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  • The Mycophagist's Ten Commandments | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    The Mycophagist's Ten Commandments When you are collecting for the table, follow these "ten commandments" -- and stay safe! Amanita novinupta in Douglas Fir. Photo by Katherine Elvin When you are collecting for the table, follow these "Mycophagist's* Ten Commandments," excerpted from Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America by David Fischer and Alan Bessette: 1 Never eat a mushroom unless it is positively identified as edible . Mistakes can result in toxic reactions ranging from mild gastric upset to death. If in doubt, throw it out! 2 Eat only fresh mushrooms that are free from infestation by insects or larvae. Mushrooms can spoil, and eating any spoiled food can cause food poisoning or other adverse reactions. 3 Thoroughly cook all mushrooms unless they are specifically known to be edible raw. Some mushrooms contain toxins or gastrointestinal irritants that must be destroyed by cooking. 4 Eat mushrooms only in moderate quantities . Mushrooms are not easily digested; overeating them is an easy way to get sick. 5 When trying an edible mushroom for the first time, eat only a small portion (a spoonful), and don't try any other new kinds for forty-eight hours. As with many kinds of food, some people are sensitive or allergic to mushrooms commonly eaten by other people. Individuals with known food allergies or sensitivities should be extra careful when trying mushrooms new to them, especially those species known to present problems for some individuals. 6 Don't pick mushrooms from contaminated habitats . These include polluted areas, chemically treated lawns, ornamental trees, and places close to highways, landfills, toxic waste sites, crop fields, power lines, railroads, buildings, industrial areas, or firebreaks. Contaminants may accumulate in wild mushrooms. 7 Never assume that a wild mushroom you find overseas is the same edible species you know from North America, or vice versa. Too many serious cases of mushroom poisoning occur because vacationers and immigrants unwittingly gather dangerous look-alike species not found in their native lands. 8 Be conservative about feeding wild mushrooms to children, the elderly, and the infirm. Avoid edible species known to cause adverse reactions in some people, and don't let children, the elderly, or persons in poor health try an unfamiliar kind of wild mushroom until you and other friends or relatives have identified and eaten it without any adverse reactions. Limit portion sizes for children, the elderly, and the sick because they're generally more susceptible to toxins than other people are. 9 When trying a wild mushroom for the first time, save a few intact, uncooked specimens in the refrigerator for forty-eight hours. If someone develops an illness within two days after trying an unfamiliar mushroom, the physician may want expert identification to rule out the mushroom as the culprit. 10 Examine every specimen in every collection of mushrooms to avoid inadvertent mixing of different species. Even experienced mushroom hunters can err if they become careless and fill their baskets too hurriedly. *A mycophagist is an organism or person who eats fungi, particularly mushrooms, or an enthusiast who is deeply interested in mushrooms from a gastronomic perspective. The term combines the Greek-derived prefix "myco-," meaning mushroom or fungus, with the word "phage," referring to eating. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC

  • Mystical Glow in the Dark Dark Woods | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    News & Stories / Mystical Glow in the Dark Dark Woods Don’t you just love tales of the elusive, finally experienced? The green flash of sunset over water, the evanescent glow of the Jack o’ Lantern mushroom... Debbie Viess relates a really magical story. Debbie Viess • February 1, 2013 Omphalotus olivascens. Photo by Debbie Viess I had been cooped up in my house for too many days, so I dashed over to my fave park in Oakland, Huckleberry Preserve, to do a brisk, late afternoon walk and glory in the damp. For once I decided to lighten my load, so no camera, no binocs, just a bit of water and some well-appreciated layers of warm clothing. Original Headline from February 2013 Duff As I broke off a piece of likely-looking crust fungi from a rotten log at the park entrance (since taking Tom Bruns’ crust class at NAMA, I have fallen hard for this surprisingly interesting group of fungi), a woman came up along the trail and said to me: “You’re a Mycologist!” Busted. She then said that she had taken a class with me somewhere. So much for anonymity. I told her that crusts didn’t look like much in hand but got pretty spectacular under the scope. She just had to take my word for it, though. But after her, no one. Nothing like rain and mud to clear out the tourists. I pretty much had the place to myself, which is just the way I like it. Well, just me and the plants and birds and fungi, one big happy family. The red under-brim of my rain hat is really pissing off the Ruby Crowned Kinglets, though, since they consider it to be a color signaling aggressive faux pas. ..not much I can do about that, just be grateful that they may be feisty, but they are also very, very small. I made my apologies to them as I walked by. Can’t please everyone. The woods were gorgeous and fungi filled: mycenas, candy caps forming a conga line on a vertical mossy bank right along the trail (too small to pick and so pretty to see), a mystery Hygrophorus, Camarophyllus russocoriaceus , with its refreshing odor of cedar, Hygrocybe punicea , that big red waxy, ridiculously small white mycenas dusted into tree bark moss, a tiny Xerocomus sp., Stereum and Turkey tails, bright and refreshed by the rain, and at days end and as I came upon the last twists of the trail Oh! My! God! A huge fruiting of Omphalotus olivascens . It spilled along the back side of a big eucalyptus stump, and sprawled down into the canyon, following the buried root system. Best sighting ever, and no camera!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. While I mentally plotted to return to take a photo (and it would not be easy since there was no good vantage point, it just dropped straight down off the trail) I realized just what kind of mushroom I had there...a bioluminescent one, and darkness just a shot away. Why not just seize the moment and observe the bioluminescence directly in nature? Of course, I had no flashlight, but I know the trail well, having walked it oh, maybe a thousand times, and it was pretty close to the entrance and my eyes would be adjusted to the dark...so I decided to wait it out and see what I could see. It was 4:30. I figured that it would start getting dark after 5, so what the hey. I plunked myself down atop the stump and settled in for the wait. A female Great Horned Owl woke up and started her contact calls, calling for her mate. She sounded so lonely and there was no answering hoot, so I finally gave a hoot myself. As dusk fell, she flew beneath me into a opening, and rose to a hidden perch. Then she flew a bit closer. I sat still and quiet, startling another bird coming in to roost, and a couple of late afternoon hikers, too. At five pm, the owl’s mate started calling back. But still there was a bit of light in the sky, too much for my eyes to perceive any possible spectral glow. Once the sun dipped, the temps did too, and I was very grateful for every bit of clothing that I had brought along.And still I waited. By now it was too dark to make out much detail. I knew that the ground behind the stump dropped sharply, and my viewing vantage from above was not great, so I inched along the side of the stump at a crouch, and grabbed onto a thick huckleberry branch on my right, to stabilize myself in case I slipped, and waited some more. I started to notice a glow on the wood of the stump just inches from my face, in the cracks of the bark. Darned if the Omphalotus mycelia wasn’t glowing, too! As the darkness grew thicker I started to see light along the edges of the Omphalotus caps, borne in thick, cascading fungal scallops below me. The wind was blowing away from the trail and on and down into the canyon and I stated to see puffs of phosphorescence...could the spores be bioluminescent, too? Oh man, this is SO cool! In the back of my head was the thought that my husband David was probably getting worried at home...I had claimed to be returning for dinner, heck I claimed to be making dinner, but this was an opportunity to be seized, and I had no way to contact him. I couldn’t even keep checking my watch since it glowed and ruined my night vision. Screw it, I was in for a pound.Finally, after watching the caps glow and feeling guilty over David and starting to worry just a bit about how the heck I was gonna find my way out, I started to leave...but was drawn back one more time. This time, I laid on top of the stump and looked down... The edges of the caps gently pulsed with eerie green bioluminescence. In fact, there was a spill of spectral light from the stump right below my face and flowing down into the canyon. Wow. I had to drag myself away. Heading back for that last quarter mile, I did my best Helen Keller imitation, using my hands (brushing sword ferns that lined the path) and feet to help find the path. I knew where I was supposed to be, and I could still see a bit of light at the very top of the trail above me, but I sure couldn’t see very much at my feet! Luckily my instincts took over, and I slowly but surely came up the trail. At one point I almost panicked when I thought that I had lost the trail, but I stayed calm and persevered. Whew. Back safe to the car at 6:30, I called David first thing, and yes, he was relieved to hear from me and about to come out looking for me. If indeed I had gotten off trail I would have been grateful to have seen his flashlight, but all was well. Better than merely well, it was magical. For the price of a little bodily warmth and a bit more time than anticipated, I observed an awesome natural phenomenon. Just me and the spooks. Cool beans. Debbie Viess. Photo by David Rust Debbie Viess, AKA Amanitarita, in modest Muscaria regalia. Upper ‘shroom from Wine & Mushroom party last year. Can you find another bit of muscaria kitsch NOT touching her body? Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

  • Why Study a Genus? | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    News & Stories / Mycology & Art News Why Study a Genus? The answer is very simple: We need experts. Having a monograph is useless if no one knows how to use it. John Brown • September 1, 2005 Why not learn Pholiotina? Pholiotina rugosa. © Darvin DeShazer (from mushroomobserver.org) I have a number of reasons why I decided to study the genus Inocybe : Year after year I find mushrooms which I can’t ID, and using Arora, I never will. A few months into my study I at least knew some of these were Inocybes. The driving reason that gave me my original impetus came from a class on career devel-pment. The instructor simply said: “If you want to be valued within your field, be an expert at something.” The last reason really came after I started the study: The many mushrooms in the genus have repetitive features, both macro and microscopic. Paying attention to your observations gives you a great deal of insight into the whole genus. Some of you are coming back from San Francisco State’s mushroom microscopy class. Chances are, you were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. I’m still overwhelmed, despite a second class and a visit last summer. If you study a genus, your information becomes focused, and becomes a great deal more understandable. We need people that understand the various genera. We need them at the Fair. We need them at the ID table on forays. There is too much information for any one person to know it all. Many of the people in the club are good generalists. Some of us have learned to use the monographs in the Agaricales of California , but to my best knowledge, we have the following monographs that no one uses: Mycena , Psathyrella , veiled Hebelomas , Pholiota, Pholiotina , Gymnopilus , Thele phora. If you want a challenge, do Psathyrella . We have lots of them. If you’ve mastered one monograph and would like to try another, you could try the veiled Hebelomas . I have no idea what Thelephora entails, which itself points to the need for someone versed in this genus. We also have books on Suillus and Boletes. John Brown, Science Advisor Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Warning: Chanterelle Lookalikes May Cause You to Lose Your Lunch! Mycology & Art News D.I.Y. Mycoblitz Mycology & Art News Take a Closer Look at your Black Trumpets Mycology & Art News Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

  • Four Dry Season Mushrooms | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    Four Dry Season Mushrooms At the beginning of the season, while we wait patiently for the fall rains to arrive, there are still some interesting sporocarps lurking in our local outdoor spaces. by Dan Tischler Two Princes Oyster mushrooms ( Pleurotus ostreatus ) and the Prince ( Agaricus augustus ) often fruit in the summer fog season, and Dead Man’s Foot or the Dyers Puffball, ( Pisolithus arhizus ) pops up unexpectedly in dry meadows and sandy trails with hardly any moisture. But one of the most spectacular dry season fungi is the Hardwood Sulfur Shelf, Laetiporus gilbertsonii . Chicken roosting In our area, L gilbertsonii is found on eucalyptus, oak, and other hardwood species. It can grow on logs, stumps, or on dead or living trees and can fruit in inland valleys during the driest part late summer without any sign of nearby moisture. It first appears as a small blob, expanding into broad semicircular shelves that can form rosettes or impressive clusters with overlapping layers. The main body is a striking salmon pink to orange color with bright lemon yellow or sulfur yellow pores on the undersides of the tips. When fresh, the colors are vibrant and the texture is soft and spongy. (Members can view photos of a Time Lapsed Laetiporous for examples of this growth.) With age, the fruiting body slowly turns lighter in color and becomes harder and more brittle, eventually turning dull white. Crumbly remnants can persist for months before slowly weathering away. Laetiporus is a brown rot fungus, a type of saprobe which breaks down the cellulose in dead wood. The affected wood will often appear brown, cracked, and shrunken with a soft brittle texture. It is also parasitic, so living trees can be hollowed out and drop large branches or break in strong winds, so you have reason for concern when you find this fungus on that old oak tree that is shading your house. But on a more positive note, when fresh and tender, Laetiporus gilbertsonii is a prized edible, commonly referred to as “chicken of the woods.” It is one of the “foolproof four” wild edible mushrooms recommended by Clyde Christianson in his book Common Edible Mushrooms , first published in 1943. Along with the giant puffball, ( Calvatia gigantea ), morels ( Morchella sp. ), and the shaggy mane ( Coprinus comatus ), “chicken of the woods” was considered to be a choice edible that was both abundant and distinctive enough that a prudent beginner could easily identify it without risk of confusion with any dangerous species. But of course nothing is completely foolproof. Christianson’s “chicken of the woods” was Laetiporus sulphureus , which has since been divided into at least eight distinct species including our L. gilbertsonii and another western species L. conifericola , which not surprisingly grows on conifers. Most of the species are so similar, that they cannot be differentiated by macroscopic or microscopic physical characteristics alone. Looking at the species of wood they are growing on, location on the tree, and region where they are found provides some clues, and DNA sequencing is ongoing to clarify the definitions of this group of similar species. Luckily, all seem to be relatively safe edibles. What is meant by relatively safe, you might ask? Just like chicken, chicken of the woods should be cooked thoroughly. Though it is not fatal, people have been sickened by eating raw or undercooked Laetiporus . Only tender young fruiting bodies or the tender outer tips of older specimens should be eaten. There are reports of gastric upsets caused by fungus harvested on eucalyptus, though many people (including the author) have eaten L. gilbertsonii from eucalyptus without any ill effects. Still it is best to eat just a bit the first time to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction. L. conifericola is equally edible and should be treated with the same precautions. And again, don’t forget to cook it thoroughly. But when well cooked, this mushroom does make a good chicken or meat substitute. With its firm flakey texture and a bit of imagination, some people claim it tastes just like chicken (or snake or turtle etc). There are about as many ways to cook this mushroom as there are to cook chicken. Here is one recipe to start with, Curried Green Beans with Sulphur Shelf . Mushrooms covered: Agaricus augustus (The Prince) Laetiporus gilbertsonii (western hardwood sulphur shelf) Pisolithus arhizus (dead man's foot, dyer's puffball) Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster) Previous Description All Featured Fungi Next Description

  • Vinegar Pickled Mushrooms | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    Vinegar Pickled Mushrooms Mushrooms that have been properly pickled in vinegar can last for years. They be eaten as an appetizer, or incorporated into other recipes. by Galina Plizga Vinegar Pickled Mushrooms (stock photo) This preservation approach involves pickling with vinegar in boiling water bath. The acidic environment created by the use of vinegar prevents the growth of Clostridium botulinum , the bacterium responsible for botulism. Advantages of vinegar pickling May be stored in pantry if processed in a water bath. Can be flavored with different vinegars, herbs, etc. if desired. Mushrooms are pre-seasoned and ready to use as an appetizer or in recipes Works well for substantial mushrooms such as Bolete buttons, Chanterelles, Russula spp . Works well for mushrooms with bolder flavors. Disadvantages of vinegar pickling Pronounced vinegar flavor can overpower delicate mushrooms. Does not work well for less substantial mushrooms. Objective: Storage/Prep Total Time: Approx. 40 minutes Suggested Mushrooms: Boletus sp. (bolete) Cantharellus sp. (chanterelle) Russula cyanoxantha Equipment and/or Ingredients Equipment Canning pot and rack Sterilized canning jars and lids Ingredients IMPORTANT : The following recipe can be varied with regard to seasoning, but one must strictly observe the quantity of vinegar . Fresh mushrooms (I use very small porcini, chanterelles) boiled in salted water for 5 minutes Pickling Marinade, per liter: 1 liter water ¾ C vinegar 1 Tbl salt 1 tsp sugar Peppercorns Mustard seed Allspice Juniper berries Laurel leaves Method Boil water with vinegar. Add seasonings. Place the hot mushrooms in the hot sterilized jar, and pour the pickling marinade over them while still hot , ensuring that all the mushrooms are covered and leaving ½” headspace. Screw the lid shut. Pasteurize the mushrooms in a hot water canning bath to boil for 10 minutes (see the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving if you’re not familiar with canning). Check jars for leakage by turning them upside down on a cloth until the next morning. If any leak, you can eat them in a day or so (keep in the refrigerator), but do not preserve for later . Intact (non-leaking) jars should then be placed in a cool, dark place, where they will keep for years. Special request : If you have pickled your own mushrooms in vinegar, would you be willing to send us a photo of your completed container? We'd love to replace the stock photo at the top of this page with a member's photo! See Showcase a Photo for information about how to submit a photo. Previous Technique All Techniques Next Technique

  • Albion I Foray, December 2003 | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    News & Stories / Field Reports Albion I Foray, December 2003 One hundred six (106) species were identified at the Albion I foray. Cortinarius and Russula tied at nine for most species, but Russula walked away with the most new species, with eight not on the Master list. John Brown • January 1, 2004 Albion Brain Trust (John, Phil, Henry), December 2003. Photo by Jim Maley Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Albion I Foray Species List — December 10-12, 2004 Albion I Foray 2005 Species List 2006 Albion I Foray Species List Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

  • Triple Mushroom Strudel | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    Triple Mushroom Strudel This strudel recipe uses mushrooms commonly available in markets, or you can modify it with your favorite wild mushrooms to bring out a unique flavor profile. by Rene Seltzer Pleurotus ostreatus. © (CC-BY-NC) by emmashelton (from inaturalist.org, ID 330655900) Method Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare the Mushroom Filling Chop mushrooms in food processor. Place mushrooms, shallots, white wine, tarragon, salt, pepper and Sambuca in a heavy pot and cook until all liquid is gone and the mushroom mixture is dry. As the mixture reduces, watch carefully to avoid burning. Let the mixture cool and add salt and pepper to taste. Assemble the Strudel After the mushroom filling is cool, add breadcrumbs until mixture is firm enough to hold together in a ball. Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough on a towel. Brush butter onto that sheet, and then add another sheet. Repeat this process until dough is 6 layers thick. Place half of the mushroom mixture on the edge of the dough and prepare to form a neat log. Roll the dough and mushroom mixture into a log, using a towel to help in folding it over. Using a towel, place the strudel on a buttered cookie sheet, and then butter the outside of the strudel, and sprinkle sugar over the top. Repeat this process to create a second strudel. Bake at 350° until golden brown (about 30 minutes). Slice each strudel into about 7 pieces, and serve! Recipe contributed: April 2002 This strudel pairs well with an aromatic white wine, like Gewürztraminer. Objective: Main course Total Time: 1.5 to 2 hours Yield: 14 pieces (2 strudels) Suggested Mushrooms: Oyster / king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus) Portobello/portabella, champignon, cremini, button (Agaricus bisporus) Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) Join FFSC or renew your membership to access the rest of this content. Join FFSC Login as an FFSC member to access the rest of this content. Login Ingredients 2 lbs Agarigus bisporus (e.g., cremini or portabello) 1 lb Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms) 1 lb Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) 5 Tbsp shallots, chopped 2 cups white wine 1 Tbsp tarragon, fresh & chopped Salt to taste White pepper to taste 2 Tbsp. Sambuca or Pernod* 2 Tbsp breadcrumbs 12 sheets phyllo (filo) dough, thawed ½ cup butter, melted ½ cup sugar Suggestion from the Editor : If you don't have Sambuca or Pernod on hand, you can create a similar anise flavor profile by using dry Vermouth and a pinch of fennel seed instead. Or, if you don't like the flavor of anethole (the aromatic compound which give licorice, anise, and fennel their taste), alternatives like dry white wine or sherry also work well. Just remember to taste, taste, taste (see Pairing and Cooking Mushrooms with Wine )! Previous Recipe All Recipes Next Recipe

  • FFSC Account FAQs | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    Support Login & Password FAQ I have an account. How do I login? (1) Click the Person icon 👤 in the upper right corner of the website's menu to get to the login page. (2) Login by using the same email that you used for your FFSC membership. (3) If your password doesn't work, click the "Forgot password?" link to reset your password. I can't login. Is this your first time logging in after October 2025? If so, you will need to click the Forgot Password? link on the login page. (The new system doesn't know your old password.) Also, when you login from now on, you'll use the email associated with your FFSC account to login from now on. your old username (from October 2025 or earlier) won't work for logging in anymore. I created a new login on this website. Where did all my old info go? If you already had an FFSC website account as of Nov. 3, 2025, your account was moved to this system. However, some of the old information (such as your past purchases) is still being moved. It should be available later in November. If you created a new account here instead of resetting the password for your existing account, please contact us so that we can help you. My password doesn't work. Make sure you are using your email as your username. On the login screen, click the Forgot Password? link to reset your password. Please note: Passwords created prior to Nov. 5 2025 will not be recognized until you reset your password. If that doesn't work, please contact us for help. On November 4th or 5th, 2025, I received an unexpected email about creating my password, but I've had a password years. Was that email legit? We moved our website to a new system in Nov. 2025. All existing paid-up members received an invitation on Nov. 4 or Nov. 5 to create a new password. If already reset your password since then, you can ignore the email. Or, if you're not comfortable clicking unfamiliar links in emails, you can use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page to reset your password instead. The "ffsc.us/user/reset/..." link I got a while back no longer works If you received an email before November 2025 with a link to login, that link will no longer work. Instead, follow the instructions above under "I have an account. How do I login?" to create a password. Then follow the instructions under "Membership FAQs" below to join the club. Membership FAQs What's the difference between the two membership plans? The "subscription" plan renews your membership dues automatically each year (PayPal will automatically charge your payment method). The "1 Year" plan does not automatically renew. (You need to remember to login and pay your membership dues each year.) See Why Join FFSC? for a detailed list of benefits. My "1 Year" membership expires soon. How do I renew it? When you buy a "Household Member 1 Year" plan, you will not see a Renew option in your account until the day after your current 1-year membership expires. If you want to pay before your current 1-year membership expires, you can log in to your account and then just purchase another "Household Members 1 Year" plan. During Checkout, we suggest you change the Start Date to be a date on or after your current membership year 's expiration. My "Subscription" membership expires soon. How do I renew it? If you have a subscription (auto-renewing) membership, it will automatically charge your credit card on file 1 year after the date you purchased it. If my membership expires, will I need to register all over again? No, you won't need to register again (unless you've been away for several years). After your membership expires, you can just login and then pay your membership dues to regain full access to all benefits. If your membership expired a couple years ago and you can't login, see the Login and Password FAQs above. (If that doesn't help, you can contact us for assistance.) My membership expired in 2025 and I don't see an option to renew it. What do I do? If your membership expired before November 3, 2025, you might not see a record of your expired membership. In that case, click Join FFSC in the Store menu to rejoin and pay your membership dues. How do I join the club? Visit the Join FFSC link in the Store menu, or go directly to the Choose Your Membership Plan page. From there, choose whether you want to subscribe to an auto-renewing plan, or whether you prefer to remember to pay each year. (The price is the same, and you can cancel your subscription before it renews.) I filled in all my info, but it won't let me submit the payment Your browser or security software might be mistaking the redirect to PayPal as an ad pop-up. Check your ad blocker's instructions for how to add an exception for this purchase. If you're using a VPN, it is masking your true IP address and location. Since banks and payment gateways (including PayPal) check your device's IP address to try to determine if it's really you, this means they often block connections from masked and public IP addresses. You can either temporarily turn off the VPN, or check its documentation for other solutions, or try another browser or device. Orders and Payments FAQ I paid for an upcoming event. Why don't I see it in my orders? Your Event payments are in the Tickets and RSVPs tab of your account. (We know that seems odd, but the website system we're using limits Product Orders to physical items (such as stickers and other merchandise), and it treats events and memberships separately. That's just how the underlying system currently works.) I paid for an FFSC membership. Why don't I see it in my orders? Your latest active membership info is in the FFSC Membership tab of your account. (Product Orders are only for stickers and other merchandise.) My Profile and Privacy How much of my profile is visible to other people? To preview what other users can see in your profile, login and then visit the Public Profile tab in your account. To show or hide specific details: (1) Go to the Account Info tab of your account. (2) Scroll down to Profile Privacy Settings. (3) Configure what's visible and what isn't by toggling the globe (public) and lock (private) icons next to each input field. I don't want any of my profile to be visible to other people. How do I make the whole thing private? (1) Go to the Account Info tab in your account. Scroll to the bottom. (2) Use the arrow to expand the Profile Privacy section. (3) Click "Make Profile Private". Click to enlarge My Account Pages In the Account area, I see navigation tabs, but they are blank. What should I do? Reload/refresh the page in your browser's navigation bar. If you don't know where the reload/refresh button is, you can use your browser's menu or keyboard shortcuts: Safari: In Safari's menu, choose View > Reload Page . (Or press Command+R) Chrome : In Chrome's menu, choose View > Reload This Page . (Or press Command+R on a Mac, or Ctrl+R on Windows). Microsoft Edge : Press Ctrl+R. A few more FAQs are available below for logged-in FFSC members. If you still need help, please visit the Contact FFSC page for more assistance options. FFSC Account FAQs Having trouble entering info? Can't find your membership payment? We're here to help.

  • 2000 Fungus Fair Better than Fair | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    News & Stories / Fair News 2000 Fungus Fair Better than Fair Congratulations all around once again for a Fair which was, of course, a great deal better than fair. It was wonderful! Deb • February 1, 2000 Crucibulum laeve. © Christina Woolf (CC-BY-NC) (from inaturalist.org, obs. 19576780) Though conditions were dry, we did find mushrooms for display, with the final species count at 234. As usual Lee Yamada orchestrated a great event, with assistance from the Fair Committee md the FFSC and Museum Association memberships. The opening night reception was a treat for all, as was the mushroom art exhibit, a new feature this year coordinated by Marjorie Young and hung with the able assistance of Rene Seltzer and Henry Young. The public can view the beauty of mushroom art for the month of January. The FFSC has once again done a wonderful thing, and I'm honored to be a part of such a group. You're the greatest! Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

  • Boletus rex-veris | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    Boletus rex-veris (McCloud). Photo by Hugh Smith Boletus rex-veris Hugh Smith Boletus rex-veris , commonly known as the spring king bolete, is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Boletus found in western North America Camera (Not provided) Focal L. Aperture Shutter Sp. ISO Flash Photo taken on May 18, 2025 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

  • Big Bend as a Potential Foray Location? | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    News & Stories / Big Bend as a Potential Foray Location? We're planning for the Echo Summit foray as I write this article. This reminds me of a trip my wife Toni and I took this summer. Mark Gillespie • October 1, 2001 Boletus edulis. © Darvin DeShazer (from mushroomobserver.org) We visited some hot springs in Big Bend near Mt. Shasta. They are listed in Marjorie Young's-. guide to Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest. Most of you know her as one of our former FFSC CEOs. I mention it here because Toni and I were impressed with the habitat surrounding Big Bend on the Pit River. It looks like a great place for a foray in the fall after the rains get going. Lots of pines mixed with oaks that should produce boletes. One of the issues that get raised by some of our members is how crowded our long distance forays have become. As our group grows in size and popularity, this becomes more of an issue. We try to keep our eyes out for new foray sites and are looking forward to developing some new locations. One advantage of Big Bend are the hot springs. These are some of the hottest Toni and I have visited. There are some natural Indian springs that flow out of a hillside. They travel from pool to pool until emptying into the Pit River. They are truly sensational in a beautiful forest setting. There is some primitive camping at a former resort that is being rebuilt. This could allow us to enjoy two great pursuits, mushrooms and soaking! Keep your ears out as we plan this a little further. If you have any suggestions for foray sites, both local and long distance, please let us know. The best way to do this is at one of our minister's meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. It's also a good place to stay abreast of coming events as they are planned and discussed. One of the other complaints I hear comes from members who feel left out. As some of our popular forays fill up far in advance, attending minister's meetings is the best way to stay involved. You will definitely be kept appraised of which forays and culinary events have space left and can get your registration in early. We can also use fresh ideas and energy to keep developing the federation. If I don't get to see you at Echo Summit, it's already a good time to reserve space in Albion for December. Mark Gillespie, CEO Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

  • Porcini Chicken Pâté with Chanterelle Sauce | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

    Porcini Chicken Pâté with Chanterelle Sauce This pâté serves equally well as an appetizer or entree. by Marje Young Boletus edulis. © DJ (CC-BY-NC) (from inaturalist.org, obs. 345434064) Method Make the Pâté Soak the porcini in boiling water for 1 hour. Drain mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Squeeze mushrooms to reduce liquid. Sauté in butter for 5 minutes. Chop 1/3 of the mushrooms and set aside. Boil the soaking liquid to reduce to half, being careful not to include any grit from the porcini. Preheated oven to 350°F. Process the chicken breasts, 2/3 of the porcini, egg whites, tarragon, garlic and seasoning until chicken is finely ground. Add cream and 1/2 cup of porcini soaking liquid in a steady stream, processing until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, then stir in chopped porcini and chill 30 minutes. Put in a 1.5 quart mold or loaf pan, and bake at 350°F for about 1 hour or until firm in center and a thermometer registers 165°F. Unmold and slice. Top with chanterelle sauce and fresh tarragon. Make the Sauce Sauté Chanterelles in butter over medium-high heat until moisture evaporates. Stir in chicken broth with dissolved cornstarch. Add wine, stirring constantly until sauce is thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve chilled with bread, toasted pita, or crackers. Recipe contributed: October 1996 Marje found (or was inspired by) a great pâté recipe in Monadnock Mushroom Cookery , a community cookbook published in 1991 by the Monadnock Mushroom Club (formerly known as Monadnock Mushroomers Unlimited at the time of publication) based in Keene, New Hampshire. The original cookbook is now out of print, but you might still find it in online thrift bookstores. Objective: Appetizer Total Time: About 3.5 hours Yield: 10 to 12 appetizers Suggested Mushrooms: Chanterelle (Cantharellus californicus, Cantharellus formosus, Cantharellus subalbidus) Porcini (Boletus edulis, Boletus regineus, Boletus rex-veris) Join FFSC or renew your membership to access the rest of this content. Join FFSC Login as an FFSC member to access the rest of this content. Login Ingredients Pâté 3 oz. dried Porcini 4 cup boiling water 3 Tbsp. butter 1 1/2 (1.5) lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 large egg whites 1 Tbsp. or more fresh tarragon (marjoram is also quite good) 1 1/2 (1.5) cups heavy cream Salt & pepper to taste At least 1 small clove garlic, pressed. Chanterelle Sauce 2 cups fresh or thawed frozen chanterelles, sliced 1 cup. chicken broth 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 3 Tbsp. white wine Salt to taste 2 Tbsp. butter 1.5 qt. (9"x5") mold or loaf pan Previous Recipe All Recipes Next Recipe

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