City Briefs
Focus on Trees | Rate your
City this Spring
Automated Greetings | Locals
Day Means Free Parking at Wharf
Ruth M. Vreeland
Folklore Collection Dedicated | Volunteer Today
FOCUS ON TREES
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Save
Water, Time at Home –
Consider Native Flora
Native and drought-tolerant landscapes are beautiful and help conserve
limited water resources.
Here are some recommendations and tips for growing an attractive,
earth-friendly garden or landscape.
Plant in the fall and early winter and apply water only as needed during
the cool morning hours
to reduce evaporation.
Various soils require different amounts of water.
For example, sandy soils need more frequent watering, while heavy clay
soils need less water. For deep-rooted trees and shrubs, water slowly so
water will cover the entire root zone. While native and drought-resistant
plants can survive on low water amounts, sufficient moisture during the
first two years will ensure good root development.
Some of the commonly recommended drought tolerant trees and shrubs
include:
- Trees
Arbutus marina (no common name)
Geijera parviflora (Australian Willow)
Metrosideros excelsus (New Zealand Christmas Tree)
Olea europia (European Olive)
Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)
- Shrubs
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis (Carmel Creeper)
Coleonema pulchrum (Breath of Heaven)
Correa pulchella (Australian Fuchsia)
Dietes vegeta (Fortnight Lily)
Polygala dalmaisiana (Sweet-Pea Shrub)
Echium candicans (Pride of Madera)
For more info and
other common plant options, call the City’s Urban Forestry Division at
646.3860 or visit
www.monterey.org/publicworks and click on “local trees, plants.”
Rate your City this Spring
Look for the community survey in the spring issue of City Focus.
Tell us what you think about City services, programs and projects. With
recent budget challenges and service cutbacks, we want to stay on top of
exactly how these changes affect our community.
Use the time between now and then to participate in City meetings, attend
a class or visit our offices, facilities or Web site; then you can let us know about your
experiences. Or send in your comments and suggestions
anytime; see contact info on the back page.
Automated Greetings Ease
Staff Workloads
“Thank you for calling the City
of Monterey,” says the automated phone system now greeting calls to the
Planning Division and Public Works Department.
Staff cutbacks have forced changes in service levels citywide, and these
automated systems help fill in some of the gaps. These changes allow
callers to find the right staff person and get questions answered quickly
while giving staff needed time to concentrate on projects and juggle
demanding workloads.
And there’s no voicemail limbo; just hit “0” to speak with a staff member
anytime.
Locals Day Means Free Parking at Wharf
Park for free on “Locals Day”
at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, every Tuesday and Wednesday.
The City offers two hours of free parking in the Waterfront Parking Lot
for Monterey County residents (any person residing in the 939 zip code
area) as part of the program coordinated by the Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Association.
The local’s program offers lunch, dinner and shopping specials in various
participating restaurants and shops.
To secure your free parking on “Locals Day,” present valid identification
at the restaurant or store and collect a special parking permit. When
exiting the parking lot, present the permit and your identification once
again.
For more details on this or any other
parking program, call 646.3953
or visit the City’s Web site
at www.monterey.org/parking.
Ruth M. Vreeland Folklore
Collection Dedicated
Family and friends of the late Councilwoman Ruth Vreeland gathered at
the Monterey Public Library this summer to dedicate the Ruth M. Vreeland
Folklore Collection.
Memorial donations to the Library which exceed $10,000 will be used to
purchase books for the folklore collection and present folktales and
storytelling
for children and adults.
The collection is easily identified by a sign featuring the artwork of
Youth Arts Collective (YAC) member Julia Kodl. The sign was unveiled by
Vreeland’s grandchildren (pictured).
For more info,
contact Youth Services at 646.3934
(ysdesk@ci.monterey.ca.us).
Give Your Time, Energy -
Volunteer Today
- Museum docents:
An orientation is scheduled for early October for new volunteers
interested in local history and in helping at the Presidio of Monterey
and Colton Hall museums or other special venues.
- Special events:
Mark your calendars for Oct. 23 Make a Difference Day to participate
in your community. Work on special projects with friends, family or
co-workers to change your neighborhood for the better.
- Volunteers in
Parks (VIPs): VIPs meet every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon and work
in different public gardens citywide. From the Coastal/Recreation Trail
to the Sensory Garden, VIPs assist staff in maintaining the health and
beauty of open space and parks.
- Monterey
Volunteers in Policing (MVPs): Learn about police work and help keep
your community safe. Jobs vary from data entry and records management to
patrol and special events.
For more info on other volunteer
positions, call the Community Resources Office at 646.3719
(www.monterey.org/volunteer
).
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