New community gardens can apply for help with their startup costs from NeighborFood, a program of the Summit Food Policy Coalition.
NeighborFood is offering microgrants of up to $500 each to new community gardens. The amount of the awards will depend on how many applications are received.
Any person or group seeking to start a community garden is eligible. A community garden is defined as at least three nonrelated people gathering to grow food in a community plot.
The money can be used for any garden-related expense such as tools, equipment rental or purchase, fencing, soil and amendments. Gardens that have been in existence at least one year can receive some support for buying seeds or plants, but those awards will be small.
The microgrants are made possible by support from the Akron Community Foundation.
A copy of the application form is at http://Summitfpc.wordpress.com. Deadline is March 12.
For more information call 330-612-0234.
Quilt to be auctioned
A queen-size quilt is being raffled to raise money for the Emergency Assistance Center in Northfield.
The 76-by-101-inch, machine-quilted bed covering is done in shades of tan, blue, peach and turquoise on a cream background. It was pieced by Macedonia resident Carole Jones and quilted by Judy Suazo of Broadview Heights.
Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. They may be purchased by calling the center at 330-467-7945.
Attention, all slobs
If you are a slob or know a slob, this contest is for you.
Cleaning products maker Zep Commercial is looking for America’s Biggest Hot Mess. The three worst offenders will receive a complete home cleaning and $5,000 each to help keep their houses mess-free for a year. Their nominators will also get $5,000 each.
Photo, video and story nominations may be submitted through Thursday at www.zepcommercial.com/americasbiggesthotmess.aspx.
A team of cleaning experts at the company will narrow the field to 10 finalists, with the winners chosen by a public vote.
Events and programs
• Greater Akron Orchid Society Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Donzell’s Flower & Garden Center, 937 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. Exotic orchid displays, orchid vendors, experts. Free. 330-724-0505 or http://donzells-gales.com.
• HBA Akron Home & Flower Show, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St. Exhibits, stage presentations, indoor gardens. Antique evaluations both days by Dr. Lori Verderame of the Discovery Channel’s Auction Kings. Appearances today by John Gidding of HGTV’s Curb Appeal. Tickets: $7 in advance at www.akronhomeandflowershow.com, $8 at the door. Children 12 or younger admitted free.
• Knitting and Crocheting Circle meetings, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and next Saturday, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Granger Township, Medina County (330-278-4271 or 330-239-2674); 10 a.m. Tuesday, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road (330-273-4150); 6 p.m. Thursday, Seville Library, 45 N. Center St. (330-769-2852).
• Quail Hollow Herb Society meeting, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Quail Hollow State Park manor house, 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Lake Township near Hartville. Speaker: Denise Ellsworth, director of Ohio State University’s Honey Bee and Native Pollinator Education Program. 330-325-3028.
• Knitty Gritters knitting club meeting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Lake Community Branch of Stark County District Library, 11955 Market Ave. N, Lake Township. 330-877-9975.
• Native Trees, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Silver Run Vineyard & Winery, 376 Eastern Road, Chippewa Township, Wayne County. Program by Ken Cochran, Secrest Arboretum curator. Wine and cheese social courtesy of Doylestown Garden Club. Free. Register by Monday at mar.woodside@gmail.com or 330-807-3604.
• Native Spring Wildflowers, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Granger Township, Medina County. Sonya Porter, an Ohio State University master gardener, will talk about Ohio wildflowers and ornamentals. Registration: www.mcdl.info, 330-278-4271 or 330-239-2674.
• Warm Up Akron meeting, 2 p.m. Thursday, Danbury of North Canton, 181 Applegrove St. NE. Members knit or crochet squares that are used to make afghans for needy people in the Akron area. Information: 330-699-3252 or http://warmupakron.webs.com.
• Master gardener information open house, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Professional Building Conference Room, 120 W. Washington St., Medina. Learn about becoming a Medina County master gardener volunteer. For information, contact Ashley Kulhanek at kulhanek.5@osu.edu or 330-725-4911, ext. 106, or visit http://medina.osu.edu.
• Spring Seeding & Feeding for the New American Lawn, 11 a.m. next Saturday, Donzell’s Flower & Garden Center, 937 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. Program by Tim Duffy of Jonathan Green organic lawn care products. Free, but reservations are requested at 330-724-0550, ext. 110. Details in the Events section of http://donzells-gales.com.
• Sneak Peek — What’s New for 2014?, 11 a.m. next Saturday, Dayton Nurseries, 3459 Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton. Program by Dayton’s Karen Martin and Tom Dayton. $6 for garden club members, $10 for others. Registration: 330-825-3320 or info@daytonnursery.com.
• Begin Knitting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, March 8-29, Quirk Cultural Center, 1201 Grant Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. Bring 10-inch straight needles in sizes 6 and 8. Residents $33, others $37. Registration: 330-971-8225.
• Orchid Mania, through March 9, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Thousands of orchids on display, orchid information, room vignettes inspired by or accented with orchids. Ask the Orchid Doctor, 1-2 p.m. each Saturday. Meet the Designers, 6 p.m. each Wednesday. Orchid Mania hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission: $11; children ages 3-12, $6; members and younger children, free. 216-721-1600 or www.cbgarden.org.
Submit notices of classes, programs and events two weeks in advance to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com or Home and Garden News, Features Department, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640. Please include name and phone number. All events must be open to the public.
Mary Beth Breckenridge can be reached at 330-996-3756 or mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. You can also become a fan on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/mbbreck, follow her on Twitter @MBBreckABJ and read her blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/mary-beth.