Celebrate Arbor Day tomorrow!

Did you know Arbor Day was founded by a journalist? Or that it started in Nebraska almost 150 years ago? Neither did I! The last Friday of every April is now Arbor Day, and we should use it to spread proper tree-care knowledge. For example:

Water regularly so trees don’t dry up
Know the prominent pests in your area, so you can protect your trees
If you can, talk to a licensed forester to properly plant
Don’t overwater! Talk to a specialist about soil analysis
Be careful with your trimming so trees don’t die or topple

Arbor Day is all about taking care of our planet, which could always use a clean-up effort or a new tree planted. Trees provide the very necessities of life itself. They clean our air, protect our drinking water, create healthy communities, and feed the human soul. But these life necessities are threatened around the globe.

To address this, the Arbor Day Foundation is launching an unprecedented undertaking: the Time for Trees initiative. Learn more about their efforts to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspire 5 million new tree planters by 2022 — the 150^th anniversary of Arbor Day.

If you know of any local Arbor Day events, please share with me so I can re-post!

Art Town: AVE Apartments

New luxury condos and apartments are springing up all over our little town! One of the recent ones is the AVE Apartment complex across from Target. It is a really nice little apartment community that allows you to utilize their rooftop pool area, decks, rent bikes, and is even pet-friendly.

AVE Apartments definitely cost a lot to rent, as they are some of the newer, nicer apartments in Walnut Creek. However, you get what you pay for. They worked hard down to the last detail to make the complex livable and beautiful. One of my favorite aspects is, of course, the art!

On the doors surrounding the front and the pool deck, they’ve etched a bunch of trees that look kind of like shadows and give it a real natural feel. For being a huge complex cramped into a small space in a rapidly-growing town like Walnut Creek, I love what the tree art brings. Check out these pictures. I especially like the one with the sun coming through:

Newell Pathway in Parkmead to get a face-lift

About two weeks ago, the Parkmead Community Association (PCA) convened to discuss the crumbling granite of the Newell Pathway that kids use to walk to Parkmead, Tice Creek and Las Lomas. The path has been whittled away by rain and primarily the postal truck creating large ruts.

A few years ago, the PCA was able to repair a portion between Magnolia and the Tice Creek exit, but the entire thing is still in need of updating. Since people – especially students going to and from school – use the path daily, it has become imperative that the granite be fixed.

After many meetings and a walk along the path with the country engineers, who had conversations with County Supervisor Candace Anderson, she was able to secure one-time funding to repair the entire pathway. There were about 35 people in a meeting we thought were to discuss our options, however the county representative had a very satisfactory solution. There is still a need to find a long-term solution, but we have bought time with this outcome.

Country representatives Jason Yee and Mary Halle (a resident of Parkmead), as well as Anderson – her back is to us left side front row, were present at the meeting. Repair work will bring the water meters level, eliminate the puddles of water, and add to the surface of the decomposed granite. Work is expected to begin sometime in April.

SaveSave

Moving? Save a tree!

Are you planning to move soon? Already initiating that process? Then you know you’ll need an endless supply of cardboard boxes to get the job done!

According to RecycleSmart.org, the average home move requires 60 cardboard boxes, or more than half of a one-ton pine tree. So, make sure when you’re done with your move that you recycle those boxes in the proper can. Don’t leave them in the regular garbage can, and only compost them if they were food boxes with grease that can’t be recycled.

Cardboard can be recycled over and over again, and you can even leave tape and labels on them to make the process easier. If you really want to save space in that recycling bin, break down each box so they’re flat.

Again according to RecycleSmart.org, the average person moves 11 times, which is about six trees’ worth of boxes. If you recycle those, you can still get the job done and save a few trees while you’re at it!

For more info on recycling cardboard and to order a bigger recycling bin at no charge, visit www.RecycleSmart.org.

Inspiration Saturday: Jerry Garcia shrine

On my trip to Aspen a couple weeks ago, we stumbled upon a Jerry Garcia shrine in the powder between the trees. On one tree was Grateful Dead lyrics to the song “Scarlet Begonias.” It’s the following line – I love it:

“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.”