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Gardening Series - Master GardenersWeed Identification

Thursday, May from 6 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.Identify 20 common weeds when they are very small. Learn how to reduce weeds organically in your garden without spending all your

time weeding.

Garden Tips for Busy PeopleTuesday, May 11 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Would you like to garden less and enjoy more? Learn to plant low maintenance annuals, perennials and house plants that you can’t kill. Valuable tips on water conservation and other steps you can take to

minimize garden chores.

Wildflowers in ContainersThursday, May 13 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

in the Angus Ross RoomMiriam Goldberger of the Wildflower Farm will create an eco-friendly shady woodland container and give great tips on planting containers

that are best suited for shade or sun.

Learn to ConserveWednesday May 12 from 7:00– 8:30 p.m.

PowerStream in partnership with the Barrie Public Library invites you to a complimentary workshop for small businesses. Learn how to become more energy efficient in your workplace and get the latest

updates from our expert panel.

This session is free but you must register by email to bplbusiness@barrie.ca or by phone at 728-1010 Ext. 7014

Showcase Your Green Thumb in Barrie’s Communities In Bloom

With spring’s early arrival, many avid gardeners are sharpening and polishing their gardening tools in anticipation for Barrie’s upcoming 13th annual participation in the Communities in Bloom (CIB) competition at the National and International levels.

This year the City of Barrie will compete in the International over 100,000 population size category with other municipalities from all over the world including Charlottetown PEI, Kunitachi Japan, Leduc Alberta, Wisbech England, U.K and Zlin Czech Republic.

“Many initiatives have grown into a community effort with various community partners including residential, commercial, industrial and strong support from our business sectors who have embraced the program. It’s because of their continued support why the city has achieved international recognition for our efforts and why we continue to participate,” says City of Barrie’s Park’s Horticulture Coordinator Mona Boyd.

The City has done exceptionally well, not only have we been awarded several prestigious awards, but we’ve also received some valuable constructive feedback from the international visiting judges. More recently in 2008, we were declared the national winner in the 55,001 to 150,000 population category, plus we received the Turf Award for the playing fields at the Barrie Sports Park. In 2009, we received special mention for The Kidd’s Creek Restoration Project environmental initiative along our waterfront in addition to achieving a 5-Bloom rating in the Circle of Excellence category.

“Barrie has been very successful in maintaining a ‘5 Bloom Rating’ for several years in a row. We hope to continue that success in 2010,” says Boyd.

Two International judges, Gerald Lajeunesse from Ottawa and Maurice Baren from Haworth, Keighley (West Yorkshire), arrive on July 20th and July 21st to tour residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial properties and/or review visuals taken prior to their arrival by Communities in Bloom representatives. Judges then complete an evaluation, marking us on eight different criteria which include floral displays, heritage conservation, urban forestry, turf areas, landscaped areas, community involvement, environmental efforts, and tidiness.

“Remember, first impressions count big time, and that’s why we encourage participants to help make Barrie number one by tidying up their properties or neighborhood park prior to the day of the judge’s arrival,” says Boyd.

We encourage our young gardeners to showcase their creative talent and also have a shot at fame. In 2007, the City and the Barrie Examiner launched the annual Little Bloomers Container Gardening contest where all participants receive a certificate of recognition and the winners in the age two categories, 2-5 and 6-10 receive a prize.

Boyd also reminds participants to nominate their neighbor’s efforts, which can be showcased in the Barrie Examiner’s “Garden of the Week” weekly feature.

This year’s competition begins with Mayor Aspden, Councilor Lynn Strachan and other CIB volunteers at City Hall in the courtyard on Thursday May 6th at 1:00 p.m. with the CIB flag rising. On May 8th, we officially kick-off the 2010 CIB at Botanix-Barrie’s Garden Centre at 375 Bayview Drive, where members of the CIB committee will answer questions and hand-out registration forms. Each of the first 50 registered participants will receive a free canvas gift bag filled with seed packets, gardening gloves, a coupon for compost compliments of the Environmental Centre (Landfill Site), and plants from the Botanix Gardening Centre.

Reminder for both new and repeat participants, the deadline to register your beautification efforts is Friday June 18th. For Little Bloomers, the registration deadline is July 16th and don’t forget to recognize and nominate your favorite garden by August 20th.

More details and registration forms can be found on www.barrie.ca. Click “Community” and “Recreation Information”.

TODAY

Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces AtlanticSailors and Songs: A Musical Tribute to 100 Years of Naval Service to CanadaMonday, May 17, 2010Georgian Theatre1 Georgian Drive, Georgian CollegeShow is general admission - doors at 6:30 pm, show at 7:00 pm.Tickets are $6 each and proceeds will be donated to charity.For information visit: www.barrie.ca

Join Us at ASpecial Dedication

The Mulcaster Street Armoury Building will be dedicatedas the Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum

May 15 at 1:30 pm36 Mulcaster Street, Barrie

Come and see the newly renovated building, and witness the special ceremony