This month the Science Café of Olympia takes on the topic of "Radiation Basic through Spent Nuclear Fuel."

When: 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Where: Batdorf & Bronson Coffee House, 516 Capitol Way S. Olympia, WA, phone (360) 786-6717.

Batdorf & Bronson has three locations in Olympia. Science Café meets at the downtown coffee house on Capitol Way.

On-street parking is available on Legion, Capitol Way, Columbia Street, and Water Street. After 6 p.m., parking is available at Heritage Bank on Columbia Street between 5th and Legion.

Against the backdrop of global climate change, nuclear power has come back into the public consciousness. While there are many aspects to this discussion, the single most challenging issue, both politically and technically, is spent nuclear fuel. Using spent nuclear fuel as a context, we will discuss radiation and radioactive material, and their effects on people and the environment.

Our presenter this month is Mike Brennan. He has been a Radiation Health Physicist for the State of Washington Department of Health for 19 years. He is a retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander, having served in the submarine community for 20 years. He has a degree in Nuclear Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Washington.

Coming in June: "The Science of Brewing Beer" by Adam Orrick, Brewmaster, Grove Street Brewhouse.

We welcome comments and suggestions on topics, speakers, and how we can improve our meetings. Also, please feel free to pass this notice on to like-minded friends.

Science Café of Olympia provides an informal atmosphere where people both with and without scientific background can meet to gain a better understanding of interesting topics in science and technology. After a brief presentation by an expert in the field, the meeting will be opened to discussions. Science Cafés are found nationwide and are loosely affiliated with the U.K.-based Cafe Scientifique, an international organization promoting public engagement with science. The Sciencecafes.org website is produced by the Science Unit of WGBH in Boston in association with Sigma Xi. Support for Science Café of Olympia is provided in part by the Puget Sound Chapter of The American Chemical Society.

For more information, visit these web pages:
http://www.sciencecafes.org/event_pages/olympia.html
http://www.cafescientifique.org/

We thank Batdorf & Bronson and its staff for welcoming us to their delightful gathering spot.

Washington Sea Grant is offering "Shellfish in Your Front Yard," a day-long workshop that will teach participants to identify, cultivate and safely harvest shellfish on their beaches.

This free workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.at Griffin Fire Department Headquarters, 3707 Steamboat Loop N.W., Olympia.

Participants will learn about the biology of bivalve shellfish, which shellfish grow best on their beach type, and various methods for enhancing tidelands with clams, oysters and mussels. The workshop will also focus on ways to protect water quality so that harvested shellfish will be safe to eat.

Workshop instructors include local shellfish farmers and Washington Sea Grant staff. The workshop will feature classroom and on-the-beach activities. Participants should bring sack lunches, wear mud boots or beach shoes and dress for the weather.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Teri King or Janis McNeal, Washington Sea Grant, at wsgcanal@u.washington.edu or 360-432-3054.

Funding for the Bivalves for Clean Water program is provided in part through EPA Grant Number C9-00044905 to the Washington Department of Ecology from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of Ecology allocates and administers funding for this project. Based at the University of Washington, Washington Sea Grant provides statewide marine research, outreach, and education services. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S.Department of Commerce. http://www.wsg.washington.edu/

A free, two-part workshop begins this Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday afternoon. The workshops are geared to folks living along the shore, to help them better understand shoreline processes and what they can do on their homesites to help protect both their property and Puget Sound. The workshops will be led by experts in coastal geology, shoreline vegetation, and Puget Sound ecology.

An evening "Shoreline Living" workshop on Thursday, April 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. will cover topics such as: tree maintenance for slope stability and views; site assessment & planning tools; understanding your shore’s natural processes; best plants for your shoreline and how to maintain them; and guidance for tackling projects on your own & when to call in experts.

Thursday evening's workshop is held in the Thurston County Courthouse complex, Building 1, Room 152.

For more hands-on learning, participants can attend an optional field day on Sunday, April 25 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. at a local private shoreline residence. The residence is located on the east side of Eld Inlet, near The Evergreen State College.

• 12:30-1:30 p.m. site assessment and coastal geology characterization. This is an opportunity to learn more about coastal geologic processes and the best practices to ensure a stable bank or bluff.
• 1:30 to 4 p.m. planting workshop. Participants will learn how to plant live stakes and other native plants to protect their shorelines.

Both events are free and include many resources for participants, but advanced registration is required by contacting WSU Extension’s Native Plant Salvage Project at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com or 360-867-2166.

Help us to promote this event! Click here to download a copy of the flyer, to give to a neighbor or friend.

The workshops are sponsored by the Russell Family Foundation, Puget Sound Partnership, Thurston County Stream Team, Sound Native Plants, and Clear Choices for Clean Water campaign.

Griffin area residents join with others throughout north Thurston County this Saturday, April 3, to collect food and cash donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. Please stop by the Island Market, between the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM and make a donation. This is a holiday weekend and a perfect time to remember the many children, families and individuals who are struggling in these difficult times.

Island Market
Saturday, April 3
11 AM to 5 PM

Food Donation Ideas:

• High protein food such as canned chili, peanut butter, beans, or canned meat.
• Pasta and Macaroni and Cheese.
• Canned fruit and vegetables.
• Soup.
• Baby Food and Formula.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables that store well in a refrigerator.

Cash and checks are greatly appreciated, too.

The Food Bank will receive a certain percentage of matching funds from the Feinstein Foundation for any monetary donations made this weekend. SEE YOU AT THE ISLAND MARKET THIS SATURDAY!

The Science Café presentation in April is Amphibians: Local to Global Conservation.

Amphibians have risen to the top of the global conservation crisis due to basic aspects of their natural history and physiology, and an introduction to the global issues and features that make them vulnerable will be provided. We’ll also hear how the natural history of amphibians can be used to inform landscape analysis using GIS to better understand landscape level habitat conditions for amphibians. The analysis can identify potential migration and dispersal zones between wetlands and the results can be used to indicate where functional connectivity remains or has been lost to assist with identifying locations needing special conservation and restoration attention during land use planning. We’ll wrap-up by hearing about the very intriguing behaviors of our local amphibians and how these behaviors can inform actions all of us may take in support of their survival in our increasingly populated landscape.

To present and discuss this topic, we will have a panel of three speakers. Dr. Marc Hayes is a Senior Research Scientist for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Molly Levitt is a planner with Thurston County and will be speaking about her recent Master of Science thesis results. Joanne Schuett-Hames is a Conservation Biologist with WDFW who will be speaking on amphibian behavior, an area of research that is independent of her work at WDFW.

When: 7:00 pm, Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Where: Batdorf & Bronson Coffee House, 516 Capitol Way S. Olympia, WA, phone (360) 786-6717.

Batdorf & Bronson has three locations in Olympia. Science Café meets in the downtown coffee house on Capitol Way. On-street parking is available on Legion, Capitol Way, Columbia Street, and Water Street. After 6 p.m., there is parking available at Heritage Bank on Columbia Street between 5th and Legion.

Coming in May:

The Science Café welcomes comments and suggestions on topics, speakers, and how they can improve their meetings. Also, please feel free to pass this notice on to like-minded friends.

Science Café of Olympia provides an informal atmosphere where people both with and without scientific background can meet to gain a better understanding of interesting topics in science and technology. After a brief presentation by an expert in the field, the meeting will be opened to discussions. Science Cafés are found nationwide and are loosely affiliated with the U.K.-based Cafe Scientifique, an international organization promoting public engagement with science. The Sciencecafes.org website is produced by the Science Unit of WGBH in Boston in association with Sigma Xi. Support for Science Café of Olympia is provided in part by the Puget Sound Chapter of The American Chemical Society.

http://www.sciencecafes.org/event_pages/olympia.html
http://www.cafescientifique.org/

The Science Café thanks Batdorf & Bronson and its staff for inviting the Science Café into their delightful gathering spot.