Followed by paddling in the Bay, nature walks, socializing.

The agenda will include a review of the past year’s work, plans for the upcoming year for Woodworth Park, Euclid Woods and other areas, possible community events, fundraising, the need for a new volunteer coordinator, and election of new officers, among other items.

The following are directions to Chestnut Lodge at Scientist’s Cliffs, Md.

1.  Take the Beltway South to exit 11A (Rt. 4) East toward Upper Marlboro

2.  Take Rt. 4 for 35.7 miles.

3.  Turn left toward Parkers Creek Rd (0.1 mi)

4.  Continue straight onto Parkers Creek Rd (0.4 mi)

5.  Turn right at Scientists Cliffs Rd (0.9 mi)

6.Turn left at Aspen Rd (0.2 mi)
7.  Turn right to stay on Aspen Rd  (0.4 mi)

8.  Follow the signs to Chestnut Cabin.

If you have any problems, call Dale Manty’s cell phone at 301-807-9477.

FLBC co-chair Cathy Smith receives a check for $1,200 from Cheverly Day leaders Kristy and Nick D'Angelo. Some of the 100+ members/supporters included (from left) Ann Hedien, Linda Priebe, Gary Williams, Joani Horchler, Mary Jane Coolen, Ed Terry, Cathy Smith, Mayor Mike Callahan, Mary Kate Callahan, Erik Dunham, Kristy D'Angelo, Rudd Moe, Nick D'Angelo, (unidentified), Ken Furnkranz, Gabe Horchler and Dave Kneipp.

• FLBC will be the beneficiary of proceeds from the 2010 Cicada Crunch (approx. $1,200);
• FLBC will share proceeds from the Chev Prom with the American Legion and the History Club (approx. $300)
• G. Horchler (chair of the Trails committee) reported that spreading wood chips provided by Pepco would be the focus of trail work on June 26;
• M. Salo gave an overview of the 5 natural areas in town.  All are being overrun by non-native plants, to the detriment of native plants that could be growing in their place and the native birds and wildlife that could be feeding off these plants.  He made a plea for extracting certain invasives immediately and it was determined we would:
• ask the town if it could help with the Nature Park, which is town-owned property;
• ask Marc Imlay of the Anacostia Watershed Society if he can help us develop a regular schedule for removing invasives at critical times; and
• ask Marc if he can help get a large group of volunteers to do a massive invasives removal in Woodworth Park.  M. Salo to contact M. Imlay.
• C. Smith to contact Lisa Lincoln about a Job Corps-type group she is working with that might participate.
• Matt also expressed dismay at Pepco’s mowing of the area behind Arbor Street, which killed the only yellow passionflowers growing in Cheverly.
• D. Smith reported that the town is planning to have a charrette concerning the area where the houses are going to be torn down near the B-W Parkway.  C. Smith will check on the timing of this.
• The group decided that it is past time for FLBC to have  a planning retreat, and C. Smith is going to figure out where this can be done, preferably on the last Sunday of August.

Thanks also to Giant Food for providing the juice, fruit and snacks and the cloth grocery bag gifts, among the t-shirts and other items provided to Anacostia Watershed Society, Giant and other sponsors.

Results: Number of bags of landfill trash–48

Number of bags of landfill trash–48

# of bags of recyclables–10

interesting trash items–lots of silverware and kitchen knives, a lawn chair, the top of a grill, 3 syringes, one patio umbrella, two big wheels, 11 tires, one sled, a big tv set, mini-refrigerator, front fender of car, a toilet, a baby seat, auto radiator reservoir, window screens, one very large truck tire, 8 gallons paint

Volunteer Coordinator Joani Horchler noted the Best quote of the day — “We found boxer shorts next to an old couch – SOMEONE  must have been having fun!”

Matt and Sheila Salo recently report having a nice walk in Woodworth. Sheila said:

“The pink azalea were in bloom, and some of the May apple were also in flower. The nicest surprises: The area that Gabe Horchler had us clear of English ivy and honeysuckle last fall is now covered with ferns, May apple, and jack-in-the-pulpit. So yes, folks, it can be done. There is a stand of Solomon’s seal (whether “false” or genuine we cannot yet say) on the eastern path near the first turn.

Chinese wisteria does not seem to be returning on the hill above the Arbor St entrance. The bad news is that it is abundant on the other side of the patch. That growth can now be accessed easily from the new Pepco ROW road. As it is in bloom, it will be seen easily. A few new leaves have come up on “our” side of the patch — they are easily seen as well.

Garlic mustard is in bloom, but is easily pulled up in most places. Matt and I cleared the Wayne Pl spur of garlic mustard. There is still plenty on the western path near the twin bridges. Must be cleared! There is some along the fence at the tot lot.

Still plenty of English ivy [to get rid of], some returning to climb trees [which kills the trees].”

Sheila also reported that, in the Nature Park at Tremont and Lockwood, has an infestation of Chinese wisteria that it would be good to pull out as it has spread to the mountain laurel line.

What: Sneak-peek of the new Ken Burns documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

When: Sunday, 9/20, 7:00 – 8:30 pm (FLBC meeting at 6:30)

Where: Cheverly United Methodist Church Parlor (4^th fl), 2810 Cheverly Ave. (Forest Rd. entrance)

Presented by Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek (FLBC) and the Maryland Native Plant Society as one of 750 Party for Parks screenings organized nationwide by Sierra Club volunteers and local groups.

The screening is preceded by a FLBC meeting at 6:30 p.m. that all are invited to attend. We’ll be planning our local parks work session and Cheverly Market presence for 9/26.

The six-part series airs on PBS starting September 27 is the result of six years of filming at some of nature’s most spectacular locales — from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska — the documentary is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background — rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. It is a story full of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration – set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable.

For more on the documentary  and screening parties visit: www.sierraclub.org/parks/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2009/0110-clam_cleanup.htm

We need YOU to help clean up Cheverly’s tributaries into Lower Beaverdam Creek, the most polluted stream in the Anacostia River watershed.

Join Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek on Saturday, April 18 as we pick up trash along Route 50 and along Tributary 4.

If you don’t know where Tributary 4 is, come out and learn!

We will work from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Meet at the Woodworth Park tot lot, intersection of Wayne Place and Cheverly Park Drive.

Our effort is part of the larger Earth Day event sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society. Last year, AWS and partner organizations like FLBC removed 51 tons of trash and debris from the Anacostia River in one day!

But this was just a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated 20,000 tons of trash and debris entering the river each year. So come be part of this year’s effort.

Trash bags, gloves and free T-shirts will be provided. Wear long sleeves and pants and sturdy shoes.

After our event, we will go over to the AWS’s celebration at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park from noon to 2 PM.

Free food! Music! And a chance to mingle with elected officials and others who will work at 30 different sites in this one day.