Whether you want them for their eggs, meat, or just for their company, chickens can make a fun and productive addition to your backyard. A small flock of egg-producing hens can be easy and inexpensive to maintain, even in urban environments. They also provide chemical-free pest control in your yard, as well as free top-quality fertilizer. Learn how to keep chickens in your backyard with these basic tips.
If you plan to purchase day-old chicks or hatch them on your own, you'll need special supplies for their first sixty days including brooders, lamps for heat and specially designed feeders and waterers. Brooders are the chicks' first home, and can be as simple as a cardboard box. many backyard chicken owners use rabbit or guinea pig cages or even glass aquariums.
Clean litter like pine shavings is used to line the bottom of the box and by the time the chicks are four months old, they'll need a dowel or stick as a low roost about four inches off the floor. A 100-watt light bulb with a reflector, like the clip-on utility lamps sold at hardware stores, will keep the chicks warm and chick waterers will prevent them from soiling or drowning in their water source. Corral the chick feed into one sanitary spot with a commercial feeder or an appropriate DIY substitute.
Once they're grown, your chicks will need a coop. You could build your own using free plans found online, or purchase a pre-fabricated chicken coop like these 8 awesome urban options. The coop will provide a place for your chickens to rest that is protected from predators and the elements. You'll need about four square feet per chicken inside the coop, and one straw-cushioned nest box for every four laying hens. Be sure that the floor is sturdy enough not to sag under the chickens' weight, and that the roof and walls are adequate against the weather in your region.
2011年8月31日星期三
2011年8月30日星期二
Public Hearing on Ferndale Chickens Set
Raising chickens in Ferndale is a peck closer to being compliant under city ordinance.
The revised ordinance addressing the raising and keeping of fowl in Ferndale is to be discussed at the next Planning Commission meeting Sept. 14. If approved by the commission, it will then go to City Council to decide if it needs to be revised again or enacted.
Currently, it is against city ordinance to keep a chicken coop within 150 feet of any standing structure, which ultimately makes it impossible for any Ferndale residents to own and raise chickens based on lot sizes in the city. On July 27, a revision to the ordinance addressing the raising and keeping of fowl in Ferndale was presented to the Ferndale Planning Commission.
The revisions to the ordinance would make it possible. Revisions included scaling back the 150 feet requirement to 10 feet – coops would have to be at least 10 feet away from any standing structure. The chickens must remain in the back yard and a resident raising chickens could have no more than three chickens. Roosters would be prohibited.
The common concerns of residents, which include attracting rats and foul odors, would be upheld under current ordinances with the city, said Community and Economic Development Director Derek Delacourt.
"The raising and keeping of any animal requires residents to follow city ordinances," he said. "When people don't keep up any animals there are negative impacts, regardless of what kind of animal it is."
The revision of the chicken ordinance wouldn't specifically cover these concerns because, as Delacourt said, current ordinances already regulate this. "Major concerns of odor and vermin are enforced in a multitude of ordinances in the city already," he said. "For the odor itself, I don't think it would be violated without a lot of other ordinances being violated."
Delacourt said he consulted other cities in Michigan that have revised or enacted ordinances to allow residential chickens. Traverse City, Madison Heights and Ypsilanti were discussed at the July 27 Ferndale meeting.
"Similar to Ferndale there was a strong desire to implement some type of relaxed or flexible ordinance (for chickens) as far as city ordinances," Delacourt said. "They've gone through a lot of the same questions and discussions with council and staff."
Delacourt said there has been little uproar in Traverse City since it enacted its ordinance, now in its second year. "There have been very few complaints," Delacourt said. "(In Traverse City) only 10 to 15 permits were pulled. There was one complaint because someone had a rooster, but that was an ordinance violation anyway and taken care of."
Ferndale's new city manager, April McGrath, was the assistant city manager in Ypsilanti, a city that also went through a chicken ordinance revision in 2008.
The revised ordinance addressing the raising and keeping of fowl in Ferndale is to be discussed at the next Planning Commission meeting Sept. 14. If approved by the commission, it will then go to City Council to decide if it needs to be revised again or enacted.
Currently, it is against city ordinance to keep a chicken coop within 150 feet of any standing structure, which ultimately makes it impossible for any Ferndale residents to own and raise chickens based on lot sizes in the city. On July 27, a revision to the ordinance addressing the raising and keeping of fowl in Ferndale was presented to the Ferndale Planning Commission.
The revisions to the ordinance would make it possible. Revisions included scaling back the 150 feet requirement to 10 feet – coops would have to be at least 10 feet away from any standing structure. The chickens must remain in the back yard and a resident raising chickens could have no more than three chickens. Roosters would be prohibited.
The common concerns of residents, which include attracting rats and foul odors, would be upheld under current ordinances with the city, said Community and Economic Development Director Derek Delacourt.
"The raising and keeping of any animal requires residents to follow city ordinances," he said. "When people don't keep up any animals there are negative impacts, regardless of what kind of animal it is."
The revision of the chicken ordinance wouldn't specifically cover these concerns because, as Delacourt said, current ordinances already regulate this. "Major concerns of odor and vermin are enforced in a multitude of ordinances in the city already," he said. "For the odor itself, I don't think it would be violated without a lot of other ordinances being violated."
Delacourt said he consulted other cities in Michigan that have revised or enacted ordinances to allow residential chickens. Traverse City, Madison Heights and Ypsilanti were discussed at the July 27 Ferndale meeting.
"Similar to Ferndale there was a strong desire to implement some type of relaxed or flexible ordinance (for chickens) as far as city ordinances," Delacourt said. "They've gone through a lot of the same questions and discussions with council and staff."
Delacourt said there has been little uproar in Traverse City since it enacted its ordinance, now in its second year. "There have been very few complaints," Delacourt said. "(In Traverse City) only 10 to 15 permits were pulled. There was one complaint because someone had a rooster, but that was an ordinance violation anyway and taken care of."
Ferndale's new city manager, April McGrath, was the assistant city manager in Ypsilanti, a city that also went through a chicken ordinance revision in 2008.
2011年8月29日星期一
Historic Ellis Island ferry becomes houseboat
A pair of New York artist/designers, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs, have transformed the last surviving Ellis Island ferry (built in 1907) into their houseboat home -- complete with plantings inside tires on the dock, and a chicken coop aboard -- and it's a historic beauty. From the Inhabitat.com story:
In keeping with the spirit of recycling and preservation, the couple have integrated the ship's most characteristic features into their everyday lives. The passenger deck serves as a beautiful dining room and the helm makes a cozy office space.
The Yankee Ferry, built in 1907, was used in World War I, then embarked on its career taking immigrants from incoming ships to Ellis Island. It's registered as a historic vessel on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nerd Girl photos: Kendall Ronzano, the Santa Cruz 16-year-old who's building a tiny house on a trailer with a charitable goal, sends photos of her project (and herself). Ronzano's website is called NerdGirlHomes.
Prefab homes: Forbes.com takes a look at prefab-home manufacturer Blu Homes, including an overview of prefab history:
So-called modern prefab had become a staple of home-design magazines during the housing boom. But the economics of mass-producing green homes like Priuses didn't work. For one thing, building houses narrow enough to fit on a truck while still wide enough to live in is no mean engineering feat. Then there was all that custom work. "The options package just grew and grew, and economies of scale were never reached," says Allison Arieff, former editor-in-chief of Dwell, who wrote the book on prefab in 2002 (Prefab, Gibbs Smith). "The homes ended up being all one-offs." When overall housing demand tanked, some prefab firms shut their doors.
With Blu Homes, headquartered in Waltham, Mass., (Bill) Haney and (Maura) McCarthy are building a different model. Their solution: steel and software. Using recycled-steel frames with large hinges, Blu homes fold up to fit on a standard tractor-trailer that handles cargo up to 8.5 feet wide.
They use software to automate processes, and -- most interesting, I think -- they cut out the subcontractors.
"You have to control the manufacturing, design, shipping and the finishing," says McCarthy, 31. "The guys who pack up the thing in the factory have to be the same guys who set it up on-site."
Blu is planning to open a San Francisco-area factory this year. The current line runs from the sizable Breezehouse, starting at $495,000, down to the Origin, which starts at $95,000 for an 18-by-24-foot home (432 square feet).
Haney, by the way, also is a documentary filmmaker.
Read the rest of the Blu Homes story here.
Water tank home: A Colombian artist, Miler Lagos, turned a water tank into a tiny floating house that he launched into Smithtown Bay, off Long Island, NY. As you might guess, it's also an art project.
Lagos said when he first saw a water tank on top of a building in New York City, he knew he wanted to transform it.
"The idea is to rebirth the function of the tank," Lagos said. "In Colombia there are some towns with houses of this shape ... when I saw the water tank in the city it reminded me of my town."
Lagos is videotaping the water tank for an art piece that will be featured . . . in an exhibit at the Magnan Metz, a gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan.
In keeping with the spirit of recycling and preservation, the couple have integrated the ship's most characteristic features into their everyday lives. The passenger deck serves as a beautiful dining room and the helm makes a cozy office space.
The Yankee Ferry, built in 1907, was used in World War I, then embarked on its career taking immigrants from incoming ships to Ellis Island. It's registered as a historic vessel on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nerd Girl photos: Kendall Ronzano, the Santa Cruz 16-year-old who's building a tiny house on a trailer with a charitable goal, sends photos of her project (and herself). Ronzano's website is called NerdGirlHomes.
Prefab homes: Forbes.com takes a look at prefab-home manufacturer Blu Homes, including an overview of prefab history:
So-called modern prefab had become a staple of home-design magazines during the housing boom. But the economics of mass-producing green homes like Priuses didn't work. For one thing, building houses narrow enough to fit on a truck while still wide enough to live in is no mean engineering feat. Then there was all that custom work. "The options package just grew and grew, and economies of scale were never reached," says Allison Arieff, former editor-in-chief of Dwell, who wrote the book on prefab in 2002 (Prefab, Gibbs Smith). "The homes ended up being all one-offs." When overall housing demand tanked, some prefab firms shut their doors.
With Blu Homes, headquartered in Waltham, Mass., (Bill) Haney and (Maura) McCarthy are building a different model. Their solution: steel and software. Using recycled-steel frames with large hinges, Blu homes fold up to fit on a standard tractor-trailer that handles cargo up to 8.5 feet wide.
They use software to automate processes, and -- most interesting, I think -- they cut out the subcontractors.
"You have to control the manufacturing, design, shipping and the finishing," says McCarthy, 31. "The guys who pack up the thing in the factory have to be the same guys who set it up on-site."
Blu is planning to open a San Francisco-area factory this year. The current line runs from the sizable Breezehouse, starting at $495,000, down to the Origin, which starts at $95,000 for an 18-by-24-foot home (432 square feet).
Haney, by the way, also is a documentary filmmaker.
Read the rest of the Blu Homes story here.
Water tank home: A Colombian artist, Miler Lagos, turned a water tank into a tiny floating house that he launched into Smithtown Bay, off Long Island, NY. As you might guess, it's also an art project.
Lagos said when he first saw a water tank on top of a building in New York City, he knew he wanted to transform it.
"The idea is to rebirth the function of the tank," Lagos said. "In Colombia there are some towns with houses of this shape ... when I saw the water tank in the city it reminded me of my town."
Lagos is videotaping the water tank for an art piece that will be featured . . . in an exhibit at the Magnan Metz, a gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan.
2011年8月28日星期日
Canyon textile artist inspired by nature
Bea von Allmen designs and sews eye-popping, classic-looking women’s clothing, makes elegant jewelry and sells produce grown on her Canyon farm. But it is her raku-fired bird heads, mounted on steel rods and adorned with gorgeous fabrics, that capture the imagination of her many admirers.
“I don’t like making people’s faces,” is her simple explanation of why she has become so enamoured with creating upright, human-like characters with long-beaked faces.
She and her husband, Ernst, moved to the Creston Valley 10 years ago from their home country of Switzerland. They longed for the space offered by the Canadian countryside and the chance to own property that would allow them to produce their own food and pursue their own creative passions. The Creston Valley, with its temperate climate, rich soil and close proximity to Kootenay Lake, was an easy choice once they saw fruit trees growing when they arrived from the east.
In Switzerland, von Allmen did clay work for 25 years, mainly for jewelry. She also worked with Ernst, who had an oriental rug business.
“But we always wanted to own a farm,” she said. “We wanted to grow our own food and have a better lifestyle. This valley had all the things that were on our wish list.”
The von Allmen farm is a warm and welcoming site. Located at 4341 Muzzy Road, it is a model of tidiness. Rows of firewood are stacked in an open shed, sorted according to species and log size. The completely renovated house boasts a clay workshop that becomes von Allmen’s studio and another basement studio where she sews. A spotless chicken coop is home to surprisingly content birds. Out back is a huge shop in which Ernst keeps busy with his many hobbies and projects. Last week, a long line of braced steel fence corner posts was in production. All were made with recycled steel, awaiting several coats of paint before Ernst undertakes a 1,300-foot fencing project that will allow the couple to pursue their next dream, landscaping the area around the house and protecting their gardens from the area’s abundant wildlife.
Creston has a four-season climate and the von Allmens revel in it, adjusting their activities to the weather. What serves as her gallery during the summer will revert to her clay studio in the winter, when she is more drawn to the physical activity of making and firing clay. When she isn’t working in the garden during the spring and summer months, she repairs to her above ground basement sewing studio, which is replete with framed old pages from a sewing magazine, open shelves of impeccably arranged bolts of cloth and a pair of comfy upholstered chairs brought from Switzerland.
“I don’t like to work in a messy space,” von Allmen said, pointing out the obvious. “Wherever I’m working I want to make it feel like a living space. So I always have chairs and art and maybe even an espresso machine in that space.”
In the winter, she said, “My clay shop is my sanctuary. To be creative I have to dig into my inner self, either in a workshop or out in nature.”
Visitors to the Creston Valley Farmers Market will be familiar with von Allmen’s elegant clothing displays and neatly arranged produce. But her clay bird and cat characters are reserved for display in galleries, including her own and Eileen Hirota’s (the pieces were a popular attraction in the now-closed Painted Turtle Gallery on Canyon Street).
“I dream of a fantasy or theme and then I work towards it,” she said in an effort to explain her latest series that features characters from an imaginary oriental marketplace. This year she has created several dozen pieces, including an alchemist, a silk trader, a jewel salesman, an oil sheikh, a prince, a bride-to-be and… well, you get the idea.
“I have had a lifelong passion for markets,” von Allmen explained. “In the old days, everyone looked forward to market day. Back then, markets were a necessity. They were the only place that people could sell, buy and trade. Vendors from near and far would meet a colourful mix of farmers, traders, salesmen, musicians, entertainers and buyers. Even the odd thief would sneak in!”
The oriental marketplace experience was inspired in part by a trip to Turkey when Ernst was still in the rug trade. And her fascination by markets extends into her participation in the local farmers market. She speaks of markets with passion and doesn’t measure her success in them in terms of sales.
“With markets you have to be patient as an artist and don’t expect to make sales,” she said. “Advertising fees is what I call the space rental. You have to give customers time to identify with your work and they want to get to know you, so continuity is the key. I started my artistic career by going to markets 30 years ago and I have had offers to exhibit in shows and galleries ever since.”
“I don’t like making people’s faces,” is her simple explanation of why she has become so enamoured with creating upright, human-like characters with long-beaked faces.
She and her husband, Ernst, moved to the Creston Valley 10 years ago from their home country of Switzerland. They longed for the space offered by the Canadian countryside and the chance to own property that would allow them to produce their own food and pursue their own creative passions. The Creston Valley, with its temperate climate, rich soil and close proximity to Kootenay Lake, was an easy choice once they saw fruit trees growing when they arrived from the east.
In Switzerland, von Allmen did clay work for 25 years, mainly for jewelry. She also worked with Ernst, who had an oriental rug business.
“But we always wanted to own a farm,” she said. “We wanted to grow our own food and have a better lifestyle. This valley had all the things that were on our wish list.”
The von Allmen farm is a warm and welcoming site. Located at 4341 Muzzy Road, it is a model of tidiness. Rows of firewood are stacked in an open shed, sorted according to species and log size. The completely renovated house boasts a clay workshop that becomes von Allmen’s studio and another basement studio where she sews. A spotless chicken coop is home to surprisingly content birds. Out back is a huge shop in which Ernst keeps busy with his many hobbies and projects. Last week, a long line of braced steel fence corner posts was in production. All were made with recycled steel, awaiting several coats of paint before Ernst undertakes a 1,300-foot fencing project that will allow the couple to pursue their next dream, landscaping the area around the house and protecting their gardens from the area’s abundant wildlife.
Creston has a four-season climate and the von Allmens revel in it, adjusting their activities to the weather. What serves as her gallery during the summer will revert to her clay studio in the winter, when she is more drawn to the physical activity of making and firing clay. When she isn’t working in the garden during the spring and summer months, she repairs to her above ground basement sewing studio, which is replete with framed old pages from a sewing magazine, open shelves of impeccably arranged bolts of cloth and a pair of comfy upholstered chairs brought from Switzerland.
“I don’t like to work in a messy space,” von Allmen said, pointing out the obvious. “Wherever I’m working I want to make it feel like a living space. So I always have chairs and art and maybe even an espresso machine in that space.”
In the winter, she said, “My clay shop is my sanctuary. To be creative I have to dig into my inner self, either in a workshop or out in nature.”
Visitors to the Creston Valley Farmers Market will be familiar with von Allmen’s elegant clothing displays and neatly arranged produce. But her clay bird and cat characters are reserved for display in galleries, including her own and Eileen Hirota’s (the pieces were a popular attraction in the now-closed Painted Turtle Gallery on Canyon Street).
“I dream of a fantasy or theme and then I work towards it,” she said in an effort to explain her latest series that features characters from an imaginary oriental marketplace. This year she has created several dozen pieces, including an alchemist, a silk trader, a jewel salesman, an oil sheikh, a prince, a bride-to-be and… well, you get the idea.
“I have had a lifelong passion for markets,” von Allmen explained. “In the old days, everyone looked forward to market day. Back then, markets were a necessity. They were the only place that people could sell, buy and trade. Vendors from near and far would meet a colourful mix of farmers, traders, salesmen, musicians, entertainers and buyers. Even the odd thief would sneak in!”
The oriental marketplace experience was inspired in part by a trip to Turkey when Ernst was still in the rug trade. And her fascination by markets extends into her participation in the local farmers market. She speaks of markets with passion and doesn’t measure her success in them in terms of sales.
“With markets you have to be patient as an artist and don’t expect to make sales,” she said. “Advertising fees is what I call the space rental. You have to give customers time to identify with your work and they want to get to know you, so continuity is the key. I started my artistic career by going to markets 30 years ago and I have had offers to exhibit in shows and galleries ever since.”
2011年8月25日星期四
The chicken and the egg
I was driving around Kent a few days ago and noticed chickens scurrying around behind a house. Chickens have become a popular item on city council agendas lately. Seattle passed an ordinance allowing residents to raise chickens and the Tukwila City Council on Monday was working on a similar ordinance.
A number of cities around the Puget Sound are allowing folks to raise chickens in urban settings. It must be another sign of the economic times.
Eggs may be the perfect food. I’ve heard in French cooking schools the first weeks are spent learning how to properly cook eggs. Omelets are very tricky. I’ve watched the Julia Child omelet episode a million times and I still don’t quite have all the cool flips down.
My notion of raising chickens is probably different from some, at least those folks raised in what my folks used to call “in town”.
I was raised until about the sixth grade on a dairy farm on top of a hill in Enumclaw. One of my early jobs was taking care of our chickens, or what I came to call them – stupid, life-threatening, feathered killers.
When I was young I felt my brothers had all the cool jobs around the farm, driving tractor, milking the cows and throwing hay bales around. Since I was more than 10 years younger I was feeling cheated out of the chic jobs that would advance me in life and get me a girl.
Obviously, the twists in my personality started early.
To make me feel better my dad gave me the chicken coop duty, which meant collecting eggs each day.
At first I thought it was a major breakthrough and I intended to become the best chicken caretaker on our farm, showing up my dopey brothers.
Initially, things worked out just as I planned. I was sure my chickens loved me most. What I didn’t know was a demon was lurking in the shadows.
I remember coming home from school, grabbing my bucket and heading out to the coop.
I collected the egg without letting the hens peck me to shreds. I thought I was well ahead of these birds with quick hands and more brains.
I was sauntering across the pen daydreaming as usual when something suddenly hit me and knocked me to the ground.
I looked back and there was this gigantic rooster, wings spread and I was sure he was frothing at the beak. I couldn’t believe it. I thought my chickens loved me.
In a fit of bravery, I jumped up and ran as fast as I could, slamming the gate closed before the killer rooster could get me. Thank God he didn’t have hands.
This little charade went on for about a week. I would try to collect eggs and the rooster would chase me around the pen like it was the best days of his crummy life.
My grandma finally figured out the egg production had dropped to zero. I had to tell her I was beaten by a rooster.
My grandma said she would go out to the chicken pen with me to guard me from the rooster.
Wonderful... protected by my grandma.
You can imagine how well this flew with my brothers.
I have an image I will never forget. Looking back after running full speed from the charging red demon at my grandma repeatedly whacking the rooster with her house broom.
Grandma saved me, and the best part was after helping me she gave me a big piece of wild blackberry pie and vanilla ice cream.
I was scarred for life, but that pie was sure good.
A number of cities around the Puget Sound are allowing folks to raise chickens in urban settings. It must be another sign of the economic times.
Eggs may be the perfect food. I’ve heard in French cooking schools the first weeks are spent learning how to properly cook eggs. Omelets are very tricky. I’ve watched the Julia Child omelet episode a million times and I still don’t quite have all the cool flips down.
My notion of raising chickens is probably different from some, at least those folks raised in what my folks used to call “in town”.
I was raised until about the sixth grade on a dairy farm on top of a hill in Enumclaw. One of my early jobs was taking care of our chickens, or what I came to call them – stupid, life-threatening, feathered killers.
When I was young I felt my brothers had all the cool jobs around the farm, driving tractor, milking the cows and throwing hay bales around. Since I was more than 10 years younger I was feeling cheated out of the chic jobs that would advance me in life and get me a girl.
Obviously, the twists in my personality started early.
To make me feel better my dad gave me the chicken coop duty, which meant collecting eggs each day.
At first I thought it was a major breakthrough and I intended to become the best chicken caretaker on our farm, showing up my dopey brothers.
Initially, things worked out just as I planned. I was sure my chickens loved me most. What I didn’t know was a demon was lurking in the shadows.
I remember coming home from school, grabbing my bucket and heading out to the coop.
I collected the egg without letting the hens peck me to shreds. I thought I was well ahead of these birds with quick hands and more brains.
I was sauntering across the pen daydreaming as usual when something suddenly hit me and knocked me to the ground.
I looked back and there was this gigantic rooster, wings spread and I was sure he was frothing at the beak. I couldn’t believe it. I thought my chickens loved me.
In a fit of bravery, I jumped up and ran as fast as I could, slamming the gate closed before the killer rooster could get me. Thank God he didn’t have hands.
This little charade went on for about a week. I would try to collect eggs and the rooster would chase me around the pen like it was the best days of his crummy life.
My grandma finally figured out the egg production had dropped to zero. I had to tell her I was beaten by a rooster.
My grandma said she would go out to the chicken pen with me to guard me from the rooster.
Wonderful... protected by my grandma.
You can imagine how well this flew with my brothers.
I have an image I will never forget. Looking back after running full speed from the charging red demon at my grandma repeatedly whacking the rooster with her house broom.
Grandma saved me, and the best part was after helping me she gave me a big piece of wild blackberry pie and vanilla ice cream.
I was scarred for life, but that pie was sure good.
2011年8月24日星期三
32 Fairfax chickens killed, 46 missing, police say
Thirty-two chickens were found dead and 46 reported missing in a "highly unusual" overnight or early morning attack on a chicken coop in the Fair Oaks area, authorities said Thursday.
Only four medium-sized chickens of reddish coloring survived the attack and were found huddled together in what animal control experts described as a "clearly traumatized"state, according to Fairfax County police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell.
Police said they think the most likely culprit was an animal.
Officers were called to the coop around 8 a.m. after a neighbor reported seeing dozens of lifeless chickens in the pasture of a farm in the 5200 block of Winfield Road, Caldwell said.
A portion of the electric fence surrounding the chicken coop had been trampled, Caldwell said.
"It was a vicious attack, savage," Caldwell said. "The chickens were found in varying states, with a number of injuries, some of them serious."
Police did not know who or what was responsible for the attack. No footprints or animal paw prints were found on the scene of the attack, according to Caldwell.
The coop is located on a farm in what Caldwell described as a "quiet, bucolic neighborhood." The chickens in the other coop on the property were unharmed.
Police are searching for the 46 missing chickens, she said. It is unclear if they are wandering Fairfax County or have fallen victim to predatory animals.
The coop is located on a farm in what Caldwell described as a "quiet, bucolic neighborhood." The chickens in the other coop on the property were unharmed.
Police are searching for the 46 missing chickens, she said. It is unclear if they are wandering Fairfax County or have fallen victim to predatory animals.
Only four medium-sized chickens of reddish coloring survived the attack and were found huddled together in what animal control experts described as a "clearly traumatized"state, according to Fairfax County police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell.
Police said they think the most likely culprit was an animal.
Officers were called to the coop around 8 a.m. after a neighbor reported seeing dozens of lifeless chickens in the pasture of a farm in the 5200 block of Winfield Road, Caldwell said.
A portion of the electric fence surrounding the chicken coop had been trampled, Caldwell said.
"It was a vicious attack, savage," Caldwell said. "The chickens were found in varying states, with a number of injuries, some of them serious."
Police did not know who or what was responsible for the attack. No footprints or animal paw prints were found on the scene of the attack, according to Caldwell.
The coop is located on a farm in what Caldwell described as a "quiet, bucolic neighborhood." The chickens in the other coop on the property were unharmed.
Police are searching for the 46 missing chickens, she said. It is unclear if they are wandering Fairfax County or have fallen victim to predatory animals.
The coop is located on a farm in what Caldwell described as a "quiet, bucolic neighborhood." The chickens in the other coop on the property were unharmed.
Police are searching for the 46 missing chickens, she said. It is unclear if they are wandering Fairfax County or have fallen victim to predatory animals.
2011年8月23日星期二
Tom and the Amazing Bean Stalk
Heather Zydek - proprietress of Blue Bungalow Farm - is gradually working towards self-sufficiency with amazing results. All from a city garden. I wouldn't be surprised if she attains that goal of self-sufficiency before too long. Especially if the city fathers would allow her to raise chickens.
Heather, I want you to know that I am pretty close to that self-sufficiency thingy you're striving-for. And one day in the future I'm going to decide to retire from my day job and move up to The Platz and live there full-time. Then I will have my chickens. And maybe Jill a couple of goats. No pigs though - we think we can get pretty close to sustainability without the stink.
Jill and I went to the Door County Fair again this year to take in one of our favorite events.
I find chickens fascinating. We inspected a roll-about chicken coop, grabbed a bunch of chicken literature for our late night reading pleasure and discussed the possibilities of fresh eggs, chicken personalities and an occasional, plump, free range roaster in the oven. I can see the attraction and this is why we periodically indulge the fantasy.
We also went to scout for chinks in the armor of entrants of various vegetables, canned goods and flowers. One of the Best Of Show winners was somebody's homemade kraut. Judging from the appearance of that blue ribbon kraut I'd put my sauerkraut or pickled red cabbage up against it any day of the week. And here's the irony of the canned goods division - what I found out is that nobody tastes any of the goods. Just like the cattle and poultry judging it's all a beauty contest. Same for the tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, onions and flowers. A beauty contest. The subtleties of taste and texture counts for zilch. This left me somewhat disappointed. But I digress.
I take a great deal of pride in my garden and the vegetables it produces. And what I may lack in variety I make-up for in sheer scale. Lately I've been feeling a little bit like Jack and his amazing bean stalk.
I filled two large paper grocery bags with fresh-picked green beans yesterday. That's after I canned a bunch of dilled green beans for garnish and relish use and flash-froze a quantity while building-up my stockpile for personal consumption this winter. Furthermore, I predict that this will be repeated before next weekend.
I was negligent in checking on the pickle patch and some of my pickles have graduated to cucumbers.
In fact one of the fellas at last weekend's Schützenfest assembled a really nice cucumber salad from some of the mutant pickles along with a sweet onion from the garden. With an adequate inventory of Polish dill and bread and butter pickles remaining from last year's bumper crop the plan this year is to make lime pickles. This only happens in odd-numbered years - therefore regular lime and maybe spicy lime are in order.
Heather, I want you to know that I am pretty close to that self-sufficiency thingy you're striving-for. And one day in the future I'm going to decide to retire from my day job and move up to The Platz and live there full-time. Then I will have my chickens. And maybe Jill a couple of goats. No pigs though - we think we can get pretty close to sustainability without the stink.
Jill and I went to the Door County Fair again this year to take in one of our favorite events.
I find chickens fascinating. We inspected a roll-about chicken coop, grabbed a bunch of chicken literature for our late night reading pleasure and discussed the possibilities of fresh eggs, chicken personalities and an occasional, plump, free range roaster in the oven. I can see the attraction and this is why we periodically indulge the fantasy.
We also went to scout for chinks in the armor of entrants of various vegetables, canned goods and flowers. One of the Best Of Show winners was somebody's homemade kraut. Judging from the appearance of that blue ribbon kraut I'd put my sauerkraut or pickled red cabbage up against it any day of the week. And here's the irony of the canned goods division - what I found out is that nobody tastes any of the goods. Just like the cattle and poultry judging it's all a beauty contest. Same for the tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, onions and flowers. A beauty contest. The subtleties of taste and texture counts for zilch. This left me somewhat disappointed. But I digress.
I take a great deal of pride in my garden and the vegetables it produces. And what I may lack in variety I make-up for in sheer scale. Lately I've been feeling a little bit like Jack and his amazing bean stalk.
I filled two large paper grocery bags with fresh-picked green beans yesterday. That's after I canned a bunch of dilled green beans for garnish and relish use and flash-froze a quantity while building-up my stockpile for personal consumption this winter. Furthermore, I predict that this will be repeated before next weekend.
I was negligent in checking on the pickle patch and some of my pickles have graduated to cucumbers.
In fact one of the fellas at last weekend's Schützenfest assembled a really nice cucumber salad from some of the mutant pickles along with a sweet onion from the garden. With an adequate inventory of Polish dill and bread and butter pickles remaining from last year's bumper crop the plan this year is to make lime pickles. This only happens in odd-numbered years - therefore regular lime and maybe spicy lime are in order.
2011年8月22日星期一
Redmond resident turns 100, prepares for induction into Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame
Captain Joseph Kimm, an 11-year resident at Emerald Heights in Redmond, celebrated his 100th birthday last Thursday after receiving word that he will be inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame.
He will be inducted on April 28, 2012 at a ceremony to be held at the Ramada Mall of America Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota.
“I was stunned to hear about the induction into the hall of fame," Kimm said. "I retired in 1971 and after all these years away from flying I just couldn’t imagine it.”
Kimm was nominated for his 42-year service to Northwest Airlines — originally Northwest Airways (NWA) — and his contributions to aviation. He began as a steward for NWA in 1929 at the age of 17, learned to fly at age 18 and began serving as a copilot at age 19.
He continued to fly until he reluctantly retired in 1971 at age 60.
His stories paint a vibrant picture of the life and times of aviation through it’s early years to modern day. Kimm's granddaughter, Kimm Viebrock, has been interviewing and video taping his stories for posterity.
Some of his adventures include:
• As a flight steward his job was to take care of passengers that included dealing with airsickness. He was provided a small broom and dustpan to clean up messes after a passenger suffered from air sickness. Finding these tools inadequate, Kimm purchased paper bags at the store and offered these when passengers fell ill. “I think these were the very first barf bags,” he said.
• On April 1932, serving as copilot on a flight from St. Paul to Chicago in a Ford Trimotor the left engine broke loose and became wedged in the landing gear struts. His pilot maneuvered the plane to allow the engine to fall into the Mississippi River. The engine missed the river and landed 200 feet from a farmer building a chicken coop. No one was injured during the emergency landing and "the passengers cheered when we landed safely," Kimm said.
• On January 28, 1933, a flight from the Twin Cities to Seattle was called the “proof flight” in order to prove they could navigate the mountains and weather successfully. One of several passengers was Amelia Earhart, who was the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an airplane. “Amelia Earhart was a lovely person, quiet and accomplished,” Kimm said.
• During the fall of 1936 at a stop in Pembina, N.D. on his way from Winnipeg to Fargo, Kimm’s plane was equipped with special snow skis to maneuver the runway. In addition to snow Pembina had high winds that prevented him from turning the plane around on the runway. His station manager borrowed a team of horses from a local farmer and the plane was “driven” back to the ramp by the horses. “I had my brownie camera and snapped a photo of this event,” Kimm said.
Since his official retirement, Kimm has continued a busy life skiing, learning to scuba dive, delivering meals on wheels for 12 years and spending time with family.
He will be inducted on April 28, 2012 at a ceremony to be held at the Ramada Mall of America Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota.
“I was stunned to hear about the induction into the hall of fame," Kimm said. "I retired in 1971 and after all these years away from flying I just couldn’t imagine it.”
Kimm was nominated for his 42-year service to Northwest Airlines — originally Northwest Airways (NWA) — and his contributions to aviation. He began as a steward for NWA in 1929 at the age of 17, learned to fly at age 18 and began serving as a copilot at age 19.
He continued to fly until he reluctantly retired in 1971 at age 60.
His stories paint a vibrant picture of the life and times of aviation through it’s early years to modern day. Kimm's granddaughter, Kimm Viebrock, has been interviewing and video taping his stories for posterity.
Some of his adventures include:
• As a flight steward his job was to take care of passengers that included dealing with airsickness. He was provided a small broom and dustpan to clean up messes after a passenger suffered from air sickness. Finding these tools inadequate, Kimm purchased paper bags at the store and offered these when passengers fell ill. “I think these were the very first barf bags,” he said.
• On April 1932, serving as copilot on a flight from St. Paul to Chicago in a Ford Trimotor the left engine broke loose and became wedged in the landing gear struts. His pilot maneuvered the plane to allow the engine to fall into the Mississippi River. The engine missed the river and landed 200 feet from a farmer building a chicken coop. No one was injured during the emergency landing and "the passengers cheered when we landed safely," Kimm said.
• On January 28, 1933, a flight from the Twin Cities to Seattle was called the “proof flight” in order to prove they could navigate the mountains and weather successfully. One of several passengers was Amelia Earhart, who was the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an airplane. “Amelia Earhart was a lovely person, quiet and accomplished,” Kimm said.
• During the fall of 1936 at a stop in Pembina, N.D. on his way from Winnipeg to Fargo, Kimm’s plane was equipped with special snow skis to maneuver the runway. In addition to snow Pembina had high winds that prevented him from turning the plane around on the runway. His station manager borrowed a team of horses from a local farmer and the plane was “driven” back to the ramp by the horses. “I had my brownie camera and snapped a photo of this event,” Kimm said.
Since his official retirement, Kimm has continued a busy life skiing, learning to scuba dive, delivering meals on wheels for 12 years and spending time with family.
2011年8月21日星期日
Fred Done's £66 million snub to owners came as no surprise
Done cancelled the Tote’s sponsorship of the members of the Racehorse Owners Association’s colours, which is a significant financial snub.
Without sponsorship, the owners’ ability to reclaim approximately £66 million of VAT a year on the cost of having horses in training is jeopardised under a deal agreed with HM Customs and Excise.
News came on Friday that the ROA has taken over the sponsorship, which is laudable but does not alter the fact that Done’s hostile gesture makes a mockery of the empty words he simpered into the ears of Government’s ministers whilst assuring them of his eagerness to work with racing.
In fairness to Done, he isn’t the only bookmaker trashing the financial return to racing. When Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt adjudicated on the 50th Levy Scheme last year, he anticipated that the amount it would yield to racing would be £70 million. The bad news is that when that scheme comes to fruition at the end of next March, the actual return may be as low as £55 million. A disastrous shortfall.
So what thoughts will go through Hunt’s mind when, as sure as eggs are eggs, the 51st Levy Scheme falls without agreement on his desk in November?
It will be glaringly obvious to him that bookmakers moving their businesses offshore have made a mockery of his projection last year, for two reasons. First, and most obvious, if gaming operators are based in Gibraltar, they’re not bound to pay Levy in the United Kingdom. Second, and much more important, bookmakers avoiding the 10.75% Levy payments by being offshore can use that money in marketing campaigns to suck in more customers. Those campaigns involve offering punters increasingly attractive terms such as 'Bet with us, and if the favourite wins we’ll give you your money back’.
Whilst those offers are great for punters, they also squeeze the margins of all bookmakers to the point that the Levy, currently based on profits, increasingly contracts.
Hunt, however, will also be mindful that the bookmakers will be paying racecourses more money for the picture rights of races than they have in the past – the Arena Leisure courses alone will pick up an additional £10 million next year. But he needs to bear in mind that the Levy losses far outweigh the picture right gains.
His conclusion, I am sure, will be to do very little and continue to encourage John Penrose, the Gambling Minister, to consign the current Levy system to history as soon as possible. In Westminster that means the spring of 2013 if one has a fair wind and not too many Liberal Democrats getting in the way.
Quite how many horses there will be in training by then is another matter. Forty per cent of races fail to attract the optimum eight runners needed to generate attractive each-way betting and the rate of decrease in the number of horses racing is estimated to double in 2012.
In 2007 the foal crop in Great Britain and Ireland was roughly 18,500. This year that will fall to around 11,300. Of course, horses can be imported, but the economic sense of doing so has disappeared out of the window. There is also the issue of who will be able to pick up the bill for training these horses, let alone buying them, given the stagnation of the economy.
In 2012 the cost of keeping the racehorse population in action will come to around £330 million a year. That figure is set to rise sharply given the upward pressure on the price of labour, diesel and forage.
It is this rising cost base that will cause the number of horses in training to collapse further – unless more of that cost can be recouped from a fair return from betting via a commercial deal.
Without sponsorship, the owners’ ability to reclaim approximately £66 million of VAT a year on the cost of having horses in training is jeopardised under a deal agreed with HM Customs and Excise.
News came on Friday that the ROA has taken over the sponsorship, which is laudable but does not alter the fact that Done’s hostile gesture makes a mockery of the empty words he simpered into the ears of Government’s ministers whilst assuring them of his eagerness to work with racing.
In fairness to Done, he isn’t the only bookmaker trashing the financial return to racing. When Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt adjudicated on the 50th Levy Scheme last year, he anticipated that the amount it would yield to racing would be £70 million. The bad news is that when that scheme comes to fruition at the end of next March, the actual return may be as low as £55 million. A disastrous shortfall.
So what thoughts will go through Hunt’s mind when, as sure as eggs are eggs, the 51st Levy Scheme falls without agreement on his desk in November?
It will be glaringly obvious to him that bookmakers moving their businesses offshore have made a mockery of his projection last year, for two reasons. First, and most obvious, if gaming operators are based in Gibraltar, they’re not bound to pay Levy in the United Kingdom. Second, and much more important, bookmakers avoiding the 10.75% Levy payments by being offshore can use that money in marketing campaigns to suck in more customers. Those campaigns involve offering punters increasingly attractive terms such as 'Bet with us, and if the favourite wins we’ll give you your money back’.
Whilst those offers are great for punters, they also squeeze the margins of all bookmakers to the point that the Levy, currently based on profits, increasingly contracts.
Hunt, however, will also be mindful that the bookmakers will be paying racecourses more money for the picture rights of races than they have in the past – the Arena Leisure courses alone will pick up an additional £10 million next year. But he needs to bear in mind that the Levy losses far outweigh the picture right gains.
His conclusion, I am sure, will be to do very little and continue to encourage John Penrose, the Gambling Minister, to consign the current Levy system to history as soon as possible. In Westminster that means the spring of 2013 if one has a fair wind and not too many Liberal Democrats getting in the way.
Quite how many horses there will be in training by then is another matter. Forty per cent of races fail to attract the optimum eight runners needed to generate attractive each-way betting and the rate of decrease in the number of horses racing is estimated to double in 2012.
In 2007 the foal crop in Great Britain and Ireland was roughly 18,500. This year that will fall to around 11,300. Of course, horses can be imported, but the economic sense of doing so has disappeared out of the window. There is also the issue of who will be able to pick up the bill for training these horses, let alone buying them, given the stagnation of the economy.
In 2012 the cost of keeping the racehorse population in action will come to around £330 million a year. That figure is set to rise sharply given the upward pressure on the price of labour, diesel and forage.
It is this rising cost base that will cause the number of horses in training to collapse further – unless more of that cost can be recouped from a fair return from betting via a commercial deal.
2011年8月18日星期四
Senior citizen fights village officials over chicken coop
On peaceful property along the Huron River in the village of Milford, three regal birds of a British breed and aptly named Kate, Queenie and Fergie rule the roost, but maybe not for long.
A judge has ruled the birds' owner, 93-year-old Archie Noon, is violating a village ordinance.
Archie wanted to have some fun, and make a little cash so he built a henhouse, called his property Bridgeview Farm, and started selling eggs by the side of the road.
But it all ruffled the feathers of village officials, and Archie got ticketed.
"Throughout the whole country, there's backyard chickens being raised all the time," Noon said. "So why can't we do that in Milford?"
The two sides ended up in court, with Archie claiming the Michigan Right to Farm Act allows him to have the hens and sell their eggs. But a judge this week said because Archie hardly made any money, just $14, the business was not profitable, and could not be protected by any laws.
"How do you develop a profitable business in that short period of time," Noon says.
He just started the business in May.
Archie now has 60 days to get rid of his birds and pay a 50 dollar fine.
But Archie says he is not chickening out and he will appeal, and if he loses, the chickens will have to fly the coop.
Milford’s Village Manager says the animal control ordinance is in effect to protect the character of the community, and the ordinance must apply to everyone.
A judge has ruled the birds' owner, 93-year-old Archie Noon, is violating a village ordinance.
Archie wanted to have some fun, and make a little cash so he built a henhouse, called his property Bridgeview Farm, and started selling eggs by the side of the road.
But it all ruffled the feathers of village officials, and Archie got ticketed.
"Throughout the whole country, there's backyard chickens being raised all the time," Noon said. "So why can't we do that in Milford?"
The two sides ended up in court, with Archie claiming the Michigan Right to Farm Act allows him to have the hens and sell their eggs. But a judge this week said because Archie hardly made any money, just $14, the business was not profitable, and could not be protected by any laws.
"How do you develop a profitable business in that short period of time," Noon says.
He just started the business in May.
Archie now has 60 days to get rid of his birds and pay a 50 dollar fine.
But Archie says he is not chickening out and he will appeal, and if he loses, the chickens will have to fly the coop.
Milford’s Village Manager says the animal control ordinance is in effect to protect the character of the community, and the ordinance must apply to everyone.
2011年8月15日星期一
Leaving the clothes on the line
It’s been raining at night lately, kind of like in Camelot. After a long day at work, in the garden, swimming or doing all of the Important Summer Things, it’s lovely to lie in bed and listen to water pouring from the sky.
Until we start the mental survey: Is the hay covered? Did the boy put his birthday bike in the barn? Did we leave tools, and coffee cups and badminton racquets and hats lying around outside?
“Is the chicken coop door closed?” my husband asks. It is.
“Is the laundry still on the line?” I ask. Yep. It is, too.
We are committed to our clothes line. There’s no reason to use energy to dry clothes when we have the sun to do it for us. It saves money and electricity, reduces pollution and it’s easy.
By most estimates, you’ll save about $100 a year in energy costs by line-drying your laundry. Electric dryers contribute to CO2 emissions in a big way, around 5 pounds per load. There’s no such thing as an Energy Star dryer because they all use about the same amount of energy — too much. Line drying also will make your clothes last longer, they’ll smell nice, and you won’t need to buy dryer sheets.
And you can make your kids hang out the wash.
It’s getting them to take it in that’s the problem.
This time of year, when I get home from work I head straight to the garden. That is, after dropping off my lunch box and changing my shoes, and accepting the ecstatic greetings of the dogs, the mooed hello of the ox and possibly a hug from a kid.
There are generally beans to pick, and broccoli, corn and tomatoes, and plants to check for ripening or for bugs. I like to look around and pick what we’ll eat for dinner. My husband likes to show me what he’s transplanted where — the new greens, the fall potatoes.
By the time I actually get into the house and we get dinner onto the table, it’s getting near dark. That’s about when I think to ask if anyone brought the laundry in.
Too late. What had been dry at 4 is damp with dew at 7, and we might as well leave it out overnight.
“It’s going to be a dry day, low humidity tomorrow,” my husband assures me, sounding positive.
“It won’t matter if no one brings the clothes in again,” I say, because I am negative. And experienced. At my house, clothes have been left on the line for a week, through numerous showers and dryings, so long that they have to be washed again. Is that any way to save money, or the planet?
My children, of course, are extremely busy on the long summer days while I’m at work and my husband is in the garden or the hay fields. The kids have to have picnics, and explore the woods, wade in the stream, and play chess, draw or read in the flower garden. The teen has dance classes and a visiting beau, and the boy has forts and hideouts that need to be built, and a bike he can ride in the woods. They might have to go swimming.
It’s a wonder they have time to hang out the wash, and no wonder at all that they don’t have time to remember to bring it in.
I’ve taken to calling midday from work to remind them, and leaving notes on the kitchen table. One day last week, they took half the clothes off the line and put them into the laundry basket. The other half they left on the line, towels and socks, which they said were still damp.
They were damper still after the midnight downpour. The clothes they had managed to take off the line were also damp, because they left the basket outside.
The next day I left another note, with a list of chores. “Do these things or Risk Certain DEATH!” I wrote. My husband thought it was excessive. I drew a few little hearts around the last word.
But it didn’t matter. It rained twice during the day, a lovely rainwater rinse for the clothes. And another reason to leave them out for another night.
Until we start the mental survey: Is the hay covered? Did the boy put his birthday bike in the barn? Did we leave tools, and coffee cups and badminton racquets and hats lying around outside?
“Is the chicken coop door closed?” my husband asks. It is.
“Is the laundry still on the line?” I ask. Yep. It is, too.
We are committed to our clothes line. There’s no reason to use energy to dry clothes when we have the sun to do it for us. It saves money and electricity, reduces pollution and it’s easy.
By most estimates, you’ll save about $100 a year in energy costs by line-drying your laundry. Electric dryers contribute to CO2 emissions in a big way, around 5 pounds per load. There’s no such thing as an Energy Star dryer because they all use about the same amount of energy — too much. Line drying also will make your clothes last longer, they’ll smell nice, and you won’t need to buy dryer sheets.
And you can make your kids hang out the wash.
It’s getting them to take it in that’s the problem.
This time of year, when I get home from work I head straight to the garden. That is, after dropping off my lunch box and changing my shoes, and accepting the ecstatic greetings of the dogs, the mooed hello of the ox and possibly a hug from a kid.
There are generally beans to pick, and broccoli, corn and tomatoes, and plants to check for ripening or for bugs. I like to look around and pick what we’ll eat for dinner. My husband likes to show me what he’s transplanted where — the new greens, the fall potatoes.
By the time I actually get into the house and we get dinner onto the table, it’s getting near dark. That’s about when I think to ask if anyone brought the laundry in.
Too late. What had been dry at 4 is damp with dew at 7, and we might as well leave it out overnight.
“It’s going to be a dry day, low humidity tomorrow,” my husband assures me, sounding positive.
“It won’t matter if no one brings the clothes in again,” I say, because I am negative. And experienced. At my house, clothes have been left on the line for a week, through numerous showers and dryings, so long that they have to be washed again. Is that any way to save money, or the planet?
My children, of course, are extremely busy on the long summer days while I’m at work and my husband is in the garden or the hay fields. The kids have to have picnics, and explore the woods, wade in the stream, and play chess, draw or read in the flower garden. The teen has dance classes and a visiting beau, and the boy has forts and hideouts that need to be built, and a bike he can ride in the woods. They might have to go swimming.
It’s a wonder they have time to hang out the wash, and no wonder at all that they don’t have time to remember to bring it in.
I’ve taken to calling midday from work to remind them, and leaving notes on the kitchen table. One day last week, they took half the clothes off the line and put them into the laundry basket. The other half they left on the line, towels and socks, which they said were still damp.
They were damper still after the midnight downpour. The clothes they had managed to take off the line were also damp, because they left the basket outside.
The next day I left another note, with a list of chores. “Do these things or Risk Certain DEATH!” I wrote. My husband thought it was excessive. I drew a few little hearts around the last word.
But it didn’t matter. It rained twice during the day, a lovely rainwater rinse for the clothes. And another reason to leave them out for another night.
2011年8月14日星期日
Call for chickens continues in McHenry
Adrian Plante has an 8-foot high, wire and wood chicken coop in his backyard.
When a city building inspector came by about a year ago, Plante of McHenry found out he needed a permit for the structure. During that same visit, the inspector discovered the four hens, and Plante found out they weren’t allowed in the city.
So for the last year, Plante has housed his hens on a farm in Prairie Grove as he spoke to city council and staff members about the possibility of allowing hens in McHenry.
He participated in committee meetings to convince city officials to allow chickens, while city staff – like their counterparts in Crystal Lake where backyard hen-keeping also is under consideration – gathered information on the subject.
On Thursday, the city Planning and Zoning Commission will give its thoughts on a proposed ordinance allowing people to have chickens on residential properties.
The city is proposing that a maximum of 10 licenses be allowed in town, and there be a waiting list for those who are interested.
During a Community Development Committee meeting, Alderwoman Geri Condon said she wanted to see how the project goes in the first year, but she would be open to more permits in the future.
Under the proposal, people will be allowed to have up to four hens and the permit will cost $50.
Also, if there is a homeowners association for the neighborhood, the association would need to sign off on the hens, said Kathi Kunzer, deputy city clerk.
Crystal Lake also is considering allowing chickens to be kept in people’s backyards, and Plante has appeared at Crystal Lake meetings to support those efforts. The Crystal Lake City Council will further discuss the issue at its meeting Tuesday.
In McHenry, Plante brings his hens home every once in a while so they can eat the weeds and insects in his backyard garden, where he grows spinach, tomatoes, onions, squash, peppers, carrots and eggplants, among other produce.
Plante sells the eggs from his hens and produce at farmers markets.
“They work in the yard,” Plante said. “I don’t have to apply chemicals to get rid of weeds, they don’t eat the grass, they selectively eat the weeds. They eat the insects out of the garden, they help me with my work load. Their droppings get turned into compost, which gets converted to the fertilizer for the garden.”
The 35-year-old contractor said people should speak to neighbors and get their feedback before bringing hens into a backyard.
“I’m going to do sustainable food, organic gardening, is that something that is going to affect you? Give information about the care and upkeep,” Plante said. “They don’t smell ... they sleep all night. If they get out, they’re not going to bite a child.”
Hens will lay eggs for five or six years, Plante said. Hens produce one egg a day, but are limited to about 270 eggs a year, as they go dormant during the winter because of the limited daylight.
“Once most people really get a look and they understand what you’re doing, and the whole goal of providing a little better food for your family – and if you give them a couple eggs here and there – it usually helps calm the waters,” Plante said.
When a city building inspector came by about a year ago, Plante of McHenry found out he needed a permit for the structure. During that same visit, the inspector discovered the four hens, and Plante found out they weren’t allowed in the city.
So for the last year, Plante has housed his hens on a farm in Prairie Grove as he spoke to city council and staff members about the possibility of allowing hens in McHenry.
He participated in committee meetings to convince city officials to allow chickens, while city staff – like their counterparts in Crystal Lake where backyard hen-keeping also is under consideration – gathered information on the subject.
On Thursday, the city Planning and Zoning Commission will give its thoughts on a proposed ordinance allowing people to have chickens on residential properties.
The city is proposing that a maximum of 10 licenses be allowed in town, and there be a waiting list for those who are interested.
During a Community Development Committee meeting, Alderwoman Geri Condon said she wanted to see how the project goes in the first year, but she would be open to more permits in the future.
Under the proposal, people will be allowed to have up to four hens and the permit will cost $50.
Also, if there is a homeowners association for the neighborhood, the association would need to sign off on the hens, said Kathi Kunzer, deputy city clerk.
Crystal Lake also is considering allowing chickens to be kept in people’s backyards, and Plante has appeared at Crystal Lake meetings to support those efforts. The Crystal Lake City Council will further discuss the issue at its meeting Tuesday.
In McHenry, Plante brings his hens home every once in a while so they can eat the weeds and insects in his backyard garden, where he grows spinach, tomatoes, onions, squash, peppers, carrots and eggplants, among other produce.
Plante sells the eggs from his hens and produce at farmers markets.
“They work in the yard,” Plante said. “I don’t have to apply chemicals to get rid of weeds, they don’t eat the grass, they selectively eat the weeds. They eat the insects out of the garden, they help me with my work load. Their droppings get turned into compost, which gets converted to the fertilizer for the garden.”
The 35-year-old contractor said people should speak to neighbors and get their feedback before bringing hens into a backyard.
“I’m going to do sustainable food, organic gardening, is that something that is going to affect you? Give information about the care and upkeep,” Plante said. “They don’t smell ... they sleep all night. If they get out, they’re not going to bite a child.”
Hens will lay eggs for five or six years, Plante said. Hens produce one egg a day, but are limited to about 270 eggs a year, as they go dormant during the winter because of the limited daylight.
“Once most people really get a look and they understand what you’re doing, and the whole goal of providing a little better food for your family – and if you give them a couple eggs here and there – it usually helps calm the waters,” Plante said.
2011年8月11日星期四
City Council Continues Chicken Debate
Chickens have a second chance in Santee after the City Council on Wednesday night decided to further consider an amendment to Santee’s zoning ordinance to allow chicken coops in residential zones.
The council voted 4-0 with Councilman John Ryan absent from the meeting. At the June 8 meeting, the council voted 2-2 against researching the idea of changing zoning laws.
Councilman Jack Dale, who decided to bring back the topic of keeping chickens within the city limits, said he has had a change of heart since voting to keep chickens out.
Dale explained he changed his opinion after owning his own chickens. He said he was given two chickens, although one recently "flew the coop."
“I haven’t experienced anything so far in my chicken experience that is anything different from any of the other animals that we have in town here, and so that’s why I brought it back for consideration,” Dale said. “My chicken experience has been good.”
Four residents spoke before the council in favor of chickens in Santee, and four residents argued against chickens. Five more people submitted slips in support of chickens but did not speak.
Opponents argued that chickens create noise, smell and real estate issues.
“The city leaders and the citizens have worked hard to remove this city from this failed type of a hick town,” Santee resident Patrick Bunch said. “I think this is three steps back. For me, it’s a quality of life issue.”
Speakers in favor argued dogs are louder, and smell is not a problem if the coop is properly cleaned. One speaker noted that some people do not clean up after more common household animals.
“There’s tons of families in Santee who own dogs and cats, and there’s dog droppings all over the yards—more of a problem than a backyard chicken coop, especially if people are willing to keep them clean,” she said.
Santee resident Ken Stuart said his neighbors enjoy his chickens.
“All our neighbors do love chickens,” Stuart said. “They love the eggs we give them. They love baking with them because they’re so much more fresh. They enjoy them.”
A couple of Stuart’s neighbors disagreed, however.
“I think, fine, if you want to have chickens fine, but one chicken is one chicken,” said a neighbor. “I don’t know how many he has, but they keep going all day long and it’s just ridiculous. I’m sorry, but I have a right to peace and quiet.”
Another neighbor added: “I like goat cheese. I think if you’re going to have the staff look into this, you might as well cover every animal because if I can get a recipe for goat cheese, I can have a goat in my backyard.”
Councilman John Minto, who was absent when the council voted in June, said he would have voted against it then but wants more information now.
“My position on this is I really would like to see our staff look at the ordinances and see what we can do,” he said.
Councilman Rob McNelis, who had previously voted for more information in June, said he also would like more information.
“I don’t want to go backwards and go back to being a rural community, but by the same token, we have to be fair to our citizens’ needs, wants and concerns,” McNelis said. “I’m all open, all ears to listen to what you guys have to say, but I haven’t made a decision one way or another at all.”
Mayor Randy Voepel, who brought the issue to the council in June, made it known that “tonight is not to decide whether we allow chickens or not, it’s to simply research it out.”
To further emphasize that the chicken debate is not yet finished, McNelis added: “We’re studying away. We’re not saying go out and buy a bunch of chickens tomorrow.”
The council voted 4-0 with Councilman John Ryan absent from the meeting. At the June 8 meeting, the council voted 2-2 against researching the idea of changing zoning laws.
Councilman Jack Dale, who decided to bring back the topic of keeping chickens within the city limits, said he has had a change of heart since voting to keep chickens out.
Dale explained he changed his opinion after owning his own chickens. He said he was given two chickens, although one recently "flew the coop."
“I haven’t experienced anything so far in my chicken experience that is anything different from any of the other animals that we have in town here, and so that’s why I brought it back for consideration,” Dale said. “My chicken experience has been good.”
Four residents spoke before the council in favor of chickens in Santee, and four residents argued against chickens. Five more people submitted slips in support of chickens but did not speak.
Opponents argued that chickens create noise, smell and real estate issues.
“The city leaders and the citizens have worked hard to remove this city from this failed type of a hick town,” Santee resident Patrick Bunch said. “I think this is three steps back. For me, it’s a quality of life issue.”
Speakers in favor argued dogs are louder, and smell is not a problem if the coop is properly cleaned. One speaker noted that some people do not clean up after more common household animals.
“There’s tons of families in Santee who own dogs and cats, and there’s dog droppings all over the yards—more of a problem than a backyard chicken coop, especially if people are willing to keep them clean,” she said.
Santee resident Ken Stuart said his neighbors enjoy his chickens.
“All our neighbors do love chickens,” Stuart said. “They love the eggs we give them. They love baking with them because they’re so much more fresh. They enjoy them.”
A couple of Stuart’s neighbors disagreed, however.
“I think, fine, if you want to have chickens fine, but one chicken is one chicken,” said a neighbor. “I don’t know how many he has, but they keep going all day long and it’s just ridiculous. I’m sorry, but I have a right to peace and quiet.”
Another neighbor added: “I like goat cheese. I think if you’re going to have the staff look into this, you might as well cover every animal because if I can get a recipe for goat cheese, I can have a goat in my backyard.”
Councilman John Minto, who was absent when the council voted in June, said he would have voted against it then but wants more information now.
“My position on this is I really would like to see our staff look at the ordinances and see what we can do,” he said.
Councilman Rob McNelis, who had previously voted for more information in June, said he also would like more information.
“I don’t want to go backwards and go back to being a rural community, but by the same token, we have to be fair to our citizens’ needs, wants and concerns,” McNelis said. “I’m all open, all ears to listen to what you guys have to say, but I haven’t made a decision one way or another at all.”
Mayor Randy Voepel, who brought the issue to the council in June, made it known that “tonight is not to decide whether we allow chickens or not, it’s to simply research it out.”
To further emphasize that the chicken debate is not yet finished, McNelis added: “We’re studying away. We’re not saying go out and buy a bunch of chickens tomorrow.”
2011年8月10日星期三
Michel-Schlumberger winery exudes French style
Take a left after the heritage-breed chicken coop, past the Syrah grapes, next to the creek that's part of the restoration project for coho salmon and steelhead trout. Then head up the slope between the trees beyond the lake. That's where you'll find Healdsburg's interpretation of France.
In a nutshell, this is how a tour goes at Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate in Healdsburg, which spans 100 acres across Dry Creek Valley and is planted in a crazy quilt of 15 primarily Bordeaux-style varieties. There's a flavor of Provence, too, from more than 400 olive trees.
You choose from a variety of options on how to take it all in - a casual property preview and tasting offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. ($20), a more elaborate guided vineyard hike finished with a private wine tasting (10:30 a.m. Fridays, $50), custom tours, or new self-guided walks that can be tacked on to the no-appointment-needed salon tasting ($10).
However you get there, go. It's hard to say which is more impressive - the stunning redwoods and the spring-fed Lac Schlumberger lake, or grapes laid out in tidy, seemingly endless rows across terraced uplands and sloping cradles.
The vibe: Despite the fantastic beauty of the old Spanish mission building and the wines' rich pedigree, the mood is 100 percent Wine Country casual. The staff actually seem to be delighted to work here. "Pinch me!" grinned our hostess, admitting to the beauty of the setting then asking if we wanted her "to sit and chat about the wines, or skedaddle."
The team: Founded as Domaine Michel in 1979 by Jean-Jacques Michel of Switzerland, the estate was renamed Michel-Schlumberger in 1993, when Jacques Schlumberger took over as a majority partner. The Schlumberger family boasts 400 years of winemaking in Alsace, France. Winemaker Mike Brunson started as assistant winemaker in 1993.
The wines: Five wines generally are included on the changing menu, but our freewheeling hostess was in a mood for fun. She skipped around through the listed 2008 La Brume Chardonnay ($32), 2007 Humanitas Malbec ($40), 2007 Le Sage Merlot ($35), 2007 La Source Syrah ($30) and a surprise addition of a 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon ($50), then added in three more pours: a 2010 La Bise Pinot Blanc ($24), a 2007 Petit Verdot ($40) and a 2009 Le Bon Cochon Zinfandel ($40).
The experience: Even if you only do the basic tasting, there's ample variety in the settings - the winery's French country kitchen, its elegant salon or the courtyard garden - to keep the most jaded tasting room visitor interested. On Fridays, there's live music ($5 cover), and perhaps because the winery is set off a relatively hidden side lane off West Dry Creek Road, it has become a high favorite of locals escaping tourist traps.
The extras: Anyone interested in Ask Mr. Science adventures will have a (literal) field day here. The tours, and also 3-D displays off the courtyard, explain how the winery works as an eco-community. Chickens control aphids and beetles, there are bee hives and a beneficial insectary garden. The estate is certified as a fish and wildlife habitat, housing 30 small bird boxes, 20 raptor perches and six owl boxes, while the lake hosts migrating loons and a mated pair of wild Canadian geese.
In a nutshell, this is how a tour goes at Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate in Healdsburg, which spans 100 acres across Dry Creek Valley and is planted in a crazy quilt of 15 primarily Bordeaux-style varieties. There's a flavor of Provence, too, from more than 400 olive trees.
You choose from a variety of options on how to take it all in - a casual property preview and tasting offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. ($20), a more elaborate guided vineyard hike finished with a private wine tasting (10:30 a.m. Fridays, $50), custom tours, or new self-guided walks that can be tacked on to the no-appointment-needed salon tasting ($10).
However you get there, go. It's hard to say which is more impressive - the stunning redwoods and the spring-fed Lac Schlumberger lake, or grapes laid out in tidy, seemingly endless rows across terraced uplands and sloping cradles.
The vibe: Despite the fantastic beauty of the old Spanish mission building and the wines' rich pedigree, the mood is 100 percent Wine Country casual. The staff actually seem to be delighted to work here. "Pinch me!" grinned our hostess, admitting to the beauty of the setting then asking if we wanted her "to sit and chat about the wines, or skedaddle."
The team: Founded as Domaine Michel in 1979 by Jean-Jacques Michel of Switzerland, the estate was renamed Michel-Schlumberger in 1993, when Jacques Schlumberger took over as a majority partner. The Schlumberger family boasts 400 years of winemaking in Alsace, France. Winemaker Mike Brunson started as assistant winemaker in 1993.
The wines: Five wines generally are included on the changing menu, but our freewheeling hostess was in a mood for fun. She skipped around through the listed 2008 La Brume Chardonnay ($32), 2007 Humanitas Malbec ($40), 2007 Le Sage Merlot ($35), 2007 La Source Syrah ($30) and a surprise addition of a 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon ($50), then added in three more pours: a 2010 La Bise Pinot Blanc ($24), a 2007 Petit Verdot ($40) and a 2009 Le Bon Cochon Zinfandel ($40).
The experience: Even if you only do the basic tasting, there's ample variety in the settings - the winery's French country kitchen, its elegant salon or the courtyard garden - to keep the most jaded tasting room visitor interested. On Fridays, there's live music ($5 cover), and perhaps because the winery is set off a relatively hidden side lane off West Dry Creek Road, it has become a high favorite of locals escaping tourist traps.
The extras: Anyone interested in Ask Mr. Science adventures will have a (literal) field day here. The tours, and also 3-D displays off the courtyard, explain how the winery works as an eco-community. Chickens control aphids and beetles, there are bee hives and a beneficial insectary garden. The estate is certified as a fish and wildlife habitat, housing 30 small bird boxes, 20 raptor perches and six owl boxes, while the lake hosts migrating loons and a mated pair of wild Canadian geese.
2011年8月9日星期二
Township to 79-Year-Old: No Chickens For You
A southern New Jersey woman is seeking permission to keep six chickens on her property so she can have organic eggs, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
The problem is, her property on Shore Drive in Lower Township, is not a farm.
The Township has told 79-year-old Claire Nagel she has to get rid of her chickens by Aug. 29 because her property is smaller than an acre.
But property size isn’t Nagel’s only problem. Recently, a neighbor complained about the Rhode Island Reds.
The 79-year-old is holding her ground.
“It’s a very clean environment with no noise and no odor,” Nagel tells the Press of Atlantic City.
She also tells the Press that the chickens make less noise than the crows and seagulls that fly over the neighborhood.
In fact, township manager Mike Voll was impressed when he paid Nagel’s house a visit – the outdoor coop was clean, the chickens have their own easy access indoor area and the elderly woman even plays music for her “friends,” reports the paper.
According to the Press of AC, Nagel says she spoke to someone from the township before purchasing the chickens and was under the impression that each person residing on a property could have one pet chicken.
Nagel is requesting that she be allowed to keep the chickens and that chickens or ducks be allowed on 10,000-square-foot lots.
The Planning Board is set to consider Nagel's request on Thursday.
Nagel has had the chickens since April, they have yet to lay an egg.
The problem is, her property on Shore Drive in Lower Township, is not a farm.
The Township has told 79-year-old Claire Nagel she has to get rid of her chickens by Aug. 29 because her property is smaller than an acre.
But property size isn’t Nagel’s only problem. Recently, a neighbor complained about the Rhode Island Reds.
The 79-year-old is holding her ground.
“It’s a very clean environment with no noise and no odor,” Nagel tells the Press of Atlantic City.
She also tells the Press that the chickens make less noise than the crows and seagulls that fly over the neighborhood.
In fact, township manager Mike Voll was impressed when he paid Nagel’s house a visit – the outdoor coop was clean, the chickens have their own easy access indoor area and the elderly woman even plays music for her “friends,” reports the paper.
According to the Press of AC, Nagel says she spoke to someone from the township before purchasing the chickens and was under the impression that each person residing on a property could have one pet chicken.
Nagel is requesting that she be allowed to keep the chickens and that chickens or ducks be allowed on 10,000-square-foot lots.
The Planning Board is set to consider Nagel's request on Thursday.
Nagel has had the chickens since April, they have yet to lay an egg.
2011年8月8日星期一
Charlotte vs. Norfolk: Light-rail lines on same track?
It's standing room only during morning and evening rush hours, and often at lunchtime, on Charlotte's 9-1/2-mile light-rail line that runs between the city center and the suburbs.
The train takes passengers, for a fare of $1.75, past the business district, convention center, sports arena and new apartments and condos that flank the tracks. It stops at park-and-ride lots that sometimes fill to capacity.
For many of the 15,000 people who ride it daily, LYNX light rail has saved time, money and commuting headaches getting around a city that's home to the nation's second-largest financial center.
"It gives me 30 minutes of peace," said Bridget McCall, who rides daily to her accounting job. "It beats sitting in traffic, I save gas and I don't have to pay for parking. I love it."
Banker Mike Gathman drives 10 miles from his South Carolina home to the end of the line to hop the train to work. He's tried driving, carpooling and riding the bus, but he far prefers light rail.
"Disadvantages? There really are none," he said. "Except it gets crowded."
Charlotte wasn't always enamored with light rail. Before it opened in 2007, there were cost overruns, construction delays and ultimately an effort to try to repeal the regional sales tax that pays for it.
Sound familiar?
"We went through eight years of hell during the construction and planning phases," said Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte. "You always get curve balls thrown at you. During construction, it was called 'the McCrory line,' and it was not meant as a compliment.
"I thought I'd be run out of office."
In many ways, Charlotte's early challenges with light rail are similar to Norfolk's.
The Tide in Norfolk is nearly 50 percent, or $106 million, over budget. It will open Aug. 19, more than a year and a half after it was originally scheduled to launch.
Whether Norfolk can shrug off its rocky start and embrace the 7.4-mile starter line the way much of Charlotte has remains to be seen. Charlotte voters rejected the tax repeal by a margin of 7 to 3.
"Twenty years from now, who's going to care about overruns?" Bob Morgan, president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, said. "In the long term, it's going to be a footnote because light rail is going to shape the development of your region."
"How much did the New York City subway cost? Was it over budget or under budget? Does it matter now?"
Norfolk is no New York City, or even Charlotte.
Yet, Norfolk's light rail is often compared to Charlotte's because of its proximity (about 350 miles away), the length of the route and its similar costs. Norfolk's per-mile construction cost is $45.7 million; Charlotte's was $48.2 million.
There are some negative comparisons as well.
"Light rail is a huge burden to any city that has one," said Don Reid, a former Charlotte city councilman who headed the failed drive to repeal the sales tax for transit. "From a practical standpoint, it's a loser, a real loser. There's no way Norfolk can afford it."
The train takes passengers, for a fare of $1.75, past the business district, convention center, sports arena and new apartments and condos that flank the tracks. It stops at park-and-ride lots that sometimes fill to capacity.
For many of the 15,000 people who ride it daily, LYNX light rail has saved time, money and commuting headaches getting around a city that's home to the nation's second-largest financial center.
"It gives me 30 minutes of peace," said Bridget McCall, who rides daily to her accounting job. "It beats sitting in traffic, I save gas and I don't have to pay for parking. I love it."
Banker Mike Gathman drives 10 miles from his South Carolina home to the end of the line to hop the train to work. He's tried driving, carpooling and riding the bus, but he far prefers light rail.
"Disadvantages? There really are none," he said. "Except it gets crowded."
Charlotte wasn't always enamored with light rail. Before it opened in 2007, there were cost overruns, construction delays and ultimately an effort to try to repeal the regional sales tax that pays for it.
Sound familiar?
"We went through eight years of hell during the construction and planning phases," said Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte. "You always get curve balls thrown at you. During construction, it was called 'the McCrory line,' and it was not meant as a compliment.
"I thought I'd be run out of office."
In many ways, Charlotte's early challenges with light rail are similar to Norfolk's.
The Tide in Norfolk is nearly 50 percent, or $106 million, over budget. It will open Aug. 19, more than a year and a half after it was originally scheduled to launch.
Whether Norfolk can shrug off its rocky start and embrace the 7.4-mile starter line the way much of Charlotte has remains to be seen. Charlotte voters rejected the tax repeal by a margin of 7 to 3.
"Twenty years from now, who's going to care about overruns?" Bob Morgan, president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, said. "In the long term, it's going to be a footnote because light rail is going to shape the development of your region."
"How much did the New York City subway cost? Was it over budget or under budget? Does it matter now?"
Norfolk is no New York City, or even Charlotte.
Yet, Norfolk's light rail is often compared to Charlotte's because of its proximity (about 350 miles away), the length of the route and its similar costs. Norfolk's per-mile construction cost is $45.7 million; Charlotte's was $48.2 million.
There are some negative comparisons as well.
"Light rail is a huge burden to any city that has one," said Don Reid, a former Charlotte city councilman who headed the failed drive to repeal the sales tax for transit. "From a practical standpoint, it's a loser, a real loser. There's no way Norfolk can afford it."
2011年8月7日星期日
The Stroller: 'Nothing new'
Chickens in the city? Converse Heights, of all places? Oh, my! Speaking words found in Ecclesiastes, Lib Smith says, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” She remembers when she was a kid living on Otis Boulevard in Converse Heights, where her grandparents living on the same street had chickens. “Not only that, but Bobby Chapman just down the street had a pony. So I had to laugh when reading that the doctor living in Converse Heights wants permission from City Council to have a chicken coop. Chickens were there long before this council.”
‘HAD THEIR DAY’: James Price of Inman smells a rat in the pricing of gasoline: “The government and everybody made us believe it was coming down, and folks went to the resorts and traveled again, and as soon as they did, the price shot back up. Maybe they had their day just lying to people.”
‘OUTSTANDING’: Ted Young of Woodruff was mighty impressed by the work of Laurens Electric during a recent storm. “They deserve kudos,” he says. “A tree fell across my power line on a Friday night, and I called at 1:30 in the morning to report it. I was expecting it to be a miserable weekend without power, but they surprised me. They had the line repaired and my power back on by 3:30 that morning. That’s outstanding work. They really did a fine job.”
‘HAD THEIR DAY’: James Price of Inman smells a rat in the pricing of gasoline: “The government and everybody made us believe it was coming down, and folks went to the resorts and traveled again, and as soon as they did, the price shot back up. Maybe they had their day just lying to people.”
‘OUTSTANDING’: Ted Young of Woodruff was mighty impressed by the work of Laurens Electric during a recent storm. “They deserve kudos,” he says. “A tree fell across my power line on a Friday night, and I called at 1:30 in the morning to report it. I was expecting it to be a miserable weekend without power, but they surprised me. They had the line repaired and my power back on by 3:30 that morning. That’s outstanding work. They really did a fine job.”
2011年8月3日星期三
Life experience gave him compassion
Son of a Portland shipyard worker who was laid off after World War II, he lived for a time in a converted chicken coop. When he was 13, his father died and he became the man of the house.
Keenan will retire after leading the Archdiocese of Portland's social service arm for 22 years and overseeing a major expansion of services.
"I learned to rely on God a lot and have empathy for people without a lot of money," he says of his past.
Keenan, a 65-year-old member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Portland, says his work at Catholic Charities has been a blessing.
"It gives me an opportunity to live my faith and my belief in the social mission of the church," he explains.
In Keenan's years as head of Catholic Charities, the annual operating budget surged from $100,000 to $10 million. In 2008, Keenan led the organization in its first capital campaign, which raised $12.5 million for the construction of the Clark Family Center, Catholic Charities' new headquarters.
Keenan has not taken the Catholic identity of the organization lightly. He cites scripture and church teaching when giving major talks. The new building has a statue of Christ and crucifixes. The mission statement, he knows in his bones, is based on the dignity and sanctity of human life and the social teaching of the church. In 1997, he withdrew Catholic Charities from United Way, which included Planned Parenthood.
He attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland, working summers to pay off tuition. Keenan was a philosophy and theology undergraduate at UP who was impressed with the social mission of the church as voiced in the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
"I felt we all had a role in the life of the church and a duty to create a more just society," he says.
While a student at UP, he volunteered with low-income kids in at a nearby housing project as a tutor and coach. He helped a group of single mothers organize themselves to assert their rights before the Housing Authority of Portland.
He then earned a master's in social work from Portland State University, serving for part of that time with a human rights commission in Portland.
In 1979, he became director of family life for the Archdiocese of Portland. He planned fairs, workshops, speakers, parent classes and marriage training. He formed an association for people who were widowed and divorced.
During the 1980s, Archbishop William Levada began to revise Catholic Charities, which then had only a handful of workers. The archbishop wanted a stronger presence of the church in social work and Keenan got the call.
Now, 200 workers help serve 39,000 people each year. A decade ago, Keenan listened to his case workers and brought Catholic Charities into affordable housing, with 600 units being tended.
Services, Keenan says, cannot simply fill in needs. They must advance human development by helping poor people further financial stability, strengthen marriages and other family relationships and form links to the community.
He hopes Catholic Charities will continue to grow in ways that respond to the changing needs of people who are poor. Now, for example, Catholic Charities serves the newest immigrants to America — Latinos, Africans and others. Recently, Catholic Charities has earned a national reputation for work with victims of human trafficking.
"Dennis is a true servant leader, who has the ability to inspire and who is passionate about the social mission of the church," says Doug Alles, longtime social services director for Catholic Charities. "Dennis has made it possible for us to improve our care for the poor and has helped the staff of Catholic Charities grow as persons."
Keenan has a high reputation even outside Catholic circles.
"I've learned a lot watching how Dennis has helped lead and guide Catholic Charities through a lot of changes," says David Leslie, executive director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon for 14 years. "Programs don't grow out of bottom lines, they grow out of need, vision and compassion."
Keenan and wife Diana, whom he lauds for her encouragement and support, have been married for 41 years. They have five children and six grandchildren. Keenan says he looks forward to spending time with them all.
Keenan will retire after leading the Archdiocese of Portland's social service arm for 22 years and overseeing a major expansion of services.
"I learned to rely on God a lot and have empathy for people without a lot of money," he says of his past.
Keenan, a 65-year-old member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Portland, says his work at Catholic Charities has been a blessing.
"It gives me an opportunity to live my faith and my belief in the social mission of the church," he explains.
In Keenan's years as head of Catholic Charities, the annual operating budget surged from $100,000 to $10 million. In 2008, Keenan led the organization in its first capital campaign, which raised $12.5 million for the construction of the Clark Family Center, Catholic Charities' new headquarters.
Keenan has not taken the Catholic identity of the organization lightly. He cites scripture and church teaching when giving major talks. The new building has a statue of Christ and crucifixes. The mission statement, he knows in his bones, is based on the dignity and sanctity of human life and the social teaching of the church. In 1997, he withdrew Catholic Charities from United Way, which included Planned Parenthood.
He attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland, working summers to pay off tuition. Keenan was a philosophy and theology undergraduate at UP who was impressed with the social mission of the church as voiced in the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
"I felt we all had a role in the life of the church and a duty to create a more just society," he says.
While a student at UP, he volunteered with low-income kids in at a nearby housing project as a tutor and coach. He helped a group of single mothers organize themselves to assert their rights before the Housing Authority of Portland.
He then earned a master's in social work from Portland State University, serving for part of that time with a human rights commission in Portland.
In 1979, he became director of family life for the Archdiocese of Portland. He planned fairs, workshops, speakers, parent classes and marriage training. He formed an association for people who were widowed and divorced.
During the 1980s, Archbishop William Levada began to revise Catholic Charities, which then had only a handful of workers. The archbishop wanted a stronger presence of the church in social work and Keenan got the call.
Now, 200 workers help serve 39,000 people each year. A decade ago, Keenan listened to his case workers and brought Catholic Charities into affordable housing, with 600 units being tended.
Services, Keenan says, cannot simply fill in needs. They must advance human development by helping poor people further financial stability, strengthen marriages and other family relationships and form links to the community.
He hopes Catholic Charities will continue to grow in ways that respond to the changing needs of people who are poor. Now, for example, Catholic Charities serves the newest immigrants to America — Latinos, Africans and others. Recently, Catholic Charities has earned a national reputation for work with victims of human trafficking.
"Dennis is a true servant leader, who has the ability to inspire and who is passionate about the social mission of the church," says Doug Alles, longtime social services director for Catholic Charities. "Dennis has made it possible for us to improve our care for the poor and has helped the staff of Catholic Charities grow as persons."
Keenan has a high reputation even outside Catholic circles.
"I've learned a lot watching how Dennis has helped lead and guide Catholic Charities through a lot of changes," says David Leslie, executive director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon for 14 years. "Programs don't grow out of bottom lines, they grow out of need, vision and compassion."
Keenan and wife Diana, whom he lauds for her encouragement and support, have been married for 41 years. They have five children and six grandchildren. Keenan says he looks forward to spending time with them all.
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