The primary purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the role of energy in every American’s life. This 6-lecture course will contain the following lectures:

L1 will cover the history of energy and begin to discuss how energy is generated today.

L2 will continue with the ways energy is generated today giving a basic understanding of the principles and equipment involved and potential future energy sources.

L3 will discuss trends in U.S. energy generation including future predictions and touch on importing and exporting energy.

L4 will compare U.S. energy use to the rest of the world; in the past, today and looking ahead. It will touch on the challenges that developing countries have with providing sufficient energy per capita.

L5 will discuss how the supply of fresh water, production of meat and crops, fisheries and more have become dependent on energy to meet demand. 

L6 will have the class use what it has learned to create a world map of how much energy each region needs in the future and how various energy sources should be used to provide it.

Instructor: Tim Bertch PhD

 I completed my undergraduate studies at the United States Naval Academy, have an Engineering Masters from the University of Connecticut and earned my Engineering Doctorate at the University of Maryland. Other experiences include commanding a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, leading the San Diego Wastewater Department with almost 1000 employees and $4B of capital equipment, qualifying as a Professional Engineer, directing a division of General Atomics, holding three patents, authoring several books, and past EMT experience.  Energy is essential to our future as a nation; as are citizens who can differentiate between energy hype and energy reality.

Join retired physical therapist and two-time kidney transplant recipient Beth Badour for an engaging three-week interactive class on the vital role of the kidneys in health and disease. Participants will learn how to keep their kidneys healthy, recognize early signs of kidney disease, and gain a deeper understanding of testing, treatment options, dialysis, and transplants.

Drawing from both her professional background as a physical therapist and her personal journey through two kidney transplants, Beth will share how she transformed from feeling like a victim to becoming a victor in her own life. Each class includes engaging discussion, practical education, and opportunities for audience participation.

The series will conclude with ways to raise awareness for those awaiting kidney transplants, including how to support kidney patients through community engagement and social media advocacy.

Instructor: Beth Badour

Beth is a retired physical therapist and a two-time kidney transplant recipient who recently moved to Anacortes. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey, she helps others connect with resources for kidney donation and transplantation while offering hope and education to those living with chronic disease. Through her own experience with kidney disease or what she calls "dis-ease". Beth has learned not only how to survive, but how to thrive and create a life of purpose and joy. As the author of three inspiring books available on Amazon, she shares her story of transformation and empowers others to take charge of their health and live life to the fullest.

This three-week course will be provided by three instructors who are WSU-Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners

1. Steve Schanen - Basic Botany to Help You Know and Understand Your Plants - Learn about the history of plants and how the oldest plants are still with us. Learn about flowers and how the flowering plants are organized. Learn about some plant families and how knowledge of plant families will help you in the garden.

Steve is a high school teacher in Oak Harbor and former native plant nursery owner as well as a WSU-Skagit County Extension Master Gardener.

2. Kelly Maupin - Seed to Salad – This is a two-part session:

(1) From Seed to Maturity Jump Start Your Garden with Winter Sowing - You will learn the easy, low-cost seed starting method where seeds are sown in containers outdoors from December through April. This technique uses the natural freezing and thawing cycles to stratify seeds if needed, and the containers act as mini-greenhouses promoting germination when the time is right.

(2) Growing Tomatoes - Learn the Skagit County Master Gardeners method for growing beautiful tomato plants & produce. This class will include the fundamentals of germination, seedling growing methods and tools, common problems facing tomato growers and how to avoid them, the different types of tomatoes, and choosing the right tomato for our region.

3. Virgene Link-New - Rose Care and Pruning - Do you sometimes wonder how to properly care for and prune your roses? It can be a challenge to grow roses well in Skagit County. Expert Virgene Link-New will cover planting, pruning, fertilizing, watering, and pest & disease management for a variety of rose types in this talk.

Virgene is a long-time chairman of the Rose Garden at the Master Garden Discovery Garden.

Course Facilitator: Anita Johnson – WSU-Skagit County Extension Master Gardener