With the support of the district council and her congregation (Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, pastored by the Rev. Gloria Roach-Thomas), Juliet created the Citizens for a Cleaner Community campaign. This past Wednesday, 3 residents (Juliet Mitchell, Earlene Smalley, and Sara Neale) and 2 Summit-U staffers hit Aurora Avenue with trash bags, work gloves, and ONE HOUR. The picture at the top of this post shows the litter we were able to pick up on Aurora, from Dale Street and only HALFWAY to St. Albans.

We are planning to meet on a regular basis, working on a different block each time. Be on the look out for flyers and details for the next community cleanup. We definitely need your help to build a cleaner, healthier and more vibrant community!

To attract the widest variety of birds, offer several birdfeeders with different foods. Remember to keep the feeders clean. Moldy and spoiled seed has led to severe disease outbreaks. Be careful when buying birdseed. Some brands contain inexpensive filler seeds, such as red millet, golden millet, buckwheat, rice, milo, rape seed, cracked corn, oats, canary seed, and flax seeds that most birds just won’t eat. The seed is wasted.

The best food for attracting the largest variety of birds is sunflower seed.  Black oil sunflower seeds have thin shells which are easy for birds to crack open and have a high fat content that is very beneficial, especially in winter. Striped sunflower seeds have thicker shells and are harder for some smaller birds to crack open. Shelled sunflower seeds avoid the problem of seed shell clean up, but are expensive and can spoil quickly. Put out no more than one or two days’ worth of the shelled seed. Safflower seed is thick-shelled and is enjoyed by cardinals, grosbeaks, doves, native sparrows, and chickadees. Corn and peanuts are also enjoyed by a variety of birds, but can spoil quickly, especially if wet. Fungi that may grow on corn and peanut seed produce aflatoxins, liver poisons that are fatal to birds. Suet feeders provide nourishment for the insect eaters during the winter, but also in spring and early summer when insect numbers are low.

Hummingbird feeders can be filled with a home-made solution. Add 1 cup sugar to 4 cups of boiling water. Cool. Do not use artificial sugars, because zero nourishment is provided. Be diligent about cleaning the feeder at least weekly to prevent disease. Red color on the feeders is very attractive to the hummingbirds; it is not recommended to color the feeding solution.

Trees and shrubs can provide food, shelter, and areas for nesting. Native plants will attract insects that our American birds feed upon. Dogwoods, such as the Pagoda dogwood, attract more than 90 species of birds. Sumac berries are eaten by over 95 species of birds. Consider planting annual and perennial sunflowers, goldenrods, big and little bluestem grass, Juneberries, wild grapes, viburnums, hawthorns, wild and choke cherry, elderberry, aronia, and raspberries. Evergreens provide year-round shelter. Wait until spring to deadhead your coneflowers, asters, and other flowers; the seeds provide winter food for many birds. Many of our ornamental crabapples have fruit that stays on the trees late into winter; one of winter’s most awesome sights is to see a herd of thirty wild turkeys up in your crabapple tree, enjoying a late winter feast of small fruit.

Even birds that don’t eat seeds will be attracted to a bird bath for drinking, as well as for bathing. Place the bath in a shady, cool location if possible, with trees or shrubs nearby. Change the water daily. To prevent disease, clean the bird bath weekly and also as needed. The bath should be no deeper than ½ to 1 inch at the edge, sloping to a maximum of 2 inches deep. Add a small amount of stone, gravel, or clean sand, especially if the sides of the bath are glazed or slippery. If you can install a pump to keep the water moving, the sound of dripping water will attract many birds. You can punch a tiny hole in a large container, hang it over the bird bath, and let water drip out slowly.

Bird houses are a fun project to share with a grandchild or neighborhood kid. Different size holes and boxes will attract different bird varieties. Check to see that the bird house has enough ventilation. One side should be hinged, so that you can thoroughly clean out the inside each year. Reinforce the opening with a baffle or ring to prevent squirrels, raccoons, and other predators from disturbing the nest. Short pegs or perches are not recommended, because they provide access for unwanted birds and predators. Place the bird house away from the commotion of the bird feeders.

Nesting material includes small sticks, leaves, straw, dry grass, 4-8 inch lengths of yarn or string, short lengths of human or animal hair, feathers, wool, and thin strips of cloth. Place the nesting material into a mesh bag and hang it on a tree.

Cornell University (http://www.birds.cornell.edu) has an excellent, informative bird web site. And if you make your yard really bird friendly, you can certify it as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation (http://www.nwf.org). Good luck attracting birds. May the local Audubon Society (http://www.saintpaulaudubon.org) flock to your yard.

Happy Gardening and Birding,        Joe Baltrukonis

*Joe Baltrukonis is a retired Navy Med Lab Technologist and has been a Master Gardener for 15 years. He was a leader in beginning the Gateway Trail Community Garden in Saint Paul. He writes a monthly gardening article for the Ramsey County Master Gardeners, which we will post here at www.summit-u.com.

Have you caught anyone in the act of being a terrific neighbor? Tell us about it!

In addition to some theater projects–flexing her playwright and director muscles–Jen has accepted a position as a youth worker at the Ain Dah Yung Center, an emergency shelter for Native American youth.

Best of luck to you, Jen!

Before we know it, the first warm day of spring will be upon us. As we excitedly throw open the windows without getting frostbite, we also realize how dusty, dirty, and cluttered our houses have become during the winter hibernation. We get the urge for spring cleaning, but how do we do this the cheapest and greenest way possible?

Identify toxic products!

Many household cleaning (or other) products  are considered hazardous. If you have kids or are worried about your health watch for words on the labels such as “caution,” ” warning,” ” danger,”  or “poison.”. These are  “Signal Words” and are required by law to be put on the labels of hazardous products.

Here are the ‘meaning’ of these signal words:

• Caution – mildly to moderately hazardous (not fatal if swallowed but the product may irritate the skin or make a person sick)

• Warning – moderately hazardous

• Danger – extremely hazardous, i.e., extremely flammable, corrosive or highly toxic

• Poison – highly toxic (harmful or fatal if swallowed)

Here are some of the ingredients that are considered toxic: Ammonia, Chlorine bleach, Methylene chloride, Formaldehyde, Sulfuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Formaldehyde, Sulfuric acid, Sodium hydroxide. Avoid these if possible. You should also stay away from aerosol sprays as they produce tiny droplets that are easily inhaled into the lungs and absorbed through the skin. Fragrances can also be toxic especially if they are made from synthetic chemicals. They are present not only in personal and beauty products, but also in cleaners, laundry products, and air fresheners. Synthetic fragrances can cause allergy and asthma attacks. In addition, the chemicals in fragrances are inhaled and absorbed into the skin and accumulate in the body over time.

Use plant based and biodegradable products or ingredients!

Look for cleaning products made from plant based and biodegradable products instead of petroleum based products. Buy fewer household chemicals and use multipurpose cleaners to avoid buying many specialty cleaners. Use single-ingredient products (baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt) that serve several functions. Sometimes muscle can replace chemicals. For example: try to dislodge a clog in a drain with a mechanical “snake”, scrub sink stains with an abrasive sponge or use a dandelion digger instead of weed killer.

If you want to save money and be safe from toxins  try to make a cleaner yourself! The ingredients below serve as the building blocks for safe home cleaning:

Baking Soda - Cleans and deodorizes. Softens water to increase the sudsing and cleaning power of soap. Good scouring powder.

Borax - Cleans and deodorizes. Excellent disinfectant. Softens water. Available in the laundry section of grocery stores.

Liquid Soap - Look for soap with non-synthetic, plant-based ingredients such as olive oil-based. Biodegrades safely and completely and is non-toxic. Available in grocery stores and health food stores.

Washing Soda - Cuts grease and removes stains. Disinfects. Softens water. Available in the laundry section of grocery stores, order at hardware stores or in pure form from chemical supply houses as “sodium carbonate.”

White Vinegar or Lemon Juice - Cuts grease and freshens.

Vegetable Oil - Works well when polishing and cleaning wood.

There are many websites where you can find recipes for homemade cleaning. Here are a couple below (courtesy of the Dakota County Website:

All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes

Recipe 1

• 1 teaspoon vegetable-oil based liquid soap
• 1 quart warm water
• A squeeze of lemon

Combine ingredients in a small bucket or spray bottle. Apply with a sponge or rag and wipe clean.

Recipe 2

• 1/8 cup washing soda
• 1 tablespoon vegetable-oil based liquid soap
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 2 gallons hot water

Mix ingredients in a pail. Apply with mop or cloth and wipe clean.

(For more ideas click HERE.)

Getting rid of stuff

Upon cleaning a lot of people find things in their home that they don’t need anymore. If you need to get rid of stuff remember to throw as little as possible to the trash!

1. Recycle whenever you can!  Click here for Eureka Recycling Guidelines (PDF).
   Recycling day in the Summit-University area is every Wednesday.  If you need recycling bins pick one up at the Summit-University Planning Council!
2. Sell or give away items to people who can find use for it.
3. Use Craigslist, the Twin Cities Free Market or ask around in your family, friends and neighbors!

HAVE A PRODUCTIVE SPRING CLEANING EVERYONE!

The first Community Chat will be held at the Rondo Community Outreach Library. On Monday, March 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm, residents will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Brenda Cassellius, the newly appointed Minnesota Commissioner of Education and State Representative Nora Slawick, the former Chair of Early Childhood Education.

Subsequent meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. at the Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice Street and Saturday, March 26, 10:30AM – 12:30 PM at the Rondo Library, 461 North Dale Street.

For more information about the meetings contact us or Representative Rena Moran.

Over the years that followed, Penumbra Theatre Company lived up to its mission of presenting artistically excellent productions that depict emotional, relevant, and valuable experiences from an African American perspective. It has achieved national recognition for its quality productions and leadership role in launching the career of many respected playwrights, including two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson.

As Penumbra has grown, so has its impact on the community. In addition to performing before 40,000 people of all backgrounds every year, Educational and Outreach activities impact more than 5,000 students each year. Penumbra employs more actors, choreographers, dancers, directors, and administrators of color than all other theatres in Minnesota combined.

Today, Penumbra Theatre Company is Minnesota’s only professional African American theatre, and is one of only three professional African American theaters in the nation to offer a full season of performances. Under Bellamy’s quarter century of continuous leadership, Penumbra has stayed on the cutting edge of the national theatre scene and continues to present groundbreaking productions.

Check out the Penumbra Theatre Company production of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Guthrie Theater from February 10th to March 6th. Click here for ticket information.

The Funfest is free, it’s fun, and we’ll have loads of great information about home energy programs, rebates, limited-time no-interest deferred home improvement loans for Saint Paul residents, plus games, face painting, inflatable rides, and fresh, hot popcorn.

Saint Paul families who attend the event can take part in a short, entertaining home energy workshop titled “Attack of the Phantom Load.”  By attending this workshop, Saint Paul residents are eligible to receive the ever-popular Home Energy Squad visit for just $30. That’s a $50 discount, made possible by a grant that will end this spring.

We also need volunteers! Please send interested folks to Ms. Mee Cheng for great volunteer assignments.

Each year we remember Dr. King, the focus is almost entirely on whether or not we’re “living the dream.” And that lets us off the hook in a big way. Obviously racial tensions, though still powerful and present in many places, are not as dangerous as they were in the 1960s. By comparison, we’ve certainly come a long way.

But we don’t honor this great American because he dreamed of a brighter tomorrow. We honor him because he put his hand to the plow and devoted his life to racial and economic equity. A young, charismatic preacher from Georgia used all of his talents to help create the world he wanted to live in.

And that is our call here at Summit-U. We want to use our talents and passions to help create the neighborhood you want to live in. We want you to bring YOUR talents and passions to the table. There are several opportunities to volunteer with us. Or you can tell us what’s going on that you think we should be a part of. We’re in this together.

But let’s not dream about it. Let’s BE about it!

This year we want to hold even more events to bring neighbors together, getting to know each other better, and learning about all the cool stuff that happens in this amazing place of ours. We want to share information more broadly, with more people. And we want to know how to get more of you involved in community leadership.

I’m excited to start rolling out the plans we have for 2011. Stay tuned! And please, feel free to leave us a comment or email me at irna@summit-u.com with your suggestions.

Have a wonderful year!