Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
WAITSBURG - The Royal Block Reading Series welcomes author James West Nelson (and one of his raptors) for a reading from his magnum opus, Hoods, Hooding, and Hoodmaking, at the Royal Block in Waitsburg Saturday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Children and young adults are welcome to meet Mr. Nelson and his Harris Hawk outside the Royal Block on the Main Street sidewalk from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. To attend the reading inside, guests must be 21 or over (because of the wine bar).
Now a master falconer, hood maker, and breeder, Nelson first received his Washington State falconer's license in 1969 as a youth in Port Townsend, WA. Lacking access to organized falconry programs, he taught himself the basics of the sport by reading library books.
He has trained and flown most raptors suitable for falconry. He helped found the Washington Falconers Association in 1980 and has served as its past president. Nelson was instrumental in establishing the Peruvian aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis) as a falconry bird in the United States. He is known for his innovative falcon-hood manufacturing techniques and falcon-training methods.
Hoods, Hooding, and Hoodmaking, published by Western Sporting, Sheridan, WY, is one of the most comprehensive works on the topic of falconry in modern years. Nelson has also published articles, short stories, and poems describing falconry through the eyes of a falconer.
Nelson resides in Prosser, WA, and teaches science at Richland High School.
About Royal Block: The Royal Block is an oasis for the curious, the community, and travelers seeking a refreshing sojourn. Located at 222 Main Street, Waitsburg, WA. This bohemian hotel features wonderfully appointed guest rooms and a spacious bar to savor established, side project and upstart wines and ales from across the Walla Walla Valley while immersed in art, poetry, music and lively conversation. The Art Bar is open Thursdays and Fridays 4–9 p.m. and Saturdays 2–9 p.m. More information at TheRoyalBlock.com and @theRoyalBlock.
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