No matter what late April got up to, the first day of May brings another shower of sonic stories made up of various reports from this week’s text editions of Charlottesville Community Engagement. I’m Sean Tubbs and I got my professional start as an intern at a public radio in Roanoke over thirty years ago and believe the audio form is a good way to get information out to people. If you’ve not heard any of these stories before, today is a good day to listen. If not, this Friday edition of the newsletter provides links to just some of what I’ve reported this week:

In this edition:

* City Council allows CRHA to form a nonprofit for fundraising purposes (read the story)

* Charlottesville Area Transit director briefs CARTA (read the story)

* Emily Couric Leadership Forum awards $250,000 in scholarships (read the story)

* Regional cigarette tax board turns five this October (read the story)

* UVA Finance Committee briefed on need for tuition increase (read the story)

First shout-out: Piedmont Master Gardeners’ Spring Plant Sale

Spring is well underway but there’s still time to get your home and garden the way you want. Get ready for the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ Spring Plant Sale coming up on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Albemarle Square Shopping Center, U.S. 29 North at Rio Road, Charlottesville.

The Piedmont Master Gardeners’ Spring Plant Sale will offer thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, fruit-bearing plants, herbs and houseplants, including a wide selection of native plants. Bags of locally produced compost also will be available.

In addition, shoppers can purchase gently used tools, yard ornaments and outdoor furniture at The Green Elephant, a garden-themed thrift store. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help customers with their plant selections and will staff a Help Desk for answering gardening questions. An array of displays and information tables will cover such topics as conservation landscaping, soil health, composting, pest management, and controlling invasive plants.

All proceeds support the many free and low-cost programs the Piedmont Master Gardeners offer to the community. Learn more at their website!

Second shout-out: Inaugural Charlottesville Filipino Spring Festival

The Inaugural Charlottesville Filipino Spring Festival is coming to the IX Art Park on this Saturday from 3:00 to 8:00pm. This free, family-friendly event celebrates Filipino culture through cuisine, music, and dance, with performances by local and regional artists, including traditional and contemporary Filipino dance and musical groups. There’ll be a marketplace showcasing food vendors, retail businesses, artists, crafters, and nonprofits. The celebration aims to promote greater understanding of the Filipino American community in Central Virginia. Check them out on Instagram!

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