Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day

This, Saturday, October 27 is Make A Difference Day.  Volunteer projects are being planned all over town including in the Lansing and Northgate Neighborhoods.

 

In Lansing, neighbors will be planting 25 trees, spreading hog fuel and cleaning up Eastgate Basin Park from 9 am to noon.  SEE FLYER.

In Northgate, neighbors will winterize the Northgate Peace and Forgiveness Garden, spread bark and pick up litter from 10 am to 2 pm.  SEE FLYER.

Neighborhood Partnership Applications Due November 1

Neighborhood Partnership Applications Due November 1

Anyone with an idea on how to improve their part of Salem is encouraged to apply to become the 2013/2014 Neighborhood Partnership Area.  The application deadline is Thursday, November 1 at 5:00 pm.  Applications are available HERE or at City Hall, Room 305.  READ MORE.

Fall Leaf Haul

Fall Leaf Haul

The Fall Leaf Haul will take place on Saturday, December 1 from 9 am to 3 pm.  The leaf collection program provides Salem residents (no commercial landscapers, please) a means to compost their leaves and grass clippings.

Food or cash donations for the Marion-Polk Food Share and Parks Tradition Fund will be accepted.  The sites are being organized and staffed by neighborhood associations and other volunteers. 

The sites are located at the State Fairgrounds (Silverton Road at Lana Avenue NE), Sprague High School (2373 Kuebler Road S) and Wallace Marine Park (200 Glen Creek Road NW). 

Seniors and disabled citizens may call Center 50+ at 503-588-6303 for assistance in transporting bagged leaves to a collection site. 

For more information, or to volunteer at a collection site, call 503-589-2195.

Fostering Hope Initiative Closing the Gap Summit

 Fostering Hope Initiative Closing the Gap Summit

Help change the odds for Oregon's children by attending the Fostering Hope Initiative Closing the Gap Summit 2012.  

When: Thursday, November 1, 2012

Where: Salem Conference Center

Benefit to Attendees: Learn to develop and refine a theory of change that is grounded in science and leads to breakthrough outcomes for vulnerable children, youth and their families.

Who should attend: Educators, Healthcare Practitioners, Social Service Providers, Legislators and Policymakers, Faith and Business Leaders, Philanthropists, and others interested in optimal development of vulnerable children, youth, and their families. 

Teams: Because time will not allow us to repeat the four workshop sessions, we encourage you to bring a team of at least four people so that someone from your organization or community can be in each workshop.  However, it is not necessary to attend as a team. In the session for facilitated small groups, there will be both teams and unrelated groups gathered to work on developing and refining your Theory of Change and stretch outcome goals.

SEATING IS LIMITED, RESPOND EARLY.

READ MORE and register. 

Potential Money for your Playground

Potential Money for your Playground

Are you planning to give your playground some TLC on Make A Difference Day next Saturday, October 27? Tell KaBOOM! about it and become eligible to receive $750 gift card from KaBOOM! and Let's Play to help with future projects!   LEARN MORE and apply.

Marion-Polk Food Share Garden Survey

Marion-Polk Food Share Garden Survey

If you participated in a community garden this year, as a gardener, volunteer or coordinator, you are invited to participate in a brief survey.  The survey takes 5 minutes to complete, it’s anonymous, and you can skip any questions you’d rather not answer.  Follow this LINK to continue.

Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2013-14 through 2017-18

Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2013-14 through 2017-18

Preparation of the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is now underway.  A CIP is a five-year plan for financing major public assets based on City-adopted master plans, goals and policies.  The purpose of a CIP is to match scarce financial resources with the capital needs of a growing community and to preserve or enhance existing capital assets to provide efficient city services.  A capital project creates, improves, replaces, repairs or permanently adds to City assets including:  land, site improvements, parks, buildings, streets, bike paths, bridges, utility improvements and major equipment and hardware purchases.

Once the Preliminary CIP Report has been submitted to the City Council in December 2012, the report will be made available online for public review and comment.  Individuals and Neighborhood Associations can participate in the capital planning process by reviewing the Preliminary CIP, providing testimony at the public hearing, and alerting staff to new issues that may require a capital project.  The 2012/13-2016/17 Capital Improvement Plan and Issue Identification Form  are just a few of the resources you will find on the Capital Improvements Program Web Page.

If you need assistance, please contact Debby Garrison at 503-588-6040.

City Crime Stats Posted

Crime Stats Posted

The monthly crime statistics for September have been posted HERE.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 503-588-6175.  You can also keep up with recently reported crimes through www.crimereports.com.  Simply type in the address and city and state.

Neighborhood Association Board Member Guide Updated

Neighborhood Association Board Member Guide Updated

This guide for all Neighborhood Association Board members, and anyone interested in learning more, has just been updated.  View it HERE.

Class on Crop Rotation and Companion Planting

Class on Crop Rotation and Companion Planting

This Sunday, October 14 from 1 to 3:00 pm, Marion-Polk Food Share will be holding the final workshop in their Healthy Gardens, Healthy People called, “Crop rotation and companion planting for your garden.”  

Presenters will be Peter Henry, Zena Farm Manager, and Jennifer Johns, Associate Director for Sustainable Agriculture Education at Willamette University.

Venue:  Willamette University’s Zena Farm

To attend: RSVP to imcdonald@marionpolkfoodshare.org or 503-581-3855 x329.

Directions provided after RSVP.

$5 suggested donation, not required.

Volunteers Needed for Salem Harvest

Volunteers Needed for Salem Harvest

Salem Harvest is looking for extra help for several large harvests. They need help filling boxes, lifting boxes and loading trucks. The harvests are planned for Oct. 13 (morning), Oct. 20 (timing TBD), and Nov. 3 (morning). If you can help, please contact Melody Parr at mparr@salemharvest.org. Salem Harvest donates half of what it brings in to MPFS to help feed local families in need.

National Feral Cat Day

National Feral Cat Day

In honor of this day, the Coalition Advocating for Animals will be sponsoring an informational seminar on the humane solution for Community/Stray Cats.  Learn about how you can be part of the solution to cat overpopulation in Salem.  

Tuesday, October 16 at the Salem Public Library

Lower Level – Plaza Room

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Learn about how you can be part of the solution to cat overpopulation in Salem

• How trap/neuter/return (TNR) efforts can make a difference

• Learn the truth about community/stray cats and how we can help

• Find out about affordable and accessible spay/neuter and TNR programs

This program is sponsored by the Coalition Advocating for Animals (CAFA)

For more information email: cafa2013@yahoo.com or see the flyer.

Seeking Comments on Salem Stormwater Report

Stormwater Report Comments Welcome

The City of Salem invites the public to participate in the 14-day public comment period (from October 8 at 5 pm to October 22 at 5 pm) relating to the Annual Report for the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.

The MS4 Annual Report provides an update on the status of stormwater-related activities completed during the previous fiscal year.

Written comments may be submitted to Heather Dimke at: hdimke@cityofsalem.net or faxed to 503-588-6480. Comments can also be mailed directly to: Stormwater Services MS4 Annual Report Comments, 1410 20th Street SE, Building #2, Salem, OR 97302

Seeking Urban and Community Forestry Award Nominations

Call for 2013 Urban and Community Forestry Award Nominations

Oregon Community Trees (OCT) annually honors outstanding individuals and organizations for their leadership and accomplishments in advancing urban and community forestry projects and activities in the state of Oregon.   

The OCT awards recognize powerful examples of inspirational individuals and organizations engaging citizens, promoting tree planting and quality tree care, raising awareness and knowledge about Oregon's trees and forests, and protecting Oregon's urban and community forests to improve the quality of life in towns and cities around the state.

Nominations for the individual award can recognize citizens, volunteers, or non-profit, government or business employees. 

Nominations for the organization award can recognize citizen groups, non-profits, public agencies, and businesses.

All award nominations must include:

Name and contact information of the individual or organization.

A brief description of their accomplishments and reason for the nomination. Limit 250 words.

Names and contact information of two qualified references to verify the information

Name and contact information of the nominator.

Nominations must be received by February 1, 2013.

Please send nominations via email to Oregon Community Trees c/o Patricia Farrell, OCT Board Member:

pfarrell@cityofsalem.net

503-588-6211 x7489

For more information about Oregon Community Trees, visit our website.