Volume 3, issue 2:  Summer 2006 Riverbend Neighborhood Association Picnic Sunday August 13th 3-7pm at Cherry Hill Park Bring your own beverage and a dish to pass. Last Name: A-L: Dessert/Fruit M-Z: Salad/Pasta/Veggies Chicken and paper products provided by the dues paying members of the Riverbend Neighborhood Association. Please return the reply form below to your Block Captain no later than August 1st.   Picnic RSVP         Name        _____________________________________________ Address        _____________________________________________ Phone Number and e-mail        _____________________________________________ Number Attending 12 & Over        ______________ Number Attending Under 12        ______________ Volunteering to help        Set up__________________ Clean up_________________ Our web address is  Riverbend48124.com Thank You Sunoco , Kroger, and Farmer Jack. Please be sure to thank the local businesses that donated supplies and helped make the May  Riverbend Rouge Clean-up a huge success. Welcome to our new neighbors at 22140 Long Blvd: Stephen, Jolie & Courtney Behmlander. Wanted: a house to feature in the Our House profile for the next newsletter.  Contact Chris Merlo for details at Merlowrite@aol.com or by calling Toni Caretto at 565-2838. In Sympathy: We are sad to report  the death of  Mrs. Frances Williams, formerly of Alexandrine. MULCH WIDE, NOT DEEP If mulch is piled against the stems or tree trunks, pull it back several inches so that the base of the trunk and the root crown are exposed. Avoid placing mulch against the tree trunks. Place mulch out to the tree’s drip line or beyond. For well- drained sites, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch. If there are drainage problems, a thinner layer should be used. Do not add mulch if there is a sufficient layer in place. Rake the old mulch to break up any matted layers and to refresh the appearance. Organic mulches usually are preferred to inorganic materials due to their soil-enhancing properties, it should be well aerated and, preferably, composted. Avoid sour-smelling mulch. Composted wood chips can make good mulch, especially when they contain a blend of leaves, bark, and wood. Fresh wood chips also may be used around established trees and shrubs. Avoid using non- composted wood chips that have been piled deeply without exposure to oxygen. Reprinted from International Society of Arboriculture            http://www.treesaregood.com Home