Earth Friendly Gardening Workshop and Plant Exchange

March 8, 2012 at 12:12 am (Events)
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Spring is coming (eventually), and it’s time for the annual Earth Friendly Gardening Seminar and Plant Swap.  This year it’s Sat., March 24th, from 9:30 AM til 12:30PM.  Our very own Jean Walker will tell of her “Adventures in Gardening,” her 48-year garden project here in Bellevue, using native plants suited to her terrain, resulting in a chemical free garden, year-round beauty, and safe habitat and food source for native birds and animals.  There will also be a demonstation on planting a container garden, and using dried plant materials for seasonal interest and in arrangements.

Attendees are encouraged to bring house or garden plants or seeds to swap.  There’ll also be activities for kids, door prizes, and refreshements.  This event is sponsored by the FUMC Green Team and is located at First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA.  Free and open to the public.

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Loving our Neighbors–Globally

March 5, 2012 at 9:23 pm (Events, Green Team Discussion)
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First United Methodist Church, Bellevue, will be hosting a number of activities during March focusing on sustainable living, locally and globally.  (The U.S. is the 500 pound gorilla in the room when it comes to our impact on global climate change and use of resources.)  Special events include a documentary film “Ancient Roots” on Sunday, March 18th at 10AM; a forum with Earth Ministry outreach director Jessie Dye on 3/20 at 7PM; our 4th annual earth-friendly gardening workshop and plant exchange on 3/24; and a field trip to a bio-diverse farm on 3/31.

Here is a link to a flyer with additional information:

http://www.fumcbellevue.org/sites/default/files/Love%20Your%20Neighbor%20Event%20Flyer7%20%208.pdf

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Summer Taize Services to Resume

June 22, 2011 at 10:51 pm (Events)
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The first of our summer Taize services is Wed. June 29th at 7:30 PM.  Join us for a quiet, reflective time of prayer and singing by candlelight.  We continue our tradition of dedicating each service to a specific theme relating to care of God’s creation.  This month’s theme is “air”–air as the most basic necessity of life, air as representing the life-giving breath or Spirit of God.  The worship service will be  by a potluck barbecue/picnic at 6:30 PM.

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Appalachian Treasures

June 20, 2011 at 6:09 pm (Events)
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Helping Our Neighbors in Appalachia End Mountaintop Removal 

“The true cost of coal is here,” she said quietly, staring off into the crisp mountain air, at her mountain. “We pay for it with our lives and our future. And also our past.” ~Maria Gunnoe, Bob White, WV 

One of America’s most heartbreaking environmental and human rights tragedies, mountaintop removal is destroying the rich culture and heritage of Appalachia, demolishing the beautiful mountains and diverse forests of the Appalachian range, and devastating the health and livelihoods of the people who live there. 

Join Appalachian Voices, Earth Ministry and First United Methodist Church, Bellevue for a powerful & compelling presentation on mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia. Learn how you can help your neighbors in Appalachia end mountaintop removal. 

Thursday, July 14 at 7 PM

First United Methodist Church, Bellevue

1934 108th Avenue NE, Bellevue

For more information, contact (425) 454-2059  ****  Free and open to the public

Presentation by Appalachian Voices: 202-266-0479   |   kate@appvoices.org.
For more information on mountaintop removal, please visit www.iLoveMountains.org.

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 *What is Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining?*   Mountaintop Removal (MTR) coal mining is a relatively new type of strip mining that involves using explosives to remove up to 1000 vertical feet of mountain top in order to access the coal seams. The resulting debris is then dumped into nearby valleys and streams. This practice has already destroyed over one million acres of forested mountains, decimated over 500 mountains, and buried over 1,200 miles of streams throughout West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 

Mountaintop removal affects all community members living near the mines. As a result of this practice, families and communities throughout Appalachia continually deal with the threat and reality of appalling conditions, including extreme pollution of streams and drinking water, continual blasting that damages homes and wells, job loss for coal miners and other community members, air pollution, and other hazards, including the increased likelihood of flash floods and landslides.   To view images of mountaintop removal, please click here.

*What is the Appalachian Treasures Project?*

Since the 1990s, Appalachian Voices has worked with coalfield residents to end mountaintop removal. But in states where big coal companies hold overwhelming political power, the opposition of coalfield citizens alone is not enough to stop this destructive practice. It is our conviction that mountaintop removal will continue for as long as the American public remains unaware that such an unjust, destructive, and short-sighted practice is happening on our soil. The goal of Appalachian Treasures is to educate the public and decision makers about mountaintop removal and about efforts being made to end this practice. 

At the heart of this presentation is the Appalachian Treasures slide show, which features images of Appalachia and mining sites, voice recordings from coalfield residents, and traditional Appalachian music.

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A Resurrected Garden

April 21, 2011 at 9:57 pm (Events, Reflections)
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I love to visit Kubota Gardens during Eastertide, not only for their beauty, but because they make me think of Resurrection. 

This 20+ acre site, now a public park, was established more than 50 years ago by Fujitaro Kubota, who also designed gardens at Seattle University and the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. During World War II, the Kubota family was sent to an internment camp.  The gardens were neglected and many of the most beautiful and interesting plant specimens were stolen.  However, when Mr. Kubota was allowed to return home, he set about improving  the garden and bringing it back to life.   In 1972 the Japanese government honored Mr. Kubota for his life work in introducing and building respect for Japanese Gardening in the Pacific Northwest. 

Fitness, Faith and Friends will celebrate May Day (Sunday, 5/1) by exploring the Kubota Gardens.  Meet at the church at 1:30 to carpool, or at the park at 2PM.  Bring a camera—the Gardens are photogenic in any season.  Kubota Gardens are located at 9817 55th Ave. S. , Seattle.

Update: One of the first truly beautiful days with temperatures in the 60s.  We saw various rhododenrons, azaleas, heathers and other blooming plants which we couldn’t identify.  However, due to our very late spring, fewer things were in flower than expected.  A good variety of terrain in an hour’s walk, including stepping stones up to an outlook post, a scramble through the forest on a primitive path, and easy strolls through formal gardens. 

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April Walk–Barns, Farm Animals and History

March 30, 2011 at 7:21 pm (Events)
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All are welcome at the next Fitness, Faith and Friends walk on Sunday, April 10th at Kelsey Creek Farm Park.  Enjoy seeing the park’s farm animals and historic barns while exploring forest and wetlands.  Depending on interests and weather, we will either walk the 1.5 mile forest loop which includes some hilly sections, or the .9 mile gravel trail which encircles the farm and pasture area.  As always, boots and raingear are recommended.  Dogs must be on leash and are not permitted in the barnyard area.  Meet at 1:30PM in the Kelsey Creek parking lot located at 410 130th Place SE, Bellevue.

Update:  We started out by doing the upland forest loop, where we saw trilliums, skunk cabbage and bleeding hearts, and heard much birdsong.  There were a couple of damp patches on the trail, but nothing problematic, although we saw a place where a tree had come crashing down and taken out a railing.  There are stairsteps leading up to the highest part of the park and Sherry, who has explored many of the Eastside parks, told us there were 166 of them!  Afterwards we strolled around the farm area, where a highlight was seeing a litter of piglets,as well as cows, goats, chickens and rabbits.  You can see a picture of our group by clicking on NB Walks in the column to the left.

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Thanks!

March 30, 2011 at 6:31 pm (Events)
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Thanks to all who helped make our Earth Friendly Gardening event a success, and special thank you’s to our two speakers for their thorough and informative talks with pictorial presentations.

Here are links to the organizations they represent:

www.bellevuewa.gov/natural-lawn-intro.htm

www.bellevuebotanical.org

http://seattletilth.org/learn/hotline

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Walk With Us

March 9, 2011 at 12:56 am (Events)
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Fitness, Faith and Friends’ next outing will be Sunday, March 13 at Juanita Bay Park along the shore of Lake Washington on paved trails and boardwalks.    The 110-acre wetland is now a refuge for birds and other wildlife, such as beavers.  Interpretive signs tell about the area’s history.  All are welcome;  meet  at 1:30PM in the Juanita Bay parking lot, 2201 Market Street in Kirkland.

Update:  Even on a rainy day, this park is well worth a visit.  Although it’s not a large park (formerly the site of a 9-hole golf course), boardwalks took us through marshy wetlands and right out onto the lake, where we got a close view of a handsome pair of wood ducks.  We also saw buffleheads, cormorants, coots, gadwalls and mallards, as well as a marsh wren, and got a glimpse of a bald eagle.  We missed the migratory swans by just a few days.  We are planning to revisit this park later in the year to observe how it changes with the season.

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Earth-Friendly Gardening Event

March 2, 2011 at 8:23 pm (Events)
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The third-annual Earth-Friendly Gardening Seminar and Plant Exchange will take place on Saturday, March 26, from 9:30AM-12:30PM.  There will be two special guests:  1) Patricia Burgess, Bellevue Utilities Conservation Administrator, will speak about “Waterwise Gardening,” planning and planting tips for beauty and low water use.  2) Sheri Hinshaw from Garden Hotline will present a slide show on “Wildlife Friendly Gardening,” using garden design to attract birds and helpful insects for weed and pest control while decreasing maintenance time.

Attendees are encouraged to bring garden- or house-plants or seeds to exchange.  There will also be informational displays, children’s activities, door prizes and refreshements.

Free and open to the public.  Location: First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Avenue NE,  Bellevue.  (425) 454-2059.  Sponsored by FUMC’s Envirnmental Team.

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Upcoming Walks

January 3, 2011 at 10:46 pm (Events)
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The Fitness, Faith and Friends group’s next walk is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 9 at the Mercer Slough.  Meet at 1:30 PM at the Environmental Education Center, 1625 118th Ave NE, Bellevue.  Boots or sturdy shoes are recommended, as trail will probably be muddy.

On February 13th, we’re planning a hike on the Lake Sammamish Trail.  More details to come.

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