Posts Tagged ‘california’
Monday, July 26th, 2010
It’s been pretty clear to me since a young age that environments are powerful. I remember feeling like a whole new person every time I left my hometown of Los Angeles; especially when I’d vacation to a more greenly hued location. Stepping out of the car and into the natural world was always—quite literally—a breath of fresh air. I’d feel alive! Healthy People, Healthy Places is hosting a webinar on a topic that begins with that basic concept of environment helping along health on Tuesday, July 27th. The key in this upcoming situation is to realize how directly atmosphere affects one’s wellbeing and to ignite positive changes through environmental policy. If you’re interested, give the discussion a go. Call lasts from 2:00-3:00pm, Eastern Standard Time.
-Serena
Grey Los Angeles was never a good environment for me.
Charlottesville, with all its greenery, is a celebration of health and the natural world.
Tags: buy local, california, Environment, virginia
Posted in Buy Local, Environment | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
The non-profit has three action-oriented objectives.
Not far from the shores of Southern California lies the seat of the Inland Orange Conservancy. The not-for-profit has three main objectives. Beyond its call for individuals, organizations, and corporations alike to “Save The Groves!” the Conservancy has two not-so-self explanatory endeavors on its citrus-stained hands. Education is also a major component of what the non-profit in Mendona does, and for good reason. Without awareness, the constituencies mentioned most likely will not feel the pull to root for the orange groves that are native to the area and therefore ripe with as much history and tradition as nutrition. Then, the Conservancy is also committed to putting the fruits of its labors to literal use by gleaning oranges from neighboring commercial agriculture endeavors and donating them to local and regional food banks. All-around, the Inland Orange Conservancy is getting a job well done.
-Serena
Tags: agriculture, buy local, california, eat local, locavore
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local, agriculture | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
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![San Fran. plans to plant more fruit trees [courtesy of Eco Salon].](http://blog.locallectual.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Picture-45.png "Picture 45")
San Fran. plans to plant more fruit trees [courtesy of Eco Salon
So much of the blog material that I come across deals with privately funded programs that it makes me smile when I read about something like the
San Francisco Orchards Project. This publically financed and planned for program states that, “Trees will be made available to individual property owners, community organizations, and City agencies…” by members of the San Francisco Housing Authority. Those who receive trees will also receive guidance on how to take care of and ultimately, how to pull and make use of the fruits that will grow upon them. (Hey— sometimes there’s just too much to eat raw, right from the tree.) Extras that aren’t processed will be distributed to local food banks and pantries for others who are in need. Not in San Francisco? Make the program a model for your own region. After all, planting season is right around the corner.
-Serena
Tags: agriculture, buy local, california, eat local, san francisco, urban agriculture
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local, agriculture | No Comments »
Monday, March 1st, 2010
forageSF will lead Bay Areans through a walk on the wild side this Sunday.
Last year, I took a course on medicinal (and edible) herbs at the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. If learning about the subject while sitting in a classroom for several hours at night was fun, I can only imagine how useful and enjoyable a date with forageSF would be. forageSF is a Bay Area-based organization that educates those who are interested on their plant-world surroundings, no matter how urban the environment may be. This Sunday, February 28th, forageSF is leading yet another walk, though this time it’ll be through “the woods of SF.” For $30.00, you’ll be in for not only some great Vitamin D time (much needed at this time of year) but also two hours worth of direct examples of what, in your area’s landscape, you can safely apply, steep, or eat. Snacks provided.
-Serena
Tags: buy local, california, eat local, local foods, locavore, san francisco
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local, Environment | No Comments »
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
The time has come San Francisco to celebrate its numerous local breweries.
“Oh, hoppy day! San Francisco Beer Week has begun!” reads one of the latest tweets about the city’s joyous festival of brew. Friday, the 5th, through the following Sunday, the 14th, encloses a mad-long series of (local) beer-related events in San Francisco. Trust me. Just the advent of reading the schedule might require one to sit down with some of that golden stuff to sip on. If you thought that Restaurant Weeks were great and well organized then you’ll absolutely love this long celebration, brought to San Fran by its very own Brewers Guild. I mean, the website is so done up that it even includes a section on lodging. (I guess the event attracts a number of people from outside the region?) Next year, I might have to take the Guild up on its suggestions. This time, I hope that whoever’s there already is able to participate— and hoppily, at that.
-Serena
Tags: beer, buy local, california, eat local, locavore, san francisco
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local | No Comments »
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
On the last day of September, over one year after the United States’ financial affairs went spiraling to the sandbox, The Recess Ends. Or does it? The Recess Ends is a film by Austin and Brian Chu that documents the economic collapse of America by connecting with those who were affected by it. By speaking with a variety of both individuals and businesses, the whole spectrum of events is shown in an up-front and real manner. Regardless of whether you count yourself among the millions of Americans who were in the direct line of fire—forgive my play on words—of the 2008 downturn, we’ve all felt it in some way. If you weren’t at the film’s premier in San Francisco on September 30th, then be on the lookout for it to be played at a theater near you in the upcoming months. The stories told are sure to astound, awaken, and inspire.
-Serena
Tags: buy local, california, Economy, movies, san francisco
Posted in Buy Local, Economy, Pop Culture | 2 Comments »
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Budget Travel and CNN ran a story on Tuesday introducing the country to America’s OTHER wine regions that are closer to you thus being better for the environment, your wallet and the local economies.
Stone Hill Winery in Missouri
Introducing the best places for American wines outside:
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Charlottesville, Virginia
Between Hermann and New Haven, Missouri
Anderson County, California
Check out our database of American wineries to find one of the wineries in these areas or another one near you.
-Jess
Tags: california, drink local, Missouri, virginia, washington, wine
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
This weekend is the SF Chefs. Food. Wine. weekend featuring lots of local food, wine, and if the name didn’t reveal it all – chefs. The event’s website sums it up best with this statement, “SF Chefs. Food. Wine. is a four day food and wine event celebrating the unique flavor, diversity and bounty of Northern California. The main tasting tent will be in Union Square, where chefs, wine makers and distillers will offer an exploration of taste featuring local products. Classes and seminars will offer interactive opportunities for the public to participate with local farmers, ranchers, chefs, winemakers, distillers, media, luminaries, authors, vintners, mixologists and culinary experts in an entertaining forum.”
Eat local. Drink local. Have fun locally.
Not only will it be a great event to eat and drink at, but the event supports four great San Francisco area charities : San Francisco Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, The Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship Foundation , and Project Open Hand.
Yet another reason to go? SF Chefs. Food. Wine. aims to be a zero waste event.
Go get those tickets. Sounds like the best event in town to me.
-Jess
Tags: california, local foods, san francisco, wine
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local | 1 Comment »
Friday, July 31st, 2009
holy smokes
a simple streamlined piece
Do you remember when you first learned to draw? When someone first showed you how to make a couple lines look like something? For some reason I always drew the same picture an island with a palm tree, in the middle of a wavy ocean with seagulls flying by. I was always amazed how two little lines, curved the right way, could actually look like a bird. When I saw this necklace by Sidvintage I was intrigued by the simpe necklace seemingly inspired by my drawings. It was simple and streamlined and of course, I loved the fact that all the pieces were reworked vintage jewelry. I decided to check the website all I can say is WOW! Simple and streamlined? How about fantastic, chaotic, imaginative, innovative and gotta have it. Nanci Bennet started Sidvintage in 2004 transforming flea market, and second hand store finds, into exceptionally ornate and sensationally eye catching necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even rings. Each piece is intensively handcrafted using chains, beads, balls, jewels, and rhinestones all transformed into works of art. The pieces are not for wallflowers or the faint of heart, instead they will definitely be a conversation starter at your next dinner party or night out with the girls. Sidvintage is truly one of a kind! I couldn’t draw these if I tried.
from the back in black collection
talk amongst yourselves
–Raven Alexander
Tags: california, LA, made in america, made in california, made in the USA, shop local, sidvintage
Posted in Buy Local, Consumer Products, Pop Culture | 1 Comment »
Monday, July 13th, 2009
Ban.Do is a Do
I have a supercool artsy hipster friend who manages to be a total individual in spite of all of the awfully trendy adjectives I just assigned to her. One of the things that I love about this friend, besides the fact that she is a supercool individual, is that she can pull off wearing things that I could only dream of. One of those items is what I used to call a headdress and now can only name “bando.” Why? Because after reading about a relatively new company that is based out of L.A. that makes headdresses and goes by Ban.Do, I can’t get it out of my mind. From what I can tell, Ban.Do is just two creative girls in who love headdresses perhaps even more than my own friend, and thus decided to start selling them to stores and online. They’ve now developed a black label, a line for brides, and all sorts of other craft-inspiring accessories. All made in California for us to dream about wearing.
-Serena
Tags: american made, buy local, california, fashion, made in california, made in the USA
Posted in Buy Local, Consumer Products | No Comments »
