National Cemetery Neighbors and Friends

Sample of short takes to run starting Sunday on Public Access Television in Fayetteville AR: Come do your own between 5 and 6 Monday or 11 a.m. to noon Thursday. Free for residents of Fayetteville AR

2012-02-16T23:53:00.002-06:00

Agenda for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation at American Legion Hut on S. Curtis Avenue between 15th St. and E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville, Arkansas

2012-02-10T22:56:00.003-06:00

For recent photos from Fayetteville National Cemetery and surrounding area, please see part three of National Cemetery friends and neighbors set of photos on Flickr.

Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation
   Post Office Box 4221
   Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702

   AGENDA

Meeting Called to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

Minutes of the January 2012 Meeting

Treasurers Report

Web Master Summary

   OLD BUSINESS

Other Old Business?

NEW BUSINESS
Land Acquisition Plan (Discuss - Approve?)

Business Initiative Proposal (Wes Stites)

Status of Brantley Property Negotiations

Annual August Report to State of Arkansas (2008/2009/2010)

Other New Business ?
How about a discussion of the monstrous 4-story student apartments about to be built next to the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Please click on image below to see layout of the plan.

THE NEXT RNCIC MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

2012-02-03T14:14:00.000-06:00

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

P.O. BOX 4221

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702

Minutes from the January 14, 2012, Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Harold Crivello offered the prayer. Minutes of the December meeting were approved. The December 31, 2011, Financial Statement was approved with an ending balance of $37,597.57. There were 10 members present.

OLD BUSINESS

5K RACE

Final net proceeds from the 5K race were $6,005.57. Merle expressed thanks to Wes for all the work he did for the race. Roger suggested that for the next race we get a television station sponsorship resulting in additional TV coverage. Ron reminded that the application for Academy Sports sponsorship be turned in as soon as possible this year.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Jake reported for the Nominating Committee that the following 12 names be nominated for the Board. Merle Williams, Virginia Middleton, Aubrey Shepherd, Harold Crivello, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Ron Butler, Wes Stites, Budd Saunders, Beverley Swaim, Lorna Sterrett, and Jake Lamkins. The vote was unanimous.

The 12 Board members drew slips indicating their term of service on the Board. They are: One Year Term - Wes Stites, Jake Lamkins, Lorna Sterrett, and Peggy McClain. Two Year Term - Budd Saunders, Harold Crivello, Ron Butler, and Aubrey Shepherd. Three Year Term - Merle Williams, Roger McClain, Beverley Swaim, and Virginia Middleton.

The Board of 12 members then elected the Officers for the 2012 year. They are Ron Butler, President; Merle Williams, Vice President; Lorna Sterrett, Secretary; and Harold Crivello, Treasurer.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH VA

Ron read his letter of Dec. 27, 2011, to Lynn Harrison, Reality Specialist with the VA, with the current status of RNCIC acquisitions and questions regarding contiguous properties and whether or not the VA could help with a grant or funds to purchase properties.

In a telephone conversation of Jan. 10, 2012, between Lynn Harrison and Ron Butler, regarding the acceptance of non-contiguous properties, she confirmed that properties do not need to be contiguous, so the purchase of lots 20 and 20A would be acceptable. It is very doubtful that the VA would provide a grant to the RNCIC; the VA may purchase those properties directly sometime later.

Ms. Harrison said a “Task Order” is being prepared to accomplish the “Due Diligence” for Lots 15-18. This means VA personnel will come to Fayetteville to do an environmental survey, a neighborhood survey, and verify the land titles and survey. No date was given, but it appears it may be sooner than we thought. This is the first step in having lots 15-18 being transferred to the VA. When this part of the “due diligence” is completed, the package is then forwarded to the Department of Justice for their review and action. The time for this action is unknown.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion ensued regarding the next acquisition of property. The motion was made, seconded, and passed to start negotiation on properties 20 and 20A with the Brantley family heirs.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. If members have any items to be discussed at the February meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorna Sterrett, Secretary

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.

RNCIC Board discusses making offer for yellow house with large adjacent lot where Hill Avenue turns into Ellis Avenue at 11th Street intersection

2012-01-28T18:42:00.000-06:00

SUBJECT: Negotiations for Lots 20 & 20A

TO: 2012 Board of Directors

At the January 2012 RNCIC meeting, I received the board’s approval to begin

negotiations for the subject properties and subsequently called the principal owner, Mr. David Brantley. He affirmed that both he & his sister (the only heirs) wish to sell the lots as soon as possible. I requested an “asking price” and his response was $60,000.00.

I asked if there was anyone locally who had access to the house; he did not know of anyone. Some time ago, he had given a key to a person who was interested in buying the property but never got the key back. He described the house as two bedrooms, built on a cement block foundation with foam insulation under metal siding and a crawl space, but no central air or heat. Reportedly, there are some items of property remaining in the house to include gas space heaters, maybe a refrigerator, plumbing fixtures, a ‘spool bed’ & buffet that his sister has an interest in, and perhaps more items.

His local representative will be the Niblock Law Firm, that he will soon hire to handle the sale of the property. However, I would like to purchase directly from the owners, as we did when we bought Lot 18, without incurring the extra cost of an attorney. A person who has previously done these direct buyer-to-seller transactions for the RNCIC thinks it can easily be done again.

I request approval of the Board of Directors to make an offer of $52,500.00 cash, plus a Letter of Donation-in- Kind, in the amount of $7,500.00, for a total offer of $60,000.00.

The RNCIC presently has a bank balance of $37,500.00. If Mr. Brantley accepts our offer of $52,500.00, we will have a deficit of $15,000.00. Although this deficit is significant, I have been assured that the RNCIC can obtain a $15,000.00 loan from a private

individual, renewable for up to three years, for interest of just $1.00 per month.

Obviously, the stated interest amount is very good for the RNCIC.

In the event our offer is not accepted, negotiations should take place until both the seller & RNCIC arrive at an agreeable price. Any agreed upon purchase price greater than $37,500.00 will result in a larger shortfall than the $15,000.00 stated above and will require discussions with the private individual to obtain the necessary funds.

In summary, the owners are very interested in selling the property to save their continuing costs of taxes, insurance, and property maintenance. I sincerely doubt that the RNCIC will ever again have the opportunity to obtain this much property for this price.

We will also need to investigate selling and moving the house, rather than demolishing it. It is in good condition compared to the others that we have purchased, and even if we have to donate the house, we can significantly reduce the cost of clearing the lots.

If you agree with the process outlined above, please send your ‘YES’ vote, or if you disagree, your ‘NO’ vote to Lorna at lornasterrett@yahoo.com . Your questions and/or comments are also welcomed. Please reply no later than Friday, 3 February 2012.

If there are sufficient ’YES’ votes to further pursue this matter, I will call a Special Board Meeting as soon as possible to finalize this action and continue negotiations for the purchase of Lots 20 & 20A.

Thank You for Your Consideration,

/S/

Ronald L. Butler

President, RNCIC

First burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery since apartment-developer's fence went up on the former Washington County Livestock Auction property to prevent access to the construction site for four-story buildings. For decades, visitors to the cemetery were allowed to park on a portion of the land

2012-01-25T18:02:00.003-06:00

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of mourners' cars parked on Government Avenue, National Street and in the cemetery's driveway. Gotta wonder what a soldier's burial service will be like when the construction trucks and machines dominate the area and next August 15 when the students are expected to move into the apartments. And notice the trail in the riparian zone as an example of another instance of city-required paving of important wetland that currently helps protect the Beaver Lake watershed.

North is up in this drawing. The trail is shown running near the edge of the Tanglewood Branch and the national Cemetery is along the bottom borders of the drawing.

Aerial view from above MLK Jr. Blvd (right bottom) and S. School Ave. (lower left) In 2010, the VA contractors expanding the cemetery to new land (middle right) rented part of the sale-barn property's wetland pasture to store material (reddish center of photo).

Short takes on Cox 218 and AT&T channel 99 something for today through the weekend

2012-01-16T01:21:00.002-06:00

RNCIC meeting 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012

2012-01-12T13:32:00.002-06:00

  REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION
                                                                                                 &nb sp;
Post Office Box 4221

Fayetteville, Arkansas

14 January 2012

AGENDA
Meeting called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
Minutes of December 2011 meeting
Treasurer's Report

OLD BUSINESS
Any remaining business from 2011 5 KM Race
Land Acquisition Plan (5 yr average donations by month)
Report from Nominating Committee
Other Old Business

NEW BUSINESS
Next acquisition of property
Review letter to VA & telephonic response
Election of officers
Other new business

Motion to adjourn

NOTE: additional items may be added during the meeting

Foggy Morning blues: Sale-barn reduced to rubble, huge oak destroyed beside National Cemetery, leaving squirrel homeless and confused

2012-01-11T11:19:00.001-06:00

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE. See more related photos on Flickr Fayetteville National Cemetery set of photos at this permanent link.

Planning officials require preservation of only one big oak across Government Avenue from National Cemetery

Squirrel climbs surviving tree after inspecting downed tree whose hollow provided safe haven

Why was this spectacular example of urban habitat destroyed?

KUM & Go store official tells city council project has to be done their way or the plan to put a store at MLK Jr Blvd. and S. Hill Avenue will not be done

2012-01-05T16:56:00.002-06:00

December 20, 2011, meeting of Fayetteville AR city council draws comment on several important local issues on a 3-hour, 37-minute video

2012-01-01T02:28:00.000-06:00

Wreaths Across America big success at National Cemetery on Dec. 10, 2011

2011-12-17T10:01:00.005-06:00

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE. For many photos from Wreath Day 2011 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, please see bottom of page 3 on Fayetteville National Cemetery set on Flickr .

Park Board approves accepting money in lieu of land that will result in destruction of all habitat on Hollywood Prairie despite plea to preserve bit of wetland

2011-12-13T22:57:00.002-06:00

Combat Veterans donate $1,000 for expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery before start of Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 10, 2011

2011-12-10T09:39:00.004-06:00

Please click on image to ENLARGE:

The following events will take place at the FAYETTEVILLE NATIONAL CEMETERY on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2011.

There will be a special Executive Board Meeting (Ron, Lorna, Harold, Roger, Beverley) at 9:30 a.m. in the cemetery office building.

A brief general RNCIC meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the cemetery office building.

The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Riders will be presenting a check to the RNCIC outside the Cemetery gates at 10:30 a.m.

Wreaths Across America will take place at 11 a.m.

We hope to see as many as possible there!

Nature photos on next week's video include frost flowers from this week and last year

2011-12-02T23:36:00.000-06:00

Please click on image to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Coast Guard's new fast-response cutters named for enlisted heroes

2011-11-30T22:34:00.000-06:00

CGs Third Fast Response Cutter Launched

November 30, 2011

U.S. Coast Guard

WASHINGTON -- The Coast Guard announced Nov. 30 the launch of its third Sentinel-class, Fast Response Cutter, the William Flores, at Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La.
The launch of the William Flores into the waters of Bayou Lafourche marks a production milestone as the Fast Response Cutter readies for sea trials, delivery, crew training and eventual commissioning.
“The Coast Guard’s new Fast Response Cutters are national assets, unique to the United States and uniquely equipped to respond to all threats and all events in times of crisis,” said Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, chief of media relations for the U.S. Coast Guard. “The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters will be capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and operating in seas up to 18-feet. Armed with a 25-mm chain gun and four, .50 caliber machine guns, the speed, stability and firepower of the Fast Response Cutter deliver tremendous lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities in the same package. Like the Island-class patrol boats the Fast Response Cutters replace, the fleet of 58 Sentinel-class cutters will serve as the workhorses of America's littoral, maritime fleet.”

Seaman Apprentice William Flores, namesake of the cutter, posthumously received the Coast Guard Medal, the service’s highest award for heroism not involving combat, for his unselfish acts and sacrifice Jan. 28, 1980, following the collision between the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the tanker Capricorn. Flores and another crewmember threw life jackets to their shipmates who had jumped into the water. Later, when his companion abandoned ship as the Blackthorn began to submerge, Flores, who was less than a year out of boot camp, remained behind and used his belt to strap open the life jacket locker door, allowing additional life jackets to float to the surface. Even after most crewmembers abandoned ship, the 19-year-old Flores remained aboard Blackthorn to assist trapped shipmates and to comfort those who were injured and disoriented. Seaman Apprentice William Ray “Billy” Flores and 22 other Coast Guardsmen perished as the Blackthorn capsized and sank near the entrance of Tampa Bay, Fla. Twenty seven of his shipmates survived.
After commissioning, the William Flores will be homeported in Miami, with a crew of 24 to conduct alien migrant interdiction operations, port, waterways and coastal security patrols, search and rescue and national defense missions.
Named for enlisted Coast Guard heroes, Fast Response Cutters have an overall length of 154 feet, a beam of 26 feet and are capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots. The Fast Response Cutter also features a stern launch ramp for rapid and safe deployment of its 7.9-meter small boat. The William Flores is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned in 2012.

Ron Butler, president of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, announces meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday before the Wreathes Across American ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

2011-11-28T18:46:00.001-06:00

Agenda for RNCIC Meeting, 10 Dec at Fayetteville National Cemetery‏

From:	Lorna Sterrett (lornasterrett@yahoo.com)
Sent:	Fri 12/02/11 9:28 AM
To:	Aubrey Shepherd (aubreyshepherd@hotmail.com); Beverley Swaim (coffeeBAS@aol.com); Budd Saunders (nsaunder@uark.edu); Charles Williams (rosieboat@yahoo.com); Chris Turner (Christine.Turner@cem.va.gov); Don Foster Commander AL 27 (dfos59@hotmail.com); Freddie Boaz (fboaz@co.washington.ar.us); G. Leonard McCandless (omm@arkansas.net); Gene McVay (genemcvay@aol.com); Ginger Middleton (vymiddleton@juno.com); Gloria S. Bailey (gloria.s.bailey@va.gov); Harold Crivello (sunshinegal@cox.net); Jake Lamkins (jake@lamkins.com); Jeremy Johns (jjohns@uark.edu); Jim Rose III (drblues40@yahoo.com); Joe Kerr (joseph.kerr@prgx.com); Joshua Sakon (jsakon@uark.edu); Kate Williams (drkatewilliams@aol.com); Larry Delashmet (LDelash511@aol.com); Leona Wilson (MSLEA@cox.net); Lorna Sterrett (lornasterrett@yahoo.com); Melissa Lee (melissa.lee@tyson.com); Merle Williams (merlerwilliams@cox.net); Nick and Betheny Donahoe (deltaEagle4@yahoo.com); Peggy McClain (pbmcclain@cox.net); Richard Richards (rards@uark.edu); Roger McClain (rmcclain46@cox.net); Ron Butler (wedunit@att.net); Sue Graham (srgraham3@gmail.com); Wes Stites (wstites@uark.edu)

Hi All - Here is the proposed agenda for a very short RNCIC meeting (To be held
at the Director's Building at the Fayetteville National Cemetery; time to be announced)

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

Review minutes of October meeting

Treasurer's Report
Gift of $20,000
Other gifts

OLD BUSINESS
Recap of the 5K Race (Wes)
Other Old Business?

NEW BUSINESS
Membership (we have 13 paid memberships- where are the rest?)
Next meeting 14 Jan 2012 at Legion Post 127; 10:30
Other new business?

ADJOURN

From: Ronald Butler wedunit@att.net

On Saturday, 10 December, the local Chapter of 'Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Riders' will present a donation to the RNCIC. Here are the details:
* The donation event will take place just outside the Front Gate of the
Fayetteville National Cemetery, beginning at 9:00. At the conclusion of the
donation event, the RNCIC will have a very short meeting (perhaps 15 minutes);
therefore I'd like to have as many of our members present as can make it. The
more the better !!!
* The 'Wreaths Across America' Ceremony begins at 10:00 (I expect up near
the Installation Flagpole), so we should have adequate time for the meeting.
* If you've attended this event in years past, you know reasonably close
parking will be at a premium, so I suggest coming a little earlier than 9:00.
I'll have a very short agenda ready for distribution in the next day or so.(Hope
the weather will be OK - if not, we may cancel the meeting). The Nominating
Committee will have met & established a slate of candidates for the 2012 RNCIC
election at the 14 January meeting. If not, perhaps you can get that done also
on 10 Dec.
Thanks to You all,
Ron

Fayetteville Planning Commission reviews plans for projects that will affect Beaver Lake watershed and hears public comment on related issues

2011-11-23T09:59:00.002-06:00

Overall and class winners from Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, Veterans' 5K in Fayetteville AR

2011-11-14T15:17:00.000-06:00

Here you go!

Overall results, male and female and then results sorted by age division.

Thanks for all your help.

Wes

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

Veterans Memorial 5K

Age Group Results

November 12, 2011

Results By Fleet Feet Fayetteville

Men: 0-16 17-17 18-22 23-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-99
Women: 0-16 17-17 18-22 23-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-99

Overall Female Open Winners
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Kalani Holleman	Fayetteville	228	28	12	22:21.4

Top
Female 16 and under
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Kelsey Scroggins	Springdale	752	16	34	27:22.9
DNF	Rachel Duplanti	Huntsville	775	8	94	-

Top
Female 18 to 22
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Sydney Wilson	Fayetteville	268	18	38	28:00.1
2	Margaret Gender	Fayetteville	219	19	42	28:04.0
3	Meg Anthony	Fayetteville	770	22	43	28:22.4
4	April Moore	Fayetteville	766	20	44	28:26.9
5	Kimberly Pierson	Fayetteville	249	21	63	31:33.5

Top
Female 23 to 29
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Allison Wolf	Fayetteville AR	767	25	31	26:37.0
2	Whitney Doramus	Little Rock	214	26	32	26:40.9
3	Nicole LaRocco	Rogers	234	26	41	28:03.2
4	Emily Timmons	Fayetteville	260	24	47	29:02.1
5	Julie Whittle	Fayetteville	267	26	54	30:23.3
6	Sarah Hood	Fayetteville	229	29	56	30:38.4
7	Ashley Newhall	Fayetteville	246	26	64	31:58.2
8	Alli Condra	Fayetteville	210	27	65	32:01.4
9	Samantha Shinbaum	Fayetteville	254	25	92	41:47.9

Top
Female 30 to 39
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Betsey Goering	Wichita	220	31	37	27:59.9
2	Jennifer Luttrell	Fayetteville	790	30	40	28:02.1
3	Tandi Taylor	Springdale	258	30	59	31:07.2
4	Amy Slone	Fayetteville	256	39	67	32:24.5
5	Jessica Lynch	Fayetteville	240	39	72	32:48.4
6	Kelly Smith	Fayetteville	774	36	73	33:06.8
7	Jennifer Hargis	Oronago	223	39	80	34:01.0
8	Mary Laughnan	Fayetteville	753	38	90	40:30.4
9	Crystal Duplanti	Huntsville	776	30	93	48:07.4

Top
Female 40 to 49
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Connie Townzen	Roger	262	47	25	25:29.1
2	Jo White	Mountain home	266	45	76	33:21.0
3	Laura Jackson	Fayetteville	232	48	84	36:27.9
4	April Rusch	Fayetteville	763	40	88	38:42.5
5	Susan Pennington	Springdale	771	49	89	40:29.6
6	Robin Cowan	Fayetteville	211	49	91	41:08.3

Top
Female 50 to 59
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Elizabeth Timmons	Fayetteville	261	50	46	28:47.9
2	Deanna Duplanti	Springdale AR	215	52	51	29:37.1
3	Margie Moldenhauer	Fayetteville	241	59	70	32:40.1
4	Patti Erwin	Fayetteville	218	55	75	33:14.5
5	Patricia Leach	Fayetteville AR	235	55	87	37:57.2

Top
Female 60 to 69
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Dona Montgomery	Fayetteville AR	243	66	55	30:24.1

Top
Overall Male Open Winners
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Kyle Schmidt	Siloam Springs	765	21	1	18:03.0

Top
Male 16 and under
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Quinn Simkins	Fayetteville	768	16	3	19:22.0
2	Bristol Hargis	Oronago	224	13	9	21:50.2
3	Andrew Lei	Springdale	236	11	39	28:01.6
4	Jonathan Wood	Bentonville	270	12	52	29:54.3
5	Abby Jackson	Bentonville	231	12	53	30:02.5
6	Brent Elliott	Rogers	216	12	60	31:10.9
7	Cole Hargis	Orange	756	11	68	32:25.0
8	Jay Haas	Fayetteville	786	16	77	33:27.5

Top
Male 18 to 22
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Isaac Gaff	Fayetteville	772	22	2	19:16.7
2	Miles Legire	Fayetteville	777	18	5	19:42.0
3	Andrew Van Genderen	Fayetteville	785	22	6	19:43.3
4	Reace Hudgeons	Simms	751	18	8	20:56.6
5	Sean Bryant	Greenwood	779	18	17	24:06.7
6	James Johnson	Van Buren	764	21	22	25:20.5
7	Janison Hofer	Ft. Calhoun	773	22	23	25:24.6
8	Aaron Mclarty	Rogers	781	21	27	25:40.5

Top
Male 23 to 29
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Craig Adams	Fayetteville AR	201	29	7	20:39.2
2	Andreww Turpin	Fayetteville	769	25	11	22:08.4
3	Jake Wofford	Fayetteville	269	23	13	22:45.8
4	Daniel White	Fayetteville	761	24	45	28:27.2
5	Andrew Pang	Fayetteville	760	25	48	29:03.3
6	Evan Shinbaum	Fayetteville	255	28	78	33:54.5
7	brandon thompson	gentry	259	27	79	33:54.8
8	marvin hogner	gentry	227	28	85	36:46.2

Top
Male 30 to 39
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Jonathon Goering	Wichita	221	36	24	25:28.3
2	Jake Van Lear	Springdale	264	34	26	25:30.2
3	Jimmie Clark	Fayetteville	209	39	35	27:43.2
4	Sergio Saucedo	Springdale	252	34	50	29:32.8
5	Glenn Newman	Fayetteville	247	39	58	31:00.2
6	Andy Lowry	Elkins	239	32	71	32:44.4

Top
Male 40 to 49
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Frank Arellano	Rogers AR	203	45	4	19:35.2
2	Jeff Amerine	Farmington AR	202	49	15	23:53.9
3	Peter Savin	Fayetteville	253	42	16	24:02.1
4	Christopher Scherry	Fayetteville	788	40	62	31:19.0
5	Charlie Collins	Fayetteville	780	48	74	33:13.2
6	David Bailey	Gravette	205	40	82	35:12.7
7	Darren Townzen	Rogers	263	46	83	35:40.7

Top
Male 50 to 59
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Greg Taylor	Berryville AR	758	54	10	22:01.1
2	drake rippelmeyer	Fayetteville AR	251	53	14	23:48.7
3	Randall Thompson	Fayetteville AR	783	53	18	24:27.4
4	Mike Nimmo	Goshen AR	759	53	19	24:32.7
5	Charles Halliburton	Rogers AR	222	52	20	25:10.5
6	Gordon Parham	Fayetteville	782	58	28	25:45.8
7	Robert Stocklose	Rogers	257	59	29	26:34.1
8	Robert Bacon	Fayetteville	204	55	33	26:56.2
9	Jeff Stone	Bentonville	784	52	36	27:44.1
10	Donald Branch	Moore	755	52	49	29:09.2
11	Joul Sexton	Fayetteville	754	57	86	37:39.2

Top
Male 60 to 69
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Harley Disheron	Hulberl	778	61	21	25:15.6
2	Jesse Cox	Fayetteville AR	212	67	57	30:41.1
3	Jim House	Fayetteville	789	63	66	32:16.9
4	Frank Hysell	Fayetteville AR	230	66	69	32:27.5
5	Roger Leivan	Columbus	757	66	81	34:01.2

Top
Male 70 to 79
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Karlton Naylor	Fayetteville AR	787	74	30	26:34.9
2	Koei Nakanishi	Farmington	245	76	61	31:17.6

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

Veterans Memorial 5K

Overall Finish List

November 12, 2011

Results By Fleet Feet Fayetteville

Female Finishers
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Gender	Age Group	Time
1	Kalani Holleman	Fayetteville	228	28	F	***** 23-29	22:21.4
2	Connie Townzen	Roger	262	47	F	1 40-49	25:29.1
3	Allison Wolf	Fayetteville AR	767	25	F	1 23-29	26:37.0
4	Whitney Doramus	Little Rock	214	26	F	2 23-29	26:40.9
5	Kelsey Scroggins	Springdale	752	16	F	1 0-16	27:22.9
6	Betsey Goering	Wichita	220	31	F	1 30-39	27:59.9
7	Sydney Wilson	Fayetteville	268	18	F	1 18-22	28:00.1
8	Jennifer Luttrell	Fayetteville	790	30	F	2 30-39	28:02.1
9	Nicole LaRocco	Rogers	234	26	F	3 23-29	28:03.2
10	Margaret Gender	Fayetteville	219	19	F	2 18-22	28:04.0
11	Meg Anthony	Fayetteville	770	22	F	3 18-22	28:22.4
12	April Moore	Fayetteville	766	20	F	4 18-22	28:26.9
13	Elizabeth Timmons	Fayetteville	261	50	F	1 50-59	28:47.9
14	Emily Timmons	Fayetteville	260	24	F	4 23-29	29:02.1
15	Deanna Duplanti	Springdale AR	215	52	F	2 50-59	29:37.1
16	Julie Whittle	Fayetteville	267	26	F	5 23-29	30:23.3
17	Dona Montgomery	Fayetteville AR	243	66	F	1 60-69	30:24.1
18	Sarah Hood	Fayetteville	229	29	F	6 23-29	30:38.4
19	Tandi Taylor	Springdale	258	30	F	3 30-39	31:07.2
20	Kimberly Pierson	Fayetteville	249	21	F	5 18-22	31:33.5
21	Ashley Newhall	Fayetteville	246	26	F	7 23-29	31:58.2
22	Alli Condra	Fayetteville	210	27	F	8 23-29	32:01.4
23	Amy Slone	Fayetteville	256	39	F	4 30-39	32:24.5
24	Margie Moldenhauer	Fayetteville	241	59	F	3 50-59	32:40.1
25	Jessica Lynch	Fayetteville	240	39	F	5 30-39	32:48.4
26	Kelly Smith	Fayetteville	774	36	F	6 30-39	33:06.8
27	Patti Erwin	Fayetteville	218	55	F	4 50-59	33:14.5
28	Jo White	Mountain home	266	45	F	2 40-49	33:21.0
29	Jennifer Hargis	Oronago	223	39	F	7 30-39	34:01.0
30	Laura Jackson	Fayetteville	232	48	F	3 40-49	36:27.9
31	Patricia Leach	Fayetteville AR	235	55	F	5 50-59	37:57.2
32	April Rusch	Fayetteville	763	40	F	4 40-49	38:42.5
33	Susan Pennington	Springdale	771	49	F	5 40-49	40:29.6
34	Mary Laughnan	Fayetteville	753	38	F	8 30-39	40:30.4
35	Robin Cowan	Fayetteville	211	49	F	6 40-49	41:08.3
36	Samantha Shinbaum	Fayetteville	254	25	F	9 23-29	41:47.9
37	Crystal Duplanti	Huntsville	776	30	F	9 30-39	48:07.4
DNF	Rachel Duplanti	Huntsville	775	8	F	2 0-16

Male Finishers
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Gender	Age Group	Time
1	Kyle Schmidt	Siloam Springs	765	21	M	***** 18-22	18:03.0
2	Isaac Gaff	Fayetteville	772	22	M	1 18-22	19:16.7
3	Quinn Simkins	Fayetteville	768	16	M	1 0-16	19:22.0
4	Frank Arellano	Rogers AR	203	45	M	1 40-49	19:35.2
5	Miles Legire	Fayetteville	777	18	M	2 18-22	19:42.0
6	Andrew Van Genderen	Fayetteville	785	22	M	3 18-22	19:43.3
7	Craig Adams	Fayetteville AR	201	29	M	1 23-29	20:39.2
8	Reace Hudgeons	Simms	751	18	M	4 18-22	20:56.6
9	Bristol Hargis	Oronago	224	13	M	2 0-16	21:50.2
10	Greg Taylor	Berryville AR	758	54	M	1 50-59	22:01.1
11	Andreww Turpin	Fayetteville	769	25	M	2 23-29	22:08.4
12	Jake Wofford	Fayetteville	269	23	M	3 23-29	22:45.8
13	drake rippelmeyer	Fayetteville AR	251	53	M	2 50-59	23:48.7
14	Jeff Amerine	Farmington AR	202	49	M	2 40-49	23:53.9
15	Peter Savin	Fayetteville	253	42	M	3 40-49	24:02.1
16	Sean Bryant	Greenwood	779	18	M	5 18-22	24:06.7
17	Randall Thompson	Fayetteville AR	783	53	M	3 50-59	24:27.4
18	Mike Nimmo	Goshen AR	759	53	M	4 50-59	24:32.7
19	Charles Halliburton	Rogers AR	222	52	M	5 50-59	25:10.5
20	Harley Disheron	Hulberl	778	61	M	1 60-69	25:15.6
21	James Johnson	Van Buren	764	21	M	6 18-22	25:20.5
22	Janison Hofer	Ft. Calhoun	773	22	M	7 18-22	25:24.6
23	Jonathon Goering	Wichita	221	36	M	1 30-39	25:28.3
24	Jake Van Lear	Springdale	264	34	M	2 30-39	25:30.2
25	Aaron Mclarty	Rogers	781	21	M	8 18-22	25:40.5
26	Gordon Parham	Fayetteville	782	58	M	6 50-59	25:45.8
27	Robert Stocklose	Rogers	257	59	M	7 50-59	26:34.1
28	Karlton Naylor	Fayetteville AR	787	74	M	1 70-79	26:34.9
29	Robert Bacon	Fayetteville	204	55	M	8 50-59	26:56.2
30	Jimmie Clark	Fayetteville	209	39	M	3 30-39	27:43.2
31	Jeff Stone	Bentonville	784	52	M	9 50-59	27:44.1
32	Andrew Lei	Springdale	236	11	M	3 0-16	28:01.6
33	Daniel White	Fayetteville	761	24	M	4 23-29	28:27.2
34	Andrew Pang	Fayetteville	760	25	M	5 23-29	29:03.3
35	Donald Branch	Moore	755	52	M	10 50-59	29:09.2
36	Sergio Saucedo	Springdale	252	34	M	4 30-39	29:32.8
37	Jonathan Wood	Bentonville	270	12	M	4 0-16	29:54.3
38	Abby Jackson	Bentonville	231	12	M	5 0-16	30:02.5
39	Jesse Cox	Fayetteville AR	212	67	M	2 60-69	30:41.1
40	Glenn Newman	Fayetteville	247	39	M	5 30-39	31:00.2
41	Brent Elliott	Rogers	216	12	M	6 0-16	31:10.9
42	Koei Nakanishi	Farmington	245	76	M	2 70-79	31:17.6
43	Christopher Scherry	Fayetteville	788	40	M	4 40-49	31:19.0
44	Jim House	Fayetteville	789	63	M	3 60-69	32:16.9
45	Cole Hargis	Orange	756	11	M	7 0-16	32:25.0
46	Frank Hysell	Fayetteville AR	230	66	M	4 60-69	32:27.5
47	Andy Lowry	Elkins	239	32	M	6 30-39	32:44.4
48	Charlie Collins	Fayetteville	780	48	M	5 40-49	33:13.2
49	Jay Haas	Fayetteville	786	16	M	8 0-16	33:27.5
50	Evan Shinbaum	Fayetteville	255	28	M	6 23-29	33:54.5
51	brandon thompson	gentry	259	27	M	7 23-29	33:54.8
52	Roger Leivan	Columbus	757	66	M	5 60-69	34:01.2
53	David Bailey	Gravette	205	40	M	6 40-49	35:12.7
54	Darren Townzen	Rogers	263	46	M	7 40-49	35:40.7
55	marvin hogner	gentry	227	28	M	8 23-29	36:46.2
56	Joul Sexton	Fayetteville	754	57	M	11 50-59	37:39.2

Veterans' Day Parade in Downtown Fayetteville AR on 11/11/11

2011-11-11T23:38:00.001-06:00

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Free meals for veterans today and some Saturday or Monday listed on EXAMINER site

2011-11-11T12:12:00.001-06:00

Veterans Day 2011 free meals list has offers for every meal of the day. On Friday November 11th veterans and active service members can have a free meal and even a snack at these participating restaurants according to the Foodbeast. The 2011 Veterans Day list is bigger this year than last year as more of the big name restaurants honor the nation’s veterans and active military.
The rules around the Veterans Day 2011 free meal offerings are simple. You need to show proof that you’re in the military or that you’re an active member of the military. These specials are available for November 11th 2011 at the participating locations. It’s a good idea to call ahead to the restaurant that you’re planning to visit to make sure they are honoring the free meal offer.
Here are the Veterans Day 11-11-11 offerings:

Denny’s: (participating restaurants only) is offering a free Grand Slam Breakfast from 6am to 10pm to any veteran or active military.

Chili's: Offers a free Veterans Day meal with six to choose from between the hours of 11 a.m. to 5 pm.

The Olive Garden: A a free entree including baked garlic sticks and choice of soup or salad.

Subway: Free six-inch sub or flatbread sandwich to active military and veterans.
Applebee's: Offers a free meal with seven to choose from off their menu.

Outback Steakhouse: Offers a free “Bloomin' Onion” and a Coke are offered the entire week leading up and including Veterans Day on Friday.

TGI Fridays: offers a buy one meal get one free meal to US Military personal and veterans on Nov. 11th.
Hooters: 10 free wings, regular or boneless, when you purchase a drink on Veterans Day.
BJ's Restaurant: Offers a free lunch entrée or a one-topping mini-pizza for dinner on Veteran’s Day.
Sizzler: Offers a buy one get one free BOGO 6 oz. Steak Entree.

Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will be honoring veterans, active, retired and former U.S. military with a free lunch.

Seven Eleven: is offering up a free Slurpee from 11am to 7pm on Veteran’s Day.
Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut on at participating locations.

The following restaurants are offering their Veterans Day Specials on days other than Friday:

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – Free Lunch or Dinner on Sunday, November 13th. Reservations are suggested.
Golden Corral: this restaurant's Veterans Day special is offered on Monday, November 14th, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide will be giving a free “thank you” dinner to any person who has ever served in the National Guard or Reserves.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Veterans Day 2011 free meals from Applebee's, Chili's, Denny's, Subway and more - Hartford Pop Culture | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-hartford/veterans-day-2011-free-meals-from-applebee-s-chili-s-denny-s-subway-and-more#ixzz1dQCIQVr1

High water after rain in Northwest Arkansas as seen at confluence of West Fork of the White River and the Town Branch of the West Fork

2011-11-08T23:23:00.000-06:00

Veteran's Day activities and parade in downtown Fayetteville on Friday and 5K Race on Saturday morning begin four days of Veteran's Day Celebration in Northwest Arkansas

2011-11-07T08:39:00.002-06:00

Registration form for 5K ONLINE at RNCIC site.

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National Cemetery's eastern edges to be boxed in by huge apartment development in Fayetteville AR: See sample of pages from site below and tell me where the rain gardens, detention ponds and other stormwater features appear because I don't have all the pages but can't see them here; also, will building foundations require breaking into the subterranean caverns and how will the absorbent soil hold water when it is paved over for parking along the northern edge and how can Fayetteville allow this to happen near a major bedrock fault line and critical groundwater-recharge area? Not to mention the adjacent National Shrine that should be expanding eastward

2011-10-19T16:37:00.014-05:00

National Cemetery set of photos on Flickr contains numerous photos on cemetery expansion plus Campus Crest plan to build student apartments on east side of national shrine. Also, Tanglewood Branch set on Flickr includes many photos of the sale-barn property immediately east of the National Cemetery where parking lots will cover wetland.

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5K set for Nov. 12, 2011

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National Cemetery fund-raisers' meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2011, at American Legion Hut at 1195 S. Curtis Avenue between 15th St. and E. Huntsville Road

2011-10-07T18:30:00.000-05:00

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

P.O. BOX 4221

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702

Minutes from the SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Harold Crivello offered the prayer. Minutes of the August meeting were approved. The August 31 Financial Statement was approved with an ending balance of $11,301.62. There were 11 members present. Ron presented the first two Lifetime Memberships to Jake Lamkins and Lorna Sterrett respectively.

PUBLICITY

Merle Williams is preparing an estimated 20 minute power point to be used for group presentations. He asked for group input. Harold Crivello spoke to the Bentonville-Bella Vista Daybreak Rotary Club last month, and Merle will be speaking to the Noon Lions Club in Springdale on Sept. 21.

WEB SITE

Jake Lamkins reported that there were 32 visitors to the web site since the last meeting with a total of 286 page visits. Jake continues to post current information, pictures, and articles to the web site.

5K RACE

Wes asked the members to email him as soon as donors are solicited so that he can prepare the final 5K Race Brochure noting the major donors. Draft literature is available for presentation to the public. Other matters are falling into place with the race only two months away. It was discussed that a thank you letter should go out after the race to the major sponsors/contributors. Peggy volunteered to prepare a spread sheet and letter with names and addresses secured from the checks received by the treasurer.

　
PROPERTY MAP

Ron thanked Peggy McClain for preparing the new property map.

　 OLD BUSINESS

PROPERTY STATUS

Lot #15 (Wilson) Two proposals were submitted for clearing Lot #15. Alex Mahler had the best price and capability for a cash price of $5,000. A start-up payment of $2,000 has been made with the $3,000 balance to be paid when an RNCIC inspection approves the work. A non-profit status form has been submitted to Fayetteville for Lot #15 and Lot #16, so the RNCIC is exempt from real estates taxes on those properties. Lots #16-18 are being mowed by the Cemetery crew.

All four lots (#15-18) are in the process of being re-platted, with a single property number, rather than four separate numbers. Carolyn Harrison, the VA contact, advises that they are getting their funding requirements together to send persons to Fayetteville for an environmental check, a title search, and neighborhood surveys. We will be notified in advance of their arrival. When the VA’s work is complete, the package goes to the Dept. of Justice for final approval.

NEW BUSINESS

Ron read a letter from Morrison & Shipley Engineers advising of the request for a “conditional use permit” from Campus Crest for a temporary leasing office on the sale barn property. The Fayetteville Planning Commission meets at 5:30 on Sept. 12 Ron has drawn up a draft and will present it at the next meeting for the future property acquisition plan (2011 thru’ 2020) to give a planned approach for the next targeted properties for purchase.

Ron suggested that the RNCIC find a way to show our appreciation to Jeff Whitmer at Lindsey Realty and to Bronson Abstract Co. for the free gratis work that they do for us. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to award them a certificate to show our appreciation. Peggy will work on this.

President Ron Butler appointed three members to comprise a Nominating Committee to prepare a slate of 12 candidates for the Board of Directors by the January meeting. Those appointed were Roger McClain, Jake Lamkins, and Beverley Swaim.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. If members have any items to be discussed at the October meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the next meeting’s agenda.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorna Sterrett, Secretary

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE OCTOBER 8, 2011, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.

Video of Ward Four meeting at 7 p.m. September 26 includes explanation of importance of renewing sales tax by vote on Oct. 11, 2011. See detail below

2011-09-28T09:46:00.000-05:00

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Monday, September 26, 2011

Ward 4 Meeting

City Clerk

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Room 111

Fayetteville Environmental Action Committee meeting of 15 September 2011

2011-09-24T09:02:00.002-05:00

Vet's 5K run on November 12, 2011, already open for entries and inviting potential sponsors to donate prizes or cash in support of the 3rd-annual footrace starting and ending at the gate of the Fayetteville National Cemetery

2011-09-10T09:16:00.001-05:00

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Agenda for Saturday Sept. 11, 2011, meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation

2011-09-07T07:20:00.000-05:00

Call Meeting to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

Minutes of the August Meeting

Financial Report

Publicity Report

Web Master's Report

Race Director's Report

New RNCIC Property Map

OLD BUSINESS

Property Status Summary

Lot #15

Lot's #16, 17 & 18

Membership Cards & donation forms

Other Old Business

NEW BUSINESS

Re-Zoning Letter (Washington Co. Sales Barn Property)

DRAFT Future Property Acquisition Plan (2011 - 2020)

Other New Business

Adjourn

Town Branch Neighborhood Association meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, welcomes everyone who chooses to attend

2011-08-25T14:31:00.001-05:00

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Traditional landscapes suck Energy, Water and Money, says Neil Diboll at The Native Plants in the Landscape Conference

2011-08-20T20:17:00.002-05:00

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« Welcome to The Native Plants in the Landscape Conference

The Future of Gardening by Neil Diboll

The Future of Gardening: Why Going Native is the Answer

Presented at the 20^th Millersville Native Plant Conference
Millersville, PA
June 4, 2010

by Neil Diboll
Prairie Nursery, Inc.
P.O. Box 306
Westfield, WI 53964
www.prairienursery.com
800-476-9453 (800-GRO-WILD)
Traditional landscapes suck. They suck Energy, Water, and Money. These three “Future Factors” will determine to a large degree the shape and structure of our landscapes in the coming years.
The old whipping boy, the lawn, indeed deserves a good whipping. It is emblematic of an expensive, unsustainable, energy and chemical hungry landscape that supports few forms of life and consumes valuable resources that could be better invested elsewhere.
Size of the American Lawn
There are over 50 million acres of lawn in the United States, twice the size of the state of Pennsylvania.
The total American corn crop for 2009 was 86 million acres.
The total American soybean crop for 2009 was 77 million acres.
The total American wheat crop for 2009 was 65 million acres.
Lawn is the fourth largest crop grown in America today.
Water Use by the American Lawn
Thirty percent of the water consumed on the East Coast of the US goes to watering lawns. Sixty percent of the water used on the West Coast is dedicated to maintaining green lawns, in a region that is facing looming water shortages.
A 1000 square foot lawn requires an average of 10,000 gallons of water per year to maintain in good condition.
One acre of irrigated lawn requires nearly half a million gallons (435,000) of water every year!
Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides Applied to the American Lawn
The average lawn receives 10 times as much chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides as the typical farm field, according to a Yale University graduate study.
Over 80 millions pounds of chemical pesticides are applied to American lawns each year according to the USEPA.
More than 70 million tons of chemical fertilizers are applied to American lawns per year.
The USEPA estimates that 40 to 60 percent of the Nitrogen fertilizer applied to lawns ends up in our surface water and groundwater.
Forty four percent of the Nitrogen and 28 percent of the Phosphorus applied in the Mississippi River watershed ends up in the Gulf of Mexico, greatly exacerbating the anoxic “dead zone” that preceded the BP oil spill of 2010.
Solid Waste Created by Lawns
The EPA also estimates that grass clippings and yard debris account for 20 to 40 percent of the landfill space consumed in America.
Energy Consumption by Lawns
The amount of energy required to mow and maintain manicured lawns is surprisingly large, and is used in every phase of lawn care:
Mowing: Gasoline or diesel fuel to is required to power riding mowers and most push type rotary mowers. Electricity that powers electric lawn mowers is produced primarily by fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, and by nuclear power plants.
Pesticides: Most herbicides and insecticides are derived from or combined with petroleum-based compounds. Of the 80 million pounds of pesticides applied to lawns in American every year, most are synthesized from oil.
Fertilizers: Fertilizers are applied to lawns in staggering quantities. The energy required to mine and transport the 70 million tons of chemical fertilizers that are dumped on lawns every year is significant. Most Nitrogen fertilizers are produced using the Haber Process, in which Nitrogen in the air is converted into a solid or liquid form that can be readily handled and applied. The Haber Process is extremely energy intensive, and vast quantities of natural gas are consumed to produce nitrogen fertilizer for lawns.
Irrigation: Even watering the lawn consumes energy. Electricity is used to purify water at treatment plants, and to pump water to homes and businesses. The underground plastic pipes that are used in lawn irrigations systems are produced from petrochemicals derived from crude oil.
Carbon Footprint of Lawns
As an energy-dependent landscape, the carbon annual footprint consumption of lawns is high compared to prairies and other natural landscapes that require only occasional mowing, no fertilizers, no irrigation, and few if any pesticides. Prairies release carbon into the atmosphere when burned, and when dead organic matter such as leaves and stems decompose through microbial action. However, these releases are offset by new plant growth which absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and incorporates it into new leave, roots, and stems.
The incredibly rich prairie soils of the American Midwest are a result of the accumulation of organic matter in the soil over hundreds and thousands of years. Unlike most forest ecosystems, in which organic matter is sequestered in the upper 12- 18 inches of soil, prairie soils typically exhibit high organic matter content from three to six feet in depth. They also have significantly higher total organic matter content than forest soils. This would indicate that over time, prairies are one of the most efficient plant communities at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and providing long term carbon sequestration in the soil.
Economic Costs of Lawn
Americans spend over $25 billion per year on lawn care (USEPA).
Americans spend over $2 billion per year on lawn and garden chemicals.
A 4000 square foot lawn (1/10 acre) produces an average of 1200 pounds of grass clippings per year. The City of Philadelphia Streets Department reported in 2005 that it costs $75 per year to dispose of this material.
Wildlife and Lawns
The US EPA estimates that between 60 and 70 millions birds are poisoned annually due to the application of lawn pesticides.
On lawns that receive regular applications of pesticides, 60 to 90 percent of the earthworms in the soil are killed.
Air and Noise Pollution
In summer months, 5 percent of air pollution is attributable to gas powered lawn and garden equipment (National Vehicle and Fuel Assessment Lab, Ann Arbor, MI)
Per hour of operation, a typical lawnmower emits 10-12 times as much hydrocarbons as an automobile.
Health and Safety
Of the most commonly used lawn pesticides, 13 are known to cause cancer, 14 can cause birth defects, 11 can interfere with reproduction, and 21 can cause damage to the nervous system. (US EPA)
111,000 Americans are sickened every year due to exposure to pesticides. (US EPA)
Over 230,000 people are treated in the Emergency Room every year for accident related to lawn equipment. (US EPA)
Time
The average homeowner spends 40 hours a year mowing his or her lawn – the equivalent of a week’s vacation!
HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT OUR LAWN-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE MODEL?
AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
The New World of North America once appeared to be a seemingly inexhaustible resource that held immense promise for the early colonists and settlers. True to their culture, the northern Europeans that swarmed into the vast hinterlands of America created a landscape in the image of their forebears: cut, grazed, plowed, and fenced into submission. The newly broken land yielded great bounty for a growing nation. As the country expanded, the towns and villages took on the names and character of our former homes across the Atlantic: Amsterdam, Birmingham, Gloucester, Berlin, Warsaw, and Rome, to name but a few.
Our goal as a nation and a culture was to tame the wilderness and make it safe for civilization. In so doing, we re-created the Old Country in the New World. As we brought the wilderness under our heel, we took little time to appreciate its unique character and beauty. Most settlers sought bounty, not beauty. In the rush to convert forests and meadows into farms and fields, the flowers mostly went unnoticed. Unplowed, unproductive wild land was a sign of sloth, savagery, and the devil’s work. Indeed, our mandate was to subdue the earth. And subdue it we did.
When our work was finally done, we sat back to take stock of our immense labors, and it appeared that it was good. Mostly. What we had not considered were the terrible losses associated with our great gain. We had gained ascendancy over our young country. In the process, we lost the character of a continent.
Yea, even unto our gardens, we banished the wildflowers and wild things to the far reaches of the countryside and to the corners of our consciousness. And nothing suffered the utter demise and near-total destruction such as that which was visited upon the American Prairie.
The American Prairie: the once-vast kingdom of flowers, grasses, bison and butterflies. This unbelievably rich, unique ecosystem blanketed millions of acres of America’s heartland. These were the flower gardens of North America. Hidden deep underground, among the intertwined roots of a universe of prairie plants, lay the black gold that was to become the currency of the prairie farmer. Here was the inheritance of a million sunny days, hoarded away in the bank account of the prairie soil.
Agricultural, the Industrial Revolution, and the Rise of the American Middle Class
The farmers that tapped into this prairie trust fund found the dividends to be prodigious. No fertilizers were needed to grow bumper crops. The immense yields increased agricultural productivity to levels previously unheard-of, revolutionizing the farmer’s relationship with the land. Now one family could produce food for dozens of others. The day of the subsistence farm was over. Human labor was set free to tend the factory instead of the field. The dawn of the American Industrial Revolution was reflected in the glow of the forge that John Deere used to construct the first sod-busting steel plow in 1836. With the industrial dawn came the sunset of the American Prairie.
The Eastern Tallgrass Prairie of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska was all but obliterated in the span of a few short decades at the close of the nineteenth century. That which was not plowed under was closed in with fences and grazed to the ground by millions of cattle. What were once wide open spaces became food factories and feedlots. Still, we knew not what we had done.
A full century later, we are just beginning to grasp the scope of the loss. The Eastern Tallgrass Prairie is now one of the rarest plant communities in the entire world. Rainforests are commonplace by comparison. Less than 1/10th of 1% of the Tallgrass Prairie remains today. The small refuges where it can be found occur only in small tattered fragments, ripped from the original cloth. Only those pieces that could not be drained, plowed, grazed, or otherwise turned to the service of mankind remain. There was simply no place for wildness in this new American landscape.
The conversion of the New World into the Old Country was complete. All that remained now was to tend the fields and the gardens of plants brought over from Europe, and to make sure that the lawns that replaced that prairie were kept mown and in order.
Order. The watchword of a Puritanical culture that sought to carve structure from the chaos of wilderness. Everything in control. Nothing out of place. Even our gardens reflect this directive. Designs are precise, with each plant in its pre-ordained place, ensconced in a thick bed of bark mulch. The vegetable world must supplicate itself to our omnipotence. Those plants that fail to stay in their assigned seats are branded as weeds, and banished from the garden. And if they should grow wild in nature, how could such peasant plants of common breeding be sufficiently refined to have a place in our gardens?
If the garden is truly the place where people and nature meet, it is almost always the gardener who determines the terms of the meeting. Will the gardeners of the earth choose to work with Nature to create beauty in the landscape? Or will we attempt to overpower her with an arsenal of chemicals, machines, and “maintenance programs?”
We are finally coming to realize that the practice of paying homage to a uniform, idealized landscape of seamlessly interconnected lawns is an illusion. This becomes eminently clear when one realizes that the centerpoint of this landscape is a nearly lifeless, two dimensional expanse of turf, to which we slavishly devote much of our increasingly rare and precious free time. We pour on the chemicals, mow the grass to within an inch of its life, and kill any and all bugs that have the temerity to share the landscape with us. Perhaps most annoying, this national pastime called Lawn Care is really quite expensive.
For many, their lawns are like an addiction. They will pay almost any price to satisfy the cravings. The price is paid in money, time, environmental degradation, and in some cases, one’s health. We have so completely divorced ourselves from Nature that the only connection to the natural world is by watering and mowing their green carpets!
It is indeed a costly divorce from Nature. Enforcement of our unnatural landscapes consumes billions of dollars every year. Lawns, ornamental plantings, and even perennial gardens require constant attention if the desired order is to be maintained. Without intervention by the human hand on a regular basis, these landscapes soon fall victim to the invading hordes of weeds, trees, brambles and vines. Left unguarded, the walls of the domestic garden are stormed by the Vandals and Visigoths of the Vegetable Kingdom. Without the indulgences of their human benefactors, the meeker and fairer plants of the garden are quickly pillaged and displaced by the roving thugs of the plant world.
History of the American Lawn
The modern lawn has it origin in the country estates of landed gentry in England in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. It was a status symbol of the wealthy, for the working classes typically possessed no land, and could ill afford a lawn eve if they did. With our Anglo-American heritage, we looked to the mother country for our social cues in the 18^th century as the American middle class emerged during the industrial revolution. The newly wealthy purchased homes and estates and installed lawns as one of their symbols of having “made it.” Lawns quickly became one of the status symbols associated with the new middle and upper classes.
The great American landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, referred to the lawn in the late 18^th century as “The Great Democratizer” of a newly ascendant nation. Rather than installing fences and barriers between neighboring properties as was common in Europe, Americans had a seamless carpet of green grass unifying their properties, all sharing in the new ethos of a mutual affluence.
The lawn quickly became a socio-economic symbol, denoting order and devotion to a non-economic crop that only those with expendable income could afford. As the middle class in America grew after World War II, the occupants of newly-built suburbs embraced the lawn as one of their icons of success and comfortable living.
The lawn was now cemented into American culture. Woe be unto he who violated the unspoken contract of “keeping up appearances” and allowing one’s turf to “go native” and grow beyond the socially acceptable four inches in height. An un-mowed, unkempt lawn was a sign of slovenliness and anti-social tendencies. Social breakdown and chaos could not be far behind.
This is why the lawn is so ardently defended by so many. It is a symbol of an entire social class and lifestyle. It is far more than a near-lifeless green expanse that requires an inordinate amount of time, money and chemicals to maintain. It embodies the hopes and dreams of average Americans, and symbolizes the triumph or order over entropy. It is a shared middle class bond that transcends politics, religion, and ethnicity. In many communities you are judged by your lawn first, and your character as a human being second. And do not for one minute believe that the first does not influence the second.
Why do we Persist with Our Addiction to Lawns? What About Wildlife?
1)    It’s simple and easy! We know how to do it: Fertilize it, spray it, and mow it!
2)    You don’t really have to know anything about plants or gardening to grow and manage a lawn – just follow the directions provided by the purveyors of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides provide you!
3)    Lawn is a cheap fix. Although less costly to install than native landscapes, lawn has a high life cycle cost over a period of many years. Native landscapes typically have low long-term maintenance costs, with lower life cycle costs.
4)    Lawns don’t attract bugs or wildlife (except for geese), so you know you and your family will be safe from snakes, vermin, and those annoying insects! So what if insects are the foundation of the food chain, and support a myriad of birds and other desirable creatures. We’ve been brainwashed that bugs are bad, so we have to make sure they don’t inhabit our outdoor living spaces.
5)    NO BUGS, NO BIRDS!
6)    Everybody says they love Nature, but nobody ever invites her over to their yard.
7)    I knew my prairie was a success when I saw Meadow Jumping Mice (Zapus hudsonianus) and Hog Nosed Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) in it. These creatures provided evidence that I now had a functioning ecosystem, not just a garden. If you like hawks and owls, you better be able to feed them: rodents and reptiles are some of their preferred foods.
WE ARE NOT A NATION OF GARDENERS:
WE ARE A NATION OF MOWERS!
WHY DO WE CARE WHAT WE PLANT IN OUR GARDENS
AND LANDSCAPES?
Many of us care deeply about the state of our planet and the loss of biodiversity that is occurring on a global scale. Although we all think globally, most of us can only act locally. Together, we can have an impact in our own gardens and landscapes, as well as those of our friends and neighbors. For those of us in the landscape design business, we can promote sustainable landscapes composed of native plants that require little or no fertilizers, pesticides, watering, or mowing (just burning!). This alone, when compounded over time as more people opt for sustainable landscapes, can have an impact.
The looming question for us today is the on-going loss of biodiversity. Restoring native ecosystems is one way we can help support not just native plants, but also invertebrates such as rare butterflies and moths, bees, wasps, and all manner of the generally unloved lower castes of bugs and creepy crawly things. Yet they are all important, and each has an important place in the web of life.
Homo sapiens, is presently presiding over what is believed to be the Sixth Great Extinction. Although we have yet to reach the catastrophic levels of past extinction events, we are well on our way and showing only a few signs of abatement in our drive to subdue and conquer the earth, as we serve our ever-expanding need for food, fuel, water, and living space.
But does it really matter what we do as individuals? A society is composed of all its individuals, and their actions determine the face of that society. Most of us are working to restore the integrity of native ecosystems because we believe it is the “right” and good thing to do, and that we are “doing it for the planet.” But does it really matter? Does the planet really respect our actions? Or is it all irrelevant?
The Earth has been subjected to massive extinctions in the past, some fairly recent in geological history. The planet has always recovered, with the development of new species and a wealth of new life forms. Nature does indeed abhor a vacuum, and she apparently fills it rapidly. All of the work I am doing on my property to control invasive species and restore native plants will someday be negated by the next advance of the glacier, as unlikely as that may seem at this point in geological and meteorolical history. Of course, my landscape will probably be invaded by garlic muster, buckthorn, honeysuckle and other non-native thugs soon after my demise, unless some equally deranged and determined individual picks up where I leave off.
SO WHY RESTORE THE PLANET? DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
If one takes a long-term geological perspective, it doesn’t really matter what we do. Even if we nuke the joint, something will survive and a whole new set of life forms will evolve. Maybe the next sentient beings will be smarter than us, and actually take care of the planet.
We Restore the Earth Because It Is Good for Us!
We need a quality of life that includes clean air, clean water, trees, flowers, ferns, birds, and all the wonderful life forms with which we share the planet. We aren’t just preserving habitat and restoring native plant communities out of the goodness of our hearts – Our very economic and psychic survival depend upon it!
We have yet to fully value the economics of a healthy environment. But as the planet is further degraded, the value of high quality living spaces only increases.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Ultimately, our future landscapes will be in large part determined more by economics than ecology. This is an unfortunate consequence of the human condition. As a quality living space becomes more valuable, more value will be placed upon it. We will protect it more diligently. It will sell for a higher price. People will begin to view the natural environment more as an asset, rather than as a resource to be exploited.
All of this will most likely be precipitated by shortages of water, rather than a shortage of oil or other energy source. You can live without oil, but you cannot live without water. As the price of water increases, the incentive to conserve it will increase. We will need landscapes that do not require huge inputs of water and chemicals to sustain them. We will need to overcome our cultural taboos of “messy” natural landscapes and move beyond viewing lawns as status symbols and a rite of passage into the middle and upper classes.
Someday pride of place will belong to those with the least lawn, lowest water bill, and no chemicals in their garages. Society will value those who work to preserve our environment, rather than those who can make the most money by despoiling it. I personally cannot wait much longer for that day to come.
AT A GLANCE:
TODAY: LAWN, an ecological and economic disaster

TOMORROW: SUSTAINA LE ECOSYSTEMS, composed of native plant
communities that require little or no fertilizers, pesticides, or irrigation, o
TODAY: MONOCULTURES of mowed lawns

TOMORROW: DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS that support a wide variety of life
TODAY: FEAR and mistrust of the natural world and its attendant organisms (bugs,
mice, snakes, etc)

TOMORROW: RE-INTEGRATION of people into nature and an understanding that
everything is connected and interdependent
WE MUST ENTER INTO A JOINT VENTURE WITH NATURE TO PRESERVE OUR PLANET AND THE SYSTEMS UPON WHICH ALL LIFE DEPENDS.

ONLY THEN WILL WE LIVE IN HARMONY WITH OUR FELLOW CREATURES ON THIS PLANET.

OUR QUALITY LIFE AND LONG-TERM SURVIVAL DEPENDS UPON THE SURVIVAL OF THE SYSTEMS AND ORGANISMS THAT SUPPORT US.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science

Summer News Article
FUEL-EFFICIENT LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
With the price of gasoline and natural gas on the rise, most are looking for ways to cut their costs and save energy. If you have a lawn or garden, you may not realize just how much fossil fuels you are using. By knowing where these are used, you can look for ways to reduce consumption. This will reduce your costs, and help the environment.
In a recent PPPro online newsletter Paul Tukey, editor of People, Places and Plants magazine, provides some sobering facts and helpful suggestions. Each year, a family with a one-third acre lawn will on average:
*consume five gallons of gas for mowing and trimming;
*apply the equivalent of seven gallons for fertilizing;
*burn up to five gallons for watering; and
*consume an additional gallon for cleanup.
That’s 18 gallons of fuel per household. With 120 million U.S. households, that’s the equivalent of almost 2.2 billion gallons of fuel used just for lawn care each year. This does not count other landscaping activities. So just how do we use so much?
Yale University has estimated that the United States uses more than 600 million gallons of gas to mow and trim lawns each year — about two gallons of gas for every man, woman and child, or five gallons per household. Mowers also consume engine oil in their crankcases, and two-stroke mowers consume oil in their fuel.
In addition to fuel consumption, mowers and outdoor power equipment contribute heavily to air pollution. Operating a typical (4 HP) gasoline-powered lawnmower for one hour produces as much smog-forming hydrocarbons as driving an average car between 100 and 200 miles under average conditions. Gasoline-powered string trimmers are actually more polluting than many lawn mowers. One estimate (mindfully.org) states that “the 20,000,000 small engines sold in the U.S. each year contribute about one tenth of the total U.S. mobile source hydrocarbon emissions, and are the largest single contributor to these non-road emissions.” These include power blowers, rakes, and brooms.
Creating synthetic nitrogen for fertilizers requires the heating of natural gas to combine atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia. The amount of natural gas required to make approximately 200 bags of lawn fertilizer would heat your home for a year. Each 40-pound bag contains the fossil-fuel equivalent of approximately 2.5 gallons of gasoline. Transporting these bags of fertilizer from the factory and to your home requires additional fuel.
According to a California study, in many areas — especially in the West, where water must be moved great distances from reservoirs — the amount of fuel needed to pump the water is at least equal to the fuel used in mowing.

So what can you do? Here are ten tips to have a “fuel-efficient” landscape.
*Use an electric or non-powered push mower. An electric mower maintaining one-third of an acre for a season consumes only $3 of electricity on average. Electric mowers are 75 percent quieter than gas mowers. Push mowers, of course, consume no fuel and make little noise.
*Similarly, use traditional hand rakes and brooms instead of power ones and blowers to save fuel, and at the same time reduce air and noise pollution. If you employ a landscape maintenance firm, encourage their use of these too. Minimize the need for string trimmers. Mulch along walks and around structures such as lamp posts to avoid having to trim weeds in these areas.
*If you have an old mower, consider replacing it. Newer small engines run much cleaner. EPA emission standards for such engines, to be in effect by 2007, are expected to reduce ground-level ozone emissions by 70 percent or 350,000 tons each year.
*Reduce the area mowed through use of groundcovers. This is especially true in areas with water shortages. Allow parts of large areas to grow, only mowing once or twice a season, creating a natural meadow. You can still mow areas near drives and homes to maintain the more formal manicured effects in such highly visible and high traffic areas.
*Save rainwater and gray water. Gray water is that water from home use, except from toilets, and can make up from 50 to 80 percent of home waste water. It comes from sinks, showers, and laundry and can be used for irrigating landscapes and lawns.
*Water deeply once per week on average, rather than frequently. Drip irrigation and mulches also conserve water. Using less water saves on energy use, whether you’re buying water that has to be pumped, or are paying an electric bill to pump your own.
*Use natural, organic fertilizers not derived from fossil fuels.
*Recycle grass clippings, mow higher and mix 5 percent clover into your lawn seed. All these help recycle nutrients back into the soil. Mulching-type mowers allow you to leave grass clippings on the lawn. If you don’t have such a mower, and remove the clippings, add them to compost or use them to mulch gardens.
*Compost all yard wastes, except for diseased plants and plant parts. They can go into compost piles, saving gasoline hauling such to landfills and recycle centers. If your landscape generates many twigs and other brush, consider buying or renting a home-size brush chipper.
*Finally, consider landscaping to reduce up to 25 percent of home energy consumption. Foundation plantings can lessen heat loss from buildings. Evergreen windbreaks can reduce heating costs in winter in windy areas. Deciduous shade trees can reduce energy needs for cooling in summer. According to the Department of Energy, only three properly placed trees may

Return to Perry's Perennial Pages, Articles

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"You can't learn much from a lawn,
but a garden has a whole world of wonders."

history

Lawns started out as grazing areas around the manors of the landed gentry. Having a nice lawn around the house was a sign of power as you owned sufficient land to raise sheep and cow.
As the industrial revolution took hold and animals were less a sign of wealth, the lawn itself became the status symbol. You could indulge yourself in sparing land and time to recreational grounds.
As people moved to the cities so did the grass, on ever smaller plots. First lawns were cut by hand and later with the mechanical lawnmower, (an automated, resource depleting, pointless cow.)
The 20th Century saw an explosion of lawn making as commercial interests produced endless grass seed, fertiliser, pesticides, mowers, spreaders and irrigation equipment whilst developers discovered they could pass off cheap ‘gardens’ by spreading 3 inches of soil over hard subsoil and laying turf on top.
Nowerdays, many lawns are rarely used and some are so covered with chemicals children have been permanently injured after walking barefoot on them.[1]

the modern lawn - a waste of resources

The modern pure grass lawn is artificial... you need effort and chemicals to maintain a monoculture.

Misuse and the inherent toxicity of standard pesticides cause short and long term poisoning, cancer and disease in people and wildlife. [a]

Extensive use and overuse of fertilisers (due to lack of restrictions) causes water pollution problems and wastes resources. [b]

Endless summer irrigation to keep lawns green wastes massive amounts of water and depletes water tables. [c]

Lawnmowers, strimmers and other lawn machinery unregulated for environmental emissions, use vast amounts of petrol and are a significant factor in urban air and noise pollution. [d]

The lawn is the worlds third agriculture. It is probable that westerners spend more person hours, energy and resources on their lawns than any agricultural resource of the third world.[8]

In the early 1990’s in the United States…

$ 25 billion a year was spent on lawn care products.
Of this,
$ 5,250 million was spent on fossil fuel-derived fertilisers and...
$ 700 million was spent on 28 million kgs of poisonous synthetic pesticides.

Meanwhile 20 million acres were planted in residential lawns
and the average city sprayed its lawns with 30 to 60 % of its fresh water supply.[2]

The lawn is a green desert. Adoption of a monoculture for a garden drastically reduces the habitats available for wildlife. Birds, bees, butterflies and other animals all begin to disappear. Often leaving an unstable ecosystem where common ‘pest’ species seem to flourish.

alternatives

Aside from keeping animals or ripping up the turf to plant trees and bushes, build vegetable beds, a pond or a greenhouse there are many things you can do to keep the same purpose of a lawn whilst adding diversity and removing chemical and mechanical dependence. (Unless the area you have is subject to heavy traffic and abuse, where turf is probably the most suitable thing to use.) If you just want somewhere to sit, try making a bench a focal point of your garden.
Lawns can be made more edible, medicinal, beautiful and nice smelling by adding low growing aromatic herbs and flowers. The plants below have been specially selected because they will tolerate at least infrequent mowings. For best results don’t cut as often or as short as a normal lawn and try to lay off for at least 3 weeks in the summer to let the taller plants flower and set seed. You could try sowing them into small gaps in the grass or better still plant them out. For low maintenance choose plants that will like your local conditions.

	lively lawns Apart from the obvious dandelions (Taraxacum officinale), daisy (Bellis perennis) and plantains (Plantago major, plantago media) which are all excellent in lawns, freely self seed, add variety and can also be eaten once you get past seeing them just as ‘weeds,’ try… White Clover, Trifolium repens: 10cm H, spreads, adds nitrogen to the soil, attracts bees and butterflies. You can eat the flowers and leaves, (bit fiddly though) Camomile, Chamaemelum nobile: 15cm H 30cm W, Plants for a future[9] recommend for smell but not for medicine, (no flowers), a cultivar called ‘Treneague’ which is low growing, spreads and will succeed if the grass is cut low and often, however you'll have to find a cutting, there are no seeds. Wild thyme, Thymus serpyllum: 10cm H 30cm W Forms spreading clumps, pink flowers attract bees in summer, drought tolerant, needs sun. High in antioxidants and an essential kitchen herb. Lemon thyme, Thymus x citiodorus: 10cm H 30cm W. Likes light well drained soil and full sun, can be planted by division. Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara: 25cm H, spreads invasively. Tolerates shade, does well in all soils, flowers edible mar-apr, leaves appear afterwards, used for treatment of respiratory problems. Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus: 40cm H 30cm W. Similar to dandelion, prefers chalky soil, flowers all summer, attracts bees & butterflies, edible leaves most of the year.
	Salad burnet, Sanguisorba minor: 55cm H 30cm W. Prefers chalky soil and slightly longer grass, flowers May-Aug and provides edible young leaves all year round. Self Heal, Prunella vulgaris: 15cm H spreading to form clumps 30cm W. Prefers moist soil, tolerates low cutting and shade, flowers mid to late summer, attracts bees & butterflies, eaten in salads and an healing herb for cuts and wounds. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium: upto 60cm H spreads, hardy, drought resistant, good in poor soils, and a very useful medicinal herb. beautiful bulbs By lengthening the time between mowings you can also grow taller plants such as bulbs. Planted surreptitiously they are a nice surprise. All below are edible and most spread naturally. It is advisable to plant bulbs of similar flowering times together to make any lawn maintenance more straightforward. Field & Crow garlic, Allium oleraceum & A. vineale: 60cm H, 5cm W. Both almost invasive in grass if left to form bulbils in jul-aug, tolerant of mowing, leaves edible autumn to following summer. If cows eat them, their milk is tainted. Quamash, Camassia quamash: 50cm H 10cm W. Does well in short grass and under trees, flowers late spring, very edible bulbs when cooked.
	Dog's Tooth Violet, Erythronium den-canis: 15cm H 10cm W. appears in spring for a few months each year. bulbs edible raw or cooked, also try E. revoltum 'pagoda' for a bigger, version. Tassel Hyacinth, Muscari botryoides: 40cm H clumps 20cm W. Easy to grow, does well in short grass, almost invasive, 3.5cm bulbs edible, but a little bitter. Or for beauty, there are many other bulbs, such as daffodils, bluebells, crocus etc that can be planted into the lawn. wonderful wildflowers Perhaps you could turn some of your lawn into a ‘wildflower meadow’. This will attract butterflies and insects as well as bringing nature a bit closer to home. Choose a sunny position on poor soil to get the most flowers. Mow only after the seeds have set (around August) and remove the clippings to keep fertility low. Sow a mix of wild flowers into bare earth, or if grass is already established, grow in pots and plant out in Autumn or Spring, this is more work but gets better results. Most of the above taller lawn plants will do well as these edible ones below... Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria: 120cm H. Likes moist rich soil non acid soils, a useful medicinal and culinary herb. Sheep sorrel, Rumex acetosella: 30cm H. prefers suny and moist spot, sharp edible salad leaves all year round. Red clover, Trifolium pratense: 60cm H. attracts butterflies, moths and bees, put round apple trees for better fruit, edible leaves, fixes nitrogen. Alternatively you could purchase a conservation wildflower mix from a local supplier, you won't be able to eat them though. For some more lawn fun see the guerrilla gardening pages. Notes [a] Many pesticides have never been adequately tested for toxicity to humans or wildlife. According to the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, 13 of the most commonly used lawn care pesticides can cause cancer, 14 can cause birth defects, 21 can damage the nervous system, 15 can injure the liver or kidney, and 30 are sensitizers or irritants. [3] The pesticide MCPA, used as an ingredient is some lawn pesticides, has been found to damage the blood brain barrier which protects against neurological illness.[4] Organophosphate pesticides have been shown to cause memory loss and short attention spans.[5] Other studies have linked long term pesticide use with prostate[6], brain and lung cancer.[7] It is estimated that each year in the US, 67 million birds are poisoned by legally used pesticides.[3] Pesticides are often misused especially by homeowners, increasing the risks. [b] Fertiliser is often over applied, causing runoff problems in nearby watercourses, as well as the obvious waste of fossil fuels in its manufacture and transport. [c] It is estimated that 44% of domestic water consumption in California is used for lawns[8] In many areas ground water tables are being depleted. [d] The manufacture of garden machinery uses energy, depletes resources and creates pollution as do the engine fumes or the power plants producing the electricity they run on. In the early 90’s it was estimated that 580,000,000 gallons of petrol were used to run lawnmowers in the US every year.[2] References [1] The Pesticide Scandal, Sayan, Kathyrne, Family Circle 2 April 1991. [2] Redesigning the American Lawn, F. Herbert Bormann, Diana Balmori, Gordon T. Geballe, Yale University Press, 1993 [3] Spring, 1997 edition of The Arlington Environment, Volume Four, Number Four [4] Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 65:23, 1982 [5] Annual Reviews in Public Health, 7:461, 1986 [6] Occupational Environmental Medicine, 56(1):14-21, 1999 [7] Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 71(1), July 1983 [8] Permaculture a designers manual, Bill Mollison, Tagari publications, 1988. [9] Plants for a future- edible and useful plants for a healthier world, Ken Fern, Permanent publications, 1997.

home . sitemap . search . contact us . top

		Gardening

		What to do with a Lawn

THIS ZONE
climate
cultivation
natural patterns
pests
lawns
seedsaving
soil
sprouting

THE SITE
home
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actions
evolution

RESOURCES
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search

US
contact us
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logo/banner

"You can't learn much from a lawn,
but a garden has a whole world of wonders."

history

the modern lawn - a waste of resources

The modern pure grass lawn is artificial... you need effort and chemicals to maintain a monoculture.

Misuse and the inherent toxicity of standard pesticides cause short and long term poisoning, cancer and disease in people and wildlife. [a]

Extensive use and overuse of fertilisers (due to lack of restrictions) causes water pollution problems and wastes resources. [b]

Endless summer irrigation to keep lawns green wastes massive amounts of water and depletes water tables. [c]

Lawnmowers, strimmers and other lawn machinery unregulated for environmental emissions, use vast amounts of petrol and are a significant factor in urban air and noise pollution. [d]

The lawn is the worlds third agriculture. It is probable that westerners spend more person hours, energy and resources on their lawns than any agricultural resource of the third world.[8]

alternatives

	lively lawns Apart from the obvious dandelions (Taraxacum officinale), daisy (Bellis perennis) and plantains (Plantago major, plantago media) which are all excellent in lawns, freely self seed, add variety and can also be eaten once you get past seeing them just as ‘weeds,’ try… White Clover, Trifolium repens: 10cm H, spreads, adds nitrogen to the soil, attracts bees and butterflies. You can eat the flowers and leaves, (bit fiddly though) Camomile, Chamaemelum nobile: 15cm H 30cm W, Plants for a future[9] recommend for smell but not for medicine, (no flowers), a cultivar called ‘Treneague’ which is low growing, spreads and will succeed if the grass is cut low and often, however you'll have to find a cutting, there are no seeds. Wild thyme, Thymus serpyllum: 10cm H 30cm W Forms spreading clumps, pink flowers attract bees in summer, drought tolerant, needs sun. High in antioxidants and an essential kitchen herb. Lemon thyme, Thymus x citiodorus: 10cm H 30cm W. Likes light well drained soil and full sun, can be planted by division. Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara: 25cm H, spreads invasively. Tolerates shade, does well in all soils, flowers edible mar-apr, leaves appear afterwards, used for treatment of respiratory problems. Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus: 40cm H 30cm W. Similar to dandelion, prefers chalky soil, flowers all summer, attracts bees & butterflies, edible leaves most of the year.
	Salad burnet, Sanguisorba minor: 55cm H 30cm W. Prefers chalky soil and slightly longer grass, flowers May-Aug and provides edible young leaves all year round. Self Heal, Prunella vulgaris: 15cm H spreading to form clumps 30cm W. Prefers moist soil, tolerates low cutting and shade, flowers mid to late summer, attracts bees & butterflies, eaten in salads and an healing herb for cuts and wounds. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium: upto 60cm H spreads, hardy, drought resistant, good in poor soils, and a very useful medicinal herb. beautiful bulbs By lengthening the time between mowings you can also grow taller plants such as bulbs. Planted surreptitiously they are a nice surprise. All below are edible and most spread naturally. It is advisable to plant bulbs of similar flowering times together to make any lawn maintenance more straightforward. Field & Crow garlic, Allium oleraceum & A. vineale: 60cm H, 5cm W. Both almost invasive in grass if left to form bulbils in jul-aug, tolerant of mowing, leaves edible autumn to following summer. If cows eat them, their milk is tainted. Quamash, Camassia quamash: 50cm H 10cm W. Does well in short grass and under trees, flowers late spring, very edible bulbs when cooked.
	Dog's Tooth Violet, Erythronium den-canis: 15cm H 10cm W. appears in spring for a few months each year. bulbs edible raw or cooked, also try E. revoltum 'pagoda' for a bigger, version. Tassel Hyacinth, Muscari botryoides: 40cm H clumps 20cm W. Easy to grow, does well in short grass, almost invasive, 3.5cm bulbs edible, but a little bitter. Or for beauty, there are many other bulbs, such as daffodils, bluebells, crocus etc that can be planted into the lawn. wonderful wildflowers Perhaps you could turn some of your lawn into a ‘wildflower meadow’. This will attract butterflies and insects as well as bringing nature a bit closer to home. Choose a sunny position on poor soil to get the most flowers. Mow only after the seeds have set (around August) and remove the clippings to keep fertility low. Sow a mix of wild flowers into bare earth, or if grass is already established, grow in pots and plant out in Autumn or Spring, this is more work but gets better results. Most of the above taller lawn plants will do well as these edible ones below... Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria: 120cm H. Likes moist rich soil non acid soils, a useful medicinal and culinary herb. Sheep sorrel, Rumex acetosella: 30cm H. prefers suny and moist spot, sharp edible salad leaves all year round. Red clover, Trifolium pratense: 60cm H. attracts butterflies, moths and bees, put round apple trees for better fruit, edible leaves, fixes nitrogen. Alternatively you could purchase a conservation wildflower mix from a local supplier, you won't be able to eat them though. For some more lawn fun see the guerrilla gardening pages. Notes [a] Many pesticides have never been adequately tested for toxicity to humans or wildlife. According to the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, 13 of the most commonly used lawn care pesticides can cause cancer, 14 can cause birth defects, 21 can damage the nervous system, 15 can injure the liver or kidney, and 30 are sensitizers or irritants. [3] The pesticide MCPA, used as an ingredient is some lawn pesticides, has been found to damage the blood brain barrier which protects against neurological illness.[4] Organophosphate pesticides have been shown to cause memory loss and short attention spans.[5] Other studies have linked long term pesticide use with prostate[6], brain and lung cancer.[7] It is estimated that each year in the US, 67 million birds are poisoned by legally used pesticides.[3] Pesticides are often misused especially by homeowners, increasing the risks. [b] Fertiliser is often over applied, causing runoff problems in nearby watercourses, as well as the obvious waste of fossil fuels in its manufacture and transport. [c] It is estimated that 44% of domestic water consumption in California is used for lawns[8] In many areas ground water tables are being depleted. [d] The manufacture of garden machinery uses energy, depletes resources and creates pollution as do the engine fumes or the power plants producing the electricity they run on. In the early 90’s it was estimated that 580,000,000 gallons of petrol were used to run lawnmowers in the US every year.[2] References [1] The Pesticide Scandal, Sayan, Kathyrne, Family Circle 2 April 1991. [2] Redesigning the American Lawn, F. Herbert Bormann, Diana Balmori, Gordon T. Geballe, Yale University Press, 1993 [3] Spring, 1997 edition of The Arlington Environment, Volume Four, Number Four [4] Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 65:23, 1982 [5] Annual Reviews in Public Health, 7:461, 1986 [6] Occupational Environmental Medicine, 56(1):14-21, 1999 [7] Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 71(1), July 1983 [8] Permaculture a designers manual, Bill Mollison, Tagari publications, 1988. [9] Plants for a future- edible and useful plants for a healthier world, Ken Fern, Permanent publications, 1997.

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Some creatures that need a continuous wildlife corridor through Northwest Arkansas: To learn more, please attend program at Fayetteville Public Library starting at 6 p.m. today; it is free to everyone

2011-08-15T11:33:00.002-05:00

Clearwing moth on native thistle at World Peace Wetland Prairie on August 15, 2011

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE. Click on enlargement for closer view.

Female black form tiger swallowtail and male share a thistle on August 12, 2011, at World Peace Wetland Prairie. Photo by Aubrey James Shepherd

Monday, August 15, 6-7:30pm –“Critical Links; Wildlife Corridor Strategies for Northwest Arkansas”

Representatives of the Fayetteville Community Wildlife Habitat™ Project partnership, including the Environmental Action Committee and the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, will discuss the regional green infrastructure map and the importance of individual pieces of property in wildlife-corridor preservation.

For information on the Fayetteville Community Wildlife Habitat™ Project, go to http://habitat.accessfayetteville.org or contact Terri Lane at treehuggerlane@cox.net.

RNCIC, the fund-raising group for the Fayetteville National Cemetery, meets at 10:30 a.m. today

2011-08-13T08:16:00.000-05:00

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

P.O. BOX 4221

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702

Minutes from the JULY 9, 2011 Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Harold Crivello offered the prayer. Minutes of the June meeting were approved. The June 30 Financial Statement was approved with an ending balance of $64,999.12. Harold reported that the registration of IRS Form 990-N is now complete. There were 9 members present; and Ron welcomed 2 new visitors, Nick and Betheny Donahoe, who became acquainted with the RNCIC through the gun show in Springdale last weekend.

WEB SITE

Jake Lamkins reported that there were 29 visitors to the web site since the last meeting with a total of 281 page visits. Jake continues to post current pictures and articles to the web site.

5K RACE

Wes will check with Josh, but he believes the RNCIC race information is already posted on the runners’ web site. It was recommended that a draft brochure be printed in order to start making calls to solicit sponsors. The final brochure will reflect the sponsors’ names and be printed in Sept./Oct.

OLD BUSINESS

PROPERTY STATUS

Lot #15 (Wilson) is scheduled to close on July 18, 2011.

Lot #17 (Mahler) has given Alex Mahler permission to temporarily store some misc. fixtures on the lot.

Lots #20 and #20A Ron made a call to the owners’ family on Friday, but did not receive an answer.

Roger McClain suggested that we consider targeting Lot #19 in order to keep the properties owned consecutive.

BY-LAWS

An email notice was sent out to the general membership on June 27, 2011, with attachments of the present February 12, 2005, By-Laws and the proposed June 11, 2011, By-Laws to act on the revision of the By-Laws at the July 9 meeting. A motion was made by Wes, seconded by Roger, and the vote was unanimous to accept the proposed June 11, 2011, By-Laws to be effective January 1, 2012. The executive board will determine new membership dues to be implemented, and a membership letter to accompany this change.

Ron reported that the gun show held in Springdale on July 2 and 3 was successful in promoting awareness of the Fayetteville National Cemetery, describing the RNCIC’s purpose, distributing brochures, and raising $260 in miscellaneous donations. Ron has sent a Thank You note to the show promoters, and stated the RNCIC would be interested in manning a table again at future shows.

Ron and Aubrey attended the Fayetteville Planning Commission meeting on June 27 regarding the change of zoning of the sale barn property to Community Services. The vote passed and will now go to the City Council.

NEW BUSINESS

Ron reported that our VA contact, Mr. Dudley Shadeburg, has retired effective July 1, 2011. His replacement is Carolyn Harrison, who said she is looking forward to working with us.

Wes asked for permission to contact the Patriot Riders motorcycle group for fund raising support. Members agreed that it was a good idea.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. If members have any items to be discussed at the July meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the next meeting’s agenda.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorna Sterrett, Secretary

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE AUGUST 13, 2011, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.

Next week's shortakes on public-access television previewed on You Tube: See link below

2011-08-12T21:34:00.002-05:00

Mayor Lioneld Jordan of Fayetteville cites wet-prairie protection by Pinnacle Foods Inc. of Fayetteville as an example of protecting Beaver Lake water-quality in the most natural way possible

2011-08-10T11:44:00.000-05:00

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

For thousands more photos from Pinnacle Wet Prairie, including some from this event at the bottom, please click Flickr link.
For more than 800 photos made July 4, 2011, at Pinnacle wet prairie, please see Flick set.
For direct links to You Tube videos from Aug. 5, 2011, at Pinnacle Foods, please click on You Tube link.

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE. Click on enlargement for even closer view.

Doug Bryson and Lioneld Jordan

Recognition of Pinnacle Foods Inc's. significance to Fayetteville

Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods meeting July 28, 2011, video

2011-08-05T10:57:00.000-05:00

National Cemetery Neighbors and Friends

Sample of short takes to run starting Sunday on Public Access Television in Fayetteville AR: Come do your own between 5 and 6 Monday or 11 a.m. to noon Thursday. Free for residents of Fayetteville AR

Agenda for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation at American Legion Hut on S. Curtis Avenue between 15th St. and E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville, Arkansas

THE NEXT RNCIC MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

RNCIC Board discusses making offer for yellow house with large adjacent lot where Hill Avenue turns into Ellis Avenue at 11th Street intersection

Short takes on Cox 218 and AT&T channel 99 something for today through the weekend

RNCIC meeting 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012

Foggy Morning blues: Sale-barn reduced to rubble, huge oak destroyed beside National Cemetery, leaving squirrel homeless and confused

KUM & Go store official tells city council project has to be done their way or the plan to put a store at MLK Jr Blvd. and S. Hill Avenue will not be done

December 20, 2011, meeting of Fayetteville AR city council draws comment on several important local issues on a 3-hour, 37-minute video

Wreaths Across America big success at National Cemetery on Dec. 10, 2011

Park Board approves accepting money in lieu of land that will result in destruction of all habitat on Hollywood Prairie despite plea to preserve bit of wetland

Combat Veterans donate $1,000 for expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery before start of Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 10, 2011

Nature photos on next week's video include frost flowers from this week and last year

Coast Guard's new fast-response cutters named for enlisted heroes

CGs Third Fast Response Cutter Launched

Ron Butler, president of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, announces meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday before the Wreathes Across American ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Agenda for RNCIC Meeting, 10 Dec at Fayetteville National Cemetery‏

Fayetteville Planning Commission reviews plans for projects that will affect Beaver Lake watershed and hears public comment on related issues

Overall and class winners from Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, Veterans' 5K in Fayetteville AR

Veterans Memorial 5K

Age Group Results

November 12, 2011

Overall Female Open Winners

Female 16 and under

Female 18 to 22

Female 23 to 29

Female 30 to 39

Female 40 to 49

Female 50 to 59

Female 60 to 69

Overall Male Open Winners

Male 16 and under

Male 18 to 22

Male 23 to 29

Male 30 to 39

Male 40 to 49

Male 50 to 59

Male 60 to 69

Male 70 to 79

Veterans Memorial 5K

Overall Finish List

November 12, 2011

Female Finishers

Male Finishers

Veterans' Day Parade in Downtown Fayetteville AR on 11/11/11

Free meals for veterans today and some Saturday or Monday listed on EXAMINER site

High water after rain in Northwest Arkansas as seen at confluence of West Fork of the White River and the Town Branch of the West Fork

Veteran's Day activities and parade in downtown Fayetteville on Friday and 5K Race on Saturday morning begin four days of Veteran's Day Celebration in Northwest Arkansas

National Cemetery fund-raisers' meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2011, at American Legion Hut at 1195 S. Curtis Avenue between 15th St. and E. Huntsville Road

Video of Ward Four meeting at 7 p.m. September 26 includes explanation of importance of renewing sales tax by vote on Oct. 11, 2011. See detail below

Please click on image below to ENLARGE for reading. Click on the enlargement for even easier reading.Monday, September 26, 2011

Fayetteville Environmental Action Committee meeting of 15 September 2011

Vet's 5K run on November 12, 2011, already open for entries and inviting potential sponsors to donate prizes or cash in support of the 3rd-annual footrace starting and ending at the gate of the Fayetteville National Cemetery

Agenda for Saturday Sept. 11, 2011, meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation

Town Branch Neighborhood Association meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, welcomes everyone who chooses to attend

Traditional landscapes suck Energy, Water and Money, says Neil Diboll at The Native Plants in the Landscape Conference

« Welcome to The Native Plants in the Landscape Conference

The Future of Gardening by Neil Diboll

University of Vermont ExtensionDepartment of Plant and Soil Science

Some creatures that need a continuous wildlife corridor through Northwest Arkansas: To learn more, please attend program at Fayetteville Public Library starting at 6 p.m. today; it is free to everyone

RNCIC, the fund-raising group for the Fayetteville National Cemetery, meets at 10:30 a.m. today

Next week's shortakes on public-access television previewed on You Tube: See link below

Mayor Lioneld Jordan of Fayetteville cites wet-prairie protection by Pinnacle Foods Inc. of Fayetteville as an example of protecting Beaver Lake water-quality in the most natural way possible

Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods meeting July 28, 2011, video

Please click on image below to ENLARGE for reading. Click on the enlargement for even easier reading.

Monday, September 26, 2011

University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science