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South Bend Tribune

Before Earth Day arrives on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 25, the community is offering some early ways to learn about and do something for the environment.

Call it Earth Month, if you will.

Mark your calendars, too, for major Earth and Arbor days celebrations April 26 at the following three spots. Watch for more details in a future story.

∎ From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Suite 100 of the Technology Resource Center, 1165 Franklin St., South Bend.

∎ From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Unity Gardens, 3701 Prast Blvd., South Bend.

∎ From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave., Elkhart.

Now, here are details on the early events.

Saving stuff from the trash bin

Bring broken or unused items and learn how to reimagine them for another use in a workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. April 11 at Unity Gardens, 3701 Prast Blvd., South Bend.

Symposium on environmental issues

A symposium and forum will explore questions about local environmental issues, insights and research findings April 12 at the St. Joseph County Public Library.

This first-ever symposium by the Environmental Research Coalition will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the panel discussion at 10:30 a.m., in the library’s Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St.

Keynote speakers include Gary Sieber of WNDU and Evie Kirkwood, former St. Joseph County Parks director who hosts the WNIT program “Outdoor Elements.”

The panelists include Briannah J. McCall, environmental health specialist for the St. Joseph County Department of Health; Sara Stewart, executive director of Unity Gardens; and Clara Ross, a 2024 climate action ambassador.

In the afternoon, local college students will present findings from their research projects.

Fernwood work and fun day

Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles will host a cleanup, wildflower walk and kids chalk art contest on April 12.

The cleanup, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., will focus on various areas from the St. Joseph River to the road. If you have them, rubber boots and waders are recommended. Gloves, nets, trash grabbers and recycling/trash bags will be provided, along with water and snacks.

The guided walk, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., will seek out and identify spring woodland wildflowers.

The children’s chalk art contest, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. is for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade. Each kid will be assigned a four-by-four-foot section on the paved garden paths to decorate on the theme “Pollinator Power.” All art materials will be provided. The winner will receive a one-year membership to Fernwood, which covers four people.

Stewardship day at preserve

Chikaming Open Lands will host a stewardship day where you can help to remove Oriental bittersweet, an invasive species, from 10 a.m. to noon on April 12 at the Grand Beach Marsh Preserve just southwest of New Buffalo. Email dengel@chikamingopenlands.orgto let them know you’re coming. Learn more at https://www.chikamingopenlands.org/events/april-stewardship-day.

Free trees, open house at Izaak Walton

The Izaak Walton League will hold an open house with tours and the giving away of tree seedlings from 1 to 3 p.m. April 13 at its wooded property, 20400 Darden Road, South Bend. The tree seedlings will include eastern redbuds, white dogwoods, sugar maples, Fraser firs, lilacs and sycamores.

Free trees from the Lions

To honor Arbor Day, the Clay-Granger Lions Club will give out 200 dogwood and 100 flowering plum tree from 9 to 11 a.m. April 19 at the Martin's Super Market at Heritage Square in Granger — or until the trees are all given out.

Find Outdoor Adventures columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@gannett.com.

BEND, OR — Brad Collins, a proud Bend transplant who moved from San Diego just 13 months ago, is reportedly really getting sick of all the Californians flooding into town like they own the place.

“Everywhere I look it’s Teslas, goldendoodles, and someone in a Patagonia vest talking loudly about ‘manifesting trailhead energy,’” said Collins, sipping a $7 lavender cold brew outside a café that used to be a hardware store. “Bend had character. Now it’s starting to feel like a Whole Foods parking lot.”

Collins, who bought a newly built $895,000 townhome last spring, says the town has lost its magic since he moved in. “When I got here, the vibe was different. You could grab an IPA without standing behind six guys in puffy jackets arguing about who discovered Smith Rock.”

Friends say Collins often reminisces about the “real Bend,” which he identifies as the two-and-a-half-month period between February and mid-May of last year, before "the invasion."

“It was perfect,” he said. “People still waved. Farmers markets had actual vegetables. And nobody was out here bragging about how long they could hold a handstand on Pilot Butte.”

According to Collins, he came to Bend for “the slow pace, the genuine community, and the untouched nature I saw in a Jeep commercial.” He’s now actively campaigning against new housing developments—especially the one that would block the view from his brand-new rooftop hot tub.

When asked where he was originally from, Collins replied, “Technically Santa Barbara, but I just say San Diego. It sounds more relatable.”

At press time, Collins was seen honking at a Subaru with California plates, moments before realizing it was his reflection in a storefront window.

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The weekend is here. It will be a great time to get outside and enjoy the weather. Below are some events happening around the Big Bend and South Georgia, Friday, March 21st-Sunday, March 23rd.

Julibee Music Fesitval: March 22nd & 23rd. Join Tasha Cobbs Leonard with Pastor Shirley Caesar and Kirk Franklin with Pastor John P. Kee for two nights of worship. Both shows will be held at The Adderly Amphitheater at Cascades Park. Tickets are still available.

Funbox at Governors Square Mall:Open for the next four weekends with the Grand Opening this weekend, March 21st-23rd. Enjoy a 25,000-square-foot bounce house perfect for families, friends, and kids of all ages. Tickets are available.

Quincy Porchfest Music Festival:March 22nd from 12-5:00 p.m. at Historic Downtown District in Quincy. It's a free family event. You're encouraged to bring folding chairs and/or blankets.

Southeast Heritage Games:March 22nd & 23rd from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Apalachee Regional Park. Attendees will be able to see athletes showcase their skills while honoring the cultural heritage of North Florida and its surrounding region. There will be food, music, camaraderie, and more. Tickets are still available.

Esposito's 2nd Annual Blueberry Festival & Bake-Off:March 23rd from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Esposito's. This is a free family event for all ages There will be a mixology demonstration, a baby animal photo booth, a scavenger hunt, and much more. Those who want to participate in the bake-off must register.

Levitt AMP Valdosta Music Series:March 21st from 7-9:00 p.m. at Turner Center Park. Lionel Young will be taking to the stage. This is a free family event. The series runs through May.

Family Movie Day:March 22nd beginning at Noon at Crossroads Church in Thomasville. They'll be showing Despicable Me 4. This is a free family event. Food and drinks will be provided. Attendees can bring blankets if desired.

Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.

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