Friday, May 29, 2009

Clark County Food Bank Needs Gardeners!

Clark County Food Bank is seeking help to plant a large community garden with carrots that will be grown and donated to the food bank for inclusion in emergency food boxes this fall. Groups and individuals are asked to help plant the carrots in Hazel Dell.

For further information, call Bill Coleman, 798-0489.

Say CHEESE!!

If you're looking for something cool to do or an escape from the Rose Festival madness, saunter on over to Steve's Cheese and experience a rare and delicious event on Sunday afternoon. Read on to get the word from cheesemonger extraordinaire, Steve Jones:

Parmigiano-Reggiano Splitting
Sunday, May 31, 1 - 4 p.m.

This Sunday we will be splitting and breaking down a new 80-pound wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano in the store using traditional tools.

Parmigiano-Reggiano is an origin controlled product and can only be produced in a limited area of north- central Italy under strict guidelines, which include specific requirements for feeding of cows and production of cheese. This traditional cheese has been produced using the same methods for hundreds of years. Almost 160 gallons of milk are required to produce a wheel this size.

The wheel we are splitting on Sunday comes from Farm #2121 of the Latteria Sociale Santo Stefano, which was created in 1922. The cheese maker at the Latteria carefully select premium milk from cows pastured near the mountains of the Parma and Enza valley.

Please arrive no later than 1:15 to see the first split. We will be offering a special price of $18.90/pound (normally $21.90/pound) until 4 p.m.


Red Ridge Farms Olive Oil Tasting
Also on Sunday

During the Parmigiano-Reggiano splitting event, we will also be tasting olive oil from the first pressing at Red Ridge Farms in Dayton, Oregon. We will be pouring the Red Ridge-milled oil into 375 mL containers for sale.

Steve's Cheese
located inside the Square Deal Wine Co.
2321 NW Thurman
503-222-6014
phone: 503-222-6014
web: http://stevescheese.biz

Store Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday,
11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Sunday and Monday,
12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Double Dollar Days For Vancouver Share Children's Hunger Initiative Program

Thanks to an anonymous benefactor, the Vancouver Share Children's Hunger Initiative Program will receive matching dollars up to $25,000 until July 15, 2009! That means a pittance of $100 typically provides food for 10 hungry children in our community and $500 will feed a family for one month. And thanks to this challenge, for the next six weeks the same $100 will feed 20 children and $500 will feed a family for two months! That's huge! The recipients of the benefits of this program are the children and the future of our community. Many of them are the classmates and maybe even the friends of your children. Nothing is more tragic than children going hungry, especially in our own community. Let's all dig out our checkbooks and credit cards and ensure that children don't go hungry here in Clark County. I gave my $100 today, what about you?

Here's the scoop on the Children's Hunger Initiative Program from the Share web site:

In our community, 22,000 children are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the schools. Two innovative programs—the Backpack Program and SummerSLAM—have been successful in addressing this alarming truth and providing meals for children in need when school doors are closed.

Operated in partnership with Evergreen Public Schools, Vancouver Public Schools and Washington State University Vancouver/AHAS Program, these programs served 313 children through the 2008 SummerSLAM and 420 children, and their families, each week through the Backpack Program.

Backpack Program

Currently, food packs are filled with 5 to 10 pounds of donated, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food. More than 420 packs are distributed to each of the 23 elementary schools participating in the program. The packs are discretely given out on Friday after school to ensure that children, and their families, have nutritious food to eat over the weekend. Generally, each pack includes a can of vegetables, a can of fruit, a can of beans, a protein (either tuna or peanut butter) and a carbohydrate (either bread of pasta). Each child also receives a small snack item, such as a granola bar.

SummerSLAM

Share’s SummerSLAM Program (formerly called Summer Lunch Program) will operate this year at two locations, increasing the program capacity by more than 100 students. SummerSLAM provides breakfast, lunch and an art-based curriculum to students grades K-8.

This year’s program will operate in both the Vancouver and Evergreen School Districts: Martin Luther King Elementary, July 20 to Aug. 14, and Silver Star Elementary, July 6 to 31. Parents can sign-up their children at one of two Ice Cream Socials: June 15 at Silver Star and June 16 at King; both socials run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m; sign-up is also available on the first day of the program.

The purpose of the program, in addition to being a service to the community, is to research the effects of poverty on education. Activities are led by students pursuing their masters in teaching degree at WSU Vancouver, as part of the “At Home at School” (AHAS) Program. The kids have a daily newspaper, computer classes, art classes, build bridges, play golf and even put on a musical at the end of the program. This partnership provides quality learning for the students and is an opportunity for the healthy meals progam to give a helping hand. Additionally, many community volunteers donate their time to provide their own areas of expertise in the arts, languages and sciences.

To support our Children’s Hunger Initiative, contact Tarinn Smith, Hunger Response Director, at (360) 695-7658 ext. 3304.

You can also donate through the Share web site. Please specify in the comments section that you wish to participate in the matching fund challenge for the Children's Hunger Initiative Program. Let's work together and make our goal to not let any children go to bed hungry in our community. Please make your donation today.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Soulless, Bloodsucking Pigs From Miller Nash Are Pimps for Sprawl In Clark County

Just a little followup to the post I made yesterday about the pro-development ruling on the Futurewise appeal of the expansion of the county urban growth boundary. Someone from Miller Nash LLP, a local law firm, was trolling this blog today and reading the aforementioned post. Miller Nash represented the pro-development camp in this legal battle.

I wish I had said this earlier, but just in case anyone from Miller Nash stops back by here anytime soon, let me just go on the record as saying you subhumans of the law firm of Miller Nash LLP are a bunch of soulless, bloodsucking pigs, are pimps for sprawl, and couldn't give a damn about the health and welfare of our community. Please consider moving yourselves and your families to someplace like Dallas, Phoenix, or Los Angeles, where your ignorant ideas and values about unchecked development and a total lack of concern about preserving natural resources and priceless farmland are appreciated and will inevitably lead you to the misery and suffering you deserve once you run out of natural resources and the riots begin. I am quite certain that you all have an especially, horrible place waiting for you in Hell when you die.

WSU Master Gardeners Presents: A Tour of Clark County CSA Farms

WSU Master Gardener On the Road Tours
Tour of Clark County CSA Farms
Thursday, June 18, 2009
8:30 - 4 p.m.

This final "Master Gardeners on the road " tour of the year will give residents of Clark County an up close look at four farms and gardens that offer community supported agriculture memberships as a way to be self supporting.

WSU educators and the farmers themselves will provide commentary throughout the tour.

The $35 registration fee includes a catered luncheon prepared from local ingredients by Anna Petruolo of "A Dinner Together".

Registration for the tour can be made online at:
https://ocrs.wsu.edu/Signup/?eventid=534

Please call Carolyn Gordon with any registration questions at:
360-397-6060 X7718.

The four tours stops include:

Garden Delights is a Brush Prairie farm run by a mother-daughter team who enjoy working in the gardens and flower beds, then sharing delightful edibles and crafts with you. They feature dried herbs and flowers grown without herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Wisteria Gardens: is a picturesque small family farm nestled on 20 acres of gently rolling meadows and groves of shady trees. Guests will enjoy strolling around the formal farmhouse landscape, visiting the peacocks in the cottage garden and relaxing in the shelter of the park pavilion.

Rosemattels CSA Farm located in Vancouver has had such success that they have expanded to a second growing field in Felida. The tour will enjoy a catered luncheon while exploring the vegetable beds and learning about how to run a CSA.

NW Organic Farm: The owners purchased their farm in Ridgefield, and since no pesticides had ever been used on the land, were able to "go organic". Fortunately, organic farming was becoming more accepted commercially so they were able to start out right. No land reclamation or purification was needed. Their goal is to help the education of the consumer in any way they can.


Carolyn Gordon
WSU Extension Clark County
Master Gardener Coordinator
11104 NE 149th Street C-100
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
360-397-6060 X7718
FAX 360-397-6122

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Power of the People Saves Pollan!

This just in from Food Democracy Now!

Congratulations & Thank You!

We just got off the phone with the Washington State University’s President’s office and congratulated them on the decision to reinstate Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, as part of their Common Reading Program.

Within hours of sending out our alert, we received the good news from a supporter named Lynn:

“The power of numbers! By the time I called, 3:21 Pacific, the president's office told me that they've gotten so many calls about this and, thanks to a generous donation by an alumni, the program and the book has been reinstated. Food Democracy Now! rocks!”

While we appreciate that sentiment, we’d also like to give credit where credit is due.

We understand that food safety lawyer Bill Marler, a WSU alum and former Regents of the university, had a conversation with President Elson Floyd about the reading program this afternoon and offered to pay for Michael Pollan’s trip as well as pay for the full cost to cover the Common Reading Program.

Food Democracy Now! wants to thank Mr. Marler for his extremely generous support on this issue and also everyone who responded to this alert. Three cheers for Pollan, Marler and WSU!

This is a testament to what we can accomplish when we all work together.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

Sustainably Yours,
Dave


Food Democracy Now!
If you'd like to see Food Democracy Now!'s grassroots work continue, please consider donating as little as $10 or $25. We appreciate your support! http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/?page_id=9

Sources:
WSU Will Restore Common Reading Program - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14626&PageID=84&ReferrerCode=%2Fcntrf%2Fchoyvpngvbaf.nfc

Judge Rules Farming is Dead in Clark County

I guess all of our efforts have been in vain. Close the farmers' markets and refund the CSA shares. Turn 78th Street into playing fields and parking lots. Shutter the Urban Farm School and forget local agriculture pioneers like David Knaus and Jim & Diane Hunter. And let's not even think about the wonderful Locavore Delivery service provided by Dee Creek Farm. Judge Harris has decreed that farming is dead in Clark County. Long live the developers...we don't need no fresh, healthy food 'round here.

I say over my dead body. What about you? I say we rally at the County Courthouse, farmers and cityfolk standing side by side, and let Judge Harris know what we think of his rather ignorant opinion and poor judgment.

Judge rules in favor of growth plan
Friday, May 22 | 9:15 a.m.

BY MICHAEL ANDERSEN
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

A Clark County judge knocked back an environmental challenge to the county's 2007 urban growth plan Thursday, increasing the chance that hundreds of acres of current and former farmland will be developed.

Even on the county's remaining patches of high-quality soil, commercial farming is close to dead, Superior Court Judge Robert Harris wrote in an eight-page decision.

Harris' ruling, which is subject to appeal, would permit annexation on the outskirts of Camas, La Center and Washougal, including La Center's interchange on Interstate 5.

It would also allow eventual urban development in an area north of Washington State University Vancouver.

However, Harris seemed to prohibit urbanizing 780 acres of agricultural land south of Brush Prairie, which county commissioners had hoped to convert to a huge industrial park, and 343 acres at the northernmost tip of Camas, northwest of Lacamas Lake.

When county commissioners unanimously approved the plan in 2007, they fended off protests from environmentalists and the state commerce department, who said so many new roads and sewers would burden taxpayers.

The 19-square-mile urban expansion was the biggest on state record. Futurewise, a Seattle-based anti-sprawl group, appealed it.

On Thursday, environmentalists called Harris' ruling a "split decision" but said it might prove favorable enough for them not to risk appealing to the state Court of Appeals.

"The baby's been cut in half," said John Karpinski, a Vancouver environmental lawyer working with Futurewise.

La Center to expand

A county commissioner applauded the ruling Thursday. So did advocates for affected landowners and the city of La Center.

James Howsley, a development attorney who represents several affected landowners, said he thinks Harris might issue a clarification that would allow development south of Brush Prairie and northwest of Lacamas Lake.

"We are extremely happy for our clients," Howsley, of Vancouver law firm Miller Nash, wrote in an e-mail. "This is a wonderful thing especially for the small cities. This decision affirms the right of a community to decide for itself, based on historic and predicted conditions, where it is most appropriate to grow."

Thursday's decision is a big win for the city of La Center, which has spent years trying to expand west to Interstate 5.

Harris' ruling gives the city a chance to annex 665 acres along the highway.

La Center depends heavily on its four nontribal cardrooms, the city's biggest employers and taxpayers. Mayor Jim Irish and others want to broaden the city's economy.

"We just got a lot more industrial land," Dale Miller, La Center's planner, said Thursday. "It bodes well for future economic diversity in the town."

Thursday's decision will have no bearing on the federal review of a proposed tribal casino outside La Center.

Commissioner Steve Stuart said that if Harris' ruling stands, it means "greater economic development in the county, more opportunity for business to site here."

"I have no expectation that this will have an immediate impact, but it will have a long-term impact on the future economy of our county," Stuart said.

Harris: farming dying

In his ruling, Harris echoed the judgment of a 2005 economic study by the county, which concluded that professional farming in Clark County is in permanent decline.

The rising demand for locally grown food is "not sufficient to reverse the long-standing trends of declining farm activity" in the county, the study found.

In 2002, the study noted, only 170 local farms brought in more than $25,000 a year.

"It is fairly obvious that an annual income of $25,000 is not sufficient to support a family," Harris wrote.

Farming on 5-acre rural parcels, Harris wrote, "would be more likened to a hobby farm rather than representing long-term productive growth of agricultural product."

But Karpinski, the environmental lawyer, said the public has an interest in protecting small farms, too.

"What's wrong with a hobby farm?" he asked. "It's a second job for them. There's a lot of people working two jobs nowadays. … If people want to be growing locally grown food, we should be doing everything we can to encourage that activity."

Harris' ruling drew on the 2002 U.S. Census of Agriculture.

The 2007 Census of Agriculture, released this winter, showed continued decline in the number of Clark County farms grossing more than $100,000 a year. The value of big farms' output fell 10 percent over five years.

But the 2007 Census also showed an explosion in the number of local farms making less than $25,000 and also those making between $25,000 and $100,000.

The value of crops produced on small farms in the county jumped 33 percent from 2002 to 2007. For midsize farms, the growth was 11 percent.

Michael Andersen: 360-735-4508 or michael.andersen@columbian.com.

Staff writer Jeffrey Mize contributed reporting.

WSU Pulls Pollan from Freshman Reading Program

First WSU pulls the plug on the Extension programs and now they're censoring Michael Pollan from the freshman reading program. Is it pressure from corporate agriculture or just tough financial times for the Cougs? I'm thinking this is just one more reason to join Millions Against Monsanto...

This just in from the good folks @ Food Democracy Now:

Make a Call for Academic Freedom

Last week, Washington State University announced that it was pulling Michael Pollan’s best-selling book The Omnivore’s Dilemma from its required Common Reading Program for all incoming freshman due to pressure from corporate agribusiness. In March of this year, a university committee had selected Pollan's book, which takes a careful look at how America produces its food, and decided that it was an excellent choice for the student body of the land grant university. Unfortunately, WSU administrators later removed the book from the required common reading program. While top WSU officials attributed removal of Pollan's book from the reading program to hard financial times, despite the fact the 4,000 copies of the book have already been purchased, some faculty members have spoken out. End Corporate Influence and Fear at America’s Land Grant Universities. One WSU professor, quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education - anonymously, for fear of losing their job, stated that Pollan’s book was pulled “because of the politics of the agriculture industry…and that President Floyd decided that this was not a battle he wanted to wage.”

It’s time that this type of corporate control over land grant education and research end. We believe that academic freedom and vigorous debate on all intellectual issues should be encouraged at every university, especially land grant universities charged with turning out the next generation of leaders of 21st century agriculture. If you want university research to be free of the corruptive influence of corporate agribusiness, you need to call or write today. Stand up for Michael Pollan and Academic Freedom! Let WSU President Elson Floyd know that you support the university’s original decision for all incoming freshman to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma and believe he should honor that commitment. Sustainably Yours,
Food Democracy Now!

If you'd like to see Food Democracy Now!'s grassroots work continue, please consider donating as little as $10 or $25. We appreciate your support!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Write or Call WSU President Elson Floyd Today at:

Washington State University
Office of the President – President Elson Floyd
Phone Number: 509-335-6666

Sample Phone Script:
Please tell WSU President Floyd to:

I'm calling today to ask the President Floyd stand firm on academic freedom and include The Omnivore’s Dilemma in the university’s Common Reading Program.

It’s important that students at land grant universities be exposed to all ideas, especially those that challenge the orthodoxies of our times. Academic freedom at universities and freedom of speech are the foundation of a democracy and I believe that The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a crucial part of the ongoing debate in society about how food is produced in America and its impact on our nation’s citizens.

We encourage all interactions with WSU staff, whether written or spoken to be polite and respectful.

Email: PresidentsOffice@wsu.edu

Sample Letter:
Subject: Support Michael Pollan and Academic Freedom

Dear President Floyd,

I appreciate Washington State University’s original decision to select Michael Pollan’s award-winning book The Omnivore’s Dilemma to be read by all incoming freshman as part of the university’s Common Reading Program.

Pollan’s work is important, not because it takes a critical look at industrial agriculture, as it has been commonly portrayed in the media, but because Pollan gives a rational critique of organic practices and companies as well.

Regretfully, that original decision to include this important book, which was hailed by WSU scholars and students alike, has been reversed because of undue industry pressure. Since 4,000 copies of the book have already been bought, it would not only be a crime against academic freedom, but it would be financially wasteful as well.

Today, I join with thousands of Americans across the country asking that you stand up for intellectual honesty and academic freedom by reinstating the decision to allow all incoming freshman to read this harmless, yet wonderful book so they can make the decision themselves.

It’s a shame that WSU’s freshman may be denied the opportunity to read this important book as a result of industry influence.

We stand behind you to make the right decision and let academic freedom ring, please reinstate Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma into the Common Reading Program.

Sincerely,
[Your name here
City, State]

If you like you can:
Invite President Floyd to an event to speak on academic freedom you can contact him here: http://pubforms.wsu.edu/president/renderer.aspx?FormID=1

Phone: 509/335-7932 or

Email: gkdruffel@wsu.edu

Sources:
1. WSU Selects “Omnivore’s Dilemma” as 2009 Common Reading Book for Freshmen – March 26, 2009
http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14154&PageID=&ReferrerCode=uggc%3A%2F%2Fjjj.jfharjf.jfh.rqh%2Fcntrf%2Ffrnepu.nfc%3FCntrVQ%3D%26Xrljbeqf%3Dzvpunry+cbyyna

2. WSU Common Reading Program – Cans Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma – May 1, 2009
http://commonreading.wsu.edu/

3. WSU’s Book Controversy Shines Light on Big Ag’s Influence on Land Grant Schools – May 23, 2009
http://www.livablefutureblog.com/2009/05/wsus-book-controversy-shines-light-on-big-ags-influence-on-land-grant-schools/

4. Washington State's Dilemma: How to Serve Up a Book Criticizing the Food Industry - May 21, 2009
http://chronicle.com/daily/2009/05/18512n.htm

5. Washington State University - Say It Isn't So. Hey, Michael Pollan, I'll Pay Your Way to Pullman
http://www.marlerblog.com/2009/05/articles/lawyer-oped/washington-state-university-say-it-isnt-so-hey-michael-pollan-ill-pay-your-way-to-pullman/

Locavore Delivery & Dee Creek Farm News - 5.28.2009

Here's this week's Locavore Farm Delivery list from Dee Creek Farm. Stop using that tired old cream cheese, and pick up a container or two of Dee Creek's chevre. Your bagel and your tummy will thank you!

The concert was a blast! We counted about 80 people there, which was just right. The weather was perfect, the singer was fabulous (as always). I'll post pictures soon, but am super tired for tonight.

For anyone looking for beef in the next couple of weeks, let me know. One of my friends has a couple they're ready to harvest soon, and I believe they're grassfed exclusively. Can you get you info.


See you Thursday! ~S

*****

Dee Creek Farm Cheeses, from start to finish
The containers we've been using have grooves that seem to be stealing all of the cheese (or leave us all licking the containers out instead of being polite and adult-like), so by consumer demand and desire to consume all of the cheese that we can, we're using clear, round tubs now, which are excellent for reusing for food storage as well! They look smaller, but don't let that fool you - they carry the same amount of cheese we've been sharing.
Aged Feta, $5.00/container - Creamy and salty, add to ravioli or pasta, wild greens & berry salad, or ??
Plain - block or crumble
Marinated - cubes - in olive oil with Garden Delight herbs
Kalamata Olive Tapenade - crumbles
Spicy - crumbles - peppers from Red Basket CSA farm in Battle Ground
Fresh Chevre, $5.00/container - Creamy - great on crepes, bagels, crackers, veggies...
Garlic Chive - garlic from Storytree Farm, chives from DCF
Dill Herb - herbs from Garden Delight
Strawberry Honey - fresh fruit from Pdx Farmers Market, honey from Honey House Farm
Black Pepper - freshly ground and delish
Original (Plain)
Cheese Curds, $5.00/container

Eggs,
$5/dozen, ($4.50 per dozen for egg CSA'ers)
$2.50/half-dozen (limited)
We'll have lots of Dee Creek Farm eggs, as well as eggs from Creative Outlet! These are (likes ours) are fed only natural feeds and lots of pasture - you can find lots of info on our poultry-raising on our website. Be sure to recycle egg cartons that you pick up at our deliveries with us!

Wild & Naturally Preserved Eats,
Mushrooms, Fresh (1/4# bags)
Morels $6.50 (limited supply - larger "blonds" this week)
Maitake $4.00
Shiitake $3.00
Mushrooms, Dried (cello packs - choose one, not mixed packets)
Chanterelle, Lobsters, or Shiitake, $2.00
Maitake or Porcini, $3.00
Matsutake or Morels, $4.00
Dried Snack & Meal Helpers (chopped, diced, sliced, portioned & pkg'd for 1-2 meals)
Organic Red Onions, $1.25
Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, $2.00

Dried Herbs, $4/packet
From Garden DElights in Brush Prairie, these herbs were hand prepared from chemical-free herbs. There are several mixes available, including: Grilling Blend, Poultry Blend, Mexican Blend, and Veggies & Soups

Canned "Preserves",
Strawberry Jelly, low sugar, $5/8-oz
Raspberry, low sugar, $5/8-oz
White Grape, low sugar, $5/8-oz
The above also come from Garden DElights, in Brush Prairie. A multi-generational farm, this Mom and daughter team work hard on creating healthful, local, and delicious foods. Generally known for their herb packets & natural doggy treats, they are also a produce CSA farm!
Wild Huckleberry Jam, 7oz., $5.00 (made w/white grape conc. - almost sugar free)
Wild Huckleberry Syrup, 8oz., $5.00 (made w/white grape conc. - almost sugar free)
These two huckleberry delights are wild-gathered by Nature's Choice.

Water Kefir Grains, $20/kit
Just a couple left, this kit comes with a set of strainers, a mesh bag to separate your grains in, and some grains to start making water kefir on your own! If you're up for the task, and want a cool color pdf booklet that I have, let me know!


*****


Remember that in an effort to be more efficient, and less wasteful, we do not write individual receipts, but instead keep a book. If you specifically want a receipt, please let us know when you place your order, if possible.

Anyone and everyone can order from our deliveries, not just "subscribers"! To any newcomers on the e-list, welcome! Also rest assured that all farms contributing to our deliveries all meet several standards: chemical-free, sustainable, natural, family farming... If you have questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask, or check them out yourself!

To order, click here and specify what you would like.
All checks go to "Dee Creek Farm", or bring cash.
**BRING YOUR OWN BAG**
We fill pre-orders first, then it’s first come, first served!
We do mostly pre-orders at deliveries, rather than Farmers Market style.
Please help us in this by pre-ordering what you can!

Summer & Spark
Email
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Locavore Delivery & Dee Creek Farm Memorial Day Concert News - 5.21.09

Here's the latest locavore delivery list from Dee Creek Farm. And don't forget about the Keri Noble concert taking place out at the farm on Memorial Day! Here's the good word from Summer @ Dee Creek:

The port-a-potty's are here, and the party tent is coming Friday. This concert on Monday's going to be a blast! My Auntie is bringing down her karaoke machine so we can embarrass ourselves when the official show is o'er. Should be quite a hoot!

What: Keri Noble in concert
Where: Dee Creek Farm, 2402 Little Kalama River Road, Woodland, Washington
When: Monday, May 25, 2009, 4:30 p.m.
Who: Friends & friends of friends
Suggested donation: $15/person or $35/family (to cover costs; we aren't making money)
Bring: a snack or appetizer to share, non-alcoholic beverages (or purchase Hot Lips Sodas at the farm), and a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
Parking could be a problem, so we may have valet parking. Just be aware of this, and carpool if you can swing it.
More info: http://www.deecreekfarm.comor http://kerinoble.com

For those of you who have hoped to place an order for our poultry but have not gotten a confirmation back from me, we are not taking any more pre-orders. This does not mean that we may not have extra's down the road this season, but we can't take more pre-orders, just in case. There is a farmer in east Vancouver that I can point you to if you email me your interest. I'm so sorry! I wish we had more hands!! ~S


*****

Dee Creek Farm Cheeses, from start to finish
The containers we've been using have grooves that seem to be stealing all of the cheese (or leave us all licking the containers out instead of being polite and adult-like), so by consumer demand and desire to consume all of the cheese that we can, we're using clear, round tubs now, which are excellent for reusing for food storage as well! They look smaller, but don't let that fool you - they carry the same amount of cheese we've been sharing.
Aged Feta, $5.00/container - Creamy and salty, add to ravioli or pasta, wild greens & berry salad, or ??
Plain - block or crumble
Marinated - cubes - in olive oil with Garden Delight herbs
Kalamata Olive Tapenade - crumbles
Spicy - crumbles - peppers from Red Basket CSA farm in Battle Ground
Fresh Chevre, $5.00/container - Creamy - great on crepes, bagels, crackers, veggies...
Garlic Chive - garlic from Storytree Farm, chives from DCF
Dill Herb - herbs from Garden Delight
Strawberry Honey - fresh fruit from Pdx Farmers Market, honey from Honey House Farm
Black Pepper - freshly ground and delish
Original (Plain)
Cheese Curds, $5.00/container


Eggs,
$5/dozen, ($4.50 per dozen for egg CSA'ers)
$2.50/half-dozen (limited)
We'll have lots of Dee Creek Farm eggs, as well as eggs from Creative Outlet! These are (likes ours) are fed only natural feeds and lots of pasture - you can find lots of info on our poultry-raising on our website. Be sure to recycle egg cartons that you pick up at our deliveries with us!


Raw Honey,
Pint/$7
Raw honey in glass jars and/or plastic form Honey House Farm in Brush Prairie - super local!


Wild & Naturally Preserved Eats,
Mushrooms, Fresh (1/4# bags)
Morels $6.50 (limited supply)
Maitake $4.00
Shiitake $3.00
Mushrooms, Dried (cello packs - choose one, not mixed packets)
Chanterelle, Lobsters, or Shiitake, $2.00
Maitake or Porcini, $3.00
Matsutake or Morels, $4.00
Dried Snack & Meal Helpers (chopped, diced, sliced, portioned & pkg'd for 1-2 meals)
Organic Red Onions, $1.25
Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, $2.00
Fresh Watercress, $3.00/bunch (1/4#)


Dried Herbs, $4/packet
From Garden DElights in Brush Prairie, these herbs were hand prepared from chemical-free herbs. There are several mixes available, including: Grilling Blend, Poultry Blend, Mexican Blend, and Veggies & Soups


Canned "Preserves",
Strawberry Jelly, low sugar, $5/8-oz
Raspberry, low sugar, $5/8-oz
White Grape, low sugar, $5/8-oz
The above also come from Garden DElights, in Brush Prairie. A multi generational farm, this Mom and daughter team work hard on creating healthful, local, and delicious foods. Generally known for their herb packets & natural doggy treats, they are also a produce CSA farm!
Wild Huckleberry Jam, 7oz., $5.00 (made w/white grape conc. - almost sugar free)
Wild Huckleberry Syrup, 8oz., $6.00 (made w/white grape conc. - almost sugar free)


Water Kefir Grains, $20/kit
While at class on Saturday, I picked up a few extra kits from Julie (www.culturesforhealth.com) for a screaming deal. They come with a set of strainers, a mesh bag to separate your grains in, and some grains to start making water kefir on your own! If you're up for the task, and want a cool color pdf booklet that I have, let me know!


Natural Suds 'n' Stuff,
Both of the soaps below are crafted by Summer at DCF with quality coconut, olive, palm, and essential oils. Handmade & individually cut, these bars are mild on your skin, and amazing to your nose!
Egyptian Geranium, $4.50/bar - Fresh floral scent, similar to rose. Geranium is said to have psychologically balancing effects and some like to use it for skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and shingles. Historically it was used to treat menopausal and other women's problems.
Egyptian Geranium Lotion Bar, $6/bar - this was made with jojoba, sweet almond & emu oil, beeswax, and a few other goodies, this lotion bar is particularly excellent for anyone with skin sensitivities and/or many other issues because of the Egyptian Geranium essential oil & emu oil. It's rather expensive to produce, so this would best be used as a 'medicinal' bar, rather than an every day bar.


*****


Remember that in an effort to be more efficient, and less wasteful, we do not write individual receipts, but instead keep a book. If you specifically want a receipt, please let us know when you place your order, if possible.

Anyone and everyone can order from our deliveries, not just "subscribers"! To any newcomers on the e-list, welcome! Also rest assured that all farms contributing to our deliveries all meet several standards: chemical-free, sustainable, natural, family farming... If you have questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask, or check them out yourself!

To order, click here and specify what you would like.
All checks go to "Dee Creek Farm", or bring cash.
**BRING YOUR OWN BAG**
We fill pre-orders first, then it’s first come, first served!
We do mostly pre-orders at deliveries, rather than Farmers Market style.
Please help us in this by pre-ordering what you can!

Summer & Spark
Email
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm

Friday, May 15, 2009

Kimchee in the 'Couv?

I ran in to the Vancouver Asian Market down on Fourth Plain this past weekend because I was out of my one of my favorite condiments. Tuong Ot (fried garlic & ground chili paste) ...mmmmmmm. And just as I'm walking out the door I glance down the fresh produce aisle. Lo and behold! Quart sized mason jars packed with kimchee! I asked the young lady at the register if they make the kimchee themselves and she responded with a big smile and a yes. Unfortunately for me I had dashed out of the house without my wallet and had squandered the few dollars I had on chili paste and furikake (a Japanese dried seaweed & sesame seed condiment, it's great sprinkled on fish, udon, or served over eggs & rice). I'm heading back this weekend to pick up a jar of the kimchee though. Hope it's nice and spicy! If you're ever in the hood, stop by and check out the market.

Vancouver Oriental Market
(360) 693-1565
3220 E 4th Plain Blvd,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Finally! Another Notes from the Margin Installment from Jim & Diane Hunter of Hunters' Greens

What's so Different about Hunters' Greens


Written by Jim and Diane Hunter
Thursday, 14 May 2009 14:08

Now that there are dozens of CSAs in Clark County, Jim and Diane are feeling a little deflated. When we were the only CSA, or one of a handful, we felt pretty special. But now, Well.... not so much.

We can still say we are the oldest CSA, and at another level, we should be bursting with pride that the model we introduced to the county is going gang busters, and changing the face of agriculture in our community.

But as you might imagine, Jim and Diane have never been content to be one of the crowd, so we find our selves itching to distinguish ourselves.

Recently we have begun to understand and feel in our bones a set of values by which we can distinguish ourselves in a new way. This set of values combines good old depression era frugality with a more contemporary sense of conservation. In essence it turns one of the classic premises of economics on its head. Rather than striving to see how much we can make, we find ourselves striving to see how little we can live on.

Now, intellectually this idea is not new to us. Jim was reading about it in the seventies. At that time, visionary economists like E.F. Schumacher and Herman Daly were beginning to question the assumptions of classical economic theory. They questioned the value of growth for growth's sake, and whether the size of a country's gross national product and it's rate of growth were meaningful measures of the country's economic, social and environmental health. They made the connection between ever expanding economies and environmental degradation and depletion of finite resources. They asked whether there might be other principals for guiding an economy that would result in healthier outcomes.

One notion that Daly focussed on was that rather than simply measuring how much we produce, we should first ask ourselves towards what end or goal are we producing things, and how much of what do we want to produce to achieve our goals. Then we should go about figuring out how to achieve our goals using the least amount of finite resources and creating the least amount of pollution.

For our first several years at Hunters' Greens we were at least partially stuck in the old model. We have been chasing a particular amount of gross farm income. We had read that CSA farmers Bob and Bonnie Gregson had achieved this amount, which years ago was the average family income in their region. Later, we chased a similar amount because the U.S.D.A.'s Census of Agriculture found that the top quarter of farms in the country make this amount or more. We felt that surely if we belonged to this group, we would be deemed significant.

This magical level of income has always remained just out of reach, but we increasingly find we are managing on less. But our need to feel our work was meaningful and not be written off as a "hobby farm" or "hippy dropouts" continued to drive us to achieve that "magical" income bracket. This drive was fed by remarks by local government officials that farms less than ten acres were not "really" farms, and could not support a family. In terms of land use policy, their judgement matters, and a study they commissioned argued that a farm that did not produce a $40,000 family wage job did not deserve protection as an agricultural resource.

But the logic of Daly leads to different conclusions. If we can demonstrate that we can meet our goal of providing an income to support a frugal and sustainable lifestyle using less land, fewer finite resources, and causing less pollution, then the land in Clark County should by extension be able to support more farm families while depleting fewer resources and causing less pollution. In turn, by employing more of our population in an industry that utilizes local resources, we would be able to reduce commuter traffic, and the considerable resources and pollution that represents. We would would need less land for roads. More of the family and business revenue would be spent locally, creating a stronger economic multiplier effect and generating more tax revenue. And if these farms have the infrastructure and markets in place to be successful (by the measure of their own goals and aspirations), then this will reduce the desire for farmers to sell out to developers, and thereby conserve more open space, maintaining a better quality of life in the community. As E.F. Schumacher put it in a nutshell, "Small IS Beautiful!"

So if we follow Daly's model of defining success as achieving a set of meaningful goals with the minimum use of resources, the experiment we are living at Hunters' Greens becomes a model crying to be replicated across our community, not only in agriculture, but potentially in a wide variety of local resource based industries, and in every household. DO WE MATTER? YES WE DO!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

You're Invited to a Garden Party! - 6.02.2009

Here's an invitation to an upcoming Urban Farm School GardenforLife party.

You are invited to a GardenforLife Party in Camas!
Our hostess Eva has generously opened this party to the public.

Topic: Good Bugs/Bad Bugs
We'll discuss beneficial insects, how to attract them, and the importance of them in the garden as well as organic control for pests

Date: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 6 to 8pm
Please, call 360-852-3728 or E-mail the Urban Farm School to register.

Have you scheduled your GardenforLife Party yet? Now is the time for great summer fun with friends and family!

For details visit:
http://urbanfarmschool.com/gardenforlife-parties/

Locavore Delivery & Dee Creek Farm News - 5.14.2009

The Locavore farm delivery service provided by Dee Creek Farm is a wonderful way to keep your food dollars in our community, support local agriculture, and put fresh food on your table. The products come from a number of local farms and wildcrafters. The deliveries occur weekly and anyone is welcome to place an order. Orders are taken on Wednesdays and the deliveries are on Thursday evenings. There are two delivery locations. One in Uptown and one in the Salmon Creek area. As the growing season progresses, the number of products increases substantially. And you'll find that you can do a substantial amount of your shopping via the Locavore delivery program. Check it out!

Here's the scoop from Summer @ Dee Creek:

While away last week I was able to update our website a bit, with new blog entries and Calendar events. Please be sure to look them over, as much is going on.

We are having another Water Kefir & Kombucha class (like carbonated soda - only natural & healthy!) this Saturday the 16th, at 6:30pm downtown Vancouver, right off of I-5. If you can make it, please let me know - it's $30/person! You will go home with supplies to make your own yummy water kefir from a culture that is perpetuating (good for your budget!). We will also discuss several other cultures like sour dough, creme fraiche, etc!

We also are hosting a concert at the Farm on Memorial Day at 4:30pm! With little notice, we've got a party tent, sound system, and potluck set up for fun. Keri Noble, an incredible pianist and songwriter, is coming out to share her heart with us. I will send out a flyer shortly.

We won't have any wild mushrooms or greens from Nature's Choice from us (go vacation!), but will again next week! For any looking for Grade A raw (unpasteurized) goats milk, Wynneshire Farms has availability for $5/half-gallon! They're in Ridgefield - let them know we sent you. They also sell goat meat. ~S

*****

Fresh Produce,
Straight from Dee Creek Farm's greenhouse & garden, we have some lovely fresh food this week.

Fresh Herb Bundle (chives & loveage), $3.00

Garden Greens, $3/half-pound

Cheeses,
All of the milk produced for our cheeses are from goats raised at Dee Creek Farm. The cheeses are handmade by Spark, too! From start to finish!
Aged Feta, $5.00/container - Creamy block or crumbles of unpasteurized aged feta. Try in scrambled eggs, ravioli stuffing or pasta addition, wild greens & berry salad, beans.
Plain - block or crumble
Marinated - cubes - in olive oil with Garden Delight herbs
Kalamata Olive Tapenade - crumbles

Spicy - crumbles - peppers from Red Basket CSA farm in Battle Ground

Fresh Chevre, $5.00/container - Creamy spreadable cheese, melts in your mouth. Excellent on bagels, in crepes, on crackers, or right off of the spoon!
Garlic Chive - garlic from Storytree Farm, chives from DCF
Dill Herb - herbs from Garden Delight
Strawberry Honey - fresh fruit from Pdx Farmers Market, honey from Honey House Farm
Black Pepper - freshly ground and delish
Original (Plain)

Eggs,
$5/dozen, ($4.50 per dozen for egg CSA'ers)
$2.50/half-dozen (limited)
We'll have lots of Dee Creek Farm eggs, as well as eggs from Creative Outlet! These are (likes ours) are fed only natural feeds and lots of pasture - you can find lots of info on our poultry-raising on our website. Be sure to recycle egg cartons that you pick up at our deliveries with us!

Raw Honey,
Gallon/$32, Half-Gallon/$18, Quart/$12, Pint/$7
Raw honey in glass jars and/or plastic form Honey House Farm in Brush Prairie - super local!

Dried Herbs, $4/packet
From Garden DElights in Brush Prairie, these herbs were hand prepared from chemical-free herbs. There are several mixes available, including: Grilling Blend, Poultry Blend, Mexican Blend, and Veggies & Soups

Canned "Preserves",
Strawberry Jelly, low sugar, $5/8-oz
Raspberry, low sugar, $5/8-oz
White Grape, low sugar, $5/8-oz
The above also come from Garden DElights, in Brush Prairie. A multi generational farm, this Mom and daughter team work hard on creating healthful, local, and delicious foods. Generally known for their herb packets & natural doggy treats, they are also a produce CSA farm!

Natural Suds 'n' Stuff,
Both of the soaps below are crafted by Summer at DCF with quality coconut, olive, palm, and essential oils. Handmade & individually cut, these bars are mild on your skin, and amazing to your nose!

Bittersweet Almond, $4/bar - Bittersweet almond, full of vitamin e, is fantastic for your skin! With undertones of cherry, this one smells good enough to eat!

Egyptian Geranium, $4.50/bar - Fresh floral scent, similar to rose. Geranium is said to have psychologically balancing effects and some like to use it for skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and shingles. Historically it was used to treat menopausal and other women's problems.

Egyptian Geranium Lotion Bar, $6/bar - this was made with jojoba, sweet almond & emu oil, beeswax, and a few other goodies, this lotion bar is particularly excellent for anyone with skin sensitivities and/or many other issues because of the Egyptian Geranium essential oil & emu oil. It's rather expensive to produce, so this would best be used as a 'medicinal' bar, rather than an every day bar.

*****

Remember that in an effort to be more efficient, and less wasteful, we do not write individual receipts, but instead keep a book. If you specifically want a receipt, please let us know when you place your order, if possible.

Anyone and everyone can order from our deliveries, not just "subscribers"! To any newcomers on the e-list, welcome! Also rest assured that all farms contributing to our deliveries all meet several standards: chemical-free, sustainable, natural, family farming... If you have questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask, or check them out yourself!

To order, click here and specify what you would like.
All checks go to "Dee Creek Farm", or bring cash.
**BRING YOUR OWN BAG**
We fill pre-orders first, then it’s first come, first served!
We do mostly pre-orders at deliveries, rather than Farmers Market style.
Please help us in this by pre-ordering what you can!

Summer & Spark
Email: summer at deecreekfarm dot com
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

FRESH the movie - Now on Tour

Looks like 2009 is shaping up to be the year of the sustainable ag film. Here's another great flick that's making the rounds. No date set for a Portland showing yet, but there's one in Seattle on June 7th.

FRESH the movie is currently touring the US. Click HERE for a list of screening dates. And you can get a teaser by watching the YouTube clip below.



Here's the word on FRESH:

FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur's 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy.

FRESH is a call to action; it means to inspire its viewers to positive change, not scare them into a terrified complacency. As such, the majority of the screenings will be followed by a panel discussion with local representatives from the sustainable agriculture movement to answer questions that the audience might have with regards to what they can do to contribute to the momentum behind the movement. We will bring chefs dedicated to using sustainably grown local foods to their menus, policy-makers who are working to impact the daily lives of those they serve and farmers who are facing incredible pressures from the major agriculture companies to dismiss sustainable practices on their farms in favor of cheaper, more destructive farming practices.

The Future of Food - Deborah Koons Garcia

You can currently watch Deborah Koons Garcia's, The Future of Food for free via streaming video on HULU or via your Netflix subscription. Only available at Netflix until May 14th. We screened this at a Slow Food SW Washington Film Festival a couple of years ago. It's an excellent flick.

Here's the synopsis of the film from the official Future of Food website:

There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner tables of America -- a revolution that is transforming the very nature of the food we eat.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.

From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply.

Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, THE FUTURE OF FOOD examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world's food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Good Food on Film @ Cinema 21 in PDX

Meet Organic Valley Farmers and See "Good Food" at Cinema 21!

Join Organic Valley Farm Friends for the Portland premiere of "Good Food," this week at Cinema 21!

"Good Food" is a documentary featuring the growing movement of sustainable food and farming in the Pacific Northwest.
Mark Schmid, an Organic Valley dairy farmer from southern Washington, speaks in the film about his decision to go organic and join the Organic Valley cooperative.

Producer Melissa Young says, "The film is an inspiring look at many aspects of creating a more local food system, but the jewels of the production are on-the-ground visits to family farms... the doc looks at what is happening and where we can go, rather than emphasizing the problems with the industrial system." Audience response has been terrific.

Opening night in Portland is TONIGHT May 8th at Cinema 21, with showings until May 14th. All are welcome to attend the screenings and the Q&A sessions that follow. The Schmids will be there tonight (Friday) and participate in the Q&A session.

If you can't make it tonight, catch the film anytime, through next Thursday May 14. Showings are nightly at 7pm, plus a 5pm showing on Saturday and Sunday (May 9 & 10).
More about "Good Food": goodfoodthemovie.com

Cinema 21
616 NW 21st Avenue
Portland, OR
503-223-4515

Thursday, May 7, 2009

BEER!!

Are you a hop head? A sucker for stout? Achin' for ale? Well you're in luck! Dave & Arlene Nunez, the proprietors of By the Bottle (the only bottle shop and the only beer store of it's kind in SW Washington), are kicking off the sunnier days with a month full of great beer related events at their store in downtown Vancouver. Check it out!

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 7th, 5p-7p, Kick-off Tasting featuring Washington Brews, tasting fee, FREE, I like it, I like it ah-lot.


Friday, May 8th, 5p-7p, Cascade Brewing, Portland, OR, featuring their Flanders style sours, Apricot, Kriek, Blackberry, and the unveiling of The Vine, $5.00 cash tasting fee. Curtis from Cascade will be on hand and said not to tell you there COULD be a surprise pour...wait for it...wait for it. You didn't here that from me.


BUCK-it Tuesday, May 12th, Noon-7pm, sample
Elysian Brewing's Dragonstooth Stout for a BUCK. Even though we're having an event this same evening, the BUCK-it is still chillin', hay!


Tuesday, May 12th, 4p-7p, Mad River Brewing, Blue Lake, CA, $5.00 cash tasting fee


Thursday, May 14, 5p-8p, Meet the Brewer, Ninkasi Brewing, Eugene, OR, $5.00 cash tasting fee


Saturday, May 16th, 6p-8p, this time is subject to change, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, CA. Tobias Day with Northwest Craft Brands will help us wrap up the week with a killer nightcap or two.
$5.00 cash tasting fee


Details:

WHERE: By the Bottle, 104 W. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98660
TELEPHONE: 360-696-0012
E-MAIL: bythebottle@aol.com

TASTING FEES: As noted above, per event, please help us run your bottle shop efficiently by paying cash for samples, no purchase is required.

PARKING: Coin-operated metered parking Monday -Friday until 6pm, 2-hour maximum, ok to park in the lot across the street after 5pm.

MUST BE 21 TO SAMPLE, BRING VALID PHOTO ID

Red Pig Tools

Did you know that we have the only blacksmith in the United States specializing in hand forged garden tools for home gardeners, nurserymen, landscapers, and farmers right in our neighborhood? Well...now you know!

I feel a little guilty because I've know about and patronized Red Pig Tools for over a year now. These folks are not only true craftspeople, they are also well versed in the proper use of all of the tools they make and sell. Last weekend I saw Rita and Bob from Red Pig at the Clackamas County Master Gardener Fair and, well, in a moment of weakness, I couldn't help myself from purchasing a couple of new Red Pig Tools to add to the homestead collection.

The first is something I've been meaning to pick up for a long time now.














It's a crevice weeder. Helps you get those pesky weeds out from between the pavers and cobbles.

The second is kind of a scuffle hoe x swoe hybrid weeding hoe. Sharp on three edges and a nice, long handle that keeps you in a proper, upright position while working your soil. Veeeery cool. Sorry. No Picture.

They make a few dozen different tools, most you won't find anywhere else, and they are also available to do custom work. If you still haven't gotten that green thumb mom of yours a Mother's Day present yet or you're already wondering what to get your dirt lovin' dad for Father's Day, head on down to the Red Pig Tools store, located in Boring, OR (just a hair east of Gresham) or you can order online.

If my wife happens to be reading this, I'd sure like a Red Pig Bulb Lifter...hint hint...

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Dear Clark County, Please Hire a Professional Editor...

Another day dawns and here I am, still correcting the shoddy work done by people making obscene amounts of money, in a crappy economy, and being paid with YOUR TAX DOLLARS. One would think that there are many, many unemployed professionals who would dedicate themselves to a better job of creating and editing government documents that would be released to the public. I guess JLA has sat on their laurels too long and have grown complacent from their years of "serving" the County under the BS Morris regime...ahhhh...good times those were. But all good things must end and it's time to pull that sow off of the public teat. It's grown fat and lazy. Truthfully though, all of the blame can't be placed on JLA, our County officials have been accepting of JLA's shoddy work and continue to review the documents produced by JLA with what must not amount to much more than a sideways glance, rubber stamp "approved", and then cut another check.

Mr. McCauley & Jeanne, let me give you a hint and you see if you can find the ridiculous error you still have glaring at those of us who are still convinced you are co-conspirators in subterfuge and lies...but we're still willing too consider that gross incompetence might be the politically correct answer to why things have gone the way they have. As long as you are willing to be publicly accountable for your actions and stop wasting our tax dollars on incompetence. Take that to mean what you think. I'm happy to be as specific as you'd like in a public meeting or via e-mail correspondence, but I don't truly believe you people are made of stern enough stuff to do the honorable thing.

Actually, lets make this really fun...a game that we can all play as a community. Today, or maybe after I smacked them over the head yesterday afternoon, the County & JLA recounted the total for the "Dot" exercise from the April 9th Workshop...again. And lo and behold, rather than not existing (the first count) or 5 dots (the 2nd count?), the TACER actually had 66 DOTS. But here's the thing, there are multiple documents that discuss the results of the workshop and the exercise and they are all equally as important. Especially the first main document which reviews and summarizes the results of the workshop. So, CCF&F readers, Clark County staff, and employees of JLA, you need to go to this document:

Workshop Comments Summary

And find the big, screaming, gigantic, glaring error that makes this entire document not worth two cents. And I know it cost the taxpayers more than two cents...I'll give you one more hint. The mistake in the dot count directly relates to the error in this document. If the County and JLA actually correct this mistake as quickly as they did the one from yesterday, I'll be impressed. If they will publicly acknowledge on the Documents page that there are errors that have been corrected and note what those errors are and where they can be found, I'll be really impressed.

BTW, we are saving all versions of these documents that we can...just in case the County can't find their old copies and would like to review the originals. My guess is since they don't bother to edit, fact check, or make note of corrections in revised versions of documents, then they probably don't archive previous versions of documents either. How positively convenient!

The winner will get a gift certificate for $20 worth of merchandise from either the Battle Ground Farmers Market, Dee Creek Farm, or Nature's Choice.

The first person to e-mail me with the correct answer will be the winner.

Good Luck!

Friday, May 1, 2009

78th Street Sounding Board Meeting - 5.6.2009

Clark County 78th Street/WSU Concept Planning
Sounding Board Meeting #6
May 6, 2009 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Clark County Elections Office
1408 Franklin St.
Vancouver, WA

This is the Song That Never Ends...It Just Goes On and On My Friend...

Another day another lie...man oh man I am a busy bee today!

In addition to the Technical Advisory Committee Executive Report (TACER) getting a name change from the County (it did kinda sorta find it's way back onto the County web site as well today) , it also finally found a place in the Workshop Preference Exercise Appendix. Here's what the data on the TACER states according to the "official tabulation" by JLA Public Involvement and Mark McCauley's office:

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) (5 dots)

Ladies and gentlemen of Clark County I now present to you a photo from the "dot" exercise from the April 9th Workshop:





















My two year old can count more than five dots on that flip chart. More deception or more incompetency? Does it really matter? I think so, but either way it's about time the County replaces JLA with a company that can run an accurate and ethical public involvement process. Maybe they need to start considering someone besides the General Services Office to handle the County's end of this project as well...

As long as the County keeps feeding you lies, I'll keep serving you up a big, ol' warm bowl of yummy truth, fellow citizens. Keep checking back for more because like Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop say:

This is the song that doesn't end,
yes it goes on and on my friend.

Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,

and they'll continue singing it forever just because...

Community Garden Space @ 78th Street

County to open up 30 or so community garden plots at 78th Street site. Call (360) 576-6030, extension 12 before noon Monday, May 11 to get in on the lottery to get a space because they're going to go FAST!

Here's the official memo:

May 1, 2009

Contact: Mark McCauley, General Services, (360) 397-2323 ext. 4960 or mark.mccauley@clark.wa.gov

Community garden to open at county property in Hazel dell

Vancouver, WA – Beginning in May, Clark County will open a community garden area at the former Washington State University (WSU) Agricultural Research Station site at 1919 NE 78th Street in Hazel Dell. The site will include up to 30 individual, 20’x 20’ plots. Gardening space will be allocated in a random drawing of entrants to be conducted May 12.

To enter the drawing for a plot in the community garden, applicants must call

(360) 576-6030, extension 12 before noon Monday, May 11. This is a voice mail only number. Please follow the recorded instructions provided to callers. People may also register online at www.clark.wa.gov/78WSU. Successful entrants will be notified no later than May 15.

Participants must pay a $25 plot fee before the garden space can be assigned. This fee will help cover the costs of creating the garden space, such as initial tilling, preliminary soil building, and providing water throughout the growing season. Gardening tools must be supplied by each gardener. Participants must use only organic gardening practices. No pesticides or herbicides will be allowed.

People accepted for spaces will be invited to attend an orientation and begin work on their garden on Saturday, May 23.

This community garden program is among several interim uses occurring at the property this summer. A broader community effort is underway to determine long-term future uses for the site. A county-sponsored public workshop April 9 attracted more than 160 people who shared their ideas about future use of the property serving agricultural, historical and community needs.

For more information about potential future uses at the site, go to the project web page at www.clark.wa.gov/78WSU. This web site also offers an online survey to gather additional public feedback about preferred uses to be integrated into a draft concept site plan later this year. A master planning process will follow the concept plan, and provide a more detailed look at opportunities for future uses of the property, according to the county.

Craft in the Village, an Independent Grassroots Community Event












Check it out! A new community organized and sponsored event happening first Friday of the month in the evah so chic Uptown Vancouver district on Main Street. Come on out and support Craft in the Village, an Independent Grassroots Community Event. See ya'there!

Here's the details:

Our fair will be located in the parking lot of One World Merchants 2315 Main St. Vancouver, WA. 98660

We will have room for roughly 15 10x10 booths and 4x6 table spaces in the lot and the sidewalks out front. We will have an area set up with music and performers scheduled and are looking for an affordable setup for the summer as well. We are looking to build up our vendor list, we are looking for art, photographers, crafters, knitters, food vendors, and other handmade art, so please contact with any inquiries: craftinthevillage@gmail.com..

There will be room for vendors tables on the sidewalks with permission of the store owners. Think Last Thursday style. We are trying to line the streets with artists and a festival type atmosphere. If you are interested in vending contact Chris at: craftinthevillage at gmail dot com