Brooklyn Centre National Wildlife Community

Give and U shall Receive

Dear BCNWC naturalist:



Each year Brookside Center has a local food drive the week before Thanksgiving. Yes, I know it seems like summer just ended but the beginning of the holiday season is upon us.



Sherry Perry is offering a free taco to anyone who stops by The Ugly Broad at Denison and 39th Street with a food or cash donation today, Wednesday, November 18th.



Here is more detail I posted on my blog: http://www.gloriaferris.net/2009/11/give-and-you-shall-receive/ .



Since many of you are BCCA and BCN members, you may have already received a notice on this event from another source. If you did receive another notice, then please accept my apology, if one is needed.



A blessed Thanksgiving season to you and yours.



Tim and Gloria Ferris

Dec. 5th Craft Boutique to feature Childrens Art Work from Saturday morning program.

Art work and ornaments created by the children in the Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Saturday morning program, Nature through Arts and Crafts, will be on sale at the BCCA Santa’s Gift Boutique on Saturday, December 5th.  The Boutique will be from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church hall at 2013 Seymour

                                                     (near the corner of Scranton  Rd.) 

The Nature through Arts and Crafts program is sponsored by the Brooklyn Centre Naturalists.  It is held every Saturday, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at The Center at Brooklyn United Methodist, 2607 Archwood Avenue, and is open to children 10 and up and their parents.  Each week features a different project to help teach and make the children more aware of nature and help teach them to appreciate the world around them.  The program is free and includes lunch courtesy of the United Methodist Church ladies. 

 The proceeds from the children’s crafts that are sold at the Santa’s Gift Boutique will go toward seeds and supplies for their spring gardens.  Hope to see you all there.

Gloria's keynote speech posted

Dear BCNWC naturalist,

Our friend George Nemeth has posted his podcast of Gloria's October 9th keynote speech at the annual MetroHealth Stroke Convention. Here's what he has to say on his blog:

"G says:

Gloria shares the story of her stroke and treatment at MetroHealth. I especially love her description of art therapy. There's a wonderful Q&A at the end. If you aren't a fan of Metro and the work they do, you will be after this."

You can access the speech through a link on George's blog at http://georgenemeth.com/post/225753720/gloria-ferris-stroke-conference-keynote-address

You can access the recorded material directly at http://www.archive.org/details/GloriaFerrisStrokeKeynote

We can't say enough about how grateful we are to have the support of our family, friends, and community during this time of repurposing, readjustment, and refocusing. And we daily continue to be amazed at the "miracles and hope" made possible by the most marvelous and valuable MetroHealth Hospital.

The speech and comments run for about an hour; Gloria's a good storyteller, and time flies when she's doing what she does best .

Thanks, everyone.

--Tim Ferris

I See Reusable “Trick or Treat” Bags In Halloween’s future

Technorati Tags: Halloween,reuse,recycle,trick or treat bags,Seventh Generation

I saw this suggestion today at the Seventh generation website and thought it apropos to repost it here.

At trick or treat time, convert canvas shopping bags or old pillowcases into goody bags. Kids can have a monstrously good time decorating them beforehand.

This Saturday, we will be transforming ordinary canvas bags into reusable “trick or treat” bags at Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church at 2607 Archwood Avenue.  Each week area children “explore nature thru art and music” led by Brooklyn Centre Naturalist instructors.   The program begins at 10:30 am and includes a lunch for all participants  provided by some very nice church ladies. We will be out of there at 12:30 pm with a sturdy, reusable “trick or treat” bag ready for next week’s  festivities.

The church will be holding a Halloween Party for the neighborhood children from 3 to 5 p.m. on October 31st. Games, goodies, music and fun will be the order of the day. Costumes are welcome.  BCN will be manning a craft table and showing anyone who wants to how to make a spooky spider.  

There were other ideas for promoting a reusable and recyclable Halloween on this article. Check it out!

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Members-Joe Mestnik and Brian Avery-Win AIA Award

 

Two members of Brooklyn Centre Naturalists travelled to Cincinnati on October 2nd, 2009 to accept a First Place award for their winning design for a sustainable Urban/Surburban home. The awards ceremony was part of the Tri-Sate Regional convention of American Institute of Architects.  The best and the brightest of the region were lauded at a ceremony at Paul Brown Stadium which offers breathtaking views of the Ohio River.

The design was a collaboration between Joe, Brian, Katie Chew, and Karen Hewson. The design efficiently uses cross ventilation fo heating and cooling. The landscape design incorporates edible, native, and species attractive to wildlife. In fact, Joe tells me that aspects of the BCN proposal for vacant land reuse for Reimagining Cleveland were utilized in the landscape design.

The design is a 21st century arts and crafts bungalow.  The home is a story and half model which will be built in the Fairfax neighborhood of Cleveland in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity.

Congratulations to Joe, Brian,  Katie, and Karen for their outstanding work.  We look forward to seeing more from this award winning team.     

new domain: www.BrooklynCentreNaturalists.net

Today, we transitioned to a new domain name: http://www.BrooklynCentreNaturalists.net. We understand that using the B-C-N capitalizations makes no difference one way or the other when it comes to functionality, but we think it makes it all more readable.

The old domain, http://www.act3.typepad.com/brooklyn_centre_national_/, will still work, but the new domain should be simpler and easier for everybody to remember, not to mention easier to type.

September Meeting notes

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Meeting Minutes for 09/12/09

Gloria gave a quick rundown on where we stand on the Neighborhood Connections Grant, and we have made the first cut.  We now have a meeting for the second step.   Our grant proposal regarding vacant land use is still in process and due to move to council soon.  She also talked about the winter learning program at the Methodist Church, every Saturday morning.  Programs will include projects and learning sessions and lunch provided by the BUMC.

Meeting was turned over to Tom Romito who was going to facilitate a review of our Goals. Tom began by having everyone introduce themselves.  Tom then explained that last year, the Brooklyn Centre Naturalist made a list of goals and what we would like to do to reach those goals.  The purpose of this session was to see what we had accomplished over the last year and what still needed to be done and what else we could add to the goals.

The following is the result of our meeting.  The original goals and actions are underlined and in boldface, with resolutions or continued actions following.

Goal 1:  Retain existing green space and expand

A. Review weed ordinances & make them habitat friendly– No longer a priority, we will work around the current ordinances.

 B. Create wildlife-friendly landscapes– On going with continuing success. This is the core mission of BCN.

C. Help builders conserve habitats during construction–This is a worthwhile action and needs to be continued using internal resources. Watch and Question.

D. Restore habitats along streams and waterways –The BCN is supporting Friends of Big Creek in their goals and projects

E. Track certified habitats – The National Wildlife Federation updates our backyard habitats monthly.

F. Other actions/plans–Help OBCDC implement their Greenway Plan

Goal 2: Engage residents & businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices.

A. Establish a resource library–With the help of the Brooklyn Centre branch of the Cleveland Public library, the BCN has an on-going book list.

(The BCN needs to increase the public’s awareness of this resource.)

B. Host an annual event to promote education about our project– On Labor Day weekend the BCN held a Native plant sale, which was the 1^st of an Annual Event.

C. Create and distribute a native plant list.–Work in process.

D. Host a website about our project–Still needs to be done. November target date to be completed by Tim & Gloria.

E.   Help local nurseries promote and provide native plants– On going. Limited success.

F.   Organize a native plant sale– See B.

G. Create a project brochure for our community–Done

H. Hold a habitat Stewards training session–The BCN supports the Stewards program.

I.     Help area schools and churches educate people about habitats. – Winter children’s program at the Methodist Church, every Saturday, starting in Oct. thru Spring

J.    Increase public awareness of resource library - Sharon to get list from Cynthia at library and distribute.

K.    Other-Expand annual event to other aspects of nature. Possibly partner with the Zoo on an educational program.  March possible date for Bird program.

Goal 3: Optimize the balance between residents & natural habitats.

A. Create and distribute a native plant list–See Goal 2C

B. Organize a Native plant sale.–See Goal 2B

C. Help local nurseries promote and provide native plants.–See Goal 2E

D. New Goal–Host Event to make people aware of BCN. Partner with an existing group on avian programs. Like Audubon Bird walks or a program at the Zoo with FOBC.

Goal 4: Market Brooklyn Centre locally & nationally as the preferred community in which to live.

A. Write a regular column in our local newspaper – With the help of Lynette at the Old Brooklyn News, we have had stories and articles printed almost every month for the last year.

B. Host an annual event to promote education –See Goal 2I

C. Host a website about our project. –See Goal 2D

D. Create a project brochure for our community –See Goal 2G

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists to sponsor free tire disposal

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists First Native Plant Sale Rated a Success

Thanks to the great weather, a dedicated group of volunteers and the graciousness  of Pastor Pam Buzalka from the Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church on Archwood Ave., the first annual Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Natïve Plant sale was a complete success.  We set up our little canopy and tables in front of the Brooklyn Memorial UMC at 2705 Archwood Ave. on Saturday and Sunday, September 5th & 6th to sell a collection of Ohio Native Plants and to raise awareness of using native plants in the garden and flower bed.  Native plants are easy to grow, drought resistant and are low maintenance. 

Along with selling our plants, we also passed out information about our upcoming children’s winter educational program that will be held at the United Methodist Church starting October 3.  The program is called “Nature through Art and Music” and we are very excited to partner with the church who will supply the Saturday afternoon lunches after our programs.  Children 10 and up will participate in art projects, music projects, gardening classes, field trips and much much more.  All programs are being conducted by members of the Brooklyn Centre Naturalists, whose goals are to instill an appreciation for nature and wildlife in the youth of Brooklyn Centre.

 
Our thanks to Pastor Pam for allowing us to use the Brooklyn Memorial UMC Center for the weekend. Also, a huge Thank You to Tom Pukelnick who arranged for all the plants from the Ohio Prairie Nursery in Hiram, Ohio, picked them up and took care of them.  Thanks also to Brooklyn Centre Naturalists volunteers Gloria Ferris, Joe Mestnik, Ellen O’Neill and her son Evan and Greg Cznadel for helping out at the booth and selling plants. And last, but not least a huge Thank You to Sharon Martyn who coordinated the sale with her usual aplomb.   

Native Plant a big Success

Thanks to the great weather, a dedicated group of volunteers and the graciousness Pastor Pam Buzalka from the Brooklyn Memeorial United Methodist Church on Archwood Ave., the first annual Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Natïve Plant sale was a complete success.  We set up our little canopy and tables in front of the Brooklyn Memorial UMC at 2705 Archwood Ave. on Saturday and Sunday, September 5^th & 6^th to sell a collection of Ohio Native Plants and to raise awareness of using native plants in the garden and flower bed.  Native plants are easier to grow, drought resistant and are low maintainace. 

Along with selling our plants, we also passed out information about our up-coming children’s winter educational program that will be held at the United Mehodist church starting in October.  The program is called “Nature through Art and Music” and we are very excited to partner with the church who will supply the Saturday afternoon lunches after our programs.  Children 10 and up will participate in art projects, music projects, gardening classes, field trips and much much more.  All programs are being conducted by members of the Brooklyn Centre Naturalists, whose goals are to instill an appreciation for nature and wildlife in the youth of Brooklyn Centre. 

Our thanks to Pastor Pam for allowing us to use the Brooklyn Memorial UMC Center for the weekend. Also, a huge Thank You to Tom Pukelnick who arranged for all the plants from the Ohio Prairie Nursery in Hiram, Ohio, picked them up and took care of them.  Thanks also to Brooklyn Centre Naturalists volunteers Gloria Ferris, Joe Mestnik, Ellen O’Neill and her son Evan and Greg Cznadel for helping out at the booth and selling plants.  You all did a fantastic job.