Sunday, September 27, 2009

Simming and Skating

Hello everyone,

I would really like to organize a group swimming class for homeschooling kids. I know that Marilyn mentioned that she could possibly teach a class but if she can't I'd like to find someone else and get it going. I'd like to see how many people are interested and then go ahead and talk to her or someone else. If you have children that would like lessons can you also tell me which times would work for you.

Mary-Sue mentioned to me yesterday that the homeschooler's skating class is full but if they get enough on a waiting list they may make another class. I'll be putting my kids on the list tomorrow. I'm wondering if we could do the two lessons back to back - if there were enough of us who would like to do the swimming and skating. I don't know - maybe it would be too complicated. I just think it would be nice to get two lessons over with in one morning.

New Meeting Place

I don't know about the rest of you, but I found the Blenz (Portillo's) room quite noisy last Thursday - and the seats pretty uncomfortable for a long stretch of sitting. What did the rest of you think?

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Horse Vaulting

I am organizing a horse vaulting class at Green Croft Gardens, a certified organic farm. You can read more about it here - click on 'riding school' on the left hand side. These are group lessons of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 children. Minimum age is 5. The class is gentle and very safe. Children learn how to be really comfortable on a horse by doing very simple 'tricks' like kneeling on a horse and eventually standing, etc. in a safe and supported environment. Vaulting is acrobatics on horseback. In the spring I will be organizing a horseback riding class.

Dates: Sundays, October 18 - November 8
Time: 1 - 2:30
Cost: $50 for all for classes payable in advance
Place: Green Croft Gardens in Grindrod (by Sure Crop Foods) (42 Meadowview Rd)

If you are interested, call Andrea at 250-503-5416 or e-mail agordon-smith@shaw.ca

If you want to talk to someone who has taken the vaulting class, you can talk to Cara Nunn, whose daughters, Sarah and Maya who have both taken it or Shoshana Fox, whose daughter Ursula has taken it and will be in this group.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Soap Making

Edited to add: I now only have 1 spot available

Hello everyone, I have been in contact with Amanda Tarjan, homeschooling mom from Kelowna and she has agreed to come and do a soap making workshop here in Vernon. We will have the introductory one on Oct 3 at 1pm and the intermediate, October 17 at 1pm. This workshop is for adults and children over the age of 10. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult to help with the very caustic lye. The workshops will be at my house. We need 5 people to do it and I already have 3. You will need to commit to both workshops. Please contact me right away if you are interested. If there is enough interest, I am happy to organize more groups.

Andrea at agordon-smith@shaw.ca or 250-503-5416


Here is Amanda's information:


"Hello All

I wanted to let everyone know that I will be giving classes on how to make cold process bar soap. This is real soap which is made with the chemical process when oil and lye combine and saponify to make a new substance- soap. My recipe is all natural and vegan. I use only essential oils and natural colorants. No fragrances or dyes. It is very gentle on the skin and smells lovely. You can even add ingredients to make it exfoliate.

There will be 2 classes:

#1- Beginners class:
I demonstrate how to make soap. Students will observe the process and be free to ask questions. Afterwards, the students will take home 3 bars of my already cured soap, the recipe, and all instructional papers.
Time- October 3, 1pm for 2 hours or so.
Cost- $40 per student
Class size- 5 students
Location- Andrea's house, 9005 Rendell Dr, Coldstream

#2 Intermediate class:
The students purchase the equipment and supplies prior to class and we make the soap together in class. I will provide guidance and help as you make it yourself. Students will take home about 20 bars worth of their soap and a better understanding of the process. If you prefer, I can provide the ingredients for the recipe to you for an additional $25 and you can still make a batch in class. Equipment is cheap to purchase at a thrift store.
Time- October 17, 1pm for 2 1/2 hours or so
Cost- $40 per student
Class size- 5 students (but we will need a portable burner/hot plate anybody have one?)
Location- Andrea's house, 9005 Rendell Dr., Coldstream, BC

Other Information of Note:
-The classes are meant for teenagers or adults as we will be using lye which is a very dangerous and acidic chemical. Please wear long sleeves, eye protection, and gloves for either class to prevent injury.
-The classes will be in the evening on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday at 6:30 pm.
-The class dates and locations will be firmly booked once I have a full class of students and a general consensus of what is most convenient for the students.
-Taking the beginner class first is recommended for all who would like to make the soap. Then you will have the background to come prepared for the advanced class.

***For those uninterested in making soap, but you still appreciate the product, I also have my soap available to purchase. It is $4 a bar. I currently have cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass cured and ready to go.***

Homelearner Skating Classes?

Is anyone registering for the Rec Centre CanSkate lessons they're offering for Homeschoolers on Wednesdays, Oct 7 thru Nov 18, 9:45 until 10:15? I think my two might take them. Anyone else?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Meeting this week

Hi everyone,

At our last meeting we discussed changing our location as the Bean to Cup furniture re-arrangement has made it difficult for our group to meet there. I've just contacted the Blenz that used to be Portillos and they are willing to book their meeting room for us on the last Thursday of every month if we would like it. I went ahead and booked it but will cancel it if the rest of you are not in agreement . I thought we could try it out this week and then decide. I'd like to know what you think ... is this too short notice....should we stay at Bean to Cup this month... would you like to try somewhere else? We could try it this week and phone anyone we can think of who might show up at Bean to Cup - we could even leave a message at Bean to Cup to alert people to the new location. I think it is too late for the paper this week. What do you think?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Woodcarving postponed until Spring

Hi everyone, we haven't had enough interest to have the woodcarving classes this Fall so maybe we can try again in the Spring.
Thanks

Friday, September 11, 2009

Fish

So, if anyone is interested, I have a contact for fresh salmon (spring and sockeye) caught in the river by Kamloops (Thompson, I assume?). He is selling them for $20 a salmon. They're huge but I have no idea about the weight. We cooked one up and it fed 8 adults who love salmon. I have 4 more in the freezer and I am going to can 4 more. If you are interested, contact me directly (don't leave a comment on this post) at 250-503-5416 or agordon-smith@shaw.ca. I am not sure exactly when delivery will be but you will have to come here to pick them up and it will be soon.

Andrea

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Not back to school beach day on Friday at Kal Beach

Perhaps Friday will be better as it is supposed to be warmer than Thursday. I think we'll try to be there at about 11.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Not Back to School Picnic?

Any "Not Back to School Picnics" planned for this week?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Not back to school beach day?

Anyone up for a Not back to school beach day? We will be spending Thursday or Friday at Kal beach as the weather looks as though it will be nice those days.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Woodcarving Course reminder

If there is anyone who has not contacted me but would like to participate in the beginner or intermediate classes, please let me know. So far I have not had enough people interested to get the classes organized. We need a minimum of six kids for each.

Email me at klmackay@shaw.ca with your child's age and the class you are requesting.
Thanks!

Ballet class at SODA

Karen has made arrangements for a ballet dance class with South Okanagan Dance Academy (SODA) just for homeschoolers!
Here are the details:
Tuesdays, 3:30 to 4:40 pm
$480 for the season (September through June)
minimum class size = 4 dancers
maximum class size = 12 dancers
If anyone's interested please contact Karen at garlick@telus.net