Protect your spring lettuces and flowers from the wrath of slugs and snails without using toxic chemicals. Check out the video!

News and blogosphere mentions for the week of April 23-30, 2012.

After more than a year back at the drawing board, regional leaders seem to have reached a consensus on how to get a large hotel built near the Oregon Convention Center – in a way that's palatable to all parties involved.

And sleepy Toad said to Frog, "Come back again and wake me up at about half past May." Don't be like Toad; embrace April's last showers and May's new flowers. Follow the links below for more information about free and low-cost events around the metro area.

In late April, the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 24th annual exposition and symposium moved into the Oregon Convention Center to tell the "crop to cup" story of specialty coffee – with help from almost 10,000 coffee farmers, exporters, roasters, brewers, retailers and baristas from 40 countries and five continents. Their four-day visit to Portland generated $6.8 million citywide.

Metro gardening expert Carl Grimm appeared on KATU’s Go Green Earth Day special Sunday to talk about different types of mulch and demonstrate how to mulch in his own yard. Check out the video!

The festival is designed to connect, embrace and engage the Latino community and provide an opportunity for families of all ethnicities to celebrate Washington County's diverse cultures, rich with tradition and heritage.

Outdoor concert series returns for another summer of stellar music and fun on the lawn

The Oregon Zoo is gearing up for another season of great music, warm weather and fun for all on the sprawling concert lawn. Tickets for the zoo’s 2012 summer concert series, presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank, go on sale April 27.

News and blogosphere mentions for the week of April 15-21, 2012.

If you're a trails fanatic, make the trek to Metro from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 for the second annual Regional Trails Fair. You'll learn the latest news about projects across the region, with more than 25 booths staffed by local trails partners.