The Dome School

Takilma community rallies to raise money to help the Dome School survive prolonged school closure

The Dome School

After launching GoFundMe campaign on Giving Tuesday, $3,415 of the $22,500 goal has been raised

 

Takilma, OR — For over 40 years The Dome School and Takilma Community Building have been at the heart of the Takilma community, educating generations of children and supporting the region.

In addition to being a school, it has served as a gathering space and local event center, nestled in the woods approximately 9 miles south of Cave Junction, Oregon.

Community-funded and operated, the Dome School is no stranger to tight budgets. But the prolonged school closure due to the pandemic has the organization and community center fighting to stay afloat.

On Giving Tuesday last week, supporters of the Dome School launched a GoFundMe campaign to help it survive this period and open back up when it’s able to.

Since the campaign went live 5 days ago, 31 people from across Josephine County, Oregon, and the country have contributed, raising $3,415 of the $22,500 goal.

“Not only is the Dome School a beloved and highly effective educational institution, it is the glue that holds together this 50-year-old, close-knit community,” said Kate Dwyer, Takilma resident and Board Member of the Three Rivers School District and the Takilma Community Association.

Due to physical distancing restrictions, the Dome School has not been able to run most of its annual fundraisers that would normally keep the school solvent. In the past, it’s survived through various fundraisers like the Dome of the Dead halloween fundraiser, Women’s Cafe in the spring, Winter Bizarre, and building rentals. None of these have been possible this year.

For many years the Dome School has worked hand-in-hand with families as a non-profit, parent co-operative PreSchool, and Elementary School to ignite a lifelong love of learning and a deep caring for the diversity of humanity and the natural world. By weaving together school, family, and community,the Dome School has created a sense of belonging that empowers children to be leaders in a changing world.

But 2020 has stopped the school right in its tracks.

The school and community gathering place, a host to a number of different needs and functions including the local food co-op, has been closed and hasn’t heard the pitter-patter of children’s feet since the pandemic led to closures in March.

While the school and buildings have been closed, the community of people it’s created over the years was still able to unite during the Slater Fire. Volunteers from around the area stepped up to cook, feed, and support the brave fire fighters and responders that worked tirelessly to keep Josephine County safe.

“The Dome School is a vital part of our community and history. It’s where we teach our kids and come together as a community. The school relies on tuition and community fundraisers to survive financially. Since March 2020 there has been no school or fundraisers,” said Jennifer Folkerts, whose 6-year-old daughter attends the school and is eager to return.

“We need to do everything we can to support the Dome School during this pandemic – so there’s still a school for our kids to return to.”

 

Announcing our “Support” page

Well that was a grand time last night! Our grand re-opening of the Takilma Community Building was an amazing time had by all. Two brilliant bands–the Nomads of Bend and the Illinois Valley’s own Grin Hound. Delicious Lebanese dinner courtesy Steph and the Galloping Goose. The cake from Nia and /’keIk/.  Not to mention the amazing history all around the great room, with the photography of Dr. Jim Shames. New t-shirts with Dallion’s design. Silent Auction. Ribbon-cutting. Tours. And more!

One thing we’d like to highlight here, however, is the announcement of our new monthly giving program. You can set up your bank or credit card to give a small monthly donation to public radio and the library and other places–why not the Dome School?  The short version is this: head to donorbox.org/domeschool and you can pledge $5 or $10 or more to join all your much larger bills.

The longer version can be found at our new “Support” page here on the website. The top of the page details the monthly program, but if you scroll down, you can find other ways to support the school–many that won’t cost you any additional money. Programs at Fred Meyer, Office Depot, and Amazon allow you to designate the Dome School to receive a small bonus each time you shop. And this doesn’t take away from any points you may earn for yourself!  Please check out the SUPPORT page and consider supporting the school. Thanks!

 

Save the Date: TCB Grand Opening [April 28, 2018]

IMG_0949Please join us Saturday, April 28, to celebrate the grand re-opening of the NEW Takilma Community Building, featuring 2 new classrooms, a new library, and additional bathrooms.

This is a free event; we are asking for NO ADMISSION. Yes, normally we ask for a fee, but this is our gift to the community to THANK YOU for your support of our building expansion project. Thank you! (That said, dinner will be an extra charge, if you wish to dine during the event.)

For music, we have confirmed two eclectic bands. First, the Nomads of Bend! The Nomads provide a fusion of traditional Balkan and Middle Eastern music, and they are always ready for a party! You’ll definitely want to bring your dancing shoes. Second, playing into the wee hours, will be GRIN HOUND. Some words they use to describe themselves: “Doo Slop / Sound & Fury / Rock ‘n’ Roll Yowls spinnin’ Ghost Yarns.” Yes, this will be a night of music the likes of which you maybe perhaps probably have never heard before.

TCB FINAL 40418_smDinner will be a treat too! The Galloping Goose presents a Middle Eastern meal, with three main dishes to choose from: Lebanese Chicken, Goat Kibbe (Lebanese meatloaf), or Falafel. Also, fresh flatbreads, an array of seasonal sides. $20 per whole meal, or a la cart build your own dinner. Trust us, it will be well worth it to arrive early for dinner, and the Galloping Goose will donate a portion of the proceeds to the TCB building expansion. And bonus: for dessert, we’ll have Kate Dwyer’s famous baklava as well!

And did we mention a beer tent? Yes, it’s a special occasion, so why not offer the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer in an adult-only space. But lest you think this is the typical party focused on the adults, we are planning a kids space too, with activities just for the young’ers.

Here’s the schedule of activities/events, to be updated as we can:

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

3 – 5 pm: Tours of the new TCB

5pm:  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Cake Cutting (cake courtesy /keɪk/ ) 

5 pm until sold out: The Galloping Goose presents a Middle Eastern/Lebanese Dinner 

6 pm – Midnight: Beer Tent Open

7 – 10pm Free Concert: NOMADS of BEND

10:30 pm Free Concert: GRIN HOUND

PLUS:

  • Historic Photo Display (courtesy Dr. Jim Shames)
  • Supervised Kid Space, with activities
  • Silent Auction
  • Brand New Takilma Community Building T-shirts (design courtesy Dallion)
  • The Release of Volume 3 of the Takilma Common Ground Anthology

 

We’ll hope to see you all (t)here for the festivities, on Saturday, April 28.

 

Rummage Sale this weekend [6 May 2017]

rummage_sale_2017

This very coming Saturday, May 6, we’re having a big Rummage Sale at the County Building in Cave Junction (102 S. Redwood Highway). Come on down from 9am-4pm, and find something new-to-you: clothes, books, toys, household items, furniture–something for everyone.

We’ll also have street tacos and sweets for sale, so you won’t have to run away to score some sustenance while browsing the bevy of books or perusing the plethora of pots and pants.

This is a fundraiser for our school programs, including our expansion of the Takilma Community Building. Please come out to support our school and community.

Note: If you have clean gently-used items you’d like to donate to the rummage sale, please bring them to the county building on Friday, May 5, between 3 and 6pm. Thank you!

 

 

Announcing the 30/50/70 Campaign

The Takilma Community Building Expansion’s

30/50/70 Campaign (Apr 22-June 30)

(or 30 Ways to Help Us Raise $50K in ~ 70 Days)

We have reached a critical point in fundraising for the Takilma Community Building. We’re still approx $75,000 short of our goal. The good news is that we have a lead on a few large-ish donations we can maybe expect soon. But that still leaves a solid $50,000 or more, and if we don’t have it soon, the expansion will not be finished in time for the next school year. Worse, we will owe a penalty to the contractor. The community’s support is essential at this time. But we don’t want to keep asking for donations without giving something back. And so, we are launching our 30/50/70 campaign, with 30 ways for you to give and get something in return.

ALL of these will benefit the community building expansion. (Click here to download the PDF with a handy checklist, or click here to learn more about the need for the expansion.) Thank you so much for your support!!

1. Rock out on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. We’ll kick off our fundraising blitz at this great event. Free from 4-6pm, but when the headliners go on, your admission supports the TCB.

2. Take something home. At the aforementioned Earth Day event, we’re having a silent auction. Why not bid on a unique piece of art, a gift certificate, or more? NOTE: Items 1 and 2 raised more than $850 for the building expansion. Thank you–we’re on our way.

3. Get flower power. Why trek to GP when you can get bulbs delivered right to you and support the building expansion at the same time. Spring bulbs available until May 1, then Fall bulbs available. Order via the link at domeschool.org/bulbs NOTE: This fundraiser raised $347. Thank you!

4. Get a good price on something new-to-you. On Saturday, May 6, come out to our Rummage Sale at the County Building in Cave Junction, 9am-4pm. Clothes, books, toys, household items, and more. We’ll have street tacos and sweets for sale too.  NOTE: The rummage sale was a success. Thanks to everyone who came and supported. We’ll update you soon on how much was raised. 

5. Celebrate Mom. On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, from 10am-2pm, Diggin’ Livin’ is offering a special Mother’s Day Brunch Menu. They’re donating 5% of Deli Sales to the expansion. Even if Mom is in another state and you just want to pick up a smoothie or a fresh baked pastry, stop in and support the TCB.  (Thanks, Joy and Eric!)  NOTE: A fine time had by all (how about them apple pie waffles?). More soon on this fundraiser.

6. Enjoy local theater.  The 7th IV Whirlwind Play Fest is happening on May 20 at 6pm. For this special performance, which will happen at Frog Farm following the Skill Share, the Whirlwind PlayFest people will put any donations toward the TCB expansion. (Thanks, Kaci!)

7. Cover your head. Perhaps you’ve seen people sporting those cool ‘Takilma’ and ‘Dome School’ trucker caps (and how about the ones with just dragonflies!). Get yours at the Dome School office or Barter Faire.

8. Try to win BIG. Our BIG Raffle is limited to 100 tickets, available at $50 each. Grand prize is $2000 with five $100 winners. Winners announced June 24 at Barter Faire. Full info: domeschool.org/bigraffle NOTE: As of May 15, we’ve sold 23 tickets, so we’re on our way. (Only 77 to go!) 

9. Get the Takilma Common Ground Anthology combining the first 25 issues. $10 from each $20 purchase goes to the TCB. Available at the school/TCB office during school hours (M-F 9am-3pm). (Thanks, Alan and Rachel!)

10. Get more Takilma Common Ground. Volume 2, combining the second 25 issues, will be here in June. 100+ pages bigger than Volume 1, it will cost slightly more at $22. But pre-pay now and save $2 (Thanks, Rachel and Alan!)

11. Unload your bottles and cans. Bottle deposit are now 10 cents. Let us take them off your hands, and turn them into $ for the TCB. Through June. Drop off at school (near wood pile).

12. Eat peanuts. Visit the Galloping Goose booth Friday nights at the CJ Farmers Market. They are raising funds for our expansion with sales of fresh roasted peanuts. (Thanks, Steph!)

13. Eat Blueberries. Ida’s Blueberries, that is. Check out facebook.com/idasblueberries for more info and to get early notification of sales. (Thanks, Ida!)

14. Doodle. Through July, Left Fork Books is donating profits from sales of The Doodle, Design, & Draw Book for Illinois Valley Kids of All Ages. The $7 book is available at select IV locales, including the Southern Oregon Guild and the Dome School office. (Thanks, Ryan!)

15. Smile! The Amazon Smile program gives an extra bonus while you shop Amazon. Start at smile.amazon.com and enter Dome School as your chosen charity. Similarly, you can connect your Fred Meyer card online, so we get a bonus when you shop (and these do not take away from your own rewards–it’s a bonus that you can support us!).

16. Reduce and Recycle. We’re collecting old printer cartridges, cell phones, tablets, and laptops, which we can turn into funding. Bring them by the school office anytime.

17. Honor a loved one. By having a room in our addition named in their honor. Gather friends and family and bundle your contributions together.

18. Help secure land for the community. The Takilma Community Association is negotiating to purchase adjacent land. You can donate to the TCA, to help purchase this land and ensure it is remains in its natural state (and if the sale goes through, the seller plans to donate proceeds to the TCB expansion!)

19. Enjoy Barter Faire. We’ll have a booth with assorted goodies. So come on out June 23-24-25 to help us celebrate the 15th Hope Mountain Barter Faire.

20. Rent the building. Want to rent the building sometime down the road? Pay ahead and get a discount. We get funds now when we need it; you save money on your rental down the road. Contact Jenn at 592-3911 to discuss.

21. Drink the Lemonade. This is not before our goal of June 30, but we know we’ll still need to be raising money through the summer. So head to Out N’ About for the Turning Moon Fest on August 4 and check out our planned smoothie and lemonade booth.

Yes, that’s only 21 so far. We’ll be adding more over the next 2 months, so please check back periodically. Thank you!

Get Flower Power and support the school!

Here’s another way you can help us fundraise for our community building expansion.  Through May 1, if you visit the Flower Power site and make a purchase, we will receive 50% back for every dollar you spend. Please use the link below.

With 13 days to go (as of this writing), we have already earned $204 through this fundraiser. Please consider perusing the different bulb choices. And remember, this is for our students and also our entire community (learn more at domeschool.org/help)

Dome School Flower Bulb Fundraiser:

http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/campaign?campaign_id=24899

 

Thank you!

 

The Big Raffle! [Apr 22 – Jun 24, 2017]

Announcing The BIG Raffle

5050 Raffle

a 50/50 fundraiser for the Takilma Community Building expansion

Yes, we need to kick fundraising in to gear–we’ll announce more fundraising activities at our Earth Day Celebration (and here and on Facebook, if you can’t make it out this Saturday)–but we’re hopeful this will help get the funding completed. So this Saturday, we’re kicking off our BIG Raffle.

The Grand Prize is $2000, plus there will be five $100 Winners.

100 tickets maximum will be available, each at $50 each (numbered 00-99). Assuming we sell all tickets, that will be $2500 in prizes and $2500 for the building expansion.

And we have decided to award all prizes provided a minimum of 50 tickets are sold. (If less than 50 tickets are sold, all ticket sales will be refunded.)  So, yes, if we only sell 50 tickets, it will be a 100/0 raffle (100 in prizes, zero to the school). This just seems easier than giving everyone’s money back if we only sell 50 or 60 or 80. Hopefully we sell all and this makes the $2500 for the school. Fingers crossed!

The Drawing will be held Saturday night, June 24, at the Hope Mountain Barter Faire (just prior to the headlining act). Prizes can be collected at the Barter Faire, or following Barter Faire at the Dome School office (call to make sure we’re open–we have limited hours in the summer).

Tickets can be purchased at the Dome School office during school hours (9am-3pm Mon-Fri, through May; more limited hours in June). Tickets are also available Fridays at the CJ Farmers Market (if you don’t see a Dome School booth, look for market manager Sarah Kuhn) or from any member of the building expansion committee. We’ll update right here if we add locations around town where tickets can be purchased.

And again, please remember this is a fundraiser to make sure our building expansion happens. Please learn more, and watch a fun video of the need for the expansion here: www.domeschool.org/help

For more information, please call 541-592-3911.

Barter Faire T-shirt Contest [deadline April 10 2017]

 

2016 T-shirtHOPE MOUNTAIN BARTER FAIRE 2017 T-SHIRT CONTEST

PRIZE – The artist of the selected shirt design will win (1) their choice of item with the design (e.g. hoodie, short or long-sleeve shirt. Value up to $55) and (2) two 3-day passes to the Barter Faire ($50 value each). Total prize value up to $155.

DEADLINE – Entries must be received by 5pm on April 10. The Barter Faire board will judge.
If available digitally, please submit via email to thedomeschool@gmail.com.
If only available as a hard copy, please drop off at the Dome School / TCB office or mail to Ryan Forsythe, T-Shirt Coordinator c/o Hope Mountain Barter Faire, PO Box 812, Cave Junction OR 97523

 

2003 T-shirtT SHIRT DESIGN CRITERIA
* At a minimum, designs should include the following elements:
(1) the words “Hope Mountain Barter Faire”
(2) the year “2017” (or the full date: June 23-24-25, 2017)
(3) a dragonfly (optional: a sometimes tradition is to include the number of dragonflies equal to the year of the fair. This is the 15th, so 15 dragonflies, but please don’t stick in 15 dragonflies if it detracts from the overall design)
* If submitted electronically, preferred file formats are JPG, PDF, and PSD. Submit at minimum of 10” wide at 300 dpi.
* Please note that designs will be screen-printed, so the number of colors used should not be more than 5 or 6 at most (more colors = greater cost per shirt). [So note: we may factor potential shirt cost into the design considerations – don’t go overboard!]

FOR INSPIRATION (If you’re on Facebook) – All the previous t-shirt designs should be here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheDomeSchool/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10150581305174970

QUESTIONS? – Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions. Send to Ryan at thedomeschool (a) gmail.com or call 541-592-3911.

HMBF_Yr12 HMBF_Yr11 HMBF_Yr10 HMBF_Yr05 HMBF_Yr04 HMBF_Yr02

Annual Holiday Bazaar this weekend [Dec 3 & 4, 2016]

Yes, it’s the Dome School’s 34th (!) annual Winter Holiday Bazaar, happening Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, at your Takilma Community Building.

winter bazaar 2016

Visitors can expect crafts, books, blown glass, herbals, farm products, jewelry, baked goods, note cards, dolls and dollhouses, sculptures, ceramics, knitted and crocheted good and much more. The event features live music and raffle prizes. Breakfast and lunch and other food will be available too.

DomeTable_sm

Saturday hours are 10am-5pm. Sunday hours are 10am-4pm.

And please don’t forget: this is a fundraiser for the Dome School. At our Dome School table, you’ll be able to find Dome School and Takilma t-shirts, ball caps, and beanies, bumper stickers, calendars from Syracuse Cultural Workers, and also the new Takilma Common Ground Anthology (collecting the first 25 issues). Please consider supporting the school with your purchases.

We’ll hope to see you all (t)here!

Save the Date: Dome School’s 40th Nov 12 (2016)

Dome School 40th

The community is invited to celebrate 40 years of the Dome School with us!

We’ll cap the day with the return of BROTHER. They rocked our Halloween 2 years ago, and people are still talking about it. Their brand of Celtic tribal fusion rock, with bagpipes and didgeridoos, had everyone hopping about the place. But before that, we’ll have much more. Here’s the current schedule:

* 3-4pm Dome School annual meeting
* 4-8pm Silent Auction (see list below), color-your-own-party-hat, and a time capsule photo booth! (Take your photo and include with a letter to yourself in 35 years–to be included in a time capsule buried with the new TCB addition)
* 4:30pm Greg Walter presents a Takilma/Waldo/Queen of Bronze historic photo slide show
* 5-8pm Dinner available – Veggie chili, meat chili, vegan soup available ($3 cup or $5 bowl)
* 5:30-7pm Story time Open Mic – bring your tales from the past 40 years
* 7-8pm Birthday cake walk
* 8:30-11pm BROTHER in concert.

Admission is free until the concert, though note dinner, dessert, and auction are extra, plus we’ll have other items for sale (e.g. caps, shirts, Takilma Common Ground anthologies). The Brother concert is $10-20/person (sliding scale), with under 14 admitted free. If you have old photos, bring ’em! We’d love to scan and get them back to you that day (we’re hoping to put a 40-year history book together).

We’d like to thank the following people and organizations for donating to our silent auction (more items added soon–check back)

  • Claire Sierra / Balch Hotel – Hotel/spa package ($175 value)
  • Carol Valentine – 2 voice lessons ($80 value)
  • Josephine Community Libraries – IV branch – $40 gift certificate to IV Friends bookstore and/or the December book sale
  • Aquarius Books, Rocks & Gifts – amethyst geode, plus a small ruby (the ruby is the traditional 40th anniversary gemstone) ($59 value)
  • Wild River Pizza – $30 gift certificate
  • Gray Conway – Hand-felted Forest Edge llama fiber hat ($150 value)
  • Davis Painter – Carved and painted emu egg (?? value)
  • Joyce Abrams – 4 rolls pure llama yarn ($82.95 value)
  • Kayla Starr – one-hour massage ($60 value)
  • Left Fork Books – 3-pack of books, including The Doodle, Design, & Draw Book for Illinois Valley Kids of All Ages,  Takilma Common Ground Anthology, and Cobra Lily #1 ($39 value)
  • Illinois Valley News – 1 year subscription ($43 value)
  • Judy Carpenter – Stagg electric guitar, with case, signed by local bands and musicians including Ben Rice Blues Band, Colonel Mustard, and Caleb Orton ($300 value) [NOTE: Brother has agreed to sign at the event!]
  • Marjorie Reynolds – 3 glass-beaded necklaces ($15 value each) and sterling pendant with stone ($45 value)
  • Ashland Food Co-op – $25 gift certificate
  • Bear Images – $15 gift certificate
  • Nick Reynolds – signed copy of Fortunate Son by John Fogarty ($30 value)
  • Mary Reynolds – knit beanie ($40 value)
  • Dome School – 100+ piece glass chemistry equipment – includes test tubes, beakers, erlenmeyer flasks, schlock flasks, graduated cylinders, pipettes, droppers, petri dishes, stacking specimens containers, rubber stoppers, copper test tube clamps, a vacuum jar w/stopper, a spirit lamp, and more (?? value)

As you think about whether an item is worth your $, please don’t forget that your contribution supports the expansion of the community building. So why not consider donating $80 or $90 for that $43 IV News subscription?