Dear Friends and fellow Gardeners,

It was good to see so many of you at the Peace Center 30th anniversary dinner. Barbara and I enjoyed seeing so many friends, dining on wonderful food, and sharing fond memories of the past. I wonder, how did it come about that so many good people settled in Stanislaus County? You are all very special people, and no matter where this life takes us, you will always be close to our hearts.

Every Spring I cannot help but chuckle at the incredible speed that aphids procreate themselves. I wash them off the rose buds and they bounce back to the same or bigger population within a couple of days. You may know that female aphids produce young without fertilization, giving birth to females only, and can continuously pop out new little suckers every few minutes. The calculations of population density are absolutely astronomical with production up to 10 generations in one year if left unchecked! Aphids, however, are the meat and potatoes, the rice and beans, as well as a host for thousands of animals and beneficial insects. Birds, reptiles, Lady beetles, lacewings, fly larvae, midges and gnats, parasitic wasps, and many many others, depend on aphids for their survival and reproduction.

Ants actually farm aphids. They carry the aphids up the plant stem to the terminal bud where they scratch the aphids back and ‘milk’ them of the honey dew they are sucking from the plant. The ant will actually try to defend its ‘aphid cows’ from predators and parasites, all to no avail as eventually the aphids disappear from the natural biological control that has sustained our good earth for millions of years.

Back in the 70’s when I was a Caltrans supervisor in Modesto, the freeway iceplant became completely covered with black aphids. It was so bad that acres of once green iceplant were completely black. I was being was pressured to spray, but by monitoring areas, I began to see the incredible numbers of beneficial insects decimating the aphid population. In just a few weeks the iceplant was once again green with only a few scars to show for what had looked like a major disaster.

If you’re worried about aphids on your roses, wash them off on occasion and give it some time, in a few weeks you will have forgotten that you even had aphids. Note: If the aphids are the cause of the transmission of disease or severe scaring, you may want to add a little Safer soap to your water blast since this will slow them down and give the beneficials a chance to catch up and effect control.

Submitted by MYRTLE OSNER

Now there’s a catchy title if I ever saw one!

Wouldn’t you know that creative people would come up with all kinds of ideas to use your throwaways?

A.R.T.S., or "All Recycled Things In Stanislaus," located at the Educational Resource Center is a pilot project of the Stanislaus Arts council, community volunteers, community agencies, schools, and organizations. It’s county-wide, and is housed temporarily at the Arts council office at 1100 Kansas Avenue, Suite F, in Modesto.

The volunteer staff of ARTS collects donated disposable materials from businesses, agencies and individuals and displays the materials at the Arts council, which is the center’s temporary home.

Materials are available to teachers, daycare providers, recreation leaders and artists working with children and adults. All materials are free of charge, but donations of time, money and usable materials are always appreciated.

A long list of materials is accompanied by the brochure, sent to us by long-time child care director Ann Dutton.

The Educational Resource Center is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 pm and by appointment. Call (209)558-8628.

Future plans are to find a larger space to display and store donated reusable materials. They would also like to present workshops for teachers, parents and children on the creative use of materials. Thus, creativity is encouraged, and usable items kept out of the garbage. As a throwaway society, we need to encourage the recycling of everything possible.

Join the fun: The Fourth Annual Modesto Bike To Work Day and Family Cycling Festival

By GEORGE OSNER

The Modesto Bike to Work Week and Family Cycling Festival are co-sponsored by the Downtown Improvement District, City of Modesto Rideshare, Modesto Police Department, Modesto Recreation and Neighborhood Connection Department, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Center for Human Services, Stanislaus County, Stanislaus County Bicycle Club, Valley Sporting Goods and Delta Cyclery. This week long event offers a solution to congested roads, parking problems, and polluted air and water by introducing the public to the health and environmental benefits of bicycle riding as an alternative to the automobile. This year’s activities will be the best ever:

Thursday, May 18th from 6:00 - 8:30 a.m. begins California Bike Commute Week with Modesto Bike to Work Day. Modesto Police Bike Patrol officers will escort bicycle commuters on six different routes leading into downtown Modesto. Cycle will then be treated to a free continental breakfast (muffins, bagels, juice, fruit) on the Court House lawn and receive a free goodie bag filled with bike-riding related items (sun block, water bottle, energy bar and bicycle safety information). Those who bike to work, but are unable to join the escorted bike commute are also welcome to enjoy the breakfast.

Saturday, May 20th from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. will mark the Fourth Annual Family Cycling Festival. The Festival begins with a Junior Criterium bicycle race around a two block course in downtown Modesto and is open to both experienced and beginning riders. Trophies and merchandise prizes will be awarded for the best times. This year features the second annual Bicycle Patrol Officers "Cop"etition, where bike patrol officers from various jurisdictions compete against each other on a special obstacle course for the best time. The Modesto Police Department will also conduct its bicycle safety obstacle course open to all rider levels, and the ever popular "Save Moves City" will present its interactive bicycle safety training to younger riders.

This year highlights members of the GT Bicycle Stunt Team demonstrating their extreme riding skills on I Street in front of the Court House. The team warms up the crowd with flashy choreographed stunts on the ground and in the air as the performers begin to reach the sky off the giant vertical ramp. The grand finale begins with the performers reaching heights 25 feet above the ground. For the finale, riders spin 540 degree turn in mid-air and finish with gravity defying back flips. All the while, the announcer reminds young spectators about the importance of safety gear and that the riders are trained professionals.

Throughout the event, there will be drawings for free bicycle helmets and gear. A grand prize lucky winner will ride away on a new mountain bike.

ACTION: Information call 529-9303. Admission FREE

The Stanislaus County Farmland Stabilization Initiative seeks signatures to qualify for ballot

By DENNY JACKMAN

Help us qualify this 250,000 acre farmland conservation initiative.

We will collect signatures from the public though June, 2000 at supermarkets, farmers markets, downtown nights, and public sights. We need your help to begin the end of urban sprawl as we have known it for over 50 years.

If you have a good spot or would like one, call coordinator Fi Brewer 526-5821 to let her know the dates and times that you can help to get this initiative on the ballot.

To read the initiative’s complete text, visit: http://www.preservenet.com/FOOD.html

Whole Earth Festival set for Mother’s Day

The Whole Earth Festival is an alternative educational event which promotes lifestyles and practices that are in harmony with all life on this planet.

Occurring Mother’s Day weekend on May 12, 13, & 14 at UC Davis, the Festival emphasizes spiritual development, environmental innovations, natural foods, handcrafted goods, and a sustainable, holistic way of life.

Through educational and cultural presentation, participants are exposed to alternatives to mainstream attitudes and practices. Included in the Festival are two music stages, a hands-on workshop, a speaker’s forum, appropriate technology displays, educational crafts, food booths, and more.

As always, we will have our extensive composting and recycling program in action for the weekend. We ask that all vendors use compostable plates and utensils which we provide.

ACTION: For information, contact Jayme Meyers, (530) 752-2569; http://asucd.ucdavis.edu/asucdservices/asucdevents/wholeearth/