Updates by Dominique:)

Buenos Dias amigos y amigas!

It has been crazy, hectic, and fun around here lately.
The weather is beautiful, a soft New England summer. The netting is finally up covering the blueberries, the Straw House is coming along (looking beautiful), and the summer camp is up and growing.

The Camp, day 3:

Today was very exciting because all of us were able to take a field trip to Julian Woods in order to receive art instruction from a local healer and artist. The art class was amazing and the kids loved it. The kids all made multiple oil/watercolor paintings. We discussed the healing properties of color and the connection between art, living, eating, and healing. Somehow art is profound, silly, fun, and engaging all at once. We also took a quick trip to the local pond where we were able to play in the water and enjoy the sunlight.
Today we also began Byron Katie with the kids, which went surprisingly well! The kids were very open to new ways of dealing with emotions. We approached it through charades and play.

It is hard to explain to kids why nature is so cool and how much nature provides for us. It is much easier to show them. Today we finished making some organic herbal salve from the land and each kid got to take some home. In addition, we went berry picking and had a delicious homemade lunch. Lunch was organic vegan lentil burgers, homemade bread, pineapple carrot cake, and fresh fruit/veggies-YUM! Thanks Rosalind!!

Cave exploring, hiking, art, meditating, etc. Today was generous in it's gifts and I am thankful for every part of it.

One thing I learned, to treat poison ivy "Jewel Weed"is wonderful:)

The land is open and blooming and it is summer at Ahimsa, feel free to visit, volunteer, learn and and connect while the weather is nice.

Coming up this weekend....the School of Living Retreat! Education, mayhem, and fun!

Summer Camp Week 2 Pictures

Check out the new Summer Camp pictures at our web site: http://ahimsavillage.org/pictures.htm

Updates from dominique-

Quick update:

Volunteer opportunity now up at serve.gov. Serve.gov is the volunteer movement President Obama began June22nd. It is part of his call for citizen action. Take Action now! Volunteer at Ahimsa.

I would love to see you around...

http://myproject.serve.gov/public/OpportunityDetail.aspx?projectId=6716&subProjectId=4828681

A quote from a very inspirational person:
"You have been telling people that this is the llth hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is THE HOUR..." Adrienne Maree Brown director of The Ruckus Society.

Bears and Bees

In researching what to do about the bear and bee situation at Ahimsa (we lost several hives last year due to a bear) I came across an excellent article published by the Mid-Atlantic Apicultural Research and Extension Consortium (March 2004). The researchers note that a decrease in suitable habitat areas for bees and bears have brought them in closer proximity esp. in Pennsylvania. Although there are no easy answers on how to deal with this problem, the researchers offer some advice including locating hives away from the forest edge, contacting the local game commission personnel to learn about bear populations in your area, loud noises, bright lights, and dogs sometimes work as well. As far as fencing goes they recommend using electrified barbed wire on t-posts. However they caution that a fence will only be effective in an apiary that has not been visited before. Once a bear gets a taste of honey bees an electric fence will not deter them. The complete article can be read at http://maarec.psu.edu/pdfs/bearsBees.pdf.

Welcome Dominique

My name is Dominique and I recently moved into Ahimsa Village. I am 22 years old and graduated a year ago from college with degrees I am not really using. I am a traveler, student, and artist. Currently I am learning the art of living. I met Kelle through my work with youth in State College. Kelle and Bob were kind enough to welcome me into their life and I am very grateful. I am very passionate about a lot of what is going on at Ahimsa and trying to soak it all up. I am learning everything I possibly can and trying to make the most out of each moment. Please introduce yourself to me; I love new people and places. Email: lightingstar@mailcity.com

What will it cost to go solar?

Ever wonder how much $$$ it would cost to convert your home to solar power and how long it would take to recoup the cost? Wonder no more. The PA Energy Festival people have created an online calcular called SunnyMoney that figures how much it will cost to install solar panels in your home. You simply have to enter your data into SunnyMoney and this calculator will tell you the system size, environmental impact, final cost, and even how much your home will appreciate. Check it out at http://www.themarea.org/sunny/sunny-money4.htm

Garden Update

The gardens and orchard at Ahimsa are growing fast at this time of year with regular gentle rains followed by warm sunny days. Already we are enjoying fresh lettuce, endive, arugula, pac choi, radishes, herbs, and strawberries. Unfortunately slugs, mice, and crows are also enjoying the bounty way too much. Kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, beets, and carrots have been particularly tasty to the hungry wildlife. The trees in the orchard are thriving with the exception of the pawpaws. Gypsy moth and tent caterpillar damage is mild this year. The weeds are also growing prolifically, and therefore, we spend many hours weeding.