Neighbor Briefs published Aug. 03, 2011

Brush Dance demonstration Saturday

Members of the Yurok Tribe will present a Brush Dance demonstration Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, located on Highway 101, one mile south of Orick, on the beach just north of Freshwater Lagoon. The one-hour demonstration is open to the public and free of charge. 

Co-hosted by Redwood National and State Parks, Redwood Parks Association and members of the Yurok Tribe, the dance is traditionally performed by the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk tribes of the Klamath/Trinity watershed as a curing ceremony for a sick child in the community. Called “mey-lee” in Yurok, the Brush Dance is traditionally held around a fire in the central pit of a redwood plank house that has had its roof and walls removed.

Bring blankets or folding chairs as seating will be limited. Contact Ranger Jim Wheeler at 465-7764.

4-H offers dog obedience training camp

Del Norte 4-H Dog Obedience Boot Camp will be held this month beginning with a mandatory orientation meeting Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10-11:30 a.m. The boot camp will run from Aug. 15-20 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds. The cost is $5 for materials and a $20 enrollment fee. Only 10 spaces are available. Call 464-4711.

Biologist to give butterfly presentation

The Redwood Parks Association and Tolowa Dunes Stewards invite the public to join wildlife biologist Gary Falxa Sunday from 1-4 p.m. for a presentation on coastal butterflies beginning with a slide show introduction to butterfly watching.

The program focuses on the common and rare butterflies found in the Tolowa Dunes/Lake Earl area. Following the short slide presentation, the group will visit an experimental habitat restoration project site at Lake Earl and look for Oregon silverspots and other butterflies that might be on the wing.

Meet at 1 p.m. at the Lake Earl Wildlife Area Information Center, 2591 Old Mill Road. Come early and enjoy a cup of organic coffee while browsing the nature store. For the field trip, participants are advised to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring drinking water.

For information call 465-6191.