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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad April 20, 2006 2006 Rogue Valley Earth Day Celebration calls for consciousness ‘Today and Everyday’ Rogue Valley residents of all ages are invited to celebrate Earth Day at North Mountain Park in Ashland from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to discover how this community may come together to make Earth Day "Today and Everyday." This annual event is celebrated internationally on Saturday. Here in southern Oregon, the event is multi-purpose: To inspire environmental stewardship among residents and businesses, to build community and to have fun, according to event organizers. Admission is free. This year’s event will expand to include a live entertainment stage on the ball field, made possible by Lithia Toyota and Lithia Honda of Medford. Headlining from Lake Tahoe, Calif., Blue Turtle Seduction will take the stage with a blend of bluegrass, mountain-reggae, world music, and funk. This five-member band has performed at High Sierra Music Festival and Oregon Country Fair, and is currently touring the Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Inspired by the natural beauty of Mount Shasta, Shasta Taiko will perform Japanese drumming, combining world music, hypnotic rhythm, and graceful choreography. Hailing from Ashland, Eastern Sunz’ conscious hip-hop grooves address political and environmental issues. In keeping with the tradition of past Rogue Valley Earth Day celebrations, Dancing Spirit Drum kicks-off the celebration with traditional tribal drum songs and Rogue Valley Peace Choir will share their harmonic voices and desire to make the world a better place through songs advocating for our environment and community well-being. This year, the Children’s Peace Choir will also perform songs with messages of diversity and love. Earth Day Shuttle Morning Shuttle 10:03 a.m. — Rogue Valley Mall 10:28 a.m. — Talent Park-n-Ride, 100 E. Main St. Ashland Loop, 10:30-1 p.m. Minutes after each hour: :38 & :08 Ashland Plaza :48 & :18 DMV across from Ashland Bi-Mart :53 & :23 ScienceWorks Museum :00 & :30 North Mountain Park Return to Medford 1 p.m. North Mountain Park 1:10 p.m. Talent Park-n-Ride, 100 E. Main St. 1:30 p.m. Rogue Valley Mall, Afternoon Shuttle 1:30 p.m. Rogue Valley Mall 1:50 p.m. Talent Park-n-Ride, 100 E. Main St. 2 p.m. North Mountain Park Ashland Loop, 2-4:30 p.m. Minutes after each hour: :38 & :08 Ashland Plaza :48 & :18 DMV across from Ashland Bi-Mart :53 & :23 ScienceWorks Museum :00 & :30 North Mountain Park Return Shuttle to Medford 4:30 p.m. North Mountain Park 4:38 p.m. Ashland Plaza 4:43 p.m. ScienceWorks Museum 4:48 p.m. DMV across from Bi-Mart 5:08 p.m. Talent Park-n-Ride, 100 E. Main St. 5:33 p.m. Rogue Valley Mall, Medford, near JC Penney A one-man show, “H2wOah!,” will teach about the water cycle. Sammy Salmon and Becky Beaver of North Mountain Park Puppet Theater will help kids understand how they can make sure that local wildlife has a clean and safe place to live. More than 60 exhibits will demonstrate how southern Oregonians can take steps to lighten their load on the planet. From renewable energy and natural building materials, to worm composting and locally grown food, visitors will discover a wide variety of sustainable living opportunities available in the Rogue Valley. Interactive displays about native plants, growing your own food, solar energy incentive, seafood choices for healthy oceans, solar energy incentives, and water conservation are among many that will encourage children and adults to shape a more earth-friendly lifestyle. A local natural building group, Cob Together, will teach how cob and strawbale may be used in construction, while cleaner modes of transportation, including fuel efficient hybrid and biodiesel vehicles will be on display. Several solid waste reduction opportunities will be presented, such as computers and ink cartridge recycling, and yard waste composting. Shasta Taiko is one of the many musical acts featured Saturday at Ashland’s Earth Day celebration. Submitted photo Numerous non-profit groups, including Soda Mountain Wilderness Council, Rogue River Greenway Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and Eagle Mill Farm Education Project will raise awareness about local conservation programs and opportunities for citizens to take action. Members of the Ashland Bike and Ped Commission are planning a bike clinic to teach simple bike maintenance techniques. To raise funds for a new weather and water conservation station at North Mountain Park, all visitors may participate silent auction. Children will also enjoy a day full of fun and educational activities. Wildlife Images will be on site with a birds of prey and reptiles exhibit. The “EcoQuest” hands-on tour of exhibits offers prizes for visiting displays and completing activities. At RVTD Bicycle Rodeo, kids may ride through an obstacle course and learn about hand signals, bike safety and proper use of helmets. Face-painting, crafts, a display of student artwork and an open drum circle will also be available. Live Entertainment Lithia Toyota & Honda Stage 11-11:30 a.m. — Dancing Spirit Drum 11:30-11:45 a.m. — North Mountain Park Puppet Theatre 11:45-12 p.m. — Rogue Valley Children’s Peace Choir 12-12:30 p.m. — Rogue Valley Peace Choir 12:30-12:45 p.m. — "H2wOah" ScienceWorks one-man show 1-1:45 p.m. — Shasta Taiko 2-3:15 p.m. — Blue Turtle Seduction 3:15-4:30 p.m. — Eastern Sunz Performers Lithia Toyota & Honda Stage Blue Turtle Seduction Bluegrass, mountain-reggae, world music, and funk. Shasta Taiko Traditional Japanese drumming performance combines sound, hypnotic rhythm, graceful choreography, and spirit—merging elements of time-honored taiko arts with contemporary influence of world music. Eastern Sunz Ashland group with conscious hip-hop grooves. Dancing Spirit Drum Kicks off the celebration with traditional tribal drum songs of the Wasco Nation. Rogue Valley Peace Choir and Children’s Choir Songs advocating for freedom, community well-being and respect for the environment. "H2wOah!" One-man Show An exploration of the amazing stuff that makes life on Earth possible: Water! Puppet Theatre Sammy Salmon, Becky Beaver and friends will inform their audience about simple actions to make sure that wildlife has a clean place to live and raise their young. For all ages •60+ displays will help Rogue Valley residents shape Earth-friendly lifestyles. •Birds of prey and reptiles exhibit. •EcoQuest Hands-on Adventure for Kids •All-Ages Rhythm & Drum Circle •Bicycle Rodeo •Cob building demonstration •Crafts and Face-painting •Local and organic wraps, beverages, cookies, PB&J for kids and other snacks for sale. In the spirit of Earth Day and due to limited parking, visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or ride the free RVTD shuttle from park-and-ride locations in Medford, Talent and Ashland; the bus route has expanded this year to include two return trips across to Medford. For information see www.RogueValleyEarthDay.net or call 488-6606. North Mountain Park is located at 620 N. Mountain Ave. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.