Mary, Mary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

This is a news release from the City Of Springfield regarding "Urban Gardens":

Citizens interested in the topic of commercially oriented urban gardening are invited to attend the meetings of the Urban Garden Task Force, which will hold its first session at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at the Busch Building.

The Task Force has four meetings scheduled over a one-month period to research, review and summarize the issues for a recommendation back to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The Task Force was formed to determine how best to balance the interest in business or commercially oriented urban gardens in Springfield with the potential for additional activity or disruption in neighborhoods. Currently, Springfield’s Zoning Ordinance does not cover this type of activity, so the community input will be valuable in developing zoning recommendations. The Task Force is not addressing private or non-commercial gardens.

All meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m., in the Busch Building 4th floor conference room. The schedule for the meetings includes:

Aug. 11: Overview of the urban gardening concept; how an ordinance is structured and potential neighborhood impact.

Aug. 18: Review of intensity issues such as accessory structures, parking and public facilities such as restrooms; stormwater and water quality issues; and pesticide use.

Aug. 25: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park pilot project; examples of liability and legal requirements of urban gardens.

Sept. 1: Draft report and discussion; recommendations for Planning & Zoning Commission.

Jack Wheeler, Chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission, will chair the Task Force. Other members include: Jay McClelland; Ray Shermer; Curtis Millsap; Melissa Millsap; Galen Chadwick; Petra Butler; King Coltrin; and Nancy Brown Dornan.

The Charge to the Task Force is the following: To enable, facilitate, and encourage the development of Urban Gardens as a commercial enterprise to maximize local food resources and the use of non-productive or vacant lots in such a manner as to be non-invasive to the community or neighborhood.

For more information, contact: Senior Planner Daniel Neal, 864-1036.

The Charge to the Task Force carrys wording that should raise RED FLAGS to everyone. "The development of Urban Gardens as a commercial enterprise....and the use of non-productive or vacant lots in such a manner as to be non-invasive to the community or neighborhood."

The issue is this: Should the City of Springfield change zoning laws to allow an individual to start a commercial enterprises in a residential neighborhood?

At its basest level, this is about changing zoning from residential to retail. If you open the door for Urban Gardens, which carry a sort of 'warm fuzzy' feeling, then how can you not open the door for a paint store or a clothing store or a car lot?

I am all for sharing our surplus produce with our neighbors. There is a program in place right now which carries out the charge of neighbors helping neighbors.

This "Urban Garden" thingie, what with it becoming a commercial enterprise, goes against the concept as I understand it.

It is one thing for neighbors to band together to help those less fortunate than them and it is quite another thing to make a commercial enterprise.

The Urban Garden task force would be wise to follow the lead of the "Harvest On Wheels".

Mmmm, The Gruff And Somewhat Arrogant

Roy Blunt, Almost As Good As Bacon!
"What I actually think is that you guys don't have any capacity to talk about that in a legitimate way, so I'm going to stop talking about it," said Roy Blunt (R, MO) on Tuesday to a reporter at an event in Strafford, MO

To refresh your memory, apparently THIS is how Roy Blunt talks "that" in a legimate way.

ps- Even though The Washington Post reports that Roy Blunt was born in Niangua and Blunt confirms that claim, he has not produced a birth certificate proving it. However, we have no reason not to believe that he is an American citizen.

Blunt did tell SN-L reporter Chad Livengood that, if requested, he would produce his original birth certificate to prove he was born.

The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers Trade-Ins:

1. 1998 Ford Explorer
2. 1997 Ford Explorer
3. 1996 Ford Explorer
4. 1999 Ford Explorer
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
6. Jeep Cherokee
7. 1995 Ford Explorer
8. 1994 Ford Explorer
9. 1997 Ford Windstar
10. 1999 Dodge Caravan
Here's where we spend our money.

Springfield Launches New Website

The City of Springfield has just informed the Bus that it has launched its redesigned Web site with improved design and navigation features designed to make it easier for citizens to access information and interact with City Council and City staff.

The Web address remains the same at: www.springfieldmo.gov

The new site design is based on the most popular features citizens use. It is organized into five basic categories: Services; Government; Community: Newcomers; and the Site Map.

Citizens can access the most commonly requested information directly from the homepage via topics under "Most Popular" and "I Want To" headings. More prominently displayed on the homepage are City news releases; City Bid status; real-time traffic updates; and City job openings.

The homepage also includes links to CityConnect, the city's "blog" where meeting and event summaries, documents and videos are posted by topic, and CityView, which links to the City's video services ranging from coverage of public meetings to special programming.

From the homepage, citizens also can sign up for the new Nixle community information network or the City's Twitter accounts to receive direct information via Web, e-mail or text messages.

Many pages on the site include a right-hand column of contact information designed to connect citizens directly with the department or staff member responsible for a particular service as well as related links to information on the City's site and other public or non-commercial Web sites.

The site's design also includes ADA Web-usability improvements to aid individuals who use screen readers or other assistive technology.

Citizens who need assistance navigating the new site or updating their bookmarks are encouraged to call (417) 864-1010 or e-mail: city@springfieldmo.gov

Bountiful Harvest From Your Garden? Drop Off Your Fresh Produce At These Locations:

Harvest on Wheels
The following addresses have boxes for people to drop off fresh produce donations:
- Greene County Democratic Party Headquarters, 1764 S. Fremont Ave.
- Community Christian Church, 910 W. Battlefield Road
- National Avenue Christian Church, 1515 S. National Ave.
- David and Vicky Trippe, 616 E. Loren St.
- 1332 S. Kentwood Ave.
- 756 S. Pickwick Ave.
- 1050 W. State St.
- 626 S. Weller Ave.
- 1022 N. Rogers Ave.
- 5120 S. Winslow Court
- 3621 S. Mentor Ave.
- 3526 S. Welwood
- 2229 E. Bancroft St.
- 5156 S. Hazel Drive

For more information about joining the neighborhood produce gathering initiative of Harvest on Wheels, contact Vicki Trippe at 865-6333. For more information about the farmers market collection effort, contact Linda Bossi at 890-1079.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors....

Frequent riders will know that this garden issue has generated a lot of discussion, both on the bus and the Jackehammer.

I didn't get a paper Monday morning while I was down at the lake so I didn't see the story until this morning.

While there is nothing more dated than yesterday's newspaper, I read this article by Chad Livengood and wanted to share it with the bus riders.

No government interference, no zoning law changes, no variances, no permits, no preaching, no politics; just neighbors helping neighbors.

Program gets food from garden to tables
Volunteers collect donated produce for food pantries.
Chad Livengood • News-Leader • August 3, 2009

Last summer, Springfield Ad Club members and local master gardeners joined a national effort to plant an extra row of vegetables in their gardens at home to donate to the poor.

While being an idealistic way to combat local hunger, the program had one major snag: getting the fresh produce from people's gardens to the dinner tables of the needy.

"You're not going to drive across town to deliver one cucumber and two squash," says Vicki Trippe, an avid gardener from Springfield.

In response to the inconvenience, Trippe and members of the Greene County Democratic Party organized a network of volunteers this spring to use their homes as drop-off points for fresh produce in neighborhoods across Springfield.

Each volunteer has a box on their front porch for neighbors to drop off their extra produce.

Those volunteers then deliver the fresh produce in large quantities throughout the week to their nearest food pantry, Ozarks Food Harvest, The Kitchen's food warehouse at 421 E. Blaine St. or Bill's Place, a drop-in center for the homeless on Commercial Street.

The effort is called Harvest on Wheels, and organizers say it's become an immediate success, generating more than 2,600 pounds of fresh produce in June and July for The Kitchen's food pantry and soup kitchen alone.

Convenient, "energy efficient"
By centralizing the delivery of the locally grown food, it's making the Ad Club and master gardeners' Ozarks Harvesting Hope initiative more efficient and convenient for people who have extra produce to donate but don't have time to take it to a food pantry, Trippe said.

"It's trying to be energy efficient and it's trying to help people who need food," said Trippe, who coordinates the neighborhood volunteer network.

Harvest on Wheels also has formed partnerships with farmers at the Battlefield Mall farmers market. Each Saturday, a team of volunteers goes to the mall parking lot and solicits donations from farmers who have leftover produce from the week's sales.

"They're wanting us to pick up excess so it doesn't go to waste," said Linda Bossi of Springfield, who coordinates the farmers market pick-up each Saturday. "I've been so amazed at the giving spirit."

Farmers have always been willing to donate their extra food but have had no way in the past of getting it to food pantries in an efficient manner. Harvest on Wheels has streamlined the donation process, Bossi said.

Bossi said organizers would like to expand the program to other farmers markets outside of Springfield and in surrounding counties in southwest Missouri.

Churches reach out
At the First Unitarian Universalist Church on East Battlefield Road, the congregation has turned up a section of the church's lawn this year to create a "Victory Garden," with the intent of growing most of the produce to feed Springfield's less fortunate citizens.

"It came as a prompt from the Obama administration to plant a row for the hungry with the economy down and so forth," said Mike Brown of Springfield, who tends a small plot of tomatoes, peppers, onions, lettuce, squash and beets.

Other members of the environmentally aware and service-oriented church have planted beans, zucchini, watermelon, butternut squash, banana peppers and potatoes, Brown said.

Brown and his wife, Claudia, drop off their produce a couple of times a week in a container on Trippe's front porch.

"We're just having fun with it, and every little bit helps," Mike Brown said.

Trippe also has used her church, Community Christian, as a central drop-off point for congregation members to bring their fresh vegetables and fruit each Sunday. Organizers would like to get more churches involved.

Plentiful produce
Harvest on Wheels has generated more fresh produce for The Kitchen and its Missouri Hotel residents than ever before, said Sarah McCullem, community development coordinator at The Kitchen.

In the past, local farmers have donated produce, "but nothing like the volume that we've seen this year," McCullem said.

Having fresh produce on hand has given Missouri Hotel residents a chance to learn more about healthy eating, McCullem said.

"They're learning how to utilize that produce," she said.

Trippe, a local Democratic activist, said the Greene County Democratic Party organized Harvest on Wheels as a community service project that can cross party lines. Organizers think the neighborhood collection boxes could be used to collect nonperishable canned food and toiletries during the non-growing months of the year.

"It doesn't have to be produce. It can be anything anyone wants to give. They can always use toilet paper and paper towels," Trippe said of The Kitchen.

Organizers attribute the immediate success of Harvest on Wheels to a growing number of Americans trying to adopt more self-sustaining lifestyles during one of the worst economic recessions in decades.

"This is a movement we desperately need, in my opinion," said Linda Palmisano, a member of the Ad Club's board of directors. "From the perspective of community building, I feel it's real important for people to feed each other at the local level."

Meanwhile, Down By The

Gravel Pits...

I Just Don't Get It, I Really Don't...

The World According To Chris Brewer has an interesting post regarding the conviction of Wisconsin man who was accused of killing his 11-year-old step-daughter by praying over her instead of seeking medical care. The man was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Read the comments, especially the first one.

I googled the step-father's name and found this website of his church. Is it really a sign from God if you flip a quarter and it comes up 'heads' nine times in a row?

"I pulled three quarters out of my pocket. I told her, “Let’s ask God to give us a sign. I am going to flip these and they are all going to come down heads, because this is Justin.” After we prayed, I flipped the quarters; and they all came down heads. She still was not convinced. I said, “I am going to do it again, and they are all going to come down heads.” I did, and they all came down heads again. She said, “Well, I don’t know, David.” I said, “OK, I am going to do this one more time, and then we are not going to tempt the Lord any more.” You guessed it! They all came down heads. What are the “chances” of nine heads in a row?"

I just don't get it either, Chris, I really don't.

Meanwhile, Fat Jack weighs in on truth.

Absolutely True Tale About A Talking Dog

Around these parts, when someone mentions 'talking dogs*', this comes to mind. Around here high class entertainment is sorta like pornography, you know it when you see it.

Brother John (Longrooffan) ran across an interesting talking dog tail he ascertains may be true. Read it here.

Bonus Question: On October 2, 1987 what company was awarded a 25 year lease by the US Army Corps Of Engineers to operate an excursion boat on Table Rock Lake from an adjacent 11.8 acres of land? Hint: Butterflies aren't free.

700 Miles Of Shore Line And They Got To Fish Next To Us

Late yesterday afternoon, the PvtRN and I were coved out on the pontoon in a sequestered cove on Bull Shoals lake, on the north side of the lake.

I knew it would be a good day on the lake when, as we were getting ready to put in, another boater made enough room on launch ramp for two boats to launch and motioned me that he left me space. I showed my appreciation and said I wasn't that good of backer and we weren't in any hurry.

I have been on launch ramps where people load their boats on the ramp or deflate their tubes while others are waiting to launch or put their boat on the trailer.

So this fisher was considerate of others and we appreciated that.

There are three little coves we like to hit on Bull Shoals. All of them are long and narrow and go quite a ways back into the bush country. All afternoon we had the arm to ourselves, only twice did bass boats come in and fish the cove. Both boats, when they saw our boat, left the cove.

Now, this is not a big cove, where we were the cove was not quite 35-40 wide, maybe 8 feet deep.

About 6 or so, we heard vehicles, we thought they might have been 4-wheelers or such, then we heard a kid say, "Dad, Dad, there's a boat down there!"

I hollered back, "Mom, Mom, there's people up there!"

The Dad laughed and he and his boys motored on down the trail. Actually I think they were bushwhacking because I didn't know there was a trail up there.

We still heard a motor running.

Then the PvtRn said there's two men up there.I mean to tell you, not 20 feet from where we were tied up, two men came up and started bank fishing the cove. There was no way they could not have seen our pontoon. They were just rude.

We left. We rationalized leaving by thinking we were going to follow the sun down to the launch ramp, which we did.

The PvtRn and I follow the code that if, and we did this when we had houseboat also, if someone is in a cove, we would go someplace else. If the lake was really busy and there were boats in every cove we went to, we would tie off to a tree as far away from the other boat so each boat could have some privacy, as such there is on the water where sound carrys.

To fish 20 feet away from a coved out boat is down right inhospitable!

Except for those two guys, we had a wonderful time at the lake!