Community Gardens aid charities
Community members can
garden in certain locations;
some produce is donated
to FOOD for Lane County
Tom Adams
Freelance Reporter
In a place where not everyone can
have access to gardening space, the
city of Eugene offers a unique experi
ence for gardening fans. The city’s
Parks and Open Space Division has
created the Community Gardens,
and at its five locations, people can
grow everything from produce to
flowers. In these fertile places, sun
flowers and marigolds may jostle for
space with kale and lettuce.
The gardens are located in
Whiteaker, at the end of Polk Street;
Mathews, at 15th Avenue and Hayes
Street; Amazon, at 28th Avenue and
High Street; River House, at 301 N.
Adams; and Alton Baker Garden, at
the east end of Alton Baker Park.
Volunteers in Parks Coordinator
Chris Girard said the city initiated
the garden program in 1978. Girard
said the goal of the gardens is more
than just good earth stewardship.
“Our goal is to provide a place for
friendship in a special environment,”
Girard said. “We want to provide a
quality gardening experience where
participants can enjoy the beauty of
the gardens in bloom. Many people
use the gardens to engage in creative
projects such as sketching, writing
and photography.”
The gardens have been so suc
cessful in the community that since
Election
continued from page 1
The Emerald was unable to reach
Tincher for comment at press time.
An Athletic Department staff
member sent an e-mail on a Uni
versity listserv endorsing Execu
tive candidates Christa Shively and
Greg Bae, and state funds — in
cluding University equipment and
staff salaries — may not be used to
endorse candidates or lobby for
partisan causes. But Hall said she
talked with the Athletic Depart
V
o
University of Oregon
Athletic Department
Marketing and Promotions
Internships Avaiiabie
Apply now for a volunteer
undergraduate internship for the
2003-04 academic year and
gain valuable experience in:
* Sports Marketing
* Event Management
* Advertising & Promotions
* Athletic Administration
* Special Event Coordination
* Sports Sponsorship
Applications and job descriptions available
now at the following locations:
Career Resource Center - 220 Hendricks
Business School Career Center - 271 Gilbert
Warsaw Sports Marketing Center - 212 Gilbert
Duniway Resource Center -134 Allen
Len Casanova Athletic Center
Application Deadline: Friday, April 25
For more information, call 346-4484.
The Amazon
Community
Garden is one of
several locations
where community
members are
allowed public
access to plant
flowers and
produce, some of
which is donated
to FOOD for Lane
County.
Adam Amato
Emerald
registration for this year’s growing
season began on March 17, 95 per
cent of the 215 available spaces
have been allotted.
As a result of this high demand for
gardening space, Girard said the
Parks and Open Space Division has
begun planning for two more com
munity garden sites, which would
add an additional 50 plots.
Each garden encourages organic
growing methods, and only natural
pest control techniques are allowed.
Chemical pesticides and herbicides
are not prohibited.
According to the gardens’ Web site,
composting is essential in maintain
ing healthy and fertile soil. Plot
renters also have the chance to learn
about various methods of compost
ing through free workshops, which
cover everything from the way com
posting works to what materials work
ment staff member who sent the e
mail and asked her to send a re
traction, which she immediately
did. Hall said this incident raised
serious concerns among members
of the campus community involved
in elections.
“There was something seriously
wrong with it because the ASUO
buys athletic tickets,” she said.
Executive candidates Maddy
Melton and Eddy Morales said they
are not going to file a grievance
against their opponents.
“We understand the people in
best. Glasses are led by certified Lane
County Extension Service compost
specialists and are held at River
House Compost Education Garden.
Alice Aiken and Bunny Lawson are
both gardeners at Amazon Garden.
They said they started gardening a
single plot in 1997 and generated
1,288 pounds of produce in their first
year. They have now created a food
contribution program, and in 2002
donated 2,423 pounds of produce to
FOOD for Lane County. Some of that
produce was donated surplus from
other members of Amazon Garden,
but the bulk of it came from their sin
gle plot, now set aside specifically to
grow produce for local charities.
“It’s a very rewarding experience,
and I think it makes a difference in
the attitude of the other gardeners
because the plot is a visual reminder
of the opportunity for other Amazon
gardeners to donate surplus from
their own plots,” Lawson said.
Lawson and Aiken’s crops in
clude zucchini, squash, potatoes,
carrots and onions. Lawson said she
uses natural control techniques
such as ladybugs, beer and mo
lasses to combat harmful pests such
as aphids and slugs.
Aiken said she also finds the expe
rience rewarding.
“Sometimes I feel like maybe I
should just donate money, but this is
far more meaningful,” Aiken said. “I
share produce with friends and fami
ly from my own plot. It’s part of the
gardening experience.”
Community members interested
in renting a plot can call 682-4800 or
contact Chris Girard at 682-4845.
Tom Adams is a freelance writer
for the Emerald.
volved are not closely involved in
the elections process,” Melton said.
“But it’s unfortunate that we didn’t
have equal access to the listserv.”
Andries, Gilmore and Jenkins,
law students running for different
positions in the election, filed a
grievance with the ASUO Constitu
tion Court against the Elections
Board, requesting relief from the
general election dates. The three
candidates alleged the election
takes place during the law school’s
Dead Week, violating a rule in the
ASUO Constitution. The court’s offi
cial opinion, however, was that the
law school doesn’t technically
schedule a Dead Week, and it dis
missed the grievance.
“It was impossible for us to rule
any other way,” Justice Michael
Harris said. “There was no constitu
tional problem.”
Despite the controversies, Hall
said she thought it unlikely that
more grievances would be filed, as
the election ends today.
Contact the senior news reporter
atjenniferbear@dailyemerald.com.
016267
Need committed and creative student volunteers
to advise the University Health Center regarding
programs, services, finances, and health insurance.
Student advisors will spend about 1-2 hours per
week as members of the evolving Student Health
Advisory Committee (SHAC) and will guide the
University Health Center in promoting a healthy
campus through the storm of health care reform.
Successful participants will gain an in-depth
understanding of health care delivery and its
financing, will learn about the health issues of college
students, and will develop interpersonal skills and
confidence.
Routine meetings are scheduled at 3 p.m. Fridays,
allowing members to plan their class schedules
accordingly.
Applications can be picked up at the
University Health Center front desk.
Completed applications should be
submitted to the University Health Center
Director's office by May 2.
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
Health Center
Please call 346-4447 for more information.
OK OREGON