Cover crop

Crimson clover planted last fall made for an excellent cover crop this year! Kept most of the weeds out and captured nitrogen from the air. We will cut and work back into the soil next week or so. Interested in community gardening? Contact Shannon at 503-315-1055 or stop by the Conservatory.

Pringle Creek Community Featured in 1000 Friends of Oregon Newsletter

A few weeks ago, we spent a gorgeous afternoon (one of the few sunny days in April!) with Craig Beebe and Eric Stachon of 1000 Friends of Oregon. Check out Craig's writeup in their latest Oregon Stories newsletter.

1000 Friends of Oregon is a wonderful organization that works to protect Oregon forests and natural areas and promote livable neighborhoods. The group has been around for over 35 years, and we are honored to be included in their latest newsletter focusing on walkable, livable communities.

Leslie Middle School Plant Sale

The Leslie Middle School gardening class will be selling plant starts all next week in the Pringle Creek Community greenhouse starting next Monday, April 4th from 10am to 12pm. They are selling lettuce, cilantro, and other varieties. Each 4" pot is only $.50 and contains several organic seed starts! All proceeds go toward their gardening classes and will help pay for raised beds at their school garden.

Please pass along this wonderful opportunity to support our local middle school gardening program!

Gardening Workshop Opportunities at Zena Farm

If you weren't able to sign up for our Urban Farmer Certification this year, check out these spring learning opportunities from Willamette University's Zena Farm:

Mid-Valley Green Awards

The 2nd Annual Mid-Valley Green Awards is April 9th at Salem Conference Center! Get your tickets from the Straub Center!

Painters Hall was nominated for Green Building of the Year. We will see you at the dinner!

Nature of Cities & Open House

Special Open House this Saturday at Noon! In response to last night's film, five homeowners are opening their homes to people interested in learning why a neighborhood that is beautiful and healthy to live in is so great, and what a home that integrates with nature looks and feels like.

Last night I presented at Salem Progressive Film Series, after the film "Nature of Cities." One of the data points I shared was

The trend towards community

Here's a nice nytimes article highlighting why people are drawn more and more to the idea of living in a community where neighbors know and look out for one another, share resources and spaces, and in general live happy and healthy lives together.

While Pringle Creek isn't co-housing, we have certainly borrowed from many of the values of co-housing; community gardens, tool library, Painters Hall, clustered houses, 12 acres of open space, and neighbors that know and care about one another...

From the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/realestate/06Wczo.html?_r=1

March 3, 2011

Co-Housing Group Plans for Shared Future

By LISA PREVOST

NEW HAVEN

A BOOK editor, two physicians, a nurse, a retired teacher, an organic gardener — the people

Another reason to walk!

This morning I saw a young woman walking her dog with her little son (no school, President's Day) while I was biking into work along the Leslie Middle School walking/bike path. I stopped and said, "Hi, did you know, there is a really great place to walk just over there?" (pointing to Pringle Creek). She said, "Actually, that's one of my favorite places to walk!!" She was headed that way.

It reminded me of when Julia McFerron told the Statesman Journal that Pringle Creek was her "Favorite Salem Secret." 
It also reminded me of another reason why, I think, we are naturally drawn to going for walks -- not only because it makes us feel good, it's healthy, it helps us get centered, but it also improves brain function...

http://nyti.ms/i4eQJt

From the New York Times

February 7, 2011

Fitness: A Walk to Remember? Study Says Yes

By PAULA SPAN

In healthy adults, the hippocampus — a part of the brain important to the formation of memories — begins to atrophy around 55 or 60. Now psychologists are suggesting that the hippocampus can be modestly expanded, and memory improved, by nothing more than regular walking.

Urban Farmer on Living Culture TV

Check out this episode of Living Culture TV devoted to our Urban Farmer Certification!

Thanks to Nate Rafn for featuring us on his wonderful tv series focusing on agriculture and food in the Pacific Northwest.

Salem-Keizer Sustainability Summit

You might be interested in this.... looks like a good lineup of topics and presenters.

We are presenting Pringle Creek in the 9am slot!

Salem-Keizer Sustainability Summit - Greening Our Communities

Date: March 8, 2011

Time: 07:30 AM - 01:30 PM

http://www.keizerchamber.com/community_events.asp

Event Description

Presented by: Portland General Electric


Sponsored by: Oregon Department of Energy, Marion County, City of Keizer, City of Salem, and Energy Trust of Oregon



Who Should Attend: 
Commercial Property Owners & Business Operators
Home Owners
Government / Public Works / School Maintenance
, Energy Industry Allies.



Join us, March 8th at the Keizer Civic Center, on a journey to incorporate sustainable practices in your business, home and community. Find out how you can minimize your impact on our environment. Meet local, State and regional experts on the trends, resources and opportunities available to help you "green" your business, home, and community. 


AGENDA:
7:30-8:00am: Registration and Continental Breakfast and Trade Show.

8:00am: Welcome Remarks by:

• Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher

• Salem Mayor Anna Peterson

8:15am: Keynote - 
JIM PIRO, Portland General Electric, CEO



9:00-10:00am: Breakout Session Choices:

• Sustainable Development - Building Green

• Going Green -Good for the Environment; Good for Business

• Innovative Technology: Vehicle Electrification

• Foods that Sustain - Growing Green

10:00-10:30am: Trade Show & Break
10:30-11:30am Second Breakout Session choices:

• Sustainable Development - Low impact practices

• Going Green -Show me the Money

• Foods that Sustain - Serving Green

• Innovative Technology: Renewable Energy Generation

11:30-11:45amTrade Show & Break, Lunch check-in/Registration


11:45-1:00pm Chamber Luncheon Keynote Speaker 

JACK GRAVE Chief Cultural Officer Burgerville



1:00-1:30pm Trade Show & Green Tours