My Chautauqua world heavily revolves around food: when and how to serve it, what food choices will piss the fewest people off*, how much money to spend on it, and where to buy it. Over my past 2.5 tours as kitchen manager, I've tried to incorporate local farms (usually organic) as the source for most of our produce. While the logistics of finding a farm, getting out there, and working with the sometimes limited veggies that are in season can be difficult (esp. with so much fun circus stuff happening that I would love to be a part of), the choice has been a rewarding one for me. On this tour, I found my way out to at least 5 local farms (nearly one in each community) and walked the fields with the farmers seeing what was ready for harvest. Some farmers just heap the veggies on us, letting us just have past-their-prime veggies. After freshly cutting us kale, cabbage, zucchinis, and plenty of lettuce, Ed in Talkeetna couldn't stop himself. "I'm sure you could find a use for some rhubarb", he said*. And then, with our arms full and almost to the car he insisted we take a bunch of flowers too. When I came back for a second load of whatever he had a few days later, I left him with a couple of comp tickets to our [3+ hour] show. For me, the health/taste/freshness argument for shopping at local farms doesn't resonate strongly, but knowing the people and story behind at least part of the food I serve does. And since Chautauqua is so much about enriching communities whether through service, performance, or education, participating in the local economy just makes sense. (On a personal note: if I don't see kale, zucchini, or cabbage for the next 3 months, I won't be disappointed.) |
Monday August 15 2011 | File under: circus, food |
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It isn't uncommon for non-circus folks to mix up circus folks, those who perform skills for audiences, with carnies, those who travel with carnivals to run the rides and man* the booths. Last night, Chautauqua, the band of 45 or so circusy folks I'm currently running around Alasqua with, camped at the Alasqua State Fairgrounds outside of Palmer and the two worlds merged. Led by a veteran Chautauquan looking to recreate fond memories of the Alasqua tour 11 years ago, we hopped a fence to frolic among the not in use tilt-o-wheels, mini-roller coasters, ferris wheels, and hall 'o mirrors. While being amongst abandoned carnival rides was a little creepy, it was also really fun. And since we are in the land of ridiculously long day light, at least it wasn't dark at midnight when the frolicking reached its peak. Next time I visit a [working] carnival, I will have a better understanding of the machines from having climbed on and explored them unhampered. But I will also feel slightly less safe knowing that all it takes is a hop, skip, and jump for anyone so inclined to do exactly the same thing. |
Monday August 1 2011 | File under: chautauqua |
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Wednesday July 27 2011 | File under: circus, travel |
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It's that time of year again, time to hit the road with a group of amazing people to camp, cook, and live completely outdoors doing shows, parades, and workshops in small towns along the way. The New Old Time Chautauqua 2011 tour is headed to...ALASQUA*! While I'm excited for all the vaudeville/circus fun to come, I haven't quite gotten my mind past the epic trip that is entailed to get 50 people and all their camping and performing gear to our country's northern most state. While a few members are already there or are going to fly up, 39 are slated to go by bus via the Al-Can highway. Over 2000 miles in 3 days*. How many pee breaks, hot springs, border crossing issues, and peanut butter and jelly sandwichs are we goign to tally up? Probably a lot. No matter what the count, watch out Alasqua, here we come! (For previous tour posts, browse backwards for 2009 and 2010. Or check out Chautauqua's official website to learn more.) |
Wednesday July 20 2011 | File under: circus |
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Thursday July 14 2011 | File under: comic |
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How do you build on a big old warehouse on a budget? Well, first step is to get a bunch of generous friends to help pour the foundation. Then you take 6 months of inexpert yet can-do spirited labor to erect the thing. Then, when it comes time to insulate, you get creative with a bunch of used cardboard and styrofoam.
Since the warehouse has* radiant heat floors, code says we've gotta have some heavy duty insulation on the walls and ceiling. It turns out insulating a big old 2 story, 50x30 warehouse can get expensive. Then someone came up with a great idea: use cardboard! The process is basically this:
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Wednesday July 13 2011 | File under: quarry |
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Friday July 8 2011 | File under: comic |
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A poster of the image seen to the left* hangs on many a Portlander's wall. And I can see why. It's an awesome poster of an awesome concept. The bridges that span the Willamette and Columbia Rivers are varied and interesting, a deserving point of pride for a city with many things going for it.
This weekend, I got to see some of the bridges from a new angle, on the water. A friend scored us some tickets to a Blues Cruise (part of the Portland Blues Festival) aboard the Portland Spirit. While we had to escape to the deck to avoid boozy blusies, we were treated to a spectacular view of some of the city's great bridges*. We also got to see them raise various bridges for us drawbridge-style, which was also exciting. Yep, on every visit, Portland unveils a new, fun side of itself. I can't wait to see what it is next time! |
Tuesday July 5 2011 | File under: Portland |
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Friday July 1 2011 | File under: comic |
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After thinking, dreaming, scheming, and telling people about it for well over a year, I've finally started building my cabin at the quarry. Last fall I got a spot tucked down in a little valley cleared and leveled and started thinking of how a little one-room cabin might fit in. This past weekend, I laid the first stones!
Basically, I'm looking at something that will end up more or less rectangular about 12x7. The walls will be mostly stone except for a few windows* here and there and some wood as well. (I see it all quite clearly in my head, but I know the details don't translate so well through brief prose.) Anyway, I'm super excited. To have a living space that I built from the ground up will be amazing, not to mention in a place as beautiful and vibrant as the quarry. Hopefully, before the end of the year, I will be able to post pictures that actually show you what I am seeing in my head and send out an invite for all to come and check it out!! |
Sunday June 26 2011 | File under: quarry |
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