Week 2, September 2010
This week’s highlighted local treasure is
Solar Cookers International
From the East Bay Express:
Solar cooking is catching on slowly in California, but in places like Haiti, Darfur, Kenya, and India, the practice is widely used. Worldwide, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people cook primarily with solar ovens. Humanitarian organizations like Sacramento-based Solar Cookers International distribute cheap and efficient solar ovens to war-torn, devastated, and impoverished regions. Most recently, the group distributed 400 kits to families in Pigeon, Haiti, complete with operational training for 135 people.
The method especially appeals to those living in refugee camps and disaster zones, according to Kevin Porter, director of educational resources at Solar Cookers International. “There’s a risk to people venturing outside their camps,” he said. “Women and children leaving the camp to gather firewood are [exposed] to potential rape or beatings. There’s also the benefit of not going through the drudgery of gathering firewood. It’s a lot of work — people spend hours a day gathering wood. Children can spend more time in school instead.” Link to article…
While this fine organization is actually located in Sacramento, I could not resist highlighting them for this week’s treasure. It’s solutions such as these that give me hope in so many ways. Hats off to this Sacramento organization!
So, let’s find some fun ’round the bay…
Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame: Friday in Berkeley. From the SmilingSpider Blog: Echoes of Shakespeare, Hendrix and Kerouac charge solo artist/comedian/gifted guitarist R. Ernie Silva’s true-life tale about his odyssey across the great American outback. An 80’s break dance artist, Silva started performing at the age of 12 for NYC street music stations 107.5 WBLA and 98.7 KISS and at 17 was on the brutal stages of New York City’s standup comedy circuit. His fear of being yet another casualty of the street life of Brooklyn and the overdose of his older brother compelled him one night to run away in search of a more meaningful life. View this video if you’re interested, and see it live at La Pena Cultural Center.
Charlie Musselwhite at Biscuits and Blues: Saturday in San Francisco. From his website: Harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite’s life reads like a classic blues song: born in Mississippi, raised in Memphis and schooled on the South Side of Chicago. A groundbreaking recording artist since the 1960s, Musselwhite continues to create trailblazing music while remaining firmly rooted in the blues. Collaborations with Eddie Vedder, Tom Waits, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Gov’t Mule, INXS, Mickey Hart, George Thorogood and personal friend and best man at his wedding John Lee Hooker. Artist website.
Wild Salmon BBQ at Olympic Circle Sailing Club: Sunday in Berkeley. From the East Bay Express: Sustainably harvested Alaskan salmon is the pièce de résistance at Pacific Environment’s sixth annual Wild Salmon BBQ at the Olympic Circle Sailing Club (1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley) on Sunday, Sept. 12. Local wines and vegan and vegetarian options are also on offer, as are live music and a silent auction. Pacific Environment is a nonprofit devoted to protecting wild places and wildlife of the Pacific Rim.
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Pic of the Week:
Napa County’s Castello di Amorosa is almost unbelievable!