the earwig march 2014
DESCRIPTION
The Earwig is a monthly neighborhood publication for Woody Creek, CO. It serves as a vehicle to distribute the minutes of monthly Woody Creek Caucus meetings, and as a platform for community members to share their creative talents. Edited by Gaylord Guenin, Emily Taylor, and Margaret Reckling.TRANSCRIPT
The Woody Creek EARWIG Page 1
"Better your own land's weeds, than other men's wheat." - Uzbek saying
The Woody Creek
E A R W I G Volume 2, Issue 3 the voice of Woody Creek March 2014
The Mojo Gardener by Isa Catto Shaw Recently a friend asked my
husband, Daniel, if I was holed up in the stu-
dio taking advantage of the winter climate.
His reply: “She was, until the seed catalogues
started to arrive.”
It’s true. This is the time of year that
I start daydreaming about new heirloom va-
rieties, new plans for the flower gardens, and
about expanding my gardening empire
around the house.
I have always loved to garden, and
when I moved here from New York City
(and yes I had a tiny terrace garden outside
our loft), I couldn’t wait to dig in I men-
tioned my dreams of a vegetable garden to
one long time resident and she shrugged and
replied: “Why bother, with this short cli-
mate?” Unfortunately, she is not alone. You
can bother—it just takes a little trepidation—
and the rewards are great.
If you are getting started, start
small. For the novice, I recommend raised
beds because most of the earth is alkaline and
rock ridden. If you are lucky enough to have
a lovely loam straight in your soil, then you
are blessed, but for this article, I will focus
on raised beds. Find a space that gets 6-8
hours of sunlight a day. You can grow let-
tuce in cooler climate vegetables in a bed that
only gets 6 hours a day. A raised bed heats
up more in the summer and will require more
irrigation. Regardless, prepare your area(s)
by saving your untreated cardboard and lay-
ing it over your projected garden space. Ide-
ally this is a fall maneuver, but you can wait
until the snow melts and lay your cardboard
down in the spring until your beds are ready
to install. Here is a good youtube video link,
called “Raised Bed Gardening” by UKFor-
estry to help you with the details: http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxtrDXfdQos
Laying down cardboard kills the
weeds, and provides an appealing breeding
ground for worms. Lay the cardboard at the
bottom of the bed to block out weeds and fill
your beds with organic soil that has been
blessed for gardens. Organic soil is expen-
sive, and there is compost at the dump but I
would ask about how well it is screened.
When the soil is workable you can
start with arugula, lettuce, spinach, kale, rad-
ishes, and onions before the last frost. Natu-
rally potatoes thrive here as well, but you
should plant these just before the last frost.
These crops are bulletproof in this climate.
The key to remaining motivated is to know
what works in this climate and what takes
more experience. I grew enormous pump-
kins on my compost heaps last year and a
small melon. You can branch out after our
frost date (June 20th where I live) into beans,
squash and cucumbers. I keep my tomatoes
in pots on the patio, along with peppers.
With appropriate row covers, it is
easy to extend the climate with a simple hoop
structure and fabric to protect tender plants. I
used willow for my hoops, but they are not as
sturdy as plastic piping and they often sprout.
But I like the way they look and there is al-
ways somebody who needs his or her willow
pruned.
Elliot Coleman has long written
about climate lengthening strategies, and his
books are available at the library. Here is a
good you tube video if you can’t make it to
the big city, called “How to Make a Hoop
House or Green House for Cheap,” by Bud-
dyClubGardening: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=efQYpzNJOiE Here are some good
online seed resources: Johnny’s Garden
seeds, Seed Savers, Baker’s Heirloom Seeds
Woody Creek and its yesterdays by Tony Vagneur The early generations in Woody
Creek turned over gently, with subtlety, like
the dark, fertile earth beneath a horse-drawn
plow. Men and women of the earth, they died
where they lived, no hospitals or assisted liv-
ing facilities for them.
By the late 1880’s, Woody Creek and
the surrounding area was occupied by people
from Aosta, the capital of Valle d’Aosta, It-
aly. The Matterhorn is within view of the old
home place, and Mont Blanc is just over the
hill near Le Chamonix, France. Back in the
old days, Napoleon did some trading around
of countries and Aosta, originally in France,
ended up in Italy, a situation neither country
was particularly pleased with. Refusing to
speak each other’s language, people in north-
ern Italy developed their own version of both,
called a patois. The surnames of those com-
ing from Aosta are almost all of French ex-
traction, names like Cerise, Gerbaz, Letey,
Vagneur, Arlian, Natal, Montover, Ar-
baney. Woody Creek ranchers, all.
My great-grandfather, Jeremie Vag-
neur, came down with something like pneu-
monia one day, and died the next, at his home
on what is now called Aspen Valley Ranch. It
wasn’t a big deal to get to the hospital for
treatment – that just wasn’t done in those
days. If one was fortunate, a doctor might
help out, but a serious illness generally meant
it was time to “pay the piper,” to get ready to
cross the great divide. Jeremie’s five sons, all
ranchers in their own right by then, had little
concern about tax attorneys or estate plan-
ners. Jeremie, like most proud ranchers in
those days, was the king of his agrarian em-
pire and bequeathed it to whomever he wished
without fear of retribution from the govern-
ment.
Victor Natal owned the last ranch up
Woody Creek, now called the Circle R. He
was an unforgettable presence in my life, a
man with an old-country accent and a bushy,
white mustache. (Sometimes I wonder how
those old Italians kept themselves straight –
they all seemed to have bushy, white mus-
taches.) My dad and I stopped there one day
on business and I remember there were apolo-
gies all around for his absence in the living
room. I could hear the poor man coughing
wretchedly in an upstairs bedroom and it
scared me. Not more than five years old, I
remember my dad saying as we rode home
that afternoon, “We will never see Mr. Natal
again.”
Like freshly turned earth, the next
generation grew the ranching legacy in
Woody Creek.
Tony Vagneur grew up in Woody
Creek, or at least he gave it his best shot, and
still hangs out there, somewhat like an old
raven with tousled feathers and a loud opin-
ion.
Snow Coyote. Photo by Margaret Reckling.
The Woody Creek EARWIG Page 2
Woody Creek Caucus Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2014 Moderators: Phil Holstein, Jim Collins Caucus Members present: Daniel Delano, Carol Donnelly, Don Don-nelly, Jean-Marie Hamel, Gail Holstein, Gayle Lyman, Bill MacKenzie, Mi-chael Owsley, Heather Rydell, Greg Rydell, Jan Schoeberlein, Marty Schlumberger, Robert L Stevenson, Emily Taylor, Anita Thompson, How-ard Vagneur, Linda Waag
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M.
1. David Franscomb, White River National Forest, Acting District Ranger, Aspen-Sopris District, reported on the Lenado settlement re snowmobile parking at Lenado. 2. Gayle Lyman, Compliance Director at the Elam Vagneur Gravel Pit, reported on his annual review for 2013 Elam Construction Activities, which was submitted to the County. 3. Phil Holstein reviewed recent developments re marijuana and green houses. 4. Motion made by Janet Schoeberlein, seconded by Anita Thomp-son, to suspend proxy voting for 3 months, until the June Caucus meeting. 18 voted in favor, 2 votes against. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Announcements! In lieu of “Ranch Roundup” this month, The Earwig features a new section, with a birth announcement! Cash Kingston Burtard was born at 8:14pm on February 14th, 2014, at 7lbs, 14 oz, and measured 21.5 inches long. We also wish Bunny Harrison a very happy birthday, on March 15th!
Sensible Medicine: When a Cold Hits by Peg O'Brien, P.T. Rest and fluids, then more rest and more fluids - these are the best treatments for a cold. The body needs rest from physical, mental and emotional exertion. Drinking lots of fluids rinses the upper respiratory system – the sinuses, throat, and lungs – back to health after a bacterial or viral invasion. When a cold hits between the eyes and drips pain and suffering down the throat, stay home; not only to provide ample time for rest and fluids necessary to recover, but also to avoid spreading the bug. Call in sick to work and cancel all appointments. Wave-off all hugs. Draw back from all handshakes. Be clear with others right off the bat: “I have a fresh cold and don’t want to spread it.” All will be grateful. Because colds are most contagious during the first 48 hours, call off contact with others right away. Medical appointments included. There is no reason to keep a physical therapy ap-pointment, for instance, if a cold has sprung up. Infection anywhere in the body increases in-flammation everywhere in the body, confound-ing therapy interventions anyway. Avoid body-work too, which would risk spreading the in-fection through the body. It has been said that exercise warms up the immune system and is good for getting rid of a cold. That is true if you are trying to shake an old cold, and the exercise is light, just enough to warm up the body and not enough to tire it. For a fresh cold with a blurry head and tired body, the remedy is still rest and fluids, rest and fluids. Beyond staying home with rest and fluids to shorten a cold, a few other remedies found to be helpful include: frequent hand washing, a drop of a natural antimicrobial un-der the tongue (a local favorite is “Oreganol”, wild oregano essential oil in olive oil), an Ep-som salt bath (~1 cup in a tub of warm water) with a few drops of an aromatic immune-boosting essential oil (eucalyptus, camphor, tea tree, pine, spruce, or any evergreen – not oreg-ano oil, that would burn), herbal tea (with of dash of whiskey to quiet a cough if indicated and advisable), eucalyptus salve over chest and under nose, and stretching (to open up and drain sinuses). Be good to yourself and good to your neighbors. When a cold hits: Have lots of rest and fluids, and keep yourself to yourself. Thank you, Peg O’Brien, P.T. (currently quietly swamping a cold with quarts of fresh-lemon & honey tea in the comfort of a Woody Creek trailer surrounded by a temporary imaginary moat.)
JOIN US in the current effort
TO UPDATE THE
WOODY CREEK MASTER PLAN
We need the input of all of the clans of Woody Creek,
all the neighborhoods, all renters and owners.
Topics will include but are not limited to:
Agriculture, Airport, Commercial & Public, Housing &
Growth, Open Space, Public Supported Housing, Trans-portation & Roads
Meetings will start with the planning commission on
Mondays at 4:30 at WC3.
Updates to the whole caucus will be monthly on the
last Thursday. Each committee will have flexibility to meet when the members have time to do the work.
EMAIL YOUR INTEREST TO: [email protected]
by Emily Taylor, 2014
The Woody Creek EARWIG Page 3
Journal entry Missy Prudden
Missy Prudden is a watercolor artist living in Woody Creek, CO.
Recipe of the month: Healthy Cinnamon Rai-sin Oat Cookies recipe provided by Christina Miller, M.D.
2 cups rolled oats (not instant) 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (use more as needed for moisture) ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut ¼ cup raisins or other dried fruit ¼ cup chopped walnuts 2 large, ripe bananas, mashed 1 tablespoon cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the in-gredients in a large bowl until well-combined. Form into about 2-3 inch balls and flatten gently with your fingers (or can leave as balls). Makes about 16-20 cookies. Cook for 18 minutes, or until slightly brown on top and appears done. Can also press into 8x8 inch pan and make bars. Cook bars for 30 minutes, cool on rack, cut into squares, and serve. Re-frigerate extras. Can easily double recipe. Great for breakfast, on-the-go snack, or des-sert.
Dog Days of Winter—Community Photo
Tony Vagneur and Lucy make snow angels after the dump in February.
Poem of the Month: Shovel Snow! Shovel Snow! Shovel Snow! by Rich Reitz, 2/18/14 Oh, the weather outside is frightful, And this storm is not delightful. I'm stuck, and my car won't go. Shovel snow, shovel snow, shovel snow It doesn't show signs of stopping, And the temperature is dropping. It's just about five below. Shovel snow, shovel snow, shovel snow! Outside, everything now is white, And I hate going out in the storm. But as long as I bundle tight, Shoveling will keep me warm. This shoveling is a bummer. How I wish that it was summer. That Groundhog has got to go! Shovel Snow! Shovel Snow! Shovel Snow!
Joke of the Month: Q: What do snowmen eat for lunch in Woody Creek ?
A: Icebergers from the Tavern!
The Woody Creek EARWIG Page 4
The Woody Creek
E A R W I G P.O. Box 4
Woody Creek, CO 81656
Earwiggles Upcoming Community Events: Please email your events, news, or information about things you have to sell or barter to [email protected]—We’ll include them in the next issue! Classifieds welcome! Upcoming Events at the Community Center:
Special Events:
3/15 OPEN DOCTORS HOURS 9:00-11:00am
3/18 THUNDERCLAW CONCERT | Every other Tuesday | 7:00-
9:30pm
3/20 WORKSHOP: Make your own body butter | 6:00-7:30pm This workshop is $5 for members, $7 for non-members. RSVP
3/22 KIDS MOVIE NIGHT & POTLUCK: DESPICABLE ME | 6:00pm
3/24 WORKSHOP: Find Your Ayurvedic Dosha 5-7pm
3/25 THE CROWLIN FERLIES | Every other Tuesday | 7:00-
9:30pm
3/27 WOODY CREEK CAUCUS MEETING | 6:30pm
3/28 DOCUMENTARY | Resonance: Beings of Frequency 5pm
3/29 FREE Mini Health Fair | 8-11am
Weekly Events:
MONDAYS | TOTS & CRAFTS and HEBREW & ME | 10:00-
11:00am
TUESDAYS | Live Music | 7:00-9:30pm
WEDNESDAYS | KUNDALINI YOGA WITH JESSICA LEVY | 6:00-
7:15pm
WEDNESDAYS | SILENT MEDITATION AND DHARMA READING |
Time Varies! Check online or on the WC3 chalkboard.
EDITORS PICK:
SIGN & DINE SERIES | Learn American Sign Language at Brunch | 3/7/14, 3/14/14, 3/21/14, 3/28/14 | Fridays
in March 10:00-11:30am Pricing: WC3 Members: $8/class or $30/series, Non-members $10/class or $35/series. RSVP
to [email protected]. BRUNCH INCLUDED!
ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST March 2014 This is the time when the clock springs for-
ward, and we sense the end of winter. How nice, how
refreshing! This spring, beginning with the vernal equi-
nox on 3/20, is the time in our yearly cycle where the
seeds that lay dormant in the winter can start to germi-
nate and bring new refreshing aspects to our lives. And
yet we are not out of the hot water of this past winter and
all the reflection and difficulties that ensued. There are four plan-
ets changing direction this first weekend in March.
Mercury is going direct on 2/28, so all those plans and
business arrangements or ideas that are germinating can come
forward without snags. And if you had snags while it was retro-
grade they most likely will smooth out and flow better.
Mars is going retrograde in Libra on 3/1, meaning we
all still have things to rethink when it comes to our relationships
and fairness. Maybe giving to ourselves more during this time
and recoup our own process and not focus on the other. Believe
me, taking care of ourselves is the most healing, And the gift is
that people see that, and thus modeling this behavior shows oth-
ers how to do it for themselves.
Jupiter is going direct 3/6, YEAH, and all this worry of
money or being supported can be lifted and we can all move into
the positive aspect of Jupiter in Cancer. Great time to fix up the
home, plan a trip or expect guests coming to town. Re-evaluate
finances. And last but not least, Saturn turns direct 3/2. Another
planet that teaches us about limitations, boundaries and maturing,
and this happens in Scorpio. So if there has been any drag in your
creativity or drive expect that flow to shift in the most mystical
way.
And don't forget, since the last post, Venus went direct
in Capricorn. Yes, finally Venus will be leaving Capricorn after
a long, long stay there. It usually takes Venus six weeks to travel
through a sign yet this year it entered Capricorn at Thanksgiving
and stayed till 3/6. Talk about setting boundaries or finding the
limitations when it comes to love and feeling secure. Go back and
reflect on those happenings in your life. And expect when Venus
enters Aquarius on 3/5 love takes a new look.
So change is abound. This New Moon we just had on
3/1 was the seed point to this spring. Make a move to start some-
thing you've been dreaming of and remember it take six months
for these New Moon seed wishes to take form.
And we are not out of the hot water yet. Prepare yourself for
April. It could be tough. It could be hard. It is going to be a col-
lective shift and if you're paying attention to the current events,
something is building and brewing as these countries and the
common man are revolting and taking a stand and speaking out.
It could also have an effect to our own financial system. Follow
your hunches. Batten down the hatches.
At least here in Aspen we usually have the wettest
month (powder) and these long days ahead (another blessing) and
finally warmth. Enjoy this busy month.
For more personal understanding of your direct effects of t h e s e a s p e c t s , c h e c k i n : D A V I D B E R K S O N A S T R O L O G Y d a v i d b e r k s o n @ m e . c o m (847) 777-9138
CLASSIFIEDS! Looking for somewhere to rent? Trying to rent out your place? Have an itch to sell that old motorcycle? THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! Submit your classified (at no cost) to [email protected] We’ll post it for you! We also accept barter announcements/ads!
READ & SUBSCRIBE TO THE EARWIG ONLINE AT ISSUU.COM/THEEARWIG