Winter Farmers' Market Starts this Saturday at Harmony School

For the first time in recent history, Bloomington residents will have
year-round access to food grown by local farmers and sold at a weekly
farmers' market. The Local Growers Guild is kicking off its annual
Bloomington Winter Farmers Market, this Saturday, from 9 am to noon.

Please help us spread the word about the extended season! Located at
Harmony School near the intersection of 2nd and Woodlawn, the market
will offer fresh produce, meat, and dairy products along with prepared
foods, special events, and live music.

This is a great opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping and
support local, ecological businesses at the same time. Gift items
include fair trade, organic coffee, herbal teas, a wide range of
soaps, salves and lip butters, holiday jars of soda bread mix, candle
arrangements, wreaths and centerpieces, fresh flower bouquets,
ornaments, gift baskets of strawberry and blackberry jam, holiday
roasts, blooming bulbs, holiday cookie gift bags, Christmas stollen
and alpaca yarns.
In addition, consider giving a gift that will keep on giving all year.
There will be CSA gift subscriptions and/or gift certificates
available from Heartland Family Farms, Muddy Fork Farm and Bakery and
Schacht Farm. Gift memberships to the Local Growers Guild will also
be available.

Available produce will include salad greens, kale, squash, mushrooms,
herbs, potatoes and sweet potatoes, garlic, onions, chard, carrots,
spinach, apples, and more. Farmers will offer locally raised beef,
pork, chicken, and turkey, along with milk, yogurt, eggs, tofu,
cheese, and breads.

In addition to fresh foods, shoppers can purchase frozen vegetables,
relishes, local grains, fresh flowers, fair trade coffee, seeds,
organic soil amendments, and potted plants. There will also be a wide
range of other farm products and holiday gifts, such as dried herbs,
jam, kombucha, herbed vinegars, herbal teas, soaps and salves, fiber,
wool, and wreaths.

Visit www.localgrowers.org for more information about the Bloomington
Winter Farmers Market, including schedule and parking information, a
full list of products and vendors, and recipes showcasing seasonal
ingredients.

Robert Fischman

“Make a Splash” at the Library This Summer

Summer fun for children starts Tuesday, June 1, at Monroe County Public Library. That’s the first day to pick up summer reading guides to play the “Make a Splash” Summer Reading Game and win prizes. You can visit www.mcpl.info/childrens for reading activities and a list of all the library’s summer programs (or call 349-3100). It’s all free of charge. Last year 4,000 children participated in the Summer Reading Program, which has been shown to reduce or even eliminate the summer reading loss that can erode as much as 20% of a child’s reading ability.

Thank you for helping MCPL get the word out to your friends and neighbors with children to join the fun. The Summer Reading Program is completely funded by The Friends of the Library. There is more about the Friends at www.mcpl.info/friends.

Annual Plant/Seed Exchange Scheduled

Annual Bryan Park Neighborhood Plants/Seeds Exchange
The annual Bryan Park Neighborhood Plant/Seed Exchange will take place on Sunday, April 25th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the home of Ria Collee. The address is 932 S. Henderson St. (on the North corner of Allen and Henderson). Please bring any garden plants that you want to share, or seedlings (flowers, vegetables, etc.) that need a home. Tables will be set up on the Allen Street side to place the plants on.
Ria has a Backyard Wildlife Habitat garden and is a Habitat Stewart. If anyone is interested in making their yard/garden more wildlife friendly and starting a Backyard Wildlife garden, she will offer to help you. She will have native wildflower plants to give away, such as echinaceas, penstemons, lance-leaved coreopsis, false blue sienna, blue vervain, sundrops, goosenecks and black-eyed susans as well as vegetable seedling.
If you don’t have anything to give away, come anyway and give some plants a home or take away some seeds to start a garden. This event is a great way to meet the other gardeners in your neighborhood and it has always been a great deal of fun. For more information about this event contact Ria, at 336-2512 or mcollee@indiana.edu

Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market begins this Saturday, Jan. 23

Bloomington Winter Farmers Market kicks off its exciting 6th year, this Saturday morning, 9-12 at Harmony School, 902 Second Street.

Parking available at the school, on surrounding streets, and at the nearby IU garage.

Local farmers will again offer as much fresh produce as the season allows, including butternut squash, root crops, and early greens.
Also available will be fresh farm eggs, meats from local farms, and alpaca yarns and fibers, and a full line of garden seeds! Exciting new products include locally made tofu, goat cheese, and breads.

Come on down and enjoy eclectic world music all morning by Dan Willens and Mano Joven.
Here is a wonderful recipe that you could make with beets, greens, bread and goat cheese from the market:

ROASTED BEET SALAD

Serves 4

* 1 bunch (about 1 1/2 pounds) small to medium beets
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 8 cups baby spinach or arugula
* 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
* 3 ounces goat cheese, sliced

Preheat oven to 400̊F. Trim beets and scrub them, leaving about 1/2 inch of stems attached (reserve greens for another use). Place beets in a casserole dish and drizzle with a little olive oil (about 1 tablespoon). Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast in middle of oven until tender, about 1 hour.

When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off skins and stems.
Quarter beets and place in a bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and toss. (Beets may be roasted 1 day ahead and chilled, covered).

In a bowl whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss greens with the dressing and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve salad greens topped with beets. Arrange cheese slices on the side, or shave on top, and serve with a crusty baguette.

(Thanks to Susie Quick from Honest Farm in Midway, KY, for sharing this recipe!)

My Sister's Closet Fundraiser

From Liz Brown:

Our fabulous neighbor, Natalie Cabanaw, again is donating her tips to
raise money for a not-for-profit group this Thurs. Jan 21 from 5-9 pm at
Nick's in the back room. The group Natalie has adopted is My Sister's
Closet. The Closet is a wonderful organization that not only provides
free clothing to women appyling for jobs and cannot afford to purchase
interview and work clothing, but is open to anyone to purchase nearly
new and new work attire. Come out Thursday to Nick's! Have a great
meal, tip generously, and support My Sister's Closet!

PS My Sister's Closet is located t 1010 S. Walnut and is open Wed-Fr
10-3 and Sat 10-5.

Dance Series Announcement From Rob Fischman

Cure cabin fever this winter by attending a new dance series for families and friends ages 4-94! The 2010 Winter Family Dance series begins Sunday, January 10th, 3:00-5:00 pm at the Harmony School gymnasium (909 E 2nd). Bring your entire family for live music and fun social dancing with simple instruction.

This participatory program is comprised of dances in the traditional American mold. Simple, repetitive movements are easily learned, and families will quickly be dancing together in company with others. No experience is necessary, all dances will be taught. Also featuring talented local musicians on fiddle, accordion, piano, bass and banjo. Cost is $4/person or $15/family or household of 4 or more. For more information call Abby Ladin at 330-8731 or visit us on Facebook @ 2010 Winter Family Dance Series.

Family dance master caller DeLaura Padovan from Virginia will lead the first event. Her gentle joyful style engages children and adults at community dances, camps and gatherings nationwide. The band of local talent will include veteran dance musicians Sam Bartlett , Claudio Buchwald with Eric Schedler and special guest Steve Hickman.

Coordinator Abby Ladin introduces this monthly dance series as an activity which families can truly explore together. Ladin, who herself began dancing with her family as a young child, is a seasoned performer, dance teacher and musician, and can see Bloomington becoming the perfect place for the family dance experience.

The Winter Family Dance Series is made possible in part by the City of Bloomington, the Bloomington Community Arts Commission, the New Leaders, Good Leaders Fund of the Country Song & Dance Society, with additional support from the Bloomington Old Time Music & Dance Group.

Christmas Village Invitation

Dick and Mary Lou Mitchell would like to invite one and all to visit our Christmas village. A tradition for twenty years, Mary Lou's village includes charming antique and modern buildings, animated figures, a Christmas train and ice skaters twirling on a frozen pond. Come and see this special holiday display!

Drop by at 1202 S. Palmer or give us a call at 339-5096 to make sure we're home.

Hope to see you soon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bryan Park Upcoming Events and Minutes

BRI Home Tour

This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24 and 25, from 1-5pm, Bloomington Restorations (BRI) is hosting its 33rd annual architectural tour, this year in the Bryan Park Neighborhood. Tour headquarters is located at 1007 S. Lincoln St. Tickets can be purchased for $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 336-0909 for more information, or see www.bloomingtonrestorations.org.

Templeton Playground Renovation

There's a long article about the Templeton playground renovation in today's Herald-Times. Check it out if you can.

BPNA October Meeting

Our October meeting will be next Tuesday, 10/27, at 7:00 pm at the free Methodist Church at Grimes and Lincoln. Watch for an agenda later this week.

September 22, 2009 Meeting Minutes

President Mary Miller presided over the meeting.

Seventeen members were in attendance

The Templeton Playground Renovation needs help with the planting. This will be Saturday, October 10th, from 10:00-12:00.

Also everyone was reminded to watch for the proof of purchase seals on cereal boxes.

Joanne Henriot reported that 63 T-shirts have been sold. There are still 16 remaining. Good job, Joanne.

Corrine Carpenter is putting together welcome bags. If you need any give her a call.

Jan Sorby announced that the International Safe Routes to School Day is October 7th and helped is needed at Templeton.

Ann and Alan Schertz and Scott Ackerson are applying for variances for storage sheds and a garage. The neighborhood supports both of them. A letter will be written acknowledging the support.

The Bloomington Restoration tour is October 24th and 25th. Docents are still needed. If interested notify Jan Sorby.

Here's link to the January 2008 BPNA newsletter, containing the article on historic preservation passed out at the Sept. meeting, for our initial discussion on the conservation district idea: http://www.bloomington.in.us/~bpna/BPNA_0108.pdf.

Hope you can make it to the meeting next week!

Isabel Piedmont-Smith on Sat., Craig Brenner on Sunday, and Nick's benefit report

Isabel Piedmont-Smith Monthly Meeting

Isabel Piedmont-Smith, our District V Representative on the City Council, will be holding her monthly constituent meeting on Saturday, Aug. 29. It's 11 am to 12 noon at Rachael's Cafe, corner of 3rd St. and Lincoln St. Updates on the city's budget proposal and the Unified Development Ordinance will be discussed.

Craig Brenner & the Crawdads Sunday at the Waldron

Craig wants to invite all BPNA neighbors to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for the Tried & True Concert Sunday, Aug. 30, beginning at 4 p.m. The show begins with the Gordon Bonham Duo, followed by the Dynamics, followed by Craig Brenner & the Crawdads. What a deal for $5.00!

Craig & the Crawdads will play some tunes from their new CD, Live to Love. See the review in the Bloomington Independent at http://www.bloomingtonalternative.com/articles/2009/08/23/10123 It's a very good review for a wonderful group.

Templeton Benefit at Nick's

Natalie Cabanaw and Erin Heffley, the two servers at the Templeton benefit on Wed., donated their tips from the evening… totaling $356! The bar tender was Richie Bowling…another Bryan Park area neighbor. Natalie, Erin, and Richie all worked without wages for the event… a big thank you to them! In addition, Nick's may also donate a percentage of sales from the benefit. Thanks to Raggs, Susan and Nick's for supporting the cause of the Templeton playground renovation. And thanks to all the neighbors who attended. It was a really fun and well attended event.

Templeton PTO Fundraiser at Nick's August 26

The Templeton PTO has been hard at work planning for a full-scale renovation of Templeton’s playgrounds--the oldest in the Monroe County school corporation. The renovation will include new equipment, surfacing, and trees. Angela Lexmond, one of the organizers, reports, “We have already raised $12,000 through grants and from major donors, but we have far to go to reach our fundraising goal of $65,000. We hope our neighbors will help us. Last spring, the kids themselves raised over $1,000!”

One neighbor, Natalie Cabanaw, is sponsoring a benefit at Nick’s English Hut for the cause on Wednesday, August 26, from 5:00-8:00 pm. Natalie is coming in on her day off and will donate all her tips; all you’ve got to do to help is come in and order off the menu. Nick’s management will also donate a percentage of the bill for people who identify themselves as Templeton supporters.

To have your bill count towards the fundraiser, go to the back dining room on the first floor of Nick's between 5:00-8:00 pm. Natalie won a Be More Award from the City this spring for similar generous fundraising work for local charities, and Nick's generously supported the annual block party this year by donating the burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and fixings.

If you can help directly, please send your tax deductible donation to the FMCCS (Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools) earmarking it in the memo line for the “Templeton Playground Fund.” Their address is 315 North Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401. For more information, contact Angela Lexmond (339-0782) or Jennifer Livesay (334-0764).

BPNA block party this Friday!

The annual BPNA summer block party is this Friday, August 14, 6-9 pm. Everybody in the neighborhood is invited. Come meet new neighbors and celebrate with old friends.

Craig Brenner and Friends will once again inspire dancing in the street—specifically the 1000 block of South Dunn St. Please bring a potluck dish to share with your neighbors. BPNA will provide lemonade, grilled meat and veggie burgers and hot dogs generously provided by our sponsor, Nick’s English Hut. As an added treat, we will provide Edy's slow-churned ice cream for the first 100 guests, courtesy of Edy's.

We are also grateful to the City of Bloomington, which awarded us a Small & Simple grant to help with the non-food costs of this large party. The party drew about 300 people last year, and we expect an even bigger turnout this year.

This is a great time to pay your membership dues. Dues are just $5 a year, and we will have a table set up to take dues at the picnic. BPNA T-shirts are back by popular demand! We will have a custom design ready for pre-order.

Last but not least, remember the hungry while you enjoy the party. Dee Hupp-Sanders of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank asks that you bring a food item to donate to the food bank.

Annual block party - Friday, 8/14

The annual BPNA summer block party is scheduled for Friday, August 14, 6-9 pm. Everybody in the neighborhood is invited, whether they are BPNA members or not. Come meet new neighbors and celebrate with old friends.

Craig Brenner and Friends will once again inspire dancing in the street—specifically the 1000 block of South Dunn St. Please bring a potluck dish to share with your neighbors. BPNA will provide lemonade, grilled meat and veggie burgers and hot dogs generously provided by our sponsor, Nick’s English Hut. As an added treat, we will provide Edy's slow-churned ice cream for the first 100 guests, courtesy of Edy's.

We are also grateful to the City of Bloomington, which awarded us a Small & Simple grant to help with the non-food costs of this large party. The party drew about 300 people last year, and we expect an even bigger turnout this year. Volunteers are needed to help organize and run the grill; contact Jon Lawrence at jolawren@indiana.edu or 334-2075 if you can help.

This is a great time to pay your membership dues. Dues are just $5 a year, and we will have a table set up to take dues at the picnic. BPNA T-shirts are back by popular demand. We hope to have a custom design ready for the occasion. Come by the BPNA table to see the design and place your order.

Last but not least, remember the hungry while you enjoy the party food. Dee Hupp-Sanders of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank asks that you bring a food item to donate to the food bank.

Neighborhood Play Day 2009

I'm contacting you to let you know that Bloomington Parks and Recreation will be holding a Neighborhood Play Day Wednesday, August 5 from 1-3pm. It's for all ages and we will be playing games and celebrating and facilitating play. We want you to let your neighborhood know so that they can come out and join us for the play day. The following are the specific parks we are going to be at: Broadview Park, Olcott Park, Bryan Park, Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park, and Sherwood Oaks Park. We hope to see everyone there and make it a successful play day event!

--Lynsie Burton

Program Specialist

City of Bloomington

Parks and Recreation

Neighborhood Clean-up day, April 18

Start planning for spring house cleaning! BPNA has been awarded a Neighborhood Clean-up grant for April 18, 2009, according to Vicki Provine, Program Manager, Housing and Neighborhood Development for the city. HAND will provide dumpsters and logistical support at the parking lot at the Free Methodist church at the corner of Grimes and Lincoln, from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, April 18.

BPNA volunteers pitch in on site to help neighbors toss their cast-off items into the dumpsters. Usable but orphaned items are set aside for recycling and free to all comers. We can use another few volunteers with a truck or van who could help neighbors with large items and haul brush to the site. For more information,call the volunteer coordinator, Anne Hedin, at 323-7485.

The City is unable to accept electronic waste such as computers and monitors at the Neighborhood Clean-up site on April 18, but do not despair. You can recycle office equipment, old TVs, VCRs, cameras, etc. at a free e-waste recycling drive hosted by Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI. The program will be open to the general public on Saturday, May 2, from 9 am to 2 pm in the parking lot to the north of Memorial Stadium. Complete information, including maps, hours, and a list of accepted items, is available at indiana.poweron.com.

Electronics Recycling Drive, May 2

The City is unable to accept electronic waste such as computers and monitors at the Neighborhood Clean-up site on April 18, but do not despair. You can recycle office equipment, old TVs, VCRs, cameras, etc. at a free e-waste recycling drive hosted by Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI. The program will be open to the general public on Saturday, May 2, from 9 am to 2 pm in the parking lot to the north of Memorial Stadium. Complete information, including maps, hours, and a list of accepted items, is available at indiana.poweron.com.

Trees for Templeton - Deadline Monday, 2/2/2009

Templeton School is applying for an Urban Forestry Grant from the Department of Natural Resources to create a "living fence" between the playground and Hillside Ave. Students and families will assist a contractor in planting the trees by the playground, reducing air and noise pollution. A variety of trees will also be planted to provide needed shade by parking lots and plyground areas, reducing temperatures, absorbing pollutants, providing shade and protecting wildlife.

Support from individuals and community groups is requested to increase the application's chance of success. A short form (takes less than 5 minutes to fill out) is available to register your support, but it must be completed and returned by MONDAY, 2/2. Leave a comment requesting a form (let us know how to contact you) or contact Sally Jones (322-5548). Completed forms can be dropped of at the school; also Sally Jones has offered to pick them up, by arrangement.

Annual block party - Friday, 8/22

Everybody loves a party! The annual BPNA summer block party is scheduled for August 22, 6-9 pm.

Craig Brenner and the Crawdads will once again inspire dancing in the street—specifically the 1000 block of South Dunn St. Please bring a potluck dish to share with your neighbors. BPNA will provide grilled meat and veggie burgers and hot dogs as well as lemonade. Come meet new neighbors and celebrate with old friends.

We need your membership dues to fund food purchases. We’re down on our knees here. Dues are just $5 a year, and a handy mail-in form is provided on this page. In the past, BPNA has received a Small & Simple grant from the city to help with the cost of this large party, which drew about 200 people last year. We hope to receive another grant this year. Keep your fingers crossed!

We can always use extra hands; contact Jon Lawrence at jolawren@indiana.edu or 334-2075.

City Council Member Piedmont to Host Constituent Meeting Saturday

District 5 City Council member Isabel Piedmont will hold her monthly constituent meeting on Saturday, May 31, 10:00-11:00 am at Rachael’s Café, 300 E. 3rd St. Her goals are to provide an update on city issues and a forum for constituent concerns. Rachael’s Café is a locally owned business, located at the corner of 3rd St. and Lincoln St.

“During our May meeting, I will review recent Council actions including the approval of a new ordinance regulating trees in the public domain,” said Piedmont. “I will also discuss the city’s construction of the B-Line trail and future plans for the Griffy Lake area.”

Piedmont encourages all Bloomington residents, not just those in District 5, to join her for this Saturday meeting. Free coffee will be available courtesy of Piedmont, and Rachael’s Café serves breakfast for those interested in combining a meal with the meeting.

Piedmont hosts constituent meetings at Rachael’s Café on the last Saturday of every month, 10-11 am. More information about Councilmember Piedmont is available on her website, www.PiedmontForCouncil.org.

City Council Member Piedmont to Host Constituent Meeting

District 5 City Council member Isabel Piedmont will hold a constituent meeting on Saturday, April 26, 10:00-11:00 am at Rachael’s Café, 300 E. 3^rd St. This is the third in a series of meetings which take place the last Saturday of each month with the purpose of providing an update on city issues and a forum for constituent concerns. Unfortunately, the McDoel Market & Deli, the site of the first two meetings, has closed. Rachael’s Café is another locally owned business, located at the corner of 3^rd St. and Lincoln St.

“During our April meeting, I will review recent Council actions including the approval of changes to part of the Woolery Farm development and the creation of the Prospect Hill Conservation District,” said Piedmont. “I will also discuss the city’s progress toward meeting its environmental goals since we are celebrating Earth Day this week.”

Piedmont encourages all Bloomington residents, not just those in District 5, to join her for this Saturday meeting. Free coffee will be available courtesy of Piedmont, and Rachael’s Café serves breakfast for those interested in combining a meal with the meeting. More information about Piedmont is available on her website, www.PiedmontForCouncil.org.

Second Piedmont Constituent Meeting

City Council Member Piedmont to Host Constituent Meeting

District 5 City Council member Isabel Piedmont will hold a constituent meeting on Saturday, March 29, 9:30-10:30 am at the McDoel Market and Deli. This is the second in a series of meetings which take place the last Saturday of each month with the purpose of providing an update on city issues and a forum for constituent concerns. The McDoel Grocery is located at the corner of Rogers St. and W. Patterson Dr. in city council District 5.

“This month I will review recent issues before the Council including changes to the Sustainability Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women, as well as a resolution opposing logging in the back-country area of state forests,” said Piedmont. “I will also discuss the city’s participation in EarthHour 2008.” EarthHour is a world-wide event during which people around the globe will turn off their lights for one hour at 8 pm local time on Saturday, March 29. The city is encouraging participation as part of its efforts to reduce global warming and bring attention to the problem of global climate change.

Piedmont encourages all Bloomington residents, not just those in District 5, to join her for this Saturday meeting. Free coffee will be available courtesy of Piedmont, and the McDoel Deli serves breakfast for those interested in combining a meal with the meeting. More information about Piedmont is available on her website, www.PiedmontForCouncil.org.