To step into Shane Jewell and Emily Pruiksma’s home in Paradise Valley is to enter a world made by hand — their own hands.
Consider first where they live: Tucked behind Plum Forest Farm, past wooden gates, a chicken coop and several Scottish Highland cows, sits a pair of yurts, the couple’s home and music studio. Inside, the hand-made feel begins with the warm patina of the hand-packed earthen cob floor on up to the hand-bent poles supporting the hand-sewn cover.
Then look around: There’s the folding rocking chair Pruiksma made. Jewell’s handcrafted 17-foot umiak. The beloved hurdy-gurdy he built. A sturdy worm bin Pruiksma crafted.
They don’t own a car. A wood-fired cookstove heats the hot water tank. They power their washing machine by pedaling a stationary bicycle. Energy for their electric chainsaw and rototiller comes from the sun. Their 1920s-era treadle sewing machine — gifted to them by an Islander — is a steady workhorse.
And these days, as they ready themselves for Vashon’s 29th annual Art Studio Tour this weekend, their handcrafted lives are on display more than ever. Hand-dipped beeswax candles — made in part from beeswax they collected on Vashon — line a table. Etched-glass candle holders and pendant necklaces line another. And Pruiksma’s speciality — delicately decorated Ukrainian eggs that have begun to draw repeat visitors to their small yurt — are being readied for the tour.
Saturday and Sunday, when visitors follow the narrow path to Jewell and Pruiksma’s yurt, they’ll likely find Pruiksma bent over a blown egg, a candle to warm her kitska — or hot wax pen — glowing softly next to her, as she plies her craft.
The two enjoy the studio tour, as it’s a chance, they note, to connect with friends and neighbors. But more often than not, it’s also an opportunity for them to talk about the lifestyle they’ve chosen and the philosophy that imbues it.
“We get people who come and see the large picture of it, and it kind of fires them up. And others look a little confused by it,” Pruiksma noted. “We end up talking a lot about our space as well as our art, because so much of what we do is part of a larger picture, … part of our effort to live in a way that’s a lot lower impact.”
If anyone on Vashon could be said to piece a life together, Shane Jewell and Emily Pruiksma, both 33, could. He teaches at the Homestead School; she works two days a week at Vashon Library. He offers music lessons to a dozen or two students in 10 different instruments. She builds and sells worm bins. Together, they grow much of their own food.
Fourteen years ago, Jewell and Pruiksma never imagined they’d be living life off the grid in a hand-crafted yurt on a small organic farm. But that was before they staffed the 600-member food co-op kitchen of Oberlin College in Ohio.
The couple attended Oberlin between 1997 and 2001, where they met in the co-op kitchen. Both natives of Puget Sound, Jewell and Pruiksma bonded over nostalgia for the misty rain of the Northwest and their mutual passion for music. Pruiksma, an environmental studies major, coordinated the co-op’s local food program, buying produce from the region’s Amish farmers. Jewell, a math and music major, was the pizza chef.
Before long, Jewell joined Pruiksma on her buying trips to the country, where they visited farms and marveled at the self-sufficient lifestyle of the Amish farmers.
“They were really inspiring,” said Pruiksma. “They lived close to the land in a tight cohesive community. … There was something very attractive about their hands-on life.”
Though Pruiksma and Jewell grew up as urban dwellers, in Seattle and Bellingham respectively, they began to ponder how they, too, could be in community while living rooted to the land.
“We were studying things in school that were so theoretical — we really wanted to learn these skills connected to place,” Jewell said. “At the same time we were studying all the problems in the world, the big name issues of climate change, breakdown of communities, destruction of farmland. … We decided we’d rather be part of the solution.”
Like so many times to come for this adventurous couple, one experience led to the next. Junior year, Jewell and Pruiksma traveled the world visiting five countries as part of a global ecology program. At a collective called Timbaktu, a volunteer organization working for sustainable development in a drought-prone area of India, Jewell and Pruiksma were again inspired by what they saw. The collective had re-instituted traditional methods to retain water, transforming what had become a desert into the forest it once was.
But it wasn’t just the ecological restoration that the young couple found inspirational; it was also the way the people in the collective went about their work, using music and dance to build a community. When Jewell and Pruiksma arrived, they recalled, some of the local musicians put on a traditional dance for them.
“Music seemed like such an essential part of what they were doing,” Jewell said. “And they weren’t only trying to rebuild a place, they were trying to rebuild a community that could take care of the place.”
Returning to the Northwest after college, the duo dreamed of living life like the communities they visited, but they didn’t know where or how. That’s when serendipity intervened. A call from Amy Bogaard of Hogsback Farm brought the couple to Vashon. Bogaard is a friend of Jewell’s aunt and uncle, Joanne Jewell and Rob Pederson, owners Plum Forest Farm; she contacted them in search of interns, learned of Jewell and Pruiksma and thought they’d be ideal.
Jewell and Pruiksma accepted, and the job turned out to be an opportunity for them to learn an essential foundation for their vision: how to grow food.
When the internship ended, the couple took what looked like a detour on their path to sustainable living, choosing to walk the Pacific Crest Trail from southern Oregon to Canada. Influenced by the self-sufficient farmers back in Ohio, they sewed much of their own gear, fashioning mosquito-proof clothing, a lightweight tent and backpack.
In the middle of the preparation, Pruiksma remembered watching Jewell walk across the meadow at Plum Forest Farm, where they were living, with a bundle of sticks. An enthusiastic Jewell told Pruiksma that he’d learned how to construct a yurt and thought they should build one.
With a gentle nod towards her partner, Pruiksma noted that Jewell knows how to dream and see what’s possible while she has the slow staying power, and that makes for a very good partnership. So before leaving for the Pacific Crest Trail, together they built a small yurt — once again, with no notion of where the project would lead.
Determined to do the Pacific Crest Trail mostly by their own human power, Jewell and Pruiksma set off from Vashon on their old middle school bicycles, riding down the coast for a month and ending up in Ashland, where they shipped the bikes home and began the 1,000-mile hike.
“It was this whole process of slowing down,” Pruiksma said. “Walking is a perfect time for dreaming. We didn’t know it then, but it was really a pivotal time.”
Upon their return, in 2005, they began construction of a larger yurt. The smaller one now serves as Jewell’s music and tutoring studio.
And in 2008, again in an effort to re-create the beauty and wisdom of that collective in India, Jewell and Pruiksma decided to form the Free Range Folk Choir, an a cappella group that performs world music in four- and five-part harmony. The economic downturn was beginning to hit Vashon, the couple recalled, and they saw the choir as a way to lift spirits and foster community, just as music had in India.
2011年11月30日星期三
2011年11月29日星期二
Family hopes to raise chickens in Pasco
Amelia Larson hopes to use an empty chicken coop in her Pasco backyard to raise chickens with her four children.
The stay-at-home mom says it would be a chance for her kids to learn about raising their own food.
But whether the new coop's residents will be allowed depends on what the Pasco City Council decides about her request to allow chickens in residential zones.
Chickens are allowed only in residential suburban zones, but not residential zones, which have a smaller lot size. If Larson's request is approved, chickens and rabbits would be allowed in residential zones as well.
Families could then own up to three chickens in residential zones, with the total number of chickens, rabbits, dogs and cats capped at six for a single family home on a lot 5,000 square feet or larger, said Rick White, city community and economic development director.
Kennewick allows chickens in residential suburban zones but not other residential zones, unless the property was annexed into the city with the use grandfathered in and has continued to have chickens since annexation.
Richland allows chickens, except for roosters, and rabbits among permitted household pets, according to Richland municipal code. Each dwelling unit is limited to five household pets.
West Richland allows chickens and rabbits in residential zones. Homes are limited to two or five small animals, depending on density.
Larson said she and her husband, Jeff, never have owned chickens before, but she wanted to raise some of her family's food. At first, she thought chickens weren't possible in a residential neighborhood.
But her research found other cities did allow it.
So the stay-at-home mom sent a letter to the city asking officials to legalize small numbers of hens and rabbits in residential zones. And she included examples of ordinances from other cities like Seattle.
Larson said her family would likely try raising both, although they are most interested in chickens. Other families expressed interest in rabbits, prompting her to ask for both.
Chickens are among the easiest farm animals to care for and don't need much space, she said. And they don't make a lot of noise in comparison with other allowed pets, she said.
And Larson said they will eat almost any scraps and help fertilize gardens. That's a self-sufficiency she is looking for.
Her children, Gabriel, 12, Faith, 9, Asher, 6, and Elias, 3, are excited by the idea, and Gabriel spoke with Larson in support of the proposal before the Nov. 17 city planning commission, she said.
The city planning commission recommended that the council approve the change to city code.
Jason Caryl of Pasco asked the city council to support the measure. His family raised chickens when they lived in another area, and the joy his three children experienced and the things they learned from collecting eggs and cooking them was undeniable, he said.
But Glen Fry of Pasco said he doesn't like the idea of having a rickety old chicken coop near his home. If he wanted to live near livestock, he said he wouldn't have moved to Pasco.
Councilwoman Rebecca Francik said she thinks that if the city allows people to own large dogs, it's hard to say people can't have a couple of chickens.
"I find that dogs are much more annoying noise-wise than birds," she said.
Mayor Matt Watkins said he thinks using dog noise as a comparison isn't good because the city already has an issue with noise. Noise is the most common complaint he receives from city residents.
He said he would support chickens only if they were in or right next to the owner's bedroom.
But Francik said she grew up with chickens, and without roosters, they aren't that noisy. And they eat bugs in the garden and produce fresh eggs.
Councilman Al Yenney said he would support the measure but thinks that "hens" is too broad of a term. That could include guinea hens, he said.
The city council will continue to discuss the proposal at the Dec. 12 workshop meeting.
At first, Larson said she felt like she shouldn't bother. But the process has been relatively fast and city staff has worked with her, she said. She said she would encourage others who would like to see a change in city code to ask.
The stay-at-home mom says it would be a chance for her kids to learn about raising their own food.
But whether the new coop's residents will be allowed depends on what the Pasco City Council decides about her request to allow chickens in residential zones.
Chickens are allowed only in residential suburban zones, but not residential zones, which have a smaller lot size. If Larson's request is approved, chickens and rabbits would be allowed in residential zones as well.
Families could then own up to three chickens in residential zones, with the total number of chickens, rabbits, dogs and cats capped at six for a single family home on a lot 5,000 square feet or larger, said Rick White, city community and economic development director.
Kennewick allows chickens in residential suburban zones but not other residential zones, unless the property was annexed into the city with the use grandfathered in and has continued to have chickens since annexation.
Richland allows chickens, except for roosters, and rabbits among permitted household pets, according to Richland municipal code. Each dwelling unit is limited to five household pets.
West Richland allows chickens and rabbits in residential zones. Homes are limited to two or five small animals, depending on density.
Larson said she and her husband, Jeff, never have owned chickens before, but she wanted to raise some of her family's food. At first, she thought chickens weren't possible in a residential neighborhood.
But her research found other cities did allow it.
So the stay-at-home mom sent a letter to the city asking officials to legalize small numbers of hens and rabbits in residential zones. And she included examples of ordinances from other cities like Seattle.
Larson said her family would likely try raising both, although they are most interested in chickens. Other families expressed interest in rabbits, prompting her to ask for both.
Chickens are among the easiest farm animals to care for and don't need much space, she said. And they don't make a lot of noise in comparison with other allowed pets, she said.
And Larson said they will eat almost any scraps and help fertilize gardens. That's a self-sufficiency she is looking for.
Her children, Gabriel, 12, Faith, 9, Asher, 6, and Elias, 3, are excited by the idea, and Gabriel spoke with Larson in support of the proposal before the Nov. 17 city planning commission, she said.
The city planning commission recommended that the council approve the change to city code.
Jason Caryl of Pasco asked the city council to support the measure. His family raised chickens when they lived in another area, and the joy his three children experienced and the things they learned from collecting eggs and cooking them was undeniable, he said.
But Glen Fry of Pasco said he doesn't like the idea of having a rickety old chicken coop near his home. If he wanted to live near livestock, he said he wouldn't have moved to Pasco.
Councilwoman Rebecca Francik said she thinks that if the city allows people to own large dogs, it's hard to say people can't have a couple of chickens.
"I find that dogs are much more annoying noise-wise than birds," she said.
Mayor Matt Watkins said he thinks using dog noise as a comparison isn't good because the city already has an issue with noise. Noise is the most common complaint he receives from city residents.
He said he would support chickens only if they were in or right next to the owner's bedroom.
But Francik said she grew up with chickens, and without roosters, they aren't that noisy. And they eat bugs in the garden and produce fresh eggs.
Councilman Al Yenney said he would support the measure but thinks that "hens" is too broad of a term. That could include guinea hens, he said.
The city council will continue to discuss the proposal at the Dec. 12 workshop meeting.
At first, Larson said she felt like she shouldn't bother. But the process has been relatively fast and city staff has worked with her, she said. She said she would encourage others who would like to see a change in city code to ask.
2011年11月28日星期一
Tour downtown's backyard chicken coops this Saturday
You’re in cluck! It’s once again time for the Food Conspiracy’s most popular event – the annual Chicken Coop Tour.
You’d be amazed how many people around town raise chickens in their backyards. Plenty of them are right in the Downtown neighborhoods.
Food Conspiracy’s self-guided tour is a great way to gather information before bringing home a brood. The tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 3.
See a wide variety of creative coop styles and sizes. Talk to backyard chicken keepers. Learn about raising chicks.
Food Conspiracy launched Tucson’s first urban chicken coop tour in May 2009. The event is designed to introduce people to the joys (and challenges) of urban chicken keeping.
Food Conspiracy hopes it will inform people about chicken rearing and encourage folks to raise their own chickens in order to have a regular supply of local, fresh, humanely-raised chicken eggs.
Tickets are $5 and are available at the Food Conspiracy Co-op and will be available up until the day of the tour, while supplies last.
Virtually every major American city now boasts at least one annual chicken coop tour, including Raleigh, Atlanta and Spokane. Urban chicken coops have become trendy enough in Chicago to allow Jennifer Murtoff to make a living as an urban chicken consultant.
Once you buy ticket, you will be added to a list of tour participants. All participants will receive an email with a downloadable packet that includes a map to all participating coops and descriptions/pictures of each coop. For anyone without e-mail, a hard copy of the packet can be held for pickup at the co-op.
On the day of the tour, anyone with a ticket can visit any coops they choose to visit anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
There is no set route. Participants can start at any coop. They do not need to visit every coop, and can spend as little or as much time at each coop as they want to.
At each participating coop there will be at least one person available throughout the tour to answer questions about their chickens and coops. Many of the coop owners also have other home sustainability features like cisterns, desert gardens, rainwater harvesting basins and solar ovens, and they’ll be happy to talk about them, too.
All money raised from ticket sales will be donated to the Watershed Management Group’s co-op to offer subsidies for installing backyard chicken coops.
You’d be amazed how many people around town raise chickens in their backyards. Plenty of them are right in the Downtown neighborhoods.
Food Conspiracy’s self-guided tour is a great way to gather information before bringing home a brood. The tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 3.
See a wide variety of creative coop styles and sizes. Talk to backyard chicken keepers. Learn about raising chicks.
Food Conspiracy launched Tucson’s first urban chicken coop tour in May 2009. The event is designed to introduce people to the joys (and challenges) of urban chicken keeping.
Food Conspiracy hopes it will inform people about chicken rearing and encourage folks to raise their own chickens in order to have a regular supply of local, fresh, humanely-raised chicken eggs.
Tickets are $5 and are available at the Food Conspiracy Co-op and will be available up until the day of the tour, while supplies last.
Virtually every major American city now boasts at least one annual chicken coop tour, including Raleigh, Atlanta and Spokane. Urban chicken coops have become trendy enough in Chicago to allow Jennifer Murtoff to make a living as an urban chicken consultant.
Once you buy ticket, you will be added to a list of tour participants. All participants will receive an email with a downloadable packet that includes a map to all participating coops and descriptions/pictures of each coop. For anyone without e-mail, a hard copy of the packet can be held for pickup at the co-op.
On the day of the tour, anyone with a ticket can visit any coops they choose to visit anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
There is no set route. Participants can start at any coop. They do not need to visit every coop, and can spend as little or as much time at each coop as they want to.
At each participating coop there will be at least one person available throughout the tour to answer questions about their chickens and coops. Many of the coop owners also have other home sustainability features like cisterns, desert gardens, rainwater harvesting basins and solar ovens, and they’ll be happy to talk about them, too.
All money raised from ticket sales will be donated to the Watershed Management Group’s co-op to offer subsidies for installing backyard chicken coops.
2011年11月27日星期日
'Fatally Frosted: A Donut Shop Mystery'
A Donut Shop Mystery" by Jessica Beck. April Springs, N.C., is hosting a grand tour of extraordinary kitchens, and everyone's invited. Local donut shop owner Suzanne Hart is dying to cook up something fabulous for the event. Unfortunately, dying turns out to be the key word. A local busybody has dropped dead after eating one of Suzanne's famous treats.
"I Didn't Ask to Be Born (But I'm Glad I Was)" by Bill Cosby. In this hilarious new collection of observations, Cosby brings us more of his wonderful and wacky insights into the human condition that are sure to become classics. In the tradition of Fat Albert, Cosby introduces a host of new characters, including Peanut Armhouse and Old Mother Harold. Not since Mushmouth, Dumb Donald, Bucky and the Cosby Kids has there been such a memorable cast.
"Art of the Chicken Coop" by Chris Gleason. What came first, the chicken or the egg? Thanks to this book, you're about to learn the correct answer to this age-old question — neither. The coop came first. So, if you're planning on keeping chickens, whether it's just a few or a large flock, you'll need a place to house your egg-laying friends. In this book, today's modern farmer — both urban and suburban — will find creative plans and easy-to-follow construction techniques for making seven stylish chicken coops.
"The Unquiet" by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney, Ruth Ryan Langan and Mary Kay McComas. This book includes five all new startling stories from various authors. In "Chaos in Death," Eve Dallas and Roarke return to investigate the murders of a series of luckless indigents — and their strange connection to a brilliant young doctor.
"The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel" by Anthony Horowitz. London, 1890, 221 B Baker St. A fine arts dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap — a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed and his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place. Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gas-lit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more.
"I Didn't Ask to Be Born (But I'm Glad I Was)" by Bill Cosby. In this hilarious new collection of observations, Cosby brings us more of his wonderful and wacky insights into the human condition that are sure to become classics. In the tradition of Fat Albert, Cosby introduces a host of new characters, including Peanut Armhouse and Old Mother Harold. Not since Mushmouth, Dumb Donald, Bucky and the Cosby Kids has there been such a memorable cast.
"Art of the Chicken Coop" by Chris Gleason. What came first, the chicken or the egg? Thanks to this book, you're about to learn the correct answer to this age-old question — neither. The coop came first. So, if you're planning on keeping chickens, whether it's just a few or a large flock, you'll need a place to house your egg-laying friends. In this book, today's modern farmer — both urban and suburban — will find creative plans and easy-to-follow construction techniques for making seven stylish chicken coops.
"The Unquiet" by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney, Ruth Ryan Langan and Mary Kay McComas. This book includes five all new startling stories from various authors. In "Chaos in Death," Eve Dallas and Roarke return to investigate the murders of a series of luckless indigents — and their strange connection to a brilliant young doctor.
"The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel" by Anthony Horowitz. London, 1890, 221 B Baker St. A fine arts dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap — a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed and his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place. Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gas-lit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more.
2011年11月24日星期四
Forever family
The Nipomo home echoes with the pattering of eight small bare feet on hardwood floor, darting down the hallway into bedrooms, racing to slide open the patio door that leads to a backyard found in children’s dreams.
Thinking only of the idle trampoline, playground and chicken coop, some of the four young siblings are so overcome with excitement after a full day of school that they rush outside without stopping to put on shoes.
Jacque Barnett jokes with her daughters, Kate, 6, left, and Emily Rose, 5, at their home in Nipomo.
The Nipomo home echoes with the pattering of eight small bare feet on hardwood floor, darting down the hallway into bedrooms, racing to slide open the patio door that leads to a backyard found in children’s dreams.
Thinking only of the idle trampoline, playground and chicken coop, some of the four young siblings are so overcome with excitement after a full day of school that they rush outside without stopping to put on shoes.
By the patient tone in Jacque Barnett’s voice as she kindly yet firmly reminds her children of the rule, it’s apparent this isn’t the first time they’ve been forgetful.
Katie, 6, and a bouncing Emily, 5, step into matching pink clogs and join their brothers John Riley, 10, and Nicholas, 8, on the slide and swings.
Jacque stood smiling, monitoring the activity on an early evening last week with husband, James, marveling at their “forever family” — a term often used to describe a family that takes in and then adopts foster children.
The Barnetts are proud of their family, and they are proud to raise awareness for adopting foster children during National Adoption Month and for National Adoption Day, which was last Saturday.
The National Adoption Day Coalition expected 4,500 children in foster care to be adopted Nov. 19, which for 11 years has been designated as a day to finalize adoptions for foster children to families across the country.
“I think it’s great because there’s lots of kids who don’t have a forever family,” said Jacque,
who stays at home with her kids and helps out in their classrooms at Dorothea Lange Elementary School. “We’re really blessed.”
Jacque, 41, and James, 40, met while studying at Cal Poly.
She was from the San Joaquin Valley, he hailed from the Bay Area, and they settled on the Central Coast as a couple in their early 20s, ready to start a family.
After seven years of trying to get pregnant — discovering they both had fertility problems — and giving up on expensive fertility treatments, the Barnetts, then living in Grover Beach, turned to private adoption.
A brown-haired John Riley came first from a mother in Hayward, and Nicholas arrived two years later from Georgia.
Unofficially, the Barnetts said, they’ve been foster parents since John Riley arrived as an infant and they waited for the adoption paperwork to become finalized.
The Barnetts officially became certified for foster care around the time Katie arrived at 3 months old, taken from a mother in Santa Maria who had drug-abuse problems.
“We went into foster care because we wanted to adopt more kids,” said James, who teaches at Miller Elementary School in Santa Maria. “We knew we wanted girls.”
It took 18 months to finalize Katie’s adoption, the longest of the four. Nicholas’ adoption was the quickest at 8 months.
They welcomed Emily at 3 days old from Santa Maria for reasons similar to Katie’s placement in foster care — except Emily’s mother still was using drugs while she was pregnant.
The Barnetts were able to adopt the now rambunctious, smiley girl with a blonde-bob haircut, acknowledging that Emily would and does have some special needs and might have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) like her brother, John Riley.
Both girls were adopted through Aspiranet, a nonprofit charity that has for 35 years worked to ensure that California children are placed in permanent, loving homes — touching the lives of more than 10,000 children.
Adoption is not a truth the Barnetts hide from their children, especially since they don’t look like the typical family, although they clearly function like one.
“Of course we stand out,” Jacque said, noting Nicholas’ black skin and her and James’ fair skin and light hair. “But people on the Central Coast are very kind, very accepting.”
The kids have seen their baby pictures, birth certificates, even their adoption papers.
On a day last week, the family flipped through photo albums together until the youngsters could sit still no longer.
They understand that their family is a bit different, but they love each other as siblings do.
“Adoption is a great thing ... for kids who don’t have homes,” Nicholas said, as he and John Riley looked up from a Lego magazine long enough to good-naturedly hassle each other.
“Sometimes we tickle each other,” John Riley added.
After 17 years of marriage, James and Jacque have moved their family into a bigger house and property in Nipomo, and they are out of the foster-parent business.
They know they’re lucky they were able to adopt foster children because that’s not always the case.
“They call adoption a ‘back-pocket plan’,” Jacque said, adding that foster parents should have their hearts in the right place going into the process.
This is the first year all four kids are in school, which means the Barnett family only will get busier from here on out with sports, clubs and homework.
School is a challenge the couple readily accepts, just as James and Jacque set their mind on parenting more than a decade ago.
“In the end,” James said, “it’s worth it.”
Thinking only of the idle trampoline, playground and chicken coop, some of the four young siblings are so overcome with excitement after a full day of school that they rush outside without stopping to put on shoes.
Jacque Barnett jokes with her daughters, Kate, 6, left, and Emily Rose, 5, at their home in Nipomo.
The Nipomo home echoes with the pattering of eight small bare feet on hardwood floor, darting down the hallway into bedrooms, racing to slide open the patio door that leads to a backyard found in children’s dreams.
Thinking only of the idle trampoline, playground and chicken coop, some of the four young siblings are so overcome with excitement after a full day of school that they rush outside without stopping to put on shoes.
By the patient tone in Jacque Barnett’s voice as she kindly yet firmly reminds her children of the rule, it’s apparent this isn’t the first time they’ve been forgetful.
Katie, 6, and a bouncing Emily, 5, step into matching pink clogs and join their brothers John Riley, 10, and Nicholas, 8, on the slide and swings.
Jacque stood smiling, monitoring the activity on an early evening last week with husband, James, marveling at their “forever family” — a term often used to describe a family that takes in and then adopts foster children.
The Barnetts are proud of their family, and they are proud to raise awareness for adopting foster children during National Adoption Month and for National Adoption Day, which was last Saturday.
The National Adoption Day Coalition expected 4,500 children in foster care to be adopted Nov. 19, which for 11 years has been designated as a day to finalize adoptions for foster children to families across the country.
“I think it’s great because there’s lots of kids who don’t have a forever family,” said Jacque,
who stays at home with her kids and helps out in their classrooms at Dorothea Lange Elementary School. “We’re really blessed.”
Jacque, 41, and James, 40, met while studying at Cal Poly.
She was from the San Joaquin Valley, he hailed from the Bay Area, and they settled on the Central Coast as a couple in their early 20s, ready to start a family.
After seven years of trying to get pregnant — discovering they both had fertility problems — and giving up on expensive fertility treatments, the Barnetts, then living in Grover Beach, turned to private adoption.
A brown-haired John Riley came first from a mother in Hayward, and Nicholas arrived two years later from Georgia.
Unofficially, the Barnetts said, they’ve been foster parents since John Riley arrived as an infant and they waited for the adoption paperwork to become finalized.
The Barnetts officially became certified for foster care around the time Katie arrived at 3 months old, taken from a mother in Santa Maria who had drug-abuse problems.
“We went into foster care because we wanted to adopt more kids,” said James, who teaches at Miller Elementary School in Santa Maria. “We knew we wanted girls.”
It took 18 months to finalize Katie’s adoption, the longest of the four. Nicholas’ adoption was the quickest at 8 months.
They welcomed Emily at 3 days old from Santa Maria for reasons similar to Katie’s placement in foster care — except Emily’s mother still was using drugs while she was pregnant.
The Barnetts were able to adopt the now rambunctious, smiley girl with a blonde-bob haircut, acknowledging that Emily would and does have some special needs and might have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) like her brother, John Riley.
Both girls were adopted through Aspiranet, a nonprofit charity that has for 35 years worked to ensure that California children are placed in permanent, loving homes — touching the lives of more than 10,000 children.
Adoption is not a truth the Barnetts hide from their children, especially since they don’t look like the typical family, although they clearly function like one.
“Of course we stand out,” Jacque said, noting Nicholas’ black skin and her and James’ fair skin and light hair. “But people on the Central Coast are very kind, very accepting.”
The kids have seen their baby pictures, birth certificates, even their adoption papers.
On a day last week, the family flipped through photo albums together until the youngsters could sit still no longer.
They understand that their family is a bit different, but they love each other as siblings do.
“Adoption is a great thing ... for kids who don’t have homes,” Nicholas said, as he and John Riley looked up from a Lego magazine long enough to good-naturedly hassle each other.
“Sometimes we tickle each other,” John Riley added.
After 17 years of marriage, James and Jacque have moved their family into a bigger house and property in Nipomo, and they are out of the foster-parent business.
They know they’re lucky they were able to adopt foster children because that’s not always the case.
“They call adoption a ‘back-pocket plan’,” Jacque said, adding that foster parents should have their hearts in the right place going into the process.
This is the first year all four kids are in school, which means the Barnett family only will get busier from here on out with sports, clubs and homework.
School is a challenge the couple readily accepts, just as James and Jacque set their mind on parenting more than a decade ago.
“In the end,” James said, “it’s worth it.”
2011年11月23日星期三
7 Charged With Hate Crimes In Amish Hair Attacks
The leader of a breakaway Amish group allowed the beatings of those who disobeyed him, made some members sleep in a chicken coop and had sexual relations with married women to "cleanse them," federal authorities said as they charged him and six others with hate crime counts in hair-cutting attacks against other Amish.
Authorities raided the group's compound in eastern Ohio on Wednesday morning and arrested seven men, including group leader Sam Mullet and three of his sons.
Several members of the group carried out the attacks in September and October by forcefully cutting the beards and hair of Amish men and women, authorities said. Cutting the hair is a highly offensive act to the Amish, who believe the Bible instructs women to let their hair grow long and men to grow beards and stop shaving once they marry.
The attacks struck at the core of the Amish identity and tested their principles. They strongly believe that they must be forgiving in order for God to forgive them, which often means handing out their own punishment and not reporting crimes to law enforcement.
The attacks had terrorized Amish communities, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said at a news conference Wednesday.
"You've got Amish all over the state of Ohio and Pennsylvania and Indiana that are concerned. We've received hundreds and hundreds of calls from people living in fear," he said. "They are buying Mace, some are sitting with shotguns, getting locks on their doors because of Sam Mullet."
Mullet told The Associated Press in October that he didn't order the hair-cutting but didn't stop his sons and others from carrying it out. He said the goal was to send a message to other Amish that they should be ashamed of themselves for the way they were treating Mullet and his community.
"They changed the rulings of our church here, and they're trying to force their way down our throat, make us do like they want us to do, and we're not going to do that," Mullet said.
U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said Wednesday that religious differences should be a matter of theological debate, not disputes "resolved by late night visits to people's homes with weapons and violent attacks." He said he did not know how often hate crimes involve intradenominational disputes.
The seven men were in custody and expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Youngstown. They include Mullet; his sons Johnny, Lester and Daniel; Levi Miller; Eli Miller; and Emanuel Schrock. The charges carry a penalty of up 10 years in prison.
Holmes County Prosecutor Steve Knowling, who filed state charges against five of the same defendants last month, said he would dismiss those counts and let federal prosecutors take the lead in the case.
In the state case, an Amish bishop and his son said they were held down while men used scissors and a clipper to cut their beards. Similar attacks were under investigation in Amish communities in Carroll, Jefferson and Trumbull counties in eastern and northeastern Ohio.
A defense attorney in the state case, Andy Hyde, said Sam Mullet would fight the federal charges. Hyde said he didn't know if he would represent Mullet in federal court.
The seven men were sleeping when the FBI and local police showed up at their homes before dawn Wednesday, Abdalla said. Three men initially refused to come out of their rooms, but all seven were arrested without incident, he said.
The attacks came amid long-simmering tension between Amish bishops and Mullet's group, which he established in 1995. Arlene Miller, the wife of one victim, said several bishops hadn't condoned Mullet's decision to excommunicate several members, saying there was no spiritual justification for his action.
One of Mullet's daughters-in-law and a former brother-in-law told investigators that Mullet controls everything that happens within the community outside Bergholz and that he allowed others to beat members of the group who disobeyed him, according to an affidavit filed in federal court Wednesday.
Mullet punished some by making them sleep in a chicken coop for days and was sexually intimate with married women in the community so that he could "cleanse them of the devil," the two said in the affidavit.
Both said they left the community because they did not want to live under Mullet's control.
Authorities have said some Amish refused to press charges, following their practice of avoiding involvement the courts.
One couple refused to press charges even after acknowledging that their two sons and another man came into their house, held them down, and cut the father's beard and the mother's hair. But others have said they decided to press charges to prevent anyone else from getting hurt.
Ohio has an estimated Amish population of just under 61,000 second only to Pennsylvania with most living in rural counties south and east of Cleveland.
They have a modest lifestyle and are deeply religious. Their traditions of traveling by horse and buggy and forgoing most modern conveniences distance themselves from the outside world and symbolize a yielding to a collective order.
Authorities raided the group's compound in eastern Ohio on Wednesday morning and arrested seven men, including group leader Sam Mullet and three of his sons.
Several members of the group carried out the attacks in September and October by forcefully cutting the beards and hair of Amish men and women, authorities said. Cutting the hair is a highly offensive act to the Amish, who believe the Bible instructs women to let their hair grow long and men to grow beards and stop shaving once they marry.
The attacks struck at the core of the Amish identity and tested their principles. They strongly believe that they must be forgiving in order for God to forgive them, which often means handing out their own punishment and not reporting crimes to law enforcement.
The attacks had terrorized Amish communities, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said at a news conference Wednesday.
"You've got Amish all over the state of Ohio and Pennsylvania and Indiana that are concerned. We've received hundreds and hundreds of calls from people living in fear," he said. "They are buying Mace, some are sitting with shotguns, getting locks on their doors because of Sam Mullet."
Mullet told The Associated Press in October that he didn't order the hair-cutting but didn't stop his sons and others from carrying it out. He said the goal was to send a message to other Amish that they should be ashamed of themselves for the way they were treating Mullet and his community.
"They changed the rulings of our church here, and they're trying to force their way down our throat, make us do like they want us to do, and we're not going to do that," Mullet said.
U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said Wednesday that religious differences should be a matter of theological debate, not disputes "resolved by late night visits to people's homes with weapons and violent attacks." He said he did not know how often hate crimes involve intradenominational disputes.
The seven men were in custody and expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Youngstown. They include Mullet; his sons Johnny, Lester and Daniel; Levi Miller; Eli Miller; and Emanuel Schrock. The charges carry a penalty of up 10 years in prison.
Holmes County Prosecutor Steve Knowling, who filed state charges against five of the same defendants last month, said he would dismiss those counts and let federal prosecutors take the lead in the case.
In the state case, an Amish bishop and his son said they were held down while men used scissors and a clipper to cut their beards. Similar attacks were under investigation in Amish communities in Carroll, Jefferson and Trumbull counties in eastern and northeastern Ohio.
A defense attorney in the state case, Andy Hyde, said Sam Mullet would fight the federal charges. Hyde said he didn't know if he would represent Mullet in federal court.
The seven men were sleeping when the FBI and local police showed up at their homes before dawn Wednesday, Abdalla said. Three men initially refused to come out of their rooms, but all seven were arrested without incident, he said.
The attacks came amid long-simmering tension between Amish bishops and Mullet's group, which he established in 1995. Arlene Miller, the wife of one victim, said several bishops hadn't condoned Mullet's decision to excommunicate several members, saying there was no spiritual justification for his action.
One of Mullet's daughters-in-law and a former brother-in-law told investigators that Mullet controls everything that happens within the community outside Bergholz and that he allowed others to beat members of the group who disobeyed him, according to an affidavit filed in federal court Wednesday.
Mullet punished some by making them sleep in a chicken coop for days and was sexually intimate with married women in the community so that he could "cleanse them of the devil," the two said in the affidavit.
Both said they left the community because they did not want to live under Mullet's control.
Authorities have said some Amish refused to press charges, following their practice of avoiding involvement the courts.
One couple refused to press charges even after acknowledging that their two sons and another man came into their house, held them down, and cut the father's beard and the mother's hair. But others have said they decided to press charges to prevent anyone else from getting hurt.
Ohio has an estimated Amish population of just under 61,000 second only to Pennsylvania with most living in rural counties south and east of Cleveland.
They have a modest lifestyle and are deeply religious. Their traditions of traveling by horse and buggy and forgoing most modern conveniences distance themselves from the outside world and symbolize a yielding to a collective order.
2011年11月22日星期二
Backyard Chickens Seek Stay
Friday, Cobb County Code Enforcement told the Pond family that they have five business days to remove the hens off their property. The Ponds' will ask Commissioners for inclusion on the January docket at Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting.
All is not well in the chicken coop.
Despite repeated attempts, Joseph Pond has not been able to get a county variance change so that his family can keep their backyard chickens.
Last week Judge Juanita Stedman dismissed Pond's civil suit against Cobb County government because he failed to serve the offices within five days, per the law.
On Friday, Cobb County Code Enforcement visited Pond's home before he received the Court Order and told him that he has five business days to remove the hens.
"I have found a beginner backyard chicken guy in East Point that is going to re-home most of my hens. While I had many generous offers to take in my girls, it makes me feel good to help out a fellow backyard chicken supporter. Since East Point is more progressive than Cobb County, the girls will be safe and legal there," Pond told Northeast Cobb Patch in a statement.
At Tuesday's Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting, The Cobb County Board of Community Development is set to discuss with Commissioners a proposal by Pond and The Backyard Chickens Alliance of Cobb County for inclusion on the January docket. Commissioners will vote on the inclusion.
Pond will find a foster home for his Silkie and Polish chickens until he can get the law changed, he said.
If Pond does not remove the chickens from his property he faces a $1,000 fine.
All is not well in the chicken coop.
Despite repeated attempts, Joseph Pond has not been able to get a county variance change so that his family can keep their backyard chickens.
Last week Judge Juanita Stedman dismissed Pond's civil suit against Cobb County government because he failed to serve the offices within five days, per the law.
On Friday, Cobb County Code Enforcement visited Pond's home before he received the Court Order and told him that he has five business days to remove the hens.
"I have found a beginner backyard chicken guy in East Point that is going to re-home most of my hens. While I had many generous offers to take in my girls, it makes me feel good to help out a fellow backyard chicken supporter. Since East Point is more progressive than Cobb County, the girls will be safe and legal there," Pond told Northeast Cobb Patch in a statement.
At Tuesday's Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting, The Cobb County Board of Community Development is set to discuss with Commissioners a proposal by Pond and The Backyard Chickens Alliance of Cobb County for inclusion on the January docket. Commissioners will vote on the inclusion.
Pond will find a foster home for his Silkie and Polish chickens until he can get the law changed, he said.
If Pond does not remove the chickens from his property he faces a $1,000 fine.
2011年11月21日星期一
Backyard Hens Are ‘Part Of The Family’
Sam and Dorothy Abram are members of a select group. The Bowden Street residents are among the seven families in Barrington where chickens are not relegated to the roaster pan or barbecue spit.
The Abrams took advantage of the town council’s decision earlier this year that allows residents to keep up to six hens in their backyards.
Actually, Mr. Abram was one of the key advocates for the new law. He worked hard to compile a packet for the council showing the benefits of backyard hens, built a tally of the cities and towns that had already passed laws allowing chickens, and recruited dozens of residents to sign a petition supporting the initiative.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram, whose children are now in college, have been celebrating the council’s pro-chicken vote for months. Mr. Abram built a green and white-trimmed hen house in the backyard that’s surrounded by a tall fence. Their “girls” live inside the enclosure.
“They’re really hilarious,” Mrs. Abram said. “The girls all get along.”
The Rhode Island Reds vary slightly — one has a lighter shade of auburn feathers, while another has longer tail feathers — but appear to mix comfortably with each other and the rest of the Abram family. They’re not intimidated by the two dogs, Beau and Bella, or the cats, Shiri and Ella.
“They are part of the family,” said Mr. Abram. “You would become very sorry if you lose one.”
Mr. Abram, who hails originally from Greece, said one of the hens escaped from the coop earlier this year. He said he mistakenly tried to catch the chicken, but realized quickly that there are few things more difficult that tracking down a loose chicken.
He stopped chasing the hen and watched in surprise as she returned to the coop all by herself. He said she wanted to be with the other hens.
The Abrams said there are numerous benefits to keeping backyard chickens — that was a message he preached time and again while petitioning the council to pass an ordinance allowing the hens. He said the home-grown eggs are more nutritious than store-bought eggs (see associated story), they taste better and, best of all, they are free.
He said the hens are also the world’s greatest composters. They eat all sorts of food scraps and produce a potent fertilizer for the Abrams’ garden.
Mrs. Abram said her yard has actually become a self-sustaining experiment. She said the hens churn out fertilizer that helps the Abrams’ garden yield a healthy crop of vegetables each year. Meanwhile, some of the vegetable scraps are eventually fed to the chickens, who then continue to create more fertilizer.
“They eat everything,” she said. “It makes a circle. It all ties in.”
Mr. Abram said the chickens have also led him to a popular standing among the neighbors. He said the hens lay so many eggs that he has more than enough to share with the folks next door and across the street.
“You give eggs to the boss and you’ll get a promotion,” said Mr. Abram with a smile.
The Abrams said they have not experienced any problems with predators in the area; despite having seen a fox in their backyard and heard stories of coyotes nearby, the Abrams “girls” have remained undisturbed during their days in Barrington. Mr. Abram also credits a well-constructed enclosure that sports a mesh net roof.
“They’re well-protected,” he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram said there was not consensus support for the new ordinance, but praised the hard work of Barrington Town Council member Kate Weymouth.
“She was great,” said Mrs. Abram. “Very helpful.”
The Abrams took advantage of the town council’s decision earlier this year that allows residents to keep up to six hens in their backyards.
Actually, Mr. Abram was one of the key advocates for the new law. He worked hard to compile a packet for the council showing the benefits of backyard hens, built a tally of the cities and towns that had already passed laws allowing chickens, and recruited dozens of residents to sign a petition supporting the initiative.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram, whose children are now in college, have been celebrating the council’s pro-chicken vote for months. Mr. Abram built a green and white-trimmed hen house in the backyard that’s surrounded by a tall fence. Their “girls” live inside the enclosure.
“They’re really hilarious,” Mrs. Abram said. “The girls all get along.”
The Rhode Island Reds vary slightly — one has a lighter shade of auburn feathers, while another has longer tail feathers — but appear to mix comfortably with each other and the rest of the Abram family. They’re not intimidated by the two dogs, Beau and Bella, or the cats, Shiri and Ella.
“They are part of the family,” said Mr. Abram. “You would become very sorry if you lose one.”
Mr. Abram, who hails originally from Greece, said one of the hens escaped from the coop earlier this year. He said he mistakenly tried to catch the chicken, but realized quickly that there are few things more difficult that tracking down a loose chicken.
He stopped chasing the hen and watched in surprise as she returned to the coop all by herself. He said she wanted to be with the other hens.
The Abrams said there are numerous benefits to keeping backyard chickens — that was a message he preached time and again while petitioning the council to pass an ordinance allowing the hens. He said the home-grown eggs are more nutritious than store-bought eggs (see associated story), they taste better and, best of all, they are free.
He said the hens are also the world’s greatest composters. They eat all sorts of food scraps and produce a potent fertilizer for the Abrams’ garden.
Mrs. Abram said her yard has actually become a self-sustaining experiment. She said the hens churn out fertilizer that helps the Abrams’ garden yield a healthy crop of vegetables each year. Meanwhile, some of the vegetable scraps are eventually fed to the chickens, who then continue to create more fertilizer.
“They eat everything,” she said. “It makes a circle. It all ties in.”
Mr. Abram said the chickens have also led him to a popular standing among the neighbors. He said the hens lay so many eggs that he has more than enough to share with the folks next door and across the street.
“You give eggs to the boss and you’ll get a promotion,” said Mr. Abram with a smile.
The Abrams said they have not experienced any problems with predators in the area; despite having seen a fox in their backyard and heard stories of coyotes nearby, the Abrams “girls” have remained undisturbed during their days in Barrington. Mr. Abram also credits a well-constructed enclosure that sports a mesh net roof.
“They’re well-protected,” he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram said there was not consensus support for the new ordinance, but praised the hard work of Barrington Town Council member Kate Weymouth.
“She was great,” said Mrs. Abram. “Very helpful.”
2011年11月20日星期日
Vision now in 'position of strength'
Enough with the chicken coops, Gregor, get back to business.
That's the message from political scientists, who say Vancouver's green mayor has earned the right to stay the course - but caution he should pay more attention to real-world economic issues.
"Vision can now deal from a position of strength," said veteran University of Victoria political scientist Norman Ruff.
"He's got a more-than-comfortable majority, but I think voters want to see him get to work on some real bread-andbutter economic issues."
Robertson will have seven Vision councillors playing his tune, with two NPA councillors on his right and a Green councillor on his left.
"I believe that's 14 campaigns she's run, and the first time she's been elected," University of B.C. political science professor Michael Byers said of Green Party veteran Adriane Carr, who squeaked into the final council spot at the final polling station.
"She's got great name recognition. "If anyone was going to get elected as an independent, it was her."
Ruff said Occupy Vancouver made lots of headlines, but he credits Robertson with adapting his message during the daily Occupy attacks from NPA challenger Suzanne Anton.
"We were preoccupied with Occupy, and the NPA became obsessed with it, but I don't think the electorate was as interested," said Ruff.
Robertson made a strategic Occupy move - getting an enforcement order - before the election. But the potential bombshell - a violent showdown with protesters - won't happen until this week.
Byers credits Robertson's changing perspective on Occupy with defusing the NPA attacks.
"I think from a political perspective Gregor played the Occupy timing quite cleverly," said Byers.
"Ideologically, I think he supported Occupy.
"But he was getting beaten up on a daily basis, so he moved to the middle.
"That's good politics."
While the NPA painted Robertson as fixated on bike lanes and chicken coops, Byers believes the public was more concerned with making sure someone collects the garbage.
"The bike lanes and the chicken coops are the things that attract attention, but people are voting for good government," he said.
"They might not like the bike lanes, but it's only when you get something like [former mayor Sam Sullivan's] garbage strike that people want to vote you out."
Robertson won't have things as easy as last term - the NPA's Elizabeth Ball and George Affleck will be watching if he moves too far left, and, contrarily, Carr will be watching if he moves too far right.
"Adriane Carr will act as a conscience for Gregor if he starts to stray away from his green initiatives," said Ruff.
That's the message from political scientists, who say Vancouver's green mayor has earned the right to stay the course - but caution he should pay more attention to real-world economic issues.
"Vision can now deal from a position of strength," said veteran University of Victoria political scientist Norman Ruff.
"He's got a more-than-comfortable majority, but I think voters want to see him get to work on some real bread-andbutter economic issues."
Robertson will have seven Vision councillors playing his tune, with two NPA councillors on his right and a Green councillor on his left.
"I believe that's 14 campaigns she's run, and the first time she's been elected," University of B.C. political science professor Michael Byers said of Green Party veteran Adriane Carr, who squeaked into the final council spot at the final polling station.
"She's got great name recognition. "If anyone was going to get elected as an independent, it was her."
Ruff said Occupy Vancouver made lots of headlines, but he credits Robertson with adapting his message during the daily Occupy attacks from NPA challenger Suzanne Anton.
"We were preoccupied with Occupy, and the NPA became obsessed with it, but I don't think the electorate was as interested," said Ruff.
Robertson made a strategic Occupy move - getting an enforcement order - before the election. But the potential bombshell - a violent showdown with protesters - won't happen until this week.
Byers credits Robertson's changing perspective on Occupy with defusing the NPA attacks.
"I think from a political perspective Gregor played the Occupy timing quite cleverly," said Byers.
"Ideologically, I think he supported Occupy.
"But he was getting beaten up on a daily basis, so he moved to the middle.
"That's good politics."
While the NPA painted Robertson as fixated on bike lanes and chicken coops, Byers believes the public was more concerned with making sure someone collects the garbage.
"The bike lanes and the chicken coops are the things that attract attention, but people are voting for good government," he said.
"They might not like the bike lanes, but it's only when you get something like [former mayor Sam Sullivan's] garbage strike that people want to vote you out."
Robertson won't have things as easy as last term - the NPA's Elizabeth Ball and George Affleck will be watching if he moves too far left, and, contrarily, Carr will be watching if he moves too far right.
"Adriane Carr will act as a conscience for Gregor if he starts to stray away from his green initiatives," said Ruff.
2011年11月17日星期四
Tour highlights Savannah's urban chicks
As an old farm boy from Wisconsin, Jake Kawatski is matter of fact about the four hens in his urban backyard in the West Victory area of Savannah.
“I grew up having chickens,” he said.
He spouts tips as he shows off his two “Easter egg” Araucanas and two white leghorns scratching around their enclosure:
Put chicken manure back into your garden for fertilizer.
Stick to one breed so they don’t fight.
Pick up crushed shells from Tybee for a cheap way to aid digestion and egg production.
Such advice and more will be coming at visitors Sunday on the third annual Tour de Coop, a guided tour of local chicken coops sponsored by the nonprofit Savannah Urban Garden Alliance.
The tour is the brainchild of Kelly Lockamy, SUGA’s founder. It meshes well with her vision of providing “local, healthy food one garden at a time.”
“It promotes the idea of being more self-sufficient in feeding yourself,” she said. “It’s along the lines of a backyard garden but also having protein.”
Plus, the tour is a chance for chicken enthusiasts to get together.
There are plenty of such fowl friends in Savannah. A Facebook page devoted to Savannah Backyard Chickens boasts 161 members. The chickens’ popularity is part of the reason a county task force is working to re-write and clarify ordinances about keeping livestock.
Shannon Willhite, whose apple-green coop is also on the tour, is exhibit A of the group’s enthusiasm.
The Ardsley Park resident got her chickens in July. When her favorite hen, Cora, began crowing on Monday, he was renamed Carl and quickly relocated. Now she’s down to four hens who eat their oyster shells from a tea cup, dine in their own screened porch and feather their nests in what she calls the “Chick Inn.”
“I should get an egg any minute now,” she said. “I’m beyond excited.”
“I grew up having chickens,” he said.
He spouts tips as he shows off his two “Easter egg” Araucanas and two white leghorns scratching around their enclosure:
Put chicken manure back into your garden for fertilizer.
Stick to one breed so they don’t fight.
Pick up crushed shells from Tybee for a cheap way to aid digestion and egg production.
Such advice and more will be coming at visitors Sunday on the third annual Tour de Coop, a guided tour of local chicken coops sponsored by the nonprofit Savannah Urban Garden Alliance.
The tour is the brainchild of Kelly Lockamy, SUGA’s founder. It meshes well with her vision of providing “local, healthy food one garden at a time.”
“It promotes the idea of being more self-sufficient in feeding yourself,” she said. “It’s along the lines of a backyard garden but also having protein.”
Plus, the tour is a chance for chicken enthusiasts to get together.
There are plenty of such fowl friends in Savannah. A Facebook page devoted to Savannah Backyard Chickens boasts 161 members. The chickens’ popularity is part of the reason a county task force is working to re-write and clarify ordinances about keeping livestock.
Shannon Willhite, whose apple-green coop is also on the tour, is exhibit A of the group’s enthusiasm.
The Ardsley Park resident got her chickens in July. When her favorite hen, Cora, began crowing on Monday, he was renamed Carl and quickly relocated. Now she’s down to four hens who eat their oyster shells from a tea cup, dine in their own screened porch and feather their nests in what she calls the “Chick Inn.”
“I should get an egg any minute now,” she said. “I’m beyond excited.”
2011年11月16日星期三
Chicken ordinance fowled up
Feathers flew and squawking was heard in the town board chambers last Monday night.
And all for some chickens.
After the Nov. 7 work session, which seemed to resolve the lingering chicken-keeping questions, last Monday’s regular session saw the issue blow up again, and instead of passing an ordinance extending chicken-keeping rights in town for another year, the town board tabled the ordinance until the Nov. 28 meeting.
“There’s been an exorbitant amount of time spent on this,” said board member Kristie Melendez during the discussion.
A proposal to allow the raising of backyard chickens inside town limits was brought to the board during a meeting in April 2010 by Jared and Ashley Schwader. The couple put together a packet of information that debunked myths and suggested regulations for keeping chickens.
The ordinance allowed residents to keep up to six hens, but no roosters, per property in town. Other requirements include the size of coops and neighbor notification if the coop is going to be located less than 15 feet from the property line.
The ordinance was set to sunset on Jan. 1, 2012.
So at the Nov. 7 work session, the town board took a look at the ordinance and agreed on a couple of changes.
The first change defined a chicken as a bird of a certain species from the moment of its birth, to clear up confusion over whether a non-laying chicken was still a chicken.
The second change dealt with coop removal if a chicken-keeping permit was revoked or the owner ceased keeping chickens for six months.
The sunset clause was also retained, meaning the board would discuss whether to keep chickens in town for another year in Nov. 2012.
Town Attorney Ian McCargar also added language bringing the maximum fine up to $1,000, which is in keeping with the rest of the fines charged since the town made the transition to a court of record.
“That’s not to say that amount has to be charged; it’s just the maximum,” McCargar said.
But the discussion went a-fowl last Monday.
Mayor John Vazquez, who was not present for the work session, was concerned about the strict limit on the number of birds.
“It makes sense to me to allow for a certain number of chicks to replace chickens who no longer lay,” Vazquez said. “People need to maintain their flocks.”
Vazquez was also unhappy that the sunset clause had been retained.
“We don’t have any other ordinances with sunset clauses,” he said.
Board member Don Thompson suggested allowing residents to keep several chicks until they reach the age to lay eggs, at which point the previously agreed-upon number of six would kick in.
Board member Robert Bishop-Cotner was not in favor of that suggestion.
“Why did we do this?” he asked. “We were trying to allow people to keep a few chickens, not run chicken businesses.”
There are 28 chicken-keeping permits that have been issued in the town, and of those, three have caused problems. One of those three is currently in municipal court.
Board member Don Shanfelt said he thought the board was creating a code enforcement nightmare.
“Are we going to ask our officers to check out the birds to make sure people are complying?” he asked. “How are you going to enforce this?”
He went on to say that his concern is not about the chicken-keepers who have not caused problems, but those who are.
Melendez suggested taking out all the suggested changes except the one about the fines.
“We can extend this another year and look at it more later if needed,” she said.
Vazquez told the board he would vote no on the ordinance in that case.
“There’s no consideration for future stock, and the sunset clause is not necessary.”
McCargar said he would bring the ordinance back at the end of the month.
And all for some chickens.
After the Nov. 7 work session, which seemed to resolve the lingering chicken-keeping questions, last Monday’s regular session saw the issue blow up again, and instead of passing an ordinance extending chicken-keeping rights in town for another year, the town board tabled the ordinance until the Nov. 28 meeting.
“There’s been an exorbitant amount of time spent on this,” said board member Kristie Melendez during the discussion.
A proposal to allow the raising of backyard chickens inside town limits was brought to the board during a meeting in April 2010 by Jared and Ashley Schwader. The couple put together a packet of information that debunked myths and suggested regulations for keeping chickens.
The ordinance allowed residents to keep up to six hens, but no roosters, per property in town. Other requirements include the size of coops and neighbor notification if the coop is going to be located less than 15 feet from the property line.
The ordinance was set to sunset on Jan. 1, 2012.
So at the Nov. 7 work session, the town board took a look at the ordinance and agreed on a couple of changes.
The first change defined a chicken as a bird of a certain species from the moment of its birth, to clear up confusion over whether a non-laying chicken was still a chicken.
The second change dealt with coop removal if a chicken-keeping permit was revoked or the owner ceased keeping chickens for six months.
The sunset clause was also retained, meaning the board would discuss whether to keep chickens in town for another year in Nov. 2012.
Town Attorney Ian McCargar also added language bringing the maximum fine up to $1,000, which is in keeping with the rest of the fines charged since the town made the transition to a court of record.
“That’s not to say that amount has to be charged; it’s just the maximum,” McCargar said.
But the discussion went a-fowl last Monday.
Mayor John Vazquez, who was not present for the work session, was concerned about the strict limit on the number of birds.
“It makes sense to me to allow for a certain number of chicks to replace chickens who no longer lay,” Vazquez said. “People need to maintain their flocks.”
Vazquez was also unhappy that the sunset clause had been retained.
“We don’t have any other ordinances with sunset clauses,” he said.
Board member Don Thompson suggested allowing residents to keep several chicks until they reach the age to lay eggs, at which point the previously agreed-upon number of six would kick in.
Board member Robert Bishop-Cotner was not in favor of that suggestion.
“Why did we do this?” he asked. “We were trying to allow people to keep a few chickens, not run chicken businesses.”
There are 28 chicken-keeping permits that have been issued in the town, and of those, three have caused problems. One of those three is currently in municipal court.
Board member Don Shanfelt said he thought the board was creating a code enforcement nightmare.
“Are we going to ask our officers to check out the birds to make sure people are complying?” he asked. “How are you going to enforce this?”
He went on to say that his concern is not about the chicken-keepers who have not caused problems, but those who are.
Melendez suggested taking out all the suggested changes except the one about the fines.
“We can extend this another year and look at it more later if needed,” she said.
Vazquez told the board he would vote no on the ordinance in that case.
“There’s no consideration for future stock, and the sunset clause is not necessary.”
McCargar said he would bring the ordinance back at the end of the month.
2011年11月15日星期二
Cat scratch debate: leashed, licensed or lethally injected
Don’t be scaredy cats about licensing Hamilton felines, city councillors were told Tuesday.
More than 25 people spoke at a special planning committee meeting about the city’s proposed new animal control bylaw, which suggests eliminating pet limits and regulating “roaming” cats like dogs, with enforcement based solely on complaints.
But several impassioned presenters said the bylaw will fail to reduce the number of cats euthanized each year — 3,000 or so — because it doesn’t mandate licensing the animals.
The previous council voted to axe the controversial idea of cat licensing from the early development of the comprehensive bylaw, which is meant to reconcile a hodgepodge of sometimes contradictory preamalgamation rules about pets.
“You need to find the courage to license cats,” said city resident and vocal cat advocate Margaret Strecker. “We do have to recognize we have a cat crisis.”
Animal services manager Sue O’Dwyer told councillors the city has cut the number of cats euthanized this year by more than 840, compared to 2010.
That’s encouraging, said Strecker, but not enough.
“The bylaw is called the responsible animal ownership bylaw. This is something all responsible cat owners want.”
The licensing idea is “controversial,” admitted Keith Scott, president of the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA, but also necessary to combat the view of cats as “disposable strays.”
Councillor Lloyd Ferguson asked Scott how he would convince residents the licensing scheme is not a “money grab” by the city.
Scott suggested it’s a matter of fairness.
“Licensing is one tool to promote responsible pet ownership,” he said. “Dog owners should not be the only ones required to be responsible.”
Most feline fans applauded the bylaw proposal to end pet limits.
Local veterinarian Liz O’Brien said the move will make wary multiple-pet owners more likely to spay, neuter and microchip their cats.
But she also urged councillors not to consider licensing “a dirty word.”
“In the past, I might have opposed it, too,” she said. “But through education, I see the benefits. I would sell this (idea) to my clients, if you do it.”
No decisions were made at Tuesday’s meeting, but Councillor Terry Whitehead said it might be time to “take another shot” at the licensing debate.
More than 30 residents sent in written opinions on the bylaw.
Close to a dozen verbal and written submissions were made Tuesday by opponents of the urban chicken ban. Their efforts might end up earning fugitive fowl farmers a reprieve. Councillor Jason Farr asked for a comprehensive staff report on the idea of regulating, rather than banning, back yard chickens. It will be considered some time in the first three months of 2012.
More than 25 people spoke at a special planning committee meeting about the city’s proposed new animal control bylaw, which suggests eliminating pet limits and regulating “roaming” cats like dogs, with enforcement based solely on complaints.
But several impassioned presenters said the bylaw will fail to reduce the number of cats euthanized each year — 3,000 or so — because it doesn’t mandate licensing the animals.
The previous council voted to axe the controversial idea of cat licensing from the early development of the comprehensive bylaw, which is meant to reconcile a hodgepodge of sometimes contradictory preamalgamation rules about pets.
“You need to find the courage to license cats,” said city resident and vocal cat advocate Margaret Strecker. “We do have to recognize we have a cat crisis.”
Animal services manager Sue O’Dwyer told councillors the city has cut the number of cats euthanized this year by more than 840, compared to 2010.
That’s encouraging, said Strecker, but not enough.
“The bylaw is called the responsible animal ownership bylaw. This is something all responsible cat owners want.”
The licensing idea is “controversial,” admitted Keith Scott, president of the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA, but also necessary to combat the view of cats as “disposable strays.”
Councillor Lloyd Ferguson asked Scott how he would convince residents the licensing scheme is not a “money grab” by the city.
Scott suggested it’s a matter of fairness.
“Licensing is one tool to promote responsible pet ownership,” he said. “Dog owners should not be the only ones required to be responsible.”
Most feline fans applauded the bylaw proposal to end pet limits.
Local veterinarian Liz O’Brien said the move will make wary multiple-pet owners more likely to spay, neuter and microchip their cats.
But she also urged councillors not to consider licensing “a dirty word.”
“In the past, I might have opposed it, too,” she said. “But through education, I see the benefits. I would sell this (idea) to my clients, if you do it.”
No decisions were made at Tuesday’s meeting, but Councillor Terry Whitehead said it might be time to “take another shot” at the licensing debate.
More than 30 residents sent in written opinions on the bylaw.
Close to a dozen verbal and written submissions were made Tuesday by opponents of the urban chicken ban. Their efforts might end up earning fugitive fowl farmers a reprieve. Councillor Jason Farr asked for a comprehensive staff report on the idea of regulating, rather than banning, back yard chickens. It will be considered some time in the first three months of 2012.
2011年11月14日星期一
Occupy Vancouver, bike lanes not main election issues
The handling of Occupy Vancouver was identified as a "very important" or "moderately important" issue by 70 per cent of respondents in the Angus Reid poll, while public safety, sanitation services and overall quality of life were each identified as important by at least 90 per cent.
"The whole Occupy Vancouver issue has been gaining prominence, but it's not really the most important issue for people in B.C.," said pollster Mario Canseco.
Public opinion of the Vancouver Occupy encampment continues to decline, however, with 64 per cent of those polled declaring an unfavourable view of the protest. Only 29 per cent supported Occupy, and just 15 per cent said the protest should be able to continue indefinitely.
But six issues garnered more attention in the Angus Reid poll, which surveyed 402 adults in Vancouver from Nov. 9-10. Protecting the environment was identified as important by 87 per cent of respondents, while 83 per cent pointed to homelessness and 74 per cent said it was important to help small businesses.
Bike lanes and backyard chicken coops were only identified as important to 39 and 17 per cent of respondents, respectively -- and Canseco said most of the people griping about bike lanes won't be voting in Vancouver's election.
"They're driving from North Vancouver, they're driving from West Vancouver," Canseco said. "[Vancouver voters] are going to be deciding the election, and those voters are not particularly dismayed with the situation with the bike lanes."
Sixty-two per cent of respondents said the current municipal government had done a "good job" or "very good job" with the lanes. Forty-five per cent said the same about chicken coops.
Respondents were also asked to select words to describe Robertson and his Non-Partisan Association rival, Suzanne Anton.
The best traits attributed to Robertson were intelligence (43 per cent), being down to earth (30 per cent) and compassion (28 per cent). He was also described as arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent) and inefficient (27 per cent).
Anton was most favourably described as intelligent (27 per cent) and strong (20 per cent). She was also found to be arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent), boring (23 per cent) and uncaring (18 per cent) -- but Canseco insists that doesn't mean she's not a contender.
"People over the age of 55 seem to look at Suzanne Anton in a much more positive light," Canseco said. "That is the group that votes the most in municipal elections."
Forty-seven per cent said they wanted Robertson as mayor ether with a Vision Vancouver council or not. Twenty-seven said they preferred an Anton-led municipal government, with or without a Non-Partisan Association council.
"The whole Occupy Vancouver issue has been gaining prominence, but it's not really the most important issue for people in B.C.," said pollster Mario Canseco.
Public opinion of the Vancouver Occupy encampment continues to decline, however, with 64 per cent of those polled declaring an unfavourable view of the protest. Only 29 per cent supported Occupy, and just 15 per cent said the protest should be able to continue indefinitely.
But six issues garnered more attention in the Angus Reid poll, which surveyed 402 adults in Vancouver from Nov. 9-10. Protecting the environment was identified as important by 87 per cent of respondents, while 83 per cent pointed to homelessness and 74 per cent said it was important to help small businesses.
Bike lanes and backyard chicken coops were only identified as important to 39 and 17 per cent of respondents, respectively -- and Canseco said most of the people griping about bike lanes won't be voting in Vancouver's election.
"They're driving from North Vancouver, they're driving from West Vancouver," Canseco said. "[Vancouver voters] are going to be deciding the election, and those voters are not particularly dismayed with the situation with the bike lanes."
Sixty-two per cent of respondents said the current municipal government had done a "good job" or "very good job" with the lanes. Forty-five per cent said the same about chicken coops.
Respondents were also asked to select words to describe Robertson and his Non-Partisan Association rival, Suzanne Anton.
The best traits attributed to Robertson were intelligence (43 per cent), being down to earth (30 per cent) and compassion (28 per cent). He was also described as arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent) and inefficient (27 per cent).
Anton was most favourably described as intelligent (27 per cent) and strong (20 per cent). She was also found to be arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent), boring (23 per cent) and uncaring (18 per cent) -- but Canseco insists that doesn't mean she's not a contender.
"People over the age of 55 seem to look at Suzanne Anton in a much more positive light," Canseco said. "That is the group that votes the most in municipal elections."
Forty-seven per cent said they wanted Robertson as mayor ether with a Vision Vancouver council or not. Twenty-seven said they preferred an Anton-led municipal government, with or without a Non-Partisan Association council.
2011年11月13日星期日
The Apron
Recently, while enjoying my favorite pastime, which happens to be shopping, my eyes fixed upon some colorful, seasonally designed aprons in the kitchen department of my favorite store. They were so uniquely attractive — however, I must admit, I’ve never worn an apron in my life. But only because I was entering my "annual cooking spirit" did I consider purchasing one. Some were designed for the season; others were decked out for holidays, and many frilly ones, much too nice to be worn simply while cooking, were obviously designed for entertaining guests or possibly to match a certain kitchen décor. So many choices!
Looking at the fashionable styles, I thought about the aprons my grandmother wore on almost every day of the year.
"Does our younger generation even know what purpose aprons serve or why they came to be?" I asked myself.
The principal use of my Grandma’s apron was to protect her dress. Having a bib and wide shoulder straps, it was considered very practical, being much easier to wash and iron than a dress. Additionally, aprons required less fabric and were frequently made from remnants or feed sacks. However, her apron also served other needs, such as a potholder for removing hot dishes from the oven and wiping perspiration from her brow as she cooked in the heat of the day. Kindling for her wood stove was also brought into the house in that apron, and it made an ideal hiding place for shy kids, like myself. Her apron was handy for carrying eggs from the chicken coop and was always available in chilly weather, should she need a wrap for her arms or a temporary baby blanket. It was perfect for carrying freshly harvested vegetables from the garden, and after the lima beans had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. When unexpected company was spotted coming down the drive, it was amazing how much furniture could be dusted in a matter of seconds with that apron.
Yes, Grandma’s apron served many purposes, but one I remember best was how it was used to wipe the tears from her grandchildren’s eyes or to hide a piece of candy in the pocket as a reward for a really good boy or girl. Who cared if it was a bit soiled from the day’s chores? Who noticed that it was worn and faded? Germs? What germs?
Over the years, aprons have changed, but they’re still around. Even men are wearing them. Of course, men’s aprons are masculine looking, giving an air of professionalism whether worn in the kitchen or on the deck. Masculine or feminine, aprons of today have become a fashion statement. Being the "trendy" grandmother that I am, I just may need to purchase a frilly one, or one personalized with my name or a quote, but mainly one to serve as a reminder of how they were once used by my grandmother, as a tool for, long before we even understood the now "in" term, multi-tasking.
Looking at the fashionable styles, I thought about the aprons my grandmother wore on almost every day of the year.
"Does our younger generation even know what purpose aprons serve or why they came to be?" I asked myself.
The principal use of my Grandma’s apron was to protect her dress. Having a bib and wide shoulder straps, it was considered very practical, being much easier to wash and iron than a dress. Additionally, aprons required less fabric and were frequently made from remnants or feed sacks. However, her apron also served other needs, such as a potholder for removing hot dishes from the oven and wiping perspiration from her brow as she cooked in the heat of the day. Kindling for her wood stove was also brought into the house in that apron, and it made an ideal hiding place for shy kids, like myself. Her apron was handy for carrying eggs from the chicken coop and was always available in chilly weather, should she need a wrap for her arms or a temporary baby blanket. It was perfect for carrying freshly harvested vegetables from the garden, and after the lima beans had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. When unexpected company was spotted coming down the drive, it was amazing how much furniture could be dusted in a matter of seconds with that apron.
Yes, Grandma’s apron served many purposes, but one I remember best was how it was used to wipe the tears from her grandchildren’s eyes or to hide a piece of candy in the pocket as a reward for a really good boy or girl. Who cared if it was a bit soiled from the day’s chores? Who noticed that it was worn and faded? Germs? What germs?
Over the years, aprons have changed, but they’re still around. Even men are wearing them. Of course, men’s aprons are masculine looking, giving an air of professionalism whether worn in the kitchen or on the deck. Masculine or feminine, aprons of today have become a fashion statement. Being the "trendy" grandmother that I am, I just may need to purchase a frilly one, or one personalized with my name or a quote, but mainly one to serve as a reminder of how they were once used by my grandmother, as a tool for, long before we even understood the now "in" term, multi-tasking.
2011年11月10日星期四
Nothing foul with Point Breeze coop idea
One might expect to be able to pick out the residence with the chicken coop in the back, especially on a quiet block in Point Breeze.
But when I stopped by Marie Teasdale's apartment house on Wednesday, there was no farm smell or loud clucking. The chickens in question were pecking around with a minimum of fuss. When Teasdale let them out of their fenced area, she got them back in by clapping and marching behind them.
In short, those chickens are better trained than my dog.
Teasdale, 27, applied for a permit with Pittsburgh's zoning hearing board to keep 12 chickens on her property on McPherson Boulevard. She also had sought permission to keep beehives, but withdrew that part after the idea ruffled some neighbors' feathers. I had a lot of questions for Teasdale, but here's one that's always puzzled me: What makes someone want to own chickens in the city?
Teasdale, who is originally from Portland, Ore., studied environmental science there and took an urban farming class.
"It was my absolute favorite class," she said.
The idea of making fresh produce and vegetables available to the benefit of a community and the environment inspired her to create her own mini-farm. Besides the chickens, Teasdale is planting a large garden and has a compost pile.
She owns nine chickens. The Urban Agriculture Zoning Code says that a person can own three chickens as long as the minimum lot size is 2,000 square feet. From there, it's one chicken per 1,000 square feet.
Teasdale's property (a house and two vacant lots next to it) is well above 12,000 square feet, so the request is within the parameters of the relatively new law.
She said she checked with her immediate neighbors when she first began housing the chickens, and found no opposition. So when she went to the hearing last week, she didn't expect much squawking, because not one person ever raised any concerns with her before.
A few neighbors showed up to complain about the chickens, claiming they smelled bad, attracted predators and could carry diseases, such as the avian flu.
"I was honestly very surprised," she said.
Teasdale disputes each point. She said she has never come across a case in her studies of chickens spreading avian flu in North America.
She adds that she keeps a clean coop. I don't know what constitutes an acceptable coop because I grew up on concrete, but I walked through the area, and it smelled and looked clean to me. Also, I didn't step in any chicken ... you know.
As to the predators, she acknowledges the neighborhood has a rat problem, but it predated her chickens. Also, she said there is no rat problem on her property.
She's awaiting a decision from the board, but in the meantime, she is moving her chickens to a bigger coop, which is being built. It will have two levels, a drainage system and fencing to keep predators out.
If the board decides against her, she plans to seek another permit for a different number of chickens.
If there is a next time, though, she says she'll attend the hearing with neighbors who support her, as well as pest control and farm experts.
"I can understand where the apprehension is from, but I think it's unwarranted," Teasdale said.
But when I stopped by Marie Teasdale's apartment house on Wednesday, there was no farm smell or loud clucking. The chickens in question were pecking around with a minimum of fuss. When Teasdale let them out of their fenced area, she got them back in by clapping and marching behind them.
In short, those chickens are better trained than my dog.
Teasdale, 27, applied for a permit with Pittsburgh's zoning hearing board to keep 12 chickens on her property on McPherson Boulevard. She also had sought permission to keep beehives, but withdrew that part after the idea ruffled some neighbors' feathers. I had a lot of questions for Teasdale, but here's one that's always puzzled me: What makes someone want to own chickens in the city?
Teasdale, who is originally from Portland, Ore., studied environmental science there and took an urban farming class.
"It was my absolute favorite class," she said.
The idea of making fresh produce and vegetables available to the benefit of a community and the environment inspired her to create her own mini-farm. Besides the chickens, Teasdale is planting a large garden and has a compost pile.
She owns nine chickens. The Urban Agriculture Zoning Code says that a person can own three chickens as long as the minimum lot size is 2,000 square feet. From there, it's one chicken per 1,000 square feet.
Teasdale's property (a house and two vacant lots next to it) is well above 12,000 square feet, so the request is within the parameters of the relatively new law.
She said she checked with her immediate neighbors when she first began housing the chickens, and found no opposition. So when she went to the hearing last week, she didn't expect much squawking, because not one person ever raised any concerns with her before.
A few neighbors showed up to complain about the chickens, claiming they smelled bad, attracted predators and could carry diseases, such as the avian flu.
"I was honestly very surprised," she said.
Teasdale disputes each point. She said she has never come across a case in her studies of chickens spreading avian flu in North America.
She adds that she keeps a clean coop. I don't know what constitutes an acceptable coop because I grew up on concrete, but I walked through the area, and it smelled and looked clean to me. Also, I didn't step in any chicken ... you know.
As to the predators, she acknowledges the neighborhood has a rat problem, but it predated her chickens. Also, she said there is no rat problem on her property.
She's awaiting a decision from the board, but in the meantime, she is moving her chickens to a bigger coop, which is being built. It will have two levels, a drainage system and fencing to keep predators out.
If the board decides against her, she plans to seek another permit for a different number of chickens.
If there is a next time, though, she says she'll attend the hearing with neighbors who support her, as well as pest control and farm experts.
"I can understand where the apprehension is from, but I think it's unwarranted," Teasdale said.
2011年11月9日星期三
Weird world of consular requests
Asking for rock superstar Phil Collins' telephone number and checking on the Prince of Wales' shoe size are among the odd requests made to British consular staff abroad, it has been revealed.
Records also showed that staff in Spain were asked by a man to contact a dominatrix who had left him stranded at the airport.
A man rang the consulate in Sydney to ask what clothes he should pack for his holiday while a Briton in Sofia, Bulgaria, wanted the consulate to sell his house for him.
A woman in Moscow wanted embassy staff to visit her flat to get something done about a loud buzzing noise there, while a consulate in Greece were asked how to put a chicken coop up in a man's garden.
In Florida, a man called the consulate to report there were ants in his holiday villa and asked what he should do, while another hopeful caller asked consular staff in Dubai to meet his dog at the airport and help the pet through customs as he would be away when the animal arrived.
A caller asked staff in Malaga in southern Spain in mid-September where she could get a Christmas lunch as everywhere she had phoned was already booked up.
Staff in Greece were asked for tips on the best fishing spots and where to purchase good bait.
The caller - to foreign office staff in Spain - who wanted Prince Charles' shoe size wanted the information so he could send him shoes as a present.
Consular Affairs Minister Jeremy Browne said: "We will always try to help where we can but there are limits to the support that we can provide. It is important that people understand the level of help we can offer.
"Our priority is to help people in real difficulty abroad and we cannot do this if our time is diverted by people trying to use us as a concierge service. We need to be able to focus primarily on helping victims of serious crimes, supporting people who have been detained or assisting people who have lost a loved one abroad."
Records also showed that staff in Spain were asked by a man to contact a dominatrix who had left him stranded at the airport.
A man rang the consulate in Sydney to ask what clothes he should pack for his holiday while a Briton in Sofia, Bulgaria, wanted the consulate to sell his house for him.
A woman in Moscow wanted embassy staff to visit her flat to get something done about a loud buzzing noise there, while a consulate in Greece were asked how to put a chicken coop up in a man's garden.
In Florida, a man called the consulate to report there were ants in his holiday villa and asked what he should do, while another hopeful caller asked consular staff in Dubai to meet his dog at the airport and help the pet through customs as he would be away when the animal arrived.
A caller asked staff in Malaga in southern Spain in mid-September where she could get a Christmas lunch as everywhere she had phoned was already booked up.
Staff in Greece were asked for tips on the best fishing spots and where to purchase good bait.
The caller - to foreign office staff in Spain - who wanted Prince Charles' shoe size wanted the information so he could send him shoes as a present.
Consular Affairs Minister Jeremy Browne said: "We will always try to help where we can but there are limits to the support that we can provide. It is important that people understand the level of help we can offer.
"Our priority is to help people in real difficulty abroad and we cannot do this if our time is diverted by people trying to use us as a concierge service. We need to be able to focus primarily on helping victims of serious crimes, supporting people who have been detained or assisting people who have lost a loved one abroad."
2011年11月8日星期二
'A lot of Work, but a Better Product'
At Frillman’s Farm, the answer to this age-old question is clear. It was the chicken, of course.
Tim Frillman, who began raising chickens two summers ago, has opened his own business, selling fresh eggs laid by more than two dozen birds he keeps in his Prairie View backyard.
I’ve really kind of developed a passion for it,” he said. “I’ve always loved farming and hard work.”
Frillman, 25, grew up on the land, where he’s built a chicken coop and has started construction of a pole barn that will house his chickens, which will number 150 by spring. But the farming business is relatively new to him. His parents’ back acres are leased to Didier Farms, which grows corn there. While Frillman said he’s long watched tractors drive the fields, and credits the Didier family for some of his knowledge, until recently his experience was limited to cultivating his own vegetable garden.
A 2004 graduate of Stevenson High School who earned a business management degree from Lakeland College in Wisconsin, Frillman previously worked at Menards and as a mechanic for John Deere. While the jobs provided a paycheck, he said he didn’t find them personally fulfilling.
“I think I’ve found something that I finally have a passion for,” he said of his farming initiative. “This whole local food movement is something extraordinary.”
“People who just get food from a grocery store don’t really know the benefit of local food,” he said.
Business got off to a slow start, but has steadily grown mainly by word of mouth, said Frillman, who noted that he has sold out of his supply of eggs, which sell for $5 per carton.
In addition to his repeat customers, first-time consumers are drawn to his home by the “Fresh Eggs” sign that he erected in front of the property at 16737 W. Aptakisic Road.
“There’s just so much more local support than I ever imagined,” he said.
Frillman, who intends to grow his full-time business, has ordered 125 Rhode Island Red chickens to join the Red Star and Black Star chickens that already produce eggs. By spring, he figures he’ll have 10 dozen fresh eggs each day.
He is already lining up regular customers who will commit to purchasing a dozen eggs each week of the year. He said he will assign each customer a pickup day to ensure they are receiving freshly laid eggs.
After collecting eggs each morning, Frillman washes them by hand. “I can tell the thickness (of the shell), if it’s going to crack, if it’s worth going into a carton,” he said.
There much more work that goes into raising chickens than one might think, he said. Frillman meticulously maintains his chicken coop and has covered the surrounding area, where the chickens enjoy free range, with wire to detract hawks and other predators. He takes pride in the quality of his chickens’ feed, which is supplemented by the natural food they find in insects and frogs.
“That’s all really essential in their diet,” he said, adding that the chickens’ food intake is reflected in the thickness of their egg shells, dark yellow yolks and flavor of the eggs, which “is just remarkable.”
He is beginning to construct a 24-foot-by-20-foot pole barn, which will house up to 175 chickens, and plans to fence in a 100-foot-by-100-foot parcel to provide the birds with more outdoor living space.
Frillman’s passion for local food doesn’t stop with eggs. He recently completed beekeeping classes at the Morton Arboretum and plans to market honey from his own hives by spring. He also plans to grow heirloom tomatoes and other vegetables.
“The end result is so much better,” he said. “The flavor is just phenomenal."
His chosen field, he acknowledged, is “a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it’s a better product.”
“If you want to be rich, don’t be a farmer,” he said. “But with anything, you put energy, time and money into it, and you get recognized by the community. I want to make a difference in the community.”
Tim Frillman, who began raising chickens two summers ago, has opened his own business, selling fresh eggs laid by more than two dozen birds he keeps in his Prairie View backyard.
I’ve really kind of developed a passion for it,” he said. “I’ve always loved farming and hard work.”
Frillman, 25, grew up on the land, where he’s built a chicken coop and has started construction of a pole barn that will house his chickens, which will number 150 by spring. But the farming business is relatively new to him. His parents’ back acres are leased to Didier Farms, which grows corn there. While Frillman said he’s long watched tractors drive the fields, and credits the Didier family for some of his knowledge, until recently his experience was limited to cultivating his own vegetable garden.
A 2004 graduate of Stevenson High School who earned a business management degree from Lakeland College in Wisconsin, Frillman previously worked at Menards and as a mechanic for John Deere. While the jobs provided a paycheck, he said he didn’t find them personally fulfilling.
“I think I’ve found something that I finally have a passion for,” he said of his farming initiative. “This whole local food movement is something extraordinary.”
“People who just get food from a grocery store don’t really know the benefit of local food,” he said.
Business got off to a slow start, but has steadily grown mainly by word of mouth, said Frillman, who noted that he has sold out of his supply of eggs, which sell for $5 per carton.
In addition to his repeat customers, first-time consumers are drawn to his home by the “Fresh Eggs” sign that he erected in front of the property at 16737 W. Aptakisic Road.
“There’s just so much more local support than I ever imagined,” he said.
Frillman, who intends to grow his full-time business, has ordered 125 Rhode Island Red chickens to join the Red Star and Black Star chickens that already produce eggs. By spring, he figures he’ll have 10 dozen fresh eggs each day.
He is already lining up regular customers who will commit to purchasing a dozen eggs each week of the year. He said he will assign each customer a pickup day to ensure they are receiving freshly laid eggs.
After collecting eggs each morning, Frillman washes them by hand. “I can tell the thickness (of the shell), if it’s going to crack, if it’s worth going into a carton,” he said.
There much more work that goes into raising chickens than one might think, he said. Frillman meticulously maintains his chicken coop and has covered the surrounding area, where the chickens enjoy free range, with wire to detract hawks and other predators. He takes pride in the quality of his chickens’ feed, which is supplemented by the natural food they find in insects and frogs.
“That’s all really essential in their diet,” he said, adding that the chickens’ food intake is reflected in the thickness of their egg shells, dark yellow yolks and flavor of the eggs, which “is just remarkable.”
He is beginning to construct a 24-foot-by-20-foot pole barn, which will house up to 175 chickens, and plans to fence in a 100-foot-by-100-foot parcel to provide the birds with more outdoor living space.
Frillman’s passion for local food doesn’t stop with eggs. He recently completed beekeeping classes at the Morton Arboretum and plans to market honey from his own hives by spring. He also plans to grow heirloom tomatoes and other vegetables.
“The end result is so much better,” he said. “The flavor is just phenomenal."
His chosen field, he acknowledged, is “a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it’s a better product.”
“If you want to be rich, don’t be a farmer,” he said. “But with anything, you put energy, time and money into it, and you get recognized by the community. I want to make a difference in the community.”
2011年11月7日星期一
Nash Farm to expand with 'new' buildings from the 1890s and 1930s
Nash Farm will be getting some important additions, possibly before the end of the year, when the city moves two historic buildings to the property.
The additions to the city's tribute to its agricultural heritage will provide a new entryway to the 5.2-acre property. It also would provide room for educational presentations, according to David Klempin, the city's historic preservation officer.
With those two structures in place and a proposed wrought-iron perimeter fence around the property, Klempin said Nash Farm could host more programs and events.
Other changes could include the hiring of a farm manager.
The last remnant of the historic farm, which Thomas Nash started in 1859 eventually growing to about 640 acres, was bought by the Grapevine Heritage Foundation in 1997 and dedicated in 2008 after it was restored.
Besides the house, the farmstead includes an original barn, a modern barn, a reproduced chicken coop and smokehouse and areas for crops and an orchard.
The complex is dedicated to providing educational experiences, according to Curtis Ratliff, foundation chairman.
Ratliff said having an entry point is important for the farm, which is surrounded by Ball and College streets, and Homestead Lane.
"In order to have programs in the future, we will need to control the access," he said, adding that he is opposed to changing to a system that would require paid access everyday.
"The plan is to have [the farm] open to the public five days a week," Klempin said.
The most noticeable building to be moved to the farm will be the Estill Cottage.
The Estill family was prominent in the Grapevine area for many generations as builders. Klempin said there is speculation, though unconfirmed, that the Estills' built the Nash Farm house. Though it does not look like it now, the small, 732-square-foot Estill Cottage is a smaller, one-story version of the original farm house. Klempin refers to the cottage as "a petite Nash house."
The cottage is estimated to have been built in the 1890s, he said.
"We will be saving a building that is period appropriate" for the farm, Klempin said.
Originally, the cottage sat where Grapevine Lake is now, but was moved closer to town to 708 E. Worth St. Additions were added over decades.
Joseph Teakell, the owner, was planning to tear it down until Klempin realized its historical value. Teakell offered to donate the house to the city, provided it was moved.
Plans are to place the cottage, stripped of its additions, at the corner of Ball Street and Homestead Lane, the southeast corner of Nash Farm, Klempin said.
After the fence is constructed, visitors will enter the farm property by going through the cottage. The property currently has limited fencing.
The cottage also could have a small gift shop and possibly an historical display, he said.
Ratliff said the building "would give a focal point for people to enter and exit" the farm complex.
The other building is not as old as the cottage, but still has a close tie to the area's agricultural past, Klempin said. The building housed the Soil Conservation Office when that office was at 600 S. Main St.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Ratliff said, Texas and much of the mid-portion of the country were in a severe, prolonged drought, an area often called the Dust Bowl.
The federal Soil Conservation Service set up centers in many farming communities "to teach farmers how to better manage their planting methods."
For Klempin, although the building, which he called a "non-contributing structure," does not fit the pre-World War I era of the Nash Farm, its educational nature fits with the farm's missionto educate the public.
"It still is able to tell a story," he said.
Like the cottage, the office was moved and now sits at 409 E. Hudgins St.
It also had additions tacked onto it, which will be stripped away to reveal the original 760-square-foot building. The city has owned the building for some time.
It will be placed in the back of the farm among trees and possibly painted brown to help it blend in.
"It will be oriented to not interfere with the historical nature of the Nash buildings," Klempin said.
The office can be used as a classroom setting for groups visiting the farm, he said. That will free up space in the Nash farm house for historical exhibits.
The additions to the city's tribute to its agricultural heritage will provide a new entryway to the 5.2-acre property. It also would provide room for educational presentations, according to David Klempin, the city's historic preservation officer.
With those two structures in place and a proposed wrought-iron perimeter fence around the property, Klempin said Nash Farm could host more programs and events.
Other changes could include the hiring of a farm manager.
The last remnant of the historic farm, which Thomas Nash started in 1859 eventually growing to about 640 acres, was bought by the Grapevine Heritage Foundation in 1997 and dedicated in 2008 after it was restored.
Besides the house, the farmstead includes an original barn, a modern barn, a reproduced chicken coop and smokehouse and areas for crops and an orchard.
The complex is dedicated to providing educational experiences, according to Curtis Ratliff, foundation chairman.
Ratliff said having an entry point is important for the farm, which is surrounded by Ball and College streets, and Homestead Lane.
"In order to have programs in the future, we will need to control the access," he said, adding that he is opposed to changing to a system that would require paid access everyday.
"The plan is to have [the farm] open to the public five days a week," Klempin said.
The most noticeable building to be moved to the farm will be the Estill Cottage.
The Estill family was prominent in the Grapevine area for many generations as builders. Klempin said there is speculation, though unconfirmed, that the Estills' built the Nash Farm house. Though it does not look like it now, the small, 732-square-foot Estill Cottage is a smaller, one-story version of the original farm house. Klempin refers to the cottage as "a petite Nash house."
The cottage is estimated to have been built in the 1890s, he said.
"We will be saving a building that is period appropriate" for the farm, Klempin said.
Originally, the cottage sat where Grapevine Lake is now, but was moved closer to town to 708 E. Worth St. Additions were added over decades.
Joseph Teakell, the owner, was planning to tear it down until Klempin realized its historical value. Teakell offered to donate the house to the city, provided it was moved.
Plans are to place the cottage, stripped of its additions, at the corner of Ball Street and Homestead Lane, the southeast corner of Nash Farm, Klempin said.
After the fence is constructed, visitors will enter the farm property by going through the cottage. The property currently has limited fencing.
The cottage also could have a small gift shop and possibly an historical display, he said.
Ratliff said the building "would give a focal point for people to enter and exit" the farm complex.
The other building is not as old as the cottage, but still has a close tie to the area's agricultural past, Klempin said. The building housed the Soil Conservation Office when that office was at 600 S. Main St.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Ratliff said, Texas and much of the mid-portion of the country were in a severe, prolonged drought, an area often called the Dust Bowl.
The federal Soil Conservation Service set up centers in many farming communities "to teach farmers how to better manage their planting methods."
For Klempin, although the building, which he called a "non-contributing structure," does not fit the pre-World War I era of the Nash Farm, its educational nature fits with the farm's missionto educate the public.
"It still is able to tell a story," he said.
Like the cottage, the office was moved and now sits at 409 E. Hudgins St.
It also had additions tacked onto it, which will be stripped away to reveal the original 760-square-foot building. The city has owned the building for some time.
It will be placed in the back of the farm among trees and possibly painted brown to help it blend in.
"It will be oriented to not interfere with the historical nature of the Nash buildings," Klempin said.
The office can be used as a classroom setting for groups visiting the farm, he said. That will free up space in the Nash farm house for historical exhibits.
2011年11月6日星期日
Bear in famed photo ID’d as troublemaker
She covered a wide swath of New Mexico over the past 10 year, between wandering on her own and being relocated by state wildlife crews.
Along the way, she earned a rap sheet "as long as her arm," wildlife officials say.
But after a troubled youth in the foothills east of Albuquerque, the bear appears to have retired to the quiet shores of Lake Navajo. State wildlife officials say the infamous bear also is the Mama Bear who gained popularity here this summer after a fisherman’s photograph of her ferrying her cub across the mile-wide lake was picked up by area newspapers and television stations.
The bear’s true identity — and troubled past — were revealed this week in the fall issue of New Mexico Wildlife. She was identified by a photo that captured the green tag in her ear.
Bear No. 56 grew up in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque, turning to trouble in 2002. That’s the year she was picked up at least four times for raiding trash cans, chicken coops — and sometimes houses — in the small mountain community of Tijeras. She first was tagged as Bear No. 770 but she lost that tag, along with a piece of her ear, early on.
On her fourth recorded encounter with the law, Bear No. 56 was chased up a tree and tranquilized. After that, officers decided to relocate her to the Zuni Mountains, about 100 miles to the west.
That was the last anyone heard of the bear until Aug. 4, when Mark Meier, a retiree from Arboles, Colo., spotted her swimming across northwest New Mexico’s Navajo Lake with her cub on her back.
"This bear has really gotten around," said Rick Winslow, the state wildlife department’s large carnivore biologist. "Our records show she was caught and relocated at least four, and likely five times."
The amount of territory she has covered on her own also is remarkable, Winslow said. The lake is about 150 miles from where she was last dropped off.
Perhaps even more extraordinary, Winslow says, it that Bear No. 56 was never euthanized after becoming so habituated to humans and causing so much trouble in the summer of 2002. Problem bears are usually put down after three strikes.
"There have been bears that we’ve relocated numerous times — for various reasons," he said. "This definitely is one well-traveled — and lucky — bear."
Along the way, she earned a rap sheet "as long as her arm," wildlife officials say.
But after a troubled youth in the foothills east of Albuquerque, the bear appears to have retired to the quiet shores of Lake Navajo. State wildlife officials say the infamous bear also is the Mama Bear who gained popularity here this summer after a fisherman’s photograph of her ferrying her cub across the mile-wide lake was picked up by area newspapers and television stations.
The bear’s true identity — and troubled past — were revealed this week in the fall issue of New Mexico Wildlife. She was identified by a photo that captured the green tag in her ear.
Bear No. 56 grew up in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque, turning to trouble in 2002. That’s the year she was picked up at least four times for raiding trash cans, chicken coops — and sometimes houses — in the small mountain community of Tijeras. She first was tagged as Bear No. 770 but she lost that tag, along with a piece of her ear, early on.
On her fourth recorded encounter with the law, Bear No. 56 was chased up a tree and tranquilized. After that, officers decided to relocate her to the Zuni Mountains, about 100 miles to the west.
That was the last anyone heard of the bear until Aug. 4, when Mark Meier, a retiree from Arboles, Colo., spotted her swimming across northwest New Mexico’s Navajo Lake with her cub on her back.
"This bear has really gotten around," said Rick Winslow, the state wildlife department’s large carnivore biologist. "Our records show she was caught and relocated at least four, and likely five times."
The amount of territory she has covered on her own also is remarkable, Winslow said. The lake is about 150 miles from where she was last dropped off.
Perhaps even more extraordinary, Winslow says, it that Bear No. 56 was never euthanized after becoming so habituated to humans and causing so much trouble in the summer of 2002. Problem bears are usually put down after three strikes.
"There have been bears that we’ve relocated numerous times — for various reasons," he said. "This definitely is one well-traveled — and lucky — bear."
2011年11月3日星期四
It isn't chicken to start a new career
After getting downsized from the corporate world nearly three years ago, Nancy Kendrick turned to what she loves: cooking.
A former national sales manager of a home furnishings company, Kendrick has developed a line of gourmet chicken salad and opened on Monday the first of several planned cafes.
"I asked myself, 'What do I love to do?' I love to cook. It all evolved. There was no master plan," Kendrick recalled. "I reinvented myself."
The result was Ms. Cock-A-Doodles, and more recently, The Coop Cafe, located in Knoxville's downtown Visitor's Center. In the time between, Kendrick also started Creative Catering of Knoxville, which caters weddings and large events (Symphony in the Park and Green Thumb Gala, for instance).
There are nine flavors of chicken salad, but it all started with Tarragon (a blend of tarragon, celery, onion and seasoning). Others developed along the way include Basil Artichoke, Buffalo Bacon Ranch, Buffalo Blue Cheese, Chipotle Lime, Curry Cranberry Pecan, Pesto, Southwestern and Spinach Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese.
"It was one of those things. I just started playing with it and one thing leads to another. The more you create, the easier it becomes," she said. "Chicken salad is an all-time favorite for most people."
Kendrick has been selling her chicken salad at the Farmers' Market over the last three seasons to "see if I had something." But she said it was time to grow, so "this is where we are."
She plans to open several Coops in the area as well as sell licenses for others across the Southeast.
Kendrick's niece participated in the Nashville Farmers' Market earlier this year and plans to open a cafe in the Music City next spring.
"We're already spreading our wings," Kendrick said.
Kendrick came to Knoxville in 1973 to study fashion, merchandising and textiles at the University of Tennessee. She never left but she did find herself always traveling with her sales job. She said it's been nice to be home.
"It's been fun to reconnect and make friends in this industry," she said. "It's been great."
At the cafe, Kendrick features her chicken salad as well as cold and hot sandwiches, salads, soups and casseroles like chicken and veggie pot pies, chicken enchilada and chicken spinach casseroles.
Her Kristopher's Special Casserole is named after her late father-in-law, Knoxville preservationist and developer Kristopher Kendrick.
For breakfast, there's coffee and bagels and yogurt parfaits but more offerings are planned.
"It's been a great experience, but we're just starting the big journey," Kendrick said. "A lot of people are having to reinvent themselves. It's been very challenging, but she's my baby and she's very special to me."
A former national sales manager of a home furnishings company, Kendrick has developed a line of gourmet chicken salad and opened on Monday the first of several planned cafes.
"I asked myself, 'What do I love to do?' I love to cook. It all evolved. There was no master plan," Kendrick recalled. "I reinvented myself."
The result was Ms. Cock-A-Doodles, and more recently, The Coop Cafe, located in Knoxville's downtown Visitor's Center. In the time between, Kendrick also started Creative Catering of Knoxville, which caters weddings and large events (Symphony in the Park and Green Thumb Gala, for instance).
There are nine flavors of chicken salad, but it all started with Tarragon (a blend of tarragon, celery, onion and seasoning). Others developed along the way include Basil Artichoke, Buffalo Bacon Ranch, Buffalo Blue Cheese, Chipotle Lime, Curry Cranberry Pecan, Pesto, Southwestern and Spinach Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese.
"It was one of those things. I just started playing with it and one thing leads to another. The more you create, the easier it becomes," she said. "Chicken salad is an all-time favorite for most people."
Kendrick has been selling her chicken salad at the Farmers' Market over the last three seasons to "see if I had something." But she said it was time to grow, so "this is where we are."
She plans to open several Coops in the area as well as sell licenses for others across the Southeast.
Kendrick's niece participated in the Nashville Farmers' Market earlier this year and plans to open a cafe in the Music City next spring.
"We're already spreading our wings," Kendrick said.
Kendrick came to Knoxville in 1973 to study fashion, merchandising and textiles at the University of Tennessee. She never left but she did find herself always traveling with her sales job. She said it's been nice to be home.
"It's been fun to reconnect and make friends in this industry," she said. "It's been great."
At the cafe, Kendrick features her chicken salad as well as cold and hot sandwiches, salads, soups and casseroles like chicken and veggie pot pies, chicken enchilada and chicken spinach casseroles.
Her Kristopher's Special Casserole is named after her late father-in-law, Knoxville preservationist and developer Kristopher Kendrick.
For breakfast, there's coffee and bagels and yogurt parfaits but more offerings are planned.
"It's been a great experience, but we're just starting the big journey," Kendrick said. "A lot of people are having to reinvent themselves. It's been very challenging, but she's my baby and she's very special to me."
2011年11月2日星期三
Residents torn over bears' fate
Former Roseville resident and wildlife activist Justin Barker was saddened when he heard of the plan to trap and potentially kill a mother bear and her three cubs.
Barker gained notoriety in the 1990s as the teenager who helped raise money to relocate two California black bears housed at Roseville’s Royer Park to the Folsom Zoo.
“Relocation is the only solution,” Barker said.
But Andrew Hughan, spokesman for the Department of Fish and Game, said that is unlikely because he believes relocation doesn’t work.
“We can take them somewhere else, then they are in someone else’s trash,” he said. “Number one — it’s not policy, two it doesn’t work and three it is incredibly expensive and takes an incredible amount of resources.”
A depredation (kill) permit has been issued for the bears.
There have been a number of reports of the bears eating chickens from Loomis to Granite Bay, but so far only one depredation permit has been issued, according to Hughan.
“The permit was issued in Loomis. There is no permit issued in Granite Bay. It was for that individual property and that individual property owner,” Hughan said.
Hughan said that option is only available for property owners who lose livestock or incur property damage, like a chicken coop. Hughan said the bears would have to return to the permitted site before any action would be taken.
“We are not out there hunting them we’re not even looking,” Hughan said. “The chances of the bears returning to that particular house is infinitesimal.”
Intense interest in the four bears spotted in Loomis, Granite Bay and Roseville Oct. 22 has sparked some to suggest these wayward bears should be taken to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary to join the five currently housed at their $1.2 million bear exhibit.
“We’d love to expand the zoo, but we often get those kinds of calls,” Folsom Zoo Supervisor Jill Lute said. “I don’t know that we could provide a home for another bear.”
Lute said they don’t have the room and could not afford the cost of the five to 25 pounds of meat and produce a day to feed one bear, along with other issues.
“Adult wild animals who have been living in the wild most of their life — they don’t generally do well in captivity,” Lute said.
Barker raised more than $35,000 along with matching grants from the City of Roseville, Folsom and nonprofit organizations to establish a home for two bears at Folsom Zoo.
“While I helped create the bear sanctuary at Folsom Zoo, I do not support putting perfectly healthy bears in captivity just because they are doing what is natural,” Barker said.
Loomis resident James Hirschinger, who’s surrounded by neighbors who’ve spotted the bears, told the Fish and Game Commission last week they should be saved.
“Why does everyone want to shoot everything?” Hirschinger said. “If we can put men on the moon we should be able to save a few bears. There should be other ways.”
But even for those who have lost animals, the decision to kill the bears is not an easy one.
A Newcastle resident claims she lost one of her dogs after an alleged attack from the wayward bears.
“It’s awful,” Lisa Packheiser said. “I cried my eyes out about my rottweiler.”
According to her veterinarian the 13-year-old Rottweiler named Roo was paralyzed by blunt force trauma caused by a bear attack Oct. 24 off Powerhouse Road. Attempts to confirm this with her vet were unsuccessful by press time. Packheiser had a second run-in with the bears the next day as their other dog, Miko, chased the cubs up a tree.
That’s when the bear sow came to her cubs’ aid.
“The bear took two good swipes. She wasn’t trying to pounce and bite it was just these big long swinging swipes at her,” Packheiser said.
She was able to get her 5-year-old daughter Breanna and the dog back into the house.
“(My daughter) was saying, ‘I don’t like bears anymore they are mean,’” Packheiser said. “I was trying to explain to her that the bear was just trying to protect her babies. I would do the same for you.”
Packheiser said she struggles with how much damage a bear would have to do to warrant a kill permit on her property. Packheiser opted not to request a depredation permit at this time.
Fish and Game reports scores of calls into their offices as well as the Placer County Sheriff’s Department as the bears started their month-long trek from Auburn to Roseville. Fish and Game reports the bears were last spotted Oct. 22 in Granite Bay, but the Bear League, a local rescue and education group, reports they were last seen in the Auburn area Oct. 27.
“We haven’t heard anything in a week since, so that’s the best possible news for them,” Hughan said.
Barker gained notoriety in the 1990s as the teenager who helped raise money to relocate two California black bears housed at Roseville’s Royer Park to the Folsom Zoo.
“Relocation is the only solution,” Barker said.
But Andrew Hughan, spokesman for the Department of Fish and Game, said that is unlikely because he believes relocation doesn’t work.
“We can take them somewhere else, then they are in someone else’s trash,” he said. “Number one — it’s not policy, two it doesn’t work and three it is incredibly expensive and takes an incredible amount of resources.”
A depredation (kill) permit has been issued for the bears.
There have been a number of reports of the bears eating chickens from Loomis to Granite Bay, but so far only one depredation permit has been issued, according to Hughan.
“The permit was issued in Loomis. There is no permit issued in Granite Bay. It was for that individual property and that individual property owner,” Hughan said.
Hughan said that option is only available for property owners who lose livestock or incur property damage, like a chicken coop. Hughan said the bears would have to return to the permitted site before any action would be taken.
“We are not out there hunting them we’re not even looking,” Hughan said. “The chances of the bears returning to that particular house is infinitesimal.”
Intense interest in the four bears spotted in Loomis, Granite Bay and Roseville Oct. 22 has sparked some to suggest these wayward bears should be taken to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary to join the five currently housed at their $1.2 million bear exhibit.
“We’d love to expand the zoo, but we often get those kinds of calls,” Folsom Zoo Supervisor Jill Lute said. “I don’t know that we could provide a home for another bear.”
Lute said they don’t have the room and could not afford the cost of the five to 25 pounds of meat and produce a day to feed one bear, along with other issues.
“Adult wild animals who have been living in the wild most of their life — they don’t generally do well in captivity,” Lute said.
Barker raised more than $35,000 along with matching grants from the City of Roseville, Folsom and nonprofit organizations to establish a home for two bears at Folsom Zoo.
“While I helped create the bear sanctuary at Folsom Zoo, I do not support putting perfectly healthy bears in captivity just because they are doing what is natural,” Barker said.
Loomis resident James Hirschinger, who’s surrounded by neighbors who’ve spotted the bears, told the Fish and Game Commission last week they should be saved.
“Why does everyone want to shoot everything?” Hirschinger said. “If we can put men on the moon we should be able to save a few bears. There should be other ways.”
But even for those who have lost animals, the decision to kill the bears is not an easy one.
A Newcastle resident claims she lost one of her dogs after an alleged attack from the wayward bears.
“It’s awful,” Lisa Packheiser said. “I cried my eyes out about my rottweiler.”
According to her veterinarian the 13-year-old Rottweiler named Roo was paralyzed by blunt force trauma caused by a bear attack Oct. 24 off Powerhouse Road. Attempts to confirm this with her vet were unsuccessful by press time. Packheiser had a second run-in with the bears the next day as their other dog, Miko, chased the cubs up a tree.
That’s when the bear sow came to her cubs’ aid.
“The bear took two good swipes. She wasn’t trying to pounce and bite it was just these big long swinging swipes at her,” Packheiser said.
She was able to get her 5-year-old daughter Breanna and the dog back into the house.
“(My daughter) was saying, ‘I don’t like bears anymore they are mean,’” Packheiser said. “I was trying to explain to her that the bear was just trying to protect her babies. I would do the same for you.”
Packheiser said she struggles with how much damage a bear would have to do to warrant a kill permit on her property. Packheiser opted not to request a depredation permit at this time.
Fish and Game reports scores of calls into their offices as well as the Placer County Sheriff’s Department as the bears started their month-long trek from Auburn to Roseville. Fish and Game reports the bears were last spotted Oct. 22 in Granite Bay, but the Bear League, a local rescue and education group, reports they were last seen in the Auburn area Oct. 27.
“We haven’t heard anything in a week since, so that’s the best possible news for them,” Hughan said.
2011年11月1日星期二
Running a-fowl of the law
Lori Hutson never expected to lay an egg with Jackson County officials over the two dozen chickens happily cackling in her backyard.
The 53-year-old White City resident received a warning of violation on Oct. 26, notifying her to remove her poultry or risk getting slapped with a $600 fine on Nov. 26. If she fails to remove the egg-laying hens after the November deadline, the fine jumps to $10,000.
"I'm trying to feed my family — in a failing economy and as a single mother," Hutson said. "We raised them from babies, and we treat them with love."
In a neighborhood where chickens and even rabbits are found in many backyards, Hutson said she is dismayed to be singled out by Jackson County.
The hens would deprive her and her extended family of the two dozen or more eggs laid each day.
For those who live outside the district or other unincorporated areas, county ordinances allow up to 20 chickens for each acre. Hutson lives on a 1-acre parcel on Antelope Road.
But Hutson and many of her neighbors live in the White City Urban Residential District, where you aren't allowed to have cows, horses, alpacas, poultry, ostriches, emus, swine or fur-bearing animals. Jackson County's Land Development Ordinance specifically forbids them, said Ted Zuk, building official with the Development Services Department.
County code enforcement officers don't purposely seek out residences that have farm animals in White City, however.
"Code enforcement is complaint-driven," he said.
Zuk said he didn't know how many violations had been handed out over the years, but he didn't think it was a significant number.
Commissioner C.W. Smith said it was a surprise to him to learn about an outright prohibition on farm animals in White City.
"From a personal standpoint, as long as it's clean and they are not free-ranging, I don't have a problem with it," he said.
Smith said that if residents want to change the ordinance, they should go before the White City Planning Commission.
Ralph Menning, Hutson's brother-in-law who also lives on the property, said he's mystified that chickens aren't allowed.
"I can't understand why you can have chickens in downtown Portland, but not in unincorporated White City," he said. Medford also allows chickens, as long as the area is kept clean and neighbors don't complain about noise.
The 49-year-old, who is on disability for leg, heart and breathing problems, said other neighbors have roosters that crow, but his hens don't bother anybody.
He said he and his stepsister invested $750 into building a chicken coop and installed fencing and a sprinkler system to keep the hens and some ducks, one of which they rescued because it had a broken leg.
"We have a lot of money into these chickens," Menning said.
Hutson said she takes a lot of pride in keeping the pen and henhouse clean.
"It's not like it's trashy," she said. Hutson said she once had four turkeys, but they were butchered last week.
Hutson said she will try to seek help from the American Civil Liberties Union because she thinks the county is infringing on her rights with its ordinance.
She believes a neighbor is mad at them for recently locking the chicken coop because she and her stepbrother noticed someone was pilfering eggs.
Before the lock was put on the henhouse, Hutson, who works in Ashland, said egg production mysteriously dropped during the week, then increased on the weekends when she was home.
Since most of her family is struggling to make ends meet, the eggs have helped out, she said. Hutson has a daughter with four children and a son with two children.
"I guess you can't take care of yourself in a failing economy," she said.
The 53-year-old White City resident received a warning of violation on Oct. 26, notifying her to remove her poultry or risk getting slapped with a $600 fine on Nov. 26. If she fails to remove the egg-laying hens after the November deadline, the fine jumps to $10,000.
"I'm trying to feed my family — in a failing economy and as a single mother," Hutson said. "We raised them from babies, and we treat them with love."
In a neighborhood where chickens and even rabbits are found in many backyards, Hutson said she is dismayed to be singled out by Jackson County.
The hens would deprive her and her extended family of the two dozen or more eggs laid each day.
For those who live outside the district or other unincorporated areas, county ordinances allow up to 20 chickens for each acre. Hutson lives on a 1-acre parcel on Antelope Road.
But Hutson and many of her neighbors live in the White City Urban Residential District, where you aren't allowed to have cows, horses, alpacas, poultry, ostriches, emus, swine or fur-bearing animals. Jackson County's Land Development Ordinance specifically forbids them, said Ted Zuk, building official with the Development Services Department.
County code enforcement officers don't purposely seek out residences that have farm animals in White City, however.
"Code enforcement is complaint-driven," he said.
Zuk said he didn't know how many violations had been handed out over the years, but he didn't think it was a significant number.
Commissioner C.W. Smith said it was a surprise to him to learn about an outright prohibition on farm animals in White City.
"From a personal standpoint, as long as it's clean and they are not free-ranging, I don't have a problem with it," he said.
Smith said that if residents want to change the ordinance, they should go before the White City Planning Commission.
Ralph Menning, Hutson's brother-in-law who also lives on the property, said he's mystified that chickens aren't allowed.
"I can't understand why you can have chickens in downtown Portland, but not in unincorporated White City," he said. Medford also allows chickens, as long as the area is kept clean and neighbors don't complain about noise.
The 49-year-old, who is on disability for leg, heart and breathing problems, said other neighbors have roosters that crow, but his hens don't bother anybody.
He said he and his stepsister invested $750 into building a chicken coop and installed fencing and a sprinkler system to keep the hens and some ducks, one of which they rescued because it had a broken leg.
"We have a lot of money into these chickens," Menning said.
Hutson said she takes a lot of pride in keeping the pen and henhouse clean.
"It's not like it's trashy," she said. Hutson said she once had four turkeys, but they were butchered last week.
Hutson said she will try to seek help from the American Civil Liberties Union because she thinks the county is infringing on her rights with its ordinance.
She believes a neighbor is mad at them for recently locking the chicken coop because she and her stepbrother noticed someone was pilfering eggs.
Before the lock was put on the henhouse, Hutson, who works in Ashland, said egg production mysteriously dropped during the week, then increased on the weekends when she was home.
Since most of her family is struggling to make ends meet, the eggs have helped out, she said. Hutson has a daughter with four children and a son with two children.
"I guess you can't take care of yourself in a failing economy," she said.
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