Going viral, animal crackers, and revenge

Hello Friends of Fishtrap,

The H1N1 virus has been a no-show in Wallowa County, but the BIG READ has gone viral. We keep finding out about groups of people who are reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and discussing it – at home, at work, with friends. Let us know if you are one of those groups or individuals reading the book along with us!

Fishtrap took over the Wallowa County courtroom for a presentation by Portland lawyer Steven Goldberg on the connection between legal battles and social change. His conclusion? Social activism is often a prerequisite for judicial decisions that change the status quo.

Meanwhile, Enterprise elementary school students were reading The Well, by Mildred Taylor, about ... well, let’s let the kids tell us what it’s about:

... if someone hits you and you hit back it could go on forever ... if you make a mess, you have to clean it up ... don’t be mean just because you can ... if you think you are the best, you aren’t ... be kind and treat people equally ... racism is wrong ... you can never be too sure about anyone ... use your head instead of your fists ... sometimes good things can come out of the bad ... hitting someone will resolve in bad ways.

And my favorite: ... revenge is not always so sweet.

Coming up:

To Kill a Mockingbird, the movie, 1962, black and white, Gregory Peck. At the OK Theatre, Monday, February 15, 7 pm. Admission by donation. Need I say more?

In a presentation entitled “Speak Peace in a World of Conflict,” Catherine Matthias, Nick Lunde, Judy Wandschneider, and Chris Geyer, Wallowa County residents all, will lead a discussion of the basic principles of nonviolent communication, universal needs, and the many shades of feelings. They will also do some role modeling of productive and nonproductive communication methods. At the Fishtrap house, Thursday night, February 18, 7 pm.

SUMMER FISHTRAP

Well, I guess I misspoke last week. Summer Fishtrap info is not yet online, but should be no later than the 18th. Brochures will mail on March 12, and registration opens April 1. This year the theme is “Matter and Spirit,” and our faculty will include:

John Daniel, Brian Doyle, Karen Fisher, Charles Goodrich, Ehud Havazelet, Holly Hughes, Ursula Le Guin, Jack Loeffler, Amy Minato, Robert Michael Pyle, Kirsten Rian, Beth Russell , Cosy Sheridan, Jack Shoemaker, Gary Snyder, Jane Vandenburgh, and Elizabeth Woody.

The scholarship application process for Summer Fishtrap is open now. Applications must be in our hands by March 15. Go to www.fishtrap.org/scholarships.shtml.

FRIENDS & FUNDRAISERS

Our good and longtime Fishtrap friend Mary Schlick was featured on OPB’s Art Beat recently. As OPB reminds us, Mary “has devoted the last four decades of her life to preserving Indian basketry traditions from the Mid-Columbia region. Using plant fibers gathered from the Columbia River Gorge area, including roots, grass, and birch bark, she crafts a variety of basket styles. More than simple bags to carry food, these baskets hold a wealth of symbolism for Native Americans.” You can watch the show online at http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/segments/view/660

No, this isn’t one of Mary’s baskets, it’s the oldest and classiest of our Fishtrap donation baskets. The newest and least classy is a clear plastic tub, formerly home to miniature animal crackers. And speaking of donation baskets, our Development Director Kathy Sewell has been hard at work bringing back Fishstock and launching some new fundraisers.

Fishstock 2010, Fishtrap’s one-day celebration of music, words and art, will brighten your day on Saturday, May 15, in The Dalles. Last year’s inaugural event was great fun – plan to join us this year for the second go-round, with musicians Rosalie Sorrels, Dan Maher, Kate Power and Steve Einhorn, and the duo Heart and Hammer. Writer Robin Cody (Ricochet River, Voyage of a Summer Sun) and poet Clem Starck will read from their work, and that eloquent Welshman Jonathan Nicholas will MC. More details soon.

By the way, Voyage of a Summer Sun is about Cody’s 82-day canoe trip down the Columbia River, so Robin should feel right at home in The Dalles.

And now for Kathy’s idea of a night out on the town:

"Hi everyone. Welcome to the ‘Stay Home and Read a Book’ Ball. I hope all of you will take this opportunity to read an old favorite, a new intriguing literary work, or just fulfill a hidden pleasure. Some of you may read our 2010 Big Read selection, To Kill a Mockingbird, while others might enjoy the time to look at one of the new exciting graphic novels that are being published. Please choose any book, then blog on at http://readabookball.blogspot.com and tell us what you are reading. Become a follower so that you can see what other Fishtrappers are reading. AND please support Fishtrap by sending us a contribution that would equal a ‘night on the town.’ You can donate by going to www.fishtrap.org/donate.shtml. We appreciate your on-going support, and I look forward to meeting you on the blog!"

I don’t know about you, but life is so busy here in Wallowa County that the thought of doing nothing but reading a book sounds pretty darn good. So that’s what I’m going to do.

Bye,

Rick Bombaci
Executive Director