Member Bio: Karen Naulty

What is your background: geographic and educational and anything you'd be willing to share?

A: I grew up in Tri cities, WA. I attended Richland High school.
Columbia Basin College for 2 years where I was a student. I also worked at the college as a college ambassador to local high schools and my sophomore year I was hired as a lecture programmer working with ASB. My job as a programmer was to find, hire, set up, and take down, educational and entertaining lecturers for the student body, as well as other things. I then attended Central Washington University for 3.5 years as an elementary ed major. I did an internship through the University of Northern Iowa in Brussels, Belgium, setting up an after school program for the United States Army garrison. I have worked at the nuclear power plant 3 times doing contamination clean-up and setting up/taking down radiation zones. I have been a lifeguard for 11 years, swim teacher for 8 years. Part of the past summer, I was an aquatics manager at an Air force base in Aviano, Italy. My favorite part of Italy was hiking Cinque Terra and the local markets. I love music and have played the violin for 17 years, minus some relapse in there, haha.

Why did you choose to serve?
A: I wanted to gain additional experience working in an elementary school setting. Plus, I enjoy new experiences and stretching my personal 'bubble' so to speak to learn more about my strengths and weaknesses.


What is your site and what is a typical day at your site?
A: Sharpstein Elementary. My typical day is doing small group instruction with 1st graders, 2nd graders, 3rd graders, helping in a 5th grade classroom, and monitoring the after school program kiddos.


What are your plans for after graduation?
A: I plan to continue in the field of education. I might teach some swimming lessons in the summer. I am going on vacation to Michigan to visit family. Josh and I enjoy going to baseball games, camping, concerts and setting up home this summer. We are going to Rush at the Gorge in July. In October, we will be going on our honeymoon to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. My biggest plans are just getting a house and setting it up!!!


What is a weird thing you have eaten?
When I was in Europe I ate blood sausage in Caen, France. It was not good. I have also eaten squirrel that my grandpa shot out of his backyard in Michigan. No, he is not a red neck actually.



Is it alright to use your first and last name on the bio?
A: ummm.....yes. Karen Naulty soon to be Mrs. Karen Hanson

Upcoming Events in Walla Walla

April 30 Crushtown Mafia vs. Snake Pit Derby Dames
Location:	YMCA - 340 S. Park St.
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 525-8863
Price:	$8
Hours:	6:30 pm
Description:	Walla Walla's own Crushtown Mafia goes up against the Snake Pit Derby Dames of Coeur d'Alene, ID. Tickets at YMCA, Book & Game and www.brownpapertickets.com.
Website:	www.wwymca.org

Live @ Laht Neppur - Blue Mountain Spanish Sound
Location:	Laht Neppur Ale House - 53 S. Spokane St.
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 529-2337
Price:	$2
Hours:	8 pm
Description:	Latin acoustic guitar duo.
Website:	www.lahtneppur.com

Bagels, Bagels, Bagels Cooking Class
Location:	Detour Farm
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:
Price:	$50
Hours:	9am
Description:	Spend a morning learning how to create your own bagels. Participants go home with about a dozen fresh bagels and a dozen shaped dough to rise in your fridge to boil and bake in the morning.
Website:	www.detourfarm.com

My Fair Lady - Walla Walla University Drama
Date:	April 23, 24, 28, 30 & May 1
Location:	Village Hall - Walla Walla University
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 527-2656
Price:	$10 General, $9 Student/Senior
Hours:	April 23, 30 & May 1 at 9 pm; April 24 & 28 at 8 pm; April 24 & May 1 matinee at 2 pm
Description:	Walla Walla University Drama students present their take on this classic production.
Website:	drama.wallawalla.edu

May 2

Whitman Faculty Recital
Location:	Chism Hall - Whitman College
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:
Price:	No charge
Hours:	7:30 pm
Description:	Faculty recital with Kristin Vining.
Website:	www.whitman.edu

"Collective Visions" - An Exhibit at Willow Art Gallery
Date:	March 4 - May 2
Location:	Willow Art Gallery - 2 E. Rose St.
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 876-2247
Price:	No charge
Hours:	Check website for hours
Description:	An exhibit of paintings and photographs of Elizabeth Harris and Hans Matschukat.
Website:	www.willow-wallawalla.com
May 4 Wine Taste Event at W5 Location: Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman - 19 N. Second Ave. City: Walla Walla Phone: (509) 529-0503 Price: $5 Hours: 5 - 7 pm Description: Moroccan and Lebanese wine tasting. Website: www.wallawallawinewoman.com

May 5

Harper Joy Theatre - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Date:	May 5-8, 19-21
Location:	Harper Joy Theatre - Whitman College
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 527-5180
Price:	Adults $12, seniors $8, full-time students $8
Hours:	8:00 pm
Description:	Come to the high school gym, where six adolescent outsiders compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Based on the book by Rachel Sheinkin.
Website:	www.whitman.edu/theatre/

May 6

First Friday ArtWalk
Location:	Downtown Walla Walla
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 529-8755
Price:	Free
Hours:	5 - 8 pm
Description:	Visit over twenty of Walla Walla's artist's studios and exhibit venues!
Website:	www.artwalkwallawalla.com

Downtown Walla Walla Farmers Market
Date:	May thru October - Saturdays and Sundays
Location:	Corner of 4th and Main in Downtown Walla Walla
City:	Walla Walla
Phone:	(509) 520-3647
Price:	FREE
Hours:	9 am - 1 pm
Description:	Outdoor Farmers Market at the corner of 4th and Main streets in Downtown Walla Walla featuring locally grown produce, specialty foods and local arts

Member Bio: Paul Elliott

Background: I was born in a small town of 300,000 people known as Santa Rosa, California. When I was but two years of age my parents uprooted me and my nine brothers and sisters and replanted us in Waitsburg WA. I spent my days in school until I turned 18 when after being burnt and nearly dying in a car wreck i joined americorp.

Why I chose to serve: I chose to serve originally because I was fresh out of high school and needed a job. I had learned about the program from both my mother and sister who were both AmeriVets. Then after a few weeks at CCY I fell in love with the program. I liked helping people and really enjoyed the company of my fellow americorps servers.

A typical day at my site: My site right now is helpline, and I spend the mornings and afternoons assisting clients with a vast assortment of problems, from food bank cards and shelter to rent payments and perscritpion help. Then at 3:45 I jet over to bmac and fill the roll of whatever-Zara-and-Kristen-have for-me guy. That is a very fun part of the day that is always a surprise.

Plans after graduation: I intend to reapply for Americorp and serve a second year. After that I intend to go to college first CC and then with any luck...Eastern or maybe Central.

Hobbies: I play guitar, I am an avid Frisbee golfer, I am a very big video gamer, and babysitting, which isn't a hobby when you have 22 nieces and nephews it becomes more of a chore.

Member Bio: Stephanie

What is your background: geographic and educational and anything you'd be willing to share?

I am originally from Portland, Oregon. I come from a family of really square, really nice people who would like to make you some dinner.
After high school, I moved to Walla Walla to attend Whitman and study Art History/Visual Culture Studies. I chose this major because I believe in art as a way for oppressed people to gain public voice and power. I often find myself in tears when I see powerful pieces of art and one day I figured, ‘what could be better than to spend time working on that which moves my heart like that’?

Why did you choose to serve?

First, I was excited by the level of responsibility and challenge that comes with an AmeriCorps position: as you all know, this is no entry-level punch-in-your-time job! Also, I did a lot of volunteering in college, and always found it the most rewarding use of my time. To serve full-time was really a dream!
And of course, the opportunity to stay in Walla Walla was reason enough for me to join AmeriCorps. I came to Walla Walla for school and, after graduating, wanted to stay at least a year. I wanted to have more time to enjoy the pace of life here and serve the city that made my college experience so wonderful.

What is your site and what is a typical day at your site?

I have the best site! My site is the Walla Walla Asset Building Coalition, run out of the Blue Mountain Action Council office. Our goal is to help people understand their money better. We do this through financial education classes, special ‘finance’-themed events, and outreach for tax credits and tax preparation. It doesn’t sound sexy, but IT IS. I’m in charge of communications, so on a typical day I could be writing a newsletter, press release, updating our Facebook, or registering people for our latest class. I also work with several community groups and help them find ways to include financial education into their programs.

What are your plans for after graduation?

Keeping in mind other possibilities, I am considering joining my brother, who works for a firm that specializes in improving infrastructure in slum communities in rural India. I also plan to hang out with my new first nephew, who is coming in for landing in early May.

If you could choose a super power what would it be?

I would have the power to free people of addiction. I don’t think there is a Marvel character that can do that yet.

Member Bio: Chinelle Rodriguez

What is your background: geographic and educational and anything you'd be willing to share?

I am Trinidadian, I came to the U.S. at the age of nine and lived in New York. I have also lived in Massachusetts and Idaho. I have a B.S.W. from Atlantic Union College and a M.S.W. from Walla Walla University.

Why did you choose to serve?

I chose to serve because I needed some more experience in an agency that will help me in my professional career as a Social Worker. I thought that CHS would provide me with that experience and the opportunity to get a job after completing AC. I also enjoy helping people and working with children and AC was able to allow me to do that while serving.

What is your site and what is a typical day at your site?

My site is the Children's Home Society Early Learning Center of Walla Walla. A typical day at my site involves me assisting the teachers in teaching, discipling, feeding, diapering, playing with, and putting to sleep, infants (Birth to 1 year), waddlers (1 year olds) and toddlers (2 year old) . I also do receptionist work in the afternoons and other tasks as assigned by my supervisor.

What are your plans for after graduation?

My plan is to get a job at the Early Learning Center as a teacher and to get a certificate in Early Childhood Development.

If you could choose a super power what would it be?

My super power would be to heal the sick physically and emotionally because there are millions of people in this world with physical and mental illness. This would be one less problem that we would have to spend billions upon billions of dollars for each year in research, medicine, hospital fees, insurance etc. Then that money can be used to alleviate world hunger and homeless.

MEMBER BIO: SARAH STARR

Background: Sarah is originally from the Seattle area but spent the last five years in Erie, Pennsylvania studying Anthropology, Archaeology and Geology at Mercyhurst College.

Reason for joining: Sarah joined AmeriCorps specifically to work in the autism classroom at Edison Elementary. When she found the position through the AmeriCorps website, she knew it was something she really wanted to try and was determined to get it. Sarah is extremely dedicated. Not only is her job with the autism program highly demanding, but she also works at Kmart in the evenings and weekends.

Plans after AmeriCorps: Sarah wants to return to Seattle and work on getting her teacher's certificate and master's in special education (a far cry from archaeology/ geology...).

Superpower: If she could have any superpower, it would be the ability to clone herself so that she could accomplish everything she wants to accomplish and complete all the millions of tasks she has (what with working two jobs and all).

Member Bio: D Nava

What is your geographic and educational background? Any other background info you'd be willing to share? I was born in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada, but left there as a baby. I have lived mostly in the Pacific Northwest, except for seven years in Oklahoma. I didn't go to school until 2002 and didn't finish until 2008. I got my AA in Wenatchee at Wenatchee Valley College and then transferred to Central Washington University for my BA in Elementary Education. My hobbies include photography, singing, gardening, camping, reading and a myriad of arts and crafts! Why did you choose to serve? I couldn't find work as a teacher, but this job was exactly what I wanted to do. I have a passion for working with Hispanic kids and struggling students. As a teacher you never have time to work one on one with these students. I jumped at the chance to do this job. Tell us about a typical day at your site? My site is Blue Ridge Elementary. I start my day in the cafeteria monitoring the kids who are having breakfast and doing morning exercise. Then I work with a group in the third grade doing reading. Then I go to the fourth grade and work with another group on reading. Next, I pick up my fifth graders and take them to the library for math. I do my recess duty after my lunch and then work with my kindergarteners on Spanish, then I end my day working with a group in the second grade on math. After AmeriCorps graduation? I plan to work at Blue Ridge again next year. If you could choose a super power, what would it be? The power to unlock whatever is in the way of the kids catching on to any subject with which they are struggling. Thank you D, for your bio!

Member Bio: Clay Lindsey

What is your geographic and educational background? I barely graduated from Waitsburg High School in '03 and worked for the next 2 years in Walla Walla before deciding I wanted to go back to school. I graduated from Walla Walla Community College in '07. After that I went up to Eastern Washington University where I graduated with a degree in Recreation Management and Leisure Services in 2010. Eagles baby! Why did you choose to serve? I chose to serve because I run a summer recreation program here in Dayton and I thought it would be a good way to connect with the youth in order to have an even more successful rec program this summer and in summers to come. Tell us about your site. My site is Dayton High School but it has morphed into jr. hi and high school. From 8-11 I usually work on projects for the city. These are grants, surveys, planning for the summer, and working on the disc golf course, and talking to kids when they get booted from class or are in school suspension. I eat lunch with the students then play football with the jr high kids after that. For the three periods in the afternoon, I help in a low level math class, a PE class, and an AG shop class. After school, I open up the weight room for anyone who wants to participate. After AmeriCorps graduation? After graduation I plan on camping, rafting, and catching a ton of fish out at the Snake River. Oh, and living and working in Walla Walla. If you could go back in time, when would you choose to do so? If I could go back in time, I would live the college life all over again! Hope that works for ya. Thank you Clay, it works!

Surprise, Surprise: And Ode to Walla Walla Springtime

By Staff Writer Michael Espinoza
Photo Credit Ryan Vandenburgh

Here it is, friends. Spring has finally sprung. This month, I will describe what you have to look forward to in the coming months: non-extra-hour alternative events, weather, people and places of spring.

First of all, has anyone noticed that it's been really rainy and really cloudy for about a month now? I did too. You've probably also had your co-workers explain to you that this is uncommon. Although we do get most of our precipitation in spring and fall, these solid blocks of stormy weather are indeed uncommon. According to the Chamber of Commerce, you can expect "spectacular springs," and this has always been my experience. You have probably already noticed daffodils blooming all over town, a sure sign that warm spring days are sure to follow. As the summer approaches, you can begin to expect long days, with last light dwindling after 9pm!

Arts

Symphony
Did you know that Walla Walla has the oldest symphony in the west? Closing its 104th season on April 19th, the Walla Walla Symphony performs "The Magic of Mozart" with guest vocalists at Cordiner Hall, located on the Whitman Campus. If you have never been to a symphony or you love a symphony or anywhere in between, tickets start at $47, fairly cheap for live orchestral music. A funny fact: The director, Yakof Bergman, used to direct the Colorado Springs Symphony when I had season tickets as a child. He seems to be following me, and I'm very happy for it.

Art Walk
The first Friday of every month starting in May is ArtWALK Walla Walla, a chance to tour 21 studios and galleries, located all in the downtown area (walking distance). Friday nights, from my experience, are a magical time to walk or bike around town in May and June. First Fridays give this a lot more truth. Experience the diverse range of local artistry already located around town and visit galleries you never knew were there (like the Museum of Unnatural History, located above Valley Vision on Main). All galleries are free and open to the public on First Fridays. Check out the info booth on Main for a walking map.

Taste Walla Walla
What happens when the local food scene takes over a whole block near First and Main for an eater's paradise? It's Taste Walla Walla, all day on April 9. Local restaurants and food vendors will all be there to offer samples of their faire. Some wine producers will also be there for attendees of age. If you haven't been able to visit some of the finer local restaurants, this is an opportunity to try a bite from all of them under one big tent for $45. Tickets are available at the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation or at their website.

Community Events

Farmer's Market
Yes, we have all been waiting for it, and it's back! Walla Walla Farmer's Market starts up the first weekend in May. Every Saturday and Sunday, visit the market between 9 and 1 for fresh, local produce, artisanal cheese, baked good, all types of foods, local crafts and more. This bounty proves that the Walla Walla Valley produces enough food in the summer to eat locally almost exclusively. My favorite stands include Stone's Throw Farms for fresh, raw organic juices, Cugini's for meatball sandwiches, the Soap Company and Alice Bagley's fresh flowers at West End Farms. (Special Hint: You can use EBT at the market for whole produce!).

Spring Release
The wineries open their doors the first full weekend in May. This is a great opportunity for everyone of age (out of service gear) to visit wineries. Local winemakers will be releasing new vintages in tasting rooms all over the valley. Though crowded, this is a fun time to check out famous Walla Walla wines for the first time. Expect to pay $5-10 for each tasting and take it easy! Spitting is an acceptable and condoned behavior in the wine tasting world. Helpful hint: if you want to go out for dinner this weekend, although I'd recommend eating at home instead, be prepared for long waits if you don't have a reservation; this is one of the two busiest weekends in the Valley.

Sweet Onion Festival
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival takes place the weekend after AmeriGraduation, July 16 and 17, and is adjacent to the Farmer's Market on Main. It's possible that your family will be in town and this is a great event for families. Sweet onions abound, pickled, deep fried, candied, you name it! Last year I witnessed a man attempt and conquer a world record for peeling onions. The festival goes into the night, capped off with live music and a street dance.

Extra Hour Opportunity, Walla Walla Valley Violence Prevention Coalition

E-mail Sara Wade to volunteer, she needs at least 2 more!

sarafwade@gmail.com



--
Walla Walla Violence Prevention Coalition

wwviolenceprevention.com