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Maple Leaf P-Patch project

The Maple Leaf Community Council is raising funds to buy a new P-Patch garden site. The group wants to purchase two single-family lots on the south side of NE 103rd Street between 5th and 8th avenues NE at a cost of $450,000.

The council is hoping to receive a third of the money from the Pro Parks Levy, a third from the City's Neighborhood Matching Fund, and a third from donations from the community. So far the group has raised over $15,000.

"(The owner) has taken the property off the market so we have time to let this fundraising percolate through," said Barbara Maxwell, chairwoman of the Maple Leaf Community Council's Land Use and Transportation Committee, at a recent neighborhood meeting.

For details, call Maxwell at 524-1502.

Phinney Home Tour, June 9

The Phinney Neighborhood Association's 14th annual "Real Homes for Real People" home tour will take place Sunday, June 9, from noon to 5 p.m.

The PNA's home tour, originally named to contrast with the Street of Dreams luxury home tour, features eight remodeled or restored homes in the Phinney Ridge area. Visitors can expect to see a variety of kitchen, bathroom and second story remodel ideas. The tour is self-guided and all participants are asked to remove their shoes before entering the homes. The home tour usually draws about 400 people and it expected to raise around $7,000 for the Phinney Neighborhood Association. This year's event is sponsored by Lake & Company Real Estate Inc.

The tour starts at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, located at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Tickets are $12-$15. For more information, call the PNA at 783-2244.

Traffic circle garden contest

The City's Transportation Department wants to recognize those who have put their gardening talents to use in local traffic-calming devices with the first-ever Seattle Traffic Circle Garden Contest.

The contest is open to Seattle residents. Traffic circles, chicanes, curb bulbs, triangles, and medians may be nominated in seven different catagories. Traffic circles can be entered individually or as a neighborhood cluster. Plantings must meet all requirements for plant height (2.5 feet, except for trees, which must be limbed up to provide visibility and setback at least 3.5 feet from the edge of the rim). No metal stakes, rocks, boulders or driftwood are allowed. Landscapes should serve as examples of good gardening practices.

The contest is co-sponsored by the City's Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Tilth and Northwest Garden News. All entries that meet City planting and maintenance standards will receive a certificate. Prizes include gift certificates to area nurseries and gifts from green gardening organizations. The best entry will receive a trophy.

All entries must be received by June 30. A current photograph should accompany each entry form. All entries will become the property of the City of Seattle. Awards will be presented in September.

For entry forms and information, call Seattle Transportation at 684-0464 or visit www.cityofseattle.net/td/trafcirc.asp.