By LEAH WEATHERSBY

With stealth, members of a what some might call a revolutionary group, the FNC pick their way through underbrush and trash.

With their small army of sympathizers following close behind, they make their attack in the morning, undoubtedly surprising their enemies. Nothing can stop them from annihilating their chosen target: unsightly weeds and roadside garbage.

Fortunately for Fremont, these ³guerrillas² aren¹t armed with machine guns and machetes, their only weapons are plastic bags, gloves and the occasional spade. The FNC, or Fremont Neighborhood Council as they are also known, has been launching attacks on unkempt public spaces and vacant lots since the mid-¹80s, when Beckey Sukovaty, past-president of the FNC, co-founded the program with other Fremont residents.

³The main idea is to just sneak in and beautify Fremont without getting too fussy or bureaucratic about it,² Sukovaty said. ³Over the years, we have gotten donations and planted thousands of flower bulbs, a few trees, and other plants like rose bushes along Fremont Avenue, in Canal Park, by the Troll, by the Bridge Way on-ramp to Aurora and in various yucky traffic circles. We had a number of people interested in some aspect of gardening (and wanted to use) our interest to help our neighborhood.²

These days, Guerrilla Gardening usually draws anywhere from 12 to 50 participants, depending on the weather. The task of organizing the twice-yearly guerrilla gardening events was taken over in 2001 by Julia Debroux, a board member of the FNC.

The next guerrilla attack on neglected properties in Fremont is scheduled for April. Bags, gloves and grabbers for picking up garbage are supplied, but those who want to help plant the spring bulbs must bring their own spaces. Camouflage, war paint and revolutionary ideals are, as always, optional.

Guerrilla Gardening in scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.-noon. In case of rain, the date will be moved to May 4. Participants should meet at the Powerhouse on Fremont Avenue N. For details, call Debroux at 545-4483.