COMMUNITY
National Night Out & Ice Cream Social
Calling all Wood Streets residents!!!! Tonight (August 3, 2010) is “National Night Out”! It’s actually America’s Night Out Against Crime!
National Night Out (NNO) is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). This year’s event is sponsored by the Historic Wood Streets Association (HWSA) and is gearing up for a wonderful time tonight, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., as we all observe National Night Out. Please join us at 3465 Ramona Drive in the Wood Streets for free ice cream, fun, and visits from the City of Riverside Police and Fire Departments, along with council member Mike Gardner. The kids will enjoy the big fire truck!
In 2009, the National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, local officials and neighborhood organizations from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 36 million people participated in National Night Out in 2009. Let’s make 2010 even better!
National Night Out is designed to:
- heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
- generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs
- strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
- send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back
If you live in another community, please consider registering for an organizational kit, available at the NNO website linked above, for your National Night Out in 2011. Once you register, you will receive NNO updates during the period leading up to next year’s event.
Outcome of ‘Green Home Conversion & Rebates’ Workshop
A week ago today, Sunday, July 25, 2010, the Wood Streets Green Team organized a workshop entitled “Green Home Conversions with Riverside Public Utilities Rebates“. About 40 people (mostly Wood Streets residents) attended the workshop and heard Ryan Bullard from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) explain the new Whole House Rebate Program, a tiered rebate that gets bigger the more environmentally friendly projects you perform. Click here to learn more about the ever-important RPU rebate program!
Concerned residents who were able to attend the workshop were provided with an opening speech by Justin Scott-Coe, creator of the Wood Streets Green Team, who then introduced Ryan Bullard from RPU and Steven Rawls from REEIS (Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Specialists). Those who attended were offered a free home diagnosis inspection from REEIS, and a free “Go Green” reusable shopping bag from RPU. Tara and I love these bags — we’re even looking into having some reusable shopping bags made for our business so we can give them away and encourage our neighbors and clients to help the environment by shopping responsibly.
Tara and I are proud to live in the Wood Streets neighborhood of Riverside, and are proud to be members of the Wood Streets Green Team! You don’t necessarily have to live in the Wood Streets to be a member of the Wood Streets Green Team. This site is a resource where all Riverside residents can share insights, ask questions, and request information about living more sustainably. Go Green, Go!
Bike Ride to Farmers’ Market
What better way to spend time with family on a Saturday morning than by biking to the local Farmers’ Market in downtown Riverside near the famous Mission Inn. By riding our bikes, we don’t have to worry about where to park, we save money on gas, save wear and tear on our automobiles, spend quality time with family, and best of all we get some exercise!
Local California family farmers growing food for families. Californians supporting California. Yep, that’s what it’s all about!
Didn’t buy too much today, but it was a heavy haul for my bike basket. The melon, corn and potatoes are what weighed so much. This week I bought purple (yes, purple) green beans, called nightshade (at least that’s what the farmer told me). He said they’re sweeter than green beans. And if you’re wondering why I bought only one tomato, it’s because my mom said she was bringing me some homegrown ‘tomaters’ from her own garden.
The bok choy was only a dollar, and since I’ve never tried it before, I thought it wasn’t too much to spend on something new even if I don’t end up liking it. And the peaches weren’t from the market; they’re from my friend Mary’s very own backyard tree here in Riverside. And they are extremely sweet and delicious!!
A wonderful morning, a bountiful and affordable harvest, and a fun bike ride with my sister and niece. I love, love, love Riverside, California!!!
Local Farmers’ Markets
The Riverside Downtown Farmers’ Market is a place for area farmers to sell their seasonal crops directly to customers. When Tara and I first heard about this, we had just started taking our healthy eating to the next level, so this was perfect timing. Instead of driving a car to the market and contributing to polluting the environment, we ride our bicycles. Exercise… pollution reduction… healthy food… what a great way to start almost each and every weekend.
Located on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall between 5th and 6th Streets (adjacent to the Mission Inn) in the arts and culture district of downtown Riverside, it provides a unique opportunity to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, hummus, aged gouda cheese by Winchester Cheese Co., fresh baked bread from Old Towne Baking Co. and other specialty food items.
Open every SATURDAY from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A photo of my beach cruiser’s handlebar basket overflowing with my farmers’ market haul a couple of weekends ago. Nectarines, plums, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cabbage, broccoli, corn, eggplant, etc. all for under $30!
Every FRIDAY from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sears parking lot (corner of Streeter and Arlington) is the original Riverside Certified Farmers’ Market open rain or shine at the same location for over 25 years! This farmers’ market specializes in local ‘mom & pop’ farms and organic backyard gardeners that offer everything from heirloom tomatoes to ancient varieties of corn. Because growing your own food is the healthiest, these farmers give friendly farming advice.
In addition to the organic farmers, there are local bakeries, fresh cut flowers, hot roasted peanuts, local honey, potted orchids, and a colorful assortment of local artisans including hand-mined stone jewelry and natural soy candles. Some vendors accept Visa and MasterCard, and there’s an ATM machine on the premises.
No matter which Farmers’ Market you attend, maybe even both, please be sure to wear comfortable shoes, a hat (or umbrella) and bring your canvas shopping bags. We’ll see you there!
Green Home Conversions & Rebates
Want to save $$$ on energy costs? Tired of that hot/stuffy room? Are you afraid to run your air conditioner? Confused by all the advertisements? Don’t know where to begin? The “Wood Streets Green Team” can help!
The Wood Streets Green Team’s mission is to provide resources to assist Wood Streets residents in increasing the sustainability of their lifestyle. Their website is a resource where all Riverside residents can share insights, ask questions, and request information about living more sustainably.
Join us on Sunday July 25, 2010 for a workshop entitled ”Green Home Conversions with Riverside Public Utilities Rebates” from 3 pm to 5 pm at RCC‘s Hall of Fame in the Student Union Center (click here for campus map).
This workshop will feature Ryan Bullard from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) who will explain the new Whole House Rebate Program, a tiered rebate that gets bigger the more environmentally friendly projects you perform. Steven Rawls from REEIS (Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Specialists) will teach you how to determine the most important and cost effective improvements for your home.
The green shape under the words “Wood Streets Green Team” is the map outline of the Wood Streets neighborhood here in wonderful and historical Riverside, California! 
This workshop will provide valuable information for everyone concerned about the environment, their community, and their future.
Though the Team is geographically located in the Wood Streets neighborhood, all Riverside residents are invited to join the Team and attend the workshops! We look forward to seeing you there.