by aleks
Just a reminder regarding next two Saturdays:
• Inside story of koi, garden stars
Sat, March 19, 10:30am – 12:00pm at SJG Tateuchi Room
Our Continuing Education Committee presents a lecture by Chris Charbonneau, president of the Washington Koi and Water Garden Society
• UNIT 86 Spring MTG
Sat, March 26, 10am – 12pm at AF Meeting Room at the Graham Visitors Center (not, not, NOT Tateuchi Room). Your chance to meet your fellow guides and participate in our group's decisions. Reminder to self (and maybe you, too): bring my $10 dues.
Here is probably a good place and time to alert those of you who don't venture outside of the main page: this blog now has a CALENDAR of Garden events, Continuing Ed. meetings and Unit 86 meetings. Too see it, click on U86Cal (next to the 'Home' button on the top of the page) - I thought it nifty short for Unit 86 Calendar, but if confusing, I can rename it as just 'Calendar', so let me know. Also, please email me (or leave a comment), if you want add something to the calendar....
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Quake moved Japan coast 8 feet, shifted Earth's axis
by aleks
I read those astounding facts, look at the pictures and videos, listen to nuclear experts but can hardly comprehend because of sadness in seeing this terrible harm done to such a beautiful place on our planet: earthquake, then tsunami, now nuclear worries.
Take care, Japan and all beings that call you home.
Found this on the blog of Dr. Gabi Greve, she is in Okayama Prefecture, Japan (clicking on Gabi's name will take you to her blog):
3/15 • Relief efforts (click on the names to get the info):
1.) Verizon: Free Calls to Japan From March 11 to April 10
2.) City of Seattle page with info on how to help with relief efforts
3.) Japanese Community launched SeattleJapanRelief.org to support earthquake/tsunami relief
4.) This is via our guide Naoko: Art Sale to Benefit Relief Efforts in Japan at KOBO at Higo
Saturday, March 26, 12-8 pm
Sunday, March 27, 12-5pm
A number of artists with connections to Japan will be donating work to be exchanged for donations that will go directly to relief efforts helping those affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami. 100% of the proceeds will go to several relief organizations.
5.) Uwajimaya is accepting donations in all stores for Peace Winds America to support relief effort in Japan - Uwajimaya will MATCH contributions up to $5000. Peace Winds America's mission is reducing the high human, economical and political cost of natural disasters in the Asia Pacific.
________________________________________________
4.) This is via our guide Naoko: Art Sale to Benefit Relief Efforts in Japan at KOBO at Higo
Saturday, March 26, 12-8 pm
Sunday, March 27, 12-5pm
A number of artists with connections to Japan will be donating work to be exchanged for donations that will go directly to relief efforts helping those affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami. 100% of the proceeds will go to several relief organizations.
5.) Uwajimaya is accepting donations in all stores for Peace Winds America to support relief effort in Japan - Uwajimaya will MATCH contributions up to $5000. Peace Winds America's mission is reducing the high human, economical and political cost of natural disasters in the Asia Pacific.
________________________________________________
I read those astounding facts, look at the pictures and videos, listen to nuclear experts but can hardly comprehend because of sadness in seeing this terrible harm done to such a beautiful place on our planet: earthquake, then tsunami, now nuclear worries.
Take care, Japan and all beings that call you home.
3/11/2011
. BIG . earthquake
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
earthquake night -
the stars are as silent
as ever
I just stepped out to say good night to the world ...
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| Shocks & after-shocks... |
Below the image Nat S. referred to in her comment below this post - Otsuchi Village, Iwate Prefecture:
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Out of the many, many images I've seen of this enornous disaster, this one reminded me that higher consciousness, essential nature, or, one might call it pure potentiality, can never be destroyed. Nat S. |
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Scene From the Flower and Garden Show...
by Monzie
A three-hour shift as docent Saturday for The Japanese Garden-Bridging History display at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show was a great way to see reactions to a Japanese Garden.
The gold award-winning display, celebrating the Seattle Japanese Garden's 50th anniversary last year, was presented by the Arboretum Foundation in association with its partners the Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle Parks and Recreation and University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Congratulations to designers Roger Williams, Phil Wood and Bob Lilly!
More than 200 visitors passed by my end of the exhibit - judging by the number of trips made to pick up more of the display's brochures to hand out. The pamphlet had an excellent plant list, which was eagerly received by visitors and gratefully by me.
Here's a take on reactions.
First, long pauses as eyes swept the beautifully lighted display from entrance gate, past cherry trees, the crooked bridge and then to the viewing platform (or vice versa, naturally).
Much action ensued with cameras, especially views capturing the garden's length through the entrance gate, and shots through branches of the cherry trees.
Then noses detected a heavy scent. Where was the fragrance coming from? They sniffed the cherry blossoms. No. Not there.
They bent to check the sarcoccocca beneath the cherry trees. Not there either.
Moving ahead in the search, "ahh!" exclamations rang out with discovery of two Daphne odora at the torri gate. Mystery solved! (Nurseries may expect a run on Daphne odora.)
The bamboo deer catcher, with its water funnel rhythmically rising and falling- all the while making clacks on a stone to chase away any deer - was an immediate attraction to children.
Rippling mondo grass, substituting for water under the bridge, was a center of adult attention - perhaps mowers of lawns in particular. Is it difficult to grow? What about water? Does it prefer sun or shade? Can one walk on it?
But the first, long, appreciative pauses may reflect best on the garden's design.
A three-hour shift as docent Saturday for The Japanese Garden-Bridging History display at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show was a great way to see reactions to a Japanese Garden.
The gold award-winning display, celebrating the Seattle Japanese Garden's 50th anniversary last year, was presented by the Arboretum Foundation in association with its partners the Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle Parks and Recreation and University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Congratulations to designers Roger Williams, Phil Wood and Bob Lilly!
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| Cherry tree blossomed on cue - Photo by Monzie 2/26/11 |
More than 200 visitors passed by my end of the exhibit - judging by the number of trips made to pick up more of the display's brochures to hand out. The pamphlet had an excellent plant list, which was eagerly received by visitors and gratefully by me.
 |
| Mondo grass doubled for water - Photo by Monzie 2/26/11 |
Here's a take on reactions.
First, long pauses as eyes swept the beautifully lighted display from entrance gate, past cherry trees, the crooked bridge and then to the viewing platform (or vice versa, naturally).
Much action ensued with cameras, especially views capturing the garden's length through the entrance gate, and shots through branches of the cherry trees.
Then noses detected a heavy scent. Where was the fragrance coming from? They sniffed the cherry blossoms. No. Not there.
They bent to check the sarcoccocca beneath the cherry trees. Not there either.
Moving ahead in the search, "ahh!" exclamations rang out with discovery of two Daphne odora at the torri gate. Mystery solved! (Nurseries may expect a run on Daphne odora.)
 |
| Eye catching deer-catcher (look for the low bamboo gizmo to the left of the lantern) - Photo by Monzie 2/26/11 |
The bamboo deer catcher, with its water funnel rhythmically rising and falling- all the while making clacks on a stone to chase away any deer - was an immediate attraction to children.
Rippling mondo grass, substituting for water under the bridge, was a center of adult attention - perhaps mowers of lawns in particular. Is it difficult to grow? What about water? Does it prefer sun or shade? Can one walk on it?
But the first, long, appreciative pauses may reflect best on the garden's design.
Monday, February 21, 2011
First Unit 86 meeting of 2011
by Lynnda
It was good to see so many guides at our meeting last Thursday. The Tateuchi Community Room was almost filled to capacity. Joan began the meeting and brought our attention to the new projector recently purchased by Unit 86. What a great tool for all future meetings and trainings.
Lisa Chen explained there would be a new sign-in sheet this year. She emphasized the importance of accurately collecting volunteer hours, both at the Garden and off-site. Last year, about 4,000 on-site volunteer hours were recorded. Many, many more hours were spent off-site, and Lisa is asking us to keep track of those hours this year. The totals allow the government bodies funding the Japanese Garden to know how committed the volunteers are. This is also instrumental in pursuing grants for future projects.
Belinda Chin gave an excellent program to encourage us to review our tour techniques. Her suggestions for leading a tour were helpful, along with comments from the group. Her handout will soon be posted on the blog. She ran through the entire tour, including suggestions for introducing yourself, setting expectations, knowing who is in your group, using teachable moments, and ending the tour. It was a perfect way to start preparing for the busy tour season.
Here is link to Belinda's handout (this click will take you off this site, but you can click back)
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| SJG • 2/13/11 |
Lisa Chen explained there would be a new sign-in sheet this year. She emphasized the importance of accurately collecting volunteer hours, both at the Garden and off-site. Last year, about 4,000 on-site volunteer hours were recorded. Many, many more hours were spent off-site, and Lisa is asking us to keep track of those hours this year. The totals allow the government bodies funding the Japanese Garden to know how committed the volunteers are. This is also instrumental in pursuing grants for future projects.
Belinda Chin gave an excellent program to encourage us to review our tour techniques. Her suggestions for leading a tour were helpful, along with comments from the group. Her handout will soon be posted on the blog. She ran through the entire tour, including suggestions for introducing yourself, setting expectations, knowing who is in your group, using teachable moments, and ending the tour. It was a perfect way to start preparing for the busy tour season.
Here is link to Belinda's handout (this click will take you off this site, but you can click back)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
It's OPEN!
by aleks
Enjoy this from Nat's email on the subject, dated Feb. 14th:
The lovely blooming camellia greets visitors right after the fork of the road, past the entrance. It was so nice to see people filling the garden once again, after the closed winter months. The newly pruned from excess vegetation east side of the eastern path looks now airy, lacy and transparent, the way it should in the Japanese Garden, and not like a jungle it was last fall.
People were filling in for a traditional Shinto blessing of purifying the air, water and earth before the new season in the Garden - it's done every year by Rev. Barrish, who chants, offers sake, rice and flowers while asking to bless the garden....
The calligraphy workshop followed the Shinto blessing - Midori Kono Kiel was in charge of the workshop.
Enjoy this from Nat's email on the subject, dated Feb. 14th:
The weather forecast for today was 'rainy all day', yet it brightened up and rays of sunshine graced the water in the pond during the opening of the Seattle Japanese Garden for 2011 season (from noon till 3 PM)....
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| SJG 2/13/11 - blooming camellia |
People were filling in for a traditional Shinto blessing of purifying the air, water and earth before the new season in the Garden - it's done every year by Rev. Barrish, who chants, offers sake, rice and flowers while asking to bless the garden....
 |
| SJG - 2/13/11 • Rev. Barrish and Shinto altar on the moon viewing platform |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • People observing the ceremony from the orchard |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • Rice offering |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • Flower offering |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • Sake offering |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • Kids back on the zig-zag bridge, looking for koi |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • Sorry, couldn't help myself: cool shoes! where can I get a pair like that? |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • the Koi didn't freeze, after-all:) |
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| SJG 2/13/11 • 'Did you get the pic of the people?' asked Nat... So here they are again, sitting in the orchard... |
The calligraphy workshop followed the Shinto blessing - Midori Kono Kiel was in charge of the workshop.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Guides, Garden Volunteers - the Season Begins!
by Monzie
Plan on having that second cup of coffee or tea and nibbles with us at our first monthly continuing education meeting of the year: 10:30 am to noon, Thursday, February 17 in the Tateuchi Community Room.
To help us freshen our guiding scripts and techniques, Parks Educator Belinda Chin (her talk at the 2010 training class won wide acclaim) will lead off the season with "Tips for Interpretive Guided Tours."
Belinda is the K-12 education program supervisor for environmental learning at Parks and an enthusiastic volunteer herself. She is a former earth science teacher at McClure Middle School and National Park Service interpretive ranger.
In addition, there is much news to cover after our three-month vacation. So this meeting will begin very shortly after 10:30 with opening remarks by Unit 86 President Myrna Aavedal.
Parks Horticulturist Lisa Chen will give an update on improvements made in the garden in November, staff changes and the outlook for more thinning and pruning on the west side later in the year.
Please refer to the standing column on the right for the dates and topics of upcoming meetings. You will receive reminders and more details on each session here and also by email from Myrna about one week in advance of each session.
Special note: We are alternating meetings between Thursday ad Saturday again this year.
The March meeting will be from 10:30 am to noon, Saturday, March 19, when Chris Charbonneau, president of the Washington Koi and Water Garden Society, will talk about the lake's living art.
Your continuing education committee welcomes questions and suggestions! Contact Michele Malo, Mary Ann Wiley, Shizue Prochaska or Joan Kelday.
Plan on having that second cup of coffee or tea and nibbles with us at our first monthly continuing education meeting of the year: 10:30 am to noon, Thursday, February 17 in the Tateuchi Community Room.
To help us freshen our guiding scripts and techniques, Parks Educator Belinda Chin (her talk at the 2010 training class won wide acclaim) will lead off the season with "Tips for Interpretive Guided Tours."
Belinda is the K-12 education program supervisor for environmental learning at Parks and an enthusiastic volunteer herself. She is a former earth science teacher at McClure Middle School and National Park Service interpretive ranger.
In addition, there is much news to cover after our three-month vacation. So this meeting will begin very shortly after 10:30 with opening remarks by Unit 86 President Myrna Aavedal.
Parks Horticulturist Lisa Chen will give an update on improvements made in the garden in November, staff changes and the outlook for more thinning and pruning on the west side later in the year.
Please refer to the standing column on the right for the dates and topics of upcoming meetings. You will receive reminders and more details on each session here and also by email from Myrna about one week in advance of each session.
Special note: We are alternating meetings between Thursday ad Saturday again this year.
The March meeting will be from 10:30 am to noon, Saturday, March 19, when Chris Charbonneau, president of the Washington Koi and Water Garden Society, will talk about the lake's living art.
Your continuing education committee welcomes questions and suggestions! Contact Michele Malo, Mary Ann Wiley, Shizue Prochaska or Joan Kelday.
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