“Gardening is all about sharing,” said Dewey Potter, one of our speakers for this month's membership meeting. Truly, gardening does bring people together, especially if it is in the front yard where neighbors stop to chat. “The #1 deterrent to crime is people in their front yards or out walking,” said John Edward, whose family draws much of their food from a front yard garden. Front yard flower, fruit and vegetable gardens are a powerful agent in building a safer, friendlier community (p.2).

Gardening also can be done very successfully in a multitude of different containers. Chuck O'Herron-Alex, another of our speakers this month, will show us a unique container garden that allows growing vegetables year round to feed a family with 2-3 children (p. 3).

In keeping with our program on gardening, we will raffle door prizes for our members: organic warm and cold season seeds, plant sets ready to plant, and a book on gardening in New Mexico. If you're not yet a member, we will raffle several FHNA memberships. How easy can it get to join?

Please read on p. 3 about our successful FHNA Earth Day clean up of the neighborhood.

The planning & zoning updates on p. 4 underscore how local and state governments all too often violate their own laws and policies. Also, all our letters and cards to Mayor Chavez and Sen. McSorley on making Carpenters Union Hall into a community center went unanswered.

Finally, Susan's Biz Buzz on p. 5 tells the fascinating story behind another FHNA business, Eyecatcher.

Enjoy the newsletter, help us build a stronger, safer community, and come to the June 20th meeting. See you there!