The Bee Jamboree is an opportunity for people to learn about how to create bee-friendly habitat in their own yards. This years event, held in front of Whole Foods on June 29, drew several hundred people who stopped on their way into or out of the store. Some visitors had questions about the recent bumblebee die off and others wanted to know what kinds of flowers to plant. The kids enjoyed looking at bee specimens with a magnifying glass, and coloring pictures of bees and flowers. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning in June!

Bring the kids to meet bee experts Tim Wessels and Mace Vaughn at Whole Foods (NE 15th and Fremont) on Saturday, June 29 from 10:00 to 2:00. Tim will bring his bee-keeping equipment and Mace will bring his cases of bee specimens - dozens of bees of all types, from very tiny native bees to giant bumble bees. We'll also have samples of some of the best bee-friendly flowers for urban gardens. Hope to see you there!

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.

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: [email protected]

What's on Your Plate? is a documentary that follows two eleven-year-old multi-racial city kids as they explore their place in the food chain. Sadie and Safiyah address questions regarding the origin of the food they eat, how it’s cultivated, how many miles it travels from the harvest to their plate, how it’s prepared, who prepares it, and what is done afterwards with the packaging and leftovers. They discover programs that help struggling farmers to survive and provide affordable, locally-grown food communities, especially to lower-income urban families.

The film has been hailed by Michael Pollan, Kofi Annan, Marion Nestle, Alice Waters and other food activists.

The Little Green Schoolhouse, a home-based pre-school, is having an open house for prospective families on Saturday, November 3 and Saturday, December 1 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  They'll have snacks and crafts, and you'll have an opportunity to meet lead teacher and owner Lori Soltys, a licensed classroom teacher with a Masters in Literacy.  Lori is also an experienced occupational therapist and yoga instructor.  The school's focus is on early literacy, movement, art and music.

Please RSVP at 503-282-0474 or [email protected].

Join us on Sunday, June 10th to help clean up the Sabin Triangle and begin planting flowers.  Bring gloves, gardening tools and a large plastic garbage bag.  The Triangle, located at NE 15th and Prescott, will be the site of several fun events over the summer, including the Sabin Community Potluck on August 7.

For more info, please contact Hector Roche at [email protected] or call 503-516-6614.