Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society- April Updates

Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society Restoring and promoting the health of all life in the Chesapeake Watershed    through education and action projects organized by volunteers _

Three Sisters: Gardens for All Seasons Spring into Eco-Gardening with These Upcoming Free Greenbelt Events! Three Sisters:  Gardens for All Seasons  Make Earth Day Every Day! No really, we mean it! And we'll get you started with a dance performance by Alight Dance Theater as well as a seed starting demo by our expert gardeners. This event is great for families! No RSVP required. Free and open to the community.  See below for performance dates and locations. Greenbelt Food Forest Exploration and Workday Saturday, April 19th (10 AM - 12:30 PM) We bet you didn't know figs, passion fruit, hazelnuts, and more can be grown inside Maryland! And you won't believe how many wild plants are edible (and delicious)! You can learn about it all with our Greenbelt Food Forest Project. Forest gardening is based upon the principles of permaculture, and this type of ecologically based, self-fertilizing agriculture practice is proving to produce extremely high yields of crops. We'll be getting everything ready for the spring with some mulching, invasive species removal (that's our fancy way of saying "weeding"), and planting. Please be prepared for outdoor work by bringing a reusable water bottle, close-toed shoes, long pants, and work gloves. Also, if you have any tools such as loppers, pruners, bow saws, shovels, metal rakes, pitchforks, or other gardening equipment, please bring them along (be sure to write your name on them). RSVP is required to Alex via email or call 240-542-2168. See below for date and location.  Schrom Hills Park Garden ~ 6915 Hanover Parkway Greenbelt Community Center Garden ~ 15 Crescent Road  [May 10-11, 1-3 PM] Garden Workdays at the Green Man Festival ~ Contact Alex, 240-542-2168 for more info and volunteer hours [May 31, 1:30-4:30 PM] Garden Workday/Alight Dance Theater ~ Garden maintenance, open Dress Rehearsal of Gardens for All Seasons      ***[June 1, 2-4 PM]*** Three Sisters: Gardens for All Seasons by Alight Dance Theater     Springhill Lake Outdoor Classroom ~ 6101 Cherrywood Lane This location is metro accessible! Take the Green Line to Greenbelt -  click for walking directions   ***[April 26, 2-4]*** Three Sisters: Gardens for All Seasons by Alight Dance Theater Greenbelt Food Forest ~ behind the playground at Springhill Lake This location is metro accessible! Take the Green Line to Greenbelt - click for walking directions  [April 19, 10-12:30 pm] Food Forest Exploration and Workday         These events are being coordinated by the Chesapeake Education Arts and Research Society (CHEARS). More information can be found on our website.  You can also Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter: @chearsorg.   Cleaning out your garage?  Do you have extra garden tools?  Contact Lucy, 301-577-2350 to donate equipment!   Event Updates: A Smashing Success!  Stormwater Solutions: Rain Barrels and More   Click here to see the photos Our Stormwater Solutions workshop was a smashing success!  Over 50 community members attended to learn about water pollution problems in urban areas and what ordinary citizens can do to make a real difference in their communities by following some simple (and fun) best management practices.  Workshop participants learned about rain gardens and bioswales, painted and decorated their own rain barrels, explored an interactive watershed model, got a behind-the-scenes tour of Greenbelt Public Works Building with their cutting-edge green building features, and we even had live demonstrations of how to install rain barrels in College Park and at Greenbelt Housing Inc!      Did you miss our workshop?  That's okay, we will be putting all of our presenter's slideshows on the web soon.      CHEARS would like to thank the Bagel Place of College Park for their donations of 5 dozen bagels and to the weatherman for bringing us 60 degree weather with sunshine!    The Stormwater Solutions workshop was a collaborative effort between CHEARS and the following organizations:      Greenbelt City Public Works Department                            Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek (CCRIC) Anacostia Watershed Citizens Advisory Committee          Green ACES Advisory Committee to the City of Greenbelt Town of Berwyn Heights                                             Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Anacostia Watershed Society                                       Watershed Stewards Academy Greenbelt Homes Inc.                                                            Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowship Thank you for a successful tree planting!  10-Acre Tour and Tree Planting On March 8th, CHEARS partnered with Forested, LLC, a 10 acre forest garden research farm, for a tree planting workday.  In just a matter of a few hours, over 60 volunteers planted over 80 trees and learned about permaculture design!   Click here to see the photos.  CHEARS and Forested would like to extend their thanks to Starbucks at the Greenway Center in Greenbelt for their donations of coffee and creamer that energized our program participants. And, as always, thanks so much to all of our volunteer participants!   ~ Alex Palmer, Volunteer Maryland Coordinator  Spring Nine Lives Yard Sale  Sunday, April 27 in Greenbelt  Have things to donate? Let us know! The Spring 9 Lives Yard Sale is planned for Sunday, April 27. The CHEARS community can help raise funds for community education and arts by donating usable goods.    We will begin picking up items on April 19th. To donate something good to the sale, call 202-664-7572 in the evenings or contact us via email and include "DONATION" in the subject line.    Proceeds from the sale go entirely to community events including the Green Man Festival, The Harvest Festival and other community gatherings where Art, Music, Poetry and other creative spirits draw attention to environmental issues. The CHEARS Flows Project presents...  2014 Chincoteague Co-Learning and Fun Weekend  Looking Back, Moving Forward: Baby Boomers and Climate Change      Memorial Day Weekend 2014, Friday-Monday, May 23-26 Co-facilitators: Bob and Maggie Cahalan Beach Walking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Co-Learning Exploration How did we get to where we are in 2014? Where do we go from here?  As early baby boomers, coming of age in the 1960's and 1970's Bob and Maggie believed their generation could change the world to be more peaceful, just, and environmentally friendly---Now over 40 years later using threatened Chincoteague Island as a metaphoric focus they invite you to join them for a co-learning weekend focused on addressing these questions    Cost:  $200--250 per person - includes:  up to 4 night double occupancy stay in a beautiful Chincoteague Bay front home, healthy vegan meals, canoe and kayak use, and Saturday and Sunday facilitated co-learning sessions.        Contact Bob or Maggie to register. Space is limited: All proceeds go to support CHEARS non-profit work dedicated to promoting the health of all who share the Chesapeake Bay Watershed    Bob Cahalan, is the former Chief of the Climate and Radiation Lab at NASA Goddard and Maggie Cahalan is the Director of the Pell Institute of the Council for Opportunity in Education--Both Maggie and Bob are in process of planning to retire/rewire soon!  10th Annual Greenbelt Green Man Festival May 10-11, Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt MD Download the flyer ~ Wish List  Dear Folks, The Green Man Festival is coming up and we are in the final stages of planning and preparing for the event. As the plans evolved, we have developed lists of things we will need for the festival. If you can help provide some of these items to borrow, please let us know. First let's look at things we need lent to us for the weekend: - Folding chairs - Folding Tables - Canopies - A ladder Materials we will need for the activities spaces: - Clay pots 3" to 6" - Potting soil - Old bed sheets - Sea shells - Beads - Chalk - Egg cartons - String and twine - Tiles - Pine cones and tree nuts - Popcycal sticks and tooth picks - Dried Beans, peas, seeds, and pasta - Flat stones, sea glass, tree bark, sturdy dried leaves, wood chips, moss, & small metal things Call to have your items picked up earlier at 202-664-7572 and leave your name and call back #. Set aside a bag or box and collect items for pick up or to bring to the festival.   We also need volunteers for 1, 2, and 3 hour shifts in the activities area. All you need is a willingness to help and a love for creative activities!    ~ CHEARS and the Green Man Community tribe Financial Permaculture Convergence May 31-June 4, 2014 in Miami, Florida Hosted by Earth Learning and Organized by Financial Permaculture Institute  CHEARS and other regional permaculture organizations are collaborating with Financial Permaculture Institute in designing regenerative businesses for a national permaculture convergence in Miami, Florida.   To register and for more information,  visit  Financial Permaculture Institute. $80 discount on the registration fee: use the code KWFPC This event, as well as the work leading up to it, will be focused on designing replicable regenerative local food enterprises and growing resilient local food economies.   We will address economic and ecological challenges of the 21st century as we design forward-looking businesses that optimize the local natural systems and human capacities to implement models of regenerative business and local resiliency.  For more information on the 2014 Team Members, including our keynote speakers, click here!

Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society P.O. Box 1841 | Greenbelt , MD  20768 www.chears.org  |  301-458-0241

Godly Home Educating Mothers Meeting

We welcome you to join us for the next Godly Home Educating Mothers (GHEM) meeting.  We have an exciting meeting in store for next Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Grace Brethren Church, Clinton, in the Fellowship Hall from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Please join us for a Veteran Couples Panel Discussion where panelists will discuss God's faithfulness in their lives, marriages and homeschools during their season of homeschooling.  Our panelists will be Mr. and Mrs. Danny and Tia Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Lydia Cade and Mr. and Mrs. David and Shari Washington.  This meeting is open to homeschool mothers and homeschool fathers.  However, if only one parent can attend, that is fine as well.   As this is a panel discussion, there may be sensitive topics discussed so we ask that children not be in attendance.  We appreciate your understanding. Grace Brethren Church is located at 6501 Surratts Road, Clinton, MD 20735.  For more information, contact Valerie Parker at 301-633-8668.

Canoe Excursion -Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Paddle along Muddy Creek and Rhode River to search for wildlife. For beginner and intermediate paddlers. Ages 6+. $9-18. 9-11:30am on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Reed Education Center, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on the Chesapeake Bay, Edgewater. 

Our trails are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We're only closed Sundays and federal holidays. 

For more information visit: http://www.serc.si.edu/

Volunteer Opportunity: Homeless Resource Day Setup

Want to help people in your community. 

Help set up, sort and organize donations and giveaways for Homeless Resource Day. 

Ages 15+. Free. 4-8pm. Glen Burnie High School, Glen Burnie.  

Any questions or concerns? Call the school at 410-761-8950

Civil War Life Program

Education Trunk Program

Artifacts, activities, games and images to learn about life of Civil War soldiers. Ages 7-12. Free. 10am-noon. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City.  

Whole Foods Market Annapolis April Culinary & Community Center Classes

View all classes and events on our online events calendar.

KIDS CLUB & YOUTH CLASSES

Kids Club: Fruit Kabobs

Tuesday, April 1^st, 11:00am-11:30am

Ages 3-5

Create your own fruit kabobs using fresh strawberries, bananas and grapes served with yogurt dipping sauce. Followed by store tour and samples. $5. Click here to register online.

Kids Lunchbox: Ham Tortilla Pinwheels

Tuesday, April 8^th, 11:00am-11:30am

Ages 3-5

In this class participants will learn how to prepare a healthy lunch box using fresh cut meats, fruits, vegetables and a berry delicious parfait. $10. Click here to register online.

Kids Club: Yogurt Parfaits

Tuesday, April 15^th, 11:00am-11:30am

Ages 3-5

Create your own yogurt parfait using Greek style yogurt, fresh fruit and yummy toppings. Followed by store tour and samples. $5. Click here to register online.

Kids Lunchbox: Turkey Croissants

Tuesday, April 22^nd, 11:00am-11:30am

Ages 3-5

In this class participants will learn how to prepare a healthy lunchbox using fresh cut meats, fruits, vegetables and a berry delicious parfait. $10. Click here to register online.

Kids Club: Spring Trail Mix

Tuesday, April 29^th, 11:00am-11:30am

Ages 3-5

Create your own healthy spring trail mix using nuts and dried fruit. Followed by store tour and samples. $5. Click here to register online.

Afterschool Arts and Craft

Tuesday April 1^st, 4:30-5:30pm

Ages 8+

Come join us to create grass head friends. We will begin the class by refueling with healthy snacks to get our creativity flowing. $5 Click here to register online.

Afterschool Arts and Crafts

Thursday April 10^th, 4:30-5:30pm

Ages 8+

Come join us to create a vegetable garden starter kit. We will begin the class by refueling with healthy snacks to get our creativity flowing. $5 Click here to register online.

Afterschool Arts and Crafts

Wednesday April 30^th, 4:30-5:30pm

Ages 8+

Come join us to create a variety selection of flowers starter kit. We will begin the class by refueling with healthy snacks to get our creativity flowing. $5 Click here to register online.

Let’s Cook for Mom and Dad

Thursday April 3^rd, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Children ages 10-14 learn how to prepare a simple, but elegant meal that they can make for their parents. On the menu: Steamed shrimp lettuce wraps with veggies, sprouts & a nam pla dipping sauce (DELICIOUS!), Quinoa 5 bean wrap scented with cumin with a cilantro chimi churi in a gluten free wrap, Thai chicken wrap with peanut sauce, carrots and cabbage. $25.  Click here to register online.

CHAT & CHEW WITH HEALTHY EATING SPECIALIST RANDI

Chat & Chew

Every Tuesday, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Join our healthy eating specialist Randi for a demo in the produce department to learn about her favorite fruits and veggies. Learn how to store, cut and prepare these delicious foods.  Recipes and samples will be provided. This is a FREE demo.

ADULT CLASSES & HOW TO SERIES

Surf and Turf

Friday April 11^th 5:00pm-6:30pm

In this class, participants will discover the different cuts of meat and fish. Wayne and Patrick, our Meat and Seafood team leaders, will demonstrate how simple it is to prepare a 5 star dish by simply knowing how to properly cut and prepare your meats. Let’s not forget that pairing up is also important so we will prepare a side dish to go along with the entrée. Come hungry and leave with a gourmet dinner and tons of helpful tips and tricks. $35. Click here to register online.

How To: Sushi

Tuesday April 15^th 5:00pm-7:00pm

In this class, participants will learn the basics of sushi preparation. Together with Siang, an experienced sushi chef, we will create a few sushi rolls while learning some simple tips and tricks. This is a hands-on class. (Great for couples) $35. Click here to register online.

Brio Tuscan Grill Cooking Class

Thursday April 17^th 5:30pm-7:30pm

Looking for an alternative to the usual Easter Dinner?  Join Chef Rick Allison, Brio Tuscan Grille Executive Chef, to learn how to make a delicious salmon dish, chopped salad and delectable dessert, Italian style. $25. Click here to register online.

Eating Well on the Cheap: Store Tour and Cooking Demonstration

Thursday April 23^rd, 6:00pm-7:00pm

At Whole Foods Market we believe everyone should be able to afford to eat quality food. Some think higher quality means higher price, but think again! We have secrets to share! The first step toward eating better on a budget is spending your money on actual food so you get the most nutrition for your buck. Cheap food is usually made from cheap ingredients, often including synthetic preservatives and dyes. We offer real food, free of artificial ingredients and hydrogenated fats at the best price possible, especially when you know where to look.  Join us for our “value” tour.  You'll discover you can afford to shop Whole Foods Market on a budget. Following the tour, enjoy a tasting of healthy, yummy and affordable recipes. Attendees will also receive a gift bag. Click here to register online.

Quick and Easy Recipes

Thursday April 24^th 6:00pm- 7:30pm

Discover 3 quick and easy weeknight meals that will be sure to please the family. The menu will include leek & chicken rice pilaf with orzo and fresh herbs, Romano leek pesto linguini with sautéed shrimp and hoisin portabellas and sweet potatoes with a quinoa succotash.

$25. Click here to register online.

Rene Acosta

Whole Foods Market Annapolis

Marketing and Culinary Team Member

200 Harker Place #100

Annapolis, MD. 21401

(W) 410-266-5761

Rene.acosta@wholefoods.com

National Museum of the American Indian - Teacher Resources - Spring

 Equinox rainbow cast in the Potomac Atrium at NMAI-DC on March 20th, 2014. Photograph by Mark Christal. Hello Teachers and Happy Spring, As spring arrives, we are pleased to share a special issue of the teacher e-Newsletter with you in honor of Women’s History Month! Women’s roles as carriers of life, teachers, and knowledge bearers is a great gift, and we wanted to recognize and thank all of the women who make positive contributions to the lives of others. Native communities also celebrate women and new life. In different Native communities, there are distinct ways that we acknowledge and honor the signs of spring and the budding life around us. In fact, for many Native communities, spring is when the new year is celebrated and is a time of purification. In some tribal communities, the singing of frogs marks spring activities, such as preparing the ground and seeds for planting. In other Native communities, the first thunders may be honored as signifiers of the beginning of a new year and coming rain. However you honor the new season, we hope this issue of our teacher e-Newsletter makes it a little bit brighter.  Avis Charley (Dakota/Diné) Photograph by James Franklin, courtesy of Avis Charley. IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: The Art of Avis Charley Avis Charley is a graphic artist of the Ihanktonwan Dakota Oyate band of the Oceti Sakowin and Diné (Navajo) descent. Her family is from the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota, and the Diné are from the Four Corners region (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona). Avis was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. In her early years she was a graffiti artist, and later went to art school to hone her skills. Her medium of choice is ledger drawing, a style of drawing that was historically practiced by Native men on the plains. Drawing from her ancestry, Ihanktonwan Dakota Oyate, Avis visually documents scenes that are important in her life. Although she works in a historic style, she contemporizes the art form by adding her own personal touch. Avis is one of a handful of contemporary Native women artists who work in this tradition. To learn more, click on these Teacher Resources: Why should I teach this? PDF Art Key PDF  In the Moment, drawing by Avis Charley (Dakota/Diné), colored pencil.  Photograph courtesy of Avis Charley. What do you notice about the drawing In the Moment? How is this drawing different or similar from Plains historical narrative art? To learn more, click on this Teacher Resource: Art Key PDF Cherokee Days NMAI-DC - April 3-5, 2014 For the first time in intertribal history, the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are partnering to host “Cherokee Days,” a public educational program that shares the true Cherokee story. The program includes a three-day festival featuring food, dance, music, demonstrations and films.  Image courtesy of the Cherokee Nation.