Judith Lavoie

Canwest News Service

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

VICTORIA - Killer whales in the waters off southern Vancouver Island are losing blubber and developing strange behaviour patterns because of a shortage of salmon, say whale experts.

Some endangered southern resident killer whales are developing "peanut heads" because they are not getting enough food, said Howard Garrett of Washington-based Orca Network.

"They are looking sick. There is usually a thick layer of blubber just behind the skull and that seems to be the first place to be drawn from when they need to draw down blubber," he said. "In some of them, there's a dip right behind the blow-hole and, when you see that, you know the whale has been hungry."

The Center for Whale Research is having difficulty finalizing numbers for the three resident pods this year because the whales are so spread out.

Researchers believe there might be some losses, but, tentatively, the number of southern residents is set at about 87.

As the whales search for elusive chinook salmon there are unusual liaisons, Garrett said.

"A small group from L Pod have been travelling with J Pod all summer long and twice J Pod has split into two completely separate groups, out of acoustic range from each other," he said. "It's an indication that they are searching high and low and in every nook and cranny for fish."

Environmental groups are holding a news conference Wednesday in Vancouver to protest the federal government's fisheries policies.

"The announcement marks a tipping point in a two-year battle between the federal government and concerned scientists and environmentalists about the need to protect the orcas from threats to their critical habitat," according to a news release from Ecojustice.

"There are ongoing scientific concerns about conservation of the species, particularly in light of the fact that killer whales are not looking good this year," said Lance Barrett-Lennard, co-chairman of the federal government's Resident Killer Whale Recovery Team.

The recovery team worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to produce a killer whale recovery strategy, which was finalized earlier this year.

© Victoria Times Colonist 2008

Designed by Ilona Gaynor, London

For as long as I live (2008) [unfinished]

This project is looks at 'sustainabilty' and
longevity of products in particular that of
furniture and how we can relate a products
lifespan to our own. How do we define true
sustanability: does it mean a product can be
re-used? does it mean it will last forever? or
could it mean it lasts as long as we intend it
to- through our own definition, defined by a
certain legnth of time.

I have designed a singular piece of furniture
that transforms and lasts as long as you do.
The idea is that the furniture is adaptable and
is only relevent to the stage of life, at which
your currently in.

- Birth / Cot
- Adolescence / Single Bed
- Adulthood / Double Bed
- Death / Coffin

The unconscious phases of life and it's stages
present themselves in a conscious act of furniture
re-construction, preparing you for the next phase.
We all know this is an occurence in expectant
parents, but why not continue this ritual?

http://www.ilonagaynor.co.uk/index.php?/projects/for-as-long-as-i-live-/

I would just want to layer the thinking of sustainable cities with the F.E.W or Food-Energy-Water equation. I think cities that are able to secure reasonably priced F.E.W. resources and that are also sustainable, growth oriented etc will win in a spiky world. While the lessons of cities gone horribly wrong have been around for all to see and learn, not every city will. Governance is in short supply. Planning for the long term is in short supply.

How will we come back from the edge of extinction ourselves?

Is Kate Moss going to design a new eco clothing range?

Well I really think she should...she is such a trendsetter in the UK and beyond. Whatever Kate wears, we all wear. We all want to look like Kate.

Well what could be more perfect then than Kate leading by example and wearing some up and coming eco designer labels? Or even better, creating a collection herself with Topshop or the like based on eco principles? She already endorses vintage clothing  and so is halfway there in terms of influencing people.

Kate, if your listening...if anyone can do it, you can!

  Hamous gave his insight on LEED standards and sustainable building - or "smart" building as he's come to call it, but he wasn't in a position to answer some of the questions lobbed from an audience that had obviously been doing their homework. Many of their questions were about the city's commitment to environmentally sustainable rebuilding after the floods. Podzimek did show up toward the end of the session, saying he had been working.  Fagan, contacted today, was apologetic.  He had the forum on his calendar, but for the wrong date.  

   Fagan said he really wanted to be at the discussion and noted that the city is absolutely committed to sustainable rebuilding. In fact, he said that the "Year of the River" concept should be broadened to the "Decade of the Watershed." Let's hope the rest of the council agrees.

   As evidence of the city's commitment to rebuilding green, Fagan sent the following:

Here are links to the planning firms we are working with in our River Corridor Redevelopment Planning coordinated by Sasaki in conjunction with JLG.

Working with the city on facility assessment and redevelopment is CDM: http://www.cdm.com/

CDM’s city’s of the future podcasts can be found on their site or this direct link to the Knowledge Center:  http://www.cdm.com/knowledge_center/

Also working on site systems sustainability is Conservation Design Forum (Jim Padgett is a principal - and native Iowan - and I hope to have him come in and talk about focusing on the watershed in the near future): http://www.cdfinc.com/

On building systems sustainability is Arup: http://www.arup.com/

Finally, and critically from a sustainability perspective is the transportation firm Parsons Brinckerhoff:   http://www.pbworld.com/services/sustainable_development/default.asp

All are involved in plan review and as we move to the next phase and talk about neighborhood development and strengthening, I would like to see us continue to work with these firms, Fagan wrote.

In Tuna Noodle Casserole for an Army, I covered these basics:

• Béchamel - essentially a roux of butter and flour, thickened with scalded milk. Béchamel, the base of many other sauces, was named after its inventor, Louis XIV's steward Louis de Béchamel.
• Velouté - replaces milk with broth. It is also one of the 3-5 "mother sauces," velouté is a STOCK-based white sauce. Enrichments such as egg yolks or cream are sometimes also added. Velouté sauce is the base for a number of other sauces.
• Mornay - adds cheese or cheese and egg yolk. Usually Parmesan and Swiss, has been added. It's sometimes varied by the addition of fish or chicken stock or, for added richness, cream or egg yolks. Mornay sauce is served with eggs, fish, shellfish, vegetables and chicken.

For the gourmet version of the tuna noodle casserole, I basically use a Béchamel, add porcini broth, wine, then cheese. So, this is a mash-up of mother sauces, but it's miles beyond the "open a can of condensed soup.." versions!

Technique:

• The basic idea here is to prep the macaroni till it’s slightly underdone,
• Make a yummy, slightly cheesy sauce to bind it all together,
• Mix it all together,
• Add some yummy crunchy topping,
• Bake until it’s bubbly and the topping is browned.

It's that easy.

Here’s the challenge:

• There’s the following a recipe part. Rarely done in these parts.
• Then there’s tripling or quadrupling a recipe which a certain brother-in-law chef did once dutifully outline. But like Barbie, some of us find math hard.
• How to move quantities of food from pot to pot? No food-service sized utensils? A bowl makes a more efficient ladle at these proportions.
• Since a friend is not well, the idea of utilizing the entire 32 oz. pack, and having a “hot dish” to take over was appealing.

• Every effort was made to conform loose techniques and measures to something resembling a real recipe. (Some cooks, apparently, don’t cook by the “about that much” method.)
• Canned condensed soup is evil. It’s so easy to make a more wholesome sauce that tastes tons better, it’s just not the place to cut corners.

Tuna Noodle Casserole for an Army (or at least a good sized group)

• 1 32 oz pack of troll-caught albacore from Wild Planet
• 7 TBSP fat (I used half butter/ half Smart Balance)

For topping:
1.5 C Panko crumbs
1.5 C grated parmigiano- reggiano/pecorino romano blend
1 TSP Pimenton
1 TSP Tony Cachere’s seasoned salt

Four Sauce Mornay "More or Less":
3 C diced onion
1 C sliced celery
1/2 C porcini mushrooms rehydrated (3/4 C of soaking liquid reserved)
2 lbs macaroni just underdone (replaced 1 lb of macaroni with veg)
3 C grated cheese (emmenthaler, gouda, havarti mix was on hand)
1 C flour
3/4 C sherry
2 C whole milk
3.5 C chicken broth
1 TBSP tamari
3 tsp hot sauce
1/4 C ground flax seed
1 tsp dill
1 tsp celery seed
3 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dry mustard
4 tsp grated lemon zest

1/3 C chopped fresh Italian parsley
6 TBSP fresh lemon juice
3 C frozen peas, thawed

Steps:

1. Put water on to boil - we did two lbs of pasta (gemeli and elbows were on hand) in two batches.
2. Prepped veg
3. Tried to reconcile two different recipes - one for a super sized casserole but it called for pre-made alfredo sauce; and the other was for a third of the size recipe, roughly.
4. I measured out my cheeses, panko, spices.
5. Threw the peas in between the two batches of pasta to thaw.
6. Began the sauce by sweating the veg, then adding spices, 1C flour, sherry, mushroom broth, then chicken broth, milk...
7. Cook and stir to make a béchamel/velouté which later becomes a Mornay (every chef or culinary student out there is probably cringing right now...)
8. Once you see how the sauce is thickening, you judge the amount of sauce you have and how it will hold and bind the pasta; I had to add more liquid.

The key to this is that you use fantastic Wild Pacific Albacore (available at Whole Foods under the Wild Planet label.)

This tuna is sustainably caught, by a small consortium of Western fisherman, using lines and trolling. Essentially catching each tuna one at a time, without damaging the sea floor, or capturing and killing incidental or "By-Catch".

This was a comical, and delicious adventure of a product review and this is one product I'm happy to recommend.

A very nice lady emailed me to give me some hints on how to proceed with my canvas bag recovery project.  She told me that she had already tried to paint over logos and discovered that that method was way too time consuming.  It took layers of paint and each layer takes a long while to dry.  What she suggested instead was to cover the logo with an iron-on.  The bag above is an example of her work.  She used Avery Dark T-Shirt Transfer.  She said you can get it at Staples.

I'm so grateful she saved me the time and expense off trying to cover the logos with fabric paint.  Now all I have to do is figure out what image I want to use for an iron on.  I'll have to think on this awhile.  I don't want it to look too slick.  I want it to look raw and homemade but good.  Maybe I could just make a long strip of the word - "recovergirl" and paste it across the bag.  Makes sense given my logo name.

But what did we do before technology? Before xenon filled super-insulated windows and low-flush toilets. Before blow-in insulation and evacuated solar thermal tubes. For a change of pace, let's try an ecologist perspective on sustainable living rather than an engineers. All you've got are the tools of nature to clean the air, filter waste, fill the fridge and keep you warm. Sound too impossible to be true?

In the 1970's a movement started by ecologist John Todd had such amazing results. Continued through his New Alchemy Institute, Todd explored an earlier concept of the bio-shelter: a self-contained, zero "waste" facility that could sustain the average human (note: an informed reader has commented that no bio-shelter to date has fully achieved this). The actual definition of a bioshelter, according to Sean Wellesley-Miller & Day Ghahroudi offers a very holistic interpretation of the process as something that.."maintains a symbiotic relationship with the immediate exterior environment…and comparable to an organism that functions as a membrane between the inner and outer world."

Known as "arks", the shelters deal with both human waste in the form of air and sewage and provide consumable crop yields. Similarly, the arks have passive solar and renewable energy systems inherent in their ideology. They are a synthesis of science and nature, primarily consisting of a waste treatment system composed of a series of tanks containing vegetation, composting, aquatic life and bacteria. While extremely scientific in its approach, the system is inherently described as “a way of life” by John Todd, rather than a mere technology.

The original Cape Code Ark, the first bio-shelter, was only a food producing center. Years later, a residence was added that met the shelter at its midpoint, along a perpendicular angle to its southern exposure orientation. The formation is relatively a “T” shape, where the living space is predominately removed from the actual ark.

The Prince Edward Island Ark, designed to be an encapsulated residence, has a more integrated feel. The rectilinear building places the waste treatment area toward the south half of the building, but the living quarters run parallel to this structure and at all points are visually or physically connected to each other.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="325" caption="Prince Edward Island Ark from New Alchemy Site"][/caption]

Unfortunately, the New Alchemy Institute closed its doors some twenty years later, but the real-world lesson provides a tremendous amount of hope for our impending future. Facing the need for off-the-grid systems from energy to air to waste, the bio-shelter offers a solution that not only functionally solves ours needs but brings us back in touch with nature in a manner that doesn't fully jeapordize our current standards of living.

The other evening, I was buying some fish for my tea. And I was finding it tricky. I was bewildered by the different labels on the packs of fish that seemed to suggest they were more ethical. There were fish that were "line-caught". Fish that were an "RSPCA freedom food". Some that were "Marine Steward Council-certified" and several others that suggested other seemingly eco credentials.

As most people are, I’m also aware that many species of fish are on the brink of extinction – most famously cod. So what varieties of fish should I be buying? What do the many labels mean, which are the best and which are worth paying a little bit more for?

So in order to understand the solutions, I decided to find out what the problems are.

Wild fish issues

The global fish catch increased five times in the second half of the twentieth century. And it’s still growing. So many fish have been caught that only a quarter of fish species are not in some kind of trouble.

Over half of the world’s fish stocks are being fished to the limit of what is sustainable. Nearly a fifth are being over exploited. And 8% are now seriously depleted. The number of cod spawning in the North Sea is considered to be only a third of the bare minimum needed to maintain its population. In other words it’s dying out. Because we are catching and eating more than are born. Well done us.

However, it’s not necessarily eating it that’s the problem. It’s partly about the way it’s caught. As fishing has become more industrial, with massive driftnets gathering every living thing in their path, the amount of bycatch has increased. Bycatch is stuff that you didn’t set out to catch. It includes turtles, sea-birds, seals, whales and sharks as well as huge quantities of small fish that are thrown back dead. So in order to catch a few fish you do want, you also catch and kill a load of stuff you don’t. Very wasteful.

Bottom trawling – used to catch prawns, scallops, plaice, clams and snapper amongst others – is even worse. It involves dragging a fine net across the bottom of the sea-bed. This completely destroys delicate ecosystems and has probably wiped out many spiecies we didn’t even know about.

Farmed-fish issues

99% of the salmon we eat in the UK is farmed and not wild. Unfortunately, farming fish (or aquaculture as it’s known in the trade) is not the answer. It comes with its own, even worse problems.

Salmon, trout and many other commonly farmed fish are carnivorous. They eat other fish. So in order to produce a kilo of salmon, you need to feed it five kilos of other fish. The other fish is caught in the wild. So eating farmed salmon is like eating five wild fish. Blimey.

Salmon also excrete a lot of phosphorus. This ends up in the surrounding waters and suffocates things that live on the seabed and creates other toxic side affects. And much like intensively farmed meat, farmed fish are also given antibiotics, growth promoting drugs and colouring. Salmon should be grey, not pink. And all this weird stuff also ends up in the water and is messes about with things living naturally. It’s likely to still be present in the fish we eat too. Yuck.

There’s also the problem of escapee salmon. The WWF estimate that over 600,000 farmed salmon escape from Norwegian farms every year. These fish breed with wild salmon.  This causes a kind of negative evolution. The wild fish become less able to deal with natural conditions and are more likely not to survive. Oops.

And farmed king or tiger prawns, the kind you get at your local Indian, are even worse. So bad that they deserve a separate blog post.

Herbivorous, vegetarian farmed fish are less problematic as you don’t need to feed them other fish. These include carp and various less glamorous fish along with shellfish such as mussels, oysters and clams.

So what can you do?

Labels

The best option is to buy fish marked with the Marine Steward Council blue tick.

The MSC promote a responsible approach to fishing and monitor best practice. They award the mark to fisheries that can demonstrate they are committed to maintaining and re-establishing fish populations and who consider the biological, social and environmental impact of how they fish.

Currently there are only a small number of certified fisheries but the number is growing. Supermarkets now stock MSC-certified Pollock and Salmon from Alaska, New Zealand Hoki, Pacific Cod and Mackerel, Herring and Dover Sole from the UK. There’s a full list of stockists and what they have on offer on the MSC website.

As for other labels, line-caught is a good sign as it means they have used a line and not a massive drift net to catch it and so there is unlikely to be much bycatch. However, if what they’ve caught is North Sea cod, it’s still not sustainable.

The RSPCA freedom food label is applied to farmed fish. This guarantees better animal welfare but their standards are not as high as organic.

If you buy farmed fish, then organic is the best option. Organic fish will have been farmed in less intensive conditions and will not have been given antibiotics or colourings. That’s why organic salmon is not as pink as the standard stuff. Wild fish can never be classed as organic. Because it’s wild, you don’t know what it’s eaten.

Be picky with varieties

The other important thing is not to buy fish that is endangered. There’s a full list on the MSC-run site, fishonile.org but here’s some general rules.

Don’t buy Atlantic salmon, cod (except from Iceland), ling, monkfish, plaice (except from the Irish Sea), Snapper, Sword Fish, Tiger/King prawns (except organic), Skate, Sturgeon, Swordfish and Tuna (except dolphin-friendly, line-caught yellow fin and skipjack).

Do buy carp, clams, cockles, cuttle fish, pollock, black bream, seabream, Dover sole, Dublin Bay prawns, flounder, grey gurnard, herring, hoki, mackerel, red mullet, mussels sprat and whitling.

UK-caught fish also has less food miles so mackerel, herrings and Dover sole are a good bet.

Also, try not to buy small fish. These won’t have had chance to breed and should have been thrown back.

So next time I’m out looking for a fish supper, I’m going to avoid the salmon, unless its an organic treat. I’m going to try and avoid the cod and the haddock and try and go for something a bit more unusual. And if possible, I’m going to buy the one with the MSC blue tick and think twice about buying it if it doesn’t have one.

And I also might stop using the phrase “Plenty more fish in the sea”. Because there aren’t.

เขาเปิดบริษัทออกแบบชื่อ MIO กับน้องชายสองคน เขาเป็นนักออกแบบ น้องชายเป็นผู้จัดการธุรกิจ ออกแบบผลิตภัณฑ์ด้านสิ่งแวดล้อมที่สามารถเข้าถึงได้ง่าย

การออกแบบจะคิดถึง พฤติกรรมและวัฒนธรรมก่อน ผนวกเข้ากับเทคโนโลยีที่มี เพื่อให้เกิดเป็นโอกาสในการออกแบบ เขาคิดถึงเรื่องนี้ตลอดเวลาที่อยู่บนท้องถนน

ปรัชญา : responsible desire คือ ไม่ใช่ซื้อเพราะต้องรักษาโลกอย่างเดียว แต่ซื้อเพราะมันสวยดีด้วย

• คนต้องการของแต่บ้านเยอะมากๆ หลายอย่างทำด้วยแก้ว ซึ่งทำให้โลกร้อนมาก (behavior/culture)
• ขนแกะเป็นวัตถุดิบที่ไม่ทำให้โลกร้อน (Material/ Process/Technology)
• ผลที่ได้คือบรรจุภัณฑ์ที่ทำจากขนแกะ

วัสดุก่อสร้างใหม่ที่ไม่ทำให้โลกร้อน

กลยุทธ์

• Design Aikido (Aikido คือ เอาพลังงานของคู่ต่อสู้มาใช้เป็นอาวุธในการต่อกรกับคู่ต่อสู้) ยางรอพื้นรถสามารถเป็นเก้าอี้ได้
• Producation (Product + Educate) คนชินกับเฟอร์ที่เป็นไม้หนักๆ เราสามารถเอาบอร์ดอัดมาทำเป็นเฟอร์หนักๆ ได้

• Customization/Eco-centric Design โคมอันนี้มีวัสดุส่วนที่ต้องตัดทิ้งน้อยมากๆ
• Active sustainable product

Q&A

อะไรยากที่สุด : การสื่อสารให้คนเข้าใจในตอนแรกครับ

My comment

ผมว่านักออกแบบคนนี้เหมือนนักขายมากครับ เชียร์เก่งมาก เป็นคุณสมบัติที่หาได้ยากสำหรับคนที่สามารถออกแบบได้ด้วย ขายไอเดียได้ด้วย นี่อาจเป็นเหตุผลที่สำคัญอันหนึ่งที่ทำให้บริษัทสองคนของเขาประสบความสำเร็จก็ได้ครับ

นักออกแบบให้ความสำคัญกับการติดตามเทคโนโลยีใหม่ๆ เรื่องวัตถุ เพื่อหาโอกาสในการสร้างสรรค์สิ่งใหม่จากนวัตกรรมด้านวัสดุที่กำลังเกิดขึ้น

Synopsis; EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby

Step 1 - Watch the trailer 

Step 2 - Watch director Shaun Monson address the viewers

Director of film discusses the challenges of making the film. Warning, some disturbing images intercut but his commentary maybe helpful for you.

WARNING: Strong viewer discretion is advised.

Step 3 - Watch the opening sequence

Step 4 - Go to Earthlings to watch the whole 95 min film online and / or order your copy. Share the film with others

Step 5 - Make a change

Ps view an interesting online conversation about this film here

Winter is on it's way. Time to check if your love nest is ready for colder times outside and hot times inside!

So BEFORE winter arrives, meet with me to talk about all the important things you can do, and the bonus fun things, to make your home and love nest perfectly cozy and delightful to be in for just you, or you and that special someone.*

20% off Consult Only

or your Project Package!

*Even if you are single, you ARE a special someone, so don't overlook that you deserve that cozy yum factor in your home, even if you aren't sharing it with another!

Limited Time Offer.  Call for your consultation now!

First up, I FINALLY bought some Klean Kanteens for the boys and I, and I can't wait to use them. No more plastic sippy cups with bad BPA! I got a really great price (and free shipping!) from Reusable Bags; they also donate a portion of their sales to help preserve and restore our natural environment. Go check it out on their site - lots of great stuff!

I recently bought some Franklin goodies, too! Some note cards to include in hand knit presents and things of that nature. He also has his first book coming out this month, and I have pre-ordered my copy; I can't wait until it all gets here!!!

Oh, and one last little splurge. Check out the store's makeover that was done by Jenny of WebsyDaisy. ;) I'm working on updating the items currently in the store, and will have new items up by next week.

Move to southern Oregon, buy a two-acre, defunct berry farm in need of lots of work and start a boutique, hand-made chocolate company of course.

First, you need to plant some fruit - gold raspberries, marionberries, boysenberries, purple raspberries, red raspberries, three varieties of strawberries, blueberries and four varieties of grapes - farm organically, make deals with a nearby sustainable-certified dairy, and source top-quality ingredients like organic chocolate couverture.

Then you start with amazing fruit preserves and work your way up to making chocolate truffles out of your home kitchen (legal in Oregon) and sell them at local farmers' markets out of the back of your pickup truck. The rest is history, as they say.

Jeff Shepard's organic certified Lillie Belle Farms (named after his wife and partner Belle and his daughter, Lillie) is situated at the entrance to the Applegate Valley region of Southern Oregon. Lillie Belle Chocolates can be found in over 300 stores nationwide, a retail operation in southern oregon and via their own retail website.

Today, the nationally-acclaimed, award-winning artisan chocolatier is master of a product line of more than 60 different confections that includes some of the best chocolates, caramels and toffees in America. He has critical acclaim from everyone, including the New York times, Gourmet, CBS Early Show, Wall Street Journal, wine Spectator and NBC Today Show, to name just a few. Lillie Belle Farms won eight gold and silver awards at the 2007 San Francisco Chocolate Salon, tying for the gold as Most Gifted Chocolatier their Smokey Blue Truffle took the gold New Product Award.

This isn't your ordinary wine filled bonbon. Jeff's philosophy is more about simplicity than showmanship. Don't let that fool you. He is constantly pushing the taste envelope. You can taste the quality ingredients, his creativity and his attention to the artisan process in the Lavender Salt Caramels, Strawberry Balsamic Pâte de Fruit, the Spicy Cayenne Caramels, the flavored toffees (Cocoa Nib, Macadamia Nut, Pistachio and Spicy Pecan) and those Smokey Blue Truffles.

The most interesting fact for me is this bear of guy is a truly dedicated Deadhead and his chocolates have been on the tour buses of legends like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Steely Dan and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. What better endorsement do you need?

More than 200 summits over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) in elevation, world-class mountaineering & rock climbing, thousands of kilometers of alpine trekking, lush evergreen forests, breathtaking valleys – an amalgamation of features that describe the likes of the Canadian Rockies or the French Alps, right? True, but what if I told you that you can find all this and more in… deep breath… Taiwan!?!? That’s right, Taiwan! Often noted for its extreme population density in urban areas and progressive architectural escapades, Taiwan also boasts an unbelievably gorgeous countryside that would leave any outdoor enthusiast foaming at the Nalgene. From the “rooftop of Taiwan,” Mt. Yushan (3,952m) – Northeast Asia’s highest peak – to the Sea of Clouds in the Central Mountain Range, Taiwan has a diverse expanse of rich terrain and stunning vistas. So… When you’re planning your next open-air adventure, take a gander at what Taiwan has to offer – you’ll be amazed!

For more information on the titillating Taiwanese terrain, check out the following links!

Taiwan's National Scenic Areas & Parks
Taiwan Tourism Bureau

I am jonesing for a new light fall jacket - this bomber from Hemp Works will most likely be it. Hemp-woven jackets and coats from ultra-ethcial Dutch company Hemp Works are always a good bet. I have the classic Hemp Hoodlamb coat and it is about the warmest thing I've ever owned - it's braved Sundance, and it can brave anything.

The only question is - what color? I love the blue but how blue is it in reality? Slate? Navy? Questions need a bit more answering but surfing around their site is making me salivate.

Click the image above to see the photos by Ellen from the Rally today.

From Sept 29 to Oct 2 the hearing took place at the Supreme Court at the Vancouver Courthouse. The subject is to turn over the regulation of fishfarms to the Federal Government, not the Provincial Govt as it presently is regulated. The decision will take a couple of month. Stay tuned for the results by checking on Raincoast Research - posted at Flickr by Ellen

In the USA, celebrate "Walk to School Day" on October 8, 2008, and promote safe walking and bicycling throughout the year.

If I ever thought I'd be one of those parents who lecture their children about how I had to trudge five miles, up hill and through the snow to get to school every day, I would have rolled my eyes, shrugged my shoulders and said politely, "I don't think so." 

I hate to admit to it, but I've become just that.  You see, when I was at school, I didn't have a choice.  I walked to school every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow.  Yes, every day was "Walk to School Day" for me. 

"Walk to School Day" began in 1997 when the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago.  Back then, it was simply a day to bring community leaders and children together to create awareness of the need for communities to be walkable.   Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community. This year, "Walk to School Day" is expected to include 5,000 schools from all 50 states.

If your family is anything like ours and you live in the 'burbs then your children are used to being chauffeur driven everywhere.  So, I was thrilled when both of my children got in to the magnet school located approximately one mile from our home because it meant we could walk or bike there.   Now, I realise that times have changed and today our neighborhoods and communities are not as safe as they once were, but on October 8th you can join my family and I and let your cherubs feel what it was like to live back in the olden days when mom actually had a life outside of shuttling her kids back and forth to school by participating in "Walk to School Day."

On that morning, like most mornings,  I will smile widely through my children's grumbles and groans about how bad they have it as we walk together to school.  And, yes I'll be sure to remind them of all those reasons why we're leaving the minivan in the garage.

When Capitalism fails and anarchy takes over (tomorrow maybe?), if you;re English you'd do better to hole up in Russia, or wildest British Columbia.

Why? Well, nowhere in the UK seems to be more than a brisk walk away from civilisation (used in the loosest possible sense for most provincial English towns!).

Not quite as remote as a Shetland Bod, but a good introduction to a remote area are the lodges at Cadair View (http://www.cadairviewlodge.co.uk/).

Family friendly, great for exploring, mountain biking, walking, or just being away from the rat race, "off grid". Check out the photos on the website and give it a go!.