members e-news

[Kathie Brosemer <kathie@cleannorth.org>]

Hello, first the bad news:

No computer recycling this spring.  Story below.

now, on with your regularly scheduled program.


1.  BOYD cancelled for spring, look for an early-fall event
2.  Newsletter submissions wanted!
3.  Vehicle clinic for July 22, 23
4.  No summer student this year
5.  Garden Tour on July 19th
6.  Other Garden news...
7.  Help reorganize the library?


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1.  BOYD Cancelled

As you may have already noticed in today's Sault Star or if you're a 
regular visitor to www.cleannorth.org, we hit a snag last week, which 
caused us to cancel the spring computer recycling event.  I'm sure the snag 
could have been worked out, given enough time and attention, but we didn't 
have enough of either to devote so we had to cancel.

As it turns out, the parking lot behind the bingo hall is private property, 
and we couldn't get permission to park the truck there.

We're very sorry to disappoint any of you who were saving equipment for us 
and just can't wait to get it out of the basement.  I know how you feel - 
when you want it gone, you want it GONE!  But we just couldn't pull this 
one off.

The good news is that the city is now firmly committed to helping us in any 
way they can, to make sure the fall event happens.  So we'll be in a better 
position in September.  Thanks for your patience.

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2.  Newsletter submissions wanted!

Our editor is waiting for your news, sports, and weather!  If you have an 
issue you'd like to vent about, here's your chance.  Find a great article 
in another spot, that you think all of us should read?  Send it in!

To:  ed@cleannorth.org.  That's as in, Editor, not as in, Mr.

***********************************

3.  Vehicle clinic for July 22, 23

They'll be back.  The Environment Canada vehicle techies, that is, with 
their emissions testing equipment.  Get a newer model since last year? 
Have it tested!  Miss the event entirely?  Now's your chance.  Mark your 
calendar.

Also, Jack will be lining up volunteers to help test gas caps (now there's 
something for your resume!).  Email donaldmj@soonet.ca if you can help for 
a few hrs.  A free t-shirt and all the watermelon you can eat, are the 
perks.

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4.  No summer student this year

We've been shut out.  No HRDC student.  So, we'll be functioning at 
skeleton crew in the office this summer.  If you have some free time, we'd 
love to have you around for two hrs. a week, to answer the phone and help 
keep the place humming.  Prerequisites:  patience, a good sense of humour, 
and having been a Clean North member long enough to know (mostly) the kind 
of things we do.  Email kathie@cleannorth.org if this sounds like you.

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5.  Garden Tour on July 19th

As in prior years, the Green Garden Tour is scheduled for Saturday, July 
19th.  This year we need some help to organize it, since we have no summer 
student, and some of our garden people are a tad, shall we say, burnt out? 
The Allard Street Gardens are taking a lot of effort, you see.

But this Tour is well organized, you don't have to invent it.  Good ideas 
and plans are in place.  Can you help?  Email kathie@cleannorth.org and 
I'll thank you.

Also, we need gardens.  Is yours organic?  Is it a work-in-progress (we 
like those!).  Please consider putting your garden on display for the 
afternoon, for those interested in starting to garden without chemicals. 
They really appreciate learning from those of us who've been doing this for 
a few years now.  Email me, as above.  Thank you!

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6.  Other Garden news...

City Beautification is happening.  We have our own category, again, for a 
chemical-free lawn and garden.  We need nominees!

Nomination forms are at the Clean North office.  You can fill it in right 
there and leave it with us, it's a simple format.  If you know someone who 
ought to be commended for what they're doing with their organic garden, 
please nominate them.  (pssssst - you can even nominate yourself - we won't 
tell!).

The Allard Street Community Garden received its Trillium grant, and we are 
thrilled!  Clean North is a collaborator on this project and is very 
supportive - some of us have called the place "Clean North's Backyard" 
because of the composting, rainbarrel, and organic practices demonstrated 
there.  Go check it out!  It's a work in progress but it's also very lovely.

Rainbarrels are still available.  Call the office if you want one. 
945-1573.

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7.  Help reorganize the library?

Despite our best efforts at keeping things together, the library fell into 
disarray during the carpeting project, and we've been gradually getting it 
back in order again.  Connie took this project on and made good progress 
during her Monday mornings in the office, but she's now taking the summer 
off.  Can you step in and do this one task?

Connie says that 000-250 are in order.  That's about a fourth of it.  If 
you can jump in at 250 and move the agenda forward, we'd all appreciate it. 
Especially those teachers who want to use this resource to prepare, during 
the summer months!  Please email kathie@cleannorth.org if you can help.

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Odds and Ends

We're trying a new trick, to indicate that the office is open.  We've put a 
rainbarrel outside the front door when we're there, bringing it in when we 
leave.  So if you happen by and the rainbarrel is outside, stop in for a 
chat!

Still saving A&P tapes.  Received almost $50 for this one last year.  Put 
yours through the mail slot if we're not there.

You can still get a bat house.  Email me, kathie@cleannorth.org, if you 
want one.  I'll forward you to Neil.

Have a great early-summer, and I hope the mozzies don't get you!


K