Save Your Ash!

City of Grand Rapids Ash Tree Alert

I have been alerted that the Riverside Park (Knapp Entrance) and also the Fuller Street (Moving North of the 96) have seen trees coming down. The ones on Fuller appear to be Ash. We need to act fast to stop the city from removing trees until at least after the April 15th Save Your Ash community forum.

The unfortunate part is our city's policy appears to be for the mass removal of our ash trees. This removal policy HAS NOT halted the spread the pest as it has moved from each ward of our city.

I am wanting also to begin to raise the question if we have the right person in this position? Are they structured under Parks and Recreation or Traffic. We know from the past that Traffic has not been a friend to neighborhoods.

In short, the policy whispered from leaders within our community is that allegedly we have a forestry person (Bob Paasche - City Urban Forester and CNA Member) who FAVORS removing trees.

WMEAC is hosting a SAVE YOUR ASH forum next week. They may be announcing exciting new solutions to save the ash trees.

I had a great, but anonymous source answer my questions, it has been said that , "They will be treating these trees (those marked with an orange dot) with an injection method, not a drench method (drench = dumpling a bucket of chemicals at the base of a tree).

So it's not likely that much, if any, will get into the Grand River.

However, you are correct that the chemical, imidacloprid, being injected is toxic to some birds, insects (especially bees), fish and especially aquatic invertebrates. But it's also important to understand that people REGULARLY dump this chemical on their lawns to control grubs and it's WIDELY used on agricultural products. It is yet another example of a chemical NOT 'regulated' by the EPA."

We need a better solution and Riverside and ALL OUR PARKS needs to ride it out until we get this new product on the treatment list.

I am concerned that our newsletter will not reach people in time to get the word out.

So first line of defense is to organize and fast.

We need to get as many people to the Save Your Ash event. I am willing to help car pool people and will be able to take 4 people with me. (I would prefer a full car load.)

We do not have a lot of time on this matter and we need to press the city before all contracts are signed for the summer on these matters. (In truth we may be too late, but we should still try.)

Commissioner Bliss alerted us in the winter months to get geared up for this fight, now we owe it to one of Grand Rapids' greenest sections to protect our trees.

Will you join us in alerting members of your list of the event below?

Please encourage people to bring camera phones, camcorders to record these proceedings. Every little bit of viral video we can get on a public person's comment further aids our cause to make sure the people's wishes are being carried out. Allegedly from my source, Bob was laughing at a recent meeting over the idea of people trying to save trees.


EVENT DETAILS:


Save Your Ash! Public Forum
Tue, April 15, 2008 - 6:00pm
Save Your Ashes! Whether they're in your yard, block or neighborhood, the information shared at this forum will provide options and opportunities to preserve the Ash Trees that are important and valuable to you. Mark your calendar!
Click here to download a PDF flier about this event.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Plymouth Congregational UCC Church
4010 Kalamazoo SE (between 32nd and 44th streets)
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

A diverse group of speakers will share a variety of views and perspectives about your opportunities to prevent disease and/or removal of your Ash Tree(s).

Speakers include:
Deb McCullough, MSU's National Ash Tree Expert
Greg Sundstrom, City of Grand Rapids
Vic Foerster, West Michigan Tree Services
Brian Hiemstra, Bartlett Tree Services

LINKS: SAVE YOUR ASH ( with a counter! )

Art Battle for Community: The Rematch

The Creston Neighborhood Association is hosting the
2nd Art Battle for Community,
an evening where one will experience up close
the development of the artistic process.

At the beginning of the event,
the artists will be given a topic.
They will have one hour to create an original piece
based on the topic. Attendees get to view artists create works of art
from the birth of a concept to the completion of the piece.

Later at 8:00 PM,
a lively auction will be held with
the original pieces going to the highest bidder.
Please join us in this creative fund raising event
to help grow one of Grand Rapids most vibrant neighborhood association
and support our local artists.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
6 -- 9 PM
$15.00 Donation
Limited Space / Arrive On Time

Location:
Sazerac Lounge
1418 Plainfield Ave NE
(North of Leonard)
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Free Parking in the Rear Lot

After the weekend....light within shines bright.

This weekend was an eye opener for me. Maybe the bright light of the unexpected warm spring sun that healed my hurt provided the glow I needed to feel within.

Maybe unconsciously I had feared it may have been lost. (It was not.)

If I may have a moment to be a bit vague but suffering teaches us much. In acknowledging our pain, we can move beyond it. Good advice to read but hard advice to put in action.

I think this is what is awakening in me.

I am often reminded when I reach a turning point of an old quote that really should be posted on the walls of my heart.

As I start my week, please enjoy this quote by Marianne Williamson while I stoke the flames of my spirit.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."