The meeting was called to order by co-president, Sara Goff. The minutes of the past meeting were approved as presented.
The guest speaker, Suzy Askew gave a wonderful program about urban gardening. She is a member of the group that is restoring the kitchen garden at the Magevney House. A kitchen garden is one in which every plant has to be productive, and provide something that can be used in the kitchen or the house. This group is trying to only use plants that might have been available to gardeners in the mid-1800s, and she announced that it is possible to tour these gardens on Saturday mornings.
She recommended that we adapt our gardens to the style of our homes and to the level of energy required to maintain them. After talking a bit about different heirloom plants, she recommended a number of books that might be very helpful for urban gardeners: Plants that Merit Attention: Volume I: Trees by the Horticultural Committee of the Garden Club of America, Trees in Urban Design, Second Edition by Henry F. Arnold, and The Southern Gardener’s Book of Lists: The Best Plants for All Your Needs, Wants, and Whims by Lois Trigg Chaplin.
Following the speaker, the meeting resumed.
Pam will be our liaison with Park Friends and she announced that on Sunday May 21 from 4-7pm there would be a party at the golf house. She also requested suggestions for the yard of the month.
Bill Crowder, treasurer said that we have $881.61 in the account.
The tentative plans for future meetings include:
July 25 - A speaker discussing the storm water division’s campaign on “Scoop the Poop”
Oct 24 - A speaker to discuss the historical nature of the neighborhood and what it might take for this area to become a designated historical neighborhood.
Jan 23 - A discussion of Neighborhood Watch
Mr. Jackie Nichols of Playhouse on the Square talked to the group about the Heart of the Arts Initiative. It turns out that as more groups have become involved in this effort the size and scope of the project has changed somewhat. He will keep us posted on the project as it evolves. He also reminded everyone that demolition on the Antique Mall will begin in a few days and that there will be a party at Playhouse on the Square this coming Friday evening to celebrate.
Steve Bell gave a report about the Katrina victims who had been living in one of his apartments in the neighborhood. He had recently been to New Orleans and had met them again and they are still so appreciative of all the donations and support they received while they stayed in this neighborhood. They wanted to show their appreciation and so, even though they have next to nothing there in New Orleans, they sent a huge collection of Mardi Gras beads for us.
Sara brought up the need for code-enforcement rules to be distributed to the neighborhood. Probably none of us know exactly what the rules are and it would be helpful for everyone to be aware of them.
She also requested that all the committees that were formed at the last meeting should chose a leader, and to meet as a committee before the next meeting.
Social CommitteeIt was announced that there will be a neighborhood mixer at Boscos Squared on May 16 during happy hour, like between 5 and 7pm. Everyone just needs to come.
There also was a discussion about forming an exercise group that could meet in Overton Park for running or walking.
The social committee is to meet following this meeting to plan a porch party.
Clean Up committeeThere is a neighborhood clean up planned for May 13. Everyone should meet on Jefferson, behind the dairy, near Lick creek at 8am. We will be doing a neighborhood sweep to pick up trash, so bring trash bags and wear gloves.
Open FloorThere were two comments about Tucker, one is that there are new No Parking signs posted on the west side of the street, and the other was that because many people leave their garbage cans on the sidewalk for days on end, people who are using wheelchairs are having to ride in the street.
There was a comment about how crummy the streetlights are looking at Cooper and Madison, that they desperately need a coat of paint.
Sara asked if anyone knew the location of the neighborhood T-shirts that had been printed several years ago.
The next meeting will be on July 25.
