On Wednesday, October 9th Sabin School will participate in International Walk + Bike to School Day! 

We will join together with over 4 million kids in more than 40 countries to take strides to make ourselves healthier and our world a better place. Our steps are real action toward solving the health, economic and environmental problems that our communities face today. This one day event can be a catalyst for habitual, healthy activity--for ourselves and kids as well as our environment. Providing them with positive experiences walking and biking to school will pave the way for being physically active throughout their lives! 
 
Did I mention prizes and swag?! We will have a drawing for a Nutcase Helmet!  We'll also have other fun freebies given to us by Oregon Safe Routes to School. Hot chocolate will be provided for the early arrivals! Please contact Liberty Wilson, libertyshea@yahoo.com, if you would like to help volunteer with this event or future events. 

- Liberty Wilson

What's a Carrotmob and how can it help save bees? A Carrotmob is about voting with your dollars. It's a fun, easy way to support a business that's doing the right thing.  Garden Fever is a neighborhood garden shop that's doing the right thing by taking all neonicotinoid pesticides off their shelves. Neonics are highly
toxic to bees because they are absorbed by the plant and they accumulate in the pollen and nectar. When bees come to collect the pollen or nectar, they are poisoned. This is what happened in Wilsonville recently. Despite the dangers, some nurseries continue to sell these toxic products because they are profitable.

Garden Fever has agreed to stop selling neonics, so let's show our appreciation. Come by the store on Sunday, October 6 and shop for plants, seeds, garden tools, books and more. This is also a great
opportunity to do your holiday shopping.

About 50 people attended the April 21 event at Sabin Community Orchard, learning about honey bees from Tim Wessels and native bees from Mace Vaughn. We also planted 83 bee-friendly perennials and fruit-bearing shrubs and trees.

Researchers from Portland State University are conducting a neighborhood opinion and attitude survey.  The researchers hope to learn how Portland residents view police use of force. You are eligible to participate in this study if you live in the Portland metro area and are over 18 years of age. Respondents are asked take a short (10-15 minute) anonymous online survey.

Earth Day is a perfect day for bees at the Sabin Community Orchard!  At this upcoming Sabin Bee-Friendly Garden event, folks can learn from the Xerces Society and local beekeepers about the pollinators in our
neighborhood and how our gardening choices help or hurt them.  Then, those who  want to pick up a shovel can help plant shrubs and perennials to attract bees to the Orchard—and some more fruit trees to take delicious advantage of all those bees.  Optional tour of the tickle bees at the Sabin School field afterwards,
weather permitting.  This event is made possible by a Neighborhood Small Grant from NECN and ONI.  All ages welcome!   

When: Sunday, April 21, 2:00-4:00 pm
Where: Sabin Community Orchard, NE Mason between 18th & 19th
RSVP if you will help plant: spencer@portlandfruit.org

Jeff Hilber reports that Friends of Last Thursday (FoLT) is making several significant changes designed to reduce the negative impact of the event on nearby residents and businesses. For example, to help reduce rowdiness, the OLCC has agreed to become more active in issuing citations for open containers. The city will
continue to provide police officers, but FoLT hopes to recruit more volunteers to handle security, and gradually reduce the number of officers required.

To return to the original focus of promoting local artists, FoLT will impose fees for all vendors except those selling locally-made art. Portable food sales will be moved off Alberta Street into nearby pods with reserved spots, making it easier for inspectors to do their work and improving access to established restaurants.
 
In previous years, Sabin residents have had to contend with heavy traffic and blocked driveways as far south as Sabin School. FoLT is asking the city to become more active in issuing citations to reduce these problems. Jeff is seeking impacted residents to help develop a plan to alleviate the parking and traffic issues. If you’d
like to participate, call Jeff at 503-329-4756.

The Sabin Community Orchard just keeps growing better every year.  Last year, we harvested 156 pounds from the mature apple tree, the berry bushes bore fruit and the young trees became more established, thanks to the generous volunteers who took turns watering them throughout the hot, dry summer months.

This season, we plan to install educational signs in the Orchard, plant more fruit trees and other plants that will support beneficial pollinators and, of course, keep up the weeding.  Mike Scott, a horticulturist with more than 30 years experience, will be leading our March Work & Learn Party about perennial plant maintenance.

Monthly work sessions run from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Sunday each month and are held at the orchard, located at NE 18th and Mason. Don't forget your work gloves!

Interested in growing food in public spaces, while working with your neighbors on a fun project?  Become a Sabin Community Orchard Steward! 

The Sabin Community Orchard is a collaborative project between the Portland Fruit Tree Project and the Sabin Community Association, designed to provide delicious fruits and berries - and an opportunity to learn about edible gardening.  It's located on a small city-owned lot on Mason Ave, between 18th and 19th.

Orchard Stewards commit to:
* attend an orientation meeting on Tuesday, February 12
* participate in monthly work & learn parties, from 2:00 - 4:00 on the third Sunday, February - November
* be the note-taker for one or two of the work & learn parties, and share your notes with others
* one mid-summer watering shift to keep the young trees and shrubs healthy

To apply, request an application by calling 503-284-6106 or by emailing spencer@portlandfruit.org with "Sabin Orchard Steward Interest" in the subject line. Applications are due Friday, February 1. No experience is necessary, though gardening or orchard experience is a plus!