Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 8, Issue 5, May 2004

Copyright 2004 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article below in your research. Be sure to cite the Seattle Sun as your source.

Seattle Sun home and garden briefs

N. End Flower Club to meet, May 7

The North End Flower Club invites the public to join them Friday, May 7, at 10 a.m. in Luther Memorial Church, 13047 Greenwood Ave. N. The program topic will be "Interpretation of Flower Show Schedule" by June DeMers. Horticulture Scholarship Tea by reservation. For more information, call Wava Masterson at 425-742-4289.

Green home classes offered

Learn how to incorporate health, efficiency, durability, and beauty into a single smart remodel design at two free classes presented by Seattle Public Utilities and the Environmental Home Center. The classes will be held Thursday, May 13 and Thursday, June 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road. The class will cover the basics of a green home remodel, including information on what makes a product or design "green" and tips for working with design and construction professionals. A wide variety of material samples will be on display. Space at the class is limited. To reserve a spot, call 684-0877 or send an e-mail to carkeek.park@seattle.gov.

Using rainwater as resource

A free lecture will be held at the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center on Thursday May 6 that will offer tips to residents and businesses on how to use rainwater as a resource while helping to protect our fragile ecosystems and streams. Join Mark Merkelbach and Mark Ruebel from Herrera Environmental Consultants Inc., as they describe how water catchment systems work. See how catchment systems are designed and take a closer look at the design elements and performance of the catchment system at the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road. The event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Register by April 29. For more information, call 684-0877.

'Use It Again, Seattle' on May 2

Do you have good, reusable furniture, tools, baby items or exercise equipment that you'd like to get rid of? Or do you need household items but are strapped for funds?

Well, Seattle Public Utilities has a deal for you.

Citizens are invited to drop off or pick up good, reusable items for free at the "Use It Again, Seattle Road Show" on Sunday, May 2 at the Park & Ride lot at Magnuson Park, located at Northeast 65th Street and Sand Point Way Northeast.

During the event, SPU will accept clean items in good working condition only, including most appliances. Use It Again, Seattle! will accept toilets as well as other porcelain for recycling and appliances (except refrigerators and freezers) in good working condition only. Seattle Public Utilities will not accept the following items: tires, household hazardous waste, mattresses or box springs, televisions, computer monitors, computers, garbage or household recycling.

Metal items will be accepted for recycling. Good, reusable clothing will be accepted and donated to charity (clothing will only be accepted in plastic bags). In addition, free mulch will also be offered while supplies last.

For more information 615-0701.

Garden classes at UW

The University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture will offer several classes on gardening and garden-related topics during the month of May.

The classes offered are:

· "Iris: The Rainbow Flower for All Garden Situations," Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m. to noon, NHS Hall, $30. Richard Greenberg of Earth Wizardry Landscape will present an overview on planting, care and propagation of one of the easiest perennials to grow in the Pacific Northwest. The class starts in the Center's NHS Hall, with visits to two nearby gardens to view irises at peak bloom.

· "Secret Nurseries and Best Gardens," Tuesday, May 4, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Douglas Classroom, $28. Debra Prinzing, editor of the ninth edition of "The Northwest Gardeners' Resource Directory," will lead a virtual tour of the region's best gardening resources, display gardens and plant sources.

· "Keeping Plants Healthy with Drip Irrigation," Wednesday, May 12., 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Douglas Classroom, $30. Howard Stenn of Stenn Design leads a classroom session on drip irrigation and a Saturday field trip to Bradner Gardens Park to view a variety of systems and to get hands-on experience with how drip system parts fit together.

· "Growing Ferns in Northwest Gardens," Saturday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum, $30. A board member of the Hardy Fern Foundation will explain how to choose and cultivate these ornamental plants.

· "Backyard Composting," Tuesday, May 18, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Douglas Classroom, $10. Washington State University Extension faculty member Darcy Batura will discuss the process of producing compost from yard trimmings and kitchen scraps.

Preregistration is required for classes; call 685-8033 to reserve a space. The Center for Urban Horticulture is located at 3501 NE 41st St.

Farmers markets set to open

Two North Seattle farmers markets will begin their seasons this month:

The University District Farmers Market will launch its 12th season on Saturday, May 22. The opening day will feature live music by rockabilly band The Roy Kay Trio, as well as face-painting for the kids. The University District Farmers Market, located at NE 50th Street and University Way NE, will be held Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Nov. 20.

The Lake City Farmers Market will kick off its third season on Thursday, May 27. Acoustic folk music duo Madeline and Jessie will perform on opening day. Face-painting in the kids' area also will be available. Located at NE 127th Street and 30th Avenue NE, the Lake City Farmers Market will be held Thursdays, from 3-7 p.m., through Oct. 14.

For more information, call the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance at 632-5234.

Festival for the Birds, May 8

Woodland Park Zoo will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with the Festival for the Birds, held Saturday, May 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will be held at the zoo's Family Farm, near the South Gate at North 50th Street and Fremont Avenue North.

Among the planned activities are bird-banding demonstrations, bird conservation displays and booths, live entertainment, and bird encounters. Shade-grown coffee will be served.

The festival is free with zoo admission. ($10/$7 children ages 3-12; toddlers free). For more information, call 684-4800 or go to www.zoo.org.