Since I needed to write a conference paper this week, I spent some time procrastinating, eventually searching out the one place I did any real archaeology in Virginia. A couple of weeks digging shovel probes in 100-degrees, poison ivy and snakes all around, an employer jerking us around and housing us in a crackhead hotel was enough to send me as far away as possible. 
The location was what must have been the last agricultural remnant north of Portsmouth, and subsequent development has insured that there are no animals or plants surviving. In their place is the largest privately funded marine container terminal in the US, capable of handling 1.44 million containers. Archaeologists in the private sector know that they are often the last to see a place before it is developed, but I had no idea that this would end up being hundreds of acres of barrenscape.

Besides the wildlife that had clung to this refuge, all of the archaeology there was obliterated. My job was to run a crew that would dig a hole, walk 25 feet, and dig another, looking for artifacts. With 300 acres to cover in a couple of weeks, that meant giving up at the outset on some areas, so there are parts of the project that were never tested. I concentrated on the shoreline, and although there was more recent stuff mixed in often as not, we found prehistoric artifacts. There was a concentration of quartz cobbles that tribes had used forever as a raw material for tools--this is a rarity in tidewater Virginia.
My memory of what exactly we found a decade ago is fuzzy, but it seems like it was more than the report ever mentioned. The company that hired me forgot their promise to have me to some writing, and I never saw the report. They cashed in on data recovery excavation at the two sites they acknowledge to the tune of $300,000, and brag about it to this day on their website (it sounds like a lot, but the terminal cost $509,000,000). I got $15 an hour and poison ivy; the crew got less money, but about as much poison ivy. Maersk got a terminal that can bring in ships carrying 9,000 standard containers and transfer them to rail or trucks.
 

 It's an amazing facility. Cranes on rails move back and forth offloading containers, and smaller machines grab them and take them to the right place, eventually loading them onto trains or trucks. And off they go to walmart or wherever all that stuff is needed. It's immense, and a high achievement of efficient logistics. But it's also inhuman. When everything is in containers moved by machines (I think there are human operators for the time being, but would not count on that for toomuch longer), there are not many jobs. Row after 200-foot row of containers stacked high is not a landscape for soul-endowed primates. I don't long for bugs and snakes and poison ivy, but it still looks like a net loss to me, and strengthens my resolve to buy as few shipped goods as possible.

Event:  Thu, 08/08/2013 - 9:00am - Sun, 08/11/2013 - 5:00pm

From today's inbox:

American Community Gardening Association Annual Conference
Seattle, WA August 8–11, 2013
Cultivating Community, Harvesting Health:
Community Gardens to Urban Farms

Registration opens on May 1, 2013. Join us for this year's events, including:

• workshops
• presentations
• keynote speakers
• film festival
• tours of local gardens, farms, and green spaces in the Seattle area

View schedule

About the Conference

The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) promotes community gardening and greening across the United States and Canada.

ACGA's annual conference provides an opportunity for professionals, volunteers, and supporters of community greening in urban and rural communities to gather together, to share information and resources pertaining to:

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Event:  Thu, 04/18/2013 - 6:30pm - 8:45pm

 Rain gardens are in the news a lot these days. What are they, and how do they work? Rain gardens allow homeowners to do their part to help protect streams and Puget Sound while also keeping stormwater drainage away from homes. A free workshop will provide all the details needed to build one or more rain gardens in your yard to create a low-maintenance, attractive landscape feature that will also provide habitat for birds and butterflies.

Part 1 of this how-to workshop will be offered on Thursday, April 18, from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at Tumwater Fire Hall, 311 Israel Rd. SW.  Participants will learn how to create a rain garden landscape plan to suit their needs, and can also register for Part 2 on Thursday, April 25 where experts will offer individualized plan review. Each participant will receive detailed information about designing and building a rain garden, as well as a free handbook and beautiful four-color poster.

The workshop is free but registration is required. Register online at http://www.streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar/  For more information, contact the WSU Native Plant Salvage Project at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com or call 360-867-2166. This workshop is co-sponsored by Stream Team and WSU Extension’s Native Plant Salvage Project.

 

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ThurstonTalk

 

By Doris Faltys

The Science Fair experience occurs in our local schools at differing times of the year. For many schools Science Fair is scheduled in late winter or spring.  Science in the classroom follows state mandates but is presented in a variety of ways depending on the district or the particular school.

The Tumwater school district utilizes the STEM program, (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,) as an added boost to their science curriculums. This year the STEM program in Mrs. Potkonjak’s 5th grade class is focusing on transportation by studying robotics, flight, and hot air balloons.

Alison, a fifth grader at Tumwater’s Michael T. Simmons elementary school, displays her project.

At Olympia School District’s Julia Butler Hanson Elementary School, Science Fair will be in May.  Mrs. Rowell’s 3rd grade class hasn’t begun to think about that yet.  The class is currently studying rocks using the FOSS Science curriculum.    “Our project models the scientific process,” says Mrs. Rowell.  “Starting with a clear written hypothesis, the students collect data and work as scientists together.  They are learning the properties of rocks.  How do real geologists determine the different kinds of rocks?  My students learn this by observation, and testing.  For example, to see if a rock contains calcite, the rocks are put in vinegar, (an acid test).  If there is calcite in the rock, there will be bubbles.  If they don’t see the bubbles, they need to wait until the vinegar evaporates to see if there is a calcite residue on the container.”

Mrs. Rowell will encourage all her 3rd grade class to participate in Science Fair this spring.  She explains, “Working on a science project my students learn precision and accuracy. Scientists can’t be sloppy,” she adds.  I can tell that Mrs. Rowell is excited about science and about teaching in general.  She has seen students who are disinterested in reading, writing, and school, become hooked on learning though the investigation of the world of science.  “Science is about wonder,” Mrs. Rowell says.   “But, if kids, and parents aren’t unplugged, if they don’t unplug from technology and get outside, those, ‘I wonder,’ questions won’t come up.”

Cindy, an Aspire Middle School student discusses her project with judge Colleen Stinson, Environmental Engineer with the Department of Ecology.

Mrs. Hayes, 5th grade Hansen Elementary School teacher has been promoting science in the Olympia School District for many years.  She received the Washington State Science Teachers’ Association Science Teacher of the Year Award for 2011-2012.  “Science is all about questions,” she says.  “What is needed is wonderment.”

Mrs. Hayes says, “Science encourages an open mind, tenacity enough to find an answer to your question, critical skills, and honesty.  Kids get a great deal of confidence and satisfaction from having participated in a science fair…it’s a great confidence builder. It is a good opportunity to teach ethics, and for students to learn it is ok to be wrong.  For example, sometimes the data does not support the hypothesis.”

“Why do we need to push kids to participate in science fair,” I ask?  “There is big money for kids winning science fairs,” Mrs. Hayes replies.  “Schools are scouting at the Regional and State Science Fairs.  If there is funding out there, we want our kids to have the skills and experience to be able to compete for it.  That is why science fair is worthwhile.   It is our responsibility to provide the means for our students to obtain these skills.”

Mrs. Hayes feels that competing at Regional and State Science Fairs is a great way for students to learn more about science.  15 students from Hansen took their projects to the Regional Science Fair last year. (This year the state fair is April 5-6.)

Aspire student, Saudia, explains her project to a Saint Martin’s University biology major that is judging the Science Fair.

Some of our Science Fairs invite “Community Scientists”, local doctors, professors, field scientists, researchers, geologists, to judge the students’ projects.  In most cases these “judges” do not give a rating.  They discuss the project with the individual students’, ask questions, give complements, and suggestions on improving the project.  Some of our community scientists say that helping out at Science Fair is a highlight of their year!

June Dhamers, who teaches advanced math and science at Aspire Middle School, part of North Thurston Public School’s Challenge Academy requires all students to participate in Aspire’s Science Fair at Aspire and at the Regional Science Fair at Pacific Lutheran University.  Mrs. Dhamers considers her school science fair a rehearsal for the Regional Fair.

“Middle school is the hook you need to keep students focused and excited about learning when they reach high school,” says Mrs. Dhamenrs.  “If students are not already hooked on learning high school can feel like ‘paddling up stream.’  It is easier to motivate middle school students. It is the right time to grab them,” she adds.   Mrs. Dhamers shared a few quotes about Science Fair from her students:

• You develop a sense of responsibility by creating your own science project. It was    interesting to see all the different judge’s backgrounds. – Kim W., 7th grade
• It was interesting to be judged by the previous Challenge Academy students who are now in high school, because we now know what the expectations are when we get to high school. – Bear H., 6th grade
• Seeing people that could apply your science fair project results to their field of work was encouraging. – Paige A., 7th grade

Jack, a sophomore at Capital High School, worked on a physics project with his classmate Morgan. The duo answered the question “can we generate a wave using a Ruben’s Tube?”

Capital High School, Olympia School District held their Science Fair earlier in March. One highlight was the project created by two of Mr. Bove’s Physic’s tenth grade students, Morgan and Jack.  Their project answered the question, “Can we generate a standing wave using a Ruben’s Tube?”  Fire and great music had the high school audience captivated!

Take some tips from Mrs. Potkonjak when attending a science fair.

• Don’t try to see it all
• Pick 2-5 projects and really see those.
• Choose a different age group for each project you visit.
• Spend time listening to the student present their project.
• Ask open-ended questions that require a response of learning.  Avoid criticisms.
• Enjoy listening to the learning that is happening.
• Experience the fun the student has had preparing and is having presenting to you.
• Notice or ask about family interaction with the project.
• Keep the student talking.

 

Reblogged from OlyEats: I gave up sex for Lent one year, just for the hell of it. I found the irony of that very funny. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't a difficult task. You are really supposed to give up food, but that was just taking things a little too far in my book. A [...]

ThurstonTalk

 

By Tom Rohrer

Portable number nine behind Capital High School was bustling with activity, the majority of which seemed far too advanced given the age of those participating.

One individual was at a computer using a program that displayed the working robot at the center of all the student’s attention.  An adult supervisor plugged in numbers into another computer and saw the metal design move appropriately.  Two other students monitored the robot’s movement and reacted in a positive or negative fashion depending on whether the machine moved appropriately.

What could draw such accentuated emotions and reactions from this group?

The answer is the Seattle Regional of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), which will be held on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 at the CenturyLink Event Center.

Together, the students form FRC Team 4450, of the Olympia Robotics Federation.

It will be Team 4450’s first FRC competition, which requires them to erect a robot using specific guidelines in six weeks before shipping it off to Seattle for the competition.

Comprised of about two dozen students from Olympia, Capital and Avanti High School, the team was given official specifications in January. Using that template, team 4450 created a robot that has the ability to dispense a Frisbee and climb up a sloped structure.

Participation in the FRC is part of the Olympia School District’s CTE (Career Technical Education) Stem Robotics Program, which has courses across 20 district classrooms at the middle and high school level and allows students to learn and practice a variety of different technological disciplines.

“The single reason we chose robotics is because of the breadth and depth of the different engineering disciplines,” said Randy Steele, the CTE STEM Coach for the Olympia School District, and one of the coaches for Team 4450. “It’s electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, system design engineering, software design engineering, and electronic engineering.  You have this broad exposure and the depth so students can go as far as they want to.”

The OSD thought they were a few years away from implementing an FRC team despite the success at the middle school level.  That’s where Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni Peter Cook came in.  Cook came to Steele asking if he could lead the team, and together, along with Richard Corn, the students are able to learn from three knowledgeable and dedicated instructors.  Steele is no slouch himself, having spent twenty years as a computer chip designer before working for the OSD.

“He’s been true to his words and has put in hundreds of hours,” Steele said of Cook.  “And Richard has been great with the kids as well.”

The competitive aspect of the FRC regional brings the team together, and makes them work even harder toward a common goal.

“I think the competitive aspect for me is just icing on the cake,” said Olympia High School senior Trevor Johnson, one of the team’s two captains. “I am really in to building things and competing is just an added bonus to building a very complex, huge robot.”

“We looked at science, technology, engineering, and math, and thought, how can we make it more exciting and engaging,” Steele said. “So we looked at sports and music programs that are so successful with kids, and you have that team based element and competitive element with a common goal.”

To reach that common goal and compete in the FRC regional event, the team had to delve out tasks to certain project groups focusing on a particular element of the robot.  This could include the design, mechanics or connection between the computer and the robot (among many other aspects).   In January, the FRC sent out a template for teams to follow, which included required dimensions and capabilities, and the team had six weeks from that point to assemble the project.  With that many separate tasks for one common goal project, it’s important for the team to be in constant communication.

“With all the different design groups for different things, we make sure there isn’t any conflict for the space people requested and we make sure we allot that space,” said co-captain Will Clem, a sophomore at CHS.  “We talk frequently just to make sure we have enough space for everything.”

This constant communication has only brought the team closer together.

“I’d say we have become pretty close, how can you not?” said Clem.

“It is really fun to work with other students from the cross town schools,” Johnson said.  ”Some of my teammates were part of First Technology Challenge (FTC) rival teams and it is pretty cool that we can all join FRC and create an awesome robot.”

So will Team 4450’s creation stack up to the rest of the competition?  It will be up to the various judging panels at the contest, and of course, the robot itself.  At this point, both the team members and coaches are feeling confident.

“We took it up to Tacoma about five weeks in and set up a full arena (the space where the robots will compete, about the size of a gymnasium) and we were the only rookie team and one of three teams overall that had a functioning robot,” Steele said. “As a rookie team, we were happy with that.”

“It’s tested generally well to my knowledge,” Clem said. “It’s an unpredictable contest, and that can be fun, because it makes you think quick and react with adjustments.  I just want it to run properly, and I think it will go very well if that’s the case.”

For more information on the Olympia Robotics Federation, visit http://www.frc4450.tk/

For more information on Washington First Robotics, visit http://www.firstwa.org/

For a schedule for this weekend’s event, click here.

 

We were asked to create a fictitious case study of a fictional character for a class I am taking. I am fully aware of my mixing of media, but I couldn’t resist. Also, if it makes you crave a White Castle Burger, I apologize:  I decided to do my case analysis on Kumar Patel from Harold and Kumar go to [...]

Leonard Simon Nimoy Born: 26 March 1931 Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts Filed under: :o), Birthdays, Celebrity Friends, Transformations

 
Most of us buy our food, and have little or no connection to times of plenty and famine, cycles of harvest and lean times. Often as not, modern people asked to name the hungriest time of year will name Winter. But before global transport of food from wherever the harvest is coming in to suburban USA, before food preservation technology took hold (nostalgia for canning gets us, oh, a fraction of a percent back toward the dawn of the human appetite), Spring's beauty was draped over the harsh reality that the livestock were yet lean and the crops were mere aspirations, months from fruition.
Stocking a larder and avoiding losses from it, therefore, was a matter not just of avoiding guilt over waste, it was crucial. I've availed myself of canning, a bit of freezing (I may have bouts of nostalgia, and experiment with ancient foodways, but hey, I'm not gonna forego modern conveniences entirely), and have transformed part of my garage into a cellar with hanging mesh sacks of shallots and onions hanging, potatoes stashed in dark places, and crates of apples. Recently, the Winter Solstice a fading memory and sunlight growing every day, the apple scent experienced a slight change, the sweet lilt got a tangy edge, mellowing turning into fermentation and, if I did not move, outright rot.
Sure enough, the last milk crate of apples purchased just before the Farmers Market shut down for the Winter had a few bad ones. Many of the remainder had bad spots, and passive preservation clearly could not continue without spoilage loss. 
   So I did what any reasonable person would do. Handed my eight-year-old a knife and told her it was time to learn how to cut. She's had some practice with avocados, but even an old apple is harder than that, and we worked together, me teaching her how to hold the knife and the food, pointing out when she was about to risk slicing herself instead of the fruit, and how to avoid that. Adding blood to the applesauce is no way to get your iron.
We had a great time, and in the end we had a bunch of applesauce, which can be put in the fridge, the freezer, or even canned so that the apples season of 2012 can last past the lean months. The compost got a meal of scraps, and we got enough delicious sauce for a bunch more meals.


 

This last Holiday Season, local residents were invited by a new group, called "Restoration Hope Outreach", to gather at Prosperity Grange for "Christmas Caroling at the Grange". The event was well attended, standing room only and for the first time introduced folks to Restoration Hope, along with the founders, Ingrid Ferris-Olszewsky, Catherine Haag and Heidi Sheffels.   Much more recently, on March 8th, Restoration Hope Outreach sponsored another event, the "Steamboat Senior Gathering at the Grange." This was a 'planning meeting' and the first of what's expected to be an ongoing series of events at Prosperity Grange.

But what is Restoration Hope Outreach? According to Heidi Sheffels, one of Restoration's organizers, "In brief, the main goal of Restoration Hope Outreach is to find ways to bring our community together. And what a better place to gather than our own local Grange?"

More than $700 in donations was collected during an hour and a half at Christmas Caroling at the Grange this past Christmas Season. Those donations were used to help families, here in our Community. Most of the money went to Griffin Elementary School, delegated by Mrs. Cetak, to be placed in a special friendship fund, to help kids in need throughout the year. The rest of the donations are for St. Christopher's Food Bank that delivers food to Steamboat residents.

In the case of the Senior Gathering, the hope to make this 'a monthly event' for our own Steamboat Seniors to gather, socialize, play cards, talk and share about the past, enjoy a potluck and possibly listen to a local speaker or musician, sponsored by Restoration Hope.

The next Steamboat Senior Gathering is planned for Friday, April 12th, 10am to 11:30am at the Prosperity Grange. "All local Retirees and Seniors Welcome! Bring a friend and enjoy your time together!"
 
 

This week I have been reading. Reading lots of random things. Not very much of anything, but little bits here and there. I picked up the digital version of this book on the iPad. I checked it out from the library while drinking a London Fog at a local bakery. It was a perfect way to […]

Regular viewers of our online Community Calendar know the Prosperity Grange typically meets the first Wednesday of each month, except for except July and August. Their meetings begin at 7 PM, but there’s a potluck that begins at 6:30 PM. On April 3rd, the Grange will hear from a guest speaker about “Aquaponics”.

Prosperity Grange
Wednesday, April 3
Potluck at 6:30 PM, Meeting begins at 7PM
The public is invited

Local resident Kevin Benedict will be presenting a brief and fun talk on the topic of Aquaponics. According to Kevin, "This amazing, ancient and revolutionary farming technique raises edible fish and vegetables in an ecological, closed loop system. The size is up to you! Aquarium? Old hot tub? Swimming pool? This is truly the wave of the farming future."

Countries around the world that don't have our rich earth and water abundance are building thousands of acres of Aquaponics and are transforming the farming landscape of the planet.

Kevin is working with the new Aquaponics greenhouse at Evergreen University, in partnership with some young business folks that are building commercial applications in the area. Kevin is most interested, however, in learning and teaching individual households and small farmers about how to bring year round food and fish production to the back yard and the local community.

Kevin is a new member of our community. He moved on to the peninsula in February with his 11 year old son.

Kevin owns an entertainment and auction company, and promises on April 3rd that he “will stick to the old Show Biz axiom: 'Always leave them wanting more.’'"

For more information about Kevin Benedict, see his web site at http://www.greatsong.com/
For more information about the Prosperity Grange, see their web site at http://prosperitygrange.org/
 
 

In the summer of 2007, The Olympian ran an article which reported that (at that time) 671 children were homeless in Thurston County. Partly in response to that article, Robert Coit, the director of the Thurston County Food Bank, created a program called "FORKids". Modeled after similar Backpack programs, volunteers assemble packets that include non perishable, single serving, easy to prepare food. FORKids tries to provide nutrition based meals for two days to cover each child's weekend. Counselors at the participating schools contact the FORKids program with numbers for the week. The assembled supplies are put into plastic bags, stored at the Food Bank and delivered to the participating schools. The counselors then discretely put the food packets into the student's backpack.
A pilot program was held, for the first year, with the North Thurston, Olympia and Tumwater school districts. The focus were preschool and elementary students up to 6th grade. The non-profit Homeless Backpacks, Inc. services middle and high schools.

After the first years' pilot, our own Griffin School District was added, with Hawks Prairie Head Start, West Olympia Head Start, Marshall Middle School and Komachin Middle School.

As of this month (March 2013), ForKids is serving 1700 students a week in Thurston County. At the Griffin School, the program consistently serves around 37 students.

How can you support the FORKids program? There are a few ways. You can donate certain kinds of food which are nutritious and yet appealing for kids and which are easy for kids to open and prepare. Contributions of cash are always welcome. And you can volunteer to help assemble food packets.
 
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Thurston here to there provides access to a variety of information about travel choices, public and private transportation services, and other transportation-related resources within Thurston County and the greater Puget Sound area.

Check them out at www.thurstonheretothere.org

 

Board meetings are held at the Co-op's downtown business office at 610 Columbia St. Members are welcome to attend.



Proposed Board Agenda for March 21, 2013 6:30-9:30 pm

Agenda Item Action Time Announcements
share 2 min Mission Statement & Commitments Review
share 3 min Member Comment
listen 10 min Staff report
listen 5 min Membership Database and Point-of-Sale MergeWe have an opportunity to merge our membership database with our new POS system. What should the process for considering this option include? feedback 30 min Garden Center Business PlanShall we open a Garden Center at the Little House property? consent 90 min Committee ReportsBoard committees include: Outreach, Finance, Personnel, Local, Co-op Development, Hiring, Member Relations and Expansion. Currently, these reports also include two task forces: legal structure review, and bylaws review.  share 40 min
                                                               Total Meeting Time:        3 hours 

You DON’T have to dump your car to be a Rebel by Bus.

Last week is a good example.  Like many died-in-the-wool Pacific Northwesterners, I love our green and temperate climate… however, come winter I crave blue sky and sunshine.  Around February I head somewhere for a dose of sun and warmer temps.

This year my destination was Sedona and Phoenix Arizona.  The red rocks of Sedona are simply breathtaking.  Every direction you turn is a new formation.  The angles and light exposures make every glimpse a new experience.

After a few days in Sedona, I headed to Phoenix (passing through Peoria to watch a Mariner’s baseball game, which was stopped after a couple innings due to rain:-0) I had two attractions on my list:  Taliesin West (winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, architect extraordinaire) and the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.  Taliesin West was very interesting; I thoroughly enjoyed the tour depicting the architect’s philosophy of houses and life.

Now the purpose of this post:  I used the Phoenix Metro bus service to get to and from the Desert Botanical Garden.  From the financial district of Phoenix (and next to both the Phoenix Art Museum AND the Heard Museum) I caught Bus 17, eastbound from Central Avenue and McDowell.  The adult fare was $2.00.  The bus travels along McDowell for several miles.  I exited the bus at McDowell and 64th.  Directly behind the bus stop is a large “Welcome to the Desert Botanical Garden” sign.  I followed the rock lined gravel path which led me through the garden’s parking lot to the garden.  A huge trio of neon-bright chartreuse Dale Chihuly towers is placed at the entrance.  An Adult entrance fee is $18 (60 and older is $15.) 

After two days of rain and gloomy skies, the warm sun and blue sky were welcome.  The garden has several sections, such as herb, cactus, wildflowers, and displays and information about indigenous people living in the desert.

Trails wandered throughout the park, with vistas to distant mountains and hills.  Benches, playful sculptures, and comfortable patio chairs were scattered everywhere.  One of the most interesting sculptures was a collection of four huge faces, each comprised of fruits and vegetables from each of the four seasons.  Very colorful and clever!

To get back to where I came, I simply reversed my route.

I found the bus drivers to be exceptional friendly and polite.  Neither driver knew that their route was next door to the Botanical Garden!

For more information about the Desert Botanical Garden: www.dbg.org

What: We invite Co-op members to join us in supporting local healthcare workers (who, ironically, have had their healthcare cut.)

When: Thursday, March 14th at 5PM

Where: Providence St. Peter's Hospital, 525 Lilly Rd. NE, Olympia, WA. 98506


“I have a child with disabilities and with Providence’s healthcare cuts, I will NOT be able to get my young child to the doctors and therapies she needs. How can Providence make my child fail in her growth to become the best person she can be with her disabilities, just to save a buck that they don’t even need?”
Sabrina Duncan, Health Unit Coordinator, Providence St. Peter Hospital

Healthcare Workers Lose Access to Healthcare
Members of SEIU 1199NW recently had their healthcare benefits cut - meaning that the people who help keep us healthy will find it harder to access the very services that they provide!

As the union says:

On January 1, 2013, Providence implemented a new healthcare system for its employees that eliminated the comprehensive PPO and replaced it with a risky, expensive high-deductible catastrophic plan. While the PPO was just one of four options under the old system, more than half of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members at Providence St. Peter relied on that option to get quality, comprehensive, affordable care for their families.
Plan2013Deductibles (individual / family)Out of pocket maximums (individual / family)PPOEliminated$250/$750$1,500/$4,500HSABecomes the base plan$1,500/$3,000$3,000/$6,000The median Providence St. Peter member of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW earns $31,000 a year, so the increased family deductible represents nearly 10 percent of income—a huge burden for a working family. Even if an employee qualified for Providence’s HSA contribution—and only about half did last year—the deductible increase is still a big bite out of a family budget.
Providence’s new plans provide just the legal minimum free preventative care and wellness tools required by federal law. But national studies show that of catastrophic plan participants, 26% report not filling a prescription and 25% report not getting a recommended test or treatment because of the cost.[1] These plans in effect deny preventative care because enrollees either don’t understand how the plan works or fear high costs should a serious condition be diagnosed.
Read more at SEIU's website.

Back off!Recently, scientists published the results of a study on the canine genome. One of the crucial differences between dogs and wolves, it turns out, is that only the dogs can digest carbs. For a very long time, scientists and common sensists have reasoned that the domesticated dog as originally a wolf that followed humans around and fed on their middens or kill sites. A few people, sly as foxes, reasoned that both humans and wolves congregated around kills and carrion, and that the domestication process may have been more commensal than unidirectional. 

But now the genes tell us that the domestic dog can consume carbohydrates to some benefit, whereas los lobos cannot, and we move from an understanding of mutual carnivorism or scavenging to four-leggeds hanging around two-legged gatherers or farmers. [Eventually, I have no doubt, I wil learn of the legend in which farming is just a trick that coyote plays on humans so he can eat for free.] Whether it was people growing grain or digging roots, odds are that this imputes a greater role to women than the meat-eater model would have suggested, since women have long dug the wild roots and tended the gardens while men went off to hunt, or whatever it is they did when game was scarce and beer was not yet been invented.

The dog-carb connection comes as no surprise to me. I have a dog that is healthy, and a huge fan of bread. Serendipitously (or, honed by evolutionarily), the mutt likes her bread stale and hard. She is a huge fan of old bagels, and the photo above is her eating a burnt and aged loaf of soda bread, inedible to humans. In that shot, she is slightly blurred because she senses a threat and is springing into action, she feels like the photographer is coming after her precious lithified loaf. Never have I seen a dog of my acquaintance so viciously protective of something not made of ham. 

So thank you, scientists, for vindicating my non-obese, non-diabetic hound.

but it has entertainment value, so… Thanks to Mary for passing this one on My ISP has jumped to Word Press.  I don’t like it, but unless I want to do a lot of code work, I am now stuck … Continue reading →

According to today's Washington Post, Owlsley (I cannot help pronouncing it that way) just died. He was the guy who manufactured vast quantities of acid, kick-starting whatever it was that roiled up in late-1960s America. Although this was not one of their featured stories (in fact, I could not find it on the home page), it was among the Top 5 Most Popular stories. Nearly 50 years later, the psychedaelic flashtershocks can crest where you least expect them.

I was not part of that. LSD is too powerful for mind like mine. But for Owsley fans few photos of Mount Baker from the southwest tip of the peninsula that is the northwest tip of the Lower 48. You can rest assured that within the frame of each shot, there are hundreds of owls and probably quite a few Lees.



Or, how about realizing that as you gaze at the mountain, this is right behind you?