Hiya All,

I spent some time working on the City of Olympia's Neighborhood Matching Grant (NHMG) for the Fall 2009/2010 grant cycle yesterday, and it was great. This is a valuable seasonal opportunity for the neighborhood association I volunteer on the board with (the ENA), and I look forward to completing the short application and submitting by the submission deadline of Novemeber 2nd (there is also a Spring grant cycle as well).

The focus this time is on stormwater issues, and I learned more about bioswales and raingardens, and it was neat. I have extensive experience in this very field, but is is always illuminating to see these projects and concepts from other folks' viewpoint.

The following resources do not require a grant application, just get in touch and make it happen-

-seriously, there is "No application needed, simply contact the staff indicated under the program description".

Transform your transportation!

Urban bike skills training: Learn about bicycling in an urban setting: traffic laws, roadway maneuvers, safety information, and tips for bicycle commuting. Workshops are provided ranging from two day intensives for individuals, to 1-hour overviews for community groups and worksites. Contact Kerry Tarullo, Associate Planner, City of Olympia, (360) 753-8575 or ktarullo@ci.olympia.wa.us

Commute trip reduction assistance: Gather your neighbors, either your block or your household to learn about services and programs that can help you walk, bike, carpool, vanpool or ride the bus to work. Contact Kerry Tarullo, Associate Planner, City of Olympia, (360) 753-8575 or ktarullo@ci.olympia.wa.us

Route planning from Intercity Transit: Invite Intercity Transit (IT) to your next neighborhood or community group meeting. IT can provide route planning assistance and share information on their other services. Contact Kris Fransen, Intercity Transit Marketing and Communications Coordinator, (360) 705-5836, or KFransen@intercitytransit.com

Sidewalk inventory: The City is collecting data about where sidewalks are present and missing along smaller neighborhood streets (larger streets are have been inventoried). The City will provide a maps and forms for collecting the data. Once collected, this information will be used to plan for future sidewalks. Contact Sophie Stimson, Senior Planner, City of Olympia, (360) 753-8497, sstimson@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Educational workshops for tree planting, pruning, and overall care: The City’s Urban Forester is available to provide education and guidance on tree planting, pruning, and overall care. Information can be delivered as a presentation at a neighborhood meeting, handouts and brochures available at a neighborhood event, or guidance in the planning and implementing of a neighborhood work party. Special focus areas might include tree pruning, hot-weather care for trees, or selecting the right tree for the right place. For more information, contact Stacey Ray, City of Olympia Urban Forester, (360) 753-8046 or sray@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Please help keep vegetation clear of sidewalks and shoulders and keep planter strips well maintained. Keep vegetation clear from an area seven feet above the width of a sidewalk. You may contact the WSU Cooperative Extension at 509-335-2837 or online at http://extprograms.wsu.edu/default.aspx about planting tips for shrubs and trees.

Publicizing neighborhood walking routes on the web: Work with your neighbors to establish walking routes with times, distances and interesting features to see along the way. These routes promote physical activity, and help neighbors connect. If you or your neighborhood has established walking routes, let the City know and we can help publicize the information on our website. Contact Kerry Tarullo, Associate Planner, City of Olympia, 753-8575 or ktarullo@ci.olympia.wa.us

The above content is reproduced from page #13 of the application form that can be found on the City of Olympia Website( http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/documents/Neighborhood/NHMG%202010.pdf).