual community event created around a competition. This would provide a new outlet for community members to exercise and play in teams. Money/sponsor/volunteer hours would go towards course design consultant, material, labor, signage, event.

PROS: health-centered project, would attract people to Archery Park with a possible connection to either Boyd Park and/or the Altoona community towards the East. ?CONS: three disc gold courses are available in town, difficult accessibility for people with reduced mobility, limited appeal (not everyone likes disc golf).

If you have any questions or more input, e-mail Jessica Miller at jessmiller@mac.com

by Jessica Miller (Emery Street) | This column provides tips on reducing waste while saving money.

It is time to collect those leaves again. They have so much to offer, so don’t burn them! Burning leaves creates air pollution, may be dangerous, and is an odor nuisance to neighbors. Branches should be taken to a brush site, and leaves gathered in tall paper bags. In Eau Claire, most waste management companies will pick up 10 bags of leaves in November at no extra cost.

If you have more than 10 bags, fear not. Leaves are essential for a rich compost. They are the dark matter that should be mixed to the green matter (grass and such). If you can, mulching them with a lawnmower is ideal so they break up easily. However, I’ve always put them whole in my compost and they haven’t caused any problems. I use those clumps later in the spring to cover spots where I don’t want weed to grow.

In addition, you can use leaves to cover flower beds before winter. It creates insulation and will break up in the spring for a bit of organic matter. I think leaves also look pretty. I’m never in a hurry to rake them unless freezing rain is in the forecast, as they can then become slippery and create hazards. Raking is also good exercise. Done right, it’s a great ab workout. You can also often find groups who will rake as part of fundraising events. So all you do, in the end, is watch those leaves work for you.