May 2017 Volume 13, Issue 5

Dear Neighbors:

Where has this year gone? In spite of sunshiny evidence, your editors find it hard to believe it

could be May already! Could Kings Mountain Elementary really be in its final trimester, and cruis-ing toward a last day of school on June 15th? News of KMES academic programs and student progress are enclosed as well as your invitation to the school Open House & Ice Cream Social on May 25th. In addition, several favorite annual events, including the KMA Spring Brunch & Egg Hunt, Mountain House KMES fund raiser, and school cleanup day have somehow taken place; with pictures to prove it in this issue. We hope to see everyone at the KMA annual dinner meeting and election of officers this Saturday, May 6th. A long standing community tradition on the first Saturday in May, this party is a time to rejuvenate and catch up with friends. Do not miss it!

Also, don’t miss the spectacular landscape design tour sponsored by the Kings Mountain Garden Club on May 27th. Join the Garden Club to find out more about this and other out-standing events planned for June & July. Use the application form inside to get started.

Art Fair preparation is rolling toward Labor Day Weekend with a call out to new and returning Mountain Artists. See the invitation and eligibility rules inside. A Mountain Artist application will be included in the June Echo along with the first in a series of resident artist profiles.

As you can see from the KMVFB minutes, our firefighters have been on the job. However, Steve Johnson addresses the larger issues of personal emergency preparedness in this issue. He will offer a Community CPR class on June 17th. The class is limited to 18 persons, so get signed up ASAP. In addition, an earthquake or other major disaster requires a broad- based emergency plan and training that involves us all. The KM Emergency Preparedness group is calling for volunteers to help revitalize our community emergency preparedness structure. Please read about how you can participate in this important effort.

Did you know that the Djerassi Resident Artist Program property on Bear Gulch West has been designated as one of the world’s 35 named biodiversity hot spots? That is one of the inter-esting and educational facts you will find in the story about DRAP’s distinct habitat types and environmental stewardship project needs. Since its affiliation with POST, the DRAP mandate has been extended to include an impressive Environmental Stewardship Program. This Echo includes a call out to Kings Mountain neighbors to become volunteers in the program. Although your editor is one of several Kings Mountain docents in DRAP’s public sculpture hike program, it never ceases to amaze me that such an internationally known organization exists quietly on Kings Mountain. I’ve found volunteering at DRAP to be very satisfying. I hope you will consider their volunteer call. Environmental Stewardship volunteer training is scheduled for May 25th. Warmest regards,

Eileen & Sam, Editors Bill Goebner, Echo Photographer Marty Eisenberg, Echo Columnist

KM Community CPR Class

Date & Time: Saturday, June 17, 2017. 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location – Kings Mountain Community Center – 13889 Skyline Blvd., Woodside CA 94062. This class is offered by the Kings Mountain Fire Brigade and is open to everyone in the community. This is a fully certified American Heart Association “Heartsaver” class. Class size is limited to 18 students. The class uses the AHA 2015 standards. The class covers adult, child and infant CPR and choking plus use of an “AED” – Automated External Defibrillator. Participants will receive an American Heart Associa-tion CPR card good for two years. There is a $10.00 donation to attend. Student manuals will be provided during the class and are available for purchase for $15.00. This is a fun class with lots of hands-on practice. Be prepared for some serious exercise. There is also some class-related entertainment. There is a skills test, but no written test. Please email me at sfjohns@pacbell.net to sign up for the class or for more informa-tion. You can also call me on 851-8447. Space is limited, so sign up now!

Steve Johnson

Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade

Why Learn CPR? When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Almost 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Be the Difference for Someone You Love—If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. Roughly 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. Unfortunately, only about half of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. Give yourself the confidence and relief that you can help in an emergency situation.

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Inside the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade

by Steve Johnson May 2017

Emergency Preparedness Are you ready for the big one??

It’s been 111 years since we had a major earthquake on the San Andreas fault. Our last major earthquake was Loma Prieta in 1989. It’s not a question of “if” but of “when.” Are you prepared? Start with a family emergency response plan – list contact information for everyone in your household, plus where to meet, whom to contact if you’re not home. Have a “go bag” with essential items you can grab and take in an emergency. Emergency supplies such as food and water are essential. We may be without electricity and water for a week or more. Don’t count on land lines or cell phones working – they may be out for weeks! I have a blank family emergency plan form available. Let me know if you would like a copy.

Kings Mountain Emergency Preparedness (KMEP)KMEP was founded in the 1980’s by Pat Wurster and a group of neighborhood volunteers. The purpose of KMEP is to provide localized support to the residents of Kings Mountain in the event of an emergency such as an earthquake, wildland fire or storm. KMEP had an active organization and held emergency drills and community events for a number of years. We’d like to thank Pat for her many years of service to the community.

A recently formed KMEP Executive Committee (Bill Goebner, Frank Adams, Jon Fredrikson and Steve Johnson) would like to implement a new community emergency response organization that prepares community members to respond to local emergencies and assist the Kings Mountain Fire Department during disasters.

A good model for this is CERT – Community Emergency Response Team. There are several CERT teams in the area, including Coastside and Menlo Park. We would like to see a Kings Mountain CERT organization and make CERT training available to local residents. The new organization may be called Kings Mountain Community Emergency Response Team (KMCERT).

What can you do to help? The best thing you can do is to volunteer to help us get the new Emergency Team going. The KMEP Executive Committee is looking for volunteers to help revitalize Emergency Response Planning on the mountain. We are especially interested in people with emergency services experience, e.g., retired firefighters or emergency response folks. Please contact me, Jon Fredrikson (fredrikson@comcast.net), Frank Adams (feaj@comcast.net), or Bill Goebner (wgoebner@comcast.net) if you are interested. Contact me at sfjohns@pacbell.net or 650-851-8447 for more information.

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MINUTES OF THE KMVFB MEETING on April 11, 2017

ATTENDANCE: Anna Roesch-Tubbs, Darrin Jewell, Jon Fredrikson, Joe Rockmore (by phone), Jim Sullivan, Frank Adams, and Tim German.

Board president Jon Fredrikson called the KMVFB Meeting to order at 7:32 pm. SECRETARY’S REPORT: The Board approved the minutes for the Board meeting on March 14, 2017.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Anna Rosche-Tubbs reviewed the final 2016 financial statements. The net result was that the Brigade’s cash-based results came in $9,636 under budget. Expenses were $1,044 under budget, while donations and grants were higher than planned. There also was a carryover in PayPal contributions from the previous year. Anna reported that she will submit the 2016 tax data to the accountant by April 15. She expects that the KMVFB tax return will be filed before the official due date of May 15, 2017.

BUILDING MANAGER’S REPORT: Cheri Buffa reported the following uses of the Community Center in March 2017:

Exercise/Dance Classes 12 Monthly Community Board Meetings 4 KMVFB Training & Maintenance 5 Community Events/Parties 0 Private Events/Parties 0

TOTAL USES FOR THE MONTH 21 FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: March 2017

Medical aid 10 Vehicle accident 1 Public assist 3 Firefighter standby 0 Vehicle fire 0 Smoke check 0 Structure fire 0 Vegetation fire 0 Hazardous materials 0 Rescue 0 Cover assignment 0 Alarm sounding 1 Water tender group response 1 Trash fire 0 Total responses for March 16 Average # of Responders 3

Number of incidents with no Volunteer response:

0

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Jon Fredrikson talked about a big fire during the evening of March 28 in four greenhouses located off Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay. Because there were no fire hydrants in the area, HMB firefighters relied on the water tender truck from Kings Mountain to put out the fire. Three Kings Mountain volunteer firefighters worked late into the night, filling up the water tender eight times and going back and forth to the fire until it was extinguished. Our congratulations and thanks to Assistant Chief Matt King, and Firefighters Ann Gabrys and John Curcio for their dedicated efforts. OLD BUSINESS: RESCUE TRUCK REPLACEMENT: Jim Sullivan said that the team is continuing its research on the truck replacement. VERIZON TOWER LEASE EXTENSION: The Board invited the lease company representative to come to tonight’s meeting to make a presentation. However, she was unable either to attend in person or to call into the meeting. TANJI (BFE NETWORKS) UPDATE: There have been no new developments. AUDIO VISUAL TRAINING SYSTEM: Tim German demonstrated the new Community Center audio visual installation and it worked wonderfully. Darrin Jewell donated Apple TV equipment, which permits anyone to show videos from a smart phone or an iPad on the large community center screen. The new system will be a big help for firefighter training presentations and other community event audiovisual needs. The next step will be to install the large flat screen TV monitor donated by Nick Kromat in the truck bay area. Ardyth and Roger Woodruff Bench: The family of Ardyth Woodruff asked permission to install a memorial bench in memory of Ardyth and Roger Woodruff. The Board is working on a uniform policy regarding memorial donations, as well as honoring firefighters and community leaders, in association with the Art Fair and the KMA. Repeater Sites for SF Water Commission: Frank Adams is awaiting a specific proposal regarding the use of the radio tower as a repeater site for the SF Water Commission. NEW BUSINESS: Gym Equipment for Firefighters: Jim Sullivan said that firefighters have requested a space and equipment to be able to work out at the fire department/community center. The benefits would be that healthy, strong firefighters have a reduced risk of injuries during responses. This would also be recruitment and retention benefit and it would reduce the hours spent off the mountain, making firefighters available for responses if needed. The Board agreed to look for a suitable space for the workout area. The Fire Department is reviewing gym equipment specifications. Funding KMEP: The Kings Mountain Emergency Preparedness Plan (KMEP) group has been inactive for several years. One of the founding directors, Pat W��ster, would like to rekindle community interest in the organization. She submitted a request for funding to cover a community barbecue and to distribute Emergency Household Packets to community members. The KMVFB Board and Fire Department wholeheartedly encourages the KMEP Board to meet and to reactivate the Emergency Preparedness Plan. This is an important community organization that could serve us well if there were a major emergency or natural disaster, such as a severe earthquake or major fire.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Respectfully submitted, VValerie Trenter / Secretary (by Jon F.)

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The KMA Spring Brunch Was a Big Success Many thanks to Board Members Kathy Shubin and Ingrid Hegerberg for spearhead-

ing this most well-attended event. Added appreciation goes to them for all their work and their set-up and kitchen crew: Linda Elliott, Marilyn Alafouzos, Eileen Fredrikson, Sam Penman, Sybil Plank and Pat Mann. Extra special thanks to Pat Wurster for her legendary “Mountain Fizzes” and her stamina in “keeping them coming!”

The Easter Bunny wishes to thank his helpers too: Kathy Kennedy-Miller for filling over 550 eggs. Eric Soult, and Jeanne and Sarah Carlson.

Above all, gratitude goes to our “Chefs Extraordinaire” – Jerry O’Connell, Jen and Eric Soult and Larry Mann. Extra thanks to Nick Alafouzos for circumventing coffee pot “glitches and “schlepping” all the food. And thanks to Chris Reynolds and members of the Fire Brigade and Cal Fire all of you who stayed to clean-up.

It was a great event that makes one even more grateful to live on Kings Mountain.

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Kids Race Around at the KM Egg Hunt

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Kings Mountain Art Fair

Mountain Artist Exhibitor Policy

Drafted October 16, 2016/Revised November 29, 2016 Based on the Mountain Artist application and policies already in existence Resolved and passed - KMAF Board of Directors – Nov. 29, 2017

The following are the requirements for Kings Mountain residents to exhibit in the “Mountain Artist” section of the Kings Mountain Art Fair.

1. Must be a current Kings Mountain resident (geographical area defined as the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade district) OR

2. Must be a ‘childhood resident’ of Kings Mountain whose parents are currently Kings Mountain residents. A childhood resident is defined as one who grew up on Kings Mountain, is 25 years old or younger and is currently either:

A. A full time student (on the actual dates of the Art Fair). Name of school and proof of current student status must be provided. B. A member of the military or national service. Branch of service and proof of current military service must be provided.

3. Must exhibit hand made goods only. 4. Must exhibit one media type in the assigned booth. 5. The art exhibited must be consistent with the application submitted by the artist and

with KMAF guidelines (health, propriety, original art). Compliance can be verified during the Art Fair. KMAF has the right to require that any other work be immediately removed from the show.

6. Only works of art created by the artist accepted as the “Mountain Artist” may be displayed or offered for sale in the booth.

7. Must agree to be in attendance at his/her booth for the entirety of the Fair (small breaks for food, rest, restocking, etc. are anticipated and acceptable).

8. Must agree to pay a 10% sales commission to the Kings Mountain Art Fair for all sales resulting from the Art Fair.

9. Craft food products must comply with the San Mateo County Environmental Health Department regulations and procedures, including inspection and license fees.

10. Artist application for participation must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee and submitted by the appropriate due date.

The Chairperson for Mountain Artists has the right to request Mountain Artists’ compliance to these guidelines. Any exceptions to this policy should be cleared with the Art Fair Executive Director.

Historical Exceptions to the Residency Policy When these requirements were put in place (well before 2005) there were five Mountain Artists exhibiting who were not residents as defined by the policy. Those individuals were ‘grandfathered’ in to the Mountain Artist section with the following condition: they could continue to exhibit as long as they continuously participated. If they ‘skipped’ a year, they could no longer re-exhibit as Mountain Artists. The artists ‘grandfathered’ in under the residency requirements of this policy are: Rebecca Holland, Jim Talboy, Anna Marie McGinnis, Naama Grossbard , and Rob and Karen McEwen.

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Hello Kings Mountain artists and residents,

We would like to send out an early invitation for you to think about applying to the Mountain Artists section of the 2017 Kings Mountain Art Fair. Applications will be available in the June edition of the Kings Mountain Echo. If you are a new resident and an artist, we encourage you to apply. I would be happy to talk with you about your work if you “are on the fence” about whether or not to apply.

All applicants must be residents of Kings Mountain and meet the other requirements in our policy in order to exhibit in the Mountain Artist section of the fair. In the past, there has been confusion about who qualifies as a resident. The policy on residency has evolved over the years with the awareness that there is limited space for our mountain artists and the criteria need to be clear and consistent.

The reason there are these and other limitations and specific guidelines is to ensure the integrity of the Art Fair. The Mountain Artists section and its exclusivity is based on the traditions of the fair itself and creates a unique opportunity for one of a kind artwork showing off local talent for everyone to enjoy. Our Kings Mountain Art Fair is considered one of the top three art fairs in California!

We are including the full policy for submitting your application and we look forward to hearing from past artists who have participated and new artists who want to join us.

Bow Sterger Mountain Artist Chairman/Coordinator Tel. 650 852-3574 email: mysticmoonbs@comcast.net

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May 2017 News

Writing, writing, writing! April was a busy month at Kings Mountain Elementary. Early in the month, parents attended a “Writers Challenge” workshop with Principal Diane Siegel. Much like the Readers Workshop implemented earlier, parents learned Writers Workshop strategies to reinforce classroom writing instruction at home. Students headed into Spring Break tasked with keeping both reading and writing part of their vacation fun.

KMES curriculum uses a “balanced literacy” model, where writing and reading work complement, support and enrich each other. During Reading Workshop, students read inde-pendently, with partners, guided small groups and a whole class read aloud. While reading, students focus on a comprehension strategy and decoding skill, author’s craft amongst them. Writing workshop also uses mini lessons or a teaching point about writing. The units of study cover narrative, expository, informational and argumentative writing genres. Embedded in the lessons, like reading workshop, are lessons on word study and grammar. Reading and Writing Workshop provides KMES students with a rich and rigorous English Language Arts learning experience.

April was also time for parent-teacher conferences. Principal Diane Siegel was pleased to send the following academic news to our community: “As we enter our final trimester of the school year, it is exciting to report on the growth our students are making towards our literacy goal. Our reading benchmark data indicates that just about all our students, about 95%, are showing growth in reading accuracy, comprehension and fluency. These are the measure-ments used to assess a student’s independent reading level. Our students’ growth reflects our commitment to collaboration, communication, and involvement. Parents and teachers partner-ing together is proven to be best practice for each child’s success.”

Parents spent April 23rd, School Cleanup Day, editing and reorganizing classroom layout and materials. The goal was to create more defined spaces for both independent and collabora-tive study in each classroom. Please come see the results at the KMES Open House on May 25th.

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Mountain House Dinner for Academic Enrichment

What a concept! Have an absolutely delicious Mountain House dinner, and support your school at the same time. On April 27th many parents, friends, and Kings Mountain neighbors did just that. Thanks to the exceptional generosity of Jerry & Lorraine Olson, 50% of dinner check totals was gifted to Kings Mountain Elementary School’s academic enrichment pro-grams. The Mountain House was hopping, while many Mountain House staff proudly wore Kings Mountain School t-shirts. We thank everyone who came for dinner, the Mountain House staff, and especially, Jerry & Lorraine for their uncommon generosity. It Takes a Mountain!

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Open House and Ice Cream Social

Thursday, May 25, 2017 5:30-7:30pm

211 Swett Rd, Woodside

Schedule 5:30 Dinner with Jaime’s Taco Cart 6:00 Assembly in the Lion’s Den 6:30 Classroom Visits 7:00 Ice Cream Social

All are welcome! We hope to see you there!

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Kings Mountain Garden Club May 2017 News

The KMGC is off to a great start. We had our annual meeting on April 22nd at the Community Center. Lance Fung mentioned that due to work he would appreciate if someone would take on the role as President for this new term. When all eyes went to Peter Moravcsik, not to mention begging and pleading, he agreed to return as President with Marguerite Kaufman and Betty Johnson remaining as Vice President and Treasurer, respectively. Lance will remain very involved but due to a new business venture with John Talley he was just feeling a bit consumed - We all know how that feels.

The great news is many members have stepped up already and so the May & June garden tours and July luncheon are starting to take shape nicely. All require membership so please send in your registration and $ 10 annual dues as soon as possible.

Club member Jean Farmwald graciously approached her brother-in-law who agreed to allow the club to see his garden for the first time. It is by far one of the most spectacular landscape design projects on the mountain. The waterfall, koi pond, amazing tree and plant variety will make any gardener gasp in awe. The tour will be May 27th. Members will receive the details via email but you must RSVP to Peter, peterm98@att.net, if you intend to come. The June garden tour will be of John Talley and Lance Fung’s garden. Many have seen their garden evolve over the years but the abundance of rain has certainly helped with all their new plantings. They landscaped a new part of their property (behind the gazebo as you pass by on Skyline) and hope to have a new living wall project installed. They plan to take the group on a walking tour to point out all their old and new acquisitions. As they have said, their favorite nurseries are: The Pitt, Johnson, Fletcher and Kaufman nurseries. They have counted literally over a 1000 plants that were given to them to help realize their design. Their new name for the garden is the “giving garden” and soon their plants will be established enough to provide cuttings and babies to others as they have been collecting over the past five years themselves.

We will be adding more garden tours so stay tuned to the Echo for the schedule. Finally, the annual highlight of the year is always the delicious and enjoyable luncheon. Marty

Eisenberg has generously, as if that were a surprise, offered his home. This will be a treat to many members as this will be the first time the luncheon will be hosted there. And what a home, view, and lovely hosts! The date is July 30th and members will receive details for all these and more events via email.

Happy Gardening but watch out for those snails!

Kings Mountain Garden Club Membership Application/Renewal

Name(s) _________________________________________

Address___________________________________________

City____________________ State ________________ Zip ______________

Phone____________________________ Email ___________________________

Send this application and a check for $10.00 to:

Kings Mountain Garden Club Attn. Betty Johnson, Treasurer 12200 Skyline Blvd., Woodside CA 94062

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Djerassi Program: Environmental Stewardship and Protection

� We Value the Environment: The protection and stewardship of The Djerassi Resident Artist Program’s 583 acres has become half of our mission. In 1999, DRAP partnered with Peninsula Open Space Trust and a Conservation Easement was placed on this property, protecting it forever. Our land is part of a special region called the California Floristic Province, and is one of the world’s 35 named biodiversity hotspots. These places have been identified as the most rich and important ecosystems in the world. Investing in their protection will have an enormous impact on the security of our global biodiversity. As caretakers of this special land, we aim to protect it.

� Biodiversity: Here in the California Floristic Province, we have more distinct plant species

than in the rest of the US and Canada combined. The Coastal Mountains are home to many endemic species, which exist nowhere else on earth. We have the endemic Coast Redwood tree, relative to the largest living plant species on earth, the Giant Sequoia, also located here in California’s Sierra Nevada. More bird species breed in this region than the rest of the US and Canada, and 30% of all known insects on this continent live here in the CA Floristic Province.

Six Distinct Habitat Types:

1. Coastal Prairie Grasslands: A habitat that has only 10% remaining across California and supports over twice the number of plant species compared to other grasslands. These coastal prairies are home to perennial bunch grasses such as the California Fescue, which can live to 200 years old. It has been recently discovered that when managed correctly, perennial grasslands can sequester more carbon than some forests. Every year, a perennial grass acts like a straw, sucking carbon from the atmosphere into their green new growth through photosynthesis, and pumping it deep into their roots where it can be stored in the soil as organic material forever.

2. Coastal Scrub: Also known as chaparral, coastal scrub is a shrub land

ecosystem dominated by woody, drought-hardy plants. The coastal scrub on our property is primarily comprised of Coyote Brush, Poison Oak, California Blackberry, and Sticky Monkeyflower, with an herbaceous understory. Coastal Scrub is important habitat for many nesting birds, large mammals, rodents, and pollinating insects.

3. Mixed Hardwood Forests: These forests are primarily comprised of the aromatic

California Bay Laurel Tree, and are home to the iconic Coast Live Oak, the Pacific Madrone, Hazelnut, Douglas Fir, and Tanoak. Mixed hardwood plant communities

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are where the majority of nature’s food is found. Acorns, bay nuts, hazel nuts, and madrone berries are all edible, delicious, and nutritious and important food sources from which wildlife and native people of this area have depended on for thousands of years.

4. Redwood and Coniferous Forests: These forests are home to coniferous trees,

or those that produce cones, such as a pinecone. We have over 200 acres of coniferous forests that include Redwoods, Douglas Fir, and Monterey Pine. These cool dark forests regulate our local climate, harvest fog, and filter water with their massive root systems.

5. Riparian Ecosystems: Riparian means creek and stream habitats with flowing

fresh water, and are critical habitat for all life on earth. Riparian corridors also serve as important migration routes for wildlife. At Djerassi, we have two major creeks, Herrington and Boges. Each of these is within the San Gregorio Creek watershed, home to the Federally Endangered Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout. These are anadromous fish, which means they spend part of their life in salt water and part in freshwater. We want to make sure our creeks and tributaries stay healthy so we protect our beautiful and endangered fish, and provide critical riparian corridors and freshwater for our wildlife.

6. Seasonal Wetlands: We have many seasonal seeps and wet places on the

property that support unique plants, insects and amphibians. Seasonal wetlands are some of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, and are important groundwater recharge zones.

Recent Project The DRAP Environmental Stewardship program restored of a grove of 10 coast live oaks identified as Indian-era trees. With signs of being tended and cared for by the indigenous people on this land in the distant past, these oaks and their acorns provided important food and habitat that wildlife and the native people depended on for thousands of years. However, they were heavily overgrown and in decline. Appropriate intervention was needed or risk losing these important, beautiful, and ancient, habitats. Restoration included clearing of selected bay laurel, Douglas Fir trees, and scotch broom growing beneath and near selected oaks; pruning of dead and fuel ladder branches; removal of mosses and lichens from the main trunks; cauterization of trunk infections and wounds; application of compost tea to soil; fertilization of soil with ash-like minerals and trunk application of lime wash.

� Current and Future Stewardship Projects: � Forest Management for Fire Safety and Fuel load reduction � Grassland Restoration with mowing and managed grazing � Invasive species management � Erosion control � Habitat Restoration � Biological inventory monitoring

� Volunteer Program: Kings Mountain neighbors are encouraged to become part of this important Land Stewardship Program. Please see the volunteer description on the next page and get involved as we collect data and tend this unique and important landscape.

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Environmental Stewardship Volunteers Kings Mountain Residents are Invited to Join a New Volunteer Program at DRAP

WHAT:The Djerassi Resident Artists Program is looking for a team of Environmental Stewardship Volunteers to assist with plant and wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, and trails management. At the Djerassi Program, you will work with a team of nature and art enthusiasts to conserve and restore important habitats and trails on our 583 acre property. The Djerassi Program property is located on the west side of Skyline in unincorporated Woodside. We have breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a diverse range of habitat types including, old growth redwood forest, coast live oak woodlands, coastal prairie grasslands, coastal scrub, seasonal wetlands, and riparian ecosystems. Volunteers will help directly with trail maintenance, invasive species management, monitoring and mapping projects, and ecological restoration efforts to increase native biodiversity and habitat health. WHO:We are looking for volunteers with the following qualifications:

Ability to hike up to 3 miles over steep terrain Ability to handle moderate to harsh weather conditions, including rain and sun

exposure Ability to work well with a team Skills identifying common California natives and weed species a plus! Experience with GSP mapping a plus! Experience operating a chainsaw and/or weed whacker a plus! And, of course…enthusiasm for art and nature!

WHEN:Volunteer Training: May 25th 9:30 am-12:00 pm Work Days: The last Thursday of each month* 9:30 am-12:00 pm MAY- OCTOBER 2017 *Dates and times are subject to change and may be adjusted

WHERE:The Djerassi Resident Artists Program, 2325 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, CA 94062 If you are interested, please contact our Environmental Stewardship Associate at Felicia@djerassi.org

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May 2017

by Marty Eisenberg

Strung Out. Does your kitchen string/twine float all over the drawer, unravel, get stained and generally act unruly? Does it roll off the kitchen counter and across the kitchen floor half the time you use it? The cure: Save a jar and lid or, better, a small coffee can with plastic lid. Punch a hole in the lid with a nail or drill. Drop the ball of string in the jar or can. Feed the end of the twine through the hole in the top, screw/snap on the top and you will have a lifelong friend controlling your disobedient kitchen twine. Sous-Vide Cooking. Sous-Vide (pronounced sue-veed) cooking has been used for decades at restaurants and institutional food services. Only recently did its adoption begin earnestly in home cooking. It is a cooking method by which foods (fish, vegetables, meats) are placed in a vacuum bag and cooked in a water bath (i.e. “large, deep pot”). Cooking heat is applied to foods, through the medium of the water, by an electrical immersion heating unit with precise temperature controller. Foods cannot be overcooked because they cannot rise in temperature above that of the surrounding water. No more overcooked outsides and undercooked insides! Foods can remain worry-free in the temperature-controlled water for long periods of time without overcooking. We recently made salmon steaks with a beurre blanc sauce that was absolutely terrific. We’ve made chicken and vegetables and one can even make beef stews and much, much more. There are even recipes for streaks. They are first cooked sous-vide to perfection and then put on a grill or in a pan for just a minute or two per side for that enticing seared appearance. Sous-Vide equip-ment can be found at Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Amazon and elsewhere. We purchased an Anova brand unit for about $150 and it is very user friendly. There are lots of sous-vide cookbooks in print now, too. Carnival, San Francisco: May 28 brings the 39th annual Carnival celebration in San Francisco’s Mission District. There is a parade of floats and dancing troupes in festive, ethnic costumes. The Mission comes alive with multi-cultural pride for this festival of color. A really yummy stop for an authentic Mission Dist. lunch is a very small meat market and grocery at 2989 - 24th Street (near Alabama) - Belmar-La Gallinita Meat Market. Great home-cooking; fabulous carne asada, amazing tacos; even more amazingly low prices. A real Mission District gem. Walk down nearby Balmy Alley to see an incredible concentration of murals on building walls reflecting subjects ranging from human rights, to harvest, to famous people, to political state-ments upon subjects such as gentrification. It is a feast of art! (The Rule of the Street in “The Mission” is that a mural is never defaced with graffiti.) “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” [Oscar Wilde – 1854-1900; English playwright, novelist & poet] -18-

May 2017 Kings Mountain Community Calendar

The Kings Mountain Echo is published monthly by the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc, a non-profit, volunteer organization. The Co-Editors are Eileen Fredrikson and Sam Penman. All opinions are those of the commentator/writer and not those of the publisher. Echo submissions should be emailed to eileenfredrikson@comcast.net or samcase@gmail.com. Please reference “the Echo” in the subject line. The Echo deadline is the 26th of each month. The editors retain discretion to edit all submissions for space and content.

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 621

REDWOOD CITY, CA

Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade13889 Skyline BlvdWoodside, CA 94062